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Relations with Great Britain.

him, whom I have awaked from his long sleep. that I now address you. But, the Americans did not make. They are not my children, but the children of the evil spirit. They grew from the scum of the great waters, when it was troubled by the evil spirit, and the froth was driven into the woods by a strong east wind. They are numerous, but I hate them. My children, you must not speak of this talk to the whites-it must be hidden from them. I am now on the earth, sent by the Great Spirit to instruct you. Each village must send me two or more principal Chiefs to represent you, that you may be taught. The bearer of this talk will point out to you the path to my wigwam. I could not come myself to Abre Chocle, because the world is changed from what it was. It is broken and leans down, and, as it declines, the Chippewas and all beyond will fall off and die. Therefore, you must come and see me, and be instructed. Those villages who do not listen to this talk, and send me two deputies, will be cut off from the face of the earth.

From Captain Dunham to the Secretary of State.

MICHILIMACKINAC, August 30, 1807. The cause of the hostile feelings on the part of the Indians is principally to be attributed to the influence of foreigners trading in the country.

From Samuel Tupper, Indian Factor.

SANDUSKY, June 7, 1809. The conduct of British traders in introducing spirituous liquors among the Indians in this part of the country, and their determined hostility to the measures of our Government, have long been subjects of complaint.

From Governor William Hull.

DETROIT, June 16, 1808. The influence of the Prophet has been great, and his advice to the Indians injurious to them and the United States. The powerful influence of the British has been exerted in a way alluring to the savage character.

From Governor Harrison.

VINCENNES, June 14, 1810. An Iowa Indian informs me, that two years ago this Summer, an agent from the British arrived at the Prophet's town, and, in his presence, delivered the message with which he was charged; the substance of which was, to urge the Prophet to unite as many tribes as he could against the United States, but not to commence hostilities until they gave the signal. From this man, and others of his nation, I learn that the Prophet has been constantly soliciting their own and other tribes of the Mississippi to join them against the United States.

From Governor Harrison.

From Governor Harrison. Jeffersonville, FALLS OF OHIO, April 14, 1808. VINCENNES, July 18, 1810. A considerable number of Sacs went, some time A young man from the Delaware towns came to inform me that a Pottawatomie Indian had since, to see the British superintendent, and, on arrived at the towns with a speech from the Brit- the 1st instant, fifty more passed Chicago for the ish in which they were informed that they (the same destination. A Miami Chief, who has just British) were upon the point of commencing hos-returned from his annual visit to Malden, after tilities against the United States, and requesting the Delawares to join them.

From General William Clark.

ST. LOUIS, April 30, 1809. I have the honor to enclose to you a copy of a letter which confirms my suspicions of the British interference with our Indian affairs in this country.

Extract referred to above.

I am at present in the fire, receiving Indian news every day. A Chief of the Puant nation appears to be employed by the British to get all the nations of Indians to Detroit, to see their fathers the British, who tell them that they pity their situations with the Americans, because the Americans had taken their lands and their game; that they must join, and send them off from their lands. They told the savages that the Americans would not give them a blanket, nor anything good for their families. They said they had but one father that had helped them in their misfortunes; and that they would assemble, defend their father, and keep their lands. It appears that four English subjects have been at Rivière à la Roche this winter, in disguise; they have been there to get the nations together, and send them on the American frontiers. The Indians are pushed on by our enemies to take the fort at Bellevue.

12th CoN. 1st SESS.-59

having received the accustomed donation of goods, was thus addressed by the British agent: "My son, keep your eyes fixed on me; my tomahawk is now up; be you ready, but do not strike until I give the signal."

From General William Clark.

ST. LOUIS, July 20, 1810. One hundred and fifty Sacs are on a visit to the British agent, by invitation, and a small party on a visit to the island of St. Joseph, in Lake Huron. From Governor Harrison.

VINCENNES, July 25, 1810. There can be no doubt of the designs of the Prophet and the British Agent of Indian Affairs to do us injury. This agent is a refugee from the neighborhood of, and his implacable hatred to his native country prompted him to take part with the Indians in the battle between them and General Wayne's army. He has, ever since his appointment to the principal agency, used his utmost endeavors to excite hostilities; and the lavish manner in which he is allowed to scatter presents among them shows that his Government participates in his enmity, and authorizes his measures.

From Governor Hull.

