All that the Commissaries can now do, is, to hear the Complaints- of the Indians, to report the forfeiture of the Traders bonds, & to Gain and Transmit Intelligence, & as the spirit for a free trade prevails daily more & more thro' the distressed Circumstances of the majority of them, whose Credit failing they wo^. undertake anything for delaying their fate, we must manage as well as the slender powers we have will allow to prevent such Toleration from producing the ill effects which is apprehended, by preventing such from going into the Ind". Country as cannot give good security for their behavior, & prohibiting all such whose fortunes and Characters render them dangerous.

If the Trade is to be more general, I think a Duty on Spirituous Liquors might very well be laid especially what went into the Indian Coimtry, (The Like was done formerly by this province on all carried to Oswego,) and the monies arising therefrom might be applied towards defraying the Expenses of the Department, Mr. Chabert notwithstanding his promises to me, and the plausible speech he made in public to the Indians at Niagara, afterwards assembled them privately told them that what he had said he was compelled to by the presence of the English, but that they might be assured of the King of France's design to assist them, & advised them to be ready to begin upon us. This I have had from Ind"*^ of different Nations whose acc^* all correspond. I shall do what