The latter are only the principal Grievances which were spoken in pubhck, besides which there were many others of an Inferior Nature not inserted, as they would have added much to the bulk of my Transactions & might

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 975

be deemed unworthy the attention of Government, -- they nevertheless gave me much Trouble, & occasioned great delay, which was of most concern to me, as the daily maintenance of such a number of Ind^. amounted to a large sum, to abridge which I gave them my whole time both by Day & Night, & thereby considerably shortened the Time of our Setting.

Your Lordship will find that the principal Grievances complained of in publick regarded the conduct of our frontier Inhabitants towards them, & the state of the Ind". Trade, The first (as I have repeatedly observed) is what they have but too much reason to Complain of & which they have retaliated in a very few Instances, Tho' I know the contrary is too often represented. I have on former occasions said so much of the Licentious Spirit of the Inhabitants on the Southern Frontiers, that I need only add that it still continues, & their malevolence & disregard to all Treatys is still Demonstrated, whensoever they fall in the way of any small Partys, or single Ind^. Even since I began this Letter I have rec'^ dispatches from M"". Croghan at Fort Pitt acquainting me that a soldier had shot an Indian there & that another was killed by a Virginian two days after near to that River. The continuance of which proceedings will render all Transactions Avith them abortive, and altho' agreable to their Wishes some farther directions to the Gov^^. would give pleasure to the Ind^. Yet I fear it is not in the present state of things in the power of our Governments here to put a stop to these Evils.