In our last column, we referred to a letter sent to John Askin Jr. from his father concerning the Treaty of Greene Ville. It has been found and is copied here in full. The length of sentences, punctuation, and spelling are as originally written.
Detroit, July 5th, 1795
Dear John, As you were hurried at leaving this and may have forgot part of what I said to you I think it adviseable to repeat the principal matters I spoke to you about.
First, I recommend strongly to you to use your utmost influence, not only with the Indians but also with all others whose advice they take to endeavour that the first article of the treaty between them and the Americans should be that they are sole masters of their lands, to dispose of them as they think fit without any restraint whatsoever which if it can be obtained will be a future source of wealth for these poor people and their offspring and leave it in their powers, not only to confirm such sales of land as they have already made (when they know them to be just) but in future to reward such others as may be their friends. This appears to me so reasonable and fair, that I should think the commissioners for the states could not object to it; and it would secure in my opinion a lasting peace between both, which I apprehend never will be the case should the states lay a claim to the Indian lands or force them to a sale for when what they get is expended, and their successors in want they will probably have recourse to violent means tho’ they should not succeed.
But as it is necessary to provide against the worst, if the Indians thro the needy interpreters should be prevailed on in spite of all you can do to agree that the Americans have the right of confirming the sales of their Lands, and that none can be valid without. No doubt you will in that case produce your claims and get the Indians to acknowledge them in open council and take necessary steps to secure them, but never at the expense of betraying the interests of the Indians since the object of your voyage was to serve them. I am apprehensive that undue means may be taken to gain over the needy interpreters who have influence with the Indians to persuade them to sell or give up the right of selling their lands to the states. I know you [are] above bribery Let the offer be ever so great. Therefore have nothing to say on that subject, however other means may be tried to gain you over such as making you a proposal of so much a year to manage the Indian affairs of the Ottawas and Chippewas who have urged you to go with them. If that should happen no doubt you will reject it. Some of our double friends have said they would make known to General Wayne those who acted against him last year; poor, weak, worthless people, to think that any man in power would dislike those who have faithfully done their duty to the government they lived under. As you have done no favour to ask, and are only with the Indians at their request to befriend them with your advice and to explain what they say, you need not care for the snubs or frowns of any man, you have the means of procuring what you want while at Fort Greenville, therefore except what good manners and politeness requires is all you have to do with the American gentlemen who may be there. I before mentioned it to you and now repeat it again that if any articles of the agreement should be proposed to the Indians by the Americans which they or you do not clearly understand such as long conventions in writing, you should advise the Indians to ask leave to send a copy of it here before they give an answer.
It will be necessary for the Indians with whom you go in the first council they hold mention who you are, and their soil or interfering in their sales of it otherwise than to see that they are not defrauded for as my ideas in general differ from many others it appears to me that the state has no right to meddle in the sales of their lands than in that of theirs furrs. For I foresee there will be plenty of employment for them soon, great purchases of late have been made from Indians & I’m told that the same spot has been sold to several. If I had nothing to do in the former purchases that is [not] now the case. As I hear so often the man of landed property is the man on that score I will have something to say provided my pretentions sould be good.
I am very thankful to you for your kind intentions of not announcing to me any thing you think might give me pain, but I have long since made up my mind not to be uneasy at what happens, many things turning out for our good when we do not think so, so long or [as it] is the will of the almighty to keep sickness from my family I can support most other mistfortunes. Therese wrote Mrs Powel last vessell. She with Mrs Askin joins most sincerely in ever wish that may tend to the happiness of you & I remain most truly.
Dear sir your most obedient very humble servant
John Askin
(Endorsed) Detroit, July 11th 1795
To Honor W.D. Powell
Esquire at Mount Dorchester (copy)
From John Askin
