American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
94 |
INDIAN AFFAIRS. |
[1790. |
account of mischief done on the river Ohio, but he told me it was not
occasioned by his young men, but by the Chaouanons, his young men going out
only for to hunt.
The 15th of April, Blue Jacket, chief warrior of the Chaouanons, invited me to go to his house, and told me, "My friend, by the name and consent of the Chaouanons and Delawares, I will speak to you. We are all sensible of your speech, and pleased with it; but, after consultation, we cannot give an answer without hearing from our father at Detroit, and we are determined to give you back the two branches of wampum, and to send you to Detroit to see and hear the chief, or to stay here twenty nights for to receive his answer. From all quarters, we receive speeches from the Americans, and not one is alike. We suppose that they intend to deceive us- then take back your branches of wampum."
The 26th, five Pattawatamies arrived here with two negro men, which they sold to English traders; the next day I went to the great chief of the Miamies, called Le Gris; his chief warrior was present. I told him how I had been served by the Chaouanons; he answered me, that he had heard of it; that the said nations behaved contrary to his intentions. He desired me not to mind those strangers, and that he would soon give me a positive answer.
The 28th April, the great chief desired me to call at the French trader's, and receive his answer. "Don't take bad," said he, "of what I am to tell you: you may go back when you please. We cannot give you a positive answer; we must send your speeches to all our neighbors and to the Lake nations; we cannot give a definitive answer without consulting the commandant of Detroit." And he desired me to render him the two branches of wampum refused by the Chaouanons; also, a copy of speeches, in writing. He promised me that, in thirty nights, he would send an answer to Post St. Vincennes, by a young man of each nation; he was well pleased with the speeches, and said to be worthy of attention, and should be communicated to all their confederates, having resolved among them not to do any thing without an unanimous consent. I agreed to his requisitions, and rendered him the two branches of wampum, and a copy of the speech. Afterwards, he told me, that the Five Nations, so called, or Iroquois, were training something; that five of them, and three Wyandots were in this village with branches of wampum; he could not tell me presently their purpose, but he said I would know of it very soon.
The same day Blue Jacket, chief of the Chaouanons, invited me to his house for supper, and, before the other chiefs, told me that, after another deliberation, they thought necessary the I should go myself to Detroit, for to see the commandant, who would get all his children for to hear my speech. I told them I would not answer them in the night- that I was not ashamed to speak before the sun.
The 29th of April, I got them all assembled. I told them that I was not to go to Detroit; that the speeches were directed to the nations of the river Wabash and Miami, and that, for to prove the sincerity of the speech, and the heart of Governor St. Clair, I have willingly given a copy of the speeches, to be shown to the commandant of Detroit; that his excellency will be glad to hear that his speeches have been sent to Detroit, and, according to a letter wrote by the commandant of Detroit to the Miamies, Chaouanons, and Delawares, mentioning to you to be peaceable with the Americans. I would go to him very willingly, if it was my directions, being sensible of his sentiments. I told them I had nothing to say to the commandant, neither him to me. You must immediately resolve, if you intend to take me to Detroit, or else I am to go back as soon as possible. Blue Jacket got up and told me, "My friend, we are well pleased with what you say; our intention is not to force you to go to Detroit: it is only a proposal, thinking it for the best. Our answer is the same as the Miamies. We will send, in thirty nights, a full and positive answer, by a young man of each nation, by writing to Post St. Vincennes." In the evening, Blue Jacket, chief of the Chaouanons, having taken me to supper with him, told me, in a private manner, that the nation Chaouanon was in doubt of the sincerity of the Big-knifes, so called, having been already deceived by them.
That they had first destroyed their lands, put out their fire, and sent away their young men, being a hunting, without a mouthful of meat; also had taken away their women, wherefore, many of them would, with great deal of pain, forget these affronts. Moreover, that some other nations were apprehending that offers of peace would, may be, tend to take away, by degrees, their lands, and would serve them as they did before; a certain proof that they intend to encroach on our lands, is their new settlement on the Ohio. If they don't keep this side clear, it will never be a proper reconcilement with the nations Chaouanons, Iroquois, Wyandots, and perhaps many others. Le Gris, chief of the Miamies, asked me, in a private discourse, what chief had made a treaty with the Americans at Muskingum. I answered him, that their names were mentioned in the treaty; they are only young men, who, without authority and instruction from their chiefs, have concluded that treaty, which will not be approved. They went to that treaty clandestinely, and they intend to make mention of it in the next council to be held.
