I am quite sensible of the Irregular Behavior of the Traders, and have intimated to his Majesty's Secretary of State what I told the Board of Trade four or five years ago ; that they must be restrained by Law, and a Judicial Power invested in the Officers Commanding at the Posts, to see such Law put in Force. And without this, Regulations may be made, but they will never be observed. As for the Traders from the Ilinois I have given orders to seize them and their Merchandize whenever it can be done, but you will know the Difficulty of this as well as Myself. If the

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 837

Entrance of the Ohio and Ilinois Ptivers are shut up by Posts, it will prevent those Traders getting into our Country. And this is the only Benefit that I can see that we shall gain by possessing the Ilinois Country ; unless that is done, it is better to abandon it. The Traders whom you mention to be at the Miamis are all French Names, I shall transmit them to GoV. Carleton and to Colonel Reed at Fort-Chartres, they must belong either to Canada or the Ilinois.

I know of no Standing Orders tliat can occasion any Dispute between the Officers Commanding at the Posts and the Commissarys, If each chooses to keep to their own spheres, and not interfeie with each others Business. I have before wrote to the Posts concerning this Matter. If People are disposed to have Disputes it will be- difficult to prevent them, but I shall do all I can towards it.