MANUSCRIPTS OF SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON.
343
Bretheren
You tell me that whilst Coll 0 Johnson had the Management ot Indian Affairs you all livedHappy; that you loved him and he you, and that he has always been your good and trusty Friend.I am very sensible you had good reason to look upon him in this Light, and fully convinced that he isstill your Friend. But as this is the place where the Antient Fire was kindled which was nearly burntout, and as Coll° Johnson for some Reason declined the management of Indian Affairs, it was thoughtproper to rekindle the Fire here by appointing Commissioners, whom I shall direct to receive and consultwith you, upon all Business that may concern our Mutual Interests, and I expect that you will for thefuture, apply to them according to the Custom of Your forefathers, to tell you News, and in return toreceive from them what shall be thought necessary to be imparted to You. And I will give them directionsthat they treat you with the Affection due to you as Bretheren. I will make tryall of them anotheryear and if you do not meet with the kind Treatment you have aright to expect, complain to this Gov-ernment and effectual Measures shall be taken for your Satisfaction. Gave a Belt
The following was to be spoke by M r Kellogg Interpreter from Massachusetts Bay.Bretheren
We have agreed to tell all News and take Council together. We cannot part till we havetold you the News from New England tho’ at a considerable distance from you. The French have thesame bad designs there as well as at Ohio ; They are very fond to get Kennybeck River, We haveNews of their beginning a Fort at the head of that river; A priest of theirs has built a House a greatway down that River ; Governor Shirley has raised 800 Men and is gone down to drive them awayand to Build an English Fort at $he head or far up the said River Kennybec—We have News alsothat the French are building a Fort up Connecticut River Northward of Cowass; The Governor ofNew Hampshire has now sent a Company of Men up that River to enquire into that Fact, and if trueto drive them mediately off. In another part of the Government of Ne-w Hampshire a Numberof the S‘ Francis 8 Indians have lately taken a family consisting of a Man and his Wife and threeChildren and carried them into Captivity from an out Settlement on Merrismack River, and this contraryto their solemn Engagement at a Treaty held with them.
We have also News that a Number of Indians had Murdered Twenty one English Fishermen atCanso and had carried their Scalps to Cape Britton where they were well received and tis said rewarded.
The Board then Adjourned till to Morrow Morning at 9 a Clock.
Present
The four Gentlemen of the Council of New York , andAll the Commissioners for the Several Governments.
The plan for a Union of the Colonies was Debated, but nothing finally determined on.
Adjourned to 3 oclock this afternoon.
At a Meeting as above Thursdaythe 4, July 1754. P. M.
Present
All the Commissioners for the several Governments.
The plan for a Union was further considered but no resolves made thereupon.
The Board receiving a Message from his Honour the Lieu 1 . Governor of New York that theIndians were seated in order to speak to his Honour and the Commissioners.
The Board adjourned to 9 o’clock to Morrow Morning and waited upon the Governor.