- Collection:
- Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842
- Title:
- Letter, 1836 June 19, Milledgeville, G[eorgi]a [to] W[illia]m Schley, [Governor of Georgia], Columbus, G[eorgi]a / W[illia]m J. W. Wellborn
- Creator:
- Wellborn, William J. W.
- Date of Original:
- 1836-06-19
- Subject:
- Cherokee Indians--Claims against
Military weapons
Creek War, 1836 - Location:
- United States, Alabama, 32.75041, -86.75026
United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018 - Medium:
- official reports
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- text/html
image/jpeg - Description:
- William J. W. Wellborn at the executive office in Milledgeville writes to Georgia Governor William Schley (1835-1837) on June 19, 1836 to update Schley on recent communications and transactions, particularly those related to arms shipments. Wellborn explains that he sent arms to Floyd and Walker counties and will send a shipment to Cherokee County shortly. He tells Schley that he responded to a letter from General Hemphill that pertained to Indians, but Wellborn believes that there is little danger imminent, except to citizens of the lower territory that borders Alabama. Colonel (Charles H. ?) Nelson's position is discussed with regard to the end of what he refers to as "the Creek War" and the "difficulties with the Cherokees". Nelson reported to Wellborn that he heard of the ratification of a treaty (possibly the Treaty of New Echota, 1835) in the Forsyth Court House. This letter is related to a later letter tcc582 from Wellborn to Schley.
Digital image and encoded transcription of an original manuscript, scanned, transcribed and encoded by the Digital Library of Georgia in 2001, as part of GALILEO, funded in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. - Local Identifier:
- tcc579
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc579
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc579#item
- IIIF manifest:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc579/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 50, folder 09, document 02.
- Holding Institution:
- Hargrett Library
- Rights:
-
Page: [1]
Executive Department Ga. Milledgeville
19th June 1836
Dear Sir
Immediately upon the reception of your letter of the 12th inst. [instant] I wrote to Stovall Simmons & Co to forward the other arms &c [et cetera], mentioned in [deleted text: mentioned in ] my last letter to you, (the 500) to Cherokee County but before it reached them they had sent another load to this place. The first load reached here on yesterday consisting of 184 muskets & accoutrements. The waggoner [wagoner] who brought them (a negro) could not be prevailed on to carry them to Cherokee, and it was with the greatest difficulty I could get a waggon [wagon] ; I at last, late in the evening got Mr. Daniells, but had to pay the exhorbitant [exorbitant] price of $150. he pledging himself to carry 4000 pounds. I took the responsibility of sending a suitable quantity of ammunition which I trust you will approve.
I have selected Genl [General] McConnell as the agent to take charge of the guns- Genl [General] Terrell as I understood being more of an itenerant [itinerant] than a citizen, and it was very uncertain whether he was then in the county. The waggon [wagon] who carried this load of arms would not go farther than Cherokee, and I have therefore given Genl. [General] McConnell directions to send an express to Genl. [General] Hemphill of Floyd and Colo. [Colonel] Farish of Walker notifying them of the arrival of the guns in Cherokee, and to send for them. I done this under the conviction that that [that] there was more danger to be apprehended in those
Page: [2]
two counties than any other part of the Cherokee circuit. Such was my information from every quarter, both by letter and verbally. I think this load of arms, together with what the citizens can raise, will be sufficient for those two counties. As soon as the other load arrives I will dispatch it immediately to Cherokee, and I hope to get it carried cheaper than the first.- The remainder will [added text: be ] sent from Augusta, (I mean if the 500,) as I have given Stovall & Co directions to that effect.
With regard to Mr. Horton, the waggoner [wagoner], and the missing arms. I dispatched Mr. Wheeler yesterday morning to Jasper to look into the matter. I learnt [learned] yesterday by a negroe [negro] waggoner [wagoner] that Horton was sick at home, and had been ever since he got there. I gave Wheeler orders that in the event he found H. [Horton] and the arms to hire a waggon [wagon] and send them to Columbus immediately.- He is not yet returned.
Genl. [General] Hemphill has written you a long letter on the subject of the Indians, and enclosed several resolutions of the citizens of Floyd.- I have answered it, informing him of the arrangements made to supply him with arms &c. [et cetera] which appears to be their leading desire, and if the number already sent will not be sufficient, he can call upon Genl [General] McConnell for more.- I have given McConnell special instructions how to distribute the arms, should it become actually necessary to do so. But I believe there is very little apprehension of immediate danger, except by the
Page: [3]
people in the lower part of the Territory adjoining Alabama.- See some very sensible remarks upon the subject in the last Minors Recorder, published in that country.
Two letters have been received from Colo [Colonel] Nelson, the first tendering the services of himself and two mounted companies, which he said would be here on the 6th inst. [instant] - The second that he had started for this place and had came as far as Forsyth Court House, where for the first time he heard of the ratification of the Treaty, that, together with [added text: the ] earnest wishes of the people there, induced him, for the present, not to leave the country.- I answered him that he had anticipated your views by changing his first intention- But that if the anticipated speedy termination of the Creek war should not be realized, and the apprehended difficulties with the Cherokees d [added text: id ] [deleted text: oes ] not occur, you would gladly accept the services of so gallant and patriotic an officer as himself - but under present circumstances it was believed he could do more good in Cherokee.
I thank you for the approval of my conduct, I do assure you I have done what I thought for the best & for your interest. My course so far has been fully approved by Dr. Fort and Colo [Colonel] Haynes, who I have consulted on all important business.- We have still a plenty to do here, and we work cheerfully, knowing that you are reaping laurels where you are.- I would not return until I got the army fully in the field and on their march for the enemies country.
Page: [4]
Nothing new here -- I saw Mrs. S. [Schley] last evening all well.-
Your friend and Obt Servt. [Obedient Servant]
[Signed] Wm. [William] J.W. Wellborn
His Wm [William] Schley Columbus Ga.
Letter
Wm. [William] J.W. Wellborn
19 June 1836
Mis-