[Proceedings of the Nations Council for the Creeks by W. S. Bowles] [1799 Feb. 25] [4/15] [N^o 3] Took an Inlet 25^th Novr 1799 — The chiefs of the creek Nation being assembled in the public Square — Yaa Huyo the Speaker for the Nation, address'd the talk to Benjamin Hawkins agent for Indian affairs — This day I address to you our friend and brother, and representative of our father the President, the talk of the Creek Nation. yesterday you spoke to us on the affairs of the Nation, you explained every thing to us, every thing about the red and white, &c &c since the last meetings, and particularly the conduct of Bowles on his coming among us, his asking for land, and obtaining a grant of some from [undecipherable] &c &c and &c I [undecipherable] now is the time for the nations of my thoughts of giving land to be laid on this place for the talk we say now we give no land — The time, this is the place to speak of such matters, if any one wants this man among us, to give him some land, now is the time to speak. We say no. Bowles may not have his petition, full of money but to get possession of our land, he will even pull his pockets from the land Speculators — and other troubles he makes, are but one thing. This man, he may sell our land to the Speculators and that will involve us in difficulty, if he once gets their money, they will never care for affairs. With this, it is our land, you are the man placed by the President of the United States to take care of our rights, we look to you, you must not allow of these things, we look on you now as the father of the red people, and you must put us right, and keep us so. The four Nations have their King, and chiefs, as never had a white chief, this man says he is a chief of our land, he is our Director General, he lies, are never knew him in any other character than lands are here present and you our beloved man are here on with us, then the British left us — they told us, M^r Panton would supply us with goods. The Spaniards they took possession and are Expected this engagement on the part of the British to be good as long as N. Panton is able to support this trade — When we see a letter from M^r Panton and the governor of Pensacola we pay attention to the class of people who fight. the path must be kept open to his house from the four Nations. the river and river must be clear, and then who fight must do it on the Ocean — and not disturb us on our trade — Spain and Great Britton ought not to disturb the Vessels of M^r Panton, the are for the trade of the four Nations — the path should be clear — we are poor and ought to consider us and not involve us in their quarrels or disputes. This at war knows that we are poor people and it is our wish that we may find peace at our trading Posts The four Nations have made a talk that they will be at peace with all white men, borne the rows of white people am mostly at sea. let them fight. we wish the Governor of Pensacola to believe that we shall be always glad to see him as long as the aforesaid are our neighbors and that he has nothing to fear from us as red People. This is the end of our talk for the governor of Pensacola and M^r Panton. true Regency 3^d Dec^r 1799 — I doe certify the fore going to be translated from the original in my presence and that the original is delivered up — and that the above is a Square of the National council in Tookau Batche — than that of an imposter and liar, the only white man we have is your self, you are our beloved man, and the representative of the President. When he was in our land he foundathers with two men who were appointed to put him to death, it happened them, and if he had been a chief, or as he says, the chief of our land should not have done it. him you are to him, you must give him a day certain, to leave our land, to get in to his boat and go off, if he does not go. it will be bad with him. if Great Britton sends a man to see us, his friends at St. Augustine, St. Marks, Pensacola, Mobile and others, he is well but not a man poking about in a corner like a thief — we are not met with English men, if any such come we should treat them kindly, but a man who comes like a vaga bond and who is known to us to be a thief, and a liar — and whose whole conduct proves him a bad man — we want him not, the only disturbs us by the alarm of our mischief Makers and horse thieves, pray to such characters. He was well known many years ago to the Seminoles, he brought them and us into trouble by his thefts and mischief making. This is our talk respecting Bowles — Faithfully Interpreted from the Creek by In presence of Alexander M^cComab app. Rob^t Grierson: [undecipherable] den Interpreter 2^d James L. dont Zach D. M^cgee James Bird Robert Walton The next point for this day is a short talk as gave you to send to the Governor of Pensacola and M^r Panton. The chiefs and Masters of the creek