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.
Journal of Expedition, 1749
(Due to length divided here into three parts)
Celeron, Pierre Joseph, Sieur de in: Ministere
des
Colonies, Collection Moreau St.
Mery, Canada,
Vol. XL (1741-1749), Folio 318 and in
English Translation of Margry,
Vol. 6, pp. 666-721.
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pleasure, and that you will strive to live in peace and unity as my true children. I do not enter into the subject of your quarrel, I am even ignorant as to who is the aggressor; but whoever it may be, it is his place to make the necessary advances for a reconciliation, and the one offended should forget the injury received. I shall be much obliged,- the more so as I seek only to procure what is best for both.
Whilst we were in council a Chaouenon entered with a very frightened look and told the chiefs that all the nations of Detroit were coming to fall upon them, and that, whilst I was amusing them, they would see their village destroyed. I noticed the altered manner of this Indians and asked the cause. Having learned it, I calmed their fear and so encouraged them that council was interrupted but for a short time.
After having explained to them the intentions of the General, I gave them a cup to drink and they went back to their village.
As soon as they were gone, I sent M. de Joncaire to get information with regard to the news that had just arrived. It was not long before he came back and reported that three Outaouas had arrived at a village at a distance of ten leagues from St. Yotoc, and that messengers had set out immediately to bring us word that the Outaouas would arrive two days later. I conjectured that these were the messengers sent by M. de Sabrevois to give me notice of the disposition of the people of Detroit.
On the 24th the Indians replied, after raising some difficulties about giving their answer in the French camp, but seeing that I persisted with firmness, they came, and here is their answer very badly explained, their interpreter being very incapable.
Answer of the Indians of St. Yotoc, to the speech of M. the General, the 24th of August, 1749.
Six strings of wampum.
My father, we come to tell you that we have listened to the message of our father Onontio with great pleasure, that all he has told us is true and for our good, and that we and our brothers who are here present will conform to it, having only one mind. By these strings of wampum we assure our father Onontio, that all who dwell in our village will no more play an evil part and will no longer listen to bad talk.
My father, we thank you for wishing to reconcile us with our brothers, the Illinois. We promise you to work to that end. These words have given pleasure to our whole village.
My father, by these strings of wampum we thank you for the way in which you have spoken to us; we encourage you to continue your journey, and to hearten all your children, so that the land may be at peace. As for us Chaouenons, we assure you that we shall labor henceforth only for what is good.
On the 25th, I assembled all the chief men, gave them a present on behalf of the General, and urged them to keep the promise given.
Shortly afterwards I summoned the English traders and commanded them to withdraw, making them feel that they had no right on the Beautiful River for trade or any other purpose. I wrote to the Governor of Carolina, whom I warned of the risks the traders would run if they returned. This my instructions had enjoined upon me, and even to seize the Englishmen's goods, but I was not strong enough for that. The traders having established themselves in the village and being well sustained by the Indians, (page 710) it would have been an unsuccessful undertaking and brought discredit on the French.
The Outaouas, sent by M. de Sabrevois, arrived and brought me letters by which I learnt that there was nothing in what M. La Naudiere had told me with regard to the disposition of the Indians of Detroit; on the contrary, notwithstanding every effort made by M. Longueil and himself to get them to march, they had constantly refused. I gave the messengers some provisions, though I was very short of them, and wrote to M. de Sabrevois to ask him to have in readiness for me below Detroit, twenty canoes with provisions for my detachment, in the beginning of October.
On the 26th, I set out at ten in the morning from St. Yotoc. All the Indians were under arms and fired a salute when I passed before the village.
The 27th of August I arrived at the White River about ten in the evening. I knew that at a distance of three leagues there were six Miamis huts, and that influenced me to pass the night in this place.
On the 28th, I sent M. DeVilliers and my son to these huts in order to tell the Indians to come and speak with me. They returned with them, and I induced them to come with me to the village of La Demoiselle, whither I was going to bring the word of their father Onontio. They agreed and asked me to wait till the next day to give them time to fit themselves out. There are in this same village two huts of the Sonnontouans, it being the policy of these nations to keep some always with them as a protection. I hired one of these Sonnontouans who spake Miamis very well, to come with me to La Demoiselle. I had need of him, having no interpreter for that language, and matters of consequence (page 711) to arrange with them.
On the 29th I wrote to M. Raimond, captain and commandant among the Miamis, and begged him to send me the man named Roy, the interpreter, with as many horses as possible, to transport our baggage over a portage of fifty leagues.
