Ink on paper

Simcoe orders Butler and McKee to attend the meeting between the Indian American Nations and the United States at Lower Sandusky, per the request of the Indians and the acquiescence of the United States. The American Indians requested a British presence at the congress. Simcoe is explicit that the role of Butler and McKee is not one of mediation, but rather "solely in answer to the request of the Indian Americans, to explain to those Nations faithfully the nature and tendency of the offers of the United States to illustrate the Treaties, Documents and Maps herewith transmitted and to exert your ascendancy over the Indians in inclining them to accede to these offers if they be consistent with their safety and benefit or to reject them if they seem likely to provide injurious to their real interests." It's important to note here that the word "real" isn't being used in the sense of the word "actual," but rather refers to the interest the American Indians hold in land (i.e. legal title). Simcoe cautions his officers to be very delicate in how they perform this function and to have as little contact as possible with the American commissioners (he even offers examples of excuses they might give so as not to engage the commissioners in conversation) lest the Americans find an excuse to say that it was the British who prevented peace between the Indian Nations and the United States. Finally, Simcoe instructs that should deliberations fail, it is vital that McKee and Butler prevent harm from befalling the persons of the commissioners, for such harm could provoke a devastating reaction from the Americans. Simcoe says he has no idea what ultimatum the commissioners will deliver.

Date given in document.

John Graves Simcoe to John Butler and Alexander McKee, 22 June 1793. Currently in Library and Archives Canada. Claus Papers, Vol. 5 (M.G. 19, F1) reel C1479, pp. 157-160. Item described as part of a GRASAC research project, summer 2010, and consulted. https://gks.grasac.org/ (GKS ID: 985, accessed [date]).

Created by Research Assistant Aaron Mills during the first summer of the SSHRC Aboriginal Research Grant 2007 to 2010

Record reviewed by Research Assistant Jessica Ye during the winter of 2021