Autograph Draft Letter Signed

Rapacious Nature of the Indians

Sevier discusses his experiences with the tribes on the southwestern frontier. He stresses that though the settlers are not always blameless respecting the confrontations between them and the Indians, it is the rapacious nature of the Indians themselves that is mostly at fault.

1796

07

20

Knoxville

Department of War

James McHenry

John Sevier

neighboring tribes

savages

our legislature

Indian tribes

settlers

Cherokees

Richards

a few families

Department of War

Knoxville

Tennessee

Clinch River

trading houses

forts

blockhouses

small settlement on the banks of the River Clinch

treaties

violence

depredations

address

encroachments

act

lawless

enjoyment of tranquility

unjustifiable acts

1796072000001

1

6

[undecipherable]
Knoxville 20 July 1796
1 A. 20
20
Sir
Yours of 20th Ultimo I have have the honor to receive, am extremely sorry any [undecipherable] should be Occasioned by any of the Citizens of the S.W. Territory, [undecipherable] State of Tennessee.
You are pleased to Mention you have been informed That Numerous forced Settlements is are made on Indian lands As confirmed to them by treaty. But have not informed the others or by whom the same have been made.
It is not unknown to the executive, that I have until Recently came into the administration, since that [undecipherable] at best is generally managed with much difficulty &c And that commenced to be made Complicated and intricate [undecipherable] from the want of ex[undecipherable] with knowledge of Indian [undecipherable], can be had suitable to transact the same in that department.
I have had an extensive acquaintance with Several Indian Tribes upwards of thirty years, and I can with propriety Say, that the more my knowledge, is of there people the fervor more difficult it is to find a [undecipherable] calculated with address sufficient to transact the business of a savage nation. A lack of knowledge of the human heart (particularly the savage) the laws of nature and of nation, disqualifies, in general [undecipherable] young persons [undecipherable] as Cheifly undertake this kind of business: Their want of the language, occasions them to have recourse to persons who have but a meer smattering of one or the other of the toungues, which often times causes the interpretation to be very imperfect.
previous to my administration, their was a small Settlement on the bank of the river Clinch; I am informed that the Settlers cheifly [undecipherable] patent Grants obtained some time since
[undecipherable]
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Since from the State of N. Carolina. If there is are any Actual Settlements made else Where, I am not informed, except, a few families near & About the Tellico Block house, (to wit A Black Smith, And Some others for the nicer purpose of accommodation, to such as may present at that place, and this I have been led to believe was commented to be the indians. neither Has any complaint bee lodged with me by them on either of the Occasions.
I flatter myself that it will readily Occur to you that it will take Some time, to remove Obsticles of Such magnitude, particularly in New Governments, for we find that in some of the most Ancient States, Great enormites, and outrages of Various kinds are frequently committed.
I do not mean to excuse the people of this country and Say, that none of them are not guilty of encroachments, and often times doing injustice, to their neibouring tribes; neither is it to be expected, when we find the laws of the original States at various times have been insufficient to restrain the unruly from Various & innumerable disorders of this kind And When we consider the Many unprovoked and wanton barbarities so often and recently exercised by the Savage, on the frontier Citizen, Might we not Wonder? That the Spirit of discord and irreconciliation does not in a much greater degree prevail.
permit me to Assure you, that I am Authorized to Say, that our legislature together with myself, [undecipherable] are sincerely disposed to regard, and observe all the treaties, that are or may be sanctioned and ratified by the federal government, so far as they are not pernicious, odious nor iniquitous. It is common & requisite, for every Nation to be jealous of its own interest, careful of its dignity, and preserving of its independence. Under these considerations, nothing shall be lacking in me to fulfill & discharge all the duties of relative to my official character so far as Any thing May be committed to my charge by eihter the United or State government Being [undecipherable] to offer the same
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Observing at the Same time, we are not ignorant of the Sacred regard we owe to our federal head, and the incumbent obligation to perform every thing required for its preservation and safety.
The Act alluded to [undecipherable] inclosed by you is already promulgated in the Knoxville gazette, and shall proceed to the completion of your Ideas on that head
