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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Alexander Spotswood to Thomas Pollock
Spotswood, Alexander, 1676-1740
January 21, 1713
Volume 02, Pages 5-6

[From Calendar of Virginia State Papers. Vol. 1. P. 162.]

21 January 1713.

To Coll: Pollock

(From Gov: Spotswood)

Sir,

Since an interview which I took so much pains to obtain & to make easy to you, hath not been judged of such importance as either to merit your presence, or the thoughts of your Government to instruct your Agents in any one overture for promoting your Service against the Enemy: And since I perceive, both, by your letters and their discourse, that I am not to expect any provisions for the Forces desired from hence,

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notwithstanding the express assurance thereos in your late address, I must now plainly tell you, that after having been twice thus baffled by your Assembly, I am discouraged from undertaking any thing further for your relief. And untill I understand that you have sufficient Magazines of provisions at Meherrin, Morattuck, & Jenitaatar Rivers, I shall not Resolve upon sending any forces: for I have not been used to make war after the Indian manner without any measures concerted or promises Regarded—I have made some proposals to your Agents for furnishing those provisions & Securing the Magazines, and for preserving a Communication over Morratuck River, which they will impart to you, as what I judge necessary for prosecuting the War with Effect: and if you have any other proposals to offer, that may be feasable, I shal heartily concur with you in the Executione of them. But I would not have you build your proposals entirely on the thousand pounds, for in my opinion that sum will be scarcely sufficient for the pay, alone, of such a number of men as in prudence may venture among the Tuscarura Towns, much less to furnish provisions withall. I am sorry you did not let me know sooner, your mind in relation to ye Duffells! for you will observe by the account sent with Major Gale, that I have delivered him here, such a quantity of Cloathing as exceeds the sum given by our Assembly above £16, besides the Charges of their transportation hitherto, occasioned by the necessity of imploying different persons to purchase them at remote places, and the hastening them hither for your service before the charge could be computed—You needed not have given yourself so much trouble to Appologize for the delay of your Assemblys' Address: for it is the mismanagement of weighty affairs, and not the miscarriage of such Trivial matters that can effect me—