Knox, Henry | "To the Cornplanter and other Chiefs of the Seneka Nation"

Knox, Henry

Manuscript letter signed ("HKnox") as Secretary of War, "To the Cornplanter and other Chiefs of the Seneka Nation on and near the waters of Alleghany river," rallying the Seneca People to the Washington administration in the wake of Arthur St. Clair's "March to Massacre"

3 pages (400 x 246 mm) on a bifolium, text in a fine clerical hand, Philadelphia, 7 January 1792, embossed paper seal of the United States, registration signature of Jonathan Stagg, lengthy endorsement at the foot of third page ("The foregoing Entrusted to the care and fidelity of Ensign Lewis Bond, and by him delivered; a duplicate at the Seneca Town Connestetoga on the Alleghany River in the State of New York, agreeably to his instructions from the War Office. …"); leaves separated at central fold, some other fold separations with neat repair, minor losses at intersecting folds, seal tear just touching Knox's title. Leaves sandwiched between sheets of mylar with double-sided tape (easily reversible) and housed in an elaborately gilt-lettered maroon morocco portfolio.

"General Washington regards you as our fast friend, and he will take care of you." The slaughter of an American force under the command of General Arthur St. Clair by the Northwestern Indian Confederacy at the Battle of the Wabash, 4 November 1791, sent shockwaves through the Federal government. The Native Americans were led by Little Turtle of the Miamis—who opposed any concession to white encroachment in the Northwest Territory—and included warriors from the Shawnees, the Delawares, and the Potawatomis. The encounter is also known as the Battle of a Thousand Slain: the casualty rate was the highest ever suffered by a United States Army unit, with some 88% of officers and more than 94% of enlisted men Killed or wounded. 

President Washington and others feared that this successful resistance to white expansion could inspire even Native American peoples who were allied with the Federal government, like the Senecas, to take up arms. The Iroquois confederacy, including Cornplanter, one of the principal Seneca war chiefs, had sided with the British and Loyalists during the American Revolution. Abandoned by the British after the war, Cornplanter took the lead in negotiating with the governments of Pennsylvania, New York, and the United States, successfully establishing a mutually respectful relationship, although the negotiations included the ceding of Indian lands. Cornplanter even tried to convince the Native American peoples of Ohio and the Old Northwest to adopt a conciliatory stance towards the United States, but he was soundly rebuffed.

In the present letter, Knox assures Cornplanter and the Seneca People of the continued friendship and even protection of the United States:

"Brothers, Open your ears, and hear the words of your friend; for it is by General Washington's orders, the great chief of the United States, I speak to you.

"The unfortunate defeat of our troops at the westward does not dishearten the United States, and I hope it does not you. It is true we lament the blood that has been spilt in a war which you know we wished to avoid. You know this as well from the mouth of our great chief General Washington, as from the endeavors of Colonel Procter, whom I sent you last Spring." Colonel Thomas Procter had been sent on an unsuccessful diplomatic mission to negotiate peace with the Miamis and Wabash.

Knox continues, "But the number of men we have lost, we can easily replace, and therefore although the continuance of the war will be troublesome, yet in the long run we must conquer.

"The United States have wished to be at peace with the Miami and Wabash Indians but they have refused to listen to our invitations and have continued to murder our people.

"Brothers, the United States must, and will protect their frontier inhabitants, and if much evil befall the bad indians, they will have brought it on themselves.

"General Washington regards you as our fast friend, and he will take care of you. Lieutenant Jeffers tells us you have been threatened by the bad indians. If this should be the case you had better remove near his garrison. Or shall we build a fort near where you are, to which you may resort, in case of danger. Speak, for we wish to consider you and your people as part of ourselves.

"I have sent you a few presents to replace those things which some bad people plundered you of last spring. Receive them as an earnest of the good will of the United States; and let us know what other articles you wish, and they will be sent you." The letter concludes with a sentiment that, in retrospect, can only be viewed ironically: "Let nothing shake your friendship; for be assured we only seek to do that which is right and just."

The aftermath of St. Clair's defeat led to the establishment of a much larger standing Army of the United States, as well as to a more vigorous and brutal prosecution of the Northwest Indian War. Cornplanter remained loyal to the United States, continuing to urge other Indian peoples to make peace and even offering his services in the War of 1812.

REFERENCE:

The text of Knox's letter is printed in American State Papers 4:226. Cf. Wiley Sword, President Washington's Indian War: The Struggle for the Old Northwest, 1790–1795 (University of Oklahoma, 1985); cf. William H. Guthman, March to Massacre: A History of the First Seven Years of the United State Army (McGraw-Hill, 1973)

PROVENANCE:

Jay Snider (Christie's New York, 21 June 2005, lot 128)