Return to top of Def

Return to top of Def. Ex. 96, Part 2.
Return to page 87.
Return to page 88.
Return to page 89.
Return to page 90.

American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.

1790.]

THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANS.

91

Brigadier General Harmar to the Secretary of War.

MARCH 24th,1790.

The Indians still continue to murder and plunder the inhabitants, especially the boats going up and down the Ohio river. About the beginning of this month, they broke up Kenton's station, a small settlement of fifteen miles above Limestone, killing and capturing the whole of the people, supposed to be ten or twelve in number.

Buckner Thruston, Esq. has just arrived here, who informs me of a capital stroke of plunder which they made from the boats, one of which he was on board, a small distance above the Scioto river. This gentleman is a member of the Virginia Legislature, and has given me the enclosed written report of the attack, by which you will please to observe, that the property captured by the savages was estimated at four thousand pounds.

He supposes them to have been Shawanese. No calculation will answer, but raising a sufficient force to effectually chastise the whole of those nations who are known to be hostile.

______

Report of Buckner Thruston, Esq.

MARCH 24th, 1790.

On the 21st of March, about 12 o'clock, we discovered on the Indian shore a flat bottomed boat, which appeared to be crowded with Indians; we were fortunately near the Virginia shore at the time we discovered the savages. On our coming opposite them, a white man ran down on the beach and hallooed to us, for God's sake, to surrender; that there were fifty Indians, and if we made resistance, we should be massacred. We refused to surrender, and immediately they fired on us for a considerable time, perhaps to the number of one hundred guns, which gave us time to pass by them; they then embarked all hands aboard their boat, (commonly called a Kentucky boat, which they had taken a day or two before from Mr. John May, who, with four other men, it is supposed are either killed or taken) and gave chase to us; upon finding that we could not escape, there being three boats in company, we chose out the strongest boat, turned the horses adrift, and embarked therein; all the people belonging to the three boats cut holes in her sides, and put in the oars of the three boats, and made the best way we could for fifteen or twenty miles, the Indians pursuing us with great earnestness. They left us after a chase of between two and three hours, and we arrived without further impediment at Limestone. We lost twenty-eight horses, fifteen hundred pounds value of merchandise, (as I am informed) besides private property of passengers and others, to a considerable amount. We supposed the Indians to be fifty or sixty in number. We had about twenty-eight men, and sixteen or seventeen guns, a family of women, and a few negroes, women and children. The principal sufferers among the passengers, were Colonel Thompson, Colonel Edwards, Mr. Abner Field, Mr. Thomas Marshall.

______

Brigadier General Harmar to the Secretary of War.

JUNE 9th,1790.

At the solicitation of the inhabitants of Kentucky, (copies of which are enclosed) I was induced to endeavor to break up a nest of vagabond Indians, who had infested the river, and seemed to make it an object to establish themselves near the mouth of the Scioto, in order to interrupt the navigation of the Ohio, and to plunder and murder the emigrants. I am sorry that my endeavors were unsuccessful, as the villains had retreated; wolves might as well have been pursued; every exertion in my power was made without effort.

Having settled our plan of operations, which was to make a circuitous rout, and strike the Scioto pretty high, and from thence march down to its mouth, in hopes to intercept some of their parties, we took up our line of march on the same day, (18th April) and gained about twelve miles. On this first day's march, four moccason tracks were discovered. General Scott detached a small party of horsemen, who fell in with the savages, killed them, and brought the four scalps into Limestone.

Ensign Harshorne's convoy of boats was attacked at midnight on the 12th (May) about nine miles above Limestone, from the Virginia side, and several of the emigrants killed; I have enclosed a copy of his report.

FORT WASHINGTON, May 30th,1790.

SIR:

I beg leave to report as follows: On the 12th instant, as I was coming down the Ohio, in company with five other boats, in the evening, before we came to Limestone, by the request of the company, we put to shore, in order to stay until 2 o'clock, so that we might land at Limeston in day-light. I landed nine miles above Limestone, and the other boats landed about one hundred yards below me. About 12 o'clock the Indians attacked the lowermost boat; after a number of shot they left it, and fell on the other above them, which they took- in this time my men fired five or six shot at the flash of their guns. I had much to do to keep the men in the boat from cutting her loose, and leaving my men on shore, so I thought proper to order my men on board; for, by every circumstance, I thought them too strong for me with so few men; and it being very dark, I ordered the boat off from the shore, and fell down into their fire, where we received a number of shot; and when I found that all the boats were not taken, I ordered them to go ahead in case the Indians did pursue us, that I might check them. We arrived at Limestone at 3 o'clock in the morning; I immediately wrote to the county lieutenant upon the matter; he, with twenty men, came down at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, myself with five men went up to the place where we were attacked; we found one man, one woman, and three children, killed and scalped, which we put into the boat, with their property, to Limestone. There are eight missing: the whole killed and missing is thirteen souls; they took none of the property but one horse.

