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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Joseph Martin to Alexander McGillivray
Martin, Joseph, 1740-1808
November 08, 1788
Volume 22, Pages 787-788

FROM JOS. MARTIN TO ALEX. McGILVERY.

Tugoloe, N. C., 8th. November, 1788.

Dear Sir:—

I herewith send you some resolves of Congress by which you will see that Congress intends to deal out justice to the Cherokees, which gives me infinite pleasure.

I hope that with your Commissioners from that Honorable body, will shortly settle all disputes between the citizens of the United States and your people.

I arrived here about the middle of last month on public business. The day after my arrival I sent my horses over the river towards mill, for the conveniency of grain. A party of your people came and took every horse I had. I am now on foot, 300 miles from home. I must beg that you will interpose and secure my horses for me. They are valuable and such that cannot be had, two of which are complete carriage horses, yellowish duns, four years old, Bath trots. Are branded on the near shoulder, R; on the buttock, C; the other branded with a heart; one large sorrel branded on the shoulder M, A, R; on the buttock, T. J. N; a small bay of the same brand, and a large bay whose brand I disremember. I must beg that you write

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me by the first oportunity in answer to what I am now going to say to you. I am daily applied to by a body of very respectable people to make application to you for liberty to settle on Tombigby. If you give proper indulgence, I make no doubt of 500 families removing there under my direction. For my own part, I am determined to see you as soon as possible, which I should have done long since only the war with the Cherokees put it out of my power. I hope to do honor to any part of the world I settle in, and am determined to leave the United States for reasons that I can assign you when we meet, but durst not trust it to paper. Wishing a long and happy life, I am, with very great respect,

Your most obedient servant,
JOSEPH MARTIN.
A true copy:
J. MERIWETHER, Secretary and Clerk.
The Honorable Alexander McGilvery, Esq.