W-469(2), p. 1
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Fort Wayne 6th oct 1804 |
Dear genl
Not withstanding it is some years now since I have had the honor of seing you I have always held you in friendly rememberence, and one who was a Father and a friend to me-
I remain yet at this place where you placest me, and was three years ago appointed agent of Indian affairs for the Delaware Poutawatames miamies and Eel river Indians at a salerry[sic] of 750 pear year and 4 rations per Day- which is sufficient to in able me to Live comfortable and contented, our Friend the Little turtle was at my House this morning and asked me where you was when I told him he requested me to write to you the following words-
My Brother and friend Wilkinson
It is now some time since I heard from you I am well and hope you are well. The Indians in this country have been well pleased with the united states ever since the treaty of greenvill and all ways expected that their father the president of the united states loved his red children as he did his white ones
My friend I am sorry now to say that the Indians are astonished to find an agent of the united states purchesing our Lands from Indians that has no right to sell them and intierly[sic] contrary to the wish of all the Indians in this county.
My friend I do not think this is the intention of our father the president and council of the united states for I know that they have more Lands already then they can Settle and cannot see what use the land that governor Harrison has been buying from the
W-469(2), p. 2
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Delawars and Piankashaws can be to the united states when it is so offincive to
the Indians
My friend myself with others of my County men has for this ten years past looked forward with pleasing mind to the time when the united states would Learn us Indians to prefer farming to Hunting at which time we would so that we had more Lands then we wanted and when we would be disposed to give them to the united states for som[e]thing that would be of more serveice to us, and at which time probably the united states would be more in want of Land then they are at present and when they would be willing to give us more for our Lands then they would be willing to do at present
My friend I shall request the President to not pass the treaty concluded between the Indians and governor Harrison at vincennes, and asshure him if he does that his children will have no confidence in him he has sent governor Harrison to this county to take care of his red children and render them services
But in place of the governors doing us good he has done us more harm than any man that ever came in to our County he has made new chiefs among us and payed no regard to the wishes of our former ones he has gave Indians titles to Lands that never had any and after words purchesed the same Lands from them for the united states, and I am afraid that he has made many representations to the president respecting the wish of the Indians- in this county- in order to make him self a great man at the expence of the Indians- in fact he has struck our existence at the root and I am afraid that his conduct will finally set us at war with each other My friend I wish you to make my mind known to my father the president tell him that myself
W-469(2), p. 3
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with others of my countymen do not believe that he wishes to purches our county
from us contrary to our wish and just at a time when his red children begins to
believe that he was adopting measures among them that would finally make them
happy [the] above sire are the words that the turtle requested me to write you,
and I am certain that the Indians would wish a war with the united states
rather then sell the Lands that lay on the ohio above the mouth of the Wabash
and below the falls that was latly purchesed by governor Harrison for the
united states from the Delawar and piankashaws- if they had any prospect of
being supported by any foreign power-
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I have the honor to be sir with |
Genl
James Wilkinson
H-346 (2), p. 1
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Vincennes 3rd March 1805 |
Sir
Such has been the irregularity of the Mails from the severity of the Winter that your favor of the 17th of January did not reach me until a few days ago. The same cause must have retarded my letter of the 14th of Decr which I suppose had not been received when yours of the above date was written.
Captn Wells has certainly not exerted himself to pacify the Indians who have taken offince at the late Treaties with the Delawares & Pinakeshaws. It is equally certain that the disaffected are not as numerous as he has stated them to be & that those who have expressed discontent have been instigated thereto entirely by the Turtle. Whether the idea of opposition to those Treaties orriginated With himself or with Mr Wells I cannot determine but that the opinions of the one are always the opinions of the other I have long known The Turtle has considerable influence over the Five Medals and some other of the Putawatimie Chiefs & I beleive that Captain Wells and himself controle entirely the Small band of Eel River Indians. But when Wells speaks of the Miami Nation being of this or that opinion he must be understood as meaning no more that the Turtle & himself. Nine thenths of that Tribe Who acknowledge Richardville & Peccan for their Chiefs (but who are really governed by an Artful fellow called the Owl or long beard whom you once saw at the Seat of Government) utterly abhor both Wells & the Turtle. On this occasion however they may have been induced to join in the clamor from the expectation of deriving some advantage from it.
