The War in the Northwest 377 



plundered by members of the very tribes whose 

 chiefs were at the same time writing to the Gov- 

 ernor to complain of the white encroachments. 17 



When in April the Cherokees held a friendly talk 

 with Evan Shelby they admitted that the tories 

 among them and their own evil-disposed young men 

 committed ravages on the whites, but asserted that 

 most of them greatly desired peace, for they were 

 weak and distressed, and had shrunk much in num- 

 bers. 18 The trouble was that when they were so 

 absolutely unable to control their own bad charac- 

 ters, it was inevitable that they should become em- 

 broiled with the whites. 



The worst members of each race committed crimes 

 against the other, and not only did the retaliation 

 often fall on the innocent, but, unfortunately, even 

 the good men were apt to make common cause with 

 the criminals of their own color. Thus in July the 

 Chickamaugas sent in a talk for peace; but at that 

 very time a band of their young braves made a foray 

 into Powell's valley, killing two settlers and driving 

 off some stock. They were pursued, one of their 

 number killed, and most of the stock retaken. In 

 the same month, on the other hand, two friendly In- 

 dians, who had a canoe laden with peltry, were mur- 

 dered on the Holston by a couple of white ruffians, 

 who then attempted to sell the furs. They were dis- 

 covered, and the furs taken from them ; but to their 

 disgrace be it said, the people round about would 

 not suffer the criminals to be brought to justice. 19 



17 Do., p. 4. 



18 Do., p. 171, April 29, 1782. 19 Do., pp. 213, 248. 



