sary to the Interest of His Majesty and the British Empire. I have the Honor to be with the most perfect Respect, Sir,

Your most Obedient, & most humble St.

The Right Honble. Henry Dundas
One of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, &c., &c., &c.

J. G. SIMCOE.

Endorsed:-York, Upr. Canada. 10th Novr. 1793. Lt. Govr. Simcoe. R. 27th Jany, 1794. Ansd.

My Lord,

FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO LORD DORCHESTER.

YORK, Novr. 10, 1793.

Your Lordship will have been so fully apprised of the state of affairs relative to the Indian Nations, by the various dispatches of Mr. Hammond, and from the communications which have been from time to time made to His Excellency General Clarke, that it would be unnecessary in me to recapitulate them.

The enclosed letters which I received on the 9th of this month from Colonel England and Mr. McKee will inform your Lordship of the rapid advance of General Wayne's Army into the Indian Country.

Colonel Butler and Captain Brant, the Mohawk Chief, have been lately at this place, and I have endeavoured by the various conversations which I have held with them, by the confidential Communications of Col. McKee, and the opinions of such Officers, as attended at the assemblage of the Indians, to form a general Idea of the present critical Situation of the Indian Nations, for Your Lordship's Information. It will appear to Your Lordship in Col. McKee's report of the 22 Augt., that he had exerted himself to unite the Indian Nations to adopt the Muskingum Boundary as delineated to Your Lordship at Quebec in Augt. 1791, but that his endeavour was ineffectual. The Confederacy persevered in demanding that of the Ohio, which they had intimated to Mr. Washington by the Six Nations in their Speech of last year to be an alternative, on the compliance of which they consented to hold the Treaty at Sandusky, or on its refusal, determined to prosecute the War. Mr. Washington, as appears by his Answers, constantly avoided taking notice of this alternative, but simply acquiesced in the Meeting, after having attempted under false pretences to change the Place from Sandusky to the Miamis River.

The Indian Confederacy sent a deputation in July to the Commissioners of the United States, then at Niagara, to demand whether they had or had not the Power to establish the Line of the Ohio, which those Nations had made the express condition of their Meeting. Captain Brant delivered the Message, but not in a manner satisfactory to the Nations, and which, inconclusive as it was, the Commissioners in their Answer evaded. The result was that the Commissioners were invited to the Treaty. Brant's Conduct when he returned to the General Council was publicly and most strongly reprobated. After having suffered the Commissioners to wait a considerable time at the mouth of the Detroit River, for I did not think it proper or necessary to agree to the request of those Gentlemen that they should go to the Garrison, the Confederacy demanded a positive Answer

to the Question, on which, in fact, ought to have been delivered at Niagara. The refusal of the Ohio as a Boundary terminated all negotiation.

Colonel McKee represents in the strongest manner that he had attempted to unite the Indians to accede to the Muskingum Boundary, as the Six Nations had dissented from the requisition of the Ohio, and would no longer remain in the Confederacy should it refuse to adopt the Muskingum Boundary, but he represents that his exertions were to no purpose.

Lieut. Talbot whom I directed to accompany the Seven Nations from Canada to the Council, informs me, that on the 6 Nations' refusal to accede to the demand of the Ohio Line, as fixed upon by Sir William Johnson at Fort Stanwix, as they had sold part of this Country fairly to the States, but at the same time declaring that should the Confederacy agree to the Muskingum Boundary that they, the Six Nations, would assist them with all their force in obtaining that Line. Col. McKee called the leading Chiefs of the Western Indians into private Council, stated the Consequence of the Union, and that the Lands beyond the Muskingum were of no use to them, as they never hunted there. He advised them to agree to that Line, which the Six Nations had desired. The Chiefs admitted the validity of the reasoning, and said that they had insisted upon this Line for the Advantage of the Six Nations, but as their Brethren did not see it in that Light, they were willing to give it up. With this determination they retired from Colonel McKee's. The ensuing morning, they returned and informed him that they had been in Council the whole night considering his Advice, and that they and all the Indians, except the 6 Nations, were determined to have no other Boundary than that of Fort Stanwix. The Six Nations, it appears from Col. McKee's report, had made attempts to have the Commissioners admitted to the Council fire, previous to any determinate Line being fixed upon by the Confederacy, and that such a Line should become a matter of public Discussion: to this proposal the other Nations would not agree. The Six Nations had removed from the General Council Fire, and their general Conduct, particularly that of Capn. Brant, was highly dissatisfactory to the other Nations. To this Chief, Mr. Sheehan of the Indian Department, who, on Col. Butler's return, had the management of the 6 Nations, subordinately to Col. McKee, imputes the disunion of the Confederacy.

