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
(September 26, 1741)
Beauharnois, Marquis de in:
Wisconsin Historical Collections,
XVII, pp. 360-366.
pp. 365, 366.
(page 365) ing him a Second medal, I Had punished him as he deserved for the use which he had made of the first. I have nothing to add to what I Had the honor of writing you in a communication of Oct. 3 of last year. You know, Monseigneur, that the Savages are not easy to restrain, and that it is necessary to treat them with a great deal of policy. Besides, If he had not Been drunk, he would not have committed such a folly.
The Sieur Coulon de Villiers Wrote me on September 20 of last year, and on March 26, May 14, and July 9, 24, and 29 of this year.
He writes me that since Spring the Poutouatamis have not ceased to go against the Chicachas, and that there is at present a party of 30 men out.
By his second letter, I learn of the death of Kouatkougy, and he proposed to me to replace him by the son of Pilemont. The latter refused to accept the medal of the former, saying that he wished to earn it first.
By his letter of July 9th, I learn that the Kaokias, Having gone to war Against the Sakis, captured one man and two women; that, on their return Home, they passed through the Village of Pimitony, that la Babiche, who is Chief there, held a Council in which it was decided that they must have the prisoners, that the Kokias granted them the two women, and that they kept the man to burn; seeing which, la Babiche gathered his young men and took the man by force. Finally the Ilinois went to conduct the Sakis to their Village. He add that the savages of His Post have taken the Road to Choueghen [Oswego], to see what reception the English will give them. He fears that they may get into the habit of going there in this way, which will be very prejudicial to the Post.
In his letter of the 24th, he writes me that a Sakis, who Had arrived at the Rock River on the 16th, had reported that the Illinois of Pimitouy Had set out, to the number o f60 men, to go and attack the Scioux; that the Chief of the band with 10 others gave up the idea, that the fifty others changed their Plan, and went Against the Renards at the mouth of the Ouiskonsin; that they killed four women and wounded one man; that a (page 366) Courier went to warn the Sakis, whom he told that they had been attacked without knowing by whom, that the latter immediately departed in great numbers and surrounded the Ilinois, who were coming down the Mississippi in Canoes; that when they disembarked they killed nine on the spot, and took five prisoners. The Ilinois told who they were and the Sakis in surprise said to them: "My brothers, we Are sorry for what has happened. If you Had named yourselves, we would not have attacked you. We believed you were Missouris." Finally, they sent them back their prisoners with Collars, Excusing themselves For their mistake. He says that the Truth of this has been corroborated by another Savage, who told him that nearly all the Sakis were to go to le Rocher, and to Send to Pimitouy to parley, and to say to the Ilinois that they had no share in the affair which Had occurred, and that they wished to live in peace with them. The Sieur Coulon fears that this May lead to open War between the two Nations, and he adds that all this happened since the departure of the Sieur Marin.
And, in his last letter, he informs me that the Poutouatamis and Outaouacs returned from the Chicachas with three prisoners and four Scalps, which the Peanguichias had given them as they passed Them; that the Poutouatamis alone had made an attack; and that they had presented two Slaves to the Outaouacs.
I am with the greatest Respect, Monseigneur, Your very humble and very obedient Servant,
|
BEAUHARNOIS |
QUEBEC, September 26, 1741.
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