The Lower House. 321

immediate Danger by the French and Indians on the Land Part will
be deaf to all the Solicitations from the Colonies that are most deeply
affected with this war for Succour in their Distressed State, in a
Short Time the Enemy will in all Probability, depopulate such un-
happy deserted Provinces, And then those, who now think them-
selves in Security, will feel the miseries of this bloody war, and too
late repent of the neglect of their own Interest, as well as their Dis-
regard to their Fellow Subjects; and what is greatly to be lamented
in our present Case is, that with all the Advantages we have over
our Enemies, yet for want of an Union of Councils among ourselves
(which renders us contemptible in the Eyes of the Indians) the
French, who are weak in themselves, but in the strictest Combina-
tion with one another and the Savages that dwell among or near
them, are like to bring the Six most Powerful nations of Indians on
this Continent (which have hitherto from Time immemorial been
firmly Attached to the English Government) over into their Interest
In this situation of our affairs we can have no Prospect of Any-
thing but misery and Desolation, unless the several Governments will
join in the firmest League Against the Common Enemy, and carry
on the war with Vigour and Resolution, and then we may hope for
the blessing of Divine Providence to render our Designs successful
I must therefore intreat your Honour to lay this matter before your
Assembly, and to do all in Your Power to Spirit them up to Resolu-
tions becoming the Character of Englishmen. I am with great re-
gard S^r Your Honours most obedient humble Servant
W. Shirley
S^r New Yorke 19^th May 1746

I have your Letter of the 7^th Instant whereby I discover a Very
Sudden and uncommon Resolution of your Assembly at this Time
of such imminent Danger from the Enemy. I fed myself at least
with hopes of y^r appointing Commissioners for our Mutual Security,
as it was a measure thought to be prudent and wise, and probably
their Neglect in this Point may occasion to them greater Evils than
they are aware of, as the French are at Present very enterprizing
and committing great Hostilities and cruel Murthers on our Fron-
tiers, and I am confident one Province alone cannot withstand their
Attacks, while our Indians continue neutral; and Indeed I am afraid
the French have worked them up to such Thoughts of Ingratitude
for which reason no pains should be wanting to remove such an
Opinion for his Majesties Service I am in Continual Alarms and

L. H. J.
Liber No. 46

Hurry, but always very much
S^r Your obedient humble Servant
G. Clinton
S^r New York 26^th May 1746

I have been advised by last Post, that the Governments of Connec-
ticut and Rhode Island have appointed Commiss^rs to treat with

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p. 587