Kentucky, June 1st, 1787.
Dear Sir:
At this place I received accounts from Cumberland, that Since I last did myself the pleasure of addressing you that three persons have been killed at that place within seven miles of Nashville, and there is scarcely a day that the Indians do not steal Horses in either Sumner or Davidson Counties and am informed the people are exceedingly dispirited; had accounts that the several Northern Tribes, in Conjunction with the Creek Nation, has determined the destruction of that defenceless Country this summer & their hopes seem blasted as to Major Evans’ assistance. Col. Robertson has lately been to this Country to get some assistance to carry a Campaign against the Chickamawgaw Towns and got some assurance from the several Officers, and the time appointed for the Rendezvous was fixed to the 15th Instant, but find the men cannot be drawn out at that season of the year. I have thought it my duty to ask your advice in the matter whether or not we shall have leave of Government to carry on such a Campaign if we can make ourselves able with the assistance of our friends, the Virginians, as they promise us immediately after harvest. I am fully convinced that it is the perfidious Chickamawgaws that annoy our frontiers, tho’ some of them wish to have the Creeks charged with the whole of the damage. As it is always my desire to act advisedly, I should thank you to advise me as to carrying on an expedition as it appears to me & to the people in
the Counties of Davidson & Sumner, that nothing can give Security to them but to carry the War into the Enemy’s own Country. Your Excellency will therefore please to advise or direct me on the subject, should self-preservation and the distress & Cries of a bleeding Country make it absolutely necessary to preserve it, from ruin & Destruction and compel us to do it before we can obtain the consent of the Executive, I shall hope the necessity will plead our excuse, & we may thereby not incur the displeasure of them or any Individual in the State. I flatter myself that the remoteness of our Situation plead our excuse, whilst I have the honor to be.