History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 32

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427

USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 32

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).

He was answered by Wayweleapy, who informed him that he was little known, as he had only addressed them two days, and in that time had said many good, but more bad things ; had talked a great deal about the Great Spirit, without knowing anything about the Spirit, as his ideas were all wrong. He had claimed that the Spirit made three classes of men: the white man, with a white skin, and a great deal of sense ; the Indian, with a red skin, and a little less sense; and the black man, with a black skin, and very little sense. His own idea was different, as he believed all men were created alike, and any other conception was curi- ous and false. In a day or two a treaty was closed, and it immediately became rumored that the Indians had been deceived and cheated. This alarmed the Indians, and John Perry visited the Friend, and when told they had been really robbed of their lands, he wept like a child, and ex- claimed they were a ruined people, unless the Quakers would interpose in their behalf. The Friend assured him he had kept a record of the proceedings of the council, and would act as a witness for the Indians, and do everything in his power for them. Accordingly, he called the attention of the Richmond Yearly Meeting to the matter, and a commit- tee was appointed to visit Wapakoneta and investigate the whole pro- ceedings touching that treaty. This committee, on its arrival, called about twenty of the principal men of the nation, with competent inter-

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preters, and took evidence during three or four days at the mission build- ings. At the opening of the council, this committee informed the In- dians that, at their yearly meeting, they had learned with sorrow from Mr. Harvey that the Indians had been wronged, and assured them they would do all they could in their behalf. They then awaited a statement of the chief, setting forth their wrongs. The Indians thereupon held an all-night council, and early the next morning informed the visitors of their readiness to be heard. When the council had been seated a few moments, the chiefs rose, shook hands with each visitor, and resumed their seats, without saying a word.

The pipe was then passed, and each chief smoked. They now pre- sented a very grave and dignified appearance, as they sat in silence, with eyes fixed upon Wayweleapy, the orator of the day. At length the speaker rose, with black, keen, but tearful eyes, looked about on each of his brethren, and then fixed his gaze upon the committee. He ad- dressed the assembly, but paused to control his feeling. Again he pro- ceeded, but in a moment faltered; tears washed his cheek, emotion overcame him, and he sank to his seat. A struggle ensued with his feelings; he mastered his agitation, regained self-control, and, rising, de- livered a pathetic statement of the perfidy of the negotiators, and appealed to the Quakers to befriend them now, when ruin stared them in the face.

He proceeded as follows: " My friends and brethren, we are now all present, and I am glad to see you. I thank the great God that you have come to see us at this time. We are all in trouble, and wanted to see you very much. You wish to know our grievances about our late treaty, and we will endeavor to tell you. This treaty, which we made with Gardner, we thought was made in good faith on both sides. He spoke a great deal to us, and called upon God to be witness to what he said to us. This made us believe he was in earnest, and we put confidence in what he said, and never thought of being deceived by him. He said he was sent to us by the President, General Jackson, and so we were will- ing to trust him. He made propositions to us for our lands, and we agreed to them. The treaty was not read and interpreted to us, but Gardner assured us that it contained just what he offered us in every particular. We thought he told us the truth, and accordingly we signed the treaty; but since then we found out that it was not so, and that he had deceived and cheated us. This is what so grieves our hearts. We are sorry to find it is to be the price of our farms that is to take us to our new homes. We expected no such thing, but understood plainly that the Government was to be at all that expense, and that what our improvements here were worth, after being valued by good men, was to be paid us in money, to assist us in making farms at our new homes. We have good homes here, and had abundance of labor and pains to make them. We wanted good men to value our improvements, for we are not ashamed of our homes; but we are surprised to hear the treaty is not as we understood it. The Commissioner told us the President would provide well for our women and children on our long journey. My friends, we are in a difficult situation. We cannot let our property go in this way, for if we do we are a ruined people. Now, my friends, another thing that grieves us is, that when we see how the Delawares and Senecas have been treated, who are now on their way to Kansas, we know they have been very poorly provided for the journey. Some have poor old blind horses; some poor women are going on foot, and a large number of them are only furnished four bushels of corn meal. We pity them, as they are our brethren ; we fear their situation will be ours when we go upon our journey. We hope this will be avoided. Another grievance is, that man Gardner promised to pay our debts: this we find he intends to take from our money. We cannot leave Ohio until our debts are paid. My friends, when we got this land we were told by President Jefferson that we never should be asked to sell it; but that if we wished at any time to sell, the Government would send a good man to purchase it of us. Gardner, when he came among us, said he was sent by the President and instructed to pay us well for our land ; but he has deceived us, and has failed to do as he promised. This man, who told us he was sent here by General Jackson, told us that such rich farming lands as these we have, should be furnished us at our new home; but we have since learned they are to be paid for out of the proceeds of our poor little reserve here-out of our poor hard-earned farms, which we have improved at a cost of so much time and labor. This is too

