Papers of John Adams, volume 21
th1792
I do myself the honor to enclose you a minute of the
proceedings of Senate, the speech & answer of the Senate thereto—1 In addition to what appears
on the journals there are official documents to evince that the Southern
Indians are determined to join in hostile measures against the US— And those
documents evince that the Executive is doing everything possible to
conciliate & be at peace. And indeed Putnum2 has effected this with several
Western tribes— The Spaniards are doubtless instigating hostilities and Mc Gilvery has left us—3
On the subject of Electors for President & VPresident both parties seem very still and I presume an attack if any is made will be by sap rather than oppen assault— The two Secretaries look very sour each on the other and probably will make their partizans do so by and by—
your friend & those of the Government are in daily
& anxious expectation of seeing you here. And Mrs Otis & myself anticipate the pleasure of your company this
winter— She joins in best remembrances to your lady
Your most humble Sert
RC (Adams Papers).
The enclosures have not been found. Along with his
summary, Otis sent copies of George Washington’s 6 Nov. address to
Congress, and the Senate’s response two days later. The president spoke
to recent conflicts with Native Americans and the state of 150 negotiations with nations in the
Northwest Territory, which Henry Knox summarized in a 7 Nov. report sent
to JA and Congress (DNA:RG 46, Records of the U.S.
Senate). Owing to JA’s absence, Senate president pro
tempore John Langdon delivered the formal response, expressing concern
about the deterioration of Native relations with the U.S. government and
highlighting Pennsylvanians’ growing opposition to the Whiskey Act (Washington, Papers, Presidential Series
,
11:342–351, 361–363). For the Washington administration’s efforts at
Native diplomacy, see Descriptive List of Illustrations, No. 2, above.
Gen. Rufus Putnam (1738–1824) established the town of
Marietta, Ohio, and served as judge of the Northwest Territory since
1790 (Washington, Papers, Presidential Series
,
6:122).
Creek chief Alexander McGillivray (ca. 1759–1793)
negotiated with Great Britain, Spain, and the United States in an effort
to secure Native land. In 1790 McGillivray arranged a joint U.S.-Native
survey of the boundary between Georgia and Creek territory, known as the
Treaty of New York. Two years later, he signed a new treaty with Spain
that negated that agreement, accepting instead a Spanish guarantee that
the Creek would retain their land (
ANB
;
AFC
, 9:86; John Walton Caughey, McGillivray of the Creeks, Norman, Okla.,
1938, p. 285–286, 329–330).