DETROIT, July 27, 1810. Large bodies of Indians from the westward and southward continue to visit the British post at

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Relations with Great Britain.

that America should force France to receive our other American trade but that which is carried manufactures.

on with our enemy's ports, in defiance of a blockade authorized by the law of retaliation, is unaffected by it. We complain that America does not resist the regulations of the Berlin and Milan decrees, and object to permitting the French to trade with her during their continuance against the commerce of England. But this is not exacting, as has been represented, that America should force British manufactures into France; it is pursuing only a just course of retaliation on our enemy. If America wishes to trade with France, if French commerce is of importance to her, we expect she should exact of France to trade with her, as she has a right to demand, in her quality of neutral; but if she does not exercise this right, all that we ask is, that she should abstain from lending her assistance to the trade of France, and not allow her commeree to be a medium of undermining the resources of Great Britain.

All I meant to say was, that the admission of French commerce, while that of England has been excluded from the United States' ports, was regarded by Great Britain as highly unfriendly in America; and that a continuation of such policy would be retaliated upon by Great Britain with similar restrictions on her part; which was so far, merely, an offering of like for like. But while the American non-importation act excludes British trade from the United States' ports, it must be recollected that it goes still further, and excludes also British armed ships from American ports, while it admits those of the enemies of Great Britain. "A neutral nation is responsible for the equality of its rules of conduct towards the belligerent Powers," (to use the words of an American Secretary of State in the year 1796,) and, therefore, the part of the law which establishes an inequality was justly an object of more serious complaint on the part of Great Britain. You I have thought it necessary thus to endeavor to are aware, sir, of the advantage which His Ma- set these two points in their true light; the rejesty's enemies have derived from this state of peal of the law was asked, as being an unfriendly inequality, which enables them, though possess-measure, partial in its operation against Great ing no port in this hemisphere, continually to Britain; and a prospect of retaliation was held prey on the trade of His Majesty's subjects, se- out on its commercial operation, if continued. cure of a refuge for their cruisers and their prizes. This is no demand on the United States to admit The prohibition of entry to His Majesty's ships, British manufactures; they are at liberty to conunder these circumstances, might perhaps justify tinue that law; only, as it is of an unfriendly Great Britain in asserting, that, whatever reason nature, some restriction of a similar kind was to she may have for repealing or modifying her Or- be expected from England; and, with respect to ders in Council, so as to lessen or entirely remove the alleged demand for forcing British goods, the the pressure now unavoidably laid on the trade property of neutrals, into French ports, if the of America as a neutral nation, she might yet re- United States are willing to acquiesce in the regfuse to enter into any discussion on that subject ulation of the French decrees, unlawfully affectwith the United States, until, either by the revo- ing England through them, they cannot, surely, cation of the prohibition above stated, or the be surprised if we consider ourselves as at liberty placing all the belligerents under the same prohi- to refuse permission to the French to profit by that bition, America should cease to violate the duties acquiescence. of a neutral nation.

I will now, sir, take the opportunity of stating to you that I have received from His Majesty's Secretary of State the correspondence of which you did me the honor to transmit to me a copy in your letter dated October 17. My Government have not been able to see in it satisfactory proof of the repeal of the French decrees, and doubt whether the trade carried on by licenses between France and America will not be regarded, even here, as proof of the continuation of them in their fullest extent; for if they were to any extent repealed, to that extent, at least, no license should be necessary-a license being given to allow what, but for that license, would be pro

With respect, however, to the supposed demand that America should force the entry of British manufactures into France, it is most particularly necessary that I should explain myself, as a total misconception appears to have taken place upon this point. The question of retaliation on the French decrees is directly one between England and France. In consequence of the extraordinary blockade of England, we have, in our defence, been obliged to blockade France, and prohibit all trade in French articles, in return for the prohibition of France of all trade in English articles. This measure of retaliation, it is wished, should operate on France alone; but, from the trade car-hibited. ried on with France by America, it unavoidably operates also on her. It is a measure to destroy the French trade, in return for the similar measure of France on which it is retaliatory; and its acting on neutrals is an incidental effect of it, consequent upon the submission of neutrals to the original measures of the enemy against Great Britain. It is, indeed, melancholy that the unnatural situation of Europe should produce such a result; but I cannot see how this can be considered as a war on American commerce, when all

The continued absence, hitherto, of any instrument by which the repeal has been effected, is a matter also of surprise; for if there were any fair dealing in the transaction, no reason can be given by France for not producing it; it is very desirable that it should be produced, if such an instrument be in existence, in order that we may know to what extent the decrees have been repealed, if they really have been so in any respect. Mr. Russell, however, does not appear to have been in possession of it at the date of his letter

