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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 --WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1786.
Congress assembled. Present, as before.
New York, April 25th, 1786.
Sir: After the Commissioners for Indian affairs had left Fort Pitt in March last, the Corn-planter, or Capt. O'Bail a chief of the Seneca tribe of the Six nations with five others arrived at that place. He expressed to Major Wyllis the commanding Officer, a desire of seeing the Commissioners, alledging that he had some things of importance to the United States to lay before them and that he also wished to pay a visit to the great council, or thirteen fires of the United States. His speech No. I at that place, and the subsequent, I have the honor of inclosing to your Excellency.
Major Wyllis judging it proper that he should see the Commissioners put the chief & his Companions under the care of Major Montgomery to bring them to Carlisle, which he did with great care and safety. The chief there addressed me with the speech No. 2, to which I gave the answer subjoined to it, which brought forward the Speech No. 3 with the answer to it.
The weather being severe, the roads bad, and the Indians much fatigued, I thought it best to let them remain a few days and see the place. The principal inhabitants of the town and country shewed them many marks of attention, which gave them great satisfaction. I then had them sent under the same gentleman's care, at the chief's request, to Philadelphia, where I overtook them. The beauty of the country they had passed thro, the magnitude of the city, the numbers of the people, shipping, and curiosities to them quite new induced the chief to request their being indulged with a few days stay with which I complied, judging it proper that they shou'd have just impressions of the strength, opulence, and consequence of so much of the United States, as they might have an opportunity of seeing with which they seem highly pleased, and agreeably surprized and delighted having been treated the whole way and particularly at Philadelphia with great attention by all ranks of the Citizens.
On friday last I set out with them for this place--but the unfortunate accident of the stage over-setting and injuring both myself and the chief, has prevented my giving your Excellency earlier information that they arrived in this city on Sunday last. I have put them into good lodgings and the chief under the hand of a surgeon
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and I expect that in two or three days his wound will be so well as to enable him to pay his respects to your Excelly. and Congress, an honor of which he is very desirous at such time as your Excelly. may think proper to direct.
I beg leave to suggest to your Excelly. that in my opinion the affairs of western territory will be greatly benefited by the early attention of Congress, they being in a very loose and distracted state. Shou'd any information of mine on any matter which has come under my notice, or within the line of my duty as a Commissioners of Indian affrs be thought useful, it will give me great pleasure to render all the satisfaction in my power in any manner which your Excellency may be pleased to point out.
I have the honor to be etc.
Richd. Butler.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, 56, folio 341. According to indorsement it was read April 26 and referred to Mr. [Stephen Mix] Mitchell, Mr. [John] Kean and Mr. [James] Monroe. Committee Book No. 190, notes that a report was rendered April 28. The Indian speeches referred to are on folios 345--358.
April 26: The following committees were appointed: Mr. [Rufus] King, Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson and Mr. [Zephaniah] Platt, on "2 Acts of Maryland-1st. granting Impost--2d. do. supplementary funds" This committee was renewed May 12. The acts, dated March 11 and 12 respectively, are in No. 75, folios 334 and 338.
Mr. [Stephen Mix] Mitchell, Mr. [John] Kean and Mr. [James] Monroe, on "Letter 25th April of Genl. Butler commune Talks with Capt. O'Beal and announcing his arrival in town." Report rendered April 28.
Also a petition from Samuel Keep, praying "compensation for losses sustained by fire," was referred to the Board of Treasury to report and report rendered May 1. The petition is in No. 41, v, folio 105.
Committee Book No. 190. Also, according to indorsement, a petition of Jeremiah Jackson in behalf of William Alexander, Robert Wilkin, Blackall William Ball, Edward Butler, and James Gilchrist, late officers of the Pennsylvania Line, praying travelling expences in 1782, was referred to the Board of Treasury to report and acted on August 9, 1786. The petition is in No. 42, IV, folio 70.]
His Excellency, The President of Congress.
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