After great trouble & difficulty I have at length got out of the hands of the Committee of non Importers at N York a Cargoe of Indian Goods without which I don't know how I should have gone to the Congress for whatever is the occasion, we cannot meet those people without some proofs of his Majestys Esteem more especially at some periods as now when Indn Goods are so scarce that sev^ parties have gone thro' all the stores & shops within 100 m^ with* being able to procure one Doz° of blank^^^ it has been industriously propagated arost them by some Very Weak people that the Scarcity is occasioned by the King who has ordered that no goods shall be sent over to them This very dangerous report is so universal amongst them that I have been told of it in very Warm terms by above 100 Indians within the course of the present Week, many of them have brought down their peltry & returned almost naked, & full of resentment. The effects of which I am so sensible of that I thought it my Duty to imdeceive them in the best manner I could on a point of such delicacy when the occasion of their present Wants & disappointments cannot be transferred from one, to another, without some danger to the publick.

You see my Lord Some of the difficulties in which my station involves me, but I have firmness enough to Support me under greater, when his Majestys Interest demands it of me and the Confidence which the Indians repose in me will I trust enable me to Clear up these disagreable matters so as they may not have any ill consequences to which End the presents will greatly contribute by removing their apprehensions till more favorable times shall set ?I1 matters right, I purpose at the Congress when Agreable to his Majestys Orders I proceed to the Ratification of the Fort Slanwix treaty to convince them that he has no desire for the Lands