extracts from the speeches of the Seneca and Ottawa nations of Indians.

With great respect, sir, your obedient servant,

Hon. SAMUEL MCKEE,

W. EUSTIS.

Chairman.

[Sub-Enclosure 1.]

Extract of a speech of Red Jacket, in behalf of himself and the other deputies of the Six Nations.—Taken from the interpretation of Mr. Jasper Parrish, in presence of Erastus Granger, U. S. Agent to the Six Nations. Washington City, February 13th, 1810.

BROTHER: At the time we were making bright the chain of friendship at Canandaigua, the commissioner on your part told us, that the time might come when your enemies would endeavor to disturb our minds, and do away the friendship we had then formed with you. That time, Brother, has already arrived. Since you have had some disputes with the British Government, their agents in Canada have not only endeavored to make the Indians at the westward your enemies, but they have sent a war belt amongst our warriors, to poison their minds, and make them break their faith with you. This belt we exhibited to your agents in council, and then sent it to the place from whence it came, never more to be seen among us. At the same time, we had information that the British had circulated war belts among the Western Indians, and within your territory. We rested not, but called a general council of the Six Nations, and resolved to let our voice be heard among our Western brethren, and destroy the effects of the poison scattered among them. We have twice sent large deputations to their council fire, for the purpose of making their minds strong in their friendship with your nation; and, in the event of a war between the white people, to sit still on their seats, and take no part on either side: so far as our voice has been heard, they have agreed to hearken to our counsel, and remain at peace with your nation.

BROTHER: If war should take place, we hope you will inform us of it through your agents, and we will continue to raise our influence with all the Indians with whom we are acquainted, that they will sit still upon their seats, and cultivate friendship with our people.

(Signed by all the Chiefs.)

[Sub-enclosure 2.]

Extract from the speech of the Ottawa nation of Indians, delivered to the Secretary of War, by their delegation, on the 5th of October, 1811.

FATHER: A man of the Pattawatamy nation, who pretends to be a prophet among us, has frequently endeavored to stir up a hostile disposition in our minds towards the American people. He has very lately sent a speech to us and the Chippewa nation, fraught with bad and foolish advice.

FATHER: Our ears are closed to those bad birds which sing around us, and we have returned for answer, that whosoever listened to the advice of the Prophet or his followers, would be destroyed by the American people.

Sir:

EXHIBIT 76.

William Eustis to the President of the United States.1

WAR DEPARTMENT, June 22d, 1812.

I have the honor to lay before you, extracts of letters from the Governors of territories, and other agents, "respecting the hostile and friendly movements and intentions of the Indians towards the United States," in conformity to a resolution of the honorable the Senate, passed June 19th, 1812.

THE PRESIDENT.

WILLIAM EUSTIS.

[Enclosure 1.]

Extract from a Letter of William Wells, dated Fort Wayne, 10th February, 1812.

The Pattawatamy chief, Marpack, has been in the neighborhood of Malden since August last; he now is near the white

1American State Papers, Indian Affairs, Vol. I, p. 804.

settlement, on the river Raisin, in Michigan territory, and visits Malden every eight or ten days. He has about one hundred and twenty of the best warriors in this country with him, stationed in such a manner, as to be unobserved by the whites; that is to say, eight or ten in one place, fifteen or twenty in another, and so on; but within such distance of each other, as to enable him to collect them all in twenty-four hours. I know this chief is hostile inclined towards the United States, and have no hesitation in saying, that he is kept at that place by the British agents at Malden; and in case the United States have war with that Power, this chief will attack our settlements immediately. I believe many of the warriors that fought Governor Harrison, have, and are now about to join him.

[Enclosure 2.]

Extracts from a Letter of William Wells, dated Fort Wayne, Ist March, 1812.

In my letter of the 10th ultimo, I informed you that the Indian chief, Tecumseh, had arrived on the Wabash. I have now to state to you, that it appears that he has determined to raise all the Indians he can, immediately, with an intention, no doubt, to attack our frontiers. He has sent runners to raise the Indians on the Illinois, and the upper Mississippi; and I am told has gone himself, to hurry on the aid he was promised by the Cherokees and Creeks.

The Prophet's orator, who is considered the third man in this hostile band, passed within twelve miles of this place, on the 23d ultimo, with eight Shawanese, eight Winnebagoes, and seven Kickapoos, in all twenty-four, on their way as they say to Sandusky; where they expected to receive a quantity of powder and lead, from their father the British.

[Enclosure 3.]

Extract of a Letter from J. Rhea, Captain Thirteenth Regiment of Infantry, dated Fort Wayne, March 14, 1812.

You say, if we have a British war we shall have an Indian war. From the best information I can get, I have every reason to believe we shall have an Indian war this spring, whether we have a British war or not. I am told the Indians are making every preparation. There is certainly a very deep plan going on among the Indians.

[Enclosure 4.]

Extract of a letter from Captain J. Whistler, dated Fort Detroit, April 2, 1812.

Lieutenant Eastman arrived here on the evening of the 29th ultimo, from Cincinnati, and about six miles on this side of the foot of the Miami rapids, he met twenty-four Indians (who were in the action against Governor Harrison.) They were on their return from Malden, and had been there for a length of time this winter, and had, when Mr. Eastman met them, each a new stand of arms; some of them were rifles, others smooth bore; also a quantity of ammunition. One of those Indians has shown in this town several wounds he had received in the action.

[Enclosure 5.]

Extract of a letter from General William Clark, dated St. Louis, March 22, 1812.

The Winnebago bands, part of the Kickapoos, and some of the Pattawatamies, are yet friendly to the Prophet, and may join him again in the spring. His brother Tecumseh returned from the Southern tribes in December last; he made great exertions to get the Shawanese and Delawares of this territory to join the Prophet's

party, but without success. He proceeded to the Sacs and Sioux country, where his councils have been more attended to.

The Prophet's combination is not the only one we have to watch in this quarter. I strongly suspect a coalition of the Pattawatamies will take place, under that vile fellow called the Marpack, who has been all the winter at fort Madison, and no doubt has received his lesson, as he has sent runners to his nation, informing them, among other excitements, that he will play a new game with the Americans. The point where they are to build their town is at some small lakes, sixty miles northwest of Chicago.

I am informed through the Indians, that some of the Senecas, of Upper Canada, are coming over, either to join the Prophet, or reside with the Sacs, whom they have applied to for lands.

[Enclosure 6.]

From Erastus Granger, Agent to the Six Nations.

BUFFALO, April 18, 1812.

SIR: I have held a council with the Six Nations of Indians, since my return; they are well satisfied with what you have done for them, and are determined to hold the the United States fast by the hand.

BUFFALO, May 6, 1812.

SIR: I had the honor of receiving your letter of the 7th ultimo, relating to a report that one hundred and fifty, or more, of the Indians under my agency, are expected to join the hostile Indians this spring.

From my own observations, and the assurances made me by the chiefs, I am confident that not a single warrior of the Six Nations, living within the United States, has expressed a wish to join the unfriendly Indians, to the westward.

BUFFALO, May 30, 1812. SIR: On the 29th instant I closed a council with the Six Nations of Indians; we had been four days in council.

The Senecas received their money from the United States. The Cayugas and Onondagoes, were paid their annuities from the State of New York.