To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 7 July 1795
From Timothy Pickering
War Office July 7. 1795.
The Secretary of War respectfully lays before the President of the U. States the draught of a speech to the Chickasaws and Choctaws now in Philadelphia, as representatives, the former of their nation—the latter of the Five Upper Towns.1
The Indians will be held ready to wait on the President at any hour he shall be pleased to receive them, upon notice this evening or to-morrow morning, of the time most convenient.
AL, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
1. This talk has not been identified. The visitors included James Kemp, “a half bred Chickasaw” who brought three Chickasaw chiefs to discuss “pressing affairs of their nation” with the president (Dunlap’s American Daily Advertiser [Philadelphia], 19 June). Five Choctaw chiefs and their interpreter also visited Philadelphia. The Indians’ purpose reportedly was “to lay before the executive as a grievance, that the Creeks have made war upon them on account of their having taken an active part against the hostile tribes, in cooperation with our troops” and “to request that a post may be established at the mouth of Ocochapto, or Bear Creek, on the Tennessee” (Philadelphia Gazette & Universal Daily Advertiser, 3 July). While in the city, the chiefs attended a benefit at the New Theatre (Gazette of the United States [Philadelphia], 3 and 13 July).