DOCUMENTS
AN UNSUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATION FOR REMOVAL
OF
THE WYANDOT INDIANS FROM OHIO, 1834
edited by DWIGHT L. SMITH
Instructor in History, Ohio State
University
It did not take long for the
frontiersman and his government
to realize the impossibility of his
pushing westward into new lands
for purposes of hunting, trapping, and
settling without reckoning
with the Indian who inhabited the lands
in which he desired to
hunt, trap, and settle. According to the
white man's concepts of
ownership and property, which were not
compatible with those of
the Indian, the latter were obstacles to
the fulfillment of his desires.
This situation was complicated by the
mutual lack of comprehension
of the other's ideas and a mutual
resentment that conformity and
reconcilement did not come from the
other. On the battlefields of
Fallen Timbers, the Thames, and
Horseshoe Bend, the white man
demonstrated his superiority of force
and wrested an unwilling
acquiescence of this fact from the
Indian.
In general the government negotiated
treaties with the various
tribes, both collectively and
individually, by which their titles to
lands were ceded or relinquished to the
United States. An out and
out purchase was made of a stipulated
area or areas with additional
concessions and presents being made. The
Indians were thus either
confined to reservations made within the
ceded lands by some of
the treaties, or they were pushed
westward treaty by treaty.
Eventually a new policy evolved, that of
removal, which provided
for an exchange of lands rather than a
purchase or cession. A
treaty would grant to a tribe a tract of
government land in the
trans-Mississippi area in exchange for
the tribal lands or holdings
305
306
OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
in the cis-Mississippi area. Often
stipulations were made whereby
means of transportation would be
afforded to the migrating Indians.
The removal policy of the government was
greatly accelerated
as the Indians became more and more
reluctant to give up their
lands by treaties of cession. Not only
did this make new areas
available for white settlement but it
helped to solve problems of
conflict and authority that had existed
because of Indians residing
in areas contiguous to or entirely
surrounded by white settlements.
Though the policy had antecedents as far
back as February 1803,
when Thomas Jefferson outlined the idea
to William Henry Harri-
son,1 and in March 1804, when
it was incorporated into the act
which created Louisiana Territory,2
it was not until after the War
of 1812 that the first treaty was
concluded effecting an exchange
of lands and bringing about a removal to
a trans-Mississippi area.3
For the next three decades Indian treaty
making was largely con-
cerned with the removal of tribes to the
lands west of the Mississippi
River. The first treaty of removal in
the Northwest Territory was
concluded with the Delaware on October
3, 1818, by which that
tribe ceded "all their claim to
land in the state of Indiana." In
consideration of this cession the United
States agreed "to provide
for the Delawares a country to reside
in, upon the west side of the
Mississippi, and to guaranty to them the
peaceable possession of
the same."4
The removal of the Wyandot Indians from
Ohio is but one of
a great number of moves that they had
made within the knowledge
of recorded history. Their story is that
of one exodus after another.
Jacques Cartier, in exploring the St.
Lawrence Valley, in the period
1534-43, found tribes along both banks
of the river who spoke
Iroquoian dialects. "Huron"
was the name applied to them by the
French, but in their own tongue they
called themselves "Wendat."
Cartier discovered that these tribes
were engaged in a fierce war with
1 Jefferson to Harrison, February 27,
1803, in Clarence E. Carter, comp. and
ed., The Territorial Papers of the
United States (Washington, 1934- ), VII, The
Territory of Indiana, 1800-1810, 88-92.
2 U. S. Statutes at Large, II, 283-289.
3 Treaty of July 8, 1817, with the
Cherokee, Charles J. Kappler, comp. and ed.,
Indian Affairs, Laws and Treaties (4 vols., Washington, 1904-29), II, 140-144.
4 Treaty of October 3, 1818, with the
Delaware, ibid., II, 170-171.
NEGOTIATION WITH THE WYANDOT 307
other tribes living to the south of
them. The enemy tribes to the
south were probably those of the
Iroquois confederation of a later
period of history.
When Samuel de Champlain came to the St.
Lawrence Valley
some seventy years later it was
deserted. The only Indians in the
area were some war parties of Algonquian
tribes who were roving
about the region. Huron tribes had been
expelled by the more
powerful Iroquois tribes from the south.
With other Huron tribes
to the westward, they now formed a
confederation and settled in
what was called Huronia, south and east
of Georgian Bay and
around Lake Simcoe in Ontario. To this
confederation was joined
a number of small dependent communities
who shared its privileges
and obligations and enjoyed its powerful
protection. Intermittent
warfare between the Huron and Iroquois
continued with the
superiority of the latter being greatly
enhanced by firearms acquired
from the fur trade with the Dutch.
In 1648-50, the Huron country was
invaded, the confederacy
was destroyed, and a greater part of the
Huron were either killed
or taken captive by their conquerors. A
few hundred who escaped
took refuge on an island in Georgian
Bay. Since they were not
safe from the Iroquoian menace here most
of them fled to Michili-
makinac, which they soon discovered was
still within reach of the
enemy. The flight continued until, by
1659, they found hospitality
with Indians in the Illinois country
along the Mississippi River.
The stay of the Huron here was of short
duration. Because of the
powerful Sioux they withdrew and settled
along the southern shore
of Lake Superior for a few years and
from thence moved again
about 1670 to a point on the upper
peninsula of Michigan opposite
Michilimakinac.
It was from this location that some of
the Huron moved and
settled in the region of Sandusky Bay in
northern Ohio and in the
vicinity of Detroit. After an ill-fated
English-inspired conspiracy
in 1747, involving most of the tribes of
the Ohio, Michigan, and
Indiana regions under leadership of the
Huron, which planned to
destroy the French at Detroit and at
other posts, the Huron removed
to the White River region of Indiana and
thence to the area in
308
OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
southern Illinois along the Ohio River.
After this they returned to
the Sandusky and Detroit regions.5
The name Wyandot was now used more
frequently to designate
the Huron. During the latter half of the
eighteenth century their
influence in the Lake Erie and Ohio
valley regions increased rapidly.
They were so powerful that the Delaware
and the Shawnee found it
necessary and advisable to obtain their
consent before they settled
within the area.
With the Delaware, the Wyandot, in 1785,
allowed themselves
to be restricted to an area in north
central Ohio bounded by the
Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas rivers on the
east and the Maumee River
on the west. They acknowledged "the
lands east, south and west
of the [tract to which they were
confined] . . . to belong to the
United States."6 This
treaty was subsequently renewed and con-
firmed by another treaty four years
later.7
As were the Wyandot, other tribes by
these and other treaties
were not content to recognize the
restrictions placed upon them as
to boundaries specified in these
documents. After their defeat by
Anthony Wayne at Fallen Timbers in 1794,
however, they signed
a general agreement at Greene Ville in
1795 by which lands to
the east and south of the well known
Greene Ville line were
recognized as belonging to the United
States.8 In 1805 the Wyandot
were a party to another treaty by which
the Cuyahoga-Tuscarawas
portion of the Greene Ville line was
moved westward to a north-
south meridian line "one hundred
and twenty miles due west of the
west boundary line of the state of
Pennsylvania."9 Two years later
they were further restricted in their
Ohio lands by a treaty in which
they surrendered title to the land north
and east of a tract bordered
by the Maumee River and a line running
directly north from the
mouth of the Auglaize River.10 After
another unsuccessful challenge
to the hegemony of the United States,
the Wyandot, with others,
5 Frederick W. Hodge, ed., Handbook
of American Indians North of Mexico
(2 parts, Washington, 1907-10), part 1,
584-591.
