Our five Nations are very uneasy & many who were y^. first and pr .ncipal Settlers at Swegatsy, are returning to their respective Villages, and seem to have much the Spirit of resentment in them that the French should pffer, to take possession, or Settle & Build Forts at Ohio, without their Consents, as they look upon it as their property, and many of them are now Eager to take up the Hatchet, and if they were a little Spirited and Assiste(J by us, would soon with the assistance of their Allies, frustrate the Scheme of the French PoUticians^ in their Intended Settlements, which if we tamely suffer, we may bid Adieu to all the Indians on the Continent as they will be y® Masters of them all, and '\ni Consequence will be a Continual Annoyance and Encroachment on our Frontiers, as there is no doubt but they will extend their Dominions in America as far as possible, and no\s

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 627

seems the verry Crisis of time to gain the Indians or for ever loose them, if I hear any thing further Conscerning this Army shall not fail to Communicate it to you at all opportunitys.

B: S--

MR. WOODBRIDGE TO COL JOHNSON.

Albany June ye 26th 1753. Honourable Sir. --

When I had the pleasure of waiting on you at your Seat M' Hawley & I propos'd our designs and desired your advice and patronage respecting the same, we was not insensible of youi influence with the western tribes of Indians, & their dependance on you. Under a view of these things, we look'd on it as a duty, and a necessary point, to lay our designs of propogating the gospel among the Indians before you : and we look'd on it favourable, that you was pleas'd to countenance the business that we were engaged in, when we came to treat with the Indians, and mentioned that difficulty that would probably impede, the success of the gospel among thern, (viz) their intemperate, use of Strong Lyquors, and in their reply to that paragraph, they delivered the following words, and a belt of wompom.