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 20
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 20
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Elder brother ! Ou the subject of hostages, I have only to observe that I trust all my brothers present are of my opinion with regard to peace and our future happiness. I expect to be with you every day when you settle on your reservations, and it will be impossible for me or my people to withhold from you a single prisoner ; therefore we don't know why any of us should remain here. These are the sentiments of your younger brothers present on these particulars. [A white string. ]
Asimethe, a Pottawattamie chief, arose and spoke as follows :-
Elder brother! You have heard the voice of your younger brothers present. I have nothing to ndl to what has been said. Where could I find a contrary opinion ? I have only to hope that we may all experience the truth of what you have told us in the name of General Washington who sent you. All our trenties hitherto have filed; this, I am confident, will be lasting. These words come from the three fires, and we hope the Great Spirit may witness our sincerity. [A white string.]
Council adjourned.
Thursday, 30th July. In council. Present as before. Asimethe thus resumed his address :-
Elder brother ! What I am about to say is the voice of all present. You know the Great Spirit witnesses our words-I am afraid to tell au untruth. I have nothing to add to what has been said; it meets the full approbation of all your younger brothers. You know we have all buried the hatchet together with our bad actions. Why, therefore, do you wish to detain hostages from among us? You may depend upon our sincerity. We cannot but be sincere as your forts will be planted thick among us. Although an Indian, I respect the words of a good man ; nad when I ple-lge my faith, I do not deviate from my engagements. Your people with us will undoubtedly be restored as soon as possible; I cannot fix any precise period for their delivery, for perhaps I could not exactly fuifl my promises and I should be sorry to give you canuse to douht my veracity.
The Shawances, Miamies, and Delawares, who lived at the gate, and who caused all our misfortunes bave wisely buried the hatchet forever; they wish to return to their former situation and enjoy ag in their favorite abode.
Elder brother! Do not view my freedom with displeasure. [A white string. ]
Kee-a-hah, a Kickapoo chief, arose and said :-
I am sent by my nation to hear what the assembled nations should say at this treaty ; together with the wordly of our elder brother. I shall now speak a few words through the Little Turtle. [Presents a pipe to smoke. ]
The Little Turtle said :-
Elder brother! The United States nud your elder brothers present, look at this cilu- met-you see it is white. It is an lustrument given to uy Indians by the Great Spirit to assist in communicating our sentiments to each other.
Eller Brother! I return you thanks for the good words you sent among us; in ron. sequence of which we are here this day. We. the Kickapoos and Kaskaskias, are happy in perceiving your humanity towaris us Wo arr with great pleasure all our eller brothers now take you 1; the laad; and we sincerely hops your words to each other
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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
mny never be violated. We present this calumet as a token of our listing friendship towards you, and of our anxious desire that this good work may last forever. [A pipe delivered. ]
Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish, chief of the Chippeways, arose and spoke as follows :-
Elder brother, listen to what I now way ! Your younger brothers, that is, the Oltuwas, Chippeways, and Pottawattamies, have told you that they were but one people and had but one voice. They have said the truth and what I now say is in the name of the three fires, You haveasked of us, the island of Michilimackinac, and its dependencies, on the main, where the fort formerly stood ; they are ceded to you forever, with the utmost cheer- fulness. You have also asked a piece of ground at the entrance of the straits to cut your wood on and for other necessary purposes; this is also granted to you; und I further wild to it the Ile de Bois Blanc, as an instauco of our sincere disposition to serve and accommodate you.
You know, brother, when the French formerly possessed this country we were but one people and had but one fire between us; we now entertain the hope of enjoying the same happy relations with you, the United States. Your brothers present, of the three firea, are gratified in seeing nn.l hearing you; those who are at home will not experience that pletsure until you come and live among us: you will then learn our title to that Jant; you will then be convinced of iny sincerity, aul of our friendship and strength of our nations.
This, elder brother, is all I have to say at present. We all know that the good work of peace is accomplished : I only address these few words to you that all nations present may'ngnin hear the sentiments of the three fires, nud understand them perfectly. [1 blue and white string. ]
The Little Beaver, a Wea chief, arose and said :-
Elder brother! You already know what I am about to say. I have got a cold; I cannot speak well at present; my brother, the Little Turtle, will speak for me.
