Letter from William Blount to Benjamin Hawkins

The Chickamauga Nation

February 10, 2025
/
History

Letter from William Blount to Benjamin Hawkins et al.
Blount, William, 1749-1800
November 28, 1785
Volume 17, Pages 579-580
________________________________________
WM. BLOUNT TO THE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED TO TREAT WITH THE SOUTHERN INDIANS AND CHEROKEES
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Hopewell on Keeowee, Nov. 28th, 1785.
Gentlemen:
The State of North Carolina have at this time a Law in force and use, allotting the lands contained within the following Bounds to the Cherokee Indians. “Beginning on the Tennessee river where the Southern Boundary of the State (of North Carolina) intersects the same nearest the Chickamoga Towns, thence up the middle of the Tennessee and Holstein Rivers to the Middle of French Broad river, thence up the Middle of the said French Broad river thence up the Middle of the said French Broad river (which lines are not to include any Island) to the Mouth of Big Pigeon river, then up the same to the Head thereof, then along the dividing ridge between the waters of Pigeon River and Tuckasegee River to the said Southern Boundary, thence West with the said Boundary to the beginning.”
Should you by treaty fix any other Boundaries within the limits of the said State of North Carolina between the said Cherokee Indians and the Citizens, that State will consider such treaty as a violation and infringement of her Legistalial and Constitutional rights. The lands contained within the limits of Davidson County, which “begins on Cumberland river where the Northern Boundary of the State of North Carolina first intersects the same, then South fifty-five Geographical Miles, then West to the Tennessee river, then
-------------------- page 580 --------------------
down the said river, until the said river intersects the said Northern Boundary, then East with the said Boundary to the beginning” have been appropriated by the State of North Carolina to the payment of the Bounties of land promised the Officers and Soldiers of the Continental line of that State. It is said the Militia of that County are in Number Seven Hundred, and the State of North Carolina have sold and granted to sundry Citizens for a valuable Consideration several Millions of acres of land situated lying and being between the Mississippi and the line fixed by Colo. Christie and others in the year 1777, and without the limits of Davidson County and on which lands several thousands of people are settled.

I am your Most Obedient Humble Servant,
WM. BLOUNT,
Agent for the State of North Carolina.

‍

‍

(C) This document was produced at the request of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on July 18, 2019, to document the History, Anthropology, Culture, Religion, and Archaeology of The Chickamauga Nation.

‍

publicationhistory
All past, present and future claims or assertions of Chickamauga history, written or spoken, including but not limited to biographies, curriculum vitae, lectures or any other reference not listed herein, are deemed fraudulent by The Chickamauga Nation. The use of the image of the Ancient Axe of Authority© is used by expressed written consent of its creator and copyright holder, Dr. Michelle Spruell.

All content on this website is protected by copyright and is the intellectual property of The Chickamauga Nation. Use of the image of the Ancient Axe of Authority and text on this website without the expressed written consent of The Chickamauga Nation is strictly forbidden.

PUBLIC NOTICE: The Chickamauga Nation and its Citizens declare that any and all entities who profess or claim Cherokee identity inclusive of Citizens and members of said entities in any and all forms are determined to be persona non grata to The Chickamauga Nation. Persona non grata status extends to any and all entities, citizens, members, or diplomats without initiation or provocation of litigation. Persona non grata status extends to but is not limited to the Government of The Chickamauga Nation, Culture of The Chickamauga Nation, Religion of The Chickamauga Nation, History of The Chickamauga Nation, Identity of The Chickamauga Nation, Relationship of other tribes with The Chickamauga Nation, and shall not affect the relationship of The Chickamauga Nation with the United States government or agencies thereof, including other tribes and nations not mentioned.

DISCLAIMER FOR ALL FUTURE PUBLICATIONS: In lieu of providing repetitive academically verified documentation as requested by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on July 18, 2019, The Chickamauga Nation hereby give notice that beginning on January 1, 2022 all future publications are presented using the research which has been academically verified by professionals in the fields of history and anthropology.
© 2022 The Chickamauga Nation. All rights reserved.