CHAPTER XI.

Commencement of the negotiations in full council.-Introductory speech of General Wayne.-Speeches of the Chiefs of the different tribes.-Progress of the negotiations.

ON Wednesday, July 15th, the Council assembled agreeably to adjournment. Present, the chiefs of the Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippeways, Pottawattamies, Miamies, and Wabash tribes. The council being opened, and the council-fire uncovered, interpreters were sworn in; after which the General addressed the Indians thus:

Younger Brothers! These interpreters whom you have now seen sworn, have called the Great Spirit to witness that they will faithfully interpret all the speeches made by me to you, and by you to me; and the Great Spirit will punish them severely hereafter, if they do not religiously fulfil their sacred promise.

"This is the calumet of peace of the fifteen fires of the United States of America. I shall first present it to The Soldier (Wabash tribe) who first took us by the hand, as I do not know yet which nation among you is in future to have the precedence. The next were the Wyandots, who came forward last fall, early; the next were the Ottawas, Chippeways, Pottawattamies, and Sauckeys; and the next were the Delawares.

"Younger Brothers! All the chiefs and warriors of the different nations present! I now take you all by the hand. It was my wish to have waited for the arrival of the Shawanees, Wyandots of Detroit, and some Chippeways, who, I learn, are on their way; but as it is the desire of the chiefs

present, to commence the business generally, I will now show them by what authority I hold this treaty.

"Treaties made by all nations on this earth, ought to be held sacred and binding, between the contracting parties; hence, it is the practice, to commission certain persons with powers to make and conclude stipulated articles of treaties accordingly. These books contain treaties which have been held with all the Indian nations, in North America, and show what has been said and done at each, without the smallest alteration. In the first place, this is a commission, appointing me Commander-in-chief of the American Legion, presented to me by General Washington and the fifteen fires, three years since. On the 4th day of April, 1794, I received a commission from the same authority, for settling a peace with all the tribes of Indians north-west of the Ohio." (Here the General read the renewal of his powers as Commissioner, to treat with the Indians.)

"Having thus produced my authority, given me by General Washington, and the fifteen fires, I will now proceed to review the preliminary articles, which we mutually entered into and exchanged, during the past winter.

"Younger Brothers! Open your ears, and listen to the question asked me by the Wyandots of Sandusky, on the 26th of September last. This was the voice of the Wyandots and other tribes of Sandusky. Brother! Bring forth

from the bottom of your heart your sentiments respecting making a definitive treaty of peace, and upon what terms. We shall deliver our prayers daily to the Great Spirit above, our Maker, that he will open your heart and sentiments to us.' This was a strong and serious question, upon which the happiness of the United States and the Indian nations mutually depended. The answer made to that question required some explanations which are tedious, and do not seem at present necessary to be repeated; but I will read that part which explains the principles upon which a peace could take place.

"Brother! You desire me to bring forth from the bottom of my heart, my sentiments respecting a peace, and upon what terms it could be obtained.

"Brother! I now call upon you to exert your utmost powers of attention, and listen to what I shall say to you. It is now near six years, since the chiefs of the Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippeways, Pottawattamies and Sac nations, concluded a treaty at the mouth of the Muskingum, with Governor St. Clair, for removing all causes of controversy, and settling the boundaries between them and the United States. That treaty appeared to be founded upon principles of equity and justice, and to be perfectly satisfactory to all parties at that time. I therefore propose that treaty as a foundation for a lasting treaty of peace, between the United States and all your nations of Indians. Should you have any well grounded objections to these principles and to this proposition, come forward and speak your minds freely; and rest assured of a sincere welcome, and safe conduct, in coming hither and returning to your homes, from your friend and brother, ANTHONY WAYNE.'

"This was my answer to the Wyandots. They are here present, and can testify to the truth of it. In consequence of this answer, the Ottawas, Chippeways, Pottawattamies, Sauckeys, Miamies, Delawares, and Shawanees, came forward and signed these preliminary articles, of which you have all, respectively, copies. Having now shown you that I stand here in the place of General Washington, and represent the fifteen fires of America, and having shown the manner in which this happy meeting came about, by an application, first from the Wyandots, whose good example was followed by the other nations, I shall forbear to say more, as the day is far spent, but to request you to consider what I have said.

"Brothers! I wish you all clearly to understand that we have progressed so far in the good work, as to explain these preliminary steps. I would advise you to appropri

ate two or three days, to revolve, coolly and attentively, these matters, and those which will naturally follow them. I take you all by the hand. We will now rake up the council-fire, and as we have talked a long time, we must be dry, and have a little drink." Council adjourned.

Saturday, July 18th. In council. Present as before. The Little Turtle, a Miami chief, addressed the General as follows:

"Brother! We have heard and considered what you have said to us. You have shown, and we have seen, your powers to treat with us. I came here for the purpose of hearing you. I suppose it to be your wish that peace should take place throughout the world. When we hear you say so, we will be prepared to answer you. You have told me that the present treaty should be founded upon that of Muskingum. I beg leave to observe to you, that that. treaty was effected, altogether, by the Six Nations, who seduced some of our young men to attend it, together with a few of the Chippeways, Wyandots, Ottawas, Delawares, and Pottawattamies. I beg leave to tell you, that I am entirely ignorant of what was done at that treaty. I hope those who held it, may give you their opinions, whether or not, it was agreeable to them."

The Sun, a Pottawattamie chief, rose and said:

"Brother! The Master of Life had pity on me when he permitted me to come and take you first by the hand. With the same hand and heart I then possessed, I now salute you. When I gave you my hand, you said 'I thank you, and am glad to take your hand, Pottawattamie,' and you thanked the other Indians also, and told them you had opened a road for them to come and see you. When I got this belt from the Americans, they told me the roads were open and clear, and that no obstruction should prevent our coming to see you. I was happy when you gave me the road" [a belt,]" and so are we all, for we have all traveled I hope it will remain free of bushes and thorns, as long

it.

as Americans and Indians live. You yourself, have told me it should be so, and that this (meaning the olive branch, held by the eagle) was a leaf of that great tree, under whose shade we, and all our posterity, should repose in safety and happiness.

"Elder Brother! We have followed the road you gave us, in safety. I now present it to your view, as your gift," [presenting a road-belt, with the eagle of the United States attached.]

Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish rose and said,

"Brothers of the different nations present! Listen to what our elder brother tells us, with attention. I am satisfied it is the truth.-Listen to me also, elder brother! Last winter I heard your words, when you stretched your hands to us, and asked us to come and see you. I never heard before, what The Sun has been observing. When I heard what you said last winter, I took you by the hand, and now, when I returned, I found your gates open to receive me, and that you told me truth. I was then deputed by the chiefs of my nation, to hear your words, and am happy that they are now convinced of the truth of them. You now also find the truth of my words: that I then came only to carry back your words, and the other chiefs would come to see you. You now see them present, the representatives of their nations. Here are the chiefs of the Ottawas, Chippeways, and Pottawattamies. We three are faithful allies, and one of us speaks for the whole, when in council. The words you spoke last winter, are fresh on my memory. I know nothing of the treaty in question, which took place at Muskingum. The people who made it are present, and will be able to speak to it. My remote situation, on Lake Michigan, prevented me from being acquainted with it."

Tar-kee, or Crane, chief of the Wyandots, rose and said: "Brothers of all nations present, listen! Elder brother! I don't think it proper to select any particular nation, to speak for the whole. You have kindled the council-fire.