My attention to my estate and every other Improvement of my private Fortune, have been & must be if I continue laid aside as far as they relate to my personal application. I am if I continue in the administration of them, determined to devote my time & Labours wholly to Indian affairs. At all meetings either at my House or elsewhere, not only the officers belonging to this service but many other Persons who generally attend on these occasions are entertained at my Expence, & when the meeting is at Onondaga or Osswego the Expences are increased the journey is long and very fatiguing.

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 647

\fy Lords

A Thousand Pounds sterling p annum I do assure your Lordships will not be Equivalent for the advantages I give up -- & the additional Expences this Employment will put me to. And here my Lords I crave the honour to introduce the Secretary for Indian affairs, he hath applied himself for some years with great Dilligence & with answerable sucess to make himself master of the Department to w^^, jjis Majesty's Commission appointed him. I am fully convinced from my Experience of his assistance and Behaviour that no Person I know of is more equal or worthy of this Employment, his abilities, the Importance & fatigue of the office do in my opinion deserve ^£200 - p Annum sterling with an allowance for a Clerk and other charges.

Upon these Points both with regard to M^. Wraxall & myself I do not chuse to apply to General Shirley for as M^ Wraxall sign manual is in the form of it not adapted to the present administration of Indian affairs, I hope your Lordships will judge it proper that both of us may be honoured with special commissions from His Majesty, provided Indian affairs continue in the channel which is at present favoured with your Lordships approbation, when our salarys may be determinately fixt.