on the surface of the water near the Falls, not so great as to prevent your passing with a canoe across the river. June 28. Lodged on the road. June 29. This day we went to Lake Erie from Chippewa to see the vessel in which we were to embark; but as we were not ready for this, we returned four miles, and lodged where we lodged the night before. June 30. This day we went on board the vessel, where I continued without going on shore until July 2d. July 2. I went on shore and examined the rocks thereon. They seemed to be a composition of petrified vegetables and fossils; but from their hardness it was difficult to detach any particular parts of them. While at Fort Erie, the commanding officer invited me into his garden, which was very handsomely laid out, and in excellent order, and vegetation in great forwardness. Besides having the common cherry, the currant, &c. I found his potatoes in blossom, as also his cucumbers, his melons, and his Indian beans ready to be eaten as stringed beans, and his windsor beans fully grown. These observations are of no other importance than as they show the state of vegetation in this climate on the 2d of July. July 3. I dined on shore with Captain Pratt. We had from his garden, peas, beans, &c. as also new potatoes, which were planted about the middle of April, and were now as big as eggs. July 5. The wind remaining against us, a British vessel appeared in sight with a number of Indians on board. On the arrival of the vessel, we found that in her had arrived a large deputation from the council-fire at the Rapids of Miami. In two points they wanted satisfaction, the first respecting the movements of our army, and the second whether we were fully authorized to run and establish a new line between us and them. The Indians assembled and gave notice to the Commissioners that they desired to speak with them. The Commissioners attending, a Shawanese chief (called Cat's Eyes,) addressed us thus. Brothers, We are sent by the nations of Indians assembled at the Rapids of Miami, to meet the Commissioners of the United States. We are glad to see you here. It is the will of the chiefs of those nations that our Father, the Governor of this Province, should be present, and hear what we have to say to you, and what you have to say to us. Brothers, Do not make yourselves uneasy that we did not meet you, at the time you proposed, at Sandusky. The reasons thereof will be mentioned at another time. Four Strings of black and white Wampum delivered to the Commissioners. To which the Commissioners replied. Brothers, The Commissioners are glad to see you. We will confer with you in presence of your Father, the Governor of this Province, at any time and place which shall be convenient to him and you. Returned the four Strings. The chiefs having consulted a few moments by themselves, again asked the attendance of the Commissioners, and proposed that the conference should be at the Governor's, at Niagara; to which the Commissioners agreed, informing the chiefs that they would be at the Governor's to-morrow night. July 7. Before the arrival of the Commissioners at the council-house from Navy Hall, while waiting for them, Captain Brandt spoke in the name of the deputies of the western Indians. Brothers, It being agreed at the Rapids that we should come and meet the Commissioners in our Father's presence, we return our thanks to the Great Spirit, for seeing your Excellency well this day. Our intention and business is peaceable, and our inclination is to do what is right and just. We are all of one mind, and wished your Excellency to be present. A Belt of Wampum. His Excellency in reply said, that he was happy to see them well, and as the Commissioners had expressed their wish to meet the Indians in his presence, he should be glad to hear what they had to say. Belt returned. The Commissioners being assembled, with the Governor, and a number of officers of the Province, as also many military officers, Captain Brandt, with a belt and a string of wampum, rose and said. We have met to-day our brothers, the Bostonians and English. We are glad to have the meeting, and think it by the appointment of the Great Spirit. Brothers of the United States, We told you the other day at Fort Erie, that at another time we would inform you why we had not assembled at the time and place appointed for holding the treaty with you. Now we inform you that it is because there is so much the appearance of war in that quarter. Brothers, we have given the reason for our not meeting you, and now request an explanation of these warlike appearances. Brothers, The people you see here, are sent to represent the Indian nations who own the lands north of the Ohio as their common property, and who are all of one mind, one heart. Brothers, We have come to speak to you for two reasons; one because your warriors being in our neighborhood have prevented our meeting at the appointed place; the other to know if you are properly authorized to run and establish a new boundary line between the lands of the United States and the lands of the Indian nations. We are still desirous of meeting you at