Edenton, 8th May, 1788.
Sir:
I have this day received the letter which your Excellency did me the Honor to write to me on the 18th of April which affords me the greatest satisfaction to find that I was not mistaken in the opinion I had confidently entertained that the Citizens of our Western Frontier were not well informed when they attributed the Cruelties experienced by the savages to the interference or connivance of the subjects of his Catholic Majesty. I could not imagine that any of his subjects much less such as held a Commission under him would Hazard the displeasure of so just & Magnanimous a Prince by aiding or in any manner abetting practices so abhorrent not only to the principles of Christianity but to every Sentiment of humanity entertained by a Civilized people.
Be assured Sir, that I have the highest sense of your Excellency’s
attention to this Business of which I shall be careful to inform the citizens on the Western Frontiers of this State, and on all occasions use the utmost influence in my power to promote & conciliate sentiments of Good will and amity in the minds of the Citizens of this State towards their neighbours the Subjects of his Catholic Majesty.