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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.04421 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0092] November-December 1789 |
| Title | Henry Knox to Anthony Wayne regarding the Creek nation |
| Date | 28 November 1789 |
| Author | Knox, Henry (1750-1806) |
| Recipient | Wayne, Anthony |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Military document |
| Content Description | Thanks Wayne for his letter of 25 October (GLC02437.04397). Discusses the treaty negotiations underway in Georgia with the Creek nation, referring to Creek leader Alexander McGillivray: "Mr McGillivrays influence over the creeks has been exerted to ill effect in persuading that nation against an immediate treaty with the United States upon the terms the commissioners offered He has sacrificed the interests of the nation to his own avarice." Relates that one commissioner, [Henry Osborne], claims he saw and read a treaty between the Spanish and the Creeks in which Charles IV guaranteed the Creeks their claims east of the Mississippi, but wonders why Osborne concealed this information from the other commissioners. Declares, "I am nearly in opinion with you of the force necessary for the coercion of the Creeks..." Does not want to employ militia, because it is expensive and he cannot rely on their "execution of the plans directed" unless they are incorporated with "disciplined troops." Notes that nothing can be decided until Congress meets again, since they posses the Constitutional right of making war. However, it will be hard to persuade them of the necessity of declaring war on the Creeks unless they "make inroads into Georgia." Notes that he sent Wayne's previous letter to George Washington so that he would be aware of the situation. |
| Subjects | American Indian History Muscogee (Creeks) Indian Revolutionary War General Treaty Diplomacy Government and Civics Military History Frontiers and Exploration Westward Expansion Global History and Civics Boundary or Property Dispute Militia Finance US Constitution President |
| People | Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Wayne, Anthony (1745-1796) McGillivray, Alexander (1750-1793) Washington, George (1732-1799) Charles IV, King of Spain (1748-1819) Osborne, Henry (1751-1800) |
| Place written | New York, New York |
| Theme | Native Americans; Westward Expansion; Government & Politics; Foreign Affairs |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |