USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. I, Pt. 1 > Part 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
General Butler records something of the same character in his journal of the 21st. The half- king, and the Crane, and several young fellows came into the fort drunk, and wanted more rum, and upon being refused they became very ill- natured and threatened to leave. General Par- sons and General Butler retired to their tent, but the drunkard followed them, insisting upon more rum, and after a time the half-king again re- turned, when he spoke as follows :
"Brothers, I am a little drunk, and I feel sorry that you left me in your dinner tent, it hurt me more than the not getting rum. I intend to set off to-morrow with all my people, and I thought it best to tell you before I go." After some dis- cussion and a glass of wine, the half-king felt better and concluded to remain. This difficulty about the supply of rum seemed to be almost of daily occurrence.
Major Denny on the 21st, in a letter to Colonel Harmar, seems to be in doubt as to whether Gen- eral Clark would return :
"Our reason for thinking he will scarcely re- turn is, that while here he had received almost daily complaints from the people on the frontiers of Kentucky, against the Indians, and reflecting on him for trifling, as they think, with some of the savages, while others are plundering them.
-
I34
.
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
The people are very ripe for a campaign into the towns."
The precautions that were taken is indicated by the following remark: "Major Finney is de- termined they shan't act Pontiac with him, for every precaution is taken at that time."
On the 23rd, Major Denny records the arrival of Clark, "as a very agreeable surprise, as few of us expected him."
At a later day a deputation, including a dele- gate from the Delaware Indians, was sent at the suggestion of the celebrated Captain Pipe, to carry a speech to the delinquent Western nations.
On New Year's Day open house was kept by the Indians, to whom was sent a kettle of toddy, some cooked meat and bread, as well as wishes for a good new year. "This they took very kind, and set to, heart and hand, men and women, to get drunk. In order to get them soon away, we told them when they were ready to go home, they should have a small keg of milk (brandy) home with them, which hurried their departure. The cavalcade was curious-men and women, two on a horse, all rode in the same manner, without the least attention to the delicacy of the female sex."
The officers treated themselves to six bottles of claret, so that one can believe that the day was a success all around.
On this day a passing boat brought to shore a party, including an old man and his two sons, named Hindman, who told a most marvelous story of the capture of the older man by the Shawanee Indians. Neither General Butler nor Major Denny, both of whom record the incident, seem impressed with the truth of the story, and Butler states :
"Hindman, we find on examination, to be an ill-disposed man, and one of the party who mur- dered the Moravian Indians. This he con- fesses himself, and has declared he thinks rob- bing the Indians of their horses justifiable."
This Hindman, possibly, was the man whose narrative was recorded by Mr. Cist, as hereto- fore referred to.
The Shawances finally gave indications of their approachi, and on Saturday, January 14th, they were received. Major Denny was not im- pressed with the manner of their reception :
"Onr commissioners knowing thein to be a very proud nation, thought it best to pay them the same honors, and ordered preparations in a style rather degrading to the United States, which was, that a party of soldiers should cook and serve out provisions to them in the council
house. Now with them, the most decrepit old women are made choice of for that business ; and nothing could have occasioned greater laughter than the appearance of soldiers car- rying kettles of provisions to them. When the Indians saw them they cried out, 'There come the old women with warriors' coats on,' etc. And who knows but they conceived us all old women clad in uniform."
