In May arrived three Commissioners of the U. S. deputed to make a treaty with the Creek Indians, who had long been exceedingly troublesome on the frontiers of Georgia. This was effected the last of June.

The objects of the force at St. Mary's were, the establishment of a trading factory on its waters, and a military force; to overawe the Indians or arrest them if necessary; to keep the Spaniards in check, who had been represented unfriendly; and to prevent any disorderly conduct of the citizens of Georgia towards the inhabitants of Florida. The principle object however had regard to the Indians ; which object was in a great measure obtained by the treaty made between the commissioners and the Creeks.

A misunderstanding had for some months existed between Capt. EATON, and Col. Gaither, and other officers; and in August, EATON was arrested and tried by a Court Martial.

As a laborious attempt was made by Col. Burr, during his trial at Richmond, to destroy the credibility and even the competency of EATON's testimony, on account of the charges at this time brought against him; and as some of his friends may have entertained unfavorable suspicions from the circumstance of his having undergone a trial; it is proper that some statement of it should be made. The following letter, though long, it is hoped will not be tedious; as it certainly exhibits no unfavorable specimen of his talents as a pleader, as well as eloquence as a writer. It is addressed to the secretary at war.

SIR,

Fort Pickering, 13th Sept. 1796.

Constrained by the injuries I suffer, I assume the honor of addressing you on a subject not less painful to me than I am sure, it will be unwelcome

Since my arrival and first acquaintance with the Commandant of the federal troops in Georgia, I have

been apprised of his disposition to embarrass meMy friends say it was in consequence of my command; but I believe his animosity may be traced to other sources. I reported to him from Savannah 26th, Dec. and from St. Mary's 30th, inclosing a copy of your instructions. On his arrival here in February I submitted to him all arrangements I had either made or contemplated: with these he affected to acquiesce, and even condescended to compliment my exertions-But the mask was soon thrown off, and I found myself placed between his animosity and my own duty. I continued to consult him-but his orders he always, except in a few instances, dictated to me verbally-I found his memory treacherous, and remonstrated against this sort of discipline, but without effect. For obedience of these orders I have in some instances been reprimanded and in one charged with criminality. This with other charges I shall take the liberty to annex to this letter, with a copy of my defence. The proceedings of the court will undoubtedly be forwarded to the war office according to law, from which it may be determined whether the prosecution has been actuated by public or sinister views.

However the command assigned me may have influenced the resentment of the commandant, there are other more ostensible causes; some of which I beg leave to suggest-He holds lands in the Yazoo purchases.-On his arrival and first introduction he offered me a bargain of 500,000 acres, I think, at 35,000 dollars, not supposing I had informed myself of the invalidity of the title-I acknowledge I humored his proposal to try the extent of his candor, but at length I dropped the subject of the bargain, and candidly reprobated the manner in which the grants were obtained; at the same time observing that I would not thank a man for an opportunity of speculating on the credulity of ignorance, and at the expence of justice.

He is an allied friend to a man who owns large tracts of land in the vicinity of this post. I have not hesitated to censure the speculative views which must have induced the proprietor to recommend this as a military post, or proper position for the trading factory Such have been my reports to the War Office- This had added fuel to the blaze already kindled to consume me. But I have dealt uprightly on this subject. The resentment of no man shall warp my sentiments from that which I believe is due to truth and my duty. A post never should have been established here. The vast extent of marshy and low country, retaining the water on its surface, and the putrefaction of all vegetable sub. stances which fall from the trees, or are produced from the soil, impregnate the air with miasmata destructive to health. The country cannot be washed with rains; the water which falls must principally go off by evaporation. This produces a great degree of humidity in the air; this is evidenced by the chill which immediately succeeds the absence of the sunbeams, the amazing swarms of musquetoes and other insects which fill the air; and the numerous small frogs which even get into the chambers and garrets of houses; the propensity of all metals to corrode when exposed to the air, and the sallow, sickly complexion of the inhabitants, who are settled upon the low bluffs and ridges-The latter, I recol. lect, made forceable impressions upon the feelings of Mr. Clymer and General Pickens, with whom I did myself the honor to visit a settlement in this vieinity in June last. This miasmata, with which the air is continually more or less impregnated, although it may not be so poisonous as to produce contagious diseases, insensibly preys upon the human system, and in a short time produces sensible effects-The countenances from northern climates, and hilly countries, which are florid and healthful, on being placed a few months in this low ground, become pallid, and the system enervated. This is visible in the

troops who came out with me from the northward, and the citizens who have lived in the upper counties of this and other southern States-The seaboard is healthy; but I venture to assert, even if it should finish the destruction of my reputation, which has been so hopefully contemplated, that there is but one eligible military position from the mouth to the source of this river, and this is Trader's Hill. For the jus tice of this remark I beg leave to refer to General Pickens and Col. Hawkins, with both of whom I had the honor to reconnoiter that position, and with the latter the whole extent of country quite to the Indian line. It has been insinuated that I am interested in mentioning Trader's Hill. I solemnly declare I never owned, nor have I in contemplation to own, a foot of land in the state of Georgia-were this otherwise, and the insinuation true, still would my reports remain on the rock of truth. The representations which have been made to recommend this post have been wrapped up in speculation. I do not believe the country in its vicinity can ever be successfully settled. The children born in its neighborhood seldom arrive to adult age. Soon after they leave the breast they assume the complexion before described, and insensibly mature to the grave. The few inhabitants who are settled here and there, beneath the pines, have either been seduced by a dream of fortune, or have escaped from the discipline of law, or the prosecution of catholic jealousy. at this moment the surface of the country in this vi cinity for many miles, except here and there a bluff or ridge, is inundated-I cannot but consider it a prodigality of human life and happiness to sacrifice them to individual interest. Observations of this kind placed me as a target for a formidable coalition. Other circumstances, combined with these, have tended to precipitate the storm: some of which are delineated in my defence. I have frequently said I thought Mr. Price an improper person to be employed at the head of the trading factory. The

But

moroseness of his disposition, which is so plainly depicted in his countenance, and which exhibits itself on all occasions, of the least perplexity, I believe would, and did disgust many of the Indians and traders. From this circumstance I have frequently invited both Indians and traders to my quarters and entertained them, who were dissatisfied with the manners of the factor. These people want much attention, and are as jealous of neglect as people in the refined walks of life. It was my study that they should imagine nothing of the kind from me. By these means I found them growing attached to me and the troops, whom they call Gen. Washington's If I have not rendered my country a service by these little sacrifices, I have at least studied to do it. But as nothing can be seen in its true color by a jaundiced eye, so neither was this conduct of mine. My particular attention to these people was construed into an interference with the trading department; and the resentment which this and other things, hereafter mentioned, excited in the factor, added an auxiliary to the coalition.

men.

On intimation of what was carrying on, I twice, by letter, solicited of the commandant a court of enquiry; and repeatedly by verbal request. My first application by writing he totally neglected; my last he equivocally answered and evaded. My verbal requisitions were always procrastinated; hence I saw nothing but my removal from command could effect the object of the allies, and I reconciled myself to the process. On the 5th Aug. I received a letter from the Commandant, from which I extract : " You will make out a return of all public stores which you received in Philadelphia, previous to your sailing to Georgia : also all ordnance and public stores of every kind whatever which you have received since you arrived in Georgia, noting all issues and expenditures; the month for which you have signed abstracts, and the amount of each abstract; and deliv