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 Gage

(Johnson Hall, Dec. 23, 1771)

Johnson, Sir William in: The
Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 8,
pp. 348-350.

pp. 348, 349, 350.

(page 348)

TO JOHN BRADSTREET

In the Johnson Calendar, p. 497, is listed a letter written Dec. 23, 1771 at Johnson Hall by Sir William Johnson to Col. Bradstreet, recalling a statement by Indians, in the presence of Sir Henry Moore, that the lands of the Six Nations extended to the Popachtunk branch of the Delaware, and they would sell to Bradstreet the land between the Mohock and Popachton branches. (printed in Doc. Rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 8:287-88.)

TO THOMAS GAGE

Df.¹

Johnson hall Dec^r. 23^d, 1771-

DEAR SIR,

I have Just received your favor of the 11^th Ins^t the Subject of which I have considered together with those of your Letters of Sept^r. concerning the hostile proceedings of some of the Indⁿ. tribes to the South West. I have likewise compared the same with Sundry pieces of Intelligence I have received, & on the whole I am of opinion that the Ouiaghtonos, and most of the Tribes about the Ouabache as well as some on the Ohio &c, are inclinable to Commit hostilities and that the Young Warriors of some other Nation may Joyn them is Extremely probable. The Licentious frontier Inhabitants who go over the Mountains & many of whom are engaged in hunting having Continually disputes or rencounters with the Indian parties which being equally unjustifiable encrease Mutual Animosities & tend to diffuse a Spirit of disaffection amongst the Indians.-

These Nations must be at War somewhere their Young people more especially are ungovernable, and the least provocation suffices as a pretext for acts of Violence.- Should these appearances encrease I am of opinion that we should prepare to reduce them by force, To Awe those of whom we are in doubt, & to preserve & Cherish the fidelity of those in whom we can confide, encouraging their Parties to go against the Enemy (page 349) accompanied by some, of our own People.- This is what occurrs at first view, but as in a quarrel with Ind it is impossible to say exactly what numbers may Engage or in what manner they may carry on their operations, so it is necessary to provide as far as we can in all Quarters against their first blow For, altho I am confident it is now in their power to [render a Rupture] with the Indians general, I am far from thinking [that] it will be solely confined to one part of the Country, or that their [Object] would be a Single Garrison, or outpost. The Militia of the Frontiers should therefore be put in such a state as to be of some Use & to Cooperate in the defence of the Frontiers, whilst an Attack is made on those who most deserve it by some Chosen Troops and Indians.- But I may be going too far on this head for as I have no doubt of the Inclination of the Six Nations (to speak of them generally) for bring^g. those disorderly Tribes to peace & submissⁿ. There is some reason to think that the Messages now sent & what has been farther proposed by the Six Nations will have a good effect & by shewing the fidelity of the latter destroy the hopes which the rest might have placed on their Assistance, At the same time the persons charged with Tho^s. Kings proceed^s. not being yet returned It may perhaps be better to allow a little more time on that accot, especially as the delay is not likely to be dangerous at this Season.-

Last Week, some young Caghnawagas who had left him at Chote returned here & bro^t me a Letter from M^r. Cameron at that place a Dep^y of M^r Stuarts dated 21^st Aug^t. who tells me of his having with the Assistance of the Cherokees prevailed on a party from the Northward of Cayugas to desist from attacking the Chactaws. He seems to have wished that they had attacked the Creeks. And tells me that the Cherokees desired him to write to me that they were ready & willing to attend to the advise of their Brothers here, that the Ouiatonos Twightwees &c still committed hostilities in their Nations & begged that I would take pity on them, Adding Likewise their Sollicitations to the Chat^s. for Assistance to Subdue these Tribes, sho^d they (page 350) not Listen to Amicable proposals.- I think that this is a matter worthy attention, and that a good use may be made of it.-

M^r. Croghan has wrote to me in the same manner you mention, and as he has several times applied to the Same effect, I can no longer desire his stay in the Department. He has given me no particulars concerning the provisions &c; but seems to think that very little presents were Actually given out at Fort Pitt;- I have read the acct of prov^s. issued to Ind^s. there in 3 months, and am sensible of what you observe on that head, but That post is so Situated & is in a General rout wch greatly contributes to encrease the Expences.

I am much at a Loss to know what Trader could have so far Imposed as to appear at Kente or elsewhere Trading under any pass of mine, not having issued one to any person for such purpose for many years past, & then these papers were to be annually renewed. I shall make what enquiry I can that he may be treated as he deserves;-

I sincerely wish you the Compliments of the Season

And am with true regard

His Excell^cy. LIEUT GEN^L. GAGE

INDORSED:
		Dec^r23^d, 1771.- _______________ To Lieut Gen^l. Gage with an Ans^r to his Questions on the Intelligence he transmitted.

A CHURCH OF ENGLAND RECORD

At Albany, Dec^r. 24, 1771

	[ ] of my Congregation, at present.
	[ ] Monier, & family . . .	4.
	Widow Callison ....	5.

___________________________

¹In handwriting of Guy Johnson; missing sections supplied from manuscript letters in William L. Clements Library, Ann Arbor, Mich.

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