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Document: TCC794 Journal of the proceedings of the commissioners appointed to treat with the southern Indians [with accompanying] letter[s], 1785 [to] 1786date: 1785 -- 1786 extent: 22p summary: This is a copy of a journal of the proceedings between the United States commissioners appointed to treat with the southern Indians, Benjamin Hawkins, Andrew Pickens, Joseph Martin, and Lachlan McIntosh, and those Indian groups themselves, the Cherokees, Choctaws, and Chickasaws. The journal entries run from January 7, 1786 to January 15, 1786 and document negotiation talks between the commissioners and Chickasaw leaders such as Piomingo. Included are copies of correspondence between Colonel William Blount, agent for the state of North Carolina, and the commissioners, dated November 1785. Blount expresses his opposition to the federal commissioners' treaty with the Cherokees (ostensibly the Treaty of Hopewell, November 28, 1785), arguing that it violates the North Carolina constitution. A copy of a letter from the commissioners to Governor William Moultrie of South Carolina, dated February 6, 1786, is also included in this document. The commissioners inform Moultrie that they have entered into treaties with the Cherokees, Choctaws, and Chickasaws and encourage him to adhere to the terms of these treaties and previous ones, specifically requesting that Indian children that are being held in slavery by a man named Andrew Williamson be returned to their families. Treaties relative to this document include the one mentioned above, the Treaty of Hopewell with the Choctaw, January 3, 1786, and the Treaty of Hopewell with the Chickasaw, January 10, 1786. repository: Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries collection: Telamon Cuyler box: 61 folder: 06 document: 01 subject headings: Hopewell the 7th. of Jany [January] -- 1786 The Commissioners plenepetentiary [plenipotentiary] of the United Statesin Congress assembled appointed to treat with the Cherokeesand all other Indians southward of them within the limits of the United States, Assembled Present -- Benjamin Hawkins, Andrew Pickinsand Joseph Martin -- from the State of North CarolinaWilliam BlountEsqr. [Esquire] Agent -- James ColeInterpreter -- . The Commissioners were informed that the leading Chiefs of the Chickasawswith their followers had arrived, and were desirous of seeing the Commissioners, and entering [deleted: in the] [added: upon their] business as early as practicable -- that they had been long on the path, and detained by the villainy of the Cherokees, some of whom had stolen several of their horses -- They were introduced and expressed a most friendly [deleted: regard] disposition towards the United States, and an earnest desire of entering into a treaty of peace and protection with them -- The Commissioners after explaining the object of their commission informed the Chiefs that they would on Monday or as early as would be convenient for them enter upon business -- The leading Chiefs attended at 10 oClock, & after some friendly conversation, The commissioners addressed the leading Chiefs as follows -- viz -- "Leading Chiefs who represent the Chickasaws -- We are the Commissioners plenipotentiary from the United Statesin Congress assembled, who sent an invitation to you the Leading Chiefs, who represent the Chickasawsto meet us at this place -- To give you peace, and to receive you into the favour [favor] and protection of the United States -- and to remove as far as may be all causes of future quarrels [deleted: and] [added: or] contentions. That you, your wives, and [added: your] children may be happy, and feel and know the blessings of the new change of sovereignty over this land which you & us inhabit -- " "This humane and generous act of the United Stateswill no doubt be received by all the Chickasawswith joy and gladness, and held in grateful remembrance, particularly as it flows unsolicited from their Justice, their humanity and their attention to the rights of human nature -- " "on our [added: own] parts, we sincerely wish you to live as happily After this address the Chiefs were told that at some future period the occurrences of the late war & the extent of territory within the United Stateswould be fully explained to them -- to which Piomingoreplied he wished to hear every thing intended to be communicated to him, prior to his talks -- the whole was accordingly explained, and apparently to their satisfaction and comprehension -- The draught [draft] of the treaty was also explained, with which they seemed to acquiesce most heartily -- The leading Chiefs then in turn, addressed the Commissioners -- Piomingo -- The period has arrived that I have visited you, to see you, and to regulate every thing that respects us -- These beads are our credentials of peace & friendship and two of us have come to bring the talks of the nation -- These white beads are of little value but in our nation, where they are kept even by our children with veneration Eight strands of beads [unclear: Mingatushka] The day is come when I have met you to talk with you, and I am well pleased, and now you shall hear what I have to say -- I have come to see you, and you are not strangers to us -- you are a white people, I claim as our oldest and first brothers -- these beads in my hand are a token of friendship, and I hope friendly Ideas will arise in your minds whenever you see them -- My predecessor loved you white people in his time and I mean to do the same. Our two old leading Men are dead and we two come as their successors in business -- with the same friendly talks as they had, which were always friendly -- Although our old king and leading man is dead, we wish their friendly talks may