hard : they never cost the Government anything, and we had no idea the money was to be taken from us for any such purpose. We had mills here that were built for us by our friends the Quakers-they never cost the Government anything-and Gardner told us we should have good mills furnished us at our new home; but the pay for them, we now learn, is to be taken from our money for that too. What does this mean? We declare we understood no such thing at the time we signed the treaty.

" We have now told you what our grievances are. If we could have all these things as we understood them at the time we made the treaty, we would be satisfied ; but if not, trouble and sorrow will follow us to our far distant homes.

" Friends and brothers, we say again that we are glad to see you here at this time; we are glad you are going to take our side, for we are a poor forsaken people, and have none to whom to look but our friends, the Quakers. We hope you will succeed in your undertaking, and if you do, sorrow will be removed from us. We are so rejoiced that you have come to see us that we never, as long as we live, shall forget our feelings of gratitude at this time. The world is wide, but after looking about us on every hand, we could find no one to whom to appeal in this hour of need except our old friends, the Quakers. Many people will talk from the teeth out, but the manner of the Quakers toward us at all times shows them to be our real and genuine friends. We know they are still our only friends, and so to them we state our grievances and appeal to them for help. My brothers, I am now done speaking."

Such was the Indian statement of the treaty proceedings as delivered by Wayweleapy, the chosen orator of the occasion.

The result of this investigation was a petition to Congress, embodying a statement of facts, and asking additional compensation for the Shawnee lands. A deputation of chiefs was appointed, consisting of John Perry, Wayweleapy, Black Hoof, and Spybuck, with Francis Duchouquet, and Joseph Parks, as interpreters. . At the same time a memorial was pre- pared in behalf of the Friends, asking relief for the Shawnees, and a com- mittee, consisting of Henry Harvey and David Baily, authorized to present it to Congress. . They were further instructed to give such information as they could touching the late treaty, and urge the claim of the Indians before Congress and the President.

Henry Harvey, being a witness to the treaty, was competent to show the fraud by which it was obtained. The expense of these proceedings was borne by the Society. The joint deputation left the mission Dec. 1, 1831, and went via Mt. Pleasant, where the Quakers joined in the memorial, and did much for the further comfort of the deputation. Again, at Baltimore, the Quakers joined the appeal to Congress, so that by this time the memorial represented the societies of Ohio, Indiana, and Mary- land. At Cumberland, Francis Duchouquet was taken sick, and had to be left by the company. It was believed he could live but a short time, and his parting with the chiefs was very affecting. The latter were touched to tears as the old interpreter told them he was an old man, must soon die, and they would never meet him again. He had been an honest and useful man who, in the capacity of government interpreter, had been of great service to the whites, and even saved many from the stake. He died a few days after his companions left Cumberland. (See reference elsewhere.) On reaching Washington, and making known their mission, they were furnished a copy of the fraudulent treaty, and requested by Sec. Cass to examine it carefully, and find what difference, if any, ex- isted in the amount therein stipulated and that represented and promised by Gardner. After due examination, this deficiency was shown to amount to $115,000, and the delegation thereupon asked that said treaty be annulled, and another be formed with the delegation, who were autho- rized to act for the Indians. The Secretary approved the plan, after satisfying himself that the calculation was correct, and added that in his opinion the Indians would not receive a single dollar by the Gardner treaty. He further appealed to the President, but as he would take no action in the premises, an appeal was made to Congress, through the assistance of Joseph Vance, a representative from Ohio. After consid- erable . delay, a bill was reported by Geo. McDuffy, of S. C., granting $30,000, instead of the $100,000 asked in the petition. After the trans- action of the business of the delegation, Secretary Cass paid all expenses incurred in Washington, and those necessary on their return home, amounting in all to $640; and, further, presented each of the chiefs with

