|
HARRISON: MESSAGES AND LETTERS |
167 |
This ACT shall commence and be in force when and as soon as the Governor
of this Territory shall be officially notified that the States of Kentucky and
Ohio and the Territories of Louisiana and Michigan have passed or shall pass
Laws for prohibiting the sale or gift of intoxicating liquors to Indians within
their respective states and Territories and it shall continue in force so long
as the said acts made or to be made in the said States or Territories shall
continue in force therein. The Governor of the Territory is requested to
transmit copies of this law to the Governors of the several States and
Territories above mentioned.
|
WILLM. HENRY HARRISON |
Approved August
15th 1805.
|
Secretary's office Vincennes, Sept 6th 1805. |
I do certify the above
is a true copy of the original act deposited in this office.
|
JESSE B. THOMAS Speaker of the House of
Representatives, |
JNO. GIBSON, Secretary.
BILL OF INDIAN GOODS
The United States
To GEO. WALLACE4
Junior and Co. Dr. for the following articles furnished GEORGE WHITE EYES a
Delaware by order of Gov. HARRISON, viz:
1805
|
Sept. 9th |
To Castor hat |
@36p |
1 16 0 |
The United States
To GEO. WALLACE Junior & Co. for the following articles furnished LAPOUSSIER5 a Weatmaw Chief by order of Governor HARRISON, viz.
Chief by order of Governor HARRISON, viz.
1805
|
Sept. 20th |
To 3 1/2 yds. Superfine blue cloth |
@42p |
7 7 0 |
The United States
To GEO. WALLACE Junior
& Co. Dr. for the following articles furnish WINNEMAC6 a
Patawatami Chief by order of Governor HARRISON Viz
1805
|
Sept 27th To 1 Man Saddle |
$15 £ 4 10 0 |
4. George Wallace was an early American settler at Vincennes. His name
appears on the militia roll, as a justice, a trustee of Vincennes university
and as an attorney, son-in-law of John Gibson.
5. Lapoussier, Laboussier, or Labossier, attached his name to a number of treaties with Harrison. He was the spokesman of the Weas whose home was not far below Lafayette. Burton, Historical Collection, 103.
6. Winamac was the chief of the
Pottawattomies who opposed Tecumseh, but later led in the massacre of Fort
Dearborn. Soon after this, Nov. 22, 1812, he was killed by chief Logan of the
Shawnees in a hand-to-hand encounter. Hodge, Handbook of Indians, I, 956.
214 |
INDIANA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS |
our government to the reproach of having violated its most solemn engagements.
You are therefore hereby directed to take
immediate measures to have the militia of the Town of Kaskaskias and its
vicinity in readiness to repel any attack that may be made upon them and in
order that your protection should be as effectual as possible I have directed
the Chief [Ducoigne] to put himself and his tribe under your orders and not to
suffer them to leave the town without your permission- this permission should
not be given unless you should think proper to employ them as scouts until it
is ascertained that they can go out in safety. I have requested Michael Jones
Esq. to supply them with provisions and ammunition and with this gentleman to
whom I have hitherto entrusted the management of the Indian business in the
Illinois country you will please to consult on the measures to be adopted to
carry the Orders contained in this letter into effect. It will be necessary
that every party of Indians who may come into your vicinity should be watched
and that they should be informed of the directions you have received to protect
the Kaskaskians and this I hope will be sufficient to prevent their attempting
to do them any farther mischief. I have sent a message [See next number] to the
Chiefs of the Illinois Kickapoos through the Chief of that Nation who resides
on the Vermilion and a duplicate of the same to Mr. Jones who will convey it to
them by some intelligent person who understands their language. You will please
to communicate to me as soon as possible any information you may possess
relative to the late murder of the Kaskaskian Indian which will lead to a
discovery of the perpetrators and whether it proceeded from an accidental
rencounter or a determination upon the part of the Tribe to which they belonged
to make War upon the Kaskaskians.
