companied by three Shawanese Chiefs and one Fisher an Interpreter who acted in that Capacity and as issuer at Chenail Ecarte at the time the false return of Indians was given me by Mr Elliott. This same Fisher was persuaded to make oath that the number of Indians at said Village at that time even Exceeded the number of the false return, and they endeavoured to impose that belief on Sir John Johnson, whom I immediately undeceived by informing him that this mans Oath as having been himself interested and in fact having no religion Merited not the least attention. His own Oath is indeed the only means that could possible be attempted to justify him, as by the true return he is highly Criminal and in Case the provisions had been issued agreeable to Mr. Elliotts return & requisitions this man as issuer would have be equally interested. I ask Your pardon for dwelling so long on this Subject to which I only add that I hear nothing now of Mr. Elliott threatened prosecution against me, Indeed I think he knows better as it might be the means of disclosing some further matter that might prove of serious Consequence to him. It is a consolation that in case General Prescott should not return he is to be succeeded in this Province by an officer of such distinguished Merit and experience as Genl Hunter. I hope you may be Continued in your office, I am Confident none Can be found more Capable to fill it. I hope Genl. Prescott's recommendations may insure me something per manent to enable me to provide for two fine little children who sustained an irreparable loss before they are sensible of it, I shall at all events consider myself indebted for your good offices in my behalf, which entitles you to my warmest acknowledgements & gratitude. I Cannot express how much I feel for Mr. Williams, much dread that the severe shock he has lately received in his advanced age will prove too much for a person of his tender sensibility to bear. Excuse me I am always My Dear Sir Major Green Yours &c. &c. HECTOR MC LEAN FRAGMENTARY [NOTE. The following fragments and drafts are supplementary to the Haldimand papers published in Vols. 9, 10 and 11.-Editor.] QUEBEC 16th May 1777. SIR I have your letters of the 31st January & 6th March, your subsequent ones of 22nd 31st March and 2nd April have been lately received. Inclosed you have the ordinances passed at this last session of the Legislative Council, Regulations for the Administration of Justice at your Settlement, and likewise for the Trade to the Upper Country, are certainly much wanted but must be reserved for more settled times, when you have leisure, I should be glad you would transmit the Ideas you may have formed upon these two subjects, either resulting from the knowledge or experience you have gained, or from the information of such sensible & disinterested men, as you have occasionally met with.-Your Drafts for the Provisions shall be paid, you will take care to transmit Returns of the Quantities purchased and the Price to Mr Day the Commissary General, as that Expense must finally come into His Account. I should be glad you could inform me how this want of Provisions arose, for tho there was a failure of the Quantity being sent up, which had been ordered, I always imagined there had been, a sufficiency in Store, till a further supply could be forwarded this year. You are in future to take an abstract of the Indian Licenses going your way; mentioning the names of those to whom granted, and the place they are destined for, when beyond Detroit, the quantity of Arms and Ammunition they carry, and transmit the same monthly, in order to be compared with those taken out of the office here; a List of those for this year is herewith enclosed, that you may make your remarks thereupon, and I may be satisfied there has been no unfair nor treasonable Commerce. You acted very prop erly in seizing & sending down Elliott and you will treat in the same manner every person you have reason to suspect of corresponding with or favouring the cause of the Rebels. As it is impracticable at this time to send any Troops to Mr Rochblave, [Rocheblave] it is needless to run into Expenses that have no end, By the Letter herewith enclosed & which you will forward without loss of time, that Gentleman is directed not to incur any further Expense, but impowered to draw for his appointments only, they were granted some time in September last, which is all that you are hereby authorized to accept. You will please hereafter to transmit to myself copies of all Councils held with the Savages or at least the Substance of them. You are included in the Commission of the Peace for the Province at large. Provisions have been ordered up and I suppose are on their way, care shall be taken to send you a plentiful supply, as to Naval Stores, they are at present very scarce, but some expected out every day; if any medicines can be spared from hence, you shall have some by the first opportunity.