Bounties for Scalps and (Yawn) Footnotes
Footnotes? Boring? But that is where all the action is. Are you a scout wanting to verify? Or are you a soldier wanting to believe?
In covering 1758 in this year of 2022 we run into a lot of Virginians assembling to attack Cherokee allies on their way home after serving and aiding the Virginia Regiment and the British Army under Forbes against the French and their Indian allies. Accusations and retributions of horse stealing occur. On top of that are bounties for any Indian scalp over 12 years old. That scalp bounty was instituted in August 1755 based on Lt Gov Dinwiddie observing that New England metes out rewards for Indian scalps. Virginia should follow their example. This created an incentive to take scalps even from friendlies, despite the law saying no reward for taking scalps from allied Indians. We examine one author's claims on the dates of those scalp bounty laws. We find some of his claims are correct, some are not. We give you a link on a Ted Talk asking you if you are a Scout or a Soldier when confronting a story.
About scouting out a footnote or claim:
Run down that footnote and you will sometimes find how flimsy the claim may be. You might even find an outright mistake by the author citing his source.
To be fair, on large histories,
there's a lot of detective work to run down.
That would stall the author getting his work completed.
At some point the author has to decide on a cutoff point.
To run down every rabbit hole of history is endless, so on some footnotes, authors are content just to echo another author's findings without researching how that author made that claim.
Do the research on enough footnotes and you will be amazed how often what you read was really never researched properly.
Even here, I will try to mention where I cut off further research.
Absence of evidence does not mean evidence of absence.
It just means you might find evidence later. Or it just means you might not. Or it just means the writer of this blog, did not find the evidence or failed to find the evidence that exists :)
In the example of researching a claim made below, we find no footnote.
Because the author claims a date, no footnote is necessary -- because the date can be researched.
Here's an example:
Tortora writes,"The colony [Virginia] had instituted payment for enemy Indian scalps in August 1756, and had upped the reward in April 1757."
Page 48 Carolina in Crisis: Cherokees, Colonists, and Slaves in the American .Southeast 1756-1763 By Daniel J. Tortora, published by the University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, 2015.
At a Council held May 24th 1757
Footnote 27. According to the Minutes for this date , the groups of Indians were to be " 20 , or not exceeding 25 , in a Party , " and they were to receive a bounty of £ 10 per scalp ; they were to be supplied with provisions " upon order from Governor being produced . ”
#68 (p.50)
Tortora claims it was August 1756 when bounties for scalps were instituted.
But there is no August 1756 session of the House of Burgesses.
Instead there was a session in September 1756 with no mention of passing a bounty for scalps law . If the reader finds a reference we missed, then we welcome the correction. Here is that Sept 1756 session.
page 401, #437
There was an August session for 1755.
There is a bounty for scalps law in that August 1755 session.
We quote that opening session below:
Note: We leave the old "s" that looks like an "f." If an S starts the beginning or ending of the word then it looks like our modern S.
Tuesday 5 August 1755
House of Burgesses session
Tuefday, Auguft 5 th, 1755.
MESSAGE from the Governor was delivered by Mr Walthoe;
Mr Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Houfe of Burgeffes,
"The Governor commands the immediate Attendance of your Houfe [meaning House of Burgesses] in
Council Chamber :
Accordingly M' Speaker with the Houfe went up to attend the Governor ;
And being returned, he reported, That the Houfe had attended the Governor in the Council-Chamber, and that the Governor was pleased to make a Speech to the Council and this Houfe, of which he had, to prevent Miftakes, obtained a Copy, which he read in his Place, and afterwards delivered it in at the Table, where it was again read, and is as follows ;
Gentlemen of the Council, M' Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Houfe of Burgeffes,
I AM truly forty for the Occafion of calling you together fo fuddenly, but the un- expedted and fatal Defeat of General Braddock at Monongahela, made it abfolutely neceffary to call the Affembly, that the moft vigorous and fpeedy Efforts might immediately be exerted, to prevent the deftrudlive Effecfls of an Event, particularly threatening this Colony with the moft fatal Confequences. The Letters I received from M'' Orme, Aid de Camp to the General, and from Colonel Wafh- ington, I fliall caufe to be laid before you.Gentletnen of the Houfe of Burgeffes,
As the Road from Fort Cumberland to the Ohio is now opened, and our Enemies poffeffed of great Part of our Artillery ; this Colony is extremely laid open, and expofed to the Infults of a barbarous and inhuman Enemy, flufhed and elated with their late Succefs.
The brutal Savages who are lurking and prowling about our Habitations to perpetrate the moft cruel Outrages, have juftly fubjected themfelves to be confidered, rather as devouring Beafts of Prey, than hoftile Men:
Therefore, I hope you will think the Meafures taken by our Brethren of New-England,
expedient for your Safety alfo ; and by giving a Reward for the taking or fcalping our Indian Enemies, provide fuch an Encouragement as may induce our People to cut off the Deftroyers, before they come to execute their purpofed Villanies on our helplefs Wives, and poor defencelefs Babes after whofe Blood the infatiate Cowards thirft inceffantly.
Source:
#333-334 (p.297-298)
Notice the Lt Gov Dinwiddie mentions New England's bounties for scalps?
The article below mentions New England too.
A NOTE ON SCALP BOUNTIES IN PENNSYLVANIA By HENRY J. YOUNG
IN THE early historic period of North America, scalping, according to Mooney's account, was confined to the vicinity of the Iroquoian and Muskhogean tribes. Had it not been for the harndsomne rewards offered for scalps by the white men's governments. the vindictive and gruesome practice might never have spread. It did spread, however, over most of the United States,' and for this phenomenon the government of Pennsylvania bears a degree of historical responsibility. Just where or when a bounty for scalps was first offered, is not clear. but certainly such bounties were being offered in New England during the first half of the eighteenth century.2
"*Dr. Henry J. Young is Senior Archivist, Pennsylvania Historical and museum Commission, and he cites - James Mooney, "Scalping," Handbook of Amterican Indiamis North of ilc.rico (2 vols., Washington, 1910), II, 482-483.
Source
As you can see the Lt Gov Dinwiddie's message to the House of Burgesses mentions the New England bounty for scalps and that Virginia should follow that example and offer a bounty too.
So the August 1755 law, not August 1756 as stated by Tortora, is the first bounty for scalp law.
But Tortora is correct about increasing the bounty for scalps in the April 1757 law.
That's it.
That's our lead story.
There's always a lot.
Skip around, read bits and pieces.
Compiled and authored by Jim Moyer researched 8/7 thru 8/14/2022, last updated 8/14/2022 405 pm,
Table of Contents:
August 1755 law creating the bounty for scalps
April 1757 law increasing the bounty for scalps
September 1758 law repealing bounty for scalps
Ted Talk - Are you a Scout or Soldier?
Research Notes show the mentions of bounty requests in the Journals of the House of Burgesses.
August 1755 Law
CHAP. IV.
AnAct for preventing and repelling the hostile incursions of the Indians, at enmity with the inhabitants of this colony.
I. WHEREAS divers cruel and barbarous murders have been lately committed in the upper parts of this colony, by Indians, supposed to be in the interest of the French, without any provocation from us, and contrary to the laws of nature and nations, and they still continue in sculking parties, to perpetrate their barbarous . .
551
LAWS OF VIRGINIA, AUGUST 1755−−29th GEORGE II.
and savage cruelties, in the most base and treacherous manner, surprising, torturing, killing and scalping, not only our men, who live dispersedly in the frontiers, but also their helpless wives and children, sparing neither age nor sex; for prevention of which shocking inhumanities, and for repelling such malicious and detestable enemies,
For every male Indian scalp, above 12 years old.
II. BE it enacted by the Lieutenant Governor, Council, and Burgesses, of this present General Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same,
That the sum of ten pounds shall be paid by the treasurer of this colony, out of the public money in his hands, to any person or persons, party or parties, either in the pay of this colony, or other the inhabitants thereof; for every male Indian enemy, above the age of twelve years, by him or them taken prisoner, killed or destroyed, within the limits of this colony, at any time within the space of two years, after the end of this session of Assembly.10lbs for every male Indian scalp, above 12 years old.
How the reward may be discontinued.
III. Provided always,
That in case the present hostilities shall cease, within the said two years, and the governor, or commander in chief of this colony, with the advice of the council, shall by proclamation signify the same, and direct the said reward to be discontinued, then the said reward, shall immediately after publishing the said proclamation, cease and be discontinued accordingly: And to entitle persons to the said reward;How the reward may be discontinued.
How persons become entitled to the reward.
