the prospect of aid which it is more than probable they would afTord them the first occasion that offered, to effect this they avail themselves of every circumstance in the affairs of America^ of every instance of our ill treatment, & of every uneasiness manifested by the Indians, The Reduction of Officers & Retrenchment of Expences in the Indian Departm* has been already represented by their Agents as Instances of our parsimony, Neglect & Contempt, and the want of any powers for their relief as marks of our Injustice and disregard, The unrestrained conduct & cheats of the Traders have been given, as characteristick proofs, of our dishonesty & want of authority, The neglect of sending Missionaries of our Church amongst them, as an Instance of our Irreligion, in short there is nothing within the compass of their knowledge of w4nch they have not made use, thro' the means of Agents of much Influence, supported by Gentle Treatment, and confirmed by handsome presents. All this is carried on with a secrecy which renders it the more dangerous, the public in general are ignoran* hereof, & unguarded against them, & thus American affairs are represented as best suits the views of party, or the pursuits of Interest. -- It has been admitted & is most certain that the Colonies can neither attend to these matters or correspond in sentiments so as to defeat these designs. ^ All these affairs are properly the Task of a person imder his Majestys imediate direction & is it possible, my Lord, that such person can oppose himself to an Enemy so powerfull without proper support & some Assistants, It may appear improbable that the French or Spaniards sho<i. act this part, and still more so that they should act by authority; whilst a peace is subsisting between the British Crown & them, but be this as it will, certain it is that not only several known Partizans & many Traders but also some officers of their Troops have actually" come into the Indian Country, where they have conducted themselves as is represented, and their Councils have not only greatly retarded the measures we are now taking but threaten this country with farther Calamities. -- The Indians who seemed most desirous of a boundary line, are now either indifferent about it, or apprehensive that we have something thereby in View which may be dangerous to their Libertys.