The Little Turtle :-
Elder brother! Here are papers which have been given to me by General :shington, the great chief of the United States. He told nie they should protect us in the possession of our lands, andl that no white person should interrupt us in the enjoyment of our hunt- ing grounds, or be permitted to purchase any of our towns or lands from us; that he would place traders among us who would deal fairly. I wish you to examine these papers.
Elder brother! You have asked for a reservation at the Quiatanon : I hope you will put a trader there on the spot formerly occupied by one. We would wish Captain Prior to be our trader. I can't give you any landy there, brother ; I will lend you some as long as you want it.
Elder brother! You have told us of a place possessed by the French, called Mosquiton. We have lived at our village a long time, and it is very surprising that we should never know anything about it. The French live at Vincennes, where they were permitte i to settle by my forefathers, who told them they should have a small quantity of land for the cattle, etc., on the east, but none on the west side of the Wabash. [.1 white string. ]
Masass, a Chippeway chief, arose and said :-
All you my brothers present! When the chief, of my village sent me hither to hear your proceedings in council, they told me I could not see the extent of the American fires; that they believed their eller brother had called them together in pity to them. their women and children, and they enjoined the three Gires to speak with one voice and do their utmost to forward the good work : saying, that they had seen several treaties, heretofore made with the United States, which the Indians had always violated, by taking up the hatchet.
ElJer brother ! I have listenel toall your words, and to those of my brothers. It would be very wrong iu me to raise objections to what has been done, as you have explained to us your treaty with Britain.
Eller brother! You say, at the Fort of Detroit, you intend to take a piece of land six miles deep, from the river Racine to Like St. Clair. I now ask you what is to become of our brothers, the French, who live on this land. We look on them as our brothers and friends, who treated as well, when abused by the British. We wish to know your sentiments on this subject. We think, brother, you could find land enough between the rivers Raisin and Rouge. We have no objection to your reservation at the foot of the raj .: 1 -. We have no objection to any other proposition you have male ; and we sincerely wish we could now take you among us, because the British, on our return, will renew their oll songs.
Elder brother! My children must have suffered since I left home ; perhaps I myself may be made unhappy on wy return to them ; for the British may probably say, Why don't yon seek relief from your new friends? This makes me une ixy and urges me to entreat you to come immediately and live bearer to us. You might then assist us and it would be more convenient for the surrender of our prisoners. I hope you pity my situation. When I returned from the treaty of Muskingum. Mckee threatened to kul me ; I have not now loss cause to fear him, as ho endeavored to prevent my coming hither.
Elter brother! You noked who were the true owners of the lands now celed to the United States. In answer, I tell you, there if any nations should call themselves the owners of it they would be guilty of a falsehood ; our claim to it is equal; our eller brother has conquered it.
Brothers! Have done trifling. Let us conclude this great work ; let us sign our names to the treaty now proposed met tuich our business.
EMer brother! If I can exeupe the shares of Mekee and his bad birds, I shall ascend as high as the Falls of St. Mary's, and proclaim the good tilings to all your distant bro- thers in that quarter. [ A belt ]
The General spoke as follows :-
Younger brothers, all of you. listen with attention! I shall now reply to what was anid ye-terlay by the Wyandlots. I will then answer the observations of the Little Turtle, monde in behalf of the Miamies an I Wabash tribos,
Younger brothers, the Wyqu lots, Delawarey and Shawanees! I am pleased to bear you say with one voice, for the second time, that I have done the greatest justice to you in dividing the lands of the United States from those of the Indian nations by the bound- ary line which I have proposed. You request me to fix the boundaries that shall divide the landy between the respective tribes of Indians now pre-ent.
Younger brothers! A moment's reflection will show you the impropriety as well as the impossibility of my acting in this business. You Indians best know your respective boundaries.
I particularly recommend to all you nations present, to continue friendly andt just to each other; let no nation or mations, invade, molest or disturb, any other nation of na- tions in the hunting-grounds they have heretofore been necustomer to live and hunt upon within the boundary which shall be now agreed on. And, above all, I enjoin that no injury be offered to any nation er nations, in consequence of the part any or either of them may have pursued, to establish a permanent and happy peace with the United States of America.
