Letter, 1806 July 29, Creek Agency to John Milledge, Governor of Georgia, Louisville /Colonel Benjamin Hawkins

Summary: Letter from Benjamin Hawkins, U.S. Agent to the Creeks, to John Milledge, Governor of Georgia (1802-1806), dated July 29, 1806. Hawkins reports on orders received from the Secretary of War for running a boundary line pursuant to the Treaty of Washington, concluded between the U.S. and the Creek Nation on November 14, 1805. Hawkins also writes regarding a number of captured slaves who are in his possession at the Creek Agency. He suggests a course of action to expeditiously return them to their owners.

Creek agency 29 July 1806

I have just received orders from the Secretary at War for the running and marking the line from the High shoals of apalatche to the Ulcofauhatche agreeable to the treaty with the Creeks made on the 14th of november last; and I have it in charge to give you notice of the time when this operation commences, to the end that if you think proper, you may send some person to see the line run. -- I shall make my arrangements to be at General Meriweather s on the 15th. of august, & commence and finish this business with as little delay as possible. I see no impropriety in your Surveyor General commencing the surveying this acquisition without delay

"I requested Capt. Boote who commanded the troops of the United States on your frontiers to make a return to you of some runaway negros delivered to his charge by my order belonging to Citizens of Georgia . The expences for apprehending and delivering is 25 dolars each, and they are moreover charged with their maintenance untill received by their owners. -- Since then I have received and now at my residence on Flint river a negro woman named Mary the property of a Captain Smith who has several negros in this agency taken from him some time past by the Indians. She will be delivered free of expence."

"It is desirable that the owners should apply immediately in person or by order to receive them. If by order it must be subsequent to their apprehension as I am informed some old powers of attorney have been given to get such property one half for the other, all of which powers I consider as void by the manner in which the property is got in possession of by me for the owners."

I have the honour to be very respectfully
Sir,
your Excellencys most Obedient Servant
Benjamin Hawkins

His Excellency
John Milledge
Governor of Georgia

NOTE: Information obtained from the University System of Georgia Library

Transcribed by Kim Gordon

This page was loaded 19 January 2003

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