HISTORICAL NOTES.



since appeared that deeds of cession were signed by them, in-
stead of treaties of peace.
  "1 Brothers: You then say, ' After some time it appears that
a number of people in your nations were dissatisfied with the
treaties of Fort McIntosh and Miami, therefore the council of
the United States appointed Governor St. Clair their commis-
sioner, with full power, for the purpose of removing all causes
of controversy, relating to trade, and settling boundaries, be-
tween the Indian nations in the northern department, and the
United States. He accordingly sent messages, inviting all the
nations concerned to meet him at a council fire he kindled at
the falls of the Muskingum. While he was waiting for them,
some mischief happened at that place, and the fire was put out:
so he kindled a council fire at Fort Harmar, where near six
hundred Indians of different nations, attended. The Six Na-
tions then renewed and confirmed the treaty of Fort Stanwix;
and the Wyandots and Delawares renewed and confirmed the
treaty of Fort McIntosh: some Ottawas, Chippewas, Potta-
wattamies, and Sacs, were also parties to the treaty of Fort
Harmar.'   Now, brothers, these are your words; and it is
necessary for us to make a short reply to them.
  ",Brothers: A general council of all the Indian confederacy
was held, as you well know, in the fall of the year 1788, at
this place; and that general council was invited by your com-
missioner Governor St. Clair, to meet him for the purpose of
holding a treaty, with regard to the lands mentioned by you
to have been ceded by the treaties of Fort Stanwix and Fort
McIntosh.
  ",Brothers: We are in possession of the speeches and letters
which passed on that occasion, between those deputed by the
confederate Indians, and Governor St. Clair, the commissioner
of the United States. These papers prove that your said com-
missioner, in the beginning of the year 1789, after having been
informed by the general council, of the preceding fall, that no
bargain or sale of any part of these Indian lands would be con-
sidered as valid or binding, unless agreed to by a general coun-
cil, nevertheless persisted in collecting together a few chiefs of



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