Selected Creek Letters 1825-1829
Abstracted by Thelma Nolen Cornfeld
26 March 1825
Gena Ware
My friend I have instructed my son John & Benj Derriso to get me
fore or five hed of horses & to promis cattle of any discription for them
being that I am in the Nation the people that is in my settlement might
be afraid to trust me I wish you to stand my security as you kno me before
I am in distress for horses at this time to collect my cattle with So
soon as I collect them I will give choice to anyman that will be good
enough to trust me of cows & calves steers or baron cows & so I wish
you to stand my security to any bargains that they may make Nothing more
but I remain
Your Friend
William McIntosh
William McIntosh, Creek Chief
by Charles Bird King
May 3, 1825 Line Creek, Fayette County
To Col. D.G. Campbell Maj'r Jas Meriweather
United States Commissioners
Gentlemen
When you see this letter stained with the blood (the last drop of
which is now spilt - for friendship he has shown for your people)
I know you will remember your pledge to us in behalf of your Nation, that
in the worst events you would assist & protect us; And when I tell you
that at day light on Saturday morning last hundreds of the hostiles
surrounded our house and instantly murdered Gen'l McIntosh and Thomas
Tustunnuggee by shooting near one hundred balls into them (Chilly and
Moody Kinnard making their escape through a window) they then commenced
burning and plundering in the most unprincipalled way - so that here I am
driven from the ashes of my smoking dwelling, left with nothing but my
poor naked hungry children who need some immediate ade from our White
Friends, and we lean upon you, while you lean upon your government:
About the same time of the morning that they continued the horrid act on
Gen'l another party caught Col. Sam'l Hawkins and kept him tied until
about 3 o'clock, when the Chief returned from our house and gave order
for his execution in the same way, and refused to leave his wife any
impliments to cover his body up with; so that it was left exposed to the
fowls of the air and the beasts of the forrest and Jenny and her child
are here in the same condition as we are this party consisted of
Oakfuskies, Talledgas and Muckfaws tho there were others with them;
the Chiefs that appeared to head the party were Intock chungo (of Mockfaw)
and Minnowaway, but I know not where he was from, who said they were
ordered to do it by the Little Prince and Hopthle Yoholo, and that they were
supported and encouraged in it by the Agent and Chiefs that were left
after the Big Wariors death, in a council at Broken Arrow, where they
decreed that they would murder all the Chiefs, who had any hand in
selling the land and burn and destroy and take away all that they had,
and then send on to the President that he should not have the land. I
have not heard of the murders of any others, but expect all are dead
that could be catcht, but by reason of a great Freshett on the
Chattahooche, they could not get Col. Miller or Hagy McIntosh, nor the
Darisaus, and they and Chilly are gon to the Govornor, our country is
in a most ruined state, so far as I have heard (tho by reason of the
high waters - word has not circulated fast) all have fled from their homes
in our parts and taken refuge among their White Friends & I learn they
are now at Gen'l Wares (near his place) from 150 to 200 of them are
afraid to go to their homes to get a grain of what little corn they have
to eat, and if you and your people do not assist us, God help us, we must
die, either by the sword or by the famine - This moment Gen'l Ware has
come in & will in a few minutes start with a few men and a few Friendly
Indians to try to get a little something for us to eat - I hope so soon as
you read this you will lay it before the Govornor and the President -,
that they may know our miserable condition and afford us relief as soon
as possible. I followed them to their camp about 1 1/12 miles, to try to
by of them something to cover the dead with but it was denied me; I tried
also to get a horse to take my little children, and some provisions to
last us to the White settlement, which was given up to me and then taken
back, and had it not been for some White men, who assisted in burrying
the dead and getting us to the settlement, we should have been worse off
than we were, if possible. Before I close I must remark that the whole
party so far as I know them were hostile during the late ware (sp).
Peggy and Susanna McIntosh
Col Campbell & Maj'r Meriwether
******
Washington (City) May 17, 1825
Sir,
We have come to request our Father the President to protect us
against a hostile party of Indians, as was promised by the Commissioners
at the treaty of Indian Springs when we ceded our land to the United States.
The Commissioners gave us a good talk from our Father the
President: They told us that they were bound, by the compact of 1802, to
procure our lands for the State of Georgia. We listened to the talk of
our Father and did all he desired. We made a fair treaty for the sale of
our lands which publickly passed the Senate and was ratified by our
Father the President.
