Chapter III: Part 3

About one o’clock the baggage and all things being ready, Ostenaco took leave of his friends, tho’ this ceremony is unusual among them, and we began our march sooner than I expected. Passing thro’ Toqua, we saw several Indians weeping for the death of their relations, killed in the late battle. In an hour’s time we arrived at Chote, where we found a great number of headmen assembled to give us a talk, containing instructions to my Indian conductors, to remind the English of their promises of friendship, and to press the Governor of Virginia to open a trade; for the Indians to behave well to the inhabitants when they arrived, as that was the only way to keep the chain of friendship bright; that we should keep a good look-out, as the enemy were very numerous on the path. What occasioned this precaution, and probably Ostenaco’s delaying his departure so long, was, the defeat of a party of about thirty Indians, who went cut to war some time before, the same way that we were to go, eight of whom had been killed or taken. They attributed this loss to the want of arrows, the northern Indians having poured several vollies of arrows, and done great execution, before the Cherokees could charge again, after the first fire. This was especially disadvantageous to the Cherokees, as both parties met unexpectedly on the top of a mountain, which they were both crossing, and engaged so close, that the northern Indians availed themselves of this advantage, and the superiority of their numbers.

Two pieces of cannon were fired when we had got about 200 yards from the town-house, after which Ostenaco sung the war-song, in which was a prayer for our safety thro’ the intended journey; this he bellowed out loud enough to be heard at a mile’s distance. We did not march above three miles before we encamped, in order to give time to some Indians who were to accompany us, but had not yet joined us, which they did in the evening, about fourteen or fifteen in number. Next morning, the 11th of March, we rose tolerably early, marching to Little River, about twenty miles from the nation, where we encamped.

At this place had formerly been an Indian town, called Elajoy; and I am surprised how the natives should ever abandon so beautiful and fertile a spot. Were it in a more polished country, it would make the finest situation for a gentleman’s seat I ever saw.

We marched the next day to Broad River, which we crossed about four o’clock in the afternoon, without much difficulty, by reason of the lowness of the waters; but the river, which is here 700 yards over, runs with great rapidity, and the banks extremely steep on either side. We encamped directly, and were all employed in making a large fire to dry ourselves, as most of us had got very wet.

Before sun-set I perceived a considerable number of Indians passing at the same place, whom I at first imagined to be enemies; but the arrival of some of them shewed them to be Cherokees, who kept continually dropping in, so that I was greatly surprised next morning at their numbers. I demanded where they were going? to which they replied, To Virginia; that the headmen had thought proper to send a reinforcement, thinking it unsafe for so small a body to march through a country so much frequented by the enemy, where, if I met with any accident, the blame would fall upon them. I thanked them; but at the same time told them peremptorily to go back, and give themselves no further trouble on my account; that I had no occasion for them; and that it would be impossible for so large a body to subsist when passed the hunting grounds, as the people on the frontiers of Virginia had been so impoverished by the late war, they would not be able to supply us with provisions. This made no impression on them, and they marched, on without saying another word, and persisted in going, notwithstanding all the efforts Osteco and I could make to prevent them. Indeed I was more earnest to have them return, as I found it was the scent of presents, more than the desire of escorting me, that was the real motive of all this good-will.

We left the camp the next day, about 165 in number, and marched without any extraordinary occurrence till the 15th, about mid-day, when we heard our scouts on the left (for we always kept on both flanks) fire pretty quick after one another, and in less than a minute seventeen or eighteen buffaloes ran in amongst us, before we discovered them, so that several of us had like to have been run over, especially the women, who with some difficulty sheltered themselves behind the trees. Most of the men fired, but, firing at random, one only was killed, tho’ several more wounded. Our scouts likewise killed another, and brought in the best parts of the meat, all which was cooked over-night for our departure next morning.

After passing a very disagreeable night on account of the rain, which, as the evening had been clear, I had taken no precaution to shelter myself self against. We had as disagreeable a march, it proved very rainy, and were again obliged to encamp to a great disadvantage for the convenience of good water.

On the 17th, about two o’clock in the afternoon, we met an Indian who left the Great Island some time after me, with a party of ten or twelve, destined to Williamsburg, who, after he had eat, drank, and smoaked, told us the party that he belonged to had been attacked two days before; that two of them had been killed, two or three taken, and the rest dispersed; that he had reason to believe there were a great many of the enemy upon the path, as he had seen a great many tracks and other signs.

On this intelligence, Ostenaco ordered all his men to fresh prime their guns, and those that had bows and arrows to put them in readiness, sending out some scouts, and desiring all to keep a good look-out. After these dispositions we parted with the fugitive Indian, and continued our route. At night our scouts came in, and informed formed us, that they had seen some old tracks, and a piece of an old red waistcoat, dropped by the enemy, to inform us they were thereabouts. We made large fires to dry ourselves, while Ostenaco, and four or five others, took out and waved their eagles tails, then turning towards the place where the tracks had been discovered, gave the war-hoop several times extremely loud. This was to let the enemy know, if within hearing, and disposed for an engagement, where he and his party lay. This however Ostenaco probably would not have done, had he not confided in the number of his party, being greatly superior to what commonly go to make war on one another. Before the Indians went to sleep, he gave them a strong caution, and instructions how to act in case they were attacked.

