Stark County, Ohio - Chapter 6 (1 of 2 so headed), 1881

AMERICAN OCCUPATION - INDIAN CLAIMS - SURVEYS - EARLY LAND COMRAXIES- COMPACT OF 1787 - ORGANIZATION OF THE TERRITORY- EARLY AMERICAN SETTLEMENTS IN THE OHIO VALLEY - FIRST TERRITORIAL OFFICERS - ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES.

THE oceupntion of the West by the Amoriean. really dates from the campaign of Gen. Clarke in 1778, when he captured the British posts in the Illinois country, and Vincennes on the Wabash. Had he been properly supported, he would have reduced Detroit, then in easy reach, and poorly defended. As it was, however, that post remained in charge of the British till after the close of the war of the Revolution. They also held other lake posts ; but these were included in the terms of peace, and came into the possession of the Americans. They were abandoned by the British as soon as the different commanders received notice from their chiefs, and British rule and English occupation cea.sed in that part of the New World.

The war virtually clo.sed by the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va., October 19, 1781. The struggle was prolonged, however, by the British, in the vain hope that they could retrieve the disaster, but it was only a useless waste of men and money. America would not be subdued. "If we are to be taxed, we will be represented," said they, "else we will be a free government, and regulate our own taxes." In the end, they were free.

Provisional articles of peace between the United States and Great Britain were signed in Paris on the oOth of November, 1782. This was followed by an armistice negotiated at Versailles on the 20th of January, 1783; and finally, a definite treaty of peace was concluded at Paris on the .3d of the next September, and ratified by Congress on the -Ith of January, 1784. By the second article of the definite treaty of- 1783, the boundaries of the United States were fixed. A glance at the map of that day shows the boundary to have been as follows: Beginning at Passama(]uoddy Bay, on the coast of IMaino, the line ran north a little above the fortyfifth parallel of latitude, when it diverged southwesterly, irregularly, until it reached that parallel, when it followed it until it reached the St. Lawrence River. It followed that river to Lake Ontario, down its center ; up the Niagara River ; through Lake Erie, up the Detroit River and through Lakes Huron and Superior, to the northwest extremity of the latter. Then it pursued another irregular western course to the Lake of the Woods, when it turned southward to the Mississippi River. The commissioners insisted that should be the western boundary, as the lakes were the northern. It followed the ]Mississippi south until the mouth of Red River was reached, when, turning east, it followed almost a direct line to the Atlantic Coast, touching the coast a little north of the outlet of St. John's River.

At this date, there existed the original thirteen colonies : Virginia occupying all Kentucky and all the Northwest, save abouthalf of Michigan and Wisconsin, claimed by IMassachusetts; and the upper part of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and the lower part (a narrow strip ) of Michigan, claimed by CVmnecticut. Georgia included all of Alabama and IMississipjii. The Spaniards claimed all Florida and a narrow j)art of lower Georgia. All the country west of the Father of Waters belonged to Spain, to whom it had been secretly ceded when the family c()ni|iact was made. That nation controlled the ]\Ii>.4N>i|i|ii. and gave no small uneasiness to tlie young gnvrniiiic lit. It was, however, happily settled finally, by the sale of Louisana to the United States.

Pending the settlement of these questions and the formation of th;- Federal Union, the cession of the Northwest by Virginia again came before Congress. That body found itself unable to fulfill its promises to its soldiers regarding land, and again urgc^d the Olil Dominion to cede the Territory to tin' ( icncral (Jdvoriuiunt, for the good of all. Congress fdiliade settlers from occupying the Western lands till a definite cession had been made, and the title to the lands in question made good. But speculation was stronger than law, and without waiting for the slow processes of courts.

the adventurous settlers were pourins;; into the country at a rapid rate, only retarded by the rifle and scalping-kuifb of the savage - a temporary chock. The polic}' of allowing any parties to obtain land from the Indians was strongly discounigctl by Washington. Ho advocated the idea that only the General Government could do that, and, in a letter to James Duane, in Congress, he strongly urged such a course, and pointed out the danger of a border war, unless some such measure was stringently followed.

Under the circumstances. Congress pressed the claims of cessiim upon Virginia, and finally induced the Dominion to modify the terms proposed two years before. On the 20th of December, 17'33, \'irgiuia accepted the proposal of Congress, and authorized her delegates to m;ike a deed to the United States of all her right in the territory northwest of the Ohio.

The Old Dominion stipulated in her deed of cession, that the territory should bo divided into States, to be admitted into the Union a.s any other State, and to bear a proportionate share in the maintenance of that Union; that Virginia should be rc-iml)ursed for the expen.se incurred in subduing the British po.sts in the territory; that the French and Canadian inhabitants should be protected in their rights ; that the grant to Gen. George Rogers Clarke and his men, as well us all other similar grants, should be confirmed, and tiiat the lands should be considered as the common property of the United States, the proceeds to be applied to the use of the whole country. Congress accepted these conditions, and the deed was made March 1, 1784. Thus the country came from under the dominion of Virginia, and became common property.

A serious difficulty arose about this time, that threatened for awhile to involve England and America anew in war. Virginia and several other States refused to abide by that part of the treaty relating to the paymimt of debts, especially so, when the British carried away quite a number of negroes claimed by the Americans. This refusal on the part of the Old Dominion and her abettors, caused the English to retain her Northwestern outposts, Detroit, Mackinaw, etc. She held these till 178G, when the questions were finally settled, and then readily abandoned them.

The return of peace greatly augmented emigration to the West, especially to Kentucky. When the war closed, the pojtulation of that county ( the three counties having been made one judicial district, and Danville designated as the seat of government) was estimated to be about twelve thousand. In one year, ailer the close of the war, it increased to 30,000, and steps for a State government were taken. Owing to the divided sentiment among its citizens, its perplexing (|uestions of laud titles and proprietary rights, nine conventions were held before a definite course of action could be reached. This prolonged the time till 1792, when, in December of that year, the election for persons to form a State constitution was held, and the vexed and comj)licated C|uestions settled. In 1783, the first wagons bearing merchandise came across the mountains. Their contents were received on flatboats at Pitt.sburgh. and taken down the Ohio to Louisville, which that spring boasted of a store, opened by Daniel Broadliead. The next year, James Wilkinson opened one at Lexington.

Pittsburgh was now the principal town in the West. It occuj)ied the same position regarding the outposts that Omaha ha,s done for several years to Nebraska. The town of Pittsburgh was laid out immediately after the war of 1764, by Col. Campbell. It then consisted of four squares about the fort, and received its name from that citadel. The treaty with the Six Nations in 1768, conveyed to the j)roprietaries of Pennsj'lvania all the lands of the Alleghany below Kittanniug, and all the country south of the Ohio, within the limits of Penn's charter. This deed of cession was recognized when the line between Pennsylvania and Virginia was fixed, and gave the post to the Keystone State. In accordance with this deed, the manor of Pittsburgh was withdrawn from market in 1769, and was lield as the property of the Penn family. When Washington visited it in 1770, it seems to have declined in consei(uence of the afbre-mentioned act. He mentions it as a '-town of about twenty log houses, on the Monongahela, about three hundred j'ards from the fort." The Penn's remained true to the King, and hence all their laud that had not been surveyed and returned to the land office, was confiscated by the commonwealth. Pittsburgh, having been surveyed, was still left to them. In the spring of 1784, Tench Francis, the agent of the Penns, was induced to lay out the manor into lots and offer them for sale. Though, for many years, the place was rather unpromising, it eventually became the chief town in that part of the West, a position it yet holds. In 1786, John Scull and Joseph ILlll started the I'lttsburgh Gaxtite, the first ]iaper jiubli.shed west of the mountains. In the initial number, appeared a lengthy article from the pen of II. II. Brackenridge, afterward one of the must prominent mouiborrf of the Peunsylvauui bar. He had loeated in Pittsburgh in 1781. His letter gives a most hopeful ])rospect in store for the future city, and is a highly descriptive article of the Western country. It is yet preserved in the "Western Annals," and is well worth a perusal.

Under the act of peace in 1783, no provision was made by the British for their allies, especially the Six Nations. The question wa.s ignored by the English, and was made a handle by the Americans in gaining them to their cause before the war had fully closed. The treaties made were regarded by the Indians as alliances only, and when the English left the country the Indians began to assume rather a hostile bearing. This excited the whites, and for a while a war with that formidable confoili'raey was imminent. Bettor councils prevailed, anil (Ji ingress \vi.sely adopted the policy of acquiring their lands by purchase. In accordance with this policy, a treaty was made at Fort Stanwix with the Six Nations, in October, 1784:. By this treaty, all lands west of a line drawn from the mouth of (Jswego Creek, about four miles east of Niagara, to the mouth of Buffalo Creek, and on to the northern boundary of Pennsylvania, thence west along that boundary to its western extremity, thence south to the Ohio Biver, should be ceded to the United States. (They claimed west of this line by conquest.) The Six Nations were to be secured in the lands they inhabited, reserving only six miles square around Oswego fort for the sujjport of the same. By this treaty, the indefinite claiiii uf the Six Nations to the West was extinguished, and the question of its ownership settled.

