I am sensible I ara taking up a great deal of your Lordships lime, but if I am not greatly mistaken the subjects I have and shall lay before you are of such importance to the British Indian Interest as AviU I hope jusiifie me in Your Lordships Opinion.

In my last Letter I gave it as my real sentiments to y"" Lordships that the Indians of the 6 nations had discovered at the then meeting, the strongest Intimations of their sincerity & fidelity, & that ■othing seemed to be wanting to cement & enlarge our Indian Alliance but unanimous & vigourous Efforts against the common Enemy --

I will from no Motives My Lords misrepresent or conceal from Y^ Lordships what appears to me the true state of our Indian Interest. I am sorry therefore to acquaint Y^ Lordships that the 6 Nations in general &. the upper Nations more particularly do not at present geem to be animated by so warm & active a Zeal in our favour as I could wish? & which it has been & shall be my unremitted Endeavours to inspire them with. Some of their Chiefs have in private conversation with me complained of our want of Vigor & good management in our Military Operations. They murmured at our inactivity last campaign at Oswego -- They censured the weakness & knew the Deplorable state of that Important Garrison towards the latter end of last Winter for want of Provisions & told me they trembled for its Fate. They reproached us for laying up our Vessels the beginning of last October & that they do not yet appear on the Lake tho the French were sailing backwards & forwards the whole Winter. They were surprised the Great Carrying Place another very important post was so poorly fortified particularly at one end & such a handful of Troops left to protect it, They told the ofl[icers there that the French would certainly attack them & that it was not in a condition to make a good Defence, the event has shown they judged rightly & complained Justly.