These Indians were settled in the Neighbourhood of the French Encroachments on the Ohio, some were settled where the French have now Actually built Forts when His Majestys Troops under the late Gen^ Braddock were defeated, it gave the French who remained Mas^''^ of all that part of the Country an Opportunity to strengthen and increase their Indian Interest & Influence, they flattered they boasted & by persuasive & iiitimiditating Acts they won over several of those Indians who were before in our Interest and some who held themselves as it were neutral till they saw how the Event of that Expedition would turn out. Of these latter were the Twightwees, the Jenundadees & some of Chickesaw Indians who are as I am lately informed fallen in with the French Interest, but I apprehend more from hear than Choice.

Those Delaware & Shawanese Indians who live nearest to the Ohio being seduced by the French, went amongst their Bretheren who dwelt on the Susquahanna, & propagated those prejudices against the good Intentions of the English w<=h the French had furnished them with at the same time making them offers & Promises from the French & magnifying their prowess, kindness & generosity; by these means they won over some & spread a general prepossession amongst the rest against the English.

The Great Patents of Land w<=b had been purchased & taken up in those parts & our extended scattered Settlements beginning to crowd upon the Indians, had been a long Eye sore to them, infected them with Jealousy & disgust towards the English &they prepared them to be more easily influenced by the prosperity of the French Affairs & the ill success of our Arms ; and when they saw after M'" Braddocks Defeat & Death, our Military Opperations ended as it were to the Southward & carried to the Northward, they joined the French and their Indians in their Dopradations upon the Open & Defenceless Frontiers of those Provinces.