USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > Upland > The record of the court at Upland, in Pennsylvania, 1676 to 1681, And a military journal, kept by Major E. Denny, 1781 to 1795 > Part 26
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Jos. HARMAR.
Same to General Knox.
FORT HARMAR, August 10, 1786.
SIR-Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 4th instant, En- sign Denny has arrived from the Miami, and brings intelligence that an expedition is forming under the command of General Clark, and author- ized by the State of Virginia, to attack the Indians.
Extract from the Order Book of Lieut .- Col. Comm't. Josiah Harmar. GARRISON ORDERS.
·
FORT HARMAR, at the mouth of the Muskingum, ? October 3, 1786.
Ensign Denny is appointed Adjutant of the regiment, and is accord- ingly to be obeyed and respected.
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LETTERS.
Same to Thomas Mifflin, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Pennsylvania. FORT PITT, March 17, 1787.
The Muskingum river is about one hundred and eighty miles distant from here, at the mouth of which the fort stands. I have often wished during the hunting season (viz., the months of November and Deceni- ber), for the honor of your company at my post. Venison, bear, turkey, geese, ducks, &c., &c. You should have regaled upon the greatest abun- dance.
Be pleased to view the inclosed plan of the remains of some ancient works on the Muskingum, taken by a captain of mine, with his expla- nations.
Various are the conjectures concerning these fortifications. From their . regularity I conceive them to be the works of some civilized people. Who they were, I know not. Certain it is, the present race of savages are strangers to any thing of the kind.
Same to Major Hamtramck.
FORT HARMAR, April 7, 1787
SIR-Permit me to congratulate you upon your promotion. I observe that the council of appointment have directed that you take rank from the 21st October, 1786. Lieut. Bradford is captain of artillery ; Lieut. Smith, a captain of infantry ; Ensign Peters, a lieutenant of infantry ; Ensign Schuyler, lieutenant of artillery, and Matthew Ernest, lieutenant of infantry ; the latter I conceive to be a new appointment.
Same to General Knox, Secretary at War.
FORT HARMAR, May 14, 1787.
During my short stay at the Falls, I endeavored to make myself ac- quainted with the politics of the country, and to gain as perfect a know- ledge as I possibly could, of what was going forward amongst the inhab- itants of Kentucky. The free navigation of the Mississippi is the general subject of discourse amongst them. The inhabitants to the westward of the Allegheny mountains are unanimously opposed to its being closed ; if such a measure should take place they will look upon it as the greatest grievance, as the prosperity of the western world depends entirely upon this outlet.
Kentucky at present, by the returns of their county lieutenants, musters five thousand fighting men. You will please to judge what a flourishing
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APPENDIX NO. I.
country this must be in the course of a few years, from the number of emigrants to it. Curiosity prompted me to order the officer of the day (Lieut. Denny) to take an account of the number of the boats, &c., which passed this garrison from the 10th of October, 1786, until the 12th of May, 1787 : one hundred and seventy-seven boats, two thousand six hun- dred and eighty-nine souls, thirteen hundred and thirty-three horses, seven hundred and sixty-six cattle, and one hundred and two wagons, have passed Muskingum, bound for Limestone and the Rapids. If Congress should be of opinion that it will be expedient to shut the navigation, I think a respectable post at the mouth of the Ohio, or the Wabash, will be necessary ; otherwise, from all appearances, the people will become so strong, in the course of a little time, as to force a trade, at all events.
Same to same. CAMP AT VINCENNES, August 7, 1787.
Post Vincennes is a very considerable village, situate upon the Wabash, about one hundred and twenty miles from its mouth. It contains nearly four hundred houses (log and bark), out-houses, barns, &c. The number of inhabitants about nine hundred (souls) French, and about four hun- dred (souls) Americans. Monsieur Vincennes, the French officer from whom it derives its name, I am informed, was here and commenced the. settlement sixty years ago.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 1st June, inclosing the contract of Mr. O'Hara with the Board of Treasury for the supply of the troops, &c.
Same to same.
KASKASKIA, November 24, 1787.
SIR-I marched on the 9th August from the post (Vincennes), with a subaltern, Ensign M'Dowell, and thirty men, through the prairies, and arrived at Kaskaskia on the 16th of the same month. Our march was very fatiguing, as the weather was excessively warm, and water very bad and scarce on the route. The distance is about one hundred and sixty miles ; the French call it eighty leagues. I was accompanied by two In- dians (Pachan, a Miami chief, and his comrade), who hunted and sup- plied the party with meat (buffalo and deer), both on the march and upon our return.
