Instructions to Colonel Marinus Willett. Sir, By the several communications I have had with you on the subject of your visiting the Creek nation of Indians, and by the papers relative to that nation and the other Southern Indians, stating the various occurrences which have taken place on the part of the United States and the State of Georgia with the said Indians since the peace with Great Britain, you will form a pretty accurate judgement of the existing predicament of the United States with the Creek Nation particularly, and the Southern Indians generally. You will see Sir, how exceedingly probable it is that circumstances may soon happen, which will involve the United States in a War with the said Creeks — The interests of the United States decidedly dictate that such a War be avoided, if it be possible consistently with their honor — To endeavor therefore to prevent a War, is the main object of your business with the Creeks. The Honorable Benjamin Hawkins has suggested that in the present state of affairs it was not improbable that M^r M^cGillivray might be induced to repair to New York, provided certain impressions were strongly made on his mind — The ideas to be impressed you will find amply detailed in M^r Hawkins's letter to M^r M^cGillivray herewith delivered to you which is written expressly for this object. You have had every information of the character of the said Alexander M^cGillivray which M^r Hawkins or myself can give you — You will find that he has established a strong, if not an universal influence over the conduct of the Creeks — That it is he who guides their Councils in all respects — to him therefore you are to address yourself principally, without neglecting the other influential Chiefs — Your principal effort will be to persuade him to repair to New York, with such other chiefs as he shall think proper to accompany him. The United States have sent one solemn embassy to him, it is now incumbent on him to return the civility, if he wishes to avail himself of their friendship. In holding up the arguments to him on this head, you may freely assure him, that the United States desire nothing from the Creeks that will be inconsistent with their interest — They only require to be on friendly terms with them, cemented by the principles of justice and humanity. That the United States have the ability and disposition to make such ample provision for his interest, ^particularly and permanent dignity as cannot fail to be satisfactory to him — conditioned however on the proofs of his friendship and attachment to them. Your communications with this man will require all your knowledge of the human character — for you will have to oppose, and if successful to overcome strong prejudices — to create and confirm new dispositions favorable to the United States — To convince the said M^r M^cGillivray and the principal chiefs — that the United States are so circumstanced as unavoidably to constrain them to resent every hostility against the frontiers as a capital injury — To show the insufficiency of their power over their young men to prevent such hostilities — and the dreadful consequences which will ensue to their Nation. That to avoid this issue it is incumbent on them to take instant and decisive measures — That no conduct on their part can be so effectual as repairing to the seat of the General Government — That they will be received and treated there with great friendship — That you will be their escort and security, if any thing could possibly be wanting to give additional effect to the Passport of the President of the United States — This passport however must not be produced but in case of compliance on their part. To attempt to detail the manner in which it would be proper to conduct this business, would be to supersede the exercise of your abilities — It is an entire confidence in your judgement, talents and disposition to serve your country, that has induced a request that you should perform the service herein pointed out, and which request is sanctioned by the President of the United States. It may not be amiss however to suggest to you that the importance of the object, well deserves the highest exercise of your patience, and that notwithstanding the most unpromising appearances in the first instance, that perseverance and strong arguments at favorable moments, may occasion a desirable alteration — That it will be necessary to embrace all fair means to effect such a change. That if however after you have waited, such a length of time, say one month, as shall convince you on the fairest and greatest variety of experiments that you cannot effect your object, you will leave them, and return to this place, and on your arrival you will please to make me an ample detail of all transactions. If you should unfortunately be obliged to return unsuccessful, you will be particularly careful that nothing on your part shall be construed to accelerate any hostilities that may happen. You will have letters to in South Carolina who will endeavor to facilitate your journey, by furnishing you with such guides and directions as shall be necessary. If you should be successful, you will return with M^r M^cGillivray and such other Chiefs as shall accompany him, by way of Charleston — You will take care that they are well, without being extravagantly provided — If they should prefer coming by land altogether instead of water, and make it an absolute condition, you will comply with their desire, although such a measure would greatly encrease the expence. In order that you may explicitly understand the principles of your compensation for this service, and to prevent any objections to your charges in case of mortality to me, I shall here state the same. 1^st All your reasonable expences arising from the performance of the journey will be borne by the public. 