- Collection:
- Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842
- Title:
- Extract from minutes [as notice], 1786 Mar. 1, Choctaw Nation to John Woods, Augusta
- Date of Original:
- 1786-03-01
- Subject:
- Choctaw Indians--Land tenure
Choctaw Indians--Government relations
Georgia--Boundaries - Location:
- United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018
- Medium:
- legal notices
minutes (administrative records) - Type:
- Text
- Format:
- text/html
image/jpeg - Description:
- This document is a notice in the form of an extract of legislative minutes, dated March 1, 1786, to John Woods, agent living among the Choctaw Nation, detailing the boundaries and jurisdiction of the state of Georgia. Also present is a list of duties ascribed to Woods regarding the further sale of Indian lands, issues of white settlers inside Indian nations, suspected plots against the state, and the abolition of the practice of retaliation.
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:
- tcc064
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc064
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc064#item
- IIIF manifest:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc064/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 08, document 01.
- Holding Institution:
- Hargrett Library
- Rights:
-
Page: [1]
In Council, Augusta
1st March
1786. --
To John Woods, esquire, Agent to the Chactaw
Indians.
You are to know that the limits, boundaries, jurisdiction and authority of the State of Georgia, does and of right, ought to extend from the mouth of the River Savannah, along the north-side thereof, and up the most northern Stream or fork of the said river to its head or source, from thence in a due west course to the River Mississippi and the said stream of the Mississippi to the latitude thirty-one degrees north; from thence in a due East course to the River Apalachicola or Chatahootchee, and from the [deleted text: [illegible text] ] fork of the said river Apalachicola, [deleted text: [illegible text] ] [added text: where ] Chatahootchee and Flint Rivers meet, in a direct line to the head or source of the Southernmost stream of the river St. Mary's, And along the course of the said river Saint Mary's to the Atlantic Ocean, and from thence to the mouth or inlet of the River Savannah.
You are to take especial care, that no person or persons whatsoever do purchase
Page: [2]
or contract or cause to be purchased or contracted for, or shall take or accept of a Grant or conveyance of any Lands within the limits reserved for the Indian hunting grounds in this State from any Indian or body of Indians, upon any pretence whatsoever.
You are to use every means in your power to abolish the savage mode of Retaliation and to cause them to understand that the punishment of the Innocent under the idea of retaliation is not warrantable and shall not be practised.
You are to keep a watchfull [watchful] Eye to discover any designs that may be intended to be formed among any Tribe or Tribes of Indians against the peace or safety of this State and in case of any such design you are to make an immediate report thereof, to His Honor the Governor.
You are to see that no white person or persons shall be restrained of their liberty among the said Indians,
Page: [3]
and any who wish to remove under such description, be conducted in safety into some setled [settled] part of this State, except where any crime or charge that may extend to a breach of any of the Laws of this State shall be exhibited against any person or persons so intended to be removed, then and in that case, the said Agent shall commit such person or persons so intended to be removed, and take evidence thereon, and thereafter transmit the same to any one of the Assistant Judges in any of the adjacent Counties.
You are to consider the different Nations, Tribes or Towns of Indians within the Jurisdiction aforesaid as Members of this State. And you are to inform them that the Guardianship and protection of their rights will be the object and care of the Executive
You are in addition to the above and foregoing instructions to take for your Government and direction such Laws and Ordinances, as may or shall have been enacted by the Legislature of the State
Page: [4]
to regulate or ascertain any matter or thing that may or shall arise between the Citizens of this State and the Nations, Tribes or Towns of Indians residing as aforesaid.
Extract from the Minutes
[Signed] G. Handley Sec. [illegible text]
Indian Affairs
1786
John Woods
Papers
1786 --
Indian