After a careful and dispassionate consideration of the Subject I can see no reason to alter the opinion I had formed that neither the Miamis nor the Putawatomies have any just claim either in Common or otherwise to any part of the Tract ceded to the United States by the Delawares & Piankeshaws. The Delaware claim to that particular Tract was derived from Present occupancy and from a grant said to have been made to them upward of thirty years ago by the Piankeshaws. When the French first descended the Wabash the Piankashaws Were found in the possession of the Country on either side of that River from its Mouth at least as high up as the Vermilion & the possession of it has never been disputed excepting by the Delawares who
H-346 (2), p. 2
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claimed under the Piankeshaws & the Weas who have occupied the Country
above Point Coupee since their Towns at Ouiatenon Were destroyed by Genls
Scott & Wilkinson in the year 1791.
That the Piankeshaws are a Tribe of the large Confederacy which obtained the appilation of Miamis from the superior Size of the particular Tribe to which that name more properly belongs is not denied. The tie however which united them with their bretheren has become so feeble that for many years past the connection has been scarcely acknowledged. For a considerable time anticedent to the Treaty of Greeneville the Piankeshaws found it necessary to adopt a different policy from that which was persued by the Tribes their Allies. Three Considerable bodies of Men led into the heart of their Country by General Clark between the years 1779 & 1786 convinced them that their Union with the Miamis could not afford them the safety & protection which was no doubt the object of it- Several conferences were held between General Clark & his officers and their Chiefs which resulted in the establishment of peace between them & the United States the proceedings at one of these Conferrences is presented in Imlays History of Kentucky Vol. 2nd page 79. And no mention is made of the Miami Nation.
The assertion of Wells in his letter to you of the 7th Decr that for upwards of 20 years which he had Known the Indians in this quarter Nothing of importance had ever been transacted by the Piankeshaws and Kaskaskias Without the consent of the Miamis is a notorious falsehood. A treaty was made at this place in the year 1792 by Genl. Putnam With the Piankeshaws and Weas and peace established between those Tribes and the United States- the Miamis were not parties to this Treaty and Continued their hostilities against us until they were compelled to sue for Peace in the year 1795. Mr. Wells was present at Putnams Treaty and I believe was employed as an interpreter.
Altho the language Customs and manners of the Kaskaskias make it sufficiently certain that they derive the Origen from the Same Source as the Miamis the connection had been dissolved even before the French had penetrated from Canada to the Mississippi. At that time a confederacy of five Tribes existed in the Illinois Country composed of the Tribes called the Peorias, Kaskaskias Mitchegams, Cahokias, and Tamarois. There are persons now alive who remember when these Confederates could bring into the field upwards of 2000 warriors. A long and unsuccessful war with the Sacs (in which they received no
H-346 (2), p. 3
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assistance from the Miamis) has reduced them to the contemptable band which
follows Ducoign and a remnant of Peorias who procure a Miserable subsistence by
begging & stealing from the Inhabitants of St. Genevieve- And even these
wretched beings have been proscribed by those very Putawatimies who according to
Mr. Wells have been and still are so closely united with the Miamis with which
they are said to form one Nation. The fear of extirpation by the Potawatimies
was one of the principal inducements with the Kaskaskias to Commit themselves
entirely to the protection of the United States.
The Kaskaskia Tribe never lifted the Tomhawk against the United States. The Miamis during the whole war with the North Western Indians Were amongst the most active of their enemies and the most difficult to bring to a final accommodation.
The Piankeshaws altho they gave assistance to the other Tribes in the commencement of the War seceded from the Confederacy & made peace with us three years before the Miamis.
If then the Piankeshaws and Kaskaskias were competent to the important concerns of making Peace & War without the consent of the Miamis, they must be equally so to sell land. Which is acknowledgedly theirs & which is no longer useful to them. The Treaty of Greeneville contains nothing to authorise the belief that those two Tribes were considered at that time dependent upon the Miamis. None of their chiefs were present. They did not think it necessary to go as one of them had never been at War with the United States & the other had made peace three years before. But it was considered just that they should participate in the bounty of the United States for that purpose their names were introduced into the Treaty and the Weas (not the Miamis) their nearest neighbours were requested to sign for them.
