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.
Memoir on Canada
(1740-1741)
Beaucourt in "Memoir on the
Indians and their Relations"
in: "1740-1741: Conditions in the Upper Country,"
Wisconsin Historical Collections,
XVII, pp. 335-338.
(page 336) and Collars; but on returning, they met some Chicacha Hunters of whom they killed more than twenty. The Chicachas did not fail to seize upon the first occasion that offered, which was a large Boat going up the river, which they destroyed, killing or capturing the whole party. There were some Negroes among them, of whom one escaped to the Ouiatanons, where he is staying with a Frenchman.
In the fall the Chicachas came to the Charakis River1 in a great body. They saw six canoes coming up from the jlinois in order to return to the post of Vincennes. They killed 19 men, one woman, her daughter and a small Boy. Only four escaped unwounded, and four with dangerous wounds.
Since that time parties of savages have been continually in the Field against the Chicachas; but the war of the Scioux and Renards against the jlinois prevents them from accomplishing much.
Monsieur de la Veramdire [Vrendrye] wrote me on August 7, 1741, that his children had written him that all was quiet in the posts.
Monsieur Marin wrote me August 6, that all was quiet at la Baye when he left for Michilimakina, whither he went at the request of the Sakis and Renards to ask Monsieur de Blainville to get a promise from the Outaovas and the Sauteurs not to pass by way of La Baye, if they wish to go against the Scioux, as they fear there may occur some mischief on one side or the other.
On April 26, eight Cabins of Mascoutins arrived among the Ouiatanons to settle down with a Chief who was already there. They are in fear of the Renards who are with the Scioux on the Ouisconsin.
A party of 100 Scioux and Renards went to pimiteoui to surprise the people of the place; but they had been warned by the Sakis to be on their guard. The Sakis did this out of gratitude, because these people of pimiteoui had restored to Them (page 337) three of Their people, whom the Kaokias had captured.2 A Half-breed son of a Frenchman and a Savage was killed, apparently by some one of this party of 100 men, for The body was found hacked to pieces near a Scian Canoe. This happened on May 26, about half a League from pimiteoui.
A party of 100 pouteouatamis and Outaouas, with whom other nations had joined returned from the Chicachas, but nothing was accomplished after 80 days of marching. The Peanguichas, on their passage through their country, gave them three prisoners and four Scalps. If they had been willing to believe one of their slaves, they might easily have killed on their route a party of ten of their enemies.
The Outaouas brought two slaves that had been given them by the poux of St. joseph River, a post under the command of the Sieur Coulon Devilliers, who writes me these last three items of news.
Three bands of Sonountouans came back from the Chicacha country, bringing twelve prisoners and ten scalps; they had lost but one man themselves. They were expecting two other bands July 24, 1741. They are dying of hunger in the Sonountouan territory. The famine, in fact, is general among all the savages of the upper country. Indian corn was worth at Detroit from 40 to 60 livers per Minot.
All The Hurons at Detroit were ill disposed toward the Chicachas, when the Chevaliers de Beauharnais arrived there, who was sent by Monsieur the General to induce them to come nearer to Him. He brought three of them with him to select land, and they are to come in great numbers next spring.
There came to Montreal this summer a large deputation from the four jroquois
Villages, which (in the Council held with Monsieur the General) begged Him not
to listen to evil speeches that might be made, because their father could count
on their fidelity in preserving peace. They begged him to
____________________
1 Cherokee River was the early name of the Tennessee, from the large villages of that tribe settled upon it.- ED.
2 (1, p. 337) Pimithouy was a town of the Peoria tribe of the Illinois, located near the present city of Peoria. The Kaokias were an Illinois tribe, situated about the village of that name (Cahokia) on the Mississippi.- ED.
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