probably may, and from my inclination to prevent disputes arising where either the Officer or Comsy should be fond of stretching their autliority Assigning their Separate dutys will prevent both, and I flatter myself you are persuaded that I have not nor can I have any other motive for the Liberty I take in offering my thoughts hereon.

As Michilimackinac Seems now to be our principal Mart of Trade and that for sev^ reasons it should be well and Duly Inspected I think a Comissx there very necessary, and shall be glad of your thoughts about it, which if agreable to mine I shall remove one of the Comiss>s to that place early in the Spring and appoint another in his Stead

I am «Scca

GENL. GAGE TO SIR }Y^. JOHNSON.

New York Janry. 19th 1767.

Dear Sir

I am favored with your Letter of the 2^1. Ins*: The burning of the Sloop has been reported to me from Niagara, which might have been done either by strolling Indians or others Soldiers Sailors or Traders either by Accident or Design, for anything that can be discovered about it. Had either a Party of Soldiers or Sailors been left with the Vessel, she could not have been lost in this Manner. You will hear of M'". Croghan's arrival at this Piace and have an Account from him of all his Transactions, As for the Trade of the Ilinois, and in general of the Mississippi, we may dispose of some Manufactures there, but whilst Skins and Furs bear a high Price at New Orleans, no Peltry gained by our Manufactures, will ever reach Great: Britain ; And if our Traders do not return Avith the produce of their Trade to the Northward Provinces, by way of the Ohio or the Lakes, it will not answer to England to be at Much Expence about the Mississippi.