Efforts to Deal with Cherokees and Horse Thievery

Item

Type

Letterbook

Title

Efforts to Deal with Cherokees and Horse Thievery

Description

Refers to the many serious complications in Cumberland with the Cherokees stealing horses. Sent Zackfield Maclin to the Cherokees and to the Creeks to collect stolen horses, who was unsuccessful in his attempt. Some chiefs confessed to stealing horses and promised to recompense, although many horses were taken to Georgia. When horses are given to the Indians, their white neighbors often steal them in retaliation. The government must make things right. Refers to the latest post and sends quartermaster reports.

year created

1799

month created

06

day created

05

author

sent from location

Knoxville

recipient

in image

notable person/group

James McHenry
David Henley
Cherokee
Zackfield Maclin
Benjamin Hawkins
Creek
Chiefs
Councils
General Wilkinson
John McKee
John McRee
George Druger
express
Colonel Butler

notable location

Knoxville
Cumberland
Cherokee Country
Georgia
Natchez Territory

notable item/thing

horses
report
expense
range
field
Indian business
annuity
stolen property
packet of newspapers
return for quartermasters stores

notable idea/issue

theft

document number

1799060540201

page start

1

transcription

Knoxville June 5th 1799

Sir

The many and serious complaints that have been made by the people on the Cumberland, And by travellers to the Country of the (Cherokees in particular) Stealing Horses induced me to send Mr. Zuekfield Maclin the 19th March (a person that has been in the service of MrHawkins) to that nation, and to the Creeks to prevent fulre injuries of the kind, And to collect as many Horses as he could that was stolen with a view to restore them to their owners

A Copy of my instructions to him and his answer, with a Report of the number of Horses he found to be in the defferent Towns, puncissaly from information but some few from his own knowledge, being an eye witness to some that were his neighbors, I now enclose,

He returned unfortunately without bringing one of those Horses tho the expense of his going was considerable, and may of the Chiefs Confessed to him those thefts had been comitted by their people, their councils and their exertions they promised should be made to recover them.

But from further information I have gained, may of the Horses have been taken off to Georgia and else where, and I believe but few will ever be returned.

[51] [editor's note: this last number and brackets appears in pencil]

The Stealing of those Horses is a cause of much evil and differently, it seems to be the Chief complaint of the People against the Indians. And it is a complaint that I must make against some of the people, for when any Horses are delivered up by the Indians, it is with difficulty they can be kept, for as soon as they are let into a Range, or even in a field many of them are stolen by the Whites, and often when the Indians bring them, they have been so hardly used, that the expence of keeping them then months is greater than them Caleu

It is apart of the Indian Business that gives me more trouble than all the rest, Nor do I know how to proceed or advise to remedy it..

But I am of the opinion, that the justice due to the people, that have lost their Horses, should induce Government to stop the Annuity from being dirlered, any part of it till the Stolen property is returned, And such a measure of Government, would convence the people that their

Complaints at this time was attended to, and I believe have a good effect upon the minds of the Indians, but I submit my oppinion to your Judgement.

I received by the last post a packet adressed to him, or the Officer Commanding in his absence, - both of which as well as a letter to John McKee esquire, And some other to the Officers in the Natchez Territory under your Cover. I forwarded by George Dryer the General's Express - whom I delained a few days for the Arrival of the Mail, He went by water on Sunday the 2nd Instant.

You will also receive by this conveyance the Return for Quarter Master shores delivered the month of May. Col Butler being at this place - I suppose we shall we shall make such arrangements as you have directed for delivering the Stores quarterly or hay yearly.

I am Respectfully yr Humb Sert David Henley Agent of War

The honorable James M Henry

Item sets

Document instances

In image In source Location in source
[view document] (3 pages) ZWL23 (3 pages) Collection: Letters Sent by David Henley, Agent of the War Department, May 1, 1799-May 7, 1800. (RG217) [unknown]
[view document] (3 pages) ZWL01a (26 pages) Collection: Letters Sent by David Henley, Agent of the War Department, May 1, 1799-May 7, 1800. (RG217) [unknown]

Document names

Type Name Location Notes
Author David Henley Knoxville [n/a]
Recipient James McHenry [unknown] [n/a]