The Daily Advertiser

New York, Nov. 19.

Extract of a letter from the Western country, dated October 10, 1787.

"Our vicinity to the friendly Cherokees, and the correspondence we have contrived to establish through the Indian country, even as far as the Choctaws, has been of great use to us particularly, and to other Western settlements.

You, I understand, have been fully informed of the cause and event of Colonel Robertson's expedition to the Muscle Shoals, in the beginning of the last summer. This, and what happened in Georgia about the same time, now serves as a pretext to McGillivray, to commence open hostilities. I say a pretext, because it can be proven by sufficient evidence, that the Creek Indians under his express orders, have for above two years past been annoying our settlements, by small parties, generally killing but few, but carrying off horses in great numbers, these were sold to his traders, at the Muscle Shoals, and in the Creek country. -- Col. Robertson's success, and the death of a Chief, was a sufficient handle to rouse the whole tribe to revenge. One party was suddenly detached to the Chickasaws to murder Mr. Turnbull, Davenport, and their friends-- the former had the good fortune to obtain notice, and made his escape, with some others; but Davenport and his party being employed in beginning a settlement on the Mississippi, were overtaken and fell victims to savage fury. --About the same time a formidable body, of between 600 and 700 mostly Indians, set out in great parade, with drums, colours, music, and a number of horsemen equipped after the European manner. They were to have proceeded to the Cumberland settlements, and destroy man, woman and child, without mercy; but happily, at the Tennessee they were overtaken by an express from the Creek Chief, informing that a large army from Georgia was in full march towards their towns, and advising them to return home and defend their wives and children. All but about one hundred instantly tacked about and ran homeward; the others proceeded until near the Cumberland settlement, but the people being a few days before alarmed by our very friendly brothers the Chickasaws, a detachment turning out from the garrison at Nashville, intimidated these blood-hounds, and they retreated out of the country with precipitation.

Our affairs of late become more serious; the enemy with a considerable force has penetrated into Georgia; several skirmishes have taken place, and an action of some hours was fought by General Clarke; he beat the Indians off the field of battle, with an inconsiderable loss on our part,

A few days ago a friendly Cherokee, from Chickamauga, brought us word, that 500 Creeks were encamped at the mouth of Hiwassee, and that it was uncertain whether their destination was to Cumberland, Kentucky, or up Holston and Clinch; our militia are assembling as fast as they can, to go and meet them; and I hope to see such a force assembled in a few days as may enable us with confidence to look the enemy in the face."