Collection

Documents

• Elections and Appointments to the New Congress

  Knox informs Washington that, since his last letter on 5 March, there have been only two additional Congressional representatives to arrive in New York. Knox also notes an election dispute between East and West Jersey has delayed the arrival of representatives from that state. The legislature of New York, Knox adds, has broken up without appointing Senators. This is due to a dispute between the New York House and Senate over which body could make the senatorial appointments. Knox points out that the House of Representatives in New York contains a majority of Anti-Federals while the state senate is comprised mostly of Federals. Knox opines that Federals in the New York senate have acted "honorably" by threatening to send no representation rather than "saddle the government with two Anti-Federals."

• Required Quorums of the New Government

  Knox informs Washington that members of the new government are assembling in New York but have not yet reached sufficient numbers to constitute a quorum. Knox reports that 12 will be a quorum in the Senate and 30 in the House. By Knox's count, only 8 Senators and 17 Congressman are now present in New York. Knox also mentions that Colonel Wadsworth has obtained "super fine" brown Hartford cloth for Washington.

• Shipment of American Cloth to the Washingtons

  Knox informs Washington that the requested cloth was shipped by stage today. Knox identifies the cloth as 13.5 yards of 3/4 wide bottle green cloth of the Hartford manufacture. Knox also notes the price of the cloth is reasonable and the route of shipment will proceed via Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Alexandria.

• Information on Requested Cloth and Election Results

  Knox assures Washington that when the requested cloth arrives it will be shipped by stage without delay. Knox also relays election news indicating that Washington received every vote for President from Maryland and all other states in the south. Voting from New Jersey and Delaware, Knox notes, is not yet available.

• American Cloth Available in New York

  Knox responds to Washington's request for American cloth. Knox informs Washington that American cloth is inferior in quality to English cloth Knox also states that he has recently been ill.

• Murder of a Creek Indian & Comparative Rank of Officers

  Knox forwards a letter to Washington from Governor Telfair that reports of a murder of a Creek Indian. Knox opines that Telfair appears to have taken appropriate measures. He also mentions issues of rank between regular and militia officers.

• Secretary of War takes Leave to Boston

  Knox informs the President that he is departing for Boston. Information of a war continues as vague and uncertain as ever.
• 

  Satisfaction Relative to the Cecil Company's Contract, Etc.

  It will soon be obvious how much satisfaction can be given by the Cecil Company relative to the contract they have negotiated. Mr. Nancy cannot be spared before he has completed five or six guns.
• 

  Filling of Order for Horse Harness Articles

  Sends requested horse harness, listing the items in detail, including collars and artillery horse chains.
• 

  Relative Rank of the Field Officers of the New Regiments, Etc.

  McHenry wants Hamilton's opinion regarding the rule used to determine the relative rank of field officers in the new regiments and inquires as to whether there should be alterations in the rule regarding the officers who are above the rank of major.
• 

  Appointment as Inspector General, with the Rank of Major General

  McHenry informs Hamilton that he has been appointed Inspector General of the Provisional Army with the rank of Major General and includes a list of subordinate general officers.
• 

  The Necessity of Calling You Into Service

  Among other matters, Wolcott suggests to Hamilton that he replace McHenry as Secretary of War. He discusses the claims of British creditors and the progress of sickness in Philadelphia
• 

  Letter from Secretary of War Henry Knox to Daniel Smith, Esquire, Secretary of Treasury of United States South of Ohio River

  Knox informs Daniel Smith that his letters have been forwarded to President of United States General George Washington. Smith was present at Hanging Maw's house during the attack and murders by Major Beard and his men. Knox discusses the excesses Smith reported on; is sympathetic to Smith's plight. The President will be meeting with Governor Blount to discuss reestablishing order in his government.
• 

  Letter from Secretary of War Henry Knox to Governor Blount on the Mero district, on offensive operations against the hostile Indians and President Washington's policies, the role of congress, use of the militia, return of stores for the Chickasaws, and Blount's expected arrival with the heads of the Cherokees

  Discusses defense of citizens of Mero District. Refers to the difficulties that President Washington faces since Congress is not in session. Notes the seriousness of plunging nation into war with Southern Tribes. Knox advises Blount that if war and depredations continue, protection must be defensive. Offensive operations require authority of congress. If militia is employed, take care to ensure accurate musters, limit their time engaged, and dismiss as soon as possible. Recommends using Captain Kerr's company. Discusses need for a post at the crossing of Cumberland River for security. Asks that arms be sent to General Robertson. Stores from General Wayne to be given to Chickasaws as evidence of friendship, to include arms, powder, flints, lead, corn, vermillion, salt, whiskey, an armorer and tools.
• 

  Letter from Secretary of War Henry Knox to William Blount, Governor of Territory of United States South of Ohio River

  Knox relays to Governor Blount, President Washington's desire to invite John Watts, Little Turtle, and as many of the real chiefs of Cherokees to pay a visit to Philadelphia where they would be abundantly supplied for themselves and their nation. President Washington believes such a journey would help remove causes of hostility. Knox discusses expenses of presents and asks Blount to keep the number of attendees and costs down. Asks that Blount accompany the entourage. Reminds Blount to regularly muster the militia. As for the meeting date, Knox proposes 17 April 1793 in order to roughly coincide with peace talks with the Western Indians [Sandusky Conference].
• 

