Shirleys conduct not only shook the system of Indian affairs, gave me fresh vexation and perplexity but occasioned considerable and additional Expenses w'^h. would otherwise have been saved ; the profuse offers w^h. his agents made to the Indians in order to debauch them from joining me, tho' it did not succeed but with very few, yet gave to all such self-importance, that when I urged to any of them who made demands upon me the unreasonableness of them &c. they reproached me that they had refused Gov'". Shirley-s great offers from whom they would have had every tiling they wanted. Under these circumstances & the acc^ coming at that time of our unhappy defeat on the Ohio, I was forced to make compliances w°*i otherwise they would neither have expected nor I have submitted to.

My Lords, I will hasten to a conclusion. From Gov'. Shirley's

SlI^ WILLIAM JOHNSON. 687'

late Behaviour &. his Letters to me I am under no doubt that he is become my inveterate enemy and that the whole weight of his Power & abilities will be exerted to blast if he can my Character -- here and here only am I anxious -- Gross Falsehoods (such be has already asserted in his letters to me,) artful misrepresentations, Deliberate malice, Resentment worked up by People in his confidence, whose Interest, nay whose very livelihood depends upon their inflaming him -- these my Lords are circumstances w^^. I own disturb me -- I am sensible Gov^. Shirley has in many respects been an active and a useful serv^ to the Crown -- his rank in public Life will natturally give him consequence and gain him Influence. Were I to lay open in a particular manner the whole scene of my Conduct with regard to the public & him, and from the Papers & Letters in my possession to contrast his conduct with regard to the Disputes between us.