- Collection:
- Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842
- Title:
- A talk delivered by Governor Martin at Savannah, 1782 Oct. 29, to the Tallesee King and the headmen and warriors of the upper [and] lower Creek Nations
- Creator:
- Martin, John
- Date of Original:
- 1782-10-29
- Subject:
- Creek Indians--Claims against
Georgia--Politics and government--1775-1865 - Location:
- United States, 39.76, -98.5
- Medium:
- speeches
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- text/html
image/jpeg - Description:
- Talk dated October 29, 1782 delivered at Savannah by Governor John Martin (1782-1783) to the Tallesee (Tallassee, Talasee, Tallassie) King and the headmen and warriors of the upper and lower Creek Nations. Martin reiterates the message of his last talk, demanding that the Americans be returned their property and that the Creeks rid themselves of Brown's (Thomas Brown, British agent ?) sympathizers. He mentions blood being spilled between the Indians and Americans and their mutual desire for peace and friendship. Martin also discusses trade.
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:
- tcc272
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc272
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc272#item
- IIIF manifest:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc272/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 38F, folder Martin 63, document 01.
- Holding Institution:
- Hargrett Library
- Rights:
-
Page: [1]
A Talk delivered by Governor Martin at Savannah
29th October 1782 To the Tallesee King and the head Men & Warriors of the upper & Lower Creek Nations
Friends & Brothers --
I am happy to see you all here upon our own land face to face, and treading the same ground together. I have Receiv'd [Received] your talk which I find to be good, it speaks nothing but peace & friendship, and may it continue so to the end of time
I have nothing very particular to mention to you more than what I have already said in the [added text: last ] Talk I sent [deleted text: you ] up to you by our good friend & Brother the Factor, in which we demanded Our horses, Cattle and Negroes, together with the Torys [Tories], Traders and Brown's lying people that are among you making mischief, and Which have been the means of so much blood being Spilled between the Red people and the Virginians, Had it not been for them, their Trifling presents and lies, we should have been at peace long ago -- Therefore these are the people your Vengance [Vengeance] ought to fall upon
I now refer them to the same talk, which they all remember perfectly well. This is what I told them before, and this is what I now tell them again. I have no forked tongue, nor double mouth. I speak Truth and not lies -- You are all men of Sence [Sense], and Know well how to Judge between wright [right] and wrong -- pray let me ask you Seriously: is there any man among you, whose views extends no further that to day, or tomorrow, and thinks of nothing but his present Ease and convenience. Is there any among you who Would for the sake of a fine Coat, Shirt, or a few other trifling
Page: [2]
Presents, so far forget himself, as to sacrifice his happiness. the happiness of his wives and Children, and bring future misery upon his Country -- No. God forbid. I hope your people (altho [although] : many of them have been foolishly deceived) yet still will be wise, and give the satisfaction we ask, and not Oblige us to do that which we would not wish to do. by taking our own satisfaction
For English are now Obliged all of them to leave this great country. then where will they get goods but from us -- See what the Cherokees are now reduced to, by their folly and pride, had they been wise and dispised [despised] the fine cloaths [clothes] and lying talks of the English that was sent amongst them, they might have been a happy people unto this day. and now they are almost brought to nothing
Friends & Brothers. Remember that I have told you those things before, and that my good friend and Brother the Tallesee King has also impressed these things upon your minds. so that you all know it perfectly well, and Cannot plead Ignorance, when perhaps it may be too late. It is our enemys [enemies] we threaten and not our friends. you must all be sensible that my friend and Brother the Tallesee King, and myself are striving for the happiness of your and our women and children, and the peace and welfare of our country. -- For let what will happen, let there be either peace or war. he and I can fare as well as any of you -- what is it to us as individuals, nothing -- but it is the peace and happiness of the whole,
Page: [3]
That we are Striving for, that we may live together as friends & Brothers, as long as the rivers run, and the Sun doth shine, and untill [until] this world (shall at the last day) be burnt up like a scroll of parchment. when time shall be no more -- I call the great spirit to witness the sincerity of my intentions, and this smoke now ascending to the Heavens will appear as an evidence of what I now tell you to be true. I hope the master of the Breath will make us Instruments in bringing about this great work. We lost all our riches when this country fell into the hands of the British. we have now returned, but we have returned [illegible text] but still have good hearts. we have just been able to raise provisions for our present support, and have got some cloaths [clothes] to cover us from the inclemency of the weather -- But [document damaged: shall ] soon raise plenty of Rice, Indigo, and other produce. The [unclear text: Ships ] from all nations will flow in upon us, and we shall be able to supply you with goods of all Kinds, and take your Skins in return -- at present, I will endeavor to supply you with such small matters as our present Situation can afford, as a mark of my friendship to you and your women and children
I have nothing further to say to you at present but hope you will remember all I have told you, and Deliver this to all your head men and Warriors in your great Square -- I soon expect that we and the English
Page: [4]
will make peace, when that [added text: Event ] happens. I shall take care to Inform you of that happy affair, and send you up a White Flag and Drum, that you may call your people together and inform them of the same
I now wish you and them a safe and speedy Journey to the Nation, and a happy sight of their friends and familys [families]
A Talk dld [delivered] at Savannah to the Talesee King
1782
Indian Affairs
1782
29 October