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 Transactions
and Presents Given the Indians
(Dec. 23, 1768 - March 12, 1772)
(Due to length divided here into three parts)
Wilkins, John in: (Enc. in Wilkins
to Gage, June 1, 1772), William
L. Clements Library, University
of Michigan, pp. 1-53.
Journal of Transactions and Presents given to Indians from 23d December 1768.-
1768
December 23 Tomeroy & party of Kaskaskie Indians had in presents from the Store of Baynton & Company 4lb powder, 8lb lead, a Small Carrot of Tobacco, 1/2 Gallon Rum, one Britch Clout, & one pair of Leggins provisions &c and at the same time Tongua & a party of the Osages, from the Co:y the same as above, the osages presented a String of wampam & had one in return, & a Gun repair'd, N:B: gave an order for the above articles provisions &c.-
1769
Janry. 16th Gave a large party of Kickapoes
from the wabash a 3 Gallon Kegg of Rum 10lb powder, 20lb
lead, 1lb vermilion, 4 Small Carrotts of Tabacco, a Squaws bed gown,
& one Stroud.-
26th To a party of Kickapoes that came to trade largely, 1 Gallon rum, 3lb powder, 6lb lead, 3 Carrots of Tobacco, a Tincel lac'd Hatt to the Interpreter & a Blanket Coat to his Son.
1769
Febry. 2d (page 2)
The Chief of the Peories- Black Dogg- & party came to visit &
Trade and enquire what news &c, as reports are Spread about that Several
Nations from the wabash are determin'd to Cut off the peories &c, I told
him all was now in peace &c, and gave him 3 1/2 Gallon Kegg of Rum not to
be touche'd till he arriv'd at his Nation at their hunting ground which as he
said was within Sight of the Smoak of this Fort,- provisions &c.-
10th Some Mitches return'd from their hunting & Settled near the Fort, gave them pair of leggins & Britch Cloath, 4lb powder and 8lb lead.
15th A party of the nation of the Mitches visited to know what news from the many reports of the other Nations I Thought necessary from their requests to give one blanket a Squaws Peticoat & 1/2 Gallon Rum.
19th Party of Illinois Indians 2 Gallon Kegg of rum provision & ca-
24th A Party to Trade gave the Chief a Shirt & 3 Gallons of Rum- Pero an order for 4 Shot on Store.-
Febry 28th (page 3) A party of the osages from up the missourie River brought great plenty to trade at this place, made me a visit gave the Chief a lac'd Hatt from the Stores, a blanket Coat & Silk handkerchief, & to his party 3 Gallons Rum, 3 Carrots of Tobacco, Some Necklaces for their Squaws, a Tin pot & a paper of paint, 2 Shirts & a String of wampam representing the road to & from us, to be the most pleasant & most advantageous for their Supply of all kinds,- provisions &c.-
March 3d A large party of Kickapoes arrived from the wabash report that they were afraid to visit me having been told that they should all be put in Irons &c, this I do Suppose was from Capt:n Forbes intention which His Excellency hath wrote me of, they have brought great plenty to trade & I have given them 3 Gallons of rum, 4 Carrots of Tobacco, a Tin Pot, a paper of paint & a Blanket, provisions &c- They acknowledge that their young men had Struck the English thro bad advice but were now heartily sorry, as many things was laid to their Charge which were done by other Nations &c, &c,-
March 3d (page 4) By Application of Engineer Hutchins gave 22 Men a Gallon of rum for recovering a Boat that was carried down the river & almost lost.-
8th A large party of Kickapoes warriors with 2 Scalps from the Chickasaws gave them provisions only.
