Letter from Major Henry Gaither to Secretary of War Henry Knox regarding murder and robbery at Traders Hill on St Marys
Document 1793Gaither writes from Fort Fidius to inform Knox about the robbery and murder of two whites at Traders Hill on St Marys by Creek Indians. Notes the William Seagrove, presumably owner of the store, is demanding the murderers and the whole party concerned; the Indians are divided over the demand made by Seagrove. Timothy Bernard advises Gaither to stand his guard. Gaither has written to General Clark and other militia officers.
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Timothy Barnard to Major Henry Gaither
Buzzard Roost, 18th February 1793.
Sir,
I have not the honor of your acquaintance but the present situation of affairs in this quarter dictates to me that it is strictly necessary that you should be informed that which if not obstructed may shortly prove of fatal consequences to the frontiers of Georgia, which is as follows. I have certain information that the Inhabitants on the upper frontiers have drove over a number of cattle into the fork of the Tullapatche which ground the Indians still look upon as theirs, therefore are determined to go down, and drive off all the stock they find there and if they meet with any opposition will kill those that oppose them, as there you may be sure will go a body large enough to execute their designs; I have prevailed on the head men to [strikethrough: r]restrain them for twenty days; and am setting off to the towns to do the same, there, and am in hopes they will be stopped that long till the people can get their cattle back, but there is a great probability that the hunters in the woods may collect and drive them off, if so those people that have put their cattle over must abide by the consequence, as they have no right to carry on such irregular proceedings. I am amazed at the heads of the [undecipherable] country, that they will not oppose such measures at this critical juncture; there is now ten Indians from the Northward nations trying all they can to set the Creeks on the frontiers of Georgia and such proceedings as these will be the effectual means to make the Creeks take their talks, besides ever putting it out of the power of any person to have a boundary line; I have to beg, as it is for their own good, to insist for the settlers on receipt of this to drive their stock back, if they do not I have now discharged my duty and they must abide by the ill consequences that may and will attend.
I am Sir &c
(Signed) Timothy Barnard
The bearers of this, three of the head men of the [undecipherable] Cussetahs begs they may have a keg of rum apiece; and some corn and tobacco to bring with them, as I have got them to take down these letters if you give them a few articles the Governor will not be against paying for it; as I can assure you, if those cattle are not removed soon the owner will lose them all, and some of their lives too; its in vain to strive to keep peace, when the White people goes so head long to work, before the boundary line is settled.
Type
Copy of document
Description
Gaither writes from Fort Fidius to inform Knox about the robbery and murder of two whites at Traders Hill on St Marys by Creek Indians. Notes the William Seagrove, presumably owner of the store, is demanding the murderers and the whole party concerned; the Indians are divided over the demand made by Seagrove. Timothy Bernard advises Gaither to stand his guard. Gaither has written to General Clark and other militia officers.
Date
04/07/1793
Author
Recipient
Sent from
Fort Fidius
Document number
1793040740055
Page start
436
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 submitted 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
Henry Knox
Henry Gaither
Cussetah King
Coweta People
Timothy Bernard
General Clark
Georgia militia
Notable locations
Fort Fidius
Traders Hill
St Marys
Creek Nation
Georgia
Philadelphia

