Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Thomas Pollock to Charles Craven
Pollock, Thomas, 1654-1722
June 25, 1713
Volume 02, Pages 52-53

[From Pollock's Letter Book.]

Chowan June 25 1713

Hond Sir

Yours of the 3d instant is now before me, and must needs sincerely acknowledge that our lives, liberties, and estates are in a manner wholly owing to your goodness and generosity, and I wish before you had sent out the last forces you had received mine by Col Mackey, who I believe, is gone in his sloop for Charles Town For since Capt Moore went from hence, the Tuscarora Indians in that other Fort that was not taken, with most of the other Tuscaroras, as we are informed, are fled northerly, only Tom Blount, who hath but very few left with him, with whom we have concluded a peace, the articles of which have sent you in my last by Col Mackey, so that we have now only the Matamuskeet, Core, and Catechny Indians to deal with, against whom your forces here before and those newly come by water in probability are sufficient; so that your forces that are coming in can expect no advantage to themselves by slaves, and besides all our corn here in a manner is quite spent, so that most people will be forced to spend what wheat they make, and it will be so much as possibly can be done here to supply the forces here already. For which reasons immediately on receipt of yours, sent to Col. Moore to send and stop them if possible from coming. For their coming in now might be, I fear, much to our damage, and no advantage to them, for since if they come in they will be force to come and live amongst the inhabitants,

-------------------- page 53 --------------------
until corn is eatible, which will be three months in which time they will destroy a great many of their stocks, which [it] is to be feared would cause an insurection against the government.

I am very sensible of the great charge and expences your Country have cheerfully undergone for our safety and heartily wish we were capable to make you satisfaction. But I can assure you, the poverty of the people here is very great, more than you can well imagine, which I hope your Honor, the Council and assembly will consider of.

As for the sloops hire, and for the arms and amunition sent in to Governor Hyde, shall do my uttermost endeavor with the assembly to have it raised next winter in such comodities as may be suitable for your parts.

The army here now are out against the Mattamuskeet Indians, in which expedition if they succeed it will go near to finish the war. Our latest news from Europe is the Great Turk's causing the King of Sweden to be secured and carried a prisoner from Bender to adrianople, for what reason is not known, and that peace was proclaimed at London the 9th of April, which at least wants a confirmation.

Col Thomas Cary is newly arrived here from England, and likewise have received a copy of a letter from the Lords Proprietors directed to me and the Council, wherein they give an account that they have authorised the Honorable Brigadier Nickolson to enquire into the cause of the late disorders of the people in this country, and require that no prosecution may be on that account until he came.

Hond Sir

Col Mackey's sloop being now employed in this country's service by desire of the assembly, Mr Langhorne's sloop may be cleared at here return. I hope by my next to your Honor to give you account of your forces under Col. Moore destroying the Mattamuskeets, and finishing this tedious war, which is earnestly desired by—