The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-31

time Tor his return was Judlclously
chosen and consistent with that sa-
gacity which characterized his whole
life. of acting OPPORTUNITY in all
exigencies.
The white settlers of Georgia were
beginning to press through what the
Creeks claimed as their frontier; and
to that pressure was added the hostil-
ity engendered by the revolution, now
in its second year, against any SEM
blance of favor to the enemies of the
patriotic cause.
1t was just at this juncture that
Alexander McGillivray found himself
among his people. Long = a impa-
tiently- had they awaited Il 4 advent
of the representative of the Ho-tal-
gee, the grand chieftain, whotfor so
many years had been studyiEss: that
wisdom of the white man thak made
him the Indians superior.
McGillivray was hardly WE'LL within
the nation before a grand counkn was
called at CoWeta, on the ehatta-
hoochee, over which he was to pre-
side, and formally assume the hege-
mony of the Ho-tal-gee.
One of the most striking powers
which McGillivray possessed, Gas his
ability to win and retain the child
like confidence of his people, and
thereby exercise boundless control
over them. He was not soldier, or
a man Of blood, in any sense of the
term. He was essentially a states
man and diplomat The conquests
of peace only had any fascination for
him. His great ambition was to save
and civilize his people.
That such man should bend to his
will in the paths of peace a numer-
Gus population of warlikc savages.
to whom the war-whoop was music,
and scalpingi the most inviting pas
time, is domination over brute in
stincts of which history contains very
few examples.
At the council at Coweta McGilli-
vray made the acquaintance of LIE
Clerc Milfort, an adventurous French
man, highly educated, and possessing
military qualities of no ordinary kind.
as well as bodily strength and en-
durance equal to any exertion. Their
mental culture was a mutual attrac-
ton.
Millfort went with him from Co
weta to Hickory Ground, the home Of
McGillivray's childhood, where his
mother and his sisters, Sophia and
Jenette, were living. He at once en-
tered into Creek lifa and united his
fortunes with McGillivray's. The
bright eyes of Jenette were not long
in winning Milfort's heart, nor was
there much delay in his winning hers.
They were married, and through this
marriage MilfoH acquired great con-
sideration amongst the Creeks.
Through his marriage into the
Greek nation and the great influence
of McGillivray-the Grand Chief
Milfort was made military leader, an
office never before held by any but
a full-blooded Indian.
McGillivray soon attracted the at
tention OF the British government at
Pensacola, as well as that of British
officers in Georgia, with whom he
carried on an extensive correspond
ence. They at once saw that it would
be impossible for him to keep the
Creeks in a state of neutrality.
founded, as it must be, upon good
feeling for each of two bitter foes.
and McGillivray's Judgment soon led
him to the snre conclusion. He ac-
cordingly de eeS in favor of a Brit
lsh alliance, for which the reasons
were too obvious for hesitation
The Americans couN reach his peo-
pie upon one frontier only, and even
then their attention would be dis
tracted by their contest with the
British. The British, on the other
hand, could without danger of inter
ference, assail the Creeks from PEN
sacola; and, in case they were
crushed, the Georgians would be at
liberty to attack them from the east.
But, although he sided with the
British, it was with the secret resolu-
ton that the alliance should be main
tanned at the least possible sacrifice
to his people.
Though band of Creeks assisted
the British at the time of Galvez's
operations against Pensacola. it is re-
markable that neither McGillivray,
who was colonel in the British
army, nor Milfort, the Great War
Chief, seem to have taken any part
IN this contest. But an explanation
is readily found in the Grand Chiefs
policy of preventing his people from
taking any large part in the quar-
rels and conflicts of the whites.
Soon after McGillivray became
Grand Chief of his tribe, he met Will
liam Panton at Pensacola.
Panton was deeply impressed with
his ability. 1t is probable that he
was acquainted with the elder Nc
Gillivray, and sympathized with him