IT is agreed, I think, on all Hands, that the gaining and preserving the Friendship of the Indians to the British Interest, is of no small Importance to the Trade of Great-Britain, as well as to the Peace and Prosperity of these Colonies: And, as I have not heard of any Body, that has, as yet, attempted to put this Matter in a proper Light, I shall, with great Submission, humbly offer my Sentiments, in Hopes they may in­duce some abler Hand to undertake the Task.

When the first Ship arrived here from Europe, the Indians it is said, were so well-pleased, that they would have her tied to a Tree, in order the better to secure her; but as Cables were subject to rot, they would have it an Iron Chain, and this to be continued into the Indian Countries, that they might be the better able to keep their Part of it clear from Rust, as we were to keep our Part. If the Indians were in Distress or Want, the Call was, as it is at this Day, to come and make clean, or renew the Covenant Chain; and the Christ­ians on their Part, were to do the like: And accord­ingly we have assisted them in their Wars and Wants, and they have assisted us in our Wars, and we have their Furs.

[Page 6] This is the original Contract and Treaty of Com­merce with the Five Nations. And thus Things went on tolerably well for some Years, 'till the due Execu­tion of this Treaty was committed to the Care of a Number of Commissioners, mostly Anglo-Dutch Tra­ders in Indian Goods; who, together with a Tribe of Harpies or Handlers, their Relations, and Under­strappers, have so abused, defrauded, and deceived those poor, innocent, well-meaning People, that this Treaty has well-nigh executed itself; so that at pre­sent we have very few Indians left that are sincerely in our Interest, or that can be depended upon. The fatal Consequences of this Management were severely felt in many Instances last War, particularly in the Case of Saraghtoga, Schenectady, &c. which could not possibly have happened had our Indians been sincerely our Friends. And what fatal Consequences must attend a continued Neglect of Indian Affairs; more especially as the French, our natural Enemies and Competitors in every Corner of the World where we have any Con­cern, are indefatigable in cultivating the Friendship of their own Indians, and by all Means and Arts in their Power, per fas & ne fas, endeavouring to seduce those in the British Interest; is apparent to the meanest Ca­pacity. Murders and Desolation, upon the first Breach, is one certain Consequence; and I wish I could think this was all.

What to me is most surprizing, that, tho' there is hardly a Colony upon the Continent, but what is a Match for all Canada; yet, by a proper Management of their Indians, they keep us all, both in Time of Peace and War, in a constant Dread and Terror.

As the British Parliament seems at this Time dis­posed to take these Colonies under Consideration, it is the Duty, I conceive, of every Member of the Com­munity to throw in such Hints as he conceives may be of Use upon this Occasion; and it is to be hop'd there [Page 7]are those amongst us, of Capacity, Leisure and publick Spirit, sufficient to model them into a proper Shape, for the Perusal of that august Assembly. An honest Detail of Facts, and a fair View of the Importance of the Subject, is all that I shall endeavour at, at present. It cannot be doubted, but that the Government at Home would assist us effectually, were our Situation and Circumstances but perfectly known to them, and proper Methods proposed; because it is really their Interest.

I do not mean here to put the Crown and the Peo­ple of England to any great Expence about us, further than that of one single Officer, as Super-intendant of the Whole, who may have no Connection either with the Trade or People of the Country; and some Ar­tillery. The Crown already has expended many and great Sums to make us what we are; and the People of England are already sufficiently loaded with Taxes; whereas we hardly know what they mean. The Co­lonies therefore, jointly, it is to be hop'd, will willingly contribute towards whatever Expence may attend a proper Regulation of our Trade and Frontiers; if not willingly, let us not dispair but that a British Parlia­ment will oblige them. It is high Time we should look to our own Security, and most unnatural to ex­pect, that we should hang forever upon the Breasts of our Mother-Country: We are sufficiently able, and must be made, some of us I doubt, at least, willing. Whatever Pretences may be made, it is absolutely true, that the Preservation of the whole Continent, depends upon a proper Regulation of the Six Nations; and the Security of the Frontiers of New-York, both to the Northward and Southward. I therefore, with great Submission, propose,

That a good strong Fort be built at the Wood-Creek, or near it; it ought to be a regular Fortifica­tion; because it is not impossible to bring great Guns [Page 8]against it, from Crown-Point, from whence they pour in their Parties upon us, in Time of War. Here let there be a Magazine of all Kinds of warlike Stores, both offensive and defensive, with Snow-Shoes, small Hatchets, &c. This will in a great Measure protect the Country; and from thence a Descent upon Canada may be very practicable.

That this Fort be able to contain Five Hundred Men in Time of War, and in Time of Peace never less than One Hundred.

