On the 21st, in consequence of an invitation from Monsieur Cruzat, the Spanish commandant at St. Louis, we crossed the Mississippi, and were very politely entertained by him. After dinner we returned to Cahokia. St. Louis (nicknamed Pancour), is much the handsomest and genteelest village I have seen on the Mississippi. It is about four miles distant from Cahokia, and five leagues above it, the river Missouri unites with the Mississippi. The inhabitants are of the same sort as before described, excepting that they are more wealthy. About twenty regular Spanish troops are stationed here. On the 22d, I left Cahokia to return to Kaskaskia. Previous to my departure, at the request of the inhabitants, I assembled them, and gave them advice to place their militia upon a more respectable footing than it was, to abide by the decision of their courts, etc., and if there were any turbulent or refractory persons, to put them under guard until Congress should be pleased to order a government for them. Exclusive of the intruders already described, there are about thirty more Americans settled on the rich fertile bottoms on the Mississippi, who are likewise petitioning by this conveyance.

On the 23d, I passed by the ruins of Fort Chartres, which is one league above the Prairie du Rocher, and situate on the Mississippi. It was built of stone, and must have been a considerable fortification formerly, but the part next to the river had been carried away by the floods, and is of no consequence at present. I staid about a quarter of an hour, but had not time to view it minutely, as it was all a thicket within. Several iron pieces of cannon are here at present, and also at the different villages. This evening I returned to Kaskaskia.

On the 24th, Monsieur Peruse, the Spanish commandant at St. Genevieve, sent me an invitation to pay him a visit. We crossed the Mississippi accordingly, were politely entertained, and after dinner returned to Kaskaskia. St. Genevieve (nick named Misere) is a village much inferior in every respect to St. Louis. It is about four miles (including the passage of the Mississippi) distant from Kaskaskia. About eight or ten Spanish troops are stationed there. On the 26th, at the request of the inhabitants (which is inclosed), I assembled them, and gave them advice to regulate their militia, and obey their magistrates etc., until Congress pleased to order a government for them. I have to remark that all these people are entirely unacquainted with what Americans call liberty. Trial by jury, etc., they are strangers to. A commandant with a few troops to give them orders is the best form of government for them; it is what they have been accustomed to.

On the 27th I left Kaskaskia, after having received every mark of respect and attention from the inhabitants, in order to set out for the Post. We marched by a lower route. Several of the French, and the Kaskaskia chief, with his tribe (about ten in number), accompanied us, and we arrived safe at Post Vincennes on the afternoon of the 3d of September. I made the distance by the lower route to be about one hundred and seventy miles.

On the 5th the Piankishaw and Weca Indians arrived at the Post from up the Wabash, to the number of about one hundred and twenty. Every precaution was taken. We had a fortified camp, two redoubts were thrown up on our right and left, and the guard in front intrenched. The troops were all new clothed, and made a truly military appearance. The Indians saluted us by firing several volleys on the Wabash, opposite our camp. Their salute was returned by a party of ours firing several platoons. I was determined to impress upon them as much as possible the majesty of the United States, and at the same time that they were informed that it was the wish of Congress to live in peace and friendship with them, likewise to let them know that if they persisted in being hostile that a body of troops would march to their towns and sweep them off the face of the earth. On the 7th, I invited them to camp, and made the inclosed speech to them. The Indians admired the troops. I believe they had never seen such a sight before. On the 8th, they answered my speech, and, in strong figurative language, expressed their determination to preserve perfect peace and friendship with the United States, as long as the waters flowed, etc. They utterly disavowed any knowledge of the murder that had been committed, and assured me that inquiry should be made for the prisoner. They presented me with a number of calumets and wampum, which I now have the honor of transmitting, inclosed in a rich otter skin; they will be delivered by Mr. Coudre. Mr. Coudre has acted as volunteer for a considerable time in the regiment, and has conducted himself with propriety. If a vacancy should happen in the Connecticut quota, I beg leave to recommend him to your notice.

On the 9th, the young warriors were drinking whisky and dancing before our tents all the morning, to demonstrate their joy. On the 10th, I made them several presents from the commissioner's goods, to no great amount. On the 12th, the chief part of them left the Post for their different villages up the Wabash. They returned highly satisfied with the treatment they received. Indeed, it was a proper tour of fatigue for me. I found it politic to pay the great

est attention to them. They are amazingly fond of whisky, and destroyed a considerable quantity of it. I trust that you may find this conference with the Indians attended with very little expense; I question whether the whole, whisky, provisions, and presents, will cost the public more than one hundred and fifty dollars. Their interpreter is a half Frenchman, and married to a Weea squaw. He has very great influence among them. I judged it necessary to pay extraordinary attention to him.

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of several letters from you, which I shall fully answer by the next conveyance, particularly one of the 2d of August, inclosing me a brevet commission of brigadier-general.

After finishing the conference with the Indians, and obtaining the inclosed petitions of the inhabitants of Post Vincennes to Congress, relinquishing their charter, and trusting to the generosity of that honorable body, I judged it expedient to leave a garrison at the Post, as it would have been impolitic, after the parade we had made, to entirely abandon the country. Accordingly, Major Hamtramck commands there. His command consists of Captain Smith's company, fifty-five, and part of Ferguson's company, forty; total, ninety-five. I have ordered him to fortify himself, and to regulate the militia, who are to join him in case of hostilities.

