That if the Interview lately intended had taken Place I proposed then to have taken the Hatchet out of their Hands which was given them to use against the French But being prevented by the Reasons before mentioned have thought proper to commissionate you to meet them at that Place in order to perform that Ceremony which you are to do accordingly and in the strongest Terms to return them thanks for the Assistance they gave their Brethren in the late War.

And whereas their appears at this time some uneasiness among the Mohawk Nations you are to use your utmost Endeavours to appease the same and to urge whatever Arguments you shall think may have a tendency to restore them to good Temper. And Lastly your are further \.o act and do herein as you shall in

630 MANUSCRIPTS OF

your best Judgment think will be most conducive to his Majesty's Service and most efTectually answer the Intention of this Meetinti; Given at Fort George in New York the fifth day of July 1753.

LETTER FROM COL. JOHNSON,

WITH HIS PROCEEDINGS AT A CONFERENCE WITH THE MOHAWKS &.t

Mount Johnson September 24 : 1753

May it please your Y' Excellency

I arrived three days ago from Onondaga, and Agreeable to you) orders have transcribed what passed there between me, and the Six Nations, which I take this opertunity (by Doctor Shuckburgh) to lay before Your Excellency, together with what I said to the Mohawks, & their answer. I mett some French Men there and examined what Pass they had from the Governour of Canadas which I found only allowed them to purchase Ginseng for an established Company of Merchants -- peculiar for that Comodity. They told me there were above twenty sails of transports arrived in Canada this Summer, with People to Settle towards Ohio and that several more were Expected at Mississipi among whom they supposed there would be a number of Swiss, this being the most Material, beg leave to refer You to the Doctor for other Occurrences I am