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Camp near Nashville 21 May 1797

Beloved Chickasaws,

I am now here for the purpose of ascertaining and marking the boundary line between the Indian Nations and the United States. I have finished the Cherokee and Creek line first and then yours, and after that I hope to visit your nation. You have learned of an attempt of Zachariah Cox and company to settle the bank of Tombigbee, he came on to Thomasville while I was at {Tallis us lcagas*} and applied to us for permission to come and trade among you. but as he stated his object fully, and a am informed that the Indians were not willing he should be among them as they looked on him as the precursor of those who are represented as grasping after the land, that he was to make the first attempt to get possession and the next was to follow with the {illegible} of evils so alarming to the Indians. I have not assented to indulge Mr. Cox with the permission he applied for. I have a letter from Piomingo to General Robertson he complains that the Creeks are stealing horses from the Chickasaws. I know the Chickasaws to be a brave and honest people and I hope they are wise. It is my duty to ask them for their own good not to be so