20. That so soon as the several accounts are received by the President of Expenditure in establishing the first 60 Settlers, he shall immediately call a meeting of the Compy and vote an assessment to pay the same.

21. Resolved that in all settlements to be made of Lands to be given gratis the Lands shall be surveyed in farms of 200 Acres each and every fourth Lott be reserved as much as circumstances will admit for the future disposition of the Company. 22. Resolved that eight farms shall be surveyed of 400 Acres each in the most convenient place at the Discretion of the Agents in Canada to be drawn for by lot by each Proprietor saving however to Mr. Berczy his Choice before such Drawing for Convenience of farthering the Settlement.

OBSERVATIONS ON NIAGARA.

YORK, March 24th, 1794.

In adverting particularly to the defence of Niagara by increasing its strength, I beg leave to observe to Your Lordship that it appeared to me that a very considerable degree of damage occurred to that Fort towards the Lake, and all the surface water running off that way instead of into the River, and contributing by slow but constant wearing off of the top soil to the ravages attributed to the Lake.

I recommended an attention in this particular both to the Engineer and Major Smith.

In case of the Post being threatened with attack, I should have directed two fleches to have been constructed-one on each flank of the front towards the land, and close to the banks of the Lake and River, respectively, the one near the buryingground and the other by the side of the Lake nearly parallel to it.

I meant that these works should have a perfectly impassable abbatis in their front, covered from cannon-shot by a Glacis, and that they should be enclosed to the rear by pickets, barely musket-proof, and exposed to be instantly demolished by the guns of the Garrison, without the Enemy should they possess them, being able to include them in their Approaches. I also meant that small mines or Fougasses should be prepared in every part that it was possible they could be of service.

I wished also to form retired breast-works on the flank towards the Lake, and totally to divide the ground which the Merchant Storehouses occupy, by a breast-work formed of logs &c., &c., from the Fort to the Lake.

It was also my intent to form a Battery on the ruins of the old Wharf, to command the Harbour, and at the same time to flank any assault that might be made on the right of the work towards the River. This Battery I had intended the Queen's Rangers should have constructed, but their sickness prevented its possibility. Internally my Ideas were to shut up the land Post-Gate as useless and by Stockades to separate it from the rest of the Work, and occupy it as a Barrack in a similar manner as the Cavelier or square Tower.

In the opposite Bastion, by the Artillery, this too, I meant to be cut off by a similar Stockade. I have also an Idea, in case of Hostilities, of considering the Stone House as a separate Work, as making it bomb-proof, and to contain part of the Garrison. It would support light guns on the upper story, the wooden buildings would necessarily be destroyed. This Arrangement might necessarily be executed with the Assistance of the Country People in a few days. I conceive

it would not be expensive, and put the Fort out of all hazard of an Assault, and in a certain degree of preparation to stand a considerable siege, provided the opposite shore should remain in our possession. I talked much with Captain Glasgow on this Subject, and availed myself of his professional knowledge and experience. The natural weakness of Niagara consists of the Curvature of the Banks on both sides of the River, which affords positions for the artillery to consider well and concenter all their fire on the Fort, without the necessity of erecting Batteries or protecting Redoubts, offers means to drive all the floating craft out of the Harbour and almost saves the trouble of establishing a first parallel.

The ground, as it approaches the Fort admits upon the banks of the River and Lake of many hollows formed by the rain, for the placing a Mortar Battery. The soil is of a sandy nature, in which the approaches may be rapidly carried on; at the same time this circumstance affords the advantage of facilitating counterapproaches. The system upon the whole, which contemplating the Enemy, the Climate, and the facility or difficulty with which Ammunition may be obtained, I should be inclined to prefer as the best mode of defending Niagara.

J. G. SIMCOE.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN JOSEPH BRANT TO JOSEPH CHEW, SECRETARY OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DATED GRAND

RIVER, 25th MARCH, 1794.

"It has been my most Ardent Wish to Promote His Majesty's Interest in General among the different Tribes of Indians as far as my influence Extended, and as Sir John and you have a Perfect knowledge of my Proceedings heretofore.

I must beg leave to inform you that if the influence of Certain White Men had not been Prevalent in our Councils to the westward our affairs might have Terminated full as well as they are if not better, and I have ever observed that whenever Councils are held the Members of Which Consist of Natives only that they come nearer to the Point, have less trouble in deciding and are better Contented with the Proceedings, than where similar Views may Člash with their Interests and only serve to Create dissension.

