from the Town where Burges lives; Burges'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 county and your own character 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 Indians returned 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 friend. (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 Villains who to gratify their private views have committed murder and robbery, the consequence 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 horid 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