At a Council held at Vincennes with certain Chiefs and Warriors of the Sagues, and Karkaskian Indians, at which attended several Piankeshaws & Ouiatenons, the 20^th day of June 1794 - The Council was opened by Captain Pasteur in the words following - My Brothers. Agreeable to your desire, I have here met you, to listen to what you will say; at the same time let not interest or awe sway you; but let the truth flow freely from your hearts, as it shall from mine - You are under my Father's protection; and I am your Guardian at this post. I shall now be attentive to you. Then arose Washionah, great chief of the Sagues, and delivered a speech to the following effect - That he had come to let his father know what he had to say from his heart; That the heavens were clear, and that his speech would be clear also. "Behold," said he, "the Tomahawk I bear"; "I never have, nor ever will do harm with it" that both Speeches and Tomahawks had been sent to his villages to excite him to war; but that he had always rejected them; that he had been here before, and was now come again, wishing to see his father upon the sea shore, (meaning General Washington) but observed, that some of his young people having fallen sick, he should be compelled to return. Shch-kowah, or Wheat Chief, next got up to make a speech for Pakahwiah, Chief of the Fox Indians. He demanded to know whether Captain Prior had not invited the Sagues and Foxes to meet him, and was secondary; - But the language it spoke being the Kickapoo, and not well understood by the Interpreters, he resumed his speech in the Pottawatome Tongue. He said he had come a long way with his young men to see his friends - that he had sent away all bad birds from his village; that he hoped his brother (meaning Captain Pasteur) would take pity on him and his young men, since they had come so far to see him - that however it was not their intention to proceed further, notwithstanding they had set out for the purpose of seeing their father General Washington - That the road they had travelled was made open and smooth, and they had not once stumbled in it (meaning, by this figure they had been invited to come) but that now they were determined to return home - that he would tell all and hide nothing in his heart. "Here," said he, "is Ducoin, great Chief of the Mississippi; what he tells us we believe and will follow." Then addressing himself to Captain Prior, he said "You are my father; you have done always well for us; but we cannot help you, or expect to hear you speak." Turning now to Captain Pasteur, he observed that General Washington and his red people were on [undecipherable] - That they had come from the Illinois to see their brothers, the Americans and French, and to hear him speak, repeating that they had found a smooth and open road, and never stumbled. [Here he delivered a string of black and white [wampum]] (That immediately on receiving the letter, meaning a letter of [?] coin, to requesting them to go and see General Washington,) he [undecipherable] ate to come; that the Sagues set out first and the Foxes, who live [near], soon followed them - that they had always been peaceable (Here he shook hands with Captain Pasteur, and Judge Turner, who was present) that he hoped his brother would not take offence at his determination to return home. It was because some of his young men had fallen sick - that he trusted Captains Pasteur & Prior would take pity on him and his company when about to return, and also on the women and children in their towns. He hoped that guns would be given to his young men; for that they were fond of their brothers' guns, and that such of his young men's guns as were out of order, his brother would cause to be repaired - that he esteemed Ducoin as a good Chief - that he and his people were always on terms of friendship with Ducoin, and he with them; they were as one; that Ducoin invited them and they came accordingly; that now they wished to return, lest in their absence any bad birds should fly through their towns - that his brother had told them to declare their minds from their hearts; and he had now unloaded his; that it was a very heavy load that as they were leaving their homes to come hither, several nations admonished them against it, saying: "my brother, why do you go? some of your young men will be killed, where you are going." Shch-kowah concluded [they] by saying they were dry for a dram - He then delivered another string of black and white Wampum - Ducoin now harangued the Indians in a long speech, delivered with great fluency; and then shaking [strikethrough: every] by the hand every person in the room, addressed Captain Pasteur, in words to the following effect - "I desire all persons now present, both white and red, to listen with attention, for I am going to speak. My father General Washington Congress, and Col. Jefferson, open your ears, and listen to what I shall say. I shall hide nothing from you. One half of