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Letters, Journals and Writings of Benjamin Hawkins, Volume 2

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Anyone interested in detailed and factual information about the consideration and treatment of Indians in the southeast, will find this 2 volume publication to be fascinating and satisfying!

George Washington appointed Benjamin Hawkins as the Agent for all
the Indians south of the Ohio River.(Today we would say Ambassador, for Hawkins represented the United States to the Cherokees, the Creeks, the Choctaws,and the Chickasaws.) His selection could not have been better. Hawkins who had been Washington's interpretor during the Revolutionary War was well educated, a prolific correspondent, a man of high morals, and absolutely dedicated to the welfare and civilization of the Indians.

He served from 1795 until his death in 1816. During this time, he was responsible from "drawing the line" between Spain (Florida) and the United States, between Tennessee and the Cherokees, and between Georgia and the Cherokees and the Creeks.

He became a "beloved chief" of the 4 nations, never having a set
residence, but always moving and living with Indians or at Army Posts.

By 1795, game was not sufficient to feed the Indians. Hawkins recognized this and worked ceaselessly to persuade and enable the Indians to farm and to raise cattle and hogs. He provided
all the needed implements such as hoes, ploughs, axes, cards, and
spinning wheels, and provided training in the use of them. Blacksmths were assigned to various Indian towns.

Hawkins offerred his resignation in 1812, agreeing to stay on until a successor was named. No successor was named.

This is not a "quick read", but reading to be enjoyed over a long period of time. I took 3 years to read it, enjoyed every bit of it, and always reluctantly ended a reading session, commenting to myself, "This is really an interesting book".