William Henry Harrison Papers, Microfilm Reel 5: October 14, 1811-August 27, 1812
several thousands now on the borders of Lake Michigan and St.
Joseph Fort [Upper Canada, now Ontario], on the Straits of St.
Mary's that connect Lakes Huron and Superior.5 The latter part
of his information is corroborated by a Frenchman who returned to
Pioria [Peoria, Illinois Territory] on the 29th ult. from
Melwaakee [Milwaukee, Illinois Territory, now Wisconsin],6 and
the Winnebago Village.
As early as April last, I ascertained the machinations of
Dixon [Robert Dickson]7 to engage the Sioux and others in the
hostile confederacy, in the event of a war with England, and I
then foresaw and predicted what the evidence now transmitted
proves to be correct.
All hopes of peace with the Savages, by any other means than
hard fighting, must now be abandoned. No doubt of the necessity
of immediately preparing to oppose them with a formidable force
can any longer be reasonably indulged. But hitherto the seat of
the most imminent danger has not been well understood. The
greatest number of hostile Indians in America, are to be found
West of Lake Michigan, South, of Lake Superior, and on the
Mississippi river, and those that empty into it above St. Lewis
[Louis]. All those on Illinois [River] can reach the frontiers
of this territory and Misouri in three or four days. The Socs
[Sauk] and Foxes, amounting to 1400, can descend the Mississippi
in about the same length of time. The Sioux on the Ouisconsing
[Wisconsin River] would require very little longer, and any that
I have mentioned can invade us in ten or eleven days, and all
come by water—a mode of transporting themselves, which they at
Title William Henry Harrison Papers, Microfilm Reel 5: October 14, 1811-August 27, 1812
Description Microfilm Reel 5 of The Papers of William Henry Harrison, contains official documents, correspondence, and other papers dating from October 14, 1811-August 27, 1812. Notable correspondents in this reel include William Eustis, Charles Scott, James Winchester, Andrew Jackson, John M. Scott, Ninian Edwards, and Josiah Snelling. Significant events that occurred during the dates covered include the Battle of Tippecanoe near Prophetstown, Harrison relinquishing command of U.S. Army troops, Native American tribes assembling for Vincennes council, the United States declaring war on Great Britain, Harrison's appointments as brigadier general in U.S. Army and major general in Kentucky militia.
Date October 14, 1811-August 27, 1812
Scott, John M.
Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845
Winchester, James, 1752-1826
Military appointments
Transcription several thousands now on the borders of Lake Michigan and St. Joseph Fort [Upper Canada, now Ontario], on the Straits of St. Mary's that connect Lakes Huron and Superior.5 The latter part of his information is corroborated by a Frenchman who returned to Pioria [Peoria, Illinois Territory] on the 29th ult. from Melwaakee [Milwaukee, Illinois Territory, now Wisconsin],6 and the Winnebago Village. As early as April last, I ascertained the machinations of Dixon [Robert Dickson]7 to engage the Sioux and others in the hostile confederacy, in the event of a war with England, and I then foresaw and predicted what the evidence now transmitted proves to be correct. All hopes of peace with the Savages, by any other means than hard fighting, must now be abandoned. No doubt of the necessity of immediately preparing to oppose them with a formidable force can any longer be reasonably indulged. But hitherto the seat of the most imminent danger has not been well understood. The greatest number of hostile Indians in America, are to be found West of Lake Michigan, South, of Lake Superior, and on the Mississippi river, and those that empty into it above St. Lewis [Louis]. All those on Illinois [River] can reach the frontiers of this territory and Misouri in three or four days. The Socs [Sauk] and Foxes, amounting to 1400, can descend the Mississippi in about the same length of time. The Sioux on the Ouisconsing [Wisconsin River] would require very little longer, and any that I have mentioned can invade us in ten or eleven days, and all come by water—a mode of transporting themselves, which they at
William Henry Harrison Papers, Microfilm Reel 5: October...
Harrison_REEL5 115<