Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) to Beverley Randolph
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00936 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 February 1793 Pagination: 1 p. : address : free frank ; 24 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Secretary of State Jefferson writes to Randolph, a former Virginia Governor and a commissioner to the Indians of the northwest frontier, to request (with the blessing of President George Washington) that he represent the South at an "assembly of the Northern & Western Indians is to be held at Sanduskey in the approaching spring." Comments that "It will be the greatest collection of Indians (about 3000) which has ever taken place, and from very distant & various parts." Notes that he believes "the public interest intimately concerned in the conducting of this treaty" and hopes that Randolf will serve despite health problems. Randolph did represent the South at the meeting, but the mission failed.
Notes: Boyd 25: 229. With Benjamin Lincoln and Timothy Pickering, Randolph traveled to the Canadian side of Lake Erie. With the failure of the mission, war broke out and was ended with Gen. Anthony Wayne's victory at Fallen Timbers in August 1794.
Philadelphia Feb. 18. 1793.
Dear Sir
A great assembly of the Northern & Western Indians is to be held at Sanduskey in the approaching spring, to be met by three commissioners from the general government to treat of peace. It is highly important that some person from the Southward, possessing the public confidence, should be in the commission; and a person too who has firmness enough to form opinions for himself. Though I knew that your health was sometimes in default, yet I have ventured to propose you to the President who joined at once in the wish that you would undertake it, and I expect he writes to you by this post. It will be the greatest collection of Indians (about 3000) which has ever taken place, and from very distant & various parts. The route thither will be through N. York, the Hudson, the Mohawk, L. Ontario, Niagara, and L. Erie and you could return by Fort Pitt. The season the finest of the year, & I presume every accomodation will be provided which the nature of the service admits. I am not able to say what the allowance will be, but I believe it has usually been 6. or 8. Doll. a day exclusive of expences. But this is guess-work in me. - I hope you will resolve to undertake it, as I conceive the public interest intimately concerned in the conducting of this treaty, and on that consideration I am confident you will sacrifice any private disinclination to it. Be pleased to present my best respects to Mrs. Randolph & to be assured of the esteem with which I am Dear Sir, your friend & servt.
Th:Jefferson
Beverley Randolph esq.
[address leaf, stamped FREE:]
Th: Jefferson
Beverley Randolph esq.
Cumberland
by the Richmond post
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