That there be an Addition of two Independent Companies, to the four already established here, from the Highlands of Scotland; the wilder, the better for a common Garrison there.

That all the Lands from Fort-Nicholson, to Fort-Anne, that is, all the Lands upon the Carrying-Place, and those adjacent, be set apart for the Use of such Highlanders only, as will settle there, and to be properly assisted in their settling for the first two or three Years. To each Man and his Wife One Hundred Acres; and to each single Person, Man, Woman, or Child, Fifty Acres, without Fee or Reward, to them and their Heirs for ever.

That near this Fort, at a proper Distance, there be erected a small Block-House, sufficient for thirty Indians, to be kept there on constant Pay, during a War; five, viz. from each Nation, to be relieved and regulated in such Manner as the Six Nations themselves think most proper.

That a Number of Commissioners from all the Colonies, be appointed to meet yearly, at New-York or Albany, in order to fix their respective Quotas for the general Expence, and for erecting such other Forts and Block-Houses as may be thought necessary.

That those Gentlemen jointly, be fully impowered to lay out Lands, (not already granted) most conve­niently situated for a Frontier. And as it seems very probable, that we shall very soon have a Run of Germans [Page 9]this Way, I should advise the laying-out of those Lands after the New-England Manner, in Townships sufficient for Sixty Families at least; to be granted to them and their Heirs, without Fee or Reward, and clear of all Taxes and Quit-Rents, for ten Years at least.

That in each Township there be erected a good strong Church, with Loop-Holes, and a few Field Pieces, which may serve for a Retreat upon Occasion. Or rather, let publick Notices, in the most authentick Manner, be sent abroad to the Highlands of Scotland, Ireland and Holland, where those emigrant Germans have their Agents; that upon the Arrival in this Province of a Number of Families, not under Thirty; which Number, supposing five to a Family, is sufficient to be­gin any Settlement, and as many as any one Ship should be allow'd to import at a Time; each Person, young or old, shall be intitled to One Hundred Acres of good Land, granted to them and their Heirs, without Fee, or any other Incumbrance of Taxes, or Quit-Rent, for the first ten Years. Their Passages, and some small additional Helps towards their first settling, to be paid by the Colonies jointly; or let each Colony have its particular Colony or Township, in that Country; Pro­vided always, that those Lands be laid out so as to form a Barrier. I would not have these Townships altogether Germans, but alternate. Philadelphia may one Day repent the vast Importation of those People amongst them; they are most of them old Soldiers. I have Reason to know something of their Spirit, having had some Hand in disarming 600 of them upon Account of a Mutiny in this Province; and it was my Fortune to command some of them upon the Expedition against Canada, in 1711. A Society of Free-Men, absolutely disclaiming the Use of Arms, and at the same Time encouraging the Introduction of vast Numbers of old Soldiers, and foreign too, who hardly know what the Word LIBERTY means; is a Contrast which they only can account for.

[Page 10] That a String of Block-Houses be erected, so as to make the Communication, or an Alarm, from one Garrison, or Block-House, to another, easy, by Smoaks properly disposed in the Day Time, or by throwing up a Number of Rockets, or firing Great Guns in the Night Time. Such an Expedient would be of great Use during the War, as the Indians never attack but by Surprize, and would greatly discourage Indian Enemy Parties, as it would keep our own Garrisons upon the Watch, and our Out Scouts to their Duty. I do not think it at all impracticable, to convey an Alarm from Albany to New-York, in one Night, if Rockets or Great Guns were properly disposed and attended. Let us suppose, for Example, a Party of French and Indians abroad, which seldom happens without being discovered by some Out-Scout or other; upon Discovery, if in the Day Time, let there be one great Smoak, and one Great Gun fired; which, if taken up by the other Garrisons, I am confident that Party would hardly proceed. In order to discover what Course the Party may take, let there be three Smoaks, two pretty near to one another, and the third at a proper Distance, either to the Eastward or Westward, &c. which will point out the Course taken. This may be improved.

That in each of the Six Nations there be built a Fort of some Kind or other, where, and in what Manner that particular Nation best approves of.

That in the Onondago Country, where their general Councils are held, and the Archives of the Six Nations are kept, something more than common be erected; this will do Honour to the British Nation, and great­ly encourage the Indians, especially in Time of War, while their old Men, Women, and Children are secure in a Fort, with a small Party of Christians, their Excursions will be more free, and frequent: But, this Security ought to be left altogether to their own Choice; whether, by erecting one single Fortification [Page 11]for the Retreat of the Whole; (the Senecas I should chuse, being a fine Country, where great Encourage­ment ought to be given to Settlers, and where the Indians are less tainted with Christian Vices); or whether each Nation should have their proper Retreat or Security.

