Coles it is really considerable, & I dont know Justly what to say to it till we hear farther -- the Conduct of the Virginians, & the desire to win the Indians over may have contributed to them, but I hope we shall hear something more fully on that head.

Enclosed you have an Ace* of the expences since March last, I should not have troubled you with this until 7^^ were it not for the Several Drafts drawn upon me by Commissi y Hay for his pay, & that of the Interpfs. Smith &ca till March last, which I did not receive time enough to include in my last ace", also Two Acc*^. from Major Rogers one of the L*. Gov^. Carleton ^^a^ the whole

862 MAKUSCRIPTS OF

aD:^s to <£ which 1 must request you will" order to be paid as soon as convenient. Should an opportunity offer of sending it to Mr. H( nry Cuyler of Albany it would answer extremely well. Geni Gage.

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

Augt 21st 1767.

DiAR Sir,

Since my last I find by several Accots I have received that the restoring the Indians who are prisoners will be highly pleasing to all the Nations, & I am persuaded that if the Matter be properly CO iducted it will have a very good Effect In order to accomplish which, I Judge its best that M^". Croghan do proceed from Fort Pi t to the Detroit which is a Journey of only 6 Days as he is not on y better Acquainted with the steps to be taken but also can there Examine into the Abuses and Dis})utes concerning the Tr iders, in which he apprehends he can do good Service, -- I find as well from the sevK Letters I have received as from Major Bayard & other Gentlemen from thence that these Indians are far frcn being as Criminal as was first reported &that the person who was Murdered was a Man who had often used the Indians ill, and bo'e a very bad Character.