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$50. At the making of the treaty, the Indians were promised to be removed early in the spring, and were advised to sell everything they could spare during the winter. In accordance with this advice, they sold about 200 head of cattle, 1200 hogs, and many other things, and with the proceeds purchased clothing, wagons, and guns, in anticipation of their early removal.

Moreover, they were to receive $3000 at the time of their departure, so that they had no uneasiness about the future. These promises were all violated, and resulted in absolute want, and almost starvation, to a whole nation. Again Mr. Harvey appealed to Secretary Cass, and at the same time went to the Miami mission, distant about eighty miles, to buy a load of provisions for the starving tribe. In this he was successful, and a few days later supplies were received from Piqua, on the order of the Secretary. On the arrival of these provisions, the Indians repaired to Wapakoneta, where a distribution was made which supplied their needs until their removal. Gardner arrived about the first of September, and, wretchedly equipped, they took up their march of 800 miles for their sun- set home. Well might they exclaim :-

" We, the rightful lords of yore, Are the rightful lords no more ; Like the silver rusts we fail ; Like the red leaves in the gale ; Fail like shadows when the dawning Waves the bright flag of the morning."

. All ages and classes; all ranks and conditions, the remnant of a proud free people, not even demanding justice-for they knew they had no rights, but rather supplicating that sympathy which they dared not expect- they went forth, fearing to look back, and the mock pageant of the commissioner was to the Indian a mere show, signifying nothing but his undone condition. Gardner accompanied them to the Mississippi River, and then returned. They pressed on across the prairie after traversing the wilderness, and reached their destination about Christmas. They were joined the next spring by the Hog Creek tribe, who were under the direction of Joseph Parks, and fared much better than the Wapako- neta band, as they had the advantage of season, and a leader of heart. The next season Harvey and two others visited them, and obtained per- mission to erect schools, and continue the work of the mission. This work progressed until 1839, when it was suspended, on account of sick- ness. Mr. H. and family took charge the next year, and remained until 1842, when they returned home. When he was about to leave, the In- dians took a very affectionate leave of his family.

George Williams was appointed to extend the farewell of the whole tribe, and in doing so, he spoke as follows : " My brother and my sister, I am about to speak for all our young men and for all our women and children, and in their name bid you farewell. They could not all come, and it would be too much trouble for you to have them all here at once, so I have been sent with their message. I was directed to tell you that all their hearts are full of sorrow, because you are going to leave them and return to your home. Ever since you have lived with us we can all see how the Quakers and our fathers lived together in peace.

"You have treated our children well, and your doors have always been open to us. When we were in distress, you relieved us; and when our people were hungry, you gave them food. For your kindness, we love you. Your children and our children lived together in peace, and at school learned together, and loved one another. We will always remem- ber you, and teach our children to never forget your children. And now, my brother and sister, I bid you farewell, and Caleb and his sisters, and the little boys and their sisters, farewell !" He then took Mr. Har- vey by the hand, saying " Farewell, my brother," and then taking the hand of Mrs. Harvey said, " Farewell, my good sister." He then bade the children an individual farewell, and went away in sadness. The next day about twenty chiefs spent the day with the Friends, and towards evening took leave of the family in a manner similar to that of the rep- resentative chief on the preceding day, and then left the house in the manner of leaving a grave, without looking back, or speaking a word. The mission was still sustained after Harvey's return, until it became supplemented by several district missions of different denominations. It may here be added that, in 1853, Congress appropriated $66,000 as

additional compensation to the Wapakoneta and Hog Creek Shawnees, and their claims were thereby extinguished. Thus-

"'Mid the forests where they warred, There rings no hunter's shout ; But their name is on your waters- Ye may not wash it out."

