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 Gage

(Johnson Hall, March 20, 1772)

Johnson, Sir William in: The
Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 12,
pp. 942-943.

pp. 942, 943.

(page 942)

Kanandasego and he Will get it As Soon as possebell this is the Neus all that he has got

I am S^r. yours humb^l. Serv^t.

To the honnerebel
S^R. W^M. JOHNSON Bar^t.

KEYENQUGTO
the Sennekes
Sechem

TO THOMAS GAGE

A. L. S.¹

Johnson Hall March 20^th, 1772-

DEAR SIR-

I have Just received your favour of the 9^th Ins^t.² and am verry glad to hear that his Majesty has ordered that the French at Post Vincent be removed. They are at present a Troublesome Sett, and would soon become a formidable Body of Lawless Disaffected People, I believe notwithstanding that whatever they may say, they will not pay due regard to the order, having a fine Country, & Comfortable Settlements, and being in such friendship with the Indians, and at such a distance from Us, they will think themselves secure.- I am entirely of your opinion that on this occasion the Indians should be made acquainted w^th. some specious Reasons for their Removal, but as these Indians have behaved so Ill towards Us, and have lately received such severe Messages, It will in my opinion Suffice to let them know in general, that the King having heard of the extraordinary behaviour of many Indians in that Quarter, and likewise that a large Settlement of White People was formed in that Country without Laws or Government, (of which kind of Settlements the Indians are so apt to Complain) He Apprehended that the Same could not Subsist without Manifest Inconvenience to the Indians, & a total neglect of that Order in use amongst Civilized Nations, that therefore those People should be ordered to come within the English Pale, leaving the Indians in possession of the Country, (page 943) and thereby freeing them from many Imputations under which they have lain from such a mixt Settlement as well as enabling them to enlarge their Trade & Hunting, & to Traffic on more advantagious Terms with all Traders than they could possibly do at present with those who had Monopolized y^e. Commerce & put their own prices on everry thing.- That therefore this Act of his Majesties was an Act of Grace & favour in which their Advantage was as much consulted as that of Government.-

I am humble of opinion that something to this Effect will be Sufficient, for as to saying any thing that will realy Satisfy the Indians thereon it is impossible, as they are so Jealous of Us that our most plausible Acts will be misconceived, And the French will no doubt tell them that it is done with a View to leave the Indians more defenceless & Ignorant of our Intentions until we cutt them off.

I am perfectly of Your Opinion that Ouabache or Shawanese Town on the Sioto is the most convenient place for the Resident I have appointed and I have already taken everry measure necessary thereon, as well as to obtain regular Information of all material occurrences; but I am inclined to wait a Little and See how Matters go on, and in what Manner he behaves before I put presents into his hands; I also think that it would be best [that] He had the Commission of the Peace in the manner You Speak of, for altho in a Country where little regard is paid to Laws, it may nevertheless have Influence over Some Traders &^ca.

I have the Honor to be with the most Sincere Esteem,
Dear Sir, Your most Obedient & Verry Humble Servant
W. JOHNSON

His Excellency
L^T. GENERAL GAGE-

INDORSED:
		S^r. W^m. Johnson March 20^th, 1772. Received April 1^st. Answered-

________________________

¹In William L. Clements Library.

²Johnson Papers, 8:417-19.

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