The 2d of May, I came back to the river à l'Anguille. One of the chief men of the tribe being witness of the council at Miami town, repeated the whole to them; and whereas the first chief was absent, they said they could not for present time, give answer; but they are willing to join their speech to those of their eldest brethren. "To give you proof of an open heart, we let you know that one of our chiefs is gone to war on the Americans, but it was before we heard of you; for certain they would not have been gone thither." They also told me, that a few days after I passed by their village, seventy warriors, Sauteux and Outawais, from Michilimackinac, arrived there; some of them were Poux, who, meeting in their route the Sauteaux and Outawais, joined them. "We told them what we heard by you; that your speech is fair and true. We could not stop them from going to war. The Poux told us, that, as the Sauteaux and Outawais were more numerous than them, they were forced to follow them."
The 3d of May, I got to the Ouias; they told me that they were waiting for an answer from their eldest brethren. "We approve very much our brethren for not to give a definitive answer, without informing of it all the Lake nations; that Detroit was the place where the fire was lighted; then it ought first to be put out there; that the English commandant is their father, since he threw down our French father; they could do nothing without his approbation."
The 4th May I arrived at the village of the Kickapoos; the chief, presenting me two branches of wampum, black and white, said: "My son, we cannot stop our young men from going to war; every day some set off clandestinely for that purpose; after such behavior from our young men, we are ashamed to say to the great chief at the Illinois and of the Post St. Vincennes, that we are busy about some good affairs for the reconcilement; but be persuaded that we will speak to them continually concerning the peace, and that, when our eldest brethren will have sent their answer, we will join ours to it."
The 5th of May I arrived at Vermillion; I found no body but two chiefs; all the rest were gone a hunting; they told me they had nothing else to say but what I was told going up. They told me that the Grosse Tete, a warrior absent, appears to have a bad heart.
|
ANTOINE GAMELIN, Messenger. |
This 17th day of May, appeared before us M.(illeg. copy) Antoine Gamelin, and swore that the within is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
|
FS. HAMTRAMCK, Major Commandant. |
______
Copy of a circular letter from Governor St. Clair, to the county Lieutenants.
|
HEAD QUARTERS, FORT WASHINGTON, July 15th, 1790. |
SIR:
The interests of the United States dictating a peace with the Indian nations on the Wabash, if it could be obtained upon reasonable terms, I was directed by the President to give them information of the disposition of the General Government on that subject, and to try to effect it; at the same time, I was instructed by him to take measures for the security of the frontier country, in case of their continuing hostile. The following is extracted from his instruc-
American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
|
1790.] |
THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANS. |
95 |
tions to me on that head (here was inserted that part of my instructions
relative to the militia.) I have now to inform you that there is no prospect of
peace with the said Indians at present; on the contrary, they continue very ill
disposed towards the United States in general, and to Virginia in particular;
and many parties are, from information lately received, now actually gone to
war. The commanding officer of the troops and myself, have, therefore,
concerted a plan of offensive operations against them, and in conformity with
the above recited instructions, I now call upon you, in the name of the President
of the United States, for _______ men, rank and file, and properly officered,
according to the legal establishment of the militia of your State, to act in
conjunction with the federal troops, against the said Indians; and that they be
at _____, on the _____ day of September next, armed, accoutred, and equipped,
for a service of sixty days or more, after they shall have joined the troops,
unless the object in view shall be sooner accomplished.
The laudable desire, and ardent spirit, to repress incursions of the savages, by which the militia have been actuated, upon all occasions, leave not room for a doubt but the present opportunity to punish them for the many injuries and cruelties they have committed, will be embraced with zeal. But allow me to observe, that it is of the utmost importance that they be punctually at the rendezvous.
|
I have the honor to be,
&c.
|
______
The counties of Virginia were called upon in the following proportion, which were assigned them from the best information I could get, of their respective strengths:
The county of Nelson, 125
Lincoln
125 }To rendezvous at Fort Steuben, on the 12th
September.
Jefferson,
50
_____
300
Madison, 125
Mercer, 125
Fayette, 200
Bourbon, 125 }To rendezvous at
Fort Washington, September 15th.
Woodford,
85
Mason, 40
_____
700
The counties of Pennsylvania, the proportions
of which were assigned them by the number of their representatives in Assembly,
which being governed by the number of people, from time to time, appeared an
equal rule, and was the only one I had to go by, having been able to meet with
but one of the Lieutenants.
Washington county, 220
Fayette,
110 }To assemble at McMahen's creek, four miles below
Wheeling, on 3d Sept.