Since then a hostile party has attacked the house of our
father, General McIntosh and killed him and Etomme Tustunuggee.
The Commissioners told us against any attempt to injure us; and
also that you would send a garrison to Chatahouchie River to prevent any
incrouchment on our lands, before wem ove west of the Mississippi. This
never was done, and we did not ask for it, because it was not thought
necessary. Now we need assistance and claim a performance of your promises.
We ask to have revenge for our blood spilt by a hostile party of
Indians, and that the murder of our father, General McIntosh and Etomme
Tustanugge may be investigated and the ringleaders punished.
Without your assistance we cannot settle our disputes. We ask
you to investigate them and to aid in removing our difficulties.
We now look for your protection as it was promised by the
Commissioners, without it we cannot prepare to go West of the
Mississippi - about one thousand troups will be necessary.
If our Father the President does not protect his red children we
shall be oppressed and many of us will be killed, we hoe he will not deny
us his protection as promised by the Commissioners. We have trusted his
promises and think he will not deceive us --
To Chilly McIntosh
The Honorable Interlifkey X McIntosh
James Barbour Ben Dourozow
Secretary of War Jim X Dourozow
******
Washington (City) May 17th 1825
Sir,
We beg leave to state that the authorized Agent for the U.S. for
the Creek Nation, Col'n John Crowell, is not trusted by us & we do not
think ourselves safe in his hands.
Col'n Crowell has always been opposed to General McIntosh since
1823; when he tried to have him broke as Chief of the Creek Nation &
threatened to destroy his property. He was offended at Gen'l McIntosh for
refusing to give up a man named Stinson, without an order from the head
chiefs of the Nation. Stinson was afterwards delivored into the Agent's
custody & was tried for selling goods in the Nation without a license - of
which he was acquitted by the Federal Courts in Georgia. Coln'n Crowell
drew a knife & threatened to cut the throat of a man called Cells; who had
been adopted by the Creek Nation.
Col'n Crowell was opposed to the treaty at the Indian Springs &
tried to prevent the Creeks from selling their land to the United
States. He sent William Hambly, United States interpreter to the
Council to say that he wanted to see the Chiefs but was jealous of the
Commissioners. He told them that they should not give any long answers to
the Commissioners, but only say "they had no land to sell". That the
Commissioners would threaten but their threats would all end in words as
soon as they heard from the government. Even after the Treaty was freely
agreed to he did not cease his opposition. He sent a message by Wm.
Hambly, the Interpreter, to tell some of the Indians that they shoul'd go
away across the line that night or they wou'd be taken & shut up until
they signed the Treaty. This party went off into the night as they were
told. The next morning three men were sent after them to know why they
had gone away. They told these men the message they had received from
Col'n Crowell which was the reason for their going. One of these
messingers is now in Washington.
After Col'n Crowell returned from Washington a Council of the
Nation was called. When the broken hour was out Chilly McIntosh &
several of the friends of Gen'l McIntosh attended. They called on Col'n
Crowell for rations, which were refused to the friends of Gen'l McIntosh
but were furnished by Col'n Crowell to all others. Within eight days
after this Council a hostile party attacked the house of Gen'l McIntosh &
killed him & Etomme Tustenuggee.
Col'n Hawkins & Gen'l Mitchell were equal & kind to all the Creek
Nation and favoured its civilization. Since Col'n Crowell has been Agent
he has ben good only to his friends & favorites & to effect his own purposes.
Now Sir, we beg our Father the President to send an Agent who
will be a friend to all the Nation equally, & one in whose hands we can
feel safe to go West of the Mississippi. If Col'n Crowell is continued
as Agent we fear the friends of General McIntosh will be sacraficed.
signed; Chilly McIntosh
The Hon'l signed; Interlefkey X McIntosh
James Barbour signed; Ben X Darozou
Secretary of War signed; Jim X Dourozou
******
The Savannah Republic - 26th of June 1825
FRIENDS AND BROTHERS: If after you hear our request and consider of it,
you should think that we are not entitled to your consideration,
generosity, or liberality, and that as we are about to leave you forever,
and that you now have a legal claim and right to our late country - And
that you owe us nothing, still we will remain strong in our former
friendship to you. We do not ask of you anything as a matter of right,
or of any legal claim we have on you, but merely desire to recommend
ourselves to your generosity and charity.
