The French &

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 915

Spaniards have given them a formal invitation, and used every medns in their power to draw them to a Gen'. Congress at the Misisipi. . And I have undoubted authority for assuring your Lordship that had not my Belts and Messages arrived when they did to the Southward, the Chiefs would have complied with the Invitation.

The accots, from all Quarters corroborate, the Indians dissatisfied with us for the reasons I have given, & Intoxicated with the storys and promises of designing Men seem to wait the event of this Congress, as of an affair which is to determine their conduct, and to Expect at this time some final & certain assurances of an attention to be Given to their Affairs, and a Redress to their Grievances, to which the Boundary is foreign being a single Object the advantages of which (If the Colonists should pay due regard to it) cannot be felt by any of the Ind^. Nations for some time, and are at best Local, & confined to one Confederacy.

Notwithstanding this disagreeable aspect of affairs, the difficulties I have to encounter, and the want of authority for giving the Inds. a satisfactory assurance on many subjects of their concern, I am determined to persevere, in the Execution of my Orders as well as in every endeavor which shall appear to me most necessary at this Juncture to the best of my Judgment, & the utmost Extent of an Influence which properly supported could I am fully persu<^. do his Majesty & the public good service & afford me better pretensions to your Lordships friendly regards an honor in the highest Estimation with My Lord