[undecipherable] and to settle at but not turned as [undecipherable] being any thing. John Meally I know not I saw a young man [undecipherable] time past from Georgia of that name who married a daught[er] of a M[r]. [undecipherable] formerly a trader here, he is now near Tomb[ig]ley or Tensaw. I once saw him and he informed me his fami[ly] were near [undecipherable] his father may be the man you [undecipherable] is against. If I can at any time be useful to you here I shall avail myself of the opportunity with pleasure Sir your obedient Serv[t] [W.] Thomas Galphen A Sketch of the present state of the objects under the charge of the principal agent for Indian affairs south of ohio The National Council 1. The Indians of the Creek agency have been prevailed on by the agent to conform in a considerable degree to his Ideas on this Subject. Once a year, and generally in the month of may the Towns are invited by the agent to send a deputation to meet on a given day to compose a national council to this council the agent makes a report of the state of the nation, engage to his ideas of what is proper for them to do; and applie[s] for [undecipherable] and satisfaction for offences committed in violation of the [treaty] stipulations with us. The number of [deputies] who attend cannot hitherto be certained to a given number, but they seldom exceed one from a Town; at first it required a continued attention to the chiefs to make them comprehend the utility of such a plan; and the necessity of carrying its decisions into effect. heretofore every town tribe or family provid-ed its own regulations, and those of a general tendency were left to the management of the public agent, who used temporary expedients only; among the most powerful and persuasive of which were the [motive] of fear from without and presents. The council appoints a speaker who remains in office without limitation as to time. all propositions are debated until they are agreed to or postponed. The agreement is called the will of the nation, and is expressed by the speaker publickly to all the chiefs and to the agent for Indian Affairs who records such parts as interesting to [undecipherable] their neighbouring red or white — The council when convened it meets and [undecipherable] the public buildings is their place of lodgeing as well as business and [they] debate as much in the night as the day; [undecipherable] by dawn [when] sleepy, when hungry they eat, and when any thing important is under debate [undecipherable] [undecipherable] for it. The agent furnished [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] meets furnishes butchers, cooks and waiters, the continuance of a meeting to some thing like [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I [undecipherable] [undecipherable] put years [undecipherable] he a [undecipherable] use ful instrument to approximate them to a more civilized state and give the united states a more commanding influence over them. one of the interpreters and assistants to the agent is a half breed and a chief, remains constantly in the council during their setting and the agent has a right to enter and speak when he pleases Raising of Stock This is more relished by the creeks than any part of the plan devised for their civilization. They are now earnestly acquiring cattle by every mean in their power. The country is a fine range for them, summer and winter, every town has some [acquired] mostly during the revolution war between the [US] and G. Britain; by the traders, towns have a [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] or by the war partys of Indians. Cattle till lately were not held in much estimation, but since the failure of supplys from hunting they are resorted to as the substitute and bear a pretty good price; cows and calves are rated at 10 dollars and steers by age at 2.50 dolls pr year. The country is fine for hogs, but the want of fences, scarcity of corn from the present state of agriculture, and inattention of the Indians. Both of which is necessary to keep them from running wild, and living too much infested with wolves tigers and wild cats is for the present a bar to their increase. Horses are in general use but small, in a few years, to a distemper called here the yellow water. The agent has the last winter introduced some sheep they are in the care of an assistant and interpreter a half breed and promises to doe well. there is another flock the property of M^r Barnard an assistant and interpreter among the lower Creeks of several years standing [undecipherable] which increases fast and has fine wool. he has goats also which do well. Stock of all kinds require salt except where they are near [mop] or cypress ponds or one within sixty miles of the sea coast. Agriculture Their improvements in this are slowly progressive. The agent has prevailed on several of the towns [what] had [undecipherable] the lands in their neighbours has by culture to settle and in Villages, this practice is increasing and all of them fence their fields. there has been a demand this season for ploughs and 70 has been [undecipherable] out of those sent by the secretary of war, and fifty of them are in use by Indians. There is a nursery of Peach trees in the lower Creeks and one has been lately established among the upper Creeks and the Indians begin to accept of and to plant them. nearly 3000 have been raised and distributed since the arrival of the agent. The nursery is increased and will be kept up to the [demand] and they are [undecipherable] raised by the [undecipherable] and make all your talks to your agents There is a mistake among the red people about [undecipherable] The Cherokee receive money or goods every year and the Creek receive some, But the white people have had land for this annual [undecipherable] the president is [undecipherable] their two nations with ploughs, [undecipherable] wheels and some tools useful in husbandry, and we are teaching them how to use them, and I am of opinion before many months you'll receive a like attention. M^r Mitchell speaks well of you and you may depend on the friendly attention of Government. I shall send on your talk to the Secretary of War and the [President] I have heard of the promise made you by M^r Ellicott and L^t Pope you may depend on one thing that if the President Authorised their promises, they will be fulfilled; and if he did not, they will not. and you may depend on being as well informed of this by sending a letter by your Agent to the Secretary at War as if you were to send your chiefs to him. he will tell you the same on paper as he would if you saw him. My friend I have often heard of the good conduct of the Choctaws their friendly attention to their traders, their respect for their public agents and regard for all white people; and it gives me pleasure to see a chief from them in this [station]. [undecipherable] from [undecipherable] lately has been with me one month, and has [conducted] himself well. he has seen our chiefs here and has [delivered] his talks and received theirs, which he will carry to his Nation. By him I send you a short talk; pay attention to your Agents, love your land, love your women and children and love peace and justice Creek agency I am your friend and the representation 26 August 1800 of your father the President. [undecipherable]