USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 18
USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 18
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Tarkce 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 tires, 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 ended upon by the Wynndots 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; bernuse, after reflecting coolly, and sleeping, the nuswer may be more dispassionate and pleasing to all. I am convinced that Masasy had no intention to burt the feelings of his uncle nad grandfather ; he only meant to inform mie, that he had not received any goods or com- pensation for the landis ce led 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- giged. 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- Dess. 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 Iands have been ce lel 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 inforin 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 cou- sent. I was yesterday surprised when I heard from our grandfathers, the Delawares, that these lands had been celed 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 Inlians. You have pointed out to us the bound- ary between the Indians and the United States; but I now tike 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 molest ition or dispute. The prints of my ancestors' houses are everywhere to be seen in this portion. I was a little astouisbed at hearing you an I my brothers who are now present, telling each other what business you had transneted together heretofore, at Muskingum, concerning this country. It is well known by all my brothers present, that my forefather kindled the first fre at Detroit; from thence he extendle l his lines to the headwaters of the Sciuto ; from thence to its mouth ; fruta 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 Shawanecs. I hive now informed you of the boundaries of the Miami nation, where the Great Spirit placed my forefather a long time ago, and charged him ant to sell or part with his lands, but to preserve them for his posterity. This charge has been hindel 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 way given to me ; but on the contrary had directed them to sell their lunds to any white man who wore a hat, as soon as he should ask it of them. Now, eller brother, your younger brothers, the Miumnis, 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 expreta. tion of hearing you say good things but I have not yet beard what I had expected
Brothers, the In-lians! 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 con.lust.
Tarkee, the Wyandot, rose and spoke thus :-
Eller 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 hice. I view you lying in a gore of blood. It is me, an Indrin, who has caused it. Our toma- hawk yet remains in your head-the English give it to me to place there.
Elder brother! I now take the tomahow's 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 aud
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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
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 wone 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 truo and only owner of the soil; and he has given as 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; nud 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 batchet in the hole we have made for them ; and replace the great treo ny 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 bave 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 ensily 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 sest- 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. [\ 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 na, and did be 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, ngreed you should. You might by that agreement have taken all our lauds : 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.
Brotber! 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 mixed 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 a 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 pence, 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 bas cinco been moved a little towards us. De 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 peruso there 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 fur spent, and we will now separate to meet again to-morrow morning, and proceed in this good work.
Council adjourned.
Thursday, 234 of July. In council. Present as before. Blue Jacket, a Shawnee chief, arose and addressed the Indians as follows :-
Brothers! I hope you will not take amisa my changing my sent in this council. You all know the Wyandotanre our uneles, and the Delawares our grandfathers; and thet the Shawanees nro the elder brothers of the other nations present. It is thereforo proper I should sit next my grandfathers and uurles. I hope, younger brothers, you
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are all satisfied with what our uncles said yesterday, and that I bavo done everything in my power at all times to advise und 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 Shawances, 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, Delaware. abd Shawanees, with an injunction always to bile 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 his gone round all the lakes. When :: was sent to us the stem pointed towards you (the east). Now, my friend, you may ., with this pipe what you please. If you think proper, you may point it towards t !.. 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. ]
Friend! I now present you with a belt, which has been given to us by the Huron .. who received it from our brothers, the Americans, as a seat in which we all should sit and rest. Our father at Detroit has always en lenvored to lead us off from this seat: but we never listened to him -- we consider it as a carpet spread for our use; and we now show it to you that you may recognize it. [.\ large belt with men and & house designated upon it. ]
Masass, a Chippeway chief, arose and spoke as follows :-
Elder brother! This great calumet comes, not from the little lake near us, but from the great Lake Superior to the north ; from whence our great chiefs and warriors come
Elder brother! When I returned from the treaty of Muskingum I repeated the sub- stance of its proceedings to my nation. You therefore see that your words have gone a great way; even to Lake Superior.
