Taryn Hardman

10/03/2014
History 1700-403
Brook Halford
Some of the most prominent figures in 1800, Henry Knox, Thomas Jefferson, and the U.S
Congress, seemed to differ on their general idea of how to resolve the issue of the Native
Americans being unwilling to give up more of their land to the whites for expansion. However,
they did all seem to share one view at least, on what the problem was and the best way to
eradicate it.
In an attempt to quiet the fighting between the whites and the Native Americans, Henry
Knox drafted a report that urged the adoption of a policy he believed to be a human resolution to
the conflict. He proposed that either the Native tribes be eradicated completely, or that a treaty be
drawn up and formed that explicitly outlined the limitations and rights of the tribes, and also
punished whites that violated the treaty.
. . . . In examining the question how the disturbances on the frontiers are to be quieted, two
modes present themselves, by which the object might perhaps be effected; the first of which is by raising an army,
and extirpating the refractory tribes entirely, or 2dly by forming treaties of peace with them, in which their rights
and limits should be explicitly defined, and the treaties observed on the part of the United States with the most rigid
justice, by punishing the whites, who should violate the same.
-Henry Knox, June 15, 1789*

In his report, Knox goes on to say that the Native Americans have rights to the land as
they are the previous occupants and that the land cannot be taken from them unless its by their

own free consent, or by right of conquest in the case of a just war, as any removal by force other
than a just war would be a gross violation of the laws of nature. However, he then goes on to say
that a large part of the reasoning is that if the whites were to invade the Native Americans with
the intent of wiping them out, or simply destroying their land, it would more likely be
unsuccessful in that any attempt might lead to the temporary or permanent care of the remaining
members of these tribes would cost the States too much money to be able to realistically
maintain.
Knox also believed that an increase in trade with the Native Americans should be
established, as well as the need for more land to be willingly sold by the tribes by way of the
whites encroaching on their land until their game grounds were largely diminished and they
found another means [agriculture, presumably] to make a living.
Thomas Jefferson wasnt as much as an advocate for Native American rights as Knox
was, but Jefferson seemed to share the assumption that the Native Americans would benefit more
from more active trade with the whites, as well as to give up some of their hunting grounds to the
whites and turn to agriculture as an alternative to hunting. In a letter that Jefferson wrote to the
congress, he stated that if they could convince the Native Americans to turn to agriculture as a
more ready resource, they could essentially validate the whites need of their land by proving
that they could get by with less of it.
To provide an extension of territory which the rapid increase of our numbers will call for, two
measures are deemed expedient. First: to encourage them to abandon hunting, to apply to the raising stock, to
agriculture and domestic manufacture, and thereby prove to themselves that less land and labor will maintain them
in this, better than in their former mode of living. The extensive forests necessary in the hunting life, will then
become useless, and they will see advantage in exchanging them for the means of improving their farms, and of
increasing their domestic comforts. Secondly: to multiply trading houses among them, and place within their reach

those things which will contribute more to their domestic comfort, than the possession of extensive, but uncultivated
wilds. Experience and reflection will develop to them the wisdom of exchanging what they can spare and we want,
for what we can spare and they want. In leading them to agriculture, to manufactures, and civilization; in bringing
together their and our settlements, and in preparing them ultimately to participate in the benefits of our governments,
I trust and believe we are acting for their greatest good.

-Thomas Jefferson, 1803, Letter to Congress*

Congress seemed to agree that more land needed to be given up by the Native Americans,
and that they should be sizable pieces that can be used for whatever whim the purchaser had.
Congress wanted to divvy up portions of land in sections of quarter townships or one mile
square along the Northwest of Ohio, and they also stated where certain sections of land would
be publicly sold. Stipulations of land purchase included down payments, and the land would be
forfeited if subsequent payments were not made on the land within 3 months.
They also stated that if the lot was not completely paid or within a year after the date of
the last payment, the land would be sold back to the original owner. Here is a passage from the
drawing out of the Land Act of 1800 that highlight some of the stipulations of land purchase.
1st. At the time of the purchase, every purchased shall deposit one-twentieth part of the amount of
purchase money; to be forfeited, if, within three months, one-fourth of the purchase-money, including the said
twentieth part, is not paid.
2d. One-Fourth of the purchase-money to be paid as aforesaid, within three months, and the other threefourths in three equal payments, within two, three, and four years, respectively, after the date of purchase.
3d. No interest to be charged in case of punctual payment; but interest at the rate of six per cent, a year, to
be charged from the date of purchase, on any part of the purchase-money which shall not have been paid at the times,
respectively, when the same shall have become due.
4th. A discount at the rate of eight per cent. a year, to be allowed on any of the three last payments, which
shall be paid before the same shall have become due.

5th. If any tract shall not be completely paid [for] within one year after the date of the last payment, the
tract to be sold in such manner as shall be provided by law; and after paying the balance due to the United States,
lincling interest, the surplus, if any, to be returned to the original purchaser.
Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in pursuant to the said resolutions
-Congressional resolution on Western Lands, 1800*

In summary, Henry Knox, Thomas Jefferson, and the U.S congress all seemed to
agree that the Native Americans were coveting more land than they needed, and if they gave up
more of their land to the whites, an increase in trade and agriculture would balance out the loss
of their hunting grounds.

Note: Henry Knox, Report of Henry Knox on the Northwestern Indians (June 15,
1789)
http://pages.uoregon.edu/mjdennis/courses/hist469_Knox.htm, Source: American State
Papers: Indian Affairs, I: 13-14.]
PR: [Knox 1789, online]

Note: Thomas Jefferson, Transcript of Jefferson's Secret Message to Congress

Regarding the Lewis & Clark Expedition, (Jan 18, 1803)

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/print_friendly.php?page=transcript&doc=17&title=Trans
cript+of+Jefferson%27s+Secret+Message+to+Congress+Regarding+the+Lewis+%26amp%3
B+Clark+Expedition+%281803%29 October 3, 2014
PR: (Jefferson 1803, online)

Note: Congressional Resolution on Western Lands (1800) (Source: From Annals of the
Congress of the United States, 1789-1824 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office,
1799-1800) 6th Cong., 1st sess, 537-538)