USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 17
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Brother ! I am happy that notwithstanding all the difficulties and obstructions I had to encounter from my relations and others, at Detroit, I have succeeded so far in bringing my people to you at this time. I expect intelligence this day, of the approach of more of them. I have briefly acquainted you with these things. I repeat my assurances of
the sincerity of my sentiments and resolution, to be for the future, a steady friend to the United States.
Monday, July 20th. In council. Present as before, with the addition of the Shawanees and Chippeways, who arrived on the evening of the 18th. The General rose and spoke as follows :-
Brothers of all the nations present! I take you by the hand. When we were last in council, two days since, the Little Turtle observed: " We came with an intention to hear you-we expect your wish is for peace with all the world-we would be glad to hear your sentiments upon the subject." I did hope and expect that every man among you would be perfectly acquainted with my sentiments on this subject as I have for a long time past, taken pains to diffuse them throughout your nations. I will read you a message, which I sent amongst you, by Mr. Miller, now present, on the 13th of August last, and which I am persuaded, from the best authority, had been fully explained to, and perfectly understood by your chief and warriors. [Here the General read his message of 13th August, 1794.]
I likewise told you that the ears and the heart of the President, General Washington, were ever open to the voice of peace, and that he had instructed me, his principal war- rior, to listen to that welcome voice, from whatever quarter it might come, provided it came from proper authority and from the heart.
Six moons since, The Crane (Wyandots) and a number of Chippeways, Ottawas, and Sacs, came here in consequence of this invitation. They were also accompanied by the Miamis. I received them with great pleasure and informed them that I thanked the Great Spirit for opening their eyes to see, and their ears to hear the happy dawn of peace. I told them that peace was like that glorious sun which diffused joy, health, and happiness to all the nations of this earth who had wisdom to embrace it; and that I therefore, in behalf, and in the name of the President of the United States of America, took them all by the hand with that strong hold of friendship which time could never break.
These have been the sentiments of my heart with regard to peace, and I think may be' considered as a full answer to the wishes expressed by Little Turtle. To prove that my sentiments are still the same, I present to Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish, and to the Little Turtle, these strings of wampum, which are not purer nor whiter than the heart that gives them. These will be considered as presented to the whole, for the same purpose. [White wam- pum to the Chippeways and Miamis. ]
The Little Turtle observes: "You have informed us that the treaty of Muskingum shall be the foundation on which the present treaty shall be founded. That treaty was held by the Six Nations, and by a few young men of the Chippeways, Ottawas, and Pot- tawattamies. We, Miamis and Wabash tribes, are totally unacquainted with it." And Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish, has also remarked, that the Ottawas, Chippeways, and Pottawatta- mies, knew nothing of the treaty-it had never reached as far as Michilimackinac.
Younger brothers! In order to refresh your memories, and to bring every article of that treaty fully to your recollection, I will now read and explain it to you. These are the articles of that treaty, made more than six years ago, between the United States of America, and the Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippeways, Pottawattamies, and Sauc- keys. [Here he read and explained the treaty of Fort Harmar made in 1789.]
Younger brothers! You have now heard the treaty of Muskingum read and explained to you. It has been for more than six years, well understood by many of the chiefs now present of those nations who concluded it. And I am persuaded that those who were present, and those who signed it, will have candor sufficient, when they hear their names called over to acknowledge it as their act and deed, as Masass has freely and sincerely done the day before yesterday; by which he proved himself to be possessed of a manly, and undisguised heart.
Younger brothers! I have now fully explained to you the treaty of Fort McIntosh, which was concluded ten years ago, and the treaty of Muskingum, which took place six years since. The boundaries agreed on by the former are the same that are stipulated by the latter. I have also pointed out a number of chiefs in this house, who were pre- sent at, and signed those treaties. As I have refreshed their memories in this matter, and read them a few passages of their own speeches and proceedings on those occasions, it is probable they will be able to inform you of everything relating thereto, and give you full satisfaction on the subject. I have no more to say at present. I wish you to con- sider well what I have said to you, that we may be enabled to form a treaty that shall continue unbroken as long as the woods grow and waters run. Think seriously on the great business before you. Consult among yourselves, and when we meet again, speak your thoughts freely. I am persuaded we shall agree in opinion; and when we return home, all nations will have cause to rejoice in the good work we have been doing.
