Sevier_Letter_078_46800

Plumb Grove 4 July 1797

D.^r Sir

Yours of the 6 Ult. by M^r. Smith came duly to hand this day - you are pleased to mention that you have ^not rec.^d any information respecting the line to be run between the indians and ourselves -

Circumstances have been such that put it out of my power to say much on that head, for as yet little is done - The Commissioners proceeded on to there, where they took their [Course?] So. from Nashville to the ridge between Duck & Cumberland ^rivers in order to ascertain the point 40 miles above the Nashville - The last Accounts from them was that they had not ^then found the spot point, this report came forward a few day, past since;

I am induced to believe that the indians themselves will not have it run agreably to the principles of the treaty, particularly that part on the Cumberland

Country and up the river of that name; as to any other part bordering on the frontiers of Washington & Hamilton Districts, I well know they care nothing about it, whatever may be said to the contrary, and time will prove the truth of my Ideas. opinions observations

I observe that part of your letter in which wherein you mention, that Hawkins and Pickens have wrote the secretary that a number of respectable inhabitants ^who would be effected [sic] by the line had informed them they had been made ^the [Dupes?] of a party - I believe with you, that they have wrote falsly [sic] on that head - the Commandant of the federal troops is present, and has read your letter who declares, notwithstanding ^(and he lives among those people,) that he never heard the smallest Hint of any such imputation - you will know the commissioners (two of them) and you also know the people have long viewed them ever since the treaty of Hopewell ^and justly too as inveterate enemies to this Country, and they also suppose from their known principles they were appointed, and I believe their opinion

is well founded; and upon the ^whole the people is not very com municative towards with them - the people ^inhabitants generally are much alarmed respecting the conduct of those two Comm issioners, and I am sorry to inform you that they Generally seems to be appear to be much sowered [sic] with against the present measures of the United Government altho you know A short time past there was no greater ^not better friends in the union. United States the Cherokees are daily moving Down over into the Spanish Dominions, and am sorry to add numbers of whites also, who are encouraged by a neighbour ing nation, ^who I and fear they will be, but too successful, on that head - Many fears and doubts are entertained by some of an indian war and great pains taken to prevent it, but if it was wished for, more effectual measures could not be pursued to bring it about - I have the pleasure to inform you that the emigration to this State is very great and promises to be more so than last year

As the present measures of the federal Government gives rise to much uneasiness among many of our useful respectable Citizens -

who believing that they are neglected, and the interest of the indians only consulted --Should a number of these people leave us, and a war take place, we may easily Guess as well fear the consequences-

I still have my hopes that matters will be better arranged - I have rc.^d information ^which I think can be relyed [sic] on that a delegation from of the southern tribes and many of the Northern, are holding Council with the spainards [sic] some where within in the Vicinity of New Madrid -

I have the honor to be with &c J Sevier

Honble M^r. Cocke

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