Extract of a Letter from James Seagrove Esq. Agent of the United States to the Creek Nation to the President of the United States dated Rocklanding Oconnee River 5th July 1792. The information which I am about to give appearing to me of im portance to the United States I hope wil lplead my excuse for thus intru ding on your moments of retirement. In my dispatch of the 14th last to the Secretary of War I promi sed to procure what information I could respecting a Spanish Officer which General McGillivray mentions in his letter to me of the 18th of May a Copy of which you have herewith. I find on enquirey of the Indian Chiefs now with me, that this Spanish Officer is the same person that I have mentioned in my former letters as a Spanish Resident or Agent, who has arrived from New Orleans and lived in a House of General McGillivrays at little Tallasie. It remains no longer a doubt who this person is and his business in the Creek Nation. His name is Olivar a Frenchman born, a Captain in the Spanish Army, wears the uniform of the Regiment of Louis ana, sent by the immediate orders of the Baron Caron du Lette, Gover nor of New Orleans, as an Agent for perhaps something more to conduct This material may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of The Filson Club. THE FILSON CLUB 1310 SOUTH THIRD STREET LOUISVILLE, KY. 40208

conduct affairs in the Creek Nation. It would appear by the stile of General McGillivrays letter to me, that this Spanish Agent had just arrived, and that he was a Stranger to him or his business; this was not the case, for it is well known, and I can pro: duce unquestionable proofs, that he has then been several months at Mr. McGillivrays own house at little Tallassie. The General took much pains in sending for a number of the Chiefs and introduced this Spaniard to them as their great friend who was come to live among them and to do great things for them. It can also be made appeas that the General was riding about the Country with this Spaniard at the time when by his engagements he ought to have been with me. I have not a doubt [undecipherable] that the arrival of this Spanish Agent was in consequence of a preconcerted between McGillivray and the Spani: ards on his [undecipherable] last Winter to their professions; and that Captain Olivar, is to be his Successor in the Creek land. For you must know the General is again gone with nearly the whole of his property into New Orleans, and I doubt whether he returns. Certain it is that he hath engaged to attend the Spanish Treaty with the Indians at Pensacola in September next. As soon as General McGillivray quit the Nation, Captain Olivar, threw off all mask, by calling meeting in the Towns and directing CSB17 SB17 3. directing what the Indians should and should not do. He in the most public and [undecipherable] manner forbids them parting with a foot of land to the United States, and also forbids their running the boundary line between them and Georgia and positively tells the Indians not to have anything to do with the Americans. It is said by several persons (but I cannot vouch for the truth of it) that he has gone so far in the upper Towns as to advise the Indians turning out against our people on the Western Waters. I think this not improba: ble, for about ten days past he had the impudence to come into the lower Towns and give out public Talks, advising the Indians not to come near me, and on no account to run the line. This I have from persons who were present and heard him. I am happy in being able to inform you that he met a very cool reception in the lower Towns. The Indians who had been with me had returned home and influenced their people so much in our fa: vour that he found it convenient to make a speedy retreat to little Tallafie. A Brother in-law of General McGillivrays (a White Man) who lives at Tallafie, of the name of Weatherford is now here; who confirms what I have related of this Spanish Agent, and further Says THE FILSON CLUB 1310 SOUTH THIRD STREET LOUISVILLE, KY. 40208 This material may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of The Filson Club. CSB17 SB17 4. says that he hath at General McGillivrays house a quantity of goods which he distributes among the Indians that he draws orders on Government in favour of all Indians going to Orleans who receive goods and ammenities, which they bring up on Boats, and that they have a constant intercourse in this way, that he is engaged in secu: ring the Chiefs to attend the treaty at Pensacola- that it was much talked of in the nation, that one object of the Spanish treaty would be, to obtain leave to erect forts, and establish Garrisons on the Creek lands. Those matters seem of so much moment, comes a direct and I believe unquestionable truth, that I have lost no time in giving you notice thereof. I cannot account for this interference of the Spaniards. I sometimes think that Captain Olivar cannot be supported by his Government in such doings and that he is exceeding his instructions. I find that the Spanish Agent is on very friendly terms with Bowles’s Successor in the Nation, a Man of the name of Willbanks. I cannot help expressing my fears to you, that the Spaniards are playing a double game with us on the score of Bowles. My opinion is that they will make him useful to their views, their very kind treatment of him since he has been among them cannot fail to create THE FILSON CLUB 1310 SOUTH THIRD STREET LOUISVILLE, KY. 40208. This material may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of The Filson Club. CSB17 SB17 5. create suspicion in the breast of anyone as well acquainted as I am with Spanish want of lenity to actual prisoners especially such as have offended against their Government. Bowles hath not been confined by them, and it is a doubt with me, but what appeared as Captive of him to us, was in fact a concerted plan with him. He is sent to Spain, but not in confinement why send him there. sure the Governor of New Orleans or the Captain General at the Havanna, are possessed with powers equal to punishing or acquitting a Man of Mr. Bowles’s character. I fear there is some dark and dangerous business in contemplation among those people. I fear General McGillivray is not faithful to the United States- and I have my suspicions that if any mischief is abrewing he is deeply en: [Editors Note: “:” symbol here removed due to transcription formatting]gaged in it. I never expect he will come forward as an active character in the field, he wants Spirit, and this is the reason of his placing Olivar in his stead, and of his withdrawing to the Spaniards as an Asylum. Olivar is represented to me as a Man of good address, who speaks the French, Spanish and English languages equally well. I fear the reason of McGillivrays not meeting me and his not forwarding the business of the Treaty made at New York, as well as his evasive Conduct to all the pressing Arguments made use of to him by the Secretary of War and myself, arose from preconceited plans with his THE FILSON CLUB 1310 SOUTH THIRD STREET LOUISVILLE, KY. 40208 This material may not be reproduced in any form without written consent of The Filson Club. THE FILSON CLUB 1310 SOUTH THIRD STREET LOUISVILLE, KY. 40208

his Spanish and English friends and not from any real opposition the– Indians made thereto"_. CSB17 SB17