We decamped pretty early next morning, in order, if possible, to reach the Great island that day; but the scouts had not been out an hour before some returned with an account of fresh tracks and other signs of the enemy. I really expected a skirmish with the northern Indians, as they might probably imagine some Cherokees would return with me when I left their country; and it was probable the party I had received an account of, and had given so many checks to the Cherokees since, were still waiting.

As we marched very slow, on account of receiving intelligence from our scouts, which they brought in every two or three hours, we encamped short of the Great Island about seven or eight miles.

The next morning we were in no great hurry to decamp, as we intended to go no farther than the Great Island that day. By this retardment each man had time to put his arms in proper order. We set out about eleven o’clock, and, after four or five miles march, Ostenaco desired me to go before, to see if any of the enemy were there. The northern Indians being at peace with us, was urged as a sufficient protection, tho’, at setting out, they seemed a little apprehensive of my falling into such desperadoes hands, or rather of their losing their share of the presents. I was to tell the enemy, if I met them, that the Cherokees were but few in number, and but indifferently armed; after which Sumpter and I were furnished with horses, and went forward pretty briskly, till we reached Holston’s River, the crossing place of which was within a mile of Fort Robinson. We had not forded above half-way over, when we heard the report of a gun, which made us conclude that our suspicions of the enemy’s being there were but too justly grounded; we rode gently towards the fort to make our observations; but no enemy appearing, on entering the clear ground about the fort, and perceiving some smoak from one of the chimnies, we rode within an hundred yards of it, and hallowed, but nobody appearing, we went to the gate, and gave another hoop, which, to my great surprise, instead of the enemy, brought a white man out of one of the houses, whom I immediately recollected to be M’Lamore the interpreter, that accompanied the discomfited party of Cherokees, I lately mentioned, to Virginia, and he was soon followed by the man who had fired the gun.

I returned to the party, highly satisfied at my good fortune, in not being obliged to displease the Indians, by breaking thro’ so disagreeable and dangerous a commission, who had already crossed the river when I joined them.

We found in the fort eleven or twelve hundred weight of flour, left by the garrison when they evacuated the place, which abundantly recompensed the Indians for all their fatigues.

We remained here all next day to rest ourselves, and mend our mockasons, tho’ such fine weather was scarce to be lost, considering the very bad we had experienced most of the way from the Cherokee country; this made me extremely anxious to be going forward, but the Indians seldom hurry themselves when they were to leave such good cheer, after having passed most of the way without bread. I was informed by M’Lamore, that the flour had been left for want of horses to carry it away, as well as the goods I had observed in one of the storehouses, belonging to a private trader; that the northern Indians, after defeating the small party to which he belonged, and taking him and two more prisoners, came to the fort, where, notwithstanding our alliance with them, they destroyed a great quantity of the flour and goods, and carried a great quantity more away, as well as the man that had the care of them; but that, after some days march, all the prisoners found means to make their escape: that they two returned to the fort, one proposing to wait my coming, and return with me to Virginia, and M’Lamore to go back to the Cherokee country.

I next day intreated Ostenaco to order his men to get ready for the march, as the weather was fine, and it would be agreeable travelling; but notwithstanding all he or I could say, not a man of them would stir; their excuse was, that one of their horses was lost, and the owner out in search of him. We waited his return till night, when he came, but no horse was to be found. I was very much mortified at this accident, as I was anxious to know what was become of my camp-equipage, cloaths, &c. I had left at Fort Attakullakulla.

On the 22d, we rose early in the morning, to make a good day’s march, but the horse was not found till near twelve o’clock: I then thought our immediate departure certain, but was again disappointed; the person who had the care of the goods, missing a piece of broad-cloth, charged the Indians with the theft, and a general search was made to no purpose. Ostenaco then ordered all within the fort, while he and the conjuror went into the house from whence it was stole, to beg the devil’s advice about recovering it. The conjuror might perhaps have saved himself that trouble, for tho’ I am at a loss to guess in what manner, I am inclined to believe he had as great a hand in the loss as in the recovery of it. I desired him to trouble himself no farther about it, chusing rather to pay for it, than be detained any longer; but all I could say could not divert him from his conjuring, which however furnished me with a few more of their oddities.

After staying some time, the conjuror sallied out blindfolded, and groped about, till he came to the skirts of the woods, where, pulling off the blind, he went straight forwards, a considerable way, and returned in about five minutes with the broad-cloth on his shoulders. I observed his cheek tied up with a bit of twine, which, when untied, bled very much. I gave the conjuror two yards as a reward for playing the fool, and we marched forward, encamping about ten miles from the fort.

We called in our way at Fort Attakullakulla, which was likewise evacuated, looked for my cloaths, &c. but they were all stolen and carried off by the soldiers, except a small trunk, with a few trifles, I found afterwards at New River.

