224 Proceedings of the Council of Mary land j 1753-1761.

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

p. 191

Carlisle July 4.. 1757..
Sir
I herewith transmit you a Copy of a Speech made by the
Cherokees at Fort Loudoun in this Province, likewise a Copy
of a Letter given me this Day by M^r Smith the Interpreter
and Conductor of this Party with his Opinion upon their
Speech and Treatment they met with in the Government of
Virginia. By their Speech you will see that they threaten
us with the Consequences of their going Home dissatisfied,
and that they blame the Government of Virginia with a
Breach of Faith, you will see that the Interpreters Opinion
is, should they go Home dissatisfied that in all Probability it
would engage us in a War not only with their Nation but
from the ^reat Influence they have over the other Southern
Nations (especially the Creeks a very numerous and war-
like Nation) with all the others. I make no Doubt Sir, upon
your perusing these Papers, and considering' the dreadful
Consequences that will attend a War with these numerous
Nations when but a Handful in Comparison to these have
laid Waste whole Counties massareing and carrying into
Captivity some Thousands of the Inhabitants, but you will
be of Opinion as well as myself that these should go Home
well satisfied, more especially as they have killed and capti-
vated a Number of the Enemy, and a Party of them are now
scouting on the Frontiers of this and your Province. Sir it
is my Opinion, and I recommend it strongly to you to con-
tribute towards a Present to be sent to Fort Loudoun in this
Government, and I have ordered Geo: Croghan Esq^r S^r
William Johnson's Deputy to proceed immediately to Phila-
delphia to see the Present got ready and sent to Fort Lou-
doun with the greatest Dispatch that it may reach there in
time, and whatever Sum you give I recommend it to you to
impower M^r Croghan, who will be at Philadelphia providing
the Present to be given by this Government to purchase the
Present that it may consist of well sorted and proper Goods
for this Purpose, and please to forward your Orders to him
immediately upon Receipt of this by Express, as Delays are
dangerous: I am
Sir
Your most obed^t hble Servant
To the honourable Horatio Sharpe Esq^r John Stanwix
Governor of Maryland.

Fort Loudoun July 1: 1757..
The Indians after agreeing to stay here some time and
scour the Woods desired to know how many Days they might
expect a Present from these Governments as they had been
deceived by the Government of Virginia they were determined