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
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Journal of Transactions
and Presents Given the Indians
(Dec. 23, 1768 - March 12, 1772)
(Due to length divided here into three parts)
Wilkins, John in: (Enc. in Wilkins
to Gage, June 1, 1772), William
L. Clements Library, University
of Michigan, pp. 1-53.
(page 23) Village made me a visit gave them at Sundrey times, See acco:t.
Septem:r 27th On my return to Fort Chartres the Chief and men of the Mitches desired to take leave of me before their going out to hunt for the winter gave them 2 blanket Coats, & 2 blue blankets, 6lb Tobacco, 6 Gallons rum, 10lb powder & 20lb lead.-
29th The Chiefs & nation of Kaskaskias came on same account as going to hunt on the Ohio & demanded 2 of the Kings boats &c, but gave them 6 Gallons rum.-
Octob:r 10th The one Eyed Chief & warriors of the Mitches came in from hunting to trade &c, visited with the usual assurances of friendship, gave them 6 Gallons rum, 2lb Vermillion & 6lb Tobacco.
20th A party of Kahokie warriors to trade & Visited with professions of Friendship &c, gave them 2 Blankets, 8lb powder, 16lb lead, 3 Silk handkerchiefs 1st Sort provisions &c;-
28th The Young Chief & party of the Mitches return'd from hunting & requested refreshments &c gave them 3 Gallon Keg of rum, 8lb powder, & 16lb lead a fusie & provisions &c;-
Novem:r 12th (page 24) A party of Mitches from hunting to Enquire of News &c, visited & gave them 3 Gallons rum, 4lb powder 8lb lead, 2 bed gowns to Squaws, & 2 Handkerchiefs 1st Sort provisions &c
20th A party of Mitches from hunting & to trade, gave them 3 Gallons rum, 2 bed gowns for Squaws 6lb powder 12lb lead provisions &c.
15th Chief and party of the Peorias from hunting & to trade gave them 2 Gallons Rum, 5lb powder & 2lb lead.
Decem:r 1st Young Chief & party of the Mitches from hunting & to trade, Curious in Enquiry concerning the Spaniards coming up the Mississippi, gave them 6lb powder & 12lb lead pipes & Five lb Tobacco, 3 Gallons rum, 1 lb vermillion provisions &c;-
10th A party from the Peories hunting ground & report that they and others were so unfortunate at to loose a large Canoe loaded with Skins &c & most of their Guns &c by its being Carried a Drift with the Ice, gave them 3 Gallon Keg of rum 6lb powder 12lb lead provisions &c
17th A party of the Mitches to visit and trade being return'd from hunting; gave them 2 Gallons rum some (page 25) pipes & 3lb Tobacco 6lb powder 12lb lead provisions &c
Dec:r 20th Came to visit & Trade from hunting a party of Mitches, gave them 4lb powder, 8lb lead, 3 Gallons rum, some flints provisions &c.-
25th Xmass day came a party as above with the compliments of the Season &c gave them 2 gallons rum provisions &c
1770
Janry: 1st Came a party of Mitches as above
gave them 3lb powder, 6lb lead some pipes provisions
&c-
4th Came a warriors of the ottawas who hath been long with the English & faithfully, gave him a Shirt, 1 Silk Handkerchief 1st Sort 1lb vermillion &c as he is returning to his Nation by New Orleans, Philadelphia New York &c with A Mr. Holingshead
6th Came the young Chief of the Mitches & party to Trade & Visit gave them 2 Gallons rum, 4lb powder 8lb lead provisions &c
14th Came to trade & visit a party of Kaskaskies gave them one gallon rum, some pipes & 3lb of Tobacco, 3lb powder 6lb lead, provisions &c
Feb:y 6th (page 26) A party of Mitches as above gave them 2 Gallons rum provision &c
15th Came from hunting to trade & Visit Tomeroy Chief of the Kaskaskies & party, gave them one Gallon rum provisions &c during their Stay here.-
20th A Party of Peories to trade & Visit gave them 2 Gallons rum provisions &c.-
March 18th A Chief of the Mitches & party as above gave them 3 Gallons rum
20th Party of Kickapoes to trade & enquire for News, told me much of belts flying about from other Nations to Strike the English &c &c.-
21st Black Dogg Chief of the Peories & part of that Nation return'd from their winter hunt to trade & Visit & report the Combination of Nations Against the Illinois gave them 6 Gallons rum in a Keg provisions &c.-
