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.
Beauharnois to the Minister
(July 21, 1729)
Beauharnois in: Wisconsin Historical
Collections, XVII, pp. 62-65.
I have never before seen so many savages from different Places as have come down this year to Montreal. The Outawacs and Sauteux from Missilimakinac1 Came here two days after my arrival to inform me of what had passed among the Renards and to Know what I wished them to Do.
The Sakis and Poutouatamis of the river St. Joseph Came with the same object.2
The Hurons, Poutouatmis, and Outawacs of detroit also came down for that purpose.
The Miamis and Ouyatanons [blank space in MS.]
The nipissingues and Tabitibis of the post of Temiscamingue3 have also Come to offer me their services.
The Testes de boules4 who dwell on the height of land toward the shores of the northern Sea, have sent three of their people to assure me of their attachment to the French.
The Renards who have attacked the Quicapoux, Mascoutins, folles avoines, and sauteux have So irritated the nations of the upper country against them that there is not one of these who is not disposed to wage war on them. The Sioux and ayowets have refused to give them shelter in their lands; so that they have been obliged to return to their former Village where they Are surrounded by all these nations who are at war with (page 64) them. The sioux accompanied the French who were obliged to return, as far as Sault St. Antoine,5 and nothing more favorable could be expected from all the nations of the upper country; but it seems to me that in order to maintain them in these good dispositions it Will be necessary also to Send some French next Spring with the Nations who are preparing to wage war against the Renards. The Example of the French will animate them, and will Prevent them from having contempt for the French upon whom they have not looked favorably since the last affair.
Three days ago there arrived three chiefs of the Villages of the Chawanons,6 whom we have been endeavoring for several years to draw closer to Canada. I have not yet been able to give them an audience because I am having a search made for interpreters who know their language.
I shall have the honor of writing more at length to you on this subject by the King's ship.
I have the honor to be with very profound respect, Monseigneur, Your very humble and very obedient servant
|
BEAUHARNOIS |
MONTREAL, July 21st, 1729
Since my Letter was written Ten Nontagus7 have just come who have informed me that the chiefs of the other Iroquois villages will arrive Shortly.
I must forget to Inform You, Monseigneur, of the reconciliation that I have effected Between the hurons of Detroit and the Miamis. The latter were greatly Irritated Against the (page 65) former because they had made peace with the Testes plates, without saying anything to any one. I Listened to all their reasons and when I saw that they were going too far, I made them put a stop to it, And told them to Listen to the word of their father. Everything passed off very well, and they departed good friends.8
____________________
1729: THE FOXES SUE FOR PEACE
[Letter of Beauharnois to the French Minister, dated Aug. 17, 1729. Source, same as preceding document, but vol. 51. c. 11. fol. 131.]
MONSEIGNEUR- I have the honor of Sending you annexed to this the Extract
from a letter that Monsieur de la Corne9 has
written to me since my arrival in Quebec, by which you will see the steps taken
by the Renards to sue for peace. Though these savages have not adhered to that
which was granted them in the past, and have always broken the word that they
have given, It is to be presumed, Monseigneur, that in the present position of
affairs they would remain quiet if their request were granted. They formerly
had resources which they no longer have and since they find Themselves
abandoned by all the nations and even by their allies (as I have had the honor
of writing to You) There is every reason to believe that they will keep quiet.
If they come down with the Sieur de la Jes-
_________________________
1 These were the chief tribes about Mackinac, hostile to the Foxes and loyal to the French. See Wis. Hist. Colls., xvi, index.- ED.
2 The French had been endeavoring for some time to detach bodies of Wisconsin Indians from too close neighborhood with the Foxes. The Potawatomi (Poutouatami), and the Sauk (Sakis, had gone in large numbers to the post at St. Joseph. See Wis. Hist. Colls., v, p. 94; xvi, pp. 393, 397, 399.-ED.
3 This was a post on an upper tributary of the Ottawa River, established for the benefit of the Nipissings (Nipissinques), and Abittibis (Tabitibis) of the river of the same name flowing into Hudson Bay. The former tribe were first visited by Champlain in 1613; they fled to the North before the Iroquois. At present they occupy a reservation of 64,000 acres on the north shore of Lake Nipissing, and in 1897 had a population of 200. See Alexander Henry, Travels and Adventures (Bain's ed., Boston, 1901), p. 30, note.- ED.
4 See Wis. Hist. Colls., xvi, pp. 114, 115, note 2.- ED.
5 (1, p. 64) This was a portion of the party at Fort Beauharnois, who evidently went back by the Lake Superior route, the Fox-Wisconsin route being unsafe on account of the rturn of the Foxes.- ED.
6 (2, p. 64) The Shawnee (Fr. Chaouanon), "people of the South," when first known were living in Western Kentucky; they made frequent migrations, and in the latter part of the xvii and early xviii centuries were in western Pennsylvania and Ohio. They intrigued with both the English and French.- ED.
7 (3, p.64) The Onondaga (Nontas, Nontagus) were one of the five nations of the Iroquois.- ED.
8 (1, p. 65) For the Huron see Wis. Hist. Colls., xvi, index. The Testes plates ("Flat-heads") was the Iroquois appellation for the Southern tribes, Cherokee, Chickasaw, etc. This arbitration of differences between neighboring tribes is a good illustration of the functions of a Canadian governor in relation to his red "children."-ED.
9 (2, p. 65) Jean Louis de la Corne, Sieur de Chapt, was a noted French officer, captain, and governor of the town of Montreal. He was thus characterized in 1732: "an excellent man, active, vigilant, loving the service"- (N. Y. Col. Docs., ix, p. 1033). He died in 1734, leaving several sons who were prominent officers in the colony.-ED
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