Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to Anthony Wayne

Thanks Wayne for his letter of 25 October (GLC02437.04397). Discusses the treaty negotiations underway in Georgia with the Creek nation, referring to Creek leader Alexander McGillivray: "Mr McGillivrays influence over the creeks has been exerted to ill effect in persuading that nation against an immediate treaty with the United States upon the terms the commissioners offered He has sacrificed the interests of the nation to his own avarice." Relates that one commissioner, [Henry Osborne], claims he saw and read a treaty between the Spanish and the Creeks in which Charles IV guaranteed the Creeks their claims east of the Mississippi, but wonders why Osborne concealed this information from the other commissioners. Declares, "I am nearly in opinion with you of the force necessary for the coercion of the Creeks..." Does not want to employ militia, because it is expensive and he cannot rely on their "execution of the plans directed" unless they are incorporated with "disciplined troops." Notes that nothing can be decided until Congress meets again, since they posses the Constitutional right of making war. However, it will be hard to persuade them of the necessity of declaring war on the Creeks unless they "make inroads into Georgia." Notes that he sent Wayne's previous letter to George Washington so that he would be aware of the situation.