Some time after, we met Capt. Israel Christian going with a cargo of goods, to trade in the Cherokee country. I here endeavoured to send back the greatest part of the Indians; but notwithstanding all the persuasions the Captain and I could make use of, not a man of them would return, till the Captain promised the same presents to those that would go back, as would be given to those that went forward, not doubting but that he would be reimbursed, as the charge of victualling of them would be entirely saved; but as this expence fell entirely upon me, as will appear in the sequel, it was rather taking the burthen off me than off the public. I am heartily sorry, however, this gentleman has suffered, as well as myself, for his good intentions, and more so, that it is not in my power to discharge the public debt, and reimburse him. But even by this we could only reduce our number to about seventy-two.

We called at Fort Lewis, where we found William Shorey the interpreter, who, by order of Col. Stephen, had waited our coming, to accompany the Indians to Williamsburg. I received here between seventy and eighty pounds that was due to me, which came very opportunely to defray our expences to Williamsburg; where we arrived in about eleven days after our departure from Fort Lewis.

On my arrival, I waited on the Governor, who seemed somewhat displeased with the number of Indians that had forced themselves upon me. Orders however were issued out for their accommodation, and a few days after a council was called, at which Ostenaco, and some of the principal Indians, attended. After the usual ceremonies, and mutual promises of friendship, the Indians were dismissed, and presents ordered them, to the amount of 125_l._ currency; 12_l._ 10_s._ for Ostenaco, the same sum to be sent back to King Kanagatucko, and the rest to be divided among the party, who seemed much displeased when it came to be divided, being, as they said, like nothing among them. I was apprehensive of some bad consequence should they return dissatisfied, and therefore advanced pretty considerably out of my own pocket to content them.

A few days before they were to depart for their own country, Mr. Horrocks invited Ostenaco and myself to sup with him at the College, where, amongst other curiosities, he shewed him the picture of his present Majesty. The chief viewed it a long time with particular attention; then turning to me, “Long,” said he, “have I wished to see the king my father; this is his resemblance, but I am determined to see himself; I am now near the sea, and never will depart from it till I have obtained my desires.” He asked the Governor next day, who, tho’ he at first refused, on Ostenaco’s insisting so strongly upon it, gave his consent. He then desired, as I had been with him so long, that I might accompany him to England: this I was to do at my own expence; but the Governor told me he would recommend me to the minister of state, which he did in as strong terms as I could desire.

I was then upon the point of entering into a very advantageous commerce, which I quitted to please the Indians, and preserve them ours, yet wavering to the French interest. I prepared every thing necessary for my voyage; but this was not my only expence, the Indians having no money, expect the person who travels with them to treat them with whatever they take a fancy to.

We set out for Hampton about the beginning of May, where we were to embark; but contrary winds, and other delays, retarded us till the 15th, during which time it generally cost me between 15 and 20_s._ per day.

We had very fine weather during the whole voyage, yet both the Indians and myself were sea-sick all the way. We parted with a convoy we had under our care off Newfoundland, in a very thick fog, notwithstanding all the efforts Capt. Blake could make, by ringing bells, and firing every quarter of an hour, to keep them together, tho’ I afterwards heard him severely accused in England of taking this opportunity to leave his charge.

We had the misfortune here to lose the interpreter Shorey, who was much regretted by us all, but especially by the Indians, as he was a thorough master of their language. He had lingered some time in a consumption, caught in passing a small river, for, being drunk, his Indian spouse plunged him in to sober him, but was unable to draw him out, and had not some Indians come to her assistance he must have been drowned. This was an effectual means of sobering him, but by it he contracted the malady that carried him off.

During our voyage the Indians conceived very advantageous ideas of our naval force; the Captain having chased and brought too about sixteen sail, found them all to be English or neutral vessels, on which the Cherokees concluded the French and Spaniards were certainly afraid to put to sea.

On the 16th of June we arrived at Plymouth, where, before we went on shore, the Indians had their desire of seeing a large man of war gratified, by being carried on board the Revenge, a seventy-four gun ship, with which they were equally pleased and surprised.

While in the boat that took us to shore, Ostenaco, painted in a very frightful manner, sung a solemn dirge with a very loud voice, to return God thanks for his safe arrival. The loudness and uncouthness of his singing, and the oddity of his person, drew a vast crowd of boats, filled with spectators, from all the ships in the harbour; and the landing-place was so thronged, that it was almost impossible to get to the inn, where we took post for London.

We stopped at Exeter, where the Indians were shewed the cathedral, but, contrary to my expectation, were as little struck as if they had been natives of the place. They were much better pleased the next day with Lord Pembroke’s seat at Wilton, till they saw the statue of Hercules with his club uplifted, which they thought so dreadful that they begged immediately to be gone.

We arrived the next day in London, without any other accident than the breaking down of the chaise in which the Indians were, but happily none of them were hurt.

