Sufficient provision for his family in case of a disastrous termination of his journey being promised by the Government, the quiet, bold pioneer departed from his frontier home on May 22 for Fort Washington. His instructions were explicit. He was first to assure the hostile nations that the United States did not in the least desire any of the Indian's land, but rather solemnly pledged itself to "guaranty all that remain, and take the Indians under our protection." In turn the Indians were to agree to a truce and call in all war-parties. The most prominent chiefs were to be invited to Philadelphia to make a treaty; on his way westward General Putnam was empowered to release all Indian prisoners retained at Fort Washington and give the women presents to carry home with them in token of the Government's pacific intentions.[1]
The frontier to which Putnam now came was in need of brave men and strong. These had been long months since that dark November day when the remains of St. Clair's shattered army poured back upon
- ↑ American State Papers, vol. iv (Indian Affairs, vol. i), pp. 234–236.
