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Transcription Project

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  Letter from James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent, to Henry Knox Secretary of War, reporting on renewed prospects for peace with Creek Nation

  Seagrove reports on positive prospects for peace, which might continue if the Georgia militia would stop going into Creek territory. Relates with pretty great certainty that about 200 militia have crossed the Oconee from Carr's Bluff, under command of Colonel Alexander. Notes that he has written to Georgia Governor Telfair on the matter. Expresses favorable opinion regarding a planned meeting of the most influential Creek leaders with President of United States General George Washington at Philadelphia, during upcoming winter. Reports that party of Creeks have gone to war against Southwestern Territory are untrue.
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  Hickborn discusses politics with Knox

  Letter, mentions neutrality proclamation and American courts; mentions canal.
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  Letter from Timothy Barnard [Bernard] to James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent, reporting on favorable prospects for peace

  Barnard [Bernard] remains ill and can hardly collect his sentiments on paper. Reports that the Warrior King of the Cussetahs returned from meeting with upper Creeks; all towns in that quarter want peace. To demonstrate sincerity, White Lieutenant and other leaders will join Warrior King to Oakmulges to conduct Seagrove into the nation. White Lieutenant asks Seagrove to bring the women and children prisoners with him. Barnard expects no more mischief, at least for the winter; Chehaws and Usechaws will not commit any more offenses, a chief part of them are hunting at head of St Marys Stangesbre and left the chiefs to settle matters. Cowetas and Broken Arrow have likewise agreed to do no mischief. Strong talks also sent to Seminolas to avoid hostilities. Peace depends on Georgia scouting parties not falling on the Indians. If peace is disrupted, a likely culprit with be the rascal John Galphin.

• Reconciliation with the Cherokees

  Blount observes that, except through Seneca, communications with the Cherokees have been cut off since General Sevier's march into the nation. He has dispatched John McKee to collect information from that quarter but it appears that reconciliation with the Cherokees is not probable until a general pacification has occurred among all the nations.
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  Letter from Timothy Barnard [Bernard] to James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent, on the prospects for peace, Warrior King's meeting with lower Creeks, White Lieutenant and upper Creek Chiefs

  From Flint River, prospects for peace are good it seems. The Warrior King trying to reconcile matters. Met with leadership of Lower Creeks at Cussetah, and with White Lieutenant and upper Creek Chiefs at Tuckabatchee. Cowetas promise to lay quiet; talk strongly of killing horse thieves. Seek to get women prisoners back. Ask Seagrove to mediate and bring prisoners with him when he comes to visit. One of the women is a relative to White Lieutenant. Indians say ten women and children are missing, but Barnard says only eight were carried off. Suggests the others may have been killed. Barnard has been very ill lately.

• [Untitled]

  Cited in Knox to Wayne, 11/25/1793.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Swan to Howell, 11/20/1793.
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  Disbursements for the Pay of the Army

  It is expected that all disbursements for the pay of the Army will be made on settled payrolls according to the instructions of the Comptroller of the Treasury and not based on estimates as was Swan's payment to Britt Ouion and other subordinate paymasters, which was counter to the instructions stipulated in the relevant Act of Congress.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Swan to Howell, 11/20/1793.
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  Letter from James Seagrove to Georgia Governor Telfair requesting support in allowing Oakfuskees to settle matters with Cowetas for injuries done, to stop expeditions into Creek country, to prohibit future expeditions unless authorized by law

  Seagrove asks that the people of Georgia not interfere with Oakfuskee efforts to gains satisfaction for injuries done by Cowetas. Also requests he call off parties of militia assembled in Green and Washington Counties. Asks that Governor issue proclamation forbidding expeditions into Creek territory without proper [federal] authority.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Wayne to Knox, 10/23/1793.
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  Letter from Captain Constant Freeman to Secretary of War Henry Knox on James Seagrove's failure to go into Creek Indian country, efforts of Georgia militia, and a suggestion that the Governor Telfair may call off further offensive operations unless sanctioned by Federal Government

