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 French Minister
(May 30, 1733)
Beauharnois in "1733: News from the West; French Indians
Attack the Hostiles," in: Wisconsin Historical
Collections, XVII, pp. 181-182.
1733: NEWS FROM THE WEST; FRENCH
INDIANS ATTACK THE
HOSTILES
[Letter of Beauharnois to the French Minister, dated May 30, 1733. MS. in archives of Ministre des Colonies, Paris; press-mark, "Canada, Corresp. gn., vol. 57, c. 11, fol. 8."]
MONSEIGNEUR- I have just received Letters from Detroit, from the Miamis, and from the Ouyatanons where small-Pox and a Malignant Fever have continued to Cause great ravages.
I repeated in those Posts, Monseigneur, the orders that I had given last year to Form Bands to join the Jlinois and to attack the Natchez and Chicachas. By a Letter of the 14th of March from the Post among the Ouyatanons, I am informed that the Chicachas attacked during the night a Detachment of one Hundred and Fifty Men who were coming from New Orleans; that fifteen French were wounded, the Sieur Chevalier de Tonty1 being among the number, and that the Chicachas withdrew with the loss of Some of Their men.
I am also informed that seven Frenchmen who had been among the Jlinois, have been killed or captured while ascending the Ouabache, fifteen Leagues below the beautiful river (Oyo).2 This news is confirmed by the fact that a pirogue has been found with Sacks of Corn On the Bank of the River, and a Chest that had been broken open, which belonged to the Master of the Canoe, in which were two letters for Private Individuals among the Ouyatanons. As no news had been received when they wrote to me, it is conjectured that these had been taken by the Chicachas.
I am waiting every Day for the result of the Truce between the Hurons and the Renards, for the latter have promised that they would come this spring to the River St Joseph or to Detroit.
Monsieur de Boishebert writes me that several Bands of outaouais and
Poutouatamis from Detroit attacked the Chica- (page 182) chas and that last Summer he had Caused four
Bands of outaouais who were going to the Testes plattes to change their route;
that he had barred the road to them and Made them turn their arms against the
Chicachas, from whose country they returned in The autumn with several Scalps
and Slaves Without any other Explanation.
_______________________________
1 See ante, note 1, p. 3, on Desliettes de Tonty.- ED.
2 For an early description of the Ohio River, and its name, "the beautiful river," see Wis. Hist. Colls., xvi, pp. 364, 365.-ED.
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