[Nº 72. To Maj^r 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 Seneca War Chief, who put a period to his own existence on the 23^d instant about 3 o'clock 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 Legion Ville in company with the Corn Planter & New Arrow two famous Chiefs of the same tribe, with a message from the 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 every dear friend — the friend of my heart — General Richard Butler — I loved him so much, that when I heard of his death, I determined to do an act 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 in 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 Rosecrants 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 planter's 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 chose to take [undecipherable] path and stride directly at some of their towns or parties in the vicinity of I can command and bring with me Forty strong warriors: — we have heard that the Chickasaws are to join you — we want to [undecipherable] by which of us can do most. — I have now done — and await your answer." In the course of a day or two after this, a chief 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 warriors — and addressed them thus. — Nephews I call you nephews, because you have always acknowledged us the 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