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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 --TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1787.
Congress assembled present nine states as before.
[Report of Committee on Indian Affairs3]
[Note 3: 3 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, pp. 313--314, read February 20, 1787, and made the order of the day for February 21.]
The Committee [consisting of Mr. William Irvine, Mr. William Samuel Johnson, Mr. James Madison, Mr. Benjamin Hawkins and Mr. Egbert Benson,] to whom was referred the draft of Instructions for the Superintendant of Indian affairs of the northern district, together with sundry letters and papers,
Report the following
Instructions4 to the Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Northern Department
[Note 4: 4 The instructions, (Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, p. 315.) in broadside form with manuscript changes by Mr. Irvine, indicated by lined type and brackets, apparently formed a part of the report. The draft submitted by the Secretary at War is in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 151, p. 223--228. See February 3, 1787.]
Sir: The United States in Congress assembled having been pleased to appoint you to the important office of Superintendant of Indian affairs for theyou will have every inducement that such
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high confidence can inspire, to exert yourself to fulfil their just expectations.
The ordinance of Congress for the regulation of Indian affairs, passed the 7th of August, 1786, and such other regulations as they may hereafter think proper to establish, are to be the governing principles of your conduct, and you are to enjoin an exact observance thereof on your deputies.
Many important considerations render it necessary that the United States should be at peace with the Indians, provided it can be obtained and preserved consistently with the justice and dignity of the nation. You will therefore immediately endeavour to ascertain the causes which have influenced the Indians to the commission of the murders on the frontiers, and to report the same. In this business it will be necessary not only to mark precisely the grounds of the present evils, but to ascertain the remedies, if any, which are within the power of the union, short of actual hostilities. The United states are fixed in their determination, that justice and public faith shall be the basis of all their transactions with the Indians. They will reject every temporary advantage obtained at the expence of these important national principles. But while they evince this determination by their conduct, they will not suffer unprovoked aggressions, with impunity, even from savages.
Justice forbids the United States from being guilty of oppression; but at the same time it dictates that their peaceable citizens shall be protected in their lawful pursuits.
Let the Indians know that their just complaints shall be listened to with attention and the causes removed; but that their murders shall be punished.
Being impressed with the main objects of the public, form all your negociations accordingly, by [to] conciliating the affections of the several tribes, and fixing their confidence in the friendship of the United States.
It is the desire of Congress to obtain full information of all the Indian tribes within the limits of the United States, and such others as may inhabit the country bordering thereon. You will therefore endeavour to ascertain their numbers and characters, and as far as possible the characters of the chiefs of each tribe; their particular residence, and the district which they occupy for their general hunting grounds. The quantity and quality of furs taken annually; the
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usual price and markets at which they are sold, and the kind of payments which are received.
The commerce with the Indians will be an object of importance, and ought to be cultivated by all proper means. As no traders will be suffered, without a license from you, or your deputies, it will be necessary that you should be attentive to their characters and conduct, as the preservation of peace will depend in a considerable degree on the fairness of their transactions. Any complaints of the Indians against the traders, must be enquired into, and if just, redressed without delay.
You will report the number of traders whom you annually license, the states they are from, and the districts in which they are to trade.
Humanity and policy will dictate that you endeavour to obtain an early release of all the citizens of the United States, who have been or may be captured by the Indians.
You will fix and maintain a constant friendly correspondence with the chiefs of the several nations within your district, and make them occasional presents of such articles as may be in your possession for that purpose by the orders of Congress. But this business must be regulated by the highest discretion. The circumstances of the United States will not admit of their entering into a competition with the practice of the British nation in this respect. The presents must therefore be in proportion to the importance of the characters and the public means.
It may so happen that some Indian chiefs may wish to repair to Congress; in this case; and [if] you should be of opinion that the national interest would be thereby [essentially] promoted, you will forward them at the public expence, with proper interpreters and credentials. But as this business will be considerably expensive, you will suffer it only on [very] important occasions.
You will [are to] hold general and particular treaties from time to time, agreeably to the orders of Congress, the objects of which will be specified. You will also hold such occasional treaties and councils [conferences] as, in your opinion, shall be necessary for to promote the public interests, reporting always to this office the time, place, objects and effects of such treatise and councils [conferences].
You will employ, occasionally, such interpreters, [and] messengers and laborers, as the business of your department shall demand, and agree for their pay; provided always that you report the same to this office and the board of treasury.