It was now occupied by other Western tribes, who did not recognize the Iro(|unis claim, and who would not yield without a purchase. Esp(_'cially was this the case with those Indians living in the northern part. To get possession of that country by the same process, the United States, through its cnniniissioncre, held a treaty at Fort Blclntosh on the lilst of January, 1785. The Wyandot, Drlaware, Chippewa and Ottawa tribes were present, and, through their chiefs, sold their lands to the Government. The Wyandot and Delaware nations were given a reservation in the north part (if < )hio, wluTo they were to be protected. The others were allotted reservations in Michigan. To all was given complete control of their lands, allowing them to punish any white man attempting to settle thereon, and guaranteeing them in their risfhts.

By such means Congress gained Indian titles to the vast realms north of the Ohio, and, a few months later, that legislation was commenced that should determine the mode of its dispoisal and the plan of its settlements.

To facilitate the settlement of lands thus acquired. Congress, on May 20, 1785, passed an act for disposing of lands in the Northwest Territory. Its main provisions were : A surveyor or surveyors should be appointed from the States ; and a geographer, and his assistants to act with them. The surveyors were to divide the territory into townships of six miles square, by lines running due north and south, and east and west. The starting-place was to be on the Ohio River, at a point wiiere the western boundary of Pennsylvania crossed it. This would give the first range, and the first township. As soon as seven townships were surveyed, the maps and plats of the same were to be sent to the Board of the Treasury, who would record them and proceed to place the land in the market, and so on with all the townships as fast as they could be prcpiirrd ready for sale. Each township was to be divided into thirty-six sections, or lots. Out of the.se sections, numbers 8, 11, 2(j and 29 were reserved for the use of the Government, and lot No. K!, fur the establishment of a commonschool fund. ()ne-thiril(il'all niiiu'sand iiiinerals was also reservedfor the United States. . Three townships on Lake Erie were reserved for the use of officers, men and others, refugees from Canada and from Nova Scotia, who were entitled to grants of land. The Moravian Indians were also exempt fi-om molestation, and guaranteed in their homes. Soldiers' claims, and all others of a like nature, were also recognized, and land reserved for them.

Without waiting for the act of Ci ingress, settlers had been pouring into the country, and, when ordered by Congress to leave undisturbed Indian lands, reftised to do so. They went into the Indian country at their peril, however, and when driven out by the Indians could get no redress from the Government, even when life was lost.

The Indians on the Wabash made a treaty at Fort Finney, on the Miami, January 31, 178t), promising allegiance to the United States, and were allowed a reservation. This treaty did not include the Piankeshaws, as was at first intended. These, refusing to live peaceably, stirred up the Shawanees, who began a series of predatory excursions against the settlements. This led to an expedition against them and other restless tribes. Gen. Clarke commanded part of the army on that expedition.

but p;ot no ferthcr than \'in(vnius, when, owing to tlie discontent of his Kentueivy troops, he was obHged to return. Col. Benjamin Logan, however, marched, at the liead of tour or five hundred mounted riflemen, into the Indian country, i>enetrating ;is far as tlio head-waters of Mad River. He destroyed several towns, much corn, and took about eighty prisoners. Among these, was the chief of the nation, who was wantonly slain, greatly to Logau's regret, who could imt restrain his men. His expedition taught the Indians submission, and that they must adhere to their contracts.

.^I^ an while, the difficulties of the navigation of i\:r M;--i.-^ippi arose. Spain would not relimiui.-ih the ri-!it lo control the entire southern part of the river, allowing no free navigation. She was secretly hoping to cause a revolt of the Western provinces, especially Kentucky, and openly favored such a move. She also claimed, by cou(|Uest, much of the land on the east side of the river. The slow movementjs of Congress; the failure of Virginia to properly protect Kentucky, and the inherent restlessness iu some of the Western men, well-nigh j)recijiitated matters, and, for a while, serious results were imminent. The Kcntuckiaus, and, indeed, all the people of the West, were determined the river should be free, and even went so far as to raise a regiment, and forcibly seize Siianish property in the West. Great Britain stood ready, too, to aid the West should it succeed, jiroviding it would make an alliance with her. But while the excitement was at its height, Wa.shington counseled better ways and patience. The decisive time of the new republic, though almost overwhelmed with a burden of debt, and with no credit, debarred the Spanish from too forcible measures to assert their claims, and held back the disloyal ones from attempting a revolt.

Xiw i'ork, Massachusetts and Connecticut ceded their lauds, and now the United States were ready to fulfill their promises of land grants, to the soldiers who had preserved the nation. This did much to heal the breach in the West, and restore confidence there; .so that the ]\Ii.ssissippi (|Uestion was overlooked for a time, aud Kentucky forgot her animosities.

The cession of their claims was the signal for the formation of land companies in the Ivust ; companies whose object was to settle the Western country, and, at the same time, enrich the founders of the companies. Some of these companies had been formed in the old colonial da^s, but the recent war had put a stop to all tluir jiroceedings. Congress would not recognize their claims, and new companies, under old names, were the result. By such means, the Ohio Company emerged from the past, and. in 17^>t), took an active existence.

Benjamin Tuppcr, a Revolutionary soldier, and since then a government surveyor, who had been west as far as Pittsburgh, revived the question. He w;is prevented from pro.se(;utiug his surveys by hostile Indians, and returned to Ma.ssachusctts. He broached a plan to Gen. Rufus Putnam, as to the renewal of their memorial of 1783. which resulted in the publication of a plan, aud inviting all those interested, to meet in February in their respective counties, and choose delegates to a convention to be helil at the Buncli-of-grapes Tavern." in Boston, on the first of March, 1786. On the day appointed, eleven persons appeared, and by the iJd of March an outline was drawn up, and subscriptions jinder it began at once. The leading features of the i)lan were : " A fund of S 1 ,O0(),(IUU, mainly in Continental certificates, was to be raised for the purpose of purchasing lands in the Western country; there were to be 1,000 shares of $1,000 each, and upon each share $10 in specie were to be paid for contingent expenses. One year's interest was to be appropriated to the charges of making a settlement, and assisting those unable to move without aid. The owners of every twenty shares were to choose an agent to represent them and attend to their interests, and the agents were to choose the directors. The plan was ajjproved, and in a year's time from that date, the Company was organized."*

By the time this Company was organized, all claims of the colonies in th(! coveted tt'rritory were done away with by their deeds of cession, Connecticut being tlie last.

While troubles were still existing south of the Ohio River, regarding the navigation of the Mississipjii, and many urged the formation of a separate, independent State, and while Congress and Washington were doing what they could to allay the feeling north of the Ohio, the New England associates were busily engaged, now that a Company was formed, to obtain the land they wished to purchase. On the 8th of March, 1787, a meeting of the agents chose Gen. Parsons, Gen. Putnam and the Rev. Mann:us.soh Cutler, Directors for the Company. The last selection was quite a fitting one for such an enterprise. Dr. Cutler was an accomplished scholar, au excellent gentleman, and a firm believer in freedom. In the choice of him as the agent of the Company, lies the fact, though unforeseen, of the beginning of anti-slavery in America. Through him the famous " compact of 1787," the true corner-stone of the Northwest, originated, and by him was safely passed. He was a good "wire-puller," too, and in this had an advantage. Mr. Hutchins was at this time the gc( iiirapher for the United States, and was, probaljly, the best-posted man in America regarding the West. Dr. Cutler learned from him that the most desirable portions were on the jMuskingum River, north of the Ohio, and was advised by him to buy there if he coukl.

Congress wanted money badly, and many of the members favored the plan. The Southern members, generally, were hostile to it, as the Doctor would listen to no grant which did not embody the New England ideas in the charter. These members were finally won over, some bribery being used, and some of their favorites made officers of the Territory, whose formation was now going on. This took time, however, and Dr. Cutler, becoming impatient, declared they would purchase from some of the States, who held small tracts in various parts of the West. This intimation brought the tardy ones to time, and, on the 23d of July, Congress authorized the Treasury Board to make the contract. On the 26th, Messrs. Cutler and Sargent, on behalf of the Company, stated in writing their conditions; and on the 27th, Congress referred their letter to the Board, and an order of the same date was obtained. Of this Dr. Cutler's journal says:

" By this gTant we obtained near five millions of acres of land, amounting to $.3,500,000 ; 1 ,500,- 000 acres for the Ohio Company, and the remainder for a private speculation, in which many of the principal characters of America are concerned. Without connecting this peculation, similar terms and advantages for the Ohio Company could not have been obtained."

