8381. TERRITORY, Alienation of.—[further continued] .
[President Washington,
at a Cabinet meeting, submitted the question]:
“Will it be expedient to relinquish to the
Indians the right of soil of any part of the
land north of the Ohio, if essential to peace?”
The Secretaries of the Treasury and War, and
the Attorney General are of opinion it will be
expedient to make such relinquishment if essential
to peace, provided it do not include
any lands sold or reserved for special purposes
(the reservations for trading places excepted ).
The Secretary of State is of opinion
that the Executive and Senate have authority
to stipulate with the Indians, and that
if essential to peace, it will be expedient to
stipulate that we will not settle any lands
between those already sold or reserved for
special purposes, and the lines heretofore
validly established with the Indians.—
Opinion on Indian War.
Ford ed., vi, 191.
(Feb. 1793)
