Autograph Letter Signed

Invitation to a Peace Treaty Between the United States and Indian Nations

George Rogers Clark and Richard Butler, acting as Commissioners of Indian Affairs, issue a notice of treaty to be held on 1 October 1785 with the Indians of the Western District Nations. This notice demands the return of all prisoners, black and white, taken by the Indian Nations during the Revolutionary War.

"We expect you will collect and bring with you all the Prisoners both white and black which have been taken by you, or People who may have resided among you through the late war."

1785

07

31

George Rogers Clark; Richard Butler

George Rogers Clark

Richard Butler

Indians

Western District Nations

Six Nations

Delawares

Wyandots

Chippewas

Ottawas

blacks

whites

prisoners

messengers

Lake Superior

Lake Huron

Lake Erie

Lake Ontario

Mississippi River

Ohio River

Big Miami River

Fort Stanwix

Fort McIntosh

Carlisle

war

peace

prisoners

captives

treaty

"We expect you will collect and bring with you all the Prisoners both white and black which have been taken by you, or People who may have resided among you through the late war."

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To nations
Western District
[Ed. note: The following was written sideways on the right margin]
To
Nations
Sachems and Warriors of the
Nations we Ocoghogou hearken to our Messengers and Brothers
and believe the words which they shall deliver to you from us.
War being at an end and Peace declared between the King of Great Britain & the United States,
and the Indians of the [Illeg.] nations, a treaty held at Fort Stanwix in October
last, also between the United States and the Delawares, Wiandots, Chippawas & Ottawas at Fort
McIntosh in January last, we inform you that it is the wish of Congress to live in Peace with all nations-
and that they have directed us their Commissioners for negotiating treaties with all the Indian nations
from the middle of the great lakes Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, southward to the Mississippi
and Ohio rivers inclusive, to call you to the mouth of the Big Miami, for the purpose of holding a
general treaty of Peace, and of Settling other matters of great importance, between the United- States and the Indian nations—
In order to accomodate the different nations of Indians as much as possible, we
have determined to meet them and you at the mouth of the said Miami river, on the first
day of October next, and expect, that you will be punctual in attending, and that your
hearts will be disposed to wipe away past errors, and like men determined to do that
which is right—

We expect you will collect & bring with you all the Prisoners white and black
which have been taken from you, or People who may have resided among you through the
late war. These Prisoners must be restored to us, as a proof of your sincerity, and desire
of Peace protection & friendship from the Congress of the United States—
Done at Carlisle this Thirty first day of July Anno Domini 1785—
[signatures of] G. Clark and Richd Butler