Messrs. Cutler and Sargent at onee closed a verbal contract with the Treasury Board, which was executed in form on the 27th of the next October.*

By this contract, the va.st region bounded on the .south by the Ohio, west by the Scioto, east by the seventh range of townships then surveying, and north by a due west line, drawn from the north boundary of the tenth township from the Ohio, direct to the Scioto, was sold to the Ohio associates and their secret copartners, for $1 per acre, subject to a deduction of one-third for bad lands and other contingencies.

The whole tract was not, however, paid for nor taken by the Company - even their own portion of a million and a half acres, and extending west to the eighteenth range of townships, was not taken ; and in 1792, the boundaries of the purchase proper were fixed as follows : the Ohio on the south, the seventh range of townships on the east, the sixteenth range on the west, and a line on the north so drawn as to make the grant 750,000 acres, besides reservations ; this grant being the portion which it was originally agreed the Company might enter into at once. In addition to this, 214,285 acres were granted as army bounties, under the resolutions of 1779 and 1780, and 100,000 acres as bounties to actual settlers; both of the latter tracts being within the original grant of 1787, and adjoining the purchase as before mentioned.

While these things were progressing. Congress was bringing into form an ordinance for the government and social organization of the Northwest Territory. Virginia made her cession in March, 1784, and during the month following the plan for the temporary government of the newly acquired territory came under discussion. On the 1 9th of April, Mr. Spaight, of North Carolina, moved to strike from the plan reported by Jlr. Jefierson, the emancipationist of his day, a provision for the prohibition of slavery north of the Ohio after the year 1800. The motion prevailed. From that day till the 23d, the plan was discussed and altered, and finally passed unanimously with the exception of South Carolina. The South would have slavery, or defeat every measure. Thus this hideous monster early began to assert himself. By the proposed plan, the Territory was to have been divided into States by parallels of latitude and meridian lines. This division, it was thought, would make ten States, whose names were as follows, beginning at the northwest corner, and going southwardly : Sylvania, Michigania, Cheresonisus, Assenispia, Metropotamia, Illinoia, Saratoga, Washington, Polypotamia and Pelisipia.*

A more serious difiiculty existed, however, to this plan, than its catalogue of names - the number of States and their boundaries. The root of the evil was in the resolution passed by Congress in October,

1 TSfl, wliich fixed the size of the States to be formed from the ceded lands, at one hundred to one hundred and fifty miles sijuare. The terms of tliat resolution being called up both by Virj^inia and Massachusetts, furtlier legislation was deemed necessary to change them. July 7, 1780, this subject came up in Congress, and a resolution passed in favor of a division into not less than three nor more than five States. Virginia, at the close of 1788, assented to this proposition, which became the basis upon which the division should be made. On the 29th of September, Congress having thus changed the plan for dividing the Northwestern Territor}' into ten St;ites, proceeded again to consider the terms of an ordinance for the government of tliat region. At this juncture, the genius of Dr. Cutler displayed itself. A graduate in medicine, law and divinity ; an ardent lover of liberty ; a celebrated scientist, and an accomplished, portly gentleman, of whom the Southern senators said they had never before seen so fine a specimen from the New England colonies, no man was better prepared to form a government for the new Territory, than he. The Ohio Company was hLs real object. He was backed by them, and enough Continental money to purchase more than a million acres of land. This was augmented by other parties until, as has been noticed, he represented over five million acres. This would largely reduce the public debt. Jefferson and Virginia were regarded as authority concerning the land Virginia had just ceded to the General Government. Jefierson s policy w;is to provide for the national credit, and still check the growth of slavery. Here was a good opportunity. Ma.ssachusetts owned the Territory of Maine, which she was crowding into market. She opposed the opening of the Northwest. This stirred Virginia. The South caught the inspu'ation and rallied around the Old Dominion and Dr. Cutler. Thereby he gained the credit and good will of the South, an auxiliary he used to good purpose. Mas.saehu.setts could not vote against him, because many of the constituents of her members were interested in the Ohio Company. Thus the Doctor, using all the arts of the lobbyist, was enabled to hold the situation. True to deeper convictions, he dictated one of the most compact and finished documents of wise statesmanship that h;x3 ever adorned any statute-book. Jefferson g'.ve it the term, "Articles of Compact," and rendered him valuable aid in its construction. This " Compact" preceded the Federal Con.stitution, in b(ith of which are seen Jefferson's master-mind. Dr. Cutler followed closely the constitution of Mass;ichusetts, adopted three years before. The prominent features were : The exclusion of slavery from tjio Territory forever. Provision for public schools, giving one townshi]i for a seminary, and every si.xteentli section. (That gave one thirty-sixth of all the laud ibr public education. j A prcjvision prohibiting the adoption of any c<mstitution or the enactment of any law that would nullify pre-existing contracts.

The compact further declared that " Keligion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall always be encouraged."

The Doctor planted himself firmly on this platform, and would not yield. It was that or nothing. Unless they could make the land desirable, it was not wanted, and, taking his horse and buggy, he started for the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. His iufliience succeeded. On the 13th of July, 1787, the bill was put upon its passage and was unanimously adopted. Every member from the South voted for it ; only one man, Mr. Yates, of New York, voted against the measure ; but as the vote was made by States, his vote was lost, and the " Compact of 1787 " was beyond repeal. Thus the great States of the Northwest Territory were consecrated to freedom, intelligence and morality. This act was the opening step for freedom in America. Soon the South saw their blunder, and endeavored, by all their power, to repeal the compact. In 1803, Congress referred it to a committee, of which John Randolph was chairman. He re])orted the ordinance was a compact and could not be repealed. Thus it stood, like a rock, in the way of slavery, which still, in spite of these provisions, endeavored to plant that infernal institution in the West. Witness the early days of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. But the compact could n(jt be violated ; New England ideas could not bo put down, and her sons stood ready to defend the soil of the ^Vest from that curse.

The pa.ssage of the ordinance and the grant of land to Dr. Cutler and his a-ssociates, were soon followed by a request fi-om John Cleve Symmes, of New Jersey, for the country between the Jliamis. Symmes had visitird that partof the Westin 1781), and, being pleased with the valleys of the Miamis, had apj)lie(i to the Board of the Treasury for their purchase, as soon as they were open to settlement. The Board was empowered to act by Congress, and, in 1788, a contract was signed, giving him the country he desired. The terms of his l)uroba.se were similar to those of the Ohio Company. His appHcation was followed by others, whose success or failure will appear in the narrative.

The New England or Ohio Company was all this time busily engaged perfecting its arrangements to occupy its lands. The Directors agreed to reserve 5,760 acres near the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum for a city and commons, for the old ideas of the English plan of settling a country yet prevailed. A meeting of the Directors was held at Bracket's taveru, in Boston, November 23, 1787, when four surveyors, and tweuty-two attendants, boat-builders, carpenters, blacksmiths and common workmen, numbering in all forty persons, wore engaged. Their tools were l)urchased, and wagons were obtained to transport them across the mountains. Gen. Kufus Putnam was made superintendent of the company, and Ebenezer Sproat, of Rhode Island, Anselm Tupper and John Matthews, from Massachusetts, and R. J. Meigs, fiom Connecticut, as surveyors. At the same meeting, a suitable person to instruct them in religion, and prepare the way to open a school when needed, was selected. This was Rev. Daniel Storey, who became the first New England minister in the Northwest.

The Indians were watching this outgrowth of affairs, and felt, from what tliey could learn in Kentucky, that they would be gradually surrounded by the whites. This they did not relish, by any means, and gave the settlements south of the Oliio no little uneasiness. It was thought best to hold another treaty with them. In the mean time, to insure peace, the Governor of Virginia, and Congress, placed troops at Venango, Forts Pitt and Mcintosh, and at Miami, Vinccnnes, Louisville, and Muskingum, and the militia of Kentucky were held in readiness should a sudden outbreak occur. These measures produced no results, save insuring the safety of the whites, and not until January, 1789, was Clarke able to carry out his plans. During that mt)nth, he held a meeting at Fort Harmar,* at the mouth of the Muskingum, where the New England Colony expected to locate.

