Attempt to inoculate Indians with smallpox
Submitted by Charlie “Catman” Redeye
British Colonel Bouquet was in Philadelphia when he was ordered to assemble as large of an army as possible and cross the Alleghenies with a convoy of provisions and ammunition for the Western forts.
He reached Carlisle on June 1st. At this point we were called to attention to a suggestion made by General Sir Jeffrey Amherst, then Commander and Chief of the British forces in America.
Evidently learning that small pox had broken out at Fort Pitt, Amherst wrote Colonel Bouquet:
“I wish to have no prisoners! Should any of the villains be met with arms…could it be contrived to send the small pox among those disaffected tribes of Indians?”
Bouquet replies:
“I will try to inoculate them with some blankets and take care not to get the disease myself.”
As it is a pity to expose good men against them, I wish we could use the Spanish method, to hunt them with English dogs would, I think, effectually extirpate or remove that vermin.”
Amherst replies:
“You will do well to try to inoculate the Indians by means of blankets, as well as to try every other method that can serve to extirpate this exorable race.”
On June 24th, Captain Ecuyer, Commander at Fort Pitt, wrote this in his journal:
“Out of regard to ‘Turtle Heart’ and the other Delaware Chief, we gave them two blankets and a handkerchief out of the small pox hospital. I hope it will have the desired effect!”
The incompetent Commander Sir Jeffrey Amherst who suggested the enlisting of small pox under the Banner of England, did not realize the seriousness of the situation.
Fast forward to today.
The Coronavirus that is effecting the entire world is not going to defeat us as a people, no matter what your lineage.
We are fighting for our existence right now, but the enemy is invisible and the enemy cannot be hit by a hatchet or shot by a bullet. But this is not the first “Poison Blanket” we have burned.
After the American Revolution an outbreak of smallpox killed 10 Onondaga Chiefs and extinguished the fire. The confederacy hung in the balance.
But we are a resilient people and the fire at Onondaga burns brighter than ever.
Handsome Lake and Jesus Christ were both Healers and they brought hope, peace, love and understanding into a world of crisis.
So walk on faith and trust in love.
As I go through life and start to realize my mortality, I refer back to my grandfather, Chief Cornplanter, who spoke in front of U.S. Congress and said “I am concerned for the lot of my little ones”, which means “peace”.
Mother Nature has put us in the “time out” chair for having no respect and treating her poorly.
But like any good mother she loves us regardless and will always care for us.
But! You don’t want to hear her say….”Wait until your father gets home!!!”
