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Letter from James Seagrove Indian Agent, to Timothy Bernard on Creek matters and relationships with northern tribes

Acknowledges receipt of letters. Relates that it was unfortunate that Bernard was indisposed. Seagrove emphasizes policy of upsetting the plans of the northward Indians. Instructs Bernard to attend and call meetings with Chiefs; speak in forceful terms of the consequences of speaking with the northern tribes. Expresses concern that the young Creeks may join the northern tribes. Must use influence to prevent this. Indicates that Bernard will see what Seagrove has written to the White Lieutenant and Fine Bones. Seagrove will fulfill his promise. Send one to Jack Kinnard; have him up with Bernard in the towns. Let the Chiefs know Seagrove cannot meet with them before 1 May 1793. Says to tell them the roads are bad and there is a lack of grass, but the real reason is that Seagrove waits for instructions from President Washington, which will not arrive sooner than 10 April. Relates the rascally nature of Galphin; Mordecai will explain further. Asks Bernard to prevent Galphin from taking bad effect on Creek Nation. Asks Bernard to take measures preventing Shawnees from stirring up Creeks and coming into Creek land. Seagrove instructs Bernard not to let anyone from the states, governors for example, or others, talk with the Creeks without Seagrove's knowledge. Seagrove notes that the Governor of Georgia is talking with the Creeks; he holds this as an improper act.

1793

02

24

St. Mary's

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 submitted 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.

Timothy Bernard

James Seagrove Indian Agent to Creeks

White Lieutenant

Fine Bones

Jack Kinnard

President Washington

Galphin

Mordecai

Creek Nation

Northern Indians

Shawnee

Governor of Georgia

St. Mary's

Georgia

Alabama

Creek nation

northern tribes

Shawnee

1793022490155

227

225
James Segrove to Timothy Bernard

dated. St Mary's 24th February 1793.
Dear Bernard.
I have before me your letters of the 2[0?]th 27th and 30th ultimo. the contents of each has my particular attention[.] I am really sorry and it is truly unfortunate that your indisposition had until then deprived our Country of your very necessary presences in the Towns in order to explain and assist in directing matters aright as well as to counteract the machinations of the ill disposed towards towards [sic] us I hope and trust that the greatest if not all your time since writing has been employed in that way, and that I shortly shall hear that you have been able to overset the plan of the Northward Indians. You must see the necessity of counteracting the plans of those Indians and prevent the Creeks being led into a scrape by them, for this purpose you must attend all meetings and call meetings of your own and speak in forcible terms to the Chiefs of the consequences of their listening to those people. And that if they do I shall have a low opinion of them after their promises to me not to have any thing to do with them or the Spaniards. Herewith you have talks from me to different Chiefs which you will peruse, deliver; and explain as well as enforce the objects of those talks home to these people by all the address in your power. I cannot think there is the least danger of the Creeks as a nation joining those people but what I read is that a part of the young disorderly of them may. It therefore behooves us to use our influence to prevent them. You will see what I have wrote to the white Lieutenant and Fine Bones, and I shall fulfill my promise; I wish
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you to send the one to Jack Kinnard and have him up with you in the Towns. You will acquaint the Chiefs that I cannot be with them before the first of May. You may give them as a reason badness of the roads, want of grass at this season and the like. But the true cause is that I wait for full instructions from the President which I do not expect sooner than the 10th of April— you will see by my letter to Mr Adams the rascally part Galphin has been acting since he has been here; Mordecai will tell you further. You will prevent his lies taking bad effect in the nation, there is no such thing as bearing with him. As to the Shawanese that are in the nation you must by every means possible stir up the Creeks against them you must see the good consequences that would result from setting them at variance and at any rate stopping them from coming into the Creek land— I have to desire you in the most express and positive terms that you do not yourself or suffer any other person to give out talks from any person or persons in any of the States, Governors or others without my personal knowledge of them. I am told there has been some of late from the Governor of Georgia to the Creeks which I hold as a very improper act. Be active and resolute my friend in our Country's cause: much depends on us.