Skip to main content

SCOUT

Special Collections Online at UT

Benjamin Hawkins Letter

 Collection
Identifier: MS-2042

  • Staff Only

This collection consists of a single letter by Benjamin Hawkins to Samuel Elbert dated June 12, 1785. Hawkins wrote the letter to the incumbent governor of Georgia concerning negotiations over land with the Creek Indians of the Southeast Georgia.

Dates

  • 1785

Language

The material in this collection is in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet

Abstract

This collection consists of a single letter by Benjamin Hawkins to Samuel Elbert dated June 12, 1785. Hawkins wrote the letter to the incumbent governor of Georgia concerning negotiations over land with the Creek Indians of the Southeast Georgia.

Biographical/Historical Note

Benjamin Hawkins was born to a wealthy family in North Carolina on August 15, 1754. He attended the College of New Jersey, which is now Princeton University. He studied French and when the American Revolution broke out Hawkins joined General Washington's staff as a translator. After the war, Hawkins developed an interest in politics. He was eventually elected to Continental Congress, North Carolina State Legislator, and U.S. Senate.

While in Congress, he became interested in Indian Affairs. Hawkins was later appointed as an Indian Agent by George Washington. He served as a buffer between the U.S. government and the Creek Indians. At the time of his appointment the government was attempting to destroy the Creeks culture and practices by forcing them out of their land or changing their agricultural ways. In 1813, there was an increased amount of pressure for the Creek Indians to sell their land to the U.S. Government. The Red Stick War broke out and many Creek camps were destroyed. Hawkins was extremely saddened by this and decided to resign in 1815, shortly before Andrew Jackson forced the Creek Confederacy to sign a treaty that would sacrifice two-thirds of their land to the United States. Hawkins died a year later on June 6, 1816.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480