I am most respectfully your humble servt.
|
Signed W. H. H. |
Col. [Pierre] Menard1 as the
Commanding Officer of The Militia of Randolph County
1. Pierre Menard was one of three brothers (Pierre, Hypelite and Francis)
who came to Kaskaskia from Canada. Pierre was born in 1767 and fairly well
educated. He reached Vincennes in 1794 and worked for Vigo. He went with Vigo
in 1799 to meet Washington. For a time he was a partner of Dubois in Vincennes.
He spent his life in the Indian trade- a large part of the time in official
capacity. He was often elected to civil office, being the first lieutenant
governor of Ill. He died in Kaskaskia in 1844. Reports, Pioneer Illinois, ?
(illeg. copy).
|
HARRISON: MESSAGES AND LETTERS |
347 |
rolls are now preparing, as soon as they are finished they shall be forwarded.
I have the honor to be most respectfully
|
Yours,
|
The Honble. The SECRETARY OF WAR
SECRETARY OF WAR TO HARRISON
|
WAR DEPARTMENT 4 June 09 |
WM. HY. HARRISON, Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of the several letters of your Excellency, dated the
11th 18th & 26th of April and of the 3rd & 16th of May, the
latter containing the agreeable information of the dispersion of the hostile
Combination of the Savages in your vicinity. It was apprehended from the first
accounts that more serious consequences might ensue but a reliance on your
opinion & judgment encouraged a belief, in the favorable termination which
has taken place. It is with great satisfaction that I now request that you will
be pleased to accept an assurance of my own, as I perceived you already possess
the entire confidence of the executive in your Communications, together with
their approbation of the measures adopted by your Excellency which have
undoubtedly had their influence in producing the result.
The proposal to extinguish the Indian
Title to certain Lands East of the Wabash will be attended to- Your Excellency
will be satisfied that a proposal of this kind, will excite no disagreeable
apprehension and produce no undesirable effects before It shall be made.
On reinforcing the old or establishing new
posts on the western Frontiers, there has been some difference of opinion. A
permanent reinforcement of St. Louis & Detroit appears desirable. May I
avail the public of your military experience & general knowledge of the
country by asking your opinion generally on the subject.
With great respect &c.
|
HARRISON: MESSAGES AND LETTERS |
357 |
Wabash and adjoining south on the lines of the Treaties of Fort Wayne and
Grouseland. The compensation to be paid for this extinguishment should not
exceed the rate heretofore given for the Indian title to Lands in that quarter;
to prevent any future dissatisfaction, Chiefs of all the Nations who have or
pretend right to these lands, should be present at the Treaty; and, if
practicable, the cession should be obtained without leaving any reservations.
It is discretionary with you to stipulate in what manner the consideration
shall be paid; whether in a gross sum payable after the ratification of the
Treaty by instalments or in annuity for years or perpetuity, or partly in both
these modes, as you may deem most expedient. The payment by instalments is
preferred. For the expences attending the Treaty or Treaties, you will draw on
this Department, except for the Provisions, which you will require of the
Contractor, unless some other Person will agree to furnish them below Contract
price.
Besides reasonable expences, you will be
allowed, six dollars per day and the Secretary to the Commission, should one be
necessary, three dollars per day, while actually employed.
A Diary of the proceedings should be kept
by the Commission or the Secretary, and a certified copy thereof, forwarded
with the Treaty to this Department.
I am, Sir, respectfully &c.
PROCLAMATION, SALE OF LIQUOR
|
August 23, 1809 |
A conference being about
to be held at this place with sundry tribes of Indians the Governor agreeably
to the Laws of the Territory issued in his Proclamation prohibiting the sale of
spirits or any other intoxicating Liquors to any Indian or Indians at Vincennes
or within thirty miles of the same during the said conference. [Abstract]
PROCLAMATION: CONVENING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
|
August 31, 1809 |
Whereas, the circumstances
of the Territory require that the Legislature should be convened; I have
therefore thought
396 |
INDIANA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS |
factory. As soon as they are ratified and the appropriations made your
Excellency will be advised.