I am, sir, your most humble servant,
ASA HARTSHORNE, Ens. 1st U. S. regt.

______

James Wilkinson, Esq. to General Harmar.

LEXINGTON, 7th April,1790.

I write to you at the public request, on a subject deeply interesting to Kentucky, our national honor, and to humanity.

For more than one month past a party of savages has occupied the Northwestern bank of the Ohio, a few miles above the mouth of Scioto, from whence they make attacks upon every boat which passes, to the destruction of much property, the loss of many lives, and the great annoyance of all intercourse from the northward.

By very recent account, we are apprized that they still continue in force at that point and that their last attack was made against five boats, one of which they captured. It is the general, and I conceive a well founded opinion, that if this party is not dislodged and dispersed, the navigation of the Ohio must cease. In a case so very critical the people of this district conceive themselves justified in appealing to arms, because their dearest interests, and the lives of their brethren, are at hazard; but being extremely unwilling to proceed, except in a legal, regular, and authorized way, they call upon you for your advice, succor, and assistance, in the hope and the expectation, that

American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.

92

INDIAN AFFAIRS.

[1790.

you will be able to co-operate with a detachment of the troops under your command, and carry and immediate expedition against the before mentioned party of savages, from Limestone, where it is proposed to rendezvous a body of militia volunteers.

Colonel Patterson waits upon you on this occasion to know your determination, and to make such adjustments as may be deemed expedient.

______

Levi Todd to General Harmar.

FAYETTE, 7th April, 1790.

Within a few days past a party of Indians, who have taken post on the Ohio, near the mouth of the Scioto, have captured four boats, killed and taken several people, and much property; for the particulars I refer you to Colonel Patterson, who, I expect, will hand you this. From circumstances we may conclude this practice will be continued, unless they are dislodged. The unhappy consequences which will result, are too obvious to every discerning man, and too distressing to be borne. A party of men from the counties north of Kentucky river, are preparing to remove these troublesome fellows from their station. They will rendezvous at Lexington, on Thursday, the 15th instant; at Limestone, the Saturday following. The inhabitants of this district flatter themselves they will meet with every encouragement and protection from the officers in the Western Government, in every plan that will tend to secure their persons and property, and to protect in the enjoyment of those rights, for which we have so often risked our persons, and expended property. I flatter myself that, in the present instance, we shall not only meet the approbation of his excellency General St. Clair, but with such instructions and assistance from you, as you may judge best calculated for the execution of the intended design, that a peaceable emigration may be preserved to the Western country.

I flatter myself that an account of the hostilities that are committed in the Western country will, by the earliest opportunity, be transmitted to the President of the United States.

______

Colonel Patterson to General Harmar.

LICKING, 9th April, 1790.

I was very desirous of handing you General Wilkinson's and Colonel Todd's letters, but our interruption on the way, and my business at home, puts it out of my power. Mr. Lemond, who I expect will hand this with other, can inform you particularly. I do not know that my personal attendance would have answered any purpose, only to have informed you of our intention. We do not wish to infringe on the rights of the Federal Government; it is well known that the Indians occupy both sides of the river. We know that it is not infringing to drive the enemy from our won door, but that will not answer any purpose in this case. We rest assured that we will not only meet with your approbation, but your assistance. You need not doubt, but that, on Saturday, the 17th instant, there will be at Limestone, five hundred men at least, to co-operate with your troops, and your directions. Our men will be furnished with twelve day's provisions, expecting to continue out that time.

______

Governor St. Clair to the Secretary of War.

NEW YORK, August 23d, 1790.

"The letter from Major Hamtramck, and journal of Mr. Gamelin, copies of which accompany this, were received by me at Kaskaskias, after my return from Cahokia; and when I was on the point of setting out for the Wabash. From the information that journal contained, and the intelligence which the Major had received afterwards, as stated in the letter, it appeared to me, that there was not the smallest probability of an accommodation with the Indians of that river, and of the Miami, and that, from the manner in which the proposal of an accommodation had been received by them, and their subsequent conduct, it would not be proper for me to go to Post St. Vincennes; I therefore took the resolution to return by the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, to the head quarters of the troops, in order to concert with General Harmar upon the means of carrying into effect the alternative contained in my instructions from the President- that of punishing them; and accordingly embarked on the eleventh day of June, and arrived at fort Washington on the 13th day of July.

