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troops were on their march;-that he was not captured by the Indians, but went to them voluntarily, to give information of the advance of the army;—and that the Indians would have been completely surprised, at Grand Glaise, but for the arrival and information given them by that deserter.

It was further stated, that the Shawanees appeared determined to remove to the west side of the Mississippi,that more than a hundred of their warriors were then hunting on the head waters of the Miamies of the Ohio, and of the Scioto, who intended to disperse about Christmas, and steal as many horses as would be necessary to carry them and their families to the Mississippi, where several of their nation, and many of the Delawares, were already settled; and that those nations, it was believed, would remove, rather than make peace. It was also stated, that the Indians, by that time, had heard the proposals of the British, and the Six Nations, with regard to assistance and support, and would determine for peace or war, according to the certainty or uncertainty of the promised support.

CHAPTER X.

State of the American army and of the Indians, in 1794–5.—Indians begin to collect at Greenville.-Preliminary conferences.

It does not appear that any military movement, worthy of notice, took place during the winter of 1794-5. The General, however, was pressing his appeal on the War Department, to reinforce his army, and was engaged in watching the movements of the enemy, and bringing every influence within his power, to operate on their minds in favor of peace. He appealed to their hopes and their fears. He availed himself of the influence of the chiefs who were friendly to the United States, and of such as were indisposed to continue the war, by which he distracted their councils-kept their minds in a vacillating state-and prevented them from agreeing on any plan of operations, of a warlike character. Whether he had succeeded in concealing from them the reduced state of his army, which was producing great fear at head-quarters, was not known, though it was believed that a knowledge of that fact would operate as a strong temptation to the savages to try the fate of another battle.

Their numbers had not been materially reduced, while the strength of the American army had been very greatly diminished by sickness and death, and by the expiration of the term of enlistment of many of the Legion, and the discharge of the Kentucky volunteers. The fact, however, fortunately was, let the cause of it be what it might, that the British officers and agents, with all the influence they were able to exert, could not stimulate the Indians to recommence

hostilities. They had acquired some knowledge of the

United States, and of their
Some of them were made

population and strength of the own utter inability to resist it. to understand, that the white people were so numerous, that they could bring into the field fifty warriors to their one; and that, sooner or later, they must be destroyed, if the contest were continued. Though this impression was not general, it occupied the minds of a sufficient number of the more intelligent and influential chiefs and warriors, to disappoint the hopes, and frustrate the plans of Simcoe and his associates.

The Indians were evidently divided in opinion, as to the course they ought to pursue. A majority were disposed to continue the war, but were afraid the British agents would not redeem their pledges, by which they might be again defeated. They remembered the solemn promises of cooperation, which had been made to them in times past. They recollected that when the fort was built at the foot of the Rapids, they were told it was intended for their protection, and as a place of refuge, to which they might retreat, should they be unexpectedly defeated by the American troops. They knew, also, that in violation of those assurances, the gates of that strong fortress had been shut against them, after their defeat on the 20th of August, and that neither chief, nor warrior, was permitted to enter it.

Some of the chiefs were decidedly in favor of commencing a negotiation for peace, without further delay; while others, under the influence of ambition and pride, had partly determined to abandon the country, and remove their families to the Mississippi, rather than submit to the humiliation of suing for peace. This diversity of feeling and opinion, produced in part by the judicious measures pursued by General Wayne, accomplished, in the end, the great object he had in view from the beginning.

It did not require the spirit of prophecy to foresee, that if a diversity of opinion could be produced, and kept up

among the tribes, and their minds could be continued in a vacillating state, no serious, immediate danger was to be apprehended. This proved to be the case, for although they were in a state of great excitement, they remained quiet during the winter and spring; and early in June, began to collect in Greenville, apparently without any previous agreement, or concert, and as they severally arrived, gave notice that they had come to negotiate a peace.

On the 16th of June, a considerable number of Delawares, Ottawas, Pottawattamies, and Eel-river Indians, having arrived, the General caused them to be assembled on that day, and for the first time met them in general council. After they had received and smoked the calumet of peace, he rose and thus addressed them:

"I take you all by the hand, as brothers, assembled for the good work of peace. I thank the Great Spirit, for this glorious sun, who appears to rejoice at our meeting; and also for permitting so many of us to assemble here this day, being the first of the moon, for the purpose of holding a treaty. The Great Spirit has favored us with a clear sky, and a refreshing breeze, for the happy occasion. I have cleared this ground of all brush and rubbish, and have opened roads to the east, the west, the north and the south, that all your nations may come in safety, and with ease, to meet me. The ground on which this council-house stands, is unstained with blood, and is pure as the heart of General Washington, the great Chief of America, and of his great Council-as pure as my heart, which now wishes for nothing, so much as peace and brotherly love. I have this day kindled the council-fire of the United States; and I now deliver to each tribe present, a string of white wampum, to serve as a record of the friendship, this day commenced between us. [Wampum delivered.]

"The heavens are bright-the roads are open-we will rest in peace and love, and wait the arrival of our brothers. In the interim we will have a little refreshment, to wash

the dust from our throats-we will, on this happy occasion, be merry, but without passing the bounds of temperance and sobriety. We will now cover up the council-fire, and keep it alive, till the remainder of the different tribes assemble, and form a full meeting and representation."

Te-ta-boksh-ke, king of the Delawares, rose and said: "Our meeting this day affords me infinite pleasure. I thank the Great Spirit, and I thank you, for bestowing on us so great a happiness. All my people shall be informed of the commencement of our friendship, and they will rejoice in it, and I hope it will never end."[A string of white wampum.]

The fire was then raked up, and the Council adjourned. On the next day, June 17th, forty Pottawattamies arrived and had audience. The New Corn, one of the old chiefs, addressed the General, and said:

"I have come here on the good work of peace. No other motive could have induced me to undertake so long a journey as I have now performed, in my advanced age, and infirm state of health. I come from Lake Michigan. I hope, after our treaty is over, you will exchange our old medals, and supply us with General Washington's. My young men will no longer adhere to the old ones-they wish for the new. They have thrown off the British, and henceforth, will view the Americans as their only true friends. We come with a good heart, and hope you will supply us with provisions."

The General replied:-"I give you all a hearty welcome. I am particularly pleased with the appearance of so venerable a man as New Corn. You, young warriors, will, I am persuaded, pay the highest respect to the counsels of this aged chief. Your friend, The Sun, a Pottawattamie chief, will tell you, that yesterday, we kindled the council-firethat the roads are all clear, and that we only wait the arrival of the other expected chiefs, to begin the good work.

"You must be fatigued; I will not, therefore, detain you

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