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.
Report by
Lieut.-Gov. Hamilton
|
Hamilton, Henry in: Report of the British Hist. MSS. Commission, 1910 and in "Report by Lieutenant-Governor Henry Hamilton on His Proceedings from Nov. 1776 to June, 1781," Illinois Hist. Colls., vol. 8, Virginia Series, vol. 3, pp. 174-207. |
attend to the account I gave of our ill-success, and the treatment we experienced from the Rebels, from the day of our being made prisoners of War the 25 Feby 1779 to the 4th March 1781, when we were totally out of their power by a final exchange.
Having mentioned to His Lordship that I had preserved a diary of transactions he directed me to commit to paper a brief account, and transmit the same to your Excellency.
In obedience to His Lordship's orders I shall endeavor to avoid detail and supply as well as may be the want of such papers as were seized by Order of the Rebel Governor Mr. Jefferson, on our being thrown into the Dungeon at Williamsburg; some things previous to the arrival of your Excellency at Quebec, it may be proper slightly to mention.
On the 9th day of November I arrived at Detroit, and almost immediately applications were made by the Indians for my assent to their making inroads upon the Frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virginia, this I declined giving not having received positive orders on the subject, and the rebels being in possession of Montreal, all intercourse with Sir Guy Carleton was cut off.
In the month of June 1777 Lieutenant Governor Cramah wrote me a Letter containing the copy of Lord George Germaine's orders and instructions, by which I was Authorized to appoint proper Officers and Interpreters and to send them with the Indians against the Rebels, with the strictest injunctions to discourage and restrain them from their usual barbarities.
A most strict adherence to these injunctions has been observed on my part, and as whatever I advance can be well supported, I shall mention some of the measures taken with the Indians, to invalidate the odious falsaties propagated by the Rebels in different parts of America, and to shew that the Savages have yielded to restraint, and foregone their habits of cruelty.1
When any party Indians were desirous of going on a discovery, they were brought to me by the Interpreters, every dissuasive against cruelty was used their pretensions to the title of Warriors set in a just light, presents promised them for prisoners brought in alive, which the liberality of Government enabled me to make them, and the stability of future peace urged if after the conclusion (page 176) of it, the Americans had living proofs of the humanity of the Indians, in the preservation of their Children and other defenceless persons.
Some or all these arguments had their weight with the very first party sent out, which returnd with seven prisoners alive, who testifyed to the gentle treatment shewn by the Savages. The presents given on this occasion were incentive to other parties to act in like manner, and when we went against St. Vincennes we left 129 prisoners of different Ages and Sexes, who seemed heartily grateful for their humane treatment, being clothed and fed at the expence of the Crown, and allowed all liberty within the settlement.
On the 6th of August 1778 intelligence was brought me by Mr. Francis Maisonville of the attack of the Illinois by Colonel Clarke, the shamefull treatment of Monsieur de Rocheblave, who was laid in Irons and put into a place where hogs had been kept, ankle deep in filth, the indignities offered Madame de Rocheblave, the destruction of his property &c.
Expresses were dispatched with all possible speed to inform the Commander-in-Chief at Quebec, Lieutenant Colonel Bolton, commandant at Niagara, and Captain De Peyster, commandant at Michilimakinac.
No time was lost in making preparations for executing the Orders of the Commander-in-Chief, should he approve of an attempt to dislodge the Rebels.
Monsieur de Celoron was sent off directly for Ouiattanon, with Belts and Speeches for the Miamis Indians, and those of the River Ouabache, his Orders which were given him in writing, as was the case with all partizan Officers, directed that he should as soon as possible give me information of the dispositions of the Indians, the Numbers and if possible the views of the Rebels, and that he should not fail to have the few small Cannon at Fort Sackville spiked, and the Trunnions knocked off, a detail of his treacherous conduct I had the honor of laying before your Excellency in a letter from Ouiattanon.
