Consolidated Docket No. 317, Defendant Exhibits 61-171

Dft. Ex. 74

Historical Society of Pennsylvania Ms., Wayne Papers

o         Vol. 41, pp. 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46: Observations

o         Vol. 44, pp. 47, 48, 49, and 50: Letter to Wayne

Bodley, Thomas

Observations on the Navigation, soil,
water, & villages of the Wabash, from
Post Vincennes to the Portage
nine miles from Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne,
June 12, 1795

Observations, on the Navigation, Soil, Waters & Villages of the Wabash, from Post Vincennes to the Portage Nine Miles from Fort Wayne--

From Post Vincennes to the High ground is about 100 Miles, the Land fertile, well watered, a great many Praries & some good woods, the growth Hickory, Oaks, Walnut, Elm, Buckeye & Sugartree, a number of handsome Setuations- The High Ground, is an extinsive body of Rich Land on the South east side of the river, part of which is Prairie very fertile, in which some of the Wabash Indians are raising Corn this Season- Here is an elegant Situation for a Fort, the Ground is High & the assent gradual from the water edge, for this distance the river is above two hundred yards wide & in no place is seldom less than ten feet water in the Channel, the Current is very gentle.

Prom the high Ground to Vermillion river, is about Fifty Miles between those places the Land is good, & Several
handsome creeks comes in among which are Brewyet Creek & the Little Vermillion on the N.W. side, and Rackoon & Sugartree Creeks on the S.E. side the Smallest of which is from 25 to 30 yards wide; The Vermellion river is about 70 y^ds wide, comes in on the N.W. side, & runs at the mouth about E.S.E. here has been an old Village & an extinsive body of Clear'd ground- the land immediately on the Wabash is low & at times overflows- about three hundred yards from the river is high ground whic[h] extends up the Vermellion for Several miles- about one mile below the Vermillion is a high Hill of Stone Coal, & to all appearance a great body of Iron Oar.--

From the Vermillion to the Ouiattanon Village is about Sixty Miles, the soil is shallow, greater part Prarie, the woods is but lightly timbered- From the high Ground to the Ouiattanon, the river is about two hundred yards wide, the Channel generaly about 6 feet deep & the Current easy- The old Village on the S.E side stood on Low ground on the verge of the river- about 300^yds back is a high Hill on the Top of which is an extensive Prarie about 10 miles in Length & three in width On the N.W. side was the old French Village it stood in a large Prarie part of which overflow's at times, the Soil is fertile- here about 30O acres has been Cullivated by the Indians- about one mile above the Old Village on the N.W. side, is high ground & Some beautiful Springs, this would be an elegable situation for a Fort, Timber for building is convenient & of an excellent Quality--

Bodley, Thomas

Observations on the Navigation, soil,
water, & villages of the Wabash, from
Post Vincennes to the Portage
nine miles from Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne,
June 12, 1795

From the Ouiattanon to Tippicannoe river is 18 Miles the Wabash is about 175 yds wide, about 5 feet deep, & gentle Current. Tippicannoe comes in on the N.W. side is about 60 yds wide & runs at the mouth nearly S.E. about 1/2 a mile up the river was an old Village in a Prarie, about 200 acres is now under Cultivation by the Potawatomy & Meyaw Indians, the Land is rich handsomely Situate & well watered by standing Springs this is the most delightful place for a Farm I ever beheld- About Two Miles above the Tippicannoe on the NW. side is high ground; If Navigation is an Object & is ever brought to perfection a small Fort must be errected here, the Timber for building is Convenient, & very good; to this place Boats that will carry Twenty thousand weight may come at any Season- about two miles above is LaVache Que Pisse a high bank of Rocks on the S.E. side, out of which gushes a number of fine Springs some of which fall near Twenty feet just above is Strong Water for about 100yds & a large Prarie on the NW side, about 1/2 amile above the Prararieis a bank of Iron Oar.--

From Vache Que Pisse to Lisle au Sail is 10 Miles on the N.W. side the Land is high & broken in places, on the S.E. it is very Level & rich & Sometimes overflows- Lisle au Sail or (Garleck Isle) is a large Island with a Sufficient Channel on both Sides--

From Lisle Au Sail to Petit Rocher is 15 Miles the Land is fertile & well Situate, here is a very strong rapid, tho short, in highwater the S.E. side is the best in low water the NW side the fall is about two feet occasioned by loose Stone which may be easily removed in this Rapid at any time the water is above two feet Deep.--