IV. Be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid,
That every Indian enemy, so to be taken prisoner, shall be delivered to the keeper of the public goal in the city of Williamsburg, to be by him safely kept, until discharged by the governor, or commander in chief of this colony; and the scalp of every Indian, so to be killed or destroyed, as aforesaid, shall be produced to the governor, or commander in chief, and the person or persons taking prisoner, killing or destroying such Indian enemy, shall prove by affidavits, or his or their oath, the time and place of his or their performing the same before the governor, or commander in chief, who is thereupon desired to issue his warrant to the treasurer, for paying the reward aforesaid. And for preserving the lives and friendship of such Indians, as are under the protection of, or in alliance with his majesty.How persons become entitled to the reward.
552
LAWS OF VIRGINIA, AUGUST 1755−−29th GEORGE II.
Felony to kill an Indian in alliance with his majesty.
V. Be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid,
That if any person or persons, shall within the said two years, knowingly or wilfully kill or destroy any Indian in alliance, peace and friendship with his majesty and his subjects in this colony, the person or persons so offending, shall be adjudged a felon; and shall suffer as in cases of felony: And the governor is hereby desired to notify this act to the neighbouring Indians, under the protection of, or in alliance with his majesty, as soon as conveniently may be.Felony to kill an Indian in alliance with his majesty.
Source:
13 August 1755
Before the above law was passed by the House of Burgesses and Council and agreed to by the Lt Gov, the Council's suggested amendments were rejected by the House of Burgesses. We have not found any of those admendments. In searching the Council minutes we only found a 1757 bounty to be paid to Catawbas for any enemy Indian scalps.
Here's the rejection by the the House of Burgesses of Council's amendments:
The House also proceeded to the Consideration of the Amendments, proposed by the Council, to the Bill, intituled, An Act to prevent the Cruelties and Barbarities of the Indians, at Enmity with the Inhabitants of this Colony, and the same being read, were disagreed to, by the House.
Ordered, That Mr Charles Carter do go up with a Message to the Council, and acquaint them. That this House cannot agree to the Amendments, by them proposed, to the said Bill, and desire they will pass the Bill, without the said Amendments.
Source:
#342 (p.306)
April 1757 Law
.
So let us review Tortora's claims. See this quote again.
Tortora writes,"The colony [Virginia] had instituted payment for enemy Indian scalps in August 1756, and had upped the reward in April 1757."
We determined above that the August 1756 reference should have stated August 1755.
Was Tortora right about the bounty being raised on scalps in April 1757?
Yes, Tortora's claim is correct.
The bounty reward for scalps was raised in April 1757.
CHAP. VIII.
An Act for the more effectual preventing and repelling the hostile incursions of the Indians at enmity with the inhabitants of this colony.
Reward for Indians scalps encreased.
I. WHEREAS the act of assembly
passed in the twenty-ninth year of his present majesty's reign, intituled, An Act for preventing and repelling the hostile incursions of the Indians at enmity with the inhabitants of this colony, will expire in September next, and one other act of assembly passed in the same year, intituled, An Act to amend an act, intituled, An Act for preventing and repelling the hostile incursions of the Indians at enmity with the inhabitants of this colony, which is already expired, have been found in a . .
122
LAWS OF VIRGINIA, APRIL 1757−−30th GEORGE II.
great measure ineffectual,
by reason of the small reward thereby given for prisoners and scalps, and it is necessary that a greater reward should be given for the same, Be it therefore enacted, by the Lieutenant-Governor, Council and Burgesses, of this present General Assembly, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, That the sum of fifteen pounds shall be paid by the treasurer of this colony out of the public money in his hands to any person or persons, party or parties, either in the pay of this colony or other the inhabitants thereof, or to any Indian or Indians, in friendship and amity with the inhabitants of this colony, for every Indian enemy by him or them taken prisoner within the limits of this colony, and the sum of ten pounds for every such enemy by him or them killed or destroyed within the limits aforesaid, at any time within the space of two years after the passing of this act. And to entitle persons to the said rewards,
How obtained.
II. Be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid,
That every Indian enemy so to be taken prisoner, shall be delivered to the keeper of the public goal in the city of Williamsburg, to be by him safely kept until discharged by the governor or commander in chief of this colony; and the scalp of every Indian enemy so to be killed or destroyed as aforesaid, shall be produced to the governor or commander in chief before whom the person or persons, not being an Indian or Indians, so taken prisoner, killing or destroying such Indian enemy, shall prove by affidavits or his or their oath, the time and place of his or their performing the same; and in the case of Indians, sufficient satisfaction of the time and place of the taking prisoner, killing or destroying such Indian enemy shall be given to the governor or commander in chief: And in any of the said cases the governor or commander in chief is hereby desired to issue his warrant to the treasurer , for the payment of the said rewards to the person or persons so entitled to the same.How obtained.
Further reward for Indian scalps.
III. And for a further encouragement
to persons to enter into and risque their lives in the service and defence of the country, Be it enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That for every Indian enemy so to be taken prisoner, killed or destroyed, within the time and limits aforesaid, the further reward of thirty pounds shall be allowed to the person or persons, party or parties, performing such service, which allowance to persons
123
LAWS OF VIRGINIA, APRIL 1757−−30th GEORGE II.
in the pay of this colony, or other the inhabitants thereof, shall be made by the next succeeding session of assembly, upon a certificate of the governor or commander in chief, that sufficient proof of the performance of such service had been made before him according to the directions of this act: And where such service shall be performed by any Indian or Indians, in friendship and amity with the inhabitants of this colony, the governor or commander in chief upon sufficient satisfaction to him given according to the directions of this act of the performance of such service, is hereby desired forthwith to give orders for supplying the Indian or Indians so entitled to the said last mentioned reward with goods to be paid for by the public at the next succeeding session of assembly to the amount of the sum he or they shall be so entitled to.
When to cease.
IV. Provided always, That in case the present hostilities shall cease
within the said two years, and the governor or commander in chief of this colony, by and with the advice and consent of the council, shall by proclamation signify the same, and direct the said rewards to be discontinued, then the said rewards shall immediately after publishing the said proclamation cease and be discontinued accordingly.When to cease.
Felony to kill friendly Indians.
V. And for preserving the lives and friendship of such Indians
as are under the protection of, or in alliance with his majesty, Be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons shall within the said two years knowingly and willingly kill or destroy any Indian in alliance, peace and friendship with his majesty, and his subjects in this colony, the person or persons so offending shall be adjudged a felon and shall suffer as in cases of felony, without benefit of clergy.Felony to kill friendly Indians.
VI. And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid,
That from and immediately after the passing of this act the said recited act of assembly, intituled, An Act for preventing and repelling the hostile incursions of the Indians at enmity with the inhabitants of this colony, shall be and the same is hereby repealed.
Source
Scoll down to CHAP. VIII.
September 1758 Law
Repealing bounties for scalps
Tortora writes, "The Virginia House of Burgesses repealed the scalp bounty on enemy Indians on September 28, and Fauquier gave his assent on October 12. Fauquier ordered militia captains to "act on defensive only, and to avoid as possible doing any injury to the Cherokees." But it was too, little too late. The Virginia lieutenant governor bamed the Cherokee deaths on "the Rashness of a few disorderly" Virginians. He urged the Cherokee to "call back their Parties . . . to prevent the Effusion of more Blood." He vowed, vaguely, that Virginia would "do every Thing to recover and preserve a mutual good understanding and inviolable Friendship." With some skepticism the Virginia Council hoped that he could "effect a Reconciliation."
Page 56, Carolina in Crisis: Cherokees, Colonists, and Slaves in the American .Southeast 1756-1763 By Daniel J. Tortora, published by the University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, 2015.
Henings Statutes
CHAP. VII.
Act giving rewards for Indians scalps repealed.
An Act for repealing an act, intituled, An Act for the more effectual preventing and repelling the hostile incursions of the Indians at enmity with the inhabitants of this colony.
I. WHEREAS the act of assembly, intituled, An Act for the more effectual preventing and repelling the hostile incursions of the Indians at enmity with the inhabitants of this colony, hath been found not to answer the purposes thereby intended,
Be it therefore enacted, by the Lieutenant-Governor, Council, and Burgesses, of this present General Assembly, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, That the said recited act of assembly shall be, and the same
is hereby repealed.
Source:
Ctrl F to find "scalp" or Scroll down to CHAP. VII.
Sept 14, 1758 to April 10 , 1761, Volume 9
Colonel George Washington was elected July 24, 1758 with Thomas Bryan Martin are listed as representing Frederick County
.
