- Collection:
- Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842
- Title:
- [Letter] 1784 July 10, Chickesaw [i.e., Chickasaw] Nation [to] Colo[nel] James Robertson, Nashborough on Cumberland River
- Creator:
- Bell, John
- Contributor to Resource:
- Dugless, Allexander
- Date of Original:
- 1784-07-10
- Subject:
- Indians of North America--Warfare
- Location:
- United States, Southern States, 33.346678, -84.119434
- Medium:
- reports
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- text/html
image/jpeg - Description:
- This is a copy of a letter dated July 10, 1784 from John Bell and Allexander Dugless, living in the Chickasaw Nation, to Colonel James Robertson at Nashborough (present-day Nashville), Tennessee. The letter warns of possible alliances between the Creeks, Chiggemaugys (probably Chickamaugas), Choctaws, Chickasaws and the Spanish in Mobile and Pensacola. The movements and negotiations of the Spanish are seen as a precursor to war with America.
Digital image of original manuscript, scanned by the University of Georgia Libraries in 2000, as part of GALILEO, funded in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. - Local Identifier:
- tcc062
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc062
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc062#item
- IIIF manifest:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc062/presentation/manifest.json
- Language:
- eng
- Bibliographic Citation (Cite As):
- Cite as: [title of item], Telamon Cuyler, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries, presented in the Digital Library of Georgia
- Extent:
- 4 pages/leaves
- Original Collection:
- Manuscript held by the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries, Telamon Cuyler, box 77, folder 07, document 01.
- Holding Institution:
- Hargrett Library
- Rights:
-
Page: [1]
A copy of a letter from Mr. [Misters] John Bell & Allexander Dugless Living [missing word: in ] the Chickesaw Nation to Colo. [Colonel] James Robertson at Cumberland [deleted text: Viz. ] dated Ye.
10th July 1784
Sir
On the 23d. [23rd] of last month there was a General Congress held at Mobille With the Chickesaws and and [and] Choctaws by the Spanierds and Great presents were given the Creek Indians who were Likewise met at Pensacola upon the same occasion and as far as we understand by a Company of Chickesaws that came up Yesterday from the Treaty that the Spanierds desired all the above mentioned Indian Nations as they Look'd [Looked] upon them as their friends and Brothers and that it was Impossible for any other Nation Except the King of Spain to supply their wants in Every perticular [particular] and that in a short time they should be at War With the Americans or Virginians and they look'd [looked] upon them all as Allies to aid and assist them when call'd [called] upon --
Page: [2]
The Creek Indians are said to Join Them and the Chiggemaugys are to Join the Creeks, the Chickesaws do say they will not now nor never will fight against the Virginians There is but this Company Come up Yet the Remainder will be up shortly Mr. Turnbull I am satisfy'd [satisfied] hath not heard the News yet as he lives near 30 Miles from me And to start tomorrow for Cumberland with his Company &c. [et cetera] I am not able as yet to say how the Choctaws will take the Spanish talks, However you may sir and all others of the settlements of Cumberland, And Kentuckey, Prepare Yourself for Trouble and take the best steps you can to secure yourselves from the ravages of the Creeks and the Chiggemaugy Indians, if Oppertunity [Opportunity] serves I will Endeavour [Endeavor] to send you the Whole News assoon [as soon] as I shall Receive it -- Now sir were the spanierds to know that I wrote to you on this subject I might say farewell to home for Ever as the Commandant
Page: [3]
at the Natchez hath sent for me to Return and that he would look upon me with the same Respect as before But I shall by no means Return if the Spanierds are a going to war with America -- Etc.
We are with due Respect your Mo. Obt. Servts. [Most Obedient Servants]
[Signed] John Bell &
[Signed] Allexr. [Allexander] Dugless
Colo. [Colonel] James Robertson at Nashborough on Cumberland River
Page: [4]
Copy of a Letter from Messrs. [Misters] John Bell and Alexr. [Alexander] Dougless to Colo. [Colonel]
James Robertson --
10th July 1784
John Bell & Alexr. [Alexander] Dougless to Col. Robertson
Copy Letter
[added text (appears to be different ink and hand): Treaty ]