To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Martin, 12 December 1780
From Joseph Martin
Long Island the 12h Dcmer 1780
Sir
On my Return to this place I Immediately Transmitted your Excellencies Dispatches to Chiefs of the Cherokees which I Seconded with Some letters of my own and Divers private messages with the Meddles &c. but unfortunately all arrived to late. The British agents had Succeeded in their negociations, and most of their Chiefs and Warriers of the old Towns had Determin’d To Take a Decisive part against us. The inclosed Deposition will further Explain Matters to the Executive.
Great will be the Distress of the frontier Inhabitants Soon if Something Vigorous are not Soon Set on foot to Subdue the nation.
I am sir your Excellenis most […] & very humble Sert,
Jos Martin
RC (WHi). Addressee identified from internal evidence. Enclosure not found.
Long Island, whence this letter was sent, is in the Holston River in present Tennessee; Fort Patrick Henry had been established here, and here Martin had his headquarters as agent to the Cherokees ( pl. 76, &c). TJ’s dispatches to the Cherokee chiefs have not been found. On the Indian meddles (medals), see Robert Scot’s Bill, printed under 13 Oct. 1780.