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Peaceful policy towards the Indians

Secretary Knox submits his observations regarding the preservation of peace with Indian tribes whom the U.S. has formed treaties with. Writes: "The desires of too many frontier white people, to seize, by force or fraud, upon the neighboring Indian lands, has been, and still continues to be, an unceasing cause of jealousy and hatred on the part of the Indians... until the Indians can be quieted upon this point, and rely with confidence upon the protection of their lands by the United States, no well grounded hope of tranquillity can be entertained. The encroachment of white people is incessantly watched, and in unguarded moments, they are murdered by the Indians. Revenge is sought, and the innocent frontier people are too frequently involved as victims in the cruel contest. This appears to be a principal cause of Indian wars. That there are exceptions will not be denied. The passion of a young savage for war and fame, is too mighty to be restrained by the feeble advice of the old men." Knox asserts, "the inability of both parties to keep the peace." Finally, "It seems that our own experience would demonstrate the propriety of endeavoring to preserve a pacific conduct, in preference to a hostile one, with the Indian tribes. The United States can get nothing by an Indian war; but they risk men, money, and reputation. As we are more powerful, and more enlightened than they are, there is a responsibility of national character, that we should treat them with kindness, and even liberality. It is a melancholy reflection, that our modes of population have been more destructive to the Indian natives than the conduct of the conquerors of Mexico and Peru. The evidence of this is the utter extirpation of nearly all the Indians in most populous parts of the Union. A future historian may mark the causes of this destruction of the human race in sable colors."

1794

12

29

Department of War

George Washington

Henry Knox

Cherokee

Indians

tribes

Southwest

Creeks

Department of War

Ohio

Miami

Lake Erie

Miami River

Presqu'isle

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