the period will be short, and those who remain shall be kindly treated." On the Ouiatenon reservation: "The Little Beaver has asked for Captain Prior to reside, as a trader, at Ouiatenon: he shall reside at that place; but Captain Prior is a warrior, not a trader. He shall have a few warriors with him, to protect the trade and the Indians in that quarter." On the reservation at Detroit: "Masass has asked, what will become of the French? The United States consider the French and themselves as one people; and it is partly for them and their accommodation, this reservation is made, whenever they become citizens thereof, as well as for the people of the fifteen fires." On the gift of the Isle de Bois Blanc: "In addition to the cessions which the three fires have made with such cheerfulness, of the reservations in their country, Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish has in their name, made a voluntary gift to the United States, of the Isle de Bois Blanc, in Lake Michigan. The fifteen fires accept of this unasked for grant from the Ottawas, Chippewas, and Pottawattamies, according to their intentions; and will always view it as an unequivocal mark of their sincere friendship." On trade: "The Little Turtle yesterday expressed a wish, that some of their former traders might be continued among them as a part of the number to be licensed by the United States. This is very fair and reasonable, and a certain number will be licensed accordingly, when properly recommended as good and honest men." General Wayne then said, "Brothers: All you nations now present, listen! You now have had, a second time, the proposed articles of treaty read and explained to you. It is now time for the negotiation to draw to a conclusion. I shall therefore ask each nation individually, if they approve of, and are prepared to sign, those articles, in their present form, that they may be immediately engrossed for that purpose. I shall begin with the Chippewas, who, with the others who approbate the measure, will signify their assent. You, Chippewas, do you approve of these articles of treaty, and are you prepared to sign them? [A unanimous answer-yes.] You, Ottawas, do you agree? [A unanimous answer-yes.] You, Pottawattamies? [A unanimous answer-yes.] You, Wyandots, do you agree? [A unanimous answer-yes.] You, Delawares? [A unanimous answer-yes.] You, Shawanees? [A unanimous answer-yes.] You, Miamies, do you agree? [A unanimous answer-yes.] You, Weas? [A unanimous answer yes.] And you, Kickapoos, do you agree? [A unanimous answer-yes.] The treaty shall be engrossed; and, as it will require two or three days to do it properly, on parchment, we will now part, to meet on the 2d of August: in the interim, we will eat, drink, and rejoice, and thank the Great Spirit for the happy stage this good work has arrived at." - On the 3d of August, 1795, the treaty was signed by the sachems, chiefs, and principal men, of the Indian nations who inhabited the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio; and to each nation, respectively, a copy of the treaty, on paper, was delivered. A large quantity of goods, and many small ornaments, were then distributed among the Indians. On the 10th of August, in council, General Wayne, at the close of a short speech, said, "I now fervently pray to the Great Spirit, that the peace now established may be permanent, and that it may hold us together in the bonds of friendship, until time shall be no more. I also pray that the Great Spirit above may enlighten your minds, and open your eyes to your true happiness, that your children may learn to cultivate the earth, and enjoy the fruits of peace and industry. As it is probable, my children, that we shall not soon meet again in public council, I take this opportunity of bidding you all an affectionate farewell, and of wishing you a safe and happy return to your respective homes and families." Thus the treaty of Greenville was concluded in a manner which was satisfactory to the government of the United States and acceptable to the Indian tribes who inhabited the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio. Information of the treaty, and of the pacific disposition of the Indians, was soon spread among the people of the eastern states of the American confederacy; and a full and constant tide of emigration began to flow from those states into the northwestern territory. Of the emigrants, some settled in the Western Reserve of Connecticut; some selected favorite sites on the banks of the Ohio; the rich valleys of the rivers Scioto and Muskingum were settled by others; and many, attracted by the fame. of the fertile region which lies between the two Miami rivers, settled at various eligible places within the boundaries of Symmes' Purchase. On the 29th day of May, 1795, Governor St. Clair and two judges of the northwestern territory, (John Cleves Symmes and George Turner,) met at Cincinnati, in their Legislative capacity. In the course of their session, which ended on the 25th of August, 1795, they adopted and made thirty-eight laws, under the following titles, to wit: I. A law subjecting real estate to execution for debt.[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] II. — A law allowing domestic attachments. - [Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] III. — A law regulating domestic attachments.-[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] IV.-A law for the easy and speedy recovery of small debts. -[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] V.-A law concerning defalcation.-[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] VI. A law for the trial and punishment of larceny, under a dollar and a half.-[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] The first section of this law contains the following declaration: "If any person shall be convicted, either by his or her own confession, or the testimony of credible evidence, before any two justices of the peace, in their respective counties, of having feloniously stolen any money, goods, or chattels, (the same being under the value of five shillings, now equal to one hundred and fifty cents,) the offender shall have judgment, to be immediately and publicly whipped, upon his or her bare back, not exceeding fifteen lashes; or be fined in any sum, at the discretion of the said justices, not exceeding three dollars; and, if able to make restitution, besides, to the party wronged; paying also the charges of prosecution and whipping: or, otherwise, shall be sent to the workhouse, to be kept at hard labor; and, for want of such workhouse, to be committed to prison, for such charges, for a term not exceeding twelve days." VII.-A law to prevent unnecessary delays in causes, after issue joined.[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] VIII.-A law establishing courts of judicature.-[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] IX.-A law for the limitation of actions.-[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] X.-A law for the relief of persons conscientiously scrupulous to take an oath in the common form.-[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] XI.-A law for the recovery of fines and forfeitures, and directing how the same are to be estreated.-[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] XII. A law ascertaining and regulating the fees of the several officers and persons therein named.-[Adopted from the New York and Pennsylvania codes.] XIII. — A law for establishing orphans' courts. — [Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] XIV. A law for the settlement of intestates' estates. [Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] XV. A law to license and regulate taverns.-[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] XVI. — A law establishing the recorder's office.-[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] XVII. — A law for raising county rates and levies.-[Founded on, and adopted from, the Pennsylvania code.] XVIII.-A law for the relief of the poor.-[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] XIX. A law concerning the probate of wills, written or nuncupative.[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] XX. A law regulating enclosures.-[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] XXI.-A law as to the order of paying debts of persons deceased.-[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] XXII. - A law concerning trespassing animals.-[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] XXIII.-A law directing how husband and wife may convey their estates.[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] XXIV. A law for the speedy assignment of dower.[Adopted from the Massachusetts code.] - XXV.-A law giving remedies in equity, in certain cases. -[Adopted from the Massachusetts code.] XXVI. - A law against forcible entry and detainer.[Adopted from the Massachusetts code.] - XXVII.-A law annulling the distinction between petit treason and murder.-[Adopted from the Massachusetts code.] XXVIII. — A law declaring what laws shall be in force.— [Adopted from the Virginia code.] This law was comprised in the following words: "The common law of England, all statutes or acts of the British Parliament made in aid of the common law, prior to the fourth year of the reign of King James the First (and which are of a general nature, not local to that kingdom,) and also the several laws in force in this Territory, shall be the rule of decision, and shall be considered as of full force, until repealed by Legislative authority, or disapproved of by Congress." XXIX.-A law to prevent trespassing by cutting of timber. -[Adopted from the Pennsylvania code.] XXX.-A law repealing certain laws and acts, and parts of laws and acts. XXXI.-A law respecting divorces. [Adopted from the Massachusetts code.] XXXII. - A law for the partition of lands. - [Adopted from the New York code.] XXXIII.-A law allowing foreign attachments. -[Adopted from the New Jersey code.] XXXIV. A law concerning the duty and power of coroners.-[Adopted from the Massachusetts code.] |