Autograph Letter Signed

A letter expressing displeasure with a divisive force placed by Butler in the Seneca Nation

The 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 Butler’s protection, and to leave it would be foolhardy. However, the letter ends by reiterating that the Seneca chiefs are Butler’s friends and brothers.

1791

08

06

Fort Franklin

Fort Pitt

Half Town; Broken Twig

Richard Butler

Half Town

Broken Twig

Fort Pitt

Fort Franklin

Dividing the Indians

Indian tension

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1

[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 _