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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1786.
Congress assembled. Present as yesterday.
War Office, April 6th., 1786..
Sir: Having been waiting for the information which might result from the issue of the treaty with the indians at the river Miami, and also for such explanations of the designs of the british Court respecting the western posts as might be supposed to arrive by this time, I have hitherto deferred submitting to Congress my ideas of the disposition of the troops of the United States during the course of the ensuing year. But the treaty at the Miami being terminated and the Court of Great Britain appearing still to persist in their plan of
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retaining the posts on the communication of the great Lakes it is proper that I should no longer postpone stating to Congress the proposed destination of the troops the reasons on which it is founded and to request their orders respecting the same.
Congress having been pleased by their proclamation strictly to forbid all unwarrantable intrusions on the lands of the United States I have in my orders to the commanding officers of the troops enjoined the highest activity to prevent or remove all such intrusions.
The propensity of lawless men to establish themselves on the public Lands instead of being damped by the rigorous treatment they have received rises to a great height and is even spreading itself among men who have been supposed to be under the influence of reason and law, strong desires to possess the fertile unlocated lands joined to the facility with which possession has heretofore been obtained induces an opinion that the right of an adventurer is superior to all others. These sentiments acquire vigour by communication and unless opposed with decision in the first instance will overwhelm the western territory with such incumbrances as to annihilate at once the interest and government of the United States.
To prevent the effects which may be apprehended from people so disposed it will be necessary to post the greater part of the troops on the Ohio at such distances that the intermediate spaces may be easily kept clear of settlers by the frequent patroles of armed parties. In the present state of affairs I consider this as the most important object for the employment of the troops.
The jealousy of the indians who inhabit the country lying between the Ohio and lake Erie might render it unwise at this time to assume those posts which perhaps might have a better military aspect. The Miami village at the head of the river of the same name which empties into lake Erie would be an excellent military post for twelve or fifteen hundred men in case of hostilities with the indians, and to curb or awe the british troops while in their present posts. This might be combined with a chain of posts extending along the south side of lake Erie.
But it would be highly impolitic to irritate the indians when we ought to conciliate their affections, to alarm the british garrisons and thereby to reinforce them when we wish them to be entirely withdrawn.
By posting the troops at due distances on the Ohio and perhaps ascending the Miami river with one company and taking post with
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it at the Picque's town and with another at the Tuscarawas on the Muskinghum at present would best conform to the objects of Congress. By this disposition lawless emigrants would be restrained, the surveyors protected, and the sale of the lands be made, in the most advantageous and honorable manner. The indians would have the opportunity of regarding the moderation, justice, and power of the United States; and the british troops would be under no apprehensions of being dispossessed by force of those posts their Court unjustly retain from us.
On the contrary the troops being much advanced into the country would admit of the irruptions and settlement of equivocal or bad men. The Savages already doubting of our pacific and honorable intentions would be driven into hostilities. An event which would be accelerated by the acts of insidious men favored by the countenance if not acting under the orders of the military servants of the crown of Great Britain. The plans of Congress would be frustrated for surveying and alienating the lands, and the United States involved in all the expences arising from an Indian war.
Were it a proper policy to obtain possession by force of the posts occupied by the british, and to push the savages further into the wilderness, an army would be required for the purpose, which would but ill comport with the present state of the finances of the United States.
There are six companies on the Ohio; of the troops now raising in Pennsylvania and New Jersey three companies will march by the 1st. of May, and the remainder during that month excepting the number necessary to form a guard to the stores at West Point. The whole effective force on the Ohio will probably amount to about six hundred men, deducting the sick and deserters.
The companies at Fort Mcintosh and the Muskinghum to scour the country between each of them; as will those at the Scioto and the Muskinghum. The companies at the mouth of the Miami to patrole to Clarkesville or below it if necessary.
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If this arrangement should be consistent with the ideas of Congress, I shall direct it to be carried into execution.
I have the honor, Sir, to be, with great respect,
Your most Obedient humble Servant,
H. Knox.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress No. 151, I, folio 195. According to indorsement it was read April 7 and referred to Mr. [Arthur] St. Clair, Mr. [James] Monroe, and Mr. [John] Kean.
April 7: The following committee was appointed:
Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson, Mr. [William] Hindman, Mr. [William] Grayson, Mr. [David] Ramsay and Mr. [John] Lawrance, on "An Act of Connecticut of Octr. 1785, empowering the Delegates to make a cession of unlocated lands in the western part of that State." A report was rendered April 10. See ante January 18, 1786. An attested copy of the Connecticut Act, passed in the session of October, 1784, is in No. 30, folio 519.
On this day the committee of January 27 on the petition of sundry persons in the quartermasters department in Massachusetts, was discharged and "The papers to be returned to the Petitioners."
Committee Book No. 190.
Also, according to indorsement, was read a petition from John Fitch, dated Trenton, March 15, praying the "exclusive Privilidge of constructing Boats impelled by the Force of Steam, and the advantages arising from that discovery on all the Waters now belonging to the United States, particularly on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, for such length of time as your Honours may think proper." It is in No. 42, III, folio 131 and according to indorsement it was "Ordered to be filed."
Also was read a memorial of Jonathan Burrall, Joseph Bindon, and Edward Fox, on the difficulties they were encountering in settling the accounts of three of the late staff departments of the army. It is in No. 19, I, folio 453. See post, April 8 and April 12.
Also a letter of December, 1785, from John Adams to John Jay, in cipher, was referred back this day to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to report. The cipher is in No. 84, VI, folio 43 and the translation is on folio 51. It relates to the attitude of Great Britain toward the United States.]
The Honorable Mr. Ramsay.
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