Autograph Letter Signed

Extinquishing the Indian Claims, Etc.

Knox discusses the troops that have been ordered to Georgia to maintain peace between the citizens of that State and the Indians on its western frontier. He enunciates the principle that only the government of the United States can negotiate with the Indians respecting the sale of their land.

1790

04

10

New York

Marked "Private."

Anthony Wayne

Henry Knox

the President [Washington]

Governor of Georgia [Edward Telfair]

the Creeks

Indians

Mrs. Greene

New York

Savannah, Georgia

St. Marys

Rock Landing on the Oconee

Southern and Western frontiers

some degree of protection

western lands

treaty

bargain

commercial transaction

their claim

lands of the Chickasaws and Choctaws

intention of the legislature

invasion

due vengeance

The State of Georgia, not possessing the right to extinquish the Indian claims, cannot delegate the right to the companies to whom they have sold the lands of the Chickasaws and Choctaws.

1790041000301

1

The honorable
Major Genl Wayne
Savannah Georgia
State Bertilich
Written sidways on the right hand side of paper:
The honorable
Major Genl Wayne
Savannah Georgia
State Bertilich
On the left hand side of the paper is:
10th April 1790
from
Major Genl. Knox
(Private)
New York 10 April 1790
My dear Sir
I have received your favor of the 20th of March.
All the troops within the power of the President have been orederd to Georgia-They consist of three companies of seventy non comissioned officers and privates, and they are directed to be stationed at ft Gilvery- Beards bluff on the Alantic side-and at the Clark Landings on the Oconee-
I hope their arrival will be of service on [undecipherable ??icting] the apprehendsion of the good people of Georgia, and of affording some degree of protection in cafes
in cafe of necessity.
But we are happy to learn by a letter from the Governor of Georgia of the 16th of Febuary that the Creeks were peaceably dispossed.
The Legislature of the United States, are fully possessed of all the circumstances relative to the Creeks and it is to be presumed, they will make a proper provision for the case.
You may be assured that the [indecipherable ??azo] bussiness may not retarded the troops, not just one moment; But I cannot answer for the opinion of the Indian undecipherable confusing the legislature
with [undecipherable] to further measure

Whatever may be the right of Georgia to the premption of the westernlands it is pretty well established that they have no right to enter into any treaty bargin or commercial transanction to purchase of the indians their claim, but under the auspices of the United States. The State of Georgia, not possefsing the right to extinguish the indian claims, cannot delegate the right of the companies to whom they have sold
the
the Lands of the chickasaws and Choctows- But this subject will probably be futher investigated and decided upon
At present it does not appear to be the intention of the legislature to act in the affair of the creeks any further then circumstances shall dictate, and therefore I presume no general officer will be appointed, or army raiser (raised) excepting in cafe of an invasion, then I beleive due vengance would be taken of the aggressor-
It is
It is however not improbable that some more troops may be on the undecipherable for the protection of the Southern Western frontiers
I have written this letter in great haste, and therefore undecipherable you to return it to yourself
Mrs Greene presents her undecipherable. Being a little unwell she undecipherable, writing to you untill next opportunity
I am very undecipherable
Your undecipherable humble servant
Knox
General Wayne