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.
William Johnson to
Governor Clinton
(October 11, 1750)
Johnson, William, Coll. in: Pennsylvania
Provincial Council Minutes,
Colonial Records, Vol. V,
pp. 480-481.
lived on a good Hunting Place and were in a manner only gone to hunt there, and their Relations at home received hitherto their Share of the Consideration or Presents for the Lands.
Onondago was thick with French praying Indians when I was there; eight or nine of them came to see me, and owned they came from Canada to see their Friends at Onondago, and behaved very civil to me. I was told by Tahashronchdioony the Chief, that all the Belts of Wampum belonging to the Publick from the several English Governors that remained unanswered at the Death of Canassatego, and found in his Possession, were by his orders burned with him. This the said Chief said to make Canassatogo a Thief after his Death; some imagine that his Widow and Family stole them.
|
CONRAD WEISER |
The 10th of October, 1750.
A Letter from the Governor of New York, dated the 8th Instant, and Coll. Johnson's letter inclosed, were read and ordered to be enter'd:
A Letter from Governor Clinton to Governor Hamilton.
Sr:
I now send you enclosed further Information which I have received from Coll. Johnson, relating to the Designs of the French; though the English Colonies be, beyond comparison, superior to the French in North America, both in Numbers and Money, yet as the Assemblies of the several Colonies do not act in concert, but pursue different Interests, the French may succeed in their designs to our prejudice by their being directed by one Council and pursuing steadily the same View.
This I think deserves the serious Attention of all the Governors of the Colonies on the Main, and I shall gladly join with you and them in any Method which may prove effectual for uniting the colonies in pursuing their general Interest, but I doubt whether this can be effected without an immediate Application to his Majesty for that purpose.
I am, with great Respect, Sir, Your Honour's most obedient and very humble Servant.
|
G. CLINTON. |
FORT GEORGE, 8th October, 1750.
___
Copy of a Letter to his Excellency Governor Clinton from Coll. William Johnson.
|
76r. 25th, 1750. |
May it please your Excellency:
This is to acquaint your Excellency that the bearers hereof are (page 481) two Englishmen belonging to Pennsylvania Government, and as they were trading among the Indians of Ohio River last Summer as usual, were taken Prisoners by Seven Indians sent by the Commanding Officer of Detroit for said purpose, and by him detained ever since the beginning of last June; it plainly appears by all the Circumstances that he, the said Officer, sent the Indians to take or destroy what English Men they could meet, as the Indians told those young men so, and shewed them the Ammunition, Tobacco, &ca., which the said Officer gave them for their Journey, and when they brought said Prisoners to him he was very thankful and rewarded them well, which said Prisoners were Eye Witness to. He being relieved by another Officer, too those two Prisoners which him in order to bring them to Quebec, but they luckily made their Escape from him halfway between Niagara and Oswego, from whence they came to me quite in a miserable naked Condition. They say the French are making all the Preparations possible against the Spring to destroy some Nations of Indians very steadfast in our Interest, which if they succeed in will be of very bad Consequence; they met in the Lake ten or twelve large Battoes laden with Stores and Ammunition for said Purpose, with whom were several Officers, in particular two Sons of one of their Lieutenant Governors, whom I suppose to be Monsieur Longquilles' Sons. Certainly they have something in agitation which they want to put in Execution as soon as they can, having Accounts from several Hands lately which corroborate. Those two men say that the French at De Troit and thereabout have offered and given some Indians great Presents to go and take or destroy one Mr. Croghan and Lowry, two of the Chief Men who trade from Pennsylvania, and have the most Influence on all Indians living thereabouts of any that ever went among them, or in all likelihood ever may. Should they succeed therein it would certainly be a great step towards their gaining them Indians, who are as yet very strongly attached to the British Interest, and double the Number of the Five Nations. Moreover if the French go on so, there is no man can be safe in his own house, for I can at any time get an Indian to kill any Man for paying him a small matter; their going on in that manner is worse than an open War. Jean Ceur, whom I mentioned to your Excellency some time ago is now gone among said Ohio Indians in order to spirit them up against the English. I wish he may meet with his proper Deserts. I hope your Excellency will pardon my troubling you with so long a Detail of this kind, but as I thought it my Duty to acquaint You of every thing may come to my Knowledge relating to the Service of the Province, hope you will excuse it, and believe me to be with all Sincerity and Esteem,
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Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient Servant. |
|
|
WILLIAM JOHNSON. |
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