Talk:Tassinong, Indiana

French Documents
A continuing search for information about Tassinong, found the following reference: Quiatenon Documents, Translated and edited by Frances Krauskopf, Indiana Historical Society, Vol 18, #2; Indianapolis, Indiana; 1955

Pg 141-2, "Among them was Ouiatanon, in their view the one closest to the English. Plans called for a military force of a captain, a subordinate officer, and ten soldiers to break the supposed connections between the Wea (Ouiatanon) and the English of Carolina and to keep peace with the Illinois. But at first this step was intended to be only a temporary measure because of the post's distance from the colony and because of the difficulties involved in supporting a garrison there. The French were to try to persuade the Wea to return to Chicago or at least to the upper Kankakee, where they would be much less likely to trade with the English. Part of the bait was a suggestion to send a missionary if they moved to the vicinity of the lakes. (No. 6.)

"Ensign Frangois Picote de Bellestre (No. 8.) was the agent chosen to carry out these plans; Detroit supplied a blacksmith. Because several Wea chiefs had died while visiting Detroit in 1715, some presents were sent along to "cover" their death; and additional gifts were to be given to persuade the chiefs to move. Instructions were also sent to Jean-Baptiste Bissot de Vincennes, who was with the Miami eighty leagues closer to Montreal, to use his influence with the Wea. These orders were issued because Vincennes often communicated with the latter tribe and also because his prestige was as great among them as among the Miami ; therefore, he might be able to facilitate the success of the plan. (No. 8.)

"Should the two nations decide to migrate, traders were to go to them at St. Joseph. Although from forty to fifty Wea did move to the Kankakee, they refused to remain there when the majority of the tribe did not follow. Likewise most of the Miami remained at the headwaters of the Maumee, where the elder Vincennes had died in 1719. (No. 11.)