had acquired over the Indians.
This may have had its bearing on the event; but from the known
jealousy entertained by the Indians, of the English Colonists; their
apprehensions that they would be dispossessed of the country, which
they then held (England claiming jurisdiction over it by virtue of the
treaty of Paris;) and their dissatisfaction at the terms on which
France had negotiated a peace, were in themselves sufficient to induce
hostilities on the part of the Indians. Charity would incline to the
belief that the continuance of the war was rightly attributable to
these causes--the other reason assigned for it, supposing the
existence of a depravity, so deep and damning, as almost to stagger
credulity itself.

In October, 1764, about fifty Delaware and Mingo warriors ascended
the Great Sandy and came over on New river, where they separated;
and forming two parties, directed their steps toward different
settlements--one party going toward Roanoke and Catawba--the other in
the direction of Jackson's river. They had not long passed, when
their trail was discovered by three men, (Swope, Pack and Pitman)
who were trapping on New river. These men followed the trail till
they came to where the Indian party had divided; and judging from
the routes which, had been taken, that their object was to visit
the Roanoke and Jackson's river settlements, they determined on
apprizing the inhabitants of their danger. Swope and Pack set out
for Roanoke and Pitman for Jackson's river. But before they could
accomplish their object, the Indians had reached the settlements on
the latter river, and on Catawba.

The Party which came to Jackson's river, travelled down Dunlap's creek
and crossed James river, above Fort Young, in the night and unnoticed;
and going down this river to William Carpenter's, where was a stockade
fort under the care of a Mr. Brown, they met Carpenter just above his
house and killed him. They immediately proceeded to the house, and
made prisoners of a son of Mr. Carpenter, two sons of Mr. Brown[16]
[73] (all small children) and one woman--the others belonging to the
house, were in the field at work. The Indians then dispoiled the house
and taking off some horses, commenced a precipitate retreat--fearing
discovery and pursuit.

When Carpenter was shot, the report of the gun was heard by those at
work in the field; and Brown carried the alarm to Fort Young. In
consequence of the weakness of this fort, a messenger wa