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The commanding officer of the troops in the United States on the frontiers, will have orders to concur with you to promote the common interest, by furnishing you with escorts or guards for yourself, and the public property in your charge, and rendering such assistance as in his opinion may be necessary, and the state of his command can afford.
It may be proper for you to encourage some young white men to reside among the Indian tribes to learn their language and customs; and some young Indians to repair to schools in different states, to learn the language and customs of the United States.
A constant and regular communication of all your observations and transactions to this office, for the information of Congress, will be highly necessary, and must be performed with punctuality.
It has been thought proper to give you these instructions for your general government; particular instructions may be forwarded from time to time. But much must be left to your prudence, fidelity and judgment. The business confided to your management is highly responsible, and requires an intimate knowledge of human nature, as well as of the habits, customs and particular views of the Indians.
You will undoubtedly endearour to perform the duties of your office in such a manner as to merit the approbation of Congress.
Given at the War-Office of the United States thisday of
Your Committee are of opinion that the secrecy observed by the Indians, of the result of their Council said to be held at Sandusky, indicates hostile intentions, therefore offer the following Resolutions.
Resolved that the Secretary at War Instruct the Superintendant of Indian affairs for the northern district, to take the most effectual and speedy measures in his power, for ascertaining the real designs of the Shawane, Delaware, and Wyindot Nations, particularly.
Resolved, That the Secretary at War be, and he is hereby directed to take order for immediately posting the Troops now in the Western Country at such places, as most effectually under circumstances to protect the Inhabitants, on the Western frontier of Pennsylvania and Virginia from incursions and depredations of the Savages.
[Order of Congress1]
[Note 1: 1 This order was entered by Charles Thomson in the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 137. It was referred to the Commissioner of Army Accounts to take order.]
That the Comr. of Army accots. proceed to the final settlemt. of the accots. of the late Maj. genl. St Clair, notwithstanding the defects of
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the accots. of Henry Valentine, Mr St Clair previously stipulating to account for such charges, if any, as may hereafter be brought against him from the accounts of issues by the sd. Henry Valentine.
[Letter of Secretary at War with intelligence from Mr. Traversie1]
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 150, II, pp. 247--248, read February 20 1787. A translation of Traversie's letter, regarding persons taking oath of allegiance to England, is on pp. 249--251.]
War Office February 19th. 1787.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency the translation of a letter from a Mr Joseph Traversie dated at lake Champlain the 24 December 1786. This person is a Canadian who during the late war was in the confidence of some of the northern tribes of indians. On that account General Gates employed him to obtain intelligence from Canada and recommended him for his attachment to the United States. On an examination of his services by a committee, Congress were pleased by their resolve2 of the 8th of August 1782 to direct that he should receive one hundred dollars in full for his services to the 20th. of November 1780 and that he should be allowed ten dollars per month in full for his support until the further orders of Congress which sum is still paid to him.
[Note 2: 2 Journals, vol. XXII, p. 457.]
Although I am strongly inclined from the improbability of the circumstances to disbelieve his assertions, yet their importance and the manner in which he states them render it my duty to submit his letter to Congress.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
H Knox3
[Note 3: 3 February 20, 1787. According to the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 137, the following committees were appointed:
Mr. Egbert Benson, Mr. William Blount and Mr. Melancton Smith on the petition of Josiah Throop. According to the Despatch Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 185, IV, p. 4, this petition was received February 20, 1787.
Mr. William Grayson, Mr. Abraham Clark and Mr. William Blount, on a motion respecting the transportation of letters between Fort Pitt and the Falls of the Ohio. See February 13 and 15, 1787.
Also according to the Committee Book, p. 137, there were referred to the Board of Treasury to report the following:
Petition of Elijah Hunter.
Petition of Abraham Yates, jr., dated February 20, 1787, and read the same day. Report rendered March 19, 1787. The petition is in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VIII, p. 471, and bears the indorsement "Question on committment Oct. 9, 1787."
Report of the Commissioner of Army Accounts, May 24, 1786, on memorial of M. Willett. Report rendered March 8 and passed March 21, 1787. See Journals, vol. XXX, pp. 305--306.
According to Committee Reports, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 189, p. 22, the report of the committee on J. Dickinson's letter (see February 12) was acted on, i.e. made order of the day for February 21, 1787.]
His Excellency
The President of Congress
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