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.
Speech of the Chiefs of
the Village of St. Joseph
(May 1, 1769)
Potawatomis in: The Papers
of Sir William Johnson,
vol. 6, pp. 728-730.
bonne afair [ ] ont fait quelqus [ nous vous] priont de leur pardonner [et d'avoir] pitie deux [ ] Lorsque nous Sommes venus de [ ] nous avont pass auposte vincaine [ ] Cheffe nous ont Dit ne pluroit point [ ] mort nous iront vous voir et natribues [p]oint Celas au anglois quar vous vous t [ ]r entre vous autre Les quiquapot man ont dit dememe ausy bien que Les piant et Les miamis et mascoutin nous vous priont De nous pardonn ausy bien que tout Cest nation que nous vous nomons leur nom Sy desus nous Somes En attandant votre Reponse mon pere
|
Vos Serviteurs |
Layovois naquoibis mintere pattot
pain ta Couraine Coiteny
Le Chien noire
|
INDORSED: |
|
[Speech ] |
Translation
|
[May 1, 1769] |
Father: [ ] we speak to you to [day ] of peace which we [ ] Remember, father, and that now you had become our real father. Father, we have told you, when we made our petition, that we had no understanding.
Father, I had set out for [ ] as a man who is full of grief, when we met on our way your young [people], who stopped with us and poured out some brandy. That explains why this unfortunate affair happened. When we have been drinking, we no longer know anything. If there were no brandy, our young people would be quiet, and would never do an evil thing. When our chiefs were with you, you told us that you were for making peace and putting everything in quiet shape. (page 730) [ ] and who [ ] profitable business [ ] have done some [ we] pray you to pardon them [and to take] pity on them.
[ ] When we came from [ ] we passed Post Vincent [ ] chiefs said to us, Mourn not for that death. We shall come to see you. Do not charge that to the English, for you have [ ] among yourselves. The Kickapoos said the same, likewise the Puans, the Miamis and the Mascoutins. We beg you to pardon us, as do all those nations which are named above. We are, awaiting your reply, father,
|
Your servants |
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
A. L. S.
|
New London May 3d, 1769 |
I hope before this time the box [ see]ds &c and the Trees are Safe Arrived and [if] the weather is as severe with you as with [us,] I am sure they are full Early I Grafted [ ] Barrell of trees this day and shall do many more tomorrowch. I hope in the Fall to send to you and my other friend.- I have also only just begun my Garden and I am in General as Early as any person with one.
We have not one word of news more than what you will find in the papers. I have Constantly Sent you and shall Continue [to][ do so while I Remain here.- I wrote Very [late]ly to Colo. Croghan- as I am Really [a]shamed and nothing but my Distress shoud [ ] me to hint my Situation to you.- [The] Susquhanna Gentry I am inform'd have [ ] and I believe much after the same [manner] the Children of Jacob did when [ ] take possession of the Fertile land [of Canaan?] but am Very doubtfull whether [ ] will direct and Council them as [ ] people [ ] but they [ deter]mined to sit Right down
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