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American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
|
1795.] |
TREATY OF GREENVILLE. |
569 |
|
MONDAY, July 20. |
In Council: Present as before, with the addition of the Shawanese and Chippewas, who arrived on the evening of the 18th.
The General arose, and spoke as follow:
BROTHERS: all the nations present: I take you by the hand; when we were last in council, two days since, the Little Turtle observed, "We came with an intention to hear you: we expect your wish is for peace with all the world; we would be glad to hear your sentiments upon the subject." I did hope and expect, that every man among you would be perfectly acquainted with my sentiments on this subject, as I have, for a long time past, taken pains to diffuse them throughout your nations. I will read you a message which I sent amongst you by Mr. Miller, now present, on the 13th of August last, and which, I am persuaded, from the best authority, had been fully explained to, and perfectly understood by, your chiefs and warriors.
[Here the General read his message to the hostile Indians, of the 13th August, 1794.]
I likewise told you that the ears and heart of the President, General Washington, were ever open to the voice of peace; and that he had instructed me, his principal warrior, to listen to that welcome voice, from whatever quarter it might come, provided it came from proper authority, and from the heart.
Six moons since, the Crane, (Wyandots) and a number of Chippewas, Ottawas, and Sacs, came here, in consequence of this invitation. They were also accompanied by the Miamies. I received them with great pleasure, and informed them that I thanked the Great Spirit for opening their eyes to see, and their ears to hear, the happy dawn of peace. I told them that peace was like that glorious sun which diffused joy, health, and happiness, to all the nations of this earth, who had wisdom to embrace it, and that I, therefore, in behalf and in the name of the President of the United States of America, took them all by the hand, with that strong hold of friendship, which time could never break.
These have been the sentiments of my heart with regard to peace, and I think may be considered as a full answer to the wishes expressed by the Little Turtle. To prove that my sentiments are still the same, I present to Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish, and to the LIttle Turtle, these strings of wampum, which are not purer or whiter than the heart that gives them. These will be considered as presented to the whole, for the same purpose. [White wampum to the Chippewas and Miamies.]
The Little Turtle, observes: "You have informed us that the treaty of Muskingum shall be the foundation upon which the present treaty shall be founded. That treaty was held by the Six Nations, and by a few young men of the Chippewas, Ottawas, and Pattawatamies. We Miamies and Wabash tribes are totally unacquainted with it." And Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish has also remarked, that the , know nothing of that treaty; it had never reached as far as Michilimackinac.
YOUNGER BROTHERS: In order to refresh your memories, and to bring every article of that treaty fully to your recollection, I will now read and explain it to you. These are the articles of that treaty, made more than six years ago, between the United States of America and the Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pattawatamies, and Sauckeys. [Here was read and explained the treaty of fort Harmar, held in 1789.]
YOUNGER BROTHERS: You have now heard the treaty of Muskingum read and explained to you. It has been for more than six years well understood by many of the chiefs, now present, of those nations who concluded it. And I am persuaded that those who were present, and those who signed it, will have candor sufficient, when they hear their names called over, to acknowledge it as their act and deed, as Masass has freely and sincerely done, the day before yesterday, by which he proved himself to be possessed of a manly, undisguised heart.
YOUNGER BROTHERS: I have now fully explained to you the treaty of fort McIntosh, which was concluded ten years ago; and the treaty of Muskingum, which took place six years since; the boundaries agreed on by the former, are the same that are stipulated by the latter. I have also pointed out a number of chiefs, in this house, who were present at, and signed, those treaties. As I have refreshed their memories in this manner, and read them a few passages of their own speeches and proceedings on those occasions, it is probably they will be able to inform you of every thing relating thereto, and give you full satisfaction on the subject.
I have not more to say at present. I wish you to consider well what I have said to you, that we may be enabled to form a treaty that shall continue unbroken as long as the woods grow and waters run. Think seriously on the great business before you. Consult among yourselves; and, when we meet again, speak your thoughts freely. I am persuaded we shall agree in opinion; and, when we return home, all nations will have cause to rejoice in the good work we have been doing.