The prairies are very extensive, natural meadows, covered with long grass ; one in particular, which we crossed, was eight leagues in breadth. They run, in general, from north to south, and like the ocean, as far as
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the eye can see, the view is terminated by the horizon. Here and there a copse of wood is interspersed. They are free from brush and under- wood, and not the least vestige of their ever having been cultivated. The country is excellent for grazing, and abounds in buffalo, deer, bear, &c. It is a matter of speculation to account for the formation of the prairies. The western side of the Wabash is overflown in the spring, for several miles.
On the 17th, I was visited by the magistrate and principal inhabitants of Kaskaskia, welcoming us upon our arrival. Baptiste De Coigne, the chief of the Kaskaskia Indians, paid me a visit in the afternoon, and de- livered me a speech expressive of the greatest friendship for the United States ; and at the same time presented me with one of the calumets, or pipes of peace, which is now sent on. Some of the Peoria Indians like- wise visited me. The Kaskaskias, Peorias, Cahokia and Mitchi tribes compose the Illinois Indians. They are almost extinct at present, not exceeding forty or fifty, total.
Kaskaskia is a handsome little village, situate on a river of the same name, which empties into the Mississippi at two leagues distant from it. It is one hundred and five miles from the mouth of the Ohio; the situa- tion low and unhealthy, and subject to inundation. The inhabitants are French, and much of the same class as those at Post Vincennes; their number is one hundred and ninety-one, old men and young. Having but very little time to spare, I left Lieutenant M'Dowell with the party at Kas- kaskia, and on the 18th set out, accompanied by Mr. Tardiveau and the gentlemen of the village, for Cahokia. We gained Prairie du Rocher, a small village five French leagues distant from Kaskaskia, where we halted for the night.
On the 19th we passed through St. Philip, a trifling village three leagues distant from Prairie du Rocher, and dined at La Bellefontaine, six leagues farther. La Bellefontaine is a small stockade, inhabited alto- gether by Americans, who have seated themselves there without authority. It is a beautiful situation, fine fertile land, no taxation ; and the inhabitants have abundance to live upon. They were exceedingly alarmed when I informed them of their precarious state respecting a title to their posses- sions, and have now sent on a petition to Congress by Mr. Tardiveau. On the same day we passed another small stockade, called Grand Ruisseau, inhabited by the same sort of Americans as those at La Bellefontaine, and arrived at Cahokia that evening. Cahokia is a village nearly of the size as that of Kaskaskia, and inhabited by the same kind of people; their number two hundred and thirty-nine, old men and young. I was re- ceived with the greatest hospitalitp by the inhabitants. There was a de-
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cent submission and respect in their behavior. Cahokia is distant from Kaskaskia twenty-two French leagues, which is about fifty miles.
On the 21st, in consequence of an invitation from Monsieur Cruzat, the Spanish commandant at St. Louis, we crossed the Mississippi, and were very politely entertained by him. After dinner, we returned to Cahokia.
St. Louis (nicknamed Pancour) is much the handsomest and genteelest village I have seen on the Mississippi. It is about four miles distant from Cahokia, and five leagues above it the river Missouri unites with the Mississippi. The inhabitants are of the same sort as before described, excepting that they are more wealthy. About twenty regular Spanish troops are stationed here.
Exclusive of the intruders already described, there are about thirty more Americans settled on the rich fertile bottoms of the Mississippi, who are likewise petitioning by this conveyance.
On the 23d, I passed by the ruins of Fort Chartres, which is one league above the Prairie du Rocher, and situate on the Mississippi. It was built of stone, and must have been a considerable fortification formerly, but the post next the river has been carried away by the floods, and it is of no consequence at present. I staid about a quarter of an hour, but had not time to view it minutely, as it was all a thicket within. Several iron pieces of cannon are here at present, and also at the different villages. This evening I returned to Kaskaskia.
On the 24th, Monsieur Peruse, the Spanish commandant at St. Gene- vieve, sent me an invitation to pay him a visit. We crossed the Missis- sippi accordingly ; were politely entertained, and after dinner returned to Kaskaskia.
St. Genevieve (nicknamed Misere) is a village much inferior in every respect to St. Louis ; it is about four miles (including the passage of the Mississippi,) from Kaskaskia. About eight or ten regular Spanish troops are stationed here.
