NORTH AMERICA® 
77 
towns, to make inquiry concerning the late alarm 
and depredations committed by the Indians upon 
the traders ; which the nation being apprifed of, re- 
commended thefe deputies to be chofen and fent, 
as foon as poflible, in order to make reafonable con- 
ceffions, before the flame, already kindled, fhould 
Ip read into a general war. The parties according- 
ly met in St. Auguftine, and the affair was ami- 
cably adjufted to the fatisfadlion of both parties* 
The chiefs of the delinquent bands, whofe young 
warriors had committed the mifchief, promifed to 
indemnify the traders for the lofs of their goods, 
and requefled that they might return to their ftore* 
houfes, with goods as ufual, and that they fhould be 
fafe in their perfons and property. The traders at 
this time were aflually preparing to return. It ap- 
peared, upon a flrid inveftigation of fadls, that the 
affair had taken its rife from the licentious conduft 
of a few vagrant young hunters of the Siminole na- 
tion, who, imagining themfelves to have been ill 
treated in their dealings with the traders (which 
by the bye was likely enough to be true) took this 
violent method of doing themfelves juftice. The 
culprits however endeavoured to exculpate them- 
felves, by afferting, that they had no defign or in- 
tention of robbing the traders of their effedls, but 
meant it only as a threat $ and that the traders, from 
a confcioufnefs of their diflionefty, had been terri- 
fied and fled, leaving their (lores, which they took 
poffeffion of, to prevent their being totally loft* 
This troublefome affair being adjufted, was very 
agreeable news to me, as I could now, without ap- 
prehenfions, afcend this grand river, and vifit its. 
delightful fhores, where and when I pleafed. 
Bidding adieu to my obliging f iend, I fprea,d my 
fail to the favourable breeze, and by noon came to 