Relations with Great Britain.

him, whom I have awaked from his long sleep. that I now address you. But, the Americans I did not make. They are not my children, but the children of the evil spirit. They grew from the scum of the great waters, when it was troubled by the evil spirit, and the froth was driven into the woods by a strong east wind. They are numerous, but I hate them. My children, you must not speak of this talk to the whites-it must be hidden from them. I am now on the earth, sent by the Great Spirit to instruct you. Each village must send me two or more principal Chiefs to represent you, that you may be taught. The bearer of this talk will point out to you the path to my wigwam. I could not come myself to Abre Chocle, because the world is changed from what it was. It is broken and leans down, and, as it declines, the Chippewas and all beyond will fall off and die. Therefore, you must come and see me, and be instructed. Those villages who do not listen to this talk, and send me two deputies, will be cut off from the face of the earth.

From Captain Dunham to the Secretary of State.

MICHILIMACKINAC, August 30, 1807.The cause of the hostile feelings on the part of the Indians is principally to be attributed to the influence of foreigners trading in the country.

From Samuel Tupper, Indian Factor.

SANDUSKY, June 7, 1809. The conduct of British traders in introducing spirituous liquors among the Indians in this part of the country, and their determined hostility to the measures of our Government, have long been subjects of complaint.

From Governor William Hull.

DETROIT, June 16, 1808. The influence of the Prophet has been great, and his advice to the Indians injurious to them of the British has been exerted in a way alluring and the United States. The powerful influence to the savage character.

From Governor Harrison.

VINCENNES, June 14, 1810. An Iowa Indian informs me, that two years ago this Summer, an agent from the British arrived at the Prophet's town, and, in his presence, delivered the message with which he was charged; the substance of which was, to urge the Prophet to unite as many tribes as he could against the United States, but not to commence hostilities until they gave the signal. From this man, and others of his nation, I learn that the Prophet has been constantly soliciting their own and other tribes of the Mississippi to join them against the United States.

From Governor Harrison.

From Governor Harrison. JEFFERSONVILLE, FALLS OF OHIO, April 14, 1808. VINCENNES, July 18, 1810. A considerable number of Sacs went, some time A young man from the Delaware towns came to inform me that a Pottawatomie Indian had since, to see the British superintendent, and, on arrived at the towns with a speech from the Brit- the 1st instant, fifty more passed Chicago for the ish in which they were informed that they (the same destination. A Miami Chief, who has just British) were upon the point of commencing hos-returned from his annual visit to Malden, after tilities against the United States, and requesting having received the accustomed donation of goods, was thus addressed by the British agent: the Delawares to join them. son, keep your eyes fixed on me; my tomahawk is now up; be you ready, but do not strike until I give the signal."

From General William Clark.

ST. LOUIS, April 30, 1809. I have the honor to enclose to you a copy of a letter which confirms my suspicions of the British interference with our Indian affairs in this country.

Extract referred to above.

I am at present in the fire, receiving Indian news every day. A Chief of the Puant nation appears to be employed by the British to get all the nations of Indians to Detroit, to see their fathers the British, who tell them that they pity their situations with the Americans, because the Americans had taken their lands and their game; that they must join, and send them off from their lands. They told the savages that the Americans would not give them a blanket, nor anything good for their families. They said they had but one father that had helped them in their misfortunes; and that they would assemble, defend their father, and keep their lands. It appears that four English subjects have been at Rivière à la Roche this winter, in disguise; they have been there to get the nations together, and send them on the American frontiers. The Indians are pushed on by our enemies to take the fort at Bellevue.

12th CoN. 1st Sess.-59

From General William Clark.

My

ST. LOUIS, July 20, 1810. One hundred and fifty Sacs are on a visit to the British agent, by invitation, and a small party on a visit to the island of St. Joseph, in Lake Huron. From Governor Harrison.

VINCENNES, July 25, 1810. There can be no doubt of the designs of the Prophet and the British Agent of Indian Affairs to do us injury. This agent is a refugee from the neighborhood of, and his implacable hatred to his native country prompted him to take part with the Indians in the battle between them and General Wayne's army. He has, ever since his appointment to the principal agency, used his utmost endeavors to excite hostilities; and the lavish manner in which he is allowed to scatter presents among them shows that his Government participates in his enmity, and authorizes his measures.

From Governor Hull.

DETROIT, July 27, 1810. Large bodies of Indians from the westward and southward continue to visit the British post at

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Relations with Great Britain.

that America should force France to receive our other American trade but that which is carried manufactures.

