USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Discovery and conquests of the Northwest, with the history of Chicago, Vol. I > Part 25
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The first day brought the army to the banks of the Big Miami, where Fort Hamilton was built, which is the site of the present beautiful city of Hamilton, twenty- four miles north of Cincinnati.
Continuing northwardly forty-two miles, Fort Jeffer- son was built on the 24th, six miles south of the present town of Greenville, in Darke county. Delays in the arrival of provisions for the troops caused murmuring among the militia, and three hundred of them deserted. On the 30th, the army made another advance of seven miles.
On the 3d of November it had arrived at the head waters of the Wabash, where it encamped in order of battle, as the enemy were supposed to be near.
The next day, before sunrise, just after the early morning drill, an advanced corps of the army were attacked and driven in with great precipitancy upon the main body. Little Turtle, who commanded the Indians, with his natural penetration, made the most of this success by following it up with such promptness that the disorder in St. Clair's army, occasioned by his dashing charge, was never fully recovered from, although the action soon became general, and several successful bayonet charges under Col. Darke caused the Indians
280
Defeat of the Americans.
to retreat for a short time, but only to renew the battle more fiercely than ever.
At nine o'clock it became evident to St. Clair that the day was lost. One-third of his men lay dead or wounded on the ground, which they could no longer de- fend. The artillery was silent for the want of men to serve it. General Butler, the second in command, lay mortally wounded, while St. Clair's own clothes were pierced with bullets; for he, with his accustomed cour- age, had shared the dangers of the soldiers.
Under these distressing circumstances, he executed a skillful maneuver in the face of the triumphant enemy, and secured a retreat with less loss than was feared might result from a headlong flight before a fleet-footed and victorious foe. His camp equipage and most of the wounded were left in the hands of the victors. His losses were thirty-nine officers and 593 men killed, and twenty-two officers and 242 men wounded. Little Turtle reported his loss at 150 killed, and from his un- challenged record for integrity, his report may be taken as correct.
The most rigid scrutiny failed to cast any blame on the conduct of St. Clair in this disastrous battle, but attributed the defeat to the want of discipline in the raw recruits of which his army was composed, not forgetting, withal, to state that the Indians fought with exemplary courage, directed by the master mind of Little Turtle.
More than a century ago there was a school of natur- alists, composed largely of French savants, who promul- gated a theory based on scientific principles, as they averred that America did not produce the higher grades of animals; that even man would become dwarfed in body and mind in that unfriendly climate, unless fresh European blood was constantly infused into his veins by emigration and intermarriage.
This theory must fall to the ground when the soil of America produces such men as Little Turtle, whose great mind, not traceable to European origin, shone forth even more conspicuously in his statesman-like counsels after the battle than ever before, as will appear in the history of the next campaign. This theory, how-
281
Physical Superiority of Americans.
ever, had already been put to the blush by Dr. Benjamin Franklin, when he was in Paris in 1783, as minister to settle terms of peace with England after the revolution. On a certain day he invited a number of the litterati of France to dine with him. Some casualty turning the subject on the natural history of America, one of the guests asked Franklin's opinion on the then acknowl- edged inferiority of animal growth there. The atten- tion of the whole company was now arrested to listen to the profound words of the American philosopher, and when he arose from his seat, and requested his Ameri- can friends to do the same, the interest was redoubled.
The six Americans present arose -- all muscular, over- grown men, with a full measure of brains and thorough bass voices. "Now let six Frenchmen arise," said the sage of the New World. Up started the required num- ber of Parisians, whose slender frames and pale faces contrasted unfavorably with the Americans. This settled the point.
When the terrible defeat of St. Clair is read, let it not be forgotten that the soil of the Northwest nur- tured into being the men to accomplish it in defense of their homes; and if this brave and eloquent people had enjoyed the advantages of civilization, we could not have conquered them, nor should we have wished to. Even under all their disadvantages they made a valiant defense, and, in the grandeur of their fall, left ample proofs that muscle and mind are indigenous to our soil.
