What you say is a great surprise to us, we all know that for 5 years past, in the Face of all the Six nations, in open Day light, the French have been marching Troops into that country which we ever did and do still acknowledge to belong to you, tho' within Your Father the King of Great Britains Dominions, and under his Protection, and the French did pubUsh every where their designs to Build Forts and drive away the English Traders : and they did carry them into Execution, by seizing the Traders and did last year actually build two Forts in that Country.

But we never heard Notwithstanding these open Hostalities of the French, that ever Virginia or Pensylvania sent one Soldier or Built one House for their or your Protection, till this present year.

It is fortunate that M'", Weiser who transacts the publick business of Virginia and Pensylvania with your nations, and is one of your Council and knows these matters well, is now present. Hear the account he gives and that will set this matter in a true light.

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 586

M*", Weistr was to say as follows. " Brethren

The Road to Ohio is no new Road, it is an Old and frequented Road. The Shawanese and Delawares removed thither above thirty years ago from Pensylvania, ever since which that road has been travelled by our Traders at their Invitation, and always with safety, untill within these few Years that the French with their usual faithlessness sent armies there, threatened the Indians and obstructed our Trade with them.