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.
Letter to Johnson
(New York, Aug. 27, 1769)
Gage, Thomas in: The Papers
of Sir William Johnson,
vol. 7, pp. 140-141.
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S.1
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New york August 27th 1769 |
DEAR SIR
I am favoured with yours' of the 19th 2 Inst: and am truely concerned that you still feel the Effects of the hurt you got in the Indian Country, which will require rest and Care to get the better of.
Lieut. Colo. Wilkins did not send me the answer he got to his Speech,3 tho' I received a Copy of that you have Sent me from the Detroit; I formed the Same opinion with yourself concerning the Speech as Soon as it came to hand, and wished it had been drawn in Terms far different from what it is. You observe well that Threats only irritate, and it is best to let them alone, or if you determine upon Hostilities to strike at once.
You will observe, that the Intelligence by way of the Detroit concerning the Attack on the Boat in the ouabache differs from Lieut. Colo. Wilkins's Report. The first charging the Pouteatames with the Commission of that Action, and the Colonel lays the Blame on the Piankashaws. Silver Heels however will be able to clear up that Matter, as he must know What Nation it was that made the Attack. It is not impossible that they were mixed, and Some of both Nations concerned. The puting the Indians of the Six Nations to Death when they had a Prisoner, and refusing to deliver him to Colonel Wilkins seems very extraordinary.
I have received Nothing new from the Side of Fort Pitt. The Confederacy you Mentioned that the Shawnese and Delawares had entered into May have been occasioned by the Cessions Made by the Six Nations as it is positively said those Indians will not allow us to Settle on the ceded Lands.
Some Letters I have received from the Southward Mention Several Skirmishes between the Cherokees and the Northwards notwithstanding the Peace concluded between them. They call them all Northwards without distinguishing any particular Nation. Several have been killed on both Sides.
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I am with great Regard, |
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Dear Sir, |
|
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Your most obedient, |
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THOS. GAGE |
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P:S:
You will be so good
when you write to the Detroit
to send some Directions concerning
the two Prisoners delivered up by
the Pouteatamies.
T
G
SIR WM: JOHNSON Bart.
|
INDORSED: |
|
N York 27th August 1769 |
TO JOHN PENN
Df.4
|
Johnson-hall Augt 27th, 1769 |
SIR
Agreable to what I mentioned in my Letter of the
17th Inst I now inclose you a Receipt Signed by the Chiefs of each
Nation for the Ammount of the Proprietaries purchase which I paid to each
Nation in the most publick Manner during my late Tour, and for which they
Expressed their Thanks and appeared very well Satisfied,- My delivering it to
them in their own Country, was not only the more agreable to them, as they were
not Exposed
__________________________________
1 In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
2 The 17th?
3 See supra the copy sent by Johnson with his letter of August 26th to the Earl of Hillsborough.
4 (1, p. 141) In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
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