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Letter from Major Robert Flournoy to Major James Seagrove Creek Indian Agent criticizing the Federal Government, its handling of Indian affairs, the destructive northeastern politicians, and a request for the return of his negro boy Cooper

Flournoy submits that the people of Georgia do not want a treaty with the Indians because it will be deaf to their interests. Criticizes the northeastern politicians for making peace on any terms. It was this approach that led to the failure in New York [presumably the failed Conference at Sandusky the previous summer]. Any prisoner exchange of Creek Indians should require Creek restoration of all stolen property if it hasn't been sold to the Spaniards already. Flournoy laments that he lost his father to Indians, who attacked his party on the Kentucky Road.
Flournoy wants his negro back; he believes he is with the Creek nation. The negro ran away for Flournoy's store. His name is Cooper, branded on the breast IS.

1793

10

05

Green County

Fort Fidius

James Seagrove

Creek Indian Agent

Creek Nation

Major Robert Flournoy

Cooper Negro Boy

Federal Government

Northeastern Politicians

Georgia

Old Tom's Path

Kentucky Road

Northeastern United States

Green County

Federal Government

New York

Fort Fidius

Creek Nation

Georgia, Federal Government and Treaties with Creek nation

1793100560050

Major Robert Flournoy to James Seagrove Green County October 5,th 1793
Sir,
'Tis generally supposed that a treaty is likely to to take place between the Indians and yourself as Agent for the Federal Government, which is disagreeable to the people of this country Country for one only reason, to wit, they believe you will be deaf to their interests which commits you to strictly adhere to that destructive principle of our northeastwardly politicians--make peace on any terms say they: It is that disposition in our northern brethren, which was so plainly discovered to the Indians when they were at New York, that has bought all the evils on this country which we have since experienced. The issue is at length come, where justice may be de- -manded, when justice may be had. Tis reported that those intrepid young men that as so lately burned one Indian town as brought from thence eight prisoners, which ought to be exchanged on no other terms than that of the Creeks restoring all the property and prisoners they have taken away, if they have sold any part to the Spaniards, let these go and deal from those as they did from here. I do not wish to be understood as a man that would wish or presume to dictate to one of your understanding, but as a sufferer. I have a right to speak my mind. It has only been six months since my father was attacked on the Kentucky road by these very people (on their way as it is supposed to join the northern tribes) when he and four others were killed and scalped, and I have at this time, I believe, a young negro fellow in the Creek nation, who for- =merly waited on me in quality of a servant. He ran away from my store on the 4th of September last and was assisted across the river by a old man and his son who are living at this time, one mile above Old Tom's path (four miles above fort Fedrica) I have not as yet brought him to his deserved punishment, for want of positive proof but if you will do me the favour to demand him, amongst others you will I believe
first put it in my power to punish those that conveyed him off and lay be under obligations to yourself which I shall ever glory in acknowledging: The fellow is 19 or 20 years old, slim made with remarkable small legs-branded on the breast IS: scarcely visible, he is very black and has a dour look, I call his name Cooper.
I am Sir [vc]