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Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 153
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Innes of which I acquainted you by the last post. As the Conduct
& Behaviour of that Mr Croghan (a Copy of whose Letter you
inclosed me) was represented to me in no very favourable or
amiable light I cannot help taking the Liberty to mention some
things that have been said of him & to desire you unless you
are satisfied of the falsity of them to have him a little observed,
it has been asserted that He is a Roman Catholick & that one
Campbell a person of the same persuasion generally resides
at his House, that several Circumstances afford Room to suspect
that this Campbell paid a Visit sometime since to the French
Fort, but indeed I should not have given much Credit to such a
Story as this without it had been supported by stronger proofs
than were offered to me had not the Behaviour of Mr Croghan
in opening a Letter of the greatest Consequence sometime
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Letter Bk. II.
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since from Mr Stobo which was not directed to him & taking
as is asserted a Copy thereof did not make me a little sus-
picious of his Integrity & fidelity, in Excuse of this Step of
his I am told He urges the importunity of the Indians who
were with him & pressed him to let them know what Advice
the Letter contained: if that was the Case He ought by no
means to have taken such measures to satisfy their Curiosity
but I cannot learn that they even made him a Request of that
Sort or were very desirous of knowing the Contents of the
Letter: it has been also reported that Mr Croghan had Remit-
tances made him to pay the Indian who brought him the Letter
very hansomely but that he retained the Money & delivered
only a small parcel of Goods far inferiour to it in Value. In-
formation was also given me that by forging & telling them
false Stories he diverted a number of Indians from coming to
the Camp at Wills Creek some time ago in order to serve
thereby some private Ends of his own if his Behaviour has
deservedly subjected him to such Censures you will I doubt
not be able to make some Discovery & deal with him as he
might deserve. One Gerrard Pendigrass an Indian Trader on
Juniata has been represented to me as a person well acquainted
with the Back Country, if you will order him to be enquired
out & endeavour to learn what Character he bears & if he is
willing to attend the Troops as a Guide on Occasion You
will much oblige &c.
[Sharpe to De Lancey.]
Annapolis Decem. 27. 1754
Sir
I am informed that the Inhabitants or the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs at Albany have lately made a League of Friend-
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p. 50
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ship for themselves & the Govt of New York with the Canuaga
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p. 51
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