Murders in the Cumberland Gap
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Murders in the Cumberland Gap
Description
Governor Martin (of North Carolina) directs an investigation into murders committed in the Cumberland Gap. He states that if Cherokee or Chickamauga Indians are responsible a military expedition will be sent into their nation to obtain "satisfaction" unless they surrender the murderers. Directs that squatters be ordered off Indian Lands. Discusses an agreement between Spain and the Delaware Indians. Also mentions a treaty to be held with the Indians.
year created
1784
month created
02
day created
11
author
sent from location
Danbury
recipient
in collection
in image
notable person/group
Joseph Martin
Alexander Martin
Alex Martin
Colonel Joseph Martin
Superintendent of Indian Affairs
Sullivan
Indians
Cherokees
Chickamaugas
person guilty
Bench
public
Spaniards
Delawares
General McDowell
Colonel Sevier
commanding officer
Sulivan County
Indians
people (of North Carolina)
Campbell
Daniel
notable location
Danbury
Danbury
Cumberland Gap
country
Morgan district
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Tennessee River
Indian Lands
French Broad River
Philadelphia
notable item/thing
letter
25 January 1784
information
state
murders
nation of Indians
surrendered up to the justice of the state (North Carolina)
expedition
trial
charges
superior court of Morgan district
hostile
peace
suspicion of ill will
innocent
acquittal
justification
satisfaction to the public
information
settlement
orders
Indian goods
Treaty
notable phrase
order and drive off those evil minded persons who have intruded and still continue on the Indian Lands beyond French Broad River
I wish the Indians to have no complaints from our people
document number
1784021190001
page start
1
transcription
From Alexr Martin
Feb 11th 1784
To: Col Jos: Martin
Indian Murders in Cumbd Gap
Bench demanded
Spanish-Delawares making a
settlement at Muscle Shoals
Gen McDowell - Col Seiver to
drive off intruders on Indian
lands over French Broad
Danbury February 11th 1784
Sir
I have received your Letter from Henry
County without a date, also your Letter from Sullivan
of the 25th January last. The information in the last is
of such importance to the State, that calls for my as well as
their immediate attention. The murders perpetrated in
Cumberland Gap must be inquired into â the nation
ascertained (of Indians) who have done the same: this
you will please to engage in as soon as possible, and
transmit an account of your discovery the earliest opportunity.
Should these murders be fixed upon the Cherokee.
Chickamonoga's, you will in my name demand the persons
guilty, to be Surrendered up to the Justice of the State; informing
them on their refusal an expedition will immediately
be levelled against them for satisfaction, which perhaps
will expel them their Country â In the mean while you
will demand Bench from the Chickamonoga's to stand
his trial for the charges you suggest against him in the
the Superior Court of Morgan District. â Should they
refuse, you will inform them that this State will
consider them still hostile, and that they have no
intentions of making peace To remove every suspicion
of ill will they may still retain. Bench must be
Surrendered â if he is innocent his acquital will
be his justification, and a Satisfaction to the public.
I shall write to the Governors of South
Carolina and Georgia also on this Subject: and
give them the information of the Spaniards and
Delawares making a Settlement at the Muscle Shoals
on Tenesee, as that part of the River is Supposed
to boundary this State, I think proper to give them the
information you have sent me.
You will call upon the General McDowel
and Colonel Sevier and the Commanding officer of
Sulivan County, to order & drive off those evil minded
persons who have intruded, and still continue on the
Indian Lands, beyond French Broad River â I have again
again repeated my orders to them. â I wish the Indians
to have no complaints from our People. â The
Indian Goods are not arrived from Philadelphia
â as soon as they will arrive I shall give you
notice, and ascertain the time of holding the Treatys
I am Sir
Your Most Obedient Humble Servant
Alex Martin
P. S. You will also make
demands of Campbell and
McDaniel, that they may
be tried in this state or be
sent to the place where the
felonies were committed.
Colonel Joseph Martin
Superintendant of Indian affairs
Feb 11th 1784
To: Col Jos: Martin
Indian Murders in Cumbd Gap
Bench demanded
Spanish-Delawares making a
settlement at Muscle Shoals
Gen McDowell - Col Seiver to
drive off intruders on Indian
lands over French Broad
Danbury February 11th 1784
Sir
I have received your Letter from Henry
County without a date, also your Letter from Sullivan
of the 25th January last. The information in the last is
of such importance to the State, that calls for my as well as
their immediate attention. The murders perpetrated in
Cumberland Gap must be inquired into â the nation
ascertained (of Indians) who have done the same: this
you will please to engage in as soon as possible, and
transmit an account of your discovery the earliest opportunity.
Should these murders be fixed upon the Cherokee.
Chickamonoga's, you will in my name demand the persons
guilty, to be Surrendered up to the Justice of the State; informing
them on their refusal an expedition will immediately
be levelled against them for satisfaction, which perhaps
will expel them their Country â In the mean while you
will demand Bench from the Chickamonoga's to stand
his trial for the charges you suggest against him in the
the Superior Court of Morgan District. â Should they
refuse, you will inform them that this State will
consider them still hostile, and that they have no
intentions of making peace To remove every suspicion
of ill will they may still retain. Bench must be
Surrendered â if he is innocent his acquital will
be his justification, and a Satisfaction to the public.
I shall write to the Governors of South
Carolina and Georgia also on this Subject: and
give them the information of the Spaniards and
Delawares making a Settlement at the Muscle Shoals
on Tenesee, as that part of the River is Supposed
to boundary this State, I think proper to give them the
information you have sent me.
You will call upon the General McDowel
and Colonel Sevier and the Commanding officer of
Sulivan County, to order & drive off those evil minded
persons who have intruded, and still continue on the
Indian Lands, beyond French Broad River â I have again
again repeated my orders to them. â I wish the Indians
to have no complaints from our People. â The
Indian Goods are not arrived from Philadelphia
â as soon as they will arrive I shall give you
notice, and ascertain the time of holding the Treatys
I am Sir
Your Most Obedient Humble Servant
Alex Martin
P. S. You will also make
demands of Campbell and
McDaniel, that they may
be tried in this state or be
sent to the place where the
felonies were committed.
Colonel Joseph Martin
Superintendant of Indian affairs
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (4 pages) | EDA01 (4 pages) | Collection: Henry Miller Papers | [unknown] |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Alexander Martin | Danbury | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Joseph Martin | [unknown] | [n/a] |