FRIENDS AND BROTHERS, we finally assure you that our attachment toward
our old friends and neighbors shall never cease, and that we will carry
with us the feelings of true and devoted friendship towards the State of
Georgia, to the United States and the Legislature of Georgia. If we would
be so happy as to experience any token of their regard, we will teach our
children to remember it with gratitude, and cause it to be handed down to
the succeeding generations of our Nation, that they may forever know that
Georgia was their friend in the hour of distress.
(signed)
William McIntosh
William Miller, his X mark
Ahlyucky, his X mark
Aubeckah, his X mark
Ispogormothe, his X mark
Hothe Mara Tustunuggee, his X mark
Nustunnuggee, his X mark
Hogy McIntosh, his X mark
Jas. Dearosou, his X mark
Chas Miller, his X mark
Wolobock Hajo, his X mark
Michothe Homothe, his X mark
Chowgie Micco, his X mark
Jno Harrod, his X mark
Muree Homattogee, his X mark
Samuel Hawkins
April 12th 1825
******
From the Head Men & Warriors of Coweta, To the Chief Men of Georgia:
Friends,
Our situation is not unknown to you & when the hand of sorrow
has pressed heavily on us, we have been comforted by knowing that our
white brothren felt for our troubles & wished us well. Our fathers
formerly owned a large & beautiful country (---- torn---) with fish &
game & every thing that they wished & we are now without a foot of land
that we can call our home, or a place where we can keep our wives &
children in safety. Our lands we have voluntarily sold to you in a
number of fair & honorable treaties. In the late treaty held at Indian
Springs, by the advice of our great father, we yielded to the wishes of
the Georgians & gave up the last that remained of the land of our
fathers, except the part in Alabama which is in the hands of our enemies,
and we do not now object to a treaty which we voluntarily & deliberately
signed. But in the day of our trouble we now call on our White neighbors
& brothern of Georgia, to be our friends and protectors. When we signed
the late treaty, we had a Chief under whose protecting hand we felt
safe. He had wisdom to guide us thro' the many difficulties of a long
journey to a distant land. He had courage to lead us, if we should be
attacked by any of the powerful Nations in that far Western Country.
McIntosh was our head & we were the body, & the hands & feet - But our
head is now cut off; and we cannot move to that distant country & put
ourselves in the hands of our enemies. The Nations who live there
would watch an opportunity to destroy us, before we could have time to
procure the aid of our great father. The people of our own nation have
now become our deadly enemies. After killing McIntosh & several other
distinguished Chiefs, they have driven us from our homes, plundered our
property, & threatened our lives. They first became our enemies because in
the late war, we were the friends of the whiteman; because we fought by the
side of the white man & hazarded our lives, & spilt our blood in the same
cause. They now threaten, & rob, & kill us, because we have followed the
advice of our great father, the President & sold our land to the Georgians.
We are not safe with them, even near our White friends in Georgia; and we
cannot be so blind as to put ourseves in their power in a distant land.
We have now no shelter left us, but in the bosom of our White neighbors.
While we hold the treaty sacred, we earnestly request you not to leave
us, & our wives, & our little ones to starve to death, or to fall by the
hands of our enemies. We propose to you to allow us, out of the late
purchase, a small spot where we can lie down in safety, & get a living
by our own labour. We are but few in number, & expect to find our safety
only in peaceful conduct among you. We are moderate in our desires, &
do not wish for the best of your land. We will be satisfied with a tract
of country, on the east of the Chattahoochee, extending from some point a
few miles above the High Shoals, to the Horse Path, about forty miles in
length, & extending about twenty miles east from that river. The larger
part of this tract is poor & mountainous. In exchange for this
settlement, we will give up our share of the purchase money under the
late treaty held at Indian Springs. We wish to raise stock, cultivate
the soil, & learn the useful arts of the White men. We will live quitely
under our laws, & will faithfully perform any civil or military duties
which you may tell us. In exchange for protection, we will fight with you
against all yolur enemies. From being a powerful nation, we shall be
only a handful of men. From owning a large & rich country, we will settle
down on a narrow strip of mountainous land. but hereafter we will be
content, if we can find safety & subsistence. We pray to the Great
Spirit, to put kind & generous sentiment & feeling into the hearts of the
people of Georgia; & to tell them not to let an unfortunate & afflicted
people be entirely ruined by friendship for them. We trust that the head
men of Georgia, after making a great state out of lands that formerly
belonged to us, will leave to men who have long been their friends, a little
corner in which they live.
