USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Discovery and conquests of the Northwest, with the history of Chicago, Vol. I > Part 26
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" To the Chiefs and Warriors of the Indian Nations Assembled at the Foot of the Maumee Rapids .- Brothers: We have just received your answer, dated the 13th inst., to our speech of the 31st of last month, which we delivered to your deputies at this place, You say it was interpreted to all your nations, and we presume it was fully understood. We therein explicitly declared to you, that it was now impossible to make the river Ohio the boundary between your lands and the lands of the United States. Your answer amounts to a declaration that you will agree to no other boundary than the Ohio. The negotiation is, therefore, at an end. We sincerely regret that peace is not the result; but knowing the upright and liberal views of the United States-which, as far as you gave us an opportunity, we have explained to you-we trust that impartial judges will not attribute the continuance of the war to them.
" Done at Captain Elliott's, at the mouth of Detroit river, the 16th day of August, 1793.
BENJAMIN LINCOLN, BEVERLY RANDOLPH, TIMOTHY PICKERING,
Commissioners of the
United States."
The council, which had been in session seventeen days, ending in failure, the commissioners made all haste to Fort Erie in Pennsylvania, which was then the outermost post of the Americans on the lakes. From there they sent the news of their unsuccessful mission to General Wayne, then awaiting the issue at Fort Wash- ington. In justice to the English, it should not be omitted that they extended exemplary courtesy to the American commissioners in providing the means of transportation to and from the place where the council was held, at the mouth of the Maumee, as well as by other marks of respect from Governor Simcoe.
CHAPTER XIII.
Genet, the Minister of the New French Republic, Sent to the United States -- Abuse of His Power Dangerous to America-He is Recalled at the Request of Jefferson- General Wayne Marches against the Indians-Builds Fort Recovery-The Indians Attack the Place-Are Repulsed-Evidence of English Complicity with the Indian Cause-General Wayne Advances to the Saint Mary's River-Sends Peace Proposals to Little Turtle-He Wishes to Accept Them, but is Overruled in the Council-A Decisive Battle Ensues-General Wayne under the Guns of the English Fort-The Eng- lish Commander Takes Offense-An Angry Correspon- dence Ensues-English View of the Case-Fort Wayne Built-Treaty of Greenville-Little Turtle's Honor- able Record-His Death-Public Honors to His Memory-The Free Navigation of the Mississippi Conceded by Spain- The English Give up the American Posts on the Lakes-Cleveland Settled.
A little before midnight, August Ist, 1793, two officers of the French revolutionary government entered the apartments of Marie Antoinette and aroused her from a disquiet sleep. From there she was conducted to a still closer confinement in a prison cell, eight feet long, furnished only with a bed of straw. On the 16th of October she was executed, and her head, severed from her body, was held up to the view of the thousands assembled there to see the blood of their queen (whose graces had charmed the courts of Europe), dripping over the bare arms of her executioner. These and other excesses of the revolutionary government caused
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293
Genet Abuses His Prerogatives.
an immediate declaration of war by England, Holland, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Piedmont, the two Sicilies and the Roman States, against France. On the 8th of April, 1793, Genet, the minister of the new French republic, which had accomplished these political tragedies, arrived in the United States. He was received with enthusiasm as a fitting memorial of gratitude for the timely services of France, so recently rendered to the United States in its struggle for liberty ; for the people, in their blind zeal in the cause of republi- canism, did not stop to call in question the means by which it was obtained.
It was confidently expected by Genet, that the United States would make common cause with France, in her headlong career of revolution, which at one time threat- ened to sweep through Europe, and the tempting prize which he held forth to the American people, to secure their co-operation, was well calculated to make them set their feet into the treacherous snare, and would have succeeded but for the discernment of the fathers of our republic, particularly Washington, Adams and Jay.
Entering with masterly zeal upon his labors, with an overstrain perhaps not inconsistent with the genius of his government, Genet abused his prerogatives by fit- ting out French vessels on American waters, by estab- lishing recruiting quarters in South Carolina, to raise troops for the invasion of the Spanish possessions of Florida, and also recruiting quarters in Kentucky to raise troops for the invasion of Spanish territory west of the Mississippi, with a view to open that stream for the free navigation of western commerce.
