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.

I am considerable enough to have Enemies & to be envied. I

646 MANUSCRIPTS OF

have been Informed that Gen'. Shirlty & some other Persons have censured my Conduct suice I have had the honour to superintend Indian AlTairs, the unfaverable Terms I have been on with that Gent", his causeless Jealousies & his unmerited Resentment, with some other Grounds, give me reason to suspect, my Management has been or may be misrepresented to your Lordships or perhaps some of His Majestys Administration, hence it came, that some parts of the second section take more notice of me than perhaps might otherwise have been needful.

That of a Fixt Fund I must beg to press on your Lordships as a Point absolutely necessary for carrying on Indian Affairs, so as to put them upon a solid footing & extend them to these beneiicial purposes without a steady & connected view to w^^ I would neither chuse to dispose of the pubUc money, nor continue in the Administration of these Affairs, a precarious Fund may not only fail at a critical Juncture but be attended with Obstructions almost equally fatal ; I am willing to be under the severest checks & this with regard to my uprightness in money matters w^h even mistrust itself can suggest, for my motives in pushing these points, are the nature of the service & the good of the public.