[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 127 (Wednesday, August 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 THE TREATY OF GREENEVILLE BICENTENNIAL

                                 ______


                          HON. JOHN A. BOEHNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, August 2, 1995
  Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to share a story with 
my colleagues, about a historic event which took place in Darke County, 
OH. On August 3, 1795, the Treaty of GreeneVille was signed. This 
weekend, the city of Greenville will be celebrating the bicentennial 
anniversary of this important step in a peaceful settling of the 
western frontier.
  The period after the Revolutionary War was a turbulent time in the 
newly created United States of America. Pioneers were venturing 
westward over the Appalachian Mountains into such States as Ohio. The 
founding fathers were concerned that the newly created nation would 
disintegrate as the western territories would side with the North, the 
South or even decide to form their own countries. The Northwest 
Ordinance was passed in 1785 to preempt this disaster.
  The Northwest Ordinance set out an orderly framework for settlement 
and the qualifications for statehood. Land survey was done on a grid-
like fashion to ensure that land title disputes would be few and so 
that settlements would be established in an orderly manner. 
Predictably, the increase in settlement led to further conflicts with 
the Indians of the region. President Washington was committed to 
providing security to the Northwest Territory and sent several 
commanders to lead the army. Each expedition was defeated, until 
President Washington appointed Maj. Gen. ``Mad Anthony'' Wayne.
  In the spring of 1793, Wayne led his well equipped troops from Ft. 
Washington, which is present day Cincinnati, and marched northward 
following a line of forts, such as Ft. Hamilton, that had been 
established. Rather than stopping at Ft. Jefferson, Wayne continued 
north for a few miles and built Ft. GreeneVille, around which later 
grew the city of Greenville. He met with the Indians and held 
discussions to arrange for a peace treaty, however the previous Indian 
successes encouraged them to fight. Eventually, the peace talks were 
called off and Wayne prepared for battle. He pushed further north and 
defeated the Indians at the site of Ft. Recovery where a previous 
battle had been lost by General St. Clair. Near the Maumee River at the 
Battle of Fallen Timbers on August 20, 1794, Wayne again decisively 
defeated the Indians. Wayne continued to press the Indians and in the 
fall of 1794, Wayne returned to Ft. GreeneVille.
  Peace negotiations began in June of 1795 and continued through August 
and concluded with the signing of the Treaty of GreeneVille on August 
3, 1795. The signing of the treaty by Gen. ``Mad Anthony'' Wayne, 
President George Washington and the Indians living in the territory 
ended 40 years of hostilities with the Indians west of the Ohio River.
  The agreement brought about the safe settlement of Ohio, Indiana, 
Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota. Settlers could 
explore and move to the West without fear of Indian attack and battle. 
The United States had taken its first step westward, ensuring stability 
for the future.
  In 1912, as the late President Theodore Roosevelt stated in a speech 
made in Greenville, ``Greenville is a most historical site. It marks 
one of the great epochs in the history of our nation. . . a starting 
point of America as a coming world power.'' After the treaty was 
signed, the Stars and Stripes automatically changed from a flag of 13 
colonies to the flag of the United States. A 15 star flag was hoisted 
over Fort GreeneVille by General Wayne. Eight years later, Ohio became 
the 17th State in the union.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent the citizens and the 
city of Greenville, OH. Our forefathers persevered in creating a free 
and safe Nation. We truly have a reason to celebrate and recognize the 
treaty signed in Greenville, OH, 200 years ago today.


                          ____________________