On the 30th, the Indians of the White River having arrived, I embarked for the Rock River, and at the entrance I buried a leaden plate, and affixed the arms of the King to a tree, of which I drew up an official statement.
Proces-verbal of the sixth leaden plate buried at the entrance of the Rock River, the 31st day of August, 1749.
In the year 1749, we, Celoron, Knight of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, Captain commanding a detachment sent by the orders of the Marquis de la Galissoniere, Governor-General of Canada to the Beautiful River, otherwise called the Ohio, accompanied by the principal officers of our detachment, have buried at the point formed by the right bank of the Ohio and the left bank of Rock River, a leaden plate, and have attached to a tree the arms of the King. In testimony whereof, we have drawn up and signed with the officers, the present official statement.
The inscription is always the same.
September. This done, I embarked; owing to the scarcity of water in this river, we took thirteen days ascending it.
On the 12th, the Miamis of the village of La Demoiselle having learned that I was near at hand, sent four chiefs to meet me with pipes of peace. As half of my people were on land, there not being water enough in the river to carry the loaded canoes, I was informed by M. de Courtemanche an officer of the detachment, of (page 712) the arrival of the messengers. I landed at the place where they were, and when we were all seated they began their ceremony and presented the pipe. I accepted it. They then took it to M. de Contrecoeur, 2d captain of the detachment and to all the officers and the Canadians, who, longing for a smoke, wished that the ceremony could have lasted longer. The hour having come for camping, we passed the night in this place, the messengers remaining with us. I was obliged, in spite of my scarcity of provisions, to give them supper.
On the 13th, I arrived at the village of La Demoiselle. I pitched my camp, set the guard, and awaited the arrival of the interpreter I had asked of M. de Raimond. During this interval, I sounded them in order to learn if they were disposed to return to Kiskakon, for that is the name of their ancient village. It seemed to me that they had not much objection. They had two hired English in their village whom I sent away before speaking to these people. Those who had spent the summer there trading, had already departed overland with their goods; they have roads communicating between one village and another.
On the 17th, tired of waiting for the interpreter and of seeing my provisions meanwhile being used up, I determined to give my talk by means of an Iroquois who spoke Miamis well. I showed them magnificent presents from the General to induce them to return to their village, and explained to them his intentions in these terms:
Message
of the General to the Miamis of the band of La Demoiselle, settled at Rock
River, and
to the Baril at the White River, brought by M. de Celoron, the 17th of
September,
1749, with eight strings of wampum for the two villages.
My children: The way in which I act toward you, in spite of all you have done to the French whom I gave you to maintain your wives and your children, ought to prove my attachment and the honesty of my sentiments. I forget what you have done, and bury it in the depth of the earth never more to be remembered, persuaded that you have done it only at the instigation of a people whose policy is to trouble the land and corrupt those with whom they have intercourse, and who, profiting by unfortunate ascendency which you have let them get over you, make you commit faults and incite you to evil ways without seeming to take any part themselves, in order to break away from me. It is then to enlighten you that I send you my message; listen carefully and pay attention to it, my children; it is the word of a father that loves you, and to whom your interests are dear. I extinguish by these two strings of wampum the two fires you have lighted during the last two years, at the Rock River and the White River, and I so extinguish them that not a spark remains.
A belt to La Demoiselle and one to the Baril.
My children: I have just told you that by these strings of wampum I extinguish the fires you lighted at Rock River and White River. By these belts I raise you up from your mats and take you by the hand in order to lead you to Quiskakon, where I relight your fire and make it more enduring than ever. In that country, my children, you will enjoy a perfect peace, and I shall be ever at hand to give you marks of my friendship; in that country, my children, you will enjoy the pleasures of life, it being the place where repose the bones of your ancestors, and those of M. de Vincennes, whom you loved so much and who always governed you in such a way that things always went well. If you have forgotten (page 714) the counsels he gave you, these ashes will recall them to your memory. The bones of your fathers suffer from your distance. Have pity on the dead who call you back to your village. Follow, along with your wives and children, the chief whom I send with my message, who will again light your fire at Quiskakon in such a way that it shall never go out. I will give you all the help you have a right to expect from my friendship, and remember, my children, that I am doing for you what I have never done for any other nation.
Another speech with four strings of wampum for La Demoiselle, and two for the Baril.
By these strings of wampum I block up every passage leading to the Beautiful River, so that you go there no more, and that the English who are the authors of all the troubles may no longer come near this land, which belongs to me. At the same time I make an easy road to lead you to Kiskakon, where I will relight your fire. I break off all trade with the English, whom I have warned to go off my territories; and if they come here they will have reason to repent.
