Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser

UNITED STATES.

AUGUSTA, August 14.

Savannah, 16th May, 1794.

SIR,

I received last evening the letter you did me the honor to write on the 12th instant. It is impossible to express to your Excellency the mortification I feel at the intelligence conveyed by it. After having submitted, for six months past, to live among the Indians, subject myself to every possible inconvenience, and exposed every moment to the danger of being destroyed, for the purpose of establishing peace, to see the fruit of my labours destroyed, in a moment by the rash and lawless conduct of individuals, at a time when an entire good understanding was established, and in a manner which promised to be permanent, fills my mind with the deepest regret.

The Indians on whom this attack has been made, were of tribes who have been the uniform friends of the white people; and it was done when the chiefs were under sanction of the United States and this state, giving your Excellency sincere proofs of their good disposition, by delivering the prisoners in their possession, and they were preparing also to deliver the property taken since the conference at Colerain, as I had the honor of stating to your Excellency when at Augusta. The manner and circumstance attending this unfortunate affair, must convince your Excellency, as well as every other unprejudiced mind, that it is the result of a premeditated combination among a number of individuals, to force the Indians to war, contrary to their ardent wishes for peace, and in violation of the laws of the United States and this state. The persons who have committed these outrages are officers in authority in the militia, some of whom have been guilty of similar acts not long since. What good purpose can it answer for the public agents to make compacts, or enter into explanations, and labour to avert the mischiefs of war, when the militia officers embody their men at pleasure, and attack and destroy even those who are under the immediate sanction and protection of your Excellency.

This attack has been so wanton and unprovoked, that it would be vain to propose any terms of accommodation, unless the persons who have made it are punished.

Your Excellency, who is the depository of the public force to execute the laws, can best judge how far it is right and practicable; but unless something of the kind previously takes place, I am so certain the Indians would not listen to any overtures of accommodation, that I shall not propose any.

I have done my duty, peace was completely restored, and in a way that appeared to satisfy your Excellency that the Indians meant cordially to observe the terms of it. It now remains with the government of Georgia to punish those of its citizens who have thus wantonly violated it on their part, or to prepare for a war with the whole Creek Nation, the mischiefs of which are not so easily calculated.

The contest is between this government and its citizens. If the latter cannot be restrained, the Indians have no alternative; they must defend themselves. If they are restrained and the present aggressors punished according to law, your Excellency then might certainly count on the continuation of peace, but I confess I think not otherwise.

Should any opportunity offer of doing any thing tending to peace, I shall seize it with zeal.

I cannot yet believe that it was Creeks who stole the horses from Franklin county, on the 1st instant but allowing it was, it could not justify Major Adams's attack with about 50 mounted militia on the friendly Indians encamped opposite Fort Fidius on the 10th inst. or that of another party of ten horsemen the preceding day, on the camp of the Dog King of the Cowetas, who the militia shot through the body. My fears for the safety of the six chiefs who visited your Excellency, and whom you sent under care of General Glascock to Fort Fidius, is great, as I have information that their destruction was contemplated by parties of men from the upper counties of this state; and that the general being apprehensive of danger to these people, had changed his route. Should any injury be done these chiefs, all hope of peace with the Creeks will be at an end.

Some unexpected public business calls me to St. Mary's, previous to my going to Philadelphia. I expect, however to sail for the latter place in ten days from this time, and shall be happy to hear from you before then, being with much respect,

Your Excellency's devoted,

Obedient humble servant,

JAMES SEAGROVE,

Agent Indian Affairs.

His Excellency

George Matthews,

Georgia.

True copy, taken from the files of the Executive.

J. MERIWETHER, S. E. D.