Harrison's Address to Indian Council[1]
My Children—
I have been, for a considerable time, desirous of having a general council composed of the chiefs and wise men of all the different tribes, whose concerns have been committed to my management, by your great father, the President of the United States.
Since my first arrival in this country, you well know how extremely anxious I have been to preserve your peace and harmony, not only between you and your white brethren, but between each particular tribe of my red children.
When the tomahawk was raised some time ago by some of your inconsiderate and rash young men, and your blood already began to flow, you know what pains I took to arrest the fury of the bloody weapon and to bury it where I thought it could never again be found.
My children, the great tree of peace which was planted at Greenville, I have watered and cultivated with the greatest care, and I have cherished the hope that this tree would spread its branches over the whole of this great Island,, and that the white and red people would smoke the pipe of friendship under its shade till the end of time.
But in spite of all my care, this fair and flourishing tree has been severely wounded by the rash and inconsiderate young men of both colors; and but a very few weeks ago, it received a most terrible gash, and one, which I much fear, will endanger the very existence of those large branches which hang over the Illinois river.
My Children, let us all exert ourselves to shield from future danger this sacred plant: let us cut off the branches which are withered and decayed, and extirpate the weeds which have hitherto retarded its growth, and then let us entwine our arms around its trunk, that the vicious and unruly may be unable to injure it.
My Children whilst your father, the President, was form-
- ↑ This council was called at Vincennes and got to business September 2. Kaskaskias, Kickapoos, Weas, Eel river Miamies, Piankeshaws and Pottawattomies attended. Compare the letter from the Sec. of War, Feb. 23. 1802. and Harrison's letters of Feb. 26. above for purpose. See also the report of this council under date of September 17, 1802.
