That they are continually drawing off the Indians from the British Interest and have lately persuaded one half the Onondaga Tribe with many from the other Nations along with them, to remove to a place called Oswegachie on the River Cadaraqui where they have built them a Church and Fort; and many of the Sennecas the most numerous Nation, appear to be Wave ing and rather inclined to the French And it is a Melancholly Consideration that not more than 150 Men of all the Several Nations have attended this Treaty altho' they had Notice that all the Governments would be here by their Commissioners and that a large present would be given.

That it is the evident design of the French to Surround the Brittish Colonies, to fortifie themselves on the back thereof, to take and keep Possession of the Heads of all the important Rivers, to draw over the Indians to their Interest and with the help of such Indians added to such Forces as are already arrived and may

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 609

hereafter be sent from Europe, to be in a Capacity of making a General Attack on the Several Governments; and if at the same time a Strong Naval Force be sent from France, there is the utmost Danger that the whole Continent will be Subjected to that Crown, and that the Danger of such a Naval Force, is not merely imaginary, may be Argued from past Experience, for if it had not been for the most Extraordinary Interposition of Heaven every Sea port Town on the Continent in the Year 1746. might have been ravaged and destroyed by the Squadron under the Command of the Duke de Anville, notwithstanding the then declining state of the French and the very flourishing State of the British Navy and the farther advantage accruing to the English from the possession of Cape Breton.