[50] Nº 72.— To Major Gen^l Knox Sec^y of war.— Head Quarters Greenville 25. Jan^y 1794 Sir, We have to lament the unfortunate death of Captain Big-Tree, a Seneka War Chief, who put a period to his own existence on the 23^d. instant about 3 oclock P.M.: nor can any possible cause be assigned for this act of suicide, than from a disturbed imagination, which has been very conspicuous at certain intervals for a considerable length of time. — In the latter end of March last he was at [underline: Legion Ville] in company with the [underline: Corn-planter] & [underline: New-Arrow], two famous Chiefs of the same tribe, with a message from the [underline: Six Nations] preparatory to their meeting the Grand Council of Hostile Indians at the Rapids of the Miami of the lake: after the Corn-planter & New-Arrow had delivered their message, — Captain Big-Tree requested liberty to speak a few words concerning a matter that dwelt very heavy upon his mind & disturbed his rest. — "I have lost a very dear friend! — the friend of my heart! General [underline: Richard Butler]: — I loved him so much, that when I heard of his death, I determined to eat a root that would have made me soon follow and join him. — "But as I was in the act of doing it, — the Great Spirit told me I was wrong; — it was not the part of a warrior to kill himself; but to avenge the blood of his friend by killing his enemies. — I then made a solemn vow to the Great Spirit, that I would sacrifice three of the hostile Indians to the manes of my friend. — I have but in part performed that vow — I have killed but one Delaware Indian; nor can I have any peace or rest until I have killed two more: — the Great Spirit will not be pleased until I have completed the promise & vow I have made to him. — I therefore request you to let me join your army, that I may have an opportunity of fulfilling that vow — should the hostile Indians refuse to treat." It would appear that that vow still dwelt upon his mind. — he arrived at Head Quarters about 3 weeks since, accompanied by M^r. Rosecrantz an interpreter in the service of the U.S.; and after giving a particular narration of what had passed at the late council of hostile Indians — he again addressed me. — "I shall now speak to you the sentiments of myself & the warriors of the Nation, & I request you to look full in my face, and see my mind & heart." "Our warriors are desirous of doing something, and wish your opinion & advice upon the occasion. — the Corn-planters Nephew, sends his best wishes to you, & lets you know that he is ready to rise the moment you desire it. — many of the warriors wish to join your Army; and others would chuse to take the small path and strike directly at some of their towns or parties in the vecinity of — "I can command and bring with me forty strong warriors: — we have heard that the [underline: Chichasaws] are to join you — we want to try which of us can do most. — [underline: I have now done — and wait your answer.]" In the course of a day or two after this, three of the Delaware nation arrived with a flag from the hostile Indians, requesting me to appoint the time & place for settling the terms upon which peace should be made. — this message gave him visible uneasiness; and in the course of that evening he sallied from his hut & approached that occupied by the three messengers with a drawn sword and said 'he would now have revenge — that they were bad men & only come as spies.' — it was with much difficulty that he could be prevailed upon to desist, & to return to his hut. — however, he was at length apparently reconciled, & was invited next morning to my marquee to hear the purport of their message & my reply. — after which he requested to speak a few words to those [underline: warriors] — and addressed them thus. — "Nephews "I call you nephews, because you have always acknowledged us the [underline: Six Nations] as your Uncles.' — "I am pleased to find that your pride is lowered; and that you begin to come to your reason. — you were too proud & mad last summer to listen to the Commissioner of the [underline: Fifteen fires] or, to your Uncles. — "I will only just inform you that the voice of the Fifteen fires is the voice of the Six Nations: — therefore tele all your chiefs & warriors to listen to the voice of this Great Chief; tele them to comply with his demands & to deliver up all their prisoners [underline: within] the course of thirty days — [underline: if they wish to live to see their children grow up to be men & women].' — after this interview he was frequently observed to be melancholy, altho' every attention was paid to him by most of the officers, his situation was rendered comfortable. — arms & clothing were either made or on the point of being made, so as to appear in the complete Uniform of an American officer, previously to the arrival of the hostile chiefs; should they comply with the proposition; but his melancholy increased until the moment of the fatal catastrophe, as reported by the Court of Inquest herewith transmitted. — In Captain Big-Tree, the United States have lost a true & faithful friend. — He was to have waited the period fixed for the surrender of the prisoners previously to his return to the Six Nations: but he dreaded [underline: peace]; and therefore embraced [underline: death]. — This disagreeable business will occasion a sacrifice of some public property to the manes of this chief. — i.e. presents &ca to his family & some provision for his wife & daughter, who I am informed are now at Fort Franklin. — I shall therefore send M^r. Rosecrantz to the Seneka nation with the necessary presents and a speech of condolence as soon as the Ohio will admit of the ascent of boats. — I have the honor to be with respect & esteem, your most obed^t. & very hum^t Serv^t. A Wayne the Hon^ble Maj. Gen. Knox Sec^y of war.—