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.

Letter to Johnson

(New York, Jan. 20, 1772)

Gage, Thomas in: The Papers
of Sir William Johnson,
vol. 8, pp. 373-374.

pp. 373, 374.

(page 373)

ADDRESSED:
		To Sir Will^m. Johnson Bart Johnson Hall
		Tryon County

INDORSED:¹
		Wednesday 20^th Janr^y. 1773 _______________________ Co^l. Guy Johnsons letter

FROM THOMAS GAGE

A. L. S.²

New york Jan:^ry 20^th: 1772

SIR

I thank you for your Letter of the 23^rd: Ul^mo: and for the opinion you have given me.

The Licentiousness of our Frontier Inhabitants no doubt often lead us into Scrapes, and may be the Means of inducing Many Indians to join against Us in Case of a War, but their behavior can in no shape affect the Nations on the ouabache or the Pouteatamies, who are the only Nations complained of and who every year commit Hostilities against Us, and will certainly continue Murdering and plundering our People, unless Something is done to prevent it. Talks, Advice, and even Threats have hitherto proved ineffectual, and the only hopes of reducing them to pacifick Measures without using Forceable Means, arise from the Messages lately Sent tot Sioto from the Six Nations. It may be proper to wait the Event of those Messages, as it's probable that the Indians will resolve Nothing till their Messengers return with an Account of their Negotiations; which it's to be hoped they will do in good time, as the Traders with their Goods, and Detachments with Stores of all kinds, generaly leave Fort-Pitt to go to the Ilinois the Middle or End of March.

(page 374)

Your observation of the uncertainty how the War might increase if began in one Quarter is no doubt a just one, and Your Advice as good for posting the Militia. As to the first we must in all Situations of the kind use our Endeavors for the best, and trust a good deal in Fortune. But to Judge from past Transactions of our Own Conduct, I fear that Danger would not be Seen till it came to our Doors, and that the Precaution you advise about the Militia would not be taken till a great deal of Mischief was done.

The Complaints of the Cherokees against the ouabache & Miamie Indians is a lucky Circumstance, and if found Necessary, May be turned to advantage.

I hear Nothing more of the Meeting of the Provincial Commissarys for the Settling the Indian Trade, I was told they would assemble here for certain last Month, or this. The King has taken Indian Affairs and their Expences upon himself, and I imagine the Provinces not very desirous of meddling with them.

I wish you the Compliments of the Season and am with great Regard,

Dear Sir,
	your most obedient
	humble Servant,
	THO^s. GAGE

S^R: W^M: JOHNSON Bar^t:

INDORSED:³
		Janr^y. 20^th, 1772 ______________ Genr^l. Gages letter rec^d. 9^th Feb^ry.

________________________

¹In Johnson's hand.

²In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.

³(1, p. 374) In Johnson's hand.

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