We arrived, on the 7th of October, at the rapids of the Ohio. The distance from Post Vincennes is about one hundred and thirty miles. We saw no Indians nor signs of Indians. We had an action with five buffalo, who would have run through the column had they not been prevented by the men facing and firing a volley at them. They killed three of them.
I am happy to hear of General St. Clair's appointment as Governor of the Western Territory, as it will add to the dignity of Congress.
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LETTERS.
Same to General St. Clair.
FORT HARMAR, November 25th, 1787.
MY DEAR GENERAL-I am happy, very happy, to hear by Captain Beatty of your appointment to the government of the Western Territory. Permit me sincerely to congratulate you upon it.
Congress have been pleased to honor me with a brevet commission of Brigadier-General. I should be justly accused of ingratitude was I not to thank my old friend for his friendship and influence upon this occasion. I shall ever hold them in most grateful remembrance.
Mrs. Harmar sends her kind compliments to you. Major Duncan left" here yesterday for the Falls.
I have the honor to be, my dear General, Your obliged friend and humble servant, Jos. HARMAR.
His Excellency ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, Esq., President of Congress.
Same to Major Wyllys, commanding at the Rapids of the Ohio.
FORT HARMAR, December 6, 1787.
DEAR MAJOR-General Knox has written to me, that there are some apprehensions that Brant, with a number of confederated Indians, may be hostile. It will therefore be expedient that each post should be upon its guard. You will please to inform Major Hamtramck of it.
Yours, sincerely, Jos. HARMAR.
P. S .- You will perceive by the inclosed paper the inflammatory letter written by Captain Sullivan to the Spanish Minister. If he should set his foot on the western territory, I have orders to seize and confine him.
Same to General Knox.
FORT HARMAR, December 9, 1787.
I have continued to order the officer of the day to take an account of the people emigrating down the river. From the 1st of June to this day there passed this garrison, bound for Kentucky, 146 boats, 3,196 souls, 1,371 horses, 165 wagons, 191 cattle, 245 sheep, and 24 hogs.
Same to Captain Heart, commanding officer at Venango. FORT HARMAR, December 19, 1787. SIR-Your letters of the 12th and 25th June inform me of the peace-
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APPENDIX NO. I.
able disposition of the Indians at that period ; but my latest letters from the War Office inform me, that there is great reason to suppose that the Indians will confederate under Brant, and that hostilities will commence on their part.
General St. Clair is appointed Governor of the Western Territory, and is to hold a grand treaty with them sometime next spring. In the mean- time the utmost precaution is necessary on the part of the officers com- manding at the different posts in order to guard against surprises.
You wish a name for your fortress. As it is in the State of Pennsyl- vani, let it be named Fort Franklin.
Same to General Knox.
FORT HARMAR, January 10, 1788.
On the 6th of last month I wrote to Major Wyllys at the Rapids of the Ohio, and inclosed him a copy of the inflammatory letter written by Mr. Sullivan to his Excellency the Spanish Minister, and informed him, that if the said Sullivan should be found in the federal territory, I had orders to seize and confine him.
It is the universal sentiment of the inhabitants westward of the Alle- gheny mountains, that they ought to enjoy the free navigation of the Mississippi, but I very much question whether the Kentucky, Cumber- land people, and those below, will have the audacity to attempt to seize upon the Natchez and New Orleans. Such an enterprise would certainly be a disgrace to the United States. I know of no cannon and the neces- sary apparatus which they have in their possession to carry on such an expedition. I shall transmit the duplicate of your letter of the 14th November and a copy of Sullivan's * letter to Major Brown and to Major Wyllys (as soon as the weather permits), with strict orders to watch closely and know the designs of those fellows down the river. I shall likewise give him directions to send an officer and two or three confiden- tial persons to Franklin and Kentucky under pretense of exploring the country, in order that we may be made acquainted with their intended manœuvres. It appears to me that this matter will not be so serious as is imagined, but rather an evidence of the mutinous disposition of Sullivan and an insignificant banditti. Sullivan was the principal ringleader in the mutiny of the Pennsylvania line during the late war, and it is high time to put an end to his career. If he can be apprehended in Franklin,
* Captain Sullivan, formerly in Moylan's dragoons.
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or out of the federal territory, I should suppose myself justifiable in giv- ing orders for that purpose.
