Illegal settlement on Creek land

Secretary Knox informs the Governor of Georgia, George Mathews, that President Washington is quite upset that a group of Georgians in the upper part of the State have illegally erected an "independent government" on territory belonging to the Creek Indians, and erecting forts from the Oconee River to the Oakmulgee River - contrary to the laws of the United States. Knox insists that "we cannot expect to live in peace with those tribes, if individuals are at liberty to invade their lands." Knox recommends that the Governor send out the militia to help remove the settlers from Indian lands, with help from a federal commander.