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I have not heard anything of Captain Hendrick since he left Buffalo creek; hope he is safe. Captain Brandt is recovering his health, and, from information, I think it will be re-established in a short time.

I leave this place this day for the Oneida and Stockbridge villages; and should nothing extraordinary take place, I intend being in Philadelphia by the 20th of next month, unless I should receive your directions to the contrary.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

ISRAEL CHAPIN.

EXHIBIT 45.

Captain Joseph Brandt to General Chapin.'

NIAGARA, July 28th, 1792.

SIR: I arrived here on the 24th instant, without any thing remarkable occurring on the way, and only have to say that the Seven Nations of Canada and the Senecas are now waiting at fort Erie for the arrival of a vessel to take them to Detroit, on their way to the Miamis, at which place numbers of Indians are already collected, and others joining daily. From every information I can get, they all seem determined upon a new boundary line, without which I am apprehensive difficulties will be found before a peace will be established. From some conversation with the Fish Carrier and the Onondaga Chief, they wish much that justice may be done relative to the lands, which business has already been explained, and to you they look as a person in authority. I expect to be able to go up by the next return of the vessel, and hope the route will in future be taken that I pointed out as the safest for messengers in future to be sent. Major Trueman, I am sorry to have to say, is no more; being going with a message, was met by an Indian man and boy hunting, the latter of whom killed him; a circumstance I much regret.

1American State Papers, Indian Affairs, Vol. I, p. 243.

EXHIBIT 46.

The Secretary of War to the President of the United States.1

WAR DEPARTMENT, December 6th, 1792.

SIR: In explanation of the speeches from the chiefs of the Six Nations, herewith submitted, it may be proper to observe, that Jasper Parish, who is a temporary interpreter to those tribes, informs verbally, that the said chiefs returned from the hostile tribes to Buffalo Creek about the last of October. That they immediately sent a runner to General Chapin, the temporary agent to the Six Nations, and who resides at Canandaigua, about ninety or one hundred miles distant. That he being absent, his son and the interpreter repaired to Buffalo Creek, where they received the said speeches.

Besides the papers transmitted by Mr. Chapin, the interpreter says, that a list of the tribes which composed the council at the Au Glaize, on the Miami river of Lake Erie, was taken by Mr. Chapin, but he omitted to transmit it.

He was informed by the chiefs of the Six Nations, that, at the council of the hostile Indians, which was numerous, but the numbers not specified, no other white person was admitted but Simon Girty, whom they considered as one of themselves.

That the chiefs of the Shawanese were the only speakers, on the part of the hostile Indians, and Red Jacket, the Seneca Chief, the only speaker on the part of the friendly Indians.

That Captain Brandt did not arrive at the Au Glaize until after the council had broken up, which, probably, by a comparison of circumstances, happened about the 10th or 12th of October.

That Captain Hendricks, the chief of the Stockbridge Indians, had proved unfaithful, having delivered the message, belt, and map, with which he was entrusted for the hostile Indians, to Mr. McKee, the British Indian agent, and that the said Hendricks did not repair to the council at all.

The said Jasper Parish also adds, that Red Jacket was exceedingly desirous of repairing to Philadelphia in person, but Mr. Chapin apprehending the expenses, persuaded him to the contrary. This circumstance is exceedingly to be regretted, as further information and explanations would be highly desirable

1American State Papers, Indian Affairs, Vol. I, p. 322.

at this moment, in order to judge with greater precision of the meaning of the speeches, which may have suffered in the translation, as well as in other respects.

I have the honor to be, sir, with the highest respect, your obedient and humble servant,

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

H. KNOX, Secretary of War.

EXHIBIT 47.

Israel Chapin, Jr., to the Secretary of War.1

CANANDAIGUA, November 22, 1792.

SIR: Enclosed are the speeches of the Western Indians to the Six Nations, as also their speeches delivered to me in council, at Buffalo creek, which will be handed you by Mr. Parish, who is employed by the United States as an interpreter to my father.

