Statement of Secretary of War to President of United States relative to South Western Frontiers
Type
Copy of document
Title
Statement of Secretary of War to President of United States relative to South Western Frontiers
Description
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
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
year created
1793
month created
12
day created
14
author
sent from location
War Department
recipient
in collection
in publication
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
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
notable location
War Department
Georgia
Traders Hill, St Marys
Little Oakfuskee
Chattahoochee River
South Carolina
Southwest Territory
notable idea/issue
Treaty of New York
robbery and murder at Traders Hill
Hanging Maw
Washington and southern tribes
document number
1793121300050
page start
106