Capt. Blake waited on Lord Egremont, to acquaint him with our arrival. We were immediately sent for, and, after some few questions, dismissed. Lodgings were ordered, and taken by Mr. N—— Caccanthropos. We were again sent for by Lord Egremont, but more to gratify the curiosity of some of his friends than about business. I however took this opportunity of flipping my letter of recommendation into his Lordship’s hands, which he read, and assured me he would shew it to the King that day; telling me to let the Indians or myself want for nothing; that as I was a perfect stranger, he had ordered Mr. Caccanthropos to provide whatever we desired.

My first care was to equip the Indians. I attended Mr. Caccanthropos, to order all after the mode of their own country.

As several days passed before I had any further orders, the Indians became extremely anxious to see the King. “What is the reason,” said they, “that we are not admitted to see the Great King our Father, after coming so far for that purpose?” I was obliged to reply, “That his Majesty was indisposed, and could not be waited on till perfectly recovered,” which in some measure pacified them. We were taken not long after to court; but I was only asked a few questions, of which I gave the interpretation to the Indians that might be most favourably received.

The uncommon appearance of the Cherokees began to draw after them great crowds of people of all ranks; at which they were so much displeased, that home became irksome to them, and they were forever teizing me to take them to some public diversion. Their favourite was Sadler’s-Wells; the activity of the performers, and the machinery of the pantomime, agreeing best with their notions of diversion. They were likewise very fond of Ranelagh, which, from its form, they compared to their town-house; but they were better pleased with Vauxhall, tho’ it was always against my inclination I accompanied them there, on account of the ungovernable curiosity of the people, who often intruded on them, and induced them to drink more than sufficient. Once, in particular, one of the young Indians got extremely intoxicated, and committed several irregularities, that ought rather to be attributed to those that enticed them, than to the simple Indians, who drank only to please them. I cannot indeed cite sobriety as their characteristic; but this I can say, these excesses never happened at home. A bottle of wine, a bowl of punch, and a little cyder, being the ordinary consumption of the three Indians, Sumpter, and myself; and as we were seldom at home, it could not put the nation to a great expence. If the bills given in for these articles were to the greatest degree excessive, let them that charged them answer who consumed them; I only know that no more was ever drank by us.

This was not the only thing laid to my charge; I was accused of receiving money for admission to see the Indians. The sheep was accused by the wolf of rapine, who carried his point. He was a thorough-paced under-courtier; the sheep, a raw Virginian, who, ignorant of little arts, innocently believed others as honest as himself, and could never believe such impudence existed, as to accuse another of crimes his conscience assured him he was sole actor of. I was so prepossessed with these opinions, that I can scarce as yet, however severely I have felt it, believe that some men have no ideas of conscience, and esteem it the prejudices of education, and a narrow mind; and that blasting an innocent person’s character, whenever it answered their ends, or that robbing the nation was no crime, when they could escape punishment.

It was a long time before I knew any thing of these money-taking works. The following accident was what brought it to light. Finding myself entirely confined by the continual crowds of visitors, I resolved to lessen the number, by ordering the servants to admit none but people of fashion. This was what would have been at once agreeable to the Indians, and raised their ideas of the English nation. So far from these orders being complied with, the whole rabble of the town was ushered in the next day. Not a little mortified, I complained to Lord Egremont, who, already perhaps prepossessed against me, only told me coldly, that he would speak of it to Mr. Caccanthropos. At my return, tho’ I found the house full of people, I said nothing more.

Some days after, Sumpter, who had contracted some genteel acquaintance, some of whom he was bringing to see the Indians, was stopped by the servant, Mr. Caccanthropos’s relation, who refused to admit them without money. The young man, who had faced all dangers for the service of his country in the war, who had been so highly instrumental in saving us from the dangers that threatened us in going to their country, and had accompanied us ever since, received that affront from an insolent servant; but not being able to bear the insult, he took a warrior’s satisfaction, and knocked him down. A blunt Virginian soldier cannot know the laws of England, as little can he bear an insult from so mean a quarter.

The servant informed his kinsman, who came next day open-mouthed, threatening Sumpter with the crown-office. He next gave me such scurrilous language, that I was perfectly at a loss how to retort it adequately; I had subject enough, but being accustomed to gentlemen’s company, I could scarce understand his dialect: piqued, however, at the stinging truths I told him, he threatened me with confinement also, assaying to intimidate me from publishing them, by reminding me that he was a justice of the peace. Happily I reflected on the disparity of his years and strength to mine; my hands had near disgraced me, by striking a person I so much every way despised. He dared not, however, put his threats into execution; his only vengeance for affronting me, was ordering the people of the house to feed us for the future on ox-cheek, cow-heel, and such like dainties, fit entertainment for Indians accustomed to only the choicest parts of the beast, and very fit to raise their opinion of England. I however understanding Lord Egremont’s orders in a different light, took care to provide whatever was requisite for the Indians, avoiding at the same time all appearance of extravagance.