September 15th I had the honor of a letter from your Excellency, and in consequence wrote to Major de Peyster at Michilimakinac.
the most distant boats could discern our lights, and then rowed in shore, when happily we made an ouzy beach within a mile of the entrance of the Miamis river.- It blew so hard all night we could neither pitch a tent or make a fire, and yet were happy in our escape, for if providentially we had not passed an extent of rocky coast before the storm arose, we had all inevitably perish'd.
This day Monsieur de Celeron met us on his return, he made his report aloud, that the rebels were already arrived at the Miamis, I affected indifference, tho' astonished at his imprudence, and said I had already heard of it. I orderd him to proceed to Detroit.- It soon appeard that his design in giving that false intelligence was deliberately treacherous, as he had been industrious in passing the Indian settlements on the way to spread the alarm.
I apprized the Commandant at Detroit by letter of this mange. On the 11th we arrived at the foot of the Rapids, where we found Captain Grant, who in the sloop Archangel had brought 14 tonns of provision to expedite our journey.- The next day we lost Lieutenant Showrd2 by the accident of his piece going off which shattered his leg, we sent the Surgeon with him in a light boat to Detroit, where he sufferd the amputation but a mortification ensuing he lost his life.
On the 24th we arrived at the Miamis town after the usual fatigues attending such a Navigation, the water being remarkably low. Here we met several tribes of the Indian previously summoned to meet here, and held several conferences, made them presents, and dispatched Messengers to the Shawanese, as well as the Nations on our route, invited them to join us, or at least watch the motions of the Rebels upon the frontiers; for which purpose I sent them amunition.
Having pass'd the portage of nine miles, we arrived at one of the sources of the Ouabache call'd the petite Riviere, the waters were so uncommonly low that we should not have been able to have pass'd, but that at the distance of 4 miles from the landing place the Beavers had made a dam which kept up the water, this we cut through to give a passage to our boats, and having taken in our lading at the landing pass'd all the boats. The Beavers are never molested at this place by the traders or Indians, and soon repair (page 180) their dam, which is a most serviceable work upon this difficult communication. With great labor we next pass'd a Swamp called les Volets, beyond which the little Riviere Bote joins the one we had made our way thro. The shallowness of the water obliged us to make a dam across both Rivers to back the water into the Swamp, and when we judged the Water to be sufficiently raised cut our Dyke and pass'd with all our craft. The same obstacle occurred at Riviere l'Anglais, and the same work was to be raised.
In our progress down the Ouabache difficulties encreased, the setting in of the frost lowerd the river, the floating ice cut the men as they worked in the water to haul the boats over shoals and rocks, our Batteau were damaged, and to be repeatedly unloaded, calked, and payd, 97,000 lbs. of provisions and stores to be carryed by the men, in which the Indians assisted chearfully, when the boats were to be lighten'd. It was sometimes a day's work to get the distance of half a league. It was necessary to stop frequently at the Indian Villages, to have conferences with them, furnish them with necessarys, and engage a few to accompany us. At length we got into a good depth of Water a fall of rain having raised the River, this advantage was succeeded by fresh difficultys the frost becoming so intense as to freeze the River quite across, however by hard labour we made our way, and now approaching within a few days' journey of St. Vincennes, our reconnoitring party brought in a Lieutenant and three Men, sent from Fort Sackville to gain intelligence. The Officer had in his pocket two commissions, one from Lieutenant Governor Abbott, the other from Colonel Clarke, and was in the pay of Congress- I gave their Arms to the Indians, but would not proceed rigorously with them, wishing to gain these people by lenity, and apprehensive, that an instance of severity might rouze the ferocity of the Indians which I wished of all things to avoid.
Learning from the prisoners the state of things at St. Vincennes, I sent off parties to lay upon the roads from thence to the Ilinois, and to the falls on the Ohio, where the Rebels had a Fort, and a number of families lately come to settle, their Orders were to intercept any messengers, secure them and their letters, but not to suffer any violence to be offer'd to their persons. They executed their Orders and took prisoners, two men sent off by the Officer (page 181) commanding for the Rebels at Fort Sackville with letters to Colonel Clarke acquainting him of our arrival.
