Sometime ago the King our Father sent a present to the Governor of Virginia, who sent a Messenger to the Six Nations that we should come down to Virginia and receive it, but we could not come ; We have since been informed that the present was sent to Ohio, (the Speaker then proceeded to repeat the Substance of what was said to them Yesterday on the part of the Govermn's of Virginia and Pensylvania by their Interpreter M' Weiser.)

We allow that the Road from Pensylvania to Ohio is no new Road but has been travelled these 30 years by the Traders

We thank the Governor of Virginia for assisting the Indians at Ohio who are our Relations and Allies, And we approve of the Governor of Pensylvania's not having hitherto intermeddled in this affair. He is a wise and prudent man and will know his own time.

We return the Governor of New York and all the other Governments our most hearty thanks (here the Speaker made bows to his Honor and all the Commissioners) for the promise of protection given us of our Lands and the Acknowledgment that the right of selling it is in \is. (Gave a Belt)

sir william johnson. 591

Bretheren

We put. you in mind in our former Speech of the defenceless state of your Frontiers particularly of this City, of Schenectady and of the Country of the Five Nations.

You told us Yesterday you were consulting about securing both yourselves and us -- We beg you will resolve upon something Speedily -- You are not safe from danger one day--The French have their Hatchet in their hands both at Ohio and in two places in New England -- We dont know but this very Night they may attack us. One of tli£ principal reasons why we desire you will be speedy in these matters is, that since Collo Johnson has been in this City, there has been a French Indian at his House, who took measure of the Wall round it, and made very narrow Observations on every thing there abouts.