William McIntosh: Creek Leader
Counsel:
advice
Bribe: give
someone $
to get them
to act in
their favor
Cession:
giving up
of rights,
property, or
territory
William McIntosh (ca. 1775-1825) was born in
the Lower Creek town of Coweta, in what is now Carroll
County, Georgia. Like many Creeks, McIntosh was of
mixed parentage, both white and Creek. He was a
controversial Creek Indian leader. McIntosh supported
plans to "civilize" the Creeks. Slave owning, livestock
herding, cotton cultivation, and personal ownership of
property were examples of changes to traditional Creek
ways of life that McIntosh promoted. He himself owned
two plantations with African slaves, Lockchau Talofau
("Acorn Bluff") in present-day Carroll County, and
Indian Springs, in present-day Butts County. Both are maintained today as historic
sites. While McIntosh's support of civilization efforts earned him the respect of U.S.
officials, more traditional Creeks regarded him
with distrust.
As a young man, McIntosh maintained
ties to Indian agents, U.S. military officers, and
deerskin traders and used these connections to
obtain enough resources to create a large
exchange network. McIntosh provided gifts and
supplies to his supporters, who in return would
listen to his public and private counsel. He used
these connections and alliances to amass a personal fortune. He readily accepted
bribes and pursued his self-interests over those of the Creek Nation as a whole.
Despite the fervent opposition of many Upper Creeks, and with McIntosh’s
cousin, Georgia Governor George Troup's assurances of protection, Chief McIntosh,
together with a small contingent of mostly Lower Creek chiefs, negotiated the second
Treaty of Indian Springs, in 1825. This treaty provided for the cession of virtually all
Creek land remaining in the state of Georgia in exchange for a payment of $200,000.
On February 12, 1825, only six chiefs, including McIntosh, signed the document.
Whatever his motivations were, McIntosh's participation in the 1825 Treaty of Indian
Springs cost him his life. According to a Creek law that McIntosh himself had
supported, a sentence of execution
awaited any Creek leader who
ceded land to the United States
without the full assent of the entire
Creek Nation. Just before dawn on
April 30, 1825, Upper Creek chief
Menawa, accompanied by 200
Creek warriors, attacked McIntosh
at Lockchau Talofau to carry out
the sentence.
Shot in the front doorway of
his home, McIntosh managed to
climb the stairs to the second floor, from which he began shooting at his
assailants. Forced to leave when they set fire to the house, he was shot and
dragged some distance from the house. Raising himself on an elbow, he gave
them a defiant look as he was stabbed in the heart. An eyewitness estimated that
his corpse was shot about 50 times. After destroying what they could not carry
off-slaves, horses, and cattle--the assassins left.
Civilize: to
educate
someone in
manners and
become more
culturally
advanced.
Amass:
gather or
gain
Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. In what county was McIntosh born?
2. McIntosh supported “civilization” of Native Americans. Give two
examples of how McIntosh lived a “civilized” life.
3. Why didn’t the Creeks trust McIntosh?
4. How was McIntosh able to create such a strong network of relationships
and alliances?
5. Who is another person we’ve learned about that used her mixed heritage
to negotiate between whites and Native Americans?
6. What does it mean to accept a bribe?
7. In your own words, describe what the 1825 Treaty of Indian Springs
was.
8. Why did McIntosh’s signing of this treaty break Creek laws, and how
was he punished?
Answers
1. In what county was McIntosh born?
McIntosh was born in Carroll County, Georgia.
2. McIntosh supported “civilization” of Native Americans. Give two
examples of how McIntosh lived a “civilized” life.
He owned slaves and lived on plantations (owned personal property).
3. Why didn’t the Creeks trust McIntosh?
He went against Creek traditions, and often acted in his own selfinterest rather than those of the Creek Nation.
4. How was McIntosh able to create such a strong network of relationships
and alliances?
He was able to use his mixed (white and Creek) heritage to build a
variety of relationships that benefited him.
5. Who is another person we’ve learned about that used her mixed heritage
to negotiate between whites and Native Americans?
Mary Musgrove also used her heritage to negotiate between whites
and Native Americans.
6. What does it mean to accept a bribe?
To accept a bribe is to be persuaded to do something for someone else
in exchange for money or gifts.
7. In your own words, describe what the 1825 Treaty of Indian Springs
was.
The 1825 Treaty of Indian Springs was a treaty that required Creek
Indians to give up all lands in Georgia in exchange for $200,000.
Seven Creek chiefs, including McIntosh, signed the treaty.
8. Why did McIntosh’s signing of this treaty break Creek laws, and how
was he punished?
McIntosh broke the law in signing this treaty because Creek chiefs
were not allowed to cede any land to the United States without
permission from the entire Creek Nation. As a punishment, McIntosh
was killed in his home.