USA > Ohio > Ohio in the time of the Confederation > Part 9
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We have the honor to be with all due deference & Respect your Excellency's most Obedient & devoted humble Servants
Signed by Order Chas Cummings Ch: [Addressed :]
His Excellency the President of Congress honored by Wm Cocke Esq™
[Indorsed:]
The Deputies of Washington
County Thos Cummings
Chairman 7 Ap1 1785
XXIII
PETITION OF INHABITANTS WEST OF THE OHIO RIVER (1785)57
To the Honourable the President of the Honour-
able Congress of the United States of America The Petition, of us the subscribers now Residing on the western side of the ohio; Humbly sheweth our
57 From the Papers of the Continental Congress, no. 41, vii, 320.
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gratefull Acknowledgments to those Patriots of our Country who under Divine Providence so wisely Directed and Steered the Helm of Government: in that Great and Unparalelª Conflict for Liberty : Bringing to a happy Period the Troubles of the states Laying the Foundation (by the most Salutary means) of the most Glorious form of government any People on Earth Could ever yet boast of; and that we have nothing more at hart than the Safety and happiness of the Common wealth in all its mem- bers from the highest to the Lowest Station in life: unwilling to Act any thing Directly : or Indirectly : that is of a Publick Nature without the Consent and Advice of the Legislature ; notwithstanding when the Joyfull sound of Peace had Reached our Ears; we had scarce Enough left us to Support the Crying Distresses of our families Occasioned wholy by being Exposed to the ravages of a Cruel and Savage En- emy; on an Open Frontier where the most of us had the Misfortune to Reside through the whole Continu- ance of the war; where the only Recourse was to Sit Confind; in forts for the Preservation of our lives ; by which we ware Reduced allmost to the Lowest Ebb of Poverty; the Greatest part of us having no
Probably due to the publication of Amberson's "Advertizement" the military commander on the Ohio, Colonel Harmar, who had been au- thorized by the Commissioners for Indian Affairs to "employ such force as he may judge necessary in driving off persons attempting to settle on the lands of the United States," ordered Ensign John Arm- strong with twenty men to march from Fort McIntosh to dispossess all who had intruded. By the 12th of April the mission had been executed as herein reported (Doc. xxiv). This Petition is from those who suffered loss of property. Armstrong's report implies that the Petition was written by residents near Menzon's or Hoglin's Town, the present Martin's Ferry, Ohio.
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property in Lands: our stocks Reduced almost to nothing: our Case seemed Desperate But viewing as it Appeared to us an Advantage Offering of Va- cant Lands which with the Alarming Nesesitys we were under Joined with the future Prospect of Bet- tering our Circumstances: invited us to Enter on those Lands fully Determined to Comply with Every Requisition of the Legislature : which we knew to be our Indispensible Duty Pregnant with hopes of Fu- ture Happiness we sat Content in the Enjoyment of our Scanty morsel: thinking ourselves Safe under the protection of Government: when on the fifth of this Instant we ware Visited by a Command of men Sent by the Commandant at fort McEntosh; with or- ders from Government on purpose to Dispossess us and to Destroy our Dwellings: which the Executed in part when the first set out but our principles and our Duty to Government Oblidged us to make an offer of Performing the Task ourselves which was agreed to on Conditions it were Executed Against the Nineteenth of this Instant; by which order it now Appears our Conduct in Settling here is Considered by the Legislature to be prejudicial to the Common good; of which we had not the Least Conception till now; we are greatly Distressed in our present Cir- cumstances ; and humbly pray if you in your Wisdom think proper to grant us Liberty : to Rest where we are and to grant us the preference to our Actual Set- tlements when the Land is to be settled by order of Government: where we shall Count it our Interest to be Subject to such Law and Regulations as the Leg- islature in their wisdom may think proper to pre- scribe Consistent with the Rights and privileges of
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the good people of these states which; if you in your wisdom Grant; we your Petitioners as inDuty bound shall Ever Pray
April the 11th 1785-
Signers Names
Wicom hougland
Isaac Van buscark
Joseph allexander
Robt Black
John Rigdon
John fleet
Jas Cochran
John Vanbuscark
Rich Cook
Exreal Cook
John Carpenter
Benjamin Lemaster
Henry Cogsill
James Harrison
Nicholas Decker
James Clark his
Francis Nation
Charles Coyl
Adam X House
Joseph nation
James Demoss
mark
Wm Nation
Richard West
his
Edward Carpenter
Andrew Criswell
Joshua X Fleeharty mark
Jane Cochron wedow
Absolom Sparks
Edmund Butt
Henry Hougland
Thomas Johnson
Thomas Dawsson
James young
Jacob Lemaster
John nixon
Alectiory Bailey
Michal Stults
Daved nowels
William Capes
Jacob Lemaster senior
Thomas Tilton
Lawrance Huff
Daniel Dorman
John Castleman
Joseph Ross Junr
XXIV
ENSIGN ARMSTRONG'S REPORT TO COLONEL HARMAR 58
Fort McIntosh, 12th April, 1785.
