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.
Yearly Report of
Beauharnois and Hocquart
(October 7, 1734)
Beauharnois and Hocquart, "1734: Punishment
Prepared for The Sauk; Conditions Among
Indians of the Upper Country," in:
Wisconsin Historical Collections,
XVII, pp. 210-212.
p. 308.
The Sieur de Beauharnois Also Sent the Sieur de Joncaire, the Elder, to the choanons to continue to Watch their actions and to Maintain them in the favorable dispositions that they Felt in previous years. We have received no news concerning them that can lead us to suspect their faithfulness. That officer is charged with the duty of maintaining them in it and of Inducing them to form a Village with the Miamis or hurons so (page 211) as to keep them away from the snares that the English might set for them.
The Sieur de Noyelles has faithfully Performed the task with which the Sieur de Beauharnois had entrusted him of once more gathering the scattered Miamis in their Village. They Are there at present, And the Sieur Darnaud1 who commands the post, has excellently seconded him in this matter.
An event occurred in the Village of the Oiatanons, where the Sieur de
l'Epernanche2 commands, which at first gave rise to
considerable disorder. Two young men- one a Frenchman, the other a Savage,
fought together. The Frenchman had the advantage. The Savage went for his
comrades who assembled tumultuously, struck some blows with their knives and
pillaged all the French at the Post, without however any murder being
committed. The Sieur de L'Epernanche who was 2 or 3 arpents from there, was
informed of it, but he was unable to remedy the matter, and when he saw that he
was not in a Position to Overawe the savages, he Sent Expresses to the Sieur
Peau, the commandant at Detroit, to inform him of what was happening and to ask
for assistance. On the arrival of these Expresses, the Sieur Peau assembled the
French of detroit, who all asked to be allowed to go and obtain satisfaction for
this Insult. There were one hundred and Twenty of them. One hundred and fifteen
hurons joined them with a large number of outawacs. The Sieur Darnaud who was
then at detroit whither he had come for Supplies, was given the Command of the
party which consisted of 324 men when it reached the Miamis. But as he was
preparing to proceed to the ouiatanons with his detachment He received a Letter
from the Sieur de L'Epernanche informing him that everything was (page
212) amicably settled; That he had smoked with the
Ouiatanon Chiefs And that the young men had given back to the French the things
they had Pillaged from them; That these same chiefs had assured him that they
bound themselves to restore to the French whatever might be wanting in what
their young men had taken; That, at the same time, he was no longer in need of
the assistance that he had asked of the Sieur Peau And that all was Quiet at
His post. On receiving this Letter the Sieur Darnaud resolved to remain among
the Miamis where He was in command and he sent back the Sieur Duburon with the
French and Savages of detroit.
_____________________________
1 Nicolas-Marie Renaud (d'Arnaud) Davenne, Sieur de Desmeloises, was born in 1696, the son of a wealthy Montreal merchant, who had many dealings with the coureurs de bois at Mackinac. In 1722 he married Angelique Chartier, daughter of Lotbinire. In 1742 he was in command at Fort Frontenac, and died the following year.-ED.
2 Franois de l'Espervanche, Sieur de Villemure, a cadet in the troops. He also served under Jumonville in 1748.-ED.
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