Letter, 1815 Apr. 21, Fort Hawkins, to Early, Governor, Milledgeville,  Benjamin Hawkins

Summary:  This is a letter from Benjamin Hawkins, U.S. Agent to the Creek Indians, to Peter Early, Governor of Georgia (1813-1815), dated April 21, 1815. Hawkins reports on recent attacks along the road in his district by small parties of Creeks. Hawkins also includes the report of William Hardridge on the events at the so-called Negro Fort at Apalachicola Bay (Florida) at which British troops have armed runaway slaves and Indians as soldiers. He refers to information from Captain Ross on a number of issues relative to the situation at Apalachicola. The document appears to be incomplete.

District of F. Hawkins 21 apr. 1815

I find the hostile Indians in small parties continue plundering and meandering on the road. they have made four attacks since they recd the news of peace. The Chiefs have been warned on the subject and orderd out some parties to put an end to it by puting to death the guilty. I believe they must be aided by some of our troops. I shall probably know by the mid of tomorrow what success their first efforts have had: the following is William Hardridge s report sent with the orders of the British admirals to Majr. Nicolls commdg the British troops on apalachicola as I arrived at prospect bluff at Forbes's store the 26. feby. and delivered the dispatch to Capn Ross commanding his B. M. troops at that garrison Capn Ross informed me that Colo Nicolls had left that about six days before his arrival there and gone to Sea to see the admiral and they could not say what time he would return. I waited three days Capn. Ross said nothing about the Negros run away from the Negros and white people and could not do any thing in it untill the arrival of Colo. Nicolls It was uncertain when they would leave there they had as yet recd. no orders to Embark. I left there on the 30th. I was in the British fort and saw all their works, and saw nearly all the runaway Negros, the Indians are all inside the Fort and draw rations the same as soldiers both by report 500. as much as I have heard the British are determined to keep the Negros they have joined them as soldiers and they have given them their freedom provisions is very scare and the Indians in the Country are living altogether on Alligators I have learned for a certanity an Indian woman eat her own child. Capn. Ross said the Indians who did mischief killed a man And stole horses between

Frm Benjamin Hawkins