The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-12-13


tee or principles of G.. Britain TO abando u
IN her negotiations for peace. those who have
co-operated with her in war. IS not applicable
tosthe Indians but on the erroneous assump-
zion of their Independence, which, so lar as
she is concerned, has FULLY disproved--
And although no power from these tribes TO
the British government to treat IN their be-
half, would, sor the same reason be admitted
b. the undersigned, they may nevertheless
observe. that the British plenipotentiaries ha-
wing produced no such powers. having no au-
thority to bind the intlians, TO engage for their
assent to the pacikraticn, or to secure the
continuance of peace On their part whilst
speaking OF them as allies, do really propose
to treat for them not As It they were indepen-
Dent nations. but as il they were the subjects
c. G.. Britain.
The undersigned sn far from asking that,
in re ctnn to the Indians, C.. Britain should
pursue = course incopsistaIs with her FORMER
pract C and principles, only desire that size
would follow hSr own example respecting
them, in her former treaties with ether Eu-
ropeaa nations. AMI with the United States
Eoprovisioa fer the Indians is found in The
treaty OF 1855, b., which France ceGed Cana
da to Crest ,sri,'in, although almost ali the
Indians living within the territory ceded, or
Acknowledged to beioag to Great Britain, had
taken part with France in the war. No such
provision was inserted W the treaty OF peace
OF 1888, between Great Britain and the u
nited States. although almost all the Indian
tribes living within the territory recognized
by the treaty to belong 70 the United States,
had, during the war, co-operated with Great
Britain, and might have been considered as
her allies more justly than on the present
occasion. So far as Concerns the relations
between Great Britain and the United States,
these Indians can be ,rcatei! for only on the
principles by which amucsties are stipulated
in favor Of dis Elected persons. who, in times
of war and invasion, cooperate with the enc
nv of tue nation 70 which they belong To
90 as f,r as possible in securing the benefit
ofthe peace to the Indians, now the only OBJ
ject protested by the British government in
their present sine qua nGN, the undersigned
Offer stipulation in general terms, that M
person or persons, whether subjects, citizens,
az Indians, residing within the dorl!Iions OF
either party, shall be mo.ested or annoyed,
either in their pcrsons'or their property, for
any part they may have taken in the war
between the United States and Great Britain /;
bat shall retain nj the rights, privileges and
possessions, which they respectively had at
the commencement of the war they, or their
part, deneanins themselves peacefully, and
coniormably to their duties to the respective
governments. This the undersigned have 10
doubt will eKectuallY secure to the Indians
peace, if they themselves will observe it, and
they will not suppose that G. Britain would
wish them included in the peace, bat upon
that condition.
The undersigned have never intmated that
their government had not fl shed them
with any instruction since JanuGry last. On
the contrary, they distinctly told the British
pleni 9ot entiaries i'll conf renee. though It =
pears to have escaped their recol ecticn,
that instructions had been received by the
undersigned, dated at the close Of the month
of Iunc. The undersigned will now add, that
those instructions were drawn with z full
knowledge OF the general pacification i'll Eu-
rope, and with so liberal = Consideration Of
its necessary bearing upon al the differences
that hal been until then, subs;sting between
Great Britain nd the United States, that the
undersigned cannot doubt that peace wo,llt
long since have been concluded, had not ar
insupera5lc ar against it been raised by the
new anil unprecedented demands of the Bri.
fish government.
With respect to the proposition which the
British Penipotentiarics inform them they
will be prepared to make, in relation to the
Canadian boundaries, which appeared to them
So catirel founded on pricniples of modera-
ton and justice, but the nature OF which, they
tnink proper at present 10 withhold, the IN
tiersigned can only>pled5e themselves TO meet
any proposition from the British Plcnipotcnti-
aries, characterized By moderation and JUS
X tice, not only with perfect reciprocity OF
those sentiments, but with 2 sincere ami ear
nest desire % contribute to the restoration oil
peace, by every compliance with the wishes
o. Great BCitlin, compatible with their duty
to their country.
Ths Undersigned have the honor Of ten
derfng to the British Penpotentiaries, the
renevel assurance OF their high considera-
ton.
(Signed)
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS,
J. A. BAYARD,
HENRY CLAY,
IONA RTTSs.ISI T