It appears to me that it never was the intention that a meeting should take Place between the American Commissioners and us-but what the motive may be for the disappointment time must unfold, and as for my Part I was Clearly Prepared for the Business and from apparent circumstances we had nothing to dread from an interview, as I have the Vanity to think that I should never have Assented to any Proceedings by Which His Majesty's Interest might have received the least injury, indeed am sorry to inform you my feelings are much hurt when I seriously consider Every thing, as Conjectures might arise that no Confidence was Placed in me, and for that Very reason I would have taken Pleasure to Evince to the Contrary, by that Uniform Conduct Which I Ever Wish to Pursue When anything may be Expected at my hands. When the six nations returned from Miami last season we sent to Congress Proposals of having Muskingum River the Boundary Line, but as we received an Evasive Answer, it is not in my Power to inform you what the intention of Congress is in respecting this Business as they said they must deliberate on the matter, notwithstanding we required but a short answer from themYes or No.-We are now going to hold a Council at Buffaloe Creek and as Congress has not sent an Answer to our Proposals, it is my Opinion that the five nations (of which this Council is to Consist) will not attend the Proposed treaty at Venango,

S.C.-14

as I cant conceive it will tend to a great purpose, as probably those of the Five Nations now on the Genesee &c. (after the Council) will immediately remove on this side Niagara River, but my next letter will give you further knowledge of this Business.

About three years ago when the Western Country was invaded I went to their assistance, my Party was Necessitated for Mockasons, &c. I had to Purchase a Horse. I paid a Part and still remains fifty Dollars, therefore would Deem it a Singular favour if you would please to mention the matter to Lord Dorchester and procure an order to have the same discharged. I made the Purchase of Mr. Kinzie Silver Smith at the Miami and he will take goods for the Amount, and I shall be very happy if you will attend to the three young men who will deliver this as they receive no Other encouragement than Clothing &c. for such Services and Dare say you will not let them return discontented.

His Excellency Governor Simcoe has just now left my House on His Way to Detroit with Lord Dorchester's Speech to the Seven Nations, and have Every reason to believe when it is delivered that Matters will take an immediate Change to the Westward as it will undoubtedly give those Nations high spirits, and Enable them by a Perfect union to Check General Wayne if he advances any further, which appears to me will be the case as affairs now stand.

If the Caughnawagas was serious in their Expressions at the Council they Certainly ought now to come up, as we had not the least doubt of their Sincerity and hope that they will perfectly fulfill their promises.

MONTREAL, April 21st 1794.

A True Extract of the Letter Received the 19th Instant.

JOSEPH CHEW.

My Lord:

FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO LORD DORCHESTER.

UPPER CANADA, MOHAWK VILLAGE, GRAND RIVER, March 26th, 1794.

I do myself the pleasure of informing Your Lordship, that I shall proceed immediately from this place to Detroit, the River Thames being now open, as is generally supposed. On my arrival here yesterday, I was glad to find that Capn. Brant was perfectly recovered from his late very dangerous illness. Amongst the customary congratulations on my arrival, the Indians expressed their particular satisfaction on receiving Your Lordship's late Speech to the Seven Nations of Canada, as Deputies from the several Nations. Messages are to be sent off immediately announcing Brant's recovery to the Indians of Buffaloe Creek, O'Beal, and to say that he and the Grand River Indians are ready to meet them, as agreed upon, at Buffaloe Creek.

It seems to be the Opinion here, that the Six Nations will in the greater part (as they had intimated to Genl. Chapin) move over to this ground and refuse any more to attend the Council of the United States.

I do myself the honor of transmitting to Your Lordship, an extract of a communication made to me by the desire of Mr. Chittenden, the Governor of Vermont. Mr. Sherwood,' a Magistrate of this Province, was, I apprehend, confidentially

1Justus Sherwood.

employed by Genl. Haldimand, in the intercourse he held with the Inhabitants of Vermont.

In respect to the Message from Egushwai to Captn. Brant, he does not conceive it to have been expressed in those terms that Mr. Allen informed me he had delivered it; at the same time Brant says that being at that time very ill, he might not pay it the attention requisite. I have the honor to be, &c.,

Rt. Honble. Lord Dorchester.

J. G. SIMCOE.

GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE'S SPEECH TO THE SIX NATIONS.

To all the Sachems, Chiefs & Warriors of the Six Nations.

Brothers:

We have all to lament the unfortunate death of Captain Bigtree who put an end to his existence about two months since. I made every enquiry into the cause of his death, and ordered thirteen of my warriors to examine the Body, and give me their opinion in writing under their hands & seal, which I now send to you by our friend Mr. Rosecrantz.

