By the turn of the begining of the 19th century, the trade between the Panton, Leslie & Co. and their Native American consumers had diminshed substantially. Fewer and fewer quality skins were being transported to Europe. Much of this downward trend can be linked to fractured political relationships between the various clans, as well as a steep decline in the population of available white-tail deer in the southeast. Over-hunting 

had decimated these populations.By 1803, William Panton, founder of the Panton, Leslie & Co. house had died in transit to Cuba. His partners took over the company and changed the way in which the company collected on it's Debts. They also renamed the company John Forbes & Co. 

 

The company began petitioning both the American and Spanish governments to pressure its debtors to trade land for absolution of debt. Many clans resisted this deal, while others ceded large tracts to the company partners. As a result of these efforts, the partners and thier heirs amassed enormous land holdings. Land rights and deeds of ownership were European concepts that many Creek clans did not prescribe to. Yet over the course of the previous decades, this European idea of ownership changed the ways in which Native groups approached issues of boundaries and private property rights. In-fighting and varying approaches to the encroachment of European and American ideas of modernity chipped away at te Creek's strength and presence in the region, laying the foundation for rapid American settlment on lands previously occupied by Native groups.  

 

Be sure to CLICK on images for larger view and the audio podcasts at the beginning of the documents to hear a discussion about these land cessions.