General Butler's account is. more cheerful in tone :
"Shortly after these arrangements they ap- peared, in number about 150 men and 80 women, in very regular order ; the chiefs in front, beating a drum, with young warriors dancing a peculiar dance for such occasions. This is so particular that I shall here describe it: the oldest chief leads, and carries a small drum, on which he beats time and sings; two young warriors, who dance well, carrying each' the stem of a pipe painted, and decorated with feathers of the bald . eagle, and wampum, these are joined in the dance by several other young men, who dance and keep time to the drum; the whole of the party painted and dressed in the most elegant manner, in their way, which is truly fantastic, but elegant, though savage. The chief who headed this party is called Melonthe. These were followed by the chief warrior Awcecanny, and last the warriors armed ; then come the head woman, called Ca-we-chile, in front of all the women and children. When they came near the council-house, Aweccanny got on a stump, and ordered the whole to halt. They then sung for some time, when he gave a signal, and the song ceased. He then ordered the armed men to make ready, which they did, then to fire, which was performed in the Indian style, which is a run- ning fire ; this was repeated three times, on which our troops returned the salute, with three vol- lies from a platoon, well performed, the drum beating an American march. We then entered and took our seats; they then arrived, and after dancing a short time at the door, by way of salute, they entered at the west door, the chief on our left, the warriors on our right and round on the east end till they joined the chiefs; the old chief beating the drum, and the young men dancing and waving the feathers over us, whilst the others were seated; this donc, the women entered at the east door, and took their seats on the east end, with great form. This over, the chief enquired who were the commissioners. which the young warrior, John Harris, told them, and pointed us out. After a short song, the
135
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
chiefs called on Kekewepellethe, a Wagatom- mochie man, who immediately rose to address us. His speech was short, but pathetic and sen- sible. * *
"I find at the commencement of a treaty of peace the chiefs or kings shake the hands of those who have to treat with them, but the war- riors and women not till the business is con- cluded; the reason they give is that the heads of the people should be on an easy and familiar footing, but that the warriors and women, who are the strength of the nation, more distant till peace is certain."
The attachment of the young Shawances to the British is remarked by General Butler. On the 20th, a party of twenty Delawares, headed by their chieftain, called by Major Denny, Bohen- geehalus, and by Butler, Pacanchichiles, arrived. The impression that General Clark had made on the Indians was shown by the conduct of this chieftain.
Major Denny says: "Bohengeehalus is es- teemed one of the greatest warriors now among all the Indians. After he had seated himself he discovered General Clark, and knowing him to be a great warrior, rose and saluted him very significantly-instead of taking hold of each other's hands, they gripped nearly at the shoulder, and shook the left hand underneath the right arms."
General Butler, in reporting the speech of this chieftain, says :
"His first address was to the Great Spirit, re- turning thanks for the preservation of his own and Gen. Clark's life through the war, and for putting it once more in their power to see each other, adding that he felt very happy at the pros- pect which now opened to his view, and thanked God for giving us this great day to meet and de- clare the pleasure he felt."
The Shawances naturally had to show their expertness at dancing, but the most pleasant one, according to Major Denny, was the social dance :
"As many young men as please, form a ring round the fire, move, dance and sing love songs ; the girls looking on for some time-at length they rise one after the other, as the spirit moves them, and seize a partner. The couple stick to each other, dancing and performing every possi- ble gesture, but still keep in the ring, singing and beating time to their music. Now, while busily engaged, the parties exchange some arti- cles of dress, or other things, as a token of their
regard. The girls were very fond of getting a few of us engaged in this dance."
They also entertained the whites with their war dance, which was a much more exciting per- formance.
The Shawances occupied the long house in dancing for ten days, but the serious business of the conference began on January 26th, at which time a speech for the Board of Commis- sioners, prepared by General Butler, was read and explained to the chiefs of the Shawanees.
Major Denny records: "Business opened this day by an excellent speech from our commis- sioners to all the Indians-about four hundred present. The boundary lines, designating the lands alloted the several nations, were particu- larly described and pointed out on the map. They were told that as they had joined the English and taken up the hatchet against the United States, and the war having terminated in favor of the latter, and that the English, also, to obtain peace, had ceded the whole of the country on this side of the lakes to the Amer- icans; that they, the Indians, must now look up to the Americans, and ought to be thankful if allowed to occupy any part of the country, which by the war they had forfeited; nevertheless, more perhaps than they expected would be done for them, but they must leave hostages for their good behavior, etc."