Pe-ke-te-le-mund, a Delaware chief, rose and said :-
Elder brother ! We are happy to meet you here this day. The Great Spirit is kind in permitting us to meet as brothers. We agree with what you have this day said to us. Five days ago you told us what you said last winter to our uncles, the Wyandots. It is true, brother, they were the first who came in to you. We were happy to hear their words, when they returned. We sent forward immediately a deputation to you with our grandchildren, the Shawanees, and with them two prisoners.
Brother ! When our king returned and proclaimed the happy news from you, we re- joiced to hear it and prepared to come in and fulfil what we had promised. We brought in all our prisoners agreeably to your desire, and in conformity to our chief's engage- ments.
Brother ! So far we have evinced our disposition; when we meet again we shall have more to say upon the good work before us.
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Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish, a Chippeway chief, rose and said :-
Elder brother! I am very glad you have pointed out those of my nation who were st and signed the treaty of Muskingum. I did not know them before. That treaty did not reach us who live in Michigan. I am happy in having it now explained. I thank you for expediting our good work. We wish to return to our families, many of whom have died since we left home.
Tuesday, the 21st of July. In council. Present as before. Masass, a Chippeway chief, rose and spoke as follows, in behalf of the three fires, Ottawas, Chippeways, and Pottawattamies :-
Elder brother! I have heard what you said yesterday and know it to be the same that was said at the treaty of Muskingum. I remember it perfectly well and thought whilst I heard you speak it that it was again renewed. My eyes were open and I listened with attention.
Elder brother ! I now address myself to you. You see the fire kindled at Muskingum. I now tell you that some words of that treaty we did not perfectly understand at the time we made it. The Wyandots were foremost at that treaty; we, the three fires, fol- lowed them. You there told us that it was not in your name that you treated; but in behalf of the thirteen fires, which lie along the great water. You told us you would throw the tomahawk into the river; but you know the waters in our woods are not deep; and some foolish young men have had arms long enough to reach the bottom, and take it out. This day we will try to wipe away their bad actions; and to open their hearts to the voice of peace.
Elder brother! I live at the gate leading to all those nations, and to the Pottawatta- mies, and those living in the prairies; and we, the three fires, will do our utmost to bury the hatchet so deep that it can never be found; for it is this hatchet which has reduced us to misery and wretchedness. I tell you this as the true sentiments of the three nations for whom I speak. I cannot answer for the others.
Elder brother! You see the wampum I hold is small. Our three fires, it would ap- pear, are also small, as the other nations have told you. They have also told you, that they were masters of the Ottawas, Chippeways, and Pottawattamies, and of their terri-' tory. Notwithstanding I am so small a man I do now, in the name of the three nations throw the hatchet into the middle of the great lake, where it will be so covered as never to be again found as long as white people and Indians live.
Elder brother! This is all these three fires and the tribe of the Little Turtle who unite with us in sentiment, have at present to say. The hatchet is now buried forever and we now expect your assistance. Your officers and our warriors are now around us, let us join sincerely in making a solid and lasting peace. Peace with our three fires is now established. [A string of blue and white wampum.]
Elder brother! You do not forget any of your words and I show you this belt which you gave a great many years ago, to Wassung, one of our nation. You told him at that time, that upon this road he should always come and see you-that he would always find it free from thorns. [Presented a road belt. ]
Elder brother! When you yesterday read to us the treaty of Muskingum I understood you clearly. At that treaty we had not good interpreters and we were left partly un- acquainted with many particulars of it. I was surprised when I heard your voice, through a good interpreter, say that we had received presents and compensation for those lands which were thereby ceded. I tell you now, that we, the three fires, never were informed of it. If our uncles, the Wyandots, and grandfathers, the Delawares, have received such presents they have kept them to themselves. I always thought that we, the Ottaways, Chippeways, and Pottawattamies were the true owners of those lands; but now I find that new masters have undertaken to dispose of them; so that at this day we do not know to whom they of right belong. We never received any compensation for them. I don't know how it is, but ever since that treaty we have become objects of pity, and our fires have been retiring from this country. Now elder brother, you see we are objects of compassion. Have pity on our weakness and misfortune; and since you have purchased these lands, we cede them to you; they are yours. Perhaps at a future day your younger brothers may be made happy by becoming your children should you extend to us your paternal protection. This is all your younger brothers, the three fires, have to say to you our elder brother. Now the great men will address you.