Attached memo:
The foregoing M.S. of the Memorial of the McIntosh Party of Indians to
the Legislative of Georgia in May 1825. The Copy was signed by the
party, but was repressed at Milledgville. It was drawn up by Jno. A.
Cuthbert, Esq., a Lawyer of high standing, formerly of Congress in his
professional capacity, this manuscript being in his proper hand writing.
T. P. Andrews
Special Agent
Milledgville - July 1825
**************
We the undersigned Chiefs & Warriors of the Creek Nation of the McIntosh
Party authorized & appoint the following Chiefs & Secretary our lawful
Delagation to go on to Washington City to arrange and settle with our
Father the President - all matters concerning the late disturbances in
the Creek Nation.
To wit: Chilly McIntosh, Rowley McIntosh, Ben Derizo, Hothla Marta
Tustunuggie, Cowoo Cochee Fmarthla, Nehar yar holar (of Coweta),
Huspartee harjo, Alec Lassley (of Delitago), Arpekee Tustunuggee, Hoabb
Lassayar Tustunuggee (of Broken Arrow), Benjamin Hawkins to be
interpreter - John E. Denney Secretary.
Creek Nation 26th October 1825
Joseph Marshall of Coweta Coness Emauthla of San Town
Jacob Beaver of Coweta Tochee Lustee Emauthla of San Town
Fock ken lusto Harjo of Coweta Concharte Hajo of San Town
Mor har thocco Harjo of New York Ispico Hajo of Taladigo
Nenihnnaras tochee of New York Daniel Laslee of Taladigo
Oakfuskee Tustanuggee
of Acorn Bluff Hotuckey Fmuthla of Broken Arrow
Joseph Marshall of Acorn Bluff Tus hutchee Yarholar of San Town
Nocososa Tustinuggee
of Acorn Bluff Arpe kee Tustanuggee of Coweta
Charwocla micco of San Town
Coppy of the original signed in the Creek Nation
Test: John E. Denney, Sec'y of the McIntosh Party
*****************
The Savanna Republic -- November 22, 1825
General Gains I understand has gone on to Washington. Crowell who was here
a day or two since with a deputation of hostiles, has also proceeded for
the same place. A portion of the deputation of friendly Chiefs will go
tomorrow for the same destination. The ______ of their _____ the death of
McIntosh ____ their forlorn situation - their determination to obtain
justice upon the murderers. Chilly McIntosh, Roley, Durasso, and
Tustinnuggee, Speaker of the Nation, are among those here and bound to
Washington - They are to be passed.
******************
Washington 10th Dec'r 1825
The undersigned Chiefs and Warriors of the Creek Nation make haste to
announce to the Secretary of War for the information of the President of
the United States that they have arrived in the the City of Washington as
a Delagation from the Creek Nation with full powers.
They are anxioous to lay before their Father a Statement of the
situation and grievances and to ask his protection and they pray the
Secretary of War to appoint a time when he will receive them.
Chilly McIntosh
Rowley McIntosh X
Hothe marta Tustunuggee X
Ben Derrozau X
Cowacco chee Fmarthla X
Nehar yar holar X of Coweta
Arpehe Tustunuggee X
Hothla po yar Tustunuggee X
Hos par oc Harjo X of Broken Arrow
Alec Lasley X of Deletago
Benjamine Hawkins Interpreter
******************
Washington D.C.
26th Janurary 1826
Friend & Brother
We have received from Col. McKenny a letter dated January 25th,
1826 in which he observes that he esteems it proper to correct an error
into which he say we have fallen -- He tells us we were neither asked to
sign the treaty which you have recently concluded with our adversaries,
nor any notes that might be affixed to the same, but as that we had given
an anamious but verbal consent to certain conditions on which we would
emigrate to the Mississippi which had in all respects been complied with
it was thought that it would look better, not for us to sign the treaty,
or notes to be affixed to the same, but a seperate paper sustaining that
assent with our names -- Sir, We are desireous of correcting the error
of this statement & for purpose we are making the following ----
When we were first invited to talk to Gov. Cass whether we were
willing to emigrate & and if so on what terms, we answered that we were
willing to do so in terms of the Treaty of the Indian Springs -- It was
the request from us if that Treaty was annulled, on what terms we would
be disposed to go, & we answered saying that we would take time to
consider, but still insisted on the validity of the former Treaty -- We
then requested that the proposition of Gov. Cass should be given to us in
writing, which was refused us -- If this our request had been complied
with, no dispute wuld now occure, as to what had passed between us, we
subsequently gave in our propositions and when we afterwards met Gov.
