1

Knoxville 29 January 1797

Sir

Yours of the 4 instant Iam honored with by Mr Teele,
Ishould have been glad the ^runing of the boundary line could have been
delayed til after the next ses^o of Congress; before Irecd
your favor ^arrived I understood it was to be a run in the spring -

The Chickasaw Indians sits out today for their nation,
and so far as Iam able to understand, are by no means
Well pleased with the treatment they rec^d while at Phila-
delphia. Piomingo told me that a ^certain great man there,
was like unto a cowardly old woman, through fear
would treat her enemies better then her friends.

Reports are circulating that two indians was
Killed by Edward Mitchell and John Lewiston, near
the head of Kentucky river, and Ifear there is too
much truth in the report. Iam informed the indians
are much exasporated, and threaten to take satisfaction
in case the Murderers are not punished. Ishall end-
eavor to have them apprehended, and should ere
this had either the indians or agent lodged any
complaint; They have not done it, neither do Iexpect
it, having reason to believe that think the indians are
lead to believe, that the executive, have nothing
to do in indian affairs. Should my suspicions
be well founded, the indians will be too ready to
indulge unfavorable Ideas, after and consider them
selves ^wholy independent of any measures proposed or held out
by the Government. if they are to be directed and