Subsotuk 19^of november 1797 Sir, I wrote you on the 23 ultimo. The meeting expected to take place on the 27 was a representation of the towns on this river. I continued from day to day to the 15 of this month [some words] at the [?] [strikethrough: There has been a meeting also of the upper towns] at the [?] caldulas and subsotuk squares. The result is [?] the whole [?] to our wishes. I first [?] the business of the [?] and had the [?] with those raisified and, [undecipherable] one of the most influential [?] it to the [?] and to talk with him with [undecipherable] [the] [?] of that nation as remains yet to [?] I went fully and repeatedly into all the objects, into [?] my power and I believe I have [?] all [?] satisfaction to [?] on [the?] subjects [?] [?] more originally suggested [?] from the towns [?] They have appointed 7 men to attend immediately [?] and are the time appointed and [?] [?] to [?] treaty, and I shall for the first of [?] for the commencement of this business. I found that a difficult spirit with some of the young warriors, not withstanding the repeated Apalachian [?] made in his last relation to it. But it is finally [?] to end [?] of the need [?] any further agency in this [?] the Indian commissioners have in their commissioners [?] instructions in the [?] and they are to attend to my directions till the completion of the business. Being ordered to ascertain in the most [undecipherable] manner within the nation is disposed to sell to the State of Georgia the land between the Ocmee and Ootomalgas and from the junction of these rivers to the head of St. Mary's. I have fulfilled this order and find that attention is it that [undecipherable] same required and I can now inform you that the nation are not disposed to sell. On the contrary it requires that a man should be high in the confidence of the Indians to be able to mention the subject in the public square without being insulted, as the wants of the Indians are increasing, and the game decreasing and if in the course of a year or two the Indians can be interspersed with confidence in the justice of their [neighbour?] They may be induced to sort with their lands for an equivalent if in the course of a year or two the Indians can be interspersed with confidence in the justice of their neighbours and a friendly interchange of good offices, should take place between them. I have been constantly in much with the Indians at their public meeting of business or amusements, at their houses, in traveling parties or at my own table where I have entertained daily a number of them. That I again and conversed with them in a free easy [?] and friendly manner on their situation — that they [?] to [?] [?] I have pointed out in the best manners I could the dangers attending their obstinate perseverance in their old habits, and how necessary it is to their existence as a nation to conform in some sort to the ways of their neighbours I pointed out the benevolent views of the government, and the pains taken to better their condition. I have pressed their attention to these things [colloquially?] and, to remember that the troops which now protected them might be withdrawn at a short notice, and they be left to their own exertions for those that they might not the report I should make of the success of my mission would in a great degree if not wholly influence the future direction of the government in relation to them. That the sons of America which not use here must be listened to. It was not that of the French English or Spaniards [undecipherable] of their fathers and brothers natives of the same land with themselves. The last time I [undecipherable] with them in the public square I recapitulated every thing and [undecipherable] them the effect was very visible, they listened in attentive silence to the end, replied [?] they had [?] themselves to understand me and believed me they remembered the [?] of their fathers — and they would [?] themselves to prove to me that any impression should not be [undecipherable] that the [?] and every thing should be as I wished. Notwithstanding I rely on the [?] on the appearances I have received, I must inform you that the game has become scarce, the wants of the Indians are increasing, the need to prevent the destruction has destroyed the horses, the months heretofore given by great Britain in quantities sufficient to clothe all the tribe has ceased than given by Spain are [?] Emily [?] has now bred no habits [?] proudly [?] are ashamed to be coarced and to think they do a favour by receiving when naked clothes and comforts from the British agents were reluctantly and with difficulty to be humble to the rank of national life. It is therefore to be proved that they were never there found to practice horse stealing as a means of clothing themselves and I have already taken some precautions on this head. As the Lakes of all the southern Indians are the most refractory, and addicted to this that I have [?] found it necessary to open an additional check to this traffic. I have ordered that no [undecipherable] shall take a horse without a personal certificate from [?] [?] from the head man of the town [?] from [?] signed by the [?] and I have given instructions of this [?]