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.
Vaudreuil to the Council
(October 28, 1719)
|
Vaudreuil, "1719: French Garrison sent to Chequamegon; War between Illinois and Wisconsin Tribes; English Intrigues with Miamis" in: AC. C11, 40:179, N. Y. D. C. H. IX, 893, Margry VI, 507, and inWisconsin Historical Collections, XVI, pp. 380-383. |
It seems to me very necessary that Sieur Dubuisson should continue to serve in that country, as he is more capable than any other officer of managing the Ouyatonons and the Miamis, who Know and esteem him, and among whom he has had considerable reputation since the defeat of the Renards at Detroit, where he was in command during the absence of Sieur de la forest; and where the Miamis and the Ouyatanons used to come to trade, as their Village was not at that time very far distant from that post. Those two Nations have as yet made no movement to go, one to the St. Joseph River, and the other to the Tatiky.1 They promised me, in messages sent to me last Summer, that they would not fail to go there this autumn; But they have changed their minds since that time, For I learn from the last letters I have received from the Miamis that, Sieur de Vincennes having died in their Village, Those Savages had resolved not to go to the St. Joseph River, but to remain where they are.
As this resolution is fraught with danger on account of the ease with which they can communicate with the English,- who are incessantly sending them Collars underground, in order to gain them over by means of certain Iroquois Couriers and others who are in their hire,- I had intended that Sieur Dubuisson should command at the post among the Ouyatanons, and, on his way thither, should Use all his Influence among the Miamis to decide That Nation to go to the St. Joseph River; or that he should remain in the place where they are settled, if they did not wish to abandon it, so as to obviate the effect (page 383) of all these Collars which they receive only too frequently, and which have led eight or ten Canoes of Miamis to go to carry on their trade at Orange this year, and might lead that whole Nation to follow their example.
To prevent those Collars from producing such Results, much vigilance is necessary
on the part of a Commandant, in order to discover them; and, when he has done
so, much ability is needed to render them of no avail. Sieur Dubuisson has all
the necessary qualities for this; and there is no officer as capable as he is
of dealing with those Nations and inducing them to do everything that we wish.
___________________
1 Or Teatiky, more often written Theakiki; the early name of the Kankakee river in Illinois.-ED.
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