Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Charles Robertson to Richard Caswell
Robertson, Charles
April 27, 1777
Volume 11, Pages 458-460

CHAS. ROBERTSON TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]


Washington District, 27th April 1777.

Sir:—

The many hostilities committed by the Cherokee and Creek Indians on this frontier since the departure of the Gentm. Delegates from this County, merits your Excellency's consideration. I will give myself the pleasure to inform you of the particulars of this distressed place, and of our unhappy situation. There have been several late murders committed, and on the 10th of this instant one Frederick Calvatt was shot and scalped, but is yet living: and on the day following Capt. James Robertson pursued the enemy with nine men, killed one and retook ten horses, and on his return in the evening, was attacked by a party of Creeks and Cherokees, who wounded two of his men. Robertson returned the fire very bravely, but was obliged to retreat on account of their superior number; still, kept the horses, and brought them in. On the 27th of March last Col. Nath'l. Guess brought letters from the Governor of Virginia, which letters were sent, by an Indian woman, to the

-------------------- page 459 --------------------
Cherokee nation, soliciting them to come in, in eighteen days to treat of peace. Accordingly there came a party of about eightyfive fellows, (but none of the principal warriors that had first begun the war), and at their arrival, the commanding officers at Fort Patrick Henry sent for me to march some troops to that garrison, as a guard during the treaty. Accordingly I went, and on the 20th ulto. the Talks began, and the articles of the Treaty were as folfolows; first a copy of the Governor's letter was read to them, promising them protection, such as ammunition, provisions, and men to build forts, and guard and assist them agalnst any nation, white or red; and in return the Commissioners required the same from them; to which the Indians replied they could not fight against their Father, King George, but insisted on Col. Christian's promise to them last fall, that if they would make a peace, they should lie neuter, and no assistance asked them from the States. The Commissioners then asked some of them to go to Williamsburg, not as hostages, but to see their goods delivered, to obviate any suspicion of false reports. A number of about ten agreed to go. The Commissioners then told them that Virginia and South Carolina gave them peace and protection, and North Carolina offered it: to which the Indians replied, they heard the talks from South Carolina, & they & the talks from Virginia were very good. The Indians then promised to try and bring in the Dragging Canoe, and his party (a party that lies out, and has refused to come in, but says they will hold fast Cameron's talks) they still made no doubt but they could prevail on him; and said that he had sent his Talk with them, and what they agreed to, he would abide by. But the Little Carpenter, in private conversation with Capt. Thomas Price, contradicted it, and said that the Canoe and his party were fighting Capt. Robertson a few days before: and the last day of the Talks there arrived an express from Clinch river, informing us of two men being killed; to which the Indians replied to keep a sharp look out for there were a great many of their men out; & several of their women present declared that the talk was before the time to get guns and ammunition, and continue the war as formerly.

Accordingly they demanded them, which was the finishing of the Talks, and in sixty days they were to come in to treat and confirm the peace, and if they could not bring in the Dragging Canoe,

-------------------- page 460 --------------------
they send word laying the blame of the late murder on the Creeks. This, Sir, is a true state of the whole proceedings, of which I have the honour to inform your Excellency, conscious you will take every prudent method for our security.

I am, Sir, your most obedt. and most humble servant,
CHAS. ROBERTSON.
His Excellency Richard Caswell?
Captain General of the State of No. Carolina.

N. B.

There has been to the number of about twelve persons killed, since the Delegates departed.