Cass & Col. McKenney at the office of Indian Affairs & have read what they
proposed, we thought it correct -- They then read to us from a small
sheet of paper which we afterwards found when they read the Treaty was a
different instrument from what we understood it to be, we then found that
provisions were inserted in a Treaty made with our enemies, by which you
had declaired that the Acts of our Great Chief & and other Chiefs of the
Treaty of Indian Springs to be null & void & and by which you, as we
understood, had departed from the terms which they had been recently
read, by providing that the compensation for property & improvents in the
ceded lands. They then required us to sign an instrument in the following
terms. ---
Washington Jan'y 24th, 1826
The undersigned Friends & Followers of the late Gen'l William
McIntosh having red (sp) to them a Treaty concluded this day between
James Barbour Secretary of war & the Delagation now in Washington, from
the Creek Nation hereby subscribe their assent to such articles in said
Treaty so far as they are interested. We refused this and the conference
was broken up, they declaired that it was immaterial whether they (we)
signed it or not -- We declined signing it, first because we believe it
made us to declair that our great Chief & our other Chiefs had acted
without authority in signing the Treaty of Indian Springs -- and second
because the compensation for property & improvements was limited, to such
as was in the ceded lands. No consideration will tempt us to degrade
the memory of our great Chief nor to empeach the rightful acts of those
who survived and our claim to compensation in our property is we think,
not to be denied on principal of Justice -- Our Interpreter Hawkins at
the close of the above conference took the paper they required us to sign
- and on the way down to our logings told Gov. Cass that he had taken it
to interpret to the Chiefs of the Delegation, which Gov. Cass said he
might do, but told him not to show it to any body else -- It was for this
purpose & this only that the paper was taken by Hawkins -- for we could
not think of signing such a paper, aney more than we could recouncile it
to our feelings to take by the hands the murderers of our Chief as they
proposed to us --
We will add a single remark -- Col. McKenney addressed us
simply as representatives of the friends & followers of the late General
William McIntosh & speaks of our adversaries as "The Delagation of the
Creek Nation". Now we think it necessary to distinctly say to you, that
we are not mearly the Friends and Followers of Gen'l McIntosh, but that
we are & have been for many years acknowledged Chiefs of the Creek Nation,
and that we have not, nor have those whom we represent delagated any
power to those whom he has distinguished as the Delagation of the Creek
Nation. --
Witness We remain your
John P. Denney Friends & Brothers
Secretary to the McIntosh Party Chilly McIntosh
Rowley X McIntosh
Hathla Marta X Tustanuggee
Ben X Derrozow
Okin Occ a chee X Emartla
Ni hi o hadu X Coweta
Arreb ca X Tustanuggee
Husput X Harjo
Aleck X Lassley
Benjamin Hawkins Interpreter
******************
Council House August 5th 1827
To The Honorable
James Barbour Secretary of War
Sir
We have met Co. Brearley the agent of Indian Affairs for the
Emigrating Party of Creek Indians. We have heard his talk and we are
much pleased of the discription he has given us of our intended location
over the mighty river & we are willing to go, but there are obstacles
almost insurmountable throne in our way. We have run into debt & that no
small amount, for necessaries which we were compelled to have. We cannot
emigrate unless those debts are paid, & we think our Father the President
has it fully in his power to assist his red brethern in the discharge of
these debts. The Treaty of Washington we have been told & indeed we have
always understood, that if there were three thousand of us to emigrate we
were to receive the sum of one hundred thousand dollars on our arrival at
our please (sp) of location, be lest in proportion to imigrants. Now Sir
we are aware at least we believe, that there will not be as many as three
thousand of us that will imigrate immediately, and we think it will make
no difference with our Father the President to advance us the money that
we are to receive on our arrival or some part thereof to discharge our
just debts, if our Father will & we think he can, we will be ready to
emigrate, but if he does not advance it to us we cannot removed. We owe
just debts & we will not go away with not paying them.