Westmoreland, 110
Alleghany,
60
_______
500
______
Copy of a letter from Governor St. Clair to
the senior officer of the Pennsylvania militia, assembled at
McMahen's Creek.
|
PITTSBURGH, August 7th, 1790. |
SIR:
As soon as the detachments from the different counties are arrived, you will proceed, without loss of time, to fort Harmar, at the mouth of the Muskingum, and there join the Federal troops under the command of Major Doughty, who will either conduct you to head quarters, or direct the manner in which you are to proceed to that place. I do hope, and expect, that nothing will prevent the whole quota of Pennsylvania from being assembled at the appointed place and time; after which, you will remain on that ground not a moment longer than is necessary; at all events you must be in motion from thence, on, or before the 10th of September: for the delaying beyond that period, even for one day, might create difficulties and embarrassments that would not be easily got over, if it did not render the expedition altogether abortive.
I have mentioned the 10th as the utmost period, but you are by no means to delay it to that time, if the different detachments are sooner arrived. Should it happen that any of them are not got up when you move, leave directions for them to follow you with all possible expedition to Fort Washington, without halting at Muskingum. You will be sure to take the necessary measures for the security of your camp, while you remain at the rendezvous, and on your way down the river; possibly you may see no Indians, or none that are hostile, but a surprise is ever to be guarded against, so that you will never encamp without establishing proper guards and patrols, nor even go ashore, for ever so short a time, without the same precaution.
You will please to observe that many of the friendly Indians with whom the United States are engaged by treaty, may be in the neighborhood of McMahen's creek, and that they have a right to hunt in that country. It is of great consequence that no injury be done to any of them, both for the sake of public faith, which has been pledged to them, and to keep them detached from those who are inimical.
You will therefore impress the necessity of treating those Indians with kindness, should any of them be met with, upon the minds of the people under your command, in the most forcible manner. Indeed, the success of the expedition, in some measure, depends upon it. They are the Wyandots and Delawares. If you see any of them, assure them no harm is intended them, if they continue in peace.
|
AR. ST. CLAIR. |
______
The Governor of the Western Territory to the Secretary of War.
|
MARIETTA, 19th September, 1790. |
The depredations on the Ohio and the Wabash still continue; every day, almost, brings an account of some murder or robbery, and yesterday a number of horses were taken from this settlement. Not long ago, a boat belonging to Mr. Vigo, a gentleman of Post St. Vincennes, was fired upon near the mouth of Blue River. This person, the United States have been very much obliged to on many occasions, and is, in truth, the most disinterested person I have almost ever seen. He had three men killed, and was obliged in consequence to fall down the river. This party, it seems, had been designed to intercept me: for they reported that they had had three fair discharges at the Governor's boat, and expected that they had killed him. In descending the river, Mr. Vigo's boat fell in with Mr. Melchor's, returning from Tennessee, and attempted, in company with him, to ascend the Wabash. Here they were attacked again. Melchor escaped, and fell down, it seems, to the Ance de la graisse, but the savages possessed themselves of Vigo's boat, which they plundered of all his and the crew's personal baggage and arms; but
American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
|
1790.] |
THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANS. |
97 |
It is highly necessary that I should as soon as possible, possess full
information, whether the Wabash and Illinois Indians are most inclined for war
or peace. If for the former, it is proper that I should be informed of the
means which will most probably induce them to peace. If a peace can be
established with the said Indians on reasonable terms, the interests of the
United States dictate, that it should be effected as soon as possible.
You will therefore inform the said Indians of the dispositions of the General Government on this subject, and of their reasonable desire that there should be a cessation of hostilities as a prelude to a treaty. If, however, notwithstanding your intimations to them, they should continue their hostilities, or meditate any incursions against the frontiers of Virginia and Pennsylvania, or against any of the troops or posts of the United States, and it should appear to you that the time or execution would be so near as to forbid your transmitting the information to me, and receiving my further orders thereon, then you are hereby authorized and empowered, in my name, to call on the lieutenants of the nearest counties of Virginia and Pennsylvania, for such detachments of militia as you may judge proper, not exceeding, however, one thousand from Virginia and five hundred from Pennsylvania.
I have directed letters to be written to the Executives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, informing them of the before recited act of Congress, and that I have given you these conditional directions, so that there may not be any obstructions to such measures as shall be necessary to be taken by you for calling forth the militia agreeably to the instructions herein contained.
