[Letter with] brigade orders, 1787 Nov. 17, Liberty County [Georgia to] Major Carter / Brig[adier] Gen[era]l James Jackson

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Liberty County
Novr 17th 1787
Dear Sir
As I can yet hardly suppose notwithstanding your declaration you are determined on your Lotchaway expedition or at least that you will undertake it without mature deliberation. I have taken up my pen to point out the fatal consequence of so rash an enterprize [enterprise], the situation of those people's residence is beyond our boundaries and within the Spanish Territory -- let us ask ourselves the following questions, first, whether we would suffer the Spaniards to disturb or interfere with any class of persons within our Jurisdiction and whether the Spaniards will not feel the same sentiment whether supposing the Spaniards would not resent the Attack on the Indians it is not highly probable some Spanish Traders or Subjects might not be in their Towns and fall in their Attack and if the Spaniards would not in that case be compelled to notice it and bring on a war -- whether anyone Individual has a right from his own headstrong ambition to drag a State already borne down with debt into a fresh war with a fresh enemy, when she hardly knows what to do with that already on her hands and whether the reputation of the State is not in danger, already tottering with Congress, should such an imprudent


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measure be put in Execution, whether Congress will support us in it and whether if she does she will not demand the Authors of the plan. Whether the former Florida Scheme did not break up and ruin all the Southern Country and whether it is not possible this might be the means of a similar destruction and lastly whether the Continent, the State and the distressed Individual, the Widow and the helpless Orphan will not have reason to curse the Contrivers of their Calamity? -- those are weighty reasons tho [though] they may appear light to light minds -- a thousand others might be added some of which I have us doubt if Major Carter would suffer reason to sway, would immediately occur. Thus much for advice a number us doubt will follow Major Carters example -- for Godsake [God's sake] then my Dr. [Dear] Sir relinqui [edge of document: sh ] the idea I wish it from motives of friendship. There will [illegible text] engage be openings enough in a legal way by order of Governor for you and everyone who will Join you, to exhibit all your proofs of valor and to wreak as much vengeance as any of you could wish on the common enemy, but for heavn's [heaven's] sake let it not be said Georgia has no rule, discipline or Government. Should however contrary to my wish, this


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unhappy business go on. I now charge you as Major of the Liberty County Regiment to proceed us farther. I shall not and I have ordered Colo. [Colonel] Maxwell not to receive your Commission I shall immediately acquaint Government, you will be arrested I will go no farther then that I wish Major Carter never to be disgraced. You may be angry at those candid declarations but I must do my duty. I do it with sincerity and out of that friendship which would turn you aside from a step fatal to your Country and yourself; whatever you may think

I am yours sincerely
[Signed] Jas. [James] Jackson Brig. Genl. [Brigadier General], [unclear text: Dist. ] Major Carter. (Copy)

Brigade Orders
Camden County
Friday 9th Novem. [November] 1787.
The General while he approves the conduct and steps of Colo. [Colonel] Weed, for the defence of the Southern Frontier is extremely sorry to find a disposition in some Characters to oppose the Interest and safety of the State -- the more so as many have already the resentment of their fellow Citizens, and therefore ought to be doubly zealous in their endeavours [endeavors] at the present critical moment. Let those unworthy inhabitants, however remember they are neither to reside here inactive nor desert to the Florida shore unnoticed. The latter class the General is authorised [authorized] to declare


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will not again be permitted to triffle [trifle] with the Sovereignty of Georgia, under whatever colorers they may think themselves secure -- let them go -- but never let them think of a return.
The General particularly applauds the Orders of the Colonel for prohibiting the driving Cattle to Florida while the preservation of our own army now raising will depend in some degree on the prohibition. He at the same Moment highly reprobates those ungrateful Citizens, who under the experience of the goodness and mildness of our Laws, are led to believe there is no efficacy in them, and that they may be despised and broken thro [through] at pleasure -- those however that are Citizens will find to their sorrow there is a mode of punishment by a new and severe Militia Law just past. And those who are Aliens that the Law Martial as dealing with those who supply the Indian Nation at war with us and as Spies will take hold of them, and let them depend those Laws will [added text: be ] put in execution.
A Guard Boat under the Orders of Col. Weed will be fitted out and stationed at the South end of Cumberla [edge of document: nd ] Island, and another for the purpose of visiting the different Southern Inlets will be supplied by Col. [unclear text: Hillary ] of [unclear text: Glynn ] under the Orders of Major Braddock. Col. Weed will take such other steps for the security of the Southern frontier in Camden as he amy think necessary and in which he will [unclear text: be ] properly & efficiently supported.

By Order of
[Signed] [unclear text: Jno. ] Lucas A. D. C.