Notification of Cherokee Declaration of War & Estimate of the Situation
Document 1790Postscript on letter envelope, informs Knox of recent declaration of war by several Cherokee villages (on whom seems to be unclear). Against the possible threat of a roving force of three to five-hundred warriors, Shelby has dispatched a number of thirty-day volunteer rangers to protect an outlying settlement.
P.S. Since I wrote the within letter I have received information from his Excellency Governor William Blount, that five of the Lower Cherokee Towns had declared for War, and that on the 7th or 8th Instant John Watts set out from those towns with a party of from three to five hundred Warriors and their destination was not Known. I have no expectation that this party will make an Attack on this state, unless they should Separate; and in that case tis very Probable that some of them will. I have therefore ordered a small party of rangers to an exposed settlement on Russells Creek on the Southern parts of this state, who shall be discharged at the expiration of thirty days, unless circumstances render it absolutely necessary to continued them in Service for a longer time I have the honr to be Sir Yr Ms Huble ServtIsaac Shelby The honble Major Genl Knox Secretary of War} Copy to the Honble the Secy of War
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