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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Rawlins Lowndes to Richard Caswell
Lowndes, Rawlins, 1721-1800
July 02, 1778
Volume 13, Pages 184-185

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PREST. RAWL. LOWNDES OF S. C. TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]


Charles Town South Carolina, July 2d 1778.

Sir:

I think it necessary to inform your Excellency that I have received letters from our Commissioner of Indian affairs for the Cherokee Department, Col. Hammond. That the Prince of Notley and some other head men from the valley and middle settlements at a meeting lately held with the Commissioners complained that many people of your State had lately run out Tracts of Land in their Hunting Grounds, that lies that way. Some have taken in Tracts close to their Towns. They loudly remonstrate against this grievance. The Commissioner writes that he examined the Traders on this head & that they confirm the Indians' information, and add further that several of the Towns were entered by the people of No. Carolina, and some Towns even over the Hills were surveyed by them; and that a Fort was building on the Northern parts of our Frontier. The Indians attribute this encroachment to a hostile disposition in the North Carolinians. At a time Sir, when this State is suffering the greatest inconveniences; and exerting their most extreme efforts, to supply the Indians with goods in order to keep them quiet, and disappoint the designs & machinations of the King's Superintendent of Indian affairs, who leaves no stone unturned to ruin our interest with those people, and represent us as combined to destroy them, it gives great uneasiness and concern to find our sister Colony, or rather some of her subjects, (for we cannot suppose a measure of such fatal tendency can have the countenance or sanction of Government) pursue a conduct that may frustrate our well meant endeavours and bring upon us all those evils and calamities which at so great an expense we are so assiduous to avoid. I have therefore Sir thought it my indispensable duty to lay those matters before your Excellency, not doubting but your Excellency will view them in a proper light, and interpose your authority to remove the unfavorable impressions this conduct had made on the Indians, and prevent any ill effects that may result from their harboring suspicions injurious to the

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Honor of the American State, now in alliance with these people. This country have observed the most cautious conduct in respect to giving any umbrage to the Indians, and we are hopeful the State of North Carolina will judge it prudent to adopt the same policy.

I am with the greatest respect and regard Sir, your Excellency's mo. ob. and huml. Servt.
RAWL. LOWNDES.

Col. Chariol has permission to recruit here agreeably to your Excellency's recommendation.