Our purpose is now accomplished, and we cast a lingering farewell look upon that people whose history we have reviewed. We thus traced the connection with this territory of the disinherited offspring of the Algonquin nation, which knew no superiors, and acknowledged no equals. Springing from the head of the Great Spirit, all other tribes and nation- alities were inferior, because they sprang from the inferior body. Endowed by superior wisdom, all other tribal or national wisdom was obtained through them, as the terrestrial fountain head. Brave, generous, and strong, they possessed a nomadic nature which makes their history almost coextensive with a continent. From the Atlantic to the Father of Waters they left their foot-prints, and from the great cold lakes to the broad warm gulf, the forests echoed their voices, and the streams reflected their images. Proud and arrogant in the knowledge of their strength, if that strength waned they substituted prudence for arrogance, but never com- promised their superiority nor sacrificed their dignity. More than other tribes, they appreciated nature, and there found their storehouse of eloquence, for their imagery was the reflection of nature's heart. Their language was thus limited, but rich, and better calculated for lofty oratory than trivial conversation. Single words adorned whole ideas in poetic beauty.

They were in harmony with nature till the mutual sympathy caused the "very leaves of the forests to weep tears of pity" at the suffering produced by the pale-face intruder, whose contact, like a whirlwind, swept forest and savage alike before him in his destructive career. Such were the Shawnees at the advent of the whites, and although driven about and wronged, they still hoped to find a spot they could call their own, and from which they never would be driven. Destiny reserved no such boon for them as yet, and when they settled on the Auglaize and the lands were " guaranteed to them forever," the promises were false, and the hopes delusive. Contented if here they could remain, they were willing to even forsake their fathers' graves, relinquish their claims to their tribal lands, renounce their ancestral lives, and adopt the habits of civilized men. The Auglaize is a witness to the transformation, while Wapakoneta is a monument to the progress of the same race. Here they abandoned their wild past, and embraced the teaching of the whites. Instead of warring, they cultivated the soil; instead of the chase, they gathered harvests. For tradition, they accepted education, and for barbarity they accepted humanity. It was enough, and they were happy; but again they must leave all they love; all the associations of their new condition, and all the incentives to the new life they embraced.

Their hope was crushed, for the hand that plays with the heart-strings of association and affection is cruel and relentless. So in their case ; the tender cords snapped asunder, and warriors, who knew not how to flinch before a tomahawk, nor yet to weep before the stake, were touched to galling tears. It was a night of gloom on which Destiny looked in pity, and provided in the Quakers a star of promise, until, in humanity, the sun of reality could rise. Let the dark past, with its suffering and its wrongs, be forever dissipated by the golden light of humanity which beams justice and happiness, not for the whites alone, but for the whole brotherhood of man.

POST-OFFICE.

Although some difference of opinion has prevailed touching the date of the establishment of post-offices in the Northwest, it may be stated that the first office was established in 1794, as shown by the subjoined correspondence.

GENERAL POST-OFFICE, Philadelphia, May 24, 1794.

DEAR SIR : It is proposed to attempt the carriage of a mail from Pitts- burg to Wheeling by land and thence by water to Limestone. From Limestone by a new road on the southern side of the Ohio to the mouth of Licking, opposite to Fort Washington, where it will cross over. From

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Limestone the mail will be carried through the State of Kentucky ; the post road through the wilderness in this case to be discontinued. I have given directions to have these boats constructed for the purpose, to be formed in the best manner for ease and expedition in pushing up stream, to be managed by five hands each. Hope they will be running some time in June.

