The treaty even contained a provision for the admission of an Indian State into the American Union. The Commissioners certainly knew this was impossible, yet they deliberately provided for it in solemn treaty, taking care, however, to subject the scheme to the approval of Congress.
In present day parlance it was a “gold brick,” the white men handed to their red brethren.
On the other hand, it was a most courageous act upon the part of the Delaware tribe to form this alliance with the Americans, as all the other Indian tribes of the West were in league with the British, and had for months been trying to persuade the Delaware to join them.
In that alliance White Eyes exposed his people to absolute destruction by the British and their red allies. He fully realized his danger, yet he had the courage to do what he believed to be the right thing, and he fell a martyr to his convictions.
The Shawnee were invited into the alliance, but made no response. At the treaty the Delaware deputies were White Eyes, the chief sachem; Killbuck, a famous medicine man and war chief, and Pipe, the chief warrior of the Wolf clan. All were attired in holiday regalia, paint, feathers and beads.
On the part of the Americans were General McIntosh and his colonels and staff officers. The interpreter was Job Chilloway, the noted Delaware Indian, who resided on the West Branch of the Susquehanna, and who was ever the true friend of the whites. Soldiers patrolled the parade ground or stood about watching the unusual scene.
General Andrew Lewis, one of the Virginia Commissioners, opened the conference on Saturday morning by presenting a belt of white wampum, and praising the Delaware tribesmen because they alone remained faithful to their treaties. He then presented a broad belt which had the wampum so arranged that it depicted a red man and a white man connected by a black line, denoting a road or path. He then proposed a formal alliance, giving a third belt, showing a white man and an Indian clasping hands.
General Lewis stated the intention of sending an army against Detroit and asked permission of the Delaware Indians for passage through their country.
Chief White Eyes gave thanks for the offer of friendship and alliance. He told them it was to form such an alliance that he and his comrades had come to the council. He promised a prompt consultation and an answer in the afternoon. He was the only Indian who spoke at the conference.
The arrival of another delegation of Indians consumed much time. The new arrivals were led by Wingenund, the Delaware wise man, and Nimwha, chief of the small band of the Shawnee, who lived with the Delaware at Coshocton.