412 Assembly Proceedings, Feb. 26-Mar. 9, 1754.

L. H. J.
Liber No. 47
February 26

an Englishman taken at Menas when Cutt off the other a Frenchman
from whom We learn that the French have been incapable of Ac-
complishing their Designs on Ohio by Means of the Indians, but
threaten a Second Tryall the next Year, they also inform Us that
the Army had been Very Sickley & great Numbers died with the
Scurvey thro' the Badness of their Provisions and that the Indians
to the Southward had not only bid Defyance to them, but forced from
them both Provision & Brandy Sundry Times, they also Inform us
that the French had taken from thence Two English Prisoners whom
they Sent in Irons to Canada, ....
Extracts of Lieutenant Holland's Letter Commanding Officer at
Oswego.

p. 384

The following is the Letter from the Lord Commissioners of
Trade and the Plantations viz.^t
Sir. Whitehall Sep.^t 18^th 1753.

His Majesty having been pleased to order a Sum of Money to be
Issued for Presents to the Six Nations of Indians and to direct his
Governour of New York to hold an Interview with them for Deliv-
ering those presents, for Burying the Hatchet and for Renewing
the Covenant Chain with them: We think it our Duty to Acquaint
you therewith, and as we find it has been usual upon former occasions
when an Interview has been held with these Indians for all his
Majesty's Colonies whose Interest & Security is Connected with and
depends upon them to Join in Such Interview and as the present
Disposition of those Indians and the Attempts which have been made
to withdraw them from the British Interest Appear to us to make
Such a General Interview more particularly necessary at this Time
We desire you will lay this Matter before the Council and General
Assembly of the Province under your Government and Recommend
to them forthwith to make a proper Provision for Appointing Com-
missioners to be Joined with those of the Other Governments for
Renewing the Covenant Chain with the Six Nations And for mak-
ing Such presents to them as has been Usual Upon the like Occasions
And we desire that in the Choice & Nomination of the Commission-
ers you will take Care that they are Men of Character Ability &
Integrity and well Acquainted with the Indian Affairs.
As to the Time & Place of Meeting it is left to the Governour of
New York to fix it And he has Orders to give you Early Notice of it.
We are
Sir
Your Very loving Friends
&
Humble Serv.^ts
Dunk Halifax
T Greenville
Duplin