In the mean time I beg leave to declare to your Lordships with the most unfeigned Sincerity as I did to the late Genera,! Braddock-- that my only motives for accepting the Commission & powers he conferred upon me, were to serve my King & my Country at this important crisis. I stipulated with him for no reward for myself -- and whatever Expectations I might indulge they were never equal to the fatigue nor the Disadvantages to my private Fortune w<=h. I foresaw I should & w^h. I have suffered.

000 MANUSCRIPTS OF..

My Lords, animated by my Loyally, by my Zeal for the public safety and welfare (both which were at stake) and by some desire of Fame, I accepted General Braddock's Commission & executed the trust reposed in me Chearfuliy to the utmost of my abilities & with Integrity. Gov^'. Shirleys interfering in the authoritave & ill-judged manner he has done, was injurious to the true system of Indian Affairs, a violation of the terms of my Commission & an arbitrary Insult upon my Character. And I must beg leave to inform y"". Lordships that if His Majesty should think proper to honour me with the management of Indian Affairs, I am in Duty bound to declare, that I do not think I can fulfill his royal Expectations & do that Service to my Country w*^^. Majesty may expect from me, if my Proceedings are to be controuled by any Gov^. who may by being ill advised or from Personal Resentments or from other undue motives, take upon him to counteract my measures.