“Sir by the talks received from the headmen and warriors of the Cherokee Nation dated June 30th, I am given to understand that a party from North Carolina called (Franklin State) with Sevier at their head, came over and destroyed several of their towns, killed nearly thirty of the Indians, made one prisoner and obliged the remainder to flee with their families to some of the lower towns for protection.  Notwithstanding these outrages there are at present time near thirty towns in friendship with the white people, who wish to remain so as their talks run continually for a lasting peace to be established between them and the whites.  The Over hills, the other part of the nation, where the above affair happened seemed determined for war, which I shall make the government of North Carolina aquatinted.  The daily encroachment made on these territories of the set people is such as to induce them through me to lay their distressed situation before congress”.

    Chief Old Tassel was killed along with his wife and several others .This unwarranted act shocked the entire nation. The pre Americans of Washington county,  now under the constitution ,considered a territory of the United States , undoubtedly in their ambitions of gaining these lands , orchestrated these murders in the hopes that it would cause many of the Chiefs and tribal members to move further south. Compelled to act quickly, Winn, in fear that an alliance would soon take place amongst the Indian Nations employed all diplomatic overtures within his power, to refrain the Cherokee from joining forces with the Creek nation, against these killers and their followers. The Cherokee and Creek Nations and there allies would be numerous enough execute a formidable attack on the illegal settlements which would result in the loss several thousand lives as he explained to General Martin and the other leaders of the Washington District. The obvious underlying cause, the Political and financial matters serving as obstacles prevailed again and again over the power of congress who in real terms, retained nominal authority over this situation. Sevier and the people of the Washington/Nolichuckey settlements had finally pushed the Cherokee’s to the limit. A deception by forming a proclamation ordering the clearing of these lands became the only alternative. Agent Winn, in the position of ambassador for the United States verified to the Cherokees and Creek nations that it would be followed through in full force.  In addition congress along with North Carolina staged an arrest of John Sevier, which was a laughing matter as he was released as soon as he was expedited back to North Carolina.