FROM GEORGE CROGHAN ETC.

In the Johnson Calendar, P. 194–95, are found the following papers, which were destroyed by fire: a letter of December 14th from Thomas McIlworth, at Schenectady, mentioning an injury by which he is laid up, and asking permission to name a son William Johnson; a letter of the 15th from George Croghan, at Philadelphia, on Mr McKee's character, accounts and journal of transactions at Fort Pitt, Andrew Montour's distressing circumstances and his integrity and faithfulness, the mission intrusted to Moses Franks and himself by Philadelphia and New York merchants, under dates of December 7th and 12th, a proclamation mentioned by the lords of trade, December 12th, the reported murder of Gunestoga Indians by the people of Lancaster and some favorable news from Detroit; a letter of the 15th from William Darlington, at New York, informing that he transmits by Jacob H. Ten Eyck, one of the Albany Asemblymen, £1000 received of Abraham Mortier; a letter of the 16th from John Duncan, at Schenectady, regretting a delay by reason of snows making the river impassable, and promising to impart some news of the western nations; a letter from Thomas McKee, at Philadelphia, informing that his son will wait on Johnson for instructions, and that the Indians there have sent messages to those near Wieloosing to come in; a letter of the 18th from George Croghan, at Philadelphia, offering a stock of Indian goods which he has taken of Beyanton & Wharton in exchange for border land; Duncan & Phyn's bill, under date of the 19th at Schenectady, against Sir William Johnson; a letter of the 20th from James Phyn, at Schenectady, to John Duncan, describing the difficulty of obtaining transportation for goods, most of the sledges in town being pressed to carry officers to Albany, explaining the high price of linen and reciting some misfortunes of Thomas the Indian through drunkenness; a letter of the 22d to Thomas McIlworth, consenting to the bestowment of the name William Johnson on McIlworth's young son, in reply to McIlworth's letter of the 14th, and acknowledging the compliment; a letter of the 23d to Major General Gage, suggesting that the royal proclamation of (Oct.. 7th) needs to be supplemented with more definite provisions for the redress of Indian wrongs, mentioning a conference with 230 Indians and the desire of the Five Nations that the Senecas shall be pardoned and the Six Nations be employed to crush the Shawanese and Delawares, who, with the Ottawas under Pondiac, are represented as the principals in the war, declaring that the Delawares who still live on the Susquehanna, particularly toward Owegy, are friendly, vindicating the Mohocks against an ignorant charge in a New York newspaper,

characterizing the Assembly's measures for the defense of Schohare and Cherry Valley and reporting an expected visit from the Chipeweigh chief, Wabbicommicot; a letter of the 23d from John Brown, at Frederickburgh, Dutchess County, stating that an engagement with Beverly Robinson, of New York, to teach a school precludes a like engagement with Sir William, but intimating that he will ask advice of Elias Desbrosses, of New York, in the matter of asking a release of Mr. Robinson; a letter of the 24th from Matthew Wade, at Philadelphia, inclosing Captain Claus's account, protesting against a measure taken by Johnson to secure himself as bondsman for Welles & Wade to Mr Sanders of Albany and asking indulgence till his return.

TO CADWALLADER COLDEN

A. L. S.1

DEAR SIR

Johnson Hall 10br. 24th, 1763

2

I am Just favoured with your letter of the 7th. Inst. encloseing me two Capt". Warrants & 2 Commissions as also three Lieu". Warrants & 4 Commissions from which I conclude that 'twas a Lieut. Warrant which was given to Mr. Ten Eyke, the rest of the warrants shall be given to Such Persons as I Judge will answer the Public expectations in the most expeditious & most effectual manner.

The Companies when raised shall be mustered agreable to Your directions, but the small pay of the Officers in a Country where People are accustomed to high Wages, and where Men are now raising by Coll. Bradstreet at much higher rates as 1 am told, will I fear greatly retard their compleating, and I am a good deal Surprised how y'. letter & Inclosures could have been so long by the way.

The Indians who have been with me from all the 6 Nations for several days are Just departing for their respective Countrys, they amounted to 230 and were accompanied by several of the

1In the New York Historical Society, New York City.

2See Collections of the New York Historical Society, 1876, Colden Papers, p. 256-57.

yet freindly Seneca's from Kanadassegey, as also by 3 Deputys sent from Chenussio requesting to be informed of our present resolutions, & to know whether offers of peace on behalf of their People will be accepted of or not, in this, they were seconded by the rest of the Nations, who after representing the manner in wth, the Enemy Senecas had been drawn into the War, intimated that should they now be received into our freindship, the whole Six Nations would heartily Join us against the Shananese & Delawares, whom they represented as the principal Authors of all the late trouble, or agst, any other of our Enemies. And I know the disposition of these People so well, as to foresee that any attempt agst. the Senecas must naturally create uneasiness amongst the rest of the Confederacy, more particularly ye. Cayugaes & Onondagaes who are more connected wth, them than any of the rest. After giveing them a verry Severe reprimand for their Villainous & unnatural behaviour in ye. presence of the rest, I answered them that I could do nothing therein, but would lay it before the Kings General.

I have Just received two letters from the Lords of Trade (One dated in Septbr ye. other in Octb'. last) enclosing me the Kings Proclamation, & expressing the approbation of his Majesty & his Ministers, & that of their Lordships on my late representations, and his Royal Orders that I should cause the proclamation therewith transmitted to be published & Strictly complied with throughout my Jurisdiction, and I am hopefull that within a small Period of time things may be settled on a still more Satisfactory Plan.

I am a Stranger to what cause the Assembly Attribute the unhappy Rupture wh. is not a generall defection of the 6 Nations as is asserted, nor indeed of any other Nations, except the Shawanese, Some of ye. Ottawaes & Chippawaes, also Delawares & Chenussios. I shall not take upon me to point out the Originall Parsimony &ca, to wh. the first defection of the Indians can with Justice & certainty be attributed, but only observe as