Collection

Transcription Project

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  Reporting on the Georgia Militia's March against Hostile Indian Towns

  In this letter from Ft Fidius, Gaither reports that Georgia Militia, under leadership of Major General Twiggs and Brigadiers Irwin Clark and Blackburn with about 600 officers and men, about half mounted, marched against hostile towns, crossed the Oconee. Gaither believes current effort is to avoid the friendly towns. Gaither received answer to Seagrove's demands and sent Ensign Sedgewick with names of the six inimical towns to the General.
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  Drafts; Captain Prior's Baggage; Newspapers

  Discusses draft in favor of Mr. Butler. Hopes Captain Prior's baggage will not long detain him. Mentions newspapers forwarded belong to James O'Hara. Respects to family.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Pickering to Hodgdon, 06/26/1793.
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  Balance Due a Detachment of Captain Slough's Men

  Enclosed is a continuation of payments made until March 1st. Also forwarded is a packet of payrolls for payments made to detachments previous to March. There is a balance due Captain Slough's men which should be paid. Those men have been settled with except for Marcus O'Donald.
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  Knox drafts memo regarding official positions communicated to Genet

  Document, Memorandum discusses the U.S. government staffing procedures caused by the issues surrounding Citizen Genet. See letter from Knox to Genet dated 7 June 1793.
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  British Assistance to American Commissioners during Sandusky Treaty Talks with Western Indians

  Assistance offered by British for peace negotiations with Western Indians.
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  Request for Cooperation from Royal Governor of Canada

  U.S. Indian Commissioners at Navy Hall request the cooperation of the British government in pursuing peace negotiations with the Western tribes.

• Find out what is true and do what is right.

  This is the memorandum of instructions given to Captain Hendricks by Colonel Pickering respecting the discourse with the hostile Indians about the treaty. Hendricks should listen to their claims regarding the boundary and ascertain how they might be dissuaded from their rigid demands.
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  Enclosed List of Sundry Articles, Indian Relations

  Enclosed list of sundry articles that must be purchase along with letter from Quartermaster General specifying the need to purchase items. Mentioned Seneca Indians at Niagara, desire for for treaty.
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  Discussion of Field Artillery, Including Cannon Required

  Letter, discusses corps of artillery; asks for brass field pieces; mentions foreign affairs.
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  Secretary of War Requests Return of Military Supplies

  Secretary of War requests that Hodgdon furnish a return of military and quartermaster stores which have been sent to Pittsburg for current year and what remains to be forwarded. Advise whether medicine chests have been forwarded. Henry Knox is writing to General Wayne and wishes to inform by tomorrow's post.
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  Delay of Movements by the Legion

  Knox instructs Wayne that, due to a postponement of the treaty negotiations, it is necessary to postpone any movements by the Legion that might be interpreted by the Indians as a sign of aggression. Although it will be necessary also to delay any deployment of auxiliary forces, it is still essential to make whatever preparations are needed to be ready to march should the treaty negotiations fail.
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  Knox discusses the French Carribean with Genet

  Document, describes Genet's request for arms and ammunition to defend Guadeloupe and Martinique. Document also contains an internal U.S. Government memorandum, dated 8 June 1793, concerning the staffing and vetting of the official opinions given to Genet in the letter of 7 June.

• Orders to Proceed to Wheeling

  Orders to proceed to Wheeling to supervise work in erecting blockade, stockade, and store house. Information on orders for General Wayne sent via Craig.
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  Preparation for Treaty with Indians

  Discussion of warriors to be present at signing of treaty. Requests presence of Indians.

• Letters to Cherokee Chiefs and McKee

  "I have the honor to enclose you a copy of a letter of yesterday's date to the Chiefs of the Chrokees and an extract of a letter from Mr. John McKee which will inform you of the state in which I leave the Indian business. I set out for Philadelphia tomorrow morning, shall pass through the upper part of North Carolina but shall make no delay in my journey"

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Commissioners to Knox, 06/26/1793.

• No War with White People or Red People

  Little Turkey reports on the visit of the Cherokee head-men to meet with with the head-men of the Northward Indians. Though the Nortwards appear ready to go to war if provoked by incursions on their land, Little Turkey affirmed the disposition of the Cherokees to remain at peace with whites and Indians.

• Search and Pursuit of the Creeks, Etc.

  Blount assures the Cherokee chiefs that he has informed the President of their peaceful intentions and he is looking forward to their visit to Philadelphia. He has ordered the continued pursuit of the marauding Creeks but mounted militia.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Craig to Hodgdon, 07/02/1793.
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  Memorandum of instructions on treaty negotiations given to Captain Hendricks by Colonel Pickering.

  Instructions from the Commissioners to Captain Hendricks. Hostile Indians claim boundary as Ohio; commissioners suggest that Hendricks consider the following in order to explore Indian flexibility on this matter. 1. Admit that some commissioners set up extravagant claims. Emphasize that current commissioners will confine selves to moderate tenets. 2. Former treaties went to great council of United States. Previous chiefs sold land to whites. Will be difficult to give that land back to Indians. Admit that some land sold from west line of Pennsylvania, down Ohio to great Miami. 3. Consider if commissioners relinquish claims west of great Miami and pay for lands east of Miami. 4. Consider prospect of commissioners giving up land south of line established by Treaty of Ft McIntoch and Ft Harmar. 5. What advantages do you wish by claiming United States land? Furs and skins you can obtain by hunting. Consider that commissioners will pay money in goods or provisions; is this better than war? Cannot you hunt on same lands? 6. Keep minds open to talks. Do not fix terms of peace until you hear them. United States wants to find out what is true and what is right. Note on bottom of document indicates that commissioners wrote these instructions for Hendricks, but after Hendricks left Navy Hall. Pickering wrote the instructions at Chippewa and overtook Hendricks at Fort Erie. Hendrick translated and destroyed original.

• Intimidate the Indians as well as Kill Them

  Blount discusses the measures he has taken to prevent further depredations by parties of marauding Creek Indians. The Cherokee chiefs have announced their peaceful disposition and the Chickasaws, having joined in the war against the Creeks, are not joined by the Choctaws who fear the loss of Spanish trade if they do not remain neutral.
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  Requests Shipment of Articles for Recruits of John Breck in Elkton, Maryland

  The Secretary of State requests shipment to Ensign John Breck items for cavalry recruits: dragoon coats, vests, valises, swords, belts, scabbards, knapsacks.

• Cherokee Chiefs Not Going to Congress Soon, Etc.

  Major King reports that Double-head,Otter-lifter, and other Cherokee chiefs are not disposed at this time to travel to Philadelphia to meet with the Congress.
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  Reports Mistake in Clothing Shipment

  Has just received the shipment of clothing, arms, and equipment. Reports mistake in shipment--received infantry coats instead of uniforms requested.