Pe-ke-te-le-mund, a Delaware chief, arose, and said:
ELDER BROTHER: We are very happy to meet you here this day. The Great Spirit is kind, in permitting us to meet as brothers. We are pleased with what you have this day said to us. Five days ago you told us what you said last winter to our uncles the Wyandots. 'Tis true, brother, they were the first who then came in to you. We were happy to hear their words when they returned. We sent forward immediately a deputation to you, with our grand children the Shawanese, and with them two prisoners. Brother, when our king returned, and proclaimed the happy news from you, we rejoiced to hear it, and prepared to come in and fulfil what he had promised. We brought in all our prisoners, agreeable to your desire, and in conformity to our chief's engagements.
BROTHER: So far we have evinced our disposition; when we meet again, we shall have more to say upon the good work before us.
Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish, a Chippewa chief, arose, and said:
ELDER BROTHER: I am very glad you have pointed out those of my nation who were at, and signed, the treaty of Muskingum. I did not know them before. That treaty did not reach us who live in Michigan. I am happy in having it now explained. I thank you for expediting our good work. We wish much to return to our families, many of whom have died since we left home.
Council adjourned.
|
TUESDAY, 21st July. |
In Council: Present as before.
Masass, a Chippewa chief, arose, and spoke as follows, in behalf of the three fires, Ottawas, Chippewas, and Pattawatamies:
ELDER BROTHER: I have heard what you said yesterday, and know it to be the same that was said at the treaty of Muskingum. I remember it perfectly well, and thought, whilst I heard you speak it, that it was again renewed. My eyes were opened, and I listened with attention.
ELDER BROTHER: I now address myself to you. You see the fire kindled at Muskingum. I now tell you that some words of that treaty we did not perfectly understand at the time we made it. The Wyandots were foremost at that treaty; we, the three fires, followed them. You there told us that it was not in your name that you treated, but in behalf of the Thirteen Fires which lie along the great water. You told us you would throw the tomahawk in to the river; but you know the waters in our woods are not deep, and some foolish young men have had arms long enough to reach to the bottom, and again take it out. This day we will try to wipe away their bad actions, and to open their hearts to the voice of peace.
ELDER BROTHER: I live at the gate leading to all those nations, and to the Pattawatamies and those living in the prairies, and we, the three fires, will do our utmost to bury the hatchet so deep that it can never be found: for it is this hatchet which has reduced us to misery and wretchedness. I tell you this as the true sentiments of the three nations for whom I speak. I cannot answer for the others.
ELDER BROTHER: You see the wampum I hold is small; our three fires, it would appear, are small also. As the other nations have often told you, they have also told you, that they were masters of the Ottawas, Chippewas, and Pattawatamies, and of their territory. Notwithstanding I am so small a man, I do now, in the name of the three na-
American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
570 |
INDIAN AFFAIRS. |
[1795. |
tions, throw the hatchet into the middle of the great lake, where it will be so
covered with sand, as never to be again found as long as white people and
Indians live.
ELDER BROTHER: This is all these three fires, and the tribe of the Little Turtle, who unites with us in sentiment, have at present to say. The hatchet is now buried forever, and we now expect your assistance. Your officers and our warriors are now around us; let us join sincerely in making a solid and lasting peace. Peace with our three fires is now established. [A string of blue and white wampum.]
ELDER BROTHER: You do not forget any of your words, and I show you this belt, which you gave a great many years ago to Wassung, one of our nation. You told him, at that time, that upon this road he should always come and see you; that he would always find it free from thorns. [Presented a road belt.]
