I shall only say in general, that a complication of more Scurrilous Falsehoods, more Base & Insolent Behaviour, more corrupt, more Destructive measures to overset that Plan of general Harmony w«=h I had with infinite Pains '^. at a great expense to the public so lately established, could 'iot have taken place than did in y«. conduct of these Agents of Gov^. Shirley's. I spoke of it to Gov^ Shirley, I wrote to him of it, but without Remedy. They pleaded his authority for all they did, and said they had his Commissions, & I can't but presume it must have been done with his knowledge and consent, in which I am confirmed by his letters to me.

The reason or the pretended reason w°i^. Gov"". Shirley gives for nis opposing my Indian management and employing these Persons, is,that I would not get some Indians to escourthim from Schenectady to Oswego. I had indeed mentioned it to some of their Sachems, who told me that, as his way to Oswego lay through their severall

686 MANUSCRIPTS OF

countries & Oswego itself is in the Senecas Country, they could not conceive there was any occasion for their escourting him, & that when he came to Oswego there was no fear but many of the Six Nations would according to my desire meet him there and assist him. Numbers of the Troops had gone up without any molestation not the least Interruption had been given to any one, the Traders to Oswego were daily going & returning with single Battoes. those who are acquainted with Indian Affairs well know, that it would have been the worst of policy for the French at that time to violate the tranquility of the country of the Six Nations. Tis true some small parties of enemy Indians had been discovered between Schenectady & my house, but they are looked upon as a set of free Booters & Gov'^.