Speech of Commissioners of United States to deputies of confederated Indians assembled at the rapids of Miami River
Item
Type
Copy of document
Title
Speech of Commissioners of United States to deputies of confederated Indians assembled at the rapids of Miami River
Description
Speech given by Federal Commissioners at the close of the afternoon on 31 July 1793 to the Indian Deputation of confederated Indian Nations assembled at Captain Elliot's a the mouth of the Detroit River. To avoid further confusion, the deputation gave the federal commissioners a paper stating "this is the meaning of our hearts."
Signed by Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanese, Miamis, Mingoes, Pattawatonnies, Ottawas, Connoys, [Conoys], Chippewas, Munsees. Commissioners express surprise that a full understanding not met by the previous group of deputies; they seemed sober and attentive enough. Suggest that keeping the commissioners at a distance and not meeting at Sandusky is counterproductive to reaching peace agreement. It has been 60 days already beyond the appointed time of opening treaty talks.
Commissioners acknowledge that Treaty of Stanwix 25 years ago established Ohio River as boundary line. But 7 years after, a quarrel broke out between father, the King of Great Britain, and the colonies, now the United States. The quarrel was ended by a Treaty with the King of England about 10 years ago whereby the lake and the waters which unite them were declared the boundary of United States. Now that there is peace with King of England, the commissioners come to make peace with all the Indian Nations.
Refer to Treaty of Stanwix and then Treaty of Ft. McIntosh, followed by other treaties made with diverse Indian Nations south of Ohio River. As a result of these prior treaties, large tracts of land were ceded to United States, resulting in white settlements. The French also settled.
There was dissatisfaction with these previous treaties, so Governor St. Clair attempted to resolve the disputes. Commissioners make reference to Treaties of Fort Stanwix, Fort Harmar and Fort McIntosh. The United States hoped to gain peace from these Treaties, but did not.
It is impossible now to make the Ohio River the boundary; there are too many improvements, settlements by whites on the north side of the Ohio River. Mention that a large tract was sold to Pennsylvania by the Delaware and Wyandots, of which there has been no complaint. Commissioners pause to state that they will present this speech in writing. They want the Indians to give up the lands they agreed to cede in the Treaty of Fort Harmar and by General George Rogers Clark [during Revolutionary War], for the use of himself and his warriors. In consideration, the United States will give up large sums of money, skins, furs and goods, and a yearly rent for the benefit of yourselves and children forever. They point out that the King of England no longer has any rights or claims to United States land. This pointed out by Lord Dorcester at Quebec [also known as Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester, Governor of Quebec].
Commissioners go on to claim particular tracts by the right of pre-emption. Speech interpreted by Mr Jones in Seneka tongue and was said to be well understood by Wyandot Chief Sa-wagh-do-wunk and members of his deputation and Simon Girty. Exchange of wampum took place. Deputation promised to make reply next morning.
Signed by Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanese, Miamis, Mingoes, Pattawatonnies, Ottawas, Connoys, [Conoys], Chippewas, Munsees. Commissioners express surprise that a full understanding not met by the previous group of deputies; they seemed sober and attentive enough. Suggest that keeping the commissioners at a distance and not meeting at Sandusky is counterproductive to reaching peace agreement. It has been 60 days already beyond the appointed time of opening treaty talks.
Commissioners acknowledge that Treaty of Stanwix 25 years ago established Ohio River as boundary line. But 7 years after, a quarrel broke out between father, the King of Great Britain, and the colonies, now the United States. The quarrel was ended by a Treaty with the King of England about 10 years ago whereby the lake and the waters which unite them were declared the boundary of United States. Now that there is peace with King of England, the commissioners come to make peace with all the Indian Nations.
Refer to Treaty of Stanwix and then Treaty of Ft. McIntosh, followed by other treaties made with diverse Indian Nations south of Ohio River. As a result of these prior treaties, large tracts of land were ceded to United States, resulting in white settlements. The French also settled.
There was dissatisfaction with these previous treaties, so Governor St. Clair attempted to resolve the disputes. Commissioners make reference to Treaties of Fort Stanwix, Fort Harmar and Fort McIntosh. The United States hoped to gain peace from these Treaties, but did not.
It is impossible now to make the Ohio River the boundary; there are too many improvements, settlements by whites on the north side of the Ohio River. Mention that a large tract was sold to Pennsylvania by the Delaware and Wyandots, of which there has been no complaint. Commissioners pause to state that they will present this speech in writing. They want the Indians to give up the lands they agreed to cede in the Treaty of Fort Harmar and by General George Rogers Clark [during Revolutionary War], for the use of himself and his warriors. In consideration, the United States will give up large sums of money, skins, furs and goods, and a yearly rent for the benefit of yourselves and children forever. They point out that the King of England no longer has any rights or claims to United States land. This pointed out by Lord Dorcester at Quebec [also known as Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester, Governor of Quebec].
Commissioners go on to claim particular tracts by the right of pre-emption. Speech interpreted by Mr Jones in Seneka tongue and was said to be well understood by Wyandot Chief Sa-wagh-do-wunk and members of his deputation and Simon Girty. Exchange of wampum took place. Deputation promised to make reply next morning.
year created
1793
month created
07
day created
31
sent from location
Mouth of Detroit River
secondary recipient
sent to location
Mouth of Detroit River
in image
notable person/group
Wyandots
Delawares
Shawanese
Miamis
Mingoes
Pattawatonnies
Ottawas
Connoys, [Conoys]
Chippewas
Munsees
Federal Commissioners Sandusky
confederated Indian Nations
King of England
United States
England
Half King of Wyandots
Kakiapilathy
Shawanese Chiefs
Governor St. Clair
General George Rogers Clark
Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester, Governor of Quebec
Benjamin Lincoln
Timothy Pickering
Beverley Randolph
Captain Elliot
President of United States General George Washington
Sa-wagh-do-wunk
Simon Girty
Mr Jones
Seneka
notable location
Sandusky
England
United States
Ohio River
Ft. Stanwix
Ft. McIntosh
Miami River
Falls of Muskinghum
Pennsylvania
north side of the Ohio River
Beaver Creek
mouth of Detroit River
Seneka
Ohio
Quebec
Canada
Upper Canada
New York
notable item/thing
Treaty of Stanwix
Treaty of Ft. McIntosh
Treaty of Harmar
Sandusky Conference
wampum
furs
skins
goods
money
notable idea/issue
Sandusky Conference
document number
1793073137050
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (9 pages) | NOP01 (506 pages) | Collection: Third Congress: Transcribed Confidential Reports and Other Communications Transmitted by the Secretary of War to the House of Representatives, 3d Congress, 1st Session, 1793, Vol. II [3C-B2] (RG 233) {M1268, roll 14} | M1268, R: 14, p 61-69 |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Federal Commissioners Treaty at Sandusky | Mouth of Detroit River | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Deputies Confederated Indian Nations | Mouth of Detroit River | [n/a] |