Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II
We may conclude that as these people cannot in Gen' be kept in order without an Expence that may be deemed greater than its Object, All we can do is to divide their Councils & retain a part of them in our Interest, which I am pretty confident I have Interest and Influence to do at all events; It is highly necessary to prevent a too Gen' union amongst them, and I should rather Lave declined taking the pains I did to effect a peace between the Six Nations & Cherokes, because we enjoy the most security when they are divided amongst themselves At the breaking out of the late Indian War I proposed to raise Indians to be employed against the enemy, It was thought giving them too much Consequence, however I took upon myself
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to semi out a few parties ^vhu•h notwithstanding the pains generally tak-ftii to allow tiiem as little merit as possible Contributed Essentially to bring that war to a Conclusion. For altho' it maybe said & is in part true that Ind^ are unwilling to fight against one another in our Quarrells, there are many exceptions to this Opinion. There are some to be had who will join with ardour against any Enemy, & many more whom it is policy to retain in our service, who tho' at first unwilling to act offensively from maxims of policy, Yet if by any means blood is drawn will become principals in the war, & this the Indians are so sensible of that there is nothing of which they are more apprehensive.