Brother! I live at a great distance from you ; but when you call a council I hear your voice immediately, and I come without delay. You now see all your brothers around you. We are well acquainted with what we are now doing, and what we have done heretofore. The white beads on this belt denote the number of large villages from the north who have heard your word. [A belt with nine white squares. ]
Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish spoke as follows :-
Elder brother, and all present, listen to me with attention ! When the Great Spirit made the world, he put me at Michilimackinac, where I first drew my breath. At first I way entirely naked and destitute ; and as if he had compassion on me, he pointed out to me the way to the white people. I followed his path and found them below Quebec. at the Falls of Montmorebei. I was satisfied the Great Spirit pitiel us, for your whites huid all pity on us, and hence we always loved you. The Great Spirit his blessed you with greater knowledge than we are possessed of-you are. therefore, entitled to great respect. When we first found the French whites we took them to our fires, aud they have lived among us ever since. [A white string. ]
Elder brother! You see all your brothers assembled here in consequence of your mes- sages last winter. At that time the Ottawas, Chippeways, Pottawattamies, some whe call themselves Sauckeys, and the Miamies, heard your words. You remember, brother, I then told you that I would with Iraw the dark cloud from your eyes that you might know us again. You see I have done so, for you now behold us all clearly. At the same time I told you I would open both your ears and my own, that we night hear each other clearly. Our ears are opened accordingly, and we hear and understand accurate !! I now speak to you with a pure heart. This white wampum testifies our sincerity all unanimity in sentiment. I now put your heart in its right place, as you did mine ; 1 .. you may make known to the fifteen fires what I now tell you. [\\ blue and white string ] Elder brother! When I view my situation, I consider myself as an object of com- pas-ion.
Elder brother, listen to me! As I told you last winter, if we Indians have actel wrong we are not entirely to blame. It was our father, the British, who urzel us ti bad decds and reduced us to our present state of misery. He persuaded es to shell a the blood we have spilled. You, this day, see me fulfil my promise. With this beit 1 cover all the slain, together with our evil actions. [\ white belt. ]
Eller brother, listen to me with attention! I speak in the name of all present You see that I am worthy of your compassion. When I look upward I see the rh; serene and happy, and when I look on the earth, I see all my children wandering in the utmost misery and distress. I tell you this to inform you I have never moved my fire- that I still live where the Great Spirit first placed me. [\ belt ]
Eller brother, listen! The Great Spirit above hears us and I trust we shall not endeavor to deceive each other. Iexpect what we are about to do shall never be fair- gotten as long as we exist. When I show you this belt I point out to you your chil Iron at one cil of it, and mino at the other; and I would solicit the fifteen fires, and their women and children, to have pity on my helpless offspring. I now tell you that we wal assist you, to the utmost of our power to do what is right Remember we hive Fora the Great Spirit to witness our present actions. We will make a new world and leave nothing on it to incommode our children. [ \ white belt. ]
Eller brother! I now use this white wamipum that the words I atter may descend to the bottom of your heart, and that of the fifteen fires.
L'her brother! I was not disposed to take up the hatchet against you; it was forced into my hands by the white people. I now throw it into the middle of the deepest lake frota wbence no mortal can bring it back.
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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
Brother! I have thrown my hutchet into a bottomless lake, from whence it never will return. I hope you will also throw yours so far that it may never nghin be found. [ A string blue and white ]
Brother! After hearing all your words my heart feels easy and in its proper place. I do not speak to you about lands ; for why should I! You have told us we might bunt upon your lands. You need not apprehend any injury from us-we will for the future hve and bunt in peace and happiness.
Elder brother ! You see before you all my war-chiefs. They never go ahead of their commander; they ever obey and follow his orders. When I was bere last winter you expre-seil a desire to see them. You told me you would treat them well, but they say they have not seen this treatment and inquire the cause of this alteration. [A blue string. ]
New Corn, a Pottawattamie chief, rose and spoke thus :-
Eller brother! Had you seen me in former days you would have beheld a great and brave chief, but now I am old and burdened with the weight of years.
Elder brother! I take you and the fifteen fires by the hand with the lively feelings of a brother. I am old but age does not prevent me from assisting in good works. I am happy and satisfied with the words you have spoken, and those delivered by my brother Indians. Our satisfaction is general ;- when a chief rises to speak I wish him to speak nothing but truth; because I feel for iny young men, women, and children, whose happiness I have deep at heart. I must observe that I never received any part of the compensation given at the treaty of Muskingum. Our chiefs are all well disposed and I hope everything that passes between you and them may be marked with sincerity and truth. My pation consists of one thousand men who live at, and between Detroit and Lake Michigan. We have the Miamies for our allies, and we mutually assist each other. I am by birth a Sac; I married a Pottawattamie and have resided amongst them. Twenty-three chiefs of that nation are inferior to me in command. [A belt.]