6 Treaty of Fort McIntosh, January 21,
1785, Kappler, Indian Affairs, II. 6-8.
7 Treaty of Fort Harmar, January 9,
1789, ibid., II, 18-23.
8 Treaty of Greene Ville, August 3, 1795, photostatic
copy in the Ohio State
Archaeological and Historical Society
Library.
9 Treaty of July 4, 1805, Kappler, Indian
Affairs, II, 77-78.
10 Treaty of November 17, 1807, ibid.,
II, 92-95.
NEGOTIATION WITH THE WYANDOT 309
signed peace treaties in 1814 and 1815
by which they recognized
the validity of their pre-War of 1812
cessions.1l
Two years later, in 1817, the remainder
of their holdings in
Ohio were ceded. There were two
exceptions made to this general
cession. A tract of land twelve miles
square at Upper Sandusky
and a second tract of a mile square on a
cranberry swamp on Broken
Sword Creek about ten miles from the
northeast corner of the Upper
Sandusky reserve were to be retained by
the Wyandot.12 The former
of these was enlarged by an additional
55,680 acres by the United
States in the following year.13 Both
were changed from being
exceptions to the cession of the 1817
treaty to reservations "held
by them in the same manner as Indian
reservations have been here-
tofore held."14 Two
additional reservations were also made in
1818. One was a tract of sixteen
thousand acres at Big Spring
about four miles northwest of the Upper
Sandusky tract, and the
other was a tract of one hundred and
sixty acres "on the west side
of the Sandusky River."15
The sixteen thousand acre tract at Big
Spring became the sub-
ject of the Treaty of January 19, 1832,
negotiated at McCutcheons-
ville [McCutchenville], Ohio, by which
the Wyandot did "forever
cede and relinquish to the United States
the reservation." The
prologue asserted that the Wyandot were
"fully convinced" they
could not prosper and be happy "in
their present situation in . . .
Ohio, in the vicinity of a white
population, which is continually
increasing and crowding around
them." Besides, "the morals of
many of their people will be daily
becoming more and more
vitiated." This was an outright
sale to the United States. This
band of Wyandot were to remove to Canada
or the Huron River
region of Michigan, "or to any
place they may obtain a right or
privilege from other Indians to
go."16 The mile square tract on
Broken Sword Creek, the one hundred and
sixty acre tract on the
west side of the Sandusky River, and a
strip five miles wide off the
east end of the Upper Sandusky tract
were likewise ceded to the
11 Treaties of July 22, 1814, and
September 8, 1815, ibid., II, 105-107, 117-119.
12 Treaty of September 29, 1817, ibid.,
II, 145-155.
13 Treaty of September 17, 1818, ibid.,
II, 162-163.
14 Ibid.
15 Ibid.
16 Treaty of January 19, 1832, ibid.,
II, 339-341.
310
OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
United States in 1836.17 Finally, in 1842, the Wyandot ceded the
remainder of the Upper Sandusky reserve
"being all their remain-
ing lands within the State of Ohio"
which contained over one hun-
dred thousand acres, and all their
remaining lands within Michigan.
In return they were granted a similar
tract west of the Mississippi
River to which they agreed to remove.18
An unsuccessful attempt to negotiate a
treaty with the Wyandot
was made in 1834. In answer to a
resolution of the Ohio legisla-
ture of January 18, 1834, that removal
of the Wyandot from Ohio
be effected,19 an
appropriation was made by congress to be used
for negotiation of a treaty to attain
that end.20 Robert Lucas, gov-
ernor of Ohio, was directed by Lewis
Cass, secretary of war, to
sound out the Indians with regard to a
cession of the remainder
of their holdings within the state and
their removal to the trans-
Mississippi area. Subsequent
instructions were then issued to Lucas
to attain the desired end if possible.
It is that attempt with which
the manuscripts here reproduced are
concerned. Due to the kind-
ness of W. B. Shrimplin of Columbus,
Ohio, who has been interested
for a number of years in collecting
manuscripts and other source
materials on Ohio history, these
manuscripts have been made avail-
able for publication. To supplement and
clarify the Shrimplin
manuscripts other documents are added.
Unless otherwise noted,
the documents are from the Shrimplin
collection.21
Lewis Cass to Robert Lucas
Department of War
July 11. 1834.
Sir,
An appropriation was made at the recent
Session of Congress for the
purpose of holding a treaty with the
Wyandot tribe of Indians.
I am directed by the President to
request that you would endeavor to
effect this object, by opening a
negotiation with the Wyandot Indians for a
17 Treaty of April 23, 1836 ibid., II, 460-461.
18 Treaty of March 17, 1842, ibid., II, 534-537.
19 Laws of Ohio, XXXII, 434. See Ohio State Journal, and Columbus
Gazette,
December 14, 1833, and January 8, 1834,
for the introduction and progress of this
resolution.
20 "An Act Making Appropriations
for the Indian Department for the Year One
Thousand Eight Hundred and
Thirty-Four," June 18, 1834, U. S. Statutes at Large,
IV, 677-678.
21 The original manuscripts have been
donated by Mr. Shrimplin to the Ohio
State Archaeological and Historical
Society.
NEGOTIATION WITH THE WYANDOT 311
cession of their lands in Ohio, to the
United States, and for their removal to
the country west of the Mississippi
river.
You are aware of the considerations
which render it desirable that all
the Indians remaining East of the
Mississippi, should speedily remove to the
region West of that river, and
circumstances render that measure every day
more and more obviously necessary. It is
believd that the Wyandots cannot
occupy the position they now hold in
Ohio, surrounded as they soon must be
by dense settlements of our citizens,
without subjecting themselves to the
operations of those causes, which have,
every where in such situations, brought
destruction upon the Indians.
You are so well acquainted with the
Wyandot reservation, and with the
condition of its possessors, that I do
not feel it necessary to trouble you with
such detailed instructions, as under
other circumstances, might be proper.
You will receive herewith a map of the
country west of the Mississippi
showing the region assigned to the
emigrating Indians- the district between
the Osages and the Arkansa boundary and
adjoining the Quapaws and in
the vicinity of the Ohio Indians would
seem to offer a desirable residence
for the Wyandots, but the whole country
between the Osages & the Shawnees
and between the Delawares &
Kickapoos and the Ottoes and Potawatimies is
vacant, as is also a large district
between the Omahas and the Ioways and
Sacs & Foxes, the South Eastward
portion of which has been assigned to the
Potawatimies-The Potawatimies of Indiana
are now seeking a residence
west of the Mississippi, and they,
together with the New York Indians, the
Menomonies and the Wyandots constitute
the only bands, whose permanent
location is not marked out.
You can provide in your arrangements
with the Wyandots, either for a
reservation at a given place or for a
location to be made on any unappro-
priated lands, which they may select.
It is presumed from the number of the
Wyandots, that a tract of land
equal to their reservation in Ohio would
be amply sufficient for all their
purposes, and you will endeavor to limit
the tract, to be assigned to them
to the same extent, as the one now held.
Should you find it essential however
to the success of your negotiation, you
are authorized to make an addition
thereto, not to exceed fifty per cent.
