into the settlement a number of surveyors that had been sent
thither by him some months before; this country having about this
time drawn the attention of many adventurers. We immediately
complied with the Governor's request, and conducted in the
surveyors, compleating a tour of eight hundred miles, through many
difficulties, in sixty-two days.

Soon after I returned home, I was ordered to take the command of
three garrisons during the campaign, which Governor Dunmore carried
on against the Shawanese Indians: After the conclusion of which,
the Militia was discharged from each garrrison, and I being
relieved from my post, was solicited by a number of North-Carolina
gentlemen, that were about purchasing the lands lying on the S.
side of Kentucke River, from the Cherokee Indians, to attend their
treaty at Wataga, in March, 1775, to negotiate with them, and,
mention the boundaries of the purchase. This I accepted, and at the
request of the same gentlemen, undertook to mark out a road in the
best passage from the settlement through the wilderness to
Kentucke, with such assistance as I thought necessary to employ for
such an important undertaking.

I soon began this work, having collected a number of enterprising
men, well armed. We proceeded with all possible expedition until we
came within fifteen miles of where Boonsborough now stands, and
where we were fired upon by a party of Indians that killed two, and
wounded two of our number; yet, although surprised and taken at a
disadvantage, we stood our ground. This was on the twentieth of
March, 1775. Three days after, we were fired upon again, and had two
men killed, and three wounded. Afterwards we proceeded on to
Kentucke river without opposition; and on the first day of April