I received by Mr. Dromgoole the Letter your Excellency did me the Honour of writing to me the 2d ult of November past, and am much concern’d to hear that a War between the State of Georgia and the Creek Indians was unavoidable.

Durin the Course of a long Life in which I have made Observations on public Affairs, it has appear’d to me that almost every War between the Indians and Whites has been occasion’d by some Injustice of the latter towards the former. It is indeed extreamly imprudent in us to quarrel with them for their Lands, as they are generally willing to sell, and sell such good Bargains: And a War with them is so mischievous to us, in unsettling frequently a great Part of our Frontier, and reducing the Inhabitants to Poverty and Distress, and is besides so expensive that it is much cheaper as well as honester, to buy their Lands than to take them by Force.

Your State would, I imagine, be much more secure from the Mischiefs of Indian Wars, if you imitated the Mode of Settlement in the New England States, which was to grant their Lands in Townships of about 6 Mile square to 60 Families. These first chose a Spot for their Town, where they clear’d a Square of perhaps 20 Acres, round which they fix’d their Houses 15 on a Side all fronting inwards to the Square; so that they were all in sight of each other. In the middle of the Square they erected a House for publick Worship and a School, stockaded round as a Fort for the reception and Protection of their Women and Children in Case of Harm. Behind each House was first a Garden Plot, then an Orchard, and then a Pasture for a Cow or two, and behind all outwards their Cornfield. Thus situated one House could not be attacked without its also being seen and giving alarm to the rest, who were ready to run to its Succour. This discourag’d such Attempts. Then they had the Advantage of giving Schooling to their Children, securing their Morals by the Influence of Religion, and improving each other by civil Society and Conversation. In our Way of sparse and remote Settlements, the People are without these Advantages, and we are in danger of bringing up a Sett of Savages of our own Colour.

I rejoice with you that so much Unanimity obtain’d in the general Convention. That of our particular State ratify’d the Constitution a few Days since; and there is a Prospect of its being approv’d by all the States after some time. I hope yours will see the Advantage of acceding to it, as the best Means of securing the Interest of all the western Settlements.

I am grown old, and have now little Influence with Congress; but I have recommended Mr. Dromgoole as you desired; and I have no doubt of their taking proper Measures to satisfy the Cherokee Nation in the Spring. If I could be of any Service to your State, it would give me Pleasure; but my former Activity is abated by Age, and I am continually harassed by a painful Distemper the Stone. To that I can do little more than wish and pray for your Prosperity, which I do sincerely; and am very respectfully, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant