Dear Sir: FROM JOSEPH BRANT TO JOSEPH CHEW. NIAGARA, 24 Apr. 1794. I wrote you some days ago that we were going to Buffaloe Creek to answer a Speech from Genl. Knox inviting us to attend a treaty at Venango-my letter was in my Opinion not Sufficiently Explanatory-I therefore enclose you the Copy of what we gave in Answer to that Speech-and am happy to say that there never was greater Unanimity prevailed amongst the Six Nations than appeared at this Council being to a man determined in One Opinion-this is some what Pleasing to me to relate, and I dare say not less to you to hear-it is intended that those who live toward the frontiers Shall be Called in from their Present different Habitations in order that we may be more Compact and Connected, this we mean to do as Privately as Possible to Prevent the Americans suspecting our designs untill such time as the Business be Effected. I wrote you that I was indebted to Mr.Kinsey at Roche de Bout for Mockasons, &c. I shall be Glad to hear whether what I requested can be Granted. We have no intelligence from the Westward as no Vessells have arrived from Detroit. I cannot Conclude my letter without remarking on What I always held out that it would be more for the Interest of the Indians to remove to this side the Water than to remain where they are, this we will soon see as I have no doubt if there should be any disturbance a great many will. Joseph Chew, Esqr. I am &c. JOSEPH BRANT. Sir: FROM WILLIAM MACKAY TO GEORGE BECKWITH. Enclosed I have the Honor to transmitt the returns of Ships, clearances &c. of the vessels navigating Lake Ontario for the year 1793. At the same time I would wish through you to submit to His Excellency the Commander in Chief a report relative to a new vessel called the Simcoe registered at this Place the 28th of March last, The Property of the Firms Todd, Magill-Richardson & Forsyth Montreal, Hamilton & Cartwright Joseph Forsyth & Co. Kingston. She measures one hundred and Thirty Seven Tons, which Measurement is Forty Seven Tons more than is allowed to Private Vessels Navigating on this Lake. "As regulated by an ordinance of the Province bearing date the 19 July, 1788"-As the Preventing the New vessel from navigating till such Matter Might be regulated by a Superior Order Might prove detrimental not only to the Commercial Interest of Private Individuals as well as to the Owners, I did not take upon myself any Such Step but nevertheless as compatable with the duties of my office-I think it necessary to make this report, there is only at Present the vessel on Question, (Private Property sailling), the Lady Dorchester Tonage 120 or thereabouts is now in repair & two Small vessels building the one about fifty Tons and another at Niagara 60 Tonswill probably be ready to navigate in June next. Lt. Col. Beckwith. Adjt. General. I have the honor to be, &c. 1 Naval officer for Lake Ontario, formerly a lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion King's Royal Regiment of New York; died, 1801. Dear Sir: FROM JOHN BUTLER TO JOSEPH CHEW. NIAGARA, 27th April, 1794. I have to acquaint that a few days ago we had a full Council at Buffaloe Creek when all the principal Chiefs of the Six Nations were there assembled. They addressed themselves to General Chapin the Indian Agent of the United States in answer to a speech delivered to them last Fall by desire of Congress. I then addressed all the Chiefs in the following manner. Brothers: I have now attended your Council according to your invitation. I am happy and it gives me pleasure to see so full a Meeting and so many of the principal Chiefs together, and I particularly congratulate you on the recovery of our esteemed Captn. Brant and the Corn Planter, especially as I have now a Speech to deliver from your Father Lord Dorchester, which is of the utmost consequence, therefore desire you will pay strict attention to it. When I delivered the above speech they seemed very much pleased and returned a great many thanks to their Father for his attention to their interests. I afterwards addressed them as follows: Brothers: I have only a few more words to say to you. You have heard the great Talk of our going to War with the United States, and by the speech of your Father just now delivered to you, you cannot help seeing that there is a great prospect of it, I have therefore to recommend to you to be all Unanimous as one man and to call in all your people that may be scattered about the Territories of the United States, and be as near one another as possible; then you will be of as much consequence as ever. Above all I have to observe that should any person or persons endeavour by any means whatever to disunite you, that person or persons you must look on as your greatest enemy, as you may be certain, that nothing but sincere attachment to one another, and a steady conduct will enable you to