[546-547] May it please your Excellency.

I am very glad your Excellency has given orders to have the Indian children returned, are kept by the Traders as pawns or pledges as they call it, but rather stolen from them (as the parents came at the appointed time to redeem them, but they sent them away before hand) and as they were children of our Friends & Allies, and if they are not returned next Spring it will confirm what the French told the six Nations (viz) that we looked upon them as our Slaves or Negroes which affair gave me a great deal of trouble at that time to reconcile I can not find that Mr Abeel who has a Seneca Child, or Vandrieson who has got a Missisagey, are to deliver theirs which I am apprehensive will cause great disturbance

I must also acquaint your Excellency that most of the Indians of both the Mohawks Castles are determined to go to War with the Catawba's and are to be joined by great Numbers of their Brethren as also by several other Nations I have for some time past kept them from that vile practice notwithstanding the French used all their endeavors to set them on but as affairs are circumstanced at present it is out of my power to attempt it however I must humbly represent to your Excellency that the bringing about a Peace between them Indians and ours would be a thing of great importance & the only way in my humble opinion to effect it, would be to get about half a Dozen of the Cheifs of that Tribe or Nation to come here and desire a Peace with the Six Nations, which I flatter myself I could persuade them to agree to - The Oneida Sachims were with me last week ernestly desiring they may be allowed a Smith among them. I told them I would acquaint your Excellency of it and let them know your answer there is but one smith this Winter among the five nations

I am

Sir

With great Respect

Your Excellencys humble St.

WM JOHNSON