We have requested our agent to report to you moore minetely then
we can our situation & circumstances. We are to meet at the Creek Agency
the 15th September to enroll our names, as the emigrating Party and if
our debts were paid we would be willing and ready to remove immediately.
We trust and hope that our Father will comply with this our request.
We also farther request our Father that appoint some
proper & discreet person to assest the value of our improvement & pay us
over the money immediately.
We als further beg our Father the President that appoint
John Grace a depudy agent for Indian affairs for the immigrating Party.
The honor the indegrity and talent of John Grace in an officer we
recommend that the said Grace be appointed a depudy agent for Indian affairs
for the immigrating Party.
We are respectfully yours
Rowly McIntosh Tulsa X Harjo
Chilly X McIntosh Has par toc X Harjo
Arp if lar X Tustonuggee - Speaker Benjamin Derrisaw
Holboboy ar X Tustanuggee Ishococa X Emarthla
Conif X marthla
War har locca X Harjo
Benjamin Hawkins
Interpreter
******************
I the undersigned of part Indian Blood, do certify that I was personaly
present at my Father's Camp near Line Creek, then on our way to Arkansas
- when an Indian Chief called Tuskeenhaw came there and used insulting
languige to the family on account of our going to Emigrate - he said for
a trifle he would cut our throats -- I not well understand the Indian
languige - but what he stated was then interped by my brother and another
Indian - who did understand him well -
May 1st 1828 his
Witness John X Berryhill
John Reed mark
************
I the undersigned Indian of half blood do Certify that I was personaly
present at the time when William I Wills and myself was at my mothers
near Line Creek when two Indian Chiefs Tuskeenau and Jim Boy came there
and in a very insulting manner talked about and objected to the
Emigration -- and Tuskeenau drew a sword out of a cane and pointed it at
Wills and signified he would kill him and at an other time and previous -
the said two Chiefs was at this other hous the said I was rong for going
and that I ought not to go and ordered me out of the hous - and used
languge extreamly insulting - I can speak English and Indian and
understand them well. I fully believe there hole objection was becaus
we were about to Emigrate --
May 18th, 1828
John Reed
**************
(On the way west, the Chilly Mcintosh Party stopped at Tuscumbia Alabama)
"On our way to our location west of the mighty river -- passed through
many villages, and arrived at Tuscumbia, where we camped for a few days,
intending to take boats down the waters of the Tennessee, and so on to the
Mighty River. Here we have remained several days, and have received all
kind of hospitality and good treatment. The citizens of Tuscumbia have
treated us like brothers and our old helpless women were furnished by the
good women of the town with clothing. On Tuesday the 29th of November (1827)
the Law of our Great Father above was explained to us; and our people
were glad to hear it. As long as our nation remains upon the earth, we
will recollect Tuscumbia." -- Chilly McIntosh
**************
Western Creek Nation
March 7th 1829
To Dear Father
The President
We the Chiefs Head men and Warriors of the Creek Nation now in Council
assembled -- Petition the President of the United States to take into
consideration the complaints which we lay before you - against Col.
