Done at St. Louis, in the presence of

R. Wash, secretary to the collmission,

John Ruland, sub-agent, trans'r,

etc.

R. Graham, I. A. Illinois Terri- A. L. Papin, interpreter,

tory, J. T. Honore, Indian interpreter, John O'Fallon, captain rifle regi- S. Julian, United States Indian

ment,

interpreter,

R. Paul, Col. M. M. C. interpre- Wm. Grayson,

ter,

Josiah Ramsey,

John Robedout.

(7 Stat., 175. Proclamation, Jan. 5, 1819.)

EXHIBIT 212.

The Secretary of War to Major General Harrison, Brigadier General McArthur and John Graham.1

DEPARTMENT OF WAR, June 9, 1815. GENTLEMEN: The representations which the President has received from the State of Ohio, and the Territories of Michigan and Indiana, have rendered it expedient, in his judgment, to take immediate measures for removing the hostile excitement which has appeared; and he has been pleased to appoint you to be the commissioners of the United States for holding a treaty with such of the Indian tribes as it shall be deemed necessary to conciliate upon the occasion. You will, therefore, give the chiefs notice of your appointment, and that a meeting will be held at Fort Wayne, or at any other place that may be more convenient, and at such time as may be fixed upon by the commissioners.

The objects of the proposed treaty are, to remind the tribes of their existing relations with the United States; to explain to them the nature of the reciprocal stipulations in the treaty of peace and amity lately concluded between the United States and Great Britain, so far as they concern the Indians; to inform them of the measures that have been taken to carry the treaty of peace into effect, by a mutual surrender of the military posts which the American and the British forces had taken from each other during the

'American State Papers, Indian Affairs, Vol. II, p. 13.

war; to warn them against any improper practices that might involve them in hostilities with the United States; to promise a punctual performance of all our engagements with them; and to insist upon the observance of good faith on their part.

When the treaty with Great Britain was ratified at Washington, the United States were at war with some of the Indian tribes, and at peace with others. By the ninth article of the treaty, the parties reciprocally engaged to put an end to hostilities with all the tribes or nations with whom they were respectively at war; and, in fulfilment of this engagement, the United States appointed commissioners for the single purpose of offering a treaty of peace to all the Indian tribes on the Mississippi and its waters with whom they were at war at the time of the ratification of the treaty. But the United States were at that time in a state of peace and friendship with the tribes inhabiting the State of Ohio and the Territories of Michigan and Indiana; and had, in particular, concluded a treaty at Greenville, on the 22d July, 1814, with the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanees, Senecas, and Miamies. The ninth article of the treaty with Great Britain did not, therefore, apply to those tribes; and the fact that peace was re-established between the United States and Great Britain being generally communicated and known throughout the Indian country, no act connected with the British treaty appeared to be necessary upon the part of the American Government to preserve peace, where peace already existed. It was also presumed that the British officers and agents would themselves communicate the return of peace to all the Indians in arms against them. There is reason to believe, however, that these grounds of distinction have not been understood by the Indians, and you will be pleased to take particular pains in explaining the conduct of the Government, so as to satisfy them that it has not neglected them or their interest.

It will be proper that you should distinctly represent to the Indians that, on the present occasion, the United States do not wish to obtain from them any new cession, grant, or privilege whatsoever, but merely to manifest their dispositon to cultivate peace and good-will, and to secure to themselves the advantages of the treaties which already exist. Where the United States have already purchased and paid for cessions of land or privileges of roads, the tribes from which they were purchased must of course comply with their contracts; and, particularly, they must not, on

any pretence, attempt to prevent or obstruct the necessary surveys for ascertaining the boundaries of the ceded tracts, and laying out the stipulated roads. The President will in all things set them an example of good faith; and you may assure them he will take every occasion to promote their happiness and prosperity, as long as they shall show a just confidence in his word, and a friendly disposition towards the children of the American family who are placed under his care and protection in their neighborhood.

