THE SAME TO THE SAME.

Johnson-hall Dec. 26th. 1767. Dear Sir

This will be delivered to you by Lieut Roberts who arrived here some days ago. It is Judged necessary that as he was sent as a prisoner from Michilimack^. he should wait upon you notwithstanding he was not received as such by the Comds Officer at the Detroit, to whom he was ordered to be delivered up, but was left at Liberty to go where he pleased.

From the Conduct of the Commandant of Michilimackinac it is evident that the principal cause of the difference arose from his aversion to any Officer who might detect or interfere with him. The principal dispute which arose on the Seizure of the Rum is certainly in favor of M^. Roberts who as he discovered & Seized it was liable to answer for the same, and indeed if A Commantling Officer will interfere in matters of Trade, or any other points which falls within the Limits of Duty prescribed & approved of by Government, the Appointment of a Commissary is only an Unnecessary charge to the Crown -- ^besides that Such Treatment Lessens

896 MANUSCRIPTS OF

a Commissary in the Eyes of the Iiuls. who have been told agreabl-e to Orders that that Officer was to have the sole Management of their Indian Affairs & Trade. M'". Roberts might have been more Cool, but when we consider the Man he had to deal with, and the discoveries he had Just made concerning his designs, it will in a great measure accot. for his conduct and the Letters I have received in his behalf as will from the officers & Traders appear much in his favor. He thinks himself Greatly Injured but you wnll be the best Judge on hearing what he has to Say & Examining the papers which he'll lay before you As the Bonds &c. entered into by the Traders are in his hands & that the most necessary time for a Commissys presence is Early in the Spring I think it best that he should return to his post after waiting upon you without any other delay than what the Season may create, and I believe the most Expeditious way for his return will be by Montreal & the Ottawa River which is Generally open sometime before the Straits of J^iagara.