May 04, 2017 - Sale 2446

Sale 2446 - Lot 44

Price Realized: $ 1,500
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000
"FORCE [IS] NECESSARY FOR THE COERCION OF THE CREEKS" KNOX, HENRY. Letter Signed, "Knox," to Anthony Wayne ("The Hon'ble Major General Wayne"), explaining that [Alexander] McGillivray has persuaded the Creek Nation not to sign a treaty with the U.S., speculating about his motive in doing so, acknowledging his report that Spain agreed to recognize the Creek lands east of the Mississippi, discussing the possibility of military engagement with the Creeks after Congress returns from recess, promising to send 200 men to the Georgia frontier, and stating that he gave his letter to the president. 3 1/4 pages, small folio, written on a single folded sheet; horizontal folds. (MRS) New York, 28 November 1789
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". . . Mr. McGillivray's 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. The apprehension of others participating in the trade of the Creeks, and perhaps the engagements he is under to Spain agre[e]ably to your information has been the cause of his conduct.
"You state Mr. Osborne's information to you 'that on his Sacred honor that he both saw and read the ratification by Charles the 4th the present King of Spain, of a treaty between the Spanish and the Creek Nations, guaranteeing to the Indians all they possess or claim on the east side of the Mississippi.' But is it not very extraordinary that he concealed this important information from the Commissioners? They assure me that he never intimated this fact to them.
"I am nearly in opinion with you of the force necessary for the coercion of the Creeks, excepting it should be larger and no Militia. I am not for employing Militia excepting in case of the last resort . . . .
"During the recess of Congress nothing can be decided upon, as the two Houses possess the constitutional right of making war. They will with difficulty be brought into the measure unless the necessity shall be apparent. If the Creeks make inroads into Georgia it must be presumed the Government will act with decision and vigor. . . . [T]wo hundred men will be recruited as soon as possible and transported to Georgia, to be placed on the frontiers of that State. . . ."