Sir :- Agreeable to your orders, I proceeded with my party, on the 31st of March, down the river. On 58 From C. A. Hanna, Historical Collections of Harrison Co., Ohio, 49-50.
John McDonald
William Bailey
Phillip Smith
John Lemasters
Willi Huff
Richard power
Walter Cain
George Carpenter
Richard Lemaster
Thomas farris
Isaac Lemaster
Jacob Light
Wm Forgeson
george Nation
Samson Beven
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the first instant we crossed Little Beaver, and dis- possessed a family. Four miles from there, we found three families living in sheds, but, they having no rafts to transport their effects, I thought it proper to give them until the 31st inst., at which time they promised to demolish their sheds and remove to the east side of the river.
At Yellow creek [south of the site of Wellsville], I dispossessed two families and destroyed their building. The 2d inst., being stormy, nothing was done. The 3d, we dispossed eight families. The 4th we arrived at Mingo Bottom, or Old Town [Mingo, Jefferson county]. I read my instructions to the prisoner, [Joseph] Ross, who declared they never came from Congress, for he had late accounts from that honorable body, who, he was convinced, gave no such instructions to the Commissioners. Neither did he care from whom they came, for he was determined to hold possession, and if I de- stroyed his house he would build six more within a week. He also cast many reflections on the honor- able the Congress, the Commissioners, and the com- manding officer. I conceived him to be a dangerous man, and sent him under guard to Wheeling. Find- ing that most of the settlers at this place were ten- ants under the prisoner, I gave them a few days, at which time they promised to move to the east side of the Ohio rover, and to demolish their buildings. On the evening of the 4th, Charles Norris, with a party of armed men, came to my quarters in a hostile manner, and demanded my instructions. After conversing with them some time, and showing my instructions, the warmth with which they first expressed them- selves began to abate, and for some motive lodged
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their arms with me till morning. I learned from the conversation of the party that at Norris' Town (by them so called), eleven miles farther down the river, [probably the site of the present village of Warren- town, at the mouth of Short Creek], a party of sev- enty or eighty men were assembled with a determina- tion to oppose me. Finding Norris to be a man of influence in that country, I conceived it to my interest to make use of him as an instrument, which I effected by informing him it was my intention to treat any armed parties I met as enemies of my country, and would fire on them if they did not disperse.
On the 5th, when I arrived within two miles of the town, or place where I expected to meet with opposi- tion, I ordered my men to load their arms in the presence of Norris, and then desired him to go to the party and inform them of my intentions. I then proceeded on with caution, but had not gone far when paper No. 159 was handed me by one of the party, to which I replied, that I would treat with no party, but intended to execute my orders. When I arrived at the town there were about forty men as- sembled, who had deposited their arms. After I had read to them my instructions, they agreed to move off by the 19th inst. This indulgence I thought proper to grant, the weather being too severe to turn them out of doors. The 6th I proceeded to Hoglin's, or Mercer's Town [Martin's Ferry], where I was presented with paper No. 2,60 and, from the humble disposition of the people and the impossibility of their moving, I gave them to the 19th, and I believe
59 Doc. no. xxiii.
60 Doc. no. xxi.
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they generally left the settlement at that time. At that place I was informed that Charles Norris and John Carpenter had been elected Justices of the Peace; that they had, I found, precepts, and had decided thereon. I then proceeded on till opposite Wheeling, where I dispossessed one family and de- stroyed their buildings. I hope, sir, that the indul- gences granted some of the inhabitants will meet your approbation. The paper No. 2 is a copy of an advertisement, which is posted up in almost every settlement on the western side of the Ohio. Three of my party being landed, I left them about forty miles from this place under care of a corporal. The remainder I have ordered to their respective com- panies, and the prisoner I have delivered to the prison guard. I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
JOHN ARMSTRONG, Ensign.
