CAMDEN COUNTY, GA - Ltr Gen James Jackson re: Creek 1798 ? ***************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Tara D. Fields tutcher@camdencounty.org Extracted from: Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842 http://neptune3.galib.uga.edu/ By Tara D. Fields tutcher@camdencounty.org March 06, 2004 History and Genealogy of Camden and Charlton Counties, Georgia http://www.camdencounty.org Document: TCC899 [Letter] July 22, [to] the Governor [of Georgia ] / Major Gen[era]l Ja[me]s Jackson author: Jackson, James, 1757-1806 date: July 22 extent: 4p summary: This document is a partially dated letter from James Jackson to an unnamed Governor of Georgia. Jackson reports on information provided by a Mr. Townsend on the current state of Indian affairs near St. Marys, Georgia. Jackson indicates that 4 of 8 unnamed Creek prisoners had escaped and advises the governor to release the remainder in order to maintain calm in the Nation. He further reports that the Indian killed in a recent encounter was David, not Alexander, Cornells, according to the enclosed information of James Seagrove (no longer attached). Jackson also comments on the deplorable state of provisions and military command in Camden County, Georgia and makes recommendations regarding the situation. repository: Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries collection: Telamon Cuyler box: 79 folder: 03 document: 01 Page: [1] [ | ] Monday July 22d Since writing the foregoing Mr Townsend has arrived here & has favored me with the inclosed statement of affairs in the Nation -- He seems to have from conversation with him some small hope that matters may not yet come to extremity but to add to our misfortunes Four of the eight Indians captured at St Marys escaped previous to my order for taking them under my custody - - so that every thing bears against us. I should advise your Excellency to let the rest go – Townsend & Garvin seek much of this opinion. Townsend says seven eighths of the whole nation were certainly with us and that letting them go would regain their confidence in a great degree & if requested I have no doubt he would go with them with a talk from you. He thinks it very fortunate Mr Barnard & himself met the Indians Page: [2] [ | ] previous to their reaching the Town they belonged to -- in the present state it is impossible to form any opinion on [deleted: the] [added: what] may be the result -- that it is necessary however to be fully prepared must be obvious to every one -- The Indians gave nearly literally on their return the account I wrote your Excellency except that none were hurt but Cornell & that it was David & not Alex Cornell that was killed -- the fourth was a small boy who had not got in. He [added: Townsend] seems much alarmed about Barnards safety. The whole of those talks have been sent me by Mr Seagrove to copy for you -- He meant to have gone to the nation- he is now here. I wish as soon as possible to hear from you, respecting the men to be kept in Service & the supplies -- the Southern Counties will otherwise go & they are starving in Camden exclusive of being Page: [3] [ | ] in the most horrid situation among themselves so much so that the event cannot be otherwise I fear than fatal to the County -- & they are now so involved that I [deleted: fear] [added: think] it impossible for any Officer to effect a reconciliation Lt Randolphs conduct of the Camden Troop has been impeached but without any written charges to enable me to arrest him perhaps they may have been laid before you -- it is actually impossible to form any Judgment from such opposite & clashing representations and dangerous for any Individual (Officer or not) to go or act as both Parties st and prepared to charge him as Marshalled on the other side. What I wrote your Excellency at first I believe you will allow to have been just -- the almost total impossibility of an election there at all if the present be not considered valid. I am Sir Yr [Your] Excellencys most Obedt Servt [Obedient Servant] [Signed] Jas [James] Jackson I send you a copy of information just obtained which goes more closely against Randolph -- the Troop is much wanted but his conduct if this man can be relied on is highly reprehensible -- I beg your orders on the subject. The Man making the Affidavit Kirbyis charged as a Deserter- I have ordered him if possible to be taken into custody as well to give evidence as to asscertain [ascertain] that Fact I beg to know the Commanding officer of Camden -- Johnston was first appointed -- I am now told the unfortunate that Williams was -- I have never been informed ever of his election -- they are under no arrangement for want of Field Officers & they all claim command His Excellency the Governor Indian Affairs no date Page: [4] [ | ] [page(s) missing] has been an unnecessary man called into service From letters in Town from the Northward it appears there to be the [deleted: a] general belief that Congress will be called earlier than the Constitution day. I am Sir Yr [Your] Excellencys most Obedt [Obedient] Servant [Signed] Jas [James] Jackson Major Genl [General] 1st Division Another parcel of Arms have arrived here & I have requested Major Habersham to detain a proportion of them for this Division -- there are no swords -- if we could but [illegible] our Horsemen well with them they would be much more valuable. If your Excellency should think of a movement would it not be well to retain [unclear: Garvin] who was with General Twiggs and Akin whose affidavit I sent you in the publick [public] pay. They are both well acquainted & excellent pilots