In the removal of the Wyandots the
President is willing to consult their
own wishes-- If they are desirous of
taking charge of their own removal and
if you believe, that they are
sufficiently intelligent so to do, you can then
stipulate, that a sum not exceeding the
rate, which the removal of other
Indians has cost, and to be determined
at the Treasury Department, shall
be allowed and paid to them for the
purposes of removal. Each of their
Warriors may also be allowed a rifle,
wipers &c, together with a small supply
312
OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
of ammunition- a reasonable supply of
blankets will be allowed to their
families- But, if it is better that the
United States should remove them,
then the stipulations on that subject
will be the same, as is to be found in
the Indian treaties, recently
negotiated, copies of which are herewith trans-
mitted. A years subsistence will also be
granted to them.
As the reservation belonging to the
Wyandots of Ohio is the last rem-
nant of the extensive possessions once
held by them the President is per-
fectly willing, that the whole proceeds
of that reservation should be applied
to their benefit, so that the United
States shall not be compelled to encounter
any expense from their translation from
their present to their western residence.
You may therefore in your negotiations
with them, assume one of two prin-
ciples in determining the consideration
to be allowed for the land. You will
provide for their removal and
subsistence, together with the other articles
before stated and you may then fix the
value of the land at a sum not exceed-
ing fifty cents per acre and allow such
an annuity therefor, payable during
twenty years, as the principal sum may
be worth. Or if they prefer it, an
arrangement may be made similar to that
contained in the treaty negotiated
by Colo. Gardener, with the Shawnees in
Ohio, that is, the ceded lands to
become a fund and to be sold by the
United States. Seventy cents per acre
to be retained to compensate the United
States, for the expenses of removal and
for other considerations allowed to the
Indians- the residue to constitute a
fund for the use of the Wyandots. The
interest of which at the rate of five
per cent to be paid to them by the
United States, for a period not exceeding
twenty years, as the President may
determine. At the end of which period
the principal shall be paid to them or
vested in some proper Stock for their
benefit, to be in like manner determined
by the President.
The sum of One thousand dollars is
appropriated for the purpose of
meeting the expense of your negotiation.22
Your compensation will be at the rate of
Eight dollars per day, while
actually employed upon the business, and
Eight dollars for every twenty miles
travel. You will be allowed to appoint a
Secretary, whose compensation
will be five dollars per day, and five
dollars for every twenty miles travel.
The above sum will be paid upon your
drafts. You can cause to be issued
to the Wyandots while assembled such
provisions as they may need, taking
care that the proper vouchers are
rendered therefor, viz, the contracts for the
supply of provisions, together with
abstracts of returns, showing the issues.
But under no circumstances will the
amount expended by you in conducting
this negotiation exceed the sum
appropriated.
The Sub-agent at Upper Sandusky will be
informed of this arrangement
and will be directed to carry into
effect any instructions you may give him
in relation to the affair.
22 A warrant was issued to Lucas for
this amount. Requisition No. 5290,
United States Treasury Department,
Second Auditor's Office, August 29, 1834, in the
Shrimplin collection.
NEGOTIATION WITH THE WYANDOT 313
I enclose a copy of the standing
regulations of the Department con-
cerning the issuing of presents and
provisions.--
Very respectfully, Your Obt. Servt.
Lew Cass.
His Excellency, Robert Lucas, Govr. of
Ohio,
Columbus.
Robert Lucas to Lewis Cass23
Executive Office, Ohio
Columbus 19th July 1834
Dr Sir,
I received your communication of the
11th Inst stating that an appro-
priation had been made at the recent
Session of Congress for the purpose of
holding a treaty with the Wyandott tribe
of Indians and informing me that
you had been directed by the President
to request that I would endeavour
to effect this object by opening a
negotiation with the Wyandott Indians for
the cession of their lands in Ohio to
the United States, and for the removal
to the country West of the Mississippi
river. This duty I will endeavour to
perform in compliance with the request
of the President, and in conformity
to your instructions, and will open a
negotiation for that purpose, so soon as
the Chiefs of this tribe of Indians, who
are now absent on a visit West of
the Mississippi, shall return to Ohio,
which is expected to be about the 1st
of September next, and in the mean time,
I will endeavour (in connexion with
Col. McIlvain the Sub. Agent at Upper
Sandusky) to prepare the minds of
this tribe of Indians for a favourable
negotiation, on the return of their
absent Chiefs to Upper Sandusky. Be
pleased to present to the President,
my grateful acknowledgements; and accept
for yourself an assurance of the
highest consideration and sincere
respect, of your
Very Obt Srvt
Robert Lucas
Hon. Lewis Cass Secy at War
W. Ward to Robert Lucas
Deartment of War
Office Indian Affairs.
July 25th 1834.
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 19th
instant, accepting the appointment of
Commissioner to treat with the Wyandot
Indians.
23 Executive Letter Book, Robert Lucas,
Governor, December 10, 1832--Decem-
ber 8, 1836, in the Ohio State Archaeological and
Historical Society Library. This
will be referred to hereafter as Lucas Executive Letter
Book.
314
OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
The Secretary of War directed, before
his departure, that the annuities
due to these Indians, the present year,
should be paid by Col McElvaine at the
time they were assembled to meet you in
council. It was his wish that you
should be present at, and aid in
superintending the payment. I have there-
fore to request that you would perform
this duty, and to enclose a copy of
the Regulations, which prescribe the
manner in which the payment shall be
made.
I am Sir with great respect, Your Obet
servt
W. Ward
For E. Herring, Comr.24
His Excellency, Robert Lucas,
Columbus Ohio
Robert Lucas to John McElvain25
Executive Office, Ohio
Columbus July 31st 1834
Col. John McIlvain sub. Indian
Agent at Upper Sandusky
Sir,
In pursuance to instructions from the
War Department, of the 11th Inst.
requesting me to open a negotiation with
the Wyandott Indians for a cession
of their lands in Ohio, to the United
States, and for their removal West of
the Mississippi river, I have to request
that you will make the necessary
arrangements with the tribe, and after
consulting their wishes on this subject,
that you would name to me such time and
place, as might be most agreeable
to them to meet me in Council, for the
purposes aforesaid, and that you also
provide by contract in accordance with
the regulations of the War Depart-
ment, for the supply of such provisions,
as may be wanted by these Indians
during the pendency of the negotiation-
With sincere respect I am Your Obt Srvt
Robert Lucas
Robert Lucas to Lewis Cass26
Executive Office, Ohio
Columbus. Aug 19th 1834
Dear Sir,
On the 12th Inst I returned to this
place, from a visit to the Wyandott
Indians at Upper Sandusky. The object of
my visit was to have a personal
acquaintance with the Chiefs and head
men of the nation, and to hold
familiar conversation with them
individually on the subject of the intended
negotiation for the cession of their
lands to the U. S. and their removal West
24 Elbert Herring was in charge of the
bureau of Indian affairs, 1831-32, and
was the first commissioner of Indian
affairs, 1832-36.
