Tuskeege Alabama
						5th March 1836.

Sir;
On my leaving Tuskaloosa-I learned in Bibb County-that
an old Indian of the McGilvery connexion, who has adopted very
much the habits of the whites, said the indians intended to go to
war, when the trees put out their leaves-This induced me to go
up the Coosa, and come down through the nation-In consequence
of indisposition, the high waters, and the inclemency of the weather
I have not made so extensive a tour, as I at first intended-I have however
traversed a great extent of -and conversed with persons on whom I can
rely from every part of the Nation-The immediate fears of the inhabitants,
seem very much quieted. There are a number of facts however of high
interest to those, who understand the indian character-In the first place
there is (all agree) a great commotion among themselves- The towns in
the South and in the middle of the nation, are determinately Sullen, and
hostile-From the Tallapoosa a number of hostile indians are mingling with
those disposed to be friendly, on the Coosa in the region of Hatchet Creek-
it is in this neighborhood that the connexions of the old indian live who
says they intended to fight in the Spring-Some few from there and a good
many from Talladega have drawn together in the Cherokee country-and
altho' these give various reasons for thus assembling there-Some of them
say, it is that they may be safe. The indians through the whole
nation are using the old trails-which have been entirely disused for many
years- They have bought a great number of Rifles at different places-
particulary, at Wetumpka- they have bought a good deal of powder
some of the Indian Chiefs, by the keg-
They have purchased lately, a good many of a hitherto unwanted article
the Mackintosh blanket- & small brass kettles & pistols, Heretofore
the Indians north of the federal road did not carry arms-for, as a general
remark, they do not hunt, now I scarcely see an Indian without
his rifle- These are some of the signs, which to a practiced eye, show the
propriety of caution- A largest collection of indians than has been
assembled for 20 years will meet at Lu-che-po-ga on the 23rd inst-
A display of military force in that neighborhood would in my opinion do
more, to effect the object, of the Corps of observation-and to hasten the
departure of the indians from the State, than the parade thereafter of 10
Regiments & months, or years, of the most strenuous exertions-

				I have the honor to be
				very Respectfully
					O.K. Truman