The latter was a very popular measure among the Kentuckians, and it required the utmost exertions of the American cabinet to circumvent the designs of Genet, which if allowed to go on, would have involved us in . a war with Spain. It is equally certain also, that Eng- land would have declared war against us if Genet had succeeded in his designs of invading Spanish territory with American troops, for Spain was then the active ally of England against France, in which case the English forces in Canada would have made common cause with
294
French Minister Recalled.
Little Turtle, who with the Spanish soldiers from New Orleans added to them, could have driven every Ameri- can settler out of the country west of the Ohio.
To guard against these calamities, Washington deter- mined to issue a proclamation, warning the western people against enlisting in the service against the Spaniards, and Jefferson, secretary of state, wrote a letter to Gouverneur Morris, our minister to France, requesting the removal of Genet. This prompt action was taken while Genet was very popular among the masses in America, having secured their favor by promising not only to open the free navigation of the Mississippi, but also proposing to pay off the American debt by purchasing provisions for the French soldiers while they were engaged in dethroning the monarchs of Europe. But ere all this was accomplished he was re- called from his post, and Mr. Fauchet substituted in his place. * The new minister soon made amends for the
* The minister must have been well satisfied that the nation were exceedingly desirous of a union with France; and were quite prepared to enter, with that country, into a war against the monarchies of Europe. These sentiments soon became deeply impressed upon the mind of Mr. Genet-a man, obviously, of a sanguine temperament, heated and excited by the passions and politics of the times.
It is quite in course here to mention a circumstance that first appears to have allayed the fever heat of the public pulse; to have awakened the earliest feelings of distrust in the political success of the French. We allude to the death of the king, which happened about this period, and whose willingness to engage in our revolution was undoubtedly remem- bered with gratitude. The Americans, at first, beheld the French revo- lution with a feeling of delight and admiration, unmingled with that intense anxiety, and often extreme despondency, with which they watched the progress of their own. But, left entirely free to examine and deliberate, in a short time, the atrocities that accompanied it, and that seemed to accumulate, as the abuses against which they were lev- eled disappeared, produced a slow but unfailing reaction in the public mind. This act of the national convention (of France) without doubt weakened their party in America. The sacrifice, even if thought neces- sary in a political view, was, nevertheless, a violation of justice, and the rights of the citizen; for, if Louis was no longer a king, he was still a man, a citizen, according to the laws of the French republic. These circum- , stances made a suitable impression upon the American people, always accustomed to the forms of an equal though undeviating justice. From the 10th of August, 2d of September, and the period of the king's exe- cution, the revolution decidedly lost friends in America. This senti- ment pervaded the breasts of men whose devotion, even to the French republic, was beyond suspicion. The celebrated Thomas Paine (then a member of the French national convention), it is known, voted against the death of Louis.
"France," said Thomas Paine, in the convention on the question of " sursis," "has now but a single ally, the United States. The person, to whom the present discussion relates, is regarded by that people as
295
Wayne Marches against the Indians.
high-handed manner by which his predecessor had assumed responsibilities too grave even for the Father of his Country.
That the timely removal of Genet saved America from a war with England and Spain is evident, from the fact that during the height of his career in the West, Governor Simcoe, of Canada, was ordered by the Eng- lish parliament to build a fort at the Maumee rapids, about twenty miles above the mouth of that stream, in the heart of the Indian country, and far within the limits of American territory, as settled by the treaty of 1783, a measure doubtless taken under conviction that war with the United States would soon be declared. A special messenger from the Spanish provinces visited the hostile tribes at the same time, offering them assistance.