25 Lucas Executive Letter Book.
26 Ibid.
NEGOTIATION WITH THE WYANDOT 315
of the Mississippi. As far as I have
been enabled to learn from frequent
conversation with some of the head men,
there is considerable division among
them with regard to the removal. Some
are anxious to join their brethren
in the West, while others are loth to
abandon the land of their fathers, but
should the Chiefs that have lately
visited the West, be in favour of the
removal, I have no doubt, of our success
in the final negotiation for the
cession of their lands upon the terms
within the scope of my instructions-
I have this morning been informed that
the Chiefs who were absent exploring
the country West of the Mississippi,
when I was at Upper Sandusky, have
returned and that the nation will be
assembled to hear their report. this will
be done before the time appointed for
paying the annuities- Immediately after
the annuities are paid-I expect to open
a formal negotiation with them in
conformity to my instructions-
arrangements are making to provide them with
rations during the pending negotiation:
any instructions that you may think
proper to communicate will be punctually
attended to. In your communica-
tion of the 11th July, you stated that
$1000. were appropriated for the pur-
pose of meeting the expences of the
negotiation and stated that this sum
would be paid upon my draft.
If consistent with the regulations of
the department, it would be a
convenience to me, if that sum was transmitted
to me at this place in a draft
on any of the Eastern Banks, or on the
Bank of Cincinnati in this State, in
either case an arrangement could be made
at this place, so that the funds
could be under my control at the time of
the negotiation. You will please
advise me on the subject-
Very Respectfully Your Obt Srvt
Robert Lucas
Hon. Lewis Cass Secry of War
Elbert Herring to Robert Lucas27
Department of War
Office Indian Affairs
August 27. 1834
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 19th
ins, & to express my confidence,
that the measures into which you have
entered with so much interest will
ensure a favorable result for your nego-
tiation with the Wyandots.
It was supposed that under the authority
given you in the letter of the
11th July, to draw upon this Department,
you would be able to procure the
27 Manuscript in Ohio Executive
Records-Correspondence, Robert Lucas, Gov-
ernor, July-September, 1834, in the Ohio
State Archaeological and Historical Society
Library.
316
OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
amount, appropriated for this object. As
you indicate a preference however
for a different course, the sum of one
thousand dollars will be remitted to
you at Columbus from the Treasury.
I am Sir, very respectfully Your obt Svt
Elbert Herring
His Excellency Robert Lucas
Columbus Ohio.
John McElvain to Robert Lucas28
Wyandot Agency
Upper Sandusky
August 27-1834
Dr. Sir,
On yesterday pretty much the whole of
the Wyandot tribe men, women
& children were assembled to hear
the report of the diligation who have
recently returned from examining the
west- After they had assembled &
seated on a beatiful green near this
place the leader or head of the party
rose & gave a minute description of
their journey & of the country through
which they passed until they arrived at
the one designed for their future
residence-- He then with the other of
his associates in succession were from
early in the day until dark & after,
busily engaged in describing the country
they were directed to explore, but it
was easily seen that they did not do it
justice, as their whole aim as appeared
was to point out its bad qualities,
but notwithstanding they laboured hard
to prejudice the minds of their people
against it, yet they were compelled to
acknowledge that it had some good
qualities, such as being a healthy one,
abounding with good springs-good
land even on the highest hills, good
stone quaries &c &c.
The report on the whole is just such a
one as I expected, as two of the
party & leading men of the tribe
have ever been against emigrating, & it was
my opinion at the time the project was
gotton up, to make a second examina-
tion, which originated with those two
individuals, that they had not the
welfair of their tribe at heart, &
that their only object was to quiet the minds
of those in favor of emigrating, by
deceptively showing a willingness to fall
in with their views provided they could
find a good country, They were
therefore compelled, in order fully to
carry out their deception, to go &
examine the country designed for the
tribe, & to return & report unfavorable
& by this means defeat the views
& calculations of a majority of the tribe,
& to raise their prejudice against
that country, which I have some fears
they will do.
But still I do not despair, as I have
yet a strong hope that you will in
the end be able to satisfy a majority of
the tribe that it will be to their
interest to emigrate-- I will therefore
not relax my efforts, but will double
28 Manuscript in ibid.
NEGOTIATION WITH THE WYANDOT 317
my diligence in striving to convince
them of that fact until you arrive, I have
just held a conversation with a number
of them in which I stated that their
friends had described just such a
country as I would like to live in, particu-
larly so if I had plenty of money, &
they all seemed to agree with me
I have closed the contract for
furnishing rations at 8 cents per ration
which
was the lowest bid out of six- I am fearful I shall fail in getting
that part of the annuity which was by
mistake sent to the west. $1000, And it
is also uncertain whether that part of
it that I am directed to get at the bank
of Michigan can be got even were I to go
after it at the present time, as I
understand no business what ever is
doing in the bank, & the president of it
has lately died with cholera, but I
think I had better within a few days go
after the funds & run the risk of
the cholera & of succeeding in getting
there, so that if possible to get
through with the business before us before
the fall & disagreeable season sets
in.
But owing to the uncertainty of
obtaining the funds as aforesaid, it is
impossible to inform you at what time
your presence will be required, but as I
do not like to undergo the
responsibility of keeping the funds long on hand
after they are got if they can be got at
all, I therefore hope that you may be
ready on the shortest notice after they
are obtained-
I am very respectfully Your Obt servt
John McElvain
To His Exy Robert Lucas
Columbus
[Addressed] Upper Sandusky O Aug 28th To
His Exy. Robert Lucas
Piketon Pike Co. (Ohio)
[Postmarked] COLUMBUS O AUG 30 10
[Endorsed] Col. J. McElvaine Aug 27 1834
Indian Affairs
John A. Bryan to Robert Lucas29
Columbus, It Septem[be]r 1834--
Dear Sir,
Col. McElvain is now here. He wrote you
on the subject of the Wyandot
council, & as he tells me there will
be considerable difficulty in effecting a
treaty. Would it not be well in your
address to them to present the matter
in the Strongest possible light to them?
to refer to the prospect that opens
to them beyond the Mississippi; and the
many advantages a change will
offer them, when they can carry money
sufficient with them to make them
perfectly independent and happy in their
new habitations? to point them
to the situation in which they are now
placed, tho' located on lands of an
excellent quality in a delightsome
region of country, laboring under many
29 Manuscript in ibid.
318
OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
embarrassments that cannot be lessened
or diminished while remaining where
they are? But you need none of these
intimations. You know just how much
to say better than I can even hint it
to you. You will be ready, I know, to
pardon any suggestions of mine. It
occurred to me that you might properly
present to them all the strong points of
the subject, and leave them to the
decision. There are many good arguments
in favor of their acceptance of
the terms offered them, and I confess,
as an individual, I have a great
anxiety that you shall succeed in the
negotiation, tho' from present indica-
tions, the prospect of success wears an
unfavorable aspect. This circumstance
will justify you indulging more freely
in the remarks you may have to make to
them. I know it to be your determination
to use none but honest and fair
arguments. All others, as you justly
remarked, will be unworthy of the
occasion.
I do sincerely hope the negotiation may
prove successful, and your
anxiety is even perhaps more than
mine--30
Yours very Sincerely,
John A. Bryan31
His Excelly-Robert Lucas-
[Addressed] Gen. Robert Lucas, Gov. of
Ohio Piketon (O.)
[Postmarked] COLUMBUS O. SEP 2 Paid 10
[Endorsed] John A. Bryan Sept 1, 1834
John A. Bryan to Robert Lucas32
Columbus, 6th Septr 1834--
Dear Sir,
Col. McElvain is here. He has procured
his money, and is ready to
accomplish the business with the
Indians.
