[Continuing the explanation of the trips Spotswood made from 1711 to 1717, from “ The William & Mary Quarterly ”.]
Upon projecting to lessen the great charge of Rangers & to settle a more lasting Guard for the Frontiers, Measures were concerted in Sundry Councils, & the Governor in order to put the same in Execution did undertake [May 7, 1714] a Fortnights expedition to Reconnoitre the Norward Frontiers & to fortify a place for Settling a Body of Germans above the Falls of the Rappahannock [322 miles], a six Weeks Expedition [August 30, 1714] to Reconnoitre all the Frontiers from South to North to find out proper places for fixing Forts [500 miles]; a Three Weeks Expedition [March 30, 1715] to carry on the Fortifications of Christanna, and to meet Blunt with other Chief Men of the Tuscaroudoes, for settling the Limits of theirs and our Indians Hunting Ranges [210 miles].
Upon the general Revolt of the Southern Indians, and their attacking South Carolina, Measures were concerted in Council for putting a stop to their dangerous progress, & the Governor to effect the same undertook [June 25, 27 and 28, 1715] three several Journeys to List Soldiers in Kent, Warwick, and Gloucester Countys [104 miles]; two ditto [July 4 and 18, 1715] to Embark 150 Soldiers at York & Hampton ports [100 miles]; [November 10, 1715] one ditto to give further Directions about the Said Works [200 miles].
Upon a Complaint made by the Tuscaroudoes to the Government of Acts of Hostility & a Murder committed on their people by some our Tributary Indians, the Governor to prevent a Rupture by Examining into the Affair & doing such Justice as might appease the Tuscaroudoes undertook [July 9, 1716] a Journey to Christanna (where Blunt the Chief Ruler of the Tuscaroudoes) with the Carolina Interpreter had agreed to meet him, & in which Journey the Governor had his Two Servants & his own riding Horse with all his Equipage drowned [200 miles].
Upon Notice of a Passage being discovered through the great Western Mountains, the Governor advising with the Council, judged it might be for the Safety & benefit of this Country if the Pass could be secured by a Fort, & a Trade opened that way with remote Indians, & therefore Resolving to view it himself, he undertook [August 20, 1716] a Monts Expedition with 63 Men and 74 Horse marching beyond the high Ridge of Mountains, until he arrived at a large River on the other side [445 miles].
(to be continued)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.