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Brunswick

25. May 1759

Sir,

I am just returned from New Bern where I had summoned the Assembly to meet me upon Receipt of Mr. Secretary Pitt's Letters, which I laid before them, but after expressing a great Deal of Zeal, they tacked such Clauses to the Money Bill for adding to the forces on pay that the Bill was dropt in the Council as taking an Advantage, and lessening the Prerogative and Right of the upper House, so we parted in Discontent. I send you my Speech and Addresses, and also my Speech upon the Prorogation for your Amusement.

When I was there I received a Letter from the Westward from Colo. Osborn, a Copy of which I inclose to you to let you see the Behaviour of the Cherokees in murdring so many of our back Settlers, upon which I have ordered the Militia to patrole upon the Frontier, as we have no Intercourse with those Indians I must therefore apply to your Excellency to have an Eclaircissement with that Nation, and know whether it is the Act of the Nation upon Account of the Death of some of their Nation killed last Year in Virginia, or upon Account of their being disgraced there upon their quitting our Army, and not marching with our Troops against Fort Du Quesne, and then we shall know whether to treat them as friends or Enemies, according as they justify or give up the Murderers. In my private Judgment it was upon Accot. of their Men being killed in Virginia, being well informed that some of the Cherokees upon their Return told some of the Inhabitants they wou'd after speaking to their War Captains return and be revenged of them, and upon the Carolinians replying, that wod. be unjust as it was the Virginians struck them, and they always treated them In Carolina as friends, they answered they now knew we were all one People, and they wou'd take Revenge where they cou'd do it safely.

I think it highly necessary that this shou'd be strictly enquired into by your Government, lest it shou'd here break out into a War.

I am with great Esteem

Sir

your Excellency's

most obedient

humble Servant

Arthur Dobbs

P.S. Having the Opportunity of sending this by Sea by Major Waddell who had the Command of our Provincials against Fort Du Quesne last Campaign, who was employed by Genl. Forbes upon the Chief Reconnoitring parties the last Campaign, whose Serjeant Rogers with a Detachment of Carolinians at last had the good Luck & Resolution to take the Indian Prisoner, when all other Parties failed, which determined the Army to march, did us a great Service; I therefore beg leave to recommend Major Waddell to your Acquaintance, as a Gent. whose Conduct has been always approved of as an active resolute good Officer; as he will return soon to his Command here, if you have any Commands or Intelligence to communicate to me he may bring them.