Sumpter’s company were not the only persons to whom admittance was refused; the same servant had even the impudence to stop Lady T-r—l-y. Her Ladyship sent immediately for Mrs. Quin, the gentlewoman of the house, to enquire if I encouraged the servants in taking money for seeing the Indians. Mrs. Quin set her Ladyship to rights in that particular; but still whatever exactions these fellows made, the public generally laid to me. I was cleared, however, by Cacanthropos himself, who once attempted to stop Mr. Montague; and his fear and confusion on finding whom he had offended, in some measure revenged me.

Soon after these disturbances, orders were given by Lord Egremont, that no person whatever should be admitted, without an order from himself, or Mr. Wood, under Secretary of State: but instead of the throngs decreasing by this order, it rather increased; and I really believe few persons have more friends than Mr. Wood, if he knew but half of those that were ushered in under that name; nay, grown bolder by that sanction, they pressed into the Indians dressing room, which gave them the highest disgust, these people having a particular aversion to being stared at while dressing or eating; on which last occasion, if I was irksome myself, judge what a crowd of strangers must be. They were so disgusted, that they grew extremely shy of being seen, so that I had the greatest difficulty in procuring Lord C—t—f—d a sight of them; on which, being a little angry, I was afterwards informed his Lordship had been offended at something I am yet a stranger to. It ever was against my inclination to give offence to even the lowest class of mankind, much less to Lord C—t—f—d.

I was not only, however, accused of receiving money at our lodgings, but at the public places we frequented. To this I answer, so far from making by them, it generally cost me pretty considerable to the servants, besides coach-hire; for tho’ one was allowed us, we could command it no oftener than Mr. Cacanthropos was pleased to do us that favour; and this expence was entirely out of my own pocket, without any prospect of reimbursement.

As to the charge laid against me, the proprietors are still alive, and any person that entertains the smallest doubt, may, and would oblige me, by enquiring of themselves, whether I ever demanded or took directly or indirectly any money or consideration whatever from them.

But let us now return to the Indians. Some time before they left England, they were admitted to a conference with his Majesty at St. James’s. Ostenaco’s speech on that occasion contained nothing more than protestations of friendship, faithful alliance, &c. To which an answer was afterwards given in writing, to be interpreted in their own country, as I was not conversant enough in their language to translate it; though I understood whatever they said, especially the speech, which I gave word for word to his Majesty, as Shorey had likewise explained it before his death, except the last part, which was so much in my favour that I was obliged to suppress it, and was in some confusion in finding wherewith to supply it; till I at last told his Majesty, that it was only in some manner a repetition of the first part of his discourse.

They were struck with the youth, person, and grandeur of his Majesty, and conceived as great an opinion of his affability as of his power, the greatness of which may be seen on my telling them in what manner to behave; for finding Ostenaco preparing his pipe to smoak with his Majesty, according to the Indian custom of declaring friendship, I told him he must neither offer to shake hands or smoak with the King, as it was an honour for the greatest of our nation to kiss his hand. You are in the right, says he, for he commands over all next to the Man above, and nobody is his equal. Their ideas were likewise greatly increased by the number of ships in the river, and the warren at Woolwich, which I did not fail to set out to the greatest advantage, intimating that our Sovereign had many such ports and arsenals round the kingdom.

Some days before the Indians set out on their return to their own country, Lord Egremont sent for me, and informed me that the Indians were to be landed at Charles Town; but this was so contrary to their inclination, that Ostenaco positively declared, that, unless he was to land in Virginia, he would not stir a step from London. His Lordship then desired me to tell them that they should land at Virginia, but at the same time gave me to understand, that the ship being to be stationed at Charles Town, they must absolutely be landed there. I informed his Lordship that it was entirely out of my power to accompany them there, having scarce five shillings remaining out of the 130 pounds I had received, the best part of which I laid out for the Indians use, rather than apply to Mr. Cacanthropos; that I was ready to obey his Lordship, if he would please to order me wherewith to defray my expences from Charles Town to Virginia. My Lord replied, that no more could be advanced; that if I refused to accompany them, others must be found that would.

Sumpter was immediately sent for by Mr. Wood; but he refused the employ till he had obtained my approbation; nay, I was obliged to use the most persuasive arguments to determine him to go; so that it was then in my power (had I been the man I was represented) to have made what terms I pleased, since the Indians would not have gone without one of us, and Sumpter had too much honour to accompany them to my prejudice. I scorned so low an action; but told Sumpter, that tho’ I had only asked my expences, which might amount to about twenty or twenty-five pounds, there was a difference between his going and mine; that he must make the voyage in the view of advantage, whereas I had sought none in it, except returning to my native country. The terms agreed on were fifty pounds in hand, and a hundred on his arrival; and it was even in his power to insist on more.