live and be remembered with you as with us, and for that principle we come to renew them -- Piomingo I now represent [unclear: Letopoia] -- he is a particular man, when he gives his word or acquiescence he never lets go, and this is his belt -- he and I are related, our sentiments are the same -- our talks are short, but his token of friendship is great -- a broad belt of wampum -- our talks are done our predecessors are dead, and we come and give in our talks, and now we will hear further from you -- [unclear: Mingastushka] This great man of our nation who wore this medal I show you is dead -- and I am his nephew, and Piomingo -- You see this, now / pointing to the medal / it was worn by our great man, he is dead, and his daughter sent it for you to see it: I take place as head leading warrior of the nation to treat with all nations -- Commissioners -- We are glad you remember with pleasure the virtues of your old and worthy predecessors, & we are pleased that the daughter of one of them has sent us this medal, with the reasons for so doing -- in return we will give you some present for her -- As you are well pleased with the draught [draft] of our treaty, we shall prepare two copies thereof to be signed tomorrow -- the one for you -- the other for the Congress -- When the first article was read, the Chief Piomingosaid he had no prisoners of ours in his nation, or property of any kind -- to the [illegible] in the third article he at first seemed much exposed, but on being assured by the Commissioners that they were not Jany [January] 10th. 1786 -- The Commissioners produced two copies of the draught [draft] agreed on and a map of the lands in question, partly drawn by themselves and partly by the Indians- and instead of agreeing to the line between the respective tribes, they dotted only with black ink, which the Chief observed, and said he wished Congress would point out his lands to him, he wanted to know his own -- the line was then extended as in the third article, and the Commrs [Commissioners] told the Chiefs that they must agree with the neighbouring [neighboring] tribes respecting their boundary, and that then Congress would send a white man to be present with the Indians & see them mark it -- The treaty was then read over again and every article explained with great attention, and the Indians acquiesced with them, and at the [unclear: close] the The Commissioners informed the Chief, that on tomorrow, in pursuance of the humane and liberal views of Congress, they would make them some presents for their use and comfort -- Jany [January] 12th -- Present as yesterday -- It being very wet and rainy the Chiefs postponed receiving the presents till tomorrow -- In the evening the principal Warrior Piomingovisited the Commissioners, and addressed them as follows -- viz -- I am now going to inform you of the situation of the white people in our land -- There are a great many of them who have numerous stocks of cattle and horses, and they are not traders or of any advantage to us -- And where a white man comes Your remarks are very proper. You have in an article of the treaty provided against a repetition of the abuse -- and you will have the right to punish these if you think proper -- We shall send the treaty and all our talks with you to Congress, and they will issue a proclamation, warning the white people of their danger, and this will be communicated by some person to the chiefs of all the southern tribes -- When you return, you may by our Interpreter communicate the article of the treaty respecting these people, that they may see their situation -- Jany [January] 12th -- Present as yesterday -- Piomingo, addressed the Commissioners as follows -- The people I complained of last night, I imagine will not pay attention to what I say respecting their removal -- [deleted: my talk is a short one, I am only desirous that Col [Colonel] Martin] and I wish that Col [Colonel] Martinwould come and see them removed -- my talk is a short one -- I am only desirous that Col [Colonel] Martinmay come and adjust every thing between the red people and white people -- The Commissioners then distributed presents among the Chiefs and Indians amounting including the goods to purchase provisions to [blank on page] dollars, they were perfectly satisfied with the presents, and the treatment they met, and expressed their gratitude for it -- and prepared to set out to their own nation -- In the evening the Cherokeesgave the Chief a proof of their Ingenuity in robbing of packs, as well as stealing horses -- two of them robbed the Chief of all his presents, and the goods given to purchase Jany [January] 15th -- The Chief of [unclear: Chatugeh] with three young men bought the goods, and informed the Commissioners that they had pursued the robbers, and endeavoured [endeavored] to apprehend them, but could not -- that they came up with them, and fired at them & wounded one -- The Commissioners paid the reward and told the Chief that they had done very properly and that in future he should be noticed for his attention to their order, and prompt execution of it -- The first letter from Col. [Colonel] Blountwith an extract from the Constitution of N. [North] Carolina -- Hopewellon KeoweeNovr [November] 22d 1785 -- Gentlemen Having yesterday had the honor to lay before you my Commission as agent on the part of North Carolina, I now consider it my duty to call your attention to the following extract from the Constitution of that State, which was agreed to and published to the world on the 18th day of December in the year 1776 -- "The property of the soil in a free Government being one of the essential rights of the collective body of the people it is necessary in order to avoid future disputes that the limits of the