The President entertains a strong hope that the Government of Great Britain will evince the sincerity with which it ratified the treaty of Ghent by restraining all its subjects from lawless attempts to alienate the Indians from the nation whose territory they inhabit. But every precaution ought still to be taken to detect and defeat such attempts. The right of British traders to enter the territory of the United States for the purpose of trading with the Indians is a proper subject for the consideration of the American Government; but the Government has not yet prohibited a fair and friendly intercourse of that nature, and the President is only desirous at present to impress upon the Indians that the intercourse is entirely a matter of indulgence, which may be denied whenever it is found prejudicial to the interests of the United States. The Indians should be warned against any misrepresentation of the late treaty with Great Britain, which there is some reason to think has already been misrepresented. The stipulations respecting the Indians are reciprocal, and amount, in fact, to nothing more than would have been the case if the treaty had not contained them; they merely provide that the parties, as a consequence of the peace between themselves, shall severally offer peace to the Indians with whom they were actually at war when the treaty was ratified-each party agreeing with the other to place Indians inhabiting their respective territories upon the footing upon which they stood before the war. In doing this, the United States have acted voluntarily; and it must not be credited for a moment that Great Britain has had any peculiar agency in obtaining a benefit for the Indian tribes, whether they were at war or at peace with us. It will be of some importance also to explain the reason which has prevented the immediate surrender of Michilimackinac. The British troops have evacuated Castine, Fort Niagara, and Fort Bowyer, and they are preparing to evacuate Michilimackinac; but as their buildings

on the shore of Lake Huron were burnt during the war, the British charge d'affaires has requested that the troops might be permitted to remain where they are until a shelter can be provided for them within their own territory. The President, in a spirit of friendly accommodation, has acquiesced in the request, upon an assurance that the postponement of the surrender would not be unreasonably protracted. In the mean time orders have been issued for the surrender of Malden, provided it can be done without danger from Indian hostilities, before the surrender of Michilimackinac is effected. The object of these explanations will be to counteract any suppositions that the treaty of peace has placed Great Britain in a new and more advantageous relation to the Northwest Indians; to supersede the idea that the Indians have acquired by the treaty a more independent political character than they possessed before; and to beget a just confidence in the power as well as the resolution of our Government to maintain its rights against every opposition.

The policy of introducing military stations and factories generally into the Indian country becomes every day more and more apparent, as well for the sake of the Indians as for our own sake. An opportunity should be taken, therefore, to apprize the Indians that, in order to aid and protect them, and also to guard against encroachments upon the property and people of the United States, the President contemplates ordering a chain of establishments to be gradually extended from Chicago, along the Illinois, to St. Louis. This will secure for them supplies; will afford them an occasional asylum; and will present constant opportunities either to claim redress for any grievances that they may suffer, or to communicate intelligence of any dangers that they may apprehend at home or abroad. It is, indeed, particularly important that they should be taught a habit of giving to the public agents constant information of any occurrences that concern the peace and the safety of the country.

A short time before the treaty of Ghent was ratified, a quantity of goods had been sent to the care of Governor Cass, for presents to such of the Indians as were willing to take an active part in the war. The design was merely gratuitous; and, the occasion for making the presents having ceased, it is believed that the goods remain undistributed. If this be the case, and you should think it advisable and serviceable to distribute any part of them

among the Indians on the present occasion, you may apply to Governor Cass, who will receive instructions to execute any requisition that you should make.

The President will be desirous to hear the accounts of your progress, and of your prospect of success, as often as you can transmit them; and the result of your negotiations, if it is such as may be reasonably expected, you will put into the form of a treaty, recognising the existing state of peace, exchanging assurances of mutual friendship, and confirming all antecedent treaties and engagements, except so far as they respect a co-operation in the late war against Great Britain.

The compensation of the commissioners and their secretary upon the present occasion will be the same as was allowed for the services of the commissioners at the treaty of Greenville, in July, 1814; and the contractor will be directed to furnish the necessary supplies upon your requisition, to be deposited at such place and time as you shall desire. You will appoint your own secretary, selecting him (if you can advantageously) from the number of meritorious officers who are not retained on the military peace establishment.

If you should deem a military escort necessary to the safety of the commissioners, you will be pleased to apply to the officer commanding the American troops in the department, who will receive orders to grant your request.

I have the honor to be, &c.

To Major General Wм. H. HARRISON,

Brigadier General DUNCAN MCARTHUR, and

JOHN GRAHAM, Esq.

A. J. DALLAS.

EXHIBIT 213.

The Secretary of War to Governor Worthington and Governor Cass.1

DEPARTMENT OF WAR, June 12, 1815.

SIR: Agreeably to the intimation which was given in my letter of the instant, the President has appointed Governor William H. Harrison, General Duncan McArthur, and Mr. John

'American State Papers, Indian Affairs, Vol. II, p. 14.