Younger brothers, the Wynudots and other Indians of San-lusky, make your hearts and minds ensy. Be assured that as soon as circumstances will permit a fort shall be established on the reserved landIs, near the entrance of Sandusky Lake, which will always afford you protection against the common enemy, should any such presume to disturb our peace aud mutual friendship.
Younger brothers, the Miamies! I have listened to you with attention and have heard your observations upon the general boundary line proposed by me, as well as upon the proposed reservations. If iny ears dil not deceive me I have heard all the other mentions give their nssent to the general boundary line and to the re-ervations generally; I there- fore address you, the Miamies: You say that the general boundary line as proposed by me will take away some of your best hunting-grounds, nud you propose to alter it, aud run it from Fort Recovery, through the centre of this place, and along the road to the Miami River, opposite Fort Hamilton.
Younger brothers! This would be a very crooked, as well as a very difficult line to follow, because there are several roads between this aut Furt ilamilton, some of them several miles apart, which might certainly he productive of unpleasant mistakes an l differences. That which I propose will be free from all difficulty aud uncertainty. You all know Fort Recovery, as well as the month of Kentucky River. A straight line drawn from one to the other, will never vary ; they are two points which will ever be remem- bered, not only by all present, Fut by our children's children, to the end of time. Nor will this line prevent your hunters, or young men in the smallest degree from pursuing nil the advantages which the chase affords, because, by the seventh article, the United States of America grant liberty to all the Indian tribes, to hunt wituin the territory ceded to the United States, without hindrance or molestation, so long as they demean them- selves penceahly, and ofer no injury to the people of the United States.
I find there is some objection to the reservation at Fort Wayne. The Little Turtle observes, he never heard of any cessions made at that place, to the French. I hate traced the lines of two forts at that point; one stood near the junction of the St. Joseph and the St. Marys; and the other not far removed, on the St. Mary's; and it is ever an established rule, among Europeans, to reserve as much ground around their forts as their cannon can command ; - this is a rule, as well known ns any other fict.
Objection has also been made respecting the portage between Fort Wayne and Little River; and the reasons produce .! are, that the rovl has been to the Miamies a source of wealth-that it has heretofore produced them one hundre I dollars per day. It may be so ; but let uy inquire who in fact pail this heavy contribution. It is true, the tra lers bore it in the first instance, but they land it on their goods, und the Indians of the Wairish really and finally paid it ; therefore, it is the Little Beaver-the Soldier-the Sun, and their tribes, who have netully been so highly taxe.l. The United States will always be their own carriers, to, and from, their different posts. Why should the United States pay the large sum of eight thousand dollars, annually, if they were not to enjoy the privilege of open roads, to, and from their reservations ? This sum of money the United States agree to pay for this, and other considerations; and the share which the Miamies will receive of this annuity, shall be one thousand dollars,
I will then inquire, of all the nations present, whether the United States are not neting the part of a tender father, to them and their children, in thus providing for them ; not only at present, but forever ?
The Miamies shall be at liberty, as usual, to employ themselves for private trailers whenever their assistance may be required, and those people who have lived at that glu rious gate (the Miami villages) may now rekin He their fires at that favorite spet, and hence forth, ne in their happiest days, he at full liberty to receive from, and send to, all quarter4, the spreches of their chiefs no qual-and bero is the road the Mintniry wiil remember. [A road belt ]
Now, all ye chiefs and warriors, of every nation percent, open your ears, that you may clearly hear the articles of treaty, now in my hind, ngain real, and a second time ex plained to you, that we may proceed to have them engrossel on parchment which amy preserve them forever.
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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
[The articles of treaty were here a second time rend, and explained by the General, who observed upon |
The artiete respecting hostages :
I dul not expect nuy objections to this particular; for I see no reason why you should hesitate of leaving ten of your people with me, until the return of our people from among you. The promise of a mutual exchanen of prisoners tuade last winter when we met at this place, you have not performed on your part: I have kept none of your flesh nud blood; nar would General Washington, the Great Chief of the United States, suffer me so to do. The period will be short ant those who remain shall be kindly treated.