From Petit Rocher to Eel river is five miles, the Land on the river in places overflows- Eel river comes in on the NW side, is about 60 yds wide & runs at the mouth about South, the Current is Strong- about two miles above the mouth of this River Commences the Grand Rapid which is about one Mile in length; the Fall about 3 Feet, the Channel on the N.W. side, in some seasons there is not more than one foot water in this Rapid & a flat above about one mile in Length is Still Shallower- below the rapid is rising Ground Sufficiently high to build

Bodley, Thomas

Observations on the Navigation, soil,
water, & villages of the Wabash, from
Post Vincennes to the Portage
nine miles from Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne,
June 12, 1795

upon but the timber is Scarce & of an Inferior quality- The Wabash from Tippicanoe to Eel river is about 150 yds wide & generally about four or five feet deep.

From the Grand rapid to the Calamet river is about 10 Miles On the NW side is High ground, on the SE. the land is very level and at times overflows- The Calamet comes in on the S.E side is about 30 yds wide & runs at the mouth NNE- just above is very strong water for about two hundred yards.--

From the Calamet river to Mississinoui river is about 12 Miles, the Land on the river in places is low & at times overflows tho' out from the river is high Land & in great esteem with the Indians as a Hunting Ground- about 5 Miles below Mississinoui there is very Strong water for near three hundred yards which is called St Ciere. Some distance up the Mississinoui the Miami Indians are raising Corn this Season; this river is about forty yards wide comes in on the SE side & runs about North at the Mouth.

From the Mississinoui to the Salamine river is about 20 Miles, the Land is generally handsomely situated, fertile, well watered & timbered- The Wabash from Eel river to the Salamine is from 100 to 150 yds wide & from St. Ciere up is generally about four feet deep in the Channel; The Salamine comes in, on the S.E. side is about 50 yds wide & runs nearly North; part of the Miami Indians are raising Corn up this River--

From Eel river to the Salamine is a Valuable hunting Ground abounding with Deer, Bear & Turkeys; the Land is generally timbered with Oaks, Hickory, Walnut, Elm, Beach, & Shugartrees; of a very large size, some of them four Feet Diamiter, about 10 Miles below the Salamine is a handsome ridge on the NW side out of the Side Ushers two large Springs- one Mile below comes in a small Creek & I am Informed by the Indians that one Mile up the Creek is a Salt Spring--

From the Salamine to the mouth of little river is about twelve miles; the Land is tolerable good, about a quarter of a mile below the mouth is an Island & Strong rap[id] tho' but very Short, the Channel on the NW side- The Little river at the mouth runs about SW. & is about 40 yds wide the Wabash runs near West & is about 100 yds wide--

Bodley, Thomas

Observations on the Navigation, soil,
water, & villages of the Wabash, from
Post Vincennes to the Portage
nine miles from Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne,
June 12, 1795

From the mouth of Little river to the Portage is about 30 Miles thro' a flat, low Country & for Some distance from the river is generally covered with water- for Six Miles from the mouth the Current is very Swift & in Some places strong rapids tho' generally Composed of Loose Stones; in those rapids the water is sometimes not more than one foot deep from the head of the Rapid to the Portage the wat[er] is from three to Ten feet water at all times, the river is from Ten to twenty yards wide & very Crooked- About three Miles below the portage is a thicket & Pond, the Channel is entirely grown up with Willows, but may be easily Cleared- For three months in the year large Boats or Perogues which will carry Ten thousand Weight can come to the Portage--

I have omitted taking notice of the Island & Small Streams & Hunting Camps, to make observations on these would
be too tedious

Bodley, Thomas

Letter to Anthony Wayne, Fort Wayne,
June 12, 1795

Sir

I have been requested by Col^o Hamtramek, to make some further observations, on the Navigation &c of the Wabash river, and to forward them to your Excellency

The Inclosed is an Extract from the Journal, of my Tour down & up that river; which is grounded on my own Observations, the best information I could procure;- and which with difidence, I submit to your Excellency's perusal; hoping that they will prove satisfactory.--

Altho' some part, may be imperfect yet I flatter myself that my observations are generally accurate.--

There is one Cucumstance, which I beg leave to mention, & hope it will be noticed, at the pending Treaty.--

