"To Lieutenant Langan."
[FN] Copied from the original by the author.
There is no farther information of Brant or his movements until the closing week of August, at which time he was in the neighborhood of Detroit, preparing to mingle in the deliberations of the great council spoken of in the preceding letter. The following is a copy of a letter found among his papers, written at this time:
"Captain Brant to Sir John Johnson.
"Huron Village, mouth of the Detroit. }
28th August, 1788. }
"Sir,
"I am happy to inform you of our having arrived at Detroit the 10th inst. The party with Capt. David who went by water, and those with myself who went by land, being so lucky as to arrive the same inst. And wishing to lose as little time as possible, the next day we met the principal men of the Hurons, Chippewas, Ottawas, and Pottawattamies. As they had lost three of their Chiefs, we went through our ancient custom of condoling with them, by giving about 10,000 wampum, as we could not proceed with our public business till such time as that ceremony was over; when, upon examining into the business we came about, I plainly foresaw numberless difficulties, owing to the people here not being so unanimous as the situation of affairs requires. The Wyandots do not wish to attend at the place that was last Fall agreed upon, but wish to have the Council at this place; but that we strenuously opposed, and have got them to consent to meet at the Miamis; their reason is, I believe, that they would wish to have a private and separate meeting with the Americans to settle matters for themselves. On the other hand, the Twightwees or Miamis are quite the reverse,—wishing by no means to fall in with the Hurons in their way of thinking, but would wish to be at open war with the Americans. Thus are matters here situated. However, I have some reason to think that if we can get them at the appointed place of rendezvous, we will be able to point out to them their error, and get them again to adopt the measures that the whole of us agreed upon, and cause that unanimity to subsist among us, which is so requisite in our situation, and without which we cannot expect the business will terminate so much to our satisfaction as it otherwise would. In case that they should be headstrong, and not wish to fall in with our plan of operation, I shall scarcely know how to act upon it, but shall take every necessary precaution to prevent the minds of those who unanimous being any ways inflamed by those nations in opposition and wavering. Still I hope to have the pleasure of writing to you a more favorable account after we have had a meeting. Capt McKee has given us every assistance that he could towards forwarding our business, and I expect will attend the Council at the Miamis, which I sincerely hope will now be soon. Upon leaving Niagara, I found from the multiplicity of business which we should have, that it would be highly requisite to have a man with us who understood the English language, and capable of transacting business, for which purpose we have thought proper to appoint Ralph Clement, and will make him some allowance out of the money we are to receive next summer for the lands sold the Americans. In the meantime I have to request you will be so kind as to allow him something towards defraying his necessary expenses out of the Indian store at Niagara. Upon application made to Col. Butler, he did not think proper to advance him any thing without he should have your order for it. As to the news from the Southern Indians and American Commissioners, we have some accounts, but must refer you to Capt McKee, who writes you by this vessel, for the particulars. This is the fourth letter I have written you since I had the pleasure of seeing you last.
"Your most obedient servant, Joseph Brant.
"Sir John Johnson."