Early Governors' Papers

3

it is true Isaid you were only a handful of people, which is the truth, and Ialso advised you of the danger of Going to War:

If the people at Philadelphia have told you that you were are a numerous and strong people, and that you ought to go to War and kill your white brothers, they have not told you that which is true, nor that which would be for your good and the interest of your nation was you to take such advice. Ispok What Isaid in my letter was to convince your nation of their danger and the Great evils that always attend a war, and the distressing condition your people would be in, should such a thing take place -

You say that you wish Iwould talk to my people and tell them not to cross the River Tennessee or to survey your land - Ihave often told them that, neither do Iwish or intend any such thing should be done. But you know Iam agreat Way from that place, and cant see what every foolish Man is doing, Iexpected that the gaurds at Tellico, and your own would stop such people from Crossing Over, and Isuppose they would was they to see them, but neither them nor myself can see the transactions of every bad man, no more, then you can your people, who come over on our side and kill our people and steal our horses.

Now brother Ihope Ihave said enough to convince you, that Idont wish our people and yours to go enter into War against each other, and Ihearby declare that

Sir/

Please to make out a copy of this, in order that it may be delivered to the agent with the other which I wish the sec.^y to do with his own hand,

I understand the agent is going to Tellico early to day

been made, or pretended. that is, Chisolm had enlisted one thousand men to rendezvous at Knoxville, in order to Attack the Floridas; As you are acquainted and satisfied how little Credit the report deserves, I shall not trouble ^you further than to observe, that if the British had not more friends in Philadelphia, then they have in Tennessee, our peace commerce, and Tranquility as a nation, would not be menaced in the Daring & insulting manner, that is daily experienced:-

The Act for regulating trade and intercourse with the indian tribes, and for preserving peace on the frontiers, will expire some time in May, excepting Congress adjourn before that period, if so, not until the end of the next ses.^o- I hope this infamous act will not be revived, for it has given more umbridge to the people of this State, then the Stamp Act itself any act ever was passed since the independency of America, And there has went more hunters over the line this year, I believe ten to one, then at any former period, and should the act continue in force another year, the poor indians in my opinion, will Scarcely have a bear, or a deer left- And at all events the [?]

You and ^It is my opinion the peltry rec.^d the present year at Tellico factory, would scarcely not defray the expenses of three five waggons [sic] from this to philadelphia

the frontier people, except a very few patiently wait with daily expectation of having some favorable news -

I have the honor to be with great Esteem - your obed.^t serv^t

John Sevier (in pencil)

The secretary will please to make out three copies

poor, and few in number, And many ^by that practice fell into nothing and is now no more - the Creek Nation is composed of about seventeen different tribes, yet they do not the whole of them amount to five thousand warriors- I mention this about the creeks because they know it to be a fact -

The Indian nations are as old as the white, and have been as numerous, but now there is a million of white persons, to that of one Indian - There [sic] peculiar practices, and manner of living has been the cause, therefore it is time for the present existing tribes, to Quit the old forms -

A large trading town at the Muscell Shoals would be the making of their country, every thing can be brought there by water, and a probabillity that every thing would be as cheap, as at Philadelphia, or any other place -

Contrast that place with tellico, and show them the advantage the Shoals would have, by suffering every body to carry on trade, at a place, where every thing would be received for goods, and not confined to skins and furs - those last articles will soon be done away What then will be their condition if other arrangements is not made to receive such things as they can make, and raise in their country. If a town was settled at the Shoals, in the room of one store, there might soon be several hundred, and everyone trying to sell lowest -

them amount five thousand warriors, I mentioned this about the creeks because they know it to be a fact - The indian nations are as old as the white, and have been as numerous, but now there is a million of white persons, to that of one indian - Their peculiar practices, and manner of living has been the cause, therefore it is time for the present existing tribes, to quit the old forms. -

A large tradeing [sic] town at the Muscle shoals would be the making of their country, every thing can be brought there by water, and a proba= =bility, that everything would be as cheap, as at Philadelphia, or any other place.-

Contrast that place with Tellico, and show them the advantage the shoals would have, by suffering every body to carry on trade, at a place where every thing would be received for goods, and not confined to skins and furs; those last articles will soon be done away, what then will be their condition if other arrangements are not made, to receive such things as they can make, and raise in their country. - If a town was settled at the Shoals, in the room of one store, there might soon be several hundred, and every one trying to sell lowest. -

Their country is well suited for raising stocks, and grain, and the present race had better enjoy the fruits of those advantages, and make the best of it now, than to leave it to the chance of their posterity, who may be foolish, and lose it all - It is the duty of the old and leading men to leave those that stay behind them, in as safe a condition as possible, and not to grasp to hold too much, for fear they may lose all. -

The earth is the Mother of all people, the Great Being above, made it for all men, and they will all have a share of it.- By the law of Nations, it is agreed that no people shall be entitled to more land, than they can cultivate, of course no people will sit and starve for want of land to work; when a neighbouring Nation has much more than they can make use of- Convince them by argument the great propriety of always being in friendship, with the people of this quarter