A few days after his arrival three Delawares arrived at this Cantonment with a flag & message from the hostile Indians proposing to me to fix a time & place for holding a treaty in order to agree upon the terms on which peace should be made. I now send you a copy of that message together with my answer which will be delivered to you by Mr. Rosecrantz.

Captain Bigtree was present & heard the message from the hostile Indians to me, and my answer to that message.

I then made this short speech to the Delaware Messengers:

Nephews: I call you, because you have always acknowledged the Six Nations your uncles. I am pleased to find that your pride is lowered & that you begin to come to your reason, you were too proud last summer to listen to the Commissioners of the thirteen fires & your uncles.

I will only just inform you that the voice of the Thirteen fires is the voice of the Six Nations, therefore tell your chiefs & warriors to listen to the voice of their great chiefs. Tell them immediately to comply with his demands & deliver up all Prisoners within the course of thirty days, and not to neglect if they wish to see their children grow up to be men and women.

That same night Captain Bigtree had some angry talk with the Delawares, whether he ate and drank with them afterwards, or whether they gave him something which put him out of his reason afterwards I cannot tell, but certain it is that from that time to the moment of his Death he was melancholy & deranged untill the last moment of his death when stabbing himself with his own knife.

Brothers: I have now told you every thing that has taken place & all that was said to and with the hostile Indians, since which I have not seen or heard any thing further from them, except that they murder our People & steal our Horses whenever they have an opportunity, so that all prospect of peace is now done away. I have therefore every reason to believe that the only object the hostile Indians had in view was to Reconnoitre our Situation & to see our numbers & to gain time to collect their Warriors from their different hunting camps in order to fight us & continue the war.

Brothers: I was informed by Captain Bigtree that many of your people had died last Summer in consequence of something you had eat, when at the Council

with the hostile Indians at the Rapids of the Miami of the Lake & that my friend & Brother, the New Arrow is among the dead; and that my good friend Captain O'Bale was also near dying for which my heart has been sorry. This mode of making war is cowardly & base and Captain Bigtree was determined to have revenge had he lived-this they will know & are glad that he is dead.

Brothers: I have sent cloathing for the wife & daughter of Captain Bigtree by Mr. Rosecrantz and a Suit of mourning to his two brothers & a Rifle to each. I have also ordered the commanding officer of Fort Franklin to build a house for them & to give them plenty of Provisions & everything they may want & to provide & take care of them. ANTHONY WAYNE. Major General & Commander in Chief of the Legion of the United States.

Greenville, 26th March 1794.

FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON TO GEORGE CLINTON.

Dear Sir:

(Private.)

PHILADELPHIA, 31 March, 1794.

Your favor of the 20th instant, with its enclosures, came duly to hand, for which you have my particular thanks. As there are those, who affect to believe that Great Britain has no hostile intention towards this country, it is not surprising that there should be found among them characters who pronounce the speech of Lord Dorchester to the Indians to be spurious. No doubt, however, remains in my mind, of its authenticity. But, as it is important to be satisfied (so far as the nature of the thing will admit) of the fact, I would thank you for such information as you are enabled to give of this matter.

How far the disappointments, experienced by the combined powers in Europe, may have wrought a change in the political conduct of Great Britain towards this country, I shall not take upon me to decide. That it has worn a very hostile appearance latterly, if it has not been so uniformly, no one, I conceive, will be hardy enough to deny; and that Lord Dorchester has spoken the sentiments of the British cabinet, at the period he was instructed, I am as ready to believe. But, foiled as that ministry has been, whether it may not have changed its tone, as it respects us, is problematical. This, however, ought not to relax such inquiries on our part, as might enable us, if matters should come to extremities, to act promptly and with vigor.

Among these inquiries it appears important to me to know the present state of things in Upper and Lower Canada, that is, the composition of the inhabitants, especially in Upper Canada, how they stand affected to their government, and what part they would be disposed to act, if a rupture between this country and Great Britain should take place; the proximity of our settlements, from the northwestern to the northeastern part of the State of New York, with the Lake Ontario and the River St. Lawrence, the strength thereof, and of their neighbors on the other side of the line, regulars and militia, especially about Niagara and Oswego.

As you have, I am certain, a pretty accurate knowledge of many of these matters yourself, and have the means, from your acquaintance with characters, on whose adroitness and integrity you can rely, bordering on the British settlements, to obtain information from others, you would oblige me very much by such communications as relate to the above, or any other points that you may conceive worthy of attention. Ford, 12, pp. 409-10.