Brearley U.States Agent for the Creek Nation - It is with reluctance
that we complain - and nothing but necessity - and repeated injustice
compel us - we have been deceived by the Government - things which were
promised to us are now denied us - We under stood by the Treaty that we
were to receive on our arrival in the Territory of Arkansas at our place of
residence Thirty dollars a head - beaver traps - guns - Brass Kittles -
butcher knives and blanketts - and many others not paid for improvements -
Col Brearley promised us - that fifty days after his departure from this
place the money should be paid - his son and Capt. Thomas Anthony now
acting as Sub Agent - were the two appointed to pay us at the expiration
of the fifty days - we attended at the Agency for the purpose of
receiving our money but we were disappointed - and received for answer
that no instructions nor money had been left - by the Agent - We have
lost all confidence in Col Brearley and we regard him no more as our
Agent - We sincerely hope that our Father the President will send us a
man - in whom we can place confidence - and who will do us justice - we
will rely upon him as the choice he may make -- Father, you are well aware
that the laws prohibit men who are in the employ of the government from
speculating in any manner whatsoever -- Co. Brearley seems to put your
laws to defyance - for he has to our knowledge purchased all the cattle
and hogs - in the country - and he has sold and continues to sell to the
Indians at a very extravagant advance - flour at (which we believe he
received from the Asst. Com. of Subsistance at Cantonment Gibson) ten
dollars pr. pound - also spiritious liquors - which are most strictly
prohibited by the laws --- The first party that came were well furnished
with beef & pork - this year Col Brearley has taken the contract - the
contract was not let out as is generally done to the lowest bidder - but
was taken by Col Brearley at three & half cents for beef - when there
were persons offering to furnish us at two & two half cents per pound -
Col Brearley having taken the contract and giving instructions to his son
- to take out all the lard - and after selecting all the choice pieces
for his own use the balance are issued to us - the lard taken from the
hogs afterwards were sold to us for ten cents per pound -- Col Brearley
never attends our Councils to advise us - We frequently called upon him -
but generally found him intoxicated - so that no satisfaction could be
obtained for the business which caused our visit - his Sub Agent Capt
Anthony is far worse than himself - so as to render him totally unfit for
business of any kinds - We could say much more about this Gentleman but
we regard it as a loss of time --
Father we could say much more but we will trouble you no longer with our
complaints - and we rest satisfied that you will pity our situation -
that you will have justice done us for justice only we demand - We have
to call your attention again on a subject which we can not pass over in
silence --- The Emigration will certainly cease from the Old Nation
should the news of the imposition practiced upon us reach their Ears -
and the ill treatment which we received - the party that came by water
came as far as Fort Smith and the boat there stopped and a great portion
of their property was left and destroyed --- Col Brearley said he had
got the people at their place of residence and they might get their
property as they could. ---
Accept Father the sincere wishes of your children for your health and
prosperity ---
We the undersigned do witness 1. Rolly McIntosh X
the thru first and fifth 2. Chilley McIntosh X
signatures to this paper. 3. Fosh at chee X Micco
William X Miller
Cantonment Gibson 5. Micco X Charta
9th March 1829 Benj'in X Deresaw
Hothopay an X Tustonuggee
N.G. Wilkenson Hothe marta X Tustonuggee
Capt. 7th Infy Warhar thocco X haujo
Concharta X
John Stewart Samuel Miller
Capt. 7th Infy Cowocco ochee X Emartha
Cosar X opoie
E.P. Hawkins Ar tus X opoie
Lt. 7th Infy Ar pif har X tustonuggee
John Randal
Th. Johnston George Colbert
Lt. 7th Infy Charles Miller
Tho cho X Haujo
Nebar X thocco
E marthlo Hutkey
O chun Yarholar
Mosses Perryman
Witnesses
Sam'l Sells James Parker David McKillop
John Berryhill Sr. Sam'l Hopwood Thos Posey
John Berryhill Jr Andrew Berryhill Dan'l Christin
Aleck Berryhill Sam'l Berryhill Edward Coulter
William Berryhill Jas Edwards John Porter
P.D. Austin Rich'd Robertson Edward Bradley
Pleasant Berryhill Wm. I Wills Ben' j Lott
Benj'n McGaha David Colvin Wm G. Jacobs
John Self Jno Reed
Baxter Self Jno Berryhill
Stephen Hawkins
************
Western Creek Agency
March 23'd 1829
Sir:
At the request of the Officers of Cantonment Gibson I beg have to
state they wish it to be distinctly understood by the President of the
United States that they were only witnesses to the acknowledgement of the
signatures of the Creek Indians who signed the Memorial respecting their
grievances; as & also to disavow any participations, approval
or belief that their charges and speculations are correct; they
disapproved of the charges but could not refuse to sign as witnesses to
the signatures -- Whereas Mr. Lott, old Sam'l Berryhill and many others
refused to sign - old John Berryhill opposed the Memorial in Council but
was forced to sign by the Chiefs --
The Steamboat Facility, Capt Pennanette arrived here three days since and
is now aground at the Mouth of the Grand River where she will probably
remain for some time. She has about 15 tons of freight (furs) on board
belonging to Col Chouteau who is going down on ______ to New Orleans --
Lt. Dawson was married to Miss Baylor on Tuesday night last and she is
still alive --
We have just finished the issue of Rations to the 6th of April - And I
have the pleasure to say we are all in good health --
God bless you and may you prosper in all your arrangements. -
To Col. D. Brearley Sincerely, your friend
Thos. Anthony
*************
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