Talk of Old Tassel with Governor of Georgia
Document 1786Talk of the Cherokee Chief "Old Tossell" (Old Tassel) to the Governor of Georgia asking that he keep John Sevier and his "bad men" from raiding the Cherokee towns. Fear of disturbance from white settlers, who frightened their women and children into the woods and plundered their homes. They seek peace.
Talk from the Old Tossell cheif of the Cherokees to the Governor of Georgia — Dated C = 24th February 1786 Friend and Brother, I am informed and am very sure it is true that the White people are coming to disturb us next spring so contrary to the Talks we had at Sinecer — the Talks we hear, we hold fast, and want to live in peace and friendship with our oldest Brothers the White people. But when we were at Sinecer, the Governer John Seveer and several more Warriors came with him & brought with a great many men with them; they came through our Towns and so frightened our women and children as to cause them to run and perish in the woods — they brok down our doors and robed our houses, and Say they will be here in the spring to take our hunting Land from us and Settle at the Musohle Shoals. Now that land belongs to the Creeks, Chickasaws, & Choctaws as much as it does to us, therefore we have sent Runners off to all of those nations, that they may meet at the Said hunting ground in the Spring. We dont want any war if the White people will let us live in peace we desire that you may try and put a stop to their coming: — We think you can Stop those bad men from coming to trouble us. ═ Friends and Brother, we beg that you will send us an answer as soon as possible, as we may know whether we can live in peace or not.
From, your Friend & Brother, Old Tossell Chief of the Cherokas & the rest of the Chiefs Governor of Georgia
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