From Samuel Allyne Otis to John Adams, 12 November 1792
From Samuel Allyne Otis
Philadelphia Nov 12th 1792
Sir
I do myself the honor to enclose you a minute of the proceedings of Senate, the speech & answer of the Senate thereto—1 In addition to what appears on the journals there are official documents to evince that the Southern Indians are determined to join in hostile measures against the US— And those documents evince that the Executive is doing everything possible to conciliate & be at peace. And indeed Putnum2 has effected this with several Western tribes— The Spaniards are doubtless instigating hostilities and Mc Gilvery has left us—3
On the subject of Electors for President & VPresident both parties seem very still and I presume an attack if any is made will be by sap rather than oppen assault— The two Secretaries look very sour each on the other and probably will make their partizans do so by and by—
your friend & those of the Government are in daily & anxious expectation of seeing you here. And Mrs Otis & myself anticipate the pleasure of your company this winter— She joins in best remembrances to your lady
Your most humble Sert
Sam. A. Otis
RC (Adams Papers).
1. The enclosures have not been found. Along with his summary, Otis sent copies of George Washington’s 6 Nov. address to Congress, and the Senate’s response two days later. The president spoke to recent conflicts with Native Americans and the state of negotiations with nations in the Northwest Territory, which Henry Knox summarized in a 7 Nov. report sent to JA and Congress (DNA:RG 46, Records of the U.S. Senate). Owing to JA’s absence, Senate president pro tempore John Langdon delivered the formal response, expressing concern about the deterioration of Native relations with the U.S. government and highlighting Pennsylvanians’ growing opposition to the Whiskey Act (, 11:342–351, 361–363). For the Washington administration’s efforts at Native diplomacy, see Descriptive List of Illustrations, No. 2, above.
2. Gen. Rufus Putnam (1738–1824) established the town of Marietta, Ohio, and served as judge of the Northwest Territory since 1790 (, 6:122).
3. Creek chief Alexander McGillivray (ca. 1759–1793) negotiated with Great Britain, Spain, and the United States in an effort to secure Native land. In 1790 McGillivray arranged a joint U.S.-Native survey of the boundary between Georgia and Creek territory, known as the Treaty of New York. Two years later, he signed a new treaty with Spain that negated that agreement, accepting instead a Spanish guarantee that the Creek would retain their land (; , 9:86; John Walton Caughey, McGillivray of the Creeks, Norman, Okla., 1938, p. 285–286, 329–330).