The other matters spoken upon during the Treaty (tho' they occupied a good part of my time then, & occasioned sev^. hundred Inds. to follow me home,) are such as I trust may be Settled without any Trouble to Gov^ The Messages which the Ind^. have resolved upon to send to the South & Westward, supported by the Steps I shall take will I hope have weight & prove Serviceable in a high degree, and in order to be armed against any thing that may in another Quarter threaten to disturb the publick Tranquility, 1 have taken measures to be informed as early as possible

VOL. II. 62

8 MANUSCRIPTS OF

with the proceeds. & Issues of the Congress, which they are about this time to hold at the Great plains of Sciota near the Ohio, where some are endeavoring to form Confederacys, for very bad purposes, Secretly countenanced & Supported by French Traders, Renegadoes, & all those Ind^. who have not hitherto been Seriously attached to the English, but with wonderfull Art have for a time past endeavored to Shake the fidelity of the Six Nations, thro' the means of some of the Seneca Towns that are most dissatisfied with our Conduct.

I have in the Course of this Letter touched upon the principal Subjects of both the public & private Conferences at the late Congress this is as much as I could do from the Variety of matters that occur upon such occasions which however trivial in Appearance demand my particular attention, upon the Whole I must observe that the Indians are at present in a state of uncertainty as to what course they shall take, The Measures lately taken have Strengthened the fidelity of our Friends, and afforded a temporary Satisfaction to others, but it is on the Continuance of them and the Adoption of the Wisest measures for their redress & Satisfaction we must solely rely for the Securing their fidelity; which tho Comparatively of little moment when weighed with the great Objects of Concern wherein the Crown is so deeply interested, is nevertheless in a relative View, from a Variety of peculiar Circumstances worthy the most serious Consideration, and therefore I most humbly recommend the heads herein treated of, as what may be productive of the most happy Effects to this Country, If by any means they can be carried into Execution under the Auspices of the Crown.