[FN-2] Holmes's Annals.
It appears that on the repulse of Harmar, the confederated nations of the Chippewas, Pottawattamies, Hurons, Shawanese, Delawares, Ottawas, Tustans, and Six Nations—after a consultation at the foot of the Miami Rapids with Capt. McKee,—deputed a representation of chiefs and warriors to visit Lord Dorchester at Quebec, for the purpose of consultation, and also to ascertain whether any, and if any, what, assistance might be expected from the British or provincial government. Lord Dorchester's views were doubtless at that time pacific, as also were those of Captain Brant—provided always that the United States would establish the Ohio as the boundary, and relinquish all claims of jurisdiction beyond that river. On the 22d of February, 1791, Sir John Johnson addressed a letter to Captain Brant, from Montreal, enclosing a copy of a letter from Lord Dorchester to himself and another copy of the same to Captain McKee, the purport of which can only be inferred from the letter of the Baronet. It is accordingly inserted:—
"Sir John Johnson to Captain Brant. (Private.)
"Montreal, 22d Feb'y, 1791.
"Dear Joseph,
"As I think the Six Nations much interested in the business proposed by the inclosed copy of a letter from Lord Dorchester, (another copy of which I transmit to Mr. McKee,) I could not think of withholding it from you, that you may take such steps, in concert with Mr. McKee and the western nations, as you may judge most conducive to their interest and honor. As you certainly are all free and independent, I think you will have a right to insist upon disposing of whatever lands you judge fit to reserve for the General Confederacy, in whatever manner, and to whomsoever you please. The idea of the States claiming a jurisdiction up to the line of separation settled between Great Britain and them, must arise from a supposition that the Indians, at some time or other, allowed that power to our Provinces for the better government of their subjects. Whether or not that is the case, I know not, nor can I at present find out; but certain I am that without such a cession of power on the part of the Indians, no just right or claim to such a power can be supported beyond the line of 1768, and to the western line of the land ceded or sold by the Indians to the States since the war. This is certainly a nice point, and may not be proper to insist upon too positively; but in justice I believe it is as I have stated. When the Indians allowed the English and French to build forts for the protection and support of their subjects and trade, they no doubt had a right to a certain jurisdiction or command round those places, but I never believe it extended farther, or that the Indians meant it should. Upon the whole, you understand your own rights better than I do. I shall therefore say no more than to recommend coolness and a manly firmness in whatever you may determine on. As I mean this letter as entirely private, I shall acquaint you that I believe this measure has been thought of by Lord Dorchester, in consequence of my writing to him on receiving the account of the expedition carried on last Fall by the Americans against the Miamis, at which time I took the liberty of saying that the Americans had no claim to any part of the country beyond the line established in 1768, at Fort Stanwix, between the Indians and the Governors and agents of all the Provinces interested, and including the sales made since the war; and that I therefore thought, as we could not afford them assistance in arms, we should at least afford them our mediation to bring about a peace between them and the States, on terms just and honorable, or something to that purpose. You may converse with, or write freely to Mr. McKee upon the subjects of this letter, but let it be as from yourself—perhaps I may say something similar to him if time will permit. I have wrote Lord Dorchester that an answer might be had to his inquiries by some time the beginning of May, but I fear not; a great deal will depend on you, however, in forwarding the packet to Mr. McKee, which let me intreat you to lose no time in doing. My best wishes attend you all, and believe me as ever sincerely yours,
"John Johnson.
"Captain Brant."
Colonel Gordon, commanding the British post at Niagara, was also at that time and afterward, a friend of peace. On the 4th of March he addressed a letter to Captain Brant, from which the following is an extract:—"I hope you will embrace the present opportunity of the meeting of the chiefs of the Five Nations in your neighborhood, to use your endeavors to heal the wounds between the Indians and Americans. I dare say the States wish to make peace on terms which will secure to the Indians their present possessions in the Miami country, provided the young men are restrained from committing depredations in future." The temper of the chief himself, at this period, can best be determined by the following extracts from a letter addressed by himself to Captain McKee, three days after the letter from Colonel Gordon was written, and probably immediately on its receipt:—
"Captain Brant to Captain McKee. (Extracts.)