Younger Brothers! I take you all by the hand, and welcome you to this council-fire. Viewing the number of nations who last winter signed the preliminary articles, I perceive all are present, except the Wyandots of Sandusky, and the Shawanees. It is now twenty-five days since the council-fire was kindled at this place. It has continued to burn bright; and it has happily dissipated the clouds, which have hung over the people of Sandusky. They now see that the sky is clear and serene: that the roads are open, and free of thorns. Four runners arrived from them last evening, to announce to me, the near approach of all the chiefs of the Wyandots, and others of Sandusky. The intelligence which these messengers have brought me, is this: that the dark cloud which enveloped the Shawanees, in the neighborhood of the British posts, (for that, my brothers, is a very cloudy place,) has also been dispelled; that they have, at length, awoke from their intoxicated slumber, and are now on their feet, coming to this place. They, and the Wyandots, etc. of Sandusky, may be expected to arrive here, in the course of three days. The question then is: shall we now name the day, on which to begin the great and good work, or shall we wait the arrival of those chiefs, and have their united voice on the subject. This is all I shall propose at present, until I hear your respective opinions."

The Little Turtle made some remarks to the other chiefs, on the General's speech, and gave them some reasons why the fixing of the day should be postponed.

A-goosh-a-way, an Ottawa chief, rose and said:

"Elder Brother! I am much obliged to you for requiring our opinions on this matter. 'Tis true, as the Little Turtle has observed to us, that we have been here a long time waiting; but it will be best to remain contented a few days longer, that we may begin the good work all together. I now present you our pipe, and hope that you and your warriors will smoke it.

"Elder Brother! You see that all your chiefs, as well as

ours, have smoked out of this calumet of peace; and the Great Spirit is well pleased to see it. The calumet does not now speak; it remains silent, until the arrival of our brothers, who are on their way."

The General rose and said:

Younger Brothers! Twenty-five days ago, the calumet of peace, of the fifteen fires, of the United States, was smoked in this house. It did not then speak; and it yet remains silent. I am pleased to hear you all concur in opinion, with the Little Turtle, that we should wait the arrival of our brothers, the Wyandots and Shawanees. I therefore propose that we shall meet again at this place on Monday next."

[A white string to each nation present.] Council adjourned to Monday the 13th.

On Monday, July 13th, at the request of the Wyandot chiefs, who arrived on the 12th, and others, the meeting proposed for that day, was postponed until Wednesday the 15th, some necessary regulations among them not having been decided on.

CHAPTER XI.

Commencement of the negotiations in full council.-Introductory speech of General Wayne.-Speeches of the Chiefs of the different tribes.-Progress of the negotiations.

On Wednesday, July 15th, the Council assembled agreeably to adjournment. Present, the chiefs of the Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippeways, Pottawattamies, Miamies, and Wabash tribes. The council being opened, and the council-fire uncovered, interpreters were sworn in; after which the General addressed the Indians thus:

"Younger Brothers! These interpreters whom you have now seen sworn, have called the Great Spirit to witness that they will faithfully interpret all the speeches made by me to you, and by you to me; and the Great Spirit will punish them severely hereafter, if they do not religiously fulfil their sacred promise.

"This is the calumet of peace of the fifteen fires of the United States of America. I shall first present it to The Soldier (Wabash tribe) who first took us by the hand, as I do not know yet which nation among you is in future to have the precedence. The next were the Wyandots, who came forward last fall, early; the next were the Ottawas, Chippeways, Pottawattamies, and Sauckeys; and the next were the Delawares.

Younger Brothers! All the chiefs and warriors of the different nations present! I now take you all by the hand. It was my wish to have waited for the arrival of the Shawanees, Wyandots of Detroit, and some Chippeways, who, I learn, are on their way; but as it is the desire of the chiefs

present, to commence the business generally, I will now show them by what authority I hold this treaty.

"Treaties made by all nations on this earth, ought to be held sacred and binding, between the contracting parties; hence, it is the practice, to commission certain persons with powers to make and conclude stipulated articles of treaties accordingly. These books contain treaties which have been held with all the Indian nations, in North America, and show what has been said and done at each, without the smallest alteration. In the first place, this is a commission, appointing me Commander-in-chief of the American Legion, presented to me by General Washington and the fifteen fires, three years since. On the 4th day of April, 1794, I received a commission from the same authority, for settling a peace with all the tribes of Indians north-west of the Ohio." (Here the General read the renewal of his powers as Commissioner, to treat with the Indians.)

"Having thus produced my authority, given me by General Washington, and the fifteen fires, I will now proceed to review the preliminary articles, which we mutually entered into and exchanged, during the past winter.

Younger Brothers! Open your ears, and listen to the question asked me by the Wyandots of Sandusky, on the 26th of September last. This was the voice of the Wyandots and other tribes of Sandusky. 'Brother! Bring forth from the bottom of your heart your sentiments respecting making a definitive treaty of peace, and upon what terms. We shall deliver our prayers daily to the Great Spirit above, our Maker, that he will open your heart and sentiments to us.' This was a strong and serious question, upon which the happiness of the United States and the Indian nations mutually depended. The answer made to that question required some explanations which are tedious, and do not seem at present necessary to be repeated; but I will read that part which explains the principles upon which a peace could take place.

"Brother! You desire me to bring forth from the bottom of my heart, my sentiments respecting a peace, and upon what terms it could be obtained.

"Brother! I now call upon you to exert your utmost powers of attention, and listen to what I shall say to you. It is now near six years, since the chiefs of the Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippeways, Pottawattamies and Sac nations, concluded a treaty at the mouth of the Muskingum, with Governor St. Clair, for removing all causes of controversy, and settling the boundaries between them and the United States. That treaty appeared to be founded upon principles of equity and justice, and to be perfectly satisfactory to all parties at that time. I therefore propose that treaty as a foundation for a lasting treaty of peace, between the United States and all your nations of Indians. Should you have any well grounded objections to these principles and to this proposition, come forward and speak your minds freely; and rest assured of a sincere welcome, and safe conduct, in coming hither and returning to your homes, from your friend and brother, ANTHONY WAYNE.'

"This was my answer to the Wyandots. They are here present, and can testify to the truth of it. In consequence of this answer, the Ottawas, Chippeways, Pottawattamies, Sauckeys, Miamies, Delawares, and Shawanees, came forward and signed these preliminary articles, of which you have all, respectively, copies. Having now shown you that I stand here in the place of General Washington, and represent the fifteen fires of America, and having shown the manner in which this happy meeting came about, by an application, first from the Wyandots, whose good example was followed by the other nations, I shall forbear to say more, as the day is far spent, but to request you to consider what I have said.

"Brothers! I wish you all clearly to understand that we have progressed so far in the good work, as to explain these preliminary steps. I would advise you to appropri