Return to
top of Def. Ex. 96, Part 1.
Return
to page 7.
Return
to page 8.
Return
to page 9.
American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
72 |
INDIAN AFFAIRS. |
[1789. |
|
"ROCK LANDING, 20th September, 1789. |
"The commissioners present their most respectful compliments to Mr. Alexander McGillivray, chief of the Creek Nation, and have the pleasure to announce that a majority of them, a few moments since, arrived at this place, and that, without delay, they shall be ready to proceed to business.
ALEXANDER McGILLIVRAY Esq. Great Chief of all the Creeks, &c."
|
"September 20th, 1789. |
"Alexander McGillivray, and the rest of the chiefs, are very glad to hear of the arrival of the honorable the commissioners of the United States of American at the Rock Landing. A few principal chiefs intend to visit them this forenoon.
The Honorable the Commissioners
of the United States of America, at the Rock Landing."
About 11 o'clock, the following note from Mr. McGillivray was received:
"GENTLEMEN:
Some of the principal chiefs, accompanied by an interpreter, named Derezeau, go over to pay you a visit this forenoon. I beg leave to suggest to you, that a private conversation between us will be necessary, previous to the opening of the treaty; and this camp I think the most convenient place for the purpose. I could therefore wish to be honored with the company of one or two of you this evening. In suggesting this measure, I intreat, gentlemen, that you will not consider it as proceeding from a want of the proper attention in me, which is due to the very respectable characters that compose the present commission.
|
I am, very respectfully, gentlemen, your most
obedient servant,
|
The Cussetah king, the Tallasee king, and the Hallowing king, attended the commissioners accordingly, as a deputation from the whole nation, to congratulate them on their arrival.
After the customary ceremony, they all expressed the most ardent wishes to establish a lasting peace with the United States, and declared their extreme joy that the day was come, which afforded a fair opportunity for accomplishing an object so interesting and desirable to their nation.
Soon after this interview, the following talk was sent to the Indian camp:
"To the Hon. Alexander McGillivray, great chief, and all the other head men and warring chiefs of the Creek Nation:
"BROTHERS:
Having been honored with a commission by the Supreme Executive of the United States of America, to conclude a treaty of peace and amity with your nation, we think it expedient, in the first instance, to show you our full powers; on the other part, we desire to be favored, by you, with such evidence as the nature of the case may admit, of the fullness and authenticity of the representation of the Creek nation which is now present.
These preliminaries being satisfactorily settled, so that hereafter there may be no complaints of partial or defective representations, we shall be ready to make our further communications, as soon as the Honorable Mr. Griffin, our colleague, shall arrive, which will probably be to-morrow.
|
B. LINCOLN, |
21st September, 1789."
Much conversation was had with Mr. McGillivray on the subjects of our
negotiation, at the camp of the Indians, on the evening of the 21st, and at the
quarters of the commissioners, the 22nd, where Mr. McGillivray and a number of
the other chiefs passed the day.
Early in the morning of the 23d, a letter was sent to Mr. McGillivray, and the day was employed by the commissioners in completing the draught of a treaty, and other communications to be laid before the great council of the nation.
|
"ROCK LANDING, 23d September, 1789. |
"SIR:
We have the pleasure to inform you that the honorable Mr. Griffin arrived here the last evening. We are now engaged in preparing the communications we intend to make to your nation, which, if agreeable to you, will be delivered to-morrow morning. General Lincoln and General Pickens will have the pleasure of attending this forenoon at your black drink.
|
We have the honor to be,
&c.
|
ALEX. McGILLIVRAY, Esq. Chief of the Creek nation."
At the conference between General Lincoln and Mr. McGillivray, it was agreed
that the Creeks should attend the commissioners the next day at 11 o'clock, to
hear what they had to communicate. However, late in the same evening, it was
understood that it would be a matter of convenience for the Indians to receive
the talks on the west side of the Oconee, and the commissioners accordingly
wrote the subsequent letter:
|
"ROCK LANDING, 23d September, 1789. |
"SIR:
As we are disposed to do every thing in our power to accomplish the objects of our mission, without an undue regard to matters of form, and as we understand it would be a matter of convenience for your people, that we should attend on your ground for the purpose of making our communications to-morrow, we have no objections to passing the river to your camp upon that occasion. You will therefore be pleased to consider this letter as designed to take away all cause of jealousy, and to put it in your option to arrange the time and place of conference in such manner as shall be most satisfactory to the Creeks. We shall expect your answer by the bearer, and, in the mean time, we have the honor to be,
|
Sir, your obedient
servants,
|
ALEX. McGILLIVRAY, Esq. Chief of the Creek nation."
