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It may be well in glancing over the achievements
of Ohio, her momentous labors and grand successes, to refer to the Ordinance
of 1787, more minutely than we have done, in relation to many events,
since its inherent principles are not only perpetuated in the laws of
the entire Northwest, but have since been woven into the general Constitution
of the United States. It made permanent the standard and character of
immigration, social culture and political and educational institutions.
It was thoroughly antislavery and denounced involuntary servitude, which
was sanctioned in every other State at that time, with the exception of
Massachusetts. It protected religion and property. As late as 1862, Gen.
William Henry Harrison, Governor of Indiana, called a convention for the
purpose of considering the slavery question, and the feasibility of introducing
the system in the new States and Territories being formed. There was at
this time a spirited contest, and Illinois, Indiana and possibly Ohio,
barely escaped a decision that a full support should be given its introduction
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into these States. Its adoption was based upon certain specifications
and limits of time, which upon a deeper consideration was deemed perplexing
and impractical.
An animated discussion arose not long since, regarding the correct authorship
of this important ordinance, and its chief worker in gaining its sanction
by Congress.
Mr. Webster ascribed its authorship to Mathew Dane, of Massachusetts,
which statement was immediately refuted by Mr. Benton, of Mississippi,
who laid claim to it as the birthright of Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia.
It has been almost impossible to obtain accurate reports of the actions
of the old Continental Congress, from the fact that its meetings were
held in secret, and any reports either narrated or shown in schedules
or lists, were deemed a striking lack of trust on the part of the person
who furnished the information. It was sufficient that its acts and conclusions
be proclaimed without any prelude or reasoning process. Hence it has been
difficult to obtain early Congressional documents. But it has been conclusively
proven that the great motive power in gaining the approbation of the Ordinance
of 1787, was neither Dane nor Jefferson, but Dr. Cutler.
He arrived at New York, July 5 of that year, after a journey from Ipswich,
Mass., in his sulky. He obtained lodgings at the "Plow and Harrow,"
and saw that his good horse was properly cared for and fed at the same
place. Congress was then in session, and he had come on a mission for
the Ohio Company, to negotiate their grant and its privileges in the new
Territory of Ohio. He remained in New York three weeks, constantly engaged
in the work vital to the interests of the future great State. But he secured
the installment of the principles deemed the corner-stone of a future
powerful State constitution. Mr. Poole, Librarian of the Chicago Public
Library, searched assiduously for conclusive proof of Dr. Cutler's right
to this honor, and in the North American Review, Vol. 122, this is emphatically
set forth with substantiating proof under his signature.
Other facts have been discussed and proven at a very recent date, relative
to the State of Ohio, which heretofore have been omitted, and nearly lost
from the historic thread which unites the present with the past.
The first settlement of the lands of the Northwest is necessarily surrounded
with interest. But those were exciting, troublesome times, and a few links
were passed over lightly. However, the years are not so far removed in
the past but the line may be traced.
Mr. Francis W. Miller, of Cincinnati, has supplied some missing chapters.
The earliest documentary trace extant, regarding the southern settlement
at Cincinnati, is an agreement of partnership between Denman, Filson and
Patterson, in the fractional section of land to which the city of Cincinnati
was originally limited. It bears the date August 25, 1788. This was entered
on the records of Hamilton County, Ohio, October 6, 1803. |
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A letter from Jonathan Dayton to the Hon. Judge Symmes, dated
September 26, 1789, says: "You have been selling your lands, I am told,
for two shillings specie, the acre. The price at this moment is, and seems
to be, and undoubtedly is, a good one; but as much cannot be said of it
when you find hereafter that in consequence of the rise of certificates,
another acre, in another payment, may cost you in specie two shillings and
sixpence.
A letter from John C. Symmes to Capt. Dayton, dated April 30, 1790, says:
"The land in the reserved township is held at much too high a price.
Not a foot of land beyond the five-acre lots will sell. Five shillings,
specie, or two dollars in certificates, is the utmost they will bring,
and they will rarely sell at that."
This state of affairs was in a large degree brought about by the breaking-up
of North Bend and a removal of the town to Fort Washington, or Cincinnati,
later. A search through the old letters and other preserved documents
prove that North Bend was at one time the beginning of the great city
on the Ohio, rather than Cincinnati. Judge Symmes wrote, May 18, 1789:
"I have not as yet been able to make a decisive choice of a plat
for the city, though I have found two pieces of ground, both eligible,
but not upon the present plan of a regular square. It is a question of
no little moment and difficulty to determine which of these spots is preferable,
in point of local situation. I know that at first thought men will decide
in favor of that on the Ohio, from the supposition that the Ohio will
command more trade and business than the Miami. * * * But if it were built
on the Miami, the settlers throughout the purchase would find it very
convenient."