ELDER BROTHER: When you yesterday read to us the treaty of Muskingum, I understood you clearly: at that treaty we had not good interpreters, and we were left partly unacquainted with many particulars of it. I was surprised when I heard your voice, through a good interpreter, say that we had received presents and compensations for those lands which were thereby ceded. I tell you, now, that we, the three fires, never were informed of it; if our uncles, the Wyandots, and grandfathers, the Delawares, have received such presents, they have kept them to themselves. I always thought that we, the Ottawas, Chippewas, and Pattawatamies, were the true owners of those lands, but now I find that new masters have undertaken to dispose of them; so that, at this day, we do not know to whom they, of right, belong: we never received any compensation for them. I don't know how it is, but ever since that treaty, we have become objects of pity; and our fires have been retiring from this country. Now, elder brother, you see we are objects of compassion; and have pity on our weakness and misfortunes; and, since you have purchased these lands, we cede them to you; they are yours. Perhaps, at a future day, your younger brothers may be made happy, by becoming your children, should you extend to us your paternal protection. This is all your younger brothers, the three fires, have to say to you, our elder brother. Now the great men will address you.
Tarke, chief of the Wyandots, arose and said:
Brothers of the fifteen Fires, listen! and you, my nephews, the Delawares and Six Nations, younger brothers, Shawanese and Miamis, and elder brothers, Ottawas, Chippewas, and Pattawatamies; we are here assembled, this day, in the presence of God above.
BROTHERS AMERICANS: Our brothers, the Ottawas, Chippewas, and Pattawatamies, have related to you a little of what happened at the treaty of Muskingum; and observe, that we had sold the lands to you without their consent or knowledge; however, elder brother, I hope you will explain to them how the country was first disposed of into your hands. These people now claim the land, and must establish their right with you. We had, yesterday, some council, among ourselves, on this subject. We feel much alarmed at these words of our brothers, claiming, in this manner, these lands. This is all I have, at present, to say, brothers.
Tarke rose again, and continued thus:
Elder brothers and all nations, we have all assembled to effect a good work. My nephews and I have been talking together, concerning the speech of Masass. We were a little confused by it; and now leave it to our brothers, the Fifteen Fires, to day, whether we shall now speak in answer to it, or consider of it until to-morrow.
The General replied:
YOUNGER BROTHERS:
As I am called upon by the Wyandots to give my opinion, whether they shall, this day answer the speech of Masass, or consider of it till to-morrow, I will give it freely. I do think it will be better to postpone until to-morrow, because, after reflecting coolly, and sleeping, the answer may be more dispassionate, and pleasing to all. I am convinced Masass had no intention to hurt the feelings of his uncle and grand father; he only meant to inform me that he had not received any goods or compensation for the lands ceded by the treaty of Muskingum. When we come into articles presently, for a permanent peace, all those nations, who have any right to the lands in question, shall receive yet further compensation, I hope, to the satisfaction of all parties.
Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish, chief of the Chippewas, thus spoke:
ELDER BROTHER:
I take you by the hand; I now tell you I am not come here to take umbrage at trifles, but to accomplish the great and serious work in which we are engaged. My heart is good, and I will not be interrupted by little things. I now wish to know, in the name of our three fires, how long we may have to remain here on this business. When I first entered this house, my mind was prepared and made up. We live at a great distance from hence, and feel anxious to return.
The General thus replied:
YOUNGER BROTHERS:
It is rather difficult for me to say how many
days it may require, to finally settle this good work. I will, to-morrow,
listen to what our brothers, the Wyandots and others, have to say upon the
speech of Masass, and then I shall be perfectly ready to enter upon the main
object of this meeting, and lay before you the articles of a treaty, which may
establish the happiness and peace of the Fifteen Fires, and of the Indian
nations now assembled.
I have heard the words of my elder brother: he has heard mine: I have reflected coolly: I approve of them; and, what I have said, I will never retract.1
Little Turtle, a Miami chief, arose and spoke as follows:
ELDER BROTHER:
I wish to ask of you, and my brothers present, one question. I would be glad to know what lands have been ceded to you, as I am uninformed in this particular. I expect that the lands on the Wabash, and in this country, belong to me and my people. I now take the opportunity to inform my brothers of the United States, and others present, that there are men of sense and understanding among my people, as well as among theirs, and that these lands were disposed of without our knowledge or consent. I was yesterday surprised, when I heard from our grandfathers, the Delawares, that these lands had been ceded by the British to the Americans, when the former were beaten by, and made peace with, the latter; because you had before told us that it was the Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pattawatamies, and Sauckeys, who had made this cession.