Tarkee, chief of the Wyandots, rose and said :-
Brothers of the fifteen fires, listen ! And you, my nephews, the Delawares and Six Nations, younger brothers, Shawanese and Miamis, and elder brothers, Ottawas, Chip- peways, and Pottawattamies, we are here assembled this. day, in the presence of God above. Brothers, Americans! Our brothers, the Ottawas, Chippeways, and Pottawat- tamies, have related to you s little of what happened at the treaty of Muskingum and observe that we have sold the lands to you without their consent or knowledge. How- ever, elder brother, I hope you will explain to them how the country was first disposed of into your hands. These people now claim the land and must establish their right with you. We had yesterday some counsel among ourselves on this subject. We feel much alarmed at these words of our brothers, claiming in this manner these lands. This is all I have at present to say, brothers.
Tarkee rose again and continued thus :-
Elder brothers of all nations! We have all assembled to effect a good work. My nephews and I have been talking together, concerning the speech of Masass. We were a little confused by it, and now leave it to our brothers, the fifteen fires, to say whether we shall now speak in answer to it or consider of it until to-morrow.
The General replied :-
Younger brothers ! As I am called upon by the Wyandots to give my opinion whether they shall this day answer the speech of Masass or consider of it till to-morrow, I will give it freely. I do think it will be better to postpone until to-morrow; because, after reflecting coolly, and sleeping, the answer may be more dispassionate and pleasing to all. I am convinced that Masass had no intention to hurt the feelings of his uncle and grandfather; he only meant to inform me, that he had not received any goods or com- pensation for the lands ceded by the treaty of Muskingum. When we come into articles, presently, for a permanent peace, all those nations who have any right to the land in question, shall receive yet farther compensation, I hope to the satisfaction of all parties.
Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish thus spoke :-
Elder brother! I take you by the hand; I now tell you I am not come here to take umbrage at trifles but to accomplish the great and serious work in which we are en- gaged. My heart is good and I will not be interrupted by little things. I now wish to know in the name of our three fires, how long we may have to remain here on this busi- ness. When I first entered this house my mind was prepared and made up. We live at a great distance from here and feel anxious to return.
The General replied thus :-
Younger brothers! It is rather difficult for me to see how many days it may require to finally settle this good work. I will to-morrow listen to what our brothers, the Wyan- dots and others, have to say upon the speech of Masass, and then I shall be perfectly ready to enter upon the main object of this meeting, and lay before you the articles of the treaty which may establish the happiness and peace of the fifteen fires, and of the Indian nations now assembled.
Masass rose and said :---
I have heard the words of my elder brother. He has heard mine. I have reflected coolly; I approve of them, and what I have said I will never retract.
Little Turtle rose and spoke as follows :-
Elder brother ! I wish to ask of you and my brothers present one question. I would be glad to know what lands have been ceded to you, as I am uninformed in this particu- lar. I expect that the lands on the Wabash, and in this country, belong to me and my people. I now take the opportunity to inform my brothers of the United States and others present, that there are men of sense and understanding among my people, as well as among theirs, and that these lands were disposed of without our knowledge and con- sent. I was yesterday surprised when I heard from our grandfathers, the Delawares, that these lands had been ceded by the British to the Americans, when the former were beaten by, and we made peace with, the latter; because you had before told us that it was the Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippeways, Pottawattamies, and Sauckeys, who had made this cession.
Council adjourned.
