Letter from Secretary of War Henry Knox to the Reverend Samuel Kirkland on Colonel Pickering's meeting with members of Six Nations at Painted Post and instruction to Kirkland regarding Indian chief delegation to Philadelphia
Item
Type
Letter Signed
Title
Letter from Secretary of War Henry Knox to the Reverend Samuel Kirkland on Colonel Pickering's meeting with members of Six Nations at Painted Post and instruction to Kirkland regarding Indian chief delegation to Philadelphia
Description
In letter to Reverend Kirkland, Knox informs that Colonel Pickering held a conference with members of Seneca and Six Nations, with exception of Mohawks. Here it was agreed that certain chiefs should repair to Philadelphia while congress is in session to put into execution certain principles concerning civilization of said Indians. Colonel Pickering writes to those chiefs at Buffaloe Creek and other places inviting them to repair to Philadelphia. Captain Brandt [Brant] will be invited but this might not be enough to persuade him to attend. Asks Kirkland to write to him and give assurance of his safety and welcome reception. Upon returning to Oneida, send Indian runners. Geneseo [Genesee] will be the place of meeting; from there proceed to Philadelphia via Lucerne and Tioga Counties. Knox says that he is placing all responsibility on Kirkland for the execution of this business based on Kirkland's knowledge of language and customs. Knox then goes on to state Kirkland's specific orders including obligation to report numbers, times of arrival, expenditures. Kirkland will receive $350 for expenses; and will be paid a reasonable sum afterwards for his trouble. Knox asks for intelligence regarding the effect of the defeat of the Army on the minds of the Senekas and Six Nations. Asks that he impress on the minds of the Indians that Congress and President of United States General George Washington want to be protectors, friends and ministers of good to all peaceful Indians, but the murderers will be punished.
short description
Letter, directs accomodations for Indian delegation; discusses effort to civilize Indians.
year created
1791
month created
12
day created
20
author
sent from location
War Department
recipient
in collection
in publication
in image
notable person/group
Samuel Kirkland
Henry Knox
Captain Brandt
Captain Brant
Joseph Brant
Colonel Timothy Pickering
Six Nations
Oneidas
Senekas
Senecas
President of United States General George Washington
Congress
Secretary of War
notable location
War Department
United States
Tioga
Luzerne County
Genesee
Oneida
Buffaloe Creek
Philadelphia
Painted Post
Geneseo
notable phrase
President of the United States
Congress
protectors, friends and ministers of good to all peaceably disposed indians
punish all murderers and disturbers of the peace of the frontiers
knowledge of the language and customs of the indians
confidence in your character and integrity induces me to place an entire reliance in you relatively to this business
send faithful and intelligent messengers to Captain Brandt from whom you will endeavor to obtain an explicit answer
make suitable provision for them
take all due care that they are not insulted on the road but kindly received
inform me in due season of their numbers and when they will arrive in this city in order
dollars be placed in your hands
defraying your necessary expenses while in the actual execution of this business
reasonable compensation for your trouble
settled and paid upon the issue of the business in this city
depend u0on your receiving your communications upon all necessary occasions
late defeat of our army
minds of the Six Nations
impress on the minds of all indians so that the sentiment may be diffused far and wide
appoint Genesee as the place for you to meet the said chiefs
proceed directly to this city
send indian runners to the several chiefs
explicitly to understand that the presence of a few of the principal chiefs are desired
sufficient inducement for him to come
write to him in your own name answering him
pledge yourself for his safety and welcome reception
carry into execution certain principles tending to the civilization of the said indians
writes to those chiefs at Buffaloe Creek
certain chiefs should repair to Philadelphia during the time of Congress being in session
conference held by Colonel Pickering with the Senekas and all the others of the Six Nations excepting the Mohawks at the Painted post
document number
1791122000101
page start
1
number of pages
4
Item sets
Transcribe this document
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (4 pages) | BTA11 (4 pages) | Collection: Samuel Kirkland Papers | #142d |
| [view document] (0 pages) | [no image] | Publication: American State Papers, Indian Aff | [unknown] |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Henry Knox | War Department | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Reverend Samuel Kirkland | [unknown] | [n/a] |