[Footnote 1:  This is a decoction of the leaves of the YAUPON, prinus glaber, and is of an exciting, and if taken freely, an intoxicating effect.  It is prepared with much formality, and is considered as a sacred beverage, used only by the Chiefs, the War Captains, and Priests ("beloved men”) on special occasions, particularly on going to war and making treaties.  For an account of its preparation and use, see LAWSON’S Carolina, p. 90; BERNARD ROMAN’S Natural History of Florida, p. 94; ADAIR’S History of the American Indians, p. 108; CATESBY’S Natural History of Carolina, II. 57; and BARTON’S Elements of Botany, part II. p. 16.]

Oglethorpe ingratiated himself highly with the Creeks on this occasion, by his having undertaken so long and difficult a journey to become acquainted with them, and secure their favor; trusting himself with so few attendants in a fearless reliance on their good faith; by the readiness with which he accommodated himself to their mode of living; and the magnanimity of his deportment while among them.

The chief business being finished to mutual satisfaction, the General, with his attendants, set out on their return; and, after enduring the like hardships, exposures, and fatigue, arrived, on the 5th of September, at Fort Augusta, an outpost on the Savannah, where he had placed a garrison on his first expedition to Georgia; and under the protection of which, a little settlement was now formed, inhabited mostly by Indian traders.  There he was waited on by the chiefs of the Chickasaws, and the chiefs of the Cherokees;[1] the last of whom came with a heavy complaint that his people had been poisoned by the rum which had been brought to them by the traders.  At this they expressed high resentment, and even threatened revenge.  As this was an affair of quite an alarming nature, the General made strict inquiry into it; and ascertained that some unlicensed traders had, the preceding summer, carried up the small pox, which is fatal to the Indians; and that several of their warriors, as well as others, had fallen victims to the distemper.  It was with some difficulty that he convinced the Indians that this was the real cause of the calamity.  At the same time he assured them that such were the precautions and strict examination used, before any applicant for leave to trade could obtain it, that they need not apprehend any danger from such as came to them with a license.  With this explanation and assurance they went away satisfied.

[Footnote 1:  By some early writers of Carolina these chiefs are called “Caciques.”  Whether this be the same as Mico, I know not; but the title, though often used so, does not seem to be appropriate.  Where justly applied, it is the title of the legislative chief, in distinction from the war chief.]