Letter 1797 Feb. 17, Knoxville, (Tennessee to) Benjamin Hawkins, Superintendent of Indian Affairs / John Sevier

Summary:  This is a letter written to Benjamin Hawkins, U.S. Agent to the Creeks, from Tennessee Governor John Sevier (1796-1801, 1803-1809) on February 17, 1797. Sevier recounts the story of two escaped slaves belonging to Capt. James Richardson who ended up in the Cherokee Nation and were later taken by a Creek man, who is said to be holding them until the Cherokees return horses that were stolen from him. He asks Hawkins to see that the slaves are returned. Sevier also tells Hawkins that he suspects that Creeks or Cherokees have recently been committing aggressions against settlers in the Cumberland settlement.

Knoxville 17 February 1797
Sir,

Sometime past two Negro fellows belonging to Capt. James Richardson of this Country ran away and went into the Cherokee Nation , from whence thence to the Creeks , Where they were taken by a halfbreed, by sold some called the Fife and by others Lastly; He pretends to hold them until he is made whole for some horses stolen from him by the Cherokees there has been also a man killed lately & a number of horses lately taken from the cumberland Settlements , supposed to be done by the Creeks or Cherokees

I beg of you to exert your influence to keep those indians within bounds And have the both the Negroes and horses returned as soon as possible, otherways it will be impossible we need not expect to Support peace and tranquility Much longer to the negroes belongs to a person in Moderate Circumstances, and the loss is very injurious considerably Sensibly felt by him and his family -- I hope the pleasure of seeing You in the spring at this place, in the mean time hope request you will communicate to me any everything that may be interesting to our frontiers or the state.

I have the honor & c
J Sevier

Benjaman Hawkins esqr
Superintendant of Indian affairs

NOTE:  Information obtained from the University System of Georgia Library

Transcribed by Kim Gordon

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