2^d All the reasonable expences in like manner of the Indians who may return with you in consequence of these instructions. 3^dly You will receive for your services while employed on this business eight dollars per day — to be computed from four days previous to your departure, until four days after your return to this City. Of all your disbursements you will please to keep fair accounts, and take receipts thereon — This will not however apply to the minutia of travelling expences, although you will keep an account of them. I advance you the sum of one thousand dollars, on account of the business herein pointed out, for which you will account with me on your return — If it should so happen that the company of the Indians herein contemplated should require a larger sum, you will draw on me for the same. I herewith deliver you one of M^r Murray maps of the United States, for your general direction, being the best in my power at present to procure for you. You will please to observe strongly that notwithstanding the importance of your mission, it is necessary that you should not at present appear to be authorized on the part of the Union, either to the Creeks, or the Citizens of the United States — The letter therefore of M^r Hawkins to M^r M^cGillivray will be your only introduction to him. There are three companies of troops assembled at West Point on this river — I am making the necessary preparations for their embarkation for Georgia, where they will occupy such stations on certain parts of the frontiers, as will be best calculated to protect the Inhabitants and free them from the apprehensions which they now entertain of incursive parties of the Creeks — These companies are the advanced guard of a larger corps — the strength of which will depend on the conduct of the Creeks. As these troops will probably arrive in Georgia about the time of your arrival at the Upper Creeks, you will explain the circumstance candidly as here stated — That the use of the troops will depend entirely on the dispositions and actions of the Creeks — That the troops are placed at their respective stations with the intention of preserving the peace, and punishing those who shall violate the same, whether whites or Indians — a judicious display of the effects which in certain cases will arise from the troops, will afford you a number of efficacious arguments to influence the general object of your visit. It is proper to mention to you another circumstance — It is in contemplation to establish a post just below the Muscle Shoals on the Tennessee River emptying into the Ohio, and the Country of the Chickasaws — This post is to be established with the entire concurrence of that enterprizing tribe, who are enemies to the Creeks — You will see by the Map, that this post from its vicinity and position, will operate as a strong curb on the conduct of the Upper Creeks. Major Doughty is directed to ascertain the temper of the Chickasaws and Choctaws as to the establishment of said post, and if favorable, it will be effected at an early period — You will probably hear from M^r M^cGillivray on this point, and you will give him the same assurances as to this post as to the other posts, on the other side of Georgia — That it is intended to preserve the peace — and for the rest the conduct of the troops will be dictated by the conduct of the Creeks. You will hear much of the late conduct of the Legislature of Georgia, in selling the Lands of the Chickasaws and Choctaws to certain companies of men — On this point you will be explicit with M^r M^cGillivray, that the United States will not give any countenance to the measure, and will interpose their constitutional powers to prevent any disturbance to the said tribes — But that it is probable the Legislature of Georgia will itself repeal the act, which is full of evil consequences. Blanks are left in the Passport of the President of the United States herewith delivered you for such Chiefs as shall embrace the invitation of M^r Hawkins. It is proper that you should be informed that the Cowetas and Cussitahs of the lower Creeks, have pretty uniformly been the friends of the State of Georgia — That whatever kind assurances you may make of the friendship of the United States, yet that it would answer no essential purpose, to induce them to repair to this place — Your object will be to conciliate the Upper Creeks, and if M^r M^cGillivray and other principal Chiefs should embrace your invitation, one or two of the principal of the lower Creeks might accompany them. Given at the War Office of the United States this twelfth day of March, one thousand seven hundred and Ninety. H Knox Secretary of War [1790, Mch. 12 coli. Knox, Instr-y]