The General spoke as follows :---
Younger brothers! I have heard with due attention all that you this day have said. To morrow I will reply fully to you. My plate aud my table are not very large. They could not entertain all present at one time but I hope to see all your chiefs in person, and in due rotation before we part. In the mean time you must acknowledge that I have helped your plates pretty well, and kept them full all around me. I will send you a little liquor this evening; but I hope you will keep your heads clear to attend to what I shall say to-morrow.
Council adjourned.
Friday, 24th July. In council. Present as before. Blue Jacket, a Shawance chief, rose and spoke as follows :-
Brothers! You know that we, the Seven Nations, have always been of one opinion. You know also that our uncles have always taken care of the great fire, they being the oldest nation. Our elder brother will therefore address his words to our uncle, the Wyandot, who will hand them round through the different nations.
The General rose and spoke as follows :-
Brothers, the Ottawas, Chippeways, and Pottawattamies! Open your ears and be attentive! I have heard with very great pleasure, the sentiments delivered by Masays, as the unanimous voice of your three nations. When Mash-i pi-nash-i-wish, your uncle, came to me last winter, I took him to my bosom and delivered him the key of all muy forts and garrisons ; and my heart rejoices when I look around me and see so many of your chiefs and warriors assembled here in consequence of that happy meeting. It will give infinite pleasure to General Washington, the great chief of the fifteen fres, when I inform him you bave thrown the hatchet with so strong an arm that it has reached the nudelle, nud sunk to the bottom of the great lake, and that it is now so covered with sand that it can never again be found. The belt which was given to Wassuug many years since, establishing a road between you and the fifteen fires, I now return, renewed and cleared of all the brush aod brambles with which time had surrounded it.
Brothers of the three great fires! You say you thought you were the proper owners of the land that was sold to the fifteen fires at the treaty of Muskingum; but you say also that you never received any compensation for those lauds. It was always the wish ani intention of the fifteen fires that the true owners of those lands should receive a full compensation for them. If you did not receive n due proportion of the goods, as original proprietors, it was not the fault of the United States; on the contrary, the United States have paid twice for those lands; first at the treaty of McIntosh, teu yents ago, and next at that of Muskingum, six years since.
Younger brothers! Notwithstanding that these lands have been twice paid for by the fifteen fires, at the places I have mentioned, yet such is the justice and liberality of the I'nited States, that they will now, a third time, make compensation for thew. [A large string to the three fires. ]
Brothers, the Miamies! I have paid attention to what the Little Turtle said, two days since, concerning the lands which he chiimis. He said his father first kindled the Gre nt Detroit, and stretched his line from thence to the head. waters of Scioto ; tbence J .. wn the mune to the Ohio; thence down that river to the mouth of the Wabash. and from thence to Chicago, on the southwest end of Lake Michigan ; and observed that his forefathers had enjoyed that country un disturbed, from time immemorial.
Brothers! These boundaries incluse a very large space of country indeed ; they em- brace, if I mistake not, all the lands on which all the untions now present live, as well .. the which have been ceded to the United States. The lands which have been ceded
bave within these three days been acknowledged by the Ottawas, Chippewaye, Potts- wattamies, Wyandots, Delawares, and Shawanees. The Little Turtle says, the prints of his forefathers' houses are everywhere to be seen within these boundaries. Younger brothers! it is true these prints are to be observed, but at the same time we discover the marks of French possessions throughout the country which were established long before we were born. These have since been in the possession of the British, who must in their turn, relinquish them to the United States, when they, the French, and the Indians, will be all as one people. [\ white string ]
I will point out to you a few places where I discover strong traces of these estab- lishments; and first of all, I find at Detroit a very strong print, where the fire was first kindled by your forefathers; next at Vincennes on the Wabash; again at Musquiton, on the same river ; a little higher up on that stream they are to be seen at Quitanon. I discover another strung trace at Chicago; another on the St. Joseph's of Lake Michigan. I have seen distinctly the prints of a French and of n British post, at the Miami villages, and of a British post at the foot of the Rapids, now in their possession. Print", very conspicuous, are on the Great Miami, which were possessed by the French forty-five years ago ; and another trace is very distinctly to be seen at Sandusky.
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