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THE REFLECTOR.
MILLEDUEVIL.LE, GEORGIA, I’JE.-iDYY JASUViU” i: f *»!0.
OLE WAR.
VHMiT ,*C AtUllUSTLK.
NTlXl’Ull.] '
G
not to It'iiliam Humbly,
e Sound, .Way 3, 1817.
turn home this day. i rc-
gned hv you, and dated
you therein take liberty
as you say, by order of
Creek nation, I am gLd
b ace this opening you
y to you at some length :
premise, that when you
Bluff, a clerk to Messrs,
u did not consider Cap-
'iieen, or any other of the
er Creek Nation as mt-
they been considered as
ish government, who are
tors of the Indian nation;
• Mr. Hambly to call Cap-
tlaw, that man, who has
end, and by hi - authority
life. Yes, sir, the young
iors of the Creea nation,
as the chief cause of their
ave loug ere this had pos-
perhaps with your life
e forfeit for the injuries
had not that man, who
Apiny. Wishing you a speedy recanta
tion of your errors, and a return to your
former way of thinking. I am your ob't.
A. Alt11 IT H NOT.
II
Letterfroin A. Jlrbnthnot to the governor
of Havana.
To his excellency don. governor gene
ral, Sir.—The chiefs of the l reek Nation
whose names are hereunto annexed, beg
leave to approach.your excellency and re
present their complaints. Long imposed
on by persons keeping stores in this coun
try, in charging us exorbitant prices for
tiieir goods, while they only allow us a
very trifling one for our peltry, we have
found it necessary to look out f .r a per
son that will deal fairly with us, and we
wish to establish a store for him on Appa-
laclie river, we have made application to
1C A fled Stick, created chief by the low
er towns.
Q. by the court.—Have you, at any time
within the last 1C months, heard any con
versation between the prisoner and the
chief calieil Bowlegs, relating to the wa>
between the U. States and the Seminoles
Aos. I heard the prisoner tell Bowleg-
that he had sent letters to the prince re
gent, and expected soon to have an an
swer. Sometime afterwards, some of the
Negroes doubted his carrying those letters,
when the prisoner stated he had, but, tin-
distance being great, it would take some
time to receive an answer. By the court.
Slate to the court, when and where vou
from time to time, of what is passing, anfr
see the Americans do not extend them
selves on our lands. The Soanish sub
jects in the I'h - as, are too much in the
interests of the Americans to he mi-
■ lends. For the governor-. I shall alway-
• itertain the greatest regard—but, for tin
people, they do not act so as to merit my
esteem and protection. You desire I
would chase those marauders who steal my
cattle ; my people have lately driven some
Americans from Lalihaway. and I have
no doubt, the Americans will hold off this
as a pretext to make war on us, as they
have before done, in stating wc harbor
their runaway slaves.
No. 3.
Major General E. P. Gaines, president".
Members.
Col King Colonel Dyer
Col. W illiams Lt. Col. Lindsey
Lt. col. Gibson Lt. col. Elliott
Ylaj. Muhlenberg Major Fanning
Maj. Montgomery Major Minton
Captain Vasfion Captain Crittenden
Lt. J. M. Glassell, recorder.
When the further examination of thfli
witness, Peter It. Cook, took place, viz:
Q by the prisoner.—How long have you
been acquainted with the settlement on tho
Sahwahnee ?
Ans. Between six nil seven months.
Q. by the P. — For what term of years
did you engage to live with the prisoner? -
Ans. Fur no stated period—I was ta»
ken by the year.
Q bv the P—Were vou not ilisihaig-
first saw the letter signed A. Arbuthnot,
dated April ‘2.1 18. referred to in the 1st' General .Mitchell, agent for Indian affairs.
