Collection

Transcription Project

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  Report from James Holmes to Creek Indian Agent James Seagrove on aftermath of robbery and murder at Trader Hill St Marys

  Reports that the county is in as a convulsed a state as possible. Majority of Head Men want peace and are willing to satisfy James Seagrove's demands. Was advised not to proceed further than Cussetah because some Indians intend to do mischief on the Oconnee. Scalps brought in; Cussetahs making examples of those who did mischief at Traders Hill. Believes that Galphin and Upton will be turned over. Reports on a number of personal problems. Asks for position in the Cavalry if a general Indian war erupts.
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  Letter from Timothy Bernard to Major Gaither regarding Major James Seagrove's demands in aftemath of violations

  Three parts out of four of the Creek Nation are in favor of peace. At Cupetah talks, concluded to give satisfaction to Major Seagrove's demands. Mr John Galphin largely responsible of the incident at Traders Hill. Upper Creeks asking for more time from Major Seagrove, as his demands fixed a time too short. Buzzard Roost people report that Cowetas doing mischief. Concern that the white men will punish the innocent with the guilty. Mr Willbanks has been run out of the nation; is headed to to the Cherokees and on to Detroit. During these times, the young are bound to cause trouble, such as stealing horses. Bernard says he has done all he can to open the eyes of the short-sighted wretches, but thinks it might be in vain; despite all the leniency shown by President of United States, General Washington. About 2000 are going out against the Chickasaw. Hears that that are behind forts at Chickasaw Bluff on the brink of Mississippi.
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  My Estimate for the Present Year's Supply

  O'Hara expresses his pleasure that his estimate for the present year's supply is so promptly attended and repeats his request that every article be of the highest quality.
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  Readiness and Strength of Wayne's Army; More on Filling Officer Vacancies

  Wayne says he is ready for his army to descend the Ohio River which is now navigable due to recent heavy rains. Not counting the 800 men that will left in garrisons, he has 1200 effectives available for the coming campaign. He still has a number of vacancies in the officer corps that will be filled with the officers next in rank, pending orders from the President.
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  Department Supplies, Accounts, and Vouchers

  Refers to supplies necessary for his department. Expresses concern about method. Discusses accounts and vouchers. Anxiously awaiting news.

• Attacks by Marauding Indians

  Blount reports on a recent series of murderous attacks by marauding Indians.

• Letters from Blount, Lee, and Telfair

  The President considers the letters from Governor Blount to contain information of major interest to the United States so Knox should respond to them accordingly. The letters from Governors Lee and Telfair should also be evaluated.
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  Directions Respecting Stoppages from Officers

  Howell stresses that his directions regarding stoppages from officers was meant for those who have received the arrears of the late levies. The sum to be stopped should be governed by the balance in the hands of the officer and there seems no reason to justify a delay.
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  On the forwarding of money; commissioners for treating Indians

  Reports on the sending of money. Discusses estimate of supplies for current year. Commissioners for treating with Indians are present. Will not send goods until known that Treaty succeeds.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in O'Hara to Knox, 04/26/1793.
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  Extract: Instructions Regarding Contact with the Indians

  Knox communicates the president's instructions regarding cautious contact with the Indians during the treaty negotiations and the necessity to prepare for offensive operations if the negotiations fail.
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  Preparation for An Aggressive Campaign

  Should the treaty negotiations be unsuccessful, Knox orders Wayne to be fully prepared for an aggressive campaign by August 1st at the latest. In an eight-page letter, Knox details the preparations to be be made including troop deployments, intelligence, and stores
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  Forwarding of warrant

  Secretary of Treasury has issued his warrant in favor of O'Hara's agent for $40,000. He requests that O'Hara provide a minute accounting for his expenditures, which are beyond all estimates.
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  Letter from Major Henry Gaither to Secretary of War Henry Knox on the robbery and murder at Traders Hill St Marys

  Report, based on information from Bird King and Cussetah King, that Halfway House King and his warriors are determined to shed blood. Has informed militia officers; some have offered services and are scouting. Many fires on Indian side of Oconee. Will send spy for more information. Soldiers are healthy; received stores from Rocklanding.
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  Letter from Timothy Bernard to James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent reporting on events in aftermath of robbery and murder at Traders Hill St Marys

  Addressed from Flint River Georgia, Bernard reports that Seagrove's demands for the murderers at Traders Hill have been communicated to the Indians. Kinnard has told Bernard to leave this business to him. Bernard in more danger because he is white. Reports that Galphin is trying to set the Chehaws on him. He blames all the mischief of late on Galphin and his ilk. Upper Creeks willing to comply with demands. Reports that Cussetahs will comply with demands. Upper Creeks inclined to peace; have turned out against the Chickasaws. Mentions efforts of Spaniards in Florida to have the upper and lower Creeks travel for talks. White men who are friends of United States are in grave danger. Georgia militia planning to construct fort at Kerr's Bluff. Man named John Fords was shot at his house, his wife stripped; house robbed.

