I am only apprehensive that any account in my power respecting such enquirys amongst the unlettered Indians will prove inadequate to the Expectations formed in your Letter, notwithstanding my long residence in this country, |" ot more than thirty eight years," | the Nature of my office and the most diligent enquirys into these curious particulars, I find all researches of that sort for reasons which I shall give presently involved in such difficultys & uncertainty as to afford but slender satisfaction. At least far short of my inclination to gratify your desire thereon--however I shall endeavor to make some attonement by giving you some acct of these difficulties together with such

1 Arruvur Lex was born in Virginia on the 20th Dec. 1740. He was sent at an early age to Eton, and afterwards to the University of Edinburgh, where he obtained his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1764. He returned to his native country where he practised his profession fora short period, but soon went to London and entered the Temple with a view of being called to the bar. Here he became the associate or correspondent' of the principal literary and scientific men of the day, and was elected Fellow of the Royal Society. Previous to the Revolution, he acted as agent in England for the Provinces of Massachusetts and Virginia, and in that capacity acquitted himself as a zealous and sound friend of American liberty. In 1776, he was appointed, conjointly with Dr. Franklin and Silas Deane, Commissioners to France onthe part of the United States, and assisted in negotiating the Treaty between these countries. He reé- turned to America in 1780 and in 1784 was appointed one of the Commissioners to treat with the Six Nations. He executed this trust at Fort Schuyler, (now Rome, Oneida Co.) with much credit.