Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II

They therefore beg it may not be suffered to come to their Castles, or hunts places, & indeed the Licentious abuse of the sale notwithstanding its peculiar profit, is Extremely hurtfull to the Trade in Gen', from its effects upon the Ind^. besides its giving Encouragement to the meanest & most profligate Traders to go amongst them, in that neither capacity or knowledge of the Ind^. or their Language is necessary for the sale of it, but very little remedy can be Expected here agt. the abuse of tliat Liquor, tho' its effects are daily manifested,-- Again, whenever Ind^. are assembled on publick affairs. there are always Traders secreted in the neighbourhood & some publickly who not only make them intoxicated during the Time intended for business, but aftcrw^^^. get back great part of their presents in Exchange for Spliituous Liquors, thereby defeats the Intentions of the Crown, & causing them to commit many ilisorders as well am^* the Inhabitants as themselves This is Grievously complained of by the Ind^. but I know of no final Law at present subsisting for restrains the sale of that pernicious Liquor even during publick business, which I humbly conceive should be recommended to the immediate attention of the American Legislatures, As well as some Law for the more effectual apprehend? & punishing offenders on the frontiers in a summary way. --

Another Head of which your Lordship may find the Ind^. make mention, is their want of Religious Teachers ; on this subject they greatly enlarged, at scv'. Conferences I had with them & appear