The nation imediately sent down 15 Deputies to lay the matter before me, & to assure me that they had given strict orders to prevent any sudden act of Resentment, and that they relied on our Justice in affording them such satisfaction as the Case required, as well as in preventing the.like for the future, to which end they (after complaining much of the want of any Regulation for Trade) requested that Traders might not be suffered to go where they pleased but confined to the Posts and there duly Inspected. -- I enlarged much on the circumstance alledged by Ramsay, that the Ind^. threatened his Life In which case I observed that not only the English Laws, but the Laws of Nature justified his defending himself, and after adding every thing I thought prudent or necessary I covered (according to Custom) the Graves of the 8 Persons whom he killed, and dismissed the Deputies with a large & handsome pi-esent, and wlUi proper messages & behs to their Nation. -- The Indians at par<'

996 MANUSCRIPTS OF

expressed themselves very favorably, and I am ^villing to hope that the affair may be accommodated, nevertheless I am so sensible of their Resentments that I have judged it necessary to be thus particular, because the Chipeweighs and Misisagas, are by far the most numerous & powerfull nation with whom we have any connection in North America, being second only to the Sioux in numbers, and from their situation capable of affording great Encouragem^ to Trade, or putting an entire end to it, nor could it be expected that others wo^. enter warmly into our alliance when they considered the Cause of their defection, -- The Traders are all come into Niagara &ca to avoid the Resentment they apprehend from the Indians, I have allready described what may reasonably be apprehended, whilst I use every endeavor in my power, to prevent its being realized ; but I leave your Lordship to judge how difficult a task it is to Calm the passions of Incensed Savages, end to keep them faithfull to engagements, whilst they find themselves exposed to the Licentious outrages of our own people against which no remedy is as yet provided.