I am directed by the Lords Commiss''^ for ti-ade and Plantations to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter dated at Albany the 21®* of July, acquainting their Lordships with your having been appointed by the late General Braddock to the sole Superintendency and Management of the Affairs of the six miited Nations of Indians, their Allies and Dependant?, and inclosing a Copy of the Minutes of your Proceedings at the Interview held with them at Mount Johnson in consequence thereof.

The many Proofs which their Lordships had received, not only during the last War, but since, of your great Ability & Influence

S:R WILLIAM JOHNSON. 701

in the Management of the Atfairs of the Indians, and in keeping them steady to their Engagements, notwithstanding the Artifice of tlie ffrench on one side, and ihe Abuse and Neglect of our own Colonies on the other, induced their Lordships to think it their Duty to recommend you to His Majesty for this important Trust upon the present great Occasion^ and when their Lordships reflect upon the happy Consequences with which that Appointment has been attended, and that perhaps it was the only means left of preserving the Friendship and gaining the Assistance of the Indians, it gives them the greatest Pleasure that their Recommendation had the desired Etfect.

The Number of Indians which attended the Meeting at Mount Johnson, so much larger than had ever appeared at any former Interview, at least of late years, was a happy Omen of Success, & their Lordships hope the manner in which the Treaty with them was conducted, and. the prudent and forcible Arguments which were used to engage them to take part with Us in our Attempt,s to dispossess the ffrench of their Encroachments, will have the Effect to fix them stedfast in Our Interest.