Page: [1] Head Quarters Etowah June 12th 1832. Governor Lumpkin Sir; Your two letters dated the 19th & 21st May arrived just as I was setting out for camp Glascock, (our upper station) nothing having occured [occurred] during the previous week of sufficient importance to trouble you with, I declined writing untill [until] I returned, which was last eavening [evening], when I had the honor of receiving yours of the 26th May. The official report of the death of [deleted text: the death of ] the Indian, shall be furnished your excellency, as soon as I can see Esqr [Esquire] McConnell and obtain it. The association referred to in the affidavits forwarded by Majr [Major] Jones, is composed of many highly respectable persons as I am informed, and if it had been prudently conducted, and its members confined to respectable & prudent men, it might have done much good in the country where it was organized. but like all other similar associations Page: [2] as their numbers increased some men were admitted of less prudence, and respectability, and their acts have partaken consequently of their character; some of their resent [recent] acts, are much to be regretted. Located as I am from fifty, to eighty miles from the scene of their operations; and having been compeld [compelled] to divide my little force into five parts for the purpose of covering, and protecting a territory, upwards of an hundred miles in lenghth [length], and from fifteen to twenty in breath [breadth] it is entirely out of my power to prevent a violation of the laws in this respect, unless I almost entirely abanden [abandon] the mines to the Indians, and the more unprincipaled [unprincipled] white men. all that I can do is to aid the [illegible text] if they should attempt to resist him in the execution of his office, and this I understand they have no idea of doing. I will immediately dispatch a letter to some of the principle [principal] persons [deleted text: that ] [added text: who ] I understand are ingaged [engaged] in this business, & give them extracts from yours, which I hope will produce the desired effect. during the last week we arrested two white men for the offence [offense] of digging gold and had them bound over to court. some persons owning Mills on the Chestatee river are cutting timber from the west bank to an extent Page: [3] that will render valueless the lands it being verry [very] poor and worth nothing but for the timber. I wrote them a mild & friendly order, requesting them to desist, this brought on me abuse & threats; I saw one of the persons yesterday, he admitted that it was morally rong [wrong], but as there was no written statute against it, he insinuated that he should continue the trespass, I hope you will instruct me what course I shall persue [pursue] with such persons. I refer you to Coln [Colonel] Williamson for the substance of the conversation. I regret to learn that the prospect of a treaty with the Cherokees is less flattering than it has been, I hope however as soon as the [document damaged] [added text (appears to be different hand and ink): [delegation] ] returns it will again brighten. You will be so kind as to furnish Col [Colonel] Williamson with a draft on the proper department for three thousand dollars, for the purpose of paying the troops the 2nd quarter, and purchasing forage &c [et cetera] . I have the honor to be most respectfully your exelencys [excellency's] Obdt Servt. [Obedient Servant] [Signed] Jno [John] Coffee . To His Exelency [Excellency] Governor Lumpkin, Milledgeville. J Ramsey J Ram Quincy Bohanan Rc Re R R R R R R R R R R Page: [4] To His Excellency Wilson Lumpkin Milledgeville Georgia Coln [Colonel] Williamson.} Letters Genl. [General] Coffee 12. & 17 June 1832. (Cutting timber)