Answer of Federal Commissioners for Conference at Sandusky to speech delivered by Captain Brant on behalf of western Indians

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[45] The answer of the Commissioners of the United States to the speech delivered yesterday by Captain Brant, on behalf of the Western Indians. Niagara 8^th July 1793. In Council present as yesterday. Brothers. By the appointment of the great Spirit, we are again met together. We hope he will assist us on both sides to so decide what is right. It gives us pleasure that this meeting is in the presence of your Brothers the English. "Brothers Yesterday according to your promise at Fort Erie, you told us the reason why the nations whom you represent, had delayed assembling at the time and place appointed for meeting us "that it was because there was so much of the appearance of War, in that quarter." Brothers You requested an explanation of their Warlike appearances. Brothers. You told us that the people whom we ourselves were sent to represent the Indians Nations who own the Lands on the northern side of the Ohio as their common property, and who are all of one mind — one heart. "Brothers. You said you had two reasons for coming to speak to us here: One that our Warriors being in our neighbourhood had prevented your meeting at the appointed place; the other to be informed whether we are properly authorized to run and establish a new boundary line between the lands of the United States, and of the Indians Nations. You added that you was [strikethrough: delt] desirous of meeting as

Type

Copy of document

Description

Delivered by interpreter Captain Brant on behalf of Western Nations, Commissioners restate questions and issues presented by Western Indians previous day. Commissioners express regret at warlike appearances of United States north of Ohio [presumably Major General Anthony Wayne's forces.] Commissioners state that they do in fact have authority to make treaties based on the appointment by President of United States General George Washington. Ask that Indians understand that President seeks peace and has no designs to send warriors against Indians during this conference. Commissioners state that Great Chief General George Washington forbids hostilities during Sandusky talks. They hand over a proclamation of peace by Major General Anthony Wayne which forbids governors of Virginia and Pennsylvania from hostile actions against Indians. Commissioners state that they have authority from government to make decisions on a new boundary line between United States and Indians. They ask for the names of the chiefs and the nations they represent. They pledge to send a messenger to Great Chief of United States General George Washington tor repeat his orders forbidding hostilities during the conference. Exchange of wampum and closing remarks. Chiefs will provide answers next day 9 July 1793.

Date

07/08/1793

Author

Federal Commissioners Treaty at Sandusky

Recipient

Chiefs of the Sandusky

Sent from

Navy Hall at Niagara

Repository

National Archives and Records Administration

Collection

Third Congress: Transcribed Confidential Reports and Other Communications Transmitted by the Secretary of War to the House of Representatives, 3d

Document number

1793070890155

Page start

Note

This document is enclosed in instructions to the commissioners appointed to deal wih 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

Federal commissioners for Sandusky conference

Benjamin Lincoln

Timothy Pickering

Beverley Randolph

Cat's Eyes

Chippewas

British

English

Shawanese

Captain Brant

Western Indians

President of United States General George Washington

governor of Pennsylvania

governor Virginia

Major General Wayne

James Dean

interpreter

Notable locations

Fort Erie

Navy Hall Niagara

Canada

Britain

United States

Virginia

Ohio River

Pennsylvania

north of Ohio river