* Fort Harmar was built in 17S5, by a detachment of United States soldiers, under command of Maj. John Dongbty. It was named in honor of Col. Josiah llarmar, to whoso regmi'.nt Maj. Doughty was attached. It wad the fii-at military post erected by the Americans within tlie limits of Ohio, except Fort Laurens, a temporary structure built in 1778. When Marietta was founded it was the military post of that part of the country, and was for many years an importatit station.

nam and forty-seven pioneers advanced to the mouth of the Youghiogheny River, and began building a boat for transportation down the Ohio in the spring. The boat was the largest craft, that had ever descended the river, and, in allusion to their Pilgrim Fathers, it w;is called the Mayflower. It was 45 feet long and 12 feet wide, and estimated at 50 tons burden. Truly a formidable afl'air for the time. The bows were raking and curved like a galley, and were strongly timbered. The sides were made bullet-proof, and it was covered with a deck roof Capt. Devol, the first shipbuilder in the West, was placed in command. On tlie 2d of April, the Mayflower was launched, and for five days the little band of pioneers sailed di:)wu the jMonongahela and the Ohio, and, on the 7.th, landed at the mouth of the Muskingum. There, opposite Fort Harmar, they chose a location, moored their boat for a temporary shelter, and began to erect houses for their occupation.

Thus was begun th(5 first English settlement in the Ohio Valley. About the 1st of July, they were re-enforced by the arrival of a colony from Massachusetts. It had been nine weeks on the way. It had hauled its wagons and driven its stock to Wheeling, where, constructing flat-boats, it had floated down the river to the settlement.

In October preceding this occurrence, Arthur . St. Clair had been appointed Governor of the Territory by Congress, which body also appointed Winthrop Sargent, Secretary, and Samuel H. Parsons, James ftl. Varnum and John Armstrong Judges. Subsequently Blr. Armstrong declined the appointment, and jMr. Symmes was given the vacancy. None of these were on the ground when the first settlement was made, though the Judges came soou after. One of the first things the colony found necessary to do was to organize some form of government, whereby difficulties might be settled, though to the credit of the colony it may be said, that during the first three months of its existence but one difference arose, and that was settled by a compromise.* Indeed, hardly a better set of men for the purpose could have been selected. Washington wrote concerning this colony :

"No colony in America was ever settled under such favorable auspices as that which has commenced at the Muskingum. Information, property and strength will be its characteristics. I know many of the settlers personally, and there

On the 2d of July, a meeting of the Directors and agents was held on the banks of the Muskingum for the purpose of naming the newborn city and its squares. As yet, the settlement had been merely "The Muskingum;" but the name Marietta was now formally given it, in honor of Marie Antoinette. The square upon which the blockhouses stood was called Campus Martins; Square No. 19, CapitoUum ; Square No. 01, Cecilia, and the great road running through the covert-way. Sacra Via* Surely, classical scholars were not scarce in the colony.

On the Fourth, an oration was delivered by James M. Varnum, one of the Judges, and a public demonstration held. Five da^'s afler, the Governor arrived, and the colony began to assume form. The ordinance of 1787 provided two distinct giades of government, under the first of which the whole power was under the Governor and the three Judges. This form was at once recognized on the arrival of St. Clair. The first law established by this court was passed on the 25th of July. It established and regulated the militia of the Territory. The next day after its publication, appeared the Governor's proclamation erecting all the country that had been ceded by the Indians east of the Scioto River, into the county of Washington. Marietta was, of course, the county seat, and, from that day, went on prosperously. On September 2, the first court was held with becoming ceremonies. It is thus related in the American Pioneer:

"The procession was formed at the Point ("where the most of the settlers resided), in the following order: The High Sheriff, with his drawn sword; the citizens; the officers of the garrison at Fort Harmar; the members of the bar; the Supreme Judges; the Governor and clergyman ; the newly appointed Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, Gens. Ilufus Putnam and Benjamin Tupper.

"They marched up the path that had been cleared through the forest to Campus Martins Hall (stockade ), where the whole countermarched, and the Judges (Putnam and Tupper) took their seats. The clergyman, Rev. Dr. Cutler, then invoked the di\-ine blessing. The Sheriff, Col. Kbenezer Sproat, proclaimed with his solemn 'Oh yes!' that a court is oj>en for the administration of even-handed justice, to the poor and to the rich, to the guilty and to the innocent, without respect of persons; none to be punished without a trial of their peers, and then in pursuance of the laws and evidence in the case.

" Although this scene was exhibited thus early in the settlement of the West, few ev(!r ecpaled it in the dignity and exalted character of its principal participators. Many of them belonged U) the history of our country in the darkest, as well as the most splendid, period of the Revolutionary war."

Many Indians were gathered at the same time to witness the (to themj strange spectacle, and for the purpose of forming a treaty, though how fiir they canied this out, the Pioneer does not relate.

"The progress of the settlement is sufficiently rapid for the first year. We are continually erecting houses, but arrivals are constantly coming faster than we can possibly provid(! convenient covering. Our first ball was opened about the middle of December, at which were fifteen ladies, as well accomplished in the manner of polite circles as any I have ever seen in the old(!r States. I mention this to show the progress of society in this new world, where, I believe, we shall vie with, if not excel, the old States in every accomplishment necessary to render life agreeable and happy." ^

The emigration westward at this time was, indeed, exceedingly large. The commander at Fort Harmar reported 4,500 persons as having passed that post between February and June, 1788, many of whom would have stopped there, had the associates been ])ro(iarcd to receive them. The settlement was free from Indian depredations until January, 1791, during which interval it daily increased in numbers and strength.

Symmcs and his friends were not idle during this time. He had secured his contract in October, 1787, and, soon after, issued a j)amphlct stating the terms of his purchase and the mode he intended to follow in the di.sposid of the lauds. His plan wus, to issue warrants for not less than one-quarter .section, which might be located anywhere, save on reservations, or on land previously entered. The locator could enter an entire section should he desire to do so. The price was to be CO5 cents per acre till ?Iay, 1788 ; then, till November, §1 ; and after that time to be regulated by the demand for land. Each purchaser was bound to begin improvements within two years, or forfeit one-sixth of the land to whoever would settle thereon and remain seven years. Military bounties might be taken in this, as in the purchase of the associates. For himself, Symmes reserved one township near the mouth of the Miami. On this he intended to build a great city, rivaling any Eastern port. He offered any one a lot on which to build a house, providing he would remain three years. Continental certificates were rising, owing to the demand for land created by these two purchases, and Congress found the burden of debt correspondingly lessened. Symmes scion began to experience difficulty in procuring enough to meet his payments. He had also some trouble in arranging his boundary with the Board of the Ti'easury. These, and other causes, laid the foundation for another city, which is now what Symmes hoped his city would one day be.

In January, 1788, Mathias Denman, of New Jersey, took an interest in Symmes' purchase, and located, among other tracts, the sections upon which Cincinnati has since been built. Retaining one-third of this purchase, he sold the balance to Robert Patterson and John Filson, each getting I he same share. These three, about August, agreed to lay out a town on their land. It was designated as opposite the mouth of the Licking River, to which place it was intended to open a road from Lexington, Ky. These men little thought of the great emporium that now covers the modest site of this town they laid out that summer. Mr. Filson, who had been a schoolmaster, and was of a somewhat poetic nature, was appointed to name the town. In respect to its situation, and as if with a prophetic perception of the mixed races that were in after yeara to dwell there, he named it Losantiville,* " which, being interpreted," says the " Western Annals," "means I'j'ffi', the town; and, opposite to ; os, the mouth ; L, of Licking. This may well put to the blu.sh the Campus Marlins of the Marietta scholars, and the Fort Soloit of the Spaniards."

Meanwhile, Symmes was busy in the East, and, by July, got thirty people and eight four-horse wagons under way for the West. These reached Limestone by September, where they met Mr. Stites, with several persons fi'om Redstone. All

* Judge Burnett, in his notes, disputes the above account of the origin of the city of Cincinnati. Ho says tlio name "LusantiTille" was determined on, but not adopted, when the town was laid out.

Symmes' mind was, however, ill at rest. He could not meet his first payment on so vast a realm, and there also arose a difference of opinion between him and the Treasury Board reg;irding the Ohio boundary. Symmes wanted all the land between the two Miamis, bordering on the Ohio, while the Board wished him confined to no more than twenty miles of the river. To this proposal he would not agree, as he had made sales all along the river. Leaving the bargain in an unsettled state, CongTess considered itself released from all its obligations, and, but for the representations of many of Symmes' friends, he would have lost all his money and labor. His a)ij)ointment as Judge was not favorably received by many, as they thought that by it he would acejuire unlimited power. Some of his associates also complained of him, and, for awhile, it surely seemed that ruin only awaited him. Btit he was brave and hopeful, and determined to succeed. On his return from a visit to his purchase in September, 1788, he wrote .Jonathan Dayton, of New Jersey, one of his best friends and associates, that he thought some of the land near the Great Miami " positively worth a silver dollar the acre in its present state."

