to obey them, and at the same time receive without explanation, the bitter opposition and criticism to which they gave rise.

General Harrison needing more troops, and with the orders of the Secretary of War forbidding the use of the militia, proceeded to Cincinnati and thence to the Newport Barracks, in Kentucky, hoping to secure regular troops. Here he found the Twenty Fourth Regiment of the United States which he ordered to Franklinton.

CHAPTER IX.

THE COUNCIL AT FRANKLINTON

SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS

DEFENSE OF FORT STEPHENSON PERRY'S VICTORY

W

ITH the abandonment of the siege of Fort Meigs there was a cessation of hostilities on both sides for several months. General Harrison in the meantime was giving much consideration to the organization of his troops, and also to the question of the attitude of certain Indians in the war. His experience in his campaigns had taught him much on this last problem. He saw that a most dangerous element in the conflict was the Indian allies of the British. He was aware that Tecumseh was endeavoring to draw to his support the Ohio Indians as well as certain tribes in Indiana and Illinois. It had been the policy of the United States not to employ friendly Indians in its service. There was an exception made in the case of James Logan, Tecumseh's nephew, whose heroic death was recorded in the last chapter. General Harrison's advice to the Indians was to remain neutral-"keep hands off." This, in their native innocence, they could not understand, expecially those who were friendly to the Americans, when they saw the British helped by their own friendly allies. Knowing that some of the tribes were friendly to the Americans, and that others were treacherously representing themselves to be so, General Harrison called a council of the leading chiefs to find out just where they stood and what they would do in the emergency.

This council was held at Franklinton, now a part of Columbus, June 21, 1813. It was one of the most important events of this period, and through it General Harrison found what Indians could be depended upon. The Wyandots, Delawares, Shawnees, and Senecas

were represented by fifty of their chiefs and head men. The most influential chief present was Tarhe (the Crane) who was Chief Sachem of the Wyandots. He had long been a mighty man with his people. As far back as 1789 at Marietta he was a chief of his tribe. He was a man of fine character and had the respect of both the white man and the Indian. He held his influence over his people as long as he lived. All his efforts were for peace, and he was one of the leading spirits in securing the Indian support to the Treaty of Greenville. At this council Tarhe was the spokesman by common consent of all the tribes there represented. He was of fine physique, and although at this time about seventy-two years of age, he possessed remarkable vigor both in body and mind. It was of him and his tribe that General Harrison, in his official report to the Secretary of War (March 22, 1814), said: "The Wyandots, of Sandusky, have adhered to us throughout the war. Their chief, the Crane, is a venerable, intelligent and upright man." In this report he also referred to the Shawnee Chieftains, Black Hoof, Wolf, and Lewis, thus: "They are attached to us from principles as well as interest; they are all honest men."

There is a valuable relic of newspaper enterprise of that day left in the only account preserved of this council. It was printed in The Freeman's Chronicle of June 25, 1813. This paper was a weekly, published at Franklinton by James Gardiner, who was owner, editor and reporter. His description written by himself as a spectator and reporter is as follows:

"On Monday last, General Harrison held a council. in this place with the chiefs of the Delaware, Shawnee,