Letters
The History of Moultrie County and Sullivan, Illinois
Robert Eden Martin has created a web site dedicated primarily to the history of Moultrie County, a small county in east-central Illinois, and the city of Sullivan, the county seat. This website also contains information about several families who have lived in the area for 150 or more years: the Martins, Edens, Pifers, Taylors, Whites and Davises and related families, from which Eden descended. Much of what appears on the site was last updated in 2011 – including the county newspapers, high school yearbooks and the information about the Edens, Pifers, Taylors, Whites and Davises. This is a treasure trove … Read more
Historical sketches of Fremont, Cedar Lake, Ray, Clear Lake, Indiana
Historical sketches of N.E. Fremont Twp., Cedar Lk., Ray, Clear Lk., Michigan border, Steuben County, Indiana. Included with these books is a separate manuscript called “William Duguid Descendants and History in America.” This manuscript starts at image 653 of 886 in volume 1. Volume 2 contains the Cedar Lake Congregation Session Records 1841-1892 and Deeds, Documents and Letters concerning the William Duguid descendants. Both volumes contain historical articles and remembrances concerning the area in Steuben County Indiana.
Papers of William Henry Lyttelton 1756-1760
Letterbooks of William Henry Lyttleton 1756-1760: This collection contains papers relating to William Henry Lyttelton’s career as governor of South Carolina, including letters from officials in London; correspondence with other southern governors relating to Indian affairs, frontier defense, and boundaries; correspondence with military officers in America; and communications with the South Carolina Commons House and Council. A series of reports by Edmond Atkin, superintendent of Indian affairs in the Southern District, provides valuable information on the Cherokees, Creeks, and Chickasaws. There are 142 items, 1761-1766, concerning Lyttelton’s governorship of Jamaica, including material on the Negro insurrection of 1765 in St. Mary’s Parish.
Retribution for Previous Losses
Headquarters Expedition against Northern Indians, Camp on the Spokane River, W. T., 16 miles above the ‘Falls’ September 9, 1858. Sir: I remained during the 6th at my camp, three miles below the falls, as my troops required rest after the long march and battle of the previous day. No hostile demonstrations were made by the enemy during the day; they approached the opposite bank of the river in very small parties and intimated a desire to talk, but no direct communication was held with them, as the distance was too great and the river deep and rapid. Early on … Read more
Preliminaries Before the Battle at Tohotonimme
The events of Colonel Wright’s expedition against the Indians who opposed the advance of Colonel Steptoe are set forth in detail and at length in his own reports and letters. These appear in full in the following pages with the interjection of such information from other sources as the author deems expedient for the purpose of rendering the narrative complete. Preceding the reports of the expedition is also the pertinent correspondence leading up thereto. Because of the exactness and completeness of detail which characterize these reports, written from the field, as they were, during the progress of the campaign, their … Read more
Colonel Steptoe’s Report
On the day succeeding the return to Walla Walla, Colonel Steptoe dispatched the fol lowing report of the expedition to head quarters of the Department of the Pacific at San Francisco: “Fort Walla Walla, May 23, 1858. Major: On the 2nd instant I informed you of my intention to move northward with a part of my command. Accordingly, on the 6th I left here with C, E, and H, First dragoons, and E, Ninth infantry; in all, five company officers and one hundred and fifty-two enlisted men. Hearing that the hostile Pelouse were near Al-pon-on-we, in the Nez Perces land, … Read more
Indian Grievances and Camp Stevens Treaty
Long before the Indian buried his tomahawk and ceased to make war upon the white man, the government adopted the policy of inquiring into the causes of his grievances and in cases where such grievances could be conciliated without jeopardizing the interests of the government or of bonafide citizens, that step was usually attempted. In the investigation of these matters it was found that in some instances the difficulty grew out of some act of the government itself, interpreted by the Indians to be detrimental to their interests; in some, from the wanton encroachment of irresponsible citizens; and yet in … Read more
1758, February 20, Letter to His Excellency
Sir Your Dispatches of the 18th and 30th tell I received the 18th Just –f. James Holmes, The lak Affair of Sam Binn is Intirely forgot, and the Indians all satisfy’d, As to the Tellico People Jean Denture to Afsure you Excellency that they are Entirely Reformed, and behave Ex treamly well, and (Thank God) we at present live in Great Harmony, and Friendship with all the Nation. On the 15th selt arrived at this Fort the Little Carpenter, and the Great Warriour of Chotta, with their Party, they brought with them, two French men, and the Twighvee Indian woman … Read more
1758, November 27, Fort Loudoun
Sir this is to acquaint, your Excellency that the 25 jnstant two Runners came to latt me know that the great Warriour and judge Friend, (who had been to war Some time ago towards the French Fort) were at a Day’s Journey from the Fort; Accordingly yesterday, judge Friend with his Gang Came, and told me that the great Warrior and him, with the rest would wait on me, which they did, j recived them with the Honour that they expect on Such Occasion, j gave them an Entertainment, and the two warriors dined with me, they brought three Scalps, … Read more
