TO GOVERNOR LEWIS.
Monticello, August 21, 1808.
Dear Sir,—Your letter to General Dearborne, of July 1st, was not received at the War Office till a few days ago, was forwarded to me, and after perusal sent on to General Dearborne, at present in Maine. As his official answer will be late in getting to you, I have thought it best, in the meantime, to communicate to yourself, directly, ideas in conformity with those I have expressed to him, and with the principles on which we have conducted Indian affairs. I regret that it has been found necessary to come to open rupture with the Osages, but, being so, I approve of the course you have pursued,—that of drawing off the friendly part of the nation,—withdrawing from the rest the protection of the United States, and permitting the other nations to take their own satisfaction for the wrongs they complain of. I have stated to General Dearborne that I think we may go further, and as the principal obstacle to the Indians acting in large bodies, is the want of provisions, we might supply that want, and ammunition also, if they need it. With the Sacs and Foxes I hope you will be able to settle amicably, as nothing ought more to be avoided than the embarking ourselves in a system of military coercion on the Indians. If we do this, we shall have general and perpetual war. When a murder has been committed on one of our stragglers, the murderer should be demanded. If not delivered, give time, and still press the demand. We find it difficult, with our regular government, to take and punish a murderer of an Indian. Indeed, I believe we have never been able to do it in a single instance. They have their difficulties also, and require time. In fact, it is a case where indulgence on both sides is just and necessary, to prevent the two nations from being perpetually committed in war, by the acts of the most vagabond and ungovernable of their members. When the refusal to deliver the murderer is permanent, and proceeds from the want of will, and not of ability, we should then interdict all trade and intercourse with them till they give us complete satisfaction. Commerce is the great engine by which we are to coerce them, and not war. I know this will be less effectual on this side the Mississippi, where they can have recourse to the British; but this will not be a long-lived evil. By this forbearing conduct towards the Mississippian Indians for seven years past, they are become satisfied of our justice and moderation towards them, that we have no desire of injuring them, but, on the contrary, of doing them all the good offices we can, and they are become sincerely attached to us; and this disposition, beginning with the nearest, has spread and is spreading itself to the more remote, as fast as they have opportunities of understanding our conduct. The Sacs and Foxes, being distant, have not yet come over to us. But they are on the balance. Those on this side the Mississippi, will soon be entirely with us, if we pursue our course steadily. The Osages, Kanzas, the Republican, Great and Wolf Panis, Matas, Poncaras, &c., who are inclined to the Spaniards, have not yet had time to know our dispositions. But if we use forbearance, and open commerce with them, they will come to, and give us time to attach them to us. In the meantime, to secure our frontiers, I have expressed myself to General Dearborne in favor of the three companies of spies, and the military supplies you ask for. So, also, in the having established factories, at which all the traders shall be stationary, allowing none to be itinerant, further than indispensable circumstances shall require. As soon as our factories on the Missouri and Mississippi can be in activity, they will have more powerful effects than so many armies. With respect to the British, we shall take effectual steps to put an immediate stop to their crossing the Mississippi, by the severest measures. And I have proposed to General Dearborne to break up all their factories within our limits on this side the Mississippi, to let them have them only at fixed points, and suppress all itinerant traders of theirs, as well as our own. They have, by treaty, only an equal right of commerce with ourselves, the regulations of which on our side of the line belongs to us, as that on their side belongs to them. All that can be required is that these regulations be equal. These are the general views which, on the occasion of your letter, I have expressed to General Dearborne. I reserve myself for consultation with him, and shall be very glad to receive your sentiments also on the several parts of them, after which we may decide on the modifications which may be approved. In the meantime you will probably receive from him an answer to your letter, till which this communication of my sentiments may be of some aid in determining your own course of proceeding.
Your friends here are all well, except Colonel Lewis, who has declined very rapidly the last few months. He scarcely walks about now, and never beyond his yard. We can never lose a better man. I salute you with affection and respect.