Letter Signed

Abandonment of the Territory of the State

Governor Mifflin expresses his strong objections to the abandonment of a great portion of the territory of his State to the Six Nations of Indians as provided for by the Council held at Fort Le Beouf.

Abandonment of the Territory of the State

1794

07

15

Philadelphia

Thomas Mifflin, Governor of Pennsylvania

George Washington

General Gibson

Captain Denny

Ellicot

deputation from the Six Nations

General Chapin

Mr. Johnston, the British agent

Six Nations

Indians

Fort Le Boeuf

Philadelphia

Presque Isle

council

territory

compliance

laws

proceedings of a council held at Fort Le Boeuf

requisition

abandonment of a great portion of the territory of the State

natural arrogance or enmity of the Indians

insult

public claim of jurisdiction

private rights of property

invasion and outrage

legal authority of my office

General Government

Federal obligations

suspension of the Presque Isle establishment

1794071590101

15th July 1794
The Governor
The President-
Compared
Sir
I have the honor to transmit, for your information copies of the various documents which I have received by express from General-Gibson, stating, among other things, the proceedings of a Counsel, held at Fort Le Boeuf on 26th, [undecipherable]. between Capt. [undecipherable] and Mr. Ellred and a deputation from the Six Nations in the presence of Genl. Chapin
The requisition which has been made on the occasion, for the abandonment of a great portion of the territory of the State, is so extravagant, that we must suppose it to proceed from the instigation of a policy more hostile to the United States, than can
reasonably be ascribed to the natural arrogance or enmity of the Indians themselves. It is a circumstance indeed, additionally mortifying, that not attempt was made; even to conceal the source from which the insult came: - Mr Johnston - the British Agent attended the Counsel. It will be obvious to you, Sir, that it is not in my power to authorize a [undecipherable?] with the requisition, or to treat upon the subject. My duty calls upon me to execute the laws, and, on doing so, it will be incumbent on me to maintain not only the public claim of jurisdiction, but the private rights of property, throughout the State, against invasions and outrage. For that important purpose, I shall exert all the legal authority of my office, and I take this opportunity to request the co-operation of the general Government, as far as its Federal obligations will extend
The
The Suspension of the [undecipherable] establishment has probably, increased our difficulties: but after the information, which has just been received I conceive that the asserted interests of the state, the safety of the Citizens, and the preservation of its property, involved in the immediate prosecution of our object, and, I trust, that you will now find reason to concur in that opinion
I am, with perfect respect,
Sir,
Your Excellency's
Most obedt Servt
Thomas Mifflin
Philadelphia
15th July 1796
To
The President of the United States
List of the documents above mentioned,


- copy of a letter from General Gibson to the Governor dated 7th July 1794
di---- di---- Saul Chapin to the Commg Officer at La Beouf 27th June
di---- di---- Ebenezer Denny to General Gibson ---- di----
di---- di---- Andw Ellicot to the Governor ---- 29th di----
Extract of a Letter from Capt Downy to the same ---- di--
Proceedings of a Counsel with the Six Nations at Le Boeuf ---- 26th di