Collection

Transcription Project

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Howell to Swan, 04/20/1793.
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  Secretary of War request for return of military stores wanted on Western Frontiers

  The Secretary of War requests return of military stores wanted on Western Frontiers for year 1793. Asks for articles on hand, those to be purchased, and costs.
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  Estimate for the Quarter Master's supplies

  Estimate for the Quarter Master's supplies. Secretary of War asks for the prices thereto. Bring to meeting.
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  From Tuckabachee; letter from Alexander Cornell to Creek Indian Agent James Seagrove on the robbery and murder at St Marys

  Cornell sorry about the mischief done at St Marys [the robbery and murder of whites at Traders Hill at Robert Seagrove's store]. Mad Dog and David Cornell uneasy about what to do. Had high hopes for peace. Mentions great father General Washington. Have thrown away Spaniard's talks; although Creeks friends with Spaniards, do not take talk against United States. There would be peace if everyone exerted selves like Mad Dog, heads of upper towns, and Mr Weatherford. Sent white man with talks to Seagrove; the only man who has done anything for Creeks. Ash has not done anything for Seagrove. Grason has been giving Indians talks to go to war. Asks for advice on what to do with such people.
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  From Tuchabachee: Letter from Mad Dog, The White Lieutenant, David Cornell, Alexander Cornell, Mr Weathorford, and thirteen headmen of Upper Creeks

  The authors pledge agreement with James Seagrove's talk. Authors note that they did not listen to northern Indians; do not want to shed any white people's blood. Once went to war against Cumberland people, but since Seagrove's talk don't intend to go to war. Mad Dog's brother and nephew went into Chickasaw leader's house and killed them both. Tried to keep peace with all colors, but they [Chickasaw] began first and hurt Creeks greatly. Authors say they listen to and act according to talks of friend and father General Washington. They ask to lay blame on Upper Towns; Tuchabachee Town and rest of head men have taken Seagrove's talk and mean to live by it. Mad Dog says it is he sending this letter as if it were a personal visit with Seagrove. Hopes Seagrove will see belts as proof of everlasting peace and friendship with great father General Washington. One stripe [on the belt] is for General Washington, another for Seagrove, another for brothers of United States. Belt symbolizes friendship. Belt also for Seagrove's lady. Hopes Seagrove's heart is in a good place. If not, Mad Dog will try to ease. If Lower Towns have done mischief, Seagrove shall have satisfaction for it. Requests an answer.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Knox to Telfair, 04/29/1793.
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  Letter from Edward Telfair Governor of Georgia to Secretary of War Henry Knox on robbery and murder at Traders Hill on St Marys

  Telfair reports to Knox the details of murder and robbery by Creeks at Robert Seagrove's store at Traders Hill on St Marys River. Others were killed, Telfair reports. Volunteers found 3 men and a girl murdered; they were settlers. Horses stolen; women and child taken prisoner. Settlers are defenseless in Camden and Glynn Counties and must leave settlements. Governor taking temporary measures while awaiting president's adequate dispositions. There are other similar outrages going on in other parts of state. Asks that president take defense of frontier under his consideration. Militia remains subject to call of commandant of federal troops; has the confidence of people in government. Anticipates unrest shortly.
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  Delinquent Officers

  Swan has received letters from Joseph Howell, Accountant of the War Department, directing him to make stoppages of the pay of several delinquent officers, particularly of Capt. Joseph Brock, whose accounts he will not approve because of defects in the vouchers.
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  Shipment of clothing

  Received the clothing in good order, but not near the quantity. Encloses return of what is wanting to complete the company.
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  Letter from Major Henry Gaither to Secretary of War Henry Knox regarding murder and robbery at Traders Hill on St Marys

  Gaither writes from Fort Fidius to inform Knox about the robbery and murder of two whites at Traders Hill on St Marys by Creek Indians. Notes the William Seagrove, presumably owner of the store, is demanding the murderers and the whole party concerned; the Indians are divided over the demand made by Seagrove. Timothy Bernard advises Gaither to stand his guard. Gaither has written to General Clark and other militia officers.
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  Pay of the Troops on the Ohio River

  Howell remarks that Swan did not accept for the full amount of $14,851. Howell states that this act has "necessarily suspended the debit of the same or of any part thereof to your account." Howell requests that Swan sign for the certificate acknowledging his indemnification of the remainder so it may go to Doctor Strong and be confirmed with the warrant with which the certificate is related.
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  Describes Attempt to Recover Bank Notes and Budget Indian Accounts

  Describes attempt to recover bank notes. Accounts for the last quarter. Refers to budgets in question and Indian invoices.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Knox to Craig, 04/12/1793; Craig to Knox, 05/03/1793.
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  Disbursements Needed for the Treasury

  Encloses abstract of disbursements for the month of March of the general military stores. Requests account for the Treasury.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Knox to O'Hara, 04/12/1793.
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  Return of Balances Due to Dead & Discharged Men, Etc .

