McKee, the British Indian agent, was nearly as frank as Brant in expressing his views of the conduct of the British towards their allies; he doubtless felt peculiar bitterness as he had been made the active instrument in carrying out the policy of his chiefs, and had then seen that policy abandoned and even disavowed.  In fact he suffered the usual fate of those who are chosen to do some piece of work which unscrupulous men in power wish to have done, but wish also to avoid the responsibility of doing.  He foretold evil results from the policy adopted, a policy under which, as he put it, “the distressed situation of the poor Indians who have long fought for us and bled farely for us [is] no bar to a Peaceable accommodation with America and ... they [are] left to shift for themselves.” [Footnote:  Canadian Archives, McKee to Chew, March 27, 1795.] That a sentence of this kind could be truthfully written by one British official to another was a sufficiently biting comment on the conduct of the British Government.

    The Indians Resolve to Treat.

The battle of the Fallen Timbers opened the eyes of the Indians to more facts than one.  They saw that they could not stand against the Americans unassisted.  Furthermore, they saw that though the British would urge them to fight, and would secretly aid them, yet that in the last resort the King’s troops would not come to their help by proceeding to actual war.  All their leaders recognized that it was time to make peace.  The Americans found an active ally in the French Canadian, Antoine Lasselle, whom they had captured in the battle.  He worked hard to bring about a peace, inducing the Canadian traders to come over to the American side, and making every effort to get the Indians to agree to terms.  Being a thrifty soul, he drove a good trade with the savages at the councils, selling them quantities of liquor.

    They Send Ambassadors to Wayne.

In November the Wyandots from Sandusky sent ambassadors to Wayne at Greeneville.  Wayne spoke to them with his usual force and frankness.  He told them he pitied them for their folly in listening to the British, who were very glad to urge them to fight and to give them ammunition, but who had neither the power nor the inclination to help them when the time of trial came; that hitherto the Indians had felt only the weight of his little finger, but that he would surely destroy all the tribes in the near future if they did not make peace. [Footnote:  Canadian Archives, Geo. Ironside to McKee, Dec. 13, 1794.]

The Hurons went away much surprised, and resolved on peace; and the other tribes followed their example.  In January, 1795, the Miamis, Chippewas, Sacs, Delawares, Pottawatomies, and Ottawas sent ambassadors to Greeneville and agreed to treat. [Footnote:  Do., Antoine Lasselle to Jacques Lasselle, Jan. 31, 1795.] The Shawnees were bent on continuing the war; but when their allies deserted them they too sent to Greeneville and asked to be included in the peace. [Footnote:  Do., Letter of Lt.-Col.  England, Jan. 30, 1795; also copy of treaty of peace of Feb. 11th.] On February 11th the Shawnees, Delawares, and Miamis formally entered into a preliminary treaty.