So great was the excitement among the Indians at this
time, that before the result of Col. Proctor’s
mission was generally known, another council of the
Iroquois was invited to meet at Painted Post, and was
held during the month of June following. The
British officers at Niagara, and runners from the
western tribes, exerted their influence to prevent
the Iroquois from coming into alliances of peace with
the United States. But through the exertions
of Col. Proctor, assisted by Cornplanter and the
elderly matrons, the minds of the leading chiefs were
turned from the proposed western alliance to Colonel
Pickering and the treaty ground at Painted Post.
Red Jacket, together with other leading chiefs was
present, and took an active part in the deliberations
of this council. It was well attended by the
Indians, as also by several American gentlemen, and
a number of speeches were interchanged, whose general
drift was in the direction of peace.
The result of this gathering was satisfactory to all
parties. It served to bind more closely the friendship
of the leading chiefs to the United States, and it
served also to interest the minds of the young warriors,
who had else from a love of adventure followed the
war path, with the tribes at the West.
At the close of this council, a large entertainment
was prepared purely after the civilized style, and
when it was about concluded, Colonel Pickering took
occasion to place before them the blessings and advantages
of a cultivated state of society; and the happy influences
that would arise from the introduction among them
of the arts of civilized life. He assured them
of the kind interest felt by General Washington and
others in their welfare, and promised to aid them
in any efforts they were disposed to make, for the
advancement of their people. Presents were then
liberally distributed among them, and they were invited
at a convenient time to visit General Washington,
and confer with him more fully on the subject.
The Indians were pleased with these suggestions, and
promised to accept of the proffered invitation.
Thus happily closed this council, gathered amid distracting
influences, the Indians returning home better satisfied
with their friendly attitude toward the government,
and their feelings in striking contrast with those
of their brethren at the West.
Expedition to the Indian Country—Washington’s
charge to Gen. St. Clair—
Approach to the Indian villages—Sudden
surprise—Disasterous battle—
Indian victory—Retreat of the Americans—Boldness
of the Indians—
Friendly Indian deputation—Welcome of the
governor of Pennsylvania—Red
Jacket’s reply—Address of President
Washington—Reply of Red Jacket—
Cause of Indian hostilities.
Indian hostilities still continued to destroy the
peace and safety of our frontier settlements.
And Congress with a view to provide relief, resolved
to increase our military force, and place in the hands
of the Executive, more ample means for their defense.
A new expedition was therefore projected. General
St. Clair, governor of the territory west of the Ohio,
was appointed commander-in-chief of the forces to be
employed.