Marietta will be a station for the boats to stop at as they pass, and doubtless it will be convenient to have a post-office there. Herewith I send a packet addressed to you to be put into the hands of the person you judge most suitable for postmaster. He will there see the forms in which the business is to be transacted, with which he should make him- self acquainted. The law now sent will expire in a few days. It is sub- stantially the same.as the new law as to the regulations-the latter will be forwarded when prepared. The person you designate for postmaster should be careful and trusty, and there will be an advantage in having one whose residence will be near the landing place of the mail boats.

The advantages of a regular mail will be so great to your settlement, I am sure you will omit nothing to secure them.

I am, with respect and esteem, dear sir,

Your most obedient servant,

TIMOTHY PICKERING.

P. S .- I suppose a post-office may be eligible at Gallipolis, for which reason I send a second package addressed to you to be disposed of as you think fit. You will be so good as to favor me with an answer as soon as possible.

To GENERAL RUFUS PUTNAM, Marietta.

MARIETTA, June 9, 1794.

DEAR SIR: Your favor of the 24th ult., with the packets referred to, has come to hand. I have engaged Mr. Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., to undertake the business of postmaster at this place. He is a gentleman of probity-is attorney for the United States in this county, and keeps his office within a few yards of where boats will naturally land, both on account of convenience and security.

With respect to Gallipolis, I am not so well acquainted as to fix on any one without some further information, which I expect to obtain in a few days. Yours, RUFUS PUTNAM.

Mr. R. J. Meigs, Jr., was thus the first postmaster in the Northwest- ern Territory. He held the office until October, 1795, when he was suc- ceeded by Capt. Josiah Munroe, who continued postmaster to 1801.

Gen. Putnam selected Mr. Francis De Hebecourt for postmaster at Gallipolis.

OHIO.

IT is but a step from the territory to the State. The constitutional convention, comprising delegates from the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, assembled for the purpose of framing and adopting a constitution for the United States, and terminated its labors and adjourned September 17, 1787. The old " Articles of Confederation" were too narrow for the structure of government then rearing by the people. From the old battle-scarred confederation they sought to hew out a new State, recog- nizing the people as the source, the object and the power of government. It must be " a government of the people, for the people, by the people," and to this end a Nation was founded, supreme in its attributes, because reflecting the will of a sovereign people. Rights, powers, functions, and prerogatives were reserved to the Nation, while others were delegated to the several States.

The Nation in its constitutional capacity became, and is the supreme power and supreme law. It was a new experiment ; it was the launch- ing of an untried vessel upon an unknown sea; but the fullness of time had come wherein "man is man and master of his fate," and when it was found desirable to make a "perpetual union" still "more perfect." That constitution everywhere sought an indissoluble union composed of indestructible States. It was "we the people of the United States in order to make a more perfect union," who sought to confirm and strengthen what had been pronounced a perpetual union. True, it was found necessary in later years to enlarge the provisions of the consti- tution, but at the period of its adoption it was as rounded, as symmet- rical, and as finished as the differing opinions entertained by the framers would permit. Those liberalizing provisions which have been the out- growth of years of development applied and still apply chiefly to the rights of individuals rather than to the powers of the Nation or the State. The integrity of the union was not an open question so far as the constitution could provide against conflicting views; but the rights of the individual, the manhood of man had not yet been recognized or secured. That instrument contained the word "white" and "white inhabitants," alone were known to the founders of the government. Slavery was an institution which became the fountain head of nullifica- tion, secession, and rebellion, that trinity of evil which impoverished a treasury, bathed a people in teats, and baptized a land in blood. But it hastened the consummation of freedom, hastened development, hast- ened the recognition of manhood's highest estate, and who will say

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History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 32

Author: R. Sutton & Co. Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Number of Pages: 427

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427