We have had a remarkable spell of hard weather here ever since Christ- mas. The thermometer has been sixteen degrees below the zero point. The river is now fast bound with ice. As soon as the weather will permit, I shall send Major Wyllys the necessary orders respecting Sullivan and his adherents. If from the intellignce which I have given you respecting the inundation of the lands at the mouth of the Ohio, it should be judged advisable to fix upon some other tract of country to satisfy the claims of the late army, wherever Congress may be pleased to pitch upon said tract, I shall (agreeably to your directions) station an adequate body of troops in the vicinity thereof, in order that the surveyors may be protected in the execution of their business. I beg leave to observe that Fort M'Intosh is by no means tenable. The small party stationed there at present I pro- pose to order to Fort Pitt, to receive stores, clothing, &c., and that the offi- cer commanding there may forward them, also, any dispatches which may arrive from the War Office. It should have been evacuated last spring, but for the orders received from you countermanding the same. I shall direct Major Doughty to proceed there with a party early in the spring, and to dismantle it. The fort is built of hewn timber; it will be easy to raft it to this post, where it will be of service. If a communication should be wanting to Lake Erie, a block-house for the reception of stores can in- stantly be built near the Big Beaver.
Agreeably to your directions I have sent orders to the officers command- ing at the several posts, to put the troops perfectly upon their guard, in order to avoid surprise, as from the intelligence you have transmitted me, there may be a probability of the Indians confederating under Brant, and committing hostilities. I am in hopes the general treaty, which the Gov- ernor of the Western Territory means to hold in the spring, will pacify the savages and settle all differences. Respecting the land reserved to satisfy the claims of the late army, to the best of my knowledge, the million of acres which is to be bounded south by the Ohio Company purchase, will be found to be excellent land, especially if it should take the land on the Muskingum and its branches, which I am led to imagine will be the case. From all accounts the Muskingum river inclines more to the eastward than is laid down in Captain Hutchins' map; if so, the tract reserved for the late army will be very valuable. The commercial situation of the land at the mouth of the Ohio, is fine indeed. It is a great misfortune that it is so subject to inundation. I beg leave to refer you to Mr. Tar- diveau for more particular intelligence on this subject. It is my opinion that a million of acres adjoining the other million on the Muskingum,
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APPENDIX NO. I.
would take in excellent land, and comprehend a very valuable tract of country.
I have the honor to be, &c., Jos. HARMAR.
The Honorable Major-General KNOX, Secretary at War.
From same to Dr. Wistar.
FORT HARMAR, at the Mouth of the Muskingum, Jan. 21, 1788.
DEAR SIR - I have been favored with your friendly letter of the 12th of September last. Some of the large bones which you request to be pro- cured, I believe are yet to be found at the Big Bone Lick, about thirty-five miles below the Great Miami river. I am very sorry indeed that your letter did not reach me whilst at the Rapids of the Ohio. In November last I came up the river with the two companies, and had your letter been received in time I should have made a point of halting at the Lick, which is only two miles from the Ohio, and have searched for the bones, and if any were still remaining, should with great pleasure have forwarded them to Fort Pitt and from thence to Philadelphia. We have had remarkable hard weather at this post since the new year set in. I shall make the necessary inquiry next spring or summer, and if there is a possibility of procuring these bones, they shall be sent on for your friend in London, agreeably to your wish. Permit me to return you my most grateful ac- knowledgments for the friendship and civilities experienced from you when I had the pleasure of seeing you in London. I am extremely obliged to you for the European news which you have been pleased to transmit me.
Believe me to be, dear sir, with great esteem, Yours sincerely,
Doctor CASPAR WISTAR, Jr., at Philadelphia.
Jos. HARMAR.
Same to Lieutenant Ernest.
FORT HARMAR, January 22, 1788.
SIR - I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2d ultimo, by John Siddon, who was taken prisoner on the Wabash last summer. You inform that he was under obligation to pay the Moravian Indian who brought him into Fort Pitt, fifteen dollars, a shirt, a blanket and stroud; and that you had sent the Indian home with a promise of something being obtained for him, whenever the matter was represented
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to me. As yet the soldier has not been mustered, but the paymaster shall be made acquainted with the circumstances, in order that when a settle- ment is made, the Indian may be satisfied. I am much obliged to you for the Pittsburgh newspapers which you were pleased to send on, and am, with esteem,
Your humble servant, Jos. HARMAR.
Lieutenant ERNEST, commanding officer at Fort Pitt.
Same to Lieutenant Ford.
FORT HARMAR, January 29, 1788.
DEAR SIR-Early in the spring I expect Fort M'Intosh will be evacua- ted. You will be ordered with your party to Fort Pitt, to take command there. When the evacuation takes place I shall give you particular orders on the subject. The Killikenick which you were kind enough to send me, was very acceptable.