Wednesday, 22d July. In council. Present as before. The Little Turtle spoke as follows :-
General Wayne! I hope you will pay attention to what I now say to you. I wish to inform you where your younger brothers, the Miamis, live, and also the Pottawattamies of St. Joseph, together with the Wabash Indians. You have pointed out to us the bound- ary between the Indians and the United States; but I now take the liberty to inform you, that that line cuts off from the Indians a large portion of country, which has been en- joyed by my forefather, times immemorial, without molestation or dispute. The prints of my ancestors' houses are everywhere to be seen in this portion. I was a little astonished at hearing you and my brothers who are now present, telling each other what business you had transacted together heretofore, at Muskingum, concerning this country. It is well known by all my brothers present, that my forefather kindled the first fire at Detroit; from thence he extended his lines to the headwaters of the Scioto; from thence to its mouth; from thence down the Ohio to the mouth of the Wabash; and from thence to Chicago on Lake Michigan. At this place I first saw my elder brothers, the Shawanees. I have now informed you of the boundaries of the Miami nation, where the Great Spirit placed my forefather a long time ago, and charged him not to sell or part with his lands, but to preserve them for his posterity. This charge has been handed down to me. I was much surprised to find that my other brothers differed so much from me on this subject; for their conduct would lead me to suppose that the Great Spirit and their forefathers had not given them the same charge that was given to me; but on the contrary had directed them to sell their lands to any white man who wore a hat, as soon as he should ask it of them. Now, elder brother, your younger brothers, the Miamis, have pointed out to you their country, and also to our brothers present. When I hear your remarks and pro- posals on this subject I will be ready to give you an answer. I came with an expecta -. tion of hearing you say good things but I have not yet heard what I had expected.
Brothers, the Indians! I expected in this council that our minds would have been made up, and that we should speak with one voice. I am sorry to observe that you are rather unsettled and hasty in your conduct.
Tarkee, the Wyandot, rose and spoke thus :-
Elder brother! Now listen to me. The Great Spirit above has appointed this day for us to meet together. I shall now deliver my sentiments to you, the fifteen fires. I view you lying in a gore of blood. It is me, an Indian, who has caused it. Our toma- hawk yet remains in your head-the English gave it to me to place there.
Elder brother! I now take the tomahawk out of your head; but with so much care that you shall not feel pain or injury. I will now tear a big tree up by the roots and
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throw the hatchet into the cavity which they occupy; where the waters will wash it away to where it can never be found. Now, I have buried the hatchet and I expect that none of my color will ever again find it out. I now tell you that no one in particular can justly claim this ground-it belongs in common to us all. No earthly being has exclusive right to it. The Great Spirit above is the true and only owner of the soil; and he has given us all an equal right to it. [Spoken on a blue belt.]
Brothers, the fifteen fires, listen ! You now see that we have buried the hatchet. We still see blood around; and in order to clear away all grief we now wipe away the blood from around you, which together with the dirt that comes away with it we bury with the hatchet in the hole we have made for them ; and replace the great tree as it stood before; so that our children nor our children's children can ever again discover it. [Spoken on a blue string attached and both delivered. ]
Brothers, listen! I now wipe your body clean from all blood with this white, soft linen (a white wampum), and I do it with as much tenderness as I am capable of. You have appointed this house for the chiefs of the different tribes to sit in with you, and none but good words ought to be spoken in it. I have swept it clean-nothing impure remains in it.
Brothers, listen ! We are both placed on this ground. I now wipe the tears from your eyes and open your ears. I see your throat is so stopped that you are nearly suffocated. I now open your throat and make it quite clean that whatever the Great Spirit may think proper for you to swallow may go down without any obstruction. I see, also, that your heart is not in its true situation. I now place it in its proper position that any- thing you may hear from us, your brothers, may descend directly to it; and what you . shall say may come with truth and ease from it.
Brother ! I clear away yon hovering clouds that we may enjoy a clear, bright day and easily see the sun which the Great Spirit has bestowed on us to rise and set continually. [A white string. ]
Brother! Listen to us Indians, who now speak to you. The bones which lie scat- tered of your ancient warriors, who fell in defence of the present cause we gather all together and bury them now, and place this white board over them that they may never again be seen by our posterity. [A white and blue belt and string. ]
Brother warrior ! Listen to us! The great chiefs are now about to speak to you. You, chiefs and warriors present, listen also !