In the conversations that I have had with Captain Brant, he throws the whole blame of the Muskingum Boundary being rejected upon Col. McKee; he has done it in the most public and unqualified manner to all Persons, particularly to General Chapin, the Superintendent on the part of Congress, of the 6 Nations. He has seen my Instructions to Col. McKee, and in public Council, where he insidiously called upon him to declare his Sentiments relative to what Boundary it would be proper for the Indian Nations to demand, he heard that Gentleman in the most guarded manner declare that he was to assist the Indians in illustrating any former Transactions with the best Advice in his Power, but he did not think it necessary to give any advice relative to Lands or Boundaries, of whose value, they, the Indians, must themselves be the best judges. I pointed out to him, that Col. McKee had no reason to sully his character by denying any advice he thought prudent to give, as he was fully authorized to inculcate such opinions as appeared to him upon the Spot, or from his long Experience in Indian Affairs, to be for their general Interest.

I cannot My Lord, reconcile this studied endeavour of Captain Brant in throwing all the blame of the failure of Peace on Col. McKee, but from the consideration of what I believe to be a governing principle in the politics of this Chieftain, what he intimates in his Letters, dilates upon in his Conversation, and now exemplifies

in his Conduct, the wish of involving the British Empire in a quarrel with the United States.

In respect to the Ohio Boundary, upon my questioning Brant, what had made him change his Sentiments, which he had formerly communicated, that such should be the preliminary demand of the Indian Nations, and that secondarily they should recede from it, in favor of such Settlements as had really taken place beyond that River, he assures me that on his arrival at the Miamis, he soon found that the Potawatomies of Saint Joseph had received Belts from Vincennes and were determined on Peace at any rate; that the Lake Indians were not disposed for a Continuance of the War, and that he thought the claim of the Muskingum Boundary if acceded to by the States, would be ample for the Indian Nations, and if refused, would reunite them. Upon this principle he acted. In the enclosed Speech transmitted by General Chapin to Congress, in which he had taken care to state, that the encroachments made on the Creek Nation by the People of the States and not any internal difference, had disunited the Councils of the Confederacy

He said that the Shawanese had agreed to the Muskingum Boundary, but that they were diverted from it by Colonel McKee, as several Chiefs had informed him. As it appeared to be extremely improbable that the Congress would accede to the Boundary of the Muskingum, I endeavoured to obtain the best information of what would be the Conduct of the Six Nations and Lake Indians on its refusal. It does not appear that Brant had any decisive opinion on that Subject, or what would be the general Conduct of the Nation. He did not seem to suppose it probable that General Wayne would advance this Season. The Corn Planter and New Arrow pointed out this Boundary, and the Farmer's Brother insisted upon it in Council. These Chiefs are supposed to have the greatest influence in the Councils of the Six Nations. The situation of the Six Nations is peculiarly difficult, and they have to balance, whether they shall lose their Possessions immediately by taking up Arms against the States, or whether by suffering the Indian Confederacy to be crushed, they shall only protract for a short space the loss of their Country, which it will be hereafter impossible for them to protect, and which is too valuable not to attract the notice of Land Jobbers and a rapacious Government of which they have already experienced the Avarice and Violence. Should they remain Neutral, and by that means prevent the States from the occupation of Presqu' Isle, it might eventually be of great importance to the Confederacy, perhaps more so, than their open resistance; It appears that Pensylvania asserts her right to that important Harbour.

The Lake Indians have to consider that the Shawanese and Delawares, having been already driven from their homes, may be considered as migratory Tribes, and that should they retire from the Stations they at present occupy, whatever Territories these Nations possess within the bounds of the United States, would be totally at the mercy of that People. It is probable that the success or failure of General Wayne's present expedition will determine the Conduct of these several Nations, and it is possible that decisive events have already taken place.

It is the opinion of Colonel Butler, given to me prior to the information of Wayne's advance, that the Six Nations, when obliged to determine, would rather take part against the Confederacy, than against the United States. In a Message that Brant had sent to those Nations previous to his arrival at the Council fire at Buffaloe Creek, he had treated the Conduct of the British and the People of the United States as similar, solely attentive to their own Interest. Colonel Butler said he took occasion to contradict the Tenor of Brant's assertion, by appealing to the Indians themselves, and calling to their recollection the Instances of the King, their Father's constant Benevolence to them; the Colonel added, that all the Chiefs

and People immediately in the strongest terms acknowledged it, and proffered their attachment to the British Nation. Such has been their general Language and they have frequently asserted that they are as much attached to the King, their Father, as they have ever been, and that in the endeavour to procure a place they are acting agreeable to Your Lordship's Counsels.

