[Copy] Grenville 14^th January 1794. To the Chiefs & Warriors of the Delawares, Shawanases, and Miami Nations or Lakes of Indians, & all others whom it may Concern — Brothers. I have received your verbal Message [sent by Stephen Seeg] by George White Eyes and another Warrior who were accompanied by M^r Robert Wilson, as your Interpreter. If Peace is your Object & the Wish & desire of your hearts why did not you or some of the principal Chiefs of Your Nation or Nations come forward & speak for yourselves? The Ears & Heart of the President of the United States, (General Washington,) are ever open to the Voice of Peace, & he has instructed me his Chief Warrior to listen to that welcome voice from whatever quarter it may come, provided it comes from proper Authority & from the Heart. But as you have only sent a verbal Message by your Runners, and as the Delawares, Shawaneses, Miamis & Wyandots have for a long time shut their Ears & hardened their hearts so as not to permit that good voice to enter or to be heard, altho' often repeated at different times & by several paths & strongly & loudly reached by the Commissioners of Congress, & by all the Chiefs of its big Nations assembled in Council at the Rapids of the Miamis of the Lake last Summer. It will be necessary that you give convincing & unequivocal proofs of your Sincere wish & desire for Peace by bringing & delivering up all & every of the American or White Prisoners now in Your Possession to the Officer Commanding at Fort Recovery, i.e. — on the same grounds where the Action of the 4^th of November 1791. took place & that on or before the next full moon which will be on the 14^th of February i.e. — in the course of thirty days from & after this date & immediately sending off Runners to call in & restrain all & every of your Warriors from committing any Murders, Robberies & Depredations upon any of the Inhabitants or Citizens of the United States or upon any band, Party or parties of Troops on their way to or from any of our Posts or Garrisons wheresoever or Whatsoever. In the mean time the Path shall be kept open So that you may have a free Communication between your Towns & Fort Recovery, the late field of Battle) the only path by which you can come always taking care to shew a White Flag which my Warriors are ordered to pay particular respect & to receive you as Friends & to guard you safe from harm or danger both in Coming to that place & from thence here & in returning to your Towns. All forgoing conditions being punctually complied with upon your part I shall then be convinced of your Peaceable dispositions & my heart & Arms will be open to receive & meet you, at this place on or before the 14^th February the day above mentioned in order to fix & determine upon a proper time & place for holding a General Treaty. In the mean time it is to be well & perfectly understood that the progress of this Army is not to be retarded or interfered in its advancing but shall be permitted to move peaceably & quietly with all its Apparatus, provisions, & Stores & every Article & thing necessary for holding the Treaty. Thus will the door be opened for establishing a permanent & lasting Peace founded upon former Treaties, & on the Solid Basis of Honor, Equity, & Justice & to the mutual interest & entire Satisfaction of all parties. And thus will the War hatchet be buried so deep that it can never again be found. from your friend & Brother (signed) Anthony Wayne Major General & Commander in Chief of the Army of the United States of America. [Endorsed — In L^t Gen^l Simcoe's N^o 21 of the 28^th Feb^y 1794.]