Before my departure from Kaskaskias, I put a letter into the hands of Major Sargent, informing him of my intended journey, and that, as soon as I had embarked, he was to consider me as absent, and in consequence, the government devolved upon himself, and desired him to proceed to the post, lay out a county there, establish the militia, and appoint the civil and military officers. I was led to proceed in this manner from the little time there would be to digest the business, and bring the necessary force together from so many and distant parts, before it would be necessary that they should move, and the certainty there appeared to be that, if I went to the post, the consuming a good deal of it would be unavoidable, and the season for operation be lost;

From the falls of Ohio, I took Mr. Elliot, one of the contractors, with me to head quarters, that he might, in person, give General Harmar information with respect to the certainty of supplies, without being assured of which, it would be vain to think of the matter.

The number of militia I was empowered to call for, was one thousand from Virginia, and five hundred from Pennsylvania, to act in conjunction with the continental troops; these the General estimated at four hundred effective. The manner of employing this force, which was concluded upon, is this: three hundred of the militia of Virginia are to rendezvous at fort Steuben, and with the garrison of that fort, to march to Post St. Vincennes and join Major Hamtramck; the remaining twelve hundred of the militia to assemble as fort Washington, under the orders of General Harmar, which, with the troops to be collected there, will form a body of fifteen hundred: these are intended to march directly across the country to the Miami village, while Major Hamtramck moves up the Wabash to attack any of the villages on that river to which his force may be equal; but, as it is not so respectable as I could wish it, I took it upon myself to give him authority to call for aid from the militia of Post St. Vincennes.

It would, perhaps, have been better that the whole should have been drawn together, and one solid effort been made; but it was next to impossible to form a junction of all the parts at any one proper place, in time, and we were not without hopes that, as the movements will be made in concert, the success of both may be forwarded by each other: for that up the Wabash will, certainly, I think, make those nations uneasy for themselves, and prevent them from aiding the Miamies, while the direct movement to their village will have the same effect upon them.

I could indeed have wished that the force in both quarters had been more respectable, as far as it is possible their success should be put out of the chance of accidents; for a failure will be attended with the very worst consequences. I believe, sir, that, if the President approves the business, and should think proper to add to the numbers, it is not yet too late, being of opinion that many more men might be obtained from that part of Virginia from whence the others are called, on very short notice. You will observe, sir, by my letter to the county lieutenants, that the rendezvous at fort Washington is fixed for the 15th of next month. Their assembling there, however, was not counted upon before the 20th, and that they would be in readiness to march by the first of October. Before that time, I hope I shall be able to join them.

Mr. Elliot made very little hesitation about the provisions, though it will be impossible to furnish flour. Corn, however, it seems, is still abundant in Kentucky, and with that General Harmar is satisfied.

American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.

1790.]

THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANS.

93

I am very apprehensive that some disappointment will be met with in the quota of Pennsylvania for I found that, in two of the four counties from which that militia is to be drawn, they have not had an officer for upwards of two years, and there was a general complaint for want of arms. I represented that matter to the Executive of the State, and they think the first difficulty will be obviated by a voluntary enlistment, and have ordered a quantity of arms to be sent forward. As a disappointment there would be fatal, perhaps the President may think proper to make some conditional provision against it.

I hope it will not happen, but I fear it; and am extremely anxious about it, on account of the expense that will have been incurred to no purpose, and more so from the injury the reputation of the Government would sustain.

I request the favor of you, sir, to lay this letter before the President as soon as possible: for it is of importance that I should return without loss of time, as the assembling militia of Pennsylvania is appointed on the 3d, and their being in motion not to exceed the 10th of September.

I have added a copy of my letter to the county lieutenants, and to the senior officer of the Pennsylvania militia.

______

MR. GAMELIN'S JOURNAL.

Memorandum of sundry speeches held by Anthony Gamelin to the chiefs of the Wabash and Miami nations.

I, Anthony Gamelin, by order of Major Hamtramck, set off from fort Knox the 5th April, [1790] to proceed to Miami town, with the speeches of his Excellency Arthur St. Clair, and to receive the answer of the Wabash and Miami nations.

The first village I arrived to is called Kikapouguoi. The name of the chief of this village is called Les Jambes Croches. Him and his tribe have a good heart, and accepted the speech.

The second village is at the river du Vermillion, called Piankeshaws. The first chief, and all the chief warriors, were well pleased with the speeches concerning the peace; but they said they could not give presently a proper answer, before they consult the Miami nation, their eldest brethren. They desired me to proceed to the Miami town, and, by coming back, to let them know what reception I got from them. The said head-chief told me, that he thought the nations of the lakes had a bad heart, and were ill disposed for the Americans: that the speeches would not be received, particularly by the Chaouanons,* at Miami town.

The 10th of April I met thirteen Kickapoo warriors; I asked them the purpose of their journey. We are for war, said they, not against the white people, but against the Chichashas. I told them to be friends with white people: I gave them a letter for the commanding officer of Post Vincennes, desiring them to go and shake hands with him. They promised to do it.

