On the other hand, the Preamble of the Act sets forth, That it was found by Experience, that the French of Canada, by means of Indian Goods brought from that Province, had not only almost wholly engrossed the Indian Trade, but had in great Measure, withdrawn the Affections of the Five Nations of Indians from the Inhabitants of that Province, and rendered them wavering in their Allegiance to your Majesty; and would, if such Trade were not prevented, altogether alienate the Minds of the said Indians, which would prove of dangerous Consequence to the English Interest in America.
And Mr. Burnet, your Majesty's Governor of New-York, informs us, That, since the passing of this Act, several of the far Indians had come to Albany to trade; That some of them came above one thousand Miles, and are now incorporated with the Five Nations: That he had likewise Intelligence of more far Indians that design'd to come to Albany, which he conceives to have been a good Effect proceeding from this Act: And likewise adds, That he did not doubt but the Cheapness of Goods in Albany would induce the Indians to trade there, rather than with the French at Montreal; and that the Traders of Albany began to be sensible of their Error in sharing a Trade with the French, which they now perceive they can keep wholly to themselves.
Upon the whole, being doubtful of some of the Facts alledged by the Merchants, and considering how far the British Trade may be affected by this Act, on the one hand; and how much the Security and Interest of your Majesty's Colonies in America may be concerned, on the other, we are humbly of Opinion, That no Directions should be sent to New-York, upon the Subject-Matter of this Act, till Mr. Burnet shall have been acquainted with the Objections of the Merchants thereto, and his Answers and Observations received thereupon. For which end, if your Majesty shall be graciously pleased to approve of this our Proposal, we shall forthwith send him Copies both of the Merchants Memorial, and of what Objections they have made before us to the Subject-Matter of this Bill.
Which is most humbly submitted. Signed,
J. Chetwind,
T. Pelham,
M. Bladen,
R. Plummer,
Ed. Ashe.
Whitehall
,
July