He wishes you to be at Upper Sandusky on
the 15th (Monday week)
He proceeds immediately from this, and
will have the Wyandots all duly
notified-
In haste- Your friend &c
John A. Bryan
Gov. Lucas
[Addressed] Gen. Robert Lucas, Piketon
(O)
[Postmarked] COLUMBUS O. SEP 8 PAID 10
[Endorsed] John A. Bryan Sep 6, 1834
30 The last five paragraphs of the
letter pertain to political information and have
been omitted.
31 John A. Bryan was secretary to
Lucas.
32 Manuscript in Ohio Executive
Records-Correspondence.
NEGOTIATION WITH THE WYANDOT 319
Journal of Proceedings
Wyandot Reservation,
Upper Sandusky, Augst. 1834.
Gov. Lucas, by virtue of his appointment on the part of the United
States, to negotiate with the Wyandot
Indians for the sale of their lands,
met some of the nation on the 6th day of
Augst. 1834, in company with
John A Bryan his secretary and John
McElvain sub Indn agent, preliminary
to entering the negotiation, & for
the purpose of ascertaining their wishes
as to the time & manner they would
prefer for assembling the nation-
Jacko, principal chief, and several
other Indians, held a consultation with the
said commissioner relative to the
arrangements necessary for the occasion.
The exploring committee of Indians,
appointed to examine the country West
of the Mississippi, not having returned,
it was thought advisable not to open
any negotiations relative to the
purchase, until they should return & make
their report, which is expected in the
course of two or three weeks.
Col. John McElvain, sub. Indn agt. in
the mean time is to have a
suitable quantity of Rations provided
for opening and concluding the nego-
tiation, and see about what time the
nation will be pleased to assemble for
the purpose. Of the time and place of so
assembling, each individual of the
nation will have due notice-
Wyandot Reservation-
Upper Sandusky Sept. 16, 1834
Gov. Lucas, accompanied by John McElvain
Esq. Indn agt. & John A.
Bryan secry. of the commission, arrived
at the agency House this day-- The
nation is to meet the commissioner for
the purpose of entering upon the
negotiation on Thursday the 18th, (or
rather, as soon after concluding the
payment of the annuities, as may be made
most convenient to the nation-)
Septembr 18th 1834
3 Oclk. P.M-
The Indians having held a council to
ascertain whether the chiefs, or
the individuals of the nation should
receive the annuities, Gov. Lucas called
into their council Room to ascertain
their views- He inquired of the chiefs
whether they had made a decision on the
subject- They informed the Gov.
that they would prefer to have the
payments made to the chiefs, and that
they w[oul]d take the responsibility of
paying it out to the nation-- The
chiefs informed the Gov. that they
w[oul]d meet him on tomorrow at 12
Oclk. m. and proceed to receive the amt
of the annuities-
The Gov. observed to the chiefs in
council that he wished to have a
consultation with the nation relative to
the sale of their land, and reed for
reply that when the payment of the
annuities was completed, they would let
him know at what time they would be
ready to hold such consultation.
320
OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
A circumstance having occurred that
interruptted the regular course of
proceedings, the payment of the
annuities was suspended- Several councils
were in the mean time held by the chiefs
relative to some matters of private
concern to the nation, and the time for
paying the annuities was set for
Monday next (the 22d inst.)
Monday, Sept. 22d 1834
The payments were first made by the sub.
agent (John McElvain) to
the chiefs of the tribe, amounting to $6,900.00
and their triplicate receipts
taken for the same- The chiefs then
commenced paying over to the tribe,
which will be continued from day to day
until completed-
Tuesday, Wednesday & part of
Thursday was occupied in finishing
paying over the annuities- When
concluded, the chiefs were consulted on
the subject of the negotiation, and were
desired, as soon as possible, to meet
the Gov. in Council. They desired the
opening interview on tomorrow (Fri-
day) immediately after breakfast-
Friday afternoon, 26th Sept. 1834
1/2 past 1 Oclk--
The chiefs councillors, Head men &c
convened in their council House
and coming to order, Tom Long, one of
the councillors, rose and gave a
general exhortation to the council to
preserve order during the interview as it
is an occasion that ought to forbid any
thing like levity, especially as the
chief magistrate of Ohio is one of the
parties in this meeting- The Gov.
concisely remarked, on opening the
negotiation, that he met the chiefs and
individuals of this tribe as a
commissioner on the part of the united States
in a spirit of candor and good will,
& would, in what he had to observe in
explanation of his views, & in
giving those of the government in relation to
the welfare and happiness of these
Indians, he hoped to use no other than
fair arguments- and he assured all who
were present, that he would
endeavor to consult the best interests
of the tribe in what he had to propose
to them.
The Gov. then proceeded to explain, in
general terms, the views and
opinions of the govt-- W. Walker, the
interpreter, followed, & presented it to
the tribe in the Wyandot language.
Upon the conclusion of this statement of
the Gov. he enlarged in
explanation of the country designed for
the Indians, and cited the tribe
to the map he submitted for inspection
for a knowledge of the country to
which the other Indians of the United
States, & those from Ohio, have
emigrated. The intention is (he said)
that each tribe should have exclusive
possession of the country they shall
select, the united States having a super-
intending care over the whole country,
which all the Indians occupy west of
the Mississippi-
NEGOTIATION WITH THE WYANDOT 321
The Gov. explained further the form of
the government designed for the
Indians- That a proposition was pending
before congress to form a separate
and distinct government of their own,
& would probably, as soon as they
should become sufficiently intelligible [sic]
& civilised to form a state or
territory of themselves, be adopted, and
previous to that period they will
possess the power of electing a delegate
to congress, the same as the other
territories of the Union, to take care
of their interests and to protect their
rights and privileges as a people- After
fully and freely explaining all these
matters, deemed important to impart a
proper knowledge to the tribe, of
the benevolent intentions, and the kind,
superintending care of the President,
and the government of the United States
over them, the Gov. read from a
Report of the board of commissioners,
appointed for the purpose of exploring
the country intended for the residence
of the united States Indians, who give
their views at large on the various
subjects connected with the emigration &
settlement of all the Indians of the
Union east of the Mississippi River.
Succeeding the reading from this
document, the Gov. entered at some
length in explanation of the advantages
to be enjoyed by emigrating to
the country designed- He adverted to the
extensive range of country from
which they could make a selection, the
salubrity of the climate, the richness
of the soil-the advantages for grasing
cattle, horses, sheep &c and the
promise held out for realising all the
necessaries of life, which the various
wants of the Indian now required. He
enlarged upon the subject of these
advantages, and contrasted the present
condition of this nation with their
former situation, possessed as they once
were of a wide & extended region
of country, & now dwindled down to a
small and narrow reservation of a few
miles in extent, and finding, as it were
but a handful of their men & women
left, and they dropping off, one after
another, loudly speaking to the world
that the day of their national
prosperity is gone, & pointing them to the
West where those remaining might go
& where the sprigs of their nation might
take root and flourish. Jacko, principal
chief, observed, when the Gov. pro-
posed to them to give ample time to
consider, (one, two, or four weeks, or
such time as they might select, that
they would consult together for a while,
this evening, and let the Gov. know
whether it would be necessary to meet
tomorrow- They finally determined to
meet tomorrow morning for further
consultation-
Saturday, 1 O'clk P.M-
Septr 27-
Thomas Long, one of the chiefs rose and
said in behalf of the council,
that after some considerable length of
time, and hearing the views of one
and other of the tribe, and after
hearing what the gov. had to say yesterday,
they have come to the conclusion to
postpone a final decision on the subject-
The tribe feel a due sense of the candor
and truth with which the Gov. has
expressed to them his views and opinions
as to a proposed change of their
residence-and, taking into consideration
his assurance of being their friend,
322 OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL
QUARTERLY
and, that he
would do the Indians nothing but Justice in this negotiation,--
and further,
that the subject should be made plain to their understanding,
and be
involved in no mystery or uncertainty by him, they have concluded
best to
postpone the further consideration of the consultation until three
weeks from
monday next, and he feels happy to remark that there is a
[concurrence?]
in opinion and feeling between the Gov. and the council as
to the time.
