which I shall discharge to the utmost extent of my power & the fund allowed, as becomes a Good Subject & your Lordships &ca. The Rt. Honble

The Earl of Hillsborough.

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

Johnson-hall Feby 25th. 1769. • My Lord,

In my last which was wrote a few days past I had the honor to answer your Lordships Letter (N" 6) and now have that of Nov' last (No 7) withinclosures which I did not receive till a few days since.

The Representations in my Letter N^ 3 to which yoiu: Lordships last is in answer, and which regarded the Intrigues & Practises of the French and Spaniards with its effects upon the Indians I have always thought a matter of the most Serious consequence and have studied to detect as well as to frustrate to the utmost of my power, and I shall endeavor as far as is in my power to obtain such Evidence of Facts and other Information as may be necessary, but your Lordship is doubtless Sensible that such an enquiry must be involved in many difficulties as the information of Indians may not be admitted as sufficient proof and those who intrigue wuth them are at such a distance and Act with So much Caution that few, (if any) White men have had occular demonstration of it, notwithstanding the Variety of Corresponding Accounts and other Circumstances leave little reason to doubt the fact.

It may be that these proceedings are not by Authority of the French or Spanish Courts it is likewise probable that they may be in some circumstances exaggerated, but the effect is unluckily the same, as the Indians believe that they are all by Authority of these Crowns, and the large presents they have from time to time received, farther confirm them in the Opinion that they don't come from private Adventurers There are a Number of Renegado french and Canadians, who reside about the Misisipi & the Western Lakes, many of whom dare not make their appearance in any of the Colonies These Men are ready to undertake any thing, and find an Advantage in every Rupture, and as it is agreable both to their