Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1802).djvu/350

336 1 On our arrival at the Wheeling, being informed that there were two Indians with ſome traders near and above Wheeling, a propoſition was made by the then captain Michael Creſap to way lay and kill the Indians upon the river. This meaſure I oppoſed with much violence, alledging that the killing of thoſe Indians might involve the country in a war. But the oppoſite party prevailed and proceeded up the Ohio with captain Creſap at their head.

In a ſhort time the party returned, and alſo the traders, in a canoe; but there were no Indians in the company. I enquired what had become of the Indians, and was informed by the traders and Creſap's party that they had fallen overboard. I examined the canoe, and ſaw much freſh blood and ſome bullet holes in the canoe. This fully convinced me that the party had killed the two Indians, and thrown them into the river.

2 On the afternoon of the day this action happened, a report prevailed that there was a camp, or party of Indians on the Ohio below and near the Wheeling. In conſequence of this information, captain Creſap with his party, joined by a number of recruits, proceeded immediately down the Ohio for the purpoſe, as was then generally underſtood, of deſtroying the Indians above mentioned. On the ſucceeding day, captain Creſap and his party returned to Wheeling, and it was generally reported by the party that they had killed a number of Indians. Of the truth of this report I had no doubt, as one of Creſap's party was badly wounded, and the party had a freſh ſcalp, and a quantity of property, which they called Indian