1. According to GW’s executive journal, Knox submitted four letters this day (JPP description begins Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797. Charlottesville, Va., 1981. description ends , 278). The first was from James Seagrove to Knox of 30 Nov. 1793, in which the Indian agent described his journey to the Creek villages of Cussetah and Tuckaubatchie and his subsequent conversations with the Indians at these locations. “After sitting in council two days and nights” at Tuckaubatchie, he wrote, “it was unanimously determined on, that all acts of hostilities or depredations should, from that moment, cease between the United States and the Creek nations.” As a condition of peace Seagrove asked for the return of all white prisoners, slaves, cattle, and horses taken by the Indians and the punishment of those Indians responsible for recent murders within Georgia’s borders. In a second letter of 30 Nov., Seagrove informed George Mathews that “peace and good understanding is again re-established” with the Creeks and asked the Georgia governor to promulgate this information in order “to prevent any outrage being offered to such Indians as may appear on your frontier” (ASP, Indian Affairs description begins Walter Lowrie et al., eds. American State Papers. Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of the United States. 38 vols. Washington, D.C., Gales and Seaton, 1832–61. description ends , 1:471–72). The two letters of 14 Dec. 1793 from Maj. Henry Gaither and Indian agent Constant Freeman, Jr., both to Knox, have not been identified, but presumably they also concerned U.S. relations with the Creeks and other southern Indians.

“By the President’s direction,” Dandridge returned the letters to Knox later this day, with a request “to enquire what, or whether anything is thought necessary to be done in consequence of the information contained in them” (DLC:GW). For Knox’s suggestion, see his letter to GW of 21 January.