10th Some of the mitches from their hunt gave them a Gallon of rum, provisions &c:
16th A party of Mitches gave them a Peticoat for a Squaw & 2 1/2 Gallons rum, provisions &c:
18th The three Chiefs, Baptist, Tomeroy, & Laudeviet & a large party of Kaskaskia Indians on their return from hunting had long talk with them they being apprehensive that the Chickasaws intended to Strike and Cut them off, but I was of a different opinion convinced them of the great good would arrise if I could bring that Nation to Settle in the Illinois of which I have wrote His Excellency, I found it necessary to give them 2 1/2 Gallons of Rum provisions &c, It is prudent to keep this nation in Temper at present from the Steps the French have taken with the Spaniards on the other side & our French Subjects being lead a Stray by Clajon &c;-
March 10th (page 5) The Chief- Black Dog& party of the Peories from Kahokie came to trade, Gave them one Gallon of Rum provisions &c; The Gage row Galley being near finish'd Saluted them with three Guns to their great pleasure and Amazement.
19th The Chiefs and party of the Mitches return'd from hunting & to trade Gave them 4 Gallons rum provisions &c;-
20th & 21st The party of both nations Continued here & got 2 Gallons of rum & a bed gown for a Chiefs wife provisions &c;-
22d At the request of the Chiefs & warriors of 4 Nations present Vizt. The Peories, Kahokies, Kaskaskias & Mitches, the whole mett me in Council to hear what a Chief of the Arkansies had to say who was come with another of that Nation to forward the orders from New Orleans to the Dons Ruie, & Piernas, to quit their Command at St. Louis & the Missourie.- The 4 nations mention'd had previously persuaded me to believe that the Arkansies join'd with the Chickasaws intended to Strike & Cut off the Illinois Indians, but I rather believe that the latter are jealous of our Connection on the other side the Ohio or are Spurr'd on by our french Subjects who may wish to imitate their Country mens behaviour to the (page 6) Spaniards on the other side of this river, this I Conjecture from the behaviour of our 4 nations who not Content with what I was pleas'd to give them talk'd of former times, & of going to war & much such Stuff, to which I replied as may be best Conceiv'd to send them all pleas'd to their Several Nations, without one article more than I had prepar'd, VIZt 10 3 Gallon Keggs of rum, 10 Carrotts of Tobacco, 4 papers of paint, a bed gown for a Chiefs Squaw with a Silver ring, a necklace with a blanket & Shirt to the Chief of the Arkansies, 2 Handkerchiefs of the first sort, with a keg of rum as he said to drink with our 4 nations, provisions &c;
March 25th Three Chiefs & a large party of the Osages came from the Missourie to visit & Trade, Complain of their masters the French and Spaniards who are much displeas'd at their Coming to Trade with us, the purport of my reply was that doubtless they would go to the best market &c &c.- They remain'd here to trade till the 28th Instant & receiv'd a laced Hatt for the first Chief & three Blankets for the 3 Chiefs, 15lb powder, 30lb lead, 5 Carrots of Tobacco, a Peticoat for a Squaw & 4 Gallons of rum for the whole, provisions &c:-
29th The Chief and warriors of the Kaskaskias came to (page 7) demand powder and lead to prepare their nation to defend themselves against Pondiac daily expected with some nations in 150 Canoes who have long since threaten'd to Cutt off the nations of the Illinois being Spurr'd up so to do by their now leader Pondiac, gave them 20lb powder & 40lb lead provisions &c.-
30th A party of the mitches visited and Confirm'd the report that Pondiac was arrived at Kahokie with 30 warriors and that all the Nations as mention'd in about 150 Canoes were soon to follow him, that Pondiac declar'd he came in peace to trade but must have his party Supplied with what they wanted from the French & English, this news was Contradicted the same day by mons:r Beauvais who came from Kahokia & saw or heard nothing of the above report.
