Traders boats & in short blocked up the Communication of the Ohio so that it is no longer practicable for the Traders, whilst at the same time They are endeavouring to form a more strict alliance than ever for purposes that are but too obvious, seeming only to wait the success of their negotiations for the Commencement of Hostilities, and altho' upon these occasions they use much caution and secrecy, yet some part of their late conduct does not exactly agree with it, but shews an Extraordinary degree of Confidence from some Quarter, of which the answer herewith inclosed to the Speech of L*. Col Wilkins Commando, at Illinois furnishes some instances, to Illustrate which I have annexed some notes. I have rec<l. a Copy of the Speech of Mon^. VerChere formerly a French oflficer to the Indians of Lake Erie as now delivered by them ; this Speech was made known to me by some Spies I have who with many others since positively aflEirm that he gave them a present in the name of the French King and desired them to hold themseves in readiness, but on my communicating it to the Geqeral who wrote

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concerning it to Canada, the Indians who esteem Verchere came to the Coui'^^ at Detroit delivered up Vercheres belt, and also the Speech in the manner sent me, and was evidently altered to prevent his meeting with punishment, nevertheless tho' they have certainly suppressed much of what he said to them enough remains which to a man conversant in their Idiom would be a convincing proof without any thing farther. -- In short as I suspected & frequently represented would be the case, none but Frenchmen can go into their Country to the Westward, &> the Indians positively and publickly declare, to all people that they will suffer no others into their Country.