specification and the 2d charge. ! King Hutcliy, the head chief the Low-
Ans. About the Gth «f April, a black, cr Creek nation, has called on me to re-,
the commander of St. Marks, and lie re- j man who said he had received from an in-(quest I would represent to you the ciuell . j ’-I % ,e .. J
lers us to your excellency. It is not alone dian, gave it to Mr. Aiubrister, whom l j and oppressive conduct of the American \ ca ? v tne "
the impositions that have bien practised saw reading it. people, living on the borders of the Indi- - An *" , m< .... , ,
upon us, that have made u» presume to; Q. by the court—Do you know by what | an nation, and which, he was in hopes*! pf 'ne alter 1 bad written the e
address your excellency. Y\ e have com-. means that letter was conveyed to Su-1 from a talk you were pleased to send himi ‘/a 11 «y. e * ... . <•,
plaints ot a mure serious nature against wain-? | some weeks since, would have put a stop _ ,' e . r 1 -' *v J
the persons employed by the only house Ans. I understood hv an Indian who to and peace restored between the Indians i 1 1,11 ' 5 *', r .. . ,, .
that has been established among u>. In tne was sent from fort St. Marks land American - eopl-. But,so far from any 1 . . 118 , 8 31 . ,' u . a 8, " a r ^
first place, some years back, under false Q. bv the court.—Who paid the Indian ‘ stop being out to their inroads and en* ,n n t,,a uoy caMt-il st. John, ui.tier the
‘ - ''•■■■ ' ‘ - ■ croach nts. they are pouring in by liun-i P r ^ ec,, ^ l °[ Ner ‘V .. , ,
deeds at a time. ‘Not only from the la.nl j. " hat " as the»nb|ect matter of the
side, hut ascending the Appalachicola J lett™ you wrote to Proudence ?
vessel loads ; thus the Indians have been I Ans " l| Aftei ; be "f r * ,uset ^ b - v pn*-n*
compelled to take up arms to defend their. ? r " M, ’ a v ® ,, « UPe 4 ° Pr,,v " len r c *’ ‘ wrote-
homes from a set of lawless invaders - to ,n .V/nends for the means of trading by
1 rnvself.
pretences, they attempted t) ro us ot a for carrying the letter referred to in the
very large portion of our nest lands, and last interrogatory ?
we the more read'll' acceded toil from t.ici ,ns. 1 do not know,
r friend from vour early i ,jUl ' ,ul P"‘»mKe given us, that they would I Q. bv the court.—What steps were ta-
as vour nrotector Yes' S et people to settle and live among, k.-n by the Negroes and Indians on the re-
TClu!,l; but far from d. iog tins, Mr. Fo.be, I cc-ipt of the letter ?
A pardoned villain.! ‘‘ r - em P l j' (1 t0 1 se, ‘ i | t •" U !f American gov-1 Ans. They first believed the bearer to
e ^allows. would bless' er “ ,nent » an( ‘ settle it with Ymericans:—j be an enemy & confined him, but learning
d Ins life -het Ur Ham- tilus 1,11(1 * n -? ourselves deceived and iinpos-1 the c
k ?d his life ;bct Mr. Ham
s saviour.
’s generous friend is the
' n.y being in this coun-
t man, I shall endeavor
i-e to him and the other
ilty alone have fear—an
lit man dreads no dangers,
lie commits no ill : and
jtice ought to be appl ed
igl.tly tall, on the hea-is
,itty. Your mean and vile
have been the cause ol
era, comes ill from he who
l ;se of thefts and murders,
wild has been the cause
;f hundreds. Thuugl. your
villainous at the tint, vet
-as too savage and xaugui
conduct, -i., to the Indians
as pure motives us mine
■or to influem e them to i e-1
as brothers, and live i.. j
ieudsl.ip, cultivating tiieir j
and taking their diver-
in winter, respecting their
^taking themselves. espect-
(thus, sir, you would act,
nowledge of their language
more in your power (han
you would then be the
le Indians. Were 1 the
eft and murder, would 1
l have done to the chiefs
have called on me ? Ask
mmanding at fort Gaines
Dm breathed the strains of
sk Opy Hatchy. or Dany
if the recommendatory
,'bv order of Apiny could
instigator of murder ?—
‘If, if my language to him
urderer r Ask Mappalit-
ing among the Americans
if my language and ad
ored that of a murderer ?
ery Indian who have lieani
outradict vour vile assrr-
inti a. v, began to prepare for the en-
ed on, wc withdrew our grant about toree e .iv, and the removal of their families
years since, which, fron the stipulations and effect, across the river; the Indians
contained therein not being fulfilled on the' lived <m the opposite side,
part of .vli. Forbes, we conceived we had j Q. I»v liie court —Did the Indians and
a right to do. Secondly, Mr. Doyle and • Negroes art together in the performance of
■r. Hambly. the two persons left in the military duty ?