Two strings of wampum to La Demoiselle, and two to the Baril.
My children: When you have done what I ask which is only for your advantage, I invite you to come and see me next year,, and receive from myself special marks of friendship. The same invitation is given to all your brothers on the Beautiful River. I hope that you will, one and all, be encouraged to respond to this invitation as you ought; and, to begin by giving you a proof of my friendship, I send these presents to clothe your wives and your children; I add gunpowder and bullets, so that you may be well supplied when you take the journey to Quiskakon. Leave (page 715) the place where you are; it is hurtful to you; and avail yourselves of what I am doing for you.
The council over, every one withdrew. They carried away the presents to their village where they assembled to prepare their answer.
On the 18th, about nine in the morning, they came to give the answer.
Answers
of La Demoiselle chief of the Miamis, settled on the Rock River, and of the
Baril
on White River, the 18th of September 1749, with pipes of peace.
It is an ancient custom among us when we talk of agreeable things to offer, first of all, pipes of peace. We beg you will be good enough to listen to us. We are going to answer what you have said. This pipe is a token of the pleasure which we have in smoking together, and we hope to smoke the very same pipe with our father next year.
A belt.
My father: Yesterday, we listened with pleasure to your speech. We saw clearly that you are come only on a good mission. We have none other but good answers to give you. You have made us remember the bones of our forefathers, who grieve to see us in this place, and who are always calling us back. You have made us a beautiful road to return to our ancient home. We thank you, my father, and promise you to return thither early next spring. We thank you for your kind words; we see that you have not forgotten us. Be persuaded that we will always try to be on good terms with the Chaouenons. We recall the good advice which M. de Vincennes gave us. My father, you are dealing with people of no intelligence, who cannot perhaps answer you as you hoped; but (page 716) they speak truly- not from their lips, but from the bottom of their heart. You have bid us reflect seriously upon what you told us. We have done so, and we shall continue to do so during the whole winter. We hope to have the pleasure of giving you a good talk in the spring. If the hunting is good, we shall make amends for our faults. We assure you, my father, that we will no longer listen to evil counsel, nor to bad news now that we are encouraged.
Reply to La Demoiselle and the Baril in the same council, by M. de Celoron.
I have listened to you, my children and I have weighed well your words. Whether you have not understood me, or are pretending not to have done so, you do not answer at all what I said! I proposed to you on the part of your father Onontio, to come with me to Kiskakon- there to relight your fire and to set up again your dwelling; you put off doing so till next spring. I would have been delighted to be able to tell your father Onontio that I had led you back; it would have given him great pleasure on account of the interest he takes in all that concerns you. You give me your word to return there at the end of the winter; be faithful to your promise. You assert it in the strongest manner, and if you fail, fear the resentment of a father, who has only too much reason to be angry with you, and who has offered you the means of regaining his favor.
Answer by the Demoiselle and the Baril.
My father, we shall be faithful in carrying out the promise made; at the end of the winter, shall return to our ancient habitations, and if the Master of Life favors our hunting, we hope to make amends for our past faults. Be persuaded that we (page 717) do not speak from our lips but from the bottom of the heart. We cannot at present return whither you would have us go; the season is too far advanced.
The council being ended, I detained some of the old men to try to find out if what they had just said was sincere. They assured me that both villages would return in the spring to Quiskakon, that what kept them back was the fact of having no huts ready there; also that in their hunting during the winter they would be getting nearer, and would eventually return to it. While I was speaking with them, Rois, the interpreter whom I had asked of M. de Raimond arrived.
The 19th. I lingered to endeavor by means of Rois, to determine La Demoiselle with some other chiefs to come with me to relight their fires and make their wigwams at Quiskakon, but could not succeed. They kept saying and assuring me that they would return thither next spring.
On the 20th, all being ready for our departure, we broke up our camp. After having burned the canoes, which we could not take with us, we set out on the march by land, each one carrying his provisions and baggage, except the officers, for whom I had procured horses and bearers. I disposed all my people into four companies, each with an officer on the right and another on the left. I led on the right and M. de Contrecoeur on the left. We took only five days and a half to travel what was reckoned to be fifty leagues.
On the 25th, I arrived at M. de Raimond's, who commands at Quiskakon, staying there only as long as was necessary to buy provisions and canoes to convey me to Detroit.
