Ex Papers 1783-1784 1784-Jan, Feb, Mar

Speech to the Shawneese Dated 7th Feby 1784. Sent by General Wilkenson under the name of the Big Knife

X Chiefs & Brothers of the Shawnee Nation. We the big Knife embrace this opportunity by one of our great Chiefs lately from our grand Council your Brothers, to inform you that the English and Americans have at length buried the Hatchet and concluded a firm Peace, we wish you and our Brothers the red People to join your hands to the chain of Friendship thus brightened by us your Brothers of America & your Fathers the English: — We should have rejoiced to have had it in our Power to send you the particular articles of the Peace, but your eldest Brother has not yet forwarded them to us though we every day expect to hear from him. We yesterday received the following talk from him. “I approve the method you have taken to Support your Troops Their time of service being now expired by the happy con- clusion of the War, you will be pleased to discharge your whole Corps” — Thus Brothers we prove to you our since- rity in delivering Peace and friendship: our Warriors are discharged and gone home to their Wives & Children- We have buried the Tomahawk, We have covered the Blood which has been Spilt, & we have gathered together the Bones which were Scattered on the Ground and buried them in a large Grave that they may no more be seen — Now Brothers we wish you to do the Same, to join your Hands to ours, bury the Hatchet, and let War come no more among us; for we desire to become one flesh and one Blood with you — When the Peace which the Americans and British have made comes among you, you Will find that The British have forgot you their Children — Nevertheless we wish to consider you as Brothers and take hold with us the Chain of Friendship — Mr. Owens informed me that the Talks I sent you some time ago on the Subject of a Treaty was not yet opened on account of your Chiefs being absent; as soon as they have collected & considered of the matter, it will be necessary to send a Runner to let us know their sentiments, that I may inform the great Chief who will send Persons to meet them at this place at any time they may appoint to conclude a firm Peace, which we hope may continue as long as the Rivers & Woods shall last — Made at the Falls of the Ohio this 7th day of January February 1784 — To the Chiefs and Warriors of the Shawnee Nation