416, 418, 422, 426.] Both Sides Bent on War.
The truth was that while the Federal Government sincerely desired peace, and strove to bring it about, the northwestern tribes were resolutely bent on war; and the frontiersmen themselves showed nearly as much inclination for hostilities as the Indians.

[Footnote: _Do._, Indian Affairs.

Letter of P.Muehlenberg, July 5, 1784.] They were equally anxious to intrude on the Government and on the Indian lands; for they were adventurous, the lands were valuable, and they hated the Indians, and looked down on the weak Federal authority.

[Footnote: _Do._, Report of H.Knox, April, 1787.] They often made what were legally worthless "tomahawk claims," and objected almost as much as the Indians to the work of the regular Government surveyors.

[Footnote: _Do._, 150, vol.
ii., p.