The advance of the Army of the States and any Posts that Wayne may think proper to take Possession of, I presume, will not interrupt at present the harmony that subsists between His Majesty's Subjects and those of the United States, but it is impossible not to suppose that all the efforts of that Government which are now concentrated to divide the Indian Nations, will be equally employed to alienate them from the British Nation, should they be successful in their present attempt. It becomes necessary for me to State to Your Lordship, as I shall do to His Majesty's Ministers, that I think it necessary for the Protection of this Colony, the Bulwark of the British Empire in America, that the Positions which I have already detailed in my letter to Major General Clarke, of the 31 May, 1793, should be occupied with a competent Force, as soon as possible, I have, in a former dispatch to Mr. Secretary Dundas, stated my Ideas of the Nature of that Force, the completion of the Troops allotted for the defence of the Province to their present Establishment. The instant that London on the Thames should be occupied in Force, and as the Seat of Government, it will become the Centre to unite all the Indians living within the British Territories, and probably to secure what is at present a very secondary Consideration, the Traffic of those Nations, who by the means of the Lakes and Rivers shall have a ready access to it from the opposite shores: It will not escape Your Lordship that such a Position will have many advantages in respect to the United States, and that as the Public is in general prepared for my occupying it, and as it may be done without any ostensible increase of the Forces, it will not appear that Umbrage at the Approach of the Troops of the United States, or any Apprehension of their Power has occasioned such a Measure. Preparatory to such an event, should the King's Ministers approve of the Arrangements I have proposed and reinforce this Province so as to enable me to carry them into effect, a road is already cut to the Grand River, or Ouse, above Brant's Settlements, on the Road to the Thames, and by great exertions, I have but little doubt but that I could seat myself on the spot I have visited and think admirably suited for a CAPITAL by next winter; At the same period occupy a Station for Shipping at the Harbour of Long Point. But if any unforeseen circumstances prevent His Majesty's Ministers or Your Lordship from such an Augmentation of the Troops, as appear to me to be necessary, I shall make use of the discretion reposed in me, and remain in this most important Station.

Directions have been given to make out for Your Lordship the plans of the several Harbours and Communications that have been surveyed since my arrival in the Province, and, which the unfortunate illness of the Acting Surveyor General1 has prevented me from transmitting by the present opportunity. I propose to remain at this Place with the Queen's Rangers during the Winter. It will give me infinite satisfaction to have the opportunity of conversing with Your Lordship, of explaining my Ideas relative to the Military and Civil Establishments necessary to the separation of the Province, and by zealously entering into Your Lordship's Views, and by carrying into execution your Commands, contribute to His Majesty's Service and to the Benefit of this very important part of the British Empire. I have the honor to be, &c.

To H. Excy. Lord Dorchester.

1Lieut. D. W. Smith.

J. G. SIMCOE.

Sir,

FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO JOHN WENTWORTH.

YORK (LATE TORONTO) UPPER CANADA.

November 11th, 1793.

I take the earliest opportunity of informing Your Excellency that the negotiations between the American Indians and the United States having failed in the desirable purpose of establishing peace, I have this moment received advice from Colonel England that the Army of the States is advancing rapidly under the conduct of General Wayne into the Indian country. The Indians, it appears, had cut off a small convoy in the rear of that Officer's Army.

The Nations are divided in opinions. The Western Indians in alliance with the Creeks and Cherokee nations insisted upon the Boundary as established by Sir Wm. Johnson. The Six Nations and the Lake Indians seceded upon this being the determination of the Confederacy from the General Council. They contented themselves with the boundary to begin from the Mississippi, to follow the course of the Ohio up the Muskingum, and from thence it heads in a direct line to the Pensylvania boundary and following that boundary till it strikes the Genesee River at its forks to terminate in Lake Ontario. This as their ultimatum has been transmitted to Congress by General Chapin, the Superintendent of the United States. It is probable that success on the one part or the other in the present autumn will decide upon the future opinions of this secession from the Confederacy.

Should I indulge in a conjecture I should suppose that Wayne's present movement was merely an inroad preparatory to his turning his force against the Creeks and Southern Indians, so late is the season and so difficult it must be to establish Magazines in the face of the Indian Nations. But as I am not to judge of these people by the modes of European warfare, and know that they would recoil on the Army of the United States, whenever it should retreat, I am induced to believe that General Wayne, perfectly informed of the dissensions among the Nations, has wisely taken the opportunity and perhaps may be enabled to take post; as it is probable that during the late suspension of arms, he has filled his outposts with provisions necessary for his future establishments.

I have the honor to be with great respect,

Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant.
J. G. SIMCOE.

To His Excellency Lt. Governor Wentworth,

Nova Scotia.

FROM E. B. LITTLEHALES TO A. MACDONELL.

YORK, Novг. 11, 1793.

Sir, In reply to your letters of the 7 & 8 insts., which I was yesterday favored with, I have His Excellency's directions to acquaint you of his approbation of the 2 soldiers of the Queen's Rangers being detailed at the Salt Springs, under your superintendance, in the vicinity of Niagara, provided you take particular care that they behave well, and especially that they do not get any rum to injure their