Early Governors' Papers

4

Iwish to have peace and friendship subsisting between the two nations, and shall with all my heart and strength do everything in my power to promote the same - Ihope you will do the same and ^also endeavor to keep your people within the bounds of reason; and let us try to prevent any further effusion of blood. Iwish us to live friendly and bury all animosities deep in the earth. If you have complaints, the government will redress them, and you know they are taking measures to effect the same, but if your people will undertake contrary to the treaty Articles of the treaty to redress themselves, you cant expect the government will do it - I request that you will make enquiry into the murder likely done on pigion; and if you can ^possible have them ^the murderers punished agreably to the Articles of Treaty. - your people could have no color of excuse for committing any depredations on that quarter for they are not on lands claimed by your nation, neither have they interupted any of your people

Ihope to have an answer from you as soon as possible

Your friend

J. Sevier

John Watts and other cheifs of the Cherokee Nation

Knoxville 5th March 1797

Sir

Yours of this day came duly to hand, in which you have Given me the melancholy account of the Death of your unfortunate and much to be lamented Companion, for the loss whose death I ^do most sincerely regret - I am also extremely sorry to hear of the inhuman murder Committed on the body of Thomas Sheilds a by Indians, a circumstance Very unexpected to me, and what may be the Cause of such a conduct in the indians, I am at a loss to imagine - I shall dispatch an express for this day I rec^d a letter from Watts in which he makes great professions of his sincere desire for peace and utterly denies that any ^one of his nation has committed any depridations [sic] either on the person or property of the white people -

I applaud the method you have taken in Issueing [sic] your orders to the pursuers followers of the murderers, and still recommend that no harsh or violent measures be made use of until, we can have the cause of the murder fully investigated for it would be a distressing circumstance to me have our state involved in a war at this juncture of time, and ^I fear a calamity almost insurmountable;

Knoxville March 10th 1797

D.^r Sir

Yours of the 9 th. I am honored with, and am much obliged for the information therein contained. With respect to what you observe respecting Watts, I know to be true, and you may be sure I shall keep my eye on his conduct, and dont mean to leave any thing in his power more then cannot be prevented. Watts in Writing to me was in answer to my a letter that I had previously wrote him on the subject of the depredations before committed, by his Nation, and in his letter he denies that any of his people has committed any depredations on either the person or the property of the Whites.

In a letter rec.^d last night from the agent is ^inserted this paragrapth [sic]. "on the evening of the 6th instant Col. Watts called on me at Tellico blockhouse and related the [illegible]

A runner just now informed arrived from Chilhowee informs me that about twelve days ago a party of Cherokees from the fork of Hightower arrived at [natly?] on their way to Swananoa [sic] or the Settlements near the head of French broad to take satisfaction for one of their friends killed near that

Knoxville 28 March 1798

D.^r Sir

Yours of the 20 Jan^y ultimo, with a letter enclosed to Zachariah Cox, I was honored with on the 20th inst.

What I am truly sensible of the efforts you and your colleagues have made in behalf of our suffering friends lately removed from off their farms, I hope they will soon obtain leave to return - Watts is here on a visit, and seems friendly disposed as to the treaty - I am proud to hear the president seems to interest himself in favor of the people, and feels for their sufferings; and in case he should use his influence to make & have the Tennessee the line it will forever endear him to ^the people of this country,-

I have nothing new, or worth communicating

Knoxville 28 March 1798

D^r.

Sir

Your Several Letters to Wit - 26 Jan.^y arrived at this place 12 Instant- & those of the 8th 14th & 17th of February, the 20th- this letter will not be any how interesting as I have nothing new. Col.^o John Watts is now in my house ^on a visit to see me, and appears very friendly disposed towards the business of the treaty- Your Circular letter of the 17th Feb.^y is pleasing & satisfactory to all I have heard speak of the same, and I further ^have the pleasure to assure you, that your conduct meets a general approbation.

I am extremely sorry to learn, that the French State nation, Still continue to menace our Government, and I am fearful it has not arrived to its full height - The people removed from their farms are very uneasy & restless, I wish they could