. Nearly about 100[?] [?] The chiefs of the land are pleased with this [?]. The progress in agriculture and manufactures is slow, I have two webs [?] in the nation and I have making arrangements to have them wove. The women with labours and looks after them. I have one [whittle?] in my neighbourhood, and I shall as soon as [?] [?] from [?] of [?] [?] cotton [?] — to be [?] [?] of [?] they will make produce [?] good improvements of husbandry and a plan to convert the corn raised by the [?] into clothing for themselves and families, give a [?] to their industry. I find some difficulty in [undecipherable] [?] notwithstanding have experienced the good effects in the expenditure of one hundred [?] dollars a month for corn and other provisions in my neighbourhood, many poor families are made comfortable thereby by having clothes. The wounded Chief and his family are very attentive to me, he is recovering but he is unable to procure any thing for this season and will be lame for life. I have bestowed in all about fifty dollars on him and his family to clothe them [?] things with [undecipherable] the winter. I have in your dispatches to the 14 of august, and newspapers to the 24. with from [General?] Butler and [Henley?] and long reports from M^cDinsmoor he has [?] 42½ yards of good homespun made and ready for the loom. The Cherokees are far above these people in many things and their agent is a faithful and able assistant, must assist him to establish a school in the neighbourhood of his residence. I sent you in my communication of the 6^th august [?] plan and [?] my opinion of the [?] respond me with him, and I have [?] to hire of his being arrested for and his [?] courage [undecipherable] cannot be had committed, as soon as the occasion [?] [?] could give them the [?] the proof they [?] to the proper authority M^r. [undecipherable] may any [?] to attempt the [?] of [undecipherable] an establishment at the same as [?] already I also have attempted it, but hitherto without success. I [spent?] on being able to obtain the [?] as soon as I can give appearances that the people of Tensipee [?] the [?] You have the Cherokees are all gone into the woods, and not expected to return [?] [?] the beginning of next [?] [?] [?] some [?] [?] to attend to the [?] of the land, if it should be necessary and to the [?] establishment of [?] [?] or to the [?] you in the month of January in [?] probably [?] nation of customs [?] as [?] pace if you should deem it desirable. The [settlement?] is closed and [?] [?] [?] open, and it can be accomplished in a fortnight [undecipherable] [?] almost all of the articles out [?] in the care of [?] they are still at division [?] [?] difficult to get them brought out, and shall be under the [?] to order some of them [?] by [?] [?] [?] The list of articles for the [?] upon within [?] find [?] not plain cotton cloth [?] three [?] of 60 fathom, and [?] [?] [?] [?] [?] horse [?] [?] two reams of fine and one of coarse paper, [?] garden seeds and [?] I have begun to [?] [?] for [?] [?] and [?] not [?] with the plan for is the best I could receive for the [?] settlement [?] an agent and I gave a [?] his favour, as agent [?] portion alloted to the town. The Indians will be [?] and perhaps it will give us much satisfaction than so are other. [Also?] the chief they ought to [?] [?] a fund to enable them to [?] their [?] [?] us, rather than as capable of being divided among the whole station. That in the first case it would lead them to do justice to those who faithfully exerted themselves for the honour and interest [?] case and in the latter it was not worth [?]. Some of the [?] with W. [?] unpaid for four months and some of them more, they applied to me, and I have [?] them of all the [?] [?] gentleman has settled his Accounts. [?] [?] [?] and I shall be under the necessity of [?] them at [?] for [?] five months [?] from [?] to the last of [?] last year, the subject I have stated to you in a former communication, his [?] orders I settled with and [?]. I send you an act of the [undecipherable] at [?]. If you should deem it advisable for me to extend my agency over the two settlements to nearly as so notwithstanding the offers of [?] made taken on them to approve some civil [?] settlements. I find it necessary to take on one [?] of accounts between the whole [?] [?] here, and some of old standing and [?] [?] on claims for property in some cases too large to [?] The rule I have adopted is this: the plaintiff [?] exhibit a statement of his claim on oath, to the [?] the defendant answer on oath, the plaintiff reply [?] [?] and I decree and record the whole free of [?] I have the honour to be with [undecipherable] Your most [undecipherable] [To: ?] James McHenry Secretary of War