What has hitherto prevented our Indians, in their Excursions against the Enemy, is, in my humble Opi­nion, in a great Measure, owing to the Apprehensions of having their Castles cut off in their Absence; they have been often threatened, and indeed at present they have Nothing to trust to but their Heels: And No­thing, in my humble Opinion, has prevented the Attempt, but the Resolutions of the Cachnawagas, their principal Fighters, (but Deserters from our Mohawks) not to spill the Blood of their Relations and Country-men: And the same natural Affection has prevented our Indians from doing, what I am confi­dent they would have done, had they been sure not to have met with their Friends and Country-men, the Cachnawagas. Proper Methods, therefore, ought to be taken to recover those Indians; which I conceive, is very far from impracticable.

The villainous Treatment those poor People have met with at Albany, from the Handlers, was the ori­ginal Cause of that Desertion; and undoubtedly for the same Reasons, many more do, and will desert, if proper Remedies are not speedily applied.

For this Purpose, I am to observe, that without a proper Regulation of the Trade, all other Endeavours to gain and preserve the Friendship of the Indians, will avail but little. I shall not enter further into a Discus­sion of the Methods hitherto taken; but that those poor Indians have for many Years been under the Direction of the People of Albany, whose Interest it was to deceive and defraud them, and that they have been deceived and defrauded accordingly, is notorious; [Page 12]Instances in Abundance might be produced, but they are really too shocking to relate. But that I may not be thought to talk without Book, I shall here beg Leave to insert the Preamble to an Act of the Legislature here, to encourage the Indian Trade at Albany, 13th Anne. I have not heard of an Act of the kind since, tho' the Mischief has been daily increasing.

‘Whereas great Endeavours have from Time to Time been used by her Majesty's Governors, and Commanders in Chief of this Colony, to settle a Trade, and to have Commerce with such Indian Nations as live beyond our five confederated Nati­tions; which in Process of Time, might not only be very advantageous, but also of great Security to the Frontiers of this Colony, at or near Albany, in Time of War; and several of the said Indians being lately come to the City of Albany, in order to trade with the Inhabitants thereof; but several private Persons, not regarding the Safety of this Colony, but only designing their own private Lucre, have, and do daily, use many indirect Means to engross the Trade into their Hands, by their Contrivance with those who are employed by the said Indians to carry them in their Waggons to Albany; and having once gotten the Peltry, Beavers, or other Furs, of the said Indians, in their Possession, hinder them to make the best of their Market, to the Ruin of the said Trade, and the Alienation of the Affections of the said Indians from this Colony; and instead of securing the Friendship of the said Indians, will, if not prevented, cause them to be our Enemies, &c.’ This Act to continue for two Years.

The Principles to be laid down in the Manage­ment of our Indians, are, first, by all Means to endea­vour to under-sell the French; and the next is, to do Justice to the Indians in those Sales. For which Reason I should advise, that this Trade, instead of being under [Page 13]the Direction of the People of Albany, who are most of them, if not altogether, Traders, or Handlers, and whose Interest it is, to take all Advantages of those poor People, and that with Impunity, as they have no Body to complain to, the principal Directors being all Traders, and of Course Socii Criminis.

That it be put under the Direction of one single Person of Capacity and Integrity, of his Majesty's Appointment, during good Behaviour, with a handsome Allowance, in the Nature of a Superintendant of Indian Affairs, with full Powers to do summary Justice upon all Occasions.

That he be debarr'd trading directly or indirectly, upon the severest Penalties.

That he take his Instructions from the Governor and Council; and report to them, at least twice a Year, a State of Indian Affairs, in order to be laid before his Majesty, or the Board of Trade.

That he be obliged to make a Tour through the Six Nations, once a Year at least, with a proper Equi­page, and some small Presents for the chief Men; when and where he may receive Complaints, and redress Grievances.

In order to save the Crown the Expence of such an Officer, I should advise, that as there are two Surveyor Generals of the Customs upon this Continent, at an Allowance of a Guinea a Day, and Sixty Pounds Sterl. yearly each of them for a Clerk; that upon the Demise of either, that Officer be set apart for this Use, one Surveyor General is sufficient for all the Purposes of the Customs upon this Continent; the Officers being rather in the Nature of preventive Officers, that is, their chief Business is to prevent any European Goods being imported from any Part but from Great-Britain and Ireland, and to prevent the Exportation of any of the enumerated Commodities, to any Parts, but to Great-Britain; this, I say, is the chief Business [Page 14]of the Officers upon this Continent; and the several Governors, upon their Admission to their Governments, are obliged by Act of Parliament, to take an Oath, to see this duly executed. There are no Revenues collected by the Offices here, nor no Accounts worth mentioning to comptrole. From hence I conclude, that one of those Officers at least, may be very well spared for the above Purpose, and much better employed.