The Gov.
adverted again to the subject of the negotiations alluded to
the former
treaty made with the nation by which certain of the old chiefs
named therein
were allowed each 2 sections of land- That if they now sold
this
Reservation, these or any others who wished to become citisens and come
under the laws
of the State, he had no objection to the same and he had
little or no
doubt that it would meet with the sanction of the Prest
The Gov.
observed that he did not know that any further observations
were
necessary. If any one present had any questions to ask, he would be
happy to
answer them-
Thomas Long
said, in regard to the suggestion made
on yesterday,
whether they
had any questions to ask on the subject before, he could say,
that they had
had the subject under consideration, and he did not know any
thing at
present of importance to submit to the consideration of the govern-
ment- He was
fully satisfied, and they all were of the fair and candid course
pursued in
this negotiation. They feel grateful for the same & hope to be
enabled to
reciprocate the same, in a manner becoming them--and further
that they
w[oul]d carefully examine the subject submitted to their con-
sideration.
Whereupon the council adj[ourne]d to meet again on monday
the 20th of
October next-
[Endorsed] Thos
Long
pd..........................................$10.
W. Walker
......................................... 10.
Jonathan Painter .................................. .. 1.
Jno. Bryan ................. ................ .. 10
Robert Lucas
to Lewis Cass33
Executive
Office, Ohio.
Columbus
October 4th 1834
Sir,
In compliance
with the wish of the Secretary of War as expressed in
your letter of
the 25th of July last, I met with Col McElvain at Upper San-
dusky on the
18th ult to superintend the payment of the annuities to the
Wyandot
Indians at that place, at which time and place I met the Chiefs in
Council and
made known to them the regulations adopted by the Department
which
prescribed the manner in which the payments should be made and
33 Lucas
Executive Letter Book.
NEGOTIATION WITH THE WYANDOT 323
requested them to consult the tribe and
determine whether they would prefer
the annuity to be made to the Chiefs as
the head of the tribe or to the heads
of families. The Chiefs after
consultation determined in Council in favor
of the former course, and had drawn up,
and signed their names to, such
determination, which I herewith transmit
to the department. (marked A)
I at the same time informed the Chiefs
that as soon as the annuities
were distributed I would meet them in
Council for the purpose of opening
a negotiation with them for the cession
of their land to the U. S. and for
their removal West of the Mississippi
river, and desired that all the present
and former Chiefs, and old men
particularly, and as many of the tribe as
could attend, should be present at the
opening of the negotiation. The
Chiefs replied that the tribe was then
assembled and would be kept together
and as soon as they had completed the
distribution of the annuities they
would let me know and would meet me for
that purpose. Several days
were then occupied in preparing and
distributing the annuities and on the
25th inst the principal chief informed
me that the Chief Counsellors, head
men and Warriors of the Wyandot tribe
would meet me in council the next
day to hear the propositions that might
be made on behalf of the United
States for the cession of their land and
for their removal West of the Mis-
sissippi.
Sept 26th 1834. Pursuant to appointment
I in company with Col McEl-
vain, sub-agent, John A. Bryan Esqr
Secretary and William Walker Esqr
Interpreter, met the principal Chief
Councillors, head men and warriors of
the Wyandot tribe in council at Upper
Sandusky in the county of Crawford
in the State of Ohio, and opened a
negotiation with them in accordance with
the request of the President of the
United States as expressed in a communi-
cation from the War Department of the
11th July 1834. I opened the nego-
tiation by giving them a concise view of
the benevolent intentions of the
President of the United States with
regard to the Indian Tribes generally,
described to them the country they are
desired to immigrate to, explained
to them the nature of the government
that would be guaranteed to them- and
the many advantages that would result to
them as a Nation, drew a contrast
between their present and former
situation- pointed out to them the diffi-
culties and embarrasments they must
necessarily encounter if they remain
in their present situation and urged
upon their consideration the liberal offer
that was made to them for the cession,
and the advantages they would enjoy
over other emigrants should they accept
then and immigrate to the West.34
A communication in writing containing
the proposition I was author-
ized to submit to them was read and
interpreted to them as well as the
Report of the Committee on Indian
Affairs and the Report of the U. S.
Commissioner describing the Western
Territory and the condition of those
tribes that had been settled therein. I
produced to them the map of the
country and desired the interpreter to
explain it to them.
34 A nine-page manuscript of Lucas'
speech is in the Shrimplin collection.
324
OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
To all these communications they
listened with great attention. The
written and printed Documents were left
in possession of the interpreter to
explain to them, with a request that
they would examine them together with
the proposition submitted for their
consideration and that they would give
me a specific answer to them- and that
if they should after a careful exami-
nation of the proposition and all the
circumstances connected with the nego-
tiation determine that they would not
sell their lands upon any terms that
they should inform me of it and the
reasons that governed such determination.
But if they should conclude to cede
their lands to the U. S. and were not
fully satisfied with the terms offered,
that, in such case to inform me upon
what terms they would be willing to
negotiate. After I concluded the Chiefs
without giving any reply, requested time
to consider and desired to meet me
the next day, at which time I met them
and enquired if they desired any
further explanations on the proposition
submitted to them. They informed
me they did not, but promised that they
would carefully examine the whole
matter and get the interpreter to
explain the documents to them and that I
should give them three weeks to consider
and consult the tribe and that I
should meet them at that time when they
would give me their answer to
the proposition. To this request I acceded
and adjourned to meet again at
Upper Sandusky on Monday the 20th of
this month.
The foregoing is a brief statement of
the proceedings. I thought it best
to keep the negotiation open and give
them time to consider and examine the
subject of the proposition made to them.
From what I could learn the tribe
is somewhat divided in opinion on the
subject of emigrating. The principal
Chief is in favor as well as the former
Chiefs but I am inclined to think that
a majority of the present board of
Counsellors are unfavorably impressed in
consequence of the unfavorable report
made by the Chiefs who explored the
western country. The impression may
probably be done away on an exami-
nation of the map and the description
given of the country by the United
States Commissioners, who had explored
it. Should I find on my next meet-
ing with them that a majority of the
Chiefs are opposed to the negotiation
it may be necessary to still adjourn and
keep the negotiation open untill after
a new election of Chiefs which will be
in January next as I have been assured
by men whose situation gave them an
opportunity to know the sentiments of
these people, that there is a majority
of the tribe in favor of selling.