Inclosed is an address of the Turtles to Wells which he desired might be sent to me for the Purpose of convincing me that the Piankeshaws had no right to sell their lands. I can see nothing in it however to weaken what I have advanced above. It is my decided opinion that the U. S. have the right to Treat with either of the Tribes who were parties to the Treaty of Greeneville. Motives of humanity will always prevent them from purchasing lands which cannot be conveniently spared & the interest of those who without having any just claim to the land but who may desire their support from it, will be attended to. These principles are exemplified by the Treaties
H-346 (2), p. 4
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made with two Tribes for one tract of land when a complete & legal
title might perhaps have been obtained by the extinction of the claims of one.
The Tract purchased of the Delawares & Piankeshaws is not nor never has been since my arrival in this Country frequented as a Hunting ground by either the Miamis or Putawatimies. None of the Indians go there to hunt buffaloes (as Mr. Wells has asserted) not an Animal of that Kind having been seen within that tract for several years. Nor is its generally flat surface well calculated for the residence of bears.
The Putawatimies so far from having any claim to land on the South East side of the Wabash acknowledge that they have trespassed upon the Miamis by settling on the North bank of that river & it has been an object with the Turtle & Wells for several years to get them to remove.
You will perceive by my letter to Mr. Wells a copy of which was inclosed in mine to you of the 14th Decr that I had directed him to send the Putawatomie and Miami Chiefs to me at this place. The Little Turtle has declined the invitation and gives the Artful & Mischevous reason which you will see in the enclosed address & I am persuaded that he will make every exertion in his power to prevent my seeing the Putawatimies at any other place than Fort Wayne. I do not know whether Wells has informed the Putawatimie Chiefs of my wishes to have an interview with them in his answer to my letter he contents himself with announcing the refusal of the Turtle.
As there can be no doubt but that everything that can be advanced in favor of the Miami claim is to be found in the Turtle's Address to the President, in that to Mr. Wells in Well's own letters the matter will be fully before the President & I must beg for further instructions Unless it is determined to admit the principle that the Delawares and Piankeshaws had no right to sell their land without the consent of the Miamis Putawatimies &etc. it will be improper in my opinion to have a public conference on the subject as it will be necessary to invite not only the chiefs of those two Tribes but those of the Weas Eel River Kickapoo & Shawnoe Tribes & I know that they can never be convinced without a gratification which will considerably exceed the original purchase money.
H-346 (2), p. 5
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From the enclosed address of Wells which is said to have been made to the Miami
chiefs but which I am convinced was made to the Turtle alone I am afraid that
he has misunderstood your instructions. He assures the Indians that if they can
shew a just claim to the land in question restitution will instantly be
made. He uses the same expression in the letter which enclosed the address.
The violent opposition which the Turtle has made to the Delaware & Piankeshaw Treaties is easily accounted for. Conscious of the superiority of his Talents over the rest of his race & colour he sighs for a more conspicuous theatre to display them. Opportunities for exhibiting his eloquence occur too seldom to satisfy his vanity and the subjects which are generally discussed in the councils of the few chiefs who adhere to him, are too contemptable to gratify his ambition. A closer connexion among the neighbouring Tribes and a regular convention of their chiefs has long been the ruling wish of his heart & the object of numberless intrigues. An attachment for his person, a submissive defference to his talents, or a supposed coincidence of interests has caused the Agent of the United States to adopt the opinions & promote the views of the Turtle to the utmost extent of his public as well as private influence. The propriety of delivering at Fort Wayne the annuities for the Tribes on the lower part of the Wabash & of obliging them (the Weas particularly) to remove to the neighborhood of that place & the benefits that would result to the United States as well as to the Indians by an annual assemblage of the chiefs of all the Tribes at which all business was to be transacted has been often pressed upon me. The Treaties with the Kaskaskias or the Delaware & Piankeshaw Tribes has given a mortal stab to this favorite scheme and altho I am convinced that very few of the Indians feel any injury from those Treaties it is very easy to persuade them that they have been injured.
Capt. Wells's Conduct in this affair certainly deserves severe animadversion, I think it probable however that he did not foresee the consequences of it to the public interests and that some ridiculous spice of jealousy towards myself may have mingled itself with his motives. In order to prevent the like in future and to secure a just & proper dependence upon the Head of the Department I must take the liberty to recommend that he may be informed by you that the approbation of the President & of the Continuance of his favour will depend upon the reports which I may make of the zeal & fidelity with which he seconds me in executing the orders of the government.
H-346 (2), p. 6
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There is perhaps no department which requires greater unanimity amongst the
agents than that which has the management of Indian affairs. The jealousy of
those people is so easily excited that a single artful observation is
frequently sufficient to defeat the best concerted plans even when on the point
of conclusion.
