Letter: Jno. Crowell to John C. Calhoun
August 20, 1821
Source: T.J. Petty, "Creek Letters 1820-1824" 
(Transcription, Georgia Dept. of Archives & History, Atlanta)

Coweta
Augt. 20th 1821

Sir,
Some short time previous to my coming into this agency, the chiefs, had
organized a Regt. of Indian Warriors, and sent them into Florida in
pursuit of neroes that had escaped from their owners, in the Creek nation 
as well as such as had run off from their owners in the States; this
detachment has recently returned, bringing with them, to this place
fifty nine negroes, besides about twenty delivered to their respective
owners on their march up; -- I have thought it most advisable to
advertise the negroes in order that their owners may attend & when
sufficient proof is made, to deliver them up, he paying the expense incurred;
and where no claim is set up or insufficient proof, then sell them for the
benefit of the captors; If however, you should not approve of this mode of
disposing of them, you will please inform me by return of mail, what 
disposition to make of them; I enclose you a descriptive list* of the negroes
that came to my view.

At the late meeting of the chiefs; I brought up the subject of the 
Seminole & other Indians in Florida, with a view of assertaining [sic]
their feeling towards them; I am glad to state to you, that, they seemed
to be friendly disposed towards them and have authorized me to say to 
you, that they are willing to receive them, among them as friends, and
to assist in removingthem up, provided the United States will make them
an adequate compensation, to be assertained [sic] before removal.

The chiefs, have urged me, to renew their claim to the lands in Florida,
above tide water; thay acknowledge the Indian title, below tide water has
long since, been extinguished; but think their claim to all the land above
tide water; should be acknowledged by the U. States.

A number of Indians who lost property last war, has not been paid any
part of their claims, and have requested me to assertain [sic] from
the Government whether such claims will be paid or not, and what is 
necessary to establish their claims; some others are entitled to a 
reserve of land under the Jackson Treaty, whose claim has not been
confirmed, must request -- that you will give me such instructions 
in relation to such claims as will be necessary for their information,
some of the claimants resided, in that part of the ceded territory,
that lies in Georgia. Some of those who have had their reserves 
confirmed, are anxious to sell, and by an act of Congress, The
U. States alone is authorized purchase, if an agent was appointed,
a number of reserves could be purchased. 

I am requested by the nation to make application for some 
compensation, for the unhumane massacre at the Chehaw Village by
Capt. Wright -- they say the execution of Capt. Wright would have 
been ample compensation for the crime, but he was suffered to escape,
unhurt -- they should have compensation in another way.

The manner in which Mr. Lumpkin has run the line of the late Treaty
has given great dissatisfaction, to the Indians, they contend that
the line should have been continued up Flint River to a place called
three forks, then taken the most western branch of said forks, 
Mr. Lumpkin however was of the opinion that a branch about twenty miles
below the three forks was the one contemplated in the treaty & accordingly
made that the line, the land in dispute is about twenty miles square;
the chiefs have requested me to refer you to the U. States commissioners
for the correctness of this statement in regard to the place to where
the line should leave Flint River.

I have succeeded in prevailing upon the chiefs to supply the nation, with
the necessary implements of manufacture such as looms, wheels &c. to be
paid for out of their annuity. Iwas anxious also to have got an 
appropriation for schools but could not succeed, they are willing that
schools should be established, provided the U. States would pay the 
expense. I should like very much to have it in my power to make an 
experiment.

Am I to understand from your letter of the 23rd July that the 
Blacksmith work at the agency is to be continued, after this quarter?
The Indians in that neighborhood are generally very poor and the
loss of the smith would be seriously felt by them; but if continued
would be a great stimulus to their industry.

					I have the honor to be Sir
					Very respectfully
					Your obt. sevt.

					Jno. Crowell
					Agent for I.A.

The Honble.
Jno. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Washington City






*List was not copied - duplicate of 22.1.22.C.C. & 23.7.24.C.C.