American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
84 |
INDIAN AFFAIRS. |
[1789. |
|
WAR DEPARTMENT, December 8th, 1790? (illeg. photocopy) |
SIR:
In obedience to the orders of the President of the United States, I have the honor respectfully to submit to the Senate, a statement of the information on which the expedition against the Indians northwest of the Ohio has been founded, and also the instructions to the Governor of the Western territory, and the commanding officer of the troops relative to the same object; together with an estimate of the expense with which the expedition will probably be attended.
|
I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your
most obedient and very humble
servant, |
The Honorable the PRESIDENT of the Senate of the United States.
_______
INFORMATION RELATIVE TO DEPREDATIONS OF THE INDIANS
NORTHWEST OF THE OHIO.
John Evans, Lieutenant of the county of Monongalia, to the Executive of
Virginia, 25th April, 1789.
On the 23d instant the Indians committed hostilities on the frontiers of this country, killed a captain William Thomas, Joseph Cornbride and wife, and two children on Dunker's Creek, which has alarmed the people in such a degree as to occasion them to apply to me for assistance.
______
William McClery to the Governor of Virginia.
|
MORGANTOWN, 25th April, 1789. |
An express came here this morning with the disagreeable news of the Indians having committed hostilities on one of our frontier settlements on the 23d instant; two parties attacked, nearly about the same time, two families on Dunkard Creek, about twenty to twenty-five miles from this place, and killed one man out of one, and the man and his wife and two children, which was the whole of the other family; the alarm given to the frontier of this county generally by this murder, hath become very serious, and unless some speedy assistance is given, I am something of opinion, that the Monongahela river (which runs by this place) will be our frontier line in a short time.
______
Geo. Clendinen to the Governor of Virginia.
|
GREENBRIER, 15th June, 1789. |
I am also unhappy to find that the Executive have received no official information respecting the disposition of the Indians westward of the Ohio; but let their disposition be what it may, they, or some Indians to us unknown, since my last, by Mr. Renick, have killed and taken ten prisoners from the settlement on Clinch, and also several persons at the mouth of Great Sandy, and I have reason to expect their blows hourly on Kenhawa.
_______
Robert Johnson, Lt. of the County of Woodford, to the President of the United States.
|
DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY, 22d August, 1789. |
About the 10th instant, two men were fired on by a party of Indians, but no damage sustained; only one of the horses the men rode was killed; the Indians took the saddle and bridle, and the night following, they stole eleven horses; our men pursued them, next day came up with them, and retook all the horses, together with the said saddle and bridle, and killed two (one of which was a white man.) On Sunday, the 16th, six negroes were taken by a party of Indians in ambuscade, about three quarters of a mile from my house; they carried them about one quarter of a mile, where they were surprised by the noise of some people riding near them; they tomahawked four, two of which died, two were left for dead, which are now in a hopeful way of recovery; the other two made their escape while they were murdering the rest. The day following, the party was seen twice, and the evening or night of the sixteenth they stole some horses from Captain Buford; we pursued them as quick as possible, with about forty men, to the Ohio, about twenty-five miles below the mouth of Big Miami, where twenty-six volunteers crossed the Ohio after them; we came to a large camp of them, early in the morning of the 20th, about twelve miles from the Ohio; we divided our party, and attacked them opposite, on each side; they fought us a short time in that position, until they got their women and children out of the way, and then gave back to a thick place of high weeds and bushes, where they hid very close; we immediately drove up about forty of their horses, and made our retreat across the Ohio. We lost three men and two wounded. The Indians wounded one of our men as we returned. Thus they are going on from time to time in this country.
