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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Anthony Bledsoe to Richard Caswell
Bledsoe, Anthony, 1733-1788
May 04, 1787
Volume 20, Pages 692-693

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COL. ANTO BLEDSOE TO GOV. CASWELL.
(From Executive Letter Book.)


Sullivan County, May 4th, 1787.

Dear Sir:

When I last addressed your Excellency from this place I little expected to have dated a second from the same. Though business of a private nature detained me a considerable time, and then being advised by your Letter that Major Evans expected to be at the lower end of Clinch Mountain by the first of April, I delayed setting homeward till I could see him, thinking thereby I might Render him some service & I am still impatiently waiting. I have had several Letters from the Counties of Davidson & Summer giving a particular account of several hostile Acts Committed by the Savages on our frontiers since I left that Country. On the whole five persons were killed, Viz: one Prince and his wife, a Cornelius Ruddle, a Bowman, a boy by the name of Ramsey, and as am advised scarce a week passes that they do not steal horses; the Tassel writes to the Inhabitants of Holston that the Creeks and all the Northern Tribes of Indians is Determined on War this Summer, and further adds that they are determined on breaking up the Kentucky and Cumberland settlements this Summer. I judge from every appearance that they will harass the frontiers greatly but hope they will not be permitted to carry their threats into execution. I have stayed long enough in this part of the Country to see the appearance of the long dreaded Confusion, long enough to see and hear the lenient Measures of the last Session of the General Assembly treated with the greatest contempt. I have always been of opinion that without the greatest prudence it was to end in blood and now am further Convinced that without Government Acts are decided fast, Hostilities will shortly commence. The Franklin Assembly has been sitting and have Opened a Land Office from French Broad to Tennessee River, which from Accounts Gives a General disgust to the Indians & I judge gives them cause to harrass the Cumberland Settlements; also an Act to punish by fine and imprisonment any Person that shall Act under the Assumed Authority of North Carolina by issuing or executing any Precept on any of the Inhabitants or Citizens of the State of Franklin for the first Offence, the fine five pounds, the second offence

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a fixed time of imprisonment the Governor to order a Guard & safe keeping on the Estate of the offender. I have myself heard the Franklin party wish for the Period of commencement of Hostilities, to me it is a dread thought.

Might I be permitted to request your Excellency’s addressing these people & advising them the necessity and advantage of returning to their duty once more, the danger & evil Consequence of their persisting in their attempt of their supporting an Independence; I do assure your Excellency that it is my Opinion that your address on that occasion would have a very great effect on the Principal people in the revolted party. I judge this will accompany a Letter from General Shelby Addressed particularly on thus Subject.

I should be particularly happy to be honoured with a line from you Acquainting me with the particulars done at the Meeting of the Deputies appointed to meet at Philadelphia or any other matter You shall think proper to communicate. In conformity to your request I shall at all times advise you of every thing I judge worthy of your notice.

Whilst I have the honor to be,
Your Excellency’s Mo. Obedt. & Mo. Humble Servt.,
ANTHONY BLEDSOE.

N. B.—The friends to Government seem to act with much calmness, to avoid the effusion of Blood if Possible; indeed I wish necessity may not Compel them to Act a different part or lose sight of Government.

A. B.