I shall always be desireous of supporting and preserving and Supporting Peace between the frontiers, and our indian neighbours by restraining as much as possible the former from intrusions, and encroachments of every kind at the same time hope, to[undecipherable] the latter that they will not be suffered to pass off with impunity, for any violencies, and depredations they may unprovokedly, and wontonly commit. It is a well known fact, and I shamefully Obvious, that all the erratic [undecipherable] tribes, are accustomed. And habituated to licentiousness. And educated to a vagrant lawless, debauched, and immoral life; and nothing but a sufficient conviction of being chastised, will ever deter these itinerant Nations from their usual common desperate, [undecipherable] & rapacious practices.
It is to be lamented, measures so harsh & cruel in the operation, must inevitably, be inflicted on any part of the human Race; But in cases of Self preservation, and the enjoyment of Tranquility; A Nation is not only warranted to punish, unjustifiable attacks; but may put the agressors in such a a condition, as will prevent them in future, from being guilty of The like offences -
[undecipherable]
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I have the consolation fully to believe, that an indian war With the Cherokees is very un not likely to take place, neither do I nor I think that their disposition is pregnant with any such a wish intentions in the present day Crisis of affairs.
With Respect to the trading houses, time can only discover the efficacy of the institution, I have reason to believe it may be attended with some embarrasments; this is Such an tho the Idea is not conclusive with me, and shall forbear Giving you at this time, my reasons for such a suggestion but beg leave to say so far as may come within my province, or any of that business shall may be committed [undecipherable] to my Notice and Attention, Superintendency. I shall most cordially & Cheerfully append lend my Aid and afinity to the Government in behalf of its Support & Welfare. And in every other respect, it will yield And affoard to me much pleasure. to have it in my power to be instrumental in carrying into effect [undecipherable] with the Presdent in all his arrangements.
The several posts, Blockhouses &c supported by Militia in the time of my predecessor will soon be unoccupied [undecipherable], as the time expressed in his last order will soon expire, and being very few regulars remaining in Richards company, I shall be under the indusputable necessity of A renewal of Simular orders to supply those places, until I am informed the presidents pleasure on the Subject - I presume the posts being Supported, will have a tendency to prevent the mediation of any attacks from the indians; on the other hand may serve to prevent intrusions and disorders
of -
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of various kinds being committed by the people of on the frontiers, and will cherish in them a full confidence, that they will be Amply protected against any depredations from the neighbouring indians -
I have this moment rec.d information that a few families are attempting to for a settlement near the Tennessee over the Supposed [undecipherable] Or in the H[undecipherable] treaty, should it be the case You may be assured I shall cause them to relinquish their pretentions, and carefully endeavour to remove every other obstacle of the kind sesame nature
With Great respect
I have the honor to be for
Your Mo Obedient Servant
beg leave to observe the Cherokee Settlements [undecipherable] are in our vicinity, and Greater part of that nation within our territorial limits of course they have frequently resort among our inhabitants, And particularly at this place: and notwithstanding Secy of War the agents resident Among them; we are constantly engaged and much time taken up in the [undecipherable] of indian business. In order to prevent any misunderstanding, [undecipherable] and a wish we might mutually, cultivate friendship and tranquility with these people I shall have no Objection. to a [undecipherable]
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to lending my Assistance to in any thing that may not be incompatible wiht the dignity & Duties of my Station -
With Great respect
I have the honor to be Sir
Your M.o Ob. Serv.t
J. Sevier
Sec.y of the department of War -
[flourish]
[editor's note: the following text was crossed out:]
One observation beg leave to make, with respect to the public Agents resident Among the indians
beg leave to make one observation respecting the Cherokees, that they are settlers settled in our are on vicinity and greater part of that Nation sustain in our territorial line limits claim of course you may readily judge that they resort frequently and constantly among the White our inhabitants and particularly at this place and not withstanding the agents resident among the, we are troubled constantly engaged and much time taken up in the transaction of indian business. Therefore take the liberty to suggest, would it not be necessary in [undecipherable] to prevent any misunderstanding between us to have some instructions respecting this matter this particular