While this indecision marked the councils of the Eng- lish and Spanish, a respectable force had gathered at Fort Washington, and were encamped below on the banks of the Ohio river. Congress had passed an act to raise 5,000 men for the expedition, but owing to reluc- tance in enlisting, sickness and desertion, Wayne's army numbered no more than 3,600 men. Meantime it was all-important that the offensive should be taken as soon as it was known that the late negotiations for peace had resulted in failure. Accordingly Wayne took up his march by the way of Forts Hamilton and Jefferson, and reached the vicinity of the upper tributaries of the Wabash and also the Big Miami, on the 24th of Decem- ber, 1793. Here he built Fort Greenville, which he made his winter quarters.
Soon after his arrival here, he sent a strong detach- ment to the battle ground of the unfortunate St. Clair, which was but a short distance from Fort Greenville, where he built Fort Recovery. Here the bones of the slain, which had been moldering in the forest shades for two years, were gathered together and buried.
their best friend. His execution, I assure you, will diffuse among them a general grief. I propose to you to conduct Louis to the territory of the United States. After a residence of two years, Mr. Capet (the king) will find himself a citizen of America. Miserable in this country, to which his absence will be a benefit, he will be furnished the means of becoming happy in another .-- Lyman's Hist. of Diplomacy.
296
Pottawattamie Prisoners Questioned.
The winter was spent in the necessary work of drill- ing and disciplining the troops, no enemy making their appearance till the 30th of June, 1794, when a heavy force of Indians, assisted by fifty Canadian British sub- jects, made a furious attack on Fort Recovery. The action was very obstinate and resulted in severe losses on both sides, but the fort was not taken, and the Indians fell back to the main body.
Just before this action, two Pottawattamies had been taken prisoner by Captain Gibson, and in reply to questions as to expectations of assistance, answered as follows:
"Q. When did your nation receive the invitation from the British to join them, and go to war with the Americans?
"A. On the first of the last moon; the message was sent by three chiefs-a Delaware, a Shawanee, and a Miami.
"Q. What was the message brought by those Indian chiets, and what number of British troops were at Roche de Bout (foot of rapids of the Maumee) on the first day of May?
"A. That the British sent them to invite the Potta- wattamies to go to war against the United States; that they, the British, were then at Roche de Bout, on their way to war against the Americans; that the number of British troops then there were about 400, with two pieces of artillery, exclusive of the Detroit militia, and had made a fortification round Col. McKee's house and stores at that place, in which they had deposited all their stores of ammunition, arms, clothing and provision, with which they promised to supply all the hostile Indians in abundance, provided they would join and go with them to war.
"Q. What tribes of Indians, and what were their numbers, at Roche de Bout on the Ist of May?
"A. The Chippewas, Wyandots, Shawanese, Tawas, Delawares and Miamis. There were then collected about 1, 000 warriors, and were daily coming in and collecting from all those nations.
297
Indian Testimony.
"Q. What number of warriors do you suppose actu- ally collected at that place at this time, and what num- ber of British troops and militia have promised to join the Indians to fight this army?
"A. By the latest and best information, and from our own knowledge of the number of warriors belonging to those nations, there cannot be less than 2,000 war- riors now assembled; and were the Pottawattamies to join, agreeably to invitation, the whole would amount to upwards of 3, 000 hostile Indians. But we do not think that more than fifty of the Pottawattamies will go to war. The British troops and militia that will join the Ind- ians to go to war against the Americans, will amount to 1, 500, agreeably to the promise of Gov. Simcoe.
"Q. At what time and at what place do the British and Indians mean to advance against this army?
. "A. About the last of this moon, or the beginning of the next, they intend to attack the legion of this place. Gov. Simcoe, the great man who lives at or near Niagara, sent for the Pottawattamies, and promised them arms, ammunition, provisions and clothing, and everything they wanted, on condition that they would join him, and go to war against the Americans, and that he would command the whole. He sent us the same message last winter, and again on the first of the last moon, from Roche de Bout; he also said he was much obliged to us for our past services, and that he would now help us to fight and render us all the services in his power against the Americans. All the speeches that we have received from him were as red as blood; all the wampum and feathers were painted red; the war pipes and hatchets were red, and even the tobacco was painted red. We received four different invitations from Gov. Simcoe, inviting the Pottawattamies to join in the war; the last was on the first of last moon, when he promised to join us with 1, 500 of his warriors, as before mentioned. But we wished for peace, except a few of our foolish young men.
