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.
Gov. Henry Hamilton
and Allied Indians
to the Delawares
(Detroit, June 18, 1778)
|
Hamilton, Henry in: Draper Ms., 1H7-9, Contemporary transcript, in Kellogg, Frontier Retreat on the Upper Ohio, in "Message to the Delawares from the Ottawas, Chippawas, Hurons, Pottawatomies, and Miamis," Col. George Morgan's Letter Book, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa., Book 3 of 3, and in Wisconsin Historical Colls., vol. 23, pp. 94-95. |
at one or more Places that may be convenient to each other in Green Brier County; That in Case of the approach of any large Body of the Enemy they may be ready to act in conjunction with the Militia of Green Brier or Montgomery as the Service may Require.
I hope to have the Pleasure of seeing you next Week.
I wish you safety & am Dr Sr Yr most Obedt Servt
|
WM PRESTON |
____________
BRITISH MESSAGE TO DELAWARES
[Gov. Henry Hamilton and allied Indians to the Delawares. 1H79. Contemporary transcript.]
Copy of a Speech sent from the War & Village Chiefs of the Ottawa, Chippewa, Huron, Poutawattamee, & Miames Nation of Indians, to the Delawares by Capt James delivered in full Council of the above Nations.1
|
DETROIT 18th June 1778. |
GRAND FATHERS:
We desire you will be attentive to what we say, we speak to you in the name of all our War Chiefs, because they have sometimes found Branches & other obstacles in their War path. We see you tho' you are a great way off, and we observe, you break the branches from the Trees to put in the road, but with heads hung down and tears in your Eyes.-
|
Six Strings black Wampum. |
Grand Fathers: We speak to you in the presence of our Father:2 we are not like you, we speak from the bottom of our Hearts, and want to know why the Warriors path has been stopp'd. (page 95) We believe you to be the authors of it. This is the sentiments of all the War Chiefs now round our Father.
We speak to you as one, because when our Warriors went that way, they were obliged to go out of the road, and have suffer'd, and return'd with tears in their Eyes.
We speak to you also in the name of all the Village Chiefs & desire if you have anything bad in your Hearts, you will not take it away with you, but leave it behind you. We know you sometimes take your heart to the Virginians, but we beg you will now leave it here where ours are all assembled, and we beg you will have sense & listen to our Father G[overnor]. Hamilton as we all do, and obey his Will.
We speak to you once more and beg you will listen, you who have come here with tears in your Eyes. These are the Sentiments of all you see here present & this is the last time we intend Speaking to you.
|
A Belt of 8 Rows. |
Governor Hamilton then Spoke to the Delawares.
Children: I have but a few words to say to you.
Listen to the War Chiefs & Village Chiefs, who said Nothing but what is true, & who shall never want what the King Orders me to give them.
Observe that tho' some of your foolish people have said that the Hurons alone complained of the roads that lead to the rebells being blocked up and that they alone sent you Belts. All these Nations here present think as the Hurons do, and I think the same with all my children here present who have spoke to you. I give you this Belt to carry to your Village and to be sent round to the Delawares that they may grow Wise. I have not forgot the conduct of White Eyes who came with speeches to this Council last year, nor do I forget how I treated him and the Speeches he brought.3
I hope my Children the Delawares will be wise that when they come to my Council fire they may see clear, and that I may give them my hand which I refused to White Eyes.
You Capt James took hold of your Father's Axe yesterday, hold it fast, be wise, and remember that this Belt I give you repeats the words of all the War Chiefs & Village Chiefs present this day.
|
A Belt. |
_______________________
1 For a full report of the council see Mich. Pion. & Hist. Colls., IX, 442-58. Captain James was a Delaware chief. The document from which we print this speech to the Delawares was sent by their chief to Fort Pitt, and was secured with the Broadhead papers from the descendants of Colonel Brodhead.
2 The term "Father," as thus used by the Indians had reference to the British commandant at Detroit, who at this time was Gov. Henry Hamilton. Rev. Upper Ohio, 135, note 36.
3 (1, p. 95) For this incident see ibid., 202.
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