nation to cany on Mr. I-urbes* business,j Ans. No. But they always said they
have for more than two j ea° s been endea- would fight together,
vori.ig to influence us to join the \nieri- Q. bv’tlie niurt.—Did not Nero coin-
cans, and finding that t.ur means would maud the blacks, ami did not Bow legs own
'-ot sec u-e us ft- moor attachment to our Nero, and ve.is the letter under the inline-
am it nt ft lends the English : they have re- diat - c< mmund of llowlegs ?
cent! • han recoor.,e to threats of minging Ans. Nero commanded the blacks,-and
toe Ymericun., down p--i. us ; and that wa- owned and commanded by Bowlegs,
pt-i-jik oi ly wants a pretext to siiiack us. • 'ut there were some Negro captains who
wiiicli the -aid Doyle and Hambly attempts obeyed none but Nero
to give them by spreading false reports of Q bv the court.—What vessel brought
our murdcriiq. Ameiicaus, stealing their to Suwanv the amiiiunition which you said
cattle and pn-purin for v. ar against them, was sold bv the prisoner to the Indians and
while, in tact, it is the \mericaus who, Negroes ?
murder our red brethr n and steal our cat- Ans. The schooner Chance, now King
tie by hundreds .'t a time, and are daily at this wharf: she is a foretopsail vessel
enema clung on our lands,and maintaining belonging to (lie prisoner,
tiie settlers in tiieir ill-gotten possc-sions, i The w itness also identified to the mami-
use
to>
tng-
Your known philanthropy and good will tnl
Q. by the prisoner.—Do you believe tho
by ai ineti to
On tlie Clioctawhatcliv river, there are
a large body of Aim-mans forming settle
ments, ami more are daily joining t iein.
Vs this river is far within ttie line mark' d
out by your excellency's governineiit and
t!ie Americans some years since, (though
the line was unknown to u:, until very late-
lly, and vve never gave our sanction, noi
in tact, knew ofany sale of our lands made
to the Americans.) w-e trust vour excellen
cy will give order to displace them from
within the line, and semi them back to
their own country. Our delaying toad-
dress yur excellency, to represent the
forementioiied grievances, has been owing
to the want ot a person to attend to our
talks, ami pjf tiiem in writing i n tr,. 1'ne
commander of the fort of i-t. Marks has
Heard all our talks and i» uplands. He
approves of what we nave done, and wnal
vve are doing, and it is bv i.i, . ccom'iitmla-
tmn we have thus presumed to address
your excellency.
We have tlie honor to be, your excellen
cy’, most obedient and very humble ser
vants.
No. 1.
Power of Attorney from Indian chiefs to
J. .jrbutlmoC.
Know a I men oy these presents, that
vve, chiefs of the Creek nation, whose
names are affixed to this power, hav
ing lull laith and confidence in A. Arbuth-
not, ol New-fVovalence, wlm, knowing
all our talks, is fully acquainted witlv ouc
inteaiioiis and our wishes, do heieby, by
tnese presents, constitute and appoint him,
the said Alexander Arbuthnot, cur attor
ney and agent, with full power jnd autho-
iiuoval"frutn* a‘bvmrd ot" t ‘ ,ac, ' ,, . ,r aiul >" ,,ur '>»'"«*» j'* ail
attairs relating to our nation, amt also to
write shell letters and papers as to him
may appear necessary and proper, for our
benefit, and that of the Creek nation.
Given at Ocklockuee Sound, in
Creek nation, this 17th day of June, one
thousano eight hundied and seventeen.
1 Cappacimaro, his X mark,
2 lnleiuuthlo, his X mark.
3 Charles i'uckonoky, lus X mark.
4 Dtu.s Mico. his X mark.
3 Ocliac me Tiistonoky, his X mark.
G lmat' niuclr, his X mark.
7 Itihiinutcchuv lc, hi., X mark.
8 Loline Ituinatrlily, his X mark,
b iiiiwrathle, his X mark.
“ 10 liilii-gjo. Ills X mark.