22d The young Chief of the Mitches & party as yesterday gave them 6 Gallons rum provisions &c-
24th A Chief an another party of the Peorias just return'd from hunting & to trade Visit &c talk'd much (page 27) of their Apprehensions of many Nations coming to cut them off this Summer & demanded Strongly to be permitted to build their Village close to this Fort, but as I saw great inconveniencys therefrom put them off in pleasing terms Vizt. that they would have nothing of Consequence to fear, that all on this Side the Mississippi belong'd to their great & good father the King of England, who had it in his power to send men in numbers like the Trees in the Forrest to revenge the cause of his injur'd Children, therefore persuaded them to return to their old village about 14 hundred yards from the Fort, & sent the Teams to carry their things from the river side to their Village, gave them at times 6 Gallons rum provisions &c
March 29th A warrior and party of the Kickapoes came to visit on going off to their Nation, gave them 3 Gallons rum which was after Stole from them by the Mitches.-
April 2d The Chief and warriors of the Peories, from being threaten'd by many Nations demanded to have (page 28) a war dance in the Fort, gave them 6 Gallons rum provisions &c
April 6th Assembled the Chiefs & warriors of the Nations present to introduce to them Monsre Minard as Indian Interpretor & gave them reasons for the Change, & acquainted them with my intentions to make peace for them with the Sakes & Reynards &c thro the Assistance of Mr. Pratt all which they highly approvd off, gave them 6 Gallons rum provisions &c
12th A party of Mitches return'd from hunting visited to hear what news as a report is made that 2 Cabbins of Indians are Cut off near the mines on the Spanish Side gave them 3 Gallons of rum, 4lb powder 8lb lead provisions &c
17th Black Dogg & warriors being in great want of Ammunition &c, gave them 10lb powder, 20lb lead, 3 Gallons rum, 1lb Vermillion provisions &c
26th Arrived John Montour & some Iroquois Indians seem well inclin'd to serve us & to know who would dare to Strike the English, refresh'd them with provisions & one (page 29) Gallon of rum.-
April 27th The Indians mention'd yesterday insisted on going with Captain Evans & Company to Kahokie as I have said & directed them to go in search of the great number said to be coming Against us, & if possible bring their Chiefs to let me know the cause of their discontent & what Nation have dar'd to kill the Traders three men at Kahokie.
29th They Embark with Captain Evans; gave them 6lb powder & 12lb lead, 1 lb vermillion a Calumet, a 2 1/2 Gallon keg of rum provisions &c
May 7th They return'd after seeing Mr. St. Ange who declar'd that he had done his best to prevent 7 nations coming Against the Illinois Indians for Pondiacks Death, that Mons:r St Ange express'd his concern that those nations did imagine that the English had influenc'd the Savages to kill Pondiack, that it was the grand Soutou, (Brother to Pondiack) and party, had kill'd the 3 English at Kahokie a Mons:r Lantol an Inhabitant of Kahokie was present who came with others to request that a (page 30) Command might be sent to Kahokie, & he & all the Others with the above Indians went to Escort or Conduct Captain Evans who was receiv'd as mention'd in his letter to me, this Mons:r Lantol deliver'd me a friendly Speech in French from the Sakes & Reynards with 2 pipes and a belt & shall send them an answer also by said Gentleman at his request shall write to Mr. Bruce who lately wrote me he is a trader & dwells with the Sakes and Reynards to repeat my request that they would come to this Country to trade &c &c, at peace with out Indians who are prepar'd to receive them, the Chief of the 6 nations desir'd of me that he might send a Belt by said Mons:r to any nations that would dare Strike the English acquainting them that he would Stir up his nations to Support & defend the English.
19th The Muskato Chief & party from the Wabash, all but himself kill'd by the Cherokees near Port Vincent.