A good many changes were made in his original contract, gi'owing out of his inability to meet his payments. At first, he was to have not less than a million acres, under an act of CmigivsK jms'iei] in October, 1787, authorizing the Ticasury Board to contract with any one who could pay for such tracts, on the Ohio and Wabash Rivers, whose fronts should not exceed one-third of their depth.

Dayton and Marsh, Symmes' agents, contracted with the Board for one tract on the Ohio, beginning twenty miles up the Ohio from the mouth of the Great Jliami, and to run back for quantitj' between the Miami and a line drawn from the Ohio, parallel to the general course of that river. In 1791, three years after Daj'ton and Marsh made the contract, Symmes found this would throw the purchase too far back fi-om the Ohio, and applied to Congress to let him have all between tlu^ Miamies, running back so as to include 1, 000, 000 acres, which that body, on April 12, 1792, agreed to do. When the lands were surveyed, however, it was found that a line drawn from the head of the Little Miami due west to the Great Bliami, would include south of it less than six hundred thousand acres. Even this Symmes could not pay for, and when his patent was issued in September, 1794, it gave him and his associates 248,540 acres, exclu- ^ive of reservations which amouuted to Glj,142 acres. This tract was bounded by the Ohio, the two 31iauiis and a due eitst and west line run so as to iuchide tlio desired quantity. Syuimes, however, made no f urtlier payments, and the rest of his purchase reverted to the I'uited States, who gave those who liad bought under liini ample preemption rights.

The Government was able, also, to give him and his colonists but little aid, aud as danger from hostile Indians wa.sin a measure imminent (though all the natives were friendly to Symmes), settlers wore slow tc come. However, the band led by Mr. Stites arrived before the 1st of January, 1789, and locating themselves near the mouth of the Little Miami, on a tract of 10,OilO acres which Mr. Stites had purchased from Symmes, formed the second settlement in Ohio. They wore soon afterward joined by a colony of twenty-six persons, who assisted them to erect a block-house, and gather their corn. The ti)wn was named Columbia. While here, the great flood of January, 178'J, occurred, which did much to ensure the future growth of Jjosantiville, or more properly, Cincinnati. Symmes City, which was laid out near the mouth of the Great Miami, and which he vaiuly strove to make the city of the future. Marietta and Columbia, all suffered severely b}' this flood, the greatest, the Indians said, ever known. The site of Cincinnati was not ovei-flowed, and hence attracted the attention of the settlers. Denman's warrants had designated his purchase as opposite the mouth of the Licking; and that point escaj)- ing the overflow, late in December the place was visited by Israel Ludlow, Symmes' surveyor, Mr. Patterson and Mr. Denman, and about fourteen others, w^ho left ilaysville to "form a station and lay off a town opposite the Licking." The river Wiis filled with ice "from shore to shore;" but, says Symmes in May, 1789, " Perseverance triumphing over difficulty, and they landed safe on a most delightful bank of the Ohio, where they founded the town of Losantiville, which populates considerably." The settlers of Losantiville built a few log huts and block-houses, and proceeded to improve the town. Symmes, noticing the location, says: "Though they placed their dwellings in the most marked position, yet they suffered nothing from the freshet." This would seem to give credence to Judge Burnett's notes regarding tlie origin of Cincinnati, who states the settlement was made at this time, and not at the time mentioned when

3Ir. Filsou named the town. It i.s further to be nut iced, that, before the town was located by Mr. Ludlow and Mr. Patterson, !Mr. Filson had been killed by the Miami Indians, aud, as he had not paid for his one-third of the site, the claim was sold to Mr. Ludlow, who thereby became one of the original owners of the place. Just what day the town was laid out is not recorded. All the evidence tends to show it must have been late in 1788, or early in 1789.

AV'^hile the settlements on the north side of the Ohio were thus progressing, south of it fears of the Indians prevailed, and the separation sore was kept open. The country was, however, so torn by internal factions that no plan was likely to succeed, and to this fact, in a large measure, may be credited the reason it did not secede, or join the Spanish or French faction, both of which were intriguing to get the commonwealth. During this year the treasonable acts of James Wilkinson came into view. For a while he thought success was in his grasp, but the two governments were at peace with America, aud discouutenanced any such efforts. Wilkinson, like all traitors, relapsed into nonentity, and became mistrusted by the governments he attempted to befriend. Treason is always odious.

It will be borne in mind, that in 1778 preparations had been made for a treaty with the Indians, to secure peaceful possession of the lands owned in the West. Though the whites held these by purchase and treaty, yet many Indians, especially the Wabash and some of the Miami Indians, objected to their occupation, claiming the Ohio boundary as the original division line. Clarke endeavored to obtain, by treaty at Fort Harmar, in 1778, a confirmation of these grants, but was not able to do .so till January, 9, 1789. Representatives of the Six Nations, and of the Wjandots, Delawares, Ottawa.s, Chippcwas, Pottawatomies and Sacs, met him at this date, and confirmed and extended the treaties of Fort Stanwix and Fort Mcluto.sh, the one in 1784, the other in 1785. This secured peace with the most of them, save a few of the Wabash Indians, whom they were compelled to comiuer by arms. When this was accomplLshcd, the borders were thought safe, and Virginia ])ro]ioscd to withdraw her aid in support of Kentucky. This opened old troubles, and the separation dogma came out afresh. Virginia offered to allow the erection of a separate State, providing Kentucky would a-ssume ]jart of the old debts. This the young commonwealth would not do, and sent a remonstrance. Virginia withdrew the proposal, and ordered a ninth convention, which succeeded in evolving a plan whereby Kentucky took her place among the free States of the Union.

North of the Ohio, the prosperity continued. In 1789, Rev. Daniel Story, who had been appointed missionary to the West, came out as a teacher of the youth and a preacher of the Gospel. Dr. Cutler had preceded him, not in the capacity of a minister, though he had preached ; hence Mr. Story is truly the first missionary from the Protestant Church who came to the Ohio Valley in that capacity. When he came, in 1789, he found nine associations on the Ohio Company's purchase, coui[irising two hundred and fifty persons in all ; and, by the close of 1790, eight settlements had been made: two at Belpre (belle prairie), one at Newbury, one at Wolf Creek, one at Duck Creek, one at the mouth of Meigs' Creek, one at Anderson's Bottom, and one at Big Bottom. An extended sketch of all these settlements will be found farther on in this volume.

Symmes had, all this time, strenuously endeavored to get his city - called Cleves City - favorably noticed, and filled with people. He saw a rival in Cincinnati. That place, if made military headquarters to protect the Miami Valley, would outrival his town, situated near the bend of the Miami, near its mouth. On the 15th of June, Judj;e Synimes received news that the Wabash Inilians threatened the Miami settlements, and as he had received only nineteen men for defense, he applied for more. Before July, Maj. Doughty arrived at the "Slaughter House " - as the Miami was sometimes called, owing to previous murders that had, at former times, occurred therein. Through the influence of Symmes, the detachment landed at the North Bend, and, for awhile, it was thought the fort would be erected there. This was what Symmes wanted, as it would secure him the headquarters of the military, and aid in getting the headquarters of the civil government. The truth was, however, that neither the ]iroposed city on the INIiami - North Bend, as it alterward became known, from its location - or South Bend, could compete, in point of natural advantages, with the plain on which Cincinnati is built. Had Port Washington been built elsewhere, after the clo.se of the Indian war, nature would have asserted her advantages, and insured tlie growth of a city, where even the ancient and mysterious dwellers of the Ohio had reared the earthen walls of one of their vast t<imples. Another fact is given in relation to the erection of Port Washington at Losantiville, which partakes somewhat of romance. The Major, while waiting to decide at which place the fort should be built, happened to make the acquaintance of a black-eyed beauty, the wife of one of the residents. Her husband, noticing the affair, removed her to Losantiville. The Major followed; he told Symmes he wished to see how a fort would do there, but promised to give his city the preference. He found the beauty there, and on his return Symmes could not prevail on him to remain. If the story be true, then the importance of Cincinnati owes its existence to a trivial circumstance, and the old story of the ten years' war which terminated in the downfall of Troy, which is said to have originated owing to the beauty of a Spartan dame, was re-enacted here. Troy and North Bend fell because of the beauty of a woman ; Cincinnati was the result of the downfall of the latter place.

