Col. Thomas Waters----Page 3

The next article is the Proclamation of Sir James Wright to Edward Barnard and Thomas Waters regarding his instructions pertaining to the Indians and the Troop of Rangers. 1773--Savannah, Georgia

Instructions to Edward Barnard Esq. Capt. of the Troop of Rangers to be raised & Thomas Waters his assistant. The Troop of Rangers to be raised to keep good order amongst and for the protection of the inhabitants in the new ceded land above Little River. ( Note: Little River flows into the Savannah River just above Augusta, Georgia. ) Whereas I have thought it necessary for his Majesty's service and the welfare of the province to raise a Troop of Horse for the service aforesaid and such other as I may from time to time feel fit to direct. And which Troop is to consist of one captain, three lieutenants, a quarter master, a surgeon, three sergeants, one drummer and sixty-five private men. You will therefore as soon as conviently may be inlist or cause to be inlisted this said three sergeants, one drummer, sixty-five private men. Which persons are to be all healthy, strong able bodied men fit for___ duty and service and they are to have and be allowed the following pay. viz-- The sergeants three pounds per month, the drummer two pounds six shillings per month, & the private men two pounds per month without any deduction whatever. And each man is to be found & provided with powder and bullits occasionally. And for which pay they are to victual themselves and also to provide and furnish themselves with good cloaths consisting of a blue coat faced with red and a red jacket and blue cloth boots on----
You will also take care that the said men are duely and regularly inlisted in the same manner as his Majesty's Regular Troops are and that the Meeting & Articles of War are fully explained to them in the presence of a magistrate and that attesting of the same be entered in a book to be kept for that purpose and signed by the magistrate and also by the person inlisting and that the term for which each soldier or person inlists shall not exceed three years. and you are to look out for the most convenient spot or situation for building a fort and barracks and report the same to me. And as sobriety, cleanliness & good order constitute greatly to health you are to take care that the men keep themselves sober & clean and behave orderly and discreetly and to suffer no ____ or drunkeness amongst them---- that they are always provided with a good horse and arms and accoutnements proper and fit for actual service. And you will devide the said troop into three divisions and take care that one division with an officer and one sergeant are always out upon duty, that is, to range or patrole about the country to prevent any quarrels or squabble between the white people and any straggling parties of Indians who may come into the said lands. And be very careful to prevent the white people from stealing the Indians horses and the Indians from stealing the white people's horses or killing their cattle and particularly to patrole near the line from the head of Oguchee River upwards along the waters  of the Oconee river and to  prevent any of the white people from going beyond the line hunting on or trespassing on the land of the Indians on any account or pretence whatever. And if any Indians come over the line into the settlements you are to take care that they are civally treated and that no force or violence be done to them ( unless they first use  violence against and attack you or the white people) at the same time you are to endeavor to get them to return and go out of the settlements soon as possible. And to advise, persuade and prevale on them so to do by any agreement or means you may think will best answer the purpose---And you shall take especial care that no person whatsoever trades or barters with any Indian within the line or settlements or in the woods without. And if you shall discover any such that you forthwith proceed against them agreeable to the Act of Assembly in that case made and provided. And you will apprehend all known theives, vagrants & other disorderly person who you may at any time discover or meet with and deal with them according to law---And you will once in every month or oftener if occassion requires make a report to me & inform me of all material circumstance and follow all such other orders I shall from time to time give.   Signed.   James Wright.
( Note: It is a mystery to me why Wright bothers to give orders against bartering or trading with the Indians and he has just appointed two known Indian Traders to enforce his orders????)