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A warning about the effect of white settler encroachments on Indian land

Barnard notes that Major Gaither should be informed of a matter, that if not obstructed, will prove of fatal consequences to the frontiers of Georgia. Inhabitants on the upper frontiers have driven cattle into the fork of the Tullapatachee [Tallahatchee] River, which the Indians look upon as theirs. He reports that the Indians will likely drive the cattle away and kill those that oppose them. Mr Barnard has consulted with the chiefs and convinced them to restrain from taking action for twenty days. He notes that the settlers have no right to carry on such irregular proceedings. Barnard is amazed that the heads of the country will not opposed such measures at this critical juncture. He reports that there are Indians from the northward nations trying to set the Creeks on the frontiers of Georgia, the effect of which will put it out their power to have a boundary line. Barnard asks that the settlers drive their stock back. He asks that the Indians delivering this letter receive a keg of rum apiece and some corn and tobacco. Barnard warns that if the cattle are not removed, there will be lives lost. He notes that it is in vain to keep the peace when the white people go so headlong to work before the boundary lines are settled.

1793

02

18

Buzzard Roost

This document is enclosed in a statement relative to the South Western frontiers, as connected with the state of Georgia and Creek Indians, the south Western territory of the United States and the Cherokees suybmitted to the House of Representatives on December 4, 1793. This document is an integral part of [Public Reports] and other communications of the Secretary of War, 12/99/1793.

Cited document that was neither sent to nor from the War Office

Major Henry Gaither

Timothy Barnard

white settlers

Buzzard Roost Alabama

Tullapatachee River

tallahatchee river

cattle

rum

corn

tobacco

white encroachments on indian land

US government policy on settlement on Indian land

1793021890055

438

Timothy Barnard to Major Henry Gaither
Buzzard Roost, 18th February 1793.
Sir,
I have not the honor of your acquaintance but the present situation of affairs in the quarter dictates to me that it is strictly necessary that you should be informed that which if not obstructed may shortly prove of fatal consequences to the frontiers of Georgia, which is as follows. I have certain information that the Inhabitants on the upper frontiers have drove over a number of cattle into the fork of the Tullapatchee which ground the Indians still look upon as theirs, therefore are determined to go down, and drive off all the stock they find there and if they meet with any opposition will kill those that oppose them, as there you may be sure will go a body large enough to execute their designs; I have prevailed on the head men to so restrain them for twenty days; and am setting off to the towns to do the same, there, and am in hopes they will be stopped that
that long till the people can get their cattle back, but there is no great probability that the hunters in the woods may collect and drive them off, if so those people that have past their cattle over must abide by the consequences, as they have no right to carry on such irregular proceedings. I am amazed at the heads of the Country, that they will not oppose such measures at the critical juncture; there is now here Indians from the Northward nations trying all they can to set the breaks on the Creeks on the frontiers of Georgia and such proceedings as these will be the effectual means to make the Creeks take their talks, besides ever putting it out of the power of any person to have a boundary line; I have to beg, as it is for their own good, to insist for the settlers on receipt of this to drive their stock back, if they do not, I have now discharged my duty and they must abide by the ill consequences that may and will attend.
I am Sir &c, (signed) Timothy Barnard
The bearers of this, three of the head men of the Cussetahs begs they may have a keg of rum apiece; and some corn and tobacco to bring with them, as I have got them to take down these letters if you give them a few articles the Governor will not be against paying for it; as I can assure you, if those cattle are not removed soon the owner will lose them all, and some of their lives too, its in vain to strive to keep peace, when the White people goes so head long to work, before the boundary line is settled.