CHAPTER XI.

Preparations for an Indian Consultation at Philadelphia--Captain Brant invited to attend--His objections--Letter of the Rev. Mr. Kirkland to Captain Brant--Letter of the Secretary of War to the same--Letter of Colonel Gordon to the same--Letter of Captain Brant to the Secretary of War--The Secretary of War to Captain Brant--Attempts from Montreal to prevent Brant from going to Philadelphia--His journey--Feelings against him in the Mohawk Valley--His arrival at New-York and Philadelphia--Liberal offers made him--Letter to the Count de Puisy--The offers rejected--Undertakes a Mission of Peace to the Miamis--Returns to New-York--Pursued by a German from the German Flats bent on taking his life--Discovered in New-York--Brant returns to Niagara--Murder of Colonel Harden and Major Trueman--Letters of Brant to the Secretary at War--Feelings of the Western Nations--Correspondence between Brant and McKee--Great Indian Council at the Au Glaize--Sickness of Captain Brant--Hostilities deferred until Spring, and a treaty with the United States ordered--Return of the Delegates of the Six Nations--Address to President Washington--Separate organization of Upper Canada--Arrival of Governor Simcoe--Letter to Brant from the Duke of Northumberland--Preparations for the Great Council of 1783--Fresh dissatisfaction of the Indians--Private Councils--They send their ultimatum in anticipation--The American Commissioners depart for the Indian country--Their arrival at Niagara--Friendly conduct of Governor Simcoe--Celebration of the King's Birth-day--The Commissioners start for the West--Their progress interrupted--Conduct of General Wayne--Brant suddenly returns from the West with a Deputation--Council held at Fort Erie--Commissioners return to Niagara--Council there--Speech of Captain Brant--Reply of the Commissioners--Speech of Cat's-Eyes--Rejoinder of Brant--Arrival of the Seven Nations--Brant proceeds to the Miami Rapids--Followed by the Commissioners--Arrival at the Detroit River--Their progress interrupted--Unexpected turn of affairs--Explanations with Deputies from the Great Council--Long Debates in the Indian Council--Brant speaks strongly for peace--Governor Simcoe declines advising the Indians--The negotiations suddenly terminated by the Indians--Their address--And sine qua non.

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