1st Session
page 3, Sept 14, 1758, to Oct 12, 1758
To be classed with the war meafures is an act passed in September, 1758, to repeal the law of 1755 granting rewards to persons for bringing in the scalps of Indian enemies killed within the limits of the Colony. The debates held in the Assembly were, unfortunately, never reported, and unless a bill was brought in as the refult of a petition — the main points of petitions are always given in the Journals — the reasons for the passage of the bill can, in the absence of information other than that contained in the Journals, be merely guessed at. Those bills that became laws are given in Henings " Statutes, " and, in their preambles the objects sought to be attained by those voting for them are usually fet forth. But the preamble of this particular act merely states that the law to be repealed "hath been found not to anfwer the purpofes thereby intended " — a declaration giving next to no information. When, however, we turn to the Journal for the proceedings of the day on which the bill was first introduced, though we find that the bill did not arise out of a petition, the bare record being "Upon a Motion made, Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for repealing an Act, " etc., there is described in the preceding paragraph of the Journal a transaction that is illuminative. A petition had been handed in by sundry inhabitants of Bedford County letting forth that the Cherokee Indians had committed depredations upon them, and praying that foldiers be stationed in the county for the protection of the inhabitants and that the inhabitants be allowed to retaliate on the Indians. This seemingly reasonable request was flatly refused, and no reason given. It should be remembered, however, that the Cherokees were at that time in alliance with the English and that many of them were with General Forbes on his advance
advance toward Fort Duquesne. The motive, then, prompting the House to refuse the petition was the desire to prevent the breaking of this alliance. The same motive may be given for the repeal of the law. It was, no doubt, felt that the inhabitants of the frontiers, in their desire to obtain the rewards offered, might not be careful enough to distinguish between friends and enemies and that such a want of discrimination might be destructive of the highly valued alliance. Policy, probably, rather than humanity, was behind the law.
On 28 Sept 1758,
The bill to repeal the bounty for scalps was read a 3rd and final time.
An engrossed Bill, intituled, An Act for repealing an Act, intituled. An Act for the more effectual preventing and repelling the hostile Incursions of the Indians at Enmity with the Inhabitants of this Colony, was read the third Time.
Resolved that the bill do pass.
Ordered, That Mr Cary do carry up the faid Bill to the Council for their Concurrence.
Source:
#56 (p.30)
13 August 1755
The Houfe alfo proceeded to the Confideration of the Amendments, propofed by the Coimcil, to the Bill, intituled, An Ad to prevent the Cruelties and Barbarities of the Indians, at Enmity with the Inhabitants of this Colony, and the fame being read, were difagreed to, by the Houfe.
Ordered, That M"' Charles Carter do go up with a Meffage to the Council, and acquaint them. That this Houfe cannot agree to the Amendments, by them propofed, to the faid Bill, and defire they will pafs the Bill, without the faid Amendments.
Source:
#342 (p.306)
On 12 Oct 1758,
The Lt Gov Francis Fauquier approve the 7th item on the list to be repealed. That 7th item was the bounty for scalps law, euphemistically referred to as as An Act for the more effectual preventing and repelling the hostile Incursions of the Indians.
A Message from the Governor was delivered by Mr Walthoe.
Mr Speaker,
The Governor commands the immediate Attendance of this House in the Council Chamber, and that you bring with you such Bills and Resolves as are ready for his Assent.
Mr Speaker with the House went up accordingly, and the Governor was pleafed to give his assent to the following Bills,* viz.
7. For repealing an Act, intituled,
An Act for the more effectual preventing and repelling the hostile Incursions of the Indians at Enmity with the Inhabitants of this Colony.
Source:
#71 (p.45)
Ted Talk
Are you a Scout? Or a Soldier?
Video of speech:
Transcript of that video:
So I'd like you to imagine for a moment that you're a soldier in the heat of battle. Maybe you're a Roman foot soldier or a medieval archer or maybe you're a Zulu warrior. Regardless of your time and place, there are some things that are constant. Your adrenaline is elevated, and your actions are stemming from these deeply ingrained reflexes, reflexes rooted in a need to protect yourself and your side and to defeat the enemy.
00:30 So now, I'd like you to imagine playing a very different role, that of the scout. The scout's job is not to attack or defend. The scout's job is to understand. The scout is the one going out, mapping the terrain, identifying potential obstacles. And the scout may hope to learn that, say, there's a bridge in a convenient location across a river. But above all, the scout wants to know what's really there, as accurately as possible. And in a real, actual army, both the soldier and the scout are essential. But you can also think of each of these roles as a mindset -- a metaphor for how all of us process information and ideas in our daily lives. What I'm going to argue today is that having good judgment, making accurate predictions, making good decisions, is mostly about which mindset you're in.
01:26 To illustrate these mindsets in action, I'm going to take you back to 19th-century France, where this innocuous-looking piece of paper launched one of the biggest political scandals in history. It was discovered in 1894 by officers in the French general staff. It was torn up in a wastepaper basket, but when they pieced it back together, they discovered that someone in their ranks had been selling military secrets to Germany.
01:54 So they launched a big investigation, and their suspicions quickly converged on this man, Alfred Dreyfus. He had a sterling record, no past history of wrongdoing, no motive as far as they could tell. But Dreyfus was the only Jewish officer at that rank in the army, and unfortunately at this time, the French Army was highly anti-Semitic. They compared Dreyfus's handwriting to that on the memo and concluded that it was a match, even though outside professional handwriting experts were much less confident in the similarity, but never mind that. They went and searched Dreyfus's apartment, looking for any signs of espionage. They went through his files, and they didn't find anything. This just convinced them more that Dreyfus was not only guilty, but sneaky as well, because clearly he had hidden all of the evidence before they had managed to get to it.
02:45 Next, they went and looked through his personal history for any incriminating details. They talked to his teachers, they found that he had studied foreign languages in school, which clearly showed a desire to conspire with foreign governments later in life. His teachers also said that Dreyfus was known for having a good memory, which was highly suspicious, right? You know, because a spy has to remember a lot of things.
03:12 So the case went to trial, and Dreyfus was found guilty. Afterwards, they took him out into this public square and ritualistically tore his insignia from his uniform and broke his sword in two. This was called the Degradation of Dreyfus. And they sentenced him to life imprisonment on the aptly named Devil's Island, which is this barren rock off the coast of South America. So there he went, and there he spent his days alone, writing letters and letters to the French government begging them to reopen his case so they could discover his innocence. But for the most part, France considered the matter closed.
03:51 One thing that's really interesting to me about the Dreyfus Affair is this question of why the officers were so convinced that Dreyfus was guilty. I mean, you might even assume that they were setting him up, that they were intentionally framing him. But historians don't think that's what happened. As far as we can tell, the officers genuinely believed that the case against Dreyfus was strong. Which makes you wonder: What does it say about the human mind that we can find such paltry evidence to be compelling enough to convict a man?
04:24 Well, this is a case of what scientists call "motivated reasoning." It's this phenomenon in which our unconscious motivations, our desires and fears, shape the way we interpret information. Some information, some ideas, feel like our allies. We want them to win. We want to defend them. And other information or ideas are the enemy, and we want to shoot them down. So this is why I call motivated reasoning, "soldier mindset."
04:51 Probably most of you have never persecuted a French-Jewish officer for high treason, I assume, but maybe you've followed sports or politics, so you might have noticed that when the referee judges that your team committed a foul, for example, you're highly motivated to find reasons why he's wrong. But if he judges that the other team committed a foul -- awesome! That's a good call, let's not examine it too closely. Or, maybe you've read an article or a study that examined some controversial policy, like capital punishment. And, as researchers have demonstrated, if you support capital punishment and the study shows that it's not effective, then you're highly motivated to find all the reasons why the study was poorly designed. But if it shows that capital punishment works, it's a good study. And vice versa: if you don't support capital punishment, same thing.
05:44 Our judgment is strongly influenced, unconsciously, by which side we want to win. And this is ubiquitous. This shapes how we think about our health, our relationships, how we decide how to vote, what we consider fair or ethical. What's most scary to me about motivated reasoning or soldier mindset, is how unconscious it is. We can think we're being objective and fair-minded and still wind up ruining the life of an innocent man.
06:13 However, fortunately for Dreyfus, his story is not over. This is Colonel Picquart. He's another high-ranking officer in the French Army, and like most people, he assumed Dreyfus was guilty. Also like most people in the army, he was at least casually anti-Semitic. But at a certain point, Picquart began to suspect: "What if we're all wrong about Dreyfus?" What happened was, he had discovered evidence that the spying for Germany had continued, even after Dreyfus was in prison. And he had also discovered that another officer in the army had handwriting that perfectly matched the memo, much closer than Dreyfus's handwriting. So he brought these discoveries to his superiors, but to his dismay, they either didn't care or came up with elaborate rationalizations to explain his findings, like, "Well, all you've really shown, Picquart, is that there's another spy who learned how to mimic Dreyfus's handwriting, and he picked up the torch of spying after Dreyfus left. But Dreyfus is still guilty." Eventually, Picquart managed to get Dreyfus exonerated. But it took him 10 years, and for part of that time, he himself was in prison for the crime of disloyalty to the army.