Were I invested with discretionary power
I have not the least doubt but
that I could finally succeed in
effecting a negotiation upon terms that would
be satisfactory to the Indians and
indemnify the Government for all expenses
of their translation from their present
to their future homes. As the appro-
priation for the negotiation is a small
one and I have been instructed to keep
the expenses within that sum, a
considerable portion of which has been ex-
pended in furnishing rations to the
Indians, I would ask the advice of the
Department whether or not it would be
advisable to keep the negotiation open
should the Indians at the next interview
not be prepared to give a definite
NEGOTIATION WITH THE WYANDOT 325
answer. If the negotiation should be
kept open the appropriation would not
be sufficient to meet the expenses that
would necessarily acrue. On this
subject I would be pleased to hear the
opinion of the Department. After the
next interview which will take place on
the 20th inst I will transmit to the
Department a correct Journal of all the
proceedings & the final result of that
interview--
Your obt svt
Robert Lucas
Hon Lewis Cass-Secy of War
Elbert Herring to Robert Lucas
Department of War
Office of Indian Affairs,
October 14th 1834
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 4th
Inst addressed to the Secretary of War
relative to your negotiation with the
Wyandot Indians for a cession of their
lands to the United States.
I am instructed by the Secretary of War,
to present his thanks to you
for your agency in the business, and to
assure you of his entire approbation
of the measures you have taken.
I agree with your Excellency that the
sum appropriated to effect this
object was small, still the Department
has no authority to exceed it. There
is also from your representation good
reason to believe that the negotiation
would be successful, if it should be
continued after the 20th inst, provided
the Wyandots should not then come to
terms. Yet if the sum, which has been
appropriated for that purpose, shall
then be exhausted, the Department cannot
authorise you to keep the negotiation
open. Should it however be continued
on your own responsibility and terminate
successfully, the expense incurred
by you would unquestionably be
reimbursed by the Government.
I have the honor to be,--Very
respectfully, Yr. obt svt.
Elbert Herring
His Excellency, Robert Lucas
Upper Sandusky, Ohio.
Journal of Concluding Proceedings
In council, Wednesday 1/2 past 11 AM.
Oct 23d 1834--
Jacques principal chief-rose and said
that the delay had taken place in
consequence non attend. of two or three
chiefs. Perhaps circumstances had
occurred to prevent their att[endanc]e.
He was happy to find the Gov. enjoy-
ing usual health, and that they were
again permitted to meet together in
peace and friend ship to consult on the
subject of the negotiation opened for
the sale of their lands.
326
OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
He continued to remark that with regard
to the subject that has been
submitted to their consideration, that
the manner in which the subject has
been presented to their consideration
was calculated to inspire confidence and
to assure them of the entire fairness of
the proposition of the govt-- That
they had viewed the subject in all its
bearings in the spirit of candor and
truth. That they had convened the nation
for these several days to discuss
and examine the subject, & had taken
the proposition of the govt under their
special attention- That from a view of
the whole matter they had come to
a determination adverse to selling--
further he remarked that in the course
of the discussion in the 3 days
convention, various propositions were
made, one of which was that they would
ascertain from the Convt the most
favorable terms on which a treaty would
be based- The other was whether they
w[oulld consent to sell at all and the
first question discussed was whether
they w[oul]d emigrate at all- The vote
was taken on this latter proposition,
and it was decided in the negative-
This of course cut off all other
questions, and they concluded to close the
negotiations, and to end the matter at
once-
Jacques further said that there was
another circumstance- They among
a no. of persons had been advised on the
subject by various persons in oppo-
sition to their removal- Among others,
one of the commissioners at the treaty
made at the rapids, and altho' some
years ago, he was then in the Indian
service at Detroit and he advised them
never to part with their Reservation-
That his advice was given adverse to
their selling out, and altho' some years
since, they did not know any reason
since his transfer to the head of the War
Dept why he sh[oul]d have changed his
mind-- This advice, together with
that of others had weighed heavily on
their minds and was one among the
reasons why they declined selling their
lands--
At the called convention when this
subject was submitted to the convent
it was understood and named that every
one of the tribe were permitted to
express himself on the subject, and all
sides of the question was laid open to
their men, the dark sides of the case
were all laid open to examination, and
whether the determination was dictated
by good policy or not, or whether it
w[oul]d eventuate to their interests as
a nation or not, but the organ of the
nation was bound to make known the
decision which they finally came to on
the subject-
as the negotiation was opened in a
candid manner they feel that they
are not disposed to quibble or to
enlarge upon the reasons which have been
assigned or may be assigned relative to
the same-
[Lamadomt?], in continuation, (it being
intimated by the Gov that he
w[oul]d like to hear others who might
wish to speak on the subject) said that
he recollected very distinctly that you
stated in the concluding part of your
address that you wished the reasons
assigned why we are opposed to selling-
NEGOTIATION WITH THE WYANDOT 327
That one [of] the reasons why they were
not disposed to sell was that
when they contrasted their present
situation with the country designed for
them in the west he w[oul]d observe that
if they emigrated they must nec-
essarily turn agriculturalists and that
it was contrary to their general modes
and habits of life- That their condition
was not calculated for it
on the first day there was a pretty general
attend on the 2d day there
was less in no. and on the 3d and last
day quite a large no. did not attend.
That the prevailing sentiment of the
nation appears to be adverse to the
removal. That it has been so expressed
whenever in council, and whenever
they have been together on the subject.
The Gov. remarked in reply that one of
the reasons assigned why they
did not wish to remove was that they
were not satisfied with the country they
had examined west of the Missippi--He
asked of them to state what extent
of country had been examined. How far
the committee sent out for the pur-
pose of exploring the country had
penetrated the Indian country set apart by
the govt?
The location of the country they examd
is on the north side of the
Missouri River, an extent of country
embracing 40 miles square, a portion of
country recommended to them as most
appropriate for their residence-
The Gov. inq[uire]d whether they had an
interview with the comr of the
U. S. there, who are designed by the
govt to give all information desired to
exploring parties seeking a residence
west of the Missippi-
[Sminondent?], one who went out, said he
expected they did not- that
he had no recollection of seeing such
commissioner (The Gov. here explained
the duties of these Commissioners in
that country, and the obj[ec]t of
their [?])
They suspect that they heard of them-
That they were then away down
in the Cherokee country-
[Sminondent?], observed in conference
with [Squindetty?] that on their
arrival there that Maj. Cummings, the
Shawnee agent told them that the
country was attached to Missouri for
that portion of country had been attached
to the State of Missouri [sic]
After asking him where do you suppose we
ought to go to examine-
He replied he did nt know where. He
obs[erve]d that was the best of the
country as far as he knew. They said
they w[oul]d examine it at any rate
and he said why they might do it to be
sure but it was of no use.
Inquiry by Gov.- Did the agents
accompany them in making their
examination?- answer, none of them-
Did those who explored examine the
country north of the State of Mis-
souri- and did they examine the country
between the osages, and the Dela-
328
OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
wares & Shawanees? They did not,
never having been advisd that there was
any such country designed for them- They
were anxious to make a pretty
general examination, but receiving no
aid, or information they could not
do it-
Did they see and converse with any other
agent than Mr. Cummings
before mentioned?- They did not
There was another agent there, but that
was not his agency- He was
going on to another tribe. Think he was
a Doct. has forgotten his name-
He gave them no intelligence of the
country in particular. They saw him and
conversd with him however, for some
little time.
The Governor s[ai]d he felt bound to
make the inquiry whether there
was not considerable of a division
relative to selling?- No reply-
(Here the Governor made a genl speech)
In his remarks in eluciadation of the
views of the govt &c the Gov. asked
whether in fact the tribe was as
prosperous now as they were five years since?
