THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
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indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Letter to Johnson
(New York, Oct. 10, 1768)
Gage, Thomas in: The Papers
of Sir William Johnson,
vol. 6, pp. 433-434.
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S.1
|
New york Octr. 10 th1768. |
DEAR SIR,
I have received your favour of 12th Sept., but there being nothing for me to Answer, I have not troubled you with any Letters at a Time when you must have had so much Business upon your Hands.
This will probably Meet you on your Return home from the Congress, and the inclosed Extract of Letters from Capt. Forbes2 at the Ilinois, and Lieut. Colo. Wilkins3 in his way to Fort Chartres, will inform you of the occasion of my writing by this Post.
From the Circumstance mentioned by Capt. Forbes of the Indians carrying away some Loads of Peltry after they had Murthered the White People, I apprehend they are the same Murthers of which Mr. Watts the Cherokee Interpreter sends advice: and adds, that the White People instead of hunting Buffalo for the use of the Garrison of Fort Chartres, which he conceives they were only employed to do by Captain Forbes, have been killing Deer Bear and Beaver, on the Indians hunting Grounds. Captain Forbes Design of Seizing the Indians when they come to make Excuses for these Murthers, does not seem to me the proper way to obtain Satisfaction, as it has an appearance of a Breach of public Faith. It Strikes me in that Light, but you will know best in what Sense the Indians look upon Such Methods to obtain Satisfaction.
The Western Indians going to war against the Cherokees, seem to Spare neither White or Red People who fall in their (page 434) Way,- and Some of the war Partys of the Cherokees have acted in the same way. And it is pretty plain, that the Navigation of the Ohio is become very unsafe. The Indians of the Ouabache, Miamis, Pouteatamies, and some Tribes of the Chippewas, which last killed the Boat Crew last year, are those who are principaly concerned in committing Hostilities upon the Ohio. It is highly Necessary to take every Step that can contribute to put an End to them, and to obtain Satisfaction for What has passed. They make much Noise when any of their People are killed and it gives us a great deal of Trouble and creates large Expences to make them Satisfaction. We cannot let these Murthers pass unnoticed, and I should be glad you would be so good immediately to take Such Measures as appear to you the most efficacious, to bring these People to Reason. Mr. Hay4 will have informed you what he has done at the Detroit respecting the Murthers of last year on the Ohio, and the killing the Traders at St. Joseph and the Miamis the last winter.
You will hear of the Commotions at Boston, they are a most turbulent seditious People. Two Regiments are landed there from Halifax,5 and two more ordered from Ireland. I am obliged too there to see into the State of Affairs, and propose Setting out from this Place after tomorrow.
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I am with great Regards, |
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Dear Sir, |
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Your most obedient, |
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THOs. GAGE |
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SR: WM: JOHNSON Bart:
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INDORSED: |
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N York October 10th, 1768 |
_____________________________
1 In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
2 Captain Gordon Forbes, of the 34th regiment.
3 Lieutenant Colonel John Wilkins, of the 18th regiment, commander of Fort Chartres, 1768-69.
4 (1, p. 434) Jehu Hay, commissary at Detroit.
5 (2, p. 434) The 14th, 29th and part of the 59th, nearly a thousand men.- Justin Winsor, Narrative and Critical History of America, 6:45.
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