EDITORIAL: In 1790, the United States knew that there were two different group or ethnicity of people called the Cherokee Nation. The first group mentions is the group that entered the Southeast in about the 1680s who originated in the Canadian, Great Lakes area between Lake Huron and Lake Erie, who were called the Erie people. The Second group mentioned is the Lower Town group who were of the Mound Culture and Southeast Ceremonial Complex Religious Cult. Archaeological evidence of the Mound Builders in the Southeast dates to between 600 and 800 CE. The Lower Town Chickamauga spoke the Cherokee Trade language and the European Powers often referred to them as Cherokee because of the language they spoke. The Chickamauga on the Tennessee River are specifically identified as different than the Cherokee of the Upper Towns.
This was evident from the 1730s forward in that the Canadian, Great Lakes Cherokee were allies of the Colonists and the Americans while the Chickamauga were allied with the British then the Spanish. There is no doubt that the Chickamauga and the Cherokee are two different races and cultures and religions.
The identity of the "Cherokee on the Lower Towns of Chickamaga, Nickajack, and Crow Towns" is evidence that the Chickamauga who spoke the Cherokee Trade Language were not the same as the Cherokee who came from the Canadian, Great Lakes Region.
[Diary entry: 11 March 1790]
Thursday 11th.
A Letter from Arthur Campbell Esqr. of Washington County Virginia to the Secretary at War was put into my hands by the latter containing the following information—the letter dated 6th. Feb. 90.
That half the Cherokee Nation wd. desire to remain Neutre in case of a war between the United States and the Creek Indians—viz.—Those in the Neighbourhood of Chota & all those which are called the Middle Settlements. The Towns on the Tennessee below Hiuassee, & those on the heads of the Caussa would aid the Creeks.
That from the Long Island in Holstein to the Junction of French Broad the Navigation is equal to that of Monongahela between the Mouth of Cheat & Pitsburgh. Below it it is exceeding good to where the River passes through Cumberland Mountain, a distance of about 150 Miles by Water. Here the River runs with great rapidity against a steep rock which forms its bank and makes a short turn & gives this place the name of the Whirl; the River here not being more than the 4th. of its common breadth above & below it is very deep but not dangerous with care.
That from this place the river moves with a gentle current Southerly near the foot of the Cumberland Mountn. on the West side for about 100 Miles (something Eastwardly of this distance the Mountain ends) then it begins to turn Northwardly 100 miles more to the upper end of the Muscle shoals.
That these Muscle shoals are gentle rapids for about 30 miles, and the difficulty lays in strangers missing the right Channel—the River being 2 Miles wide & full of small Islands.
That the Creek landing on the Tennessee, is about 80 Miles below the Whirl, from whence there is a good road to the Caussa, on the branches of which, and the Alibama river (both waters of the Mobile) most of the Upper Creeks live.
That below the Muscle shoals a Row boat of any size may ascend the river with almost the same facility it passes downwards.
That from Nashville to the lower settlements on Holstein the New road is computed 180 miles. Miro is the name of the District.
That from Nashville to the Muscle Shoals is 70 Miles.
That it is the upper Creeks generally, the Cherokees of the lower towns to wit Chickamaga, Nickgjack & Crows Town, that give annoyance to the Southern Settlements at Kentucky, the Path through the Wilderness, and the Holstein Settlements.
That the Miro District (which contains all the Cumberland Settlements) can raise 800 good Militia men—total number of Inhabitants may be abt. 4000 besides Slaves.
That Washington District in North Carolina contains 4000 Mila. and Washington District in Virginia about 2000 Do.—The two latter mostly in Holstein Valley.
That Kentucky District has betwn. Eight & 10,000 Men.
That in his opinion, a Regiment of Militia could be raised to go against the Southern Indians to serve one Campaign in Six weeks after the officers should receive orders for the purpose and that before the expiration of that time 560 Regular Troops could be enlisted to serve three years or better—call them Rangers. The light Infantry Companies & Troops of horse in the different western Counties might be ordered into Service agreeable to the existing Laws of Virga. Out of these a fine Ranging Regiment might be Enlisted.
That the Distances, as computed, from place to place are as follow—viz. From Lexington in Kentucky
The following Gentlemen dined here to day—viz.
Mr. Read of the Senate, the Speaker, and following Gentlemen of the House of Representatives—viz.—Messrs. Gilman, Goodhue, Aimes Wadsworth, Trumbull, Benson, Lawrence, Peter Muhlenberg, Wynkoop Vining, Carroll, Contee, Madison Page & Sumpter— also Judge Bedford and Mr. John Trumbull.
Arthur Campbell (1743–1811) was born in Augusta County, Va., and was active in Indian fighting on the Virginia frontier until c.1777 when he moved to North Carolina and settled near the Holston River in what is now Washington County, Va. He soon became a leading land speculator and spokesman for frontier interests and served frequently in the North Carolina Assembly. He was involved as early as 1782 in the movement to separate the western part of North Carolina from the state and in the mid–1780s became a leading proponent of the State of Franklin. His letter to Knox has not been found.
John Vining (1758–1802), a New Castle County, Del., attorney and a native of Dover, served in the Continental Congress 1784–86. Mr. Carroll is Daniel Carroll (1730–1796), cousin of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who had been elected as a Federalist Representative to the First Congress. Benjamin Contee (1755–1815), a native of Prince George’s County, Md., served in the 3d Maryland Battalion during the Revolution, in the Maryland House of Delegates 1785–87, and in the Continental Congress 1788–89. Thomas Sumter (1734–1832) was born near Charlottesville, Va., but moved in 1765 to the area of Eutaw Springs, S.C. He had a notable military career during the Revolution both in the Continental Army where he held the rank of colonel and as a brigadier general in the South Carolina militia, operating with considerable success against Banastre Tarleton and Lord Rawdon after the British invasion of South Carolina. After the Revolution he founded Stateburg, S.C., and became heavily involved in canal ventures and land speculation. Sumter was a member of the South Carolina Ratifying Convention and was elected from South Carolina to the First Congress where he became a spokesman for South Carolina Antifederalists. Gunning Bedford, Jr. (1747–1812), a native of Philadelphia, graduated from Princeton in 1771, studied law in Philadelphia with Joseph Reed, and moved to Delaware shortly before the Revolution. He served in the Continental Congress 1783–85 and as attorney general of Delaware 1784–89. Bedford was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and to the Delaware Ratifying Convention the same year. In 1789 GW appointed him federal judge for the district of Delaware.