11 Tamuclies H im. hi, X mark.
12 Upartnloinico, Ins X mark.
Certified explanation of names and
towns to wliico the foregoing chiefs belong,
agreeably to the numbers set opposite
thereto. W.M. HAMBLY.
1 Kmliingee, chief of Mickasuky.
2 Inhimarthlo, chief of Fowl Town.
3 Cliarle TustonoKy, 2d cliiel ol Oak-
mulgee Town.
4 Chief ou the Conhulavvay, below fort
Gaines.
5 Opony, chief of Oakmulgee Towns.
G Chief of the Atlapalgus.
7 Chief of Pallatchucolcy.
8 Chief of the C'hehavvs.
9 Chief the Red Sticks. *
the Indians, induces the head chiefs to hope -- -■ j— •
that you will lose no time in using vour in- P r !"“ nw ,a '' kn*iw'e.l«e of he ventures
flue -ce to put a stop to those invasions of '**!«? on board the schooner ?
their lands, and ortler that those who have , A ' N ' * believe he did. It was
already presumed to seize our fields may s A ano in iny iun ■.
retire therefrom. . V; b - v the P - ,,n - vo f u ^ ,0 ' v ‘ 1,at A, «'
The Indians have seized two persons | bn f r ' vas . tl,e a f nt ,,f ^e priEoner ?
they think have been greatly instrumental ' ,l,! ‘ 0 1,0 ’
script "I Ihe pri,oner on the following do
cument*. viz. No 1, granting him full
power to art in all cases for the Indians,
as . ecorded before ; and also a letter with
out signature. to tile governor of St. Au
gustine, numbered 2 : and further, a let
ter with ml date, t- Mr. Mitchell, the !n-
li.--.ii agent, numbered 3 ; and an unsign
ed petition of tne chiefs of the Lmver
Creek nation, to governor Cameron, pray
ing hi, aid in me.i ami munitions of war.
nuiiitmred I ; all vvhi-ii the witness stat
ed to be tne hand v riting of the prisoner.
No. 2.
Supposed to befcom llowlegs, to the gov
ernor of St. Augustine. ,
To his excellency don Jose ( oppinger—to' e,lce u 0UI c, » u nti>•.
tcy has given me a clue bv
avel whence the aspersion
a Apiny, Hatchy, oi a-
■ f the upper towns, but
deavnrs to lead them to
arrels with each other.—
fs hear my note read with
rfectlv according to inv
iog all as brethren uniting
•iendship and live? Did
» smoke the pipe ol pea e
en of the lower nation,
ure as brothers ? What
em alter their minds af-
interference of a humane
Is them to write to
l letter is signed “ Wil-
:e one more observation,
from whence 1 came,
e amongst the Indians
the friend of peace and
ringing the Americans upon them, and
they-are now in their possession as prison
ers lt is even reported that they have
made sales of Indian lands without
the knowledge, consent, or approba
tion of the chiefs of the nation ; and from
long resilience in the nation, ami the great
influence that one of those people former
ly enjoyed among the chiefs and their chief,
tlierc i, some reason to believe he has been
guilty of improper conduct to the Indian
nation.
No. 4.
Petition of the chiefs of the Lower Creek
nation, to gov. Cameron.
We, the undersigned, deputed by the
Creek nation to wait on your excellency,
and lay before you their heavy complaint,,
i'" the English, vve have always looked
up to as friends, ns protectors, and on
them vve now call to aid us in repelling
the approaches of the Americans, who, re
gardless of treaties, are daily seizing our
lands and robbing our people: they have
already built s veil foits on our lands;
they are making roads and running lines
into the very heart of unr country, and,
vvithi.ut the interference of the English, wc
shall soon be driven from the land vve in
herited from our forefathers.
The Americans tell u, the English V. ill
regard us no mure, anil we had better sub
mit to them ; but vve cannot submit to
their shackles, and will rather die in de-
|f (
Y\ hen peace was made between the En
glish and the Americans, vve were told liy
lieut. colonel Nicholls, that the Americans
vveie to give op nur lands they had taken,
and vve to live quietly and peaceably, in
no wise molesting the Americans. We
have strictly followed those orders; but
tin- Americans have not complied with tbe
treaty. Colonel Nicholls left Mr. Ilaui-
| bly in charge of the fort at Prospect Blurt'.
| with orders to hear us. if any cause of
his excellency James Green, governor of
■St. Augustine.
