[Message from the Secretary of War] To the Head Men and Warriors of the tribes of indians of the Miami town and its neighbourhood, and inhabiting the waters of the Miami river of lake Erie and to the tribes inhabiting the waters of the river Wabash. Brothers! The President of the United States, General Washington, the Great Chief of the thirteen fires speaks to you by this address. Listen attentively to him for he speaks of things of the highest importance to your future wlefare. The white men and the red men in- habit the same country, and ought to be good friends. But the contrary has been the case. Injuries and hostilities have subsisted, and the last year many lives were sacrificed on both sides. This address to you is the offspring of a desire to save you from ruin. It is therefore of the last consequence that you should understand and receive it aright. It is unmixed with fear, and dictated by the pure principles of humanity. The President of the United States The United States require nothing of you but peace; nay, they are desirous of making you to understand the cultivation of the earth, and teach- ing you how much better it is for human kind to have comfortable houses and to have plenty to eat & drink, and to be well clothed, than to be exposed to all the calamities belonging to a savage life. The offer of peace now made to you is for your good, and the Great Spirit above will ap- prove it. Reflect that this is the last offer that That can be made - That if you do not embrace it now, your doom might be sealed forever. Receive then the bearers Colonel Proctor and Captain Houdin, and our indian allies who accompany them, with open ars. After having pondered well upon the contents of this address, and what may be further said to the same purpose, call in your parties, and fly with all your head-men to Fort Washington at the Miamies of the Ohio - Send messengers also to all the neighbouring tribes to come to the same place, and there make and ratify a firm peace with General St. Clair, the great officer of the United States, on the Western waters. You will find the terms he shall dictate will be full of justice, moderation and huma- nity - You are now the only tribes with whom the United States have any disputes. The powerful indian nations south of the Ohio are our allies. The six na- tions of northern indians are at peace with us; and we are desirous of receiving you into the number of our friends, and to forget all the evil which has past. If If you refuse, all the nations will approve and justify your punishment. Given at the War-Office of the United States, in the City of Phil= =ladelphia, this 11th day of March 1791 Message to the Miami Indians &c - 11th March 1791. [[illegible] Col Proctor] copy