The 11th of April, I reached a tribe of Kickapoos: the head chief and all the warriors being assembled, I gave them two branches of white wampum, with the speeches of his Excellency Arthur St. Clair, and those of Major Hamtramck (it must be observed that the speeches have been in another hand before me.) The messenger could not proceed further than the Vermillion, on account of some private wrangling between the interpreter and some chief men of the tribe. Moreover, something in the speech displeased them very much, which is included in the third article, which says, "I do now make you the offer of peace; accept it or reject it, as you please." These words appeared to displease all the tribes to whom the first messenger was sent. They told me they were menacing, and, finding that it might have a bad effect, I took upon myself to exclude them, and, after making some apology, they answered that he and his tribe were pleased with my speech, and that I could go up without danger; but that they could not presently give me an answer, having some warriors absent, and without consulting the Ouiatanons, being the owners of their lands. They desired me to stop at Quitepiconnae, that they would have the chiefs and warriors of Ouitanons, and those of their nation, assembled there, and would receive a proper answer; they said that they expected by me a draught of milk from the great chief, and the commanding officer of the post, for to put the old people in good humor; also some powder and ball for the young men for hunting, and to get some good broth for their women and children; that I should know a bearer of speeches should never be with empty hands; they promised to keep their young men from stealing, and to send speeches to their nations in the prairies for to do the same. One of the chiefs desired me to listen to his speech: "Is it true that a man called Lewis Loder has, in last summer, carried a letter, wrote with red ink upon black paper, directed to the chief of the Falls, by the French and American people of the post, inviting him for to furnish his young men for to destroy the Kickapoos? Yourself, Gamelin, you wrote the said letter, without giving notice to the chiefs of that place, as reported to us. But the chief of the Falls answered: I dont understand the meaning of writing a letter with vermillion; dont you know that the Kickapoos are my children, as well as other nations? Instead of destroying them, I want to contract a solid peace with them. That is a proof of a good heart of the great chief, and we sincerely believe that what you say concerning the peace is very true. Another proof of his good heart: we heard that Ducoign applied to the commanding officer of the post for to go against us, with the French people, his brethren; but he got a refusal."

The 14th April the Ouiatanons and the Kickapoos were assembled. After my speech, one of the head chiefs got up and told me: "You, Gamelin, my friend, and son-in-law, we are pleased to see in our village, and to hear by your mouth, the good words of the Great Chief. We thought to receive a few words from the French people, but I see the contrary; none but the Big-knife is sending speeches to us. You know that we can terminate nothing without the consent of our elder brethren, the Miamies. I invite you to proceed to their village, and to speak to them. There is one thing in your speech I did not like: I will not tell of it: even was I drunk, I would perceive it; but our elder brethren will certainly take notice of it in your speech. You invite us to stop our young men. It is impossible to do it, being constantly encouraged by the British." Another chief got up and said: "The Americans are very flattering in their speeches: many times our nation went to their rendezvous. I was once myself. Some of our chiefs died on the route, and we always came back all naked, and you, Gamelin, you come with speech, with empty hands." Another chief got up and said to his young men: "If we are so poor, and dressed in deer skins, it is our own fault: our French traders are leaving us and our villages, because you plunder them every day, and it is time for us to have another conduct." Another chief got up and said: "Know ye that the village of Ouiatanon is the sepulchre of all our ancestors. The chief of America invites us to go to him, if we are for peace; he has not his leg broke, having been able to go as far as the Illinois: he might come here himself, and we should be glad to see him at our village. We confess that we accepted the axe, but it is by the reproach we continually receive from the English and other nations, which received the axe first, calling us women; at the present time, they invite our young men to war; as to the old people, they are wishing for peace." They could not give me an answer before they received advice from the Miamies, their elder brethren.

The 18th April I arrived at the river à l'Anguille. The chief of the village, and those of war, were not present. I explained the speeches to some of the tribe; they said they were well pleased, but they could not give me an answer, their chief men being absent; they desired me to stop at their village coming back, and they sent with me one of their men for to hear the answer of their eldest brethren.

The 23d April I arrived at the Miami town; the next day, I got the Miami nation, the Chaouanons, and Delawares, all assembled. I gave to each nation two branches of wampum, and began the speeches, before the French and English traders, being invited by the chiefs to be present, having told them myself I would be glad to have them present, having nothing to say against any body. After the speech, I showed them the treaty concluded at Muskingum, between his Excellency Governor St. Clair, and sundry nations, which displeased them. I told them that the purpose of this present time was not to submit them to any condition; but to offer them the peace, which made disappear their displeasure. The great chief told me that he was pleased with the speech; that he would soon give me an answer. In a private discourse with the great chief, he told me not to mind what the Chaouanons would tell me, having a bad heart, and being the perturbators of all the nations. He said the Miamies had a bad name, on

13 *By these are meant the Shawaneese.

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.