A M^ Johnson, some relation of the famous Sir John Johnson, interpreter to the Indians was also present ; and I have no doubt remaining but they elTaced every favourable impression made on their minds by presents from Congress. I see enough to convince me of the absurdity of our endeavours to hold the Savages by presents, while the British are situated at Detroit, Niagara, &«. They have all their clothing, cooking utensils, ammunition, &<= served almost as regularly as the troops in garrison ; if they want provisions, they get it free.

Those tribes called the Six Nations we are at peace with, and take much pains to cultivate a good understanding, but we deceive ourselves. The oM men, the women, and the children remain at home inactive, while all the young warriors join the fighting powers against us-- this is all they could do, if we were at open war with them. An Indian becomes a miserable being when deprived of his hunting ground, and surrounded with cellars of rum or whiskey. The whole Six Nations live on grounds, called the State Reservations, and there are intermediate spaces settled on both sides by white people ; this has a tendency to drive off the game and if by chance they kill a bear, or a deer, his skin goes at once for rum ; in this way they are become poor enervate creatures. They cannot keep together a great while, and I expect they will quit all this part of the country, and retire over the lakes Ontario and Erie. Their whole number is about 6000, of which 1000 are warriors -- how contemptible compared with their former greatness ! The leading men of these Six Nations, or what they call Chiefs, were on the road with me going to Buffalo Creek, to hold a council ; their object I was informed was to use their influence with the hostile tribes to make a peace.