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
(Fort Pitt, March 9, 1771)
Edmonstone, Charles in: The
Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 8,
pp. 9-11.
CHARLES EDMONSTONE TO THOMAS GAGE
Contemporary Copy1
[Extract] of a Letter from Captain Edmonstone to General Gage-
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Dated Fort Pitt March 9th, 1771 |
A party of Six Nation Indians who had been here some time, to whom I behaved with the utmost Civility; on the 2d. Inst. took (page 10) their Leave of me, and when at a Small Distance from the Fort, met with a Soldier of the Train, who they instantly attacked, nearly Cut of his Nose, and entirely Split his upper Lip; on his making off, they pursued him, and no doubt would have Killed him, had they not been a little in Liquor, so were incapable of overtaking him.-
On the 7th: Inst. Mohikin John, Joseph, two Stockbridge Indians who have been amongst the Delawares and Shawnese, for more than a Year, Came to me, and gave the Intelligence, I herewith Inclose to your Excellency, also another from a Shawnese Chief, who Mr. Croghan Sent for to Enquire, as he could not give Credit to all John had told.
Those Informations Correspond, and indeed a Confirmation of all the former Intelligence forwarded to your Excy., which indicates, that something is in Agitation among the different Nations, that Bode no good to His Majesty's Interest.-
For my part, I can assure your Excellcy. that I have taken all the Care I could to please the Indians, and in particular the Six Nations, Most of the Party's that comes, bring Pass's and other Papers from Sir Wm. Johnson; Setting forth, their being particular Friends; and their steady Attachment to the English; and the Chief [] that is made at this Post, is given to that ungrateful and perfidious People.
The Shawnese and Delawares, as I observed in my former Letters, appear'd Sulky and disgusted; Yet have always behaved Civil at this Post, and indeed to all the Inhabitants about, the difference that happened here, the Summer 1769 and last Year; was entirely owing to the Six Nations; And the Quantity of Spirituous Liquors, sold them by our Traders. They purchase nothing else but Liquors, and when Intoxicated never fail to Insult and abuse White Men; Either Soldiers or Country People, which convinces me, they Study Mischief when Sober, and put it in Execution when Drunk.
After the Differences which happened last Summer the Six Nations, who live down the River promised to myself and Mr. Croghan in the Strongest Terms, that their future Conduct would (page 11) Convince us, of their Inclination to promote Peace and Tranquility; Yet those very People, with the Party's, which pass from the Six Nation Country, have been exceedingly Troublesome: They are always as Naked as Beggars to what other Indians are, and Constantly applying for different Things, and if refus'd get very Angry; and Contest with me, the Reason why I should refuse them any Thing; and have told me, I was Sent here only to take Care of them.-
I should not have dwelt so long on this disagreable Subject, but to give your Excellency a just Account of those People's conduct, along with those two Papers of Intelligence.
I have frequently Spoke to Mr. Croghan, on this Subject, of the Different Pieces of Intelligence, which We have had, to get his Opinion which he has always avoided giving; in particular Yesterday, when he told me, he had, and always would give me, every Information that came to his Knowledge, for the good of his Majesty's Service, but would not give his Opinion, as he Knew by Experience, it would not be well taken; That it was both his Duty and Interest to prevent an Indian War, if in his Power; for that he had more property to Loose by one, near this Post, than any other private Subject His Majesty had, in this Country.-
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1 This and the two preceding documents containing information concerning an Indian conspiracy, are in the same handwriting.
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