“The Indians must be brot to reasonable Terms tho' they must, in a great Measure, be left to your discretion, I will hint what I think should be insisted on, vizt., That they deliver up all who have committed any Murders, Thefts or Robberies, to be punished by us. That they deliver up all white persons in their Nation, except such as you shall permit to remain there, particularly Cameren and his Agents, for We shall have no peace while they stay there. That they suffer no white person to go to or stay in the Nation, but such as have Licenses from the President of this Colony, or Georgia, or from the president of the Council, or Congress of North Carolina, or Virginia, but that any person going without such License shall be immediately apprehended by the Indians and delivered to an officer nearest the place where they shall be apprehended. That all Commissioners, Agents & Traders having such Licenses shall be suffered to reside in the Nation witht Molestation. I think upon these Terms we may make peace & enter into an Alliance, offensive and defensive, with them, which will be attended with greater advantage than was heretofore proposed, vizt, that instead of remaining in a State of Neutrality with respect to British-Forces, they must take part with us, against them, or any Enemy, Indians or others. You know the Continental Commissioners had Instructions to engage only a Neutrality, but now the Congress have agreed to enter into an Alliance, offensive and defensive, with the Indians, which I hope will be soon concluded at the Northward, if it is not already. You may, & I think, therefore, should do so with the Cherokees, the old treaty with respect to the Indians not crossing the Boundary-Line without Leave, to be strictly ratified. Whether Hostages shd be delivered for observance of a treaty, is a Matter of which you will be best able to judge. I think We ought, if possible, to have some Security from such faithless Savages. If Matters are pushed with Vigour & Expedition at this critical Season (for on Account of their Crops We cd not have a better), We may soon put a stop to, &c.”