Early Governors' Papers

To the Dog Warrior, Mad Blue, and all the principal Chiefs of the Creek Nation.

Friends!

Your talk by Captain Chisolm affords me great pleasure. The desire you so warmly express of peace and friendship with the United States is highly gratifying: and the preparatory step, you have so early wisely taken, ^for of establishing that friendly intercourse between the two nations, so highly interesting to both, on the principles of good faith and mutual confidence, is a proof of that wisdom and policy which mark a great nation.

Friends!

I thank you for the assurances you give that no mischief shall be done on our frontiers; and doubt not, that our people will now not be afraid to meet; to take each other by the hand; and eat, & smoke together in peace ^harmony and friendship.

Friends!

You say that some of your people intend to Cumberland this winter, to purchase ammunition and other necessaries; and wish me to issue my pro= =clamation, to protect them, in their journey, and prevent any mischief being done by ill designed persons

Knoville [sic] 22 Oct^r 1796

Brothers and Warriors of the 6. N.

Mr Henry Morriss is going into your nation in seach [sic] of a negro woman named Mary and two of her children she was taken from Zeiglars Station at Cumberland, I shall expect you will assist him to get the negroes, that they may be bro^t [sic] back to their own people, and in so doing you will oblige your friend and brother

signed

J Sevier

The line of conduct I am to ^observe on this Occasion does not appear to me sufficiently dilineated:- were Ito undertake it, Ishould be much afraid of erring through a misconception of the line yet to be run. In this diemma Imust be excused from taking ^Excercising any prompt and decisive Measures, on the subject, Especially as it is the part of candor in me to acknowledge that Ido not see my way clear enough to direct such a plan Give such instruction as would have efficacy sufficient to answer the desired intention. If Congress wish any thing to be done by ^through the executive of this State, it will be expedient in that Body to be more definitive and explicit, which can only be effected by having the line run and properly asscertained, which might perhaps prevent the [?] serious wants.

Ihave Issued my proclamations on the subject, long Since, and shall proceed to take such measures, as Circumstanc =es, and my power enable me to exert.

Innumerable complaints are daily lodged against the indians supposed o be the Cherokees, that they have Robbed and plundered several families of many horses and other property from families on the road to Cumberland, ^leaving and Cost Numbers ^several families in the Most distressing and disagreable conditions. Without a horse, to assist enable them to travel with, or any Clothing covering to secure them against ^from the intensity of the Weather:- It is painful in the extreme to hear of such a Conduct, fearing it may be Attended with serious and

Knoxville 13 January 1797

Sir

M^r Abraham Martin on his way to Cumberland near S^o W^e point lost a black horse four white legs nearly to the hams, and n a bald face near five feet high, if any brand not remembered

M^r Martin is of the opinion he was stolen by the Indians as he followed the track to one of their old Crossing places - please to make inquiry in the nation, and obtain him if possible

I have the honor to be with respect & Esteem Your m.^o obed.^t serv.^t

J Sevier

Silas Dinsmore Esq.^r

Knoxville 17 January 1797

Sir

Since my last nothing of Material Moment, excepting that several Waggons on the road through the Wilderness to Cumberland have been plundered by the indians supposed to be the Chicasaw, and some of them left without a horse, supposed to be done by the Cherokees.

The agent to the Cherokees has complained about settlements being made as low down as the tennessee, on which subject I to him replied, a copy of which is herein inclosed for your information, should any thing on that head be brought sent forward To the department of War. It will elucidate in some measure the circumstances attending the matter, and you will take such measures in your wisdom will best promote the interest of the state. I wish the line could be extended to the Tennessee.

It has for some time past been reported that one Indian Was killed, and another wounded, on the waters of Clinch; I hope the report is not true, and Iam induced so to believe from this reason, that neither the indians nor agent have compained to me on the Occasion.

Our post ^rider has several times been disappointed in meeting with and receiving in order the mail at Abingdon, which neglect may prove very injurious to us. A letter from the Department of