follow the steps of your wise Fore Fathers, in which I hope the Great Spirit will assist you. With this Belt I surround the six Nations in order that they may be nearer together to consult their own Interests as all other nations do. You know the Americans will never even ask your Opinion, except for their own benefit, on the other hand you know the King your Father is always ready to serve you. A large Black Belt. Inclosed herewith you will please receive the answer which the Chiefs returned to Congress. I have heard nothing lately from the westward. His Excellency Col. Simcoe is daily Expected. We shall then hear something of their proceedings in that quarter which I will take the earliest opportunity of communicating to you. I have also invited the Corn Planter (Obail) and several other Chiefs down to this place in Order to Introduce them to the Governor, but as he has not arrived they propose returning to morrow. I was very happy to see so many of the Indians together at this meeting, and should their Services be wanted I am convinced, if proper attention is paid to them, they will be as faithful as ever. Joseph Chew, Esqr. I am, Sir, &c. JOHN BUTLER. DIARY OF JOURNEY TO DETROIT AND RETURN TO FORT ERIE. 1794. March 26th. Departed from the Grand River. April 27th. On the march. 28th. Reached the River La Tranche. 29th. Descending the River. 30th. Arrived in the Evening at the Delaware Village, encamped about two miles below it. 31st. Reached the Moravian Village. 1st. Mr. Dolson's. 2nd. Arrived at Detroit. 3, 4 and 5. At Detroit. 6th. Set off for the Miamis River, stopped at Captain Elliot's. 7th. To the River Raisin. 8th. Arrived at the Foot of the Rapids. 9 to 15. At Colonel McKee's. 16. At the mouth of the Miamis River. 17. Turtle Island. 18th. On board the Ottawa, encamped in the Evening on the West Sister. 19th. The Bass Islands. 20, 21 and 22. Encamped on the North Bass Islands. 23. Altered our position and encamped on the South Islands near Hope's Cove.1 24. In the afternoon went on board. 25 and 26. On Board. 27th. Arrived at Fort Erie in the morning and reached Niagara. REPLY TO AN ADDRESS FROM THE INHABITANTS ON THE THAMES. Gentlemen: I beg leave to offer you my thanks for the very obliging address with which you have favored me. Your expressions of personal confidence in me cannot fail to be highly gratifying. I shall do my best to render your respective situations as comfortable as possible, and I doubt not but the same Loyalty which you have heretofore so conspicuously shewn, will always render you faithful and peaceable subjects to your most beneficent Sovereign. Endorsed:-Answer to the address of the Inhabitants of the River La Tranche. EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF DAVID ZEISBERGER. Monday, March 31, 1794. Towards evening his excellency Gov. Simcoe arrived with a suite of officers and soldiers, and with eight Mohawks, from Niagara by water, and remained over night. He at once asked for our school-house as a lodging, for it was cold and during the day had snowed, but he was much pleased 1" Hope's Cove, one of the principal harbours in the Bass Islands, Lake Erie, close to St. George's Island." Smith, Gazetteer. when Br. Sensemann offered his house, where he then lodged together with his officers, two of whom had been here with him last year. Our sisters entertained them. The soldiers lay close by in the school-house, but the Mohawks were divided between two Indian houses, whom also our Indian brethren abundantly supplied with food. He was glad to see so many houses built since he was here, also that our Indians had cleared much land, and he praised their industry and labor. Still more, he wondered at seeing in the place such a great pile of lumber, and when he learned that it was destined for a meeting-house, and also that the Indian brothers and sisters had brought it on sledges without horses, he said: "Would that I could have seen this." Tuesday, April 1. After friendly leave-taking he set out for Detroit with four canoes. (Translation by Eugene F. Bliss, II. pp. 349-50.) FROM GEORGE HAMMOND TO JAMES BLAND BURGES. My dear Sir: PHILADELPHIA, April 28th, 1794. From my dispatch of this date you will perceive that the ferment in this country has not diminished since my last, and I must confess that if it continue to increase, I cannot be responsible for the preservation of peace with Great Britain for any definite period. I have, in regard to this dispatch as to every other during my residence here, deemed it a proper act of deference on my part to confine myself to facts, and to leave the reasoning upon them to my official superiors. To you, however, as a personal friend, I can express my conviction that whatever may be the result to which Mr. Jay's mission may lead, the conduct of His Majesty's Ministers may be satisfactorily explained not only to Great