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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Thomas Pollock to Charles Craven
Pollock, Thomas, 1654-1722
February 20, 1713
Volume 02, Pages 18-21

[From Pollock's Letter Book.]


Chowan Feb 20th 171⅔

Hond Sir

Yours by Col Moore, and your likewise by your sloop, received: by both which your prudent application and indefatigable pains, for our preservation is most evident: and I am in great hopes that your forces, under the conduct of so wise and discreat a commander as Col Moore seems to be, will have the desired effect of reducing our enemies to a necessity of making peace on reasonable terms, or of forcing them out

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of the country. We were at a loss on Col. Moore first coming, for our men that we had sent out in August and September in expectation of the coming in of some of the forces and staying untill November had eat up almost all the wheat and other provisions sent round and our Assembly would not consent to send round to Neuse a Sloop almost laden with wheat and potatoes which I had stopped with intention to send here round, neither would they be persuaded your forces would come at all. So that when your forces arrived, thought it best to have them come and stay to refresh themselves in Albemarle County until provisions could be carried round. And likwise having come to some preliminary articles of agreement with some of the chief men of the Tuscaroras who had promised to kill and bring in the heads or scalps of all our Enemie Indians that were concerned in the war against us, against the first of January then next ensuing, or . . . . . . ways . . . . . . hostages for every fort, so was willing to see whither these Indians would perform their agreement; but provision being got round to Neuse, and these Indians not coming as they had promised, Col. Moore Marched out with the forces from hence the 17th of last month, and marched out from Reading's Fort in Pamplico River the 4th of this month, having been stopped there by extraordinary deep snow and bad weather several days. They carried out from hence as much provission as they would, and there is sent round to Neuse about 2200 bushels of corn, and 3 or 400 more ready to be sent round; and likewise for fear of want we have laid an embargo on all vessels here until 2000 bushels corn more is raised and 100 barrels of pork, so that I am in great hopes your forces will want provisions.

Governor Spotswood with great struggling and difficulty obtained at last from his assembly 180 pounds to be laid out in duffels and other coarse woollen for the clothing of our people that went out in the army, and likewise 1000 pounds more to be managed by him for our assistance in carrying on the war. The coarse woollen we we have had, and he seems very willing to March out his forces to our assistance; but, provision being scarce, we may fall short of supplying either force, and so may lose the benefit of both; and also doubting if the forces join their may chance some differences fall out to the hindrance and detriment of the action, above all your having been at great charge and much trouble in assisting us, and having sent in now sufficient forces, by God's assistance, to finish the war; now for others to come in seemingly to the end of the war to participate the action with you, seems to me a little unreasonable, and would seem ungreatful in us to our deliverers. Upon which reasons have delayed matters with him until we see how provisions hold

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out, and how prosperous Col Moore with your forces may be against our enemies. with my utmost gratitude accept of Your Honor's wholesome advice in relation to Mr Moseley, and should act very unwisely to . . . . . . . . for him . . . . . . . . . here, knowing him so well as I do, for I know he was the chief contriver and carry-er on of Col. Cary's rebellion against President Glover, and likewise of the difference between Governor Hyde and Col. Cary, and also, as I can gather from the best intelligence I can have, the chief instrument that occasioned the difference between our Governor and Col Barnwell, as likewise of his not taking the fort of Cotechney it being very visible to any thinking man that he endeavored all he could to blacken Governor Hyde's administration, thereby to endeavor a change of Government; and being as may be reasonably imagined, in hopes that such an address as he had procured from our assembly to send to the Lords Proprietors in favour of Col. Barnwell might be an inducement to them to grant him the administration; and then they two, with the interest of the Quakers who are the chief moulders of the assemblies here, might have carried matters on here at their pleasure.

as for Col Barnwell's proceeding and behaviour here I will endeaver to inform myself what I can theirin, and, if any thing material, will send it by the next return of your sloop. Only his transactions here with Mr Moseley, albeit so open in their effects yet have been managed so closely, that unless that letter that he received from Mr Moseley some two or three days before his making that sham peace with the Indians, could be procured, it will be difficult to make any discovery of it. As for news our latest from Verginia is their daily expectation of Brigadier Nicholson from England with the title of Visitor General of all his Majesty's plantations on the continent of America. From Verginia, they give out, that he is to go next to South Carolina.

I am very doubtful the forces will be short of amunition; for Col. Moore at his arrival gave account [of] but about 300 lbs powder that he had left, which with 300 lbs he had of me, and 100 lbs from Verginia, and 200 that Col MacKey had left of mine at Bath County, is in all 900 lbs powder with shot answerable, which with the 600 lbs you sent in now, I doubt, will not sufficient, if they continue any time here, (the Indians wasting powder at an extraordinary rate). And I should be very unwilling to press on the governor of Verginia to have it out of the thousand pounds given by the assembly there, he having already given me account that he intends it only for the pay of what forces he sends to our assistance, of which I wish we may have no occasion; all which I leave to your Honor's prudent consideration.

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as for the payment of the sloop I have taken all the care I can, and am promised twenty barrels pork to be sent now in the sloop, and most of the remainder I hope will be ready in other country pay, pork and corn being very scarce this year here.

Hond Sir If you knew the great trouble, vexation, and uneasiness I endure, I am sure you would pity me: all lying on my shoulders, But shall not fail to do my utmost endeavor for the safety of the country, and the good of the poor people, and leave the success to divine providence, being in great hopes that your forces will bring us in a short time peace and quietness, and you the honor of conquering our enemies; which is earnestly desired by

This letter was sent out in the Ashley River, Mr Aquilla Paul commander, to Governor Craven, Feb 27, 171⅔.