XXV
HUTCHINS TO CONGRESS (1785) 61
Sir
Congress has been informed that on the last Sum- mer I was employed in determining the Western Ex- tent of the Southern Boundary of Pennsylvania- A North Line remains to be run from the Termina- tion of the Southern Boundary of Pennsylvania as far as the River Ohio which is to be the Line of Divi- sion between the Citizens of Pennsylvania and those of Virginia. - The Executive of the State of Penn-
61 From the Papers of the Continental Congress, no. 61, 181.
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sylvania have been pleased to propose that I should assist in running that Line. - The Commissioners are to begin the 16th of May. - I am to request that you would be so good as submit this application to the Consideration of Congress that I may be in- formed whether that Honorable Body have any Ob- jection to my assisting in the above Work till they have any Occasion for my services with the assur- ance that I shall on the first Notice attend to their Commands. -
I am with the greatest Respect Your Excellencys Most obedient and most humble Servant
1
New York 21st April 1785- Tho : Hutchins
His Excellency the President of Congress
[Indorsed:] Letter 21st April 1785 from Thomas Hutchins to the President of Congress
XXVI
RUFUS PUTNAM TO CONGRESS (1785) 63
Boston June ye 11th 1785
Sir
Your favor of the 28th Ultº, encloseing the ordi- nance of the Honourable Congress, for Ascertaining the mode of disposeing of lands in the Western ter- ritory; and informing, that Congress has been pleased to appoint me one of their surveyors; has come to hand. - I beg leve to express my obligations
63 From the Papers of the Continental Congress, no. 56, 161.
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to Congress on this ocation, and acceptance of their appointment; but I must in Justice to my self inform them, that a wish to promote emigration from among my friends into that country, and not the wages Stip- ulated, is my principle motive. -
I have the Honnor to be Sir your obedient humble Servent Rufus Putnam
Secrty Thomson Esq"
PS. before I was honourd with your letter I had en- gaged in the Service of this Commonwealth for the Summer or all winter, in Surveying their eastern territory and am now on my way for that purpos, and should wish not to be called on to go westward this year, but if Congress should require it a letter for me directed to the Care of the Honourable Sam- uel Philips Jun' Esqr at Boston or Adover will be forwarded too me imediately, when I shall obey its Summons as Soon as posable - 64
yours RP-
Mª T
[Indorsed :] Letter June 11. 1785 Rufus Putnam accepts the Office of Surveyor Read 20 June 1785. -
64 General Putnam continued in the service of Massachusetts and General Benjamin Tupper was appointed as the Massachusetts repre- sentative on the corps of surveyors for the "Seven Ranges." As we have hinted (vol. i, xxxviii), this was probably a deliberate plan on the part of these men in order to get first hand knowledge of the two regions, Maine and the Ohio Valley, as possible sites for the colony they had determined to establish. Their decision seemed to lie be-
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XXVII
PROCLAMATION OF CONGRESS ON WESTERN LANDS (JUNE 15, 1785) 65
Whereas, it hath been represented to the United States, in Congress assembled, that several disor- derly persons have crossed the river Ohio, and set- tween New York, Massachusetts, and the western lands to be opened by the government. Writing to Washington, April 5, 1784, Putnam said :
"The settlement of the Ohio country, sir, engrosses many of my thoughts, and much of my time since I left the camp has been em- ployed in informing myself and others with respect to the nature, situation, and circumstances of that country, and practicability of removing ourselves there; and if I am to form an opinion on what I have seen and heard on the subject, there are thousands in this quar- ter who will emigrate to that country as soon as the honorable Con- gress make provisions for granting lands there, and locations and settlements can be made with safety, unless such provision is too long delayed - I mean, till necessity turn their views another way, which is the case with some already, and must soon be the case with many more. You are sensible of the necessity, as well as the possibility, of both officers and soldiers fixing themselves in business somewhere as soon as possible, as many of them are unable to lie long on their
65 Journals of Congress, iv, 538. In response to a letter from Colonel Harmar to the Secretary of War (St. Clair Papers, ii, 6-7), Congress authorized Colonel Harmar to establish a new post on the Ohio between the Muskingum and the Great Miami "for fur- ther carrying into effect the before-mentioned orders" concerning repelling the invasion of squatters. Six hundred dollars was ap- propriated for transferring troops and baggage. It was under this order that Fort Harmar was erected at the mouth of the Muskingum River. There is something almost uncanny in the way local histori- ans, centennial orators, etc., have overlooked the fact that Fort Har- mar was erected, so to speak, against white men primarily - to keep soldiers posted where they could most easily drive back the army of squatters until the lands could be surveyed and offered for public sale. Congress had determined that the southern "something-for- nothing" system of pioneering was not to prevail north of the Ohio River. Fort Harmar was a monument to that epoch-making decision.
