Confirmed all the Accots I have received of the practices of the Spaniards and French, of the Assurances they give them of assistance from Europe, and of the Belts, Messages and presents sent amongst them, They are endeavouring to encrease the spirit of distrust Jealousy & Aversion by every means in their power, amongst the Indians & it will be utterly impossible to keep them all quiet without silencing those Incendiaries who are amongst them.

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 905

I wish the Colonies may act wisely in the management of the Indian Trade as a good deal will depend upon it at this time. This will require much pains & Expence, else they must not expect to send any Traders into the Indian Country, altho the Much greater part of those who go a Trading are men of such circumstances and Dispositions as to venture their persons any where for Extravagant gains, yet the consequences to the public are not to be slighted, as we may be led into a Gen'. Quarrel thro' their means. The Indians in the parts adjacent to Mi chilimackinac have been treated with at a very great Expence for some time past. Major Rogers brings a considerable charge ag*. the Crown for Mediating a peace between some Tribes of the Sioux and some Chippeweighs which had it been attended with success would have been only interesting to a verry few French & others that had Goods in that part of the Indian Country, but the contrary has happened, and they are now more Violent than ever ag*. one another, which perhaps is not an unfavourable Circumstance for us at this Juncture, but the Ind^. on finding that they are to receive large presents for promising to lay down their Arms will never want occaisions of Quarrell with one another.