After this disastrous campaign emigration ceased, but the American forts were all held, including Fort Hamil- ton and Fort Jefferson, which had been built by St. Clair on his way into the Indian country. From prudential as well as patriotic motives, he now resigned his position as commander-in-chief of the army, and General Anthony Wayne was substituted in his place. Five thousand men were to be raised for the expedition which he was to lead against Little Turtle.
While these preparations were making for the new campaign, Benjamin, Lincoln, Beverly Randolph and Timothy Pickering were appointed as commissioners in behalf of the United States, to meet the Indians in
282
Peace Council.
council near the mouth of the Detroit river, not distant from the Indian camp at the rapids of the Maumee, and if possible negotiate a peace. Among the secret instructions which were given them by Washington, the President of the United States, they were required to make the treaty of Fort Harmar the basis of a peace. By this treaty, the eastern and southern portions of the present state of Ohio had been ceded to the United States, although the Indians disputed the validity of the treaty, on the ground that the tribes most interested had taken no part in it. Other instructions authorized the commissioners to make some concessions to the Indians, by giving up some lands already occupied out- side of the limits established by the treaty of Fort Harmar.
They were also authorized to give to the Indians $50,000 worth of goods immediately, and $ 10, 000 worth annually forever. Twenty thousand dollars in coin was to be given to the head chiefs besides the above. The commissioners arrived on the ground in July, 1793, by way of the lakes, courteously assisted by the English in their methods of travel at that time. While the council was in session, Gen. Wayne's army remained near Cin- cinnati, awaiting its result, and the Indians, on their part, faithfully preserved a peaceful attitude, according to a previous agreement on both sides. The great point for which the Indians contended was that the Ohio river should forever be the boundary line between themselves and the whites; and the arguments they used to sustain this claim, can be best understood by quoting extracts from their speeches, and the replies to them by the commissioners.
Previous to the meeting of these commissioners with the Indians, as proposed, Major Trueman and Col. Hardın left Fort Washington, with copies of a speech from President Washington to the hostile Indians, of which the following is an extract:
"Brothers: The President of the United States enter- tains the opinion that the war which exists is founded in error and mistake on your parts: that you believe the United States wants to deprive you of your lands, and
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283
President Washington's Speech.
drive you out of the country. Be assured this is not so. On the contrary, that we should be greatly gratified with the opportunity of imparting to you all the blessings of civilized life, of teaching you to cultivate the earth, and raise corn; to raise oxen, sheep and other domestic animals; to build comfortable houses, and to educate your children, so as ever to dwell upon the land. War, at all times, is a dreadful evil to those who are engaged therein, and more particularly so where a few people engage to act against so great numbers as the people of the United States. Brothers: Do not suffer the advan- tages you have gained to mislead your judgment, and influence you to continue the war; but reflect upon the destructive consequences which must attend such a measure.
"The President of the United States is highly desirous of seeing a number of your principal chiefs, and con- vincing you, in person, how much he wishes to avoid the evils of war for your sake, and the sake of humanity. Consult, therefore, upon the great object of peace; call in your parties, and enjoin a cessation of all further depredations; and as many of the principal chiefs as shall choose, repair to Philadelphia, the seat of the general government, and there make a peace, founded on the principles of justice and humanity. Remember that no additional lands will be required of you, or any other tribe, to those that have been ceded by former treaties, particularly by the tribes who had a right to make the treaty of Muskingum [Fort Harmar] in the year 1789. But if any of your tribes can prove that you have a fair right to any lands comprehended by the said treaty, and have not been compensated there- for, you shall receive a full satisfaction upon that head. The chiefs you send shall be safely escorted to the city; and shall be well fed and provided with all things for their journey. * Come, then, and be convinced for yourselves, of the beneficence of General Washing- ton, the great chief of the United States, and afterward return and spread the glad tidings of peace and pros- perity of the Indians to the setting sun."
284
The Indians Demand a New Boundary.