07:26 A lot of people feel like Picquart can't really be the hero of this story because he was an anti-Semite and that's bad, which I agree with. But personally, for me, the fact that Picquart was anti-Semitic actually makes his actions more admirable, because he had the same prejudices, the same reasons to be biased as his fellow officers, but his motivation to find the truth and uphold it trumped all of that.
07:55 So to me, Picquart is a poster child for what I call "scout mindset." It's the drive not to make one idea win or another lose, but just to see what's really there as honestly and accurately as you can, even if it's not pretty or convenient or pleasant. This mindset is what I'm personally passionate about. And I've spent the last few years examining and trying to figure out what causes scout mindset. Why are some people, sometimes at least, able to cut through their own prejudices and biases and motivations and just try to see the facts and the evidence as objectively as they can?
08:35 And the answer is emotional. So, just as soldier mindset is rooted in emotions like defensiveness or tribalism, scout mindset is, too. It's just rooted in different emotions. For example, scouts are curious. They're more likely to say they feel pleasure when they learn new information or an itch to solve a puzzle. They're more likely to feel intrigued when they encounter something that contradicts their expectations. Scouts also have different values. They're more likely to say they think it's virtuous to test your own beliefs, and they're less likely to say that someone who changes his mind seems weak. And above all, scouts are grounded, which means their self-worth as a person isn't tied to how right or wrong they are about any particular topic. So they can believe that capital punishment works. If studies come out showing that it doesn't, they can say, "Huh. Looks like I might be wrong. Doesn't mean I'm bad or stupid."
09:41 This cluster of traits is what researchers have found -- and I've also found anecdotally -- predicts good judgment. And the key takeaway I want to leave you with about those traits is that they're primarily not about how smart you are or about how much you know. In fact, they don't correlate very much with IQ at all. They're about how you feel. There's a quote that I keep coming back to, by Saint-Exupéry. He's the author of "The Little Prince." He said, "If you want to build a ship, don't drum up your men to collect wood and give orders and distribute the work. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea."
10:26 In other words, I claim, if we really want to improve our judgment as individuals and as societies, what we need most is not more instruction in logic or rhetoric or probability or economics, even though those things are quite valuable. But what we most need to use those principles well is scout mindset. We need to change the way we feel. We need to learn how to feel proud instead of ashamed when we notice we might have been wrong about something. We need to learn how to feel intrigued instead of defensive when we encounter some information that contradicts our beliefs.
11:04 So the question I want to leave you with is: What do you most yearn for? Do you yearn to defend your own beliefs? Or do you yearn to see the world as clearly as you possibly can?
11:18
Research notes
About the scalp of d'Ouville:
From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie [document with enclosures]
From: Washington Papers | Colonial Series | Volume 2 | From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie [document with enclosures]
1From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 7 April 1756 (Washington Papers) I arrived here yesterday and think it advisable to dispatch an Express (notwithstanding I hear...
2Enclosure: Jean-Daniel Dumas to Alexandre d’Agneau Douville, 23 March 1756 (Washington Papers) Dumas Capitaine d’infanterie Commandt—De la Belle Riviere Et ses dependances. Il Est Ordonnie au...
Source:
April 1757 April session page 413
References to "scalp" and "fcalp"
Volume 8 of Journal of House of Burgesses 1752-1755 and 1756-1758
#545 (p. 509) - 1 matching term
21 June 1752
A bunch of points.
The first shot wasnt from Chief GW and Chief Half King, it was this attack on Picklewany
Picks are a subset of the Twightwee which is the English name for the Miami
Picks is how the name Picklewany is named for
Montour several vists to 6 nations
French were going to make 4 fors in the 3 rivers area
...We fend you by our brother Burney one fcalp and a Belt of Wampum, to let you know we are more concern 'd for the lofs of our King and our brothers that were taken and kill'd than for ourf elves, altho' in great diftrefs for want of arms and ammunition ; for we muft look on ourfelves as loft, if our brothers the Englifh do not ftand by us and give us powder and lead and arms. To confirm what we fay, and to affure you we will ever continue true friends and allies to our brothers the Englifh, We fend you this Scalp;, & Belt of Wampum. P. S. There was but two French Men appeared among the Indians in time of battle, altho' we underftood there were thirty French Men within two miles of us, all the time of adtion, who were ready to receive their fhare of the plunder. ...
#29 - 1 matching term
...In order to encourage the inhabitants of the Colony to meet the Indians with their own methods of warfare and, indeed, to cut them off before they had a chance to peqjetrate their cruelties within the limits of the Colony, the Affembly, following the example fet by the people of New England, a ena(5led a law that the fum of ;^. 10 fhould be paid for the fcalp; of a male Indian enemy above the age of twelve to any inhabitant of the Col- ony. In order to gain further the good will of the friendly Indian tribes, however, it was enadled in the fame law that the malicious killing of any Indian belonging to a tribe in alliance with the Englifh fhould be treated as a felony, and the governor was defired to fend intelligence of this part of the adl to the neighboring friendly Indians. ...
#356 (p. 320) - 1 matching term
...GentletMen, I alio obferved the Reward given by the Adl "For preventing and repelling the ' 'hof tile Incurfions of Indians at Enmity with the Inhabitants of this Colony, and giving an "Encouragement of Ten Pounds for the Scalps of Indian Enemies," is confined to our own People ; I am of Opinion if this Adl was enlarged and extended, by giving our friendly Indians fome proper Encouragement to fcalp; our Enemies, it would be of great Service, for if you pleafe to obferve, our Enemies, the French, give an Encouragement to their Indians for fcalping our Fellow-Subjects, I therefore defire you will take this into your mature Confideration. ...
#545 (p. 509) - 1 matching term
...They kill'd our great Pianquifha* King, whom we called Old Britain^ for his great love to our Brothers the Englifh. BROTHER. We fend you by our brother Burney one fcalp; and a Belt of Wampum, to let you know we are more concern 'd for the lofs of our King and our brothers that were taken and kill'd than for ourf elves, altho' in great diftrefs for want of arms and ammunition ; for we muft look on ourfelves as loft, if our brothers the Englifh do not ftand by us and give us powder and lead and arms. ...
References to Indian
Volume 8 of Journal of House of Burgesses 1752-1755 and 1756-1758
#29 - 3 matching terms
...In order to encourage the inhabitants of the Colony to meet the Indians with their own methods of warfare and, indeed, to cut them off before they had a chance to peqjetrate their cruelties within the limits of the Colony, the Affembly, following the example fet by the people of New England, a ena(5led a law that the fum of ;^. 10 fhould be paid for the fcalp of a male Indian; enemy above the age of twelve to any inhabitant of the Col- ony. In order to gain further the good will of the friendly Indian; tribes, however, it was enadled in the fame law that the malicious killing of any Indian; belonging to a tribe in alliance with the Englifh fhould be treated as a felony, and the governor was defired to fend intelligence of this part of the adl to the neighboring friendly Indians. ...
#30 - 1 matching term
...The laft fuggeftion was a<5ted on adverfely the day after the opening of the feffion, the Houfe refolving that fending commiffioners could do no good, as the Colony had already raifed as many men as it was able to fupport.s^ The fuggeftion in reference to granting rewards for hoftile Indian; fcalps to friendly Indians was adopted and embodied in a law. 57 The militia law was not interfered with, but for the difciplining of the forces in the pay of the Colony, and incidentally for the punifhment of thofe harboring defert- ers, a law was paffed with which Dinwiddle expreffed himfelf as being pleafed.ss Such a law as this George Wafhington, in command of the Virginia regiment, had eameftly pleaded for.5« But probably the moft interefting law paffed at this feffion was the one to enable the people to dif charge their tobacco debts for the year 1755 in money at the rate of 16.S. 8d. for 100 lbs. of tobacco. ...
#34 - 2 matching terms
...The money having been provided for increafmg the number of troops, adls were alfo paffed looking to rendering them an effective fighting force and toward increafmg the efficiency of the militia. The reward for Indian; fcalps was increafed to fifteen pounds and the provifion of the former law making the murder of a friendly Indian; a felony was continued. Five thoufand pounds was appropriated for the eftablifhment of a governmental trade with the Indians in alliance with the Englifh, the objedl being to fumifh goods at coft and thus make it advantageous to the Indians to remain in alliance. ...
#35 - 1 matching term
...Four thoufand pounds was to be fpent in maintaining the Indians with the expedition ; and two thoufand, in the purchafe of prefents for them. This fame adl offered an additional reward of thirty pounds for fcalps of Indian; enemies. An additional tax of one fhilling was laid on each tithable in the Colony each year for four years beginning with the year 1761 ; and fimi- larly for the fame four years an additional tax of one fhilling on every hundred acres of land. ...