I am, dear sir, your humble servant.
Lieutenant FORD, commanding officer at Fort M'Intosh.
Jos. HARMAR.
Same to General Knox.
FORT HARMAR, March 9, 1788.
SIR - Mr. David Zeisberger, Missionary of the Moravian Indians, has written to me requesting an exchange of the corn at M'Intosh for an equivalent in powder, linen, &c., which request I shall grant, as we are in want of the corn for the public horses. The distance those Indians are from M'Intosh, prevents their bringing it from thence. On the 14th ul- timo I received a message from Captain Pipe, the chief of the Delawares, who was hunting about fifty miles from hence, up the Muskingum, with thirty or forty of his nation. I answered his message, and on the 28th detached Ensign M'Dowell, with a party of a sergeant and fifteen privates, to view his situation, and sent him a message and a string of wampum- the messages are inclosed. On the 5th instant Ensign M'Dowell, with his party, returned, after having been treated with the utmost friendship and hospitality by the Indians at their hunting encampment. Yesterday old Captain Pipe, with seven of his young men, arrived at the garrison, and are now with me. Their object is to dispose of their skins to the
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APPENDIX NO. I.
contractor. He is a manly old fellow, and much more of a gentleman than the generality of these frontier people.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
Jos. HARMAR.
The Honorable Major-General KNOX, Secretary at War.
Same to same.
FORT PITT, April 26, 1788.
SIR -I am now upon my tour to Venango, and shall ascend the Alle- gheny to-morrow, in order to visit Captain Heart's post. I left Mus- kingum on the 6th instant, and on the 7th met General Putnam and part of the Ohio Company. Be assured, sir, that every assistance and protec- tion that is in our power, shall be rendered to this company. I make not the least doubt but a flourishing settlement will soon take place, as they are industrious, and quite a different set of people from these frontier men. I waited with great impatience for the arrival of General Putnam, and it would have afforded me peculiar pleasure to have been personally present with him, but Major Doughty, who commands during my absence, will (agreeably to your letter of instructions) give them every necessary assist- ance. Nicholson, the interpreter and messenger, who resides at this place, returned from Sandusky on the 17th instant. His intelligence is that the Indians will be late in assembling to the treaty, and that it is their deter- mination to insist peremptorily on the Ohio river as the boundary. I do not think that full faith and credit is to be given to his intelligenee. Be pleased to receive the inclosed monthly return of the regiment, dated the Ist instant ; also a profile of north view of Captain Heart's works. I have directed Captain Heart to make out a map of the country from Venango to Lake Erie, which I shall shortly have the honor of transmitting to you.
I have the honor, &c.,
Jos. HARMAR.
Same to Captain Heart.
FORT PITT, May 20, 1788.
SIR-By Sergeant Huntley I had the pleasure of receiving your letter and the map inscribed to the Secretary at War, which shall be forwarded to him. The bearer, Captain Beatty, now visits your post in order to pay the men under your immediate command. On his return you will please transmit me all the Indian intelligence which you can collect, as we do not know what the result of this grand treaty may be. I cannot too strongly
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impress upon you the necessity of the utmost vigilance in order to guard against surprise. You are out of all manner of support, and your depend- ence must be entirely upon yourself. The cranberries were very accept- able; I am much obliged to you for them. Be pleased to present my compliments to Lieutenant Frothingham.
I am, sir, &c., Jos. HARMAR.
Captain HEART, commanding officer at Fort Franklin.
P. S. - Inclosed I send you the plats of my donation lands, likewise a plat of Captain Irwin's land, which I wish you to endeavor to find out - and let me know the quality.
Same to Doctor M' Dowell.
FORT PITT, May 21, 1788.
DEAR SIR-I have received your letter of the 20th of May, inclosing your commission and a letter for Captain Beatty. He left this place yes- terday for Venango, but will be here again next Sunday ; your letter shall be delivered to him. Be assured, sir, that I wish you all possible happi- ness a civil life can afford, and am,
Your very humble servant,
Doctor JOHN M'DOWELL.
Jos. HARMAR.
Same to Dr. Wistar.
FORT HARMAR, June 9, 1788.
DEAR SIR-The bearer, Captain Armstrong, will deliver to you several bones of the huge, unknown animal, with an explanation of them. I am very sorry that it was out of the power of the officer to procure some thigh bones, but I shall endeavor, at some future period, to send you them.
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