  Captain Freeman reports that James Seagrove has not gone into Indian Country for reasons Seagrove has already explained. Suggests that general war with Creeks is inevitable unless Federal Government express its disapprobation of the measures taken by the Georgia authorities. Success of Colonel Melton's invasion has given the people a desire for more expeditions and more prisoners. Suggests that the Governor of Georgia may call off further expeditions unless sanctioned by Federal Government;
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  Letter from James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent, to Henry Knox, on Georgia efforts to undermine peace with Creeks

  From Fort Fidius, Seagrove laments that his failed efforts at achieving peace with the Creek Nation are entirely owing to the unruly conduct of the people of Georgia. Reports that there are two expeditions on foot against the Creek towns; one party from Green County and other from Washington. Suggests that Georgia Governor Telfair is encouraging this activity. Expresses hope that the Oakfuskees, who wrongly incurred the white man's wrath instead of the culprits, the horse stealing Cowetas, will exact revenge on the Cowetas. Seagrove fears that the conduct of the white people in this country will destroy all hopes of peace; refers to the malignant breath of anti federalists and land speculators who undermine the peace. Suggests that if Barnard can give favorable accounts, Seagrove will again attempt to venture out to meet with Creek leadership.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Swan to Howell, 11/20/1793.
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  Payment to John Hopkins on account of expenses incurred by State of Virginia for defensive protection of frontier

  Lee requests payment of $10,000 to John Hopkins on account of commissions of federal building, account of commonwealth of Virginia, and expenses for protection of frontier.
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  Recommendation of Candidate for District Attorney

  Letter, recommends candidate for district attorney.

• Long Sufferings of the People

  Blount reports that a large body of Indians has invaded the district of Washington resulting in losses of life and property. General Sevier has been ordered to pursue the invaders and perhaps ease the long sufferings of the people of the district.
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  Craig discusses military stores and shipment with Hodgdon

  Major Craig discusses the preparation of quarterly returns with Samuel Hodgdon.
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  Letter from Major Henry Gaither to Secretary of War Henry Knox expressing loyalty to Federal Government

  Gaither assures Henry Knox that he will act only in accordance with the instructions of the Federal Government and suggests that Georgia Governor Telfair had no right to intimate otherwise. Expresses doubt that the Governor will raise the infantry and cavalry, despite that he was ordered to do so by Federal Government.

• No Further Claims are to be Admitted

  Mohawk leader Joseph Brandt addresses the Council at Buffalo Creek and observes that the council at Niagara seemed to be headed toward peace until messengers from the Creek Nation arrived with charges that white people were encroaching on the land of the Confederacy. Brandt recommends that the lands already settled by whites be surrendered with the understanding that no further claims are to be admitted beyond an established boundary line.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Howell to Dalcho 05/13/1794
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  Letter from James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent, to Henry Knox Secretary of War on militia attack on village of Little Oakfuskees and purported duplicity by Georgia Governor Telfair

  Seagrove reports the he has not been able to conduct a peace mission with Creek leadership because of attempts by people of Georgia and militia to interfere with efforts. Recounts the report of Captain Sanford of Georgia Militia, who returned from an expedition of Creek Towns under Colonel Alexander and others, in pursuit of some horse thieves; expedition surprised the friendly town Little Oakfuskee, under White Lieutenant, a known Creek friend. Town plundered, burned, Indians scalped and killed. Seagrove suggests this was deliberate effort by Georgia militia to undermine peace efforts with Creek nation. Accuses Governor Telfair of ordering these actions. Will not meet with Creeks until people and militia of Georgia can be restrained. Seagrove encloses copy of letter from Telfair outlining his conditions for peace, his letter to Telfair, and letter from Major Buckner Harris.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Craig to Knox, 11/01/1793.

• Speech to Six Nations on Peace Agreement

  Account of meeting between Six Nations, John Butler, and Israel Chapin regarding history of war, British aggression, peace among Indian nations and U.S., and mandate to avoid whites and fellow Indians who might try and inspire insurrection and war.
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  2,500 Stands of Arms

  Hodgdon is directed to immediately order Capt. Fleming to forward from West Point to Philadelphia 2,500 stands of arms fit for immediate service. If that supply is not in readiness at West Point, the deficiency should be made up from those at Albany. They should be sent from West Point to Capt. Sedam at Governors Island at New York and from there via the Amboy route to Philadelphia.