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Speech to the Northwest Indians on Land Sales: Page #1

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Speech of the Secretary of War, to the Chiefs and Warriors of
the Putawatomie, Ottawa, and Chippewa Nations.

Brothers,
     Your Father, the President of the United States
has heard what you have said with great attention, and maturely deliberated
upon your request. That he caused to be confirmed certain Sales of your Lands
made by you to individuals, previous to the Treaty at Greeneville, in order that
the Purchasers may be enabled to occupy the lands, and you become entitled
to receive the Rents stipulated to be paid.
     You say that you mentioned these Grants to General Wayne, at
the Treaty of Greeneville, and that you had assurances from him they would be 
provided for, and included in the Treaty. The Letters from General Wayne
have been consu [rest illegible], particularly the letter he sent with the original Treaty, in
which he says, "That he met with many difficulties, and among others, that
certain persons kept the Ottawas, Wyandots, and Putawatomies, in the vicinity
of Detroit, in a state of intoxication, for many weeks, whilst purchasing
their lands, for the most trifling considerations."
     He says further, "That as soon as [illegible], and the other In-
dian Chiefs, were aroused from a state of intoxication, and recovered their reason, they
came forward, and at a private audience prayed him to relieve them from their
disagreeable situation, that they had given away all their Land to certain Peo-
ple, when in a state of intoxication."
     The General, it appears, would not permit any Claim in the Treaty
which might be construed to confirm such Sales, or put the Land, out of the protection
of the United States," for the use of the Indian Nations.

Brothers,