  Majors Mills and Buell along with Doctor Hayward are delivering $14,381 for the pay and forage of the troops along the Ohio. Howell notes that he hasn't received from Mr. Britt an account of his transactions from 1791, but received one for 1792, and that only of the troops currently stationed in Pittsburgh. Howell asks Swan for his records of settlements regarding balances due the dead. Howell does not feel he can fairly make payments until these records are in his possession.
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  Need for Scouts on the Frontier; Forthcoming Banners, Pay & Commissions

  Knox again emphasizes the need for scouts on the frontier. He defends the promotion of Lt. Col. Clarke ahead of some of the other officers. Silk standards left over from the previous war will be made available to the Legion for the coming campaign. The month's pay and commissions are being transported.
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  Instructions to Benjamin Lincoln of Massachusttes, Beverly Randolph of Virginia, and Timothy Pickering of Pennsylvania, Commissioners appointed for dealing with the Indians, North of the Ohio given by special direction of the President of United States at Philadelphia

  Instructions from Henry Knox to the commissioners appointed to deal with the hostile Indians north of the Ohio. Knox directs the commissioners to close the scene of hostilities dictated by protection of frontier citizens. The commissioners have been furnished with a schedule of treaties going back from the 1763 peace between France and Great Britain to the present. Treaty of Harmar 1789 has been formed on solid and fair grounds. Government considers Six Nations as principal owners of land between Ohio River and Lake Erie and conveyed land with free consent. Military posts will be relinquished outside boundaries of Fort Harmar. United States will pay $50,000 in goods to the tribes. Will also pay $10,000 annuity to tribes. Notes difficulty of relinquishing lands granted to companies that lie between Indian Boundary established by Treaty of Fort Harmar. Leaves it to discretion of commissioners to make reliquishment. United States cannot relinquish any land already granted. No difficulty intended with relinquish of land west of Great Miami and north of Ohio except for 150,000 acres granted to General Clark. Refers to limited claims of Wabash because they did not attend Treaty of Fort Harmar. Boundaries made by General Putnam inexact. Recommends separate treaties with tribes in order to avoid confirming a union or confederacy of tribes. Consider the preemption of United States to Indian country established by treaty of 1783 with Great Britain. In event of successful treaty, insist on delivery of US prisoners. Ascertain name of tribes and influential chiefs. Examine whether some adjoining tribes are attending out of curiosity of invitation. Use the belt as evidence which shows that the message was received by five nations. Obtain permission that Indian Agents may reside with Indians, along with traders to supply goods. Treaty should state that murderers, robberers, horse theives, on either side should be given up or punished with death. Society of Friends, with President's approval will attend. Make sure they don't confer on matters without confering with commissioners first. A Moravian teacher Reverend John Hochenwelder, will accompany the commissioners. Use his knowledge of Indian customs. Presents will accompany the commissioners; present to influential chiefs. Close treaty by 1 August 1793 and keep Major General Wayne appraised of progress. Wayne has been instructed to prevent white movement northward of Ohio. No US citizens to be allowed to attend treaty. British agents will be present, Butler and McKee; do not object, but do not admit them as umpires or mediators and that since the intentions of the US are upright, they do not object to presence of British gentlemen. There will be no attempts to purchase lands from Indians. Jasper Parish and James Dean will be principal interpreters; Williamson and James Banker will interpret for Shawnee and Delaware. Sum of $24,000 to be used for gratuities. Authorized to invite influential chiefs to visit President of United States. Route will be by way of New York, Albany, Fort Stanwix, Wood Creek, Oswego and Niagara. General Schuyler will assist with boats to Sandusky.
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  Response to Quartermaster General

  Secretary Knox has received the Quartermaster General's list of articles, and they will be duly considered with an application to the Secretary of Treasury for the necessary funds. Mentions purchase of lots on which Fort Fayette stands.

• Cumberland Settlers are for Peace

  Coody believes that the Creek Indians are going to war against the Cumberland settlers who seek to convince the Indians that the white people want peace and if the Creeks want war it should be waged against Georgia. It appears also that Mr. McGillivray is dead.
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  Procedure for Filling Vacancies & Preparations for Move Down the Ohio

  There are a number of vacancies in the officer corps due to resignation, court martial, and even one suicide. Wayne wants to know the correct procedure for filling these vacancies. Since it appears that everything is ready for movement down the Ohio River, he wants to know which troops should be left in garrison and recommends that those who are not combat-ready be assigned to that duty.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Hodgdon to Washington, 04/13/1793.
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  Settlement with James Austin, Private in Spencer's Regiment

  Settlement of account with James Austin, Private in Spencer's Regiment.
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  The United States account with Corporal William White of Spencer's Regiment

  Settlement of account with Corporal William White of Spencer's Regiment.
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  List of the Dead of 1st Regiment Artillery

  Swan has long since written to Mr. Britt to furnish a list of all of the dead of the 1st Regiment Artillery and the balance due them but nobody has arrived from Fort Washington since Swan has been at Legionville.