Britain but to Europe in general. The grievances which the commerce of this country has really sustained has been most preposterously magnified, and the rights, which she claims as a neutral power are extravagant indeed, when contrasted with the concessions of other Powers, neutral in former wars, and consequently ridiculous when asserted by a nation that has not the means of enforcing them. I am ever &c. GEO. HAMMOND. (Letters and Correspondence of Sir James Bland Burges, Bart., p. 217.) My Lord: FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO LORD DORCHESTER. NAVY HALL, UPPER CANADA, April 29th, 1794. I do myself the honor of informing Your Lordship, that on the 10th of April, I established a detachment of His Majesty's Troops on the Miamis River, agreeable to Your Lordship's directions, and in the position which will be explained to you by the enclosed sketch of Lieut. Pilkington's, the Engineer. Upon mature consideration of all existing circumstances, I have thought it proper to make the arrangement in the manner which is detailed in the enclosed instructions to Colonel England. Lieut. Pilkington accompanied me to this place on the 27th inst. The difficulty of obtaining workmen and there being few or no intrenching tools at Detroit, has occasioned his return that he may expedite the business, and take back with him all the Artificers of the 5th Regiment, such soldiers of the Queen's Rangers as he thinks proper, and all the Civil Artificers he can pro cure. The principle which I have adopted as the best means of preventing Mr. Wayne from forcing the passage of the Miamis, is by placing a Fort in such a position that it may be easy of access from the River, be readily supplied by Water Carriage with Provisions, and should it be invested that the Islands in the River and the distance of the opposite banks might afford opportunities of every collateral assistance being given to the Post by such force as could be collected, and which might possibly operate to advantage on some separate points, which so wide an extent of ground may probably be supposed to render assailable. Should Mr. Wayne leave the Post in his rear and move to Detroit it is apparent that he must give a fair opening for striking at his Communications for sixty miles in extent. Under this circumstance, I should immediately endeavour to occupy a camp at Turkey Point with all the force I could collect and unite, combining the advantage of our command of the Water and our superiority in Artillery. I have directed a Log House defensible against Sandusky to be built at Turtle Island, and another at the River Raisin, and merlons of logs in the hog-pen manner, to be provided at those Posts, which being filled as occasion shall require, will give the adequate means of speedily erecting Batteries, and in the mean time, these houses will become intermediate deposits, absolutely necessary to the security of the navigation. I have also desired Colonel England to pay particular attention to the instruction of as many soldiers as possible in the artillery exercise, and on the approach of Mr. Wayne I should not hesitate to withdraw from Detroit all the troops but those sufficient to defend Fort Lernoult, and most certainly to drive away or consume all the cattle in the vicinity. I do not find, My Lord, that the Sandusky or any other River affords by its collateral branches any means of striking into Wayne's rear, should he descend the Miamis. It seems probable that should he penetrate as far as Roche de Bout, he would then change his direction, at least if the possession of Detroit be his aim, and passing by the heads of the small rivers which run between the Detroit and the Miamis, without the intervention of any difficult ground from swamps or thick woods, he would then have an easy march of not more than sixty miles to the Detroit. If therefore sufficient time be allowed for the properly fortifying of the Miamis Fort, and that its Guns shall be of a larger calibre than what Mr. Wayne can bring against it, I should hope that Your Lordship's views on the establishment of a Post on the Miamis would be as successful as they are decisive and provident. In a sketch which is now transmitted, Your Lordship will perceive the Islands in Lake Erie laid down with a greater degree of accuracy than I apprehend they have hitherto been delineated. A contrary wind which detained us there, enabled Lieutenant Pilkington to accomplish this sketch. In Hope's Cove protected by St. George's Island, there is a very secure winter harbour for our shipping. I cannot but say, that I am not without apprehension of such respectable pieces of ordnance as eighteen pounders being trusted at Fort Lernoult, I would rather wish them brought back to Niagara, as the whole of these Posts, those on the Detroit, the Miamis, and even the Islands are frozen up in the Winter. A |