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The Collected Works of Benjamin Hawkins, 1796 - 1810

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For the student of Alabama/Georgia history or Creek Indian history, this is the most complete and comprehensive eye witness journal that exists of daily life among the Creek Indians in the 1795 to 1819 time period. This is not a book written by Hawkins but a collection of his daily journals over several years of life among the Creeks.

Hawkins is one of the few educated men (ex US Senator from North Carolina) who lived among the Indians, ate with them, treated with them, talked to them in their homes and counsels, and made daily journals. I consider it one of the most important tools I have seen for learning about Creek Indian life in the Georgia/Alabama area.

One of the most interesting accounts is when Hawkins is "accosted" in the night by an amorous Creek lady who offers herself as well as her wordly goods to his management. At the time he is getting on in age with a bad case of gout and she is 25 years old. It seems that he turned her down but the fine details of the incident are most interesting and revealing of customs.

For all intents and purposes, Hawkins is the leader of the Creek nation after Chief McGillivray's death (1793) untils its demise in the Alabama/Georgia region.

Some of the most interesting parts of the book are the speeches or talks given by the various town chiefs. The names of all the chiefs, traders,and white residents are listed as well as the people who travelled through the country and had to get passports from Hawkins. The book is full of Creek terminology which is colorful and descriptive such as "he who cannot get enough land" and similar things. Hawkins delights himself in learning and recording the language.

Its apparent that the Creek Indians loved and trusted Hawkins and that he had their best interests at heart, although he was a US government employee bound to do the will of Jefferson which was to "civilize" the Native tribes which in the end caused them to implode in a civil war which destroyed the Creek Nation established in Alabama and Georgia.

This is an invaluable tool for the scholar and a fun read for the casual student. It is packed full of fine details, lists, bookeeping entries, which can easily be scanned over by those who dont need the details. There are gold nuggets here for the research scholar.

Thanks to the Alabama Press for publishing this important historical account.