MANUSCRIPTS OF SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON.

361

That he is of Opinion, it would at this Time greatly encourage the Indians, if two Forts wereerected as Speedily as may be, One in the Senecas Country, and the other in the Country of theOneidas. W m . Johnson.

The above Examination was taken beforea Committee of His Majesty’s Council theday and year first above Written.

Geo. Banyar D Cl Cur.

Copy Examd. p Gw. Banyar D Cl Cur.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM COL. JOHNSON TO GOY. CLINTON.

14th May 1748

May it Please Y r Excelly

I am to acquaint You Sir of my return from Onondaga three days ago, after the most trouble-some fatiugeing Journey I ever took, but the kind Behaviour of the Six Nations to me in a greatmeasure makes up for every thing; having receiv’d and Entertain’d me well I would have wrote to YourExcelly a day or two Sooner, but when the People heard of my return, my House was constantly full ofChristians, as well as Indians, and Continues so still, that I have Scarce a Minutes time to do any thing,and then again this News of an Army coming against me, and the Mohawks River in Particular, hastaken up my time much, by the People flocking about me, Women roaring & Clapping of Hands,begging for Shelter, so that I have a most miserable life of it, besides the great Risque I run ofbeing hourly destroyed, I would have wrote Your Excelly a full Acc 1 of this News before, but M rLyddius told me he sent Your Excelly the Original Letters already. I send Your Excelly herewithMy Speech, & Answer of the Five Nations , whereby you can form a Judgment, and pritty near howthe five Nations stand Affected at present, I assure Your Excelly I had a great Deal of trouble to bringthem to any reason, being quite out of Humour , at the many Disappointments they have met withsince the beginning of the War, and now again at being stopp’d from going to Canada , for their Peoplewho are in Confinement there, and can have them now for going for, as they are Assured by severalBelts of Wampum , sent them last Winter by the Governour of Canada , whereupon I was obliged (inorder to prevent their going) to Assure them, Your Excell y would Endeavour to gett them from thence,so that if Your Excelly does not fall upon some speedy way of Getting them from thence soon, Ifear it may be the means of Sowering their tempers more then any thing Ever happened Yet, as wehinder them from doing of it, If Your Excelly Succeeds in it, there’s nothing will please themmore, or Convince them that you have the greatest regard for their Welfare which you always Express.Wherefore if I may make so free, would Earnestly request your Excelly would please to take it intoConsideration speedily, as there is nothing can be done at present would be of more Service to ourIndian Affairs, I am desired by the Six Nations to acquaint Your Excelly of their want of Provisions,hopeing that You will send them some Indian Corn, Pork or any thing You think proper for their Relief.

I have this Day received Your Excelly favour with Orders to Employ so many Men of theseLevies, and so many of the Inhabitants, to Scour the Woods, which I shall Immediately put in Execu-tion, altho the Men all Grumble much to find Indian Shoes &c a for 6 d p r Day, when I was going toOnondaga I left Orders whenever the Indians Call’d for Men to Scour the woods, that there should be aNumber ready for that purpose, and Since that time there has been two Parties out with some Indians,to whom I promised one Shilling p r Day, and 18 pence to the Sergeants, as I could not tell what the

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