The letter from Governor Hamilton of Detroit was then produced, and read.  It proposed the most favorable terms of surrender, provided the garrison would repair to Detroit.  Major Smith assured them that the proposition seemed a kind one; but that it was impossible, in their circumstances, to remove their women and children to Detroit.  The reply was that this difficulty should be removed, for that they had brought forty horses with them, expressly prepared for such a contingency.

In a long and apparently amicable interview, during which the Indians smoked with them, and vaunted their abstinence in not having killed the swine and cattle of the settlement, Boone and Smith arose to return to the fort, and make known these proposals, and to deliberate upon their decision.  Twenty Indians accompanied their return as far as the limits stipulated between the parties allowed.  The negotiators having returned, and satisfied the garrison that the Indians had no cannon, advised to listen to no terms, but to defend the fort to the last extremity.  The inmates of the station resolved to follow this counsel.

In a short time the Indians sent in another flag, with a view, as they stated, to ascertain the result of the deliberations of the fort.  Word was sent them, that if they wished to settle a treaty, a place of conference must be assigned intermediate between their camp and the fort.  The Indians consented to this stipulation, and deputed thirty chiefs to arrange the articles, though such appeared to be their distrust, that they could not be induced to come nearer than eighty yards from the fort.  Smith and Boone with four others were deputed to confer with them.  After a close conference of two days, an arrangement was agreed upon, which contained a stipulation, that neither party should cross the Ohio, until after the terms had been decided upon by the respective authorities on either side.  The wary heads of this negotiation considered these terms of the Indians as mere lures to beguile confidence.

When the treaty was at last ready for signature, an aged chief, who had seemed to regulate all the proceedings, remarked that he must first go to his people, and that he would immediately return, and sign the instrument.  He was observed to step aside in conference with some young warriors.  On his return the negotiators from the garrison asked the chief why he had brought young men in place of those who had just been assisting at the council?  His answer was prompt and ingenious.  It was, that he wished to gratify his young warriors, who desired to become acquainted with the ways of the whites.  It was then proposed, according to the custom of both races, that the parties should shake hands.  As the two chief negotiators, Smith and Boone, arose to depart, they were both seized from behind.