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.
Account of the Discoveries and Journeys
of
the Sieur de la Salle. . .1679-1681
(Due to length divided here into 3 parts)
de La Salle or Father Membré, In:
English Translation of Margry, vol. 1,
pp. 472-586.
|
pp. |
|
|
|
|
|
(page 576) around it, in order that everyone might hear what
was said.
The Sieur de La Salle was accompanied by ten Frenchmen and thirty of his Indians from New England, one of whom he sent for the presents he required for making his speech. So necessary are these presents on these occasions that, if the speeches are not accompanied by them, and do not refer to them, everything that is said is considered merely idle talk. The custom also is that the Indians should reply by other presents, worth at least as much as the first. The style which they employ at these meetings is full of allegory, in accordance with their custom; and accordingly the Sieur de La Salle, who may be considered the greatest orator of this kind in North America, and knows exactly how to adapt himself to their ways, began in this manner.
He First presented them with a roll of tobacco, telling them that he was giving them this tobacco because it was their custom to use it when they wished to discuss any important matter, in order to disperse the evil vapours which might cloud their minds, and because the French did not need this remedy, their minds being always strong and filled with all kinds of knowledge, as they could see from the goods which they brought to them. He next gave them a piece of blue stuff, telling them that, as they were distressed by the loss of their kinsman, recently slain by the Iroquois, and the sight of their half-burned bodies might prevent them from listening with pleasure to what he wished to say to them, he covered them with this piece of stuff in order to turn aside their eyes which were fixed upon their dead and make them raise them to the heavens which peace
It would be difficult to express the pleasure with which the Miamis listened to this sustained allegory, and how fully they accepted the character which the Sieur de La Salle was impersonating, always speaking as if he were Ouabicolcata. The Indians from New England were also very pleased with the way in which he had recommended them to the Miamis and incorporated them with that tribe. For their part, they made four presents and the explanation accompanying them agreed with that which the Sieur de La Salle had given with his. Ouiouilamec, who spoke the language of the Miamis with ease, while the Sieur de La Salle did not then completely understand it, acted as interpreter for them all.
The third present consisted of ten robes of beaver skin which Ouabibichagan accompanied by these words: "We have resolved to obey the voice of that great Spirit. We lay down our arms, we break our arrows, we hide our tomahawks in the very depths of the earth. The Illinois is our brother since he acknowledges the King of France, our master and our father at the same time, for he has brought our brothers to life again. But we beg this great Spirit to give his mind to our brother the Illinois. He has been used to devour the Miamis, and he will continue to kill them if the great King does not prevent him.
When the speech was finished, they passed the rest of the day in dances and feasts, at which the Sieur de La Salle was obliged to be present, for the festival was held solely on his account. These Indians have the same customs as the Illinois and conduct themselves in the same manner. They have several wives, like the Nadouessious and most of the tribes of the West. The Sieur de La Salle saw among them two Indians who had been baptised, who had three wives each, all three sisters; and it has been found by experience that it is almost impossible that they should (page 584) ever discontinue this bad custom, or that of repudiating their wives as soon as the fancy takes them, until we have established in their country colonies of French people, who, by their example, added to the exhortations of Ecclesiastics and the authority of the Governors, may induce them to obey strictly the chief precepts of Christianity.
Three days after this conference, he went down to his settlement where his men were continuing to prepare the materials necessary for building a fort. The Indians from New England put up their huts and sowed Indian corn and pumpkins and other things which they are accustomed to grow.
At the same time, the Sieur de La Salle, reflecting that these Indians, who were dependent upon him, were a great source of strength to him and made him a person of great importance with the neighbouring tribes, decided to increase their numbers. He therefore called them together and proposed that they should send delegates with presents to their tribes for the purpose of inviting them to come and join them in that beautiful country. They accepted this proposal, and sent two of their number, called Ouabach and Amabouso, to whom the Sieur de La Salle gave fifty beaver skins for each of their tribes.
Having done all these things, he considered it was time to think of continuing his explorations, and to bring together promptly the men, arms and stores which he required, the greater part of which he thought the Sieur de La Forest would have brought to Missilimakinak for him. He embarked on the 25th of May, to go and join him there. His voyage was a most favourable one; but he was greatly surprised, on his arrival, not to find the Sieur de La (page 585) Forest who, contrary to his orders, but thinking he was doing right, had stopped at Fort Frontenac for some other business, which had not been entrusted to him, without considering the consequences of this delay.
This disappointment caused great annoyance to the Sieur de La Salle, who was obliged to go to Fort Frontenac, to which he proceeded by the Lake Taronto route. He found the Sieur de Tonty there in perfect health, and letters from the Comte de Frontenac, who wrote to him to go down to Montreal, where he would also repair in order to converse with him. Nevertheless he did not meet him there, which caused him to lose a great deal of time to no purpose.
As soon as he got back to Fort Frontenac he made preparations for his journey. He arrived at Teyoyagon at the beginning of August, and spent a fortnight there in getting all his baggage conveyed to the shore of Lake Taronto, on which he embarked at the end of the same month,- August of last year, 1681.
At the end of this year, 1682, we shall hear the success of his exploration, which he had determined to complete last Spring at the latest, or to perish in the attempt. So many hindrances and mishaps, which always occurred in his absence, made him resolve never again to trust to anyone, but to remain personally in charge of all his men, all his baggage and his whole enterprise, of which he was hoping for a favourable termination. He took with him the Sieur de Tonty, and thirty good Frenchmen, who are more than sufficient, even if all these whom he left with the Miamis should fail him, for he can count on more than a hundred picked Indians from the Chaouanon tribe (page 586) and the tribes from New England who perfectly understand the use of guns, without mentioning Miamis and Illinois of whom he would have a large number to follow him, if he had need of them.
Return
to TOC, p. 4
Continue
to next part of Miami Collection
[return to Miami
Collection Menu]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology List of Publications]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology Home]
Last updated: 18 October 2000
URL: http://www.gbl.indiana.edu/home.html
Comments: webmaster@www.gbl.indiana.edu
Copyright 1996, Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology and The Trustees of Indiana University