Major Hay was detach'd with orders to fall down the river, and send to the principal Inhabitants of St. Vincennes, acquainting them that unless they quitted the Rebels and laid down their Arms, there was no mercy for them, some chiefs accompanied him to conciliate the Peankashaa Indians residing at St. Vincennes, and to show the French what they might expect if they pretended to resist. Major Hay secured the Arms, ammunition, and spiritous liquors, as soon as the inhabitants laid down their Arms, and the Officer who commanded in the Fort (Captain Helm) being deserted by the Officers and Men who to the Number of 70 had form'd his Garrison, and were in pay of the Congress surrender'd his wretched fort on the very day of our arrival being the 17th of December 1778. Thus we employ'd 71 days in coming only Six hundred Miles, which is to be attributed to the extraordinary difficulties of the way owing to an uncommon drought; the severity of the season, and the inevitable delays at the Indian Villages, particularly at Ouiattanon, where the Chiefs who had receiv'd the Rebel colors came in to us from their hunting, acknowledged their error gave up the flags and accused Monsieur de Celoron of having deserted them, besides that he never distributed to them the goods entrusted to him for the Indians.
In the fort we found two iron three pounders, mounted on truck carriages, two swivels not mounted, a very small quantity of amunition, and thirty two stout Horses which had been purchased for Congress, and which I gave to the Indians.
As to the state of the fort we found it a miserable stockade, without a Well, barrack, platform for small arms, or even a lock to the gate. Such was the moderation and good order observed by the Indians, that not a single person had the slenderest cause of complaint, not a shot was fired nor any inhabitant injured in person or property. It is remarkable that tho on our arrival at this place our number was encreased to 500 Men, there was not one sick, nor had there been a single instance of drunkenness among the Indians or soldiery from the day we left Detroit, tho' (page 182) rum was deliver'd out on every occasion when the fatigues or bad weather made it necessary. As soon as proper precautions were taken for securing our boats, landing our provisions &ca, it became a point of consideration whether we should proceed directly to attack the Rebels at the Ilinois, or content ourselves with establishing ourselves in this post where we had these several advantages; the command of the River Ohio by which the Spaniards had supplyed the Rebel forts with Powder &c., the cutting off the communication between the Ilinois, and the falls of Ohio across the country.- The being situated so as to check the River Indians, and encourage the Delawares and Ottawas on white River, further to divide our small force (since we must leave a Garrison in Fort Sackville) appear'd not eligible, and we could not expect the Indians to remain much longer with us. The state of our provisions, the length of the journey (240 miles) and the want of Carriages, added to the nature of the country, subject to innundations all combined to direct our determination to fortify ourselves here, and wait for reinforcements in the Spring.
On taking an account of the Inhabitants at this place of all ages and sexes we found their number to amount to 621, of this 217 fit to bear arms, on the spot, several being absent hunting Buffaloe for their winter provision.
Having summon'd the Inhabitants to assemble in the Church, I went to meet them, reproach'd them with their treachery and ingratitude, but told them since they had laid down their arms and sued for protection, that on renewing their Oath of Allegiance they should be secured in their persons and property. Lenity I thought might induce the French inhabitants at Kaskaskias to follow their example, tho' the conduct of the Canadians at large was but poor encouragement. I read twice to them the Oath prepared for them to take, explain'd the nature of it, and cautioned them against that levity they had so recently given proof of. The oath being administer'd, they severally kiss'd a silver crucifix at the foot of the Altar, after which they sign'd their names to a paper containing the same Oath in writing. It was conceived in the following terms.