May 20th (page 31) A War party of Shawanese with those & other parties I was plagued for many days in representing the folly of any Nations that would dare to Strike the English or their friends.-
30th Sent off the Packet with Montour & 14 Indians Shawanes & c returning from war.-
About 17th July Black fly and party from the Wabash, had long talk of the Situation of Affairs, their Visit was of Consequence as reported to His Excellency the General, gave them 10 pr leggins, 10 Britch Cloaths, 2 Silk Shifts & 4 petticoats for their Women, 3 Silver Crosses to the Chiefs, 1 lb vermillion, at times 6 Gallons rum, also provisions &c while they remain'd here & 8lb powder, 20lb lead.-
Augst. 8th The Corn Cob Chief (of the Shawanes a Man of great Consequence) & party Visited with the usual professions of Friendship demand Assistance, gave them 2 Rufled Shirts, 1 lb Vermillion 2 (page 32) Handkerchiefs, 1 Gallon rum & provisions &c while they rested here.
Aug:st 9th & 10th The Calabash Chief of the Peancushaws & other Chief Men from the rivers, told them freely of their behaviour at Post Vincent &c, and that I knew their distresses after plundering the English Trade & no more French goods being allow'd to pass the Spaniards at New Orleans, but that I was still in hopes of their future good behaviour, & advised them to return & Consult the Chiefs of the Inhabitants and Nations at & about Post Vincents, & if they give me certain hopes of Safety to a trader perhaps I should prevail on one to go there as they must now be greatly distress'd for goods & obliged to come this distance for Supplys, nay that I might be prevail'd on to send an officer & party to that place who would prevent the great Irregularity they so much Complain of &c &c, Gave them 1 vermillion, 6 Gallons rum at times, 10lb powder, 20lb lead, a belt to Speak to those I had directe[d] provisions &c while they rested here 7 or 8 days myself being ill & not able to receive their visit.
14th The Corncob Chief of Shawanes & party retur[ned] (page 33) from a visit to Don Piernas much dissatisfied, & requested permission to come & Settle on this side, this I readily granted as the Corn Cob hath been of great Consequence at miser &c, and his coming over to us will have a good Effect on all Savages, gave him 1 1/2 Gallons rum, 6lb powder & 12lb lead provision &c
Septem:r 5th Tomeroy & Le Cloch two Chiefs & party of Kaskaskies, came to acquaint me of the designs of the river Indians and beg'd of me that they might go and confirm a peace with the Chickasaws & Cherokies, & asked & had a pipe & belt for that purpose also 10lb powder & 20lb lead, 3lb vermillion 6 Gallons rum provisions &c
12th The Black Dogg Chief of the Peorias came with a lementable Story of a Squaw to be put to death for marrying Contrary to their Custom but to Save the poor woman, made up the affair for 6 Gallons rum
20th Visited by Tomeroy & Le Cloch who reported that they were prevented from Visiting as mention'd the 5th Ins:t as a Tribe of their Nation on the Spanish Side determined (page 34) to make war with the Chickasaws but that they would not join them without my advice persuaded them to live quiet & Set a good Example of Industry to their Nation gave them 6 Gallons rum to drink with their warriors going out on a hunt.
October 1st Corncob as a Shawane Chief of great Consequence and party receiv'd a riffle Gun & new Saddle & at times 3 Gallons rum paint provisions &c mended his Beaver Traps &c, & gave him 4lb powder & 8lb lead.
15th The one Eyed Chief & party of the Mitches from hunting gave them at times 3 Gallons of rum, 6lb powder & 12lb lead provisions &c
20th Another party of Mitches from hunting gave them 4lb powder 10lb Ball 1/2 Gallon rum provisions &c.