The said militia to act in conjunction with the federal troops, in such operations, offensive of defensive, as you, and the commanding officer of the troops, conjointly, shall judge necessary for the public service, and the protection of the inhabitant and the posts.
The said militia, while in actual service, to be on the continental establishment of pay and rations; they are to arm and equip themselves, but to be furnished with public ammunition if necessary, and no charge for the pay of said militia will be valid unless supported by regular musters, made by a field or other officer of the federal troops, to be appointed by the commanding officer of the troops.
I would have it observed forcibly, that a war with Wabash Indians ought to be avoided by all means consistently with the security of the frontier inhabitants, the security of the troops, and the national dignity. In the exercise of the present indiscriminate hostilities, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to say that a war without further measures would be just on the part of the United States.
But, if, after manifesting clearly to the Indians, the dispositions of the General Government for the preservation of peace, and the extension of a just protection to the said Indians, they should continue their incursions, the United States will be constrained to punish them with severity.
You will, also, proceed, as soon as you can, with safety, to executed the orders of the late Congress, respecting the inhabitants at St. Vincennes, and at the Kaskaskias, and the other villages on the Mississippi. It is a circumstance of some importance, that the said inhabitants should, as soon as possible, possess the lands to which they are entitled, by some known and fixed principles.
I have directed a number of copies of the treaty made by you, at fort Harmar, with the Wyandots, &c. on the 9th of January last, to be printed and forwarded to you, together with the ratification, and my proclamation enjoining the observance thereof.
As it may be of high importance to obtain a precise and accurate knowledge of the several waters which empty into the Ohio, on the northwest, and of those which discharge themselves in the lakes Erie and Michigan, the length of the portages between, and nature of the ground, an early and pointed attention thereto is earnestly recommended.
Given under my hand, in the city of New York, this 6th day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine, and in the thirteenth year of the sovereignty and independence of the United States.
______
The Secretary of War to General Harmar.
|
7th June, 1790. |
The information contained in your letter of the 24th of March last, relative to the depredations of the Indians, is corroborated by several other letters, with considerable additions. The reports of these several events, have excited much disquietude in the public mind generally, and, more particularly, in all men whose views or interests are westward.
A letter from Judge Symmes, dated at Lexington, the 30th of April last, mentions, that you, with some continental troops, and General Scott, with some volunteers from Kentucky, had made an expedition up the Ohio, against the Indians, at or near the Scioto, who had annoyed the boats in descending the Ohio, but without any considerable effect, having killed only four Indians.
The recent hostilities, according to the information, seems to have been committed by the remnants of the Shawanese, and the banditti from several tribes associate with them. Although the said Shawanese, and banditti, aggregately, may not amount, at the excess, to two hundred fighting men, yet they seem sufficient to alarm the whole frontier lying along the Ohio, and, in a considerable degree, injure the reputation of the Government.
To extend a defensive and efficient protection to so extensive a frontier, against solitary, or small parties or enterprising savages, seems altogether impossible. No other remedy remains, but to extirpate, utterly, if possible, the said banditti.
The President of the United States, therefore, directs, that you, and the Governor of the Western Territory, consult together upon the most practicable mode of effecting this object, in such manner as not to interfere with any treaties he may be about forming with any of the regular tribes of Indians on the Wabash.
At this distance, and under the information received, it would seem that an expedition of the nature herein described, might, if conducted with great address and rapidity, be attended with the desired effect.
The troops to be employed on this occasion, to be composed of one hundred continental, and three hundred militia, non-commissioned officers and privates, all picked men, and properly officered.
The militia to be drawn from the nearest
counties of Kentucky, to rendezvous at fort Washington, or the mouth of the
Great Miami, or such other place as you may judge proper, to be engaged for
thirty days from their arrival at the rendezvous.
The militia to be on continental pay, according to the establishment, passed the 30th April last; and rations from the time of their arrival at the place of rendezvous.
A continental officer, to muster and inspect the militia on their arrival, and none to be inserted in the pay abstracts, which must be certified by you, unless so mustered. The militia to find their own arms and accoutrements, but to be furnished by the public, with ammunition, if necessary.
The militia officers, non-commissioned
officers, and privates, to be allowed for the hire and risk of their horses,
and horse accoutrements, such a sum, per day, as the Governor and you shall
certify that the nature of the service required; provided, however, such sum
shall not exceed half a dollar per day.
It is presumed, that each horse, besides the rider, ought to carry thirty days bread and pork, or bacon, and about a bushel of corn, or one quart per day, as fodder for the horses.
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