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.
Information Furnished by Samuel York
Respecting the Western Indians (1690-1700)
York, Samuel in: Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the
State of New York, (London Documents XIII),
v. IV, pp. 748-750.
p. 749.
(page 749) ada has pretended a right to the Five Nations of
Indians otherwise called Iroquois, and I was once present in coun
. . . I have often heard that Monsr de Calliere the Governor of Can cill when there was an embassy or message to the sd Governor by some of those Indians, about a fortnight before my coming from Montreal [1700-JHK] and then heard him tell the said messengers that the King his master had an undoubted right to the Sinek, Onondage and Oneide Nacons, and that he would have them, let it cost what it would. I have been about three years at severall times in the Ottowawas country a hunting with the French, in wch country they (the French) had two palisado'd Forts. There is excellent hunting there for beaver and all sorts of wild beasts as Deer Moose, &c. The Ottowawas are a very numerous people, their country very fine and pleasant affording great plains very fruitfull and well water'd. I have gone round a Lake in the Ottowawas country, called by the French Le Lac des Hurons which is 400 leagues in circumference upon the sides of which Lake live severall Nations, vizt the Christinos, the Ochipoy, Kescacons, Towecenegos, the Hurons &c I have been also round another Lake called the Meshigans, which is about 300 Leagues round, on the sides whereof live severall Nations vizt Les Puants, Les Sachi, Puotwatemi Les Miami; and in those countries there is also good Beaver hunting and great store of wild cattle. I can speak the Ottowawa language and know the country very well, and can be a guide thither. Severall of the French Coureurs de Bois or hunters are there at this time and refuse to obey the Governour of Canada's orders to come to Canada, and are in a sort of rebellion; they are very desirous to come and trade here with the English, only fear the Five Nations will not suffer them to pass thro' their country. They have desired me to try to make their terms with your Lordship, and they will come and settle under your government some where near the Nations, and would indeavour to invite the Ottawawas to settle there with them. I have often heard the Ottawawas express a longing desire to trade with the English in these plantations. The French of Canada are not able to furnish those people with goods, wch they are sensible of and are therefore impatient of being confined to that narrow trade with them.
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