Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II

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 --

I have the honour herewith to transmit to Your Lordships a Copy of my Proceedings since the date of the last I sent.

The Slaughters & Devastations which have been committed on the Frontiers of His Majestys Southern Provinces, I doubt not y"^ Lordships have received particular accounts of from their respective Governors -- It is certain that some of the Delaware & Shawanes Indians have been concerned in these Hostilities, till very lately those Indians were faithful Friends to us & lived in a peaceful & Harmonious Intercourse with his Majestys Subjects. What are the several &. real causes of their Defection, I caimot take upon me at present precisely to ascertain.

I beg leave to offer to Your Lordships my general Opinion from all I can as yet gather on the Subject --