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.
The Life and Times of
Sir William Johnson, Bart.
In: Stone, William L., The Life
and Times of Sir
William Johnson, Bart (2 vols.,
Albany,
N. Y., 1865), Vol. I, p. 168.
p. 168.
(page 168) (Chap. IV. 1745)- in the name of God we are resolved not only to defend ourselves, but by all possible methods to put it out of their power to misuse and evil-entreat us as they have heretofore done. And we doubt not of your ready and cheerful concurrence with us, agreeable to the solemn promise you made us in this place last summer, in joining with us against the French, and such Indians as are or may be instigated by them to commit hostilities against us." This passage of the governor's speech was followed by the presentation of a large belt of wampum, with a hatchet hung to it.1
Having taken two days for consideration, the Indians replied, renewing the
covenant chain, which they said they were determined should never rust again,
"because they would daily wipe off the dust, and keep it clean." In
regard to the visit of their chiefs to Montreal, they denied peremptorily, the
truth of the report of their having consented to receive the hatchet from the
French governor, even for the purpose of consideration. Upon this and some
other points of less importance, the chiefs answered without embarrassment. But
on the subject of consenting to go upon the war-path against the French, they
spoke warily. They thanked the governor for the information he had given of the
progress of the war; but touching the direct appeal to them to engage in the
contest, they cautiously said:- "you desire, as we are of one flesh with
you, that we would also take up the hatchet against the French and the Indians
under their influence, with you. We the Six Nations accept of the hatchet,- and
will put it in our bosoms! We are in alliance with a great many of the far
Indians, and if we should so suddenly lift up the hatchet without acquainting
our allies with it, they would perhaps take offence at it. We will therefore
before we make use of the hatchet against the French or their Indians, send
four of our people, who are now ready to go, to Canada, to demand satisfaction
for the wrongs they have done our
____________________
1 Manuscript journals of executive council.
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