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9. Nothing But War

 

 

With the embargo lifted, traders returned to the Cherokee towns bringing with them desperately needed guns and ammunition.  The Creeks had taken advantage of the situation by intensifying their war with the Cherokees who pleaded with Governor Glen for the long promised fort to protect the vulnerable Lower Towns.  At the same time, the French and their Indian allies encroached ever closer to the Cherokee homeland.  Always defiant, Little Carpenter sought alternatives to the almost total dependence on Charles Town where he was regarded with suspicion if not hostility.

 

 

Lachlan McGilvray –

Upper Creeks, December 18, 1751

I acquainted you in my last, that there was a Probability of a War breaking out between the Upper Creeks and Cherokees.  I now confirm the Certainty of it for they have committed hostilities upon the Cherokees, killed seven or eight of them and there is several Gangs of Creeks now out against them.  It seems the Cherokees were the Aggressors by killing some Okfusskee Men last Summer.

The French at the Allebawmaw have completed their Fort which is a pretty strong one; they have had a Boat come up lately deep loaded with a Priest, Popery, and Brandy. [1]

 

 

James Beamer to Governor Glen –

Cherokees, March the 2^nd, 1751/52

The Little Carpenter came in last Fall while the Head Men were in Carolina, and stayed 6 Days, and then went off again with a Body of sixty-odd Men and carried the French Man with them, but where they are gone we can not tell.  Some say they are gone to the French to make a Piece and to get a Trade from them. Others say they are not gone to the French, but I am apt to believe they are by carrying off the French Man with them, and if it should be so and they bring the French in here, it will be bad with us here without your Excellency settles a Fort directly in the Lower Towns.  I understand they don't care to have one over the Hills, but whether it be true or not I am not sure, only as I have heard, but I hope if your Excellency does build one there, may be a good Body of Men come to the Building of it and great Guns to keep every Thing in order till it’s well built and then there by no Fear of any Thing.[2]

 

 

 

Lud. Grant to Governor Glen –

March 4^th, 1752

It cannot be imagined the Benefit the Want of Rum is both to the Indians and the Traders, how glad the Indians, both Men and Women, are that it is not suffered anymore to be sold in the Nation.

I hear the Little Carpenter is gone further to the Northward and that if he cannot procure a Trade from thence he told the Fellows  . . .he would go over to England to see the King.

The Indians are at Present quiet and easy but how long it may continue if the Traders are allowed to go on as they do, some trading Stilliards and others who are obedient to the Laws by Scales.[3]

 

Jud’s Friend to Governor Glen –

March 31, 1752

He also thought when he came Home it was Peace with the Southward and having but little Ammunition did not go far from the Towns to hunt, and the Southward came and stole their People which they did not expect as they was in and made a firm Peace, so that for the Future he desires the Government won't trouble themselves no more with them but let them deal with one another for he can steal as fast as the they.[4]

 

Raven of Highwassee to Governor Glen –

March 31^st, 1752

When I satt off from this Town I left it peaceably and quietly between us and the Southward, but had not been gone long till the Southward came in two Gangs and  killed three of the Lightwoods close by the Town, and likewise the third Day after he got home, there came another Gang and killed his Brother, and then he thought off Nothing but War.  He does not know, he says, what is the Reason they do so, for when they was here he used them well and made a firm Peace, but he believes they found they were desolate and the Traders stopt which made them come and kill his People like Dogs.  He says he has a Commission from your Excellency for seven Towns and they all take his Advice, and  when you sent to him not to go again [to] the Southward, he stopt them but now he acquaints you that it is War, and the Woods is as free for them as it is for the Southward.[5]

 

Talk of the Upper Creeks to Governor Glen –

March 31, 1752

Governor.  They must know that the Cherokees are our Friends, so that the killing any of them in our Settlements is the same as killing any of us.  But I have often desired them to make [Peace] with one another and I still think it will be better for them to be Friends.

