Your Committee having examined sundry Letters, Depositions, &c., &c. Have obtained well authenticated information that the Cherokees have committed frequent Hostilities on the Frontiers of this State and the State of Virginia during the last Winter and this Spring, and that they have killed nine of the Inhabitants since the 20th of Jany. last, with the usual Circumstances of Savage Barbarity;
And that the Indians, under the Dragon Canoe and other Chiefs averse to Peace; are still pushing on the War and perpetrating almost daily Acts of Cruelty and Murder;
Your Committee are therefore of opinion, that there is little or no Probability of Peace with those Savages for the ensuing Summer.
Your Committee are further of Opinion, that it is expedient and necessary to take into the public service & keep in Pay 400 Men for the Defence of the Frontiers of this State, and that the Service
will be much better performd by Independent Companies than by Militia.Your Committee are therefore of Opinion, that 8 independent Companies ought to be immediately raised in the District of Salisbury. Each consisting of 1 Capt., 2 Lieuts, 1 Drum. 2 Sergts., 1 Clerk & 50 Privates. 4 Companies for Washington & 4 Companies for Rowan & Tryon, to be employed in Building & Garrisoning Forts, Scouting & Ranging Service and all other public Service that shall most conduce to the Safety of the Inhabitants and most facilitate the Operations of War against the Cherokees & the Indians at War with this State.
Your Committee are of Opinion that it is expedient to place 2,000 lbs of Gunpowder and 4,000 lbs of Lead, as soon as may be, at Col. Osborne’s in Rowan for a public Magazine there, & also 1,000 Bushels of Salt.
And that it is expedient to place 500 lbs of Gunpowder & 1,000 lbs of Lead at Col. Carter’s in Washington District as a public Magazine there and —— Bushels of Salt.
Your Committee are of Opinion, that 200 Militia at Washington & 200 in the Frontiers of Rowan & Tryon should be continued in Service until they are relieved by independent Companies.
Your Committee are of Opinion, that it will be proper & expedient nevertheless, for this State to send one or more Commissioners properly authorised who may, in Conjunction with Commissioners from our sister States of Virginia and South Carolina, hold the intended Treaty of Pacification with such Chiefs as have prayed for it and showed a Disposition for Peace.