42 [Assembly 
fectually, that he felt himself safe in boldly denying it. “ Justice to 
the-unfortunate,” has induced historian's to place upon their pages his 
exculpatory account of Miss McCrea’s murder, and his peremptory 
disavowal that any other Indian barbarities had been perpetrated. 
Truth and impartiality will demand that, in all coming time, that 
denial should be followed by an allusion to this enormity, showing 
how little the veracity of the British chieftain is to be relied on. 
Full details of this, and of many other equally important events of 
that period, I find still preserved in the memories of the old people 
of this district. Brought up before me as they have been in connec¬ 
tion with the other inquiries in which I am engaged, I have deemed 
it a paramount duty to carefully rescue from oblivion and preserve to 
the world, such impressive mementos of those pangs which attended 
a nation’s birth. 
That you may be enabled to judge of the interest and value of the 
local hiitory of this district, and of the thorough examination I am 
making, I forward herewith the annals of one of its towns, from its 
first settlement down to the close of the year 1777—drawn out, I am 
aware, more in detail than will be desirable for the final report. 
Some of the other towns furnish materials for a historical narrative 
equally interesting, if not more so. To most of the present inhabi¬ 
tants of those towns, these incidents will be as new as they are to 
non-residents, they have so long since ceased to be the themes of 
conversation. It will readily be perceived that much time and close 
research, is indispensible, to duly gather up facts like these, as well 
as the numerous other matters that pertain to this survey. The la¬ 
bors of several additional months I find will no more than suffice to 
render the work on which I am engaged such an one as I have de¬ 
signed furnishing. Feeling that a partial and imperfect report would 
cause more disappointment than a temporary delay can do, I am 
obliged to request that another season be allowed me, to complete it. 
Yours, &c., 
ASA FITCH. 
Salem, JY. Y, January 14, 1848. 