About the first of January, 1790, Governor St. Clair, with his officers, descended the Ohio River from IMarietta to Fort Washington. There he established the county of Hamilton, comprising the immense region of country contiguous to the Ohio, from the Hocking River to the Great Miami; appointed a corps of civil and military officers, and e.stablished a Court of Quarter Sessions. Some state that at this time, he changed the name of the village of Losantiville to Cincinnati, in allusion to a society of that name which had recently been formed among the officers of the Revolutionary army, and established it as the seat of justice for Ilaniilton. This latter fact is certain; but as regards changing the name of the village, there is mi good authority for it. With this importance attached to it, Cincinnati began at once an active growth, and from that day Cleves' city declined. The next summer, frame houses began to appear in Cincinnati, while at the same time forty new log cabins appeared about the fort..

On the Sth of January, the Governor arrived at the falls of the Ohio, on his way to establish a government at Vinc(!nnes and Kaskaskia. Prom Clarkesville, he disjiatched a messenger to Major Hamtramck, commander at Vincennes, with speeclies to the various Indian tribes in this part of the Northwest, who had not fully agreed to the treaties. St. Clair and Sargent followed in a few days, along an Indian trail to Vincennes, where he organized the county of Knox, comprisi'':; all the country along the Ohio, from th<' Miami to the Wabaf-h, aud made Vineennos the county seat. Then they proceeded across the lower part of Illinois to Kaskaskia, where he established the county of St, Clair (so named by Sargent), coni])risini; all the country from the Wabash to the ^lis,sis.sippi. Thus the Northwest was divided into three counties, and courts established therein. St. Clair called upon the French inhabitants at Vincennes and in the Illinois country, to show the titles to their lands, and also to defray the expense of a survey. To this latter demand they replied through their priest, Pierre (Jibault, showing their poverty, and inability to comply. They were confirmed in their grants, and, as they had been good friends to the patriot cause, were relieved from the expense of the .survej". '

While the Governor was managing these affairs. Major Hamtraniik was engaged in an effort to conciliate the Wabash Indians. For this purpose, he sent Antoine (Jamelin, an intelligent French merchant, and a tjue friend of America, among them to carry messages sent by St. Clair and the Government, and to learn their sentiments and dispositions. Gamelin performed this important niission in the spring of 1790 with much sagacity, and. as the

French were good friends of the natives, he did much to conciliate these half-hostile tribes. He visited the towns of these tribes along the Wabash and a-s far north and ca.st as the Miami village, Ke-ki-ong-ga - St. Mary's - at the junction of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Rivers (Fort Wayne).

Gameliii's report, and the intelligence brought by some traders from the Upper Wabash, were conveyed to the Governor at Ka.ska.skia. The reports convinced him that tlii' Indians of that part of the Northwest were pre]iaring for a war on the settlements north of the Ohio, intending, if possible, to drive them .south of it ; that river being still con.sidered by them a-s the true boundary. St. Clair left the administration of affairs in the Western counties t« Sargent, and returned at once to Fort Wa.shington to provide for tlu; defense of the frontier.

The Indians had begun their predatory incursions into the country settled by the whites, and had committed some depredations. The Kentuekians were enlisted in an attack against the Scioto Indians. April 18, Gen. Harmar, with 100 regulars, and Gen. Scott, with 230 volunteers, marched from Limestone, by a circuitous route, to the Scioto, accomplishing but little. The savages had fled.

A GREAT deal of the hostility at this period was directly traceable to the British. They yet held Detroit and several posts on the lakes, in violation of the treaty of 17S3. They alleged as a reason for not abandoning them, that the Americans had not fulfilled the conditions t)f the treaty regarding the collection of debts. Moreover, they did [ill they could to remain at the frontier and enjoy the emoluments derived from the fur trade. That the}' aided the Indians in the ccjnflict at this time, is undeniable. Just /loir, it is difficult to say. But it is well known the savages had all the ammunition and fire-arms they wanted, more than they could have obtained from American and French renegade traders. They were aLso well supplied with clothing, and were able to prolong the war some time. A great confederation was on the eve of formation. The leading sjiirits were

Cornplanter, Brant, Little Turtle aud other noted chiefs, and had not the British, as Brant said, "encoiu-aged us to the war, and promised us aid, and then, when we w(Te driven away by the Americans, shut the doors of their fortresses against us and refused us food, when they saw us nearly conquered, we would have effected our object."

McKee, Elliott and Girty were also actively engaged in aiding the natives. All of them were in the interest of the British, a f^ict clearly proven by the Indians themselves, and by other traders.

St. Clair and Gen. Harmar determined to send an expedition against the Slaumee towns, and secure that p.irt of the country. Letters were sent to the militia officers of Western Pennsylvania, Virginia and Kentucky, calling on them for militia to co-operate with the regular troops in the campaign. According to the plan of the campaign.

;5()0 militia were to rendezvous at Fort Steuben (. Jefferson ville), march thence to Fort Knox, at Vincennes, and join Maj. Hamtramck in an expedition up the Wabash ; 700 were to rendezvous at Fort Washington to join the regular army against the Maumee towns.

While St. Clair was forming his army and arranging for the campaign, three expeditions were sent out against the Bliami towns. One against the Miami villages, not far from the Wabash, was led by den. Harmar. He had in his army about fourteen hundred men, regulars and militia. These two parts of the army could not be made to affiliate, and, as a consequence, the expedition did little beyond burning the villages and destroying corn. The militia would not submit to discipline, and wovild not serve under regular officers. It will be .seen what this spirit led to when St. Clair went on his march soon after.

The Indians, emboldened by the meager success of Ilarmar's command, continued their depredadations against the Ohio settlements, destroying the community at Big Bottom. To hold them in check, and also punish them, an army under Cliarlos Scott went against the Wabash Indians. Little was done here but destroy towns and the standingcorn. In July, another army, under Col. Wilkinson, was sent against the Eel River Indians. Becoming entangled in extensive morasses on the river, the army became endangered, but was finally extricated, and accomplished no more than either the other armies before it. As it was, however, the three expeditions directed against the Miamis and Shawanees, served only to exasperate them. The burning of their towns, the destruction of their corn, and the captivity of their women and children, only aroused them to more desperate efforts to defend their country and to harass their invaders. To accomplish this, the chiefs of the Miamis, Shawanees and the Delawares, Little Turtle, Blue Jacket and Buckongahelas, were engaged in forming a confederacy of all the tribes of the Northwest, strong enough to drive the whites beyond the Ohio. Pontiac had tried that before, even when he had open allies among the French. The Indians now had secret allies among the British, yet, in the end, they did not succeed. While they were preparing for the contest, St. Clair was gathering his forces, intending to erect a chain of forts from the Ohio, by way of the Miami and Maumee valleys, to the lakes, and thereby effectually hold the savages in check. Washington warmly seconded this plan, and designated the junction of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Rivers as an important post. This had been a fortification almost from the time the English held the valley, and only needed little work to make it a formidable fortress. Gen. Knox, the Secretary of War, also favored the plan, and gave instructions concerning it. Under these instructions, St. Clair organized his forces as rapidly as he could, although the numerous drawbacks almost, at times, threatened the defeat of the campaign. Through the summer the arms and accouterments of the army were put in readiness at Fort Washington. Many were found to be of the poorest quality, and to be badly out of repair. The militia came poorly armed, under the impression they were to be ]irovided with arms. While waiting in camp, habits of idleness engendered themselves, and drunkenness followed. They continued their accustomed freedom, disdaining to drill, and refused to submit to the regular officers. A bitter spirit broke out between the regular troops and the militia, which none could heal. The insubordination of the militia and their officers, caused them a defeat afterward, which they in vain attempted to fasten on the busy General, and the regular troops.

The army was not ready to move till September 17. It wiis then 2,300 strong. It then moved to a point upon the Great Miami, where tliey erected Fort Hamilton, the first in the proposed chain of fortresses. Afler ite completion, tliey moved on forty-four miles farther, and, on the 12th of October, began the erection of Fort Jefferson, about six miles south of the present town of Greenville, Darke County. On the 24th, the army again took up its line of march, through a wilderness, marshy and boggy, and full of savage foes. The army rapidly declined under the hot sun ; even the commander was sufl'ering from an indisposition. The militia deserted, in companies at a time, leaving the bulk of the work to the regular troops. By the 3d of November, the army reached a stream twelve yards wide, which St. Clair supposed to be a branch of the St. Mary of the Maumee, but which in reality wa,s a tributary of the Wabash. Upon the banks of that stream, the army, now about fourteen hundred strong, encamped in two lines. A slight protection was thrown np as a safeguard against the Indians, who were known to be in the neighborhood. The General intended to attack them next day, but, about half an hour before sunrise, just after the militia had been dismissed from parade, a sudden attack was made upon them. The militia were thrown into confusion, and disregarded tlic command of the officers. They had not been sufficiently drilled, and now was seen, too late and too plainly, the evil effects of their insubordination. Through the morning the battle waged furiously, the men falling by scores. About nine oclock the retreat began, covered by Maj. Cook and hisj troops. The retreat was a dLsgraceful, precipitate flight, though, after four miles had been piussed, the enemy returned to the work of scalping the dead and wounded, and of j>illaging the camp. Through the day and the night their dreadful work continued, one squaw alk'rward declaring " lier arm wiis weary scalping the white men." The army reached Fort Jeflersou a little after sunset, having thrown away much of its arms and baggage, though the act was entirely unnecessary. After remaining here a short time, it was decided by the officers to move on toward Fort Hamilton, and thence to Fort Wa.shington.