Had I really had the money, I should not have troubled the government, or deserted the Indians; but to be landed in a strange country without money, and far from my friends, did not seem very eligible. I was extremely rejoiced at the young man’s advantage; yet could not but think it hard to be left in England for so small, so reasonable a demand, as no other business than the Indian affairs had brought me there, when seven times the sum was granted to another. Lord Egremont indeed had informed me that the King, in consideration of my services in the Cherokee country, had ordered me a Lieutenancy in an old regiment, which I should receive from Sir Jeffery Amherst in North America, and positively assured me, I should never be reduced to half-pay; so that, had I been in my own country, I had reason to be satisfied; but I had no money to carry me there.

The Indians soon re-imbarked in the same vessel that brought them, and left England about the 25th of August; so that I was now entirely at my own expence, without money or friends. I continually solicited Lord Egremont for money sufficient to defray my passage to Virginia, during which my circumstances were continually growing worse. I disclosed my distressed situation to a Gentleman with whom I had contracted an intimacy, who advised me to present a petition to the King, assuring me at the same time, that he would speak to a Nobleman of his acquaintance to second it. I went to the Park next morning with a petition that my friend approved, but was very irresolute whether to deliver it or not; my necessities, however, at last determined me.

Some days after I was sent for by Mr. Wood, who, after a short reverie, told me, that Lord Egremont had ordered a hundred pounds, _if that would do_. I knew from whence these orders came; but, as he industriously avoided mentioning the petition, I only answered that it would. I was since informed, that two hundred pounds were ordered me; but even one had been sufficient, had I received it at one payment; but getting it at different times, before I had paid my debts, and received it all, I was again run short.

Upon applying to the treasury for this money, I was asked by Mr. M—t-n if I was not the person that accompanied the Cherokees to England? On answering in the affirmative, he desired me to revise Mr. Cacanthropos’s accounts, exclaiming against their extravagance. On looking over them, I did not find them quite so extravagant as I expected, being only overcharged by about 150 pounds; but what I mean by overcharging, is what the Indians never had; for I cannot be so sensible of what was overcharged by other means. _The Indians being remarkable for their skill in mathematics, but unfortunate in not having sufficient workmen among them, he had wisely stocked the whole nation with instruments._ Mr. W—— the optician’s bill being to the amount, as near as I can remember, of fifty odd pounds in these costly play-things for the Cherokees; but as neither they nor I had ever seen or heard of such instruments, although I was desired to order all things they might have occasion for, as best judge of what was necessary, I am inclined to think they were turned to a much better purpose. There was another bill from Mr. L—d for stocks and stockings, to the amount of forty odd pounds. Wampum, I suppose, is become so scarce among the Indians, that they are resolved to adopt the English custom of stocks. It is a little unconscionable to have forty pounds worth in change; but then Mr. Cacanthropos can easily account for that. These people wear a great deal of vermilion, and are naturally not over cleanly, so of consequence their stocks would very soon be dirty; besides, they cannot be expected to wear so long as everlasting wampum. Very true! very provident, Sir! And I suppose you presume too the bushes would tear a great many stockings; but if I can judge of Indians, they are a great deal wiser than to be fine in stockings among the briars, at the expence of their legs, which good leggons keep unscratched, and a great deal warmer. This does not however, dear Sir, prevent my admiring your provident views; they are absolutely too striking ever to admit of that.

Five yards of superfine dove-coloured cloth, at a guinea a yard, was charged at the woollen-draper’s. Ah! dear Sir, you were short sighted here; two yards and three-quarters make a match-coat and leggons, five yards will not make two; a coarser cloth would have suited Indians, and another colour would have pleased them much better; for I am much mistaken if these are not the only Indians that ever wore other than their favourite colours of red and blue; but the laceman’s bill will clear up this affair. Let me see! Vellum lace, broad and narrow: Was it for button holes for a Cherokee mantle? Sure Ostenaco never once had the ridiculous fancy of putting useless, and solely ornamental, buttons upon a match-coat; where the duce then were the button-holes placed? But I may, I believe, give a history of that affair, without being matter of an uncommon penetration. A certain _Man-Killer_ wanting a holiday suit to appear in, at the installation of some royal and noble knights of the garter—but here some critic, a pretended judge of Indian affairs, will perhaps say, that Indians have no such installations, and that they would never become the laughing-stock of their countrymen, by being swathed up in English cloaths. Well, sharp-eyed critic, good cloaths will never want wearers; it is a pity good things should be lost, and the gentleman that provided them most absolutely be obliged to wear them himself, since the Indians will not. What goodness! Condescend to wear the Indians refusals! _O tempora! O mores!_ The washerwoman’s bill, with many others, I had already paid; but as it had not paid toll _en passant_, it found its way into the treasury, with an increase of five or six pounds, being just as much again as the contents of the bill; so summing up the gentleman’s profits on what was really received, I imagined it to be about _cent. per cent._

Mr. Martin desired me to take the accounts home to revise at my leisure, which I soon after returned with alterations, little to the honour of the original accomptant, however great his skill in figures. But as his character has been sufficiently known in several late affairs, I shall spend no more of my time, or the reader’s patience, in quoting numerable instances of the same dye. I shall only mention the injury done to Mr. Quin, whose house was so spoiled by the rabble that came to see the Indians, that he was at a great expence to put it to rights; but instead of Mr. Cacanthropos’s allowing out of the immense profits of the show, wherewith to repair the damage, he got him to sign a receipt in full, and then curtailed and perquisited three pounds.

