25 October 1789

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Describes the situation in western Georgia concerning negotiations with the Creeks. The Commission has not succeeded as of yet in negotiating a treaty with the Creeks. Mentions violence along the frontier between Native Americans and white settlers, including incidents in which Native Americans attacked forts and burned them. Reports that the Spanish have concluded a treaty with the Creek Nation, and that Creek leader Alexander McGillivray was involved. Describes the Creeks as "numerous & insolent, until they were made to experience our superiority in the Field..." Suggests a…

GLC02437.04397

20 March 1790

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Answers Knox's question regarding the number of muskets "received from the Spaniards by the Creeks," stating that the number is 6,000. Reports that "our Mr. McGilvery," a Georgia planter, has told him that "the Spaniards had not when first demanded, a sufficient number of that kind of smooth bore arms, that suited the Indians, that a vessel was dispatched to the Bahamias [Bahamas] in in [sic] order to procure as many as were deficient, & that the[y] had all actually arrived whilst he remained with his namesake the Indian McGilvery..." (Creek leader Alexander McGillivray). Discusses the…

GLC02437.04556

25 December 1789

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Wayne acknowledges a letter from Knox of 28 November and talks about information on a possible treaty between the Creeks and the Spanish government. Wayne gives his opinion of rifles "when a professional gentleman who had been in the British services, asked my Opinion of the efficiacy of rifles, to the fire of which the British attributed in great degree the loss of that Army - I gave my sentiments very candidly, that I thought them a very improper arm for an Army, that a few of them in the hands of expert marksmen might occasionally be servicable for small desultory parties, when…

GLC02437.04808

1 April 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Minutes, whereby to give information and opinions to a Committee of the Senate] [incomplete]

Starts with the third point, which is to "prevent intrigues, and depredations of the cunning and lawless [whites] and to carry into effect the decisions of Congress from [time] to [time] relative to the frontiers. Discusses "unauthorized expeditions in to the Indian Country," and the "late sale of Georgia..." Continues to list goals such as preventing the "usurpations" of the public lands, surveying land to sell for the purpose of relieving public debt, and the use of troops to keep order. Point five discusses methods of promoting friendly relations with the Chickasaw & Choctaw Indians…

GLC02437.04572

5 August 1790

Street, Samuel, fl. 1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Considers the implications of a recent diplomatic success Colonel [Alexander] McGillivray had negotiating on behalf of the Creek Nation. McGillivray recovered for the Creeks land that the governor of Georgia had given to Georgia citizens. He declared that under the law, the President had to help protect Indians' rights and allow them a redress of grievances. Street hopes that a similar dispensation will be given to the Five Nations. Declares that in the same law, "the President is vested with power to make such order respecting the Indian Tribes which are surrounded in their settlements…

GLC02437.04670

circa 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Remarks on Treaty with the Creek Nation]

Discusses U.S. relations with the Creek Indians. States, "The treaty with the Creek nation of Indians is a new and honorable evidence of the vigilance and wisdom of the [executive] of the U.S." Mentions the Oconee River in Georgia and possibly refers to the Treaty of New York. This may have been a speech drafted by Knox. See GLC02437.09971 for related documents.

GLC02437.09452

circa 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Report on relations between the United States and Native Americans]

Circa date previously estimated. "The measure adopted by the general government, relative to the Indian tribes within the lands of the United States, are replete with moderation... and humanity. Philosophers and the intelligent part of humankind will approve the wisdom of such conduct... Instead of an oppressive system having for its object the extirpation of a race of men more sinned against, than sinning, it appears to be the design of the [general] government, to impart to the Indians, who were the original lords of the soil, all the blessings of Life of which their situation will admit…

GLC02437.09446

19 March 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox [Fragment]

Placing Knox in charge of certain affairs of govenrment, because he is going on "a journey to the Southern States." Gives Knox orders regarding various military actions, including troop recruitment, hostilities "against the indians." and treaty issues with the Creeks. The last one or two pages of the letter are missing.

GLC02437.09312

5 November 1791

Swan, Samuel, fl. 1791

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for the pay of Caleb Swan]

Receipt for the $150 paid to Caleb Swan as a deputy agent to the Creek Indians from 14 February-14 May 1791. A note indicates that Caleb's brother Samuel Swan was given the money by Henry Knox of the War Department. The receipt appears to be written and signed in Swan's hand.

GLC02437.05219

12 August 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Jefferson

Secretary of War Knox informs Secretary of State Jefferson that President Washington wants to ratify the treaty with the Creeks the following day at noon.

GLC02437.04688

circa 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Proceedings before the treaty with the Creek Nation]

Details the upstanding behavior of President George Washington in the treaty negotiations with the Creek Nation. Relates the past arrangements and relationships between the Creeks in Savannah, Georgia and the United States. Date listed in pencil at a later date.

GLC02437.04786

6 August 1790

Manuscript document

Title: Questions to the Tallisee King respecting the Treaty of Galphinton

Transcript of an interview with king of the Tallassees of the Creek Nation with an edit (p.2) in Henry Knox's hand. When asked if the king consented to ceding certain lands "eastwards of a line to be drawn from the Oconee...River to the head of the St. Mary's River" in the Treaty of Galphinton in 1785, the king reports he did not. The king adds that the Tallassees did not have such a right without the consent of the whole Creek nation. The king is also asked about Shoulder Bone Treaty of 1784 to which the king was a party. Mentions Alexander McGillivray, the part white Creek leader who…

GLC02437.04672

7 August 1790

Manuscript document

Title: [A treaty of peace]

Treaty negotiated with the Creek nation in Georgia stipulating land cessions and prisoner releases on the part of Creeks. In a secretarial hand.

