rience has taught us that occasional presents to the Indians have been the great means of acquiring their friendship. In this necessary service, Government every year expended largo sums of money. The late Council of Safety spared no pains to confirm them in their pacifick inclinations; but, from repeated, constant, and uniform accounts, it clearly appeared that a general Indian war was inevitable, unless the Indians were furnished with some small supplies of ammunition, to enable them to procure deer skins for their support and maintenance. Rather than draw on an Indian war, by an ill-timed frugality in with holding ammunition, the late Council of Safety, in October, issued a supply of ammunition, consisting of one thousand weight of powder and two thousand weight of lead, for the use of the Cherokees, as the only probable means of preserving the frontiers from the inroads of the Indians. The Council more readily agreed to this measure, because, as they almost daily expected the British arms would attack the Colony in front, on the sea-coast, they would be inexcusable if they did not, as much as in them lay, remove every cause to apprehend an attack at the same time from the Indians upon the back settlements.

But this measure, entered into by the Council’s principles of the soundest policy of Christianity, breathing equal benevolence to the associators and non-associators, and arising only from necessity, unfortunately, has been made, by some non-associators, an instrument for the most diabolical purposes. These weak men, to the astonishment of common sense, have made many of their deluded followers believe that this ammunition was sent to the Indians with orders for them to fall upon the non-associators, and taking advantage from the scarcity of ammunition among the individuals, arising from the necessity of filling the publick magazines, they invidiously represented that this ammunition ought not to have been sent to the Indians, while the inhabitants of the Colony, individually, are, in a great measure, destitute of that article.

Wherefore, in compassion to those who are deluded by such representations, the Congress have taken these things into their consideration, and they desire our deceived fellow-Colonists to reflect that the story of the ammunition being sent to the Indians with orders for them to massacre the non-associators, is absurd in its very nature: First, because the whole tenour of the Council of Safety demonstrates that they were incapable of such inhumanity, as a body, and the character of each individual shields him against a charge of so cruel a nature.

Second, because, also, if men will but call reason to their aid, they must plainly see, that if the Indians were let loose upon the frontiers, they must indiscriminately massacre associators and non-associators, since there is no mark to distinguish either to the Indians. However, in order to clear up all difficulties on this head, and ease the minds of our deceived friends, the Congress, in a body, and also individually, declare, in the most solemn manner, before Almighty God, that they do not believe that any order was ever issued, or any idea entertained by the late Council of Safety, or any member of it, or by any person under authority of Congress, to cause the Indians to commence hostilities upon the frontiers, or any part thereof. On the contrary, they do believe that they, and each of them, have used every endeavour to inculcate in the Indians sentiments friendly to the inhabitants, without distinction. It is greatly to be regretted that fellow-Colonists, individually, are not so well supplied with ammunition as would be adequate to their private convenience. But does not the unhappy situation of publick affairs justify the filling the publick magazines, thereby securing the welfare and forming the defence of the State, at the risk of inconvenience or safety of individuals, and out of the publick stock is given to the Indians, which may be sufficient to keep them quiet, by, in some degree, supplying their urgent occasions, yet not sufficient to enable them to make war? Ought our people, nay, they cannot have any reasonable ground to arraign the policy by which they are and may be preserved from savage hostility; or to complain that, because the whole Colony or the publick, individually, cannot be supplied with ammunition, that a small quantity ought not to be sent to the Indians ? Men ought also to reflect that this small quantity is given in order to render it unnecessary to supply the publick, individually, on the score of defence against Indians. Men ought also to reflect, that when the publick magazines are well stored, supplies can be instantly, plentifully, and regularly poured upon those parts where the publick service may require them. Common sense and common honesty dictate that there is a probability that by a present of a small quantity of ammunition to the Indians they can be kept in peace. This present ought not to be held back, at the hazard of inducing an Indian war, involving the Colony in immense expense, breaking settlements, and unnecessarily sacrificing a number of lives.

ORDERS TO CAPTAIN FRANCIS MARION.

You are to proceed, with all expedition, with yours and Captain Huger’s Companies, to Dorchester, to re-enforce the Troops there, and to take special care in guarding and defending the cannon, gunpowder, and publick records at that place; you are to take the command of the whole of the Troops at that place till further orders; you are to apply to the Committee at Dorchester for a sufficient number of Negroes in the publick service to remove the cannon lying near the water-side to a spot more safe and convenient, near the fort or barracks, &c.

WILLIAM MOULTRIE.

Charlestown, November 19, 1775.

GENERAL ORDERS

Head-Quarters, Williamsburgh, Va., Nov. 19, 1775.

All the Troops being now quartered in this City, it will highly behoove them to be careful and guarded in their conduct, so that all offences be avoided towards the citizens. The officers and soldiers will remember that their profession is to defend and protect the citizens, and all others who are in the American interest. A modest and respectful behaviour towards our friends, it is hoped, will characterize all our Troops, and that no condition, age, or sex, will justly charge them with licentiousness or immorality

GEORGE MUTER, Sec’y C. C.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AN OFFICER TAKEN IN CHAMBLY, DATED TRENTON, NEW-JERSEY, NOVEMBER 19, 1775.

From Chambly hither we have marched three hundred miles; and ever since we were taken, I have the pleasure and satisfaction to acquaint you, that we have been treated with the greatest civility and politeness. In short, every one, in every place we have yet been in here, seems happy they have it in their power to convince us, by their behaviors, of the benevolent principles on which they wish this unnatural contest may be conducted; and I have not the least reason to dispute but it is the sincere sentiment of the generality of the Americans, that a happy and honourable accommodation between Great Britain and her Colonies may speedily take place.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read November 27, 1775.]

Cambridge, November 19, 1775.

SIR: I received your favours of the 7th and 10th inst., with the resolves of the honourable Congress, to which I will pay all due attention. As soon as two capable persons can be found, I will despatch them to Nova-Scotia, on the service resolved on in Congress. The resolve to raise two Battalions of Marines will, if practicable in this Army, entirely derange what has been done. It is therein mentioned, one Colonel for the two Battalions; of course a Colonel must be dismissed. One of the many difficulties which attended the new arrangement was in reconciling the different interests, and judging of the merits of the different Colonels. In the dismission of this one, the same difficulties will occur. The officers and men must be acquainted with maritime affairs, to comply with which they must be picked out of the whole Army, one from this corps, one from another, so as to break through the whole system, which has cost us so much time, anxiety, and pains, to bring into any tolerable form; notwithstanding