Author's Letterbook Copy

Message from Secretary of War Henry Knox to the Hanging Maw sent by Governor Blount on the Incident at Hanging Maw

Knox conveys the wishes of President of United States General George Washington, who expresses indignation at the attack made upon him [presumably attack and murder by Major Beard and his men at Hanging Maw's house]. Knox notes that Washington has directed Governor Blount to bring the perpetrators to justice. Knox tells Hanging Maw that whites do not carry out individual revenge; it is the job of a well regulated society to resolve such matters. Asks that if there is no conviction, is there some other means of obtaining satisfaction? Knox closes by inviting Hanging Maw and other chiefs of his nation to Philadelphia in the fall.

1793

08

27

War Department

Philadelphia

Southwest Territory

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.

George Washington

Henry Knox

Secretary Daniel Smith

President of United States

Governor Blount

Hanging Maw

Major Beard

War Department

Philadelphia

Hanging Maw

Knoxville

Hanging Maw's House

Incident at Hanging Maw's House

1793082700155

505

letter, will be charged with instructions from the President,to endeavor
by every profitable means to re-establish order in his government.

Message from the Secretary of War to the Hanging Maw, sent by Governor Blount.

Brothers,
Your Father General Washington the President of the United States has
directed me to acknowledge the receipt of your message dated at Coyate the 15th of
June last.

Be assured Brothers that the misfortune that has befallen you had deeply
afflicted your father the President who desires that his red children should be
treated with the same humanity and justice as his white children.

He offers his highest indignation at the bare attack which has been made upon
you during the moments of peace; he has directed Governor Blount to endeavor by the
course of the law to bring the perpetrators of that wicked offense to full
punishment.

It is sincerely desird by the President that those bad men should not escape
the law and that you should see or know from evidence upon which you could rely
that justice has been done you and your nation.

But Brothers, while the laws are the protection of all good men among us, yet
sometimes the bad escape unpunished by the cunning of the criminals or for want of
strong evidence. In such cases we do not permit an individual who has been wronged
to be his
own avenger. This is never allowed among the Whites, when the society is well
regulated.

Now Brothers listen:

If the laws should not condemn the murderers of your friends, is there no
other mode by which you could be satisfied?

Governor Blount will talk to you upon this print, and endeavor to find some
mode by which we shall still be friends.

It would afford your father great satisfaction to shake you by the hands this
fall in Philadelphia, and he hereby strongly urges you and the other chiefs of your
nation to undertake the journey. He will direct that you shall be comfortably
accommodated on your way, and further upon your arrival here he flatters himself
that by being face to face, the remembrance of all former injuries will be done away
and that we may establish a firm and lasting peace and friendship.

Given at the City of Philadelphia
this twenty seventh of August, in the year
of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred
and ninety three.

(Signed)
H.Knox
Sec. of War

The foregoing Letter to Secretary Smith and Message to the Hanging Maw are copies from the records of the war office.

John Stagg [Undecipherable] Chief Clerk