#181 (p. 145) - 1 matching term
...A Bill For dividing the County of Lunenburg ; was read the fecond Time, and com- mitted to M' Read, M' Robert Jones, M' Randolph, M^ Payne, M' Howard, and M'' Fry. An Account of Kenneth MacKenzie againft the Public, for Attendance on an Indian;, by his Honour the Governor's Dire<5lion, was prefented to the Houfe and received. Ordered, That the faid Account be referred to the Committee of Claims, that they do examine the Articles thereof, and report the fame, with their Opinion thereupon to the Houfe. ...
#187 (p. 151) - 1 matching term
...M' Fry, from the Committee of Claims, reported. That the Committee had had un- der their Confideration, an Account of Doctor Kenneth Mackenzie, to them referred, for Attendance on a Nottoway Indian;, by Order of his Honour the Governor, and had come to a Refolution thereupon, which he read in his Place, and then delivered in at the Table, where the fame was again twice read, and agreed to by the Houfe, as follows, Refolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That he ought to be paid the Sum of 4^. 14 5. by the Public. ...
#334 (p. 298) - 1 matching term
...The brutal Savages who are lurking and prowling about our Habitations to perpe- trate the moft cruel Outrages, have juftly fubjet^ed themfelves to be confidered, rather as devouring Beafts of Prey, than hoftile Men: Therefore, I hope you will think the Meafures taken by our Brethren of Neiv-England, expedient for your Safety alfo ; and by giving a Reward for the taking or fcalping our Indian; Enemies, provide fuch an Encouragement as may induce our People to cut off the Deftroyers, before they come to execute their purpofed Villanies on our helplefs Wives, and poor defencelefs Babes after whofe Blood the infatiate Cowards thirft inceffantly. ...
#340 (p. 304) - 1 matching term
... ( 304 ) M' Attorney prefented to the Houfe, according to Order, a Bill, To recover His Majefty's Qtiit-Rents, colleded by the Sheriffs, in a fummary Way ; and the fame was read the firft Time, and ordered to be read a fecond Time. Upon a Motion made. Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill, To regulate the Price of Indian; Corn in the prefent Scarcity; and it is referred to M' Pendleton, and M' Waller, to prepare and bring in the fame. And then the Houfe adjourned till To-morrow Morning Nine o'Clock. ...
#343 (p. 307) - 1 matching term
...Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill, For appointing an Agent; and it is referred to M' Landon Carter, M' Charles Carter, and M' Bland, to prepare and bring in the fame. A Bill, To regulate the Price of Indian; Corn in the prefent Scarcity, was read a fecond Time, and committed to M'' Lomax, M' Landon Carter, M' Pendleton, and M' Waller. The Order of the Day being read. ...
#344 (p. 308) - 1 matching term
...M' Landon Carter prefented to the Houfe, according to Order, a Bill, For appointing an Agent ; and the fame was read the firft Time, and ordered to be read a fecond Time. M' Lomax, from the Committee to whom the Bill, To regulate the Price of Indian; Corn, in the prefent Scarcity, was committed, reported. That the Committee had made an Amendment thereto ; and he read the fame in his Place, and then delivered the Bill, with the Amendment, in at the Table, where the Amendment was again twice read, and agreed to by the Hovife. ...
#345 (p. 309) - 2 matching terms
... ( 309 ) Upon a Motion made, Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill, For preventing and repelling the hoftile Incur fiois of the Indians at Enmity with the Inhabitants of this Colony; and it is referred to M' Charles Carter, to prepare and bring in the fame. An ingroffed Bill, intituled. An Ad to regulate the Price of Indian; Corn, in the prefent Scarcity, was read the third Time, and the Blanks therein filled up. Refolved, That the Bill do pafs. Ordered, That M' Pendleton do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for their Concur- rence. ...
..."fyf^;^ MESSAGE from the Council, by M' Walthoe; V A '^ That they have agreed to the Addrefs to His Majefty ; W ^^ J Alfo to the Bill, intituled. An Ad for regulating the Price of Indian; Corn '■^ in the prefent Scarcity, with an Amendment, to which they defire the Con- currence of this Houfe. The Houfe immediately proceeded to the Confideration of the Amendment, pro- pofed by the Council to the faid Bill, and the fame being read, was difagreed to by the Houfe. ...
#346 (p. 310) - 1 matching term
...A Meffage from the Council, by M' Walthoe, That they infift on the Amendment, by them propofed, and dif agreed to by this Houfe, to the Bill intituled. An Ad for regulating the Price of Indian; Corn in the prefent Scarcity, and defire that this Houfe will recede from their Difagreement to the faid Amendment. And that they have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Ad for the better Regulation and training of the Militia, with fome Amendments, to which they defire the Concurrence of this Houfe. ...
#347 (p. 311) - 1 matching term
...The Houfe proceeded to the Confideration of the Amendment infifted on by the Council, and difagreed to by the Houfe, to the Bill, intituled. An Ad for regulating the Price of Indian; Corn in the pre fent Scarcity, and the iame was read, and agreed to. Ordered, That M"' Pendleton do go up with a Meffage to the Council, and acquaint them, That this Houfe do recede from their Difagreement, to the faid Amendment. ...
#350 (p. 314) - 1 matching term
...An Ad for preventing and repelling the hoftile Incur fions of the Indians, at Enmity with the Inhabitants of this Colony. 5. An Ad to recover His Majefty' s Quit-Rents, colleded by the Sheriffs, in a fummary Way. 6. An Ad to regulate the Price of Indian; Corn, in the prefent Scarcity. 7. An Ad for prolonging the Time appointed for draunng the public Lottery. 8. An Ad for paying the Burgeffes Wages for this prefent Seffion of Affembly. ...
#356 (p. 320) - 1 matching term
...GentletMen, I alio obferved the Reward given by the Adl "For preventing and repelling the ' 'hof tile Incurfions of Indians at Enmity with the Inhabitants of this Colony, and giving an "Encouragement of Ten Pounds for the Scalps of Indian; Enemies," is confined to our own People ; I am of Opinion if this Adl was enlarged and extended, by giving our friendly Indians fome proper Encouragement to fcalp our Enemies, it would be of great Service, for if you pleafe to obferve, our Enemies, the French, give an Encouragement to their Indians for fcalping our Fellow-Subjects, I therefore defire you will take this into your mature Confideration. ...
#385 (p. 349) - 2 matching terms
...And the faid Petitioners conceiving that no Method can fo certainly and with little Expence, fecure them againft a Repetition of thefe heavy Cruelties, as a Chain of Forts extended quite a crofs the Country, for their prefent Defence, and eftablifhing a fair Trade and cultivating a Friendfhip with the feveral Indian; Nations, upon, and to the Weftward of the River Ohio, for their Prefer\'ation in Time to come, which they conceive would be the EflFe<fb of fuch a Trade and Friend- fhip, becatife thence in a few Years they might reafonably expecft fuch a ftrong Barrier of confederate Indians, would be formed in that Part, and the Continent in their Favor, as would thenceforward prevent the French from extending their own Settlements or molefting ours. The faid Petitioners therefore pray that for thefe Reafons, fuch a Chain of Forts may be erecfted, and fuch an Indian; Fa(5lory may be ef tabliflied , at fuch Places, under fuch Direction, and in fuch Method, as to this Houfe fhall appear moft conducive to guard againft future Mifchiefs, to promote the Succefs of the Common Caufe, and reftore Tranquility and Security to the Inhabitants of this Colony. ...
#413 (p. 377) - 1 matching term
...J To Henry Gains, a Foot Soldier, 8 Days, 120 To Henry Stringfellow, 13 Days, at 20 lbs. of Tobacco per Day, 260 To William Roberts, for one Horfe impreffed and employed 18 Days, appraifed 1 at 1 5 lbs. of Tobacco per Day, J ' To Francis Strother, for the fame Service, 270 To John Strother, Affignee of William Stropfhire, for the fame Service, 270 To John Strother, Affignee of James Gillifon, for the fame Service, 270 To John Strother, Affignee of Benjamin Morgan, for the fame Service, 270 To John Strother, Affignee of Robert M'Clanahan, for one Cow for the Militia, 120 700 appraifed to To William Brown, Affignee oi John Hite, for one Sheep and two Shoats, for Do. ] appraifed to ]^ i i To Do. for 591 Pounds of Flour and two Bags, for Do. appraifed to 1382 To John Strother, Affignee of Robert M'Coy, for Bread for Do. appraifed to 100 To Do. Affignee of Sarah Chefter, for one Sheep for Do. appraifed to 150 To Do. Affignee of John Hite, for ^-Barrel of Indian;-Meal, for Do. appraifed to 80 To Do. Affignee of Robert M'Coy, for one Steer for Do. appraifed to 350 To Do. Affignee of Charles Perkins, for 2^ Days, for a Waggon, Horfes and 1 Driver, appraifed 150 lbs. of Tobacco per Day, J To George Wetherall, for 5 Loaves of Bread, appraifed to 40 To Samuel Moore, for one barrel of Com, appraifed to 100 To William Roberts, for Meat and Bread, appraifed to 160 To William Johnfon, for Do. appraifed to 310 To William Duncan, for Beef, appraifed to 300 To John Strother, for Beef, Bread, Salt, and three Bags, appraifed to 510 To John Roffen, Affignee of William Jtidd, for one Horfe impreffed and em- ployed 8 Days, appraifed to 1 5 lbs. of Tobacco per Day, To William Green, Affignee of Charles Lewis, for one Cow, Weight 450 lbs. ...