Having arranged all matters to my satisfaction, as we had a long and tiresome voyage before us, I began to think of winter quarters. Accordingly, on the 1st of October I marched by land with the well men of Captains Zeigler's and Strong's companies (total, seventyone), for the Rapids of the Ohio. I gave orders to Major Wyllys to command the fleet, and to embark for the Rapids the next morning, with the late Captain Finney's and Mercer's companies, and the sick of the other companies, and a brass three-pounder. I omitted mention of my taking into our possession some ordnance and ammunition (public property) at Louisville and at the Post. At the former we got a brass six-pounder with several swivels; at the latter, from Mr. Dalton, two brass three-pounders. I thought it best that the public property should be under our own charge.

We marched along what is called Clarke's Trace, and arrived on the 7th October at the Rapids of the Ohio. I was mistaken, in a former letter, concerning the distance; it is about one hundred and thirty miles. We saw no Indians, nor signs of Indians. From the Falls to the Post the country is in general hilly, and good wheat land. Major Wyllys, with the fleet, arrived at Clarkesville on the 21st. On the 23d and the 24th the men were all employed in drag

ging the boats over the Falls, a very difficult, fatiguing tour of duty, the more so as the water was remarkably low. On the 28th I left the Falls in the barge for the Muskingum, with orders for Captains Zeigler and Strong, with their companies, to follow the next day. On the 13th November, we arrived at this post. Captain Zeigler arrived here, with the fleet, on the 21st. We were favored with remarkably fine weather ever since we set out from the Post.

The following are among my arrangements for winter quarters: At Venango, Captain Heart's company; at McIntosh, part of Captain Ferguson's company; at Muskingum, Captain Zeigler's, Captain Strong's, Captain McCurdy's, and Captain Bradford's companies; at the Rapids of the Ohio, the late Captain Finney's and Captain Mercer's companies; at Post Vincennes, Captain Smith's and part of Captain Ferguson's companies.

Such a large portion of the regiment being quartered at Muskingum during the winter, will save the public considerable expense with respect to provisions.

The water being so exceedingly low, detained Lieutenant Beatty a long time at Fort Pitt. He did not arrive at this garrison until the 20th instant, at night. We are all happy to find that he has obtained such a just and honorable settlement for the regiment, and we are much indebted to you for having been pleased to lend him every assistance in the business.

The bearer, Mr. Bartholomew Tardiveau, I believe you will find to be a sensible, well-informed gentleman, as well if not better acquainted with the western country (particularly the Illinois) than any one who has ever been from thence to Congress. I beg leave to refer you to him for a minute and particular description of it. There have been some imposters before Congress, particularly one Parker, a whining, canting Methodist, a kind of would-be-governor. He is extremely unpopular at Kaskaskia, and despised by the inhabitants.

I am happy to hear of General St. Clair's appointment as Governor of the Western Territory, as it will add to the dignity and consequence of Congress.

You are pleased to ask me intelligence respecting the military lands. From Fort Massac to the mouth of the Ohio, and from thence about twenty miles up the Misssissippi, the country overflows, and is by no means habitable.

I shall have the honor of writing to you again in a short time.'

1MS. From files of State Department.

BRIGADIER-GENERAL HARMAR TO PRESIDENT ST. CLAIR.

FORT HARMAR, November 25, 1787.

My Dear General:--I am happy, very happy, to hear, by Captain Beatty, of your appointment to the government of the Western Territory. Permit me sincerely to congratulate you upon it.

Congress have been pleased to honor me with a brevet commission of Brigadier-General. I should be justly accused of ingratitude was I not to thank my old friend for his friendship and influence upon this occasion. I shall ever hold them in most grateful remembrance.

Mrs. Harmar sends her kind compliments to you. Major Duncan left here yesterday for the Falls.

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES NORTH-WEST OF THE RIVER OHIO, RELATIVE TO AN INDIAN TREATY IN THE NORTHERN DEPARTMENT.

Sir: You are carefully to examine into the real temper of the Indian tribes inhabiting the Northern Indian Department of the United States. If you find it hostile, and that the welfare of the frontiers and the settlements forming in that country, demand a treaty, you will then, in conjunction with the Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Northern Department, unless the attendance

The old Continental Congress had, on the 13th July, passed an ordinance for the government of the Territory north-west of the river Ohio, and prior to the date of the above letter, elected Arthur St. Clair, President of that body, Governor, Winthrop Sargent, Secretary, and Messrs. Varnum, Parsons and Symmes, Judges. The Congress had also passed an ordinance in effect supplemental to the Ordinance establishing the government, authorizing the Board of Treasury to dispose of the lands north-west of the river Ohio, which had been ceded to the United States by the States of Virginia, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Under this ordinance the Board of Treasury sold to the Ohio Company, organized in New England, of which Dr. Manassah Cutler, General Rufus Putnam, Major Winthrop Sargent, General Parsons and General Varnum were members, one and a-half millions acres of land on the Muskingum River, and contracted for a much larger tract for private parties on the Ohio, between the mouth of the Kanawha and the Scioto; and later with John Cleves Symmes, of New Jer sey, for a million acres on the Ohio, between the two Miamis. For an account of the transactions under the Ordinance, see Vol. I., pp. 116-118; and for the Ordinance and Land Laws, see Appendix, 603-22.