We past the whole winter on the banks of the Ohio, we met with only two of Enemy whom we killed.

Our friends the Ouiattanongs have taken a prisoner which they have given

up to you.

Father! I have now to recommend to your care the warriours, in short our whole Village who did what I told them, which was no more than your order, they therefore expect to receive your bounty, as they were prevented from hunting and have not wherewith to procure for themselves necessaries

Major De Peyster then said

Children! I salute you all, the son of the Crooked Legs in particular as he is the first Chief amongst you.

I return you thanks for the prisoners you brought me, which I accept with pleasure. It's not long since you accepted the ax, but for the time, you have had it you have done your duty. You have always acted with humanity towards your prisoners, in so doing, you did as I directed, I told you that the time would come, that it would be of service to you-the time is now come, for all Powers at War have given each other the hand and are at Peace.

You tell me Children! that by assisting your English Father you are in danger of losing your lands, I do not tell you that it is so. I tell you the World is now at Peace and you have saved your Lands, but had you not defended them agreeable to my desire, the Americans would have taken them from you-I only give you this answer to what you have said to me for as yet I have not received the particulars of the Peace-You say that you are almost naked, I am therefore sorry you have not brought wherewith to provide your wants, the reason why I am sorry is because at this time I have not wherewithal to supply you, but ere long I hope to have it in my power to do soIf I receive any-thing for my Children, from below, depend upon it I shall distribute them, if not, they cannot expect anything, as to the Son of the Crooked Legs I here repeat my thanks for the Prisoner and I shall give orders that he be rewarded

-He then speaks to the Qui, qu abous.

Children! I inform you that the Peace is concluded, the particulars I shall communicate to you as soon as they come to hand and if any Goods arrive, I shall deliver them among my children in general.

Copy from the Book of Minutes

J. SCHIEFFELIN

Secretary

Endorsed :-No 30 1783 Substance of an Indian Council held at Detroit 28th June by Major De Peyster with a Band of Ouiats & Quiquâbous.

[B 123 p 392]

MAJOR DE PEYSTER TO GENERAL HALDIMAND.

DETROIT the 28 June 1783

SIR, Mr. Cuyler returns to his duty with all the dispatch the nature of his business here would admit of This gentleman will still be a considerable sufferer, notwithstanding every possible means have been imploy'd to endeavor to bring his affairs to a conclusion.

I have to inform your Excellency that the Indians begin to come in here, from all Quarters-To avoid a too numerous council I invited four of each nation to meet me about the beginning of July, but it seems that whole villages had set out on their journey for that purpose before my strings could reach them. Impatient to know what is to become of them and their lands, and, to request a supply of goods so long promised them. The enclosed will give your Excellency, some information with respect to the Wabash Indians, whom during the council were very impertinent, using expressions not proper to be committed to paper. The Delawares, Shawanese, and Wyandotts keep back 'till they have consulted with the Six Nations, and Cherokees on whose determinations much will depend.

I have repeatedly wrote to the Brigadier and to Sr Johnson representing my situation―The Brigadier acquaints me that he has transmitted my requisitions to your Excellency-I have therefore to hope that orders are on the way directing how I am to act, in what, in all probability will be a most critical situation.

I have the honour to be Sir Your Excellencys

most Huml & most obedt Servt

AT. S. DE PEYSTER

His Excellency The Commr in chief

Endorsed :-From 1783 Major De Peyster 28th June-Rec'd 16th July-Inclosing an Extract from the New York Gazette and on Indian Council held at Detroit the 28th June.

[B 123 p 390]

DEAR SIR, I wrote a few days ago with an uncommon Beaver to you, The Indians hereabouts are very anxious about the present situation of affairs. I have told them that I had nothing from authority, and then they should know it from me, however one of the Otewas Chief's told me he was afraid the Tree was fallen on the wrong side, & that ought to have been laid before them, and perhaps the Tree would be still standing straight they are told the Five nations will keep the Door shut, if so it shall be so, but says

he, I believe all of you have been telling us lies, but this is our Ground &c. &c.

Now Sir, I think those people should be treated handsomely on quitting them, and more so, as they have, untill now, been a good deal spoiled &c, and for that purpose more Goods will be necessary this Fall

If it is meant we shall take Post in this Country, the properest place is the River Tessalony on this Lake, about Twenty five Leagues north east from this, from my own Ideas and the Information of others this is the Place, being contiguous to all the different nations of Indians and to the Traders of Canada

The last adopted Plan for those Posts could never answer. The Indians very properly think there are no more than one God at each Post, and as Commandants are only to give what Goods they have from below, it can answer no good purpose, and how soon it takes place I will then beg to be taken from those Posts, as I never will sit in an Indian Council where Agents preside, who perhaps, know less of those matters than I do—

I was much hurt & concerned on hearing my Bills on Government, were not honoured, as I have exerted myself to the utmost to effect the purpose of my coming here, and I do declare & can prove that the Expenses here are in Provisions &c. &c. fifty Thousand Pounds less than last year & much. more work done than ever-hitherto partly to my Ruin as my pay goes faster than it comes. As to Presents I have given ever Discouragement to them as that must bring a great Expense on Government

If His Excellency is recalled I must suffer, as his behaviour to me induced me to think of being recompensed, therefore I hope you will be, as usuall, good enough to lay this before him

I had a Letter from London by which I understand my command while at Oswegatchie from 13th May 177- to 25th July 1782 is not paid, notwithstanding certificates being sent home as likewise General Powell's returning me as Commt. at that Post, that, and at the Post from eighteenth Sept. last, I hope may be payed, as I always understood it was my Right

I am with every Regard Dear Sir

Your most obedt. & most

Capt Brehm [B 98 p 215]

humble Servt

DANL ROBERTSON

COL. MCKEE TO JAMES MCKEE.

DETROIT July 10th 1783

DEAR BROTHER, The arrival at this place of some Messengers from the United States of America, affords me the satisfactory account of yours & the Family's Welfare and I am happy to hear that thro' the blessing of God you have been permitted by a well timed Industry to conduct yourself & them with prudence through the calamities of the times. And as it is now to be hoped that the blessings of Peace will again renew the Amity of Friends who from Political Opinions have been placed in different Situations, I flatter myself to hear from you & should have been glad to have sent Robert Surphlet by this Opportunity for this purpose but must wait a more favorable one which I hope will present itself before long, in the mean time. if it is not detrimental to you let me hear by the Bearer who I understand is to return here how my affairs stand which I am informed some Individuals ungenerous & dishonest advantage of, I wish some able Aternay could be employed on this occasion I shall as soon as possible fall upon some method of furnishing you with means to defray the Expense, let me know also if Mr. John Anderson formerly of Pittsburgh has paid any Money on my Account into your Hands.

Mr. James McKee

Endorsed :-Col McKee to Jas McKee

[Indian Affairs M. G. V.]

CAPTAIN ROBERTSON TO BRIG. GEN. MCLEAN.

MICHILIMACKINAC 10th July 1783

DEAR GENL, I would be glad to know from you whether or not I am to have any Rum, as I have been borrowing these three months past, and times are now so much altered that it cannot be expected the Traders will take the same quantity, as Rum has now fallen, as I am told-one third, therefore be pleased, for the good of the service to let me know what I have to depend on or in what manner I am to act at this Post without that Liquor, as I am resolved not to purchase any without positive orders—

I am sorry & ten times so that I ever came here, to be obliged to cringe & borrow Rum from Traders on account of Government, and they making a merit of giving it, is very distressing, and all that for a mere Bagatelle, however it is my Lot to be here at this Juncture & no Friend to attempt to give me common assistance, to carry on the Service with the least