An Engineer is of equal if not greater necessity, who should without loss of time take a view of the Artillery &<^. & make his report to me.

I hope Sir you will without Delay take the necessary measures upon these Articles.

I am u.

Albany 29 May most respectfully

1755 Sir your Honours

most obedt & most To the Hon^ie hum Serv'

James DeLancey Esq' &c. &«. W". Johnson.

I dont write Govern'^. Shirley on those Heads, as there is at present no direct opertunity.

656 MANUSCRIPTS OF

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

Sir

Seth the Head Sachein of the Indians living near Shohary, and the leading Sachems of the upper and lower Mohoek Castles have made hea^^ Complaints to me of the white People in those Parts Selling Ruin to the Indians, represented the ill Consequences thereof, and prayed tkit it may be prevented.

Your Honour I persuade myself is sensible, this Selling of Rum to the Indians has been ever attended with fatal Consequences to the publick Interest with them, and at this Juncture, must be more then commonly detrimental ;

If an act of the Legislature cannot be obtained to prohibit this Sale of Rum to the Indians without any Limitation of Time, I do in the most earnest manner request your Honour, that you will apply to the Assembly to form an Act with such Pains, & Penalties, against this Sale of Rum to the Indians, during the present Situation of publick affairs, as may be (so far as possible:) effectual to prevent it. Unless such a Law is made, and the observance of it secured in the strongest manner, the General Interest in my humble opinion, will infallibly suffer, and those measures now in agitation for the Honour of his Majesty's Crown, and the Security & Welfare of his Subjects in these Parts, be