Nathan Ford Fonds
A letter in this collection dated October 12, 1798, describes in detail the encounters the writer has had with some of the Indigenous people as he tries to establish a settlement. He writes that "the Oswegatchie fort falling within our purchase of the State, and by some means or other not being reserved, affords me very excellent temporary accommodations. Upon my arrival here I found myself placed in a situation, almost totally without the protection of the State, being at least five hundred miles from N.Y. and at least one hundred and fifty miles from any inhabitants of the U. States and upon the line of Upper Canada, the Governor of which appeared to be rather hostile, than otherwise, towards the United States—added to all this a national of Indians, not the most friendly (and whose village is but three miles from one) and they stimulated by white people in Canada (who had purchased large tracts from them, within our purchase) to believe that I was an interloper, and meant to take away their hunting grounds & c.”
He goes on to say that he received a late and unexpected visit from an Indigenous Chief who wanted to know how he came to take possession of their lands without their leave, and that they wished for him to be gone. He refused and reprimanded them for visiting him in such an “impudent manner”. They assured him they would not speak to him on the subject again and have not troubled him again. He notes that the St. Regis Nation sold the land, and the Oswegatchie Indians say it is theirs, and this is a matter for them to settle. He continues that since “the white people finding they could not get the better of me thro’ the medium of the Indians, set about the matter themselves more openly”.
Nathan Ford (1763-1829) was one of the founders of Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, New York. He was an agent for Colonel Samuel Ogden and helped to establish a settlement at what was previously known as Oswegatchie, New York. Ford was very active in the community affairs at Ogdensburg and is largely credited with establishing the settlement. During the War of 1812, the British captured Ogdensburg in a surprise attack. The victory was small, but it helped ensure that the St. Lawrence remained available as a supply line for the British. The barracks, distillery and some other property were destroyed during the conflict. Ford submitted a claim for damages to the government which took many years to resolve. He was eventually compensated for his losses, although the claim was undervalued and he only received a portion of the actual damages.