The Indians, after this, retired, as was their custom, for a private conference, and on the 27th met the commissioners again :
"Their head warrior, Kickwaypalathey, re- plied to the speech of yesterday; denied the power and right which the United States as- sumed; asked if the Great Spirit had given it to them to cut up and portion the country in the manner proposed. The Ohio River they would agree to, nothing short ; and offered a mixed belt, indicating peace or war. None touched the belt -it was laid on the table; General Clark with his cane pushed it off and set his foot on it. In- dians very sullen. Commissioners told them it was well, that the United States did not wish war, that two days yet would be allowed to con- sider of the terms proposed, and six days more with provisions to return home; but after that to take care, for they would certainly feel the force of the United States. Council broke up hastily. Some commotion among the Shawances. Returned same afternoon and begged another meeting, when their old king, Molunthy, rose and made a short speech, presented a white
9
-
-
.
136
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
string, doing away all that their chief warrior had said, prayed that we would have pity on women and children, etc."
General Butler, in describing the same oc- currences of the same day, omits this dramatic episode, but there is nothing whatsoever in his account to contradict the statement, which is so circumstantially made in Major Denny's journal. It is clear that this episode, which occurred at the private conference, was not regarded by him as the proper thing for record. This same scene is described in the "Encyclopedia Americana," which is supposed to be based on the notes of an old officer, who was present at the time. This account was as follows :
"The Indians came in to the treaty at Fort Washington in the most friendly manner, except the Shawahanees, the most conceited and warlike of the aborigines, the first in at a battle, the last at a treaty. Three hundred of their finest war- riors set off in all their paint and feathers, and filed into the council-house. Their number and demeanor, so unusual at an occasion of this sort, was altogether unexpected and suspicious. The United States stockade mustered seventy men. In the centre of the hall, at a little table, sat the commissary general, Clark, the indefatigable scourge of these very marauders; General Rich- ard Butler and Mr. Parsons. There wa's also present a Captain Denny, who, I believe, is still alive, and can attest this story.
"On the part of the Indians, an old council- sachem and a war chief took the lead. The latter, a tall, raw-boned fellow, with an impudent and villainous look, made a boisterous and threat- ening speech, which operated effectually on the passions of the Indians, who set up a prodigious whoop at every pause. He concluded by present- ing a black and white wampum, to signify they were prepared for either event, peace or war. Clark exhibited the same unaltered and careless countenance he had shown during the whole scene, his head leaning on his left hand, and his elbow resting on the table. He raised his little cane and pushed the sacred wampum off the table, with very little ceremony.
."Every Indian at the same time started from his seat with one of those sudden, simultaneous, and peculiarly savage sounds, which startle and disconcert the stoutest heart, and can neither be described nor forgotten.
"At this juncture Clark arose. The scrutiniz- ing eye cowered at his glance. He stamped his foot on the prostrate and insulted symbol, and
ordered them to leave the hall. They did so, apparently involuntarily. They were heard all that night, debating in the bushes near the fort. The raw-boned chief was for war, the old sachem for peace. The latter prevailed, and the next morning they came back and sued for peace."
It is plain, however, that what happened on that day was regarded by Denny as the influence which practically concluded the whole matter, for his journal contains but one more entry re- lating to the conference, that of February Ist, reciting the conclusions and signing of the treaty.
In writing to Colonel Harmar, his intimate friend, on January 8th, he reiterates the general line of speeches as recorded by him :
"Twenty-sixth, our commissioners delivered a speech to the Shawanees. setting forth their bus- iness, etc., and acquainting them of the country which would be allowed them. Next day a reply was made, in which they burlesqued the dividing of lands, and asked if the Great Spirit directed the Americans to cut and divide the land as was proposed ; no, they did not understand that part. The Ohio, they thought, was the fittest line, and if we were satisfied they would agree to let it remain the boundary. At hearing this we began to entertain different notions of matters, but the affair was soon cleared up. The commissioners did not attempt to touch the string which was given, and without rising, determined on an answer, which was, that if they did not agree with the terms proposed, in two days, they should then be furnished with six days' provis- ions to carry them home, and no harm should be done them during that time; but after that take care, for they would certainly feel the force of the United States. Council was not broke up more than fifteen minutes when a messenger came for the commissioners. After they had as- sembled, the chief took a white string and de- stroyed the whole of his former speech."
