This consequence however, which you seem to think would follow from discouraging a War against the Southern and Western Indians, is certainly to be avoided if possible, and therefore the King, however unwillingly, cannot but approve of your adopting the Alternative, and making the security of His Subjects and the Peace of the Frontiers, the principal Object of your attention at the Congress, but it would be most pleasing to His Majesty if it could be attained without encouraging the Savages in their barbarous attacks on each other.

It would have been more fortunate, upon every consideration, that this Congress could have been avoided, not only as it does in it's consequences involve His Majesty as a Party in a Business of

970 MANUSCIUPTS OF

SO disagreeable a nature, bat also as it will, I find, be attended with an expcnce beyond what your stated allowance will admit of. The King however relies upon your assurances on the one hand that this Expence is unavoidable, and, on the other, that the Service shall be conducted with all Frugality and CEconomy that is possible, consistent with the public Safety ; and, under these assurances, His Majesty approves of your applying to Major General Gage who will have Orders to defray what Expence shall be absolutely necessary on this occasion.

It is to be hoped that it will not be long before those Colonies, whose security depends upon the good Will and Affection of the Savages, will see the necessity of such regulations as will be effectual to prevent those abuses which at present give so much Discontent to them. In the mean time you will not fail to exert every Influence in your Power to prevent these Abuses from having such an operation upon the Minds of the Indians, as to disturb that Tranquillity which is so essential to their true Interests.