Brother! We speak not from our lips, but from our hearts, when we are resolved upon good works. I always told you that I never intended to deceive you when we entered upon this business. It was never the intention of us Indians to do so. I speak from my heart what I now say to you. The Great Spirit is now viewing us, and did he discover any baseness or treachery it would excite his just anger against us.
Brother ! Listen to me. We are all of one mind who are here assembled. This is a business not to be trifled with-it is a matter of the utmost concern to us. We happily so far agree in handling our ancestors' records, who always worked for peace.
Brother ! You have proposed to us to build our good work on the treaty of Muskin- gum. That treaty I have always considered as formed upon the fairest principles. You took pity on us Indians-you did not do as our fathers, the British, agreed you should. You might by that agreement have taken all our lands; but you pitied us, and let us hold part. I always looked upon that treaty to be binding upon the United States and us Indians.
Brother! Listen to us Indians. I told you just now that we were upon business of the greatest moment. I now conclude the great good work we have been employed in ; and with this I cover the whole earth, that it may appear white and shine all over the world. I hope the Great Spirit will have pity on us and make this work lasting. [Four large mized belts presented. ]
Brother ! I am going to relate to you the treaty made at Muskingum in a few words. I have not forgotton that treaty ; neither have you. At that time we settled & peace between the Delawares, Six Nations, Ottawas, Chippeways, Pottawattamies, and us Wyandots. It is very true there were not so many different nations then assembled as are now present. We now establish a general, permanent, and lasting peace, forever.
Brothers! We are all sensible that when you struck, the boundary at that time, it run from Tuscarawas to a little below Loramies, where the fort stood which was destroyed in 1752. I understand the line has since been moved a little towards us. Be strong, brothers, and fulfil your engagements.
Brothers, listen ! I have told you that I speak from my heart-you see the speeches I have delivered. Peruse them and see whether or not I have spoken with sincerity. This is all your brothers of the different nations present have this day to say to you. [A large belt.]
The General rose and spoke as follows :-
Younger brothers! I have listened with great attention to everything you have said this day. I find the hatchet has been buried by all the nations present. I shall peruse these belts, speeches, and boundaries now laid before me with great attention, and I am convinced they will agree with the records in my possession. The day is far spent, and we will now separate to meet again to-morrow morning, and proceed in this good work.
Council adjourned.
Thursday, 23d of July. In council. Present as before. Blue Jacket, a Shawanee chief, arose and addressed the Indians as follows :-
Brothers! I hope you will not take amiss my changing my seat in this council. You all know the Wyandots are our uncles, and the Delawares our grandfathers; and that the Shawanees are the elder brothers of the other nations present. It is therefore proper I should sit next my grandfathers and uncles. I hope, younger brothers, you
are all satisfied with what our uncles said yesterday, and that I have done everything in my power at all times to advise and support you.
A-goosh-a-way, an Ottawa chief, spoke as follows :-
Brothers, the Indians! When I last had my calumet of peace, our elder brothers, the Shawanees, were not present. I now offer it to them, that the sentiment of their hearts may be similar to ours. All you nations present know this to be the calumet of the three fires. It is six years since it was sent from the north to Michilimackinac, to the three fires who live at the gate, to be presented by them to the Wyandots, Delawares, and Shawanees, with an injunction always to hide it when anything bad was in motion; but to display it when anything good was contemplated. You all know the importance of this sacred token of peace among us Indians.
Brother ! I do not consider you as a brother-I view you as a friend. I present you this calumet that came far from the north, and has gone round all the lakes. When it was sent to us the stem pointed towards you (the east). Now, my friend, you may do with this pipe what you please. If you think proper, you may point it towards the fifteen fires, and afterwards turn it towards us. It is entirely at your disposal-I am ordered to deliver it into your hands. [Delivers the pipe ]
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