Collection

Transcription Project

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  Meeting on Tuesday at About One O'Clock

  [Partly illegible] If it is convenient for Hodgdon, Thomas Proctor would like to see him at Tuesday at one o'clock.
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  Clothing & Military Stores

  Clothing and military stores received and in good order; are much better than any which came to hand before. Music coats not yet arrived.

• New & Improved Fortfications are Absolutely Necessary

  Putnam discusses the improvement of current fortifications and the erection of new ones for the protection of frontier inhabitants and accomodation of the troops of the garrison at Gallipolis.
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  Power of Attorney to Samuel Shannon from John Burton

  Power of attorney given by John Burton to Samuel Shannon regarding service rendered as soldier. Documents signed by John McCluster, Thomas Woods, and John Burton.
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  Call On Me at 10 O'Clock

  Prior asks Hodgdon to call on him the following morning at 10 o'clock so he can have the honor of accompanying him.
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  Lee asks Knox about the safety of international travel

  Letter, discusses his plan to depart for France.
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  Letter from James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent, to Henry Knox Secretary at War regards aftermath of robber and murder at Traders Hill on St Marys

  Seagrove reports that he has received notification that Chiefs of Creek Nation will comply with demands to hand over the perpetrators and hostages. Seagrove is embarrassed by the lack of a secure jail facility; and Fort St. Tammany [on the St. Mary river] is no more secure. Previous Indian captives have escaped. Reports that interpreter Mr. Bryant has returned from a visit with the Simonolas [Seminoles] and notes that Chief Payne and a number of his headmen will meet Seagrove at Colerain. Seagrove hopes to establish good relations with the Florida tribe. Seagrove sends the belt of peace given by the Chiefs of the Upper Creeks, and a White Wing from the Cussetahs, both intended as gift for President George Washington. Plunder continues in Florida and war between Creeks and Chickasaws seems certain. Two whites killed by Old Tallafee King's people, presumably for incursions on their lands.
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  Letter from Secretary of War Henry Knox to James Seagrove, Temporary Agent to the Creek Nations on his handling of the robbery and murder at Traders Hill on the St Marys

  Acknowledges receipt of letters to President Washington and Knox. Knox notes that the information [the robbery and murder at Traders Hill on St Marys] was very much unexpected, considering the optimistic tone of former communications. Knox questions whether the costs incurred for conferences with Indians are worthwhile, since the result has been hostilities instead of the desired effect of tranquility. Knox implies that Seagrove is not getting sufficiently out and about as Creek Indian Agent, and suggests that Seagrove should attempt to visit the Creek nations because it is the most solid principle of conciliation; Knox orders Seagrove to go to the upper and lower Creeks if it is safe to do so. Knox notes that the upper Creeks permit depredations by the young against the Cumberland Settlements. Suggests that war with the Chickasaw may shift focus. Governor Blount has transmitted information on this event. Knox calls attention to robbery of Robert Seagrove's store. He believes that this event was the work of a predatory party, and not part of any fixed plan by the Creek Nation particularly since no information has been received of any depredations from the Oconee. All of Seagrove's accounts have been laid before the President of United States General Washington, and certain parts pertaining to conferences have been given to the legislature.

• Large Army of Creeks Coming Against This Nation

  Piamingo alerts General Robertson that his Chickasaws will soon be attacked by a Creek army. He hopes that the general will recall past promises of assistance to his nation in dire circumstances such as these.

• Six Persons Were Murdered

  "That on Tuesday, the 22nd of April, he saw General Clarke at the town of Washington, Wilkes County, who informed him that six persons were murdered by a party of Indians at or near the Skull Shoals of Oconee in Greene County, on Monday last about 10 o'clock in the morning."
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  Killing and Scalping of William Pugh

  Extracts from the deposition of Benjamin Harrison and Francis Pugh, of Washington County. Describes the killing and scalping of William, the son of Colonel William Pugh, and the taking of Dick, a negro.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Blount to Knox, 06/04/1793.
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  Wampum for Indian Department

  Hodgdon is directed to inform the Secretary of War what quantity of wampum for the Indian Department he has in his possession.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Knox to Telfair, 05/30/1793
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  Request for Two Thousand Volunteers & Account of Duel Between Officers

  Wayne assesses his current troop strength at two thousand not including the 844 men assigned to garrison duty. If war progresses, he will need two thousand volunteers rather than the one thousand initially requested. He adds that he is tortured by the recent death of his wife Maria. Includes account of duel between officers at Legionville.
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  General War with the Creeks and Cherokees

  Governor Telfair discusses the measures being taken to protect the frontiers of his state from marauding Indians.

• Your Care of Our Safety

  Knox instructs the Commissioners to write a letter to Major General Wayne if they are unable to negotiate a treaty with the hostile Indians to express their thanks for ensuring their safety during the treaty talks.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Freeman to Simmons, 02/13/1799.
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  State of Affairs with the Indians

  Knox reports to Governor Telfair that Governor Blount, southwest territorial governor and superintendent of Indian Affairs southern department, is also alarmed at the state of affairs with the Indians and has set out for Philadelphia. Knox mentions some general principles from the President of United States General George Washington, to be transmitted separately. These are to be applied in general along the southern frontier. Arms and ammunition requested on 9 March 1793 are shipped on the board the Schooner Peggy, commanded by Captain Shelby. A letter has been sent to Major John Habersham to have shipment transported to Augusta. Shipment includes arms, bayonets, scabbards, gunworms, brushes, powder, balls, flints. Powder horns to be sent later.
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  Conducting the Security of the Frontier in Georgia

  In the conduct of Indian affairs, Knox directs Major Gaither "to calm every attempt to raise a storm....and let this idea govern all your conduct" Knox calls the robbery and murder at Traders Hill the actions of marauders and not part of a large design of the Creeks generally. The propriety of calling out militia cavalry and horsemen may be justly questioned. Expresses concern about the expense. Recommends the use of scouts as more effective and economical. Notes that Georgia payrolls are not supported by any muster rolls. No troops should be in the service of United States unless mustered upon oath. Asks by whose authority the militia companies have been called out.
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  Recovering Three Captured Negro Men

  Jefferson discusses three Negro men that have been captured by Indians and whether or not they can be recovered. He observes that it is not a question of whether they are slave or free but whether they shall remain among the savages or in the country of their birth or connections. Mr. Innes is willing to meet any reasonable expense that will attend their recovery.
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  Creeks Have Declared War

  Pickens states that the Creeks have declared war on the United States and that John Galphin has moved to join the Seminoles.
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  Invoice of Indian Goods

  O'Hara acknowledges receipt of Hodgdon's letter of the 20 April covering $13,000 in bank notes. He thanks Hodgdon for the attention to his business. If O'Hara's invoice of Indian goods can be disposed of, it will serve him essentially.
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  Pay of the Troops through 1792

  All of the troops on these waters have been paid in full up to January 1, 1793. Swan has a small balance of cash left from the appropriations of 1792 but he has not had the time to ascertain the exact amount.
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  Warrant No. 45

  Enclosed is Warrant No. 45 on Swan for sixty dollars which is the last he will pay on this ground.