1759, January 1, Fort Loudoun
Sir J have recived your Excellency’s Dispatche of the 15 December Sic Days before j recived from Lieut. Outerbriege a Copy of Mr. Duvalt’s Letters, and in the Same time, two of your Letters, one Octr. 27th, the other Novr. 18th immediately j sent to Old Hop to acquaint him that j had Letters to Communicate to him the next Day. Accordingly j went, and found him in the Town House, with many jndians. J thanck’d him in your Name for all the goods Talks that he had given from timt to time and hoped he would percerer in his … Read more
1758, March 2, Fort Loudoun
Sir Your Dispatch I received the 28th ultimate and immediately ordered Willm. Woodwareth to get himSelf ready. I am very Glad that the Earl of Loudoun has granted us Provisions, and would to God, it had be so before I come to this Place, it would have saved me great deal of trouble & uneaSiness. You acquaint me, Sir, that Mr. Stead is to Supply the Fort with ProviSions, I wiSh he may Send Send Some Body as soom as possible to Settle with with my store Keeper, and Send Some Meat Kind, for there is none to be got … Read more
1757, August 4, Letter to Cherokee Nation
Edmon Pittkins Esq. His Britainioh Majesty King George’s Agent for and Superintendent of the Affairs of his faithfull Allies the Severall Nations of Indians fr_habiting the frontiers of his colonife of Original, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and Georgia and their Confererates To Conicoughly Governour of the whole Nation of Cherokee Indians. Brother, King George the father of all the white people L____ on thir Side the Great Water, hath talen it into Consideration that the Governour’s of his severall Colonies have Enough to do to mind wile the Affairs of the White people; and cannot go to Visit the … Read more
1757, October 11, Letter #2
Sir On the 13th September arrived at his House Judge Friend very Sick from Virginia, he has brought some Horses Loaded with presents, and a White Man to wait on him, the next Day at his own Request I went to see him, as he Lives but Little Distance from the Fort. he told me he was very glad to see me, and if he had been well, he would have sav’d me the Trouble, but as soon as he should find himself better, he would come to have a talk with me, and would Inquire of the Conduct of … Read more
1757, October 8, Willanawa’s Talk
Wee the Cherokees have always received good Talks from our Brother the Governor of South Carolina, till this Last, which is Concerning the Spilling of Blood, Wee hope Neverthelefs, that we shall ever for the future, have Contrary Talks, Wee hope our Ears will always be Open, to hear what Our Father King George, and our Brother in Carolina says to us. The Governor of Chotee is present, and hears my Talk, He Loves his People, As his Father King George Order’d him, to Love and Regard all the English & Cherokees, who are Brothers and all his Children, The … Read more
1758, October 15, Fort Loudoun
Sir two Days ago j recived you Excellency’s Letter of the 28th of August, with another for Old Hop. Accordingly yesterday j went to Chotee and delivered it to him he told me, he was very glad to hear from you, and desired me to acquaint your Excellency that you Might depend on him, and that he would do always his best Endeavours, to keep Peace & Harmony between the English, & his People, that he was very Sorry, for what had happened but he could not help it. As Mr. Beamer’s Son was with me, he gave him a … Read more
1758, November 6, Fort Loudoun
Sir J recived your Letter of the 2 of Octr. And Since j had the Honour to write you Excellency last, Every Body has been very Quiet in these Parts. Few Days ago old Hop invited me to go to his Town, accordingly j went; as j was riding throw their Towns j was Sruprised to See all their House Shewt up, and no Man, When j camd to Chotee j asked the old Man what was become of all the Men, for j had seen but three of four, he answered they are all gone hunting but, said he, … Read more
1758, July 31, Fort Loudoun
Sir J am Sorry to acquaint your Excellency, with Things that j heard this Morning, which trouble me much, and may ruin me intirely. Elliot brought back again a Certificate which he recived for payments last Winter when they were going to kill the Stears, the Butchers told me they had nothing to put the meat in after is was Salted and would be Spoiled they desired to have large Casks made for the porpas, which j did, Seeing that they could not do without it. The assembly would not accept it, as he Says. When j ordered last fall … Read more
1759, November 22, Fort Loudoun
Sir On the 19th Currant at night Macknamar Arrived here by him I was honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of 12th Currant next Day Captain Demere delivered the Talk to the Carpenter who Exprefs great pleasure at your Excellencys promise to take off the Black beads, as he has upon all occasions Since his Return Showen great desire of Being invited to meet your Excelly Capt Demere added to the talk that you would be pleased to Meet him with the Warriors of the middle Settlements at Keewee. Those have sent the Carprean Invitation to be of there party when … Read more
1757, October 11, Fort Loudoun
Sir I am very Sorry that I had forgot to Mention to you Excellency, the Receit of the Letter of the 10th of August & that of the 21st of July, with a Pokett compass. It is impossible for me to describe how tormented I am Every Day with the Indians. Some bring their Guns to be mended & it must be done because the Carpenter told them it should be So, and you promised him; Some bring Hatchets to be mended other Padlocks to have keys made to them; others want Salt, others sometimes Meat, & great many other … Read more