Brothers, I received great pleasure in the Treaty held with you last fall at Tioga, and the manner in which it was conducted was entirely approved by the Great Chief of the United States. I hope and believe that the intended Treaty will be equally pleasing, and give equal satisfaction to our Great Chief. Given under my hand and Seal at Wyoming, in the State of Pennsylvania the 17^th day of Abrie 1791 [signed] Timothy Pickering [seal] [§ For Lord Dorchester's to Lord Grenville N^o96 of the 1^st July 1791.] [Copy] To the Chiefs and Warriors of the Seneca Nation. My Sons With this you will receive a message from the Secretary at War for the United States, in answer to that of the Corn Planter, from this place, of the 17^th of last Month You will see, my sons, by that message, that the Government is very much disatisfied at the murder which has been committed upon the friendly Indians at Beaver Creek. It is held, I assure you, in the utmost abhorrence, and every step will be taken to bring the guilty persons to due punishment. You will also see by the Proclamation of the Governor of Pennsylvania, that I send likewise, that a thousand Dollars are offered for the apprehension any of them. My Sons, My heart is grieved for what happened to our friends at Beaver Creek, and likewise for the mischief that has been done to the White houses since, along the rivers. — If that mischief had not been done, it would have been much easier to bring the murderers to justice, as it is, nothing shall be left undone, that can be done to effect it. I assure you, my Sons, that my heart is still good and right towards all the Indians, and tho' I am employed to lead the Armies of the United States against them, if they continue to be hostile, it would be much more agreeable to me, that they should listen to the voice of peace; and that instead of carrying war and destruction into their Country, they would allow me to be their friend and Protector. My Sons, I am very sorry that some of you met likewise with ill treatment as you were going home from this Place. Consider what had happened at Owens Island, a few days before, and you will and you will not be much surprised at it, for it proceeded from people who were Strangers to you, and your good intentions. Notwithstanding, I disapprove of it very much, and the President of the United States will be very angry when he hears of it. The man who commanded the party shall be prosecuted, and tho it may be a little slow, complete justice will at last be done to you. My Sons, the Corn Planter, hearken to me. We have laboured together in the good work of peace, do not suffer what has happened to disquiet you, and turn you aside. I know it will not, and I hope that we may yet succeed in bringing all People into the good way, and that all the Red and the White people may live together, like good friends and Brothers. Believe me, my Son, it is not the wish of the United States that the Red people Should be destroyed but if some of them will still be foolish, and cannot be brought into the good way we must make strong war upon them, and you and your people must go along with one. My Sons, I hope the message to the Western Indians has been sent forward long ago, and that I shall soon hear how it has been received. The season is advancing fast, and if they will [strikethrough: hearken to the good] [undecipherable] that are [undecipherable] — make War in earnest. I hope likewise that you have sent on your friend Colonel Proctor; he was ordered to meet me at Fort Washington early next Month, with answer of those people, whether it were for peace or whether it were for War, and I cannot delay longer than about that time. My Sons, I have said that we must make Strong war, and that you must go along with me. I expect and desire that you will send word to General Butler at this Place, how many will go and when they will be ready. When you have given him notice of the Number, he will direct the time you are to set out, and the place where you will embark, and and he also goes along himself. My Sons, I cannot forget the mischief that happened at Beaver Creek, because I am told, they were the people of my friend the Pipe. — I cannot help shedding tears for them, and I repeat the detestation the Whites held in by all good men, and by the Government, and the murderers will Surely be punished. I have sent a Speech of condolence to the Pipe, and as soon as an opportunity can be had, I will make the friends of the deceas'd a compensation for what the villains robbed them of. Fare well, My Sons. Hold fast the labour of friendship, and try to put it into the hands of all other Nations; The United States love the Senecas, and I hope it will not be long before all other Nations are Sensible, that it is their own interest to be their friends likewise. May the Good Spirit bless you my Sons, preside in your Councils, and direct all your affairs. from your friend [signed] H^o St Clair, Major General Commanding the Armies of the United States & Governor of the Territory North West of the Ohio— Dated at Pittsburgh, April 23^d 1791.