Whether they were not as a tribe
generally more involved, and more deeply in
debt than they were, four or five years
since, and whether they did not think
they would be more prosperous and happy
should they remove to some chosen
spot of their own selection, where they
could live under their own laws and
regulations?--
After a few moments consulation among
themselves, it was concluded to
adjourn until after supper, and hold an
evening council-
convened agreeably to adjournment-
[Sminondent?] in reply to the inquiry
submitted by the Gov. remarked,
that he w[oul]d state, that when the
[poll?] of the nation was taken & they
had adj[ourne]d they were not authorized
to say any thing further than to
make known the decision of the nation-
They were aware of the difficulties
of their nation, and that many of these
had been taken into consideration in
council and since a final determination
was made they have no further power
on the subject-
In regard to the extending the laws of
the State over them, they have to
say that they not only object to selling
& removal, but that they object also
to the state extending the laws over
them- If they do then put them under
the laws, why it is a matter beyond
their control, and they have only to submit
to that when it shall take place- He
further remarked that he considered the
matter ended, and he should object to
meeting on tomorrow-
The Gov. remarked in reply that he could
not consider that the nation
had decided in this matter- That from
their acknowledgement there were but
a small portion of the nation present
when the question was put and decided-
NEGOTIATION WITH THE WYANDOT 329
The Gov. further observed That he
w[oul]d suspend the negotiation-- con-
sider it open, and would take measures
on the part of the govt to ascertain
the actual sentiments of every
individual in the nation-- It would be held
open indefinitely and would report the
facts to the government.
Robert Lucas to Lewis Cass 35
Executive Office, Ohio
Columbus 24th March 1835
Dear Sir,
I herewith transmit a report of my
proceedings as Commissioner to hold
a Treaty with the Wyandot Indians. You
will perceive by examin[in]g the
report that considerable pains were
taken to bring about a successful issue,
but without effect. It will be
discovered that the Indian Chiefs maintained
a degree of obstinate silence, and that
they could not be drawn into an argu-
ment on the subject of emigrating. I was
informed by one of the most intel-
ligent men among them, that they have a
law in that tribe that forbids any
discussion among individuals of the
tribe relative to the sale of their lands,
under a severe penalty, without the
permission of the Chiefs. I have reason
to believe that if the sentiments of the
Indians were taken individually and
every one permitted to express his
opinion without restraint a majority of
the tribe would be found in favor of emigrating-
The letter from the Department, of the
14th of October last in acknowl-
edgement of mine of the 4th of said
month, stated that if I had "good reasons
to believe that the negotiation would be
successful if it should be continued
after the 20th of that month, provided
the Wyandots should not then come to
terms; yet if the sum which had been
appropriated for that purpose should
then be expended, the Department could
not authorize me to keep the nego-
tiation open. Should it however be
continued on my own responsibility and
terminate successfully the expense
incurred by me would unquestionably be
reimbursed by the Government" Under
this suggestion I assumed the respon-
sibility to suspend the negotiation
under the expectation that the Indians
would utimately change their opinions,
and agree to the propositions of
government--
The account current of the expenditure
of the amount of the appro-
priation for holding a treaty, with the
vouchers are herewith transmitted; by
which it will be found that the
appropriation is all expended and a small sum
over; but that the balance due is due to
myself and secretary for our services-
This balance we do not expect to be paid
unless there should be a treaty
finally concluded, in which case, as
suggested by the Department, we would
expect all expenses to be paid by
Government.
35 Lucas Executive Letter Book.
330
OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL
QUARTERLY
I would ask the advice of the Department
with regard to keeping the
negotiations still open. I think it
highly probable that a change will be
effected in the minds of these Indians
within the ensuing year. Our Legis-
lature at its late session ordered the
reserve to be attached to the Civil town-
ships in Crawford County (a copy of
which Act I herewith transmit to the
Department) I am under the impression
that the operation of these laws will
have a considerable effect on the minds
of the Indians. If it be thought
advisable by the Department I will keep
the negotiation open upon my own
responsibility, without asking from
Government any further appropriations-
and will improve every favorable
opportunity to effect a negotiation in accord-
ance with the views of Government.
Please to give me the views of the
Department on this subject as soon as
convenient.
With sincere respect I am your obt servt
Robert Lucas
Hon Lewis Cass Secry of War
Lewis Cass to Robert Lucas
War Department
April 16, 1835
Sir,
I have had the letter [sic] to
receive your letter of the 24th ulto., report-
ing your proceedings in the negotiation
with the Wyandot Indians.
Every thing in your power appears to
have been done, to promote the
object which the government had in view.
It is deeply to be regretted that
these Indians evince an unwillingness to
remove to the country west of the
Mississippi. To that measure they must
come, & soon. And the longer it is
delayed, the worse it must be for them.
With respect to the continuance of the
negotiation, I refer it to your
discretion. If you think it best to
continue your intercourse with them, you
are at liberty to do so, with the
express understanding however, that no
expense for that purpose can be
encountered by the government. There is
no appropriation properly applicable to
the object, & therefore the President
would not feel justified under existing
circumstances, in directing a nego-
tiation to be held.
Should you however resume it, & be
able to conclude a treaty upon the
terms stated in my letter to you of 11th
July 1834, I have no hesitation in
saying, that an appropriation will be
asked of Congress for all the reasonable
expenses incurred by you.
NEGOTIATION WITH THE WYANDOT 331
It is out of the power of the Department
to advance to the Indians any
portion of the consideration money for
their lands, previous to the formation
& ratification of the treaty. It
would be well therefore at once to discourage
such expectation.
Your accounts have been received, &
will be adjusted by the accounting
officers. The amount found due shall be
remitted to you.
With great respect I am Sir Your obt Svt
Lew Cass.
His Excellency Robert Lucas
Columbus Ohio.
DOCUMENTS
AN UNSUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATION FOR REMOVAL
OF
THE WYANDOT INDIANS FROM OHIO, 1834
edited by DWIGHT L. SMITH
Instructor in History, Ohio State
University
It did not take long for the
frontiersman and his government
to realize the impossibility of his
pushing westward into new lands
for purposes of hunting, trapping, and
settling without reckoning
with the Indian who inhabited the lands
in which he desired to
hunt, trap, and settle. According to the
white man's concepts of
ownership and property, which were not
compatible with those of
the Indian, the latter were obstacles to
the fulfillment of his desires.
This situation was complicated by the
mutual lack of comprehension
of the other's ideas and a mutual
resentment that conformity and
reconcilement did not come from the
other. On the battlefields of
Fallen Timbers, the Thames, and
Horseshoe Bend, the white man
demonstrated his superiority of force
and wrested an unwilling
acquiescence of this fact from the
Indian.
In general the government negotiated
treaties with the various
tribes, both collectively and
individually, by which their titles to
lands were ceded or relinquished to the
United States. An out and
out purchase was made of a stipulated
area or areas with additional
concessions and presents being made. The
Indians were thus either
confined to reservations made within the
ceded lands by some of
the treaties, or they were pushed
westward treaty by treaty.
Eventually a new policy evolved, that of
removal, which provided
for an exchange of lands rather than a
purchase or cession. A
treaty would grant to a tribe a tract of
government land in the
trans-Mississippi area in exchange for
the tribal lands or holdings
305