I was not present when the Miamis recognized the Title of the Delawares to the country between the White River and the Ohio but I have no doubt of the fact it came to my knowledge in the following manner. I did myself the honor to inform you after my return from Fort Wayne in the year 1803 that the Owl or long beard had with very considerable address prevented the great body of the Miamis from attending my summons to meet me at Fort Wayne for the purpose of receiving their annuities & concluding the Treaty, the preliminaries of which had been fixed at this place the preceding fall & that after waiting for them a considerable time I was forced to content myself with the signatures of Richardville the Sachem of the Nation & the Turtle. Two days after the Treaty had been signed and at the very moment of my departure, the Owl arrived with a principal chief called Peccan a number of Minor Chiefs & 100 or 150 Warriors. It was a matter of importance to expose to the Miamis the arts of the Owl & to explain to them the conditions of the Treaty. A council was therefore appointed for the next day and all the chiefs of the other Tribes who were still within reach (for some of them had returned) were requested to attend- the time for the meeting of the council arrived but neither the Miamis nor the Delawares appeared. After waiting for them a considerable time I was informed that those two Tribes were in council together & soon time after the Delawares arrived- there were then with me General Gibson Wm. Wells The Turtle & a few of his followers and some Putawatimie Chiefs. Tetohoscke the Delaware Sachem produced a belt of Wampum and addressing himself to me through Genl. Gibson observed that the Miami Chiefs had that morning with the consent of all their warriors acknowledged their right to the lands between the White River & the Ohio & had given them that wampum to commemorate the transaction. The Miamis joined in immediately after and as soon as I had reproached them with their improper & disrespectful conduct & explained the artifices by which the Owl had mislead & embarrassed their affairs I was obliged to leave the conclusion of the council to Mr Wells & set out on my return as I had upwards of thirty miles to ride on that day to the place where my boat had been left on the Wabash & the Water was falling so rapidly as to make the utmost expedition necessary to secure my passage. The Miamis were induced to take this step by the
H-346 (2), p. 7
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persuasions of the Owl & his object was to strengthen his party by
gaining over the Delawares an object which engaged the Turtles attention at
that time also. The charges which the Turtle has brought against me in his
address to the President I should have passed over without an observation if he
had not hinted at the use of unfair means in procuring the consent of the
Indians to the Treaties I have made with them & as I have never before that
I recollect informed you of my mode of proceeding on these occasions I have
thought it proper to do [so at the present] moment. Whenever the Indians have
assembled for any Public purpose the use of ardent spirits has been strictly
interdicted until the object for which they were convened was accomplished
& if in spite of my vigilance it had been procured a stop was immediately
put to all business until it was consumed & its effects completely over.
Every conference with the Indians has been in public. All persons who choose to
attend were admitted and the most intelligent & respectable characters in
the neighborhood specially invited to witness the fairness of the trans[action.
No treaty] has ever been signed until each article was particularly &
repeatedly explained by the most capable and confidential Interpreters.
Sketches of the tract of country about to be ceded have always been submitted
to the Indians & their own rough delineations made on the floor with a bit
of charcoal have proved their perfect comprehension of its situation &
extent.
As I am convinced that it will [be a]lmost impossible to get the Miami and Putawatimi chiefs here under present circumstances I [have] held myself in readiness to proceed to Fort Wayne immediately upon the receipt of your answer when I hope to be indulged with your particular instructions. By an indirect channel I am informed that it is in contemplation to continue the United States road which is completed as far as Dayton on the Miami to this place. [I fear that it] will be very difficult to prevail on the Indians to consent to it.
Richardville the Sachem or Principal Chief of the Miamis whose father was a Frenchman carries on a small trade with that Tribe. He generally procures his goods on the British side of the lakes & the Duties have always been exacted from
H-346 (2), p. 8
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him by the Collector of Detroit Contrary in my opinion to the Treaty with Great
Britain. He has applied to me for redress- if you should think as I do I must
beg your interference to relieve him from the Duties in future. There is no
doubt of his attachment to our interests.
I have lately received intelligence from the Arkansau informing me that the Osages have plundered the Traders & other inhabitants upon that River to an immense amount.
I have the Honor to be with perfect Esteem & Respect
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Your Hum Servt
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The Hon. HENRY DEARBORN Esqu.
Secy of War
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