Letter from James Seagrove to Fine Bones, Chief of the Broken Arrow
Document 1793Seagrove acknowledges receipt of talks brought by John Galphin. He assures Fine Bones of his commitment to keep the path clear between Fine Bones' people and the United States. He notes that the future happiness depends on friendship with the United States. Seagrove reminds Fine Bones that he will meet with him on 1 May 1793 at Cussetah. Here he will hear his talks. He advices Fine Bones not to listen to the Chiefs of the Northern Tribes, who are now begging for peace with the United States. Advises to stay away from the Shawnee. Apologizes that he did not seen him at St. Mary's in November. Send some horses and Seagrove will return them with presents. He sends elegant arm bands which come from the great father George Washington. Closes by saying he will be to Fine Bones' country men as John Galphin was your real friend.
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James Seagrove, to Fine Bones, Chief of the Broken Arrow
dated St. Mary's 20th February 1793
Brother
Your talk of the 11th of the last Moon was brought me by John Galphin and I received it kindly and return you my warm thanks, and at the same time assure you that it is the sincere wish of my Country and myself to keep the path between your Country and the United States clear to the end of time; you and every other wise man in your Country must be sensible that your happiness in a great degree depends on having the United States your good and firm friends, and such I do declare to you they are, and have nothing more at heart than to contribute in making you happy people. My talks to my Creek Brothers have been always straight and they have found them so, such they shall continue as long as I have to do with them. I shall meet you all in the Cussetah Town by the first of May when you will hear my talks, and I have not a doubt but they will like them as they are honest and friendly.
Do not my friend suffer your Country men to be deceived by those Northern Indians, who come among them and endeavoured to get you to join them. They are your great enemies and will ruin you if you are so unwise as to listen to their talks. The whole of the Chiefs of the Northern tribes who have been lately at war with the United States are now begging for peace and have sent Commissioners to Congress for that purpose. I have heard that
seven Shawanese are now in your Towns who have brought in White scalps. This my Brother you must allow is very wrong. Such people should not be allowed to come into your land as you are in friendship and alliance with the nation whose people they are killing, and the Chiefs of the very towns those fellows belong to are begging my Country for peace whilst those villians are murdering our people. I hope you and every good Creek will think seriously and drive those wretches away and punish them for their daring to involve you in troubles. If they have brought a war on themselves, let them go through with it. You have no concern in the business, and I hope you will all have wisdom and virtue to treat them as they deserve.
I am sorry I had not the pleasure of seeing you with the rest of your people at St. Marys in November last. I had a talk wrote to send your Nephew but the hurry I was in when the Chiefs left me prevented its being sent. I ever send him a talk. It is my wish that you and all the Chiefs of your nation in every means in your power to preserve your Country in peace with every body that is the way to be happy and great. But should contrary to your good intentions any power oblige you to a War, I will advise I sent you advice and direct you in such ways as will be for your good so far as is in my power. This I send to Mr Bernard who will explain it to you and whose talks I hope you will pay attention. I have no opportunity of sending you and your Nephew some presents — but if you will send down two horses I will send you and him a handsome present. In the mean time I have sent you a pair of elegant Arm bands, which came from our great father General Washington, which please accept and wear.
Type
Copy of document
Description
Seagrove acknowledges receipt of talks brought by John Galphin. He assures Fine Bones of his commitment to keep the path clear between Fine Bones' people and the United States. He notes that the future happiness depends on friendship with the United States. Seagrove reminds Fine Bones that he will meet with him on 1 May 1793 at Cussetah. Here he will hear his talks. He advices Fine Bones not to listen to the Chiefs of the Northern Tribes, who are now begging for peace with the United States. Advises to stay away from the Shawnee. Apologizes that he did not seen him at St. Mary's in November. Send some horses and Seagrove will return them with presents. He sends elegant arm bands which come from the great father George Washington. Closes by saying he will be to Fine Bones' country men as John Galphin was your real friend.
Date
02/20/1793
Author
Recipient
Sent from
St. Mary's
Document number
1793022090355
Page start
218
Note
This document is enclosed in a statement relative to the South Western frontiers, as connected with the state of Georgia and Creek Indians, the south Western territory of the United States and the Cherokees suybmitted to the House of Representatives on December 4, 1793. This document is an integral part of [Public Reports] and other communications of the Secretary of War, 12/99/1793.
Notable persons
Fine Bones
James Seagrove
Broken Arrow
Shawnee
northern tribes
General George Washington
John Galphin
Congress
Creek
Notable locations
St. Mary's
Cussetah
Broken Arrow
Notable items
scalps
armbands