NB The nation having been far off to hunt but few visits at this place till 2d Decem:r a Waiandot arrived with Lt De Berniere from Fort Pitt.-
1771
February 12th Tomeroy the Chief & party from hunting,
talk much of his attachment to the English, & that he had seen (page
35) no Strange Indians in the time of his
absence, the truth of which I doubt, gave him for himself a Shirt some paint,
Leggins, & Britch Cloath, 1/2 gallon rum, & for his wife & Daughter
2 bed gowns & to his party 3 gallons rum, 6lb of powder & 12lb
lead provisions &c, and mended their Arms.-
February 21st The Black Dogg Chief of the Peorias came & acquainted our Interpretor, that M Perras's Interpretor had threaten'd to send him a bloddy hatchet unless he & his Nation would quit the English & join the Spaniards &c, he talk'd to me of other matters concerning his Nation, March 22d but when I heard of this Story sent for him from Kahokie, he fell sick at this Fort & seemingly near his Death beg'd to see me & declar'd to me as above & only wanted to get back to his nation to keep them Steddy to the English, on which I hired a Calash &c for himself and Brother, gave them 2 Shirts, 2 pair leggins, Britch Cloaths, & a blue blanket & at Times 6 Bottles of wine which I will Charge as rum, also 6 Gallons of Rum to drink with his warriors.-
24th Arriv'd a Chief (Called English) and warriors from the Missoury almost naked & Seem'd wretched, Complain'd (page 36) of the Spaniards treatment in not permitting Traders to bring ammunition up the Missoury &c &c, plagues me with long Visits for 3 days & nothing but begging from me as they said their English & only Father, they are apart of that Nation that long ago refus'd to accept of a present worth 20 the present time made it necessary to give them 8 blanket, 8 pair leggins, Britch Cloaths, 6 Gallons rum in 2 Keggs, 2 lbs vermillion, 15 lb powder, 30 lb lead, & a laced hatt for the Chief.
March 25th Arrived from their hunting the one Eyed Chief and party of the Mitches, & acquainted me with having the day before Spoke with 12 Patawatimes who landed 10 or 12 Mile above this Fort & declar'd they were going to war with the Cherokies, but have undoubtedly taken off a Soldier of this Garrison, Sam Woodhead as reported to His Excellency pr. a letter the 26th Instant.
27th Dispatch'd a waindot Indian with a Packet for His Excellency under Cover to M Croghan or the Officer Commanding at Fort Pitt, this Indian that receiv'd at times, since his arrival with Lieu:t De Berniere the 2d Decr 1770, a Shirt, Blanket, Leggins, britch Cloath, one lb Vermillion 12lb powder 20lb lead & 6 Gallons rum & a (page 37) Tomahawk & Kettle, the talk & disposition of this Savage made it imprudent to write by him fully to your Excellency.
March 28th Sent out the one Eyed Chief & party of the Mitches to reconnoitre with 2 white men to be depended on who report that they found the Tracks of the Enemy & Soldier taken by them, & by the marks of the Shoes of the Soldier they have certainly taken him off alive perhaps to get a ransom for him at Detroit, its said here by the Savages that it is the same party of Patawatimes that carried off a man & his wife of the 34th Regim:t for same purpose (& was rewarded by M:r Cole) they also Scalp'd a Grenadier (& Kill'd his wife) of the 18th Regim:t last year, tis thought probable this party will bring the Soldier in here, if so I shall take care of the Villains till I have your Excellencys Commands thereon, gave this reconnoitreing party 2 Gallons rum + N. B. the 8th March 1772 a skeleton was found in some bushes 1 1/2 Miles from this Fort Supposed to be that of the unfortunate woodhead, the bones are buried.
April 4th The young Chief and party of the mitches from hunting gave them at times 2 Gallons rum for Self & party.-
7th The one Eyed Chief & Chequga for refreshment after having Establish'd their Village near this Fort 1/2 Gallons rum at times, the first Chief went off discontented to Pain (page 38) Court saying (as the report was then) that if 500 Sakes & Reynards was coming to Exterpate the Spaniards he would go to Don Pernas, as that Stroke was intended against the English & not the Spaniards, none of his nation would go with him & he return'd in a Sute of Spanish Regimentals, was treated with Contempt by the Garrison & Inhabitants at Kahokia till he put on his own dress & is now return'd here and laught at for his Conduct.
April 8th Tomeroy & La Cloch Chiefs of the Kaskaskias from hunting & reconnoitreing for the Strange Indians Supposed about us, & report that many tracks were seen but saw nothing of the Enemy gave them 1 lb Vermillion 8lb powder & 16 lb lead, 4 Jews harps & 2 dozen of Small Brass bells for their boys.
12th Chequga and party of the Mitches went out to reconnoitre for the purpose within mention'd.
15th Return'd with Same report as Tomeroy & La Clouch, gave them 1/2 lb Vermillion, 1/2 Gallon rum, 4 lb powder & 8 lb lead.