April 4th All the nation of the mitches made me a Visit to Condole on the loss of 2 of their Chiefs kill'd by the Spanish osages that were here the 25th March, had stole some of their horses, on which 7 mitches pursued the 21 osages and a Skermish began in which the 2 mitches were kill'd & 2 of the osages, as the Custom is to bury the dead gave them 2 Strouds to cover the bodys, 4 Gallons of Rum, & at their (page 8) request as their principal warriors were going to bury the Dead, took their wives & Children and old people into a large house under the protection of this Fort & as it was necessary gave them in the absence of the warriors some provisions &c &c-
April 6th The Chiefs and warriors of the Kaskaskies came to Condole on the loss of their 2 Brothers of the Mitches nation, gave them 6 Gallons rum, 2 Shirts, 3 lb paint provisions &c;
9th A party of the Peories to Trade made a visit & got 15 powder , 30 lead, 4 Gallons of rum provisions &c:-
11th The mitches returnd, from burying their Chiefs, gave them 4 Gallons rum, 3 Carrots of Tobacco, 2 Strouds provision &c-
13th A large party of both nations & Kaskaskias came to Council & take advice how to behave towards the osages for their loss, promised them that as the latter was the aggresses did not doubt of bringing them to reason very soon &c, gave them 15lb powder, 30 lb lead & 2 lb paint provisions &c.-
17th A large party of Illinois Indians of the different nations came to Consult what was to be done for the loss of our man & woman Scalp'd in the Village near this Fort, on which I gave them to understand that I would have Satisfaction taken for the Insult, that I would for this time attend to their wants but Charged them (page 9) to remember on what acco:t as it was their duty to find out the murderers, gave them 4 Carrotts of Tobacco provisions &c;-
April 20th Receiv'd the account that Pondiac was kill'd at Kahokie by an Indian of that place, order'd the Trader at that place to see him inter'd in the Indian manner, to Contradict the report that the French had Spread of the English having set the Indians on to kill their Champion, & so far terrified the Indians & prevaild on them to leave their Village & come here for safety.
22d Receiv'd a Speech from the Peories that they intended to leave their village & come here under the protection of this Fort fearing Pondiacks followers, sent them my request to keep their Ground & an order for 6 Gallons of Rum, 20lb powder & 40lb of lead- Store-
25th Mitches and Kaskaskias to know if the peorias did come how they should Act, advised them as brothers of the Illinois & gave them 3 Gallons of Rum, 2 papers of Vermilion, & provisions &c;
29th Sent off the Galley to protect a party Cutting firewood on the other side this river with a party of our Indians to Cover & if necessary to Alarm the wood Cutters, also to kill Deer to feed the whole party, sent in e Galley for the Officer to give the Indians Sparingly 6 Gallons Rum, & Some Vermillion.-
May 2d (page 10) The Peories arrived in 30 Canoes by water & a large party by land I was ill & could not see them.
3d Their warriors with those of the Mitches &c made me a Visit, it was rather a Congress as the term is used in America the Inclination & fate of 4 friendly Nations depending thereon, being closely tempted to an Insurrection as I have reason to Suppose by our French Subjects as has been the Case with the French towards the Spaniards on the other side this river but those present declar'd their honest intention to us &c &c:- Spoke a long time to which I made the usual reply to fix them in the resolution they had taken & to Encourage them to Industry as a principal Support to themselves & Families, and that I should do ever thing in my power to serve & protect them, as long as they profest themselves & behaved as duty full Children, showing them the powers of Great Britain & the purport of my Speech to the fools that have dar'd to Strike the English, & from their fatigue & unsettled Situation gave them 4 three Gallon Kegs of rum provision &c; and order'd their Arms to be repair'd to defend themselves, their Numbers would have filled the Fort, but I (page 11) permitted only 50 warriors to enter & had the Garrison on the parade in their view at Exercise something in their own way.-
May 5th The Chiefs and 42 warriors of the missourie Indians came to visit and brought great plenty to trade, talk'd much of their regard to the English &c, &c, &ca, gave them 6 Gallons Rum, provisions &c;-
6th & 7th As the above had not finish'd their Trade gave them more provisions.-
8th When they came to take their leave of me, as they thought the present I offer'd them not Sufficient tho' about 20 value they left it and went off without, I find they have lately been troublesome to their Command:t Mons:oe St. Ange in the same way who treated them as they deserved.