On the Onintanon reservation :
The Little Beaver has asked for Captain Prior, to reside as a trader at Quiatanon : he shall reside at that pince. But Captain Prior is a warrior, not a trader ; he shall have a few warriors with him to protect the trade and the Indians in that quarter.
On the reservation of Detroit :
Masass has asked, what will become of the French ? The United States consider the French and themselves as one people ; and it is partly for them, and their accommoda- tion that this reservation is made, whenever they become citizens thereof, as well as for the people of the Fifteen Fires.
On the gift of the Iste de Bois Blanc :
In addition to the ces-jons which the three fires have male with such cheerfulness, of the reservations in their country, Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish has, in their name, made & vol- untary gift to the United States, of the Iste de Bois Blanc, in Lake Michigan. The Fifteen Fires accept of this unaske-l-for grant from the Ottawas, Chippeways, and Pottawatta- mies, according to their intentions; and will always view it as an unequivocal mark of their sincere friendship.
The Little Turtle yesterday expressed a wish that some of their former traders might be continued among them, av a part of the number to be liceused by the United States, This is very fair and reasonable, and a certain number will be licensed accordingly, when properly recommended as good aud honest men.
Brothers! All you natioas now present, listen ! You have now had, for a second time, the proposed articles of' treaty read and explained to you. It is now time for the nego- tintion to draw to a conclusion. I shall, therefore, a-k each nation, individually, if they approve of, and are prepared to sign, those articles, in their present form, that they may be immediately engrossed for that purpose. I shall begin with the Chippeways.
You Chippeways, do you approve of these articles of treaty, and are you prepared to sign them ?
[A unanimous auswer] Yes.
You, Ottawas, do you agree ?
ditto
Yes.
You, Pottawattamies ?
ditto
Yes.
You, Wynndots, do you agree ?
ditto
Yes.
You, Delawares?
ditto Yes.
You, Shawances?
ditto
Yes.
Yon, Miamies, do you agree ?
ditto
Yes.
You, Weas?
ditto
Yes.
And you, Kickapoos, do you agree ?
ditto
Yes.
The treaty shall be engtoused ; and as it will require two or three days to do it pro- perly, on parchment, we will now part, to meet on the 24 of August. In the interim, we will ent, drink, nud rejoice, and thank the Great Spirit for the happy stago this good work has arrived at.
Council adjourned.
July 31st. The Red Pole, with cighty-eight Shawanees, and Tey- yagh-taw, with seven Wyandots, nine of the Six Nations, and ten Dela- wares, arrived from the vicinity of Detroit, and were received.
August 2d. In council. Present as before, with the addition of the Shawanees, Wyandots, etc., who arrived on the 31st ultimo. The Red Pole, a Shawance chief, arose and spoke as follows :-
I am very happy to see you all, my brothers, here assembled. I am come late, but I come with a good heart. I am well pleased to hear of the good work you have agreed upon, with our elder brother, the Fifteen Fires, and thank you for the pity you have shown for our helpless women and children, whom we have left behind.
The General arose and spoke as follows :-
Younger brothers ! I have received a letter from your ancient friends and brothers, the people called Quakers, with a message to all the nations here assembled. The Quakers are a people, whom I much love and esteem, for the goodness of heart, and sincere love of pence, with all nations. Listen theu to their voice, and let it sink deep into your hearts.
[Here the General read the address of the people called Quakers, and the invoice of their present.]
Their present, you perecive, is small; but being designed with the benevolent view of promoting the peace and happiness of mankind, it becomes of important value. They wish it to be regarded merely as a token of their regard for you, and a testimony of their brotherly affection, and kind remembrance of you.
Younger brother! The articles of treaty are not yet completely engrossed ; they will be ready by elekt o'clock to-morrow morning, when we will again mert bere, rend the treaty once mare, and proceed to the net of mutually signing, and exchanging it. The Sbawanees nud Wyandots, who arrived the day before yester ity, will then hear what we have all agree ! upon, and be equally convinced with all the others, of the liberality of the articles.
