James Seagrove to the Secretary of War. dated, S^t. Marys 19^th April 1793. Sir, My last letters to you were under date of the 17^th and 18^th Ultimo, since then we have continued and are yet in a state of suspense as to what will be the determination of the Creek Nation, when they hear of the depredations committed by some of their people on this frontier in the last month, and also my demand of having satisfaction for the murders and property they carried off. By the papers now enclosed you will be informed of my communications to and from the nation since I last wrote you. Matters in the nation were getting in a favorable way when the affair took place. The whole of the upper Towns were unanimous in rejecting all overtures of the agents of the Northern Tribes to join them, and only a part of them of the lower Towns [undecipherable] them. My talks were attended to so far as to have a general order of this nation for these agents (now [undecipherable] in number) to depart the Creek land in five days. You will observe that I was requested to be with the Chiefs in the nation by the 22^d inst^t which would have been the case as I had every thing ready to have set off, on the 12^th of this month, which [undecipherable] on this late outrage taking place, and until I could have the determination of the nation on the same. Kennard has acted wonders in the affairs of the North Tribe: he has not ceased, since he went from this in riding himself and sending talks to all the Towns in our favour. The White Lieutenant of the Oakfushies and Mad Dog of the Tucchabaches are firm friends to the United States. Alexander McGillivray died at Pensacola on the 17^th of February last and from what I can learn has nominated [underline: Parton] as his successor to direct the affairs of the Creek nation. Should Parton be received by the nation as such, the United States can have no hope of peace with the Creeks. From a full conviction of this in my own opinion as well as from unquestionable proofs of the perfidious conduct of the Spanish Governors of the Floridas, and those acting under them in the Creek nation, there appears a necessity that steps should be taken, that those bloody minded agents should fall into the pit which they dug for the servants and friends of the Union. In my opinion it would have been well if I had found myself long since at liberty to have retaliated, which has been much in my power. Self preservation renders it indispensible. The Conduct of the Spaniards of late is so barefaced that the lenity or forbearance of our Country toward them is so considered by the Indians, as well as white people as proceeding from a want of power to check such doings, the consequence of such opinions are very unfavorable to our interests. You will observe that some of the lower Towns were become acquainted with the murders and Robberies on this frontier and the Alatamaha by the return of the parties to their Towns. You have herewith a copy of a letter removed from six of the identical villains who perpetrated the Crimes six miles from Colerain, and also on the Alatamaha. Kennard on hearing of their return sent to the Chiefs of the Towns whose people committed the violence and talked very severely to them: he told them in presence of four White men who I can depend upon, (and who came here along with my dispatches) that unless they gave immediate satisfaction for the murders and Robberies, (and which he told them would be demanded,) that they had nothing to expect but War and total ruin to their Country. The party that did the mischief at Traders hill being from a Town on the lower part of Flint river, and whoever [undecipherable]—doubtless set on by [underline: Parton] and our [underline: Burges]. M^r Kennard the instant he heard of the affair sent a runner with a letter to Burges informing him that if he did not immediately have the goods collected and sent back: he (Kennard) would come and take all his property and his life as a part atonement for that of M^r Fleming killed at Traders hill— An answer was not received when my express came away which was the next day. I fear that my demand for delivering up to me an equal number of those who advised or executed the late murders for those that were killed of our people, in order to their being punished agreeable to our laws, may appear to some to be harsh, arbitrary or abrupt. But I am persuaded it is in conformity to the opinion and wish of a very large majority of our Countrymen, and I am happy in finding myself supported therein by the treaty formed at New York with the Creek Nation, and which is a supreme law of this land. I hope you will think with me on this occasion or for the United States to relax an atom on this occasion of having life for life and full satisfaction for the property taken away and destroyed, will be at once relinquishing every idea of possibility of living in peace with those people. For if we do not insist and have examples made in the present instance, we Shall have similar outrages daily repeated in defiance of all treaties or engagements that can be formed, as those wretched people and their abettors will attribute all to pusillanimity in the [underline: Virginians], as the Americans are generally termed by the Creeks. I am not without great hope, that my demands will be complied with, all the men of consequence among the Chiefs are for being in peace with the United States, and several of the Towns are determined at all events to be so. Should they refuse justice their internal divisions will tend much to their speedy reduction. They are in no state at present to encourage a war with the United States. The Chickasaws and Creeks are actually at War with each other, and the Choctaws have or are on the point of joining the Chickasaws. Their being nearly destitute of provisions is another reason to which may be added a full conviction in the minds of many of their Chiefs that if they quarrel with the Americans they will lose their Country. They have ammunition and arms in plenty. The Spaniards give every man of them as much of those articles as they require, they have been lately drawing supplies in this way from Augustine, Pensacola and S^t. Marks. The Spaniards are busy in endeavouring to patch up a peace between the Creeks and Chictowas for this purpose a number of Chiefs of both nations are invited to Pensacola, but whether they will go or not is uncertain. Since the injury done on the 11^th and 12^th. March nothing further hath taken place on this frontier, owing chiefly I have reason to think to the precautions which I immediately took of putting Colerain in a state of defence and collecting a body of about fifty horsemen which have done constant duty. The Indians have almost constantly hovered on the Florida side, but seeing we were prepared and on our guard have not yet ventured to interrupt us. But as this Company is Militia and of no certain feeling, I fear we shall lose them— One hundred and fifty or two hundred continental Troops— fifty of them horse would be a seasonable relief to us— Without assistance we cannot hold this valuable frontier— we want about one hundred stand of good Muskets with Bayonets— On half nearly of our little force being at this time without arms. On the 17^th instant a party of Indians appeared from Florida, within five miles of Colerain, they killed cattle, stole horses and other property, took off eight Negroes, robbed several houses and burnt one, fired at some men, tied and carried off one man, who soon made his escape and says that those Indians were from Burges's Town, and some who did the mischief at Traders hill. They at the same time declaring friendship to the Spaniards and that their intention was against Colerain and this Town as well as the Americans in general. John Galphin was with them and very conspicuous in declarations of enmity to this Country. I have offered a reward for him and am not without hope of laying hands on him. The Spanish settlers seem more alarmed than we are. When Robert Seagrove's store at Traders hill was robbed, all the Books of Indian accounts were carried off which I think cannot fail to strengthen the belief that Parton and the Spaniards wanted to discover the nature as well as amount of business done therein, in addition to their breaking up the store. As my letters giving you an account of the late unfortunate business in this Country must have reached you long ere this. I am in daily hope of receiving instructions from you— You will be informed by a Copy of M^r Bernards letter now enclosed of the very irregular conduct of the settlers on the N.W. frontiers of Georgia. It will soon be the case. I have given Governor Tellfair regular advice, ever since the unfortunate event of Traders hill. But have not been favoured with a line from him or Major Gaither since then. You