- Collection:
- Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842
- Title:
- Letter, 1814 Nov. 5, Fort Hawkins [to] Peter Earley [i.e., Early], Governor of Georgia / Colo[nel] Benjamin Hawkins
- Creator:
- Hawkins, Benjamin, 1754-1816
- Date of Original:
- 1814-11-05
- Subject:
- Creek Indians--Government relations
Seminole Indians--Government relations
Fugitive slaves
Great Britain--Foreign relations--United States
United States--Foreign relations--Great Britain
Great Britain--Foreign relations--1800-1837
United States--History--War of 1812--Participation, Indian - Location:
- United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018
- Medium:
- official reports
military records - Type:
- Text
- Format:
- text/html
image/jpeg - Description:
- This is a letter dated November 5, 1814 from Benjamin Hawkins, U.S. Agent to the Creeks, to Peter Early, Governor of Georgia (1813-1815). Hawkins mentions his letter to the Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General (a copy of which appears as tcc881) requesting supplies for troops fighting the Seminoles. He writes that he is also enclosing papers (no longer attached) relative to the collusion of runaway slaves from Georgia and British forces in Pensacola, and he suspects that these fugitives are being aided by the "hostile" Seminoles. He mentions both General Thomas Pinckney and Major Cook and says that he will need their permission to move the mounted infantry into the field. Hawkins points out the need for an able commander from Georgia whom the Indians and the regular soldiers will obey, and he says that if necessary he himself will command them. Hawkins also mentions a letter from General Andrew Jackson. He closes the letter by noting that Captain Timpoochee Barnard's regiment is ready for service.
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:
- tcc882
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc882
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc882#item
- IIIF manifest:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc882/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 76, folder 25, document 14.
- Holding Institution:
- Hargrett Library
- Rights:
-
Page: [1]
District of Fort Hawkins
5 Nov. [November] 1814
I received yours of yesterday, previously I had addressed a letter to the A. D. Q. M [Assistant Deputy Quarter Master] General on supplies, which he has not answered, but will, on his return from Milledgeville, a copy is enclosed. We have at Fort Mitchell a supply of Flower [Flour] & Beef, I understand the contractor is to furnish at that post. Corn is scarce in the upper [deleted text: Creeks ] [added text: towns ] of the Lower Creeks. and must be furnished from Georgia.
I enclose you some papers just received by a [unclear text: Mr. ] Mr. Marshall who has lost his negros [negroes] is a half breed distinguished for his bravery, at the Siege of Tookaubatchee; where he lost an eye. I am informed the British officer at Perrymans, recently returned from Pensacola, has [unclear text: given out ] he expects a considerable number of negros [negroes] from Georgia this moon; probably through the aid of such people as are mentioned by Majr. [Major] Wootten, and the hostile party of Simenolies moving towards us. This business must be put a stop to by cuting [cutting] off the British officers and adherents in that quarter, or the [unclear text: evil ] will soon become seriously alarming to the Citizens throughout your state.
How to get the Infantry from the Forts without an order from General Pinckney I had [unclear text: resolved ] in my mind. As I was enroling [enrolling] and embodying the friendly Indians I intended to call on the commandant for the requisite number and replace them if necessary by Indians. If he had refused, I intended to apply to Majr. [Major] Cook to take command of the posts on the urgency of the case, although not authorized by him to say he would do it.
After communicating to General Jackson every thing I have communicated to you, I added "Genl. [General] Pinckney is too far off to be heard from in time and if the militia
Page: [2]
Commandant Wooten will not cooperate under my orders, and we cannot get a commander of ability and enterprise from Georgia, we shall be embarrassed. Our Indians will serve under me or a regular officer, but will reluctantly obey our militia officers, who are not obeyed by their soldiers, I will do the best I can, I have no right to command, than ex officio, and that vested by the Indians which is good as to them. As the crisis seems to admit of no delay I shall claim the right to command from that source and act as circumstances may justify."
You see clearly the contingency upon which I claim "If we cannot get a Commander of ability and enterprise from Georgia" If we can, I have no desire to be in command, Last year I had, Believing that at the head of the Indians, possessing their confidence, and with a personal knowledge of the country, and its inhabitants, I could be of Vital importance to our army But, an ill fated disastrous policy forbid it.
I am enduced [induced] to believe altho' [although] not so informed, to General Jackson is confided every thing connected with the Indians. I have recd. [received] a letter from him of
22nd ult. [ultimo] "I have received information that clothing will be forwarded the Creeks, and that the Swords I promised McIntosh and other Chiefs, have been ordered. You will be pleased to ascertain as soon as possible, the number of warriors that can be prevailed on to enter the service of the United States, and notify me of the same. The Warriors such as do not wish to come on and join me you will employ for the protection of their own frontier &ca. [et cetera] "
Capt. [Captain] Barnard is ready I believe with his command. I have requested Mr. Barnard to feed them until I can have it done in the regular
Page: [3]
channel.
I am very respectfully Dear Sir your ob Ser [obedient Servant]
[Signed] Benjamin Hawkins
His Excellency Peter Earley Governor of Georgia
Page: [4]
Letter
Colo. [Colonel] Benjamin Hawkins
Agent for Indian Affairs
dated
5th November 1814.
Indian Affairs
Answer written
7th November 1814