[148] Executive Department Georgia Louisville March 9^th 1799 Sir I am sorry that at the commencement of our correspondence for the year as it happened during the last, that I have to inform you of some unpleasant occurrences on our Frontier. About the latter part of the Month of January — two Horses were stolen from the Chehaw King on the east side of the Oconce opposite Montgomery County — the Indians threatened retaliation on the neighbouring inhabitants who were in consequence alarmed and advertised one of their danger — As soon as I received the information and collected sufficient proof to take the proper steps I found that the thieves Peter Hutchinson and Merit Mitchell had left that County and were on their way for the Western waters, and had been seen with the described Horses as stolen from the Chehaw Mice — I immediately attached a corps of Militia with a peace Officer after them and took them on our North Western frontier with one of the Horses — the other was disposed of or had strayed previous to the evils reaching them — They were brought here; and I sent them on to Judge [undecipherable] — they are now safely lodged in the General Gaol for trial at the next Circuit — The frontier settlers were quieted and this Step satisfied our Legislative Members, and in short the whole community. But scarcely had than decided measures been adopted on the part of the State of Georgia, which must convince the General Government and ought to convince the Creek Nation, that the Government of Georgia is sincerely desirous of maintaining and preserving peace, when Two Convicte Fellows shot a Mr John Moreland a respectable Citizen of Green County through the lungs while at work in his fields on the 5^th of last Month, as you will perceive by the enclosed affidavit of the Surgeon who attended him during his short period of existence thereafter — The information of the Murderers being Convictes, came one or two other ways — the people Moreland's Neighbours were roused and followed across the Apalachies but owing to the happy interposition of some of the State Officers who followed for the purpose, they were prevented from using any violence to two Camps one of Cherokees which Doctor Wright alludes to, the other of Creeks both of whom declared the murderers to be Convictes — I have used every exertions and pacified that frontier by assurances that the Convictes will be given up. I am happy to have it in my power to say further — that the State has satisfied the Chehaw King for his horse — a large sum has been paid him for him — One hundred dollars — This King came here for his payment — I bore his expenses to this place and sent him back to the Oconce with an escort for fear some ill blood might yet remain — Provision I know is made by the United States for stolen Horses but Colonel Hawkins living in the Nation, and the Indians about the Chehaws insisting on taking immediately satisfaction, I thought it more prudent and beneficial to this State as well as the United States to make compensation for the lost Horse, then by delay to risque a general system of depredation — the payment for the horse, the expenses attending the Capture of the thieves — the Kings maintenance — Necessary expenses on the road, coming and going, together with that of an escort for them as I apprehended bad consequences might attend his appearance in recuit after Morelands murder, and which appearance was of his own accord and contrary to my wish — will amount to somewhat about or upwards of $400. which sum I suppose the United States could have no objection to reimburse — I have sent you at different periods, complaints against Lieutenant Colonel Gaither. I am sorry that the repref[undecipherable] order of our Legislature obliges me to lay before you their sense of his conduct, and their wish for his removal — Ensign McCalif letters must long since have reached you, on the subject of his behaviour — for fear of miscarriage other Copies are inclosed — You will also receive the sense of the Legislature on the intercourse law. I am happy amidst these disagreeable topics to inform you that our Legislature provided during its last Session for a Sale of all our land westward of the Chattahoochie and a certain line, to the United States on conditions which I hope will not be thought unreasonable — a Copy of the Act is inclosed — as this great object, Should the United States accept the terms, will effectually settle not only all contentions of individuals respecting it, but those of public boundary between Georgia and the Union, and which if kept open might operate to the injury of both, and that disunion is very much to be deprecated — The little step reserved to the State, comparatively speaking, not the time given for the extinguishment of Indian rights to it, ought not to prove obstacles to so valuable a contract, which would give to the United States the actual and acknowledged sovereignty to the vast empire — beyond it — and which I am informed will include the Towns of Mobile and Pensacola. The purchase money under the pretended sale of this Territory to certain individuals, is daily drawing from the Treasury in consequence of an act passed the Legislature for that purpose. Before I conclude I must beg your indulgence to be informed if provision is at last been made for our distressed Militia yet unpaid — Several of the Officers have actually been in Jail and others are daily threatened with being placed there, for advances made the Corps on their credit — Captain Way of Liberty County has had to dispose of his plantation to pay for those advances but is still far in arrears and as near confinement as ever — Since commencing this letter two other proofs have reached me, respecting Morelands death, which Copys of, are inclosed I am Sir Your most Ob: Servant Ja.^s Jackson Honorable James McHenry Secretary War United States