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Contemporary manuscript copy of Governor William Hull's "Speech delivered to the Ottowa and Chippiwa Nations of Indians at Michilimackinac this 28 day of August 1809," eight pages on four sheets, 8 x 12.75, beginning: "My Children, to meet you in the country where you live & where your fathers and former Chiefs dwelt before you, is a great satisfaction to me…I salute you in the name of your great Father the President of the United States and I present to you and to all our red Brethren the assurances of his Friendship…My object in visiting you is not to ask you to sell your Lands but to protect you in the Peaceable Enjoyment of them. If any white man has made Inducements on you, inform me and he shall be removed. If any white man has done you an Injury inform me and you shall be redressed…As an evidence of the Friendship and benevolence of your great Father, he has directed me to present to you in his name some valuable presents—Medals bearing his Image for your Chiefs—and American Flags to be displayed in your villages." In good to very good condition, with old tape stains to all of the horizontal folds, and various small, more modern repairs to folds and small areas of paper loss.
William Hull (1753–1825) was a veteran of the Revolutionary War who later served as governor of the Michigan Territory, where he negotiated land cessions with Native Americans through the Treaty of Detroit in 1807.
