Knoxville May 29th 1799

Sir,

Your letter of the 15th in it I received per Mr Steele, and regret that the evil Spirit as you say prevails in your nation

Plain sence I should think aught to teach the Indians to respect the property of their neighbours, for certainly if they do not, their Neghbours will not respect theirs, and if they do not leave of that vile and mean practice of stealing and plundering, all the plans of [undecipherable] for Government for their peace, and to make them happy will be frustrated.

What in the name of reason do they want. If horses, Surely you have land and range enough, and by a little call might raise horses enough for the use of the Nation, and a number to sell, this way of gaining them would be more honorable for the brave Cherokees.

Mr Morclin delivered me your return of Horses and I expect that all those will be delivered up, Or I shall write to the Secretary of War, and make a loud complaint against the People whom I have wrote well about and whom I have tryed to serve.

(35)[editors note: this last number in parenthesis is written in pencil] you will do well to impress it upon their minds of the Chiefs and the Nation in general, the justice of thir demand.

I doubt not but you will be careful, both of public and private property and do all you can for the United States and your Nation

And am your Humble Servt David Henley Agent of War

Charles Hicks