But as th^s would lead me further than (I still flatter myself) there is occasion, I shall only assure your Lordship that all I have presumed to offer isK capable of much enlargement, and can be sufficiently amplified and proved whenever occasion requires ; and that I should not have presumed to add so much to all I have formerly said hereon, but from a Delicacy, arising from a thorough conviction of the Strictest Probity and Zeal for my King's Service & a perfect disinterestedness, that as it has often procured for me the Royal favor & approbation, renders it my continual wish to be favorably understood, and my pecuUar study to merit, the only Object of my painfull endeavours. This, my Lord, is not a bare assertion. It is easy for me to Demonstrate that private Interest governs none of my representations -- that they flow from Duty to the Crown, & regard for the public Security, the way to vfh'^^ I am the better Enabled to Judge of, from the nature of my office & my long acquaintance with the state of the frontiers & the neighbouring Indians. The honest motives which induced to detain your* Lordship so long on this subject will I persuade myself find a favourable Construction from your Lordships candour ; on this I must rest my Justification, whilst they plead my apology. I shall therefore only add that I sho^l not have a Moment hesitated executing my last Orders for signifying to the Ind* his Majesty's Inclination to decline that part of the Cession but that I was fearfull of the Consequences when as I know that the Virginians would at any rate settle on these Lands, in Consequence of which the Ind^ would all think the whole a Delusion, & that since the late reform I did not think myself authorized to incur;