The Governor of Virginia finding the French still continuing their Hostilities sent Commissioiiers in 1751 to the Indians at Ohio and delivered them the Kings present, and by a Belt of wampum proposed, that a strong House might be built near the Mouth of Mohongakela for their mutual protection. The Indians made answer, that they were well pleased with the proposal and would send that Belt to Onondaga, and join one of their o\ra to it. Nothing was heard of this Belt ; and the last year the French invaded the country of Ohio with a strong hand, whereupon the Indians residing there your Flesh and Blood, sent repeated messages to the Governor of Virginia, to send his Young Men to their assistance. But he being a Person of great forethought and prudence, still forebore to do it ; and instead thereof sent two Messages by M^. Andrew Montour to Onondaga, for your advice how to act It happened that no Council could be Called at either time. The Chiefs of Onon-

586 MANUSCRIPTS OF

daga desired M'". Montour to tell their Brother the Governor of Virginia, to act cautiously and let the French strike the first blow.

The French then coming nearer and nearer Tanacharisson (otherwise called the half King) was sent to them by the united nations at Ohio together with the Shawanese & Delawares, to forewarn them off their Land. In the mean time other Chiefs of these several nations came to Virginia and Pensylvania, and told us what they had agreed upon in Council ; to wit, that they (the rest of their Chiefs,) should come to us and desire us to call our people from over the Allegheny Hills, to prevent Bloodshed between the English and French. But when these Indians returned, and found that the French paid no regard to their warning, but told them possitively that if they opposed their taking possession of that country, they would cut them off.