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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from James Robertson to Samuel Johnston
Robertson, James, 1742-1814
September 02, 1789
Volume 22, Page 792

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FROM COLONEL JAMES ROBERTSON.

Nashville, September 2nd, 1789.

Sir:—

I hope you will excuse me for repeating to you the distressful State of this country, which has so long stood a barrier exposed to the plundering and murderous savage. Your Excellency cannot but be convinced that their insolent hatred to the white people would have shewn itself upon the more interior parts of North Carolina, had not our lives and properties stood between. Small as this settlement is, they have plundered us of no fewer than between three and four thousand horses. Not to shock you with the daily massacres by these lurking barbarians, their thirst for innocent blood increases by shedding it. The Creeks and Cherokees have no other pretext for this but their hatred to the inhabitants of the United States, and they hold us in contempt, among the other savages, for not resenting.

Distress is driving many to seek refuge under a foreign government, which promises great encouragement. I wish your Excellency to be informed that there is actually a Colonel Stark who openly professes a desire to take the inhabitants into the Spanish dominions as subjects to that power, and many people are upon the point of going down, were it not for the representations of people just from there, particularly Dr. White, who has been of general service in dissuading people from that country and government.

However, I beg to be informed if there are no legal means to prevent Colonel Stark and others from debauching our citizens to emigrate in so public a manner.

I think that if we could be placed under Congress by an act of cession, it would quiet the minds of the people generally, as they have dispaired of being relieved by North Carolina.

I have the honor to be your most obedient and most humble servant,
JAMES ROBERTSON.