1758, September 30, Fort Loudoun

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

Sir

A few Days after enfion Coytmore went from hence Richard Smith the Linguifter came here from Fort Cumberland with a letter to Old Hop from the late Governour Mr. Glen to invite the Cherokees to go to War with the General against the French. They debated on the Subject a few Days, at last the Little Carpenter said he would go; and fixed on the twentieth of August for his Journey. He beat up for Volunteers, and went away with thirty.

I received a Letter from your Excellency the Difturbances between the People in Virginia and thefe People have greatly increafed. The Indians complain that a great Number of them is killed, and feveral came Home wounded. The Party that went with Colonel Byrd is returned. They say that when they were pafsing thro’ Bedford County they met several White Men in Arms, and Thomas Beamer, who was with them as Linguifter, told the White People that they need not be afraid of them, and shewed them Orders to provide them with Necefsaries on their Way Home. But notwithftanding his orders, next Morning when they were a little Diftance the White People followed them fired upon them, and killed three of them. They came home very much enraged and talked very loudly for Revenge. It is also further reported that eight or nine more have been killed lately, while they were pafsing thro’ thofe Pask. Runners have been sent to Old Hop from the lower Towns and Middle Settlements to engage thefe People on this side the Hills to take up Arms against thofe People in Virginia that have injured them so much, and whom they call Dutch; But the old Man has refufed to do any Thing of that Nature until the Little Carpenter returns, & he hears from your Excellency and the Governour of Virginia.

Yefterday he came to fee me; I afked him if he defigned to send any News to you Excellency. He anfwered that he should send no Accounts as yet, as he knew not the Truth of the Things that he had heard; But, continued he, since you are writing to my Brother, you may tell him, that I expect soon an Indian that has been to thofe Park, and I am certain that he will tell me ingenioufly how it happened, and then I shall let the Governour know the whole Truth.

On the 16th Infant Jud’s Friend came to me and informed me, That the reafon why he did not go to Virginia was, becaufe he apprehended he had been ill ufed; But as he always had a great ___ction for the English, and would die in their Service, he intended to go to War against the French Fort, and fixed on the 20th for Departure; and defired me to have Posder, Bullets, Knives and Paint in Readinefs against that Time, I told him I would. The next Day the Great Warriour came and said that he had promifed your Excellency that in Café the Little Carpenter was not gone to Virginia he would go along with him; But as he came very late & he was gone about five Weeks before he thout it was in vain for him to follow him; but as he had given his Word to Diftrefs the French as much as he could he intended to go alfo against the French Fort with a gang of brave Young Warriours; and fixed on the 21st & defired me at the fame Time to acquaint your Excellency that ashe was going upon a long Journey which would necefsarily wear out his People’s Clothes, he hoped I should have some here to clothe them upon their Return; Jude’s Friend required the same Thing. Accordingly on the Day fixed Jude’s Friend came with a Gang of Seventeen, and after being filled out departed. Two dDays after the Great Warriour came likewife with a Party of Twnety feven all Young Fellows in full Spirits, and refolved not to return without doing great Exploits.

Several other Warriours have been with me defiring to be provided to go to War; But not knowing their Intentions I did not give them much Encouragement, until I should acquaint Old Hop. I have seen him since, and told him of Warriours that intended to go to War and defired he would give me his Advice, He anfwered, that they had not acquainted him with their Intentions as yet; but, says he, when they come to you again fix the Day and let me know it, & you may depend upon it I shall come, & shall afk them before you wht their Intentions are.

I aminformed that Mr. Elliot, Indian Trader, intends to fell Goods at fo low a Rate, as will certainly injure the whole Trade of the Nation. The reafon of this Conduct I learn is, that he may engrofs the whole Trade to himfelf, and banish others – from the Nation. He brags that he can sell cheaper than any one elfe becaufe he says he is to provide the Forts and have all the Carriages to himfelf. Such an audacious Fellow was never known. He has got a Pack of Banditti that goes from Town to Town, as I am informed, and threaten the Traders, that if they sign any petition to send to you Excellency, they will tell the Indians that they rob them of their skins in Selling their Goods at so dear a Rate. I learn he ahs done Mifcheif already by building a Store too near the Fort of Keowee, and that the Commanding Officer has been obliged to punifh Men for abfenting themfelves and getting drunk at his Store. As I am warned of his Proceedings I shall take care that he shall not build any Store near this Place; tho’ I heard a few Months ago that he defigned to build on at Tamatley. I have been alfo informed by Several that on of his Pack Horfe Men has Promifed the Indians in Tellico to bring them thirty Caggs of Rum this enfuing Winter to the Great Diffatiffaction on the heading Men there, & particularly th Trader who will necefsarily fuffer much thereby; and Mr. Martin tells me that one of the Cheifs defired him to lay this Grievance which his is well afured my attend it may be prevented.

I am with great Respect.

Sir.

Your Excellency’s

most humble
and most obedient Servant

Paul Demere

P.S. the Traders have desired me
to send to your Excellency a Petora?

As soon as j recived your Excellency’s Letter by Sam! Benn, j sent immediately to the Towns for some Beaver’s Skins they brought me some but j did not like them, because they were not frech and all open. J have Spoke to the Hunters, and they have promised me to bring some, with Heads & claws and not opened, as soon as they bring them j shall send them by the Expres.

Your Excellency acquainted me Some time ago that you had ordered the Commisary to send the Things that j want. Vir.? Spike Nails & - others, a Rope for the well, Flints I never recived if they were Sent, j never recived them they were all given by Mr. Turner to the jndians, j have been obliged to make use almost of all the jron to make Spike Nails to repair the Fort.

Source: Letterbooks of William Henry Lyttleton 1756-1760

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