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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Thomas Pollock to Alexander Spotswood
Pollock, Thomas, 1654-1722
April 02, 1713
Volume 02, Pages 29-31

[From Pollock's Letter Book.]

Chowan April 2d 1713.

Hond Sir

Yours of the 15th of last month with the four barrels powder received; for your Honors speedy care about which and the assurance you give us of more supply if we have occasion, I acknowledge myself extremely obliged.

I was of the same apprehension with your Honor as to the fatal consequences that in probability would have followed if Col. Moore's design on the Fort had miscarried for want of provision, ammunition or any other matter. But (praised be God) that fear is now over. For Col Moore, by his letter of March 26th which came to hand but night before last, gives me account that they have taken and killed 800 Indians at least in the Fort, and of ours 200 hundred white men killed and 24 wounded. 36 of our Indians killed and 58 wounded. He believes it was as hard a battle as was ever fought against Indians. I have not yet the particular account of the action, so can give no further account of it.

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It has fallen out, as I conjectured, that Col. Moore's Indians, upon taking the Fort and getting some slaves, would march, the most part of them, home with their booty, so they have now all gone home, only 180 that stay with him about Neuse River, where he is now expecting our resolutions, and most generously offers the continuance of his service for the defence of the country. So I have appointed a meeting of the council the 15th of this Instant and expect Col Moore will be with us by that time.

Now in my judgment this blow ought to be vigorously followed, until the Indians submit themselves. To do which there is wanted men, provisions, and ammunition; sufficiency of neither of which is to be raised or had in this government. So that we have no other way but either to lie still and wait until we see if the Indians will come in of themselves, and make peace with us; or apply ourselves to our neighboring Governments for succor, that is to your Honor and the government of South Carolina. Now if we apply ourselves to the government of South Carolina for more Indians, we could not expect them here before August at soonest: which tis true would be a good time to destroy our enemy's corn; but then if we should not be able to supply them. For most people here having scarcely corn to last them until wheat time, must live upon it, and so can spare little, and many not having any at all.

Now if we apply ourselves to your Honor, there could not be less than two or three hundred white men and one hundred Indians wanting to join Col. Moore's forces, to make them of sufficient strength to pursue the victory with effect, and to take their forts, if they have any more, (but I am of opinion they will not trust any more to their forts); and if the money raised should be sufficient to pay them, which I believe it would not, unless for a very short time; then where shall the provisions and ammunition be had?

And if we should lie still and expect them coming in to see us for peace, and not follow now upon them after this victory, they may take courage to injure us as much as ever, or get help of the Five Nations, or of some other Indians, to the lengthening out the war to the ruin of this Country so that I see Scyllas and Charybdes on Every side.

All the public provision now in the government being but 800 bushels corn 32 barrels meat, which was to be carried round to Neuse last week, and may be there might be 3 or 400 bushels corn with great search and endeavor more got, which would not be near sufficient to maintain such a number of forces as would be necessary to reduce the Enemy Indian to submit themselves.

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Hond sir I have laid the true state of this government before you to the best of my knowledge and capacity; and knowing myself to be of weak judgement and without experience in matters of so great moment, would therefore humbly beg the favor (by the bearer) of your Honor's best advice in this juncture.

The Matamuskeet Indians have killed and carried away about twenty persons at Roanoke Island and at Croatan, and two Tuscaroras have killed a man upon this shore, about twelve miles distant from where I live