Thirdly : That a provision be made for Gunsmiths or armourers, to reside at each of the said Forts, that a warehouse of such ( omn:iodities. Rum excepted, as the Indians are in the most constant TOL. II. 43

CW MANUSCRIPTS OF

want of, be kept in or near said Forts, to be sold under proper regulations by persons understanding their language who may also act as residents and Interpreters, accountable to the supperintendant of Indian affairs, and to be by him authorized, and that no other person or persons do presume to interfere in the said business.

My unwillingness to press upon Your Lordpp^ patience, and the call of the public upon me at this interesting juncture, will not permit me to enlarge further upon these hints, to which I beg leave to add, the securing the Navigation of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, both which I am glad to find are now on foot.

Since my public transactions I have had a private conference with some Indians who tell me, their chief reasons against going to General Braddock's assistance, are, that as they doubt not Gov' Dinwiddle's Influence over those Southern Nations of Indians who live on the back of Virginia, will procure their assistance to M' Braddock, and that if those and they were to meet together, as a good understanding does not at present subsist between them, some Broils might arise, fatal to themselves, and very dissernceable to our Cause. I have advised General Braddock hereof.