The Six Nations, in answer to the Chippewas, &c.

BROTHERS: We thank you, and, as soon as we get to our seats, we will kindle our council fire, and call Canadasago, our agent, appointed by the United States to meet with us, and, through him, will have our determination communicated to Congress.

The chiefs of the Six Nations to Colonel Butler and General Chapin :

BROTHERS: We have now made known to you our proceedings, at the late proposed treaty at the rapids of the Miami, and have informed you of the proposed line between the Indians and the United States, which, if accepted, we shall assist the white people to make a peace.

[Enclosure 2.]

Proceedings of a Council held at Buffalo Creek, October 10th, 1793.1

Present: John Butler, Esquire, Superintendent of Indian affairs; Israel Chapin, Esquire, Superintendent of Indian affairs, Northern Department United States, with the chiefs of the Six Nations.

The Farmer's Brother, in addition to what passed in council the 8th October, instant, addressed them as follows:

BROTHERS: I am sorry we were the other day obliged to close the council, as we expected the Mohawks would have been present, and could have assisted in giving a fuller explanation of the business we had called you together upon, than was, at that time, in our power; they are now arrived, and Captain Brandt will further inform you what we have to say.

Captain Brandt then spoke as follows:

BROTHERS: You, the King, our father, and you, our brother, the United States, attend to what we have to say. We will now explain to you the material point, upon which we have requested your attendance at this council, and which has not been fully explained. We wish to act openly, that the world may judge of our proceedings.

1American State Papers, Indian Affairs, Vol. I, p. 478.

BROTHERS: It is unnecessary to repeat what passed at the great council, at the Miami rapids, as we know that you are already acquainted therewith. We shall therefore point out the cause of our parting from the meeeting, in the manner we did.

BROTHERS: When the first deputation from the confederate Indians met the commissioners of the United States, at Niagara, every thing seemed to promise a friendly termination of the treaty; but, before their return to the council fire, at the rapids of the Miami, messengers from the Creek nations arrived there, and brought authentic information of the white people having encroached upon that part of the confederacy.

This intelligence at once gave a change to the face of our proceedings, and, probably, was the sole cause of the abrupt termination of the negotiations for peace. Thus, you see, that claims upon our lands always have been, and still continue to be, the cause of the war.

BROTHERS: About five years ago, we agreed upon a line of demarcation with the United States, which you know to be the Muskingum; and, notwithstanding the various accidents that have since occurred, we will still adhere to that boundary.

BROTHERS: We think the United States will agree to this line, which will shew the sincerity and justice they always profess for the Indians; should they agree to this, we sincerely hope that peace will still take place, and we think, that the weight of our branch of the confederacy will be able to accomplish peace upon the reasonable line we have just mentioned, and we shall be exceeding sorry to find that this proposal should not be generally accepted by the confederacy. If it is rejected, we must be involved in difficulties in our own country.

BROTHERS: We will now proceed to explain the line upon which we hope peace will be made. We know that the lands along the Ohio are claimed by the Indians, but we propose to give up such part of those lands as are actually settled and improved; which settlements are to be circumscribed by a line drawn round them, and no further claims are to be admitted beyond such line. The remainder of the boundary to be explained by General Chapin, for which purpose it is the general wish of the Six Nations that General Chapin will, himself, proceed with this speech to Congress. (A belt of black and white wampum.)

[Enclosure 3.]

Message from the Secretary of War to the Sachems, Chiefs, and Warriors, of the Six Nations.

BROTHERS: A copy of your proceedings at Buffalo creek, on the 8th day of October last, has been received by General Chapin. These proceedings contain the sentiments of several chiefs of the various tribes who were assembled at the great council fire, which was kindled at the rapids of the Miami the last summer.

And, in addition to this information, you add, in your meeting of the 10th of the same month, your desires of a boundary, which you say will be further explained by General Chapin.

All these communications have been submitted to your Father, General Washington, the President of the United States, who desires the Six Nations to receive his sincere and hearty thanks for their assurances and acts of friendship to the United States.

While your Father, the President, has observed with great pleasure the pains you have taken to effect a peace between the United States and the hostile Indians, he is, at the same time, very sorry that any circumstances should have prevented the accomplishment of a measure affecting the happiness of both parties. Peace is best for the whites as well as for the red people, and it is always the cause of sorrow among good men, when misunderstandings arise which create wars.

The United States consider that they have taken all the requisite means to obtain a peace, which their duty or their humanity required. They appointed respectable and wise characters as commissioners, who were accompanied by a deputation of friends, the known advocates for peace. Those commissioners, under discouraging circumstances, persevered, for a long time, to obtain an interview with the great council of the Indians. This being ineffectual, they made, in good faith, such liberal offers in writing, to ensure the future comfort and prosperity of the Indians, as were never before given to the Indians of North America.

These circumstances being known, forever acquit the character of the United States from all imputations of desiring a continuance of the war.

The same principles of moderation and humanity which before dictated the offers to the Indians, and a sincere friendship for the Six Nations, have induced your Father, the President, to consider attentively your proposition for a new boundary. Although the lines you mention are considered as liable to considerable objections, yet, it is hoped, when all difficulties shall be discussed at a treaty or conference, by moderate men, with upright views, that some agreement may be made which would lead to a general peace.

On this ground, the President consents that a conference should be held at Venango, on the 15th, or middle of May next.

It is expected that the chiefs of the Six Nations and Chippewas will attend, and the chiefs of all such of the Western tribes as the said Six Nations and Chippewas may invite. And, if the hostile tribes should think proper to attend, they will be well received and treated, as people ought to be who are holding friendly treaties.

But, it cannot be unknown to you, that, by the late abortive efforts to negotiate, the American army was restrained from offensive operations against those tribes, who appear deaf to the voice of reason and peace. Such a conduct will not be observed by the United States again. This must be clearly understood; let it be remembered, therefore, that there is no deception on our parts. Our army must be left entirely at liberty to act as circumstances may require. The scene of operations, however, will be far distant from Venango, the proposed place of meeting.

It is to be observed, that in case any of the Western Indians attend at Venango, it would be proper they should proceed by water, at least as far east as Presqu' Isle, and thence to French creek by land. It would be dangerous for them to proceed from the westward by land, for the same reason they gave last year, namely, that the said paths are bloody paths.

BROTHERS: If you agree to the time and place of meeting, it will be proper that you should immediately signify the same to General Chapin, that due preparations may be made at the said place.

Given at the city of Philadelphia, by order of the President of the United States, the 24th day of December, 1793.

H. KNOX, Secretary of War.

[Enclosure 4.]

To the Sachems, Chiefs, and Warriors, of the Six Nations.

BROTHERS: Your Father, General Washington, has directed, as an evidence of his affection, and a reward for your services the last summer, that you and your families should be well supplied with good warm clothing.

Your friend, General Chapin, has this clothing in possession, for the purpose of being delivered to you.

Receive, therefore, these presents, with the same affection and sincere friendship that they are delivered to you by the United States.

Given at the city of Philadelphia, by order of the President of the United States, the twenty-fourth day of December, 1793. H. KNOX, Secretary of War.

[Enclosure 5.]

Letter from Israel Chapin to the Secretary of War.

CANANDAIGUA, February 25th, 1794.

SIR: Enclosed are the proceedings of a council, holden at Buffalo creek, the 7th of this instant. There were present at the council, the principal sachems, chiefs, &c. of the Six Nations, together with one Shawanee Indian that attended the council. There were a number of the British, from Upper Canada, also, who attended the council, agreeable to the Indians' request, viz. Major Littlehales, and others, of the Indian department. I proceeded on business, agreeable to your direction. The speech