A letter expressing displeasure with a divisive force placed by Butler in the Seneca Nation
Document 1791The Seneca chiefs were told Dr. Barlgh(?), the Frenchman, had great authority from Butler, but this was a lie that has been found out. To them, he was acting as a dividing force, and the chiefs tell Butler that as long as he stays away from the tribes, they can act as a cohesive body. The chiefs make fairly clear threats that Barlgh is only safe under Butlers protection, and to leave it would be foolhardy. However, the letter ends by reiterating that the Seneca chiefs are Butlers friends and brothers.
[undecipherable] From the Halftown of Brothers- [undecipherable] August 3.d 1791
[undecipherable]
Rec.d the 7.th Sept
To Richard Butler Esqr the great General at Fort Pitt Brother -
Dr. Barlgh the french man
has been among us & pretended
to have great authority from
you, but now we have found him
out, he is [undecipherable], and we
think he will [undecipherable] our heads
by & by_ he is now with you &
we advise you to take care of
him, & not let him come among
us_ as long as he is away from
us; we & the thirteen fires can
put our heads together & be as
Brothers_
Brother, dont fail to take
care of that fellow _ keep him
at Fort Pitt, for if he should take
the road that leads to Detroit
he will do more mischief than
he has done Two of our young
men has come up who have
told us how he has [undecipherable], and
how he was used at Pitt, and what
he is upon, for this reason we
speak as above _
Here is our harts and our
hands, and we shall take care
of Fournoga (Jeffers) and see
him safe to this place again we are your friend & Brothers Half x. Town Broken x. Twig Fort Franklin 3.d August 6 oclock A.M_ The Hon. Mg.r Gn.l R. Butler _
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