All I meant to say was, that the admission of French commerce, while that of England has been excluded from the United States' ports, was regarded by Great Britain as highly unfriendly in America; and that a continuation of such policy would be retaliated upon by Great Britain with similar restrictions on her part; which was so far, merely, an offering of like for like. But while the American non-importation act excludes British trade from the United States' ports, it must be recollected that it goes still further, and excludes also British armed ships from American ports, while it admits those of the enemies of Great Britain. "A neutral nation is responsible for the equality of its rules of conduct towards the belligerent Powers," (to use the words of an American Secretary of State in the year 1796,) and, therefore, the part of the law which establishes an inequality was justly an object of more serious complaint on the part of Great Britain. You are aware, sir, of the advantage which His Ma- | jesty's enemies have derived from this state of inequality, which enables them, though possess ing no port in this hemisphere, continually to prey on the trade of His Majesty's subjects, secure of a refuge for their cruisers and their prizes. The prohibition of entry to His Majesty's ships, under these circumstances, might perhaps justify Great Britain in asserting, that, whatever reason she may have for repealing or modifying her Orders in Council, so as to lessen or entirely remove the pressure now unavoidably laid on the trade of America as a neutral nation, she might yet refuse to enter into any discussion on that subject with the United States, until, either by the revocation of the prohibition above stated, or the placing all the belligerents under the same prohibition, America should cease to violate the duties of a neutral nation.

on with our enemy's ports, in defiance of a blockade authorized by the law of retaliation, is unaffected by it. We complain that America does not resist the regulations of the Berlin and Milan decrees, and object to permitting the French to trade with her during their continuance against the commerce of England. But this is not exacting, as has been represented, that America should force British manufactures into France; it is pursuing only a just course of retaliation on our enemy. If America wishes to trade with France, if French commerce is of importance to her, we expect she should exact of France to trade with her, as she has a right to demand, in her quality of neutral; but if she does not exercise this right, all that we ask is, that she should abstain from lending her assistance to the trade of France, and not allow her commeree to be a medium of undermining the resources of Great Britain.

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I have thought it necessary thus to endeavor to set these two points in their true light; the repeal of the law was asked, as being an unfriendly measure, partial in its operation against Great Britain; and a prospect of retaliation was held out on its commercial operation, if continued. This is no demand on the United States to admit British manufactures; they are at liberty to continue that law; only, as it is of an unfriendly nature, some restriction of a similar kind was to be expected from England; and, with respect to the alleged demand for forcing British goods, the property of neutrals, into French ports, if the United States are willing to acquiesce in the regulation of the French decrees, unlawfully affecting England through them, they cannot, surely, be surprised if we consider ourselves as at liberty to refuse permission to the French to profit by that acquiescence.

I will now, sir, take the opportunity of stating With respect, however, to the supposed demand to you that I have received from His Majesty's that America should force the entry of British Secretary of State the correspondence of which manufactures into France, it is most particularly you did me the honor to transmit to me a copy necessary that I should explain myself, as a total in your letter dated October 17. My Governmisconception appears to have taken place upon ment have not been able to see in it satisfactory this point. The question of retaliation on the proof of the repeal of the French decrees, and French decrees is directly one between England doubt whether the trade carried on by licenses beand France. In consequence of the extraordinary tween France and America will not be regarded, blockade of England, we have, in our defence, even here, as proof of the continuation of them been obliged to blockade France, and prohibit all in their fullest extent; for if they were to any extrade in French articles, in return for the prohib-tent repealed, to that extent, at least, no license ition of France of all trade in English articles. should be necessary-a license being given to This measure of retaliation, it is wished, should allow what, but for that license, would be prooperate on France alone; but, from the trade car- hibited. ried on with France by America, it unavoidably operates also on her. It is a measure to destroy the French trade, in return for the similar measure of France on which it is retaliatory; and its acting on neutrals is an incidental effect of it, consequent upon the submission of neutrals to the original measures of the enemy against Great Britain. It is, indeed, melancholy that the unnatural situation of Europe should produce such a result; but I cannot see how this can be considered as a war on American commerce, when all

The continued absence, hitherto, of any instrument by which the repeal has been effected, is a matter also of surprise; for if there were any fair dealing in the transaction, no reason can be given by France for not producing it; it is very desirable that it should be produced, if such an instrument be in existence, in order that we may know to what extent the decrees have been repealed, if they really have been so in any respect. Mr. Russell, however, does not appear to have been in possession of it at the date of his letter