You will observe by them, the mode the Indians wish to have pursued, to hold a council next spring; perhaps Mr. Parish can give you some information, which is not noted in the speeches, though I think every observation is minuted.

There were a number of gentlemen from Niagara, who attended the council at Buffalo creek, amongst which, was Colonel Butler, the Indian agent under the British Government, who, in some of his leisure hours, expressed himself, that unless proper means were taken, a lasting peace could not take place; but if the United States' proposals are honorable, he would give every assistance in his power, but if otherwise, he should prevent a peace taking place.

Major Littletrates, who represented Governor Simcoe, assured me it was the disposition of the Governor to give every assistance in his power to procure peace on equitable terms.

I am, sir, with every sentiment of respect and esteem,

Your humble servant,

HON. HENRY KNOX, ESQ.

ISRL. CHAPIN, JR.

'American State Papers, Indian Affairs, Vol. I, p. 323.

[Enclosure 1.]

Speeches from the Western Indians to the Secretary of War.

BUFFALO CREEK, November 16, 1792. BROTHERS, PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND KING'S PEOPLE, take notice!

Last winter the President took us by the hand, and led us to the council fire, at Philadelphia; there they made known to us their friendship, and requested of us to proceed to the Westward, and to use our influence to make peace with the hostile Indians: we went accordingly, and made known to them our agreement.

When we returned from Philadelphia to Buffalo creek, the chiefs that remained at home on their seats, was well pleased with what we had done at Philadelphia; and after we had determined to proceed on our journey, some of our chiefs was detained on account of sickness.

BROTHERS, PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND KING'S PEOPLE: After we arrived at the Westward, we met with an agreeable reception; they informed us we was their oldest brothers, and appeared as the sun risen on them, as they always looked to them for advice.

It is now four years since we have heard your voices, and should be happy now to hear what you have to relate to us.

The Six Nations then requested of the Western Indians what they had to relate to them, as they kindled the council fire.

The Western Indians replied: About four years since your voices came to us, desiring us to combine ourselves together, as we was the eldest people of this island, and all of one color, that our minds may be one.

This they informed us they had attended to, and exhibited a large bunch of wampum to prove the same, from each nation.

To confirm it still further, they informed us we sent them a pipe, which passed through all the nations at the west and southward; all smoked out of it, both women and children; and as this pipe has been through the nations, and all smoked out of it, they then returned it to us, and bid us to smoke out of it ourselves.

BROTHERS: Listen once to your eldest brothers: Our forefathers have handed down to us, that we are one people, on one color, on this island, and ought to be of one mind, and had made our minds strong and had become as one people in peace and friendship.

This being done, our chiefs agreed to hand it down to future posterity, and the same combination to continue down to them.

The nation called the Unions, took a brand from our fire and kindled it, and became a people with us; then we considered ourselves as one people, combined together.

And now there is a white people on this island who are watching our conduct; but let us attend to our own concerns, and brighten the chain of friendship with our nations: and as our minds are one, let us consider future posterity, and not consider those young warriors who are in the prime of life, and so much engaged in the pursuit of land, &c. which is the cause of so much difficulty at present. BROTHERS: Consider your country, which is good, and conduct yourselves in such a manner as to keep it to yourselves and terity.

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Now, BROTHERS: You present us the pipe you say your oldest brothers sent you; you say your head chiefs all smoked out of it, and returning it to us again, all took it, and smoked out of it ourselves, in friendship. Now, as we are thus combined together, we are able to lift a heavy burden.

SHAWANEE NATION. Our eldest Brothers: We have heard what you have related-we have heard it with attention; we consider it as if you delivered it from the outside of your lips; although you consider us your younger brothers, your seats are not at such a distance, but what we can see your conduct plainly; these are the reasons why we consider you to speak from the outside of your lips; for whenever you hear the voice of the United States, you immediately take your packs and attend their councils.

We see plainly folded under your arm the voice of the United States-wish you to unfold it to us, that we may see it freely and consult on it. (Speaking on a string of wampum of three strings, throwing it across the fire to us, instead of handing it in a friendly manner.)

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