hostile Creeks, and on the
contrary had promised to assist the whites and the friendly towns. 2
More than a year before the council had sent a friendly letter to the
Creeks warning them against taking the British side in the approach-
ing war, while several prominent chiefs had proposed to enlist a Chero-
kee force for the service of the United States.' Finding that no help
was to be expected from the Cherokee, the Creeks took occasion to kill
a Cherokee woman near the town of Etowah, in Georgia. With the
help of a conjurer the murderers were trailed and overtaken and killed
on the evening of the second day in a thicket where they had concealed
themselves. After this there could be no alliance between the two
tribes.*
At the time of the Fort Mims massacre Mcintosh (35),the chief of
the friendly Lower Creeks, was visiting the Cherokee, among whom
he had relatives. By order of the Cherokee council he was escorted
home by a delegation under the leadership of Ridge. On his return
Ridge brought with him a request from the Lower Creeks that the
Cherokee would join with them and the Americans in putting down
the war. Ridge himself strongly urged the proposition, declaring
that if the, prophets were allowed to have their way the work of civil-
ization would be destroyed. The council, however, decided not to
interfere in the affairs of other tribes, whereupon Ridge called for
volunteers, with the result that so many of the warriors responded that
the council reversed its decision and declared war against the Creeks."
For a proper understanding of the situation it is necessary to state that
the