I am, very respectfully, &c. &c.
&c.
HARRISON TO SECRETARY OF WAR
|
VINCENNES 10th Decr. 1809 |
SIR:
The Kickapoo Chiefs having arrived at this
place a few days ago and the late Treaty at fort Wayne having been carefully
explained to them their consent has been obtained to the cession north west of
the Wabash and also a further extinguishment of Title as high up as the
Vermilion River. I was extremely anxious that the cession should have been
extended to the river by the Treaty of Fort Wayne, but it was objected to
because it would include a Kickapoo Village. This small tract (of about 20
miles square) is one of the most beautiful that can be conceived, is moreover
believed to contain a very rich copper mine. I have myself frequently seen
specimens of the copper one of which I sent to Mr. Jefferson in 1802. The
Indians were extremely jealous of any search being made for this mine that the
Traders were always cautioned not to approach the hills which are supposed to
contain the mine. I observe that copper mines are not reserved by the law of
Congress regulating the sales of the land of the United States but it ought to
be done at this cession if it is supposed to be an object worth attending to.
As I know that there are individuals who have turned their attention towards
this mine and will probably prevail upon the Indians to show them the mine and
for a large reward conceal it from the knowledge of the Government or those
whom they might employ to search for it. The Treaty [Dec. 9, 1809] is herewith
inclosed and I hope it will prove satisfactory. I shall immediately dispatch a
speech to the Miamies to communicate the new cession to them. I am greatly
obliged by the payment of my draft of the 18th February last in favour of
George Wallace Jur. for $189.55. I have this day drawn upon in favour of Peter
Jones and Company for fifty dollars on account of my last services in
negotiating the late Treaties but I shall take care to leave a sufficiency due
me on that account to cover the aforesaid ad-
|
HARRISON: MESSAGES AND LETTERS |
397 |
vance of $189.55. But in the mean time I must beg you to defer your final
decision against that article of the General account rendered last Winter which
charged for furnishing a room for Conference Treaty and with the Indians. As I
am persuaded I have it in my power to convince you of the reasonableness and
justice of the charge.
I have the honor to with the greatest respect
|
Sir, your humble
Servt
|
The Honble. WILLIAM EUSTIS, Esq. Secretary
of War
|
Dec. 9, 1809 |
A Treaty between the United States of
America and the Kickapoo tribe of Indians.
William Henry Harrison, Governor of the
Indiana territory, and commissioner plenipotentiary of the United States for
treating with the Indian tribes northwest of the Ohio, and the sachems and war
chiefs of the Kickapoo tribe, on the part of the said tribe, have agreed to the
following articles, which, when ratified by the President, by and with the
advice of the Senate, shall be binding on said parties.
Article 1. The ninth article of the
treaty concluded at fort Wayne, on the thirtieth of September last, and the
cession it contains, is, hereby, agreed to by the Kickapoos, and a permanent
additional annuity of four hundred dollars, and goods to the amount of eight
hundred dollars, now delivered, is to be considered as a full compensation for
the said cession.
Art. 2. The said tribe further agrees
to cede to the United States, all that tract of land which lies between the
tract above ceded, the Wabash, the Vermillion river, and a line to be drawn
from the north corner of the said ceded tract, so as to strike the Vermillion
river at the distance of twenty miles, in a direct line from its mouth. For
this cession, a further annuity of one hundred dollars, and the sum of seven
hundred dollars, in goods, now delivered, is considered as a full compensation.
But, if the Miamies should not be willing to sanction the latter cession, and
the United States should not think proper to take possession of the land
without their consent, they shall be released from the obligation to pay the
additional annuity of one hundred dollars.
|
HARRISON: MESSAGES AND LETTERS |
637 |
Erie, the Miami river, and the claim of the Shawanoese upon the Auglaize, a
branch of the latter. They also claim the lands they live on near Detroit, but
I am ignorant to what extent.
