The unfriendly and unsettled disposition of the western Indians towards the British Interests and Government, occasioned, as you ' represent, by the artifices and intrigues of the French and Spaniards, is a matter of a very serious nature in whatever view it is considered, whether in reference to the present inconveniences arising out of the great expense of presents and other gratifications to keep them quiet,' or in reference to the consequence that would follow from an open rupture with them.
From the accounts given of this matter by General Gage; afid from the assurances he has received from Monsieur Aubry and Don Ulloa, there is great reason to suspect that our own new Subjects are the Authors of all the mischief, and therefore their conduct and proceedings in the Indian Country cannot be too narrowly watched, nor their treachery if detected, too severely punished.
If on the contrary there should notwithstanding the assurances given to General Gage, be any settled plan of seduction of the Indians adopted and attempted by France or Spain, every possible diligence and vigilance should be exerted to trace it to its source, and to verify the information by such facts and evidence as may justify the strongest representation and complaint.
As to the other matters contained in your Letter, and in particular what relates to the allowances for your department, and the continuation of the boundary Line so as to include New York, I have already, in my Letter No. 6, been very explicit thereupon, and I have now nothing further to add.