The council was opened on the 30th of July, by Simon Girty, interpreter, who presented, in behalf of the Indians, the following paper to the commissioners:
" To the Commissioners of the United States .- Broth- ers: The deputies we sent to you did not fully explain our meaning; we have therefore sent others, to meet you once more, that you may fully understand the great question we have to ask you, and to which we expect an explicit answer in writing. Brothers: You are sent here by the United States, in order to make peace with us, the confederate Indians. Brothers: You know very well that the boundary line, which was run between the white people and us, at the treaty of Fort Stanwix, was the river Ohio. Brothers: If you seriously design to make a firm and lasting peace, you will immediately remove all your people from our side of that river. Brothers: We therefore ask you, are you fully author- ized by the United States to continue, and firmly fix on the Ohio river as the boundary line between your peo- ple and ours? Done in general council at the foot of the Maumee Rapids, 27th July, 1793, in behalf of our- selves and the whole confederacy, and agreed to in a full council."
To this opening of the case the commissioners replied:
"Brothers: We do know very well, that at the treaty of Fort Stanwix, twenty-five years ago, the river Ohio was agreed on as the boundary line between you and the white people of the British colonies; and we all know that, about seven years after that boundary was fixed, a quarrel broke out between your father, the king of Great Britain, and the people of those colonies, which are now the United States. This quarrel was ended by the treaty of peace, made with the king, about ten years ago, by which the great lakes and the waters which unite them were, by him, declared to be the boundaries of the United States.
"Brothers: Peace having been thus made between the king of Great Britain and the United States, it remained to make peace between them and the Indian nations who had taken part with the king; for this pur- pose, commissioners were appointed, who sent messages
285
Indian Terms Not Entertained.
to all those Indian nations, inviting them to come and make peace. The first treaty was held about nine years ago, at Fort Stanwix, with the Six Nations, which has stood firm and unviolated to this day. The next treaty was made about ninety days after, at Fort McIntosh, with the half king of the Wyandots, Captain Pipe, and other chiefs, in behalf of the Wyandot, Delaware, Ottawa and Chippewa nations. Afterward treaties were made with divers Indian nations south of the Ohio river; and the next treaty was made with Ka-kia-pilathy, here present, and other Shawanese chiefs, in behalf of the Shawanese nation, at the mouth of the Great Miami, which runs into the Ohio.
" Brothers: The commissioners who conducted the treaties in behalf of the United States sent the papers containing them to the great council of the states, who, supposing them satisfactory to the nations treated with, proceeded to dispose of large tracts of land thereby ceded, and a great number of people removed from other parts of the United States, and settled upon them; also many families of your ancient fathers, the French, came over the great waters, and settled upon a part of the same lands. *
"Brothers: After some time, it appeared that a number of people in your nations were dissatisfied with the treaties of Fort McIntosh and Miami; therefore the great council of the United States appointed Governor St. Clair their commissioner, with full powers, for the purpose of removing all causes of controversy, regulat- ing trade, and settling boundaries, between the Indian nations in the northern department and the United States. He accordingly sent messages, inviting all the nations concerned to meet him at a council fire which he kindled at the falls of the Muskingum. While he was waiting for them, some mischief happened at that place, and the fire was put out; so he kindled a council fire at Fort Harmar, where nearly 600 Indians, of different nations, attended. The Six Nations then renewed and confirmed the treaty of Fort Stanwix; and the Wyandots and Delawares renewed and confirmed the
* The French settlement at Gallipolis.
286
Unreasonableness of Indian Demands.
treaty of Fort McIntosh; some Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawattomies and Sacs were also parties to the treaty of Fort Harmar.
"Brothers: All these treaties we have here with us. We have also the speeches of many chiefs who attended them, and who voluntarily declared their satisfaction with the terms of the treaties.
"Brothers: After making all these treaties, and after hearing the chiefs express freely their satisfaction with them, the United States expected to enjoy peace, and quietly to hold the lands ceded by them. Accord- ingly, large tracts have been sold and settled, as before mentioned. And now, brothers, we answer explicitly, that, for the reasons here stated to you, it is impossible to make the river Ohio the boundary between your people and the people of the United States.
