SIR W^ JOHNSON TO THE BOARD OF TRADE.

Fort Johnson, 28th May 1756.

My Lords,

My last Letter to Your Lordships bore date the 6 March, therewith I had the honour to transmit a Copy of my Proceedings in Indian Affairs from the time of my arrival from Lake George to that date.

718 MANUSCRIPTS OF

I have since received Mr. Secretary Pownals Letter bearing date the 2 Dec'" w^^ Your Lordships did me the honour to direct him to write me.

Geni Shirleys interfering in Indian Affairs & that \vith so much personal Resentment & such Prejudices against my management, was a matter of as much surprize as it was Mortification to me. I had many reasons to think I stood high in that Gentlemans opinion, wliich I had always endeavoured to deserve & to strengthen. If my sense of Duty to that part of His Majestys Service w'=*> his Royal Orders had entrusted to my Management, had not imfortunately obliged me to have differed with M^ Shirley in Opinion, I should not have troubled Your Lordships with a Detail on that disagreeable subject -- but as it did affect that part of His Majestys Service I thought I could not consistent with my Duty be silent to your Lordships thereon.

Tho I have reasons to beleive I have lost Gen' Shirleys Friendship & Confidence w^h i wish myself honoured with for the good of His Majestys Service so far as it is connected with my Department; yet he hath of late silenced those Agents he set up m Opposition to me & of whose Conduct I complained to Your Lordships --