1

Knoxville 20 December 1807.

The Agent and superintendant
of the Creek nation-

Sir

Early in the last spring and summer two men
Citizens of Tennessee, in the vicinity of Elk River, were murd
=ered and Robed of their property in a most barbarous and egregious
manner - Myself and Col^o Meigs agent for the Cherokee
Nation, have been at considerable trouble and pains to find
out and ascertain who were the perpetrators of such shocking
and unprovoked outrages. From every information we
have collected, it appears and leaves with us no doubt,
that some persons belonging to the Creek nation have been
guilty of those atrocious and horrid murders. I am unwilling
to suppose that the Creek cheifs would be base enough to
encourage, or countenance such flagrant, and Violent
breaches of the existing Treaties, which subsist between them
and the United States. I therefore request that you will
have, or caused to be had, an immeadiate enquiry and
investigation, and discover if possible, who have been the
perpetrators of such bloody and Inhuman murderers; and if
committed by any of the people belonging to the Creek nation,
that you cause them to be instantly punished agreeably, to the
existing Treaties and laws of the United States, made and
provided for in such Cases; otherwise, to deliver them to the
proper authority in order they may be dealt with conformably
to the Treaties and laws aforesaid -
It is