From the weakness of the public influence of this Colony over the confederate nations ; from the superior activity, attention and artful conduct of the French, the British Interest hath been long declining amongst these Indians.

From informations confirmed by my own observations and experience, I am convinced that several of the most leading Men in the upper Nations of this confederacy, had entered into engagements with the French, and would speedily have effected a general defection from us to them and joined the French against us, and I fear their example would have produced a total destruction of our interest amongst the confederate Nations.

I think 1 can now take upon me to assure your LordPP^ there are very few, I hope none amongst the whole confederacy, who in the present disputes between the French and our Crown, do not ancerely wish us success and are disposed to assist our arms. I hope in a few weeks they will demonstrate this their present temper of mind by their actions. If we continue to exert ourselves with the spirit which seem at present to cnimate us, should be successful, and right measures are pursued with regard to Indian affairs, I doubt not but the ambitious and deep laid

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 673

schemes of the French, will not only with respect to these Indians, but all those various Nations who surround the Dominion ot great Brittain in America be frustrated but receive a mortal wound. True it is, that to obtain this desirable end, a great expence for perhaps some years will necessarily arise, but the alternatives in my humble opinion most glaringly deserve it, and the beneficial consequences will abundantly repay it.