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Washington, George (1732-1799) [Drafts of secret articles in a treaty between the United States and the Creek Nation]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.09459 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript document Date: circa 1790 Pagination: 9 p. ; 33.7 x 20.8 cm. Order a Copy

A working manuscript that has been corrected by Knox probably intended for George Washington. Consists of several secret articles pertaining to the proposed treaty; in each case, "secret" has been struck. One article grants trading rights in United States ports. If the Spanish obstruct Creek commerce, promises to transport Creek goods through United States territory until the obstruction is removed, as long as the goods do not exceed 60,000 dollars in worth. Another article appoints Alexander McGillivray, Chief of the Creek Nation, as Brigadier General in the United States Army with 1,200 dollars per year in pay. Grants the chiefs of the Upper Creeks, the Lower Creeks, and the Seminoles a commission, a medal with ornaments, and 100 dollars per year. Article three stipulates that the United States will educate and clothe "such of the Creek youth as shall be agreed upon, not exceeding four in number [at one time]." Possibly secret articles of the 1790 Treaty of New York. Based on content, written before 1792.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

[Draft]

The President of the United States States the following question for the consideration and advice of the Senate.
If it should be found essential to a treaty for the firm establishment of peace with the Creek nation of indians that an article to the following effect should be inserted therein, will such an article be proper? - viz.
[struck: Secret Article.]
Artcle <?> The commerce necessary for the Creek nation shall be carried on through the ports, and by the citizens of the United States, if substantial and effectual arrangements shall be made for that purpose by the United States, on or before the first day of August one thousand seven hundred and ninety two. In the mean time, the said commerce may be carried on [2] through its present channels and according to its present regulations.
And whereas the trade of the said Creek nation is now carried on wholly or principally through the territories of Spain and obstructions, thereto may happen by war or prohibitions of the Spanish government:
It is therefore agreed between the said parties that in the event of any such obstructions happening, it shall be lawful for such persons as the Presd of the United States shall designate, to introduce into and transport through the territories of the United States to the country of the said Creek nation any quantity of goods wares and merchandize not exceeding in value in any one year Sixty [3]
[struck: Secret]
Article 1.
In order to effect a consolidation of the interests of the United States and the Creek nation, it is hereby stipulated that Alexander McGillivray the beloved Chief of the said nation shall also be constituted the [struck: representative of the United States to] [inserted: the agent of the US in the said] the said nation, with the rank of Brigadier General and the pay of one thousand two hundred dollars per annum, on [inserted: his] taking the [strike-out] usual oaths required by law - [4]
Article 2.
And the said Alexander Mc.Gillivray hereby stipulates to use his highest exertions to endeavor to cultivate the firmest friendship between the United States and the said Creek nation, [struck: and to take the necessary oaths.]
[struck: Article 3]
The United States also agree to allow to each of the great medal chiefs hereinafter named, a commission, a great medal with proper ornaments, and each one hundred dollars annually, for themselves and the other beloved men of their towns respectively - to wit -
The chiefs of the Oaksuskies.
-Of the upper Creeks{ Tuckabatchies, and the present
Tallisee King of the
half way house.[5]
Of the lower Creeks { The chiefs of the Cusitahs and Cowetas.
And of the Seonanolies {The chief of Micasukie.
Article [struck: 4] 3
The United States agree to educate and clothe such of the Creek youth, as shall be agreed upon, not exceeding four in number at any one given year at one time - [6]

- Secret Article. -
The commerce necessary for the Creek nation shall be carried on through the ports, and by the citizens of the United States - [struck: and substantial] [inserted: substantial and effectual] arrangements shall be made for that purpose [inserted: by the United States] on or before the first day of August, one thousand Seven hundred and ninety two. In the meantime the said commerce [struck: shall] [inserted: may] be carried on through its present channels and according to its present regulations.
[struck: But it is hereby stipulated, that if before the said first day of August one thousand seven hundred and ninety two, any events should arise to impede or prevent the said commerce from being carried on according to its present arrangements that [7] the same shall be carried on through the port of St: Marys -
And on the amount of the goods which shall be so imported for the said commerce, and transported into the Creek nation, there shall be a draw-back of the duties, as if the same were exported to a foreign country, provided however that the ammount of goods so imported for the said commerce shall not exceed dollars.] [8]
Sixty thousand dollars, and that free from any duties or impositions whatsoever, but subject to such regulations for guarding against abuse as the United States shall judge necessary; which privelege shall continue as long as such obstruction shall continue.

Article. [strike-out] Second.

[docket]
[struck: draft of the <?> of the President]
Draft of the Secret article respectg commrc

Washington, George, 1732-1799
McGillivray, Alexander, 1750-1793

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