It is a disagreeable Circumstance that we must either agree to permit these people to Cut each others Throats, or risque their discharging their fury on Our Traders & defenceless Frontiers, for certain I am from the disposition they are in & from the Conduct of the back settlers the Latter may prove the Case, but however disagreeable the Alternative is. Common policy & our own Safety requires it, and under such Circumstances I shall endeavor to govern myself in the manner that appears best Calculated for the Gcni Security of all his Majestys Subjects here.

The Situation of Affairs Since I had last the Honor of addressing your Lordship on these subjects has not Varied materially Allho' the Severity of the Season &, the Embassy from the Cherokees keep them at present quiet, yet the Motives for their discontent Still Subsist, and the Lawless conduct of the frontier Inhabitants is the same whenever an Opportunity offers, so that the Event depends upon Circumstances that are as hard to forsee as to

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 969

prevent, and as there is no prospect of any Imediate remedy to be applit'd for these disorders, & the Licentiousness of some of our own people, my Endeavors Must be directed to prevent Their operation on the minds of the Indians till a more favorable period when the Orders of Government will be treated with more respect, and the people brought to a better sense of their Duty. The Rt honble

The Earl of Hillsborough