3934. INDIANS, The Revolution and.—[continued].
Peace being at length
concluded with England, we had it also to conclude
with them. They had made war on us
without the least provocation or pretence of
injury. They had added greatly to the cost of
that war. They had insulted our feelings by
their savage cruelties. They were by our arms
completely subdued and humbled. Under all
these circumstances, we had a right to demand
substantial satisfaction and indemnification.
We used that right, however, with real moderation.
Their limits with us under the former
government were generally ill defined, questionable,
and the frequent cause of war. Sincerely
desirous of living in their peace, of cultivating
it by every act of justice and friendship,
and of rendering them better neighbors by
introducing among them some of the most
useful arts, it was necessary to begin by a precise
definition of boundary. Accordingly, at
the treaties held with them, our mutual boundaries
were settled: and notwithstanding our just
right to concessions adequate to the circumstances
of the case, we required such only as
were inconsiderable; and for even these, in
order that we might place them in a state of
perfect conciliation, we paid them a valuable
consideration, and granted them annuities in
money which have been regularly paid, and
were equal to the prices for which they have
usually sold their lands.—
To Carmichael and Short. Washington ed. iv, 10.
Ford ed., vi, 331.
(Pa.,
1793)