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tled upon their unappropriated lands; and whereas it is their intention, as soon as it shall be surveyed, to open offices for the sale of a considerable part there- of, in such proportions, and under such other regula- tions as may suit the convenience of all the citizens of the said states, and others, who may wish to be- come purchasers of the same; and as such conduct oars, waiting the decision of Congress on our petition, and therefore must unavoidably settle themselves in some other quarter, which, when done, the idea of removing to the Ohio country will probably be at an end with respect to most of them; besides, the common- wealth of Massachusetts have come to a resolution to sell their east- ern country for public securities; and should their plan be formed and propositions be made public before we hear anything from Con- gress respecting our petition, and the terms on which the land peti- tioned for are to be obtained, it will undoubtedly be much against us, by greatly lessening the number of Ohio associates.
"Another reason why we wish to know as soon as possible what the intentions of Congress are respecting our petition, is the effect such knowledge will probably have on the credit of the certificates we have received on settlement of accounts. Those securities are now selling at no more than three shillings and six pence or four shillings on the pound, which in all probability might double, if no more, the moment it was known that government would receive them for lands in the Ohio country. From these circumstances and many others which might be mentioned, we are growing quite impatient; and the general inquiry now is, when are we going to the Ohio? Among others, Brig .- Gen. Tupper, Lt .- Col. Oliver, and Maj. Ashley have agreed to accompany me to that country the moment the way is opened for such an undertaking. I should have hinted these things to some member of Congress, but the delegates from Massachusetts, though exceedingly worthy men, and in general would wish to pro- mote the Ohio scheme, yet, if it should militate against the particular interest of this state, by draining her of inhabitants, especially when she is forming the plan of selling the eastern country, I thought they would not be very warm advocates in our favor. And I dare not trust myself with any of the New York delegates with whom I am acquainted, because that government are wisely inviting the eastern people to settle in that state; and as to the delegates of other states, I have no acquaintance with any of them."
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tends to defeat the object which they have in view, is in direct opposition to the ordinances and resolutions of Congress, and highly disrespectful to the federal authority, they have therefore thought fit, and do hereby issue this their proclamation, strictly forbid- ding all such unwarrantable intrusions, and enjoin- ing all those who have settled thereon, to depart, with their families and effects, without loss of time, as they shall answer the same at their peril.
