From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 30 January 1794

To the United States Senate and House of Representatives

United States. Jany 30. 1794.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives

Communications have been made to Congress, during the present Session, with the intention of affording a full view of the posture of affairs on the south western frontiers. By the information, which has lately been laid before Congress, it appeared, that the difficulties with the Creeks had been amicably and happily terminated.1 But it will be perceived, with regret, by the papers herewith transmitted, that the tranquility has unfortunately been of short duration, owing to the murder of several friendly Indians by some lawless white men.2

The condition of things, in that quarter, requires the serious & immediate consideration of Congress; and the adoption of such wise and vigorous laws, as will be competent to the preservation of the national character, and of the peace, made under the authority of the United States, with the several Indian tribes. Experience demonstrates that the existing legal provisions are entirely inadequate to those great objects.3

Go: Washington.

LB, DNA: RG 233, Third Congress, 1793–95, House Records of Legislative Proceedings, Journals; LB, DLC:GW.

1. For previous correspondence submitted to the first session of the Third Congress, see the enclosures to Knox’s letters to the U.S. Senate of 16 and 18 Dec. 1793 and 22 Jan. 1794 (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 , 1:361–472).

2. For the several papers enclosed with this message, which recounted recent unwarranted attacks on Cherokee and Creek Indians, see 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 , 1:472–75.

3. Existing legislation consisted of “An Act to regulate Trade and Intercourse with the Indian Tribes,” 1 March 1793. Congress did not establish additional federal regulations until passage of “An Act for establishing Trading Houses with the Indian Tribes,” 18 April 1796, and “An Act to regulate Trade and Intercourse with the Indian Tribes, and to preserve Peace on the Frontiers,” 19 May 1796 (Stat description begins Richard Peters, ed. The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845 . . .. 8 vols. Boston, 1845-67. description ends . 1:329–32, 452–53, 469–74).

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Source Project: Washington Papers
Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 30 January 1794
Author: Washington, George
Recipient: United States Senate and House of Representatives
Date: 30 January 1794

Reference

Cite as: “From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 30 January 1794,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-15-02-0122. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 15, 1 January–30 April 1794, ed. Christine Sternberg Patrick. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009, pp. 157–158.]

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