9th Came all the Chiefs of the nations of the Illinois with about 20 of their principal men to Consult me on their & the Inhabitants Defence & request of me to assist in sending out 35 of their young warriors to hunt and make a Scout for 14 or 15 days to see if any of Pondicks followers were in motion, gave them 2 Gallons rum, 15lb powder, 30lb lead & 2lb vermillion provisions &c
10th The 4 Chiefs and warriors of the Peorias demanded (page 12) a hearing alone to know if their Coming under my protection &c &c to which I replied in the Afirmative provided they would take advice & act as my Children &c &c, gave them 10 Gallons of Rum & 4 Carrots of Tobacco provisions &c:-
May 15th Came two Chief men from St. Vincents Agreeable to my Speech to those nations that had Struck the English they seem'd well inclin'd at least it was prudent to make them believe I thought so, gave them a belt to Speak to those Nations & 2 blanketts, 4lb of vermillion, 2 Shirts, 2 Carrots of Tobacco & a pipe of peace & 4 Gallons of rum to Drink with their Brothers, have wrote of this more particular to His Excellcy. Dec 17th Ins:t-
16th As 5 men of our nations were yesterday Scalp'd, the Chiefs came to demand Council & Ammunition, gave them 10lb powder & 20lb lead to pursue the Enemy who were seen last night Sculking under the walls of the Fort, gave them also 2lb vermillion & 2 Gallons of rum.
17th A large party of warriors Peories return from a Scout after some party of Enemy Indians discover'd lurking under the walls of this Fort before day break the 15th Instant & report they are Still about this place, gave our Indians some (page 13) provisions.
May 24th A Chief and warriors of the Peories return'd from a Scout of 15 days to the Illinois river &c, mett no Enemy, brought in some Trade, gave them 6 Gallons rum, & provisions to their families in their absence, & provisions to a party of them going to Cover the wood Cutters-
29th Tomeroy & warriors of the Kaskaskies Indians Visit on return from a Scout of 15 days as above, gave them a 4 Gallon Kegg of rum provisions &c.-
June 4th Came Tomeroy the Chiefs and warriors of Kaskaskies with 2 Chickasaws beging that they Might return with the latter to make peace with that nation &c, but as the jaunt & presents would be expensive & other reasons persuaded them it would be very improper at present as I could not yet find (for want of a proper Interpretor) what the Chickasaws had to say to me, tho' they have been here for that purpose three weeks, as they desir'd to Celebrate the Kings Birth day gave them 6 Gallons of rum 2lb of Vermillion 6lb of Tobacco, & provisions &c, while (page 14) they Stay'd here.
13. accounts Closed to 5th June 1769
1769
June 9th (page 15)
A Chief of the Peories & warriors going on a Scout & to hunt,
gave them 8lb of powder & 16lb of lead, one Gallon of
rum & one pound of Vermillion.-
13th The young Chief & some warriors of the Mitches requested assistance of 4lb powder & 8lb lead to hunt & Scout round about us for any of Pondiacks followers that Chief being kill'd by a Peorie Indian the 20th April last at Kahokie.-
23d The Chief of Peories Black Dogg & warriors to Assure me of their Steady regard to the English & that they would Comply with my request concerning their not plundering our Gardens &c, gave them 3 Gallons rum.-
27th Came some warriors & party of the Missouries to trade & made me a visit of which I have wrote His Excellency in my letter the 20th Instant, gave their Interpretor for his trouble & coming so far 3 Gallons rum 6lb powder & 12lb lead, 1 Blanket provisions &c, the party went away & refused a present worth 20 .
