what he writes. He adds that he has sent Belts to [

1

to the Cheifs of the Twighteeys &ca, to meet him at ye. conf[ ] of Scioto.

The Bearer Mr. Wharton of Philadelp [hia] Informs me that he had prepared a large quantity of [ ] for the Illinois Trade so Soon as the same might be car [ried] on, & for that purpose had sent it forward to be in read [iness] at Fort Pitt under the Eye of the Commanding Officer [ 1

that the Paxton & other Rioters had way layed them near Fort [Loudoun] & Seized & destroyed it to the amount of £3000 in Value [ their dislike as it is thought to have any

Trade carried on in this [

[

[

to you [

] do some mo[

I laid aside all obedience

I have mentioned this affair Wharton] who has formerly, as well

as now suffered so much, and represented [ permitted to Send a Second Cargoe to remain [ til he may be allowed to Send it forward to the [

It will certainly be necessary to have a Trade open [ed at & all other Posts so soon as we have certain notice [that] Mr. Croghan has Succeeded in his negotiations, & that [pos] session is taken of it.

Mr. Croghan writes that the Murder [ lately at Detroit, was committed by [

at St. Joseph.

the two Soldiers ] Powtawattamies

Mr. Feild (to whom Mr. Croghan gave the Draft on Me for the Sum mentioned in my last) is now here, and, in hopes of receiveing ye. Money, [ ] Accepted a Draft to y'. Amount payable in a few days, Wherefore [I] am in hopes by y'. next, I shall be enabled to answer Sd. Bill as it will otherwise be a great disapointment to Him.

His Excellency

GENRL. GAGE

1Fort Chartres is doubtless the name burned off.

TO J. ORMSBY DONNELLAN ETC.

In the Johnson Calendar, p. 261, are listed the following papers which were destroyed by fire: a letter of April 3d to J. Ormsby Donnellan, to speak of Mr Croghan's journey to obtain possession of the Illinois, Indian discontent and the unsettled state of the department (extract printed in Collections of the Illinois State Historical library, 10:467, ed C. W. Alvord and C. E. Carter); one of the 3d from Henry Holland, New York, saying that he sends by John Van Alen the wampum desired and has retired from business; and one, undated, from Jean Baptiste Parent and Marie de La Chauvignerie, his wife, asking that they may have the preference in giving liquor to the Indians who are about to come to Montreal, as they have been long in the trade, have the confidence of Mr Clauss and the Indians and are bringing up a young English girl (In French; signed lachouignerie paran.)

TO GEORGE CROGHAN

Df.1

[Johnson Hall April 4. 1765]

[I received your letter of the 2d ult. by the hands of Mr. Wharton who with Mr. Field came here a few days ago, and informs me that the Paxtoners seized upon Goods he was sending up near Sideling Hill, & burned & destroyed the greatest part of them to prevent them from going forward] to the Indians & beg [me to give my Sentiments] to the Gov'. of Pensilvania that a [Trade should be opened with the Illinois] so Soon as we get possession of it, I find [these goods were carried up] without the Govrs. pass, which has occasioned [much disfavor in that] as well as in this province, & it is insinuated [that the same was] Countenanced by you, I therefore would not let slip [the opportunity] of writing you upon it as I apprehend it will be necessary [for you to] Clear up the matter in case it should go farther, as the [Enemys] to the Department may possibly carry it Some length. [I have] wrote sev!. persons that they

'In handwriting of Guy Johnson. Matter burned away has been supplied for the most part from an extract made by Clarence E. Carter before the fire.

presuming upon the necessity of [opening a Trade] with the Illinois so soon as it was occupied, had induced them [to] [forward] the Goods to Fort Pitt, there to be in readiness, but they certainly [sh'ld] have taken out a pass.

I imagine the Shawanese would hardly have sent Past [the] French Traders, as they Say & that it is a finesse of theirs to get [ things, of this you will be the best Judge on a farther enquiry, but Oeconomy could not be too much made use of as I find [by] Gen' Gages last Letter that the Treasury have ordered him to issue [no] more Warrants nor to incurr any farther Expence, but in Cases of imme [diate] urgency wherein there is not time for knowing his Majestys pleasure [&] even then, the reasonableness of accts. are to be Judged of at home & approved, or rejected as they shall see fitting. And also Vouchers must be produced for Everry Article of Expence, & even for the Delivery of them to the Indians. I apprehend this is intended as a saving preparatory to the Establishment of the plan, [but] it must be Strictly observed as far as possible.

I know the necessity of opening a Trade, but I am convinced it cannot be managed properly 'till there are a Sufficient Number of Inspectors over it, & the Inds. can be told that their own treachery is the cause of its not going on with Alacrity as the Traders know not how [ & Effects in their power till they see they are thoroughly reformed, but I believe they will have little to Complain on the Scor[e] of [

[

[

[

] they can venture their persons

lly after which I shall write you [

] is necessary.

] Family here desire their Comp3. & wishing

ous Journey as does