"Examined and carefully reduced to writing, at Green- ville, this 7th of June, 1794.' "*
* American State Papers, V. 489.
298
Wayne's Victory.
On the 28th of July following, General Wayne com- menced a forward movement, reaching the St. Mary's river on the Ist of August. On the 8th he arrived at the south branch of the Maumee, and continuing his course down its banks, he came to the vicinity of the rapids on the 20th, where the British fort was visible, around which the Indian army under Little Turtle were hovering, not without hopes of assistance. His entire army were concealed among the prostrated trees of the forest, which a tornado had leveled to the ground a few years before, where this distinguished chief was debating in his own mind what was the best. course to pursue. * General Wayne had just sent. peace proposals to Little Turtle.
"We have beaten the enemy twice under separate commanders, and we cannot expect the same good for- tune always to attend us," said the cautious veteran to his chiefs. Continuing, he says: "The Americans are now led by a chief who never sleeps; the night and day are alike to him; and during all the time that he has been marching upon our villages, notwithstanding the watchfulness of our young men, we have never been able to surprise him. Think well of it. There is some- thing whispers me it would be prudent to listen to his offers of peace."
This wise counsel was disregarded by the other chiefs, and Little Turtle was forced to battle, lest he might rest under the imputation of cowardice.
On the 20th of August, General Wayne came upon the army of Little Turtle, who were concealed among the fallen trees a few miles from the British fort. The Indians were routed, although they fought with masterly courage; but they could not stand against the furious. bayonet charge made against them by Wayne's soldiers. In their flight they pressed toward the British fort, hop- ing, doubtless, to find protection within its walls, but the gates were shut in the faces of the wretched fugitives, and they fled thence to the covert of the forest.
After the battle, Gen. Wayne destroyed their fields of corn on the Maumee. Says he, in his report:
299
English View of the Situation.
"The very extensive and highly cultivated fields and gardens show the work of many hands. The margin of these beautiful rivers, the Miamis of the Lake (or Maumee) and Au Glaize, appear like a continued village for a number of miles, both above and below this place. Nor have I ever before beheld such immense fields of corn in any part of America from Canada to Florida."
After the battle, Col. Campbell, the commander of the British fort, addressed General Wayne a note, pro- testing against the near approach of the Americans, who were then within the reach of his guns. A spicy correspondence ensued, more noted for keen repartee than courtesy, but happily no act of hostility took place.
To show the spirit which the English evinced in building the fort, and the light in which they viewed the position of its commander, the following is inserted from that able representative of British policy, Isaac Weld, whose notes were made during his travels in America the next year, while the excitements were at their height:
"The Miami fort, situated on the river of the same name, was built by the English, in the year 1793, at which time there was some reason to imagine that the disputes existing between Great Britain and the United States would not have been quite so amicably settled, perhaps, as they have been; at least, that doubtless must have been the opinion of government, otherwise they would not have given orders for the construction of a fort within the boundary line of the United States, a circumstance which could not fail to excite the indig- nation of the people thereof.
"General Wayne, it would appear, had received no positive orders from his government to make himself master of it; could he have gained possession of it, however, by a coup-de-main, without incurring any loss, he thought that it could not but have been deemed an acceptable piece of service by the public, from whom he should have received unbounded applause. Vanity was his ruling passion, and actuated by it on this occa-
300
General Wayne's Undignified Behavior.
sion, he resolved to try what he could do to obtain possession of the fort.
"Colonel Campbell, however, by his spirited and manly answer to the summons that was sent, to sur- render the fort on account of its being situated within the boundary line of the states, soon convinced the American general that he was not to be shaken by his remonstrances or intimidated by his menaces, and that his 200 men, who composed the garrison, had sufficient resolution to resist the attacks of his army of 3,000, whenever he thought proper to march against the fort.
