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.
Minutes of the Provincial Council
of Pennsylvania
(Due to length divided here into three parts)
In: Minutes... from the
organization to the termination
of the Proprietory Government, Dec. 17, 1745-
March 20, 1754, Published by the
State
Harrisburg: Printed by Theo. Fenn
& Co., vol. 5, 1851.
At a Council held at Philada., 8th June, 1747
. . . Mr. George Crogan, a considerable Indian Trader, inform'd the Secretary by Letter that he had traded this Winter on the Borders of Lake Erie with a Nation of Indians called --- ---, who were formerly in the French Interest, but are now come over & have begun Hostilities along with some of the Six Nations against the French, & that he had there received from them a Letter, with a String of Wampum & a French Scalp, to be deliver'd to the Governor of Pennsylvania, & as he was prevented by Indisposition from waiting on the Governor himself, he had sent them by his Servant; and further desiring the Secretary to inform the Governor that as this Nation was of great Consequence on account of their Numbers & Alliances, the Government wou'd do send them, immediately, a Present for their Encouragement, & if they were dispos'd to do so he wou'd forthwith dispatch a Servant with it; and on reading the Indians Letter & Mr. Croghan's Letter, the Council were of opinion that they shou'd be communicated to the Speaker.
The Secretary having received a letter from Mr. Weiser in answer to his wrote by Order of Council, the same was read, & Mr. Weiser concurring in Sentiment that an handsome Present shou'd be made to the Indians on Ohio & on lake Erie, who, by their Situation, were capable of doing this Province abundance of mischief if they shou'd turn to the French, The Board thereupon took into Con- (page 122) sideration what wou'd be the best method to take in order to be sure that the Present wou'd be safely delivered, & to proper Indians. It was said that in committing goods of such a value to the Indian Traders there might be Danger either that the Indians wou'd not get all or that they might not be given to the Chiefs & Men of the greatest Consequence, or that the Distribution of it might be made to serve private purposes; but since none were acquainted with the Indians or the Road to them but the Indian Traders, & there was a necessity to make use of them, it was therefore, resolved that a Letter shou'd be wrote to Mr. Croghan, letting him know that the Council had determined to make an handsome Present to those Indians to the value of 200, that they wou'd bear the Expence of their Carriage to the Indian Country, & therefore that he wou'd provide a Waggon to carry them to Harris' Ferr, & Horses to carry them thence; and further, that he wou'd either go himself & take the Charge of the Present & be answerable for the Delivery, or recommend some proper Person. It was likewise mentioned that if Mr. Croghan shou'd undertake the Charge it would not be amiss to send some reputable Man from this Place to accompany him, that the Council might be sure their Intentions wou'd be answer'd, & likewise that they might be better inform'd of the Strength & number of those Indians.
The Secretary laid before the Board the Draught of a letter to Governor Gooch & Governor Ogle, which was read & approved, & order'd to be sent forthwith by Express to those Governors:
|
Philada. January 25, 1747 |
Sir:
I have the pleasure inform You that the Indians seated on the Branches of Ohio, and to the South & West of Lake Erie (Places within the Bounds of Virginia, Maryland, & Pennsylvania), have this last Summer shewn great Zeal for his Majestie's Interest in those parts, & by their seasonable Declaration of War have prevented some very bad Designs of the Governor of Canada, which wou'd otherwise have taken Effect. This came to be known first by a Letter sent to this Government from some of the Six Nations & other Indians seated at Canayahaga, a Place on or near the river Conde, which runs into the Lake Erie, who send down a French Scalp in token of their having begun Hostilities against the French and their Indians. The Traders afterwards confirm'd this, with this further Circumstance, that the French Governor had sent the Hatchet to those Indians, and that they had rejected it, at the same time letting the French Governor know that they were heartily for the English, & wou'd fight for them & not against them. This determin'd our Government to give them all the Encouragement possible, & while they were deliberating in what manner to Convey to the Indians a quantity of Goods bought for their use, ten Warriors living at Ohio came fortunately to Phila- (page 190) delphia to remonstrate against the backwardness of the English, & to tell them plainly that unless they alter'd their Conduct the French wou'd soon be uppermost in their Parts. As they address'd themselves to the Governors of all the Provinces, & were told that they shou'd be made acquainted with their Complaints, the Council, in discharge of their Promise, & considering that Your Province is equally with ours expos'd to Danger, shou'd these Indians for want of proper Encouragement go over to the French, have thought it their Duty to send You a Copy of the Treaty held with these Ohio Warriors, and of the Message of the Council & of the Answer of our Assembly, wherein they promise to enable the Council to fulfil their engagements of sending them a present by Mr. Weiser in the Spring, tho' they were then supply'd with a considerable quantity of Powder & Lead & Cloathing to help them thro' the Winter, & most earnestly requests that You wou'd lay these Matters before Your Assembly, and recommend it to them to join with this Province & that of Virginia in making a Present to these Indians, and if it shall be thought proper that there may be appointed one or more Persons with full Power to join with Mr. Weiser in any Measures that may be there thought to be most conducive to the Publick Good.
Mr. Weiser was order'd to accompany & take care of the Indians in their Return to Ohio as far as the Inhabited part of the Country, & from what pass'd between those Indians & Shickalamy, a Person of Character at Shamokin, who happen'd to be at Mr. Weiser's on their coming there, and likewise from what was said by the Principal Indian Scaiohady at parting with Mr. Weiser, of all which he wrote an Account which is Copied & sent herewith, I cannot think but the Person or Persons who go to Ohio may do extraordinary if they are well supported by an Union of the Southern Provinces, since they will thereby be enable to give a larger Present & to distribute it among the Indians according to their Numbers, Disposition, & Influence, as the same shall appear to them upon the Spot.
It may be expected that the French will use their Utmost Endeavours this Winter to corrupt the Indians; there is, therefore, a Necessity that this Present be sent to them early in the Spring; and as the time cannot be fixed until I shall receive you Answer I beg the favour of You to give this Affair, which is of so much Importance to the Peace & Safety of the Publick, all the Dispatch possible.
|
I am, with perfect Esteem & Regard, |
|
|
Your Excellency's most obedt Servant, |
|
|
Anthy. Palmer. |
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