Extract

Orders for the Troops on the Ohio River to Prevent Indian Attack

Reports hostility of Indians towards the Miami and the escape of the hostages. The Shawnee tribe is not responsible for the depredations. Requests distractions for predatory Cherokees. Refers to embarrassing state of public finances. Expresses fear of Indian war, but claims it shall be a war of justice. Promises protection of local inhabitants. Fear that British Agents will instill hostility among Indians. Encourages security of posts; they cannot afford to wait upon the good will of Indians nor be surprised by an attack.

Orders for the Troops on the Ohio River to Prevent Indian Attack

1786

05

12

In unbound journal marked "correspondence of General Josiah Harmar transcribed by the War Department 1812."

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Harmar

Secretary of War Henry Knox

Troops

Indians

Hostages

Shawnee Tribe

Shawnee Chief

Cherokees

Banditti

Emissaries

British Officers

British Agents

prisoners

Commanding Officer of the Troops

settlers

War Office

Ohio River

Miami River

Scioto River

posts

hostility of disposition

escape

depredations

public finance

war

ordinances

1786051200001

1

An extract of orders given by the Secretary of War to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Harman commanding the troops on the Ohio. Dated War Office May 12, 1786.The intelligence transmitted by you on the 7th instant of the conduct of the Indians toward the Miami the latter end of March indicates at least a partial hostility of disposition. The escape of the hostages may be accounted for on the principles of fear after they had learned of the depredations of the Indians and our knowing to what tribes they belonged. It is [something] from the return of the [something] after the escape of the hostages together as of the letter of the 20th of March from the [unreadable] Chief that the Shawnee tribe cannot be [unreadable] as necessary to the degregations which have been committed. But which is the critical state of affairs
between the United States and the Indians that the highest prudence is requisite on the part of the commanding officer of the troops. Distinction must be made between the predatory incursions of a banditti collected from a number of tribes such as the Cherokees and others settled on the Scioto and the conduct of any of the more regular tribes. As Indian [] disagreeable at all times would be peculiarly distressing in the present. [] state of the public finances therefore it must be avoided if possible consistently with the [] and dignity of the United States. Whenever this event happen it is devoutly to be wished that it should a war of Justice on the part of the United States. But all would to the post troops on regular settlers protested by the ordinance and the troops of the United States must be
resented and punished if [] with real severity. The americans who are stimulated by the British offices on their [] will be [] to urge the indians to [] hostilities it will be your duty to endeavor to counteract them and I flatter myself that you will be effectually able to accomplish it.