Newberry Library - Talk from the honorable william h. drayton esqr., one of the beloved men of south carolina to the beloved men, head men & warriors of the cherokee...

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User-Contributed Transcription A TalkFrom the Honourable Willm. H. Drayton Esq.One of the Beloved Menof South CarolinaTo the Beloved Men, Head Men & WarriorsofThe Cherokee Nationat the Congarees, Sep. 25, 1775Friends & Brothers WarriorsI take you by the hand, in witness of the Peace and friendshipwhich has so long subsisted between your Brothers the White People of this Country and you and your People; and I hold yourhand fast in testimony that your Brothers the White Peoplewish that our Peace & Friendship with you and your People maycontinue.I sent a talk to you in your Nation to desire that you would come to see me at the Congarees in order that we might talk togetherface to face. When I sent to you, I thought to have been here, before you could have arrived: but some of our People who did notunderstand the things about which I intend to speak to you; & to explain which to them I came into the Country, my stay amongthose People was therefore longer than I expected; & I was therebydetained from seeing you at the time I appointed. This being the case,I make no doubt but that you will readily excuse my absencewhich I assure you was as disagreeable to myself, as it couldpossibly be to you.I sent to you, to come to me that I might explain to you, thecauses of the unhappy quarrel between a part of the People inGreat Britain & your Brothers the White People living in Ame-rica. ---Also, that I might tell you why our People have puton their Shot Pouches, & hold their Rifles in their hands.The causes of this unhappy quarrel are very plain, as you will seeas I go on with my talk; but, in order that you may see themand understand them clearly, I must first talk to you of thetime before any of our White People came to this Country, andbox Ayer N. A. ms 255

Open book A talk from the Honorable William H. Drayton Esqr., one of the beloved men of South Carolina to the beloved men, head men & warriors of the Cherokee...

Title Talk from the honorable william h. drayton esqr., one of the beloved men of south carolina to the beloved men, head men & warriors of the cherokee...

Creator Drayton, William Henry, 1742-1779

Date 1775

Place South Carolina, South Carolina--Congarees

Language English

Subjects Cherokee Indians, Indians of North America

Description Forms part of the Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library)
Text of speech on p. [1]-[7]; endorsement on p. [8]
Published in: Force, Peter. American archives ... Washington, 1837-1853. 4th series, v. 3, p. 790-794.
For more information, consult the Special Collections Info. File.

Summary September 25, 1775, speech of William Henry Drayton to Cherokee leaders assembled at Congarees, explaining colonial economic grievances and arguing that it was in the tribe's best interest to oppose the British. According to Drayton, not only would British duties increase the cost of trade goods, but the Crown's assault on the rights of colonial Englishmen boded ill for that government's respect of Cherokee land rights.

Biographical/Historical Note South Carolina Revolutionary War leader. Educated in England and a champion of British rights, William Henry Drayton was appointed to the South Carolina council in 1772. By 1775 Drayton had become an avid leader of the American opposition in the province. During the summer of that year he toured the back country to win support for the patriot cause. On Sept. 25, Drayton met at Congarees with five Lower Town Cherokee leaders to explain the American's quarrel with Great Britain and form an alliance. His efforts proved ineffectual against the longstanding Cherokee attachment to Britain.

Extent 1 item (2 folded sheets (8 p.)) ; 33 cm

Format Manuscripts, American, Speeches

Archival Collection Title Edward E. Ayer Collection

Rights Status No Copyright - United States

Newberry Open Access Policy The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to these terms and conditions.

Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Link to Catalog View record

Call Number Ayer MS 255

BibID 137755

Size 2456px × 3944px 27.74 MB

IIIF Resource Type Canvas

Filename 991377558805867_Ayer_MS_255_00001.tif

Unique Identifier NL11IA9P