The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-11

Afn the Spanish territory. The per sonal compensation to the chieftain was his being made a Spanish com missary, an office which carried the rank and pay of 8 colonel.
 The dissatisfaction among the Creeks increasing as result of the continued infringement upon their lands by the Georgians, border war ensued. The federal government now undertook settlement of these troubles And here it is that one be- gins to see the fine hand of Colonel McGillivray, who. ostensibly desirous to meet the government half way, Tn reality "exerted himself to defeat all attempts at peaceable negotiations.
 The provisional congress now ap- pointing Andrew Pickens to treat with the southern Indians,s he ad- dressed a letetr to Colonel McGill- ivray urging him to meet the agents to enter into treaties of friendship. Lack of space prevents the giving of the chieftain's able and ingenious reply which clearly portrays the consummate diplomacy of this "Tal- leyrand"-as he has been called--of Alabama. The commissioners exul- tant at the, as they interpreted 1t, concilliatory reply of Colonel McGill- ivray proposed a meeting at Galph- ington. But to their chagrin they found upon their arrival at that place only two chiefs with about three score warriors present. McGilliyray had failed to appear. Thanking the Indians for their attendance, but ob- jecting to treat with so few of their number the commissioners departed. After they had left, the agents -ep- resenting Georgia then made treaty with the Creeks. This treaty con firmed the one made at Augusta; the treaty which McGillivray and the chiefs from 9S Indian towns were so bitter in their denunciation of, also additional territory was granted. What inducements were offered the Indians to make a further grant of their lands is not known.
 Meet at Casseta
 Congress now appointed James White superintendent of the Creek Indians. Upon his arrival at the town of Cusseta, on the Chattahoo- chee, he dispatched a letter to Co., lonel McGillivray, who responded with a, masterly reply. meeting, however, was arranged at Cusseta, where Dr. White met Colonel Me- Gillivray accompanied by large
  Indians being called upon to ratify the treaties which the Georgians claimed had been made at Augusta. Shoulderbone, and Galphington, their chiefs boldly objected, stating that their Hands were their life and their breath, and if they parted with them they parted with their life blood" The meeting came to naught, as did several successive ones that the fed eral government arranged with the Indians; the adroit McGillivray all ways being able to frustrate any proposed plan of the government. He occupied. at this time, a very in dependent footing. He was a CO., partner with William Panton of Fem sacoIa, one of the wealthiest traders in the Floridas, was a paid officer of the Spanish government, and was obeyed not only by his own Creeks, but by other of the Indian tribes as we'll. Hes could therefore impose ar- bitrary terms to the solicitous con- gress.
 The skilful tactics he employed in dealing with the Americans were no less in evidence in all the measures he used with the Spaniards, as his voluminous correspondence with Spain and Panton clearly indicates.
 
 ton. were written for the eyes of the Spaniards. In one such of these he feigns to desire to terminate his connection with Panton, asserting that he is of little ser vice in the business relations of the two, he also states that he is con- making a treaty with the by which, there will be restored to him his fathers estates, thus enabling him to pay all that he feels that Panton has lost in divid- ing profits with him in their copart- nership. The shrewd McGillivray knew that Panton and the Spaniards would do all in their power, make treaty with the Americans: his letter therefore was for the rur- pose of wrestling further favors from Panton and Spain. The former was deeply obligated to McGillivray for the great riches he had amassed. the chieftain's influence over the Indian nations he was en- abled to secure such a volume Of trade that he sustained trading posts at all principal Spanish ports on the gulf. He might therefore well view with alarm McGillivray's making treaty with the Americans.
 IT'D to New York
 Washington had now become Pres ident. Failing to conclude a treaty with Colonel McGillivray through commissioners whom he sent to h,n,. he conceived of having the chieftain come to the seat of federal govern ment. He, therefore, dispatched noon this mission Colonel willett. a dis. soldier, who shortly after arrived at the large town of Hick- ory Ground, in which there was one of McGillivray's houses Here be was entertained by Colonel McGilI,- vray, whom he characterized as "a man of an open. generous mind, with good judgment and very tenacious memory" All the chiefs of the Lower Towns were assembled lv their chieftain to near the message of Colonel Willett. who assured them that Washington did not want their lands and that he would take ef- ritory to them. The conference re. suited in the decision of the chiefs to let their beloved chieftain go to the great chief at his council house in New York"
 Upon the urgency of Colonel Wil lett, the party which consisted of Colonel McGillivray. his nephew, and two servants; Colonel Willett and 80 warriors. soon set forth. When the cavaleade reached Guilford Court House in North Carolina, . touching scene occurred. A lady learning that Colonel McGillivray was in the town, rushed through the large crowd as- sembled to see the great chieftain, and with tears flooding her cheeks, poured forth heartfelt expressions uf gratitude to him for having paid the required ransom for her and her chiidren to some Creeks, who, a Few years before. had killed her husband, and taken the rest of the family cap tive. Colonel McGillivray and his