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The Kentucke Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
In a letter dated October 12, 1788, from Fort Harmar, Arthur St. Clair reports uncertainty in Indian negotiations with the Six Nations and Western Nations, fears of hostile designs and attacks on settlements, lack of responses from Virginia and Pennsylvania, and advises Mr. Brown in Danville to prepare defenses.
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Dear SIR,
in the daily expectation of seeing the Indians, or having intelligence that they would not be here but to this moment we are in a state of utter uncertainty.
The last account from the messengers are of the 30th of August.~ The Six Nations were then come to the mouth of the Miami or Town River, and were to be met there by the Western Nations. what they have been about or what has been the result of their Councils we know nothing of, and I am persuaded they have interrupted the communication, or these men would certainly have sent in again.
Two men who I sent out since are also detained, at least they are now ten days beyond time, in which one of them was to have returned. From these circumstances there is in my opinion too much reason to fear they have hostile designs, and that the first intimation of it will be a stroke upon some of the Settlements. Under these circumstances I find myself in a disagreeable predicament. I have had no reply from Virginia to the application made to the Governor which you was so obliging as to take the care of forwarding, and which I also sent by post, nor from Pennsylvania except that my letter had been laid before the Legislature, and the instructions of Congress are express to avoid hostilities by every possible means, and should they now appear to be inevitable, the season is advancing so fast that operations could scarce be carried on to purpose-- It is intolerably embarrassing. The stroke if it falls at all will probably fall upon your country, and you should be prepared to resist it, and that preparation may render more general measures practicable; this is all I can say at present I look every moment for intelligence, having also dispatched some indians who should return in two days, whatever it may be I-will take the first favorable opportunity to communicate it, and yet promise myself the pleasure to pay you a visit before the Winter sets in.
With great respect and esteem,
I am Dear Sir, your most Obedient Servant.
A. ST. CLAIR.
The Honorable Mr. Brown, Danville.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Fort Harmar
Event Date
October 12th 1788
Key Persons
Outcome
ongoing uncertainty and fears of impending attacks on settlements; no casualties reported
Event Details
Letter reports daily expectation of Indians for councils but utter uncertainty; last messengers' account from August 30th at mouth of Miami River where Six Nations met Western Nations; no further news due to interrupted communication; two sent men detained beyond time; fears hostile designs and stroke on settlements; no replies from Virginia Governor or Pennsylvania Legislature; Congress instructs avoid hostilities; season advancing limits operations; advises preparation in recipient's country (Danville area).