General Butler in his account is obviously de- scribing the speech made after the resumption of the conference :
"Having met them, they recapitulated the speech, in order to be fully satisfied that they understood it, which we found they did. On our informing them.so, they replied they were fully convinced our observations were just-that they had been led into folly by the British-that they were sensible they had done wrong, but they hoped for pity from the thirteen fires, and that they hoped these things would be forgotten."
137
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
The rest of the speech making was made up of an explanation of the charge made by a Delaware chieftain, a few days before, that the Shawanees had attempted to turn back the deputation of Twightwees and other Wabash and Miami Indi- ans who were on their way to the treaty.
On the two following days, General Butler de- scribes at length the speeches which resulted in the treaty. It was apparent that in each case it was necessary first to deal privately with the Shawanees, and afterwards in full council with the other Indians. General Butler does not re- port the proceedings of any of the private con- ferences, but gives at length the proceedings of the general councils. He was more diplomatic than Clark, who was a man of action rather than of words, and in the lengthy speech-making which was so essential a part of the conference, Butler naturally took the prominent part.
That something had passed to raise the feel- ings of all to a high pitch, is clear from the state- ment of Sunday, January 29th, that one of the Shawanee captains, responding to the address,, "that he hoped we would forget all that was passed ;" and that they would return the prison- ers and bury the hatchet.
There is nothing in Butler's account to which this could possibly refer, and this circumstance is still stronger evidence that at a private con- ference, to which Denny's account obviously refers, something had happened to excite much feeling.
THE TREATY.
A treaty was drawn up by General Par- sons. It provided for hostages to insure the return of prisoners; the acknowledgment of the sovereignty of the United States; the giving up of Indians, who might commit murders or rob- bery, to the punishment by the United States with a reciprocal provision as to citizens of United States violating the law ; mutual agree- ments as to information in case of any war; the defining of the limits of the United States at the west of the main branch of the Miami, with the proviso that any Indian settling on the Miami lands should be without the protection of the United States.
The presentation of this treaty on January 30th gave rise to another scene. The captain of the Shawanees objected to the terms in regard to „hostages :
"Brothers, you seem to grow proud, because you have thrown down the King of England; and as we feel sorry for our past faults, you rise
in your demands on us. This we think hard, you need not doubt our words; what we have promised we will perform. We told you we had appointed three good men of our nation to go to the towns and collect your flesh and blood; they shall be brought in. We have never given hostages, and we will not comply with this demand. . 1 black string."
The commissioners, however, refused to re- cede, and General Butler delivered the address indicating their decision. He called attention to the fact that on previous occasions, the Sha- wanees had given hostages to Colonel Bouquet and Lord Dunmore, and that even then they had broken the faith. They had joined the Brit- ish King against us, in spite of which Con- gress offered them country and peace. He notified them that their terms would not be altered and that the United States would protect its citizens.
"We plainly tell you that this country belongs to the United States-their blood hath defended it, and will forever protect it. Their proposals are liberal and just; and you, instead of acting as you have done, and instead of persisting in your folly, should be thankful for the forgive- ness and offers of kindness of the United States instead of the sentiments which this string im- parts, and the manner in which you have deliv- ered it. We shall not receive it or any other from you in any such way. (I then took it up and dashed it on the table.) We therefore leave you to consider of what hath been said, and to de- termine as you please.
"We then left them and threw down a black and white string. In the afternoon the Sha- wanees sent a message requesting we would at- tend in the council-house; on which we went in. Kekewepcelethe then arose and spoke as fol- lows :
"'Brothers, the 13 Fires-We feel sorry that a mistake has caused you to be displeased at us this morning. You must have misunderstood 11s. :): * * Brothers, everything shall be as you wish ; we came here to do that which is good, and we agree to all you have proposed, and hope, in future, we shall both enjoy peace, and be se- cure. (A white string.)'"
This was followed by mutual delivery of white strings and on the following day, after agreeing to hostages, the whole party took hold of the belt of peace and the treaty was finally concluded on Wednesday, February ist. General Butler enumerates as present at tliese conferences, 448
1
138
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
Indians, of whom 83 were Wyandots, 47 Dela- wares, and 318 Shawanees.
