USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > History of Fort Wayne, from the earliest known accounts of this point, to the present period. Embracing an extended view of the aboriginal tribes of the Northwest, including, more especially, the Miamies with a sketch of the life of General Anthony Wyane; including also a lengthy biography of pioneer settlers of Fort Wayne. Also an account of the manufacturing, mercantile, and railroad interests of Fort Wayne and vicinity > Part 21
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The troubles with England, which had, but a few months before, threatened to break out into warfare again, were now, through the ¡Dillon's His. Ind.
* American Pioneer.
FORT WAYNE 179 5
155
LETTERS OF COL. HAMTRAMCK.
wisdom of Washington, in a great measure, and the admirable ef- forts of John Jay, as envoy extraordinary from this country to the court of St. James, amicably adjusted in the conclusion of " a treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation, between the United States and Great Britain." This treaty was concluded on the 19th of No- vember; and one of its main stipulations was that of a withdrawal, " on or before the first day of June, 1796, all (of the Kings) troops and garrisons, from all posts and places within the boundry lines assigned to the United States by the treaty of peace of 1783."
The news of this treaty having reached America, the Indians soon felt their last hope of aid from the English fading away, and began seriously to think of peace ; and during the months of Decem- ber and January, 1794-5, small parties of Miamies, Ottawas, Chip- pewas, Pottawattamies, Sacs, Delawares, and Shawanoes began to visit General Wayne at his headquarters at Greenville, signing re- spectively, preliminary articles of peace, and agreeing "to meet Wayne at Greenville on or abont the 15th of June, 1795, with all the sachems and war-chiefs of their nations," with a view of arrang- ing a final treaty of peace and amity between the United States and the Indians of the northwestern territory.
During the period that elapsed between the departure (28th of October,) of Wayne for Fort Greenville from the newly completed garrison bearing his name here, until the 17th of May 1796, Col. Hamtramck remained in command at Fort Wayne; and though nothing of a very important nature transpired during that time, yet. there is much of interest to be gathered from the many letters* of Col. H., written from the fort here, and addressed to generals Wayne and Wilkinson.
On the 5th December, '94, he wrote to Gen. Wayne:
" It is with a great degree of mortification that I am obliged to inform your ex- cellency of the great propensity many of the soldiers have to larceny. I have flogged them till I am tired. The economic allowance of one hundred lashes, al- lowed by government, does not appear a sufficient inducement for a rascal to act the part of an honest man. I have now a number in confinement and in irons for having stolen four quarters of beef on the night of the 3rd instant. I could wish them to be tried by a general court-martial, in order to make an example of some of them. I shall keep them confined until the pleasure of your excellency is known."
" Fort Wayne, December 29, 1794.
" SIR-Yesterday a number of chiefs of the Chippeways, Ottawas, Sacks, and Pottawattamies arrived here with the two Lassells + It appears that the Shawan- ees, Delawares, and Miamies remain still under the influence of McKee ; but Las- selt thinks they will be compelled to come into the measures of the other Indians. After the chief's have rested a day or two, I will send them to head-quarters "
" Fort Wayne, December 29, 1794.
Sin-Since my last letter to your excellency of the present date, two war-chiefs have arrived from the Miami nation, and inform me that their nation will be here in a few days, from whence they will proceed to Greenville. They also bring in- telligence of the remaining tribes of savages acceding to the prevalent wish for peace, and collecting for the purpose the chief's of their nations, who, it is expected, will make their appearance at this post about the same time the Miamies may come for- ward."
*Published from the manuscript of Col Hamtramck in the "American Pioneer, 1813. ¡Jacques and Antoine Lasselle. #Jacques Lasselle
156
HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
" December 13, 1795
" The issues ro the Indians would be very inconsiderable this winter, if it was not forabout ninety old women and children with some very old men, who live near us and have no other mode of subsisting but by garrison. I have repeatedly tried to get clear of them, but without success.
" January 13, 1796.
"About ninety old women and children have been victualled by the garrison. I have, yesterday, given them five days' provision, and told them it was the last, they should have until spring. I was obliged to do so because, from calculation, I have no muore flour than will last me until spring. But, sir, if other supplies could he got by land, I consider it politic to feed these poor creatures, who will suffer very much for want of subsistence."
[To General Wilkinson] " March 28, 1796.
"I am out of wampum. I will be very much obliged to you to send me some, for speaking to an Indian without it is like consulting a lawyer without a fee."
