Revolutionary and Post-Revolutionary Land Claims to Congress
Mazipskwik or Missisquoi as it later became known as, is historically documented by early Vermont historians as the main village of the Western Abenakis. According to an 1842 publication prepared by Zaddock Thompson for the Clerk's office in the District Court for the District of Vermont entitled "History of Vermont, Natural, Civil and Statistical, in Three Parts:"
When Mrs. Howe and others were taken at Bridgeman's fort and carried into captivity, in 1755, the northern parts of Lake Champlain were in possession of the St. Francis Indians, who wintered there in large numbers and subsisted by hunting and fishing; and as late as the time of the revolutionary war, a branch of this tribe had a village at Swanton, consisting of about 50 huts with a church, jesuit missionary, and some lands under cultivation.
Assuming that each hut was inhabited by a family of four, Mazipskwik had an Abenaki population of at least 200 prior to the American Revolution. The following Memorials to Congress by Captain Joseph Traversy and Captain John Vincent (wrongly referred to as a Huron Indian) are important because they illustrate how our occupation of our historical homeland and service during the Revolutionary War were ignored as factors by Congress and General Washington in considering land grants following the American Revolution. For example, Captain Vincent forwarded Abenaki land claims over Vermont and New York to General Bayley in February 1781.
These were later forwarded by Bayley to General Washington for a decision. Washington then forwarded the issue to Congress who forwarded it to the Secretary of War, Henry Knox, who contended that Congress did not have any authority over the lands on Lake Champlain (this was in 1787, four years after the signing of the Paris Treaty that divided the U.S. and Canada along the 45th parallel; thereby placing the Champlain Islands well within the jurisdiction of the United States).
Petition of Captain Joseph Traversy, October 1783
Office of the Secretary of Congress, October 24, 1786
Office of the Secretary of War, October 27, 1787
To the Honorable the Congress of the United States of America
The Petition of Capn. Joseph Traversy humbley fourth;
That your Petitioner a Native and Inhabitant of Canada took an active part in the Cause of America from the very beginning of the late conflict.
That he used his utmost Endeavors during the War to be of some ability to that Cause. That he cheerfully and many times risked his life either by carrying important Intelligence to the Inhabitants of Canada and to the Northern Indians, according to orders from General Gates, Marquis de LaFayette and Count d'Estaing, and bringing back useful advices to the several Legislatures and Commanding Officers of the United States, or by trying to stop the Excursions of the aforesaid Indians, in which he partly succeeded, must especially in acquainting them with the Alliance with France and doing his utmost to attach them to the Interests of America.
That in consequence of his serving the United States his properties in Canada amounting to a considerable Value and which his fortune were seized by the British government. And that having lost all hopes of recovering them by the same Peace which has secured the Independence of America, he finds himself, towards the decline of life, reduced to shift about, deprived of his place of abode, a wife and eight children to support and without anything to subsist upon but what he can get by hunting, a kind of life already too hard and soon impossible to be followed by a Man of his Age.
Your Petitioner, therefore, fully convinced with the Justice and Generosity of the Honourable the Congress begs leave to apply to them, that they would grant him some Compensation for his service. But Knowing, at the same time, that the present Circumstances of the United States would possible prevent them from following the impulsion of their liberal Sentiments, and wishing nothing more strongly than to become a settled Inhabitant of the United States, he desires the Honourable the Congress would grant him some uncultivated lands towards the Lake Champlain, near the limits of the United States and Canada. Your petitioner will be able to give a full Satisfaction for what he has now brought forth, and could show more exactly the spot on which he wishes to settle himself, to such as the Honourable the Congress will judge it fit to name for that purpose. But whatever may be the fate of his humble petition, his best wishes will only be for the Welfare, and the remains of his life employed for the Service of the United States and he will never cease, as in duty bond, to pray for the prosperity of the Honourable the Congress of whom he submits himself.
With the greatest respect,
the most obedient servant and most faithful Subject,
Signed in behalf of Joseph Traversi
Office of the Secretary of Congress, October 24, 1786
On the Memorial of Joseph Traversy stating that 22 Indians who served under him in the late war have been deprived of their lands by Col. Allen of Vermont and praying to have their lands returned. The Secretary of Congress reports that the Memorial of Joseph Traversie be referred to the Secretary of War to report.
Office of the Secretary of War, October 27, 1787
The Secretary of the United States for the department of War to whom was referred the petition of Captain Vincent a Huron Indian
Reports
That the papers respecting Captain were at the latter end of August last presented to your Secretary at a time when Congress were not assembled--That he examined into the claims of the said Captain Vincent and found that his legal claims were adjusted but that he claimed for undefined and casual Services which were most probably compensated at the time they were performed.
That your Secretary persuaded the Said Captain Vincent to return to his own Country again giving him a gun powder and lead and paying his expenses which in the city of New York.
That Congress having no lands on Lake Champlain cannot give any to the Said Vincent--But Should Congress think proper they will direct that he be furnished with provisions on Lake Champlain as long as the Canadians shall continue to be furnished--Being both aged and infirm he would be compensated within the description of Canadians who are to be Supplied with one years provisions--His Services may also entitle him to a Supply of clothes.
On this principle the following resolution is submitted
Resolved. That the Secretary of War direct Captain John Vincent a Huron indian who rendered Services to the United States during the late War to be furnished with rations in the Same manner as the Canadian refugees on Lake Champlain are furnished and also a Supply of clothes.
H. Knox
War Office
October 27, 1787
His Excellency, The President of Congress
Sources: U.S. National Archives, Washington, DC; Zadock Thompson, History of Vermont, Natural, Civil and Statistical, in Three Parts, with a New Map of the State and 200 Engravings, Burlington, VT: Chauncey Goodrich, 1842.
