Campaign Against Wabash Indians
Item
Type
Document Signed
Title
Campaign Against Wabash Indians
Description
St. Clair's plan for campaign against Wabash approved by President, all materials afforded. Jealousy among militia and regular troops and consequences outlined. It is thought proper for political reasons to give the expedition the appearance of being leveled at the Shawanese.
year created
1790
month created
09
day created
02
author
recipient
in image
author note
Henry Knox
recipient note
Beverly Randolph
notable person/group
Beverley Randolph
Henry Knox
Wabash
Shawanese
Indians
Indian Nation
Arthur St. Clair
President Washington
Governor Randolph
Governor of Virginia
militia
regular troops
Governor St. Clair
Brigadier General Harmar
Colonel Logan
Colonel Selby
notable location
Virginia
frontier
territory
War Department
notable item/thing
expedition
St. Clair defeat
expense
expedition failure
document number
1790090200101
page start
1
transcription
2d Septr 1790Secy of Wartothe Governorof Virginia
"Governor St Clair has in person laid before the President the plan of the proposed operation against the Wabash indians, which has been approved.
"It being the anxious desire of the President that the expedition should be effectual and not require a repetition, all the arrangements are made to accomplish so desireable and end for this purpose Govr Sr Clair has been further empowered to require if necessary an additional number of men. If therefore there are any measures necessary to be taken by your Excellency and the Council in order to [undecipherable] an additional number of men; the President of the United States hopes that they will be expedited with all possible dispatch.
It has been suggested that the expedition maybe liable to miscarriage from jealousy of the militia and regular troops. It is devoutly to be wished that such suggestion may be
entirely unfounded. But if jealousies should raise it would be highly important that they should
be [undecipherable] removed or suspended during the seasons of activity. I shall write particularly on this point to Governor St. Clair and to Brigadier Genl Harmer adopt the most conciliatory conduct.
"It has also been mentioned as a circumstance of considerable importance to the success of the expedition that Colonels Logan and Selby should be induced to accompany the Militia on the expedition ever as Volunteers, great confidence being placed in the characters of these Gentlemen. Could your Excellency therefore influence those Gentlemen to go forth on this occasion, it would be highly acceptable and might tend greatly to the accomplishment of the public good. -- The expence of the expedition will be great, and if it should fail by an circumstances whatever, the public injury and disappointment will be in proportion.
"It is thought proper for particular and political reasons to give the expedition the appearance of being levelled only at the Shawanese.
"Governor St Clair has in person laid before the President the plan of the proposed operation against the Wabash indians, which has been approved.
"It being the anxious desire of the President that the expedition should be effectual and not require a repetition, all the arrangements are made to accomplish so desireable and end for this purpose Govr Sr Clair has been further empowered to require if necessary an additional number of men. If therefore there are any measures necessary to be taken by your Excellency and the Council in order to [undecipherable] an additional number of men; the President of the United States hopes that they will be expedited with all possible dispatch.
It has been suggested that the expedition maybe liable to miscarriage from jealousy of the militia and regular troops. It is devoutly to be wished that such suggestion may be
entirely unfounded. But if jealousies should raise it would be highly important that they should
be [undecipherable] removed or suspended during the seasons of activity. I shall write particularly on this point to Governor St. Clair and to Brigadier Genl Harmer adopt the most conciliatory conduct.
"It has also been mentioned as a circumstance of considerable importance to the success of the expedition that Colonels Logan and Selby should be induced to accompany the Militia on the expedition ever as Volunteers, great confidence being placed in the characters of these Gentlemen. Could your Excellency therefore influence those Gentlemen to go forth on this occasion, it would be highly acceptable and might tend greatly to the accomplishment of the public good. -- The expence of the expedition will be great, and if it should fail by an circumstances whatever, the public injury and disappointment will be in proportion.
"It is thought proper for particular and political reasons to give the expedition the appearance of being levelled only at the Shawanese.
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (2 pages) | NLA19 (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} | [unknown] |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Henry Knox | [unknown] | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Beverley Randolph | [unknown] | [n/a] |