Indian Slaves; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 8, No. 3 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Indian Slaves William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 8, No. 3. (Jan., 1900), p. 165. INDIAN SLAVES. As further proof that Hening is wrong in his idea that Bacon was the first to make slaves of the Indians (see Hening's Statutes at large of Virginia, Vol. II, Preface) I adduce the following correspondence, extracted from the records of Old Rappahannock county. The first is a letter, about 1868, from Gov. Berkeley to Major General Robert Smith, who commanded the militia in the district of which Rappahannock county was a part. The second is a letter from the justices of Rappahannock to General Smith, who submitted Berkeley's instructions to the court for approval. (See QUARTERLY, VI., p. 214). Sir, I wrote my first Lettr to you in haste the moment I recd yours, but since I have collected myselfe I thinke it is necessary to Destroy all these Norhtern Indians for they must needs be conscious of the coming of the other Indians. Twill be a great Terror and exemple and Instruction to all other Indians. If ye Councell here and the Councell of Warr be of this opinion it may be done without charge for the women and children will defay it, lett me heare from yu wt yu thinke of it and if the first impulse of or first resentment doe not Deceive me and Leade me too much I thinke this Resolution to be of absolute necessity; if yr young men will not undertake it alone, there will be enou from hence will undertake it for their share of the Booty. Your most Affectionate Humble Servant, WILLIAM BERKELEY. To my most Honor'd Friend Majr Genll Smyth. These -- Hast Post Hast for the service of his Mtie and the Country. ___________________ Honble Sir. Uppon Serious Consideration of the Honble Governrs Letters and yr Honors desire or opinion of them wee are by many circumstances convinced and tis or opinion that the Lage Execrable murders are and have bin committed by a com- bination of our Northern Indians prticularly the Doagges conjunct with our neighboring Indians above, all wch with their complices wee doubt not wth as- sistance of Almighty God by the strength of or Northern Part utterly to Destroy and eradicate without Further Incroachment then the Spoyles of or Enymies. JOHN CATLETT, THO. GOODRICH, JOHN WEIRE, HUM BOOTH.