The Journal of the Commons House of Assembly

OCTOBER 14, 1760779which I have accordingly paid them. They are waiting impatiently for a finalanswer concerning the Fort, & are very desirous that it shou’d be soon built, thatthey might be settled there time enough to prepare for planting provisions theensuing year for their future subsistence, which will be an ease to the charge ofthe province; & praying that they may be cloath’d by the public as the Winter isapproaching, which they think they have reason to expect as their engagementswith us against the Cherokees prevents their hunting to supply their wants. Andas the sum of £1700 allow’d by you for cloathing, feeding & arming them is doubtlessexpended, as you will judge by the account herewith sent you, of the demandsof Messrs. Kershaw & Company, amounting to £1148 already paid, whichdemands must have still run on; I do therefore recommend these matters to yourearly consideration, & especially the Fort, so necessary to defend their wives &children, while the few men that now remain of their nation are with us out atwar or hereafter a hunting. I must observe that a fort has been promis’d themby this government several times within these fifteen years, & was again promis’din town this Spring, at their special request, when they were invited by me, &then consented to join Col. Montgomery’s troops in his expedition against theCherokees. I am inform’d that the expence of building such a fort as will satisfythem will scarce amount to the sum of seven hundred pounds.14th October 1760.William Bull.Mr. Speaker & Gentlemen,As by a Law passed this Summer no Strouds or Duffils, amongst other articlestherein enumerated, are for a certain time to be exported from this provincewithout my permission; & as application has been made to me on the behalfof Mr. McGillivray & Mr. Galphin, for a permission to send a quantity of woolengoods wherewith to supply the Creek Indians with cloathing on the approachof Winter; suggesting the danger of their being driven, in case we do not furnishthem, through necessity, to apply to our enemies the French, as the Indianswill consider our with-holding our usual commerce for the necessaries of life,as a with-holding our friendship towards them; & on such an occasion, they willtake even an imperfect supply from the French as a great service & kindnessdone them, which our artful rivals will know how, & not fail to improve. In thesecritical times I am unwilling to form any resolutions on so delicate an affair withoutthe most mature consultation, a precipitate or wrong step may draw after itvery fatal consequences; I therefore desire your opinion & advice thereupon,with as much dispatch as you conveniently can; for the time for sending suchsupplies, if it shou’d be thought expedient is at hand.The 14th October 1760.William Bull.