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A St. Vincennes ce 19me Decembre 1778. |
"Nous sousignes, declarons et avouons, avoir pret le serment de fidelit au congres, qu'en faisant cela, nous avons oubli notre devoir envers Dieu, et avons manqu vis a vis des hommes.- Nous reclamons le pardon de Dieu, et nous esperons de la bont de notre Souverain legitime le Roi d'Angleterre qu'il acceptera notre soumission, et nous prendra sous sa protection comme bons et fidelles sujets, que nous promettons et jurons devenir, devant Dieu et devant les hommes, en foi de quoi nous signons de notre main, ou certifions de notre marque ordinaire, le jour et mois susdit de l'an 1778.
[Translation: We, the undersigned, declare and acknowledge to have taken the oath of allegiance to Congress, in doing which we have forgotten our duty to God and have failed in our duty to man. We ask pardon of God and we hope from the goodness of our legitimate sovereign, the king of England, that he will accept our submission and take us under his protection as good and faithful subjects, which we promise and swear to become before God and before man. In faith of which we sign with our hand or certify with our ordinary mark, the aforesaid day and month of the year 1778.]
Those who had accepted commissions under the Congress delivered them up, and all those who had laid down their arms and renew'd their Oath of allegiance received their arms and on application had passports to hunt Buffaloe. The state of the Fort3 was one of our first concerns, in the course of the winter we built a guard-house, Barracks for four companies, sunk a Well, erected two large Blockhouses of oak, musquet proof, with loopholes below, and embrasures above for 5 pieces of Cannon each, alter'd and lined the Stockade, laid the Fort with gravel.- Several parties were sent out chiefly towards Kaskasquias and the falls of Ohio by land, and to the mouth of the Ouabache by Water.
The Indians who came from different quarters all seem'd pleased with our arrival, and from their jealousy of the Americans, would (page 184) I am persuaded, have acted to our wish. Messengers were sent to Mr. Stewart4 the agent for Indian affairs to the Southward, with Letters proposing a meeting in the Spring at St. Vincennes, or the Cherokee River, the object of which was to reconcile the Southern Indians with the Shawanese and other Northern Nations, and to concert a general invasion of the frontier.
A Letter was also sent for Captain Blomer at the Natchez by a person who I expected would betray his trust, and shew it to Don Bernardo de Galvez at New Orleans.
A party of 30 Men with an Officer was sent to the Mouth of the Ouabache to intercept any boats that might be sent up the Ohio- as soon as Indian Parties return'd, others supplied their Places, and so well did they execute what was recommended to them, that they did at different times bring in prisoners and prevent intelligence being carried from St. Vincennes to the Ilinois, till the desertion of a Corporal and six men of La Mothe's company in the latter end of January, who gave the first intelligence to Colonel Clarke of our arrival.
As the Corporal and some of the Men had hitherto behaved well, it was apprehended that they were moved to desert by ill-intentioned people among the French at St. Vincennes. One of the deserters was brother to Gibault the priest, who had been an active Agent for the Rebels, and who's vicious and immoral conduct was sufficient to do infinite mischief in a Country where ignorance and bigotry give full scope to the depravity of a licentious ecclesiastic. This wretch it was who absolved the French inhabitants from their Allegiance to the King of Great Britain. To enumerate the Vices of the Inhabitants would be to give a long catalogue, but assert that they are not in possession of a single virtue, is no more than truth, and justice require, still the most eminently vicious and scandalous was the reverend Monsieur Gibault.
The several Nations of Indians inhabiting the banks of the Ouabache came in at different times; made great professions, and declared their distrust of the Virginians, but there was but one Chief with his party who really acted with zeal and spirit, tho' the lake Indians shewed them a very good example. An Ottawa chief in particular soon after our arrival at St. Vincennes offer'd (page 185) himself with a party to go down to the River's mouth where it falls into the Ohio, where having reamin'd some time without taking any prisoners, he declared he would not return without attempting to be of further service, and went accordingly by land (a very fatiguing march) to Kaskaskias, where had he not been prevented by the treachery of a Canadian, he would (as Col Clarke afterwards told me himself) have taken prisoners Col Clarke with several other officers who were going to Cahokia. This Canadian was the Interpreter to the Miamis Indians, Charles Baubin by name, who contrary to my positive orders took away their horses from some of the french hunters of the Ilinois, and would have kept them but for the Chief already mentioned who reproach'd him with acting contrary to my Orders.- Baubin further threatened that the Indians were to be brought down to the Ilinois and everything put to fire and sword, which directly contradicted the written Messages and letters I had sent by him and Hypolite Baulon to the inhabitants of the Ilinois.
