CAMDEN COUNTY, GA - Ltr re: Creek Indians - Gen James Jackson 1788

*****************
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: TCC929 
[Correspondence] 1788 Apr. 20 - 1788 May 27, [ Georgia to] General James Jackson / Colonel Jacob Weed, Colonel James Maxwell, James Dunwoody... [et al.]
author: Weed, Jacob; Maxwell, James; Dunwoody, James 
date: April 20, 1788 -- May 27, 1788 
extent: 6p 

summary: This document contains correspondence that
concerns various problems on the southern frontier of
Georgia. The first letter dated April 20, 1788 from
Colonel Jacob Weed on Cumberland Island to General
James Jackson regards threats of attack from the
British and the Creek Indians. Weed laments the lack of
authority necessary to punish wrongdoers and mentions
lawsuits pending against him for illegally detaining
various persons. He also discusses Panton, Leslie and
Co., a trading cooperative and its involvement in
providing information to the Creeks. The second item is
a copy of a letter dated May 16, 1788 from Weed to
Jackson also regarding the dire situation on the
island. He requests armaments for his guard boats and
also reports on information that Creek leader Alexander
McGillivray is calling all parties forth for a treaty
meeting. The third item is an extract of a letter from
Colonel James Maxwell to General Jackson dated May 27,
1788 in Liberty County, Georgia. Maxwell reports on the
attempted theft of slaves by Creek Indians and the
failed efforts to bring the alleged thieves to justice.
The fourth letter is from James Dunwoody, John Elliott,
and Thomas Stevens to General Jackson, dated May 26,
1788 at Newport Bridge. They write on behalf of the
citizens in Liberty County, Georgia respecting James
Seagrove's request that their rice provisions, already
scarce, be sent to Savannah. They request Jackson's
intervention on the issue. 

repository: Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries 
collection: Telamon Cuyler 
box: 83 
folder: 07 
document: 03 

Page: [1] [  |  ]
Cumberland Island 20th Apr. [April] 88. 
Dear General,
My situation here is not only critical but truly
disagreeable -- I am surrounded with Enemies both redd
[red] and white who threaten an Attack upon this
Island, which may [deleted: be] easily be accomplished
with the aid of some white -- people that are our
Enemies in Florida from whence -- I received this
Intelligence -- In consequence of this I have ordered
out two Guard Boats -- one to be stationed at the mouth
of St. Marys River and the other to cruize [cruise] up
Cumberland Sound. The constant intercourse that is kept
up betwixt some of the Inhabitants of this Southern
Country, and a few particular characters in E. [East]
Florida, I view in a most dangerous light. -- I am
sensible of their Enmity to this State. But my hands
are tied -- I have no Authority, not even to confine a
Suspicious character, without being subject to a
Lawsuit, -- two of which are now brought against me, by
James Cashen for the steps he obliged me to take with
him last fall. In my next I will transmit you the
evidences of some Gentlemen who are well acquainted
with his conduct and General character since his
arrival into this Country. -- I had the Honor of your
approbation and was informed that the Honourable
[Honorable] Council approved of the -- steps I had
taken -- But this it seems does not prevent suits being
brought against me -- The flour all but two Barrels
which was made use of by the Scouting parties on the
Frontier, I delivered to Cashen the moment I was
informed that the State had provided for their Troops,
by a specific Tax. Notwithstanding this, I am owed for
50 barrels flour. Also for the ammunition, which you
directed me to keep by order of Council, likewise for
confining the man for --inimical and insolent conduct.
-- He is no Citizen of America, a British subject who
Strove all in his power to Injure this Co[added:
u]ntry. I am convinced he gave every Intelligence he
could get to panton Leslie & co. [company] Also to
others of less note but equally inveterate against this
State, nor neither have I the smallest Doubt but that
he was promised protection from those people in case
the war should become serious. -- The pact they have
taken since in his behalf -- corroberates
[corroborates] this opinion. -- I am under no
apprehension that he will be able to obtain any damages
-- but still if I am to be -- [unclear: Perplexed] with
Lawsuits for having discharged the the [the] duty of an
Officer and an honest Citizen, by preventing Ammunition
to be sent to a Savage enemy, and confining the man who
was base enough to do it. -- what encouragements have
I, to take this fatigue upon myself any longer. -- I am
here set up a mark to [unclear: Shoot] at -- not only
by our common but internal Enemies, without the means
of doing anything to prevent it -- We have no Jail in
this County -- Have I authority to confine a suspicious
character under Guard till inquiry can be made into his
conduct or not. -- Or am I to suffer any and every one
to pass and repass at will and pleasure, many I am sure
come and go for no other purpose but to carry and bring
Inteligence [Intelligence] -- If there is no power
vested in the Gove[added: r]nor and council to support
me with respect to these matters I can be of no service
here, I should think some special order ought to take
place for this fronteir [frontier] -- There is no other
in in [in] the State through which the enemy can get
the like inteligence [intelligence] -- I have not the
smallest Doubt but the particular situation of --
Chatham, Liberty, Glyn & Camden are communicated
[document damaged] Indians through this channel once a
fortnight. Boa[document damaged] 


from Florida frequently go to Frederica and the last
one which conveyed Mr. Lewis Fatio, remained near two
weeks -- From every Inteligence [Intelligence] and
circumstance that I have been able to collect, I
believe a severe Blow is intended in particular against
these Southern Counties. Every day opens new Scenes of
treachery on the part of some people, who were formerly
British refugees and have taken protection under the
Spanish Government tho [though], not Spanish Subjects
Some of them publicly declare that they wish better to
the -- Creek Nations, than to the rebels of this State
-- There people have boats and I have reason to fear
they will be employed in bringing the Savages down the
St. Mary to this Island -- Major Oneala Banished
Refugee from the -- State of South Carolina has got
into the office of Majestrete [Magistrate] under the
Spanish Government -- and lives on St. Marys River --
he has untill [until] lately behaved tolerably well --
but now makes himself Extremely busy and takes all --
advantages of the distress of the people here. I am
dear General yrs &c [yours et cetera] 
[Signed] Jacob Weed Colo [Colonel] 

