service; and I hear the Indians shew'd signs of satisfaction at their arrival in particular that they discover'd and have brought back to the Commander of the forces two deserters who were going to Canada.

The next day the Vessell, which I had sent to St. George's River to bring hither such of the Penobscot Chiefs, as that Tribe should delegate to come to the Conference, return'd with fourteen of them: And the next morning I open'd the Conference with them.

I acquainted them with what We design'd to do upon the River Kennebeck, and what had pass'd between me and the Norridgwalks upon that subject, telling them that though I was sensible they had no property in that River, yet I thought fit, as they were our Friends to apprize them of what we intended to do there with the motives of our proceedings. They did not discover the least uneasiness at what I said, and in their answer only desir'd, I would build no fort higher up St. George's River than the present fort, assuring me that they would not suffer the French to make any Settlement, or set up any fort upon their Lands, and profest in the strongest Terms a sincere Disposition to cultivate a perfect harmony with us.

They shew'd themselves very ready and desirous to ratify the former Treaties of Peace; which was done; and in four days after their Arrival here, I sent them back to St. George's in perfect good humour, having first made them the same Offer of maintaining and Educating any of their Children at the Charge of the Province, that I had to the Norridgwalk Indians. Whereupon two of their young men desir'd leave of me to go to Boston to learn the English Language, and one of their Chiefs offer'd to bring his Son there the next Spring, and leave him to be educated.

The Arssegunticooks still stand out; and the only expedient, which occurr'd to me for putting a Stop to their Hostilities, was to observe to the Norridgwalks and Penobscots, that by Lt. Governour Dummer's Treaty with them the Arssegunticooks and other Eastern Tribes, to which Treaty the Government of New Hampshire was a Party it is Stipu

lated between the English and Indians "That if any Controversy or Difference at any time thereafter should happen to arise between any of the English and Indians for any real or suppos'd Wrong or injury done on either side, no private Revenge should be taken for the same, but a proper application made to his majestys Government upon the place for Remedy or Redress thereof in a due Course of Justice" and that by the Treaty of Peace made in 1749 between the same English Governments and Indians those Tribes Engag'd "That if any Indians should at any time thereafter Committ any acts of Hostility against the English they would join their Young men with the English in reducing such Indians to Reason."

I then observ'd to them that three Commissioners from the Government of New Hampshire were, in Conformity to those Treaties, now come to meet the Arssegunticooks, in order to give and receive satisfaction for mischiefs done on either side; but that the Arssegunticooks have absolutely refus'd to Appear here, and insist upon taking their own Revenge on the English, have actually carried off one Family captive, pillag'd and burnt two houses, and are watching for opportunities to commit further Hostilities.

Wherefore, as the English had on their part observ'd the before mention'd Treaties and the Arssegunticook Indians had broke them, and absolutely refus'd to submit to them, We had, I told them, a right by virtue of those Treaties to call upon them "to join their Young men with ours to reduce the Arssegunticooks to reason" which I now demanded of them.

This was a very serious Affair with them, and seem'd to Embarrass them. The Norridgwalk Indians in their Conference Assur'd me they had already put a Stop to the Hostilities of the Arssegunticooks until their Return to Norridgwalk, that they were sure they would commit none before they called upon them there; and that then they would use their best endeavours to restrain them from committing any further; and undertook, if they should fail of success, to give the English notice before they did more mischief; The

Speaker of the Penobscots in their Conference with me, assur'd me, that himself would at their return to Penobscot go to the head Quarters of the Arssegunticooks and make them call their Indians in from committing Hostilities against the English.

I let both these Tribes know, that we should depend upon their effecting this, and if they did not, that we must insist upon their joining with us to reduce the Arssegunticooks

to reason.

This is the issue, Sir, of the Conferences held here; and I hope the effect of them may be to divert the Indians from further thoughts of War at present, and make them acquiesce in our new forts and settlements upon the River Kennebeck which, it seems clear to me with regard to the Indians, we have a just right to carry on; and let their Disposition be what it will, that it is necessary to be done for securing the possession of this most essential River against the incroachments of the French, whether present or future, of which there appears to be no end upon this Continent.

As to the progress, which is made by our forces upon the River Kennebeck, I shall defer, Sir, giving you an account of it 'till their Return to Taconnett.

I dont apprehend much danger that the French will Attempt to give them any Interruption in their march, or to molest us in carrying on the two forts upon the River. However, as the Governour of Canada's receiving frequent accounts at Quebec of our Number and motions could not be avoided, and the French may possibly be elated with their late Success upon the Ohio against Colo. Washington, whose Forces consisting of about 4 or 500 men, I hear, they have defeated; I am determined to remain here until their return, and our works upon the River shall be either compleated, or so far advanc'd, as to be out of danger, that I may be ready, in case of any unforeseen Emergency, to support the 800 men we have now upon the River with 500 more, which I should not much doubt in such case to be able to raise forthwith in these parts, where I have taken care to have a Corps 1 Fort Necessity surrendered on July 4, 1754

de Reserve left for that purpose, and to keep a quorum of his Majesty's Council with me as their advice to me for taking any extraordinary measures, which the present Service may require, will be agreeable to the Assembly. And as expresses by whale boats are continually passing and repassing between me, the forts, and forces now on their march, I hope sufficient precautions are taken to prevent surprizes, and secure the success of the service I am engag'd in.

I am with the Highest Respect,

Sir,

Herewith you will receive my Orders to you in form; the Execution of which I with great Satisfaction intrust you with, being persuaded of your abilities, and zeal for his majesty's service, and that of the province at this critical conjuncture.

I must not detain the express longer than to assure you that I am

Sir,

Your real Friend and
Servant,

Colonel Israel Williams.

1

W. SHIRLEY.

1 Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Society, Col. Israel Williams Manuscripts, 71 D, 75.

SIR,

1

JOSIAH WILLARD TO ISRAEL WILLIAMS 1
Boston, Septr. 7, 1754.

Late last night, I received a Packet from his Excellency, by the Express I sent on Lords Day Evening with your Letters, advising of the Mischief done by the Indians in the Western Parts. In these Dispatches I have his Excy's Warrant to you for doing what is necessary for the Protection of the Frontiers in the Western Parts; but it being thro' Haste much altered, interlined and obliterated, His Excellency orders me to have it transcribed fairly, and that I should sign it in his Name, and send it to you by Express. He also ordered me to call the Council together, and have their Advice upon these Matters, Leaving it to them to make any Alterations as to these Instructions which they should judge needful; But upon Consideration thereof they thought them full and sufficient; And have only directed me to put you in mind of sending to the Government of Connecticut (which is covered by our Frontier Towns) for Assistance upon the next Emergency.

I am
Sir,

Your very humble Servant,

J. WILLARD.

P.S. I have sent you by this Express twenty blank Commissions which are all that can be spared at present; the Govrs. Return is expected within a few days.

I have this Minute received Advice of the Assault of the Enemy at Stockbridge and of Connecticuts sending Succours. The Council have no doubt of your doing every thing in your Power for the Safety of the Frontiers. Colo. Israel Williams.

1 Original, L. S., Mass. Hist. Society, Col. Israel Williams Manuscripts, 71 D, 76.