Council adjourned, to meet at 10 o'clock to-morrow.
|
WEDNESDAY, 22d July. |
In Council: Present as before.
The Little Turtle, a Miami chief, arose and spoke as follows:
General WAYNE: I hope you will pay attention to what I now say to you. I wish to inform you where your younger brothers, the Miamies, live, and, also, the Pattawatamies of St. Joseph's, together with the Wabash Indians. You have pointed out to us the boundary line between the Indians and the United States, but I now take the liberty to inform you, that that line cuts off from the Indians a large portion of country, which has been enjoyed by my forefathers time immemorial; without molestation or dispute. The print of my ancestors' houses are every where to be seen in this portion. I was a little astonished at hearing you, and my brothers who are now present, telling each other what business you had transacted together heretofore at Muskingum, concerning this country. It is well known by all my brothers present, that my forefather kindled the first fire at Detroit; from thence, he extended his lines to the head waters of Scioto; from thence, to its mouth; from thence, down the Ohio, to the mouth of the Wabash, and
American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
|
1795.] |
TREATY OF GREENVILLE. |
571 |
from thence to Chicago, on lake Michigan; at this place I first saw my elder
brothers, the Shawanese. I have now informed you of the boundaries of the Miami
nation, where the Great Spirit placed my forefather a long time ago, and
charged him not to sell or part with his lands, but to preserve them for his
posterity. This charge has been handed down to me. I was much surprised to find
that my other brothers differed so much from me on this subject: for their
conduct would lead one to suppose, that the Great Spirit, and their
forefathers, had not given them the same charge that was give to me, but, on
the contrary, had directed them to sell their lands to any white man who wore a
hat, as soon as he should ask it of them. Now, elder brother, your younger
brothers, the Miamies, have pointed out to you their country, and also to our
brothers present. When I hear your remarks and proposals on this subject, I
will be ready to give you an answer: I came with an expectation of hearing you
say good things, but I have not yet heard what I have expected.
BROTHERS: (the Indians,) I expected in this council that our minds would have been made up, and that we should speak with one voice; I am sorry to observe that you are rather unsettled and hasty in your conduct.
Tarke, chief of the Wyandots, arose, and thus spoke:
ELDER BROTHER: Now listen to us! The Great
Spirit above has appointed this day for us to meet together. I shall now
deliver my sentiments to you, the Fifteen Fires. I view you lying in a gore of
blood; it is me, an Indian, who has caused it. Our tomahawk yet remains in your
head; the English gave it to me to place there.
BROTHERS, The Fifteen Fires, listen! You now see that we have buried the hatchet; we still se blood around you, and, in order to clear away all grief, we now wipe away the blood from around you, which, together with the dirt that comes away with it, we bury with the hatchet, in the hole we have made for them, and replace the great tree as it stood before, so that our children, nor our children's children, can ever again discover it.- [Spoken on a blue string attached, and both delivered.]
BROTHERS: Listen! I now wipe your body clean from all blood with this white soft linen, (white wampum) and I do it with as much tenderness as I am capable of. You have appointed this house for the chiefs of the different tribes to sit in with you, and none but good words ought to be spoken in it. I have swept it clean; nothing impure remains in it.
BROTHERS: Listen! We are both placed on this ground. I now wipe the tears from your eyes, and open your ears. I see your throat is so stopped that you are nearly suffocated. I now open your throat, and make i quite clean, that whatever the Great Spirit may think proper for you to swallow, may go down without any obstruction. I see, also, that your heart is not in its true situation; I now place it in its proper position, that any thing you may hear from us, your brothers, may descend directly to it, and what you shall say may come with truth and ease from it.