July 6th Came the Chief and warriors of the Peorias return'd from hunting & to trade & report that they have reconnoitred (page 16) 50 miles round as I desired, blamed their young Men for Loitering at home, gave them 7 Gallons of rum & one Keg, 2 Carrots of Tobacco, 2 Peticoats for Squaws, & 2 Britch Cloaths provisions &c:-
July 7th Came to trade and visit the Peyes that lately (with their Chiefs) left their Village of Kehakie to Settle here with the Peories & Mitches, & profess'd the usual assurances of Friendship to the English gave them 8 Gallons of Rum 2 Carrots of Tobacco, provisions &c.
8th Came the black Dog and about 70 Warriors to request great Supplies of Ammunition recommended them to the Traders for those Articles, but gave them 15lb of powder & 30lb of lead, 2 petty Coats for Squaws, provisions &c.-
9th Came a chief of Peories with 3 warriors who are return'd from Visiting the Kickapoos on the Wabash above Post Vincent where a party of the Patawamies took from them a Peorie Indian (that went with those three men now return'd) & bound the man & told them they would keep him prisoner in their nation & would with Several other Nations go and Strike the English & Peories when the Indian Corn is ripe, Those three men further Add that they learn'd on the (page 17) wabash that the Patawamies had lately made 2 Strokes on the English near Detroit, that the Wiandots are Attack'd by a party of English & could get no Assistance from the Shawanese nor mingos, that the Hurons refus'd to join the Patawamies against the English, wrote of this to Capt: Turnbull or officer Commanding at Fort Detroit.
July 17th In Consequence of Mr Hansons letter which in most part Confirm'd what the 3 Indians told me the 9th Instant, Sent for the Chiefs of the peories, Mitches & Payes to acquaint them therewith, & found they were fully persuaded that it was true & expected the Enemy every hour, those nations had join'd together and Fortified their Village with a kind of a Stockade & their firewood which Kings Carts had brought in for them some time ago, they seem'd determind to defend themselves in their Village & only wish of me to be Still their good Father which would enable them to Serve those Nations as they have done before on the like occasions, this & such kind of talk detain'd me near 4 hours, to which I replied, that I could not believe those Nations would presume to Strike in the Illinois without Consulting me as they are mine & Children of the English, & perhaps I should be able to make up the difference between them & c &c. (page 18) They press'd much to be Permitted to Lye under our Walls, this I dislik'd much, but persuaded them intirely to their Satisfaction to remain in their Strong Village to defend that and their Corn which would be destroy'd, & Should they Lye under our Walls to be attack'd there, I could not defend them or myself without killing many of their men, that It was true we could in the day time distinguish them from the Enemy with our Small Arms, but the Cannon with a hall full of Shot (meaning Grape) might cut off a dozen at a time. These reasons prevail'd and I gave them 20lb powder & 40lb Ball 2 Gallons rum & 2 papers of paint & a Fuzie to the 1st. Chief.-
July 20th Rid round their Village & thro every part thereof found all hands working with incredible labour both men & women mostly with their hands & nails diging a trench to lodge & Cover themselves with inside their Stockade, & 20 or 30 without Sinking a well in same manner with the help of 10 Spades I lent them, others Cleaning away the Weeds & Cover round their Village, this preparation design & Caution in Indians Surprise'd me much. I really believe there is near 500 in the Village. I know not whether they were most pleased at my Visit on this Occasion on Examining their works, & as there is no seeing them without A present, gave them 6 Gallons (page 19) of Rum. Their Village is on a rising Ground in full Sight (& within Cannon Shot) of the Fort, they have near 100 large Canoes most of which they have brought & fix'd with our boats under the Command of the Fort & Arm'd Galley.
From the 18th to the 24th frequent Visits from the Nations, gave them provisions &c.
