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.
Speech in Indian
Council at Detroit
(Miamis, Aug. 18, 1773)
In: Michigan Pioneer and
Historical Soc. Hist.
Colls., Vol. 19,
pp. 308-310.
authority for complying with their request, I immediately ordered Twelve Muskets wch are equal, number of Bayonets to each Vessel & one Barrel of Powder to be equally divided, likewise some Ball Cartridges & Flints, which I hope will meet with Yr Excellency's approbation. The Indians seem to me tolerably quiet, but people that know them, seem, to think they are plotting something bad; I shall use my best endeavours to watch their motions & shall give Yr Excellency & Sir William Johnson such information, as I shall receive by the earliest opportunity, we have not above sixty serviceable stand, of arms, in our ordnance store & on any emergency, I imagine with Traders & Militia we would raise, at a short time above 300 men, that might be entrusted with Arms, I therefore think, with humble submission, to Your Excellency, that it would not, be improper, to send up some stands of arms, likewise every thing necessary for the defence of the vessels, I have the honor to be with very great Respect.
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Yr. Excellency's |
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His Excellency |
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[B 70, p. 142]
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SPEECH IN INDIAN COUNCIL AT DETROIT
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MIAMIS 18th August 1773 |
The answer of the Miamis Indians to Sir William Johnson's Speech,
Addressed to them by the Hurons:
Our Elder Brethren, We are well pleased with the message you bring us from, our Governor General Johnson. Lo, this is the first time, that we have the pleasure to know, that our General speaks to us, we see that he takes pity on us by sending us this good speech, and we receive it with both our hands, we will do every thing agreeable to his will when we find the speech comes from himself, and we see now, that it is real, and that it is for good, seeing that the Hurons interfere we have listened to them in all times as we have learned from our ancestors, and we will pay no regard to what we hear from any others, we have always had bad birds fluttering about our heads, who vexed our hearts, so that we could hear nothing right. We'll name you these birds they are the Shawanese: who at the same time they talked of peace, told us to keep our axes, always sharp, and ready so soon as the Tawny Ekins (meaning the Indians) were assembled (page 309) together, that they should be all of one people, and strike again all men who wear hats, (meaning the white people) and these talks came from General Johnson' favorites, the Six Nations, whom he esteems so much, and who are always stirring up mischief, For which reason, our Elder Brethren; we would not listen to them, but always make War against the Flat Heads, now you are come to tell us that we are all as one people, wherefore we receive Governor Johnson's Belt, with both our hands, notwithstanding that we are worthy of compassion, having ever since the English are in possession of the country, been looked upon as Bastards; yet our chiefs of the Villages and War Chiefs, will go and use their utmost endeavours that all may be peaceable, and undisturbed agreeable to Genl. Johnson's desire, you Hurons, our Elder Brethren, you reproach us, that you having come to pass, in the road of our former Brethren, have found it stained with the Blood of our present Brethren the White People. Tis true it is stained, but we have not stained it; The road was made by our Ancestors, it now turned aside; we are not the cause of it. Tis true we have imbrued our hands in the Blood of our Brethren, the White People; but it was not on the road of our ancestors, it was off from it, in the Enemies country our Tomahawk fell, you reproach us with the blow against Major Cochran, and our little Brethren the Shawanese, and our having killed them all together. If he had known the former road that was made, this matter would not have happened he was found in the path of the Enemy, it was unlucky for, him, and us, when he came in the road that was traced out by our ancestors, he got to his home, with the greatest facility, and, we believe he has no reason to complain of our Miamis, this old road is now opened again and we are going altogether to sweep it, and make it clean; that agreeable to your demand every one may pass without molestation. Tho' our chiefs be not here, we imagine he will not be dissatisfied with what we do now, and we give some branches of Wampum, and a pipe of peace to confirm what we say the Queen of the Village has given us some branches of Wampum, thanking us that we have taken pity on the women, and children; Wherefore they joined alltogether in this speech and are so well satisfied that they will use their utmost endeavours, to prevent the Chiefs, their children, from doing contrary to the desire of Governor Johnson, we kindly thank the Governor of all Nations, that he has taken pity on us, and we pray the Master of Life to give success to his embassy, We thank our Elder Brethren the Hurons, for coming personally to bring us the Governors Speech; we observe they are old men, and that (page 310) it is an affair of consequence, and we thank you all for taking pity
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CHAPOLONTIA |
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[Signed] |
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NAQUAKOUANDE |
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LE GRIS |
The preceeding Speech was delivered by Baby and several Huron chiefs in
council at Detroit 28th August 1773 to
Major Henry Basset
Commander
and translated from the French by
James
Stirling.
[B 70, p 188]
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MAJOR HENRY BASSET TO GEN. FREDERICK HALDIMAND
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DETROIT 29th August 1773. |
SIR,
I have the honor to receive Yr. Excellency's Letter of the 15th June, I
shall observe your directions with Respect to the Indians, I only wait for Sr.
William Johnson's Letter, some time since by Sir William's desire, I sent a
large Belt from the Six Nations to the Pouawatamies, of St. Joseph's, with a
very spirited message, from them, the Chief that took it is not yet returned, I
have received an account from the Wabash, that some Indians fell in near the
Ohio, with four English Traders, and fifteen Horses, loaded, that they had
scalped the Traders, & taken the Horses & goods, this is not confirmed
tho' the Huron's have mentioned it to me, Councill, and they are seldom out, I
dont think the Indians at present are, as much to be trusted, they seem very
restless, as Yr. Excellency will perceive, by the enclosed which I received
from the Hurons, in Councill ready, wrote in French & translated by Mr.
James Stirling for me, I believe some French Traders, amongst them help to stir
them up, the provision store is in very bad order, I sent the proceedings of a
Court of Enquiry, to His Excellency General Gage, but have not yet rec'd any
orders about Building up the wall, &c. For want of a Civil
Government being established here the commanding officers is very much
employed, with the disputes & difficulties which must naturally happen
between the Inhabitants I'm so uncomfortable as not to speak French, or
understand it sufficiently without an Interpreter, hitherto I have been under
an obligation to Mr. Stirling Mercht who has been ready on all
occasions to attend, has wrote & answered all my French Letters without any
gratuity, a French Interpreter where the Inhabitants amount to near 1300 Souls,
I should conceive, with submission to your Excellency Government,
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1 Pacan was head chief of the Miamis for years. He was a British ally and signed the treaty of Greenville and those of 1805, 1814 and 1815. He died on the Wabash about 1815.
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