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.
Journey of Michipichy to the Miamis
(February 27, 1702)
In: English Translation of Margry,
Vol. 5, pp. 411-413.
pp. 411, 412, 413.
Journey of Michipichy to the Miamis.
_________
Words
of Michipichy, on the 27th of February 1702, on
returning from his journey to the Miamis.
Last summer, Onontio told me to go for the Hurons who were with the Miamis and bring them here, that we might make our fire quite near to yours. I have carried out his wishes, I bring them all, and we are going to join those who came from Missilimakinak in the place you have appointed for us.(see fn. 1)
I gave ten red coverlets, this autumn, to a chief of the Miamis to invite him to come here with all his tribe and light his fire here. He accepted the present and, during the last few days, after consulting on this matter, he asked their opinion and they decided that they would go and collect the bones of their dead and set them in order and that, next year, they would come and settle at Detroit.(see fn. 2)
I will now relate to you the reply which the Miamis gave to Aouendando, the Iroquois:
"Here is one of the largest calumets to be seen(see fn. 3); Take it home with you, Aouendando; then bring it back to this village, bringing us our men whom you are keeping prisoners; then you will be welcome, and your two sons,- whom we will not give up to you now,- we will place in the palm of our hand and there shall be nothing to detain them.
Here is another calumet, which we beg you to take to your village; then send it to the other four villages of your tribe, in order that they may set our men at liberty.
Michibichy gave a necklace, at the Miamis' village, to Aouendando, the Iroquois.
This necklace tells you that we think you very niggardly; your hands are
always closed. All the tribes have obeyed Onontio by bringing him all the
prisoners they could collect; he sent a Frenchman to you to unbind ours, who
were to come to Detroit last (page 413) autumn. Every day
and every moment we turn our faces towards the village of the French which is
at Detroit, and we blush to see that no one comes."
___________________
1. This is a union of thirty families with the Hurons of Detroit. (L. C.)
3. A calumet is the treaty of peace, or rather, the peace signal. (L. C.)
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