The defeat of St. Clair was the most terrible reverse the Americans ever suffered i'rom the Indians. It was greater than even IJraddock's defeat. His army consisted of 1,200 men and 80 officers, of whom 714 men and G3 officers were killed or wounded. St. Clair's army consisted of 1,400 men and 8G officers, of whom 800 men and 16 officers were killed or wounded. The comparative effects of the two engagements very inadequately represent the cru.shing effect of St. Clair's defeat. An unprotected frontier of more than a thousand miles in extent was now thrown open to a foe made merciless, and anxious to drive the whites from the north side of the Ohio. Now, settlers were scattered along all the streams, and in all the forests, exliosed to the cruel enemy, who stealthily ajiproached the homes of the pioneer, to murder him and his family. Loud calls arose from the pcu]ile to defend and jirotect them. St. Clair was covered with abuse for ids defeat, when he really was notalone to blame fir it. The militia would not be controlled. Had Clarke been at their head, or Wayne, who succeeded St. Clair, the result might have been different. As it was, St. Clair resigned ; though ever after lie enjoyed the confidence of Wa-shington and Congress.

Four days after the defeat of St. Clair, the army, in its straggling condition, reached Fort Washington, and paused to rest. On the Dth, St. Clair wrote fully to the Secretary of War. ( >n the 1 2th, Gen. Knox communicated the information to Congress, and on tlie 26th, he laid before the President two reports, tlie second containing suggestions regarding future operations. His suggestions urged the establishment of a strong United States Army, as it wa.s jilain the States could not control the matter. He also urged a thorough drill of the soldiers. No more insubordination could be tolerated. General Wayne was selected by Wiishington as the commander, and at once proceeded to the task as.signed to him. In June, 1792, he went to Pittsburgh to organize the army now gathering, which was to be the ultimate argument with the Indian confederation. Through the summer he was steadily at work. "Train and discipline them for the work they are meant for," wrote Washington, "and do not spare powder and lead, so the men be made good marksmen." In December, the forces, now recruited and trained, gathered at a point twenty-two miles below I'ittsburgh, on the Ohio, called JiCgioMville, the army itself being denominated the Legion of the United States, divided into four sub-legions, and provided with the proper officers. Meantime, Col. Wilkinson succeeded St. (Jlair as commander at Fort Washington, and sent out a force to examine the field of defeat, and bury the dead. A shocking sight met their view, revealing the deeds of cruelty enacted upon their comrades by the savage enemy.

While Wayne's army was drilling, peace measures were pressed forward by the United States with ecjual pers(;verance. The Iro(|uois were induced to visit Philad(^l[ihiu, and partially secured from the general confedi^racy. Tlu'y were wary, however, and, expecting aid from the British, held aloof. Brant did not come, as was hoped, and it was plain there was intrigue somewhere. Five indej)endent embiissies were sent among the Western tribes, to endeavor to pi-event a war, and win over the inimical tribes. But the victories they had won, and the favorable whispers of the British agents, closed tlie e.us of the red men, and all propositions were riyeeted in some form or other. All the embassadors, save Putnam, suffered death. He alone was able to reach his goal - the Wabash Indian.s - and effect any treaty. On the 27th of Beeember, in company with Ileckewelder, the Moravian missionary, he reached Vinccnnes, and met thirty-one chiefs, representing the Weas, Piankeshaws, Kaskaskias, Peorias, Illinois, Pottawatomies, Slascoutins, Kiekapoos and Eel llivcr Indians, and concluded a treaty of peace with them.

The fourth article of this treaty, however, contained a provision guaranteeing to the Indians their lands, and when the treaty was laid before Congress, February 13, 1793, that body, afler much discussion, refused on that account to ratify it.

A great council of the Indians was to be held at Auglaize during the autumn of 1792, when the assembled nations were to discuss fully their means of defense, and determine their future line of action. The council met in October, and v/as the largest Indian gathering of the time. The chiefs of all the tribes of the Northwest were there. The representatives of the seven nations of Canada, were in attendance. Cornplanter and forty-eight chiefs of the New York (Six Nations) Indians repaired thither. " Besides these," said Cornplanter, "there were so many nations we cannot tell the names of them. There were three men from the Gora nation; it took them a whole season to come; and," continued he, "twenty-seven nations from beyond Canada were there." The question of peace or war was long and earnestly debated. Their future was solemnly discussed, and around the council fire native eloquence and native zeal shone in all their simple strength. One nation after another, through their chiets, presented their views. The deputies of the Six Nations, who had been at Philadelphia to consult the "Thirteen Fires," made their report. The Western boundary was the principal question. The natives, with one accord, declared it must be the Ohio River. An address was prepared, and sent to the President, wherein their views were stated, and agreeing to abstain from all hostilities, until thej' could meet again in the spring at the rapids of the Maumee, and there consult with their white brothers. They desired the President to send agents, "who are men of honesty, not proud land-jobbers, but men who love and desire peace." The good work of Penn was evidenced here, as they desired that the embassadors " be accompanied by some Friend or Quaker."

The armistice they had promised was not, however, faithfully kept. On the 6th of November, a detachment of Kentucky cavalry at Fort St. Clair, about tn'enty-iive miles above Fort Hamilton, Wiis attacked. The commander, IVIaj. Adair, was an excellent officer, well versed in Indian tactics, and defeated the savages.

This infraction of their promises did not deter the Uniti^d States fi'om taking measures to meet the Indians at the rapids of the Maumee " when the leaves were fully out." For that purpose, the President selected as commissioners, Charles Carroll and Charles Thompson, but, as they declined the nomination, lie appointed Benjamin Lincoln, Beverly Randolph and Timothy Pickering, the Lst of March, 1793, to attend the convention, which.

it was thought best, should be held at the Sandusky outpost. About the last of April, these commissioners left Philadelphia, and, late in May, reached Niagara, where they remained guests of Lieut. Gov. Simcoe, of the British Government. This oificer gave them all the aid he could, yet it was soon made plain to them that he would not object to the confederation, nay, even rather favored it. They speak of his kindness to them, in grateful terms. Gov. Simcoe advised the Indians to make peace, but not to give up any of their lands. That was the pith of the whole matter. The Briti.sh rather claimed land in New York, under the treaty of 1783, alleging the Americans had not fiiUy complied with the terms of that treaty, hence they were not as anxious for peace and a peaceful settlement of the difficult boundary question as they sometimes rejjresented.

By July, "the leaves were fully out," the conferences among the tribes were over, and, on the loth of that month, the commissioners met Brant and some fifty natives. In a strong speech, Brant set forth their wishes, and invited them to accompany him to the place of holding the council. The Indians were rather jealous of Wayne's continued preparations for war, hence, just before setting out for the Maumee, the commissioners sent a letter to the Secretary of War, asking that all warlike demonstrations cease until the result of their mission be known.

On 21st of July, the embassy reached the head of the Detroit River, where their advance was checked by the British authorities at Detroit, compelling them to take up their abode at the house of Andrew Elliott, the famous renegade, then a British agent under Alexander McKee. McKee was attending the council, and the commissioners addressed him a note, borne by Elliott, to inform him of their arrival, and asking when they could be received. Elliott returned on the 2'Jth, bringing with him a deputation of twenty chiefs from the council. The next day, a conference was held, and the chief of the Wyandots, Sa-wagh-da-wunk, presented to the commissioners, in writing, their explicit demand in regard to the boundary, and their purposes and powers. "The Ohio must be the boundary," said he, " or blood will flow."

The commissioners returned an answer to the proposition brought by the chiefs, recapitulating the treaties already made, and denying the Ohio as the boundary line. On the 16th of August, the council sent them, by two Wyandot runners, a final- answer, in which they recapitulated their fi)rmer assertious, aud exhibited great powers of reasoning and clear logic in defense of their position. The commbsioncrs reply that it is imposblo to accept the Ohio as the boundary, and declare the negotiatiun at an end.