[To General Wilkinson ] ' April 5, 1796.
" Little Turtle arrived yesterday, to whom I delivered your message. His answer was, to present his compliments to you, that he was very glad of the invitation, as he wished very much to see general Wilkinson, but it was impossible for him to go to Greenville at present, as he had ordered all his young men to repair to a rendez- vouz, in order, when assembled, to chose a place for their permanent residence : that, as soon as that object shall be accomplished, he would go to see you, which, he said, would be by the time he hears form you again."
[ To General Wilkinson.] " April 18, 1796.
"The bearer is captain Blue Jacket, who. at your request, is now going to Green - ville. Blue Jacket is used to good company and is always treated with more atten- tion than other Indians. . He appears to be very well disposed, and I believe him sincere."
True to their promise, in the early part of June, 1795, deputa- tions from the different tribes of the northwest began to arrive at Greenville with a view to the consummation of the treaty already referred to. This treaty, which was one of much interest through- out, lasted from the 16th of June, to the 10th of August, (1795) many of the principal chiefs making strong speeches, and each na- tion openly and separately assenting to the articles and stipulations of the treaty. At the conclusion of his speech to deputies on the 10th of August, at the termination of the treaty, General Wayne addressed the assemblage as follows : " I now fervently pray to the Great Spirit, that the peace now established may be permanent, and that it may hold us together in the bonds of friendship, until time shall be no more. I also pray that the Great Spirit above may enlighten your minds, and open your eyes to your true happiness, that your children may learn to cultivate the earth, and enjoy the fruits of peace and industry. As it is probable, my children, that we shall not soon meet again in public council, I take this opportu- nity of bidding you all an affectionate farewell, and wishing you a safe and happy return to your respective homes and families."
A general feeling of rejoicing soon pervaded the country at the happy termination of this treaty ;* and it was as pleasing and accep-
* The boundry lines established at this treaty, between the northwestern Indians and the U. S., secured to the Indians all the territory within the present limits of the State of Indiana, excepting, First :- One tract of land, six miles square, at the con- fluence of the St. Mary and St. Joseph rivers. Secondly :- One traet of land, two miles square, on the Wabash river, at the end of the portage, from the head of the river Maumee, and about eight miles westward from Fort Wayne. Thirdly :- One traet of land, six miles square, at Ouiatenon, or the old Wea town on the river Wabash.
157
BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA IN THE GREAT WEST.
table to the Government, as it was agreeable to the Indians. With these pacific relations came the cry of " WESTWARD, HO!" and soon a tide of emigration began to set in from the eastern States, many selecting sites along the Ohio, the Sciota, and Muskingum rivers ; and others again selected and began settlements along the fertile regions lying between the two Miami rivers, and at other points westward. And thus had begun a new life and a new free- dom in the wide domain of the northwest.
Fourthly :- The tract of one hundred and fifty thousand acres, near the falls of the Ohio ; which tract was called the " Illinois Grant," or " Clark's Grant." Fifthly :- The town of Vincennes, on the river Wabash, and the adjacent lands to which the Indian title had been extinguished ; and all similar lands, at other places, in possession of the French people, or other white settlers among them. And, sixthly :- The strip of land lying east of a line running directly from the site of Fort Recovery, so as to inter- sect the River Ohio at a point opposite to the mouth of the Kentucky river.
CHAPTER XIII.
" All along the winding river And adown the shady glen, On the hill and in the valley," The voice of war resounds again.