July 26th Sent for the Chiefs to demand the reason of their being close Confin'd in their Village for a long time pass'd & that now they Seem'd to have no apprehension of their Enemy, after Shuting themselves up in their Village Fortified, & that they had not reconnoiter'd as I had desir'd them, got for answer that the Chiefs could not prevail on a party to go out without making a feast or giving them drink which was their usual Custom on those occasions & they beg'd of me to assist them therein, on which at Times gave them 6 Gallons rum, 9lb Tobacco 4 papers of vermillion, the reasons they gave for most of them going out at present was partly for want, & that they did imagine the Enemy Nations had disagreed & was return'd home, or that 2 Chickasaw Prisoners in the Kickapoos Nation had been given up as had been talk'd of to Pondiacks nation to atone for his death. The 3 nations here made heavy (page 20) demands for a large Quantity of powder & lead to form a magazine in their Village, also the Same for provisions both of which I refus'd in such a manner as to send them away Seemingly Satisfied.
July 27th About 40 warriors went out with a Chief to discover whether their Enemy was gone, or to Speak to them & give Safe Conduct to their Chief who had declar'd at Pain Court that he wanted to Speake to me before the Peorias should be Attack'd.
31st The Chiefs of the three Nations present (& too many warriors to be admitted into the Fort) came with those that had been on the Scouts & informed me they had reconnoiter'd from hence to paincourt & 20 Miles round the Fort, could find not the least appearance of the Enemy, that they certainly were return'd home that three men of ye Peories nation present had just arrived from the Wabash Indians who had declar'd that they were going with belts to 10 nations demanding of them to go with them to Strike the Peories, but that they would prevent the Stroke if possible, & if oblig'd to go the Peories had but little to apprehend there from, those 3 men further add that 2 days on their return from the Wabash they discover'd the Enemies Camp of about 2 or 300 men & hid themselves & march'd afterwards 7 days to arrive at this place, from this report with that (page 21) made by the Scout of 40 Peories, the Nations here would persuade me that their danger is all over, & in very pressing terms desir'd they might be indulg'd to drink & feast on the occasion, & tho I doubt their Story & Suspect them, gave them as there nations are numerous, 31st July, & 1st August 10 Gallons of Rum provisions &c.;-
August 3d Came a Chief & warriors of the Arkannsses to trade & visit & to show their regard to their English Father, declar'd that all was peace with them & that the Chickasaws & their nation lived like brothers, gave them while here 7 Gallons Rum, 6lb Tobacco, 2lb vermillion provisions &c:-
10th Chiefs & warriors of the Peorias going out to hunt &c demanded assistance, gave them 10lb powder, & 20lb lead, 2lb vermillion, 2 Blankets, 4 Handkerchiefs 1st Sort & 3 Gallons Rum
17th Chief of mitches & party from Scout report no Signs of the Enemy, gave them 3 Gallons of Rum
23th Tomeroy & Chief warriors of Kaskaskias came to Request of me to make them a King or Chief in place of the worthless fellow who lately return'd me the Kings (page 22) medal because I would not see him when in a fever, he is a fool fellow & had displeas'd all his nation by this Step & others since at Kaskaskie & Misere &c, the warriors to my wishes beg'd to have La Cloche a brave fellow who on the report of the English first coming here Shot the then Chief when Speaking in Council to Encourage the nation to Strike and Cut off the English when they arrived, gave them 6 Gallons rum, 9lb Tobacco, 2lb Vermillion for the warriors &c to wait on La Cloche with my invitation that he would come to have the Ceremony perform'd.
August 29th The whole nation Men women & Children came to see the Ceremony performed, but only 20 warriors Admitted into the Fort, we we had much talk on the occasion & then I put the Medal round his Neck, a broad laced hatt on his head, gave him a Shirt & laced Jacket with 4 three Gallons Kegs of rum, 4lb Vermillion 10lb Tobacco provision &c, all went home well pleased & I saw none drunk.-
Septem:r 4th A party of Mitches return' d from hunting gave them 3 Gallons, 2 blankets, 2 Handkerchiefs 1st Sort & 6lb Tobacco
25th At Kaskaskies the Chiefs and Indians of that
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