"Brothers: You are men of understanding, and if you consider the customs of white people, the great expenses which attend the settling in a new country, the nature of their improvements, in building houses and barns, and clearing and fencing their lands, how valuable the lands are thus rendered, and thence how dear they are to them, you will see that it is now imprac- ticable to remove our people from the northern side of the Ohio. Your brothers the English know the nature of white people, and they know that, under the circum- stances which we have mentioned, the United States cannot make the Ohio the boundary between you and us.
"Brothers: You seem to consider all the lands in dispute on your side of the Ohio, as claimed by the United States; but suffer us to remind you that a large tract was sold by the Wyandot and Delaware nations to the state of Pennsylvania. This tract lies east of a line drawn from the mouth of Beaver creek, at the Ohio, due north to Lake Erie. This line is the western bound - ary of Pennsylvania, as claimed under the charter given by the king of England to your ancient friend, William Penn. Of this sale, made by the Wyandot and Delaware nations to the state of Pennsylvania, we have never heard any complaint.
287
Claims under Old Treaties Pressed.
"Brothers: The concessions which we think neces- sary on your part are that you yield up, and finally relinquish to the United States, some of the lands on your side of the river Ohio. The United States wish to have confirmed all the lands ceded to them by the treaty of Fort Harmar; and, also, a small tract of land at the rapids of the Ohio, claimed by General Clark, for the use of himself and warriors; and, in consideration thereof, the United States would give such a large sum, in money or goods, as was never given at one time, for any quantity of Indian lands, since the white people first set their foot on this island. And, because those lands did, every year, furnish you with skins and furs, with which you bought clothing and other necessaries, the United States will now furnish the like constant supplies; and therefore, besides the great sum to be delivered at once, they will, every year, deliver you a large quantity of such goods as are best suited to the wants of yourselves, your women and children."
To these overtures of the commissioners the Indians replied :
" Brothers: It is now three years since you desired to speak with us. We heard you yesterday, and under- stood you well-perfectly well. We have a few words to say to you. Brothers: You mentioned the treaties of Fort Stanwix, Beaver Creek,* and other places. Those treaties were not complete. There were but a few chiefs who treated with you. You have not bought our lands. They belong to us. You tried to draw off some of us. Brothers: Many years ago, we all know that the Ohio was made the boundary. It was settled by Sir William Johnston. This side is ours. We look upon it as our property. Brothers: You mentioned
General Washington. He and you know you have your houses and your people on our land. You say you can- not move them off; and we cannot give up our land. Brothers: We are sorry we cannot come to an agree- ment. The line has been fixed long ago. Brothers: We don't say much. There has been much mischief on both sides. We came here upon peace, and thought
* Fort McIntosh.
288
Tenacious Logic of the Indians.
you did the same. We shall talk to our head warriors. You may return whence you came, and tell Washington."
" The council here breaking up, Captain Elliot went to the Shawnee chief Ka-kia-pilathy, and told him that the last part of the speech was wrong. That chief came back, and said it was wrong. Girty said that he had interpreted truly what the Wyandot chief spoke. An explanation took place; and Girty added as follows: 'Brothers: Instead of going home, we wish you to remain here for an answer from us. We have your speech in our breasts, and will consult our head warriors.' The deputation of Indians were then told that the com- missioners would wait to hear again from the council at the rapids of the Maumee."
On the 16th of August, 1793, Messrs. Lincoln, Randolph and Pickering received the following answer (in writing) to their speech of the 31st of July:
" To the Commissioners of the United States .- Brothers: We have received your speech, dated the 3Ist of last month, and it has been interpreted to all the different nations. We have been long in sending you an answer, because of the great importance of the subject. But we now answer it fully, having given it all the consideration in our power.