  Extract of letter from Major Henry Gaither to Secretary of War Henry Knox reporting that Governor of Georgia Telfair has improperly called up militia and in greater numbers than is necessary

  Gaither reports that the Georgia militia in service has been improperly called up by the Governor of Georgia Telfair, and in excessive numbers. Gaither has proposed using the authorized federal troops to defend the frontier. If this were to prove insufficient, then he would recommend calling out the necessary numbers of militia. Because to the current arrangement, Gaither wants nothing to do with the militia, unless they can be put under his command.
• 

  Letter from Timothy Barnard [Bernard] to Major Henry Gaither regarding meeting with Cussetahs, scalpings, robbery and murder at Robert Seagrove's store Traders Hill on St Mary's River, Spaniard Dons

  An enclosure to Gaither to Secretary of War letter 17 April 1793, Timothy Bernard writes from the Flint River. Reports on Indians arriving from St. Marys and Sattelles with scalps and plunder. Perpetrators from settlements near Jack Kinnard's, who are under influence of villain Willbanks and northward Indians. Describes a ship arriving from Spaniard dons with goods. Talks about the death of Captain Fleming at murder and robbery at Robert Seagrove's store on St. Marys and likelihood that James Seagrove will demand satisfaction from the culprits. Notes that this was not an act reflective of the Creek Nation.
• 

  Extract of letter from Lieutenant Van Allen of Federal Troops to Major Henry Gaither on white efforts to justifiy incursion on Chehaws

  Lieutenant Van Allen of Federal troops reports from Galphin Town on the Ogeechee River that 40-50 Georgia horse militia gathered under command of Captains Kitchen, Carson, Wilbern, and Hampton, later joined by Captains Harrison, Stokes and Irwin in order to march against Chehaw towns. To justify this act, Van Allen says he was told that horses were brought over the Oconee and then claimed as stolen. General Irwin called the men back, but he was ignored.

• Clarification on Command of Troops in Kentucky and Tennessee

  Washington specified that all of General Wilkinson's troops should be under Hamilton's direction so as to avoid confusion in communication.
• 

  Extract of letter from James Seagrove, agent of Creek Indian Affairs to Henry Knox Secretary of War

  From Savannah Georgia, Seagrove encloses a copy of a letter from Georgia Governor Telfair and reports that there has been no change or novelty in Indian Affairs since last report.
• 

  Answer of Mr Payne the Great Simanolla and Lochaway King to James Seagrove Creek Agent of Indian Affairs

  A talk that Payne promised to give to Seagrove. Speaks of all men as having one father and one mother. Relates a story he heard from the old people that the world was once covered by the great water and drowned all the people, except for those who lived in a house on the water; whether this is the place, he says he does not know. He was also told that the world was divided into seven parts, and America was given to the Red Man. When white man first came, red man was afraid. But white man planted corn and gave the red man food. Both agreed to run a line through the country. Professes ignorance and poverty. Is glad to have met Seagrove and hopes for continued peace and friendship. Is sorry there has been mischief by red people.
• 

  Letter from James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent, to Henry Knox Secretary of War describing the robbery and murder at Robert Seagroves' store at Traders Hill St Mary's River

  James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent gives an account of the murder and robbery at his brother Robert Seagrove's store at Trader's Hill on St Mary's River on the night of 11 March 1793. Mr John Fleming [Captain Fleming] and Mr. Daniel Moffett were killed and another was missing. About 2000 lbs sterling in goods stolen. Also reports on party of Indians inhumanely butchering 3 men and a girl on 13 March. Has reported news to Governor of Georgia Telfair and Federal Troop Commander Major Henry Gaither. In the process of trying to gather up information on the culprits. Does not believe Creek Chiefs involved. Has taken into custody one man who is currently being held at Ft St Tammany. Private dispatches to President of United States General George Washington will throw light on the episode. Has also attached a copy of the boundary line from the Alamataha to St Mary's River for Knox' review.
• 

  Extract of letter from Captain Jonas Fauche from the files of executive, Georgia Governor Telfair, reporting on killings of Creek warriors, taking of prisoners

  In this extract addressed to Georgia Governor Telfair, executive files, Captain Jonas Fauche reports on the Indian theft of horses, killing of Creek warriors, the taking of prisoners, discovery of scalps, and a report that warriors have gone to Cumberland.
• 

  Letter from Colonel Melton, Green County, to Georgia Governor Telfair reporting on operations against Creek Nation

  From Executive files of W. Urquhart, a report from Green County, Lieutenant Colonel Melton of 1st Regiment, Green County, reports that he has burned huts in Creek town, killed Warriors, and taken prisoners. Asks that prisoners be moved away from frontier people for their own safety. In need of arms and ammunition; frontier may be evacuated if no resupply.
• 

  Talk from Lieutenant Colonel William Melton to Headmen and Warriors of Donnally's Town, Flint River Georgia

  Lieutenant Colonel Melton of Georgia Militia 1st Regiment Green County warns the Creeks about their continued depredations on property and persons of settlement he commands. Accuses Creeks of professing peace with President of United States General Washington, while conducting war on the settlers of Georgia. Warns that the father in New York, who has been good to them, benevolence should not be viewed as sign of weakness. Future behavior will determine Melton's conduct toward Creeks. He has taken prisoners which he will hold and treat well while delivering to Governor of Georgia.