The Wyandots of Sandusky have adhered to
us through the war. Their chief, the Crane, is a venerable, intelligent, and
upright man. Within the tract of land claimed by the Wyandots a number of
Senecas are settled. They broke off from their own tribe six or eight years
ago, but receive a part of the annuity granted that tribe by the U. States, by
sending a deputation for it to Buffaloe. The claim of the Wyandots to the land
they occupy, is not disputed, that I know of by any other tribe. Their
residence on it however, is not of long standing, and the country was certainly
once the property of the Miamies.
Passing westwardly from the Wyandots, we
meet with the Shawonese settlement at Stony creek, a branch of the big Miami,
and at Wapockaunata on the Auglaize. These settlements were made immediately
after the treaty of Greenville, and with the consent of the Miamies, whom I
consider the real owners of those lands. The chiefs of this band of Shawanoese,
Blackhoof, Wolf, and Lewis, are attached to us from principle as well as
interest- they are honest men.
The Miamies have their principal
settlements at the forks of the Wabash, thirty miles from fort Wayne; and at
Mississineway, thirty miles lower down. A band of them under the name of weas,
have resided on the Wabash sixty miles above Vincennes; and another under the
Turtle on Eel river, a branch of the Wabash, twenty miles northwest of fort
Wayne. By an artifice of the Little Turtle these three bands were passed on
general Wayne as distinct tribes, and an annuity was granted to each. The Eel
river and Weas however to this day call themselves Miamies, and are recognized
as such by the Mississineway band. The Miamies, Maumees, or Tewicktovies, are
the undoubted proprietors of all that beautiful country which is watered by the
Wabash and its branches; and there is as little doubt, that their claim
extended at least as far east as the Scioto. They have no tradition of removing
from any other quarter of the country; where as all the neighboring tribes, the
Piankishaws, excepted, who are a branch of the Miamies, are either intruders
upon them, or have been
638 |
INDIANA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS |
permitted to settle in their country. The Wyandots emigrated first from lake
Ontario, and subsequently from lake Huron- the Delawares, from Pennsylvania and
Maryland- the Shawanoese from Georgia- the Kickapoos and Potawatamies from the
country between lake Michigan and the Mississippi- and the Ottawas and Chipewas
from the penninsula formed by the lakes Michigan, Huron, and St. Clair, and the
streight connecting the latter with Erie. The claims of the Miamies were
bounded on the north and west by those of the Illinois confederacy, consisting
originally of five tribes, called Kaskaskias, Cahokias, Peorians, Michiganians,
and Temarois, speaking the Miami language, and no doubt branches of that
nation.
When I was first appointed governor of
Indiana Territory, these once powerful tribes were reduced to about thirty
warriors, of whom twenty-five were Kaskasias, four Peorians, and a single
Michiganian. There was an individual lately alive at St. Louis, who saw the
enumeration made of them by the Jesuits in the year 1745, making the number of
warriors four thousand. A furious war between them and the Sacs, and Kickapoos,
reduced them to that miserable remnant, which had taken refuge amongst the
white people of the towns of Kaskaskia and St. Genevieve. The Kickapoos had
fixed their principal village at Peoria, upon the south bank of the Illinois
river, whilst the Sacs remained masters of the country to the north.
During the war of our revolution, the
Miamies had invited the Kickapoos into their country to assist them against the
whites, and a considerable village was formed by that tribe on the Vermillion
river near its junction with the Wabash. After the treaty of Greenville, the
Delawares had with the approbation of the Miamies, removed from the mouth of
the Auglaize to the head waters of White river, a large branch of the Wabash
and the Potawatamies without their consent had formed two villages upon the
latter river, one at Tippecanoe, and the other at Chippoy twenty-five miles
below.
The Piankishaws lived in the neighbourhood
of Vincennes, which was their ancient village, and claimed the lands to the
mouth of the Wabash, and to the north and west as far as the Kaskaskians
claimed. Such was the situation of the tribes, when I received the instructions
of President Jefferson shortly
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