 

Acorn Whistler.  We have often made Peace with the Cherokees,               but they have double Tongues for no sooner do we make Peace with them than they brake it.[6]

 

Anthony Dean to Governor Glen –

Great Tellico, April 13, 1752

As to the four Cags of Rum . . . there are no People under your Excellency's Government that a little Spirit is more necessary for than the poor Traders in Regard their Journies lie over Hills, and Dales, Rivers and Creeks, subject to Want, Danger, and all the Inclemencies of the Weather.  However, we are sensible that there was lately a Necessity for stopping it, though upon some Occasion it was both profitable and useful. [7]

 

Talk from Skiogusto Kehowe and Good Warriior Estuttowe to Governor Glen-

Estuttowe, April 15, 1752

Father and brothers, Since our last to you we have lost thirty and three of our People in those Lower Towns.  The Loss of our People has occasioned all of our Lower Towns to break up and wander all over the Nation, all but this Town and Kehowe.  We expect every Night that we shall be killed before Morning, and therefore intreats you to do your best Endeavours to make a Peace between our Enemy and us as soon as possible you can.  And the white People that is among us has a Sufficiency of Goods and Ammunition, but are Loosers by us as we are obliged to make Use of their Powder, Bullets to defend ourselves from our Enemies as we are not able to hunt to kill Skins to pay them for it, but still  depends on your Promise to make a Peace for us or else we cannot be able to stand where we are, but must be obliged to move our Towns somewhere we can be something safer which will be against our Will.

 We suppose it will be a hard Matter for you to make a Peace between the Creeks and us, as they have the French and Spaniards to apply to in case you won't supply them.  We have one Favour to ask of you which is to supply us with a little Ammunition as it is not reasonable to expect our Traders Ammunition all for nothing, which if you do we will stand to our Towns.  If not we shall be obliged to move some where else. . . . [8]

 

Patrick Brown to Governor Glen –

Augusta, April the 25^th, 1752

    . . . That Nation seems to be in a distressed Condition. On Account of the War subsisting between them and the Creeks, all the Lower Towns excepting three is broke up and removed further back, and from what I can observe they have Enemy on all sides for while I was there the Norward    Indians killed thirteen or fourteen of them near a small Village which is newly settled about one hundred Miles Distance to the Northward of the Nation,  which has occasioned the Indians to break up their new Settlements and return to their respective Towns again. [9]

 

James Beamer to Governor Glen –

April 26, 1752

May [it] please your Excellency, Since my last to your Excellency there has been the greatest Confusion with the Indians in these Lower Towns that ever I knowed since I have been in this Nation which has caused every one of the Lower Towns to break up except Estertoe and some Part of Tocksaway and Kewokee, and Kewokee has moved up to Toicksaway, and joined what few was left there, and say that they will stand it as long as they can, or till they here from your Excellency.  But it can't be expected that two Towns can withstand such Numbers of Enemies as come against them from the Creeks and Chickeswaws when the Whole could not, and I can’t see how they will be able to plant themselves a Morcel of Provisions.  The Enemy is so hard on them, and to the best of my Remembrance has killed thirty-odd of them this Spring, so that I am afraid that they can’t stand it much longer.

 while they are at War they can't hunt with Safety, so that without a peace the Trade must lessen for the Merchants. . . .[10]

 

Governor Glen to the Upper Creek Nation  -

    April 28, 1752

 When the Cherokees were on their Return from Charles Town, with a proper Pass from us declaring that they were under our Protection and forbidding any to molest them within our Settlements, your Lower Creeks nevertheless regardless of all Respect due to this Government, lay lurking like Beast of Pray to find what straggling Cherokees they could catch and devour, and find[ing] one behind the Rest on the Path [the] three Lower Creeks, though these Cherokees was in Company of our Traders, fired on and shot him and after that regardless of our white People, in their very Sight, sculped the Man they had murthered carrying the Skin of his Head with them as a mighty Trophy of their Prowess and Valour, exulting and crying out, Cowetas, Cowetas.[11]

 

Talk of Caneecatee of Chote to Governor Glen –

Cherokee Nation, April 29, 1752

Caneecatee, commonly called Old Hop of Chotee,

Present: sundry Chiefs and Others,

Says the great King George is his Father, and the beloved Men below (meaning his Excellency) his Brother, whose Talk he heard this Day in this Town-house which he will be mindful of.  Says he remembers to hear that the Great King told his Excellency that these People were his younger Brothers, and to be careful with them as such, wherefore he hopes now as they are Stark naked that he will take Pity of them according as their Father bid him to do.

Says he looks every Day to the Rising Sun where his Brother lives close by the Great Water Side, and that when he was a little Boy the white People began to settle thick in the Country, and that all the Ground [then?] from that to this was theirs till the King their Father told them to live together as Brothers upon one Land, but now he says he finds they are debarred from it, his People being not suffered to go further than the dividing Waters commonly called the Long Canes.  Says that the Lower Towns People received some Presents of Consideration for it, but that neither he or his People living in the Mother Town of all ever got a Thing for it. . . .That they are now very bare of every Thing, though their Enemies from all Parts are brisk upon them, particularly the Creeks who are well supplyed, by which it would seem as if the white People loved them better than his People . . .

