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

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 983

whom most of the Ind^ imagine they have every thing to fear, renders it almost impossible to prevent them from having some effect.

The Indians have for sometime discovered that a War is probably at hand, Many of them think that it has already Commenced, but that we conceal it from them on acct of some Advantages the Enemy has gained, and in Consequence of this during last week I was Visited by Deputations from most of the Six Nations, to whom I gave such Answers as I judged best Calculated for the purpose in any Event that may happen in Europe, If a War commences & that any attempts are made in America, or in case the Ind^ sho'^ be seduced to disturb our frontiers, to draw part of our attention that way, I am confident (as I formerly proposed) that I can from the measures I have taken, & the influence I possess secure & Attach to our Interest if impowercd so to do, such a body of Ind^ as if not so numerous as those against us, will give a Severe Check to their Attempts & as the dis' Ind^ dread nothing so much at present as a quarrell Amongst themselves, I am equally confident that the Very Appearance of some, in the Character of Vigorous Allies, will in any Quarrell whether thro' the Intrigues of a European power, or of a Confederacy ams* the Ind^. themselves prove greatly advantagious to us, and tend to defeat their purposes as much as any Measures that can be adopted, which I most humbly Submit to your Lordships Consideration in case my Apprehensions should be realized by future Events or Occurences.