from the Town where Burgess lives; Burgess's son and Brother in law were leaders of the party, so that you cannot be at a loss to discover the rest, and I hope you have so great a respect to the honor of your Country and your own characters as honest men that you will attend to this business without delay and give me such answers as to confirm me in the opinion of your being honest men and desirous of peace. Three of your people have fallen into our hands since the time of the murders, but I would not suffer them to be hurt. One of them was frightened and fled the other two I return safe with this which serves to prove that we do not wish to hurt any that has the appearance of being innocent. I shall expect a full and satisfactory answer from you in twenty five days from this time; any person you send with letters to me will be safe and treated well, and return when they please. With a hope that the path between us may ever be kept bright and that our friendship may continue strong, while the sun shines, is the desire and fervent wish of your real friends [Circular.] S^t. Marys 23^d March 1793. Brother, Little did I expect to have occasion to address you and the other chiefs of your nation on so disagreeable a business as the enclosed will fully explain to you. It is of so alarming and serious a nature as to call your attention to an immediate enquiry into the cause as well as to take speedy measures to give satisfaction for so unprovoked and wanton an outrage on the peace of the United States and your nation. I have great consolation in thinking that the Creek nation were unacquainted with the wicked affair and that their resentment will be roused against those Villians who to gratify their private views have committed murder and robbery the consequences of which if not speedily redressed cannot fail to involve your Country in a bloody and ruinous War. I cannot doubt but you and every good man in your land must feel the insult offered to you all by the planners and perpetrators of the late murders. The Chiefs and others of the nation had scarcely returned home from treating with me on this river, and where they pledged their nation and themselves in the most solemn manner to preserve peace and live like friends and Brothers with the United States, until the horrid and unprovoked outrage was committed— such doings my friends cannot be overlooked by a powerful and spirited nation such as the United States. As to the unaccountable conduct of your people in this instant I shall avoid any reflection or comment thereon and submit it to your own feelings and understandings. The President of the United States as well as myself having considered you as one of our best friends in the Creek nation and one who had the good of both Countries at heart from these reasons you are now called on by me in behalf of my Country to use your utmost influence and exertions in preserving peace which I fear cannot be done unless examples are made of those who have murdered and robbed our Citizens, and destroyed the peace of our land and yours. I then sent a general talk into the nation which I hope will be attended to by you and every friend of peace and that you will give it your support. I should have sent sooner but could not find an opportunity; having great confidence in your exertions in favor of justice and peace I shall not say more to you on this business at present and remain a real friend to you and every good man in the Creek Nation. [Note— The preceding letter sent to twenty one of the principal Chiefs of the Upper and lower Creeks with the General talk enclosed.] James Seagrove to M^r Payne, Head Chief of the Simanola tribe of the Creek Indians at Sotchaway. S^t. Marys Georgia 14^th April 1793 Sir, Although I have not the pleasure of being personally acquainted with you yet I am no stranger to your very respectable character and connexions in the Creek land. Ever since the United States honored me with my present appointment, I have been very desirous of seeing you and of being in close friendship with a man of your character. I am really sorry that it has so happened that we have not as I have reason to think it would have been mutually agreeable