On February 8th the commissioners left Fort Finney, with the exception of General Clark, who returned to the falls on the following day. Majors Finney and Denny with the troops re- mained behind.
Major Denny's journal describes the life of Fort Finney, until his final departure to a new fort, at the mouth of the Muskingum, called Fort Harmar, on July 23rd.
The editor of "The Olden 'Time," in which General Butler's journal was printed in 1847, and Mr. Ford, in his "History of Cincinnati," seem convinced of the inaccuracy of the state- ment concerning General's Clark's part in the episode of the 27th. It is probable Neville Craig was evidently not informed of the statement made by Major Denny, and he criticises the arti- cle in the "Encyclopedia Americana" for various inaccuracies which were apparent on the face of the article. Mr. Craig seems to feel that there is an issue raised between General Butler and General Clark, and states that the calling the correctness of General Butler's narrative into question is to charge him with deliberate false- hood. Mr. Ford, who was familiar with Major - Denny's journal, which was not published until 1860, seems to adopt the reasoning of Mr. Craig and states that no such affair appears to . have occurred. This statement is undoubtedly made by reason of what seems to him an inconsistency between the statement of Butler and the state- ment of Denny. There can be no question as to the reliable character of Butler's statement, and the same is if anything more true of Major Denny. The suggestion that General Butler did not report what took place at the private confer- ences, because of his regard for the confidential character of the conference, and perhaps be- cause of his slight tendency to underestimate the services of Gen. George Rogers Clark, seems to clear up the whole matter. In fact the subsequent speeches as recorded by him presup- pose some scene which is not recorded in Butler's journal. There is nothing inconsistent in this with the statement of the subsequent dramatic in- cident in which General Butler took a leading part. The times were ripe for trouble and that two episodes of this character should have oc- curred is not at all extraordinary.
The respect in which Clark was held by the Indians who knew him from many a bitter ex- perience, is clearly shown by both journals, and
had much influence in bringing the rebellious Shawanees to terms. Clark's own obvious will- ingness to take up arms and the knowledge that he was a mighty man in war, and that he was being urged to drop diplomacy for the field of battle undoubtedly did much to prevent a disastrous conclusion of the conference.
Judge Hall, in his book, "The Romance of Western History," describes as a legend of North Bend the scenes of this meeting, giving as his authority an anonymous writer in a Pittsburg newspaper. This anonymous writer gave the name of Major Denny as his informant, and Judge Hall says that the story was confirmed by General Harrison.
There is no improbability that Major Denny, in his latter years, in telling the story, gave it in much more detail than in his "Military Journal." By reason of its excellent presentation of the character of Clark, and because of the fact that the whole episode has always been a part of the familiar history of the Miami country, and that Judge Hall's eloquent narration is one of our pioneer classics, it is worth repetition here.
The location described is as follows :
"In the year 1786 there stood upon the margin of the Ohio, near the mouth of the Miami, a small fortress over which waved the flag of the United States. The banner was that of a confederacy, which had just emerged from a successful strug- gle with one of the most powerful nations of the world, and over which the illustrious Wash- ington ruled as Chief Magistrate. In the eye of a military engineer the fort would hardly have deserved that name, as it was a temporary struc- ture, intended only to protect its small garrison against a sudden attack by an Indian force. It was composed of a series of log houses opening upon an interior arca or quadrangle, with a block- house or citadel in the centre, while the outer sides, closely connected, formed a square inclos- ure or rampart, without apertures except a sin- gle entrance and a few loop-lioles from which to discharge firearms. The whole presented the appearance of a single edifice, receiving light from the centre and forming barracks for the garrison, as well as breastworks against a foe. The forest was cleared away for some hundred of yards around, leaving an open vista extend- ing to the water's edge, while a few acres en- closed in a rude fence and planted with corn and garden vegetables, for the use of the soldiers, exhibited the first rude attempt at agriculture in that wild and beautiful region.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.