But it is now time to return to my own misfortunes. After paying the debts I had contracted, my finances were, as I have already hinted, so low, that I had not wherewith to defray my passage. I made no doubt of getting credit for a part till my arrival. At the Virginia Coffee-house I found a Captain of my acquaintance, bound to Virginia, into whose hands I deposited ten guineas to secure my passage; but the ship, thro’ some unaccountable delays, did not quit her moorings till December, when the Captain told me she would go round to Portsmouth, which place he thought would be more convenient for me to embark at. I readily acquiesced with this, as I thought my passage would be long enough without any addition. But before I arrived at Portsmouth, my money ran so short, that I was forced to borrow of the landlord, to pay the last stage. I had staid here nine or ten days, in expectation of the ship, when a letter arrived from the Captain, to define me to return immediately to London, or repair to Deal, as his employers had sent him orders not to touch at Portsmouth, but to proceed immediately to sea. I was thunderstruck. The tavern-keeper had just sent in his bill for payment, the instant I received this letter. I was obliged to deposit cloaths and other effects to the amount of forty pounds, and borrow ten guineas to return.

As soon as I arrived at London, I sent my servant to enquire if the ship had fallen down the river, who shortly after returned with information that she had. I then went to Gravesend, where my money running short again, I had recourse to the landlady. I sent to the office, to know if such a ship had cleared, and was agreeably informed there had not. After expecting the ship four or five days, I sent my servant to London, to procure some money on my watch, with orders to inquire after the ship at every place between London and Gravesend. On his return the next day he informed me the ship, with several more, were frozen up at Deptford. I now began to be under the greatest uneasiness about my return to Virginia, fate seeming determined to detain me where misfortunes daily increased. I sent to the Captain for the ten guineas I had advanced for my passage, since I found it impossible to go with him, and returned to London, where my first concern was, to enquire at the war-office whether there had lately arrived any returns from Sir Jeffery Amherst? I was informed there had, and, on turning over the books, found myself appointed Lieutenant in the forty-second or Royal Highland regiment of foot, with several months subsistence due to me, which I received soon after from Mr. Drummond, the agent, to whom I made known my circumstances, intreating him to lend me fifty pounds more, without which I found it impossible to get out of England. He obligingly told me, that if I could get any gentleman to accept a bill payable in four months, he would willingly advance that sum. I applied to a gentleman in the city, who was kind enough to accept the bill.

I agreed with a Captain of a ship bound to Virginia, about the middle of March, and paid him thirty-two guineas for my wife’s passage and my own; for I had married, or rather made a young lady a companion of my misfortunes some time before; but her father having refused his consent to our union, had the barbarity to deny us the least assistance, nay, refused me even ten guineas that I found deficient, after paying my debts, and laying in what was necessary. All affairs being seemingly settled, I went to Billingsgate over-night to save expences, by going in a Gravesend boat the next day, but was prevented by a bailiff, who, as soon as I was up, arrested me, at the suit of a person, who, not making any demand upon me, in my confusion I forgot, or rather did not know where to find.

I was carried immediately to Wood-Street Compter, where I wrote to a friend for money to discharge it but being disappointed, I was obliged to pay away the little I had reserved for my expences, so that I had but two shillings left. We now embarked for Gravesend; but before we had got two miles down the river, the boat ran foul of a ship’s hawser, by which we were almost overset. We staid a considerable time, to no purpose, to get her clear, but were obliged at last to go ashore and return to Billingsgate, where we staid all night, and next morning, for want of money to discharge our reckoning, I was forced to sell a gold seal that cost me four guineas, for only eleven shillings.

I then embarked in another boat, and got within four miles of Gravesend without any further interruption; but the tide being spent here, we were obliged to walk to Gravesend on foot, where the ship came down, and anchored next morning.

The Captain informed me, that two gentlemen and a lady, passengers in the ship, would be glad that we should all dine together. This I readily consented to, but begged a couple of guineas that I had been deficient in my old reckoning at the White-Hart. Unwilling to borrow any more from the Captain, I sent my servant with a pair of new crimson velvet breeches that cost me three guineas, who returned with thirteen shillings that he had raised on them. Being now on board, I thought myself secure from all further demands or impediments; but we no sooner arrived in the Downs than my servant left me, and demanded four guineas for the time he had served me; a gentleman that was going ashore did me the favour to pay him the money he demanded.

This detail may seem very dry to a reader; but this must effectually convince the public, that had I made money of the Indians, nay, partook of the great sums that were clandestinely made by them, I should not have been so soon reduced to the necessities I underwent.