On the 26th, I called to me Cold Foot, chief of the Miamis (page 718) at Quiskakon, and other principal Indians, to whom I repeated in presence of M. de Raimond and the officers of our detachments, what I had said at the village of La Demoiselle and the answers I had got from them. After listening with much attention, he rose and said to me: "I hope I am deceived, but I am sufficiently attached to the French to say that La Demoiselle will be false. My grief is to be the only one who loves you, and to see all the nations of the south let loose against the French."
On the 27th, I set out from M. de Raimond's. Not having found enough of canoes for all my men, one part went by land under the conduct of some officers and Indians to guide them through the woods. I took eight days to reach the lower end of Detroit, where I arrived on the 6th of October, and found canoes and provisions for my detachment. I could have left the same day if my Indians had followed me, but they amused themselves drinking in the lower part of the River Miamis. I waited for them over the 7th and at last on the 8th they arrived.
On the 9th of October, I set out from the lower part of Detroit and come to Point Pelee where I passed the night. During the crossing of Lake Erie nothing happened worth mentioning. I arrived at Niagara on the 19th where I was delayed three days by bad weather.
On the 22d I left Niagara by the southern part of Lake Ontario, to go to Fort Frontenac. It took me fourteen days to cross the lake, during which several canoes were broken by the violence of the wind, and on the 6th of November I arrived at the said fort.
November. On the 7th I left Fort Frontenac and went to the settlement founded by M. Piquette. I had received orders from (page 719) the Marquis de la Galissoniere to notice what increase might have been made during the time occupied by my expedition. I found it about the same as when I passed there in the beginning of July. His fort was burned after his departure for Montreal, by some Indians who are believed to have been sent by the English from Choueguin. A large field of hay was also burned, but the sort of redoubt which is set in the angle of a bastion was saved, although it was set on fire several times. There were but three men on guard at this fort, one of whom lost his arm by a gun exploding in his hand whilst firing on those who were setting the place on fire. I made inquiries as to whether it was known which nation had done this deed, and was told that it was two Goyogouins, who had passed the summer with M. Piquette and who had been hired by the English to take away his negro. I left there and came to the foot of the Level Rapids to pass the night.
On the 10th of November, I arrived at Montreal where I stayed two days and went down to Quebec to give and account of my expedition to the Marquis de la Jonquiere.
I was fortunate enough, notwithstanding the fatigues of the campaign, the poor diet, and the number of sick, to have lost only the one man, drowned when M. de Joncaire was wrecked.
According to the reckoning of Father Bonnecamp, the Jesuit and a great Mathematician, who paid great attention to the route, it covered 1,200 leagues; in my own estimation and that of my officers it was much more. All that I can say is, that the nations of these parts are very badly disposed towards the French, and are entirely devoted to the English. I do not know how they can be brought back. If force were to be used, they would be (page 720) warned of it, and would take to flight. They find a great refuge with the Flat-heads, form whom they are not very distant. If our traders were sent there, they can not sell their goods at the same prices as the English, on account of the many expenses they are obliged to incur. Moreover, I think it would be dangerous to make better terms with the nations who inhabit the Beautiful River, than at the other posts of Detroit, the Miamis, and elsewhere. That would merely take them away from our old posts and keep them on the Beautiful River, where they are nearest the English governments.
Of late years, however, some traders have been sent, but there were fewer English then and they had not so much credit as they have to-day; and, if the French traders will tell the truth, they will agree that their profits came through trade with the English by the exchange of furs. The wild cats, the otters and the pekans are at a very low price in England, while with us they are very high; and, these are the only furs known to come from that district,- not beaver. The last named is given in exchange to the English.
A permanent settlement would be useful to the colony, but it would be very inconvenient to keep it up, on account of the difficulties of transporting provisions and the suitable stores. I doubt whether it could succeed without incurring a great expense. I feel myself obliged on account of the knowledge I have acquired of all these places, to put these reflections at the end of my journal, so that use may be made of them as shall be judged proper.
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Signed: |
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Celoron. |
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Copy of the Summons served on the English at the Beautiful River:
We, Celoron, Captain, Knight of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, Commander of a detachment sent by order of M. the Marquis de la Galissoniere, Governor-General of New France, have summoned the English traders who were in an Indian Village, situated on the Beautiful River, to withdraw into their own country with their effects and baggage, under penalty of being treated as interlopers in case of refusal. To which summons the said Englishmen replied- that they were going to withdraw into their own country with their effects. Made in our camp at the Beautiful River.
Copy.
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Signed: |
La Jonquiere |
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