Consolidated Docket No. 317, Defendant Exhibits 61-171

Dft. Ex. 74

Historical Society of Pennsylvania Ms., Wayne Papers

Pasteur, Thomas

Report of a Council, Fort Knox
April 19-23, 1795

[Page 18] In Council 23^d April, 1795   The Indian's answer to Cap^t Pasteur.--

[Begins] Lapesair, for the Weottenows, Kikapoo's & Miamis.- Brother you told us not to be lasey, in going to the
Treaty, I will agreeable to the request of the Greate Chief, & you, attend, although we have already made peace.--

you have come into our Council House, [meaning the Miamis Village], we would rather meet there, we do as you tell us,
I hope you will also, do as we ask,- I speake to General Wayne through you & M^r Wells, Beg him to move the Treaty,-
We wish M^r Wells to go to the greate chief as soon as possable, & tell him, as soon as we put our women to worke, we will attend the Treaty,- we have to make some Mockasans, & some arrangements among ourselves, as soon as that is done, we will go to the treaty, we expect to be there, by the time appointed, that is our answer, [delivers a string of whampum]

[Begins again-] My Brother- we have not given this land, we only lent it, I hope you will direct the people as you think propper, As the River has overflowd the ground, perhaps they will be bad of about makeing corn,- It is true you took our lands by the force of Arms, but our Father, Gen^l Washington

[Page 19][Begun last] was kind & Merciful, & gave them to us again, & I hope he will protect us, in our just rights.--

I hope you will have no objection to the people of this Village moveing to some dry spot, we, the right owners, will lend them land any where near this place, where they may move to, & make corn, it is the wish of us all,- [delivered a string of whampum]

The Speech of the Gun, a Kikepoo,--

I have no Whampum; you like paper best, I wish to let you know my Sentiments, I hope those papers you are writing, will be shewn to General Wayne,- This is the place where

Pasteur, Thomas

Report of a Council, Fort Knox,
April 19-23, 1795

we kindled the Council fire with the French, we also kindled one at the Miamis Village, one at Detroit, & another at Montreall,-- Col^o Hamtramck, & the three nations that formerly lived where he now does, has sent us word that the Treaty should be held at the Miamis, Villages,- I cant tell General Waynes reason for holding the Treaty at Greenevillie, he has posession of our Council house, the Miamis Village,- I am sorry to heare General Wayne has done, as he has, he has invited the Indians to come to him, he made them drunk, & compelled them to agree to the Treaty's being held at that place, you now know our Sentiments, Col^o [page 20] Hamtramck sent first for us, to meet at the Miamis Village, we must go there,-

The Speech of Otoquen for the Putawattomies,

our Chiefs are already appointed to attend the Treaty, our Chiefs has seen General Wayne we that are heare, will hunt neare you this summer, The Sun, who is now with us, with two other Chiefs, will attend the Treaty at the time & place appointed.-

Wade, John

Extracts of a Journal up the Wabash
From Fort Knox. . .May 8-June 2, 1795

No 1                    June 2, 1795    

Extracts from a Journal of a tour up the wabash from Fort Knox to the portage within 8 1/2 miles of Fort Wayne, at the Miami Villages- Commencing the 8^th of May, and Concluding the 2^d day of June 1795--

The want of an Interpreter versed in the English language, was a great obstacle to my obtaining that perfect knowledge of the Country I passed thro', which my wishes anticipated, and which it was my desire to embrace but the observation I have made of the navigation, Waters, Soil and villages, are from facts established in my own mind, as Just, and I hope will prove to be so- To make a Calculation of distance from the Information of frenchmen trading from Post vincennes to the Miami villages, would be productive of error and Confusion, because they have been accustomed to number their leagues by the pipes they Smoak-, and thus have lengthened or shortened the distance as their appetite for smoking has arisen- was I to give an opinion of the distance by the mode in which I travelled, I should compute it at 350 miles the utmost

In examining with strict attention, and informing myself from those who have frequently ascended and descended the Wabash, I conceive myself right in concluding that no obstacle can interfere to obstruct the ascension of Boats sufficient to contain a Burden of from 15 to 20,000 weight as far as the Thipacanos or rather two or three miles above it, where a high and Commanding piece of ground offers for the erection of a post and Store houses, and from whence large perogues may be loaded, and ascend with little deffeculty to the Petite riviere at all Seasons of the year, and indeed up it until you arrive at the Marsh or Bog which is distant from Fort Wayne about 16 miles- Here a difficulty would arise unless the fresh had taken place prior to your ascension, and then all obstacles would be removed, and an easy ascension offer as far as the Portage- The Current of the wabash is rather gentle than rapid, (the river remarkably serpentine) and has all the advantages of depth of water, except where you encounter a few rapids, the principal of which commences at the distance of 1 League above the mouth of the Eel river and is by far the strongest of any in the wabash, however, the obstructions at this place, might be easily

