now among them to be restored, and by what means will the vast am[ount] of plunder taken from our Citizens be recovered, even admitting that the feelings of humanity were not awake in the breasts of the near connections of the women and children who have been butchered by Savage brutality I say when I draw these gloomy reflections into view the hope of peace and safety to the Inhabitants of Georgia is very distant. The people have an undubitable claim on Government for protection, and the establishment of a proper peace can be of no duration, and it is such as the people of this Country can have no dependance upon, without previous measures being taken to compel a due observance thereof. The present system of defence is deemed not more than adequate for the frontier settlements, and should the proposed alteration take place, I have little doubt but the three Southern Counties Viz^t. Liberty, Glynn and Camden, will be entirely depopulated by a total removal of their inhabitants. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient Servants Edw.^d Telfair. [The Secretary of War.] John Galphin to General Irwin. Sir, Feeling with the greatest concern the hostilities and bloodshed which has been produced by the differences subsisting between us in all parts of our borders, we now offer in behalf of our nation towards terminating the present War, and adjusting such terms as may decide forever the matter now in dispute. You well know the cause of their discontent with us has ever been from the limits of our country, consider that we have retreated from the plains to the woods, from thence to the mountains, but no limits established by nature or by compact have stayed the ambitions or satisfied your people. It is our determination to adhere to a line fairly agreed on, but such agreement must be by the Legislative body of the nation and not a clandestine bargain, with a few Chiefs that have no manner of right to dispose of any lands, such transactions only regenerate in fraud, always lead to animosities and bloodshed; you well know that no sovereignty was ceded to you at the peace of 1763 except such lands as was purchased by his majesty's subjects by solemn treaty. And we are now as we always have been an independent and free people, knowing this and our own abilities to maintain our independence, we view with astonishment the steps taken by the United States to rob us of our rights. We actually see our whole country laid out into districts without considering us to have any kind of claim or right to which nature has bestowed on us, and of which oppression or prejudice alone can attempt to rob us. Consider well now the business on hand, and let us know your intention, soon as possible. I have given strict orders to our Warriors to commit no hostilities on the other side of the Oconee, and expect that you will give out the same to your people but should your intentions be dishonest, know that we have still warriors sufficient