              And as to the Little Carpenter, he says he is his Relation, and that he had never heard any bad talk of him.  That if he was to utter any he would check him for it, that perhaps he might speak somethings in Rum Drinking which he hopes may be forgott. . . . [12]

 

Lud. Grant to Governor Glen –

May 3^rd, 1752

    It is most certain that the fronteer Towns of this Nation in general are not capable now in Time of this general Warr to hunt to purchase Ammunition &c. meerly to defend themselves from their Enemies. . . . I hear all the Lower Towns have quitt their Ground and mover to other Towns upwards in the Nation which is entirely taken up in consulting their own Safety, so that they have no Time to think of Trade. . . .

The Traders from Georgia, if they cannot be perrswaded or obliged to Trade as those of Carolina are obliged to do, must certainly ruin the Carolina Traders . . . . The Company of Augusta intends as I hear to Licence from Georgia several Men of this Nation, and fitt them out with Goods against Winter through the Towns licenced from Carolina and particularly against poor Mr. Elliott because he is none of them.  A monstrous Sett of Rogues for the major Part of whom the Gallows groans. 

The Little Carpenter is not yet returned, as some believe he is killed with his Company, and others that he is gone to English over the Great Water, and some believe he is with the Northward, which if he is, may be of some ill Consequence.  If he is the Rogue they say he is, for my Part, I never could perceive it by his outward Behaviour and Talk, but some of them are naturally bloodthirsty and deceitful more than others.[13]

 

 

Governor Glen –

June 24, 1752

Accordingly the Cherokees fearing no hurt nor intending none left the Town.  But they were soon followed by the six and twenty Lower Creeks, who immediately came up with them , and shook Hands, taking the Feathers off their own Heads, and putting them on theirs, telling them that as they were now all one People they would go one Path, but they had not proceeded above a Mile or two when perceiving that the Cherokees had no Suspicion, but had laid aside their Arms, and sat down on the Ground.  They immediately fell upon them, and killed four on the Spot, cutting off their Heads and mangling their Bodies in a barbarous, inhumane Manner.  Another they carried away.[14]

 

 

Wednesday, A.M., the 4th Day of July, 1753,  Charles Town

 

    Little Carpinter.  I remember when I was in England we were     told by the great King George to vindicate ourselves against all our enemies Indians, and that we should have Ammunition to fight against the Southern Indians, and I want to know if you have any Orders from the great King George to make Peace between us and the Creeks.

 

    Governor.  You was very young at that Time, and must have  forgot the Talk.  I have the great King's Talk, and the Paper in my Custody where the great King desires that all Indians who are Friends with the English should be at Peace with one another.

 

    Little Carpinter.  The Great King, when I was in England, desired us to revenge the Lives of his white People, whose Bones lay white upon the Ground.  The Creeks [killed ?] the white People, but our Nation did not, for we aided and assisted them.

 

    Governor.  What I say is the great King's Talk.  You are not to mind anybody else.

 

    Little Carpinter.  I shall be glad if you let me go to England in the Spring.  I want to talk to the great King George myself.

 

    Governor.  It may be that in two or three Years hence, when all Things are made easey, you may have leave to go, but your Nation is at present so engaged with your Enemies that it would be wrong [that] so useful a Warriour as you are should be taken away from assisting your Country.

 

    Little Carpinter.  There are other Countries and Places to go to England from besides this.

 

    Governor.  The great King will not see any from this Country, but when I send them.

 

    Little Carpinter.  I should be glad to hear your Excellency's Talk about your white People, and our Trade, but as to the making Peace, we have no Directions about that.  We can not do any Thing without the Consent of Old Hop.

 

    Governor.  You knew what you were sent for before you came     down, and I am surprized you did not bring full Powers with you to     conclude a Peace to which you had agreed above two Months ago.

 

    Governor (looking on the Little Carpinter).  I have been 10 Years     here and never saw this Man before.  (To the Interpreter)  Tell him I have heard great Complaints about him, and that he is a Disturber of the Peace, but as he is now come down, I doubt not but that he will clear himself     of these Reports, and will deserve my good Opinion of him.

