No. 20

Thomas Williams a British subject settled in the Cowegin country,
was brought here this morning in, it is feared, a fatally wounded state,
having been shot through the arm and chest, by "Tathlasut" an Indian of the Saumina Tribe who inhabit the upper Cowegin District. Thomas Williams is one of that class of men known in this country as
"squatters", that is persons who have not purchased and therefore have
no legal claim to the land they occupy, and though I have always made it
a rule to discountenance the irregular settlement of the country, yet it
is essential for the security of all, that those persons should be
protected.

I propose in the first place to demand the surrender of "Tathlasut"
from the Chiefs of his Tribe, and should we not succeed in securing him
by that means, the only alternative left, will be to march a force into
the country for that purpose. The squadron being now here, a sufficient
force can with the co-operation of Admiral Bruce be raised without
difficulty, and I feel assured that he will render every assistance in
his power.

I have only further to assure you that I will do every thing in my
power to avoid collisions with the natives, and not push the matter
further than is necessary to secure the peace of the country.