"The main division of the American army, at this time, lay at the distance of about four miles from the fort; a small detachment from it, however, was concealed in the woods at a very little distance from the fort, to be ready at the call of General Wayne, who, strange to tell, when he found he was not likely to get possession of it in consequence of the summons he sent, was so imprudent, and departed so much from the dignity of the general and the character of the soldier, as to ride up to the fort, and to use the most gross and illiberal language to the British soldiers on duty in it .* His object in doing so was, I should suppose, to provoke the garrison to fire upon him, in which case he would have had a pretext for storming the fort.
" Owing to the great prudence, however, of Colonel Campbell, who issued the strictest orders to his men and officers to remain silent, notwithstanding any insults that were offered to them, and not to attempt to fire, unless indeed an actual attack were made on the place, Wayne's plan was frustrated, much bloodshed certainly saved, and a second war between Great Britain and America perhaps averted.
"General Wayne gained no great personal honor by his conduct on this occasion; but the circumstance of
* In justification of General Wayne's reputation, it may be proper to state that, under ordinary circumstances his conduct before the British fort might have been an excess of military authority, and have justly merited Mr. Weld's censure; but the English, by building the fort on American soil, had subjected themselves to the sport of fortune, by making it necessary for the Americans to transcend the ordinary rules of national etiquette, in order to make the most of their victory over the Indians .- Author.
301
The Indians Resolve on Peace.
his having appeared before the British fort in the man- ner he did, operated strongly in his favor in respect to his proceedings against the Indians. These people had been taught to believe, by the young Canadians that were among them, that if any part of the American army appeared before the fort it would certainly be fired upon; for they had no idea that the Americans would have come in sight of it without taking offensive measures, in which case resistance would certainly have been made.
"When, therefore, it was heard that General Wayne had not been fired upon, the Indians complained griev- ously of their having been deceived, and were greatly disheartened on finding that they were to receive no assistance from the British. Their native courage, however, did not altogether forsake them; they resolved speedily to make a stand, and accordingly, having chosen their ground, awaited the arrival of General Wayne, who followed them closely."
The Indians, now defeated and left without hope from their British friends, were at the mercy of the Americans, and the alternative was peace or starvation; and indeed the latter seemed imminent, even with peace, since the destruction of their crops. But even under the fatal duress of defeat and the havoc of war, the time-honored custom of deliberate councils was not departed from, for hasty diplomacy is not one of the weaknesses of the Indian; and before they could hold a peace council with the Americans, they held a council among themselves at the mouth of the Detroit river; and during their deliberations here, Gov. Simcoe and other English agents endeavored to dissuade the Indians from mak- ing peace with the Americans. Their efforts in this direction, however, were in vain, unaccompanied as they were by any positive promise of alliance.
Happily for America, Washington had taken timely steps to avert war, having on the 16th of April sent the following message to the senate:
"The communications which I have made to you during your present session, from the dispatches of our minister in London, contain a serious aspect of our
302
Jay's Mission to England.
affairs with Great Britain. But, as peace ought to be pursued with unremitted zeal, before the last resource, which has so often been the scourge of nations, and can- not fail to check the advanced prosperity of the United States, I have thought proper to nominate, and do hereby nominate, John Jay, envoy extraordinary of the United States to his Britannic majesty.
"My confidence in our minister plenipotentiary in London continues undiminished. But a mission like this, while it corresponds with the solemnity of the occa- sion, will announce to the world a solicitude for the friendly adjustment of our complaints, and a reluctance to hostility. Going immediately from the United States, such an envoy will carry with him a full knowl- edge of the existing temper and sensibility of our country; and will thus be taught to vindicate our rights with firm- ness, and to cultivate peace with sincerity."
The definitive treaty of peace between England and the United States in 1783 had left many important points of national comity unprovided for, as to those rights which may be called common in the family of nations. Our independence had been acknowledged, but any influence we might exert abroad made not even a ripple in the great sea of European diplomacy, which, then in the plenitude of its grasp from two rival powers (England and France), aimed each to subject the whole world to its influence.
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