1763, July.] HAVOC OF SMALL POX. 41 



There is no direct evidence that Bouquet car- 

 ried into effect the shameful plan of infecting the 

 Indians though, a few months after, the small- 

 pox was known to have made havoc among the 

 tribes of the Ohio. Certain it is, that he was 

 perfectly capable of dealing with them by other 

 means, worthy of a man and a soldier ; and it is 

 equally certain, that in relations w^ith civilized men 

 he was in a high degree honorable, humane, and 

 kind. 



with Bouquet. Just before he wrote, he received a letter from one John 

 Hughes, dated Lancaster, July 11, in which an elaborate plan is laid down 

 for conquering the Indians with the help of canine allies. 



The following is the substance of the proposal, which is set forth under 

 eight distinct heads : 1st, Each soldier to have a dog, which he is to lead 

 on the march by a strap three feet long. 2d, All the dogs to be held fast 

 by the straps, except one or two on each flank and as many in advance, 

 to discover the enemy in ambush. 3d, When you are fired upon, let 

 loose all the dogs, which will rush at the concealed Indians, and force 

 them in self-defence to expose themselves and fire at their assailants, with 

 so little chance of hitting them, that, in the words of the letter, " if 1000 

 Indians fired on 300 dogs, there would be at least 200 dogs left, besides 

 all the soldiers' fires, which must put the Indians to flight very soon." 

 4th, If you come to a swamp, thicket, or the like, "only turn loose 3 or 4 

 dogs extraordinary, and you are immediately convinced what you have to 

 fear." 5th, " No Indian can well conceal himself in a swamp or thicket 

 as a spy, for y^. dogs will discover him, and may soon be learnt to destroy 

 him too." 6th, " Tlie leading the dogs makes them more fierce, and 

 keeps them from being tired in running after wild beasts or fighting one 

 another." 7th, Expatiates on the advantages of having the leading-straps 

 short. 8th, " The greater the number of dogs, the more fierce they will be 

 by a great deal, and the more terrible to the Indians ; and if, when you 

 get to Bedford, a few scouting parties were sent out with dogs, and one or 

 two Indians killed and tlie dogs put at them to tear them to pieces, you 

 would soon see the good effects of it ; and I could almost venture n)y life 

 that 500 men with 500 dogs would be much more dreadful to 2000 Indians 

 than an army of some thousand of brave men in the regular way. 



"JN Hughes. 

 " Colonel Bouquet." 



Probably there is no man who ever had occasion to fight Indians in 

 the woods who would object tea, dog as an ally. 



