And when we recollect the Attempts which have lately been made to withdraw them from the British Interest, We cannot but be greatly concerned and Surprized, that the Province of New York should have been so inattentive to the General Interest of his Majesties Subjects in America, as well as to their owti Particular Security, as to have given Occasion to the Complaints made by the Indians; But we are still more Surprized at the manner in which these Complaints were received. The Dissatisfactory answers given to the Indians, and at their being Suffered to depart, (tho' the Assembly was then sitting) without any Measures taken to bring them to temper or to redress their Complaints

This being the light in which we see this Affair, We thmk it for his Majesties Service that you should take the very first opportunity of representing to the Council and Assembly in the Strongest manner of how great Importance it is to the province of New York to preserve the Friendship and Affection of the Indians and the fatal Consequences which must inevitably follow from a Neglect of them, that you should press them to join with and support you HI every measure you shall find it necessary to pursue, in Order to

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 557

fix them on the British Interest, more especially by making proper Provision for presents for them, which joined to the presents Allowed by his Majesty, and which you will receive by this Conveyance, may serve to facilitate this great End, and to wipe away all Remembrance of that neglect the Indians now complain of. As a speedy Interview with the Indians is from their present Disposition become the more necessary You will no doubt think it proper to Advise with the Council as to the time and place of Meeting the Indians, in which points We trust you will have a due regard to their Convenience and as it Appears from their Complaints, that Albany which has been the usual place of Meeting is Obnoxious to them, You will if you find Sufficient Foundation for this Complaint, appoint some other place you shall think more for their Ease and Satisfaction, And we observe from a Report of the Council and Assembly to M'' Chnton that Onondaga is proposed as the most proper place.