the appointed place. Brothers, We wish you to deliberate well on this business. We have spoken our sentiments in sincerity; considering ourselves in the presence of the Great Spirit, from whom in times of danger we expect assistance. Belt of twelve Rows, and thirty Strings of Wampum, in five bunches, presented to us. The Commissioners answered. Brothers, We have attended to what you have said. We will take it into our serious consideration, and give you an answer tomorrow. We will inform you when we are ready. Captain Brandt replied. Brothers, We thank you for what you have said. You say that you will answer our speech to-morrow. We now cover up the council-fire. July 8. The Commissioners gave the following answer to the speech of yesterday. Brothers, By the appointment of the Great Spirit, we are again met together. We hope he will assist us on both sides, to see and to do what is right. It gives us pleasure that this meeting is in the presence of our brothers, the English. (Here we repeated what was said by Captain Brandt yesterday. This repetition is customary, that you may evince to them that you understood their speech. We after proceeded.) Brothers, now listen to our answer in behalf of the United States. Brothers, You have mentioned two objects of your coming to meet us at this place; one to obtain an explanation of the warlike appearances on the part of the United States on the northern side of the Ohio; the other to learn whether we have authority to run and establish a new boundary line between your lands and ours. Brothers, On the first point, we cannot but express our extreme regret that any reports of warlike appearances on the part of the United States should have delayed our meeting together at Sandusky. The nature of the case irresistibly forbids all apprehensions of hostile incursions into the Indian country north of the Ohio during the treaty at Sandusky. Brothers, we were deputed by the great chief and the great council of the United States to treat with you of peace ;-and is it possible that the same great chief and his great council could act so deceitfully towards us, their Commissioners, as well as towards you? Brothers we think it not possible. But we will quit arguments, and come to facts. Brothers, We assure you that our great chief, General Washington, has strictly forbidden all hostilities against you, until the event of the proposed treaty at Sandusky shall be known. Here is the proclamation of his head warrior, General Wayne, to that effect. But, brothers, our great chief is so sincere in his professions for peace, and so desirous of preventing every thing which would obstruct the treaty and prolong the war, that besides giving those orders to his head warriors, he has informed the Governors of the several states adjoining the Ohio, of the treaty proposed to be held at Sandusky, and desired them to unite their powers with his to prevent any hostile attempts against the Indians north of the Ohio, until the result of the treaty is made known. These Governors have accordingly issued their orders, strictly forbidding all such hostilities. The proclamations of the Governors of Virginia and Pennsylvania we have here in our hands. Brothers, If after all these precautions of our great chief, any hostilities should be committed north of the Ohio, they must proceed from a few disorderly people, whom no considerations of justice or public good can restrain: but we hope and believe that none such will be found. Brothers, After these explanations, we hope you will possess your minds in peace, relying on the good faith of the United States that no injury is to be apprehended by you during the treaty. We now come to the second point, whether we are properly authorized to run and establish a new boundary line between your lands and ours. Brothers, We answer explicitly that we have that authority. Where this should run, will be the great subject of discussion between you and us at the treaty; and we sincerely hope and expect that it may then be fixed to the satisfaction of both parties. Doubtless, some concessions must be made on both sides. In all disputes and quarrels both parties usually take some wrong steps, so that it is only by mutual concessions that a true reconcilement can be effected. Brothers, We wish you to understand us clearly on this head, for we mean that all our proceedings should be marked with candor. We therefore repeat and say explicitly, that some concessions will be necessary on your part, as well as on ours, in order to establish a just and permanent peace. Brothers, After this great point of the boundary line shall be considered at the treaty, we shall know what concessions and stipulations it will be proper to make on the part of the United States; and we trust they will be such as the world will pronounce reasonable and just. Brothers, You have told us that you represent the nations of Indians north of the Ohio, and whose chiefs are now assembled at the Rapids of the Miami. Brothers, it would be a satisfaction to us to be informed of the names of those nations, and of the number of chiefs of each so assembled. |