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Primary sourceLetter29 December 1790

To the Cornplanter, Half Town, and Great Tree, Chiefs and Counselors of the Seneca Nation of Indians

George Washington · 29 December 1790

A formal letter from President Washington replying to grievances raised by Seneca leaders about land sales and relations with the United States.

Washington wrote this letter as President, addressing Seneca leaders directly about land disputes and federal Indian policy.

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Source: Internet Archive

About this source

What it is

This letter was written by George Washington, as President of the United States, on 29 December 1790 in Philadelphia. It is addressed to Cornplanter, Half Town, and Great Tree, chiefs and counselors of the Seneca Nation, replying to concerns they had raised about land and treatment by the United States.

Why it matters

In the letter Washington speaks of wanting to forget the 'miseries' of war and build a relationship of justice between the United States and the Seneca Nation, while also addressing problems over the sale of Seneca lands. It reveals the gap between the federal government's official words of friendship and the realities Indigenous nations faced, and shows Washington acting directly as head of state in Native American affairs.

Look closer

  • What words does Washington use to describe friendship and justice, and what do they promise?
  • Why might Washington blame earlier land problems on individual states rather than the federal government?
  • Whose perspective do we not get to hear directly in this document?

This letter is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of George Washington on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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