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Emigration westward-The Shawanoes Prophet-Enactments of laws-Treaty between the U S. and Spain-Efforts to dissolve the Union-Col. Hamtramck leaves Fort Wayne-British evacuate Fort Miami-Death of General Wayne-General Wilk- inson assumes command of the western forces-Movements of Baron Carondelet -Failure of the Spanish and French scheme-Treaty of peace with 'France-ces- sion of Louisiana to France-Cession of same to the U. S .- Legislative session at Cin- einnati-Wm. Henry Harrison chosen representative in Congress-Division of ter- ritory-Harrison appointed Governor-Principal events from 1800 to 1810-Efforts of Governor Harrison to induce the Indians to engage in agricultural pursuits- Extinguishment of Indian elaims-Treaty at Fort Wayne in 1803-Peaceable re- lutions between the Indians and the U. S .- Beginning of new troubles-Short account of the Shawanoes-Indians put to death by order of the Prophet-Speech of Gov. Harrison-Capt. Wm. Wells, Indian agent here-Sends a message to Te- cumseh by Anthony Shane -- Shane's reception-Tecumseh's reply-Wells refuses to comply with Tecumseh's request-Shane again sent to Tecumseh-Second re- ply of Tecumseh-Indians continue to assemble at Greenville-Many about Fort Wayne-Great alarm of the settlers-Governor of Ohio sends a deputation to Greenville-Address of the commissioners -- Speech of Blue Jacket-Tecumsehi and others return with the commissioners-Further alarm-A white man killed-Mi- litia ealled out-Investigation of the murder-Settlers still uneasy-Speech of Gov. Harrison-Protestations of the Prophet-He removes to Tippecanoe -- War- like sports begun -- Settlers again alarmed-The Prophet visits Gov. Harrison-His Speech-Harrison tests him-Secret movements of Tecumseh and the Prophet- Many of their followers leave them-Militia organized-Alarm subsides-Treaty of Fort Wayne, 1809-Further movements of Tecumseh and the Prophet-Gov. Harrison prepares for the safety of the frontier.
HE TIDE of emigration westward, that had begun soon after the treaty of Greenville, steadily continued for a number of years, and the peace of the country was not materially inter- rupted till some time during the year 1810, when the famous Shawanoe Prophet, Ells-kwata-wa, through a singular and somewhat powerful influence, began to exert a wide control over many tribes of the northwest, thus creating much alarm among the western settlements, which, in turn, much impeded the influx of emigrants to the Indiana Territory. .
The most important events that transpired from 1795 to 1810,
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159
TREATY BETWEEN THE U. S. AND SPAIN.
were the meeting of Governor St. Clair, with John Cleves Symmes and George Turner, the latter as judges of the northwestern territory, Cincinnati, May 29th, 1795, wherein they adopted and made thirty- eight laws for the better regulation and government of the territory.
On the 27th of October of this year ('95) a treaty of " friendship, limits, and navigation, between the United States of America and the King of Spain," was concluded, at the court of Spain, between Thos. Pinckney, envoy extraordinary of the United States, and the Duke of Alcudia, which extended from the southern boundry of the U. S. to " the northernmost post of the thirty-first degree of latitude north of the equator," which was to extend " due east to the mid- . dle of the river Apalachicola or Catahoucha, thence along the middle thereof, to its junction with the Flint; thence straight to the head of St. Mary's river, and thence down the middle thereof, to the Atlantic Ocean ;" and was ratified on the 3d of March, 1796.
In July of 1796, the French Executive Directory, because of this treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation between the United States and Spain, charged the American government with " a breach of friendship and abandonment of neutrality, and a violation of tacit engagements ;" and during 1796 and 1797, as in, keeping with a similar spirit exhibited in 1795, before the Spanish garrisons on the eastern side of the Mississipppi were surrendered to the United States, strong efforts were made, on the part of French and Spanish agents, to persuade the inhabitants of the western country to withdraw their connection from the American Union, and, with those governments, to form a separate and independent government, extending westward from the Allegheny Mountains. But the in- ducements were of no avail, and the scheme failed.
Before the end of July, (1796) the English had withdrawn from all " the posts within the boundry of the United States north- west of the Ohio; " and about the 17th of May of this year, Colonel Hamtramck had left Fort Wayne, passing down the Maumee to Fort Deposit, where the famous engagement of Wayne had but a few months before occured, and on the 11th of July the British fort, Miami, at the foot of the rapids, was evacuated, Capt. Moses Porter soon taking command. On the 13th of July, Colonel Ham- tramck took possession of the Post at Detroit.
In December of this year, '96, General Wayne died, and General James Wilkinson was put in command of the western army of the United States, and a small detachment still continued at Fort Wayne.