BROTHER: I clear away yon hovering clouds, that we may enjoy a clear bright day, and easily see the sun, which the Great Spirit has bestowed on us, rise and set continually.- [A white string.]
BROTHER: Listen to us, all Indians, who now speak to you! The bones which lie scattered of your ancient warriors, who fell in defence of the present cause, we gather all together, and bury them now; and place this white board over them, that they may never again be seen by our posterity.- [A white and blue belt and string.]
BROTHER WARRIOR: Listen to us! the great chiefs are now about to speak to you. You, chiefs and warriors present, listen also!
BROTHER: We speak not from our lips, but from our hearts, when we are resolved upon good works. I always told you that I never intended to deceive you, when we entered upon this business; it was never the intention of the Indians to do so. I speak from my heart what I now say to you. The Great Spirit is now viewing us, and did he discover any baseness or treachery, it would excite his just anger against us.
BROTHER: Listen to me! We are all of one mind who are here assembled; this is a business not to be trifled with; it is a matter of the utmost concern to us. We happily so far agree in handling our ancestors' records, who always worked for peace.
BROTHER: You have proposed to us to build our good work on the treaty of Muskingum; that treaty I have always considered as formed upon the fairest principles. You took pity on us Indians; You did not do as our fathers the British agreed you should. You might, by that agreement, have taken all our lands; but you pitied us, and let us hold part. I always looked upon that treaty to be binding upon the United States and us Indians.
BROTHER: Listen to us Indians; I told you just now, that we were upon business of the greatest moment; I now conclude the great good works we have been employed in, and with this I cover the whole earth, that it may appear white, and shine all over the world. I hope the Great Spirit will have pity on us, and make this work lasting.- [Four large mixed belts presented.]
BROTHER: I am going to relate to you the treaty made at Muskingum, in a few words. I have not forgot that treaty, neither have you; at that time we settled a peace between the Delawares, Six Nations, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pattawatamies, and us Wyandots. It is very true there were not so many different nations then assembled as are now present. We now establish a general, permanent, and lasting peace, for ever.
BROTHERS: We are all sensible, that when you struck the boundary at that time, it run from Tuscarawas to a little below Loromies, where the fort stood which was destroyed in 1752. I understand the line has since been moved a little towards us. Be strong, brothers, and fulfil your engagements.
BROTHERS: Listen! I have told you that I speak from my heart; you see the speeches I have delivered; peruse them, and see whether or not I have spoken with sincerity; this is all your brothers, of the different nations present, have this day to say to you.- [A large belt.]
The General arose and spoke as follows:
YOUNGER BROTHERS: I have listened, with great attention, to every thing you have said this day. I find the hatchet has been buried by all the nations present. I shall peruse these belts, speeches, and boundaries, now laid before me, with great attention, and I am convinced they will agree with the records in my possession. The day is far spent, and we will now separate, to meet again to-morrow morning at ten o'clock, and proceed in this good work.
Council adjourned.
|
THURSDAY, 23d July. |
In Council: Present as before.
Blue Jacket, a Shawanese chief, arose, and addressed the Indians as follows:
BROTHERS:
I hope you will not take amiss my changing my seat in this council. You all know the Wyandots are our uncles, and the Delawares our grandfathers; and that the Shawanese are the elder brothers of the other nations present: it is therefore proper that I should sit next my grandfathers and uncles. I hope, younger brothers, you are all satisfied with what our uncles said yesterday, and that I have done every thing in my power, at all times, to advise and support you.
Au-goosh-a-way, an Ottawa chief, spoke as follows:
BROTHERS, THE INDIANS:
When I last had my calumet of peace, our elder brothers, the Shawanese, were not present; I now offer it to them, that the sentiments of their hearts may be similar to ours: all you nations present, you know this to be the calumet of the three fires. It is six years since it was sent from the North to Michilimackinac, to the three
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