______
The Convention to the President of the United States.
|
DANVILLE, 26th July, 1789. |
We can assure your Excellency that the militia of Kentucky, from their hardiness, alertness, and bravery, are able to render essential service to the inhabitants of the district, if they are employed in its defence.
And we beg leave further to observe, that, from the present station of the federal troops, it is absolutely impossible to give the commanders notice, so as to enable them, even if their force was sufficient, to render any service whatever.
______
Robert Johnson, County Lieutenant, to the Governor of Virginia.
|
DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY, WOODFORD COUNTY, August 22d, 1789. |
The hostile acts of the savages are so frequent in our country that it becomes troublesome to write you on every occasion. On the 10th of this instant, a party fired on a young man in this county, near the settlement, killed the horse, and took the saddle and bridle, and stole some horses, the night following. We were in motion, early next morning, and soon found their trail, and came up with them and retook the horses, and killed two of them, one of which was a white man; the 16th following, a party took six negroes within a mile of my house, killed two, wounded two with their tomahawks, and left them for dead, and the other two made their escape while they were murdering the rest. The second night after, they stole some horses. About forty men followed them to the Ohio,
American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
|
1789.] |
THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANS. |
85 |
and twenty-six crossed the river and followed them over the Ohio, about twelve
miles, where we came up with a party at a large camp, making salt at a salt
spring; we divided the party, and attacked them on each side; they soon gave
back; we took some of their horses, and returned to the Ohio, where we crossed.
We lost three men killed and two wounded.
______
An account of the depredations committed in the District of Kentucky, by the Indians, since the first of May, 1789.
IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, on Floyd's fork, two men killed; near the same time and place, two persons were killed and three taken prisoners. On Brashear's creek, two killed and two taken prisoners. On the 17th July, Chinoweth's stations was attacked by a number of Indians, who entered Chinoweth's house, while the family was at supper. Three of Chinoweth's family were killed and seven wounded. Three of the wounded are since dead, and several others yet dangerous. The Indians plundered the house of every thing they could carry away. There was at the same station, before this date, one man killed and one wounded. The number of horses stolen from this county exceeds twenty.
NELSON.- Two men killed and
two wounded, and a number of horses stolen, to the amount of about twenty.
LINCOLN.- One man and one child killed and two women wounded;
about twenty-five horses stolen.
MADISON.- On the first day of June, the Indians broke into
the house of Edmond Stephenson, and wounded one person; they have stolen a
number of horses from this county.
BOURBON.- Two men have been badly wounded and about fifteen
horses stolen.
MASON.- Two men killed and forty-one horses stolen.
WOODFORD.- One boy killed and several horses stolen.
______
Colonel Benjamin Wilson to Governor St. Clair.
|
HARRISON COUNTY, 4th October, 1789. |
On the 19th of September last, a party of Indians killed and scalped four persons, and captured four; the family of a certain William Johnston, within about nine miles of Clarksburg. On the 22d, the Indians killed John Mauk's wife and two of his children, and burnt his house; the same evening, burnt Jacob Flotzer's house; and on the 28th, stole from Randolph county, ten or eleven horses. The number of horses taken from this county, is not yet truly ascertained; but certainly five horses taken- cattle, sheep, and hogs killed. Some part of this mischief done eleven or twelve miles in towards the interior parts of this county. Sir, be assured, the people of this part of the county are much alarmed and much confused; and in my humble opinion, if something more than treaties made with part of the Indian tribes, is not done shortly, it will be with difficulty the frontiers of this county can be kept from evacuating their settlements. This opinion I have gathered from my having taken a tour amongst the people, whilst the mischief was doing.
______
Geo. Clendinen, Lieut. of the county of Kenhawa, to the President of the United States.
|
RICHMOND, 27th December, 1789. |
The Indians have, in the county of Kenhawa, committed many hostilities, some of which, I beg leave to enumerate. They killed a man near Point Pleasant; took a young man, and a negro fellow, prisoners; have shot at others, who made their escape; and have taken between twenty and thirty head of horses, together with many other outrages, to the manifest injury and distress of the inhabitants.
If protection is not immediately given, I am sure the greater part of our frontier will be compelled to leave their homes, and either live in forts or move into the strong settled parts of the neighboring counties, which I conceive would do great public injury, as well as distress, in a great degree the inhabitants that are thus exposed, who are situated in a part of the country not only to become respectable but very useful.
