Niagara July 9^th 1793 The Answer of the Commissioners of the United States to the Speech delivered yesterday by Captain Brandt, in behalf of the Western Indians. Brothers. By the appointment of the Great Spirit we are again met together. We hope he will assist us, on both sides, to see & to do what is right. It gives us pleasure that this meeting is in the presence of our 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 & 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 those warlike Appearances.— Brothers. You told us that the People whom we saw here were sent to represent the Indian Nations who own the lands on the Northern side of the Ohio, as their common property, and who are all of one mind and one heart.— Brothers. You said you had two reasons for coming to speak to us here: One, that our Warriors being in your neighborhood had prevented your meeting at the appointed place: the other, to be informed whether we are properly authorised to run & establish a new Boundary line, between the lands of the United States & of the Indian Nations. You added that you were still desirous of meeting us at the appointed place.— Brothers. You desired we would deliberate well on this business. You declared that you spoke your sentiments in sincerity, considering yourselves in the presence of God, from whom, in time of danger, you expect Assistance.— Brothers. We have repeated your Speech as we understood it from the interpretation. We hope that we have not mistaken your meaning.— Brothers. Now listen to our answer, in behalf of the United States. Brothers. You have mentioned two objects of your coming to meet us at this place: One, to obtain an explanation of the warlike appearances on the part of the United States, on the Northern side of the Ohio. The other, to learn whether we have authority to run & establish a new Boundary line between your Lands & ours.— Brothers. On the first point we cannot but express our extreme regret that any reports of war-like appearances, on the part of the United States, should have delayed our meeting together at Sandusky. The nature of the case irresistably forbids all apprehensions of hostile incursions into the Indian Country, North of the Ohio, during the Treaty at Sandusky.— Brothers, We were deputed by the Great Chief & the Great Council of the United States to treat with you of Peace: And is it possible that the same Great Chief & this Great Council could order their warriors to make fresh war while we are sitting round the same fire with you in order to make Peace? Is it possible that our great Chief & this Council could act so deceitfully towards us, their Commissioners, as well as towards you? Brothers, We think it is not possible.— But we will quit argument and come to facts.— Brothers, We assure you that our great Chief, General Washington has strictly forbidden all hostilities against you, untile the event of the proposed treaty at Sandusky shall be known. [strikethrough: undecipherable] — Here is the Proclamation of his Head-Warrior, General Wayne, to that effect.— But, Brothers, our great Chief is so sincere in his professions for Peace & so desirous of preventing every thing which could obstruct the Treaty and prolong the war, that, besides giving those orders to his Head Warrior, he has informed the Governors of the several States adjoining the Ohio, of the proposed treaty to be held at Sandusky, and desired them to unite their power with his to prevent any hostile attempts against the Indians, North of the Ohio, untile the result of the Treaty is made known.— Those Governors have accordingly issued their orders, strictly forbidding all such hostilities.— The proclamations of the Governors of Virginia & Pennsylvania we have here in our hands. Brothers. If after all those precautions of our great Chief, any hostilities should be committed North of the Ohio, they must proceed from a few disorderly people, whom no considerations of justice or public good can restrain; But we hope & believe that none such will be found.— Brothers. After these explanations we hope you will possess your minds in peace; relying on the good faith of the United States that no injury is to be apprehended by you during the treaty. Brothers. We now come to the second point — whether we are properly authorised to run & establish a new boundary line between your Lands & ours.— Brothers. We answer explicitly, that we have that authority.— Where this line should run will be the great subject of discussion between you & us at the treaty: and we sincerely hope & expect that it may then be fixed to the satisfaction of both parties. Doubtless some concessions must be made on both sides.— In all disputes & quarrels, both parties usually take some wrong steps, so that it is only by mutual concessions that a true reconciliation can be effected. Brothers. We wish you to understand us clearly on this head, for we mean that all our proceedings should be marked with candor. We therefore repeat & say explicitly that some concessions will be necessary on your part, as well as on ours, in order to establish a just & permanent peace. Brothers. After this great point of the boundary shall be fully considered at the Treaty we shall know what concessions & stipulations it will be proper to make on the part of the United States.— and we trust they will be such as the world will pronounce reasonable & just.— Brothers. You have told us that you represent the nations of Indians, who own the Lands, North of the Ohio, the Indian chiefs are now assembled at the Rapids of the Miami.— Brothers. It would be a satisfaction to us to be informed of the names of those Nations, and of the number of the Chiefs of each, so assembled.— Brothers. We once more turn our eyes to your representations of the warlike appearances in your country — and to give you complete satisfaction on this point, we now assure you that, as soon as our Councils at this place are ended, we will send a messenger on horseback to the Grand Chief of the United States, to desire him to renew & strongly repeat his orders to his Head Warrior, not only to abstain from all hostilities against you; but to remain quietly at his forts, untile the event of the treaty shall be known. B. Lincoln Timothy Pickering } Commissioners