In the month of June 1797, some feeling still existing on the part of Spain as well as France, the two governments being somewhat allied in their motives against the United States, the governor of Louisiana (Biron de Carondelet) sent a request to General Wilkin- son to delay the movement of the United States troops that were to occupy the posts on the Mississippi river until such time as the ad- justments of certain questions then pending between the American
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160
HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
and Spanish governments could be adjusted. But the true object of Carondelet, through his agent (Thomas, Power,) seems to have been only to ascertain the true feeling of the western people regard- ing a dissolution of the Union. Power having passed through the western territory as far as Detroit, in the month of August, '97, he met General Wilkinson, and explained the object of his mission, which the general readily concluded to be " a chimerical project, which it was impossible to execute, that the inhabitants of the west- ern states, having obtained by treaty all they desired, would not wish to form any other political or commercial alliance." Because of these intrigues on the part of Spain, and the conduct of France, in December, 1796,* in refusing to receive Minister Monroe, at Paris, on the ground of complaints already mentioned, relative to the treaty with Spain, and because of the depredation of French vessels against American commerce, the United States government, during 1798, impelled the latter to adopt and enforce strenuous measures of retaliation ; the first of which was that of "an act au- thorizing the President of the U. S. to raise a provisional army." The second, "to suspend the commercial intercourse between the U. S. and France and the dependencies thereof." The third, "to authorize the defense of the merchant vessels of the U. S. against French depredations ; " and fourth, " an act concerning alien ene- mies."
The Spaniads had hoped for aid, by way of Canada, from the English, in 1798. But they were doomed to disappointment, and having reluctantly evacuated the posts on the Mississippi during the summer of 1798, in the fall of that year Gen. Wilkinson moved down that river and took up his headquarters at Loftus' Heights, where he soon erected Fort Adams. In September of this year, France having exhibited a desire for peaceable relations with the United States, subsequent negotiations were had at Paris, and on the 30th of September, 1800, a "treaty of peace and commerce " was consummated between the United States and France.
In October of this year, (1800), by the conclusion of a treaty at St. Ildefonso, Spain retroceded to France the province of Louisiana, embracing the original lines of territory as when before held by France ; and under Jefferson's administration, three years later, (30th of April, 1803,) the French government " sold and ceded Louisiana, in its greatest extent, to the United States, for a sum about equal to fifteen millions of dollars."
On the 23d of April, 1798, a legislative session was convened at Cincinnati, which closed on the 7th of May, same year, Winthrop Sargent, acting governor, and John Cleves Symmes, Joseph Gil- man, and Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., territorial judges. On the 29th of October of this year, Gov. St. Clair issued a proclamation,
* It was in September of this year that Washington, then soon to vacate the Presi- dential chair for John Adams, who, that year, was elected President, and Thomas Jefferson vice President of the United States, issned his fervent and ever memorable FAREWELL ADDRESS.
161
DIVISION OF THE NORTHWESTERN TERRITORY.
" directing the qualified voters of the Northwestern Territory to hold clections in their respective counties on the third Monday of December," with a view to electing representatives to a general as- sembly, to convene at Cincinnati on the 22d of January, 1799. The representatives having met at the appointed placo, in compliance with the ordinance of 1787, for the establishment of legislative councils, ten persons were chosen as nominees, and their names forwarded to the President of the United States, who, on the second of March, 1799, selected therefrom, the names of Jacob Burnett, James Findlay, Henry Vanderburgh, Robert Oliver, and David Vance, as suitable persons to form the legislative council of the ter- ritory of the United States, lying northwest of the Ohio river, which names were, on the following day, confirmed by the U. S. Senate. This body met at Cincinnati on the 16th day of September, and were fully organized on the 25th of that month, 1799, of which Henry Vanderburgh was elected President, and William C. Schenk, Secretary. The following counties were represented : Hamilton, Ross, Wayne, Adams, Knox, Jefferson, and Washington ; sending nineteen members.
On the third of October, of this year, the names of two candi- dates (Wm. H. Harrison and Arthur St. Clair, Jr.,) to represent the Northwestern Territory in Congress, being presented to that body, Harrison was chosen-the one receiving eleven votes, and the other ten .*
In 1800, a division of the territory northwest of the Ohio river - having occurred, on the 13th of May of that year, Wm. Henry Harrison was appointed governor of the Indiana Territory. The seat, of government for the Territory was established at Vincennes, where, with the judge of the same, the governor met on Monday, 12th of January, 1801, with a view of adopting and issuing "such laws as the exegencies of the times " might call for, and likewise for the " performance of other acts conformable to the ordinances and laws of Congress (1787) for the government of the Teriitory."
