My Lord

On the 12*'' ult^ I had the honor to write your Lordship my Letter N" (13,) previous to my Journey to hold a Congress with the Northern Indians & Depy^ from the southward, from whence I returned some days ago, attended by so many Tribes, and Messengers on the private business of each Nation, that it was not in my power earlier to transmit the proceedings which I now have the honor to Inclose.

Fiom My last Letter your Lordship has been enabled to form some Judgment of my Embarrassment, arising from the disagreable nature of the business I had to engage in, on which account I held many Conferrences, (too long to be inserted) with the Leading men of each Nation upon my Arrival at the place of Congress, to which the Issue & Determination of the Indians as contained in the papers herewith Transmitted must be entirely attributed, They having at length agreed thro' the pains I took and the extraordinary prudence & good Conduct of some of the Chiefs whose abilities &, Influence were peculiarly Exerted upon that occasion, To Stop proceedings against the Southern Indians, until they shall propose terras of accomodation & to decline their intended Application for our Assistance & Support in the War a Circumstance which gave me much uneasiness at first as I found that they came with a determined resolution to demand it in pubhck, and that not so much from necessity as with design thereby to Judge of the nature of our Friendship, and the regard we paid to former Engagements, of which they entertain great doubts, Concluding upon this to be a favorable occasion that must finally determine, & direct their Conduct towards us for as Strict Alliances with them are Considered both Offensive & Deffencive Any Evasion or refusal from us would undoubtedly in their present disposition have so far encreased their Suspicions & Resentment as to make our Trade & frontiers Severely feel the effects of that Spirit of War which now predominates amongst them.