Indian Nations vs. Settlers on the American Frontier: 1786–1788
Carefully read the following two important historical documents. Try to figure out what each writer was trying to say and the problem they were trying to figure out. Pay attention to the time period and geographic location of the speakers and make a note of who was speaking or writing. At the time there were “disturbances” on both sides of the Ohio River between the Natives and the settlers who were moving onto what had been Indian land. Also, there had been a change in ruling power from England to the United States as a result of the Revolutionary War.
Note: For a transcript of each document, click on “View Primary Source Details” below the image. On the page that opens, scroll down and click on Transcript.
These are two important historical documents written in 1786 and 1788.
- The first document is written by a combined group of several Native American tribes. Each tribe was considered by both Great Britain and the US to be an “independent nation” at the time … something like a small, independent country. In 1768, this same united group of tribes had been party to an earlier treaty with Great Britain called the Treaty of Fort Stanwix.
- The second document is written by the Governor and Commander in Chief of the Northwest Territory, Arthur St. Clair, who is concerned with many issues, including “disturbances” between tribes and the non-Native settlers who were moving onto former Indian land.
Read both documents carefully! There is a typed version at the end of each document. Use the magnifying glass tool or your mouse wheel to zoom in.