State should be ascertained with precision, and as the former temporary line between North& South Carolinawas confirmed and extended by Commissioners appointed by the Legislature of the two states, agreeable to the order of the late King George the Second, in Council: That line & that only should I have the honor to be your most Obedt. humb Sert [Obedient humble Servant]signed -- [Signed] Wm [William] Blount -- agent for the state of No [North] Carolina Copy -- Second letter and protest of Col: [Colonel] Blountand Agent for North Carolinato the Commrs. [Commissioners] and their answer to his correspondence -- Hopewellon Keowee Novr [November] 28th 1785 -- Gentlemen -- The State of North Carolinahave at this time a law in force and use, allotting the lands contained in the following bounds to the Cherokee Indians -- beginning on the Tennessee riverwhere the southern boundary of the State of North Carolinaintersects the same nearest the ChickamawgaTowns, thence up the middle of the Ten[added: n]esseeand Holston rivers to the middle of French broad river, thence up the middle of the said French broad river(which lines are not to include any Island) Should you by treaty fix any other other boundaries than the before mentioned within the limits of the said State of North Carolina, between the said Cherokee Indiansand her citizens, that State will consider such treaty a violation and infringement upon her legislative rights -- The lands contained within the limits of Davidson Countywhich begins on Cumberland riverwhere the northern boundary of the said State of North Carolinafirst intersects the same, thence south fifty five miles, thence west to the Tenessee river -- thence down the Tenesseeto the said northern boundary, thence west with the said boundary to the beginning, have been appropriated by the State of North Carolinato the payment of the bounties of land, promised the officers and soldiers of the Continental line of that State, and it is said that the militia in that county are in number about seven hundred. And the State of North Carolinahave sold to [unclear: her] Citizens for a valuable consideration I have the honor to be your most obedient humble servant signed -- [Signed] Wm [William] Blount -- agent for North Carolina -- Benjamin Hawkins -- Andrew Pickens Joseph Martin& Lachlan McIntosh -- Esqrs. [Esquires] Commissioners for treating with the Southern Indians -- A copy of Col. [Colonel] Blounts protest -- The underwritten Agent on the part of the State of North Carolina, protests against the treaty at this instant about to be signed and entered into between Benjamin Hawkins, Andrew Pickens, Joseph Martinand Lachlan McIntoshCommissioners on the part of the United Statesand the Cherokee Indianson the other part, as containing several stipulations which Hopewellon Keowee Novr. [November] 28th. 1785 [Signed] Wm [William] Blount -- Copy of the Commissioners answer to Col [Colonel] Blounts letters and protest -- Hopewellon Keowee the 28th of Novr [November] -- 1785 Sir We received your letters of the 22d of Novr. [November] with an extract from the constitution of your State declarative of the limits thereof -- of the 28th inclosing [enclosing] an abstract of an act allotting certain lands to the Indians of the Cherokee Nation, and your protest of the same date against the treaty entered into between the Commissioners of the United States of Americaand all the Cherokees, which we shall transmit to Congress -- We enclose two articles of the treaty to you which we hope as Agent of the State of North Carolinayou will take measures to see executed -- so far as the same may respect the citizens of that State; or the faith of the Commissioners pledged for the [unclear: restoration] of the prisoners now held there -- We are informed We are [added: with] due respect Sir Your most obedient and humble Servants -- [Signed] B: [Benjamin] Hawkins [Signed] A: [Andrew] Pickens [Signed] J: [Joseph] Martin [Signed] L: [Lachlan] McIntosh -- The Honble. [Honorable] Col [Colonel] BlountEsqr [Esquire] -- Agent for North Carolina -- The two Articles enclosed are the Second & fourth -- Charlestown the 6th Feby. [February] 1786 Sir The commissioners for Indian affairs have entered into treaties with the Cherokees, Choctawsand Chickasaws, which we Shall Send forward to the United Statesin Congress assembled for their approbation -- As the Second & third Articles with the Cherokeesmay in Some measure immediately affect the citizens of this State, we have it in command to communicate them to your Excellency -- The Indians complain of a violation of your treaty with them at [illegible] corner, and charge the citizens of this state with Surveying their lands to the westward of your boundary with them -- and on enquiry we find the charge to be true -- They also inform us that two of their children are now in the possession of Andrew Williamson, late Brigadier General of Ninety Six district, and probably held by him in Slavery -- We are of opinion that a Steady adherence to the treaties will insure [ensure] confidence in We have the honor to be Sir Your Excellency's most obedient Servant [Signed] Benjamin Hawkins [Signed] Andrew Pickens -- His Excellency Wm [William] MoultrieEsqr [Esquire] -- Governor of South Carolina -- 1786 Copy -- Journal of the proceedings of the Commissioners appointed to treat with the Southern Indians -- Jany. [January] 7th -- 1786 -- The first letter from Col Blountto the Commrs. [Commissioners] with an extract from the Constitution of N. [North] Carolina The Second letter from Col: [Colonel] Blountand his protest -- The Commrs. [Commissioners] answer -- Letter from the Commrs. [Commissioners] to Govr. [Governor] of South Carolina --
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