your children on the Mississippi and Wabash are bad - General Washington sent us here to put the bad children in a good way." Here he shook hands with Captain Pasteur and proceeded: He said that he, Ducoin, was not to desire General Washington, Captain Pasteur, or Captain Prior; nor would they desire his father's children. He hoped they would give with a liberal hand to their children whether of the Mississippi, or Wabash, such goods as are suitable - and not to be stingy - That he was a Karkaskian, and [his] utmost efforts in assisting Congress to make the [undecipherable] his brother would, in turn, assist him - that General Washington, had sent Captain Pasteur & Prior on good offices; and if there was any thing in the farmer's heart, he intreated him to speak it out - That the Sagues, Foxes, and others with him, had never taken up the Tomahawk to strike the Americans; though invited to it by the [English?] at Detroit, who had likewise invited several other nations - that perhaps the English would come upon his lands, and on the lands of red people with him, and they might possibly kill him - but he would give his lands to Congress to protect - that the Sagues &c. are afraid to go Congress, but that he would address a letter to Captain Pasteur and to to inform Congress of the good intentions of those Indians, and hoped that he and Captain Prior would take pity on his people - that should they be hereafter invited by General Washington to go to see him, they would throw away their bodies to go - That the Spaniards and other white people are now fighting among themselves, and that the Tomahawk has been offered to his and various other nations, but that their answer has ever been: "Let them fight their own battles, and us keep our lands in peace." - that he intreated Captains Pasteur and Prior to make their hearts glad on going home, by giving them presents of goods, guns and ammunition. (Here he presented Captain Pasteur with five short strings of white wampum, bound together at one end with green ribbon, and proceeded.) He said that they had been demanded to come and see the Americans - that as they passed the Spaniards in the route hither, the Spaniards told them they were fools, they would get nothing from the Americans - not even a knife - but that notwithstanding, he trusted Captain Pasteur would take pity on them, and as to himself, he was very poor. Ducoin now [strikethrough: accosted] the Indians in council with these words - "Brothers! I beseech you to behave well, build up your towns and live peaceably together; bring up your children in a good way; suffer them not to steal horses, nor drink whiskey - The latter is an enemy to their happiness, it excites them to quarrel and spills one another's blood - Aged Chiefs, remember the good conduct of your fathers now sleeping in their graves, I exhort you to follow the examples they have left you." Ducoin now begged that Captain Pasteur would order a couple of cannon to be discharged in honor of General Washington. [Guns pointed accordingly, and Ducoin sat down, when the following conversation took place.] Captain Pasteur. "You promised me in the Judge's room to mention a matter this day in open council, but which has not been done. I do not wish to be kept in the dark - and therefore request you will let the light shine on it." Ducoin (pausing): "I am not afraid. I hide nothing - Captain Prior did give me a letter - I thought you were both together." Captain Prior. "So I did - I did - I have got a copy of it, and will show it to General Wayne." Ducoin: "I don't like what is bad - I am deaf to what is bad." Pasteur: Ducoin, "Deliver here then what you promised!" Ducoin: "Capt. Prior did write to me - "Come along my brothers" said he; "to see your father General Washington. I send for you." Pasteur. "Whatever I say at one time, I never deny at another, and it is expected that you will not deny what you have said." The paper annexed was now produced by Captain Pasteur, and interpreted, paragraph by paragraph, & to every paragraph Ducoin expressed his assent, affirming it to be strictly true. Ducoin stated that Mr Edgar and Mr John Rice Jones both of Karkaskias, furnished goods in defraying the expenses to be incurred in pursuing what he thought to be General Washington's invitation to the Sagues and other nations. To which Captain Pasteur gave the following answer: In Council 22^d June 1794. My Brother! (Washionah) - I have listened to you, (as well as to my other brothers who spoke too in council on the 20^th instant) with an attentive ear and a faithful heart; I believe that you have never done harm with the Tomahawk you bear, and hope you never will. With pleasure I hear you declare that you and your people have rejected the speeches and Tomahawks that have been offered to you by people who wish your ruin for their own advantage, and which you can plainly perceive by their endeavouring to excite you to war against your father General