"Brothers: You tell us that, after you had made peace with the king, our father, about ten years ago, 'it remained to make peace between the United States and the Indian nations who had taken part with the king. For this purpose, commissioners were appointed, who sent messages to all those Indian nations, inviting them to come and make peace'; and, after reciting the periods at which you say treaties were held, at Fort Stanwix, Fort McIntosh and Miami, all which treaties, according to your own acknowledgment, were for the sole purpose of making peace, you then say: 'Brothers, the commissioners who conducted these treaties, in behalf of the United States, sent the papers containing them to the general council of the states, who, suppos- ing them satisfactory to the nations treated with, pro- ceeded to dispose of the lands thereby ceded.'
289
Inflexible Demands of the Indians.
"Brothers: This is telling us plainly, what we always understood to be the case, and it agrees with the declarations of those few who who attended those treaties, viz .: That they went to meet your commissioners to make peace; but through fear, were obliged to sign any paper that was laid before them; and it has since appeared that deeds of cession were signed by them, instead of treaties of peace.
"Brothers: Money, to us, is of no value; and to most of us unknown; and, as no consideration what- ever can induce us to sell the lands on which we get sustenance for our women and children, we hope we may be allowed to point out a mode by which your settlers may be easily removed, and peace thereby obtained.
"Brothers: We know that these settlers are poor, or they would never have ventured to live in a country which has been in continual trouble ever since they crossed the Ohio. Divide, therefore, this large sum of money, which you have offered to us, among these people. Give to each, also, a proportion of what you say you would give to us, annually, over and above this very large sum of money; and we are persuaded they would most readily accept of it, in lieu of the lands you sold them. If you add, also, the great sums you must expend in raising and paying armies, with a view to force us to yield you our country, you will certainly have more than sufficient for the purposes of repaying these settlers for all their labor and their improvements.
"Brothers: You have talked to us about concessions. It appears strange that you should expect any from us, who have only been defending our just rights against your invasions. We want peace. Restore to us our country, and we shall be enemies no longer.
"Brothers: You make one concession to us by offer- ing us your money; and another, by having agreed to do us justice after having long and injuriously withheld it. We mean, in the acknowledgment you have now made, that the king of England never did, nor ever had a right, to give you our country, by the treaty of peace. And you want to make this act of common justice a great part of your concessions; and seem to expect
1
290
The Ultimatum.
that, because you have at last acknowledged our inde- pendence, we should, for such a favor, surrender to you our country.
" Brothers: You have talked also a great deal about pre-emption and your exclusive right to purchase Indian lands, as ceded to you by the king at the treaty of peace.
" Brothers: We never made any agreement with the king, nor with any other nation, that we would give to either the exclusive right of purchasing our lands. And we declare to you, that we consider ourselves free to make any bargain or cession of lands whenever and to whomsoever we please. If the white people, as you say, made a treaty that none of them but the king should purchase of us, and that he has given that right to the United States, it is an affair which concerns you and him, and not us. We have never parted with such a power.
"Brothers: At our general council held at the Glaize last fall, we agreed to meet commissioners from the United States, for the purpose of restoring peace, pro- vided they consented to acknowledge and confirm our boundary line to be the Ohio; and we determined not to meet you until you gave us satisfaction on that point. That is the reason we have never met. We desire you to consider, brothers, that our only demand is the peaceable possession of a small part of our once great country. Look back, and review the lands from whence we have been driven to this spot. We can retreat no farther, because the country behind hardly affords food for its present inhabitants; and we have, therefore, resolved to leave our bones in this small space to which we are now confined.
"Brothers: We shall be persuaded that you mean to do us justice, if you agree that the Ohio shall remain the boundary line between us. If you will not consent thereto, our meeting will be altogether unnecessary. This is the great point which we hoped would have been explained before you left your homes, as our message, last fall, was practically directed to obtain that information. Done in general council, at the foot of the Maumee rapids, the 13th day of August, 1793.'
291
The Council Ends.
It was now evident that the council would prove a failure, as the terms of the Indians were inadmissible. The commissioners therefore made the following declar- ation, and the cession adjourned without effecting its purpose, each party departing, not without painful regrets, to renew a conflict desperate on the part of the Indians, and doubtful on the part of the whites.
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