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Statement of Secretary of War to President of United States relative to South Western Frontiers

Statement relative to Southwestern portions of United States, connected with Georgia, Creek Indians.
Begins by recounting James Seagrove, Creek Indian Agent, conference with lower Creeks in November 1792. Lower Creeks estimated at about 1000 people. Purpose of conference was to confirm Treaty of New York and to administer necessities, corn and clothing. The meeting was a success and Knox notes that prospects for peace were favorable until the robbery and murder at Robert Seagrove's store Traders Hill, St Marys 7 March 1793 by a party of about 30 Simanolas. As a consequence, Governor of Georgia Telfair called militia into service. Knox then recounts that on 30 May 1793 because of larger strategic and foreign policy concerns, the President of United States directed Governor Telfair to avoid making offensive operations into Creek Country. Knox notes that cases of Indian invasion must be referred to the Constitution of United States.
That Governor of South Carolina was asked to assist Georgia in case of invasion by large bodies of Indians. That Federal Government furnished arms and ammunition to state of Georgia in case the state should be invaded. Knox recounts General Twiggs' failed expedition to the Oakmulgee. Governor Telfair's council of General Officers on the subject of reducing five inimical Creek Towns was disapproved by the President of the United States General George Washington. Knox recounts the 21 October killing of warriors and taking of women prisoners at a friendly Creek town Little Oakfuskee on the Chattahoochee River. Knox notes Seagrove's planned meeting with the Creek leadership in order to maintain the peace. The meeting was disrupted by hostile Georgia inhabitants. Knox recounts Telfair's insistence that government of Georgia cannot recognize establishment of peace without having commissioners assigned. Knox points out that Governor Telfair never raised the authorized 100 horse and 100 infantry; instead he kept a higher number of militia in service [roughly 500], which will be a considerable expense to the United States Government. Notes that based on what he heard from Constant Freeman and Major Henry Gaither, the Creeks in general are disposed for peace; some lawless whites are deliberately disrupting the peace. Knox raised the issue of responsibility of payment of militia, the constitutionality of states opposing federal treaties, and the wisdom of a long and expensive war with the powerful Creek Tribes.

Second part of letter discusses territory of United States West of the Ohio and the Cherokees. Notes that Governor Blount made positive strides in creating peace with Cherokees in 1792, but on 12 June 1793, Captain Beard, called into service to protect the inhabitants, defied orders, crossed the Tennessee River and killed a number of Indians. Knox laments that the white perpetrators of injustice against Indians will likely go unpunished, the past and future expenses of paying and sustaining militia forces

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War Department

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

Creek Indians

James Seagrove

Creek Indian Agent

lower Creeks

Robert Seagrove

Simanolas

Governor of Georgia Telfair

militia

President of United States

General George Washington

commissioners

United States Government

Constant Freeman

Major Henry Gaither

Cherokee Nation

Captain Beard

Hanging Maw

War Department

Georgia

Traders Hill, St Marys

Little Oakfuskee

Chattahoochee River

South Carolina

Southwest Territory

Treaty of New York

robbery and murder at Traders Hill

Hanging Maw

Washington and southern tribes

1793121300050

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