The Journal of the Commons House of Assembly

APRIL 28, 1760531learn the Condition and hard streights of that Fort and Fort Loudoun, andthe Motions and Resolutions of the Cherokees, and the disappointmentColonel Richardson has met with in regard to his making a sudden Attackon the Cherokees and to relieve Fort Prince George.Upon this occasion among many others, I cannot forbear to mentionmy concern that you have not yet been able to provide for the two most essentialSinews of War, Money to pay, and Laws to enforce Subordination andMilitary Discipline in the Troops, the want of which hath greatly obstructedthe measures concerted for our defence; As the unwilling deny to march,under pretence they see no prospect of Pay for their past or future Services,and many who are tempted to inlist from mercenary views desert their Commanderswith impunity when a little Danger appears in the service they areordered upon. I am but too sensible how many Causes have conspired toprevent your making these provisions.Gentlemen, tho’ the Papers herewith sent are numerous and long, Ithink it proper to lay them before you, that you may have the fullest informationof the State of our Affairs, And I refer all these Matters tending invarious lines to the same point, our War with the Cherokees, to your seriousConsideration.As you must be sensible of what vast Importance it is, viewed in everyLight, to engage Indians in our Service, I desire you will enable me to makesuch Presents to Indians as will induce them to engage in our Cause and torepay them for Losses they may sustain, as well as reward them for Servicesthey may perform therein, particularly at Fort Moore and Augusta, fromwhence the Parties hitherto fitted out against the Cherokees have gone out,or to which they return either with Triumph or Loss from our Enemies; AndI shall take all the Care in my power, that it shall be done with as much frugalityas can consist with the service expected thereby.William Bull.And also the following Message,Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen,I must acquaint you that the Fund for Contingencies is not only exhausted,but considerably in Debt, for Services incurred before GovernorLyttelton’s departure from this Province, a State whereof I will cause to belaid before you. And as in this busy Time just on the point of opening ourCampaign, a frequent communication of Intelligence and Measures with ourneighbouring Governors, our Indians and our Troops is absolutely necessary,And as greater prices are now demanded on account of the greater Dangerhazarded in passing thro’ the Enemy’s parties, I must therefore desire you