Page:Messages and Letters of William Henry Harrison Vol. 1.djvu/118

80 kind having been seen within that tract for several years, nor is its generally flat surface well calculated for the residence of bears. The Potawatomics so far from having any claim to land on the South East side of the Wabash acknowledge that they have trespassed upon the Miamis by settling on the north bank of that river and it has been an object with the Turtle and Wells for several years to get them to remain. You will perceive by my letter to Mr. Wells a copy of which was inclosed in mine to you of the 14th Dec. that I had directed him to send the Potawatomie and Miami Chiefs to me at this place. The Little Turtle has declined the invitation and gives the artful and mischievous reason which you will see in the enclosed address and I am persuaded that he will make every exertion in his power to prevent my seeing the Potawatomies at any other place than Fort Wayne. I do not know whether Wells has informed the Potawatomie Chiefs of my wishes to have an interview with them. In his answer to my letter he contents himself with announcing the refusal of the Turtle. As there can be no doubt but that everything that can be advanced in favor of the Miami claim is to be found in the Turtle's Address to the President, in that to Mr. Wells and in Well's own letters the matter will be fully before the President and I must beg for further instructions unless it is determined to admit the principle that the Delawares and Piankeshaws had no right to sell their land without the consent of the Miamis Potawatomies &c. It will be improper in my opinion to have a public conference on the subject as it will be necessary to invite not only the chiefs of those two Tribes but those of the Weas Eel River Kickapoos and Shawnese Tribes and I know that they can never be convinced without a gratification which will considerably exceed the original purchase money.

From the enclosed address of Wells which is said to have been made to the Miami chief but I am convinced was made to the Turtle alone I am afraid that he has misunderstood your instructions. He assures the Indians that if they can show a just claim to the land in question restitution will instantly be made. He uses the same expression in the letter which enclosed the address.

The violent opposition which the Turtle has made to the