Sir.— I had the honor of receiving your
letter of .September, hut the impossibility
of finding a person to write an answer to
the same, is the cause of this apparent
neglect.
1 shall he very happy to keep up a good
understanding and correspondence with
you, ami hope you will, when occasion
offers, advise me of such things as may j , " ; “ l U! '* " a,, j ll “ ITC 1,1
be of service to myself and people. My aml re P rl ‘, se,1 ‘ sa "' r l ". the
: i . .1..., .... J J. » British government; but he turned traitor,
and brougnt the Americans down on the
fort, which was blown up, and mam of
(J.—Do you think that the powder and
lead shipped would more than suppl. the
Indian ami Negro hunters ?
Ans. I did not see the powder And
lead myself, but vias told by Bowleg* that
he had a great quantity he had there keep
ing to light with.
Q.—Did the Indians reside on the east
side of the river ?
•\ns. They did.
Q. You were asked if the Negroes and
Indians, when the letter marked \ was
communicated to them, did not take up
arms: had they received information of
the defeat of the Indians at Mukasuky
prior to that time ?
Ans. (t was afterwaids I believe, they
received the information.
Q.—Did not Bowlegs keep other powder
than that he got from the prisoner r
Ans. He bail some he gut from the-
Blurt' which was nearly done ; lie said his
hunters were always bothering him about
powder.
Q.—Did you state that at the time Am-
bl ister ascended the river there was o o«
tlici vessel at the mouth of the rivet i
Ans. There was none other there-.—
there was one had sailed.
Q — I’l'cre is a letter, A, spoken of; ho \v
dn you know that the son of the prison efi
had that letter in his possession?
Ans. I saw him with it, which he drop
ped, and a bov called John, picked up and
gave it tu me.
Q.—Y'ciu stated that the Indians; and
Negroes doubted the fidelity of the pri -oner
in sending the. letters t-i the prince regent
—do you think the prisoner wnulrj have
been punished by them had he not comply-
ed with their wishes ?
Ans. I do not know.
Q—Do you believe the prig-oner was
rompelieil tu write the Indian communi
cations ?
Aus. He was not Compelled.
f 1816, W. Humbly sent
n a letter,containing talks
lie Indian nations : they
o England, and his ex-
me, on my leaving I’rovi-
thereto from (lie light
thurst, one of Ins majes-
i of state, that I mignt
own to the chiefs on my
VY’liat will govern
ed the man who, in IS1G.
t the encroachments ol
the Indian nation ; and
17 call the chiefs of that
more especially wrote,
mbly may sell his ser-
;; but no man can expa-
t allegiance due his na-
i government may call
i to give up a subject
rouged her.
Mr. Hambly to be con
may have received :
lettered Indian to live
bly on his native land,
‘py of this letter with
io be read by the chiefs
shall, at the same time,
ty of expressing niysell
did in the notr sent by
10 Fratici-, ^the Prophet.)
11 Peter M’Queen, chief the T&llahasse.
ian old lied h’vick.)
warriors and others that go to IM. Augus
tine, return with false reports, tending to
harrass and distress my people, and pre
venting them from attending to their usu
al avocations. At one time, the Ameri
cans and L’pper Indians, supported bv a
force of about 3000 men, were running
iines far within the Indian territory : ano
ther time, are collecting a force at Fort
Mitchell, in the lin ks of Flint and Cliata-
hoocliv rivers, to fall on the towns below.
Now, sir, we know of no reason the Ame
ricans can have to attack us, an inorte.n-
sive and unoffending people We have
none of thejr slaves ; vve have taken mine
tj ! of tlicii- property since (Iip Americans
....I'made peace with our good father, king
George, We have full owed the orders of
liuniflicer that was vvitli us, lieut. colonel
Edward Nicholls, and, in no wise molest
ed the Americans, though w-e daily see
them encroaching on our territory, steal
ing our cattle, and murdering and carrying
oft' nur people.
The same officer told us, we, allies to
the great king, our father, were included
in the treaty of peace between our good
father and the Americans, and, that the
latter were to give up all the territory that
had been taken from us before and during
tlu* war. Yet. so far from complying with
the 9th article of that treaty, they are
ilail. making encroachments on our land,
getting per,ons who are not known to the
chiefs, and without any power or authori
ty, to grant and sign over lands to them.
