The Kentucke Gazette

LEXINGTON, AUGUST 23.

The following is the speech delivered to Col. Logan, (by Capt. Johnny, chief commander in the Shawanee nation) at Limestone; on Monday August 20, 1787.

We have sent for Logan to let him know our opinion. He shall soon know our opinion from our very hearts, I heard your words by which I was informed not to be afraid to come in and exchange for my friends, I was not afraid, but our people is scattered so far apart that it took me a great deal of trouble, to which I made all industry I could to get all the prisoners I could from our young Brothers, for which I was two moons out at the Wabash towns amongst the rest of our younger Brothers, which I found out their opinion, all those that had prisoners said they would not give them up to their brothers the big knife. which was one half the Town, those that had none. plead to take pity on the women and children. to give them up to get their prisoners from the white people. When I was there. I looked back where I lived, where our old towns was, I looked to be alone or like a man among children. I could by no means get prisoners from the others. I heard our brothers word and believed it. and meant to come in myself. All my town is for peace. the one half of the Picaway town and the half of Chilocothe Town, the half of Cepeeko town also, and the half of Wacatomica, of which all say let us take pity on our women and children, and agree to make a peace with our Brother the big knife, which our brother the big knife have always said was in our power, if we want peace we shall have peace, to which we are agreed, to come back, to where our old town was burnt, and live like brothers. These other Indians that are for war, they will be always out on the Wabash, and we'll make a distinction between ourselves. to let our brother big knife know we are for real peace. Here will be five little towns of us that will be for peace, and will trade to our brother big knife, and use all industry we can to get as many prisoners as we can. Our women has talked to us to take pity on them, and wo make a peace that we may live in peace and plenty. When we heard their speech, we took pity on them all that is not for peace. These others that are for war, take no pity on their women and children. Now it is to let our women and children live in peace and plenty. Nor we took it on ourselves to be as poor people, on account that the rest of our brothers would take no pity on us to get our prisoners, but we hope through time, we will be
able to redeem them all; then we will live in peace and plenty like brother. All our young main chiefs are for peace. Of them other Towns, there is none but some wild young fellows that will be out on the War path, that will be for war, we cannot do any thing with them.

Paper and time is scarce for which I am in hopes of being excused.

Col. Logan's Answer.

I now speak to the head warriors and chiefs of the Shawnee nation.

Friends and Brothers,

Hope we have met here in peace,—and in the first place; to consider the tedious and bloody war we have been engaged in with each other.—You may well remember, that ten years ago, we were all governed by one king, over the great waters But it hath so happened. that our father the king, and the great men of Congress of the united states, commenced a war, and your father the king, engaged you on his part, and the Congress engaged us on their part. And you and us living nearly in one country, it hath been our fortune to attack each other, and have spilt much blood in our land, many of our people have fell into your hands, and some of your people have fell into our hands.

Brothers.

You may see plainly, how your father over the water that engaged you in so long and bloody a war, hath treated you that although you lost many brave warriors, yet when he got beat by the great men of the united states, he made a peace, and gave your country away, and said nothing about you, but left you to the discretion of the Americans, to treat you as they pleased.

Brothers.

You, and all the red people may plainly see, when your father and all his forces, together with all yours, could not conquer the Americans, that it will be in vain for you (the red people) to continue a war yourselves alone, it is true, you may kill a few old men and old women, in different parts of the country, but this will do you no service, but harm; for we then can go to all the towns in your country, and destroy all your living

Brothers.

Let us not think of those bloody designs any longer, let us live at peace, and prevent your old father the king from laughing at us, when we are fighting and destroying one another, and think he will get our country for his own people.

Brothers.

There is a great many designing men in this country, and some may encourage you to go to war, because they know if you do. that you will be drove out of the country, and then they can go and live where you do, and laugh how they have fooled you.

This will surely be the case, and it is you and us must fight the battle. When your country will lie waste, then the Americans will sell it, but if you will live at peace and keep possession of it, I expect the people of the United States in America, will not take it from you. so you can be a happy people, and live in your own land.— As to the prisoners I am sorry you have not got the young Prince, but he lives very well.—I hope this is not the last time we are to see each other, or to exchange prisoners.. Our desire is to have our prisoners, whose names we gave in to you, and after they are exchanged, they that have prisoners with you, must purchase them from you as they can. The names of those prisoners that we gave you, their people were at the taking of the prisoners from you, they shewed themselves like men, and warriors, for that reason we gave them the preference.—When I do any business of this kind I call on the great man above, to judge me, that I do all things right. I have considered your request in returning the young. Pickaway woman and your getting the young Prince, it appears to me it was their fortune to be both taken at one time they were equal to me, and I, not knowing you wished one more than another, it has been her fortune to be brought here, now for me to send her back, and bring the young Prince away from his mother, is giving me a great deal of trouble, and I think the great man above will not think it justice, and for that reason I cannot do it; but you may be assured, your Prince will be well treated, and he shall be delivered at the next exchange, and you need not be at any trouble, only send the prisoners to Limestone, where Mr. Jacob Boone will receive them, and send yours to you.

I have no more to say to you, only advise you to go home and live at peace: and I will assure you no army shall march against you from Kentucky.

I am not authorised to treat any further with you. only wish a friendly trade could be carried on between us.— I hope what has been said, will be agreeable to you, and you and I will set our names thereto.

BENJAMIN LOGAN, Com.

Aug: 20 1787.

Test.

Capt. Johny.C.C.S.N.

Isaac Ruddell.

Pemenawah.

John Crow.

Mar em ccho.

Daniel Boone.

Lathcnfecch.