#416 (p. 380) - 1 matching term
...M' Landon Carter reported, that the Committee appointed, had, according to Order, examined into the Allegations of the Petition of Samuel Overton and James Gunn, and alfo the Petition of John Allen to them referr'd ; and had agreed upon a Report, and come to feveral Refolutions thereupon, which he read in his Place, and then delivered in at the Table, where they were again twice read, and agreed to by the Houfe, as follow: It appears to us, from the Information of Major Lewis, that there were not Arms enough provided by the Public for the People that went on the Expedition; That M' Overton carried two Guns, that he borrowed, one of which, of the Value of five Piftoles, was loft by a Canoe's overfetting in croffmg a River, and the other, of the Value of two Piftoles and an Half, was, by the Direftion of Major Lewis, given to an Indian; Warrior. And it further appeared to us, that M' Overton left his Horfe, Saddle and Bridle, with a fick Man, who hath not been heard of fince, and the Horfe was then tired. ...
#418 (p. 382) - 1 matching term
...And then the Houfe adjourned till To-morrow Morning Ten o 'Clock. Saturday^ April 2 4th, 1756. S"^)}()J("*( PETITION of fundry Inhabitants of Lancafter County, praying. That Dymers ^ A ^ and Indian;-Creek Warehoufes may be put under feparate Infpeftions, was ^ww^ prefented to the Houfe, and read. Ordered, That the faid Petition be referred to the Confideration of the next Seffion of Affembly. ...
#437 (p. 401) - 1 matching term
...His Lordfhip acquaints me in that Letter, That the French, and their Indians, he apprehends, will take the important Fortrefs of Ofwego, on Lake Ontario, with all the Stores and Ammunition therein: Since the Receipt of that Letter, a Confirmation is brought of its adlually being taken, with the melancholly Circumftances attending that Affair: After the Surrender of the Fort, the inhuman Indians, with the ftill more inhu- man French, have actually cut off the Men in that Garifon, by cruelly murdering them in cold Blood, contrary to the Laws both of Nature and Nations; by which you mav obferve what is to be expedled from the Subjects of His Moft Chriftian Majefty: His Lordfhip defires me to be on my Guard againft the pernicious Confequences that may attend fuch an unhappy Event, as it will lay us ftill more open to the French Indian; Power, which we may diredtly expe(5l on our Frontiers. The Regiment in this Country's Service, under the Command of Col. George Wafhing- ton, I fuppofe are properly ftationed to refift any Invafion. ...
#438 (p. 402) - 1 matching term
...-You cannot but be further folicitous that the Royal American Regiment fliould be compleated, fmce any Deficiency in that muft be f applied, on every Occafion, with Militia Levies, to put a Stop to the Progrefs of our French and Indian; Enemies. GeiHlemen, If any indented Servants fhould inlift in His Majefty 's Ser\-ice, I am ordered to recommend to you, to make proper Provifion for repaying the Mafters of fuch Servants as fhall inlift, the Money paid by fuch Mafters on their original Contradt, in Proportion to the Time fuch indented Servants have to ferve. ...
#461 (p. 425) - 1 matching term
...That the Fees for Pilotage as eftab- lifhed by A(5l of Affembly, are not fufficient to recompence them for their Services in that Bufmefs; and praying that the Adl of Affembly for eftablifhing Pilots, and regu- lating their Fees, may be amended. Alfo a Petition of fundry Inhabitants of Lancafter County, praying that Dymers and Indian;-CvGok Warehoufes might be put under feparate Infpe<5lions. Alfo a Petition of Robert Wade, fetting forth, That the Ferriage by Law eftablifhed for the Tranfportation of Tobacco over Roanoke River, in Halifax, where he is Ferry- Keeper, is too inconfiderable to enable him to maintain the faid Ferry; and praying the Confideration of the Houfe, were feverally prefented to the Houfe and read, and referred to the Confideration of the next Seffion of Affembly. ...
#468 (p. 432) - 1 matching term
...Refolved, That the Petition of the Inhabitants of the County of Louifa, praying that »j an Expedition may be formed againft the Shawnefe and other Indian; Tribes upon, and to the Weftward of the Ohio; and that a Fadlory may be eftablifhed on fome Branch of the Miffiffippi, and a Fort be built and garifoned for its Proteftion, be rejedled. ...
#500 (p. 464) - 1 matching term
...M' Bland from the Committee of Claims, reported, that the Committee had had tmder their Confideration the Petition of John Wheatley, to them referred, and had come to a Refolution thereupon, which he read in his Place, and then delivered in at the Table, where the fame was again twice read and agreed to by the Houfe, as follows: Refolved, That the faid Joht Wheatley ought to be paid by the Public the Sum of £.31, 16/". for dieting the tributary Indians, in his Account mentioned, being at the Rate of of one Shilling a Day for each Indian; ; and the further Sum of nine Pounds two Shillings and...
#506 (p. 470) - 1 matching term
...Refolved, That fo much of the faid Propofitions as refpedls the appointing a feledl Committee in the faid Comity to infpeft into the Condudt, and to order and diredl the Military Officers and Soldiers, be rejedled. Refolvcd, That fo much of the faid Propofitions as refpecfls the eredling a Factory at the public Expence to fupply our Indian; Allies with fuch Commodities as they ftand in Need of, is reafonable. Ordered, That a Bill or Bills be brought in purfuant to the laft Refolution, and it is referred to M'' Randolph, M"" Gary, and M"' Walker, to prepare and bring in the fame. ...
Tortora writes on page 56, "The Virginia House of Burgesses repealed the scalp bounty on enemy Indians on September 28 and Fauquier gave his assent on October 12."
Tortora writes on page 56,"Fauquier ordered militia captains to "act on the defensive only, and to avoid as possible doing any Injury to the Cherokees." But it was too little, too late. The Virginia lieutenant governor blamed the Cherokee deaths on the "the Rashness of a few disorderly" Virginians. He urged the Cherokees to "call back their Parties . . . to prevent the Effusion of more Blood."
References to "scalp" but no "fcalp" found
Volume 9 of Journal of House of Burgesses 1758-1761
#54 (p. 28) - 1 matching term
A Petition of Captain James Nevill, in Behalf of him felf andthe Company under his Command,fetting forth....That on the feventh Instant they had a Skirmifh with a Party of Enemy Indians, in which one of them was killed and fcalped by the Petitioners, but that upon Application for the Reward given by Law for an Enemj^'s Scalp;, they were informed there was no Money in the Treafury, and praying the Confideration of this Houfe, was prefented to the Houfe and read. Ordered, That the faid Petition be referred to M"- Randolph, W Wilfon, and M-- Jones; That they do examine into the Allegations thereof, and report the fame, with their Opinions thereupon, to the Houfe. ...
#56 (p. 30) - 1 matching term
...M"' Randolph reported, that the Committee to whom the Petition of Captain James Nevil and others was referred, had had the fame under their Confideration, and found the Allegations thereof to be true, and had come to a Refolution thereupon, which he read in his Place, and then delivered in at the Table, where the fame was again twice read, and agreed to by the Houfe, as follows : Refolved, That the Petitioners are entitled to the Rewards allowed by Law for the Indian's Scalp; mentioned in the faid Petition. i A Meffage from the Governor was delivered by M' Walthoe. M' Speaker, The Governor has commanded me to lay before your Houfe a Letter from James Aber- cromby, Efq; inclofing an Account of Monies difburfed by him, and for Bufinefs by him done as Agent for Virginia. ...
.
.
.
References to "Indian"
Volume 9 of Journal of House of Burgesses 1758-1761
#15 - 1 matching term
...In this volume (taking both the Journals themfelves and the illuftrative material into account) the fources of information are put before ftudents that will render poffible a far more accu- rate hiftory than has hitherto appeared of what was done by the Colony of Virginia in the latter years of the French and Indian; War. 2 . Heretofore it has been the pra(5tice in thefe volumes to print the lift of members for each feffion of the Houfe of Burgeffes rather than the lift for the whole Affembly once for all. ...
#21 - 1 matching term
...The correfpondence of Colonel Byrd and General Am- herft and that of Colonel Byrd and Go\'emor Fauquier, given in the appendix to this vol- ume, tells the ftory in detail. Though peace was not made with the Indians immediately after their defeat by Colonel Grant, with this defeat the Indian; war was pra(5lically at an end. The war with the French in America had been at an end for fome months. Aifociated with the war meafures adopted by the Affembly — in fadl, a part of them — were the meafures for raifmg money. ...