XXVIII THE SACKETT MEMORIAL (1785) 66 To The Honourable The United States of America in Congress convened, The MEMORIAL of Nathaniel Sackett, in behalf of himself and his Associates ;
Humbly Sheweth,
That whereas, from various informations received of the proceedings of the British and their associ-
66 From the Papers of the Continental Congress, no. 41, ix, 347. This document was printed by S. Kollock, New York, in 1785. No student can estimate properly the value and success of the Ohio Com- pany of Associates without taking into consideration the other pro- posals of a like nature which were made to Congress in the same period. The Sackett proposal to rent for an ear of corn a year the splendid parallelogram running across Ohio between the Scioto and Muskingum rivers is in many ways the most interesting rival scheme of that time. Its paternalistic features, as compared with the pro- posal of the Ohio Company to purchase a tract of land and develop
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ates, and the unfriendly conduct of the Indians in the vicinity of the western frontiers of the United States (copies whereof are hereunto annexed,) it is apprehended that danger may arise to the said states, unless suitable measures are speedily adopted for counteracting them; and as it is supposed, that the settlement of a new state, upon the said frontiers, will effectually answer this purpose; it is therefore proposed,
That a tract of country, beginning at the conflu- ence of the rivers Ohio and Scioto, and extending from thence along the eastern bank of the Scioto, to the termination of one hundred miles, thence in a direct line to the southernmost extreme of Lake Erie; from thence along the south-side of the said lake to the termination of one hundred miles from thence to the place where the White Woman's Creek empties into the Muskingum River; then down the western bank of the Muskingum River to its con- fluence with the Ohio; and from thence along the northwestern bank of the Ohio to the place of begin- ning; be granted, together with all mines, &c. and the free navigation of Lake Erie, the Scioto, Ohio, and Muskingum Rivers, to Nathaniel Sackett and his as- sociates, in fee simple : Provided always, that to pre- vent their having an undue influence, and to guard against an aristocracy, neither the said Nathaniel Sackett nor his associates, shall retain to themselves, as his or their proper estate, more than one thou- sand acres of the said lands for each of them, but
it, outrival any proposal of its day. It seems probable, however, that the influence of its advocates was sufficient to induce General Parsons to seek to locate the Ohio Company Purchase beyond the Scioto River. - Cf. vol. i, li-liv.
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shall grant and convey all the residue to other ad- venturers, as occasion may from time to time occur.
That no consideration be paid the United States therefor, except an ear of Indian corn annually, if demanded, as an acknowledgment of their sover- eignty :
That the said Nathaniel Sackett and his associ- ates, shall hold the said tract of country expressly on condition of settlement and cultivation :
That [blank] male white persons, above sixteen years of age, and under sixty, be settled upon the said land, on or before the [blank] day of [blank] one thousand seven hundred and eighty-six; each to be provided with a good musket, bayonet, four pounds powder, and twelve pounds leads; and that no person be admitted to settle upon the said tract of land, who cannot produce satisfactory testimo- nials of his attachment to the American cause during the late struggle for the establishment of our inde- pendence :
That in [blank] years from the arrival of the first adventurers, under this grant, on the said tract of land, there be one male settler thereupon for each [blank] acres :
That each of the first male adventurers, having a family, shall be entitled to one thousand acres for himself, and one hundred for each of his children: That each of the first male adventurers, being a single man, shall be entitled to five hundred acres; and that each settler receiving lands, be obliged to clear and cultivate [blank] acres, for every hundred acres he possesses, within seven years from the time of his settlement thereupon :
That each of the first adventurers, being a single
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man, and continuing an inhabitant of the tract of country above described, shall be entitled to receive, in case of his marrying, one hundred acres of land, in addition to the five hundred acres above-men- tioned, and subject to the same conditions of cultiva- tion :
That as soon as it can conveniently be done, the whole tract of country within the limits above de- scribed, be divided into townships of six miles square, or as nearly so as the limits will admit:
That in each township twenty acres, in the center, be reserved for a house of public worship, school house, parade, and other public uses; and that the fractional parts of townships be appropriated as re- wards for such settlers as shall be singularly useful to the community :
That when the settlers find it necessary, and cir- cumstances will permit, they may form a permanent plan of civil government, upon republican principles ; and, as citizens of a free, sovereign and independent state, be admitted to a representation in the union, and pay their proportionable part of the public debt :
That effectually to prevent land-jobbing, no one of the settlers be allowed to sell his land, or any part thereof, in the said tract of country, to any person or persons whatever, nor under any pretence what- ever, within the space of [blank] years, unless the purchaser actually be or become a settler within the said tract, and shall remain such for the space of [blank] years after such purchase shall be made :
That as one main object of the proposed settle- ment is to form a barrier against all encroachments, and to secure to the United States the lands compre- hended within their limits, which will render expedi-
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tion, decision, and vigour in government essentially necessary, military government take place until such an establishment is made upon the lands as will ad- mit of a change; after which the inhabitants shall be governed by laws of their own making, provided they shall not be inconsistent with the confederation of the United States :
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