When I was coming up the Wabash, I encamped at the mouth of Tippecannoe river, in the morning about fifty Potawatomy's some Wyaws, assembled & delivered a Speech- seting forth "that they were poor, that they were now friends to the Americans, & took them by the Hand like Brothers- that since their first proposal of peace they had been engaged in preventing the Communication of badnews from the British & Spaniards to their Wariors & Young Men; & using their influence to get them to take the Americans by the Hand.- they therefore hoped that I would give them some Cloathing, some powder & Ball, Whisky, Corn, flour & Tabacco"- I answered them, that I had none to give, that it was true, I had aplenty along, but it was not mine, & that there was nothing sent by me, to be given away; that when they came to the Treaty, I made no doubt, but they would receive those articles- They then Insisted upon it, that I had those articles; & in a very abrupt & determined manner, demanded of me, some of them- Observing that when they were friends with the British & French they always gave them what they asked for, & if I did not, they would consider us as Enemies- I answered them that I had some flour, corn & Tobacco along for the use of my men, part of which I would give them--

The Safety of the Families, which I accompanied, & of the property which I had in Charge, induced me to give them

Bodley, Thomas

Letter to Anthony Wayne, Fort Wayne,
June 12, 1795

about two hundred weight of Flour, Six Bush^l of Corn, & Six carrots of Tobacco, with which they were satisfied.--

This party made a simelar demand of Cap^t Wade, And unless they are Checked by some means will be a Tax on every Boat which assends or Decends the River.--

The Party is headed by LaMass & his elder brother Lablyw (or Behach) a half Frenchman, Potawatomy Chiefs; & an old Wyaw Indian who is no Chief but spoke in behalf of his Chief who was absent, from the number of Horses those Rascals have in their possession & the number of Prisoner they have taken I am convinced they have done more mischief on our Frontier Settlements than any other party.--

Pike, Zebulon

Letter to Anthony Wayne, Fort Massac,
July 5, 1796

Sir

I have the Honor to acknowledge the reciept of yours of the 28^th May last which came to hand the 26^th Ult^o and will
as far as my Judgment shall dictate invariably adhere to the Contents,

I have enclosed for your Excellencys Inspection Returns of the Garrison Stores &c^a wanting

On or about the 21^th of May last a Party of Indians said to be Potawatamies or Kickapoos fell in with a small camp of Chickasaws & Cherrokees near Ohio on the Margin of Tennessee, they killed a Cherrokee Indian man & Squa & made prisoner one Chickesaw & one Cherrokee the former shortly after made his Escape & returned to this Post, He was a
young Lad not very intelligible says the offenders are Potawatamies

Shortly afterwards a party of Chickesaws at this place was prepairing to go to war, I sent for them & made use of all pursuasive arguments in my power to alter their disposition, I assured them I wou'd make your Excellency acquainted
with the Circumstances &c^a & apparently succeeded however they left the place without exhibiting a warlike disposition,
On th 2^d of June five Chickasaws arrived & on the 3^d killed & scalped within Musquet shot of the Garrison a Peyankeshaw Squa from Post Vincennes They immediately crost the Ohio having previously made very Judicious arrangement as to the time of day Hoppassing their Blankets bringing their canoes to the bank where the Squa lived with a white Woman &c
I immediately detatched a party to bring back the offenders; but night coming on they was obliged to give up the pursuit, I have wrote to Cap^tn Pasteurs requesting his interposition as the aggressors are said to be from that country, He informs me they are the Kickepoos of Opia.

I have not a syllable from Capt Portell since the circumstance communicated to your Excellency the 12^th Apl as it respected taking deserters, previous to which we corrisponded

Pike, Zebulon

Letter to Anthony Wayne, Fort Massac,
July 5, 1796
(page 2)

The High water last spring very near took off the Garrison at New Madrid, Their Troops is orderd as I am informed from Walnut Hills Bluff, &c^a to asscend Mississippi as to the Works being quite Evaucated, is not for me at present to determine or where they purpose making their lodgement;

On the 27^th March A Corp^l Garey of Cap^t Guions Company arriv'd at this place he was reported a deserter which he denied Lieut Gregg was absent I had not any Voucher to govern my procedure nor cou'd I obtain any sufficient,- Doct^r Hamill informd me a Letter addressed to your Excellency wrote by himself dated some time in Novem'r 95 Sign^d by Lieut Gregg sealed & coverd in which was Contain'd the Muster Rolls of said Company, was then in Lieut Greggs Quarters which I directed him to bring forward & I Opened the cover from thence Took the Muster Rolls (One of which is enclosed) previously directing the Doct^r & others present to note my reasons; after which orderd the Doct^r to return the Letter from whence he brought it, I hope my Error may be construed to a zeal in the discharge of a Duty & to prevent abuses