#22 - 1 matching term
...To be claffed with the war meafures is an adl paffed in September, 1 758, to repeal the law of 1755 granting rewards to perfons for bringing in the fcalps oi Indian; enemies killed within the limits of the Colony. The debates held in the Affembly were, unfor- tunately, never reported, and unlefs a bill was brought in as the refult of a petition — the main points of petitions are always given in the Journals — the reafons for the paffage of the bill can, in the abfence of information other than that contained in the Journals, be merely gueffed at. ...
#24 - 1 matching term
...This, it fliould be remembered, was the era of Samuel Davies and the rapid fpread of diffent in the interior counties of the Colony, as diftin- guifhed from the frontier counties, the inhabitants of which had from the earlieft period of their fettlement been largely Diffenters. In fact, the period of the French and Indian; War is recognized by thofe who have made a ftudy of the queftion as being the one in which the fight made by Diffenters for rights of toleration was pradlically won. ...
#32 (p. 6) - 1 matching term
...A Petition of fundry Inhabitants of Prince Edward County, fetting forth, That by Reafon of the great Drought but httle Tobacco or Grain will be made in that County this Year, and praying that an A6t may pafs to ftate the Price of their public Taxes payable in Tobacco at 12s. 6d. per Hundred, and to prohibit all Perfons from demanding more than 2S. per Bufhel [for Wheat, and 8s. per Barrel for Indian; Com or other Grain, was prefented to the Hotife and read. Ordered, That the faid Petition do lie on the Table. Several Claims of William Robins, David Via, William Price, David Smith, William Robert f on, and Stephen Garrett, for taking up Runaways therein mentioned, were feverally prefented to the Houfe and received. ...
#63 (p. 37) - 1 matching term
...That there alfo remains in the Treafurer's Hands a Balance of ^£7,255, 6s. iid. for the feveral Treafury Notes emitted over and above the Sum of £8,846, 7s. 7d. referved for the Redemption of the old Notes bearing Intereft, and ;{^6,48i, iis. 4d. referved for the Redemption of the burnt Tobacco Notes not yet taken in. The Sum of £3,500, the Balance due to the Commiffioners for the Indian; Trade. £3,275, os. lod. the Balance of the Fund given to the Rangers. And £19, 5s. 8d. Balance of the Money given to pay Arrears. That it appears to the Committee that of the £40,000, Treafury Notes credited in a former Accoimt, the Siam of £1,395, 17s- ^^- never was emitted. ...
#81 (p. 55) - 1 matching term
...It gives me the greatest Pleafure that I can open this Seffion of Affemhly with my Con- gratulations to you on the happy Event of the Surrender of Fort Du Quefne to his Majefty's Forces, under the Command of Brigadier-General Forbes; An Event of the iitmoft Impor- tance to this Colony, as it brings with it the Advantages of opening an Intercourfe of Friend- fhip and Commerce with the Weftern Indian; Nations on the Banks of the Ohio, and puts his Majefty in Poffeffion of a very extenfive, fine and fertile Trad of Country. It is a Duty we owe to his Majefty, to ourfelves, and our Pofterity, that we fhould ufe our beft Endeavours, and take the ftrongeft Precaution to keep our Poffeffion of thefe Benefits uninterrupted. ...
#103 (p. 77) - 1 matching term
...And then the Houfe adjourned till Monday Morning Eleven "'Clock. yCioxibaY, t^e 5tb of !fttarcl)» 32 Cbio. II. 1759. MR Cabbell prefented to the Houfe, according to Order, a Bill To regulate the Price of Indian; Com in the prefent Scarcity, and the fame was read the firft Time, and ordered to be read a fecond Time. A Claim of John Burnett, for taking up a Runaway therein mentioned, was prefented to the Houfe and received. ...
#104 (p. 78) - 1 matching term
...It would argue the higheft Vanity in me to imagine that any Perfuafions I could ufe to a brave, free, and loyal People, could add any Weight to the Defires of a King, who, by extending his Care equally over all his SubjeAs, is defervedly become the great Objed of their Affedions; notifyed by a Minifter of known Integrity and Zeal for the Welfare of the American Colonies, and recommended by a General of experienced Valor, Prudence, and Adivity; all tending to the great Point of feciiring this and the neighbouring Colonies from any future Encroachments and Difturbances from the French and their Indian; Allies. N otwithftanding this Convidion, I fhould be deficient in the Duty I owe to his Majefty, if I did not, in the warmeft Manner, recommend to you to exert your utnioft Force and Strength on this Occafioii: The Fir ft, in which I have been required to ufe any Endeavours to influence your Adions, fince the Appointment I am honored tvith to take upon me the Adminiftration of your Affairs. ...
#114 (p. 88) - 1 matching term
...A 5i7/ To dock the Intail of certain Lands whereof Tunftal Banks is feized, and for fettling other Lands, and certain Slaves therein mentioned, of greater Value, to the fame Ufes, was read a fecond Time, and committed to M' Braxton and the Members for King William and Caroline. A Bill To regulate the Price of Indian; Com in the prefent Scarcity, was read a fecond Time. Ordered, That the faid Bill be engroffed, and read a third Time. A Bill For compleating the Regiment in the Pay of this Colony to One Thoufand Men, to be continued in the Service until the Firft Day of December next; and for raifing the Sum of ;£26,298. 17.8, for recruiting, clothing, fubfifting, and providing for the fame, was read a fecond Time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the whole Houfe. ...
#120 (p. 94) - 1 matching term
...M"' Robin f mi, from the Committee appointed, prefented to the Houfe, according to Order, a Bill For vefting certain Lands, belonging to the Pamunkey Indians, in Truftees, to be leafed out for their Benefit, and the fame was read the firft Time, and ordered to be read a fecond Time. An engroffed Bill, intituled. An Ad to regulate the Price of Indian; Corn, in the pre- fent Scarcity, was read the third Time and the Blanks therein filled up. Refolved, That the Bill do pafs. Ordered, That M'' Cabbell do carry up the faid Bill to the Council for their Concur- rence. ...
#142 (p. 116) - 1 matching term
...That burnt Tobacco Notes, not yet taken in, amount to £4996 ; and there is in the Treafurer's Hands, of the Fund appro- priated for their Redemption, £4590. 7. 8, the faid Fund being deficient the Sum of ;^405. 12.4. That there ftill remains in the Treafurer's Hands the Sum of ^£3500 the Balance due to the Commiffioners for the Indian; Trade, as mentioned in the former Accounts. That there hath come to the Treafurer's Hands for the Duty on Tobacco in 1758, and for the Land and Poll Tax in the faid Year, and fome Arrears of the Years 1756 and 1757, the Sum of £2i,-jgS. 18, which remains for the Redemption of the Treafury Notes redeemable in the Year 1 765. ...
#160 (p. 134) - 1 matching term
...The Sums already fpent in ereding that For- trefs will be entirely thrown away, as the Fort niuft fall to Ruins, if the Works are not pre- ferred from the Damages of the Seafons, by being properly finifhed. If you confider the Importance of this Poft, either as a Magazine, or as a Depofitory of Indian; Goods, or as a Protedion from thofe People, if they fhould again dare to moleft us: If you could fee the For- wardnefs it is in, and the little there is wanting to complete it, I am confident you would unanimoufly concur with me in the Ufefulnefs of what I recommend to you. ...
#190 (p. 164) - 1 matching term
... [ i64 ] Refolved, That the faid Bill be rejeAed. Upon a Motion made, Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill, For direfting the Truftees of the Indian; Fa(5lory of Virginia to fell the Goodo, imported by them, and to pay the money arifing by fuch Sale into the Treafury, for the ufe of the Publick ; and it is referred to M'^ Bland, to prepare and bring in the fame. ...
#191 (p. 165) - 3 matching terms
...Ordered, That the faid Petition be referred to the Confideration of the next Seffion of Affembly. M"' Bland prefented to the Houfe, according to Order, a Bill, For direding the Truf- tees of the Indian; Fadtory of Virginia to fell the Goods imported by them, and to pay the Money arifmg by fuch Sale into the Treafury, for the Ufe of the Publick ; and the fame was read the firft Time, and ordered to be read a fecond Time. ...
...Ordered, That M"' Charles Carter do cany up the faid Bill to the Council for their Concurrence. Upon a Motion made, A Bill For directing the Truf tees of the Indian; Fadlory of Virginia to fell the Goods 27 imported by them, and to pay the Money arifmg by fuch Sale into the Treafury, for the Ufe of the Publick, was read a fecond Time. ...
