Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II

Secratary Pownalls Letter to me bearing date the 9 October, v,'hich your Lordships directed him to write.

I think myself extreamly happy that my Endeavours for Hi^ Majestys Service in Indian Affairs have met with your Lordships Approbation ; to receive the assurances thereof in M"". Powrials Letter before me by Direction from your Lordships, is an honour w^h I not only highly prize but animates me with the ambition of retaining & improvimg your Lordships favourable Dispositions towards me.

I have read & considered the copy of the Instructions given to Sir Charles Hardy our present Governer upon the complaints of the Indians relative to their Lands. Tho I am fully assured of that Gentlemans sincere & disinterested Inclinations to exert the powers entrusted with him in executing these Instructions to the full extent of his authority, Yet I conceive that will be ineffectual without an Act of the Legislature of this Province to destroy the Patents complained of. Whether such an Act can or will be obtained, I very much doubt.

But on this point in general, as well as to my Sentiments upon the important Subject of the British Indian Interest & that more particularly as it relates to the Northern Confederacy, I beg leave to refer your Lordships to the Papers I herewith transmit you. As my Administration of Indian affairs makes one whole Section in these Papers, & is put in the light of a Justification, your Lordships will permit me to give you the reasons for my name being so frequently mentioned therein.