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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Samuel Johnston to Joseph Martin
Johnston, Samuel, 1733-1816
July 29, 1788
Volume 21, Pages 486-487

GOV. JOHNSTON TO BRIGADIER GENERAL JOSEPH MARTIN.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Hillsboro, 29th July, 1788.

It appearing to the Executive that mutual murders, Robberies & other outrages have been committed in the District of Washington between the Citizens of the State and the Cherokee Indians, and that there is reason to apprehend that a Bloody and destructive War will probably be the Consequence unless an Accommodation with that Nation can speedily be effected, & the Council of State having thought it proper that a person be appointed to Treat & Negotiate a Peace with that Nation.

I having great Confidence in your Fidelity and Abilities in Business of this Nature, desire that you will as soon as may be repair to the Nation & hold a Talk with them and enquire into their complaints & endeavour to give them satisfaction by assuring them that the Government of this State is perfectly well disposed to live in the strictest Friendship with them, & to restrain the Citizens of this State from committing Outrages on them, that you will use your utmost influence on them by bringing about an Accommodation in such manner as may most effectually secure peace & tranquility. If you find that they are not disposed to treat & that there is no possibility of bringing about an Accommodation by Negotiation, you will pursue such other methods as you with the advice of the principal Officers of the District of Washington may judge most conducive to the safety and security of the Inhabitants of that District.

Recommending to you the utmost prudence & Circumspection in this Business, and that you will use every means in your power to

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allay all heats and Animosities subsisting between the Citizens of this State & the several Indian Tribes so as to prevent Hostilities,

I remain, &c.,
SAM. JOHNSTON.