render other
assistance to Governor Blount, superintendent for the southern tribes,
to study their language and home life, and to collect materials for an
Indian history. An extract from the official instructions under which
this first Tinted States ethnologist began his work will he of interest.
After defining his executive duties in connection with the annuity
distributions, the keeping of accounts and the compiling of official
reports. Secretary Knox continues —
A ilin- performance of your duty will probably require the exercise of all your
patience ami fortitude ami all your knowledge of the human character. Tin- school
will 1 ie a severe but interesting one. [f you should succeed in acquiring the affections
and a knowledge of the characters of the southern Indians, yon may lie at once use-
ful to the United States ami advance your own interest.
Youthe same year.
with no evidence of unfriendliness at his presence." The friendly feel-
ing was of short continuance, however, for a few months later we find
him writing from Ustanali to Governor Blount that on account of the
aggressive hostility of the Creeks, whose avowed intention was to kill
every white man they met, he was not safe 50 yards front the house.
Soon afterwards the Chickamauga towns again declared war, on which
account, together with renewed threats by the ('recks, he was advised
by the Cherokee to leave Ustanali, which he did early in September,
1792, proceeding to the home of General Pickens, near Seneca, South
Carolina, escorted by a guard of friendly Cherokee. In the follow-
ing winter he was dismissed front the service on serious charges, and
his mission appears to have been a failure. 3
To