The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-02-29

savages dissolved, and peace and industry re,
stored 10 our widely extended Western from
uer' In word, Harrison had gloriously
accomplished, by his own abilities and the
cooperation Of the gallant people Of the
west, all that he undertook in assuming the
command of the American forces in the
Northwest
The news of this great victory was re-
ceived throughout the United States with uni
yersal rejoicings and gfatulaiions. In his
Message to Congress Of the 7th December,
1913, Mr.. Madison spoke of the result as
"signaally honorable to Major General Harri-
son, by whose military talents it was prepa-
red "The victory of HARRISON" said Mr.
Cheves on the floor Of Congress, "was such
as would have secured to Roman general,
IN me best days of the republic, the honors OF
atriumph." He put an end to the war in the
uppermost Canada "rhe blessing" said
Governor Snyder, Of Pennsylvania, In his
message to the Legislature of that State, .of
thousands of women and children, rescued
from the scalping-knife Of the ruthless savage
OF the wilderness, and from tho still more sa-
wage Prsctor. rest on Harrison and his gallant
army" II was well said by prominent Vir-
gina press, OF Harrison's despatch after
the bnttle, that in his letter he had done ius-
tice to every one but himself and that the
world must therefore do justice to the man,
who was too modest 10 be just to himself
! And without referring to other cotemporane-
GUS testimonies of public gratitude and re-
spect, il will be sufficient to add the following
resolution, passed by both branches Of Con-
gress, and approved 4,h Of April, 1878:
"Resoired byMe Senate and House Of Representa-
INES Of The Uniied Staies Of Amer,ea in Congress
semLied. That the thanks Of Congress be, and they
hereby presented 10 Major General William Henry
Harrison and Isaac Shelby, late Governor Of Ken
lucky, and through them to the officers and under
their command. for their gallaury aud good conduct in
defeating the combined British aud Indian forces under
Major General Proctor the Thames, in Upper Cana
da, the 5h day Of October, 1913, capturing the Br
tish army, with their baggage camp eqnpsge. and
tllery ard that the President Of the United States be
requested cause two Gold Medals TO be struck en-
be'natical OF this triumph, and presented to General
Harrison, and Isaac Shelby, late Governor Of Ken
lucky"
Having thus entirely defeated the enemy in
Upper Canada, Harrison advanced with part
OF his army to the Niagara frontier and thence
to Sockets Harbor, where he left the troops
and proceeded TO the seat Of Government, and
then to Ohio, where his immediate duties re-
quired his presence. In the plan of the ensu-
ing campaign, General Armstrong, the Secre-
tary of War, saw fit to assign to General
Harrison the communal of now comparative
~ unimportant district, while active service
against Canada was entrusted to others
That an officer in the prime of life, bred to
combat under Wayne, who had signaiized his
name in the memorable triumph OF Tippeca-
noe, won the brilliant victory Of the Thames,
and by his courage and skill given peace to
the Northwest, reconquered Michigan, and
gained possession Of large part of Upper
Canada,- --that such an officer should not be
continued in active service naturally occasion
ed surprise. But though the causes of it were
yelled from the public eye, yet the agency and
motives became visible, when the Secretary
of War, soon afterwards, not only designated
subordinate officer within General Harri-
sons district for particular duty, but also
transmitted directly to that officer orders to
take troops from the district without consult
ing its commander. On receiving notice of
this, General Harrison, Justly indignant, adj
dressed to the Department letter Of resigna-
ton, with a notification TO the President
Hearing Of this, Governor Shelby wrote a
remonsirance to the President, expressing the
highest opinion Of Harrison's military talents
and capacity to command, derived from ac-
tually serving under him. and declaring the
belief that in the arduous duties he performed,
no officer had ever displayed more energy or
exhibited greater capability. But the Secre-
tary OF War hastily assumed the right MIR.
Madison being absent in Virginia. to accept
Gen Harrison's resignation, without which,
it is believed, the President would have de-
cided otherwise; and thus, in the subsequent
campaigns, the country was deprived Of the
abilities of him "who,' in the words Of Col.
johnson. ssduring the late war was longer in
active service than any other general officer,
was perhaps oitener in action than any OF
them and nerer sustained defeat" For
General Harrison, with dlsinterestedness
and love Of honor which has always distin-
guished him, would not continue to enjoy the
high rank he held in the army, and the emolu-
ments il conferred, without he could be rem
derng at the same time an equivalent service
to the Republic.
INDIAN COMMISSIONER.
But General Harrison did not the less con-
tinue to receive new marks of the confidence
of Mr. Madison.
In the summer Of 1914 he was appointed,
in conjunction with Governor Shelby and
General Cass, 10 treat with the Indians in the
Northwest, at Greenville, the old head quar-
tiers of General Wayne.
In 1915, after the peace Of Client, and in
the execution of the provisions therein for the
pacifcaton of the Indians, General Harrison
was placed at the head Of the commission for
treating with the important tribes Of the Wyan-
dots, Shawanees, Ottawas, Wnnebagoes,
Chippewas, Deawares, Scnecas, Potawati-
mas, and MIamis, al Spring Wells.