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The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
In April 1808, British Indian agent Col. Claus sent a war belt to Seneca chiefs near Buffalo Creek, inviting them to join Britain against the US in potential war. The tribe rejected it, returned the belt via US agent Eratus Granger, who warned of consequences if they sided with Britain. Most wished to remain neutral, but some young warriors vowed to fight for the Americans.
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Full Text
The following is an extract of a letter from a gentleman of the first respectability, to the editor of the Albany Register, dated
"Canandaigua, April 16, 1808.
I left Buffalo on the 12th and arrived here on the 14th inst. While at Buffalo, Eratus Granger, Esq. the U. S. Indian agent, informed me that a short time since Col. Claus, the British Indian agent in Canada, sent war belt to the chiefs of the Seneca tribe of Indians residing on the banks of Buffalo Creek, 3 or 4 miles from the village. The belt was a large and elegant one ornamented with the hieroglyphics of war. The message accompanying it was, that the British & Americans would probably soon be at war, inviting them to join the British and take up the Tomahawk and Scalping knife against our thinly settled and defenceless frontiers.
The Indians held their council about a fortnight since, and determined in the negative. They handed Mr. Granger the belt, with a request to return it to Col. Claus.
Mr. Granger told them, that in case of war, the United States could fight their own battles and did not wish them to take any part in it; but if they sided with the British, the U. S. would withhold their annuities and exterminate them from their lands.
They signified their disposition to remain at peace—but some of the young warriors gave out, that in case of war they would not be idle spectators— they would join the Americans and fight the British."
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Buffalo Creek
Event Date
About A Fortnight Since April 16, 1808
Key Persons
Outcome
seneca indians rejected the war belt and invitation, returned it to be sent back to col. claus, expressed desire to remain at peace; some young warriors stated they would join americans in case of war.
Event Details
Col. Claus sent a large war belt with hieroglyphics to Seneca chiefs on Buffalo Creek, inviting them to join British against American frontiers in impending war. Indians held council, decided negatively, handed belt to Eratus Granger to return. Granger informed them US would not involve them but would withhold annuities and exterminate if they sided with British.