 

    Little Carpenter (taking a lighted Tobacco Pipe in his hand).  This Pipe was sent by Old Hop at Chote, and desired that it might be delivered to your Excellency and your beloved Men, that you might all smoke of it. . . .

    Governor.  We have now smoaked out of one Pipe; this is a Token of Peace, and that we are all Friends with your Nation.  The last Time I smoked in this Room, the Cherokees, and Creeks smoked in this Room, and the Catawbas also.  I like such smoking as that.  I should be glad to see the like again, when they may be all Friends, and treat one another like Friends and Brothers.  The Business you were sent for was to conclude a Peace with the Creeks and for no other Purpose. . . .

 

After shaking Hands they all withdrew.[15]

 

 

Deed For The Fort Prince George Tract

 

This Paper witnesseth to all manner of  Persons what hath been transacted in the Cherokee Nation between His Excellency James Glen, Esq., Governor of South Carolina, and Corone, The Raven of Toxawa, in the Presence and by Approbation of many of the Head Men, and most beloved Men of the Nation.

Whereas, the Head Men of the said Cherokee Nation have for many Years solicited the said Governor of the Province aforesaid, to have a Fort built in the Nation, and in order to induce him thereto freely offered the Land in any Part of the said Nation, that he should chuse to build upon.

And whereas some of the Head-men are since dead, and I the said Raven of Toxawa, being now in their Stead, and having consulted with many of the Head Men of the said Nation, and most of the beloved men of the Lower Towns, did offer to make a free Donation of all the Lands in the North East Side of Keowee River betwixt a Creek known by the Name of Mile Creek, and the River aforesaid for that Purpose.

But he, the Governor, refusing to accept of the same by way of a Gift and being desirous to purchase it.

Therefore, this present Paper witnesseth, that for, and in consideration of thirty Stroud Match Coats, a certain Number of Duffel Blankets, Striped Flannel, Shirts, Guns, and certain Quantity of Powder and Bullets, Flints, Knives, and Paint, the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged I, the said Raven of Toxowa, have in the Name of the Cherokee Nation aforesaid, by consent of the many Head Men, and most of the beloved Men, granted, bargained, sold, alienated, and confirmed, unto the said James Glen, Esq., Governor of South Carolina, his Heirs in Trust nevertheless for his Majesty King George the Second, King of Great Britain, &c. his Heirs and Successors for ever, for the Use of  his Subjects of the Province aforesaid, not only the Spot of Ground upon which a Fort is at Present building near Keowee, and all the Land betwixt that and a Place called Long Canes of the Width of the said Fort, but also all the Lands, as well Corn Fields as pasture Grounds, Hills, Woods, and Waters, and all the Right and Title the Cherokee Nation can lay Claim to in the said Lands for ever.

And I have put him, the said Governor, into Possession thereof by giving him a Handful of the Earth with what was growing thereon and by delivering him a Branch of a Tree with Design that neither we, nor our Children will never lay any Claim to the said Premises while the Sun shines, or the Rivers run, and we shall, and will be always ready to defend his said majesty King George the Second, his Heirs and Successors’ Right thereto, against all manner of Persons whatsoever.

In Witness whereof we have subscribed these presents by putting our Marks and Seals to the same.

In Fort Prince George near Keowee

This 24^th Day of November in the Year of our Lord, 1753  [16]

 

 

 

Lodvic Grant to Governor Glen –

Dated Timotly, Cherokees, Feburary the 8^th, 1754

    Some Time ago I heard the Indians were drinking Rum at Chote or Tannassee where half breed Johny's Brother and the Little Carpinter quarraled, the former beat the Little Carpinter so, that by stamping upon his Breast his life was in Danger for some Days, but is now recovered.    At the same Time another Fellow abused Old Hopp and told him your     Excellency gave Gifts for nothing, that he was but an old Woman that he was no Warriour, neither ever had given any Proof thereof by killing his Enemy and told him begone or he would beat him, upon which Hopp went Home, took half a Bag of the Town's Ammunition, and in his Cannoe went alone down the River.[17]

 

 

Governor Glen to the Cherokee Headmen -

                                       Dated the 16th April, 1754

    To Old Hop, the Little Carpenter, &c.

