Letter from James Seagrove Indian Agent, to James Holmes, acting as as an assistant amoung the Creeks
Document 1793Letter from James Seagrove, Indian Agent to the Creek Nation, to James Holmes, acting as an assistant among the Creeks, at St. Mary's Georgia. Acknowledges receipt of letter from Flint river. Attends to what Holmes says but not at liberty to do so at the moment. If Red friends think it necessary, Seagrove does not oppose their will. Galphin gives alarm on his arrival. Galphin reports that the Creeks broke up Spanish settlements on Tennessee and Bigby Rivers; made an attack on Fort at Mobilis; Galphin was in on the attack, was wounded in thigh. Indians repulsed with loss of twenty men. Spaniards lost twenty men; about twenty negroes brought off, with large sums of money, with many more such improbable tales. Galphin tells other tales that Seagrove thinks improbable. Seagrove describes Galphin's reports as "young man's fruitful inventive genius." Confirmed as falsehood by Mr Fowler. Seagrove notes that Galphin's attempt to impose on him, shall not be readily forgiven; wishes to get clear of him; a very dangerous person from his falsehoods. Requests that Mr Barnard and Holmes attempt to contradict and expose him villainy to the Creek Nation. Fowler was in town, but cleared out and may be at Colerain. Expresses concern about the influence of the northern tribes with the Creeks. Mentions the Shawnees. Reiterates policy of driving northern Indians away from Creeks or bringing them as prisoner. Policy is to sever the Creeks from the hostile tribes. Seagrove not happy with peace efforts with northern Indians [presumably efforts of peace commissioners Pickering, Lincoln, Randolph with Six Nations]. Seagrove believes the northern tribes should be thrashed first as an example to others. Preparations [presumably by General Wayne] for a summer campaign [in the north] has alarmed the northern tribes. Says that it is useless now to dictate to Bernard or Holmes what to say to the Creek chiefs, but says to leave no stone unturned to overset the Indian purposes. Impossible to meet until 1 May. Hope no bad arises from not being on the spot. Sends bearer Mordecai Light for sake of dispatch by his return. Hopes for agreeable accounts.
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