Thus they deceivf* the world, and make
our very friends believe we are in league
with them.
The principal chiefs of the nation, with
the head warriors, assembled at my town
on the 8th instant, and came to the reso
lution of informing the British minister at
Washington, ol the conduct of the Ame
ricans and the officers of theirguverninent.
towards us; it has be< n done accordingly,
and copies sent to England. We demand
ol the king, nur father, to fix some ol hi,
people among us, who may inform him
our red brethren destroyed in it. Th
ammunition stores imended fur our use,
were cither destriived, nr taken off by the
Americans. We have sent several mes
sengers to inform your excellency of these
proceedings of the Americans, but they
have never returned to us with an answer.
I lirei- of our red brethren have lately been
killed by the Americans, while hunting
on our la ds, and they threaten to attack!
Continuation of the minutes of the proceed
ings of a special court, where)j major
general Gaines is president, cn.,.enect
by order of the 26th of April, ihlo.
Fort 8t. Marks. Ypril 27. ifc!8.
The court proceeded In the tnal of tin.
bert G. Aiubrister. a iliiti-ii subject, tv no
being asked if he had any objections to a-
ny one of the members of the court. n . d
replying in the negative, was arraigned n
the following charges ik specifications. , -z:
Charges against Robert (’. Ainbiistcr,
tne towns of Mickasuky and Sahvvahneee,! ml " ‘ n custody, who says lie is a British
me only two large towns left us in the!®** hject.
Creek nation, and, without aid from your Charge I.— Yidlng. abetting, ami com-
excellency, we cannot repel their attack, fm ting the enemy, suppiyiti"'them uuh
YY e are, tiler-fore, deputed to demand of the means of war. he neing a subject of
your excellency the assistance ol troops Great Britain, at peace with the United
and amiiiunition, that we may be able ef-[ states, and lately an officer in the British
fectually to repel the attack of the Arne-j colonial marines,
ricans, and prevent their further encroach- Specification L—That the said iob,-rt
ments ; and, il wc return without assist-jC. Aiubrister did give intelligence of the
movements and operations of the Ameri-
ance, the Americans, who have their
among u-, will the more quickly come up-
ui us. VV e must humbly pray that your
excellency will send us such a force as
will be ri-gpectcd, 1. make us respectable.
[]Ihe following was endorsed on the
foregoing.]
can army between the 1st and 20tli March,
1818. and did excite them (the Ncgi .es
and Indians) to wa against the ariuv of
the United States, by sending tlmi, war
riors to meet and fight the American army
—vvlmse government was at peace and
... . r . friendship with the United States and all
diaries Cameron, esq. governor, common-1 her citizens.
II i d<] in chie J' ( Charge 2.—Leading and commanding
I beg leave to represent to your excel- the Lower Creeks in carrying a war a”
lency the necessity of my again returning! gainst the f h States,
to the Indian nation, with the deputies S.ir-rifinti,,., i n,., ,
the chiefs, and as niv trouble and ex-! r- ! ...n ; '■ ' , at !.** 831,1
1 •Y | "Im inter, a subject id Great Britain,
pense ran only be defrayed by permission
to take goods to dispose of amongst them,
I pray your excellency will he pleased to
grant me such a letter or lixeense, as will
prevent me from being captured in case of
meeting any Spanish cruiser on the coast
of Florida.
The court adjourned, to meet to-morrow
morning at G o’clock.
Fort St Marks, April 26, 1818.
which government was in p^-.-ce and
ty w th the United States and all her , iti-
zcriH, did, between the 1st of February
and 20th of March, 1818, levy war agai st
the United States, by assuming command
of the Ipdians in hostility ami open war
with the United States^ and ordering a
party ot them to meet the army ot the U.
States and give them battle, as will appear
bv Ins letters to gov, rnor Cameron oi New
The court c.mveucdpursuanttoa^jomn-1 Fr-ividi-ncc. dated doth „r Aj.'i,' ]5 .,«
ment.-Frcscat, | whtcb ore mark* A. H, C, and D. Jd tjfe
