Instructions to M^r Edward Price [Factor for Georgia] It having been determined to establish a trading house on the River St. Marys, in the State of Georgia, for the purpose of Supplying the Creek Indians with necessary Goods, provided agreeably to an act of Congress, You are hereby appointed the Factor for the purpose of conducting this trade, in which the following instructions are to be observed: 1^st The principle of the trade is to furnish the Indians with goods at such moderate prices that the sale may Simply re-imburse to the United States the prime cost and all charges; which cost and charges you will find in the invoices which will be delivered to you by the Surveyor. 2. The object of this trade is, by Supplying the Indians on such easy terms, to manifest the liberality and friendship of the United States; and thus, by the ties of interest & gratitude, to secure their attachment, and lay the foundation of a lasting peace. 3^d To provide against the numerous accidents and losses to which this trade will be liable, per cent should be added to the prices of the goods beyond the first cost & charges. This is to be considered as a general rule. You may find it necessary, however, to depart from it, by charging some articles lower and some [undecipherable] in order for the better to satisfy the Indians in the course of the trade. But, it will be important to fix early on the higher prices, & afterwards to adhere to them Steadily. The Indians will then know what to depend on, and not have their jealousy excited by the apprehension of unfair dealing, which a fluctuation of prices would be apt to beget. 4. The goods are to be sold to the Indians either for money or peltry. For the peltry the prices usually given by the traders will naturally be your rule; and, in this respect, the habits of the Indians must govern. If the prices are so high that a loss would be incurred in the returns when brought to the market in Philadelphia, such loss must be counterailed by an addition to the prices of the goods. A list of the rate at which peltries are sold in Philadelphia will be furnished by the Surveyor. Philadelphia is to be the port to which your returns in peltry are to be made as often as the quantity on hand and conveyance shall permit. You will address them to the Surveyor. 5. James Seagrove Esq^r, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Georgia, and his Assistants, (whose names & usual places of residence are [undecipherable]) are to advertise the Indians of the the establishment of this factory, and of the benevolent principle on which it is to be conducted, and to invite them to commence trading. On your arrival at St. Marys, you will embrace the earliest opportunity to give notice thereof to the Superintendent, and, if convenient, to his deputies. They will endeavor to furnish an Interpreter for the factory. 6. One of the greatest difficulties to be apprehended is the demand of goods on credit, either by the Indians themselves, or the Indian traders residing among them. But such credits are wholly inadmissible; and Selling to the traders, with or without credit, would be Subversive of the main principle; for such traders would probably sell at their usual high prices; whilst the true object of the United States is to Supply the Indians at moderate prices. And with these benevolent views of the United States, you will, on all occasions, endeavour to make the Indians acquainted. If difficulties should occur in carrying on the trade, by the refusal of credit to the Indians, and by the total denial of goods to the Indian traders, you will make report thereof to the department of War, stating facts, with your opinion thereon, and your ideas of the best mode of furnishing Supplies to the Indians to effect the Salutary objects indicated in these instructions. 7. The Surveyor will procure for you the necessary necessary information as to the mode of boxing & packing the articles, to ensure their getting to market in good order. 8. M^r Charles Anderson and [undecipherable: Bullard?] are appointed to assist you in all the business of the factory. And you will take the earliest opportunity to make them acquainted with the business, that, in case of any interruption in your attention, they may be able to conduct it. 9. The commanding Officer of the troops destined to serve on St. Marys River will, at all times, furnish you with necessary guards. One great object of their service is to protect this Indian trade. 10. Goods to the amount of one thousand five hundred dollars are annually to be delivered to the Creek Nation, agreeably to treaty. That Quantity you will now receive; and the same is to be separated from the goods destined for trade, and delivered in the presence of M^r Seagrove, or of one of his Assistants, pursuant to his orders. 11. M^r Seagrove has recommended Colerain as the place most suitable for the establishment of the factory; and this is accordingly to be attempted. He informs that that some buildings, erected there by him, are well adapted to the object, and may be occupied accordingly. Any repairs requisite to render them safe and tolerably convenient, you will make. The Commanding Officer of the troops will probably be able to find among them the necessary Mechanics, to whom an allowance, not exceeding one twelfth of a dollar a day, may be made for every reasonable days work. You will furnish all the materials which must be purchased for repairing the Store House, and any other buildings necessary for the accomodation of yourself, your Assistants and the troops, to put them into comfortable quarters; of which a seperate account is to be kept. 12^th The hospital Stores for the troops are to be in your custody, and [undecipherable] on returns signed by the Surgeon, certifying the names of the sick for whom the Stores are demanded. 13. You will keep a regular and frequent correspondence with the Surveyor, and, in cases which appear to you proper, with the department of War; to which all your despatches for the Surveyor may be directed. 14. You, and your Assistants, and others necessary to be employed, are to be dieted at the public expence; but you will keep an exact account thereof, as well of what shall be be drawn from the Contractor, as of what you shall purchase; and in both, it is expected that rigid economy will be observed. 15. If the trade should succeed, the store may, of course, be exhausted of some particular kinds of goods. You will, from time to time, give the earliest notice thereof, making your remittances which must be the source for further supplies. 16. It would have been extremely desirable to carry on the trade with the Indians, without the use of Rum; but, from an apprehension that the habit of the Indians in this respect could not be controled, that article may be provided. Still, however, you are to use your endeavours by friendly advice to the Indian, to persuade them to let it alone; taking care not to exceed their disgust. But, if you find that Rum must be sold to them, let it be in such small quantities as may guard them against drunkeness during their continuance at the post; for which you will give them this reason: "That, while trading, you desire them to remain sober, that they may know what they do, and be Satisfied that the trade is perfectly fair and honest." When they are ready to depart, Such quantities as they may desire to carry with them, and the Stock will allow, for balance due them, may be delivered. 17. The forms of the accounts and returns you are to render will be furnished by the Comptrollers of the Treasury; but, in default of this information, your knowledge of accounts will enable you to fix on a mode that cannot fail of being satisfactory, until you can receive them. 18. I close these instructions with suggesting to you the necessity of kind and friendly treatment of the Indians who may visit your station, and of perfect candour in the your dealings with them. Patience, in particular, will be requisite, & caution, when any of them get drunk. To avoid the latter evil, you will use your endeavours with the influential Men among them to draw them off from the Station as soon as their traffick is over. And, until then, you may contrive, as above suggested, to make but [undecipherable] of Rum. Given at the War Office of the United States, the 20^th Nov^r 1795 [Signed] Timothy Pickering