Washington, by which you would merit his displeasure, throw yourselves from under his protection, and entail distress on yourselves and your children, but happy I am to find that you have had sense enough to avoid the snare they had laid for you; my father wishes to make you happy, and if you will be his faithful children, and observe strictly the advice he has given his children that went to see him at Philadelphia, you will find yourselves restored to peace and happiness, under the protection of the best father you have ever yet had: I am sorry that some of your young men have fallen sick, but with the help of God I shall do every thing in my power to restore them to health, the weather is very warm, and I must request you all to stay with me for some time; my reason for which I shall explain to you all in my answer to my brother Ducoin - My Brother Shch-Kowah, or wheat Chief, You have demanded to know if Capt Prior had not invited the Sagues and Foxes to meet him at this place. I cannot positively answer, for if he did; it was without my knowledge, but it appears from what my brother Ducoin, and others of you say, that he has invited them, this part of the business I shall more fully explain before I leave the Council - I know you have come a long way, to see your friends, and if you have been deceived it is not your fault, nor shall you suffer for it, and I am happy to hear you left your village clear of bad birds, before you leave me. I hope I shall hear from my father's big Chief General Wayne, who I make no doubt will take pity on you, and afford you some relief, and put you in a straight clear road; I know you do well to mind what my brother Ducoin says to you, and if you have been deceived in the present business, it was not his fault, because he was deceived himself; be assured I shall treat you as myself during your stay with me, which I hope will be till I hear from General Wayne, who commands all my father's young men. My father has declared that his white people, and you red people, should be one as long as you keep his hand fast, and observe the advice he has given - and depend on it he will never deceive you. - My Brothers Ducoin; attend to what I say, and I hope the Sagues and Foxes will also; I shall tell you nothing but truth, and what I say at one time I shall not deny at another; I do nothing in the dark, but wish all our friends to hear & see what I do. I know you do not desire General Washington, nor any of his officers, neither shall I any of his children that deserve his attention. I am well convinced of your attention to the interest of your people, by using every effort in your power to promote peace and friendship between my father General Washington, and them in the path of peace, that their children may not at a future day mourn the proceedings of their fathers. My Brother, I am certain you need not be apprehensive of the English penetrating so far into my father's country as to injure you on your lands; my father has beat them off his ground once, and he can do it again if necessary, and he will protect you in your just rights. The Tomahawk that was offered to you and other nations to be used against my father, you wisely rejected, observing to your people, Let the white people fight their own battles, and you keep your lands in peace - That I believe would be the advice [undecipherable] father. I should do my feelings and duty an injustice, was I not to applaud you in open councils for your advice given to our red brothers in council at the 20^th instant, and I am sure my father will justify me in it, may they understand and take it shall be my wish. You have officially reported to me, that Captain Prior did authorize you in the name of General Washington to invite and demand the Sagues and other Indians to meet him at this place, in order to go with him, Captain Prior, to Philadelphia - to see their father, which I am induced to believe, but Captain Prior denies he authorized you to give such an invitation, but acknowledges he wrote you a letter; it would be well you could produce that letter, but you say you have left it at home; If he thus authorized you to give such an invitation, it was without my knowledge, and I believe without any authority; In this case, My Brother, I must request and demand that you and your companions do not return, untill I send a letter by express to my father's big chief, General Wayne, that he may undecive you and put you right. (By which I may be enabled to grant you such supplies as circumstances will admit of:) there shall be no delay in getting an answer to give you on this head, and be assured I shall render you every service in my power, and shall use every effort to restore your sick brothers to perfect health, but should it be your wish to go forward immediately to see my father General Washington, I will send you on under the guard of an honest good man, who will take great care of you, and conduct you safe to Fort