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, Sept. 2-16, 1772)
Johnson, Sir William in: The
Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 8,
pp. 586-588.
TO THOMAS GAGE
Df.1
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Johnson Hall Septr. 2d, 1772 |
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[DEAR SIR]
Two days since Messengers arrived here from Onondaga to Acquaint me that the Deputies of the Six Nations are returned, and to Report that after having in vain waited a Considerable time for the Wawiaghtonos, Kickapous &ca to meet at the place appointed and at length hearing that these Nations would not see them on account of the Conduct of the Six Nations & Cherokees towards them last Spring they (the Deputies) were constrained to leave their Belts & Embassy in the hands of the Shawanese, who on their parts assured them that every thing thereby directed should be faithfully related to those Nations and that they should have due intelligence thereof:- I have also received a Letter from Mr. Mc Kee the Agent who is Just returned to Fort Pitt and reports that the Six Nations & Cherokees having killed 6 of these Southn. Indns. last Spring was the reason they would not attend; That the Chief of the Shawanese with a few more were going as they gave out to one of the Nations at the Misisipi to find out by whom a large black belt they had received was sent, but It is conjectured that his errand is to New Orleans for some bad purpose: what Creates more Suspicion is that as Soon as the Six Nation Deputies left Scioto on their return home, a Friendly Hunt was proposed by the rest to be held this Autumn at the falls of Ohio, which being agreed to, Runners were dispatched to the Cherokees & Wabash Indians to Invite them and that [Several Parties were already set out upon the]2 hunt. I find Likewise from one of the [Deputies who has been] with me, that there appeared a Good (page 587) deal of [Disingenuity in the][ Conduct of the Indians at Scioto, and that they [cut out little] Embassys for the 6 Nation Deputies during whose absence they held private Consultations, which the Deputies since discovered.
Septr. 16th.- I had wrote thus far when a Severe return of my [Disorder] attacked me with much Violence, and Since partly thro a desire to receive farther particulars as well as from the Hurry occasioned by the Arrival of a good deal of Company, I postponed my Letter.
I am since assured by the Indians that 13 belts in consequence of those delivered to the Shawanese have been given to the Hurons of Detroit &ca who have spoke to the Ottawas, Powtewatamies & Chipeweighs thereon, expressing their purport to see that the Peace should be general, with threats against those who sho. attempt to disturb the public Tranquillity; and for the final determination of all these matters, desiring that Deputys from these Nations shod. go to the Meeting to the Southward by the Time the Corn began to ripen, and by Advices I have Just recd. from Mr. Maisonville I find that they have sent from Ouiatonon to Riviere a L'anguille, Coeur de Cerf, Vermillion, Rivre. aux Iroquois, Porte Vincent, St Joseph &ca, to Consult all these People & Call them together thereon, so that we must Wait the result of that Meeting for more particular Information. But My opinion (which is partly founded on what the [Six Nation Deputies] suggest) is that the Majority of these Nations Mean only a General peace amongst themselves & a strict Union which cannot bode any [good] to us: I have Just been favored with your Letter of the [7th. Inst. and can say little on the Affair of Mr. St. Luc but that I dont think any Argument drawn from] his fidelity to his former Sovereign will [amount to a proof] of his Attachment to a Government which even [Obligations] may not render so agreeable as that under which he was bred. [I wish] I could find out the real purport of the Belt, which would determine the Matter.- And if the Belt itself was sent to me I might possibly be able to trace it out.- (page 588) I am Sensible of the Expence & Difficulty attending the keeping up a Post at the Ilinois, at the same time I wish that Some of our Enemies may Not be more at Liberty on the removal of the Troops, but this is a private Thought which I must beg your indulgence of.- I shall take care to put these Matters on the best footing I can by representing it to the Indians in such a Light as may appear favourable to us.-
I am much obliged by your reception of what I mentioned concerning Capt. Stephenson, whose Case as Stated to me appeared sufficient to Justify the Liberty I took. As nothing offers in your power in the way he wished, I am at a loss what farther to say about it, because there is nothing in my way to offer him that would Amount to an Equivalent for his Commission.- Your Consideration of Capt Mc Leods circumstances is very humane; & I shall let him know it; he is a Worthy Man, who stands in Need of Assistance, & would doubtless meet with yours if in your power at present.
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His Excellcy |
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LIEUT GENL GAGE |
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INDORSED: |
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Septr.
2d, 1772- |
FROM JOHN BLACKBURN
A. L. S.
[ ]
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London 2d Sept 1772 |
Foregoing is a Copy of my last3 since
which am without any of your agreeable Letters- Lord Hillsborough has resign'd
& Lord Dartmouth succeeds Him- this affair of the Grant4
makes some noise & will be the occasion of no small Bustle in
Parliament. I can easily forsee that Opposition will take it up with a
_____________________________________
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
2 Missing words supplied from the original letter in William L. Clements Library, Ann Arbor, Mich.
3 (1, From Blackburn) Blackburn's letter to Johnson, August 8, 1772.
4 (2, From Blackburn) The Walpole Grant.
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