Another of the earliest selections of town sites was adjacent to the
most southerly point of what is now Delhi Township. To this the name of
South Bend was given. Judge Symmes reports November 4, 1790, of this place,
over forty framed and hewed-log two-story houses, since the preceding
spring. Ensign Luce is said to have taken his troops to North Bend, but
decided to remove to Cincinnati, on account of the object of his affections
having settled there—the wife of a settler. But this story is refuted
by contradictory evidence from Judge Symmes' letters, which illustrate
the fact that the post of North Bend was abandoned by Ensign Luce and
his men in consequence of a panic, caused by Indian attacks. The removal
of the troops caused a general decline of the town. Again, history and
letters from the same eminent Judge, assert that Fort Washington was completed
and garrisoned by Maj. Doughty before the close of that same year, and
was begun by him during the summer, that Ensign Luce must have still been
at his post at the bend at that time. It has been, therefore, recently
accepted that the traditional "black eyes" and the "Indian
panic," had nothing to do with the founding of Cincinnati, and that
the advantages of the position gained the victory.
Cincinnati has advanced, not only in prosperity and culture, but in national
significance. Our readers must have observed, in perusing these pages,
that
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from this city and the State which it represents, have emanated
some of the superior intellects which have used their wise faculties and
talents, tempered by a wise judgment, in behalf of the American Union.
The originality of the Senecas and Wyandots have been debated at some
length, while others have called the tribes the same, having two branches.
We have searched the earlier records and have found an authenticated account
of these two tribes.
The Indian tribes of Ohio were originally bold, fierce and stalwart.
The country watered by the Sandusky and its tributaries was frequented
by the Wyandot tribe, who came from the north side of the St. Lawrence
River. The Senecas were blood relatives of this tribe. Both tribes were
numbered by the thousands. A war originated between them, in this manner:
A Wyandot chief desired to wed the object of his affections, who laughed
him to scorn, because he had taken no scalps, and was no warrior "to
speak of." To change her opinion, he led out a party, and falling
upon a number of Senecas, slaughtered them mercilessly, that he might
hasten to the side of his dusky belle, with his trophies. This act inaugurated
hostilities, which extended through a century. The Wyandots began to fear
extermination, and, gathering their entire effects, the natives escaped
to Green Bay, and settled in several villages. But the Senecas made up
a war party and followed them, killing many Wyandots and burning some
of their villages. They then returned to Canada. Soon thereafter, they
secured fire-arms from the French. Again they followed the Wyandots, firing
their guns into their huts, and frightening them severely. "They
did not succeed as well as they expected. But the third party nearly exterminated
the villages, because the young warriors were nearly all gone to war with
the Foxes. The few at home escaping, promised to return with the Senecas,
but desired two days for preparation. The Wyandots sent word to the two
villages left undisturbed, and held a consultation. They decided to go
as near the Senecas as possible, unobserved, and discover their real motive.
They found them feasting on two roasted Wyandots, shouting over their
victory. They danced nearly all night, and then fell asleep. A little
before daylight, the Wyandots fell on them, leaving not one to carry back
the news.
The Wyandots then procured guns, and began to grow formidable. They set
out to return to their own country, and proceeded on their way as far
as Detroit, where they met a party of Senecas, on the lake. A fierce conflict
ensued, and the Wyandots beheld the Senecas fall, to the last man, suffering
fearful carnage themselves. They soon settled in this part of the world,
their principal village being on the Sandusky. Northwestern Ohio was particularly
dangerous with new Indian tribes, and the Wyandots were cruelly aggressive.
The death of their chief, and their total defeat by Harrison, destroyed
their power forever.
On the 29th of September, 1817, a treaty was held, at the foot of the
rapids of the Miami of Lake Erie, between Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur, |
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Commissioners of the United States, and the sachems, chiefs
and warriors of the Wyandot, Seneca, Delaware, Shawnee, Potawattomie, Ottawa
and Chippewa nations. All their lands in Ohio were ceded to the United States
forever.
There was really not a Seneca in the Seneca nation. They were chiefly
Cayugas, Mohawks, Onondagas, Tuscarawas, Wyandots and Oneidas. But the
Mingoes were originally Cayugas, and their chief was the celebrated Logan.
After the murder of his family by the whites, the Mingoes were scattered
over the territory northwest of the Ohio.
The notorious Simon Girty was adopted by the Senecas. Girty's name was
a terror and fiendish horror for many years. He not only led the Indians
in their atrocities, but he added barbarism to their native wickedness. |