George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-21-02-0094

To George Washington from Arthur Campbell, 15 November 1796

From Arthur Campbell

Washington County V[a]. Nov. 15. 1796

sire

It would be doing violence to my feelings, did I omit the present opportunity to express at least some sentiments of affection some effusions of gratitude for your many and important services to the United States in general, but more especially for the share of attention you have paid to the safety and prosperity of the Western Country, and that not by slight and temporary measures but by the most solid and useful regulations. Our Wives, our Children, and vast property now pass and repass in safety, as it were in full view of our late enemies. The hand that was used to raise the bloody Hatchet, now meets the wearied Traveller with greetings, and a supply of provisions. This is almost literally, the Wolf lying down with the lamb and none to do hurt in all my holy Mountains, saith the Lord of Hosts.1 The finishing hand to the great business of peace, with the Aborigines of the Country is now about to be made, by your calling a full Representation of the Tribes to meet at the seat of the general Government. There is now more than a hope, that the peace will be permanent, if a sacred regard to Treatys on our part can be maintained.2

It came from the lips of the greatest Friend to Man. “Blessed is the peace-Maker.[”]3 May blessings of more value than can be given by temporal Things, be a solace in your old Age, and your sure and great reward in the World to come.4 Your Affectionate fellow Citizen And devouted humble servant

Arthur Campbell

ALS, DLC:GW. A note on the cover reads: “Favor’d by Judge Campbell.”

1This sentence is a paraphrase of Isaiah 11:6 and 11:9. Isaiah 11:6 in the King James version of the Bible begins: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb.” Isaiah 11:9 reads: “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”

2The “great business of peace” probably refers to the 1795 Treaty of Greenville with the Northwest Indians, which improved relations between American settlers and various Indian tribes. For instance, Shawnee chief Blue Jacket (Weyapiersenwah) tried to put an end to raids. Also, in 1795 and 1796, Brig. Gen. James Wilkinson took action to authorize the Shawnees to draw supplies and provisions from Fort Green Ville (see Timothy Pickering to GW, 21 Sept. 1795, first letter; see also Sugden, Blue Jacket description begins John Sugden. Blue Jacket: Warrior of the Shawnees. Lincoln, Nebr., and London, 2000. description ends , 208–10). The United States subsequently negotiated with the Creek Nation and concluded the Treaty of Colerain in June 1796 (see Kappler, Indian Treaties description begins Charles J. Kappler, ed. Indian Affairs. Laws and Treaties. 5 vols. Washington, D.C., 1903–41. description ends , 2:46–50).

In the summer of 1796, GW had invited the Cherokee Indians to send a delegation of chiefs to Philadelphia. A deputation of four southern tribes met with GW in Philadelphia in November and December. A delegation of Northwestern Indian chiefs also traveled to Philadelphia during the same period. For the conferences between GW, Secretary of War James McHenry, and the several Indian chiefs, see McHenry to GW, 28 November.

3This phrase is taken from the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:9, which in the King James version of the Bible reads: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

4No reply to Campbell from GW has been found.

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