From the period of the formation of the new territory to 1810, the principal subjects of attention and interest to the people therein, " were land speculations, the adjustment of land titles, the question of negro slavery, the purchase of Indian lands by treaties, the or- ganization of territorial legislatures, the extension of the right of suffrage, the division of the Indiana Territory, the movements of Aaron Burr, and the hostile views and proceedings of the Shaw- anoe chief, Tecumseh, and his brother, the Prophet."+
With a view to peace and good-will between the United States and the Indians of the northwest, through certain laws and regula- tions of the government, Gov. Harrison, at an early period of his administration, made efforts to induce the different tribes to engage in agricultural and other pursuits of a civilized nature, to the end that they might be more agreeably situated and live more in har-
* Dillon's His. Ind., page 392. +Ibid, page 409 (11)
162
HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
mony with the advancing civilization of the time. Being also in- vested with powers authorizing him to negotiate treaties between the U. S. government and the different tribes of the Indiana Terri- tory, and also to extinguish, by such treaties, the Indian title to lands situate within the said territory. Between the fore part of 1802 and 1805, the governor was most actively employed in the discharge of these duties.
On the 17th day of September, 1802, at a conference. held at Vincennes, certain chiefs and head men of the Pottawattamie, Eel River, Piankeshaw, Wea, Kaskaskia, and Kickapoo tribes ap- pointed the Miami chiefs, Little Turtle and Richardville, and also the, Pottawattamie chiefs, Wine-mac and To-pin-e-pik to adjust, by treaty, the extinguishment of certain Indian claims to lands on the Wabash, near Vincennes. And on the 7th of June, the year fol- lowing, (1803,) Gov. Harrison held a treaty at Fort Wayne, with certain chiefs and head men of the Delaware, Shawanoe, Potta- wattamie, Eel River, Kickapoo, Piankeshaw, and Kaskaskia tribes, wherein was ceded to the United States about one million six hun- dred thousand acres of land .*
For a period of sixteen years, subsequent to the treaty of Green- ville, (1795 to 1811) agreeable relations were maintained, by the U. S., between the Miamies and some other tribes represented at that famous treaty. During this time the Indians seemed mainly to have betaken themselves to the forest and priaries in pursuit of game; and the result was that a considerable traffic was steadily " carried on with the Indians, by fur-traders of Fort Wayne, and Vincennes, and at different small trading posts which were estab- lished on the borders of the Wabash river and its tributaries. The furs and peltries which were obtained from the Indians, were gen- erally transported to Detroit. The skins were dried, compressed, and secured in packs. Each pack weighed about one hundred pounds. A pirogue, or boat, that was sufficiently large to carry forty packs, required the labor of four men to manage it on its voy- age. In favorable stages of the Wabash river, such a vessel, under the management of skillful boatmen, was propelled fifteen or twenty miles a day, against the current. After ascending the river Wa- bash and the Little River to the portage near Fort Wayne, the tra- ders carried their packs over the portage, to the head of the river Maumee, where they were again placed in pirogues, or in keel- boats, to be transportated to Detroit. At this place the furs and skins were exchanged for blankets, guns, knives, powder, bullets,t intoxicating liquors, etc., with which the traders returned to their several posts. According to the records of the customhouse at Que- bec, the value of the furs and peltries exported from Canada, in the year 1786, was estimated at the sum of two hundred and twenty- five thousand nine hundred and seventy-seven pounds sterling."
* Dillon's His. Ind.
+The bullets, which were made to fit the guns in use among the Indians, were valued at four dollars per hundred. Powder, at one dollar per pint.
163
THE SHAWANOES.
But the volcanic fire of revolution had already begun its up- heavel. The past had witnessed many periodical struggles in the new world, and the hour for another was near at hand. The Indians of the northwest, for the most part, began to grow restive. The game of the forest had now long been hunted and killed for their hides, fur, and meat, while many of the traders had grown wealthy upon the profits yielded therefrom. The life of the hunter seemed too monotinous for the Indian, and he sought, as at other periods, and, in many relations, for good reasons, as he had thought, to change it for one of war; and as the larger fish of the ocean are said to de- vour the lesser ones, so it would seem that, by continued irritation, brought on through the efforts of both the white and red man, Civil- ization, with its strange and active impulse, was at length destined to supplant the early and endearing homes and soil of the red children of the northwest with new and more advanced human and physical relations.
As the reader has already seen, the Shawanoes played a conspicu- ous part at various times during the early efforts of the English and Americans to gain possession of the western frontier. Col. Bouquet's expedition was directed mainly against them, at which time they dwelt principally about the Sciota river, some miles to the southeast of the Miami villages.
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