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.
Hon. Colden to Gov. Clinton
(New York, Aug. 8, 1751)
Colden, Cadwallader in: Documents
Relative to the
Colonial History of the State of New York
(Lon. Docs.: XXX), vol. VI,
pp. 738-747.
. . .
But the greatest discouragement, in the management of the Indian Affairs, is by the Indians being constantly cheated by them with what they deal. This is a mischief that has been long complained of, and unless some Law were passed for the preventing of it, I know not how it can be remedied; for as the Law now stands, an Indian before he can obtain redress must fee a Lawyer, must take out a writ, fill a declaration, and a last wait twelve months for Justice, at two or three hundred miles distance, sometimes five hundred from his habitation, and without one farthing to support him, or to defray the charges of the suit, and then, his evidence is not admitted in any of our Courts, nor the evidence of any other Indian. Can these people who are treated in this manner be supposed to be under the protection of the King of Great Brittain, or can they be supposed to be treated like friends, or like rational or human creatures? it is but too obvious what the consequences of this treatment must be.
As the Govern have no funds for giving salaries to those who have the care of the Indian Affairs, they are generally left to the discretion of the Traders with the Indians, who pretend to act without reward, and as they are divided into one set who trade to Canada and another who trade at Oswego, or directly with the Indians, these two sets are influencing the Indians in opposition to each other, in order to defeat the measures which the other takes. The several Colonies likewise have different and seperate interests which they severally regard more, than the common interest of the whole. Thus the Massachusetts Bay are at this time endeavouring to draw the Mohawks to settle on their frontiers for their security, and the people of Pennsylvania are endeavouring to draw them to the Frontiers of Pennsylvania, and none of them will unite in furnishing a common stock for the wellfare of the whole.
. . .
. . .
A considerable number of Indians, originally of several Nations formerly liveing near Hudson's River, Delaware, and Susquehana and several of the Six Nations settled near the head of the Branch of the Missisipi called Ohio by the French and Allegany by the People of Pennsylvania, with whom a considerable Trade is carried on from Pennsylvania, and they are in hopes of bringing the Twightees, a considerable Nation on the same Branch more westerly, to join with them and the Six Nations in confederacy;
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