Arthur St. Clair report to Thomas Jefferson   Save
Arthur St. Clair Papers
Description: This original copy of a report sent by Northwest Territory Governor Arthur St. Clair to Thomas Jefferson (then secretary of state under President George Washington) explains the complex territorial divisions between the American Indian tribes and their various claims to lands in the Ohio country. At the time, St. Clair was facing opposition from American Indians over the Treaty of Fort Harmar. Several months later, General Harmar was defeated by the region's American Indian tribes. The two-page report measures 8" by 13" (20 by 32 cm) and is part of a larger collection of Arthur St. Clair letters that is owned by the State Library of Ohio and on permanent deposit at the Ohio History Connection. Arthur St. Clair (1734-1818) was governor of the Northwest Territory and administrator of Indian affairs for the western territories from 1787 to 1802. St. Clair led an army against a large alliance of American Indians, led by Shawnee chief Weyapiersenwah (Blue Jacket) and Miami chief Mishikinakwa (Little Turtle), who threatened war after their land was given to the U. S. government without their authorization, in November 1791. St. Clair suffered a disastrous defeat, losing half of his men. In response, President George Washington appointed General Anthony Wayne to defeat the region's American Indian tribes, which he did in 1794 at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. St. Clair also had many disagreements with the territorial legislature. He supported the division of the territory into different states that would be admitted separately to the Union despite the opposition of members of the legislature, including Thomas Worthington, who wished to hasten Ohio's admission for statehood. In 1802, Worthington and others asked President Thomas Jefferson to dismiss St. Clair from office, which he did on November 22, thus clearing the way for the legislature to begin drafting Ohio's constitution. St. Clair retired to his home in Lingonier, Pennsylvania, and died there in 1818. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om74_1146783_012
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Presidents and Politics; Ohio Government; Northwest Territory; Treaties; Governors
Places: Northwest Territory