• His Warriors are Determined to Spill Human Blood

  Gaither has been informed that the Half Way king and his warriors are determined to spill human blood so he has warned the militia officers of their dangerous situation so that they can be on guard.
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  Letter from James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent, to Henry Knox Secretary of War, reporting on aftermath of robbery, murder at Traders Hill St Marys

  As of yet, Seagrove reports that it is unknown how his demands for the custody of murderers at Traders Hill St Marys will be dealt with by the Creek Nation. Seagrove laments that peace appeared to be at hand before the incident. Generally, northern towns rejected the northern Indian tribes [Shawanese]; and only a few of southern towns befriended the northern tribes. United States has good friends in The White Lieutenant of Oakfuskies and Mad Dog of Tuckabachee. Kinnard doing wonders. Reports on death of Alexander McGillivray at Pensacola. Rumors that Panton may be likely successor are not good news for future relations with United States and Creek Nation. Reports on continued perfidious conduct on part of Spanish Governors of the Floridas. Forbearance of United States toward Spanish is making U.S. look weak in front of Creeks. Bernard has notified lower towns that if Seagrove's demands not me, should expect war and ruin to their country. Implicates Burges and Panton as encouraging the actions at Traders Hill. Kinnard warned Burges about consequences of his actions. Seagrove notes that his demands may appear harsh, arbitrary and abrupt, but says he has support of the people and Creeks who defend principles of Treaty of New York. Defends his actions by saying that if there is not full satisfaction for taking lives and stealing property, then the outrages will continue. Because the Chickasaws and Creeks are at war with each other, Seagrove believes that the Creeks are in no position to fight a war with the United States. Notes that the Choctaws may join the Chickasaws. Thanks to the Spaniards, the Indians have plenty of ammunition and arms. Spanish trying to get the Creeks and Chickasaws to reconcile. Chiefs of both nations invited to Pensacola. Colerain being defended by about fifty horsemen. Requests federal relief of militia, along with supply of muskets with bayonets. Reports that some Indians vicinity of Florida and Colerain killed cattle, stole horses, stole Negroes, robbed houses, burned a house. Says they are from Burges's town and declare friendship with Spanish. John Galphin involved as well. Reports that all the books of Indian accounts at Robert Seagrove's store were stolen and are probably in hands of Panton and Spanish. They are probably curious as to the volume of business taking place with Indians. James Seagrove reports that he has given regular advice to Governor Telfair and Major Gaither, but receives no replies.

• Relieving the District of Mero

  Upon his arrival in Nashville, Major Beard will receive his orders as to his operation to protect the district of Mero from invasion by the Creeks.

• We All Wish for Peace

  Even though Noon-day was a good man, Watts does not want his murder by whites to interfere with the prospects for peace between the Cherokees and the United States.

• Kentucky Boats Purchased for Public Use.

  Boats from Kentucky are being purchased for public use.
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  Questions Stated by the President regarding matters of France and relative to loans

  Two documents: the first is a list of questions from the President to the Secretary of the Treasury regarding relations with France; the second is a memorandum of letters and documents in the possession of the President relative to loans.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Knox to Lear, 05/18/1793.

• Death of Noon-day, a Fellow of Bad Character

  Blount contends that the accidental killing of a Cherokee named Noon-day should not evoke great sadness since he was a man of questionable character.
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  Maintenance of Superfluous Pack-Horses

  Hamilton questions the expenditure for 450 pack-horses when there are a considerable number of such horses that survived the St. Clair campaign and are available for use. The maintenance of a superflous number of packhorses should be considered a waste of public money.

• Questions Regarding the War Between France & Great Britain

  The President poses a number of questions to his cabinet and Attorney General regarding the stance of the United States with respect to the ongoing conflict between France and Great Britain. Should the U. S. declare its neutrality while still receiving a Minister from France? Are the treaties previously made with France applicable to the current situation? Etc.