Letter from James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent, to Henry Knox Secretary of War, reporting on aftermath of robbery, murder at Traders Hill St Marys

As of yet, Seagrove reports that it is unknown how his demands for the custody of murderers at Traders Hill St Marys will be dealt with by the Creek Nation. Seagrove laments that peace appeared to be at hand before the incident. Generally, northern towns rejected the northern Indian tribes [Shawanese]; and only a few of southern towns befriended the northern tribes. United States has good friends in The White Lieutenant of Oakfuskies and Mad Dog of Tuckabachee. Kinnard doing wonders. Reports on death of Alexander McGillivray at Pensacola. Rumors that Panton may be likely successor are not good news for future relations with United States and Creek Nation. Reports on continued perfidious conduct on part of Spanish Governors of the Floridas. Forbearance of United States toward Spanish is making U.S. look weak in front of Creeks. Bernard has notified lower towns that if Seagrove's demands not me, should expect war and ruin to their country. Implicates Burges and Panton as encouraging the actions at Traders Hill. Kinnard warned Burges about consequences of his actions. Seagrove notes that his demands may appear harsh, arbitrary and abrupt, but says he has support of the people and Creeks who defend principles of Treaty of New York. Defends his actions by saying that if there is not full satisfaction for taking lives and stealing property, then the outrages will continue. Because the Chickasaws and Creeks are at war with each other, Seagrove believes that the Creeks are in no position to fight a war with the United States. Notes that the Choctaws may join the Chickasaws. Thanks to the Spaniards, the Indians have plenty of ammunition and arms. Spanish trying to get the Creeks and Chickasaws to reconcile. Chiefs of both nations invited to Pensacola. Colerain being defended by about fifty horsemen. Requests federal relief of militia, along with supply of muskets with bayonets. Reports that some Indians vicinity of Florida and Colerain killed cattle, stole horses, stole Negroes, robbed houses, burned a house. Says they are from Burges's town and declare friendship with Spanish. John Galphin involved as well. Reports that all the books of Indian accounts at Robert Seagrove's store were stolen and are probably in hands of Panton and Spanish. They are probably curious as to the volume of business taking place with Indians. James Seagrove reports that he has given regular advice to Governor Telfair and Major Gaither, but receives no replies.

1793

04

19

St. Mary's

Cited in Knox to Seagrove, 09/16/1793.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 addressed to the War Office

Henry Knox

James Seagrove

James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent

Creek Nation

northern tribes

The White Lieutenant of Oakfuskies

Mad Dog of Tuckabachee

Kinnard

Alexander McGillivray

Panton

Creek nation

Spaniards

Spanish Governors at Florida

Burges

Treaty of New York

Chickasaws

Choctaws

Georgia militia

John Galphin

Governor Telfair

Major Gaither

St. Mary's

Traders Hill

Creek Nation

northern tribes

Pensacola

lower towns

Colerain

Georgia

Florida

successor to McGillivray

Treaty of New York

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