Letter from the Reverend Samuel Kirkland to Secretary of War Henry Knox on prospects for war with Western Tribes; the just designs of Congress regarding the Indians; a proposal to send delegation led by Captain Henrick and a Stockbridge Chief
Item
Type
Letterbook Copy
Title
Letter from the Reverend Samuel Kirkland to Secretary of War Henry Knox on prospects for war with Western Tribes; the just designs of Congress regarding the Indians; a proposal to send delegation led by Captain Henrick and a Stockbridge Chief
Description
Kirkland recounts his visit to Philadelphia and his discussions with Knox on reaching an accommodation with the Western Indians; he ascribes part of the problem to unprincipled traders and ignorance regarding congress' intent to do justice to the Indians. Discusses idea of Indian leaders visiting Congress, an idea generated by Cornplanter, who believed that the voice of congress would never effectively reach the Western Indians. Kirkland discusses his correspondence with Captain Joseph Brant and Kirkland's discouragements that attended attempts to introduce the arts of civilization. Kirkland told Brant that the warlike spirit would terminate in ruin for the Indians. Asks that Captain Hendrick and a chief of the Stockbridge tribe be sent west. These men have more influence with the Miami, Shawnee, Delaware and Chippewa tribes than all the Five Nations. Hendrick believes he could convince the western tribes of the justice of Congress and to lay down their arms. Alludes to foreign encroachment; discusses British influence on the frontier. Kirkland speaks highly of Hendricks as one who is almost at the same level as Cornplanter. Kirkland goes on to discuss compensation for this mission.
Letter, discusses Capt. Hendrick's embassy to Western Indians; discusses Indian hostilities; discusses Hostile Western Indians; discusses frontier influence of Congress; discusses Indians & Indian warfare; discusses attempts to civilize Indians;
Letter, discusses Capt. Hendrick's embassy to Western Indians; discusses Indian hostilities; discusses Hostile Western Indians; discusses frontier influence of Congress; discusses Indians & Indian warfare; discusses attempts to civilize Indians;
short description
Letter, discusses Capt. Hendrick's embassy to Western Indians; discusses Indian hostilities; discusses Hostile Western Indians; discusses frontier influence of Congress; discusses Indians & Indian warfare; discusses attempts to civilize Indians.
year created
1791
month created
04
day created
22
author
sent from location
Oneida
recipient
in collection
note
Enclosed in Knox to Pickering, 05/18/1791, on page 8. Cited in Knox to Kirkland, 05/11/1791.
cited note
Cited document addressed to the War Office
notable person/group
Henry Knox
Samuel Kirkland
Capt. Hendricks
Captain Hendrick
Capt. Brant
Capt. Obeil, alias Cornplanter
Congress
Western Indians
Stockbridge Indians
Miami
Shawnee
Delaware
Chippewa
Five Nations
British
Shawanese
notable location
Oneida
Buffaloe Creek
Miami River
Philadelphia
New York
Britain
Canada
Ontario
Upper Canada
notable idea/issue
Captain Hendrick and influence with Western Tribes
Stockbridge Indians
notable phrase
private council of the Oneida chiefs
convince them of the gesture & goodness of Congress
lay down the hatchet
furnished for the journey
met with some of his own nation
chief of the Stockbridge tribe
influence with the Miamies, Shawanese & Delawares & Chippewas
Six Nations
acquainted with their customs and manners
invitations from these western tribes to make them a visit
direct violation of the laws of the federal government
chief design was to obtain his sentiments feelings towards the hostile indians in the vicinity of the Miami
rec'd his answer by two runners
transmit you a copy of his letter
observe that many tracts of it bear strong traits of British influence & interference
wrote him upon the state of Indians at large
discouragements that attended their every attempt to introduce the arts of civilized life among them
expressed my fears that their love of war would finally issue in their ruin
alias
Congress could never reach these western tribes of Indians
intercepted by the voice of the birds alluding to the influence of evil
friendly to the states
fixed determination of Congress to do strict justice to the Indians
remove their prejudices and mistaken apprehensions
number of their chiefs should be brot down to Congress that both might have a fair hearing
complaints which at length broke out into hostilities
personal interview with you
winter
character & present situ[ation] of the Indians were a subject of much conversation
propriety & practicability of an accommodation with the Indians in the vicinity of the Miami
document number
1791042240201
page start
1
number of pages
4
Item sets
Transcribe this document
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (8 pages) | BTA06 (8 pages) | Collection: Samuel Kirkland Papers | #135c |
| [view document] (3 pages) | JFA12 (3 pages) | Collection: Samuel Kirkland Papers | AOO-348 |
| [view document] (0 pages) | [no image] | Collection: Samuel Kirkland Papers | [unknown] |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Reverend Samuel Kirkland | Oneida | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Henry Knox | [unknown] | [n/a] |