Some People wish that the Indians may remain neuter, and think it adviseable to pursue Measures for that Purpose, by which many horrid Barbarities would be prevented. No doubt this is to be wished; but can the English Colonies by any Means be assured, that the French will be sincere in preserving such a Neutrality? And if they be not sincere, we shall more certainly expose ourselves to all these Calamities, than we are now by Indians being engaged on both Sides. The Six Nations are by their natural Inclinations, disposed to War-like Enterprizes: They never have been at Peace with all their Neighbours, since they were known to Christians. The Reputation they have gained among all the Indian Nations in North America, gives them an Influence in the Councils of every Nation. It may then be easy for the French to turn this Disposition to War in the Six Nations, against us, and by their Influence draw all the Indian Nations in North America upon us. The Genius of the Six Nations will not suffer them to remain inactive, while their Neighbours are at War.
In the last Place, it may not be improper to observe at this Time, that though the Colonies to the Southward (and the Inhabitants of the Parts of the Northern Colonies, which are less exposed to the Incursions of Indians) think themselves little concerned in Interest, or in the Consequences of the present War; yet if they would consider that the Northern Colonies are really their Frontiers, and that they defend the others from all the Calamities of a most barbarous War; the Southern Colonies must think that any Contribution of Men and Money, which is expected from them, is an easy Purchase of the Freedom from such Calamities, to which their Brethren are subjected; and that while they can follow their Occupations at Ease, they are much better enabled to support the Expence of a War than the Northern Colonies are, where the Inhabitants are every Day in Danger of their Lives from a cruel Enemy, while at their daily and innocent Labours. If the Southern Colonies neglect to keep the War at a Distance from them, they may at an improper Time, become sensible of the Evils their Brethren suffer, and of their own Folly at the same Time.
New-York, Dec. 2, 1746.
The Party of seventy Indians and Whites mentioned in this Treaty, did not go out together as was at first intended, Sickness and other Incidents made it necessary to alter the Measures at first proposed. One Party of thirty Indians and ten Whites went by themselves. These fell upon a French Settlement on the North-side of St. Lawrence River, about 10 Leagues above Montreal, and brought away eight French Prisoners, one of them a Captain of Militia, and four Scalps. Another Party of nine Indians went to the Cahnuagas, under Pretence of continuing the Neutrality with them, they were introduced to the Governor of Montreal under the same Pretence, who made them Presents: Their Design was to gain what Intelligence they could, and after they had done this, they acted their Part so well, that they received several Letters, one from the Governor of Montreal, and others from considerable Persons to the Commandant of Fort St. Frederic at Crown Point. In their Way thither, by which they were to return Home, they surprized some French in a small Fort, killed five, and brought away one Prisoner and one Scalp. They brought the French Prisoner and the Letters to the commanding Officer at Albany, and informed him of what they had seen and heard at Montreal.
