Indian Attacks on Ohio River
Item
Type
Document Signed
Title
Indian Attacks on Ohio River
Description
Relates several stories of Indian attacks on travelers on Ohio River, states Indian party must be disbursed for safety and security of region.
year created
1790
month created
04
day created
07
author
sent from location
Lexington
recipient
in image
notable person/group
Josiah Harmar
James Wilkinson
savages
Indians
Indian Nation
troops
militia volunteers
Colonel Paterson
notable location
Lexington
Kentucky
Ohio River
Scioto
river
frontier
territory
Limetsone
notable item/thing
attacks
boat
goods
property
guns
arms
expedition
rendezvous
notable idea/issue
murder
prisoner
captive
protection
security
national honor
document number
1790040790001
page start
1
transcription
Lexington
7 April 1790-
Jam Wilkinson
to
Gen. Harmar
I write to you at the public request, on a subject deeply interesting to Kentucky, our national honor, and to humanity.
For more the one month past a party of Savages have occupied the Northern Banks of the Ohio a few miles above the mouth of Scioto, from whence they make attacks upon every Boat which passes, to the destruction of much property, the loss of many lives, and the great annoyance of all intercourse from the northward.
By very recent accounts we are apprized that they still continue in force at that point, and that this last attack was made against five Boats, two of which they captured. It is the [undecipherable] and I conceive a well founded opinion, that if this party is not dislodged and dispersed, the navigation of the Ohio must cease. In a case so very critical the people of this district conceive themselves justified in appealing to arms, because their dearest interests and the lives of their Bretheren are at hazard but being extremely [undecipherable] long to proceed, except in a legal, regular and authorized way, they call upon you
for your advice, succour, and assistance, in the hope and the expectation, that you will be able to co-operate with a detachment of the troops under your command, and carry an immediate expedition against the before mentioned party of Savages, from Limestone, where it is proposed to rendezvous at Body of Militia Volunteers.
Colonel Paterson waits upon you on this occasion to know your determination, and to make such adjustments as may be deemed expedient.
7 April 1790-
Jam Wilkinson
to
Gen. Harmar
I write to you at the public request, on a subject deeply interesting to Kentucky, our national honor, and to humanity.
For more the one month past a party of Savages have occupied the Northern Banks of the Ohio a few miles above the mouth of Scioto, from whence they make attacks upon every Boat which passes, to the destruction of much property, the loss of many lives, and the great annoyance of all intercourse from the northward.
By very recent accounts we are apprized that they still continue in force at that point, and that this last attack was made against five Boats, two of which they captured. It is the [undecipherable] and I conceive a well founded opinion, that if this party is not dislodged and dispersed, the navigation of the Ohio must cease. In a case so very critical the people of this district conceive themselves justified in appealing to arms, because their dearest interests and the lives of their Bretheren are at hazard but being extremely [undecipherable] long to proceed, except in a legal, regular and authorized way, they call upon you
for your advice, succour, and assistance, in the hope and the expectation, that you will be able to co-operate with a detachment of the troops under your command, and carry an immediate expedition against the before mentioned party of Savages, from Limestone, where it is proposed to rendezvous at Body of Militia Volunteers.
Colonel Paterson waits upon you on this occasion to know your determination, and to make such adjustments as may be deemed expedient.
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (2 pages) | NKZ24 (2 pages) | Collection: First Congress: Reports and Communications Submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War [1A-D2] (RG 233) {reference microfilm} | P: 52-53 |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | James Wilkinson | Lexington | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Josiah Harmar | [unknown] | [n/a] |