Wade, John

Extracts of a Journal up the Wabash
From Fort Knox. . .May 8-June 2, 1795

obviated by the removal of a few loose rocks which would open a passage for Boats, and would not employ more than 10 men for two hours- for it is not so much the rocks as the force of Current which makes the ascension difficult, and the Distance tho not very long, is attended with a small share of labor to pass thro- A few other rapids of no very great consequence present themselves, but as they can in no way be obstacles to the ascension of such Perogues as are Generally used in the Wabash I shall not particularly remark the whole of these, a Shallow one however (which the French deem to be 3 miles in length, but which is not in my opinion more than half the Distance) employs as great a share of time in passing thro, as any other on the river it being extremely shallow,- When I ascended the water was very low, the Boat I had with me was 63 feet long, and Built to Bear a Burden of 6000 W^t- I however found at the above place not so much difficulty, as I was taught to believe I should have to encounter because I immedeately discovered a Channel might be made, by removing of the small loose rocks, which here and there I found it necessary to do- a very slight fresh would be sufficient to make the ascension easy- about 12 miles below this you meet with a fall of water of 12 Inches, the Channel of which at low water is immediately in the Centre, and the force of Current violent but the distance you have to ascend, is so short, that the labor in effecting it is very trifling- The Variety of handsome streams which empty themselves into the wabash and which are ever ready with their waters to assist your ascension, greatly add to the Beauty of the Country and give a luxuriance to the Scene, which is only felt by an admirer of the works of nature- the principal ones are the Bruet (which is 27 miles from Terrote) Racoon Creek 21 miles from Bruet- the River d Erablieries or Sugar tree river 10 miles from Racoon creek- the Little vermilion 6 miles above d Erablieries- the Great Vermillion 3 miles above the Lesser-La Petite Riviere at the weaw about 61 miles from the Great vermillion-the Riviere a la Panse about 12 miles from the weaw (an elegant stream- the Thipecanos about 6 miles above La panse- the L' Anguille or Eel river, is distant from the Petit Rocher two leagues, and from Eel river to the Great rapid is one league- the Petit Rocher is calculated to be distant from the Ouiattanon 18 Leagues- from the Great rapid to the Calumet on the South side is four leagues here is a rapid but not a Shallow one, at about one League from the Calumet is an Island, in ascending this part of the river you keep on the north side

Wade, John

Extracts of a Journal up the Wabash
From Fort Knox. . .May 8-June 2, 1795

from this Island to the Massissinuai is five Leagues another rapid- from Massissinuai to the Salamanie river is 10 Leagues, and from the Salamanie to the Little river is five Leagues, and from the mouth of Little river to the Portage: is 12 Leagues.- this Calculation as I have before observed is made from the number of pipes smoked, and the Leagues sometimes short and Sometimes Long, this mode of measurement must of course beget error- I have therefore ventured to limit the distance at the number of miles mentioned within- and do not conceive it to be more- No doubt can possibly arise of the practicability of ascending with heavy laden Boats two or three miles above the Thipecanos at any and at all times of the year, except when impeded by Ice- the Bed of the river is generally gravel and hard sand as far up as L'Anguille, from thence commences a rocky bottom, here and there smooth and solid, but excellent for poleing- I have confined my observations of the navigation of the Wabash principally to that period when the water is supposed to be in a low State, and when it would be necessary to employ perogues in lieu of larger craft, attention should be paid to the length of the Boats, because in passing thro the willows (as they are called) about 4 miles from the portage, the river is narrow (but deep) remarkably crooked, and will not admit of a Boats passing at low water, whose length exceeds 42 or 43 feet- indeed shorter- would be better say 35 feet at high water the difficulty ceases, for Boats of any length or Burthen may ascend- My Perogue being so very long, reduced me to the necessity of leaving her, at the foot of the Marsh, and employing shorter ones- I can only Judge of the Nature of the Soil from the observations I made at the Several places I halted- So far as I could Judge it is rich to a very great degree, and abounds with a variety of fine Strait timber, the Situations which strike the eye most forcibly are first the Terrote calculated to be half way from Fort knox to Ouiattanon- there are the remains of an old French fort, which has been destroyed many years had this ground, tho well suited in many respects for the erection of a small work, is still too short a distance, and its Banks steep, as to make it very fatiguing to obtain water- Several other very elegant spots offer between the Terrote and the Great vermillion better fitted to make handsome farms, than for the erection of fortifications- the Banks of the Great Vermillion afford you ground sufficiently high to look over a large extent of Country, but its being detached from the Wabash