______
Address of the General Assembly of Virginia to the President of the United
States.
It has been a great relief to our apprehensions for the safety of our brethren on the frontiers, to learn from the communications of the Secretary of War, that their protection against the incursions of the Indians has occupied your attention.
Knowing the power of the Federal Executive to concentrate the American force, and confiding in the wisdom of its measures, we should leave the subject unnoticed, but from a belief that time has been wanting to give the proper intelligence, and make the necessary arrangements of defence, for a country so far remote from the seat of Government.
Many members of the General Assembly now present, have been either witnesses of the recent murders and depredations committed by the savages, or have brought with them information, the truth of which cannot be questioned. It is unnecessary to enter into a detail of those hostilities. Permit us only to say, that those parts of Kentucky, and the southwestern and northern counties, lying on the Ohio and its waters, which have generally been the scene of Indian barbarity, are now pressed by danger the most imminent.
We have been induced to suppose it possible, that, for the purpose of affording effectual relief, it may be found expedient to carry war into the country of the Indian enemy. Should this be the case, we take the liberty of assuring you, that this Commonwealth will cheerfully sustain her proportion of the expenses which may be incurred in such an expedition.
______
From the Representatives of the frontier counties of Virginia, to the President of the United States.
|
RICHMOND, 12th December, 1789. |
In addition to the address of the General
Assembly on Indian Affairs, we, the representatives of the counties of Ohio,
Monongalia, Harrison, and Randolph, are constrained to take the liberty of
stating to you the defenceless situation of those counties, in order that you
may be able to direct such measures as may be necessary for their defence, as
we have every reason to expect that the Indians will break in upon our
settlements as soon as the weather will permit them in the spring. First, from
the northern boundary line, where it croses the Ohio river at the mouth of the
Little Beaver creek, down the said river to the mouth of Big Sandy creek,
distant about three hundred miles, we lay open to the ravages of the Indians,
who may attack our settlements in any quarter they may choose. It may here be
supposed, that the troops stationed at Muskingum would check their progress in
this business; but experience hath taught us, that they are of very little use,
for we find, that the Indians cross the river Ohio, both above and below that
garrison, undiscovered either on their way to our country or returning to their
own.
12 *
American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
86 |
INDIAN AFFAIRS. |
[1790. |
And indeed, such will always be our fate, until more effectual measures are adopted for our defence. It may be further supposed, that General St. Clair can grant all the relief that is necessary for our safety. In answer to which, we beg leave to observe, that, although we have the highest opinion of that gentleman's integrity and goodness, yet, from his necessary calls to visit the different posts on the Ohio river, even as low down as the Rapids, we fear it will be out of his power to render us the necessary aid; besides, it is impracticable for us to find him in the hour of distress. We further beg leave to suggest, that, whilst our operations were confined to a defensive plan only, we have ever found the greatest degree of safety to our country arising from keeping out scouts and rangers on our frontiers. Indeed, it was owing to that plan, and that only, that large tracts of our country have not, long ere now, been depopulated. These scouts and rangers were composed of our own militia, on whom our people could, with confidence, depend, as they are well acquainted with our woods, and with the paths the Indians use to come in upon our settlements. Whilst we were thus covered, we lived in perfect security, but as soon as they were withdrawn last spring, we immediately felt the effects of Indian cruelty: for, from the month of April last, to the month of October, at which time we left home, there were killed and captured twenty persons- a considerable number of horses and other property carried off, and several houses burnt in our country. All military regulations being submitted to you, we therefore beg leave to suggest our wishes, that you would continue to us the aforesaid mode of defence, should you approve of it, or direct such other measures as you, in your wisdom, may think more advisable to be continued in our country, until it may be thought necessary to carry on offensive war into the enemy's country, to bring about a lasting peace. Suffer us further to assure you, that we, on the behalf of our bleeding country, look up to you, and to you only, for that assistance that our necessities require, and shall conclude with praying that the great Parent of the universe may conduct you under the eye of his special providence, enabling you to fill that exalted station to which he hath called you, as well for the good of your fellow citizens, as also for the happiness of mankind, so far as they come within the bounds of your administration.
