Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1802).djvu/343

Rh the living diſperſed to very diſtant parts of the earth. Few of them were even known to me. To thoſe however of whom I knew I made application by letter; and ſome others, moved by a regard for truth and juſtice, were kind enough to come forward, of themſelves, with their teſtimony. Theſe fragments of evidence, the ſmall remains of a mighty maſs, which time has conſumed, are here preſented to the public, in the form of letters, certificates, or affidavits, as they came to me. I have rejected none of theſe forms, nor required other ſolemnities from thoſe whoſe motives and characters were pledges of their truth. Hiſtorical tranſactions are deemed to be well vouched by the ſimple declarations of thoſe who have borne apart in them; and eſpecially of perſons having no intereſt to falſify or disfigure them. The world will now ſee whether they, or I, have injured Creſap, by believing Logan's charge againſt him: and they will decide between Logan and Creſap, whether Creſap was innocent and Logan a calumniator?

In order that the reader may have a clear conception of the tranſactions, to which the different parts of the following declarations refer, he muſt take notice that they eſtabliſh four different murders. 1. Of two Indians, a little above Wheeling. 2. Of others at Grave Creek, among whom were ſome of Logan's relations. 3. The maſſacre at Baker's bottom, on the Ohio oppoſite the mouth of Yellow creek, where were other relations of Logan. 4. Of thoſe killed at the ſame place, coming in their canoes to the relief of their friends.