17th Baptist & Petagauge & another Chief of the Kaskaskies & miser Indians & party (came as refer'd (page 39) to me by the Spanish officer Commanding at miser) for leave to go to the Chickasaw Nation to make peace & carry from me a belt & Speech for that purpose, I have for particular reasons desir'd 10 days to consider thereon, gave them 1/2 Gallon rum & 1 lb Vermillion.
April 17 Two Mingos arrived from Fort Pitt with a Packett enclosing His Excellencys letters datted the 11 February 1771 &c &c, those Savages being in great want gave them 2 blanketts, 2 pair leggings, 2 britch Cloath, 1 Small looking Glass & 1lb of vermillion.
18th Came Tomeroy & La Clouch &c, & reported that by tracks a large party had directed their march to this Fort & therefore necessary to be on our Guard, the Same day an alarm Spread at Kaskaskias that one of our Gates was attack'd by Indians.
19th Arrived in the rear of this Fort as if to avoid being Seen 20 young Chickasaw warriors ornamented & well Appointed, lodged them in a room in the Fort to prevent their being ill treated by our Indians &c
20th With Defficulty got a person to Speak to their (page 40) Chief, and found them desirous to make peace & much more talk with great reserve, this evening 10 more of same nation arrived in the manner as those before mention'd.-
April 21st Got a Chickasaw that had been long married in this Country to a woman of the Peorias, & in talk with the whole party found their intention was to have Struck the Wabash Indians, but falling on a path to this Fort they were determin'd at all Hazards to make me this visit & declare they will now return directly to their nation, Various are the Conjectures of the Inhabitants & Indians in this Country on the Arrival of these their most inveterate Enemies, 7 doubtless those on the other side this river will be equally Alarm'd. Their visit may have a good Effect if I can Contrive to get them out of this Country without Mischief being done, they seem to be a discreet but dareing set of young Men, & have as private as possible shown me their hatred to the river Indians.
22d 23d 24th 25th In Counsil with parties of the nations of the Illinois, Chickasaws, & Shawanes contriving means of bringing about a peace between them, & to appearance have Succeeded at last, as some Warriors of the Kaskaskias are to go with the 30 Chickasaws for that purpose to the Chick- (page 41) asaw nation to Opaymattaka the Chief thereof. The 30 warriors of that Nation present declaring in a very becoming manner their respect to their Chief & that they have no power or authority to talk of peace or war but come here on a friendly visit to me & will return in same manner, this union will be of the utmost consequence as it will Show the Inhabitants on both Sides this river that we can Command there much dreaded Enemy, also Strike a Terror into the wabash & river Indians, Mess:rs Valle & Velar Spanish officers at Miser in their prudence have wrote me in very polite & pressing Terms desiring I would Include them in a peace with the Chickasaws. I have answer'd them with all politeness but might have desired they would permit me to ascend the Missoury to gain over the Nations on that river, tis true they come to trade on this Side but not with the Approbation of the Spaniards.
April 26th In Counsil morning & afternoon with abovemention'd parties of nations & the Chickasaws declare they will make a visit to the officer, Troops, Savages and Inhabitants of Kaskaskias.
April 27th (page 42) They prepare to sett off, & I gave their Chief a letter to Opaymattaka their King, also a letter to Messrs. Mc. Intosh & Struthers Traders in that Country to give the party of Chickasaws & Illinois Indians Credit to the amount of 20 New York provided a peace is made between those nations, gave the Chickasaws 15lb powder, 30lb lead, 2 Vermillion, 2 Shirts, 2 blanketts, 3 pair leggins, 3 Britch Cloaths, 2 Tomohawks, pipes, 6 dozen of Small brass bells for the young men, also 6 jews harps, 1 Dozen knives, mended all their Arms & Knives, plenty of provisions during their Stay in this Fort with 7 Gallons of rum in the 9 days to the 30 warriors, & a new lock to one of the Chiefs for his Gunn.
May 5th Tomeroy & party of Kaskaskias Visited on their return from Paincourt.
11th Arrived the Black Dogg & party of the Peorias from Kahokie with the greatest Apprehensions of that nation being soon to be Struck by many other Nations, therefore they requested a most Extravagant Supply of every thing, gave them 10lb powder & 20lb lead & at times 2 Gallons of rum.-
17th The ottawa arrived with a packett from
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