If the Indians should agree to assist us in our enterprizes, they will throw themselves imediately upon me for their maintainance, which will be daily a verry great Expence. If the measures agreed upon against the French, of which in my principal Speech I shall give them some general Notices, should be laid aside, depend upon it, we shall loose them for ever, nay I fear if we are not successful their opinion of us will be verry fatal for our Interest. If on the Contrary we should chastize the Insolence of the French, drive them from their Encroachments and maintain our Conquests, I dare prophecy w^^ common prudence on our side, the French will not rule a Nation of Indians on the Continent, and the

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 665

Inhabitants of these Colonies .will reap a tliousand fold for their present Expences, and enjoy their possessions in uninterupted security.

GENL. JOHNSON TO GOV. DELANCEY.

Sir

This morning I was favoured with your Honours Letter bearing .date the 19 Inst.

At this time it would be to the last Degree Imprudent to communicate Gov"". Glens Letter to the Six Nations. I dread the matters contained therein coming to their knowledge, as it would totally overset all our present measures with them & give the French a handle to set them against the English. Two Mohocks & Four Oneidas went with the half King when he left these parts & I much fear those are the people destroyed. I hope no certain account of it will come to them yet a while & then we may be able to take the proper steps with them in regard to this unlucky accident.