Brig Genl [Brigadier General] Jackson 
Page: [4] [  |  ]


Cumberland Island 16th May. 1788 
Dear General,
This will be handed you by Captain Readya very honest
man, who comes express to you -- I mentioned in my
letter of the twentieth of April the situation of this
Country and my apprehentions [apprehensions] of an
Attack upon upon [upon] this Island -- I have since had
no cause to change my oppinion [opinion] -- The Guard
Boats which are now out are small rowing Canoues
[Canoes] and will answer no other purpose than merely
to give an alarm. -- Could I only be furnished with
four Swivils [Swivels] with Grape Shott [Shot] -- to
fit out a small vessel -- I have engaged for that
purpose -- It would in my opinion add more security to
this Island, than any other measure which could at this
moment be adopted -- We are also in great want of lead.
All that was impressed last full from Cashen -- he
found means to conceal and carry off -- There is not a
pound to be purchased in the Country I hope and flatter
myself you will give us all the support in your power -
- small and in[added: con]siderable as this Country may
appear -- Yet if we should be cut off or compelled to
fly -- it would give great spirit to the Savages -- and
probably Embolden them to attack Frederica and the
other Sea Island s -- we were promised some of the
State Troops to be Stationed on great Settilla River --
If the order of Council last February is since
countermanded I should be glad to know it. Mr. Spauldin
of – Frederica came from Saint Augustine Yesterday and
brings accounts that is was currently reported there,
that McGilvery had se[added: n]t out runners to every
Quarter three weeks ago to call in all the out parties
to a Treaty. This may or may not be true, I would wish
to know your oppinion [opinion] fully on the present
situation of affairs, I expected Colo [Colonel] Webble
would have been the bearer of all my Letters to your
trust he is -- disappointed in setting off as soon as
he expected --I am &c [et cetera] [added: copy of a
letter from Col [Colonel] Weed] Page: [5] [  |  ]
[added: Extract of a letter from Col Jas [Colonel
James] Maxwell] I have just received an express from
Capt. [Captain] Sumner, who commanded the Station at
Mr. Salletts, that yesterday afternoon Eight Indians
made an attempt to take off the negroes out of the
field; but on the negroes discovering the Indians they
run and hollowed [hollered] out to the Guard, which run
immediately to their relief -- They caught one fellow
and tied one of his hands and Endeavoured [Endeavored]
to drag him off; but he made so much resistance that
they found the guard would be upon them. They shott
[shot] a ball through him and cut his throat and
Scalped him and run off. Sallett who was present at the
time and well acquainted with the place, thought, their
retreat might be cut of [off], by pushing to the back
of the Desart [Desert]. -- which Capt. [Captain] Sumner
readily agreed to; but in this they failed; there was a
trail discovered on monday on Bull Town Swamp near the
place were [where] they had taken the most of the
Negroes. They have got off in discovery of it Capt.
[Captain] Fraser collected a party of men with dogs and
went in Quest of them but could not follow the trail,
they then proceeded to [unclear: drive] the Swamp
without any success. There was -- nothing more heard of
them untill [until] they made the attempt on Salletts'
Negroes, altho [although] Capt. [Captain] Lewis has
been Scouting out, The woods are so hard, it is
impossible to see a track, and they grow so cautious
when they come in to the settlements; as they have
attempted their plunder again am afraid we shall be
Harrassed [Harassed] with them for some time, Liberty
County 27th May 1788. Page: [6] [  |  ] General Jackson
Sir, In consequence of a letter from Mr. Seagrove to
the Collector of the Specific Tax for the County of
Liberty -- requesting him to forward to Savannah the
remainder of the rice in his possession, except ten
barrels. The Inhabitants assembled and chose a
committee to present to you the -- peculiar situation
of this County. you must be perfectly sensible that we
are entirely exposed to the encrochments [encroachment]
of our enemy, and well know the sufferings to which we
have alleady [already] been exposed, both by the loss
of many -- valuable Negroes, and several of our
Citizens, it is a matter quite uncertain, how long the
War may be continued The rice which is now in the hands
of the Collector is not sufficient to support the State
Troops and our Militia, more than three months. And you
cannot but be sensible how deplorable must [added: be]
our situation, should we be deprived of the means of
supporting the few Troops on our fronteirs [frontiers],
and our own Militia, many of whom are scarcely able to
support their families, during their absence, We wished
not to proceed rashly upon the Business, by forbidding
the compliance of our Collector with the requisition of
Mr. Seagrove. As we -- conceived you the proper Person
to address upon this subject. We beg you would make use
of your influence with the [unclear: receiver] General
in order to present the removal of the rice from the
County as we conceive it of the highest importance to
its defence [defense] security and protection we have
delayed sending the rice untill [until] we receive your
answer, viz. [videlicet] the 32 Barrells [Barrels] at
New port Bridge.
We ar [are] Dear Genl. [General] your most obet [obedient] & Hble set. [Humble servant] 
[Signed] James Dunwoody. -- 
[Signed] John Elliott. 
[Signed] Thomas Stevens. 
N. Newport Bridge 
26th May 1788 -- 
Genl. [General] Jackson