This is in some measure the consequence of their becoming better acquainted with their own Strength, and united Capacity to preserve their importance and Check our advances into their Country, for at the beginning of the late War through the rapid advances for sometime made by the French &ca, The Indians did really conceive that we should be totally reduced, but as they discovered the increased population of this Country, even in the midst of itvS distresses and that our Army was Still recruited with fresh Regiments, their sentiments altered ; They began to entertain more respectable Ideas of us & of our Resources, and thro' the imprudence of our own People & their Natural Suspicions, have gradually become more & more alarmed for themselves, Tho' they still believe that it is in their power to give us such a Check as may prevent us from attempting what they apprehend we have in View. Many will talk, some will think, and a lesser Number will act otherwise, but this is nevertheless The True political State of their sentiments in general at present. As I know the nature of their unions, and that the Southern Ind^ found many of the rest in Sufficient employment during the Long war that subsisted between them so I could not help suggesting my Apprehensions of the Consequences of the peace I had orders to effect between these people ; but the Laws of Humanity, The entreaty of the Southern Indians and the earnest desire of some Colonies who represented themselves as affected by that War, being powerfull Considerations prevailed over, what might be judged as a distant, or simple Apprehension ; I sincerely wish it may not Contribute to any ill consequence, and Shall Constantly and Steadily use all the means in my power to prevent it ; but altho' it may be treated as B Chimera at this time, Yet I can positively assure your Lordship Ihat both Spaniards & French, the latter of whom act the part of Agents did and do still Contmue to make presents to all the Kations to whom they can have any access by the Rivers which discharge themselves into the Misisipi, and that they do constantly mdeavor to thwart our Measures by various Stories & Misrepresentations, which being Supported by favors & coming from a people of whom they entertain no Apprehensions, against a people from