Letter from James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent, to Henry Knox Secretary of War on meetings with Creeks, influence of Alexander McGillivray, Panton's intrigues, the Spaniards, and Georgia Governor Telfair

Item

Type

Copy of document

Title

Letter from James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent, to Henry Knox Secretary of War on meetings with Creeks, influence of Alexander McGillivray, Panton's intrigues, the Spaniards, and Georgia Governor Telfair

Description

Seagrove explains to Knox why he has not visited with Creeks. Reasons that a train of circumstances and events rendered such impossible. Notes that McGillivray and his adherents opposed him and his potential influence. Says that his instructions were to avoid disputes with McGillivray; therefore he did not impose himself on the Creeks. When Seagrove did obtain assent from Chiefs, he made arrangements for a meeting while at Colerain. A meeting was fixed for 1 May 1793. Refers to some Creek leadership resentment toward McGillivray regards the Treaty of New York. Surmises that robbery and murder in March 1793 at Traders Hill on St Marys were orchestrated by Panton to sabotage Seagrove's 1 May meeting. This notion corroborated by Burges and Galphin. Since then, Seagrove planned to visit the Creeks, but his plans were disrupted by the death of David Cornell. Seagrove making security arrangements for upcoming meeting. Panton continues to stir up trouble. Does not wish to inform Governor Telfair of his plans to meet with Creeks. Telfair does not recognize Seagrove's status as a public officer, which perhaps explains why he will not acknowledge or answer Seagrove's letters. Plans to release the Indians whom he detained. Reports a rumor that indicates that President of United States is encouraging offensive operations against Creeks. Asks if this is true. Telfair plans to meet with his militia General officers on 8 August 1793.

year created

1793

month created

07

day created

31

sent from location

Savannah

recipient

in image

note

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.

notable person/group

Henry Knox
James Seagrove
President of United States General George Washington
Alexander McGillivray
Panton
Georgia Governor Telfair
Secretary of War
United States
Creek Indians
James Burges
George Galphin
Upper Creeks
Governor ONeil of Pensacola
White Lieutenant of Oakfuskees
Big Warrior of Cussetahs
Timothy Bernard
Timothy Barnard
William Stringer
Spanish Agent Bellue
Spaniards

notable location

Savannah Georgia
Traders Hill St Marys
Colerain
Ogechee
Rocklanding
Augusta
Spain
United States

notable idea/issue

Treaty of New York
robbery and murder at Traders Hill St Marys
General Indian War
Georgia-Federal government relations
killing of David Cornell

document number

1793073140155

page start

338

Transcribe this document

Document instances

In image In source Location in source
[view document] (6 pages) NOP01 (506 pages) Collection: Third Congress: Transcribed Confidential Reports and Other Communications Transmitted by the Secretary of War to the House of Representatives, 3d Congress, 1st Session, 1793, Vol. II [3C-B2] (RG 233) {M1268, roll 14} M: 1268, R:14, 338-343
[view document] (0 pages) [no image] Collection: Printed Versions [unknown]

Document names

Type Name Location Notes
Author James Seagrove Savannah [n/a]
Recipient Henry Knox [unknown] [n/a]