This closed the efforts of the Government to negotiate with the Indians, aud there remained of necessity no other mode of settling the dispute l)ut war. Liberal terms had been offered them, but nothing but the boundary of the Ohio lliver Would suffice. It was the only cunditi(jn upon which the confederation would lay down its arms. -Vmong the rude statesmen of the wilderness, there was exhibited as pure patriotism and as lofty devotion to the good of their race, as ever won applause among civilized men. The white man had, ever since he came into the country, been encroaching on their lands. He had long occupied the regions beyond the mountains. He had crushed the conspiracy' formed by Pontiac, thirty years before, lie had taken possession of the common hunting-ground of all the tribes, on the faith of treaties they did not acknowledge. He was now laying out settlements and building forts in the heart of the country to which all tlie tribes had been driven, and which now was all they could call their own. And now they ;i.skrd that it should be guaranteed to them, that the boundary which tliey had so long asked for should be drawn, and a iiual end be made to the continual aggressions of the whites ; or, if not, they solemnly determined to stake their all, against fcarfid odds, in defense of their homes, their country and the inheritance of their children. Nothing could be more patriotic than the position they occupied, and nothing could be more noble than the declarations of their council.'*

They did not know the strength of the whites, and based their success on the victories already gained. They hoped, nay, were promised, aid from the British, and even the Spanish had held out to them assurances of help when the hour of conflict came.

The Americans were not disposed to yield even to the confederacy of the tribes backed by the two rival nations, forming, as Wayne characterized it, a " hydra of British, Spanish and Indian hostility." On the 16th of August, the commissioners received the final answer of the council. The 17th, they left the mouth of the Detroit River, and the 2!Jd, arrived at Fort Erie, where they immediately dispatched messengers to Gen. Wayne to inform him of the i.ssue.of the negotiation. Wayne had spent the winter of 171)2-93, at Legiouville, in collecting and organizing his army. April 30, 1793, the army moved down the river and encimipcd at a point, called by the soldiers " Ilobson's choice," because from the extreme lieight of the river they were prevented from landing elsewhere. Here Wayne w;is engaged, during the negotiations lor peace, in drilling his soldiers, in cutting roads, and collecting sup])lics for the army. He was ready for an immediate campaign in ca.se the council failed in its object.

While here, he sent a letter to the Secretary- of War, detailing the circumstances, and suggesting the jirobable course he should follow. He remained hero during the summer, and, when apprised of the issue, saw it was too late to attempt the campaign then. He sent the Kentucky militia home, and, wilh his regular soldiers, went into winter quarters at a fort he built on a trib\itary of the Great Miami. He called the fort Greenville. The present town of Greenville is near the site of the fort. During the winter, he scut a detachment to visit the scene of St. Clair's defeat. They found more than six hundred skulls, and were obliged to "scrape the bones together and carry them out to get a place to make their beds." They buried all they could find. Wayne was steadily preparing his forces, so as to have everything ready for a sure blow when the time came. All his information showed the faith in the British which still animated the doomed red men, and gave them a hope that could cnil only in defeat.

The conduct of the Indians fully corroborated the statements received by Gen. Wayne. On the 30th of June, an escort of ninety riflemen and fifty dragoons, under command of Jlaj. McMahon, w;us attacked under the walls of Fort Recovery by a force of more than one thou.sand Indians under charge of Little Turtle. They were rejmlsed and badly defeated, and, the next day, driven away. Their mode of action, their arms and ammunition, all told plainly of British aid. They also expected to find the cannon lost by St. Clair November 4, 1791, but which the Americans had secured. The 26th of July, Gen. Scott, with 1,G00 mounted men from Kentucky, joined Gen. Wayne at Fort Greenville, and, two days after, the legion moved forward. The Sth of Augu.st, the army reached the junction of the Auglaize and Maumee, and at once proceeded to erect Fort Defiance, where the waters meet. The Indians had abandoned

While engaged on Fort Defiance, Wajne received continual and full reports of the Indians - of their aid from Detroit and elsewhere ; of the nature of the ground, and the circumstances, fivorable or imfavorable. From all he could learn, and considering the spirits of his army, now thoroughly disciplined, he determined to march forward and settle matters at once. Yet, true to his own instincts, and to the measures of paace so forcibly taught by Washington, he sent Christopher Jliller, who had been naturalized among the Shawanees, and taken prisoner by Wayne's .spies, as a messenger of peace, ofieriug terms of i'riendship.

Unwilling to waste time, the troops began to move forward the 15th of August, and the next day met Jliller with the message that if the Americans would wait ten days at Auglaize the Indians would decide for peace or war. Waj'ue knew too well the Indian character, and answered the message by simply marching on. The 18th, the legion had advanced forty-one miles from Auglaize, and, bjing near the long-looked-for foe, began to take some measures for protection, should they be attacked. A slight breastwork, called Fort Deposit, was erected, wherein most of their heavy baggage was placed. They remained here, building their works, until the 2f)th, when, storing their baggage, the army began again its march. After advancing about five miles, they met a large ibrce of the enemy, two thousand strong, who fiercely attacked them. Wayne was, however, prepared, and in the short battle that ensued they were routed, and large numbers slain. The American loss was very slight. The horde of savages were put to flight, leaving the Americans victorious almost under the walls of the British gan-ison, under Maj. Campbell. This officer sent a letter to Gen. Wayne, asking an explanation of his conduct in fighting so near, and in such evident hostility to the British. Wayne replied, telling him he was in a country that did not belong to him, and one he was not authorized to hold, and also charging him with aiding the Indians. A spirited correspondence followed, which ended in the American commander marching on, and devastating the Indian country, even burning McKee's house and stores under the muzzles of the English guns.

The 14lh of September, the army marched from Fort Defiance for the Miami village at the junction of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph Rivers. It readied there on the 1 Tth, and the next day Gen. Wayne selected a site lor a fort. The 22d of October, the fort was completed, and garrisoned by a detacliment under Maj. Ilamtramck, who gave to it the name of Fort Wayne. The 14th of October, the mounted Kentucky volunteers, who had become dissatisfied and mutinous, were started to Fort Washington, where they were immediately mustered out of service and discharged. The 28th of October, the legion marched fi-om Fort Wayne to Fort Greenville, where Gen. Wayne at once established his headquarters.

The campaign had been decisive and short, and liad taught the Indians a severe lesson. The British, too, had failed them in their hour of need, and now they began to see they had a foe to contend whose resources were exhaustlcss. Under these circumstances, losing faith in the English, and at last impressed with a respect for American power, after the defeat experienced at the hands of the "Black Snake," the various tribes made up their minds, by degrees, to ask for peace. During the winter and spring, they exchanged prisoners, and made ready to meet Gen. W^ayne at Greenville, in June, for the purpose of forming a definite treaty, as it had been agreed should be done by the preliminaries of January 24.

During the month of June, 1795, representatives of the Northwestern tribes began to gather at Greenville, and, the 16th of the month. Gen. Wayne met in council the Delawares, Ottawas, Pottawatomies and Eel River Indians, and the conferences, which lasted till August 10, began. The 21st of June, Buckongahelas arrived ; the 23d, Little Turtle aud other Miamis ; the loth of July, Tarhe and other Wyandot chiefs ; and the 18th, Blue Jacket, and thirteen Shawanees and Massas with twenty Cliippewas.

jMcst of these, as it appeared by their statements, had been tampered with by the English, especially by JIcKee, Girty and Brant, even alter the preliminaries of Januarjf 24, and while iNIr. Jay was perfecting his treaty. They had, however, all determined to make peace with the "Thirteen Fires," and although some difficulty as to the ownership of the lands to be ceded, at one time seemed likely to arise, the good sense of AVayne and the leading chiefs prevented it, and, the .30th of July, the treaty was agreed to which should bury the hatchet forever. Between that day and the 3d of August, it was engrossed, and, having been signed by the various nations upon the day last named, it was finally acted upon the Tth, and the presents from the United States distributed. The basis of this treaty was the previous one made at Fort Harniar. The boundaries made at that time were re-affirmed ; the whites were secured on the lands now occupied by them or secured by former treaties ; and among all the assembled nations, presents, in value not less than one thousand pounds, were distributed to each through its representatives, many thousands in all. The Indians were allowed to ren)ove and

" This great and abiding peace document w;ts signed by the various tribes, and dated August 3, 1705. It was laid before the Senate December 9, and ratified the 22d. So closed the old Indian wars in the West." *