After some difficulties in getting out, we had a very good passage to Virginia. I staid there but just long enough to settle my affairs, and then set out for New York to wait on Sir Jeffery Amherst for my commission; but to save the expences of going by land, I embarked in an old worm-eaten sloop that belonged to a gentleman at New York, who had been obliged to send a Captain to bring her home, her former one having deserted her in that ruinous condition. She had, however, tolerable pumps and sails, and three good hands besides the Captain.

The first day the wind was very fair, and gave us hopes it would continue so the whole passage, but shifting next day to the northwest quarter, we experienced a perfect hurricane, in which the vessel made water so fast, that the men were constantly at the pumps to clear her. The sea ran so high, and the vessel was so old and crazy, that I expected each wave would dash her to pieces; the third day we shewed a little sail, though it continued blowing very fresh till evening, when it became pretty fair; yet she still made water at a prodigious rate, and extremely fatigued the men. We saw land next day, but were becalmed till the morning after, when a fresh gale springing up fair, we went at the rate of eight knots an hour till four in the afternoon, when a pilot came on board; the Captain told him that he must run the vessel quite to New York that night, as he had no cable to bring her to an anchor. Had I known this circumstance before, which even the pilot was astonished at, I should not, I believe, have trusted so much to fair weather. We arrived, however, safe at New York.

I waited next morning on Sir Jeffery Amherst, who gave me my commission, with orders immediately to join my regiment, which was then on its way to Pittsburg. I dined with his Excellency next day; after which he told me to wait on Col. Reid, and not be in a hurry to join my regiment. A packet it seems had arrived from England the same day I received my commission, which, I suppose, brought a list of the officers to be reduced on half pay, and on waiting on Col. Reid, I found I was of the number. I related Lord Egremont’s assurances to the contrary, and produced this his Lordship’s Letter to Sir Jeffery Amherst in my favour.

_Whitehall, July 23, 1762_.

“Sir,

Mr. Fauquier, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, having represented the
long and very useful services, particularly in the Cherokee country,
of Mr. Timberlake, and having strongly recommended him to some mark of
his Majesty’s royal favour, and Mr. Timberlake having accompanied some
chiefs of the Cherokee nation to London, where he has constantly
attended them, and has conducted himself entirely to the King’s
satisfaction: I am to acquaint you that his Majesty, in consideration
of the above services of Mr. Timberlake, has been pleased to command
me to signify to you his royal pleasure, that you should appoint him
to the first Lieutenancy in an old regiment, which shall become vacant
in North America, after you receive this letter. I am, &c.

(Signed)

EGREMONT.”

The Colonel, on perusing it, was of the same opinion, that certainly his Lordship never intended me to be reduced. I went again to wait on the General; but being denied admission, I immediately inquired for a vessel bound to Virginia, and having at last found one, returned home after spending between twenty and thirty guineas to no purpose; for had it been his Lordship’s intention to have had me reduced, I could have been no more in a young regiment, without sending me to New York, in North America, for a commission.

I remained at home till January 1764, when the General Assembly of the colony met for the dispatch of public business, whither I repaired to petition for my expences from the Cherokee country to Williamsburg; which, however, were greatly superior to the accounts I gave in, lest they should judge any of them unreasonable. While my money lasted the Indians wanted for nothing, and I am still considerably indebted on their account.

I gained a majority, and a committee was appointed to look into my accounts, who told me it was to be paid by the council, out of the money for contingent charges, and not by the colony. After waiting a considerable time, at a very great expence, whilst urgent business required my presence elsewhere, I at last got the favour of Mr. Walthoe, Clerk of the Council, to undertake presenting my petition and accounts to the Governor and Council, in my absence, which he did at the next meeting, and soon after sent me the following letter.

_Williamsburg, Feb. 3, 1764._

“Sir,

“It would have afforded me a very sensible pleasure, had I been
enabled by the resolution of the Council to have returned a
satisfactory answer to your letter of the 26th of last month. In
compliance with your request, I the last day of the sessions presented
to the board your account, and the opinion of the committee to which
it was referred. It was maturely considered and debated, and,
extremely contrary to my hopes, disapproved of and rejected; for this
reason principally, that you went, as they were persuaded, not by any
order, to the Cherokee nation, but in pursuit of your own profit or
pleasure, * * * * * * * * *, &c.

(Signed)

N. Walthoe.”

I was quite astonished to find, on the receipt of this letter, that these gentlemen imagined I had made a party of pleasure to a savage country, in the winter season; or that I went in the view of profit, with a stock of twenty pounds worth of goods, most of which I distributed amongst the necessitous prisoners. Had I intended profit, I should certainly have taken the safest way, and a sufficient quantity of goods to have recompensed me for all my fatigues and danger, as I surely did not expect presents in the Cherokee country.

I went to convince the Indians of our sincerity, to know the navigation, and to serve my country. Let others take care how they precipitate themselves to serve so ungrateful a ——. But the reader, by this time, is too well acquainted with the particulars of my journey, to pass judgment with these gentlemen. I have already shewn, that my expences and losses, during that unfortunate jaunt, was upwards of an hundred pounds in ready money, besides what I gave them in presents at their return to their own country, and what I am still indebted for on their account.