MySource:Quolla6/Barnett to Randolph, 19 May 1787

From: Source:Palmer, 1888:288

ALEX. BARNETT TO Gov. EDMUND RANDOLPH.

Russell County, VA May eigth 1787

No invasion from the savages since that of the 8th March last, an acount of which had already been given. Tracks of suspicious persons have county been noticed in many parts of the county, but they may be merely horse theives. Should they be Indians, it is evidence of their intention to inflict a serious blow upon their frontier. The new militia Law is utterly useless, in as much as it does nothing but authorize scouting parties, which become cautionary signals to the enemy. A visit from the Indians may be expected about the middle of September, it having, heretofore, been their habit to make attacks about the tenth of March and of the former month.

The last information is that John Inglishe's family, killed in Cassel's woods, on Clinch, in March last, were scalped, and that their sculps were carried into one of the Towns on Highwascy. The greatest damages sustained are generally from the Cherokees. The people call for scouts, only two to go together, as the country being mountainous a greater number leads to discovery. He thinks it will be necessary to send an expedition into the Cherokee country before any security can be found against a cruel and active enemy. On this account he earnestly hopes his Excellency will send out such instructions as will enable them to defend themselves against the merciless and Inhumaine Cruelty of a Barberous enemy.