Messages and Letters of William Henry Harrison/Proclamation Sale of liquor to Indians
Proclamation: Selling Liquor to Indians
The Congress of the United States having by the act of the 30th March, 1802, authorized the President of the United States to take such measures as he may deem Expedient for preventing the Introduction of ardent Spirits amongst the Indian Tribes, and the Governor of the Territory having received Instructions and authority from the President to suppress the sale of ardent Spirits to the Indians within the Territory, The Governor Issued his proclamation strictly Enjoining upon all traders and other persons, to forbear in future to sell any ardent spirits or Intoxicating Liquors to any Indian or Indians whatever; Such Traders as may heretofore [have] taken Liquors into the Indian Country are allowed to remove the same after which period it shall be considered as an Infraction of the Regulations for the Government of the Indian Department, if any such ardent spirits are found in their possession and their Bonds will be forfeited accordingly.