James Seagrove to Major General James Jackson Town of S^t. Marys 12^th June 1793 Friday Morn 9 oClock Dear General, About eight days past a small party of Indians appeared in the vicinity of the Fort at Colerain. They first made their appearance to one of Captain Randolphs company who was out taking care of Horses — and came to the Fort without hesitation or the least appearance of fear. I had them closely examined; I find them to be Cussetahs eight in number Viz: four men three lads, and a little boy about seven or eight years old. Three of the men I know to be Cussetahs, having been with me at the Rocklanding. They pretend to have been from home upwards of two months a hunting, and know of no other mischief being done to the frontier of Georgia — except that on this part in March last. They did not bring any letters or papers to me from their chiefs, or from my deputy, and their story and manner of coming at this time appearing to me rather misterious, I conceived myself justifiable, in detaining them; I therefore had them brought to this place, and confined in Fort S^t. Tammany where I shall keep them close prisoners until I receive orders to the contrary from the Executive of the United States, or the Governor of Georgia. Although those people may be perfectly innocent as to any bad designs against this country, yet such is the situation of affairs at present, that I conceived myself justifiable in detaining them from a variety of reasons. For three days past the scouts from Colerain have discovered the trart or track of foot and Horse supposed to be of Indians. I received an express late last evening from the commandant at the above station informing that many tracks had been discovered yesterday morning, some of them within a mile and a half of that place, that he had sent out two parties to endeavor if possible to discover them, that the track bore towards the Burnt Fort or Satilla and Semons ferry, a few miles above, from which I must conclude they intend against Glynn or Liberty. I shall dispatch a boat with notice to Glynn County as soon as it is ascertained that they have crossed Satilla. Last night one of the Indians confined in Fort S^t. Tammany cut his own throat with a knife which he had secreted in the prison. His companions knew nothing of it until awoke by the noise he made when sufforating. They all say it was his own act, and no person is to blame as he had no cause, heard all of them being well treated. I have also prisoned a Cheehaw fellow that was taken the day after the murders at Tradershill and made his escape from the fort at this place. He went into Florida and was much caressed there; he came opposite to the Station at Colerain and was invited over, having heard of some threats he made use of while in Florida; I thought it as well to keep him secure. These prisoners may probably bring unpleasant visitors, be that as it may, nothing shall prevent me doing what I conceive to be my duty, I have not a doubt but I shall be censured by some for detaining those Indians, but I have long since been taught to know that it is in vain to attempt to please all, my actions are directed by what I conceive just and right, this I shall invariably pursue without paying the smallest regard to the babbling vulgar, or designing party creatures, not even the combined wisdom of the [undecipherable] grand Jury of Chatham and their presentments shall ever alter my purposes. Our duty in this country becomes very heavy on those who are disposed to defend their country. we have a number of disaffected bad men who refuse any assistance and have taken themselves off to Cumberland Island, and others to Florida; we are greatly in want of arms for those who are willing to do all in their power; at least one third are without a gun. Captain Randolphs company of volunteer Horse musters now upwards of sixty five young men, but they partly want swords and pistols; pray sir assist us if possible with these articles, as they may be the means of saving our country. I shall not close this letter until I hear from Colerain. Friday 14^th June — By an express I have just received from Captain Randolph, at Colerain dated this morning, I have the pleasure to tell you, that the tracks which have been seen for some days proves on close examination to be no others than that of the Indians who are now in confinement at this place, I had a boat ready to dispatch to Glynn and Liberty had the accounts been unfavorable. In addition to our other misfortunes the Contractors agent is now without a single pound of bread or flour to issue to the troops on actual duty; unless a supply arrives in a day or two, it will be impossible for the men to keep together. I hope you will enquire into the cause of such horrid neglect. If this country should be obliged to break, Glynn cannot stand, and of course Liberty will be much more exposed. There is not provision in this country or it would be procured.