A Letter from the War Office, 20 June 1796

From James McHenry, Secretary of War, to General Sevier, Governor of Tennessee

The images of this seven page letter are available online in the George Washington Papers collection of the Library of Congress (LOC). Here it has been transcribed, to improve the readability. Some of the pages show the seal of the LOC and marks and numbers probably added by the LOC. You can click on the page images to see the higher resolution archival file image, but be ready to wait, the files are big!

War Office. 20. June 1796.

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Sir,

           Within these few days past information has been received of numerous forced settlements on the Indian lands as confirmed to them by treaty, which threaten very serious consequences to the peace of that country and to the Union. These accounts which have given great inconveniences to the President, render it proper that instantaneous and effectual measures should be adopted to remove thee intruders and prevent further intrusions.

           When I consider, Sir, your well founded knowledge of the Indian Character; that no one can be more sensible to the good that must result from a strict observance of our promises to or treaties with them; of the confidence in and dependence upon us which such observance must inspire; of the wars and animosities it must prevent; and the dispositions it must naturally produce in them to yield to all our reasonable wishes. When I add, besides to these reflections, that the person who possesses this knowledge is in a situation which enables him to co-operate efficaciously with the president in his measures for the maintenance of the public tranquility, I feel relieved from much of the sensibility I should otherwise have experienced, convinced that you will sincerely employ this knowledge & the means in your power to preserve the inhabitants of Tennessee in the full enjoyment of the peace and the Indians in the occupancy of their rights.

Thinking

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           Thinking it probable that many intrusions on the Indian lands, and violations of their rights, may proceed from the ignorance in which some of the people are, of the laws made to protect them; it occurs that an extensive and impressive promulgation of these laws might tend to the preservation of the peace of the frontiers.

           It is submitted therefore, whether a proclamation from you might not be made to answer so desirable a purpose.

           The second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, twelfth, fourteenth, sixteenth & seventeenth sections of the annexed act, entitled an act "to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian Tribes and to preserve peace on the frontiers" contain the principal regulations of Congress relative to the Indians. Were you, sir, to insert these for the information of the people, in a proclamation; to enjoin upon the citizens of Tennessee a faithful observance of them; to threaten all those who should transgress them, with their penalties; to recommend to divines to read them to their hearers once every month; and to the judges, to cause them to be read at the sessions of their respective courts, I cannot help flattering myself, that such paternal attention on your part, would be rewarded with the happiest effects. It would serve to convince the restless and rapacious adventurer, of your determination to discountenance their projects, and be a proof to the Indians that the state was sincerely disposed to protect their rights.

           I will not suppose that it can be the interest of any state to keep alive the flame of discord with it's

Indian

Indian neighbours, or have it's surface from time to time, drenched with the blood of its innocent citizens. If an extension of frontier should become necessary can there be a doubt entertained as to the mode in which it ought to be acquired. It is not a matter of certainty, putting the injustice of the act of dispoiling a people of their property by force out of the question, that it is cheaper to buy than to take from the Indians. Upon what ground then can a nation presume to take land when it has it in it's power to purchase whatever it may want.

           Let me be permitted to believe that the great body of inhabitants of Tennessee, will esteem it a moral, if not religious duty, to do justice to the Indians on their borders, and will conduct themselves under your administration, conformably to the laws of the United States which are founded in justice.

           As to those who may have settled on the Indian land in contempt of these laws or through ignorance of them, the president expects that you will bring into action all the means in your power, to dislodge them. He views their intrusion as a sure prelude to hostilities, and were they to be permitted to remain, as an express violation of treaty, and legitimate cause for recrimination and war; consequently he must resort to military force to effect this purpose, should your measures prove inadequate or ineffectual. But seeing how much the prosperity and honor of the State of Tennessee is concerned in dislodging these intruders, knowing that peace cannot long continue should they be suffered to remain, he cannot for a moment suppose, that you will employ less than the most efficacious means on so serious an occasion.

Indeed

           Indeed, to compel these persons who have thus intruded to retire, will be an act of great kindness to themselves. For if suffered to remain, the probability is, that they would be among the first victims of the tomahawks, while the desolations of war would soon extend to those who had committed no violations of the laws.

           Compelling then these intruders to leave the Indian lands; preventing others from settling on them, by diffusing throughout all parts of the state a knowledge of the laws, and making examples of obstinate offenders, will I am persuaded, claim your immediate and unremitted attention. For it is only by opposing first attempts at fixed settlements with vigour; by a due execution of the regulations of congress and inforcement of their sanctions that the peace of the country can be maintained, and the morals of its inhabitants preserved from corruption.

           Should war emerge notwithstanding such cares and endeavours on the part of the Magistracy of Tennessee, it will not be viewed as a calamity which the state has brought upon itself, by having omitted what it ought to have done, or permitted what it ought to have prevented: the Succour of course which it may claim from the general government in such a case will flow with good will, and without being embarrassed or with-held from an opinion, that it may have brought its sufferings upon itself.

           The President led by such considerations as these, anticipates from your administration; the counts of justice; and the good citizens of the state the most happy issue

as

as it regards the disquietude excited among the Indians by the settlements in question.

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           Such a co-operation on the part of the state and the people, with the measures of the general government, he believes cannot fail to secure to it the continuance of peace; to augment the good will of the Indians; and dispose them to such relinquishments of territory as the Untied States may at any time think it expedient should be purchased.

           It may be improper perhaps to add a few remarks on some of these measures.

           With respect to the annuities stipulated to be paid them. Care is taken that the articles which compose these should be good and their delivery made without fraud or deception; for in all transactions with Indians, policy, as well as honesty require fairness of dealing.

           With respect to the public agents resident with them. These hear all their complaints, administer in certain things to their comfort and convenience, make faithful representations to them of the intentions of the government; distribute its favors, and transmit to it their complaints. As the Indians know that their grievances pass thro this medium to government, if justice is delayed beyond a reasonable time it ought not to surprise when they attempt in such cases to become the avengers of their wrongs.

           As to the trading houses. These are meant to furnish them with such goods as they may stand in need of in exchange for their Skins and Peltry, without their being

loaded

loaded with other or greater charges than will cover the expenses attendant upon the business.

           Among the effects expected from this institution may be reckoned the following.

           1. It exempting the Indians from the frauds that they are subject to from itinerant traders, and which have a tendency to sour them against the people of the United States and stimulate to retaliations and thefts.

           2. It enabling government to put a more effectual stop to the sale of spirituous liquors among them; a practice baneful to them, and productive of innumerable evils to our citizens.

           3. Its rendering Indian supplies more dependent upon the nation, and consequently increasing their motives to peace and a continued good understanding with the nation.

           Such being some of the evident results from the institution of public trading houses, whatever facility you can give to their establishment, it is taken for granted will be readily and cheerfully afforded.

           Calculating therefore upon your utmost aid whenever it can favor the execution of a law or its object, I mention without reserve and with pleasure the anxiety of the president to preserve to the State of Tennessee the Blessings of Peace; and that you may assure its good citizens of his disposal, at the same

time

time that he conceives it an indispensable requisite to their peace that the Indians should not be disturbed in the possession of their lands.

With great respect.                                
I have the honor to be, Sir,           
Your obedient servant

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General Sevier,
           Governor of Tennessee.