To the various tribes of the Piankashaw, and all the nations of red people living on the waters of the Wabash River: The Sovereign Council of the Thirteen United States has long patiently borne your depredations against white settlements on this side of the great mountains, in the hope that you would see your error and would correct it by entering into bonds of amity and lasting peace. Moved by compassion and pity for your misguided councils, it has not unfrequently addressed you on this subject, but without effect. At length patience is exhausted, and it has stretched forth the arm of power against you; its mighty sons and chief warriors have at length taken up the hatchet; they have penetrated far into your country to meet your warriors and to punish you for your transgressions. But you fled before them and declined the battle, leaving your wives and children to their mercy. They have destroyed your old town, Ouiatenon, and the neighboring villages; and they have taken many prisoners. Resting here two days to give you time to collect your strength, they have proceeded to your town of Kenapacomaqua; but again you have fled before them, and that great town has been destroyed. After giving you this evidence of their power, they have stopped their hands because they are as merciful as strong. Again they indulge the hope that you will come to a sense of your true interest and determine to make a lasting peace with them and all their children forever. The United States has not desired to destroy the red people, although it has the power to do so; but should you decline this invitation and pursue your unprovoked hostilities, its strength will again be exerted against you. Your warriors will be slaughtered, your wives and children will be carried into captivity, and you may be assured that those who escape the fury of our mighty chiefs shall find no resting place on this side of the Great Lakes. The warriors of the United States do not wish to distress or destroy women, children, or old men. Although policy obliges them to retain some in captivity, yet compassion and humanity have induced them to set at liberty others, who will deliver you this talk. Those who are carried off will be left in the care of our great chief and warrior, General St. Clair, near the mouth of the Miami and opposite to the Licking River, where they will be treated with humanity and tenderness. If you wish to recover them, repair to the place by the first day of July; determine with true hearts to bury the hatchet and to smoke the pipe of peace. They will then be restored to you, and you may again sit down in security at your old towns and live in peace and happiness, unmolested by the people of the United States. They will become your friends and protectors and will be ready to furnish you with all the necessaries you may require. But should you foolishly persist in your warfare, the sons of war will be let loose against you; and the hatchet will never be buried until your