The officers here had, I have occasion to think, just grounds for their fears for their safety. We however left the troops, and arrived at the garrison about 7 o'clock on the 9^th inst. I found every body here well, but the country round in a most determined state of opposition to all federal measures. There is several parties of horse men out to prevent my having any intercourse with the Indians. They publickly declare they will oppose every attempt that can be made to peace. Some parties of Horse have actually had the insolence to appear before the garrison and forbid any person going to the nation. I shall however dispatch Aken and the black fellow this evening to go forward to meet the Indians and know their determination. I do not yet know whether or not the Indians are coming on to meet us. I have not time to be particular. I give you this unconnected line just to let you see what a blessed situation I am placed in. I am Sir Yr James Seagrove Augusta 23^d September 1793 Sir. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 5^th instant, and to inclose a duplicate of mine to you of the eighteenth. I am happy that I anticipated your orders as far as I was authorized in not concurring in any arrangements for invading the Creeks. From the moment I arrived in this State and heard of the late intended expedition I gave it as my opinion that nothing contained in your letter to the Governor of the 15^th of June, could justly be construed as authorizing him to carry on an offensive War against the Creeks by marching an army into their country. This I did from a conviction that had any such invasion been contemplated by you, that you would not have suffered me to have left Philadelphia entirely unprepared for such an event. I do not recollect that I ever saw your letter above alluded to. As you could not Sir foresee that I should be called upon to act in a business of this nature, you have not instructed me to interfere in any measures concerted by the Governor upon Indian affairs. I have however thought myself authorised to declare that the true construction has not been put on your letter, and this also has been the opinion of several of the general Officers who assisted at the council mentioned in mine to you of the 4^th instant. I have endeavored Sir, to transmit you the best information on public business what I have written relatively to the force and destination of the Militia, who were to have been employed against the Creeks. I had from a General Officer, one of the Council before mentioned. M^r Seagrove's letter to me of the 14^th is the only authentic communication I can make relative to the State of the frontiers. Reports circulate which confirm in part what he has written. I am induced to believe that his person is really in danger. One of the Governor's Secretaries who has lately returned from the frontiers informs me that, from what he heard while he was there, he makes no doubt, that should M^r Seagrove attempt to go to the Indians he would lose his life. It is certain that the people have great prejudices against him, they entertain an opinion that he has misrepresented the state of Indian affairs, and that while the Indians were making depredations he has reported them as peaceably disposed - M^r Seagrove appears to me to have great zeal in the public service, he may however have erred in the measures he has pursued. It will not however be in his power to preserve the peace by any interviews he may have with the Indians. And his attempts for this purpose, will fail because of the strong disposition which the people of this country generally and of the frontiers in particular have to a War with the Creeks — and it cannot be long before the flame will break out. It is with difficulty the people are now restrained. They had calculated upon the late intended expedition that failing their disappointment is excessive, and should any Indians unfortunately fall in their way they would be sacrificed. The Indians are continually making depredations, and tho' I do not hear of their killing any person yet scarce a day passes but we are told of some theft committed by them. these exasperates the people they are generally pursued, and when overtaken killed, Add to these causes of discontent and animosity, the intrigues of certain malicious Whites, who reside in the Creek nation, and who are continually instigating the Indians to acts of hostility, and misrepresenting the conduct of the United States towards them. This seems to be the present state of the frontiers. The militia have not been reduced since I have been here, I have made frequent applications to the Governor for a return of the force at present in service, but without effect. he says that the adjutant General has not yet made his returns to him. It doth not appear that it is his intentions to raise the hundred cavalry and hundred infantry for the present, but to continue the force now employed. he urges the necessity of this measure to protect the inhabitants from the depredations of the Indians. I have the honor to be Sir &^c Augusta 2^d October 1793 Sir. M^r Seagrove has communicated to the Governor that on the 22^d of last month talks had been received by him from the Creeks expressive of their desire to have a conference with him and to treat upon measures of preserving peace - He complains to the Governor against the parties of volunteers here, who have gone over the Oconee to prevent him from fulfilling this important object. He also informs him that the Cherokees have invited the Creeks to join them in a War against Cumberland, and that the Northern frontiers of This State are in danger from the former. And he requests the Governor to suggest to him any thing he may wish to be made an object at his proposed interview. In consequence of this letter the Governor has written