Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II
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
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they Ceded to the southward of the Kanhawa River, and to explain these points in a Way that I hope Avill be Satisfactory to the few of their Insatiable Depend'^ Who have pretended to be discontented at the Extent of a Cession so fully Agreed to in the largest Assembly that was ever yet held of the true & real Proprietors, and as I hear from the Southward that the Cherokees deny that their Depys, have orders to draw the Northern nations into so Extensive a War as has been represented to me I shall study to avail myself of it, in altering their purposes, but should it appear that the Authority of these Depys is indisputable & that the Northern Ind^ cannot be diverted from their purposes With any safety to the publick, I shall in that case make it as much their own affair, as possible, and endeavor to act in the manner most agreable to his Majestys Inclinations as Expressed in your Lordships Letter to me. I foresee much trouble and difficultys in the Course of the intended Congress, as well from the discontent shewn for so long a time by many of the Indians, & The very disagreable report, before ment^ as from the want of any Appointments for the Regulation of Trade & the little prospect there is, of its ever being duly attended to but on all these matters I shall endeavor to give them the utmost satisfaction in my power, to pi event their operating to any disagreable purposes. -- And his Majesty may be assured that on this or any other occasion I shall never presume to recommend r incurr any Expense, unless I am convinced from Experience, of its necessity, and in that case I shall conduct myself with the strictest Honor, & Integrity, and with a Frugality proportioned to the Exigency, and importance of the Service.