-You mention something of the Reports of a Forts being taken by the Shawanese below Fort Pitt; you will enquire into the Truth of this matter, and let me know any particulars relative DETROIT the 4th April 1780 SIR, You are to set off immediately for the Shawanese Towns, where as soon as the Indians can be assembled agreeable to their promise in Council, You must conduct them to the plan of rendevous fixed upon by Capt Bird and Yourself from whence the whole will march to act in conjunction for the good of His Majestys Service. You may assure the Indians from me that Capt. Bird will do his utmost to destroy some of the Forts they so much complain of, provided they act like Men with Spirit. Otherwise he has my orders to return to this post immediately, being well aware that the few men with him are not sufficient to do it alone. You must also acquaint the Indians that the provisions sent, is for the troops only, To have sent more would be the means of retarding the enterprise; The Indians must therefore not only maintain themselves but they must also contribute to the support of the Troops, who are by their own request sent to their assistance. Powder, Ball, flints and paint-I have sent in plenty, being the articles absolutely necessary for Warriours, If they want goods, they must come here and fetch them when the affair is over You will do well to purchase some able packhorses, and to encourage the Indians to send a number sufficient, to assist in transporting the cannon over the carrying place. The upper part of this document torn off. performance-For the appearance of Samuel Robertson (Death excepted) at Quebec, or any other part of the Province where His Excellency General Frederic Haldimand, Governor & Commr in Chief thereof may be, and there to wait, His Excellencys pleasure, & that He will proceed as soon as possible by the Grand River without delay & that during His Stay at Michilimackinac & upon their journey as well during their abode in the Province-They will not do or say anything to any Person, or persons whatever, which may tend to disturb the Peace of any part of the Province, or endanger the Persons, or Property of His Majesty's Subjects therein-£5000. N. B. This bond is to be registered & two of the same tenor & date to be compleated for the Lieut Gov: & this scroll returned-When the notary Public has done with it Last Endorsed:-The conditions of the Bond required from Samuel Robertson and Louison Barthe in March [B 972 p 578] Councils held with the different Indians from this to La Prairie Des Chennes in the Mississippi by Mr. Geo. McBeath & by order of Captain Daniel Robertson Commandant of Michilimackinac &c. &c. Little Detroit La Baye Two small Villages between La Baye & the Puants Bute des Morts The first Sack Village & with several small Bands met by the way, & at La Prairie Des Chennes a copy of which Deliver'd Captn. Robertson [B 98 p 305] His Excellency Thos Jefferson. [Gov. of Va.] N. B. By my letter of the 24th August, You'll be made acquainted that I have been disappointed in my intended Excurtion up the Wabash, I have now a Detachment of about Two Hundred & fifty of French Volunteers, Indians & a few Regulars on their march to attack a British Post at St. Joseph's, near Lake Michigan Commanded by a Lieutenant and Party where there is very considerable stores deposited for the use of Employing Savages, The Party is Commanded by Captain James Shilby-There is no doubt of his success as their route is such that there is but little probability of the Enemy's being apprised of them Before it is too late. His orders is to demolish the Fortifications and Return with the Stores I am with Respect G. CLARK. [George Rogers Clark, Col. of Va. Militia.] N. B. Serjeant Chapman reports that when Mr. James Shilby endeavoured to raise his Troops for the above Expedition the men complained that they had no shoes, and therefore would not go to St. Joseph's [B 97-1 p 224] A. S. DEPEYSTER Major His Lordship then suggested the expediency of bringing all the Information on this important Subject to be expected from the periodical Reports of the Superintend'ts to the Knowledge of the Government by some permanent regular channel, and proposed for that Purpose that a standing Committee of the Council be charged therewith, that they be instructed to receive the said Returns and other communications of the different Superintendants already appointed or hereafter to be appointed, and on receipt thereof forthwith to report abstracts of them with their own observations to the Governor or Commander in Chief for the time being, to be laid before the whole Board and entered on the minutes successively, that they file all papers received by them, and keep a Journal of their proceedings ready to be produced at the Board when called for, that they correspond with the difft. Superintendants and that these Officers be required henceforth to transmit all returns and other communications relating to the Duties of their Office to the said Committee, excepting always such Intelligence and remarks as it may be proper for the said Superintendants on account of their secret nature to communicate only to the Governor or Commander in Chief for the time being. Upon which it was ordered that Messrs GRANT St. OURS HOLLAND DAVISON SIR J. JOHNSON LANANDIERE DUPRE |