Letter from the Reverend Samuel Kirkland to Secretary of War Henry Knox on effect of cold weather and snow; influence of Western Confederacy; Captain Brant; whereabouts of General St. Clair's field book and papers; white participation against St.Clair's Army; British operations vicinity Lake Erie
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Letter from the Reverend Samuel Kirkland to Secretary of War Henry Knox on effect of cold weather and snow; influence of Western Confederacy; Captain Brant; whereabouts of General St. Clair's field book and papers; white participation against St.Clair's Army; British operations vicinity Lake Erie
Description
Letter, describes journey of Indian delegation and effect of cold weather and snow on the older chiefs. Reports that Indians much alarmed by present situation in aftermath of defeat of General St. Clair and his Army. They are divided in opinions on which course to take. If Western Confederacy pursue war, will push Brant and Buffalo to take a decided part. Brant was sent scalps from the Battle of Wabash [St. Clair's defeat], which it is said came from the Cayogos Indians. Brant is indulging too freely with intoxicating draught and is losing influence with western tribes. Mr Stedman, who lives at Fort Husher above Niagara Falls reports that a Cayoga Indian named Dequanny returned from Detroit with General St. Clair's field book and his papers, which he was to deliver to Montreal; that Indians planned to harass the frontier in small bands throughout the winter, particularly Muskingum and French Creek settlements. Stedman relates that 20-30 French whites were with the Indians during battle with St. Clair's Army; that Indians buried a cannon they took near the battlefield; that Indians were well supplied with moccasins. Stedman said the British were built a new schooner on Lake Erie, were repairing the garrison at Niagara, and that British operations had great influence on the minds of the Indians. Unlikely Fish Carrier will attend; is offended by burning of houses on Cayogon reservation.
short description
Ltr, dis hostile Western Indians.
year created
1792
month created
07
day created
17
author
sent from location
Near Kanadasegea
recipient
in collection
in image
notable person/group
Henry Knox
Reverend Samuel Kirkland
Fish Carrier
Gen. St. Clair
Esquire Paine
Dequanny
Stedman
Brant
Good Peter
Skinondough
Capt. Hendrick
Col. Pickering
Cayogos
Miamee
Secretary of War
notable location
Near Kanadasegea
State of New York
Cayogon Reservation
Lake Erie
Muskingum
French Creek
Montreal
Detroit
[Fort Husher]
Fort Falls of Niagara
Miamee
Kanadasegea
Genessee
Buffalo
Oneida
Kanadasaga
Montreal
Canada
Ontario
Muskinggum
Ohio
the carrying place
War Office
Philadelphia
notable item/thing
mile square which he always considered as his own property
State of New York
much offended with the burning of the houses on the Cayogon reservation
timber for a large ship
repairing the garrison at Niagara
operations of the British
great influence on the minds of the Indians
settlements on French Creek
white persons from Detroit
indians had been plentifully supplied with provisions
Indian department
good barrels
British had built two new schooners in lake Erie
indians designed to harass the frontiers in small parties during the whole course of the winter
papers which he was to deliver at Montreal
what he must expect on condition he refuses to join them
lately indulged himself too freely with the intoxicating draught
lost so much of his influence among the indians
scalps sent to him since the battle
desired one day to rest
Seneka chiefs are hunting in this vicinity
request to be notified of my arrival
indians are much alarmed with their present situation
divided in opinion what course to take
Western confederacy prosecute the war with much vigour the ensuing spring
Buffaloes and Brants party will be obliged to take a decided part
Senekas
Cayogoes
Miamee
journey
reason of the extreme cold weather
snow
old chiefs were so completely worn down
place appointed for our rendezvous
get the chiefs ready
acquainted you that the runners set out with Col. Pickering's invitation speech for the Buffalo
honor to address you from Oneida
document number
1792011740101
page start
1
number of pages
4
Item sets
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Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (4 pages) | BTA15 (4 pages) | Collection: Samuel Kirkland Papers | #144g |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Reverend Samuel Kirkland | Near Kanadasegea | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Henry Knox | [unknown] | [n/a] |