of the great majority of the Citizens of the United States to an Indian War, in almost any event and with how much satisfaction they would embrace a peace upon terms of Justice and humanity. You therefore this negotiation is entrusted with the hope, that you will by your intelligence and pursuance to be able to close a series of hostilities, which on the part of the United States have been dictated by the protection due their frontier Citizens. In order that you may possess all the knowledge in the power of the Executive to give, you have herewith furnished the several papers upon this subject enumerated in the Schedule annexed, which contain information from the peace between Great Britain and France in the year 1763 until the present time. With respect to the treaties made between the United States and the several hostile tribes since the peace with Great Britain in 1783 it is to be observed that the treaty of Fort Harmar made in January 1789 is regarded as having been formed on solid grounds, the principle being that of a fair purchase and sale. The Government considers the six nations who claimed the lands by virtue of former conquests lying between the Ohio and lake Erie, which were ceded and confirmed to the United States by the said treaty with the said six nations, together with the Wyandots and Delawares and Ottawas and other western Indians who were the actual occupants of the lands, as the proper owners thereof. That the had a right to convey the said lands to the United States, and that it did accordingly make the said conveyances with their free consent and understanding. Parties however who were not at the treaty of F^t. Harmar