Good Friends and Loving Brothers, I had frequently received Letters from Old Hop informing me of the earnest Desire he had to see me, but that his Age and Lameness render him unable to travel as far as Charles Town, and therefore requested that I would have the Goodness to come to Keewoee to talk over all Matters their promising to meet me between the Cherokee Nation and the English if he should be carried on Men's Shoulders or craull on his Hands and Knees.  The Little Carpenter also and some of the Headmen from over the Hills brought me a Pipe from him having Eagles’ Tied to it and  praying that I would bring the Pipe with me to Keowee that we might there smoke together out of it , and that bothe the People of Charles Town and of Chottee might see the Smoke assend.

I accordingly came to Keowee and brought the Pipe along with me; I brought also plenty of Tobacco to fill it with, but as Old Hop did not appear I brought it back without using it.  However while I was there I built a small Fort and put some Warriours in it to help defend the Lower Towns from their Enemies and to prevent any French or Norward Indians from coming into this Government. . . .

I must therefore most earnestly recommend it to you that you will neither permit the French nor French Indians to come into your Nation.  I hear the French are encroaching upon some of your Hunting Grounds on the Ohio, and have built a Fort there, but unless they immediately remove from thence, the English intend to drive them off, and will desire their Brothers the Cherokees and other Indians in Amity with King George to joyn them, and go to War against our and your Enemies.  I shall not fail to acquaint you when it will be a proper Time to begin.

In the meantime I am glad that the Peace betwixt you and the Creeks is likely to last, and that your People have made very good Hunts.

         I am &c.

                                       James Glen [18]

 

 

Governor Glen To The Head Men Of The Upper Cherokees –

August 7, 1754

I having lately received Letters from your Nation acquainting me that you had received Information of a Body of French and their Indians coming against you and representing the great Necessity that you were in for Want of Ammunition, I have therefore sent you a [plentyfull] Supply for the Over Hills Towns . . . and if the Report shall be confirmed that the French are making a Settlement any where upon Tannessie River, let me know by Express (which Mr. Elliat or any other of the Traders are hereby ordered to bring) and in that Case I will send Warriours to your Assistance, to drive them back to their own Country,  and to build a Fort there for all that Country is yours, not [only] the Land which you live on, but all the Lands on each Side down Tennessie River as far as Mississippi, and all from Tennessie to the Ohio or the fair River.  This has been the Hunting Ground of the Cherokee Nation Time out of Minde.  The French must never be permitted to possess a Foot of it. . . . I have no Doubt but that the great King George will be desireous of seeing some of your head Men in England.  Seven went about twenty Years ago and I think as many or more should go now.  The Little Carpinter, Pusteneka. The Emperor, the Great Warrior of Tennessee, and some others from other Parts of the Nation, but this could not well be till next Spring,

I am your good Friend and loving Brother,

                                                                             James Glen  [19]

 

 

 

Summer of 1755, Saluda

 

Attakullakulla, the Little Carpenter, to Governor Glen-

 

I am the only living Cherokee that went to England.  Sir Alexander Cuming said that it would have a better effect if some of us would go with him. But after some questions were asked about England, and how far it might be to it, no one of us would consent to go. At night, the interpreter Chestoo kaiare, 'the Old Rabbit', came to my house and told me that the warrior Cuming had a particular favor for us; that if I would consent to go, he would be indifferent whether any other went, and Mr. Wiggan pressed me very much to accept the invitation.  He assured me that the distance was very much magnified and that I should be back by the end of the summer of at least some time in the fall, upon which assurance I agreed to go. Early next morning one of our people came to me and said that I should not go alone, for he would accompany me and he knew of two or three others he could persuade to go; accordingly they were spoken to and agreed, making six. We immediately got ready and started off. What I now speak the great King should hear. We are brothers to the people of Carolina, and one house covers us all.

Taking a boy by the hand, he presented him to the Governor, saying:

We, our wives and children, are all children of the great King George.  I have brought this child, that when he grows up he may remember our agreement this day and tell it to the next generation that it may be known forever.

Then opening a bag of earth, he laid it at the Governor's feet.

We freely surrender part of our possessions. The French want our lands, but we shall defend them while one of our nation is alive.

Holding his bow in one hand, and a sheaf of arrows in the other, he continued:

These are all the arms we have for our defense. We hope the Great King will pity his children the Cherokees, and send us arms and ammunition. We fear not the French. Give us arms and we will go to war against the enemies of the great King.

In confirmation of his remarks, the Little Carpenter handed to Governor Glen a string of wampum.

My speech is at an end. It is the voice of the Cherokee Nation. I hope the Governor will send it to the great King that it may be kept forever. [20]