Embassy to the Western Indians, Etc.
Document 1791Kirkland discusses Indians, Indian warfare, and white aggression. He requests support for an embassy to the Western Indians.
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required, the Five nations cannot be happy amongst themselves, nor can that harmony subsist between them and their neighbours, as might be produced by a general representation of the chiefs of an empire, when there is one, which has long been the united wish of the nations. —
I have the honor &c.
The Hon Sam Kirkland }
to the Secretary of War }
Oneida, 22 April 1791.
Sir:
When I was in Philadelphia the winter past, and had and with a pretty free interview with you the subject of the present situation of the Indians were a subject of much conversation — among other things the propriety & practicability of an accomodation with the Indians in the vicinity of the Miami, to prevent the havens of an Indian War — were entered into —
Their complaints & murmurings which at
Type
Contemporary Copy of Letter
Description
Kirkland discusses Indians, Indian warfare, and white aggression. He requests support for an embassy to the Western Indians.
Date
04/22/1791
Author
Recipient
Sent from
Oneida
Repository
Collection
Document number
1791042240301
Page start
10
Note
Enclosed in Knox to Pickering, 05/18/1791.
Notable persons
Henry Knox
Samuel Kirkland
Capt. Hendrick
Capt. Brant
Captain Obeil, or Cornplanter
Miamis
Shawanese
Delawares
Chippewas
Chief of the Stockbridge tribe to the westward
Notable locations
Oneida
Buffaloe Creek
Stockbridge
Miami [River]
Philadelphia
Notable items
private council of the Oneida chiefs
the hatchet
personal acquaintance
embassy to the westward
journey with the necessary articles of clothing, belts and strings of wampum with a little money
support of his family
twenty bushels of grain
signatures of humanity & policy
customs & manners
state of the Indians at large
utmost freedom
his sentiments and feelings towards the hostile Indians
his answer by two runners
official character and known humanity
copy of his letter
publication
strong trait of British influence & interests in many passages will not easily escape your discerning eye
Indian war
direct violation of the laws of the general government
voice of birds
artifice of evil minded persons
unfriendly to the states
friendly correspondence is kept up
number of their chiefs should be brought down to Congress
fair hearing
open hostilities
influence and artifice of unprincipled traders & others who had immediate access to them
ignorance of the fixed determination & real disposition of Congress to do strict justice to the Indians
these prejudices
their mistaken apprehensions
winter
personal interview with you
character & present situation of the Indians were a subject of much conversation
propriety and practicability of an accommodation with the indians in the vicinity of the Miami
horrors of an indian war