Wayne discusses Indian affairs with Knox
Document 1790Letter, discusses truce with Indians; discusses Indian warfare; mentions cession of territory.
D.54 Gen.Wayne XXVI-51 35??? Richmond State of Georgia 12th May 1790 My Dear Sir I am honored with yours of the 10th undecipherable by Capt Burbeck, & much pleased with the arrival of the three Companies, at service. That may probably deter the Indians from recommanding hostilities, which was, & is in contemplation, not withstanding the Official information from the Gov. of this State of the peaceable disposition of the Creeks Nation (underlined)-its probable that was his wish & belief at the time he wrote-but the two chiefs (two chiefs underlined) differ very widely in Opinion upon that subject- The chief Mr.Gilvery has recently wrote Mr Judge Osbourn that he is very apprehensive will actually recommence hostilities immediately after their general or annual meeting which is at the full moon in in this month, as the principle warriors conceive that the truce granted by them is expired-& appear to be hosting disposed, he therefore wishes that agents may be sent into the Nation in time to give them a good (underlined) talk (underlined) in order if possible ^to keep them longer peaceable he also says that “he wrote the Governor on this subject sometime since-but that undecipherable had not come to hand
In consequence of this alarming information, Govr Telfair, has appointed Mr Osbourn, & Major Forsyth commissioners from Georgia to the Creek Nation to sue for peace or a longer truce. It's also said that Mr McGilvery is to be concerned in the Yazo lands-how that matter is-I can't say-but I have good grounds to believe that a Jealousy of Congress interfering with that Cession of territory has been one principle cause of the peaceable advise officially sent from this quarter, & I sincerely wish that it may not eventually prove an unfortunate
information
information to many of the innocent frontier inhabitants of this State;-however I hope that when the Indians are made aquainted with the arrival of the troops- which fortunate circumstances-if the commissioners have addrefs enough to improve property may be a means of deterring them for a time /or until they know the number/ from commiting depredations-but all these will be only temporary expedients-Congress must either make the Indians experience their superiority in the field, or establish a Government on the Mississippi? a businefs which I must confess I had much at heart- & therefore prefsed that subject in the course of the last summer /perhaps too officially/ with the President, yourself & others- from a Convection of the utility of the measure & that unless the Genl Government took that Country under its immediate charge it might occasion much trouble at a future day-perhaps that day is not far distant-unless timely prevention;
Inflammatory publications-such as the Indians,
&
& many others are circulating in the Western parts of the U.S.- & I am sorry to find, that numerous undecipherable are in Contemplation into that Country-unsanctioned by Congrefs-& shou’d they once establish themselves without that Sanction-perhaps it wou’d not be quite so easy for the Genl Government to restore order & obedience as it is to insure it in the first instances; (There is writing down the right hand side of the page starting here but is undecipherable)
Shou'd an Establishment under Congrfs take place, I would be much gratified by an Appointment similar to that given to Genl St.Clair-if clothed with proper authority will be responsable for the undecipherable Operation of such Laws & Ordinances as may from time to time be pafsed & afsured for the Government of that Country!
have the goodnefs to pardon this freedom & believe me to be with sincere Esteem Your Most Able
Humble Servt
The Honorable Anty Wayne Major Gen HKnox Secy of War
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