American State Papers
Class II
INDIAN AFFAIRS
VOLUME I
Page 262 – Secretary of War to the Governor of South Carolina – 1792, October 27
“Governor Blount, of the territory of the United States, south of the Ohio, has also transmitted similar information to that contained in your enclosures, relatively to the hostile designs of the five Lower Cherokee or Chickamaga towns, on the Tennessee river.
It would appear, that the five Cherokee towns, containing perhaps from three to five hundred warriors, and abetted by a number of individuals of the Upper Creeks, chiefly young men, are disposed for war; and their principal object appears to be the settlements on Cumberland river.”
Page 277 – 278 – Note by Governor Blount –
“NOTE – General Sevier, when he says, " observe that the five lower towns spoken of is composed of the twelve lower towns on the Tennessee," must mean that the Indians, first called Chickamagas, originally settled in twelve small towns on the Tennessee, are the same who now live in the five lower towns; the act is, the Chickamagas
abandoned the first towns they settled in, and have now settled in five towns; it is also true that many- Indians, from other parts of the nation, have also settled in these five towns. I have heretofore informed you that the Lookout Mountain town, Running-Water, Nickajack, and Crow town, including Long-Island village, were the four towns; the fifth, now mentioned, is Wellstown, where Watts lives, as does the Bloody Fellow. In justice to the latter I add, that he has made use of every exertion in his power to. restrain the unruly part of his nation, and to attach
them to the United States; and the whole party, who were with him at Philadelphia, remain firm. (Nontuaka is now with him, not to be surpassed either in honesty or good nature)
It is also due to the Glass, and Captain Charley, of the Running Water, 'the Breath of Nickajack, and Dick Justice, of Look-out Mountain, four principal chiefs of those towns, that I inform you of their attachment to the United States, and opposition to the measures taken by their towns; they have removed themselves, and sundry of their adherents, to other parts of the nation.
The names of three of these chiefs are among: those to whom clothing, Sze. was sent by Eskaqua, he having pointed them out as principal chiefs; and the fourth, Captain Charley, I found
of such consequence that it was essential to give him a suit also, fearing, if I did not, he might feel the neglect so sensibly as to alienate his attachment to the United States.
[The aforegoing note subjoined by Governor Blount.]”
Page 375
Letter from James Seagrove to the Chiefs and Headmen of the Cussetah and Coweta towns, dated
ST. MARY'S, 20th February, 1793.
BROTHERS:
It gave me great pleasure to hear, by letters from Mr. Barnard and Mr. Holmes, that most of your people, who had been with me at St Marys' had got safe home, and that all matters were going on well in your towns. This I write principally to inform you that I-shall be with-you by the first of May, and that the talks, from our great Father, General Washington, President of the United States, is straight and good towards you, and all your country. It is his desire, as well as mine, that you will not listen to any bad talks which may be offered you from the Northward Indians or Chickamagas, as they will, most undoubtedly, lead you astray. Those Northern tribes of Indians, who have been at war with us, finding a _great many ready to go against them as soon as the snow is off the ground, have sent chiefs from their towns to the President. - Philadelphia to beg for peace; they are now there, and I think it probable that the great goodness of our beloved Father will spare those wretched bad people, though their crimes deserve severe punishment. I am told there is some of them come amoung you of late, endeavoring to lead you into trouble;' but I do not mind these things, as I am persuaded my Creek friends have too much sense, and regard for themselves and country, to be made Tools of by such bad people. You cannot have forgot what I have told you on this head and many others. I pray that you will recollect your promises, not to take any part with those, or any other people, against the United States. Drive from youl: land all those who wish you to go to a war. As to those Shawanese, who, I am told, are now among you, showing scalps of our people, I think , as your regard for General Washington, that you ought to make prisoners of those men, and: bring them to me, and I shall send them to Philadelphia that their chiefs, who are now there asking for mice, may see them and make them ashamed of their bad doings. For each of those Shawanese, that are brought prisoners to me at this place I will give a horse load of valuable goods; by this means you will be rid of all such applications in future, which will be a great relief to you. Mr. Barnard has my orders to wait on you with this and to explain it, as well as to tell you several other matters, to which I must request your particular attention. When I meet you, and the other chiefs of the nation, in the Cussetahs, in May, I have not a doubt every matter will be settled to your wish.
You will present my love to all your people, and tell them that I am, and ever shall be, their real friend.”