1759, December 4, Fort Loudoun

The following data is extracted from Letterbooks of William Henry Lyttleton 1756-1760.

Sir

I have Received your Dispatches of Nov. 23d that your Excellency sent b John Elliot:L Some time before I had sent Macklemore with a Letter, but when he came to Highwafsee, he hearing that a great many indians were on the Path, in their way to Keowee, he was afraid to go further, and came back again.

Mr. Elliot arrived here the 30th Ult. And the Little Carptenter was sent for immediately, when he heard that your Excellency wou’d be glad to see him, he said that his Gang was not yet come from hunting and shou’d be very glad to have them along with him, but (sais he) I hope they will be hear in two or three Days, and then I shall set off: and desired me to keep the Exprefs to go along with him.

Yesterday he came to the Fort and said that his People were not yet come but Notwithstanding he wou’d set off this Day with Willeleway and two or three more: for (sais he) I find that Old Hop, grows more and more a Rogue every Day, and I am very well inform’d that he is very angrey with me, because I went to warr against the French and hafve killed severall, and that I have spoiled him scheim, and farther said, that if I was going any more to warr against the French, I shou’d not come back alive. But (sais he) I do not mind him, and I shall never consult him again. And when I see the Governour I shall give him an Account of all the Rogues.

A Great many Indians come in every Day from Hunting, those of Settico are all come; and they do not give any bad talk, but seen very much surprized at so many White Men coming into their Nation.

Charles McCunninghill is gone away, tho I sent three or four times after him, he was always hid. I have not yet received flour from Keowee; but thank God, I have Corn, and all the Cattle salted, and all the Men in good spirits.
I am with great Respect

Sir

Your Excellency’s


Most Obedient
and Most Humble Servant


Paul Demere

P.S. Just as the Exprefs was going away, the Little Carpenter and Willeleway came and said that none of their People were come yet from Hunting, and as he was afraid. That they shou’d hear some bad talks in his absence, therefore he choosed to give them a talk himself before he sets off: and not to Mind the bad storys that they shou’d hear, from People that are not friends to the English, as there are a great many in the Towns. And that as he finds that John Elliot is in a great hurry to go away, he desired that he sou’d not stay for him, but to set off immediately, and that he wou’d follow him, in a Day or two, after he had spoke to his People, and had made every thing easy in his absence.

Source: Letterbooks of William Henry Lyttleton 1756-1760

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