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THE RED MEN OF IOWA.
and it became necessary to adopt measures for extinguishing that title before it could be settled by the whites. Gigantic land companies were being organized with a view of occupying the lands. Several treaties had been effected with various tribes, under which some settlements were made. Virginia had, by the terms of her cession, made certain reservations for the benefit of her officers and soldiers, and Congress had promised land-bounties to the officers and soldiers of the Revolutionary army. These
pledges made it necessary first to extinguish the Indian titles. By a treaty concluded at Fort Stanwix, in 1784, the Iroquois Indians, embracing what were known as the Six Nations, ceded to the United States all their claim west of a certain boundary, described as beginning at the mouth of a creek four miles east of Niagara upon the lake called by the Indians Oswego, and by us Ontario; from thence southerly to the mouth of Buffalo Creek, or Lake Erie; thence south to the north boundary of Pennsylvania; thence west to the end of said north boundary; thence south along the west boundary of said State to the Ohio River. This treaty extinguished the old and rather indefinite claim of this geat Indian confederacy to the West. But the great western tribes remained to be dealt with. Accordingly, commissioners were appointed to treat with the western tribes in a council called at Fort McIntosh, January 21, 1785. The natives represented in this council were the Wyandots, Chippewas (Ojibwas), Delawares and Ottawas. By the treaty concluded at this meeting the Wyandots and Delawares ceded to the United States all their lands except those within the following boundaries: "Beginning at the mouth of the Cayahoga, thence up said river to the portage
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WAR WITH THE MIAMI AND WABASH TRIBES.
between that and the Tuscarawas branch of the Muskingum; thence down the said branch to the forks at the crossing place above Fort Lawrence; thence westwardly to the portage of the Big Miami; thence along said portage of the Great Miami, and down the south side of the same to the mouth; thence along the south shore of Lake Erie to the mouth of the Cayahoga." Within these boundaries the United States were granted certain tracts for trading-posts. Stringent provisions were made for the punishment of persons who attempted to settle on the lands of the Indians, and also for the punishment of Indians who might attempt to encroach upon the lands ceded by them. It was also provided that Indians who might be guilty of committing any robbery or murder upon the whites, should be delivered up by their respective tribes to be punished according to the ordinances of the United States.
Congress, under date of June 15, 1785, authorized a proclamation to be sent forth forbidding settlements north of the Ohio river, until the lands were surveyed and offices opened for their sale. This was designed to prevent intrusion upon the Indian lands, and consequent collisions with the aborigines which might result. The same proclamation enjoined upon all who had already crossed the Ohio to abandon their settlements, or remain at their peril. Four families attempted a settlement at the mouth of the Scioto, in April, 1785. They were attacked by the Indians and two men were killed, when the others hastened to abandon their enterprise. There were, however, some settlements made in Illinois by emigrants from the United States prior to this period that were more successful. One was made near Bellefontaine, Monroe county, by James Moore, a