Wade, John

Extracts of a Journal up the Wabash
From Fort Knox. . .May 8-June 2, 1795

with low ground in front subject to overflow, rather militates a gainst it as a place of defence, unless You were to ascend the vermillion about one quarter of a mile- below the vermillion   near one mile and on the South Side of the Wabash there is a Hill of as rich coal as the earth ever afforded, and in great abundance, a vein of Iron ore, and another of Lead are said to run thro the hill, this Hill the Savages considered of so much value, that they forbad the French at the Post to carry off the Coal- the same Hill is laid down in Hutchins map about 6 miles from the mouth of vermillion you pass a fertile piece of ground, immediately on the Bank of the river, with the advantages of a number of fine Springs and an excellent quarry of Stone, its situation is eminent, and the Country around abounding in Game- Between this place and the weaw you pass a number of Beautiful Situations, whose value are enhanced by a multiplicity of never failing Springs The Weaw next claims your attention and is deservedly noticed as the pride of the Wabash- But the high ground being too far from the river, and the ground in front being subject to feel the effects of a severe fresh, a decided preference must be given to an eminence about one mile above, which, for elegance of Situation, fertility of Soil, goodness of timber, close Connection with the Wabash, number of Springs, and the advantages of game make it every way preferable to any Spot below or above it for private improvement- But should the navigation of the wabash ever call forth the attention of the public- and should it be found necessary to erect a work and Store houses for the protection and reception of public stores, it would certainly be better to ascend as high as possible with Your large Boats, It would therefore remark a Situation about 2 or 3 miles above the Thipecanos, which is every way calculated from its elevation, for the erection of such works as might be deemed necessary, it has a large quantity of fine timber, is on the very margin of the river, and at the end of the navigation for Boats bearing a heavy Burden and a large size- Here would be the Spot, where it would be necessary to employ perogues- and the distance from thence to the portage does not exceed 56 Leagues (French Calculation)- after you leave the marsh or Bog noticed in these remarks you will find at all times a sufficiency of water for Perogues--

The fourth day after my departure from Fort Knox, I fell in with a Hunting Camp of 8 or 10 Indians, where I Breakfasted,

Wade, John

Extracts of a Journal up the Wabash
From Fort Knox. . .May 8-June 2, 1795

was treated with friendship, and received from them a carcase of venison

The Seventh day brought me to a village of 22 families of wabash Indians, detached about 3/4 of a mile from the Bank of the river, in a very handsome Prairie, altho I could have passed them without difficulty, yet Conceiving that my halting to visit them, would probably afford them some satisfaction and evince to them the Confidence that was placed in their good intentions I deemed it proper to walk to their village, and offer my respects to their Chiefs- who were five in Number- this visit- the first that had been paid by an american officer created no small share of surprise, and evident tokens of staisfaction- the customary ceremonies being over, I informed the Chiefs of my intention to ascend the Wabash to the portage, that as I had heard of their being established so near to the river, I thought proper to visit them and shake them by the hands, they returned me thanks for themselves and in behalf of their tribe, and requested very strongly that I would not leave them until the next day, as it was their wish to Speak to me in the course of the day, this I was compelled to consent to as well by policy, as by a wish to hear what they had to say, about 4 OClock in the afternoon, a messenger was dispatched from the village to my Boat to inform me, that the Chiefs had assembled, & would be glad to see me- I met them, and after a short time, the Speaker, opened his harangue with an assurance of the friendship of the wabash and kickapoo tribes towards the americans, observing that my visiting their Country with confidence in them, was a convincing proof that the Hatchet was about to be buried, and the path which had been for so long a time Covered with Blood, was now going to be strewed with flowers that I might be certain of passing thro their tribes unmolested, as it was their firm wish (for the truth of which they appealed to the Great Spirit) to hold fast the chain of friendship with the Americans, as an evidence of which, they begged me to forward to the Commander in Chief two strings of Wampum, which they presented me with- and concluded with informing me, that, as they had but Just situated themselves on that Spot, and were wholly destitute of Corn to raise a crop, they begged I would furnish them with a few Bushels to plant and some Tobacco to smoke, and disperse any smoke, and disperse any

