Diary Entry: 1

September 31, 1763

Dear Diary,

Today, I have received a job. Sending messages from one tribe, to one colony. It's not the best job in the world, but without education, this job is pretty decent. Right now, I am in the Thirteen Colonies, waiting for a group of settlers to finish writing their letter to the First Nations to Ohio Valley. Hold on, they are calling me...

OK, I'm heading to my horse, Angel, and on my way to Ohio Valley. Great! Another place to check out the scenery! That's why I love this job. I looked down at the letter. It's so tempting. It's calling my name. Kristen. Kristen. Read me. OK, maybe I'm exaggerating, but still, I really wanted to see what they sent. I know this is wrong, but I opened up the letter, and read it. This is what it said:

In the Thirteen Colonies, there are many overcrowded areas, and us settlers were very restless to move into Ohio Valley, your valley, and after the French were defeated, there is nothing that could stop us, not even you. So we will be on our way to your valley, and we will see you soon. If you have any rejections, just wait until we get there.

Well that was really...forward. That was actually pretty rude, they just invited themselves to their valley, I know I would never do that. I'm curious to see what the First Nations would say to that.

I'm at Ohio Valley, and it's a beautiful place, and the scenery is so attractive, I can stay here my whole life. When I gave the letter to the First Nations, the moment the chief of Ohio Valley translated it into their language to read to his tribe, they all widened their mouths, and raised their eyebrows. They quickly wrote a letter back, and handed it to me.

“Tell dem dat dey cennot do dis,” the chief informed, “Tell dem dat dey should go write home at dis moment. Now go, before dey come here.”

I quickly climbed onto my horse and was off. I looked down at the paper. I couldn't wait to see this. Again, I know this is 'confidential,' but I read the other one, and it triggered my curiosity, and also, nobody will know this.

I don't find your settlement very pleasant. We are not finding this settlement as a conquered victory. We won't give up our village that easy. But if you still think that you can just invite yourselves to this village, we just have one thing to say, expect the unexpected.

But there was another letter under that. It was to the British conquerors. I quickly opened it up.

We are very disappointed in your victory against the French. This is because you are cruelly disrespecting us. Here's one example: You are allowing the settlers in the Thirteen Colonies permission to our village, without telling us in advance. This is the last straw.

Suddenly, my horse stopped, without me commanding him. I looked up from the paper, and noticed that the settlers from the Thirteen Colonies have arrived. I quickly put the letters into their envelopes and gave them theirs. When they were done, they shook their heads and threw it on the ground. And they kept on walking. That was unbelievable. I jerked my horse and started heading back to the tribe. I had to warn them about this.

When I entered Ohio Valley and told them the news, they weren’t worried at all. A leader of the Odawa First Nation named Pontiac, and his followers formed a truce with the First Nations in Ohio Valley, because they wanted to defend the Ohio First Nations from the settlers.

Pontiac and his followers ruled over many British forts that were strangely close to the First Nation's Ohio frontier. Soon after, the First Nations left to go to their wintering grounds, and leaving their forts behind, Pontiac decided to form an alliance with the British.

Thankfully, the argument was over abruptly, but there were other problems the British conquerors have to look after. I would know, because I read all the complaint letters from all over Upper Canada. I’ll update you on what happens next.        

Love,

Kristen Taylor