Manuscript Copy of Remonstrance - 4
5thly We cannot help lamenting that no Provision hath hitherto been made that such of our Frontier Inhabitants as have been wounded in defence of the Province their lives and liberties may be taken care of & cured of their wounds at the Public Expence. We therefore pray that this Greivance may be redressed.
6thly In the late Indian War this Province with others of his Majesties Colonies gave rewards for Indian Scalps, to encourage the seeking them in their own Country, as the most likely means of destroying them or reducing them to Reason. But no such encouragement has been given in this War which has damped the Spirits of many brave men who are willing to venture their lives in Parties against the Enemy. We therefore pray that public Rewards may be proposed for Indian Scalps which may be adequate to the dangers attending enterprizes of this Nature.
7thly We daily lament that Numbers of our dearest & nearest Relatives are still in Captivity among the Savage Heathen to be trained up in all their Ignorance & Barbarity or to be tortured to Death with all the Contrivances of Indian Cruelty for attempting to make their Escape from bondage We see they pay no Regard to the many solemn promises which they have made to Restore our friends who are in bondage among them. We therefore earnestly pray that no Trade may hereafter be permitted to be carried out with them until our Brethren & Relatives are brought home to us.
8thly We complain that a certain Society of People in this Province in the late Indian War & at several Treaties held by the Kings Representatives openly loaded the Indians with Presents & that I. P. a leader of the said Society in defiance of all Government not only abetted our Indian Enemies but kept up a private Intelligence with them & publickly received from them a a belt of Wampum as if he had been our Governor or authorized by the King to treat with his Enemies. By this means the Indians have been taught to despise us as a weak & disunited People & from this fatal source have arose many of our Calamities under which we groan. We humbly pray therefore this Grievance may be redressed & that no private Subject be hereafter permitted to treat with or carry on a Correspondence with our Enemies.
9thly We cannot but observe [with sorrow] that Fort Augusta which has been very expensive to this Province has afforded us but little assistance during this or the last War. The Men that were stationed at that place neither helped our distressed Inhabitants to save their Crops nor did they attack our Enemies in their Towns or patrole our Frontiers. We humbly request that proper measures may be taken to make that Garrison more serviceable to us in our distress if it can be done.
N.B. We are far from intending any Reflection against the Commanding Officer stationed at Augusta, as we presume his conduct was always directed by those from whom he received his orders.
Signed on behalf of ourselves & by Appointment of a Great Number of the Frontier Inhabitants.
Matthew Smith
James Gibson
February 13th 1764
