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Jan. 23 [ 
1832]  
Genl. [General]  Coffee 
Dr [Dear]  Sir, 
About ten years ago I settled my plantation on the west side of the Chatahoochee in right of my decent [descent]  from the cherokees, in as much as my force of hands was about Twenty & enclosed the [unclear text: bend ]  below my buildings, and extended my fence above my buildings about half a mile, the whole extent of my fence run along the river about one mile &  1/2 taking in about six hundred acres of Land of various quallities [qualities], my fence was constructed for a three fold purchase, 1st to keep my stock from the river 2nd that I might have the oppy [opportunity]  of opening land for cultivation as I might require 3d for the purchase of enclosing a field in the bend of thirty acres. about two or three years ago certain persons viz [videlicet]  Miller, Green, [unclear text: A ]  Hambleton, Webb, J. Hambleton Slayton and Coleman trespassed upon my rights by clearing land within my enclosure, and planting the same for two, or three years, without a rail round three fields and altogether protected by [added text: my ]  fence, by this unlawfull [unlawful]  trespass I have been [illegible text]  in my planting interests, as I work upwards of Twenty hands I [unclear text: could ]  cultivate fully three hundred acres of Lands, by these trespasses I have been unable to cultivate more than one hundred and fifty, or sixty acres. The former Agent (Col. [Colonel]  Sandford) notified the beforementioned persons so soon as they gathered there last years crops to give me peaceable possession of all the lands cleared and claimed (expressly) by them to me, this they agreed to do [added text: so ]  but now taking 
 
 
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advantage of the last act of the Legislature which directs all Lands cleared &c [et cetera], by whites to be rented they have [illegible text]  the lands be cleared within my enclosures Should these lands be rented I consider it an [deleted text: unlawfull ]  infringements [added text: upon ]  of my rights and not Contemplated by the enactment. it has been represented to you that the whole of the lands within my enclosure are of the best quallity [quality], this is not the fact, for nearly two thirds of the land is of an inferior quallity [quality]  and not fit for cultivation. Cou'd [Could]  you conveniently view the trespass upon my rights it wou'd [would]  be gratifying to me in [deleted text: which ]  which case I cannot but believe you wou'd [would]  be perfectly satisfied of my statements. the persons before mentioned have neither Law, [deleted text:  [illegible text]  ]  [added text: nor ]  justice on their side for they have infringed the laws of the state, [added text: and ]  [deleted text: by ]  trespassing upon my acknowledged rights I have very briefly stated to you my grievances --  
 
I am very respectfully yrs. [yours]  &c [et cetera]  
[Signed]  Geo: [George]  M. Waters  
 
23d. Jany [January]  1832 
P. S. perhaps it will be proper to state that I settled a small place on a creek about two miles from my residence were [where]  I contemplate erecting a mill, on this place, I have had a white man for four, or five years. I allow him part of the crops made annually, for the privileges of living on said [added text: place ]  and taking care of my stock of hog &c [et cetera] . he is under a license 
 
 
 
 
 
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Genl. Jno. [General John]  Coffee 
Present