Southwest Indians

[TLS]

Note: Map shows maximum extent of tribal claims; white settlement has largely pushed back the Creek beyond the Flint River, the Cherokee to the Appalachians, north of the Chattahoochee, and into central Tennessee and Kentucky, while the Spanish have largely ejected the Chocktaw from their parts of Louisiana.

Native Tribes of the Southwest


Overall Summary: Unlike their counterparts to the north, the tribes of the Southwest are decidedly more mixed in their relation to the Americans. During the Revolution, some tribes (most of the Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole) threw their lot in with the rebellion and others with the British, but now Canada is so very far away. Southwestern society is more thoroughly influenced by that of the Americans, with stronger centralizing tendencies, more widespread adoption of Christianity, literacy, the adoption of plantation slavery, and even some intermarriage with whites. Though this leads the Americans to often label these tribes as 'civilized,' they still retain a deep desire for independence and look askance at claims by white colonies on their lands. The Spanish are willing to fill some of the gap left by the British, particularly in areas that the Spanish crown disputes with the new state of Georgia, but lack the long-standing connections with these tribes. Military estimates are given in terms of total men that can be put under arms; these soldiers could be any mix of militia, cavalry, or infantry, depending on their ability to access firearms.

Cherokee
Population: 30,000 to 40,000
Geography: Central and Western Kentucky, Central Tennessee, Northwest Georgia, Northern Alabama
Military: 3,000 to 4,000 men

Creek
Population: 30,000 to 40,000
Geography: Western Georgia, Central and Southern Alabama, Northern Florida
Military: 3,000 to 4,000 men

Chocktaw
Population: 20,000 to 30,000
Geography: Central and Southern Mississippi, Western Alabama
Military: 2,000 to 3,000 men

Chickasaw
Population: 20,000 to 30,000
Geography: Northern Mississippi, Northwestern Alabama, Western Tennessee
Military: 2,000 to 3,000 men

[Haneastic]

Benjamin Hawkins, along with a small retinue of guards and traders, is dispatched to the Cherokee lands to treat with the tribes residing in lands claimed by the government of North Carolina. Bringing with him a cornucopia of gifts, Hawkins seeks to maintain a general peace between settlers and the established tribes by formally establishing territory acceptable for settlement.

Hawkins proposes the following:

-Establishment of perpetual peace and friendship between the two peoples
-Return of any Cherokee or settlers captured or kidnapped during the course of past conflicts
-Recognition of current North Carolinian settlements in perpetuity
-Recognition of current Cherokee settlements in perpetuity, no North Carolinian settlement to be permitted on Cherokee lands
-Restriction of settlers from hunting in Cherokee land
North Carolina to regulate trade
-Safe passage of Cherokee and settlers through North Carolina and Cherokee territory
-Settlers committing crimes in Cherokee land will be punished, same as Cherokee committing crimes in North Carolina land
-North Carolina to establish internal improvements (roads, canals, etc.) for the benefit of both sides, in order to better facilitate trade and the movement of goods

[TLS]

Benjamin Hawkins, along with a small retinue of guards and traders, is dispatched to the Cherokee lands to treat with the tribes residing in lands claimed by the government of North Carolina. Bringing with him a cornucopia of gifts, Hawkins seeks to maintain a general peace between settlers and the established tribes by formally establishing territory acceptable for settlement.

Hawkins proposes the following:

-Establishment of perpetual peace and friendship between the two peoples
-Return of any Cherokee or settlers captured or kidnapped during the course of past conflicts
-Recognition of current North Carolinian settlements in perpetuity
-Recognition of current Cherokee settlements in perpetuity, no North Carolinian settlement to be permitted on Cherokee lands
-Restriction of settlers from hunting in Cherokee land
North Carolina to regulate trade
-Safe passage of Cherokee and settlers through North Carolina and Cherokee territory
-Settlers committing crimes in Cherokee land will be punished, same as Cherokee committing crimes in North Carolina land
-North Carolina to establish internal improvements (roads, canals, etc.) for the benefit of both sides, in order to better facilitate trade and the movement of goods

The Cherokee note that the North Carolinians have already settled within the bounds of Cherokee lands. The fort and trading post at Knoxville are well within the bounds of the Cherokee dominions, and as long as Knoxville exists there will be a steady stream of whites pouring into Cherokee land. Furthermore, the Cherokee note that the proposed agreement does not indicate who will be "punishing" those accused of crimes on Cherokee land. As such, the Cherokee propose the following counter-offer:

-Establishment of peace and friendship between the two peoples
-Return of any Cherokee or settlers captured or kidnapped during the course of past conflicts
-Recognition of the current North Carolinian settlement at Knoxville, and all settlements within 20 miles of Knoxville, in return for an annual indemnity (.1 points per year) for 20 years.
-Recognition of current Cherokee settlements in perpetuity, no North Carolinian settlement to be permitted on Cherokee lands
-Restriction of settlers from hunting in Cherokee land
-Cherokee shall be able to trade freely, but will consult with North Carolina before licensing any other traders
-Safe passage of Cherokee and settlers through North Carolina and Cherokee territory
-Settlers committing crimes in Cherokee land will be punished by Cherokee law, same as Cherokee committing crimes in North Carolina land by North Carolina law
-North Carolina shall not build any infrastructure save the bare minimum to maintain trade with Knoxville

[Haneastic]

Hawkins agrees to the clarification regarding the treatment of crimes committed in North Carolina and native land.

In regards to infrastructure, Hawkins points out that infrastructure improvements will benefit both sides, such as clearing rivers to facilitate the flow of supplies and fish, and better roads to improve trade. Hawkins indicates a willingness to keep native territory off limits of most infrastructure routes, except where absolutely necessary, and a joint council to meet to discuss said circumstances.

Regarding the indemnity, Hawkins is not authorized to offer money, as all appropriations flow through the tight-fisted General Assembly. Hawkins will pass the proposals from the natives back to Raleigh with his notes to see if money will be appropriated. Hawkins also intends to hold a meeting with surveyors, hunters and trappers, in order to better understand the current infrastructure and how it might impact the Cherokee.

[Lefty]

Issac Shelby, newly-appointed governor of Transylvania Territory is dispatched by the Ministry of the Interior to discuss a treaty of trade and peace with the Cherokee Nations.

[TLS]

Issac Shelby, newly-appointed governor of Transylvania Territory is dispatched by the Ministry of the Interior to discuss a treaty of trade and peace with the Cherokee Nations.

Shelby is well-enough known to the better informed Cherokee for his service in the wars against them and the British. He is received as a reputable warrior, but is still kept at arms length by the Cherokee. The Virginians are informed that trade and peace are in mutual interest, but the Cherokee are concerned about the influx of Virginian settlers onto their lands. If peace is to be maintained, some sort of restriction on further Virginian settlement will be required--and the Cherokee will need to see meaningful concessions and from Richmond on this issue.

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