Washington, and from thence to see the big Chief General Wayne, who will grant you every reasonable request; this, my brothers, may be determined by yourselves, and your wish shall be complied with, but at this same time, my brothers, by all means determine either to continue with me, untill we hear from the Big Chief General Wayne, or if it is your wish to go forward to see him there. I conclude with my sincerest wishes for your welfare, hoping you will take my advice, and not return with your eyes shut. Ducoin's speech for himself & his companions on the breaking up of the Council. My Brother! Listen well to me, and open your ears. My Brother! Here are your children that are come from the Mississippi, a great way off. Prior has deceived them, and my heart is distressed. Brother! I have them, I have been the occasion of their coming from great distances, and two of them are now sick. Brother! It is a great way to go to General Wayne. We are afraid there are too many enemies between him and us; and they may kill us - We would rather wait till you can hear from him. Brother! I expect you will take pity on the red people now here, and on those of the Wabash, also - Don't be sparing of your goods, and let not the Mississippi Indians go away dissatisfied. Brother! Help your children, and your children will help you. You will grow strong together, and be able to drive away all bad things. Brother! Take pity - I say, on your children; their neighbours have been demanded by the English, and half are gone. The Spaniards wished to stop us from coming to you. Don't let your children go home dissatisfied. Brother! The English have brought them the Tomahawk; but they threw it away. They are now come to see you, they are your children, take care of them. Brother! If you satisfy them well, their nations, which are many and very [underline: large] strong, will be glad of it; they will come to see you. I am now going upon another subject: (Here he addressed himself to the Indians:) I will say something to you very good. General Washington! Congress! Jefferson! The English and Spaniards are foolish; they give no good advice to their people. Brother! I always love to be in the light. Give but little liquor to us, while here (it makes them foolish) - except a little to the chiefs - that will suffice. Signed by — Bernard ^his [mark] Dupron Louis ^{his mark} Seveur — } Sworn Interpreters. Louis ^his [mark] Bolong We certify that the preceding sheets contain the proceedings had in council, with the Sagues and other Indians at Vincennes, on the Wabash, the 20^th and 22^d June 1794. G. Sauner. A. Bird. R. Buntin. Vigo. Edw^d Evans. Annexed paper referred to in the proceedings of the Council. John Baptiste Ducoin, Chief of the Karkaskias Indians, having arrived at Fort Knox, on the 18^th of June instant, accompanied by Twenty Warriors, declared to Captain Thomas Pasteur, commandant of that post, in the presence and hearing of the Subscribers (and which was interpreted by Bernard Dupron, and Lewis Seveur, sworn interpreters) that about the first day of April last, he received a letter from Captain Abner Prior of the Army, authorizing him the said Ducoin, [underline: in the name of General Washington], [underline: to invite and demand] the Sauks, and all other Indians on whom he could prevail, to meet the said Capt. Prior at Fort Knox, and go with him to Philadelphia, to see their father General Washington. That in consequence, he Ducoin procured a certain John Rice Jones, to write in his (Ducoin's) name, a letter of invitation to the Sauks, in which it was observed, that he, Ducoin, did not invite them of his own authority, but by the authority of General Washington; and that upon this invitation so given, in the name of General Washington, he the said Ducoin was accordingly joined by the Sauks now with him at Fort Knox, for the purpose of proceeding together to Philadelphia with Captain Prior. - And we do certify that on this instant 20^th June, in open council, and in the presence of Captain Prior, the preceeding declaration was read and interpreted, to Ducoin, paragraph by paragraph, and that he affirmed each paragraph to be strictly true. Certified at Vincennes this 20^th day of June 1794. By G. Sauner. R. Bird. R. Buntin. [horizontal rule] Proceedings of a Council held at Fort Knox, by Captain Pasteur, with the Pottawatimes &c. In Council, 19^th April 1795. The Speech of a Chief called the Sun, in behalf of the Pottawatimes. My Brother! The day is clear, I have shook hands with you, and I expect it will last forever; the Master of life helps us. I have come on good business; I will hide nothing from you, no more than you would from me. It is true the people that wear Hats are sensible, and we are fools; it is because the British gave us bad advice, I hope we shall be forgiven. We cover all past injuries, let us forgive and forget - I will not let go your hand; you know the Indians like the ground [undecipherable]