Early Governors' Papers

South West Point July 14^th 1801.

Sir,

I am informed that, there is possession of one Fulton a Wheelright a few miles from this place an Indian woman with several Children, that the woman was taken when young in the year 1796, by some of Colonel Christians party, about Long Island on Holstein. I am further informed that there are two young Indian lads or rather young men held as slaves by by a Colonel Davies in the Neighborhood of Knoxville - The Indians have apply'd to me and complain that those persons are held in Slavery or as prisoners contrary to the express letter of the treaties existing between them & the White people. I am aware that it may be said that those persons or some of them are unwilling to be given up, that ^they are unwilling to live with the Indians &c This will not excuse us from holding them As Slaves or prisoners - If they should after being given up make their escape from the Indians it will be an consequence event we have nothing to [do] with - If they gain their freedom by it, it will be right & Just to prevent our being Justly reproached with want of Justice & good faith - It is my duty to request your Excellency's interposition for the release of those persons.

I have the Honor to be with Great respect y^r obed^t servant.

Return: J: Meigs Agent for the Cherokees.

Governor Sevier

S^o West Point 19^th August 1801

Sir

I have received your letter of the 15^th Instant enclosing an address to the Chiefs & Warriors of the Cherokee Nation. A Copy of y^r letter to me I have forwarded to the Secretary of War

The address to the Chiefs I have had read & explained this morning to Double Head & the Bloody fellow, the only Chiefs here - they express themselves well pleased with your attention to the friends of the deceased Woman - And for the exertions that you say you are making to Discover the Murderer. They seem Confident that you may succeed - They say that the White people owe them three Debts of this Kind & hope they will be paid - they allude to the murder of two Indians at Cumberland & this of the woman, If a murder of this kind in the Center of the State is not detected, it will encrease their suspicions that the white people do not exert themselves on the Occasion - They see that the white people can effect almost any thing they please, things beyond all calculation of them - therefore cannot see why we cannot detect murderers &c. -

I am sir with great respect your Obedient Servant

Return: J: Meigs A[gent]. for the Cherokees

Governor Sevier