Today in Chickamauga History - March 20
1792, March 20: Letter from Governor Blount to Secretary of War - Enclosed are copies of letters from Colonel Robertson, of Davidson County, Richard Justice, and the Glass, two Cherokee chiefs, a description of the five Lower Cherokee towns; and a report of Major Craig, respecting the alteration of the sentiments and conduct of the Cherokees in the within described five Lower towns of that nation.
I believe the Cherokee nation lying on the southeast of Chatanuga mountain will remain neuter, if any attempt should be made to punish or destroy the five Lower towns.
ASP - 263
1792, March 20: Protecting Citizens on the Frontier – Governor William Blount provides Knox with information regarding the dispositions of the Southern Indians, and the causes of the hostilities of part of the Cherokees and Creeks and the steps he is taking to protect citizens on the frontier. - http://wardepartmentpapers.org/s/home/item/42618
1793, March 20: Absolute Necessity for Defense - Blount worries that the apparent depredations committed by the Cherokees will result in a general war by the agrieved settlers against the Indian towns. He ponders how he can carry out his responsiblity for protecting the settlers while maintaining the peace. – Notable phrase: The compulsion to turn out rangers, beside the absolute necessity for defense, was the quieting the people whose sense of injuries is such that it is with utmost difficulty they can be restrained from embodying, going, and destroying the Cherokee towns...What is the future of the unhappy Cumberland settlers judging from their past and the present impending danger is a very serious question, not only to themselves but to me to whom their protection is confided. - https://wardepartmentpapers.org/s/home/item/44390
1793, March 20: Information Respecting the Intentions of the Southern Indians - Carey responds to Governor Blount's inquiries regarding the violence of the southern Indians against American settlers and the possibility of an alliance between the southern and northern tribes in a general war against the United States.
notable phrase - GB: In what manner do the Indians dispose of stolen horses? JC: Generally they sell them to the traders for a trifle who run them out of the nation in a different direction from whence they came and barter them off for negroes or articles of merchandise...GB: What do you think as to the disposition of John Watts--is he for peace or war with the United States? JC: In my opinion he will not oppose the wish of the young men who undoubtedly generally wish a war - Notable Person/Group: Double Haed, the Buck, Towaka of Nickajack, Bob Benge, the Breath’s Nephew, Bloody Fellow – Notable Location: Running Water, Long Island Village, Lookout Mountain, Will’s Town - https://wardepartmentpapers.org/s/home/item/44391
1843, March 20: LIFE AND SELECT LITERARY REMAINS OF SAM HOUSTON, OF TEXAS – Page 338 – TO THE HEAD CHIEFS OF THE WICHETAWS, IONIES, IOW-A-ASHES, WACOES, TA-WACK-A=NIES, CADDOES, AND OTHER TRIBES
Brothers :—I send this talk to you by Gov. Butler, the Agent of our Great Brother, the President of the United States. The words I speak to you are the words of a brother, who has never told his red brothers what was not true. Between your people and ours there has been war. Trouble has been in the path between us, and it has been stained with blood. While there is war no people can be happy. When the warriors are absent from home their wives and children may be killed by their enemies. If the warriors return with scalps or have stolen horses, it will not bring back their women and children to them. Their wigwams will be desolate, and they will have to kindle new fires, and by them watch for their enemies. If they make peace, they can rest with their people and be happy. The hunter can kill his buffaloes and the squaws can make corn, and there shall be none to trouble them. We are willing to make a line with you, beyond which our people will not hunt. You shall come to our trading-houses in peace ; none shall raise a hand against you, nor make war upon your people. Our traders will have goods such as you may wish to buy, so soon as vou have made peace. The goods shall be such as you need, and they will be sold to you cheap. We will have agents to act for you, and see that no one shall do wrong to you. When you wish to sell our traders horses, mules, peltries, or any other articles, you shall have a good price for them, and you shall not be cheated. You need not doubt the words which I speak to you. If wrong has been done to the red brothers in Texas, it was not done by the chiefs who are now in power. They were bad deeds, and the people condemn them. They are now passed away. It will do us no good to wrong the red brothers. Peace will make the white as well as the red brothers happy. Let us meet in peace and talk together, as men who desire to walk in straight paths. Let the young men of your nations take counsel of their chiefs and wise men. Then they will bring happiness to your people instead of sorrow and trouble. Our Great Brother, the President of the United States, desires that the chiefs of Texas and the chiefs of the red men should make peace, and bury the tomahawk forever. I will send a councilor to the Grand Council of the Cherokees; and (if you send chiefs there) he will make a treaty that will take out of our path the stain of blood and make it white, that we can walk in it and live as brothers, and he will appoint a great council in Texas. Our Great Brother will look upon us with pleasure, and the Great Spirit will give light to the path in which we walk, and our children will follow our counsel and walk in the path which we have made smooth.
Your brother, Sam Houston
https://archive.org/details/lifeselectlitera00cran/page/338/mode/2up