It is said Baubin is still employed as Interpreter to the Miamis, which makes me conclude some of my letters to your Excellency have miscarried. When he returned from the Ilinois, he asked leave to go to the Miamis, and his behaviour displayed the consciousness of a Villain who had betray'd his trust. Colonel Clarke's account of his treachery was supported by the testimony of other of his officers; thus at different periods, secret treason brought on our final misfortune.
The fort was on the 22nd of February in a tolerable state of defence the Work proposed being finish'd.- This day, Mr. Franois Maisonville return'd from a scout having been in pursuit of Deserters, and brought in two Virginians prisoners, whom he had taken on the Ohio. He took me aside immediately and told me he had discover'd about four leagues below the fort, fourteen fires, but could not tell whether of Virginians or Savages. I instantly sent off Captain La Mothe, Lieutenant Shieffelin and 20 Men to bring me a more perfect account. The Waters being out, the meadows were so greatly overflowed it was necessary to take a circuit. Mr. Maisonville had taken upon him to serve as a guide tho' fatigued. They lost their way night coming on, and were only appriz'd by the firing of Cannon at the fort that it was invested; returning to
Clarke a written account of Cruelties exercised by us while at St. Vincennes, which our own American prisoners confuted in their Accounts to Coll Clarke.
Thus by the baseness and ingratitude of people who owed their lives and properties to us, we were betrayed into the hands of our enemies. Permit me Sir to make a slight digression, and attempt to show that a Correspondence with the french inhabitants, and not to our supineness and neglect, The Rebels owed the information necessary for accomplishing their design.
On our arrival at St. Vincennes a strict search was made for Gunpowder, all that was to be found in the place was put into the Magazine, and a heavy fine was laid on those who should be found to conceal any, nevertheless Colonel Clarke was supplyed by the Inhabitants, his own to the last ounce being damaged on his March.
He himself told me that he should never have attempted to attack us but that he was minutely informed of our situation in every respect.
The Indians who after a march in winter of seventy-one days had acted with
great zeal and fidelity, and furnish'd as many parties as I wish'd, had almost
all return'd to their homes.- Two Companies of Volunteers from Detroit had
testyfied so much uneasiness, and unwillingness to remain that I chose to send
them away rather than keep them against their inclination.- Several persons who
had been on pay as partisans with the Indians I believe fomented this
discontent, which I attributed to their surmizing that France would join the
Americans.- Those people I discharged and sent away.- The conduct of the
canadians in general has shewn that no ties that have force upon enlightened
and generous minds, can bind them, and that they prefer any subjection, to the
freedom of Englishmen. The artfull mange of the inhabitants of the Ilinois is
not to be forgot.- When news was carried to that place of the Indians coming
against them under my orders, the young men offer'd their service to Coll
Clarke to bear arms against the English, but their Fathers & uncles told
him they had sworn allegiance to the King of great Britain, therefore could not
act the same part, but that they would not fight against the Americans.
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1 See Introduction, ante, xxxvii.
2 (1, p. 179) May be "Shewrd."
3 (1, p. 183) Fort Sackville, which was named in honor of the secretary of the state for the colonies, had been completely neglected by the British for several years. From this report it is seen that Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton immediately set to work to put it in a condition to stand an attack.
4 (1, p. 184) The word is blotted. The final letter is either "t" over "d" or vice versa.
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