APPENDIX F. 363 



and several others, (tlieii prisoners), transmitted me hy Colonel Bonquet, 

 and one of my officers who accompanied him, will appear. That in an 

 especial manner tlie French promoted tl:e interest of Pontiao, whose influ- 

 ence is now become so considerable, as General Gage observes in a late 

 letter to me, that it extends even to the Mouth of the Mississippi, and has 

 been the principal occasion of our not as yet gaining the Illinois, whicli 

 the French as well as Indians are interested in preventing. This Pontiac 

 is not included in the late Treaty at Detroit, and is at the head of a great 

 number of Indians privately supported by the French, an officer of whom 

 was about three months ago at the Miamis Castle, at the Scioto Plains, 

 Muskingum, and several other places The Western Indians, who it 

 seems ridicule the whole expedition, will be influenced to such a pitch, 

 by the interested French on the one side, and the influence of Pontiac on 

 the other, that we have great reason to apprehend a renewal of hostilities, 

 or at least that they and the Twiglitees (Miamis) will strenuously oppose 

 our possessing the Illinois, which can never be accomphslied without their 

 consent. And indeed it is not to be wondered that they should be con- 

 cerned at our occupying that countrj^ when we consider that the French 

 (be their motive what it will) loaded them with favors, and continue to 

 do so, accompanied with all outAvard marks of esteem, and an address 

 peculiarly adapted to their manners, wliich infallibly gains upon all 

 Indians, who judge by extremes only, and with all their acquaintance 

 with us upon the frontiers, have never found any thing hke it, but on the 

 contrary, harsh treatment, angry words, and in short any thing which can 

 be thought of to inspire them with a dislike to our manners and a jeal- 

 ousy of our views. I have seen so much of these matters, and I am so 

 well convmced of the utter aversion that our people have for them in 

 general, and of the imprudence with which they constantly express it, 

 that I absolutely despair of our seeing tranquillity established, until your 

 Lordships' plan is fully settled, so as I may have proper persons to reside 

 at the Posts, whose business it shall be to remove their prejudices, and 

 whose interest it becomes to obtain their esteem and friendship. 



The importance of speedily possessing the Illinois, and thereby securing 

 a considerable branch of trade, as well as cutting off the channel by 

 which our enemies have been and wnll alwaj^s be supplied, is a matter I 

 have very much at heart, and what I think may be effected this winter 

 by land by Mr. Croghan, in case matters can be so far settled with the 

 Twightees, vShawanoes, and Pontiac, as to engage the latter, with some 

 chiefs of the before-mentioned nations, to accompany him with a garrison. 

 The expense attending this -will be large, but the end to be obtained is 

 too considerablie to be neglected. I have according!}' recommended it to 

 the consideration of General Gage, and shall, on the arrival of the Shaw- 

 anoes, Delawai-es, &c., here, do all in my power to pave the way for 

 effecting it. I shall also make such a peace with them, as will be most 

 for the credit and advantage of the crown, and the security of the trade 

 and frontiers, and tie them down to such conditions as Indians will most 

 probably observe. 