Lieut Gregg immediately after his return from Orleans assured me he woud arrange his Business & Asscend the Ohio to Head Quarters & resign his command to which I agreed (not being so well acquainted with his Conduct) and from a principle of courtesy waited for the completion of said arrangement untill the arrival of Lieut Underwood when I concluded his Escort say a Corp^l & four exclusive of Lieut Greggs waiter woud be suffcient to take him up the river & from day to day expected he woud take his departure untill the 23^d when he told me it was not his intention to resign, a Studied & long premeditated piece of deception which I hope may apologize for my detention of the Corp^l & four privates as well as omission of coercive measures I immediately orderd him in Arrest & have forwarded the Enclosed charges depositions &c for my Justification, I was induced to make the inclosed requests as it respects the dispositions &c^a with a hope the parties concernd wou'd agree & from Testimony thus taken refer their respective cases to a Tribunal by your Excellency Orderd for that purpose which wou'd prevent trouble expense &c^a All of which is by him rejected with contempt and is by Law protected with a view of procrastinating his Trial

Pike, Zebulon

Letter to Anthony Wayne, Fort Massac,
July 5, 1796 (page 3)


I have forwarded a Serg^t Ansel Hyde of Capt Thomas Lewis Company who deserted from GreenVille we have also in confinement John Chain who deserted from Ensign W^m Smiths rendesvouz at Lexington both apprehended at this place, Also the before mentiond Corp^l Gerry said by Lieut Gregg to be a deserter added to which is charged with having on 17^th June threatened to take said Lieut^s Life, It appears Gerry was intoxicated (to which I have not known him subject excepting on or about that time) That he shoud have told Serg^t Fletcher his Gun was loaded (which appeard) & that he must see Lieut Gregg whom he must kill otherwise him s^d Leut must kill him said Gerry and attempted to go to said Lieu^t observing he must see him but at same time was not armed with any weapon whatever

If I may be permited to suggest an Idea that any thing coud be offerd to mitigate Gerry' crime it woud be his sufferings He has been obliged to leave his employ say Boating & lay in the Woods without sustenance &c^a His Life has been sought for by prefered rewards &c^a & for no other reason than that he wou'd not decline visiting this place I verily believe him to be a man of Truth he assures me that after M^r Gregg had propos'd giving him a certificate provided he wou'd go off at which time Time he had no inclination to go away he asked Lieut Gregg why he woud oblige him to leave service that the Lieut replied if he did not go he must do his duty with great exactness,

>Lieut Greggs conduct since his command at this place has been a scene of Error and many charges may be prefered in addition to those already exhibited, but wou'd require one third of Captⁿ Guions Company to support them

His Conduct as it respects Gerry orriginated on acco^t of a Woman a Drummer Hittons Wife, he effected a sepperation between her & Husband & since has kept her I believe she to this day prefers Gerrys compy to Lieut, However improper & fulsom this information Justice urges the insertion with a hope it will throw some light & assist to elucidate this Mysterious Business

Pike, Zebulon

Letter to Anthony Wayne, Fort Massac,
July 5, 1796
(page 4)

Cap^tn Ducoin a Native at Kaskaskias requests me to inform your Excellency that his Company is always ready & subject to orders & prays you will be pleased to forward some powder for their use which he claims from a promise made I think he says by your Excellency- I am informd he is really friendly & active that he pursued the Creeks that killed Chalfin's Family last spring with spirit but was not so fortunate as to come up with them shou'd your Excellency have any orders for me please to forward them by the bearer I will be responsible for the delivery thereof &c^a

N B I believe this post was once very well supplyd with stores & am sorry to say it at present is not

I forwarded to Gen^l Wilkinson a return of stores Wanting in respective departmt^s He was pleased to order some powder four spades & three shovels & informs he had by Lieut Underwood orderd such stores as was deemed necessary in time of profound peace, I beg liberty with all deffirance to differ in opinion with Gen^l Wilkinson, If we wish a continuance of Peace we shoud be prepar'd for war & without Tools all repairs & improvm^t must cease A Barge is truly Necessary our Flag is ridiculous I do not wish an Iota unnecessary & am actuated to make request of the articles containd in the Return from the purest motives of serving my Country I am held responsible & wish no unnecessary charge however refer the Propriety of my requisition to your Excellenices Superior Judgments

Major Gen^l Anth^y Wayne