[Timothy Barnard to James Seagrove, dated Hind River 16^th March 1792] Dear Sir, Your express by M^r. Mordecai came safe to hand. I received it at the Cussetahs when I have been ever since my last to you by M^r. John Galphin, except five days I spent at the Buzzard's Roost, where I was obliged to attend in consequence of some complaints I heard from the Indians respecting the Inhabitants on the Oconee driving great gangs of cattle over on this side in the fork of Jullah Pacha and from that up forty or fifty miles higher, besides that the white people had built two three houses on this side. When I got to the Buzzard's Roost I found that the report I had heard was not groundless as there was a white man that had just arrived at the Roost from the Rock landing who convinced me that it was the case. I heard while I was at the Roost that the Cowetas were just going out to drive off all the Stocks and kill some of the inhabitants. I immediately sent off an express to the Rock landing and wrote to the commanding officer there to order the people to drive their Stocks back. I likewise acquainted his Excellency the Governor with the circumstance and of the consequences that would follow if he did not put a final stop to such proceedings. And the same time wrote to Captain Philips that lives nearly opposite where them cattle are driven over. I have since being at the Town had a letter from Captain Philips where he mentions that some of the hunting Indians had given them liberty last fall to drive them stocks over till the spring which I do not believe, but whether or not I should imagine they might have a little more knowledge of Indian matters than to think such liberties would hold good with the whole nation. Major Gaither was kind enough to answer my letter wherein he informs me that he has given his orders for all the stock to be driven back which he says was duly complied with. A few days ago at the meeting, I have had more complaints laid before me of the like nature which I immediately informed Major Gaither of and Captain Philips. Both of which is that the white people came and encamped out thirty or forty miles on this side the river and hunted with fire and all day with rifles and destroyed the game so bad that they can hardly find a turkey or a deer to kill and, with great gangs of dogs hunting bear, this the Indians say they cannot put up with and if the White people do not decline such proceedings they will kill some of them. They say that such proceedings as this fully convinces them that if there was a line run that they would not still be restrained from such practices. I gave them to understand that it was for want of the line that they could not be hindered and that when you came up that you would have it in your power to convince them that all such matters should be finally done away and that you would on your part give them satisfactory redress to every legal complaint they had on their parts to lay before you. I have done every thing in my power to stop them from doing mischief on the stock or inhabitants till you come up. The Cowetas have stolen many horses and brought in, which I think the white people have to blame their own conduct for as I am told there are both horses and cattle twenty miles on this side the river. I am amazed that people will be so fool hardy till matters are settled which never will be the case while the people on the frontier go so headstrong to work. I am in dread of no danger from any part of the nation but the Chickaws below me. Nevertheless the I had been down there not more than two days before I set off to the Town and talked above three hours to the head king of the Town, and acquainted him with every necessary matter that was transacted at the Treaty he since hearing a flying report that the Cowetas were gone out to do mischief and some of the other Towns had joined them without waiting to hear the truth sett off with ten or twelve fellows to do mischief lower down on the frontier. The Kennard sent them word not to go, they had gone so far they could not stop them, its since said they only went off to hunt, which if so well be all the better. There were likewise runners dispatched after them to turn them back but I am afraid if they were determined to do mischief it was too late, however I think if they had done any mischief they would have been in before this, as its three weeks ago since they went out, had it not been for those imprudent steps of the Oconnee settlers driving their stocks over the river, the Shawanese talks would not have had near as much effect on the minds of the Creeks, as it was a good subject for the Shawanee to work on, telling them it was the way the White people served them to the Northward. As soon as I received your express by Mordecai I appointed another meeting in seven days and sent off expresses to the upper Creeks to the Mad dog of the Tuckabatches and Alexander Cornells and to the White Lieutenant of the Oakfuskees or Newyangers, likewise to Kennard, they attended the meeting likewise the heads of the other Towns, you see mentioned in their answer. Then head men from the upper Creeks assured me that there was none of the Towns in that quarter but what were for peace. Neither do I find that there is any in the lower much inclined for mischief except the Cowettas and broken arrow, and some of the Chickaws and Ousauches and them I believe their chief views are for stealing horses. As I got those head men from the upper Creeks to give them a very severe talk on that head the Mad dog and Chief of the rest of the heads desired to urge you much to be up in thirty two days from the date of the meeting. I acquainted them with every obstacle that I thought might detain you but that I knew you would lose no time. I am of opinion myself that the sooner you can be up the better as chief of the nation is in a starving condition and chief of them will be under the necessity of turning out in the woods again to support their families. The Chickesaw and them are likely to settle their dispute as they have sent runners off for that purpose. Those rascals the followers of Bowles and Wellbanks have been lying at the mouth of Chelokee all this winter notwithstanding they have been frequently told by the Spaniards that they need not expect any goods there. Kennard likewise informed him that all their hopes of ships their own is in vain. They are now I hear breaking up as hunger obliges them to it. Wellbanks set out down that way about a month ago, and had not returned when I left the towns and I expect without he has very good luck. I do not think he will return as the Spaniards have offered a good reward for him. I would not do any thing respecting that matter of the prisoners in the nation at the meeting as there was too much confusion for such business, besides it is a matter that entirely concerns the upper Creeks. I read and interpreted your letter to the little prince the border. I could not see the Prince said he would have sent a horse for goods but had not been able to go down. He is Uncle that you wrote to says he hopes you will think on him when you come up as he is an old man and your friend. He is the man you wrote the other letter to. The Mad dog and some more of them hinted things for a few presents after coming so far but I had nothing for them, neither were but little goods among the traders where I was, and had enough to do to borrow a little from them to buy provisions which was hard to get at paying a treble price. I hope you will when you come up have it in your power to furnish me with a little goods to answer such purposes, as I have none and cannot get them without running in debt for them. What you mentioned respecting making the Shawanese prisoners I omitted in public as it was the advice of Cornells and the Lieutenant both, likewise the Mad dog as they said at this time it might make matters worse, but the Mad dog says as they were to set off in five days up to his Town he will give them their lesson there and send them home which he is sure will prevent them coming back any more with talks to the Creeks. I at the same time gave Alexander Cornells particular instructions what to put in the Mad dog's head to say to them, do not my opinion that they will be able to do any great damage in the nation. I had two of them over at the Cussetahs to the meeting, one of them is as white a man as me and speaks nearly as good english. I told them in public of their nation suing for peace, and many other things which seemed to agitate them much as they did not seem to believe it. One of them, an Indian got up to leave the square before our talks were over, but was called back by the little prince, who is their chief director. I had a good deal of private talk with the Prince, which he seemed to take pretty well, and make not the least doubt but he may be made a useful man, with a good present and a little good talk. The whole burthen of interpreting lay on myself as Dunouzgace had been laid up with the Rheumatism since he arrived