|
We have the honor to be, with very great regard and
esteem, your Excellency's most ob't
servants,
|
|
WILLIAM M'CLEERY,
|
|
JOHN PRUNTY,
|
|
JONA. PARSONS,
|
______
Governor St. Clair to the Secretary of War.
|
FORT STEUBEN, 26th January, 1790. |
By a note this moment received from Louisville, I am informed that the Indians have killed three men, within twelve miles of Danville, at Carpenter's Station, and three more, and broke the settlement up, upon Russell's creek, about forty miles from the same place; some people who had been hunting on this side the river, about six miles below Limestone, were fired upon by Indians, and one man killed; just almost at the time Major Doughty was passing; he landed and pursued them, but in vain.
______
Hon. Harry Innes, Judge for the District of Kentucky, to the Hon. Jno. Brown.
|
DANVILLE, 13th March, 1790. |
In the month of January, a boat with ten persons were cut off, about sixteen miles above Limestone; nine found dead in the boat, and one woman missing; during the massacre, a boy, who was a prisoner, made his escape; he was up Licking, being out with two men on a hunting party, who were killed. Three men were killed about the same time in the wilderness, between Rickland creek and Stinking creek; on the road two escaped. Old John Sloan and his son, were killed on the head of the Rolling fork; one man killed on Holin. A station on Russell's creek was attacked about the 25th of the month; Isaac and Nathan Farris, a son of Isaac Farris, John Painter, and one other man, killed; a negro woman, and white woman wounded, and a number of horses have been taken, but I can't enumerate them. One Harper was killed on State creek.
In February, one man killed at the Mudlick; one killed at the mouth of Kentucky, and the people have evacuated the station from fear. In this month I have only heard of one man killed and one wounded on the Rolling fork; but from various reports, there is too much reason to fear they will be hostile this spring.
______
Wm. W. Dowell to the Hon. John Brown.
|
4th April, 1790. |
Although I wrote you a few days ago, I feel a propensity to hand you every intelligence in my power. The Indians have again made a capital stroke on the Ohio; they, to the number of about fifty, are encamped near the mouth of the Scioto, and have, by means of a white prisoner, who they have with them, taken three boats and a periogue; the periogue contained six men, who were going up the river from Limestone; one of the boats belonged to Mr. John May; the six men, together with Mr. May, and the whole crew, were put to instant death by the savages. The other two boats, one of them belonged to families, the other was the property of Colonel Edwards, of Bourbon, and Mr. Thomas Marshall and others, who, the day after May was taken, were at the same place attacked by the savages; they in the first instance attempted to induce the boats to come to shore, by means of the prisoner, who was the only person exposed to view, and who affected the utmost distress and anxiety, in order that he might be received on board and brought to Limestone; but finding their stratagem would answer to no purpose, they immediately exposed themselves, and began to fire on the boats, but without effect; the devils then, to the number of about thirty, jumped into May's boat, and gave chase; by which means, being better supplied with oars, they would soon have overtaken Marshall and the family boat, if it had not been for Colonel George Thompson, who was owner to a third part in the same company; he threw out all the horses he had in his boat, and received Colonel Edward's crew, and the families all into his boat, together with their oars, by which means the whole of the people escaped after sustaining a chase of about fifteen miles. The loss of property in the two boats, was seventeen horses, about fifteen hundred pounds worth of dry good, and a considerable quantity of household furniture. It is not known what May had on board, as no person was left alive.
I have also heard to-day, that the Indians have taken a boat on Salt river, which was laden with salt, and killed a John Prior, and two others who belonged to the boat's crew.
These are the most material outrages that I now recollect. The consequences are truly alarming; no preparation is yet made, neither can there be by us, who are not authorized to cross the river.
Continue to
next page
Continue
to Dft. Ex. 97
Return
to Docket 317 Table of Contents
Return to Ohio Valley -
Great Lakes Ethnohistory Archive Menu
Return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology List of Publications
Return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology Home
Last updated: 26
September 2000
Comments: webmaster@www.gbl.indiana.edu
Copyright 1997, Glen Black Laboratory of Archaeology and The Trustees of Indiana University.