Wade, John

Extracts of a Journal up the Wabash
From Fort Knox. . .May 8-June 2, 1795

bad vapours, which might be around them-- My Interpreter having fortunately a few Bushels of Corn, I Borrowed and presented them with three Bushels, some Tobacco and some Salt--for which they were extremely thankful-- Not being on any public business I did not conceive myself authorized to say more than was barely sufficient to assure them, that the United States were Sincere in their wish for peace, and that if it was not permanent, the fault would not rest with them, but with those bad Indians, who would prefer listening to the dictates of an Evil Spirit, sooner than the mild voice of the harbinger of peace- thus we parted- the 9^th day I Breakfasted at a Hunting Camp, consisting of two families, where I exchanged Tobacco and corn for venison The twelfth day I halted to take Breakfast, on a very handsom piece of ground, and met with two families of Kickapoo Indians moving to the weaw- from whom I purchased venison--on the 17^th day fell in with 2 Squaws and 3 Children procured fresh meat from them-- the same day met One Indian with his Squaw returning from a Hunt, and at some distance above them overtook 3 Indians and one Squaw- this day which was the 24^th ult^o, brought me to the Thipecanos- prior to my arrival at this place I was received with such Civility and attention as served to convince me of the difference between the dispositions of the Wabash and Potowatomies Indians- for the latter I found to be much under the influence of the British, insolent- haughty- and domineering- holding forth the power and Consequence of the British, and declaring their determination to exact from every Boat which ascended such proportion of presents as they deemed proper, and boasting of the quantity they received from Great Britain- it was here that a rascal who had been captured by Captain Gibson, and lately released by the Commander in Chief, had the insolence to hold in his possession one of my Mens rifles, and telling me that he had been held in Irons for a long time, had been cruelly treated by the Americans- had lost his Rifle when taken and was determined to hold the one he then had, to replace that he had lost altho I argued to his Chiefs with all the mildness I was master of--it had no effect, the fellow persevered, and finding the Chiefs, were only cyphers in the scale of Consequence, I was obliged to direct my Interpreter to tell them, that this instance of bad Conduct, was no evidence of their intention to preserve harmony and friendship with us, that if they expected a large present from me for the restoration of the Rifle, they would be mistaken,

Wade, John

Extracts of a Journal up the Wabash
From Fort Knox. . .May 8-June 2, 1795

for that I was determined to have it before I started let the event be what it might--this Language staggered them & I was told, that if I would give the late prisoner one Bottle of whiskey he would give up the Rifle--to this I objected, because I Judged it would be establishing a precedent not only improper but impolitic, and therefore insisted on the Rifles being delivered without any Bargain, and if I thought proper afterwards to make a present, I would do it--accordingly it was given up I then gave them a Bottle of whisky, and left them--I had not proceeded more than one mile before I was hailed by a party from the same place- halting they Joined me, and made a request for some whiskey- I urged to them the impropriety of their Conduct- but in short all my persuasion was of no avail-- I had no alternative but refusing them, and subjecting myself to be insulted by them (which could produce no good Consequences) or granting their request and move off with their good wishes- the latter I preferred, and gave them one gallon and an half they left me Contented- the next day I Joined another party of the same nation but of different dispositions probably owing to their not being in force sufficient to appose me-- sufficient to appose me--

The 26^th A Hunting party of Kickapoo and Potawatamies overtook me with a large quantity of Peltry which they requested me to take across the river- they did not consist of more than 4 men-one women-one child, and a white Boy of the name of James Flinn about 14 years of age- he had been taken when a Child below the Mouth of Blue Stone river by the Shawanese and sold to the Potowatamies, as he appeared more anxious to Continue with the Indians than with his own Countrymen, and as I expected they would deliver him up at the treaty, I made no propositions for his restoration- A Short distance above the Massissinouai arrived at a village of Miami Indians where I met with Nancy the Young Squaw taken by M^r Wells- this village consisted of 9 houses situate immediately on the Bank of the river, on very bad ground, but considered only as a temporary establishment- dined here- and was treated friendly- Saw two or or three whites, who were so much attached to the Indians that they would not converse in English altho my Interpreter assured me they understood it- Above this place one mile- I halted and Continuing a few minutes was Joined by monsieur Richardville with Nine Canoes on his way to establish a village at the Massissinouai- a few families lived at this place, who, together with those who arrived with Richardvelle supplied me with Turkeys and Venison and tho exceeding 100 in number

Wade, John

Extracts of a Journal up the Wabash
From Fort Knox. . .May 8-June 2, 1795

never requested one article from me, but behaved with all the friendship and Civelity imaginable, owing principally I imagine to the influence Richardville has over them- after leaving them, I fell in with no other parties, until I arrived at the portage where I found Several families of Delawares preparing to descend the Wabash--their vicinity to the garrison of Fort wayne and their dependince upon it for provision, rendered my situation safe and free from trouble, Here I remained one night, and the next, started and arrived at Fort wayne about 11OClk making the whole of my Journey to Fort wayne from Fort knox equal to 25 days, But it must be observed that I could have accomplished it several days sooner, but for my detention with the Indians, my frequent halting at early periods of the day to examine particular Spots- and the necessity I was under of opening my Stores to prevent the Bad effects of several severe rains- Certain I am that the ascension of the Wabash to the Portage may be compleated in fifteen days at most when the water is in a Middling state- The names of the Potowatamies Chiefs at the Thipecanos are La Masse-and La Blau or Bennac- the former is an Insolent deceitful scoundrel, much swayed I conceive by British influence and British Gold--