These Creeks consisted of eight tribes, united in a kind of political confederacy; all speaking the same language, but being under separate jurisdictions.  Their deputation was composed of their micoes, or chiefs, and leading warriors, about fifty in number.[1]

[Footnote 1:  “Besides a king, every Indian town has a head warrior, who is in great esteem among them, and whose authority seems to be greater than their kings; because the king is looked upon as little else than a civil magistrate, except it so happens that he is at the same time a head warrior.” Narrative of a Journey among the Indians in the Northwest parts of South Carolina, 1731, by Sir ALEXANDER CUMING.  See, also, Appendix, No.  XII.]

The General received them with courtesy, and then invited them to “a talk,” in one of the new houses.  He informed them that the English, by coming to settle there, did not pretend to dispossess, nor think to annoy the natives; but above all things desired to live on good terms with them, and hoped, through their representatives, now present, to obtain from them a cession of that part of the region on which he had entered, and to form and confirm a treaty of friendship and trade.

When he had explained his views with respect to the settlers, and their designs in making the location, Ouechachumpa, a very tall old man, in the name of the rest, informed the British adventurers what was the extent of the country claimed by their tribes.  He acknowledged the superiority of the white men to the red; and said that he was persuaded that the Great Spirit who dwelt above and all around, (whose immensity he endeavored to express by throwing abroad his hands, and prolonging his articulations as he spoke,) had sent the English thither for the good of the natives; and, therefore, they were welcome to all the land which the Creeks did not use themselves.  He confirmed his speech by laying before Oglethorpe eight buckskins, one for each of the Creeks; the best things, he said, that they had to bestow.  He thanked them for their kindness to Tomo Chichi, who, it seems, had been banished with some of his adherents, from his own nation; but for his valor and wisdom had been chosen mico by the Yamacraws, an emigrating branch of the same stock.

The declarations of the speaker were confirmed by short speeches of the others; when Tomo Chichi, attended by some of his friends, came in, and, making a low obeisance, said, “When these white men came, I feared that they would drive us away, for we were weak; but they promised not to molest us.  We wanted corn and other things, and they have given us supplies; and now, of our small means, we make them presents in return.  Here is a buffalo skin, adorned with the head and feathers of an eagle.  The eagle signifies speed, and the buffalo strength.  The English are swift as the eagle, and strong as the buffalo.  Like the eagle they flew hither over great waters; and like the buffalo nothing can withstand them.  But the feathers of the eagle are soft, and signify kindness; and the skin of the buffalo is covering, and signifies protection.  Let these, then, remind them to be kind, and protect us.”