GLC02437.04674

7 August 1790

Cornell, Joseph, fl. 1790

Autograph document

Title: [Oath of Indian interpreter]

Translator Joseph Cornell swears to "truly interpret" the Treaty of Peace proceedings between the Americans and Creeks. Countersigned by Richard Morris [Chief Justice of the State of New York]. Cornell signs with an "X."

GLC02437.04675

7 August 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: Speech of the commissioner to the Creeks previously to their signing the treaty August 7th 1790

Title taken from docket. Calling forth "King, chiefs & warriors of the Creek nation attend," Secretary of War and Commissioner of the Treaty of Peace Knox makes a speech praising the agreement between the United States and the Creeks. Knox assures the Creeks that the United States will "never depart from their promises." He also cautions the Creeks to "guard the conduct" of "your rash young men" and insisted the United States would "guard the conduct of ours."

GLC02437.04676

7 August 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Partial outline of proposed treaty with the Creek Indians]

Draft of part of a treaty. Document reads in full: "First - In order to effect a consolidation of the interests of the United States and the Creek nation, it is hereby stipulated that Alexander McGillivray the beloved Chief of the Said nation shall also be constituted the Agent of the United States in the said nation, with the rank of Brigadier General and the pay of one thousand two hundred dollars per annum, on his taking the usual oaths required by law. Second - And the said Alexander McGillivray hereby stipulated to use his highest exertions to endeavor to cultivate the firmest…

GLC02437.04677

7 August 1790

Manuscript document

Title: [Outline of proposed treaty with the Creek Indians]

Draft of portions of a treaty between the United States and the Creek nation. Makes Creek chief Alexander McGillivray the U.S. representative to the Creeks. Mentions compensation to various Creek groups. Contains some of the same content as GLC02437.04677. Edited in Henry Knox's hand. In a secretarial hand.

GLC02437.04678

8 August 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Minutes of Spanish treaty with Creeks]

Minutes of the Spanish treaty with the Creeks prepared for Creek chief Alexander McGillivray.

GLC02437.04680

18 August 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McGillivray

Secretary of War Knox writes Creek chief McGillivray expressing his pleasure that they could agree on the Treaty of Peace. Knox expects McGillivray will be a positive example to his people. Knox talks about the Cherokees and says he hopes to receive monthly correspondence from McGillivray. Knox signs with his initials.

GLC02437.04684

August 1790

Manuscript document

Title: [Proposed instructions but not given to the Secretary of War about the Creek Treaty]

Instructions that were never actually given to Knox regarding the Creek Nation. Instructs Knox he has the power and consent of the Senate to arrange a "treaty of peace and friendship between the United States of America and the Creek Nation of Indians." Knox is to assess the situation between the Creeks and the state of Georgia by working with the chiefs and reviewing the treaties. The instructions insist that "the great object of the United States, is to establish a solid and permanent peace with the creeks founded on the broad basis of Justice policy and humanity." Date written in pencil…

GLC02437.04707

August 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: Minutes taken by Henry Knox from General McGillivray respecting the Creeks

In the hand of Henry Knox. Creek chief McGillivray describes a history of the Creeks in Georgia. Begins by describing the differences between the Muskogees and the "Alabamas" who at one time lived together. The Alabamas were the "weakest" and were forced to move with their families while the Muskogee's continued to descend down the Mobile river. Continues to explain encounters among and between the various Indian nations up until the arrival of the English and [Governor] General [James] Oglethorpe. The date of the document is written in pencil, but the exact date has not been ascertained.

GLC02437.04708

circa 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Minutes for Creek Treaty]

Draft of a treaty between the United States and the Creek nation stipulating that Creek Chief Alexander McGillivray would be the liaison with the "rank of Brigadier General." The "great medal chiefs" will also be granted a commission and two agents, one in the upper and one in the lower Creeks, will be assigned to "assist in the attempt to civilize the indians..." The United States will also furnish the Creeks with domestic animals and tools. Continues to list points regarding the treaty. Date listed in pencil at a later date.

GLC02437.04785

December 1790

Hawkins, Benjamin, 1754-1816

Autograph document

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Hawkins relates the events surrounding the negotiations between the Creeks and the United States government. Writes that the Creeks have expressed disapprobation of the treaty at Augusta in 1785 (Treaty of Galphinton). Discusses the negotiations that followed. Docketed by Knox with a note "important papers - to elucidate the early disapprobation of the Georgian tribes."

GLC02437.04813

30 October 1794

Seagrove, James, fl. 1792-1795

Manuscript document signed

Title: [List of goods to be purchased for the Creek Indians]

An estimate of goods to be purchased for the Creek Indians. The list includes items such as blankets, tailor's thread, saddles, and rifles with an estimated cost of $8.915.

GLC02437.06233

circa July - August 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: [Indian treaties]

Discusses treaties with the Indians, particularly the Creeks. Mentions a land dispute between the natives and settlers in Georgia, which has been a major roadblock to obtaining a treaty. Date previously inferred, written in pencil.

GLC02437.09985