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.
Letter from Ramezay and
Bgon to the French Minister
(November 12, 1714)
Ramezay and Bgon in: Wisconsin Historical
Collections, XVI, pp. 311-317.
. . . Sieur Dupuy, not finding Sieur de la forest at detroit, where he arrived last autumn, himself carried to the miamis and oyatanons the presents destined for them. He arrived there in the month of January last and found the miamis of the babiche1 disposed to make war on the (page 313) Renards; and he has also induced the oyatanons to make the same resolve, although they were not inclined, according to the statements which Sieur de Ramezay has the honor of sending you, and the report which he makes- to wage war on the Renards.
He sends you also, Monseigneur, a letter from Sieur de Vincenne, who informs him of the peace made between the miamis and oyatanons and the Islinois, and of their readiness to make war on the Renards, of whom they have put to death three, including the son of the Renard chief Tonnere ["Thunder"].
. . .
Sieurs de Maunoir and Dadoncour left Montreal last April, with Sieur de Sabrevois, commandant at fort Pontchartrain at Detroit, and arrived there on June 15. In conformity with their orders from Sieur de Ramezay, they assembled all the savages settled at that place, to deliberate regarding the most suitable post to serve as a Rendezvous for the Nations of the South. It was decided in this Council that Sieurs de Maunoir and Dadoncour should go with the miamis, Oyatanons and Islinois to chicagou- where, in case they arrived first, they were to await the Savages of detroit,- who are to go there by land, hunting in order to spare their provisions. When they are all assembled there, they are to set out against the fort of the Renards, distant about 65 leagues from Chicagou; they can reach the fort from that place in about Seven days. They will regulate the time of their departure from chicagou so as to arrive at the fort of the Renards at the end of August. Sieur de Lignery will likewise assemble the French, with the outaois (page 314) and the Savages of the North, who are at Michilimakina, and its vicinity; and he will set out with them for the fort of the Renards, distant from Michilimakina about 80 leagues. He can reach it by boat in 5 or 6 days, regulating also the time of His departure from Michilimakina so that he also may arrive at the fort at the end of August. It was agreed in the council that the first corps reaching the fort should only invest it, waiting for the arrival of the second corps, which will enable them to attempt its capture in such manner as may seem best to Sieur de Lignery.
As soon as the Council was over, Monsieur de Sabrevois sent a boat to Michilimakina to Inform Sieur de Lignery, who sent Sieur de St. Pierre to Detroit to learn more precisely the Result of this Council- which he must have done soon after, as Sieur de St. Pierre went thither and returned without delay.
Sieurs de Maunoir and Dadoncour left Detroit on the 23rd of last June, to visit the miamis. Sieur de Sabrevois reports that they arrived there on the 3rd of last July. Accordingly, they have all the time necessary for assembling the miamis, oyatanons, and Islinois, and for taking the measures agreed upon for this attack.
Lieutenant de la Perriere left Montreal last April to go to Michilimakina,
and thence among the Scioux, to Invite them not only to refuse refuge to the
Renards but also to join us in making war upon them.
_______________
1 So in our transcript, made in Paris from original MS.; but probably an error of the copyist for Wabache (Wabash).- ED.
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