Request for White Wampum & Interpreters for Treaty at Sandusky Ohio
Document 1793Six Nations interpreter Jasper Parish carries a letter from Federal commissioners for Treaty at Sandusky which attempts to enlist General Gibson's support as an Indian expert in obtaining white wampum and qualified interpreters for the Delaware and Shawanese languages. Major Craig at Pittsburg identified at the point of contact. Interpreters were supposed to travel with commissioners, but did not arrive in time for departure from Philadelphia.
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immediately. We shall doubtless embark for Sandusky by the time he can possibly return.
We have been disappointed in our applications at New York and Albany for white Wampum. Eighty thousand is the quantity we should chuse to take with us. If it can be obtained at Pittsburg pray procure it or as much as you can, if short of eighty thousands the enclosed contingent draft on the Secretary at War will enable you to pay for it.
We have now only to request that you will reflect on the importance of our present application; and we assure ourselves you will chearfully comply with our wishes.
We are &c.
(B. Lincoln,
B. Randolph,} Commissioners of the
T. Pickering } United States.
(Enclosed in the preceding)
To General Knox Secretary at War.
Niagara 26th. May 1793
Sir,
Not having obtained any White Wampum either at New York or Albany we have desired Major Craig to procure any quantity not exceeding 80,000, at Pittsburg should he procure it he will transmit you the account thereof which we request you to pay at five days sight hereof.
B. Lincoln Commissioner.
To General John Gibson Pittsburg.
Sir Niagara 26th. May 1793
We have written to Major Craig, who is in the service of the United States requesting him to engage interpreters for the Delaware and Shawanese languages to go with us to Sandusky. These Interpreters were expected in Philadelphia before we left it, but they had not arrived and We have no intelligence concerning them tho' we hope they are on their way from Pittsburg to this place.
Your knowledge of Indian affairs in the Western World will enable you to point out the most suitable persons for Interpreters, and we request your aid in engaging them, should those written for by General Knox fail of attending.
The bearer of this letter Jasper Parish Interpreter for the six nations who has our directions to bring with him a quantity of White Wampum, if to be obtained at Pittsburg, in this article also your assistance may be useful.
The importance and urgency of the business will induce you to excuse our giving you this trouble.
We are &c.
B. Lincoln,
B. Randolph,} Commissioners.
T. Pickering.}
(To Mr. Jasper Parish)
Niagara 26th. May 1793.
Sir,
You will proceed with the letters herewith transmitted to you to Pittsburg. At the Complanter's settlement get one or two trusty Indians to accompany you as guides. The great objects of your journey are to procure Interpreters for the Delaware and Shawanese languages and
Type
Copy of document
Description
Six Nations interpreter Jasper Parish carries a letter from Federal commissioners for Treaty at Sandusky which attempts to enlist General Gibson's support as an Indian expert in obtaining white wampum and qualified interpreters for the Delaware and Shawanese languages. Major Craig at Pittsburg identified at the point of contact. Interpreters were supposed to travel with commissioners, but did not arrive in time for departure from Philadelphia.
Date
05/26/1793
Recipient
Sent from
Navy Hall, opposite Niagara
Document number
1793052690155
Page start
23
Note
Enclosed in Lincoln, Randolph, and Pickering to Craig, 06/21/1793.This document is enclosed in instructions to the commissioners appointed to deal with the hostile Indians north of the Ohio, in the form of a journal of their proceedings, submitted to the House of Representatives on December 4, 1793. This document is an integral part of [Public Reports] and other communications of the Secretary of War, 12/99/1793.
Notable persons
General John Gibson
Major Craig
Jasper Parish
Jasper Parrish
Delaware
Shawnee
Federal Commissioners Treaty Sandusky
Beverley Randolph
Benjamin Lincoln
Henry Knox
Timothy Pickering
Notable locations
Niagara
Sandusky
Ohio
New York
Pittsburg
Philadelphia
Shawnee
Delaware
Notable items
white wampum
indian interpreters

