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.
Extract of a Letter from Hocquart
to the French Minister
(January 15, 1731)
Hocquart in: Wisconsin Historical
Collections, XVII, pp. 129-130.
I have no doubt, Monseigneur, that you have learned, by way of the Mississipi of the defeat of the Renard savages that happened on September 9th last, in a Plain situated between the River Wabache and the River of the illinois, About 60 Leagues to the south of The Extremity or foot of Lake Michigan, to The East South East of le Rocher in the Illinois Country.1 150 French both from Louisiana and from Canada, and (page 130) many savage Tribes, to the number of 8 or 900 men, stopped them, blockaded them in their fort and compelled them to issue form it through press of hunger; And they pursued them, killing 200 warriors; 200 women or Children met the same fate, and the remainder to the number of 4 or 500, also women and Children, were made Slaves and scattered among all the Nations. Messieurs de Villiers, the Commandant at the River St Joseph; des Noyelles, the commandant among the Miamis; and Messieurs de St. Ange, Officers in Louisiana, behaved with all the bravery and Prudence that could be expected of Them. Monsieur de Villiers, Lieutenant of the Troops, who was the senior officer, had the Command of this Expedition. We Were greatly mortified, Monseigneur, at not being the first to convey Information of this happy success to you. Monsieur the general had despatched the Sieur Villiers, the younger, who was present in The action, to convey The news to you; But The incident that happened to the Ship, le Beauharnois, Prevented His doing so.
I have the honor to send you by this ship, Duplicates of several of my Letters, the first whereof relates to Monsieur de Lignery's affair.
* * * * * * *
I remain with very profound respect, Monseigneur, Your very humble and very obedient Servant,
|
HOCQUART |
QUEBEC, January 15th, 1731.
__________________________
1 J. F. Steward, of Chicago, in an address delivered before the Illinois Historical Society, Jan. 24, 1902, endeavors to identify this fort of the Foxes with a place on Fox River, in Kendall County, Ill., and has erected there an inscription to that effect. This place, however, is north of "Le Rocher" (a well known appellation of a place on the Illinois River, see ante, p. 3), while according to this document, the battle ground was "East South East." Mr. Steward's identification possibly corresponds to the Fox fort on "Lake Marameek," which was attacked in 1732. See post, p. 173.- ED.
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