Relations with Great Britain.

him, whom I have awaked from his long sleep. that I now address you. But, the Americans I did not make. They are not my children, but the children of the evil spirit. They grew from the scum of the great waters, when it was troubled by the evil spirit, and the froth was driven into the woods by a strong east wind. They are numerous, but I hate them. My children, you must not speak of this talk to the whites-it must be hidden from them. I am now on the earth, sent by the Great Spirit to instruct you. Each village must send me two or more principal Chiefs to represent you, that you may be taught. The bearer of this talk will point out to you the path to my wigwam. I could not come myself to Abre Chocle, because the world is changed from what it was. It is broken and leans down, and, as it declines, the Chippewas and all beyond will fall off and die. Therefore, you must come and see me, and be instructed. Those villages who do not listen to this talk, and send me two deputies, will be cut off from the face of the earth.

From Captain Dunham to the Secretary of State.

MICHILIMACKINAC, August 30, 1807.The cause of the hostile feelings on the part of the Indians is principally to be attributed to the influence of foreigners trading in the country.

From Samuel Tupper, Indian Factor.

SANDUSKY, June 7, 1809. The conduct of British traders in introducing spirituous liquors among the Indians in this part of the country, and their determined hostility to the measures of our Government, have long been subjects of complaint.

From Governor William Hull.

DETROIT, June 16, 1808. The influence of the Prophet has been great, and his advice to the Indians injurious to them and the United States. The powerful influence of the British has been exerted in a way alluring to the savage character.

From Governor Harrison.

VINCENNES, June 14, 1810. An Iowa Indian informs me, that two years ago this Summer, an agent from the British arrived at the Prophet's town, and, in his presence, delivered the message with which he was charged; the substance of which was, to urge the Prophet to unite as many tribes as he could against the United States, but not to commence hostilities until they gave the signal. From this man, and others of his nation, I learn that the Prophet has been constantly soliciting their own and other tribes of the Mississippi to join them against the United States.

From Governor Harrison.

From Governor Harrison. JEFFERSONVILLE, FALLS OF OHIO, April 14, 1808. VINCENNES, July 18, 1810. A considerable number of Sacs went, some time A young man from the Delaware towns came to inform me that a Pottawatomie Indian had since, to see the British superintendent, and, on arrived at the towns with a speech from the Brit- the 1st instant, fifty more passed Chicago for the ish in which they were informed that they (the same destination. A Miami Chief, who has just British) were upon the point of commencing hos-returned from his annual visit to Malden, after tilities against the United States, and requesting the Delawares to join them.

From General William Clark.

ST. LOUIS, April 30, 1809. I have the honor to enclose to you a copy of a letter which confirms my suspicions of the British interference with our Indian affairs in this country.

Extract referred to above.

I am at present in the fire, receiving Indian news every day. A Chief of the Puant nation appears to be employed by the British to get all the nations of Indians to Detroit, to see their fathers the British, who tell them that they pity their situations with the Americans, because the Americans had taken their lands and their game; that they must join, and send them off from their lands. They told the savages that the Americans would not give them a blanket, nor anything good for their families. They said they had but one father that had helped them in their misfortunes; and that they would assemble, defend their father, and keep their lands. It appears that four English subjects have been at Rivière à la Roche this winter, in disguise; they have been there to get the nations together, and send them on the American frontiers. The Indians are pushed on by our enemies to take the fort at Bellevue.

12th CoN. 1st Sess.-59

having received the accustomed donation of goods, was thus addressed by the British agent: "My son, keep your eyes fixed on me; my tomahawk is now up; be you ready, but do not strike until I give the signal."

From General William Clark.

ST. LOUIS, July 20, 1810. One hundred and fifty Sacs are on a visit to the British agent, by invitation, and a small party on a visit to the island of St. Joseph, in Lake Huron. From Governor Harrison.

VINCENNES, July 25, 1810. There can be no doubt of the designs of the Prophet and the British Agent of Indian Affairs to do us injury. This agent is a refugee from the neighborhood of, and his implacable hatred to his native country prompted him to take part with the Indians in the battle between them and General Wayne's army. He has, ever since his appointment to the principal agency, used his utmost endeavors to excite hostilities; and the lavish manner in which he is allowed to scatter presents among them shows that his Government participates in his enmity, and authorizes his measures.

From Governor Hull.

DETROIT, July 27, 1810. Large bodies of Indians from the westward and southward continue to visit the British post at

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