Blue Jacket, a Shawance chief, arose and spoke as follows :--
Eller brother, atl you my brother. present ! You see me now present my-elf, as a war chief, to lay down that commission, and place myself in the year of my village chiefs, who, for the future, will command me. Remember, brothers, you have all buried your war-hatchets; your brothers, the Shawances, now do the same good set We must think of' wir to more.
Elder brother! You now see that all the chiefs and warriors around you, have joined in the good work of peace, which is now accomplished. We now request you to inform our elder brother, General Washington, of it, aud of the cheerful unanimity which has marked their determinations. We wish you to inquire of him if it would be agreeable that two chiefs from each nation should pay him a visit, and take him by the hand; for your younger bri thers have a strong desire to see that great man, and to enjoy the pleasure of conversing with him [A blue string.]
The General thus replied :-
Brothers, the Shawanees, and all you other nations! I am confident the heart of the great chief, General Washington, will be rejoiced when he hears that you hive unani- monsty joined in the good work of peace. The instrument we will -ion to-morrow shall be an everlasting record of the good action-one part of which I will immediately trung- mit to him. I will, with pleasure, make the inquiries you desire, and communicate the answer to you whenever I receive it.
Council adjourned.
August 3d. In council. Present as before. The General rose and spoke as follows :-
Younger brothere! When this council fire was first kindled, my commissions and authority for bol ling this treaty were rent and explained to all then present; but as several chiefs hal not at that time arrived, I shall now read them a second time for the perfect satisfaction of all.
[The General here again exhibited and explained his powers.]
That I have strictly performed my duty in fulfilling those instructions, and that they were manifestly culeulated to establish the peace and happiness of all the In lian nations now present, will appear by the engrossed articles of treaty, unanimously agreed to, and now before us. They shall be read a third time, that all may be perfectly acquainted with them. Therefore listeu.
[The engrossed articles were here rend; the signing commenced and finished; and the General thus proceeded :- ]
Younger brothers! Having completed the signing of this treaty, one part of it shall be delivered to the Wyandots, who will preserve it as a sacred pledge of the establish- ment of our future friendship; the other, or counterpart, I will send to the great chief, General Washington. In addition, one copy on paper shall be delivered to each nation, for their frequent and particular information. We will now proceed to apportion the goods designed to be given to you, and I hope to be prepared for their delivery in a day or two. Some assistance must be afforded to the Chippeways, and other remote trites. to facilitate the transportation of their proportions. We will, for the present. retire, and we will have a little drink this evening.
Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish, chief of the Chippeways, arose and said :-
Elder brother! I uow see that all is settled. le affords uy a great deal of pleasure. I hope you feel equally gratified. I report our entire satisfaction, that all prevent may know it. We, the three fires, have never done you any harm. With the same good heart I met you here, I will depart aul return home. You will find the truth of these words, when you come and live among us. You must not believe ill of me.
Elder brother! I hope you will listen with attention to my words, and havo pity on me. I have a request to make of you. You know I have come a great distince to nasist in this good work, and as it is now happily completed, I hope you will deliver to us our friend, whom you sent from hence into confinement. We would be grieved to leave him in durance behind us, for he has been friendly to us. This is the request of your bro- thers, the three fire4.
Council adjourned.
August 7th. In Council. Present as before. The General arose, and spoke as follows :-
Brothers, all nations now present! You have all smoked out of this calumet, when we first opened council at this place, except the Showances. I will therefore smoke with the Shawanees, ani with some of the Wynn lote who arrived lute.
Listen, all you sachems, chiefs, and warriors! latt up your eyes, and behold these . instrumenty of writing, to which the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawaners, Ottawas, Chip- peways, Pottawattamie, Mimics, Fel Rivers, Wens, Kickapoop, l'iankeshows, and Kas- kaskias, bare net their hands and seals, that they may be handed down to your children's
68
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
children, as a memorial of the happy peace thereby established. When your posterity sbull beresfter view these records, they will be informed that you were the great people that accomplished this blessed work, to insure to them, peace and happiness forever. Que of these I shall transmit to General Washington ; the other, I shall deposit agree- ably to your own desires, with your uncles, the Wyandots. A true copy, on paper, shall now be given to each nation. This largo belt, and this seal, will accompany the original instrument, and will declare ity sacred nod important value.
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