Sending a copy of his own letter to the N. C. Agent in the Cherokee Nation, dated Sept. 5, 1777, to Gov. Caswell, Waightstill Avery writes to the latter as follows:
General Rutherford has never sent any Talks to the Indians this summer. The Indians were very anxious to receive a talk directly from the Great Beloved Man of North Carolina before they ventured themselves down into this State. Perhaps it might have a very good tendency to send a talk to them to meet at Cathey's Fort. They imagine that your Excellency has neglected them.
General Rutherford has shewed the greatest reluctance to appoint a Commissary, and not being done when I came away, I do not know but he may refuse, and the Indians be under a necessity of returning home directly from the Fort, for want of provisions for their march down.