...M"' Pendleton prefented to the Houfe, according to Order, a Bill, For paying the Bur- geffes Wages in Money for this prefent Seffion of Affembly ; and the fame was read the firft Time, and ordered to be read a fecond Time. An ingroffed Bill, intituled, An Ad for direding the Truftees of the Indian; Fadory of Virginia to fell the Goods imported by them, and to pay the Money ariflng by fuch Sale into the Treafury, for the Ufe of the Publick, was read a third Time. ...
#193 (p. 167) - 2 matching terms
... [ i67 ] Ordered, That the faid Petition be referred to the Confideration of the next Seffion of Affembly. A Meffage from the Council by M"' Walthoe, That they have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Adl to direft the Truftees of the Indian; Fa(5tory of Virginia to fell the Goods imported by them, and to pay the Money arifmg by fuch Sale into the Treafury, for the U£e of the Publick. ...
...An Ad for granting the fum of twenty thoufand pounds for the farther fecurity and protedion of this colony. 2. An Ad for direding the truftees of the Indian; fadory of Virginia, to fell the goods imported by them, and to pay the money arifing by fuch Sale into the Treafury for the Ufe of the Publick. 3. ...
#263 (p. 237) - 1 matching term
...Refolved, That the Petition of Gabriel Jones, John Maddifon, Thomas Lewis and Clement Reade, to be paid for their Trouble and Expenfes as Commiffioners for fettling the Militia and Indian; Accounts, is reafonable ; and that they ought to be allowed the 's following Sums for the fame, viz. the faid Gabriel Jones, John Maddifon and Thomas Lewis, the Sum of £2^ each ; and the faid Clement Reade the Sum of £30. ...
#276 (p. 250) - 1 matching term
...That there remains in the Treafurer's Hands ;£io2 7. 14. 8 of the Money referved for the Redemption of the old Notes bearing Intereft, fo many of the faid Notes remain- ing ftill out. That there ftill remains in the Treafurer's Hands £2500, the Balance due to the Commiffioners for the Indian; Trade. That there remains in the Treafurer's Hands £27738. 00. 2 for Bills of Exchange drawn on James Abercrombie Efq ; purfuant to Adls of Affembly. ...
#281 (p. 255) - 1 matching term
...M' Speaker, Colonel Byrd being juft arrived, and acquainting me it is General Amherft's fpecial Requeft that this Government fhould raife joo Men more (to be clothed, armed and vidualled, at the Expenfe of the Crown) to chaftife our Indian; Enemies, I earneftly recommend the fame to the immediate Confideration of your Houfe. «B And the faid Meffage was read, and ordered to be referred to the Confideration of of a Committee of the whole Houfe immediately. ...
#289 (p. 263) - 1 matching term
...Fort Loudon June 22 1758 Upper Cherokees Whereas M"^ George Turner' was fent by his Excellency the Earl of Loudon to the Cherokee Nation to foUicit as large a Number of thofe Indians as poffible to joyn the troops in the Frontiers of Virginia and Whereas the Little Carpenter, Great Warriour and feveral head men Promifed to go with him with a large body till the very day appointed which was the 21^' of June 1758, that then at a meeting at Choieet, they faid it was the opinion of their Conjurors, that there wou'd be much Sicknefs and Death attend them, and that they refufed to go till the Fall, that the faid M' Turner much amazed at this treatment told them that he fhou'd hardly be credited on his bare report of this and therefore defired that the head men wou'd Come the next day to the Fort, and give this ' John Hunter, of Hampton, was colonel of the Elizabeth City militia anil aUo commiffary for the Virginia troops. ' George Turner was a well-known Indian; agent. 3 A Cherokee town near Fort Loudoun....
#290 (p. 264) - 1 matching term
... ' Atta-cuUa-cuUa, or the Little Carpenter, was one of the principal chiefs of the Cherokee nations. He was concerned in making treaties with North and South Carolina about the beginning of the French and Indian; War. He received Andrew Lewis with kindnefs when he came in 1756 to build Fort Loudoun. Atta-cuUa-culla was in general friendly to the Englifh. and when Fort Loudoun fell in 1760 he enabled Captain Stuart to efcape. 3 Old Hop, or Oconoftata, was one of the moft famous Cherokee chiefs, and an enemy to the Englifh. ...
#296 (p. 270) - 1 matching term
...I fhall be ' Thomas BuUetl was appointed an enfign in Wafhington's regiment in 1754 and later in the fame year became a lieutenant. He rofe to the rank of captain in the French and Indian; War, and ferved with the fame rank in Dunmore's War and the Battle of Point Pleafant....
#301 (p. 275) - 1 matching term
...Walker was appointed by Virginia a commiffioner, along with Andrew Lewis, to treat with the Six Nations at Fort Stanwi.x, New York, in 1 768. He was alfo an Indian; commiffioner for Virginia in 1777. He was a member of the Vigrinia Houfe of Burgeffes in 1775 and was put on the fecond Committee of Safety, He was one of Virginia's commiffioners in 1778 to complete the running of the boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina. ...
#306 (p. 280) - 1 matching term
...Camp at Pittf burgh 08' 29, 1759. Sir, I rec'd the honor of your letter, and would have been under the greateft obligation for your fentiments on the Indian; Trade. There are proper regulations wanting to make it ufeful and profitable for us, and a manner is wanting to make it agreable and eafy to the Indians. ...
#307 (p. 281) - 1 matching term
...Stephen : which, as it contains fome minute particulars of points of confequence, I ha^'e choofe to communicate to your Right Hon**'® Board in the words of the Writer. By it you may obferv'e I\Iy Lords, that the affair of the Indian; FuiT Trade, if not prevented, may again prove a bone of contention between this Colony and Penfylvania. The fureft way to ftop any ill confequences that may arife from fuch a contention, appears to me to be to fettle the determination of the Boundary -line of Penfylvania which is to run 5 degrees due Weft from Neivcaftk'. ...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Bounties
#35 - 1 matching term
....* " The two thoufand men were to be exclufive of the three companies of rangers in the pay of the Colony. The men needed to bring the exifting force up to two thoiifand in number were to be raifed by voluntary enliftment, a bounty; of ten pounds being promifed to each perfon who would enlift. This force was to be united to the force to be fent to the affiftance of the Colony, and might be marched, if neceffary, beyond the borders of Virginia. ...
#41 (p. 5) - 1 matching term
...The Mind is happy under their Influence; and their Influence for that Reafon, is continually gaining new Strength : So that our European Neighbours, who are fettled to the Southward and Northward of us, would never be able to inflame the Indians againft us, if the Advantage of mutual Bounty;, Gratitude, and public Faith, oppofed their Attempts. They have been long endeavouring to fpirit up the Indians that are in Amity with us, to the Breach of their Faith, with a View to poffefs, and fettle the interior Parts of America, the Back of our Frontier Settlements to the Weftward. ...
#542 (p. 506) - 1 matching term
...IT is a great Pleafure to me, that I ha\-e now an Opportunity of acquainting his Majefty of this frefh Inftance of your Duty, Loyalty, and Gratitude, to the beft of Kings, in this ready and liberal Supply you have now (though under unhappy Circumftances) raifed on this important Occafion. Your extended Bounty; to the Men will, I hope, expedite the raifmg our New Regiment with good Dif patch; and I muft recommend it to you to be affifting therein, with your Influence and Authority. ...
.
Footnotes?
Boring? But that is where all the action is. Are you a scout wanting to verify? Or are you a soldier wanting to believe?
See that Ted Talk on Are you a Scout or a Soldier? That video is worth watching.
Run down that footnote and you will sometimes find how flimsy the claim may be. You might even find an outright mistake by the author citing his source.
The modern practice has gotten less stringent on citing a source for every claim.
Published research in the 1940s show footnotes on the bottom of the page. Douglas Southall Freeman's volumes on George Washington are a great example of this format.
Modern practice moved the footnote to the back of the book.
And even moreso lately, the footnotes are gone. They are replaced by an appendix mentioning pages of each chapter listing sources.
Often you will see one footnote for a whole paragraph of claims. Only one footnote shows at the end of the paragraph.
Which claim is the footnote backing up?
Is the footnote going to backing up all claims in that paragraph?
What do you find?
Often that footnote doesn't back up all those claims and maybe none of the claims.
To be fair, on large histories, there's a lot of detective work to run down. That would stall the author getting his work completed.
At some point the author has to decide on a cutoff point.
To run down every rabbit hole of history is endless, so on some footnotes, authors are content just to echo another author's findings without researching how that author made that claim.
Do the research on enough footnotes and you will be amazed how often what you read was really never researched properly.
Even here, I will try to mention where I cut off further research.
Absence of evidence does not mean evidence of absence. It just means you might find evidence later. Or it just means you might not. Or it just means the writer of this blog, did not find the evidence or failed to find the evidence that exists :)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