That there be a handsome Allowance made for two Interpreters at least; one indeed for each Nation I should not think too much: One of them always to attend the principal Officer.

That there be a Smith appointed by the principal Officer, with a proper Allowance, in each Nation, with two Apprentices, in order to multiply Interpreters; for want of which, I doubt we have often been misled; and if those Smiths were obliged to teach one or two Indian Youths of the best Capacities, to read and write English, it might be of great Use, as nothing is so much wanted as honest Interpreters.

That every Person employed by the Publick in this Service, be prohibited Trading, directly or indirectly, under severe Penalties, and give Security for the due Execution of his Duty; and to be on Oath obliged to represent every Grievance he conceives the Indians meet with from the Traders. As all Monopolies are the Bane of Trade, I would have this open and free for all his Majesty's Subjects; by this Means a Number of Bush-Lopers, as the Dutch call them, and the French, who are indefatigable in this Point, Coureurs Debois, are created; a Set of Men, who, from their Acquaintance with the Woods and Indians, are very useful upon many Occasions, especially in Time of War.

That there be lodged in the Hands of every Smith, or Agent for that Purpose, Indian Goods, to the Value of £.—always by them; which they are to dispose of for the Use of the Publick, according to [Page 15]Invoices from New-York, fixing the Prices of the Goods, as well as of the Furs and Skins, and by no Means to exact further: This is the Method, and the only Method, I humbly conceive, by which we can undersell the French; and will be a Means to regulate the whole Indian Trade: And this is the Method taken in the Government of New-England, in the following Manner, viz.

By an Act of the 12th Geo. it is enacted, ‘That Provisions, Cloathing, &c. suitable for carrying on a Trade with the Indians not exceeding the Value of £. 4000, be procured at the Cost and Charge of the Province, and the Produce applied for supplying the Indians, by such Persons as shall be annually chosen, &c. and likewise annually produce fair Accounts of their Proceedings; which Supplies shall be lodged to the Eastward, at, &c.’

From this I have only to observe, That had our Indian Trade been under such a Regulation, or indeed any Regulation at all, we should have less to apprehend at this Day: And, that it is high Time to make a Beginning.

A grand Fair yearly established in the Six Nations, to be kept alternately; to begin first in the Onondage Country, the next Year in the Seneca Country, &c. of which all the Nations, far and near, may have due Notice; and where the Super-intendant, or Inspector-General, should always attend; might be of great Use: And the Prices of Goods being fixed from the latest Invoices from New-York, it would be a great Induce­ment to the far Nations of Indians, as well as our own, to purchase, and would at the same Time be a Check upon the Handlers at Oswego, as well as elsewhere. One essential Article in our Trade with the Indians, and upon which, in a great Measure, their All depends, has been hitherto much neglected on our Part; and that is, from us they have the cheapest English Arms and Ammunition, and of Course the worst upon the Face of the Earth: The French take Care to supply them with what is really good; and I believe at a cheap­er Rate than we can afford the best of ours; by which Means I doubt, they will ever be able to undersell us in that essential Article, unless some effectual Methods are fallen upon to prevent it; such as allowing us the Importation of a Quantity of Powder for that Purpose only from Holland; the Traders have attempted this, to their Cost. The French purchase Indian Goods' [Page 17]both in Holland and England for those very Indians. Why might not we be allowed the Importation of Powder and Arms from Holland or France? or why might we not manufacture our own Powder in the Mo­hawks Country, where Saltpetre may be had in Abun­dance, from those vast Beds of Pidgeon-Dung? In short, the Indians must have good Powder and Arms; and where the best is, there they will go; and accord­ing to the present Situation of Things, they will depend upon the French for it. Could we get the better of this one Article, all that Attachment and Intercourse our Indians have at present with Canada, would, I am confident, soon be at an End.

That instead of supporting this Trade by Way of Licence, which has hitherto been but oddly managed, that there be a Duty, applicable only to Indian Affairs, and thrown into the joint Stock, upon all Indian Goods, exported either by Land or Water; and likewise upon all Furs and Skins imported, under the Direction of the Officers of his Majesty's Customs: Those appointed by the Country, have generally more Regard to their Friends than their Duty. This has been formerly practised here, and I humbly conceive will answer every Purpose much better. As this Affair will create a yearly Ex­pence, such as no one Colony can well bear; let there be a Scheme prepared, for each Colony's paying their Proportion. Most certain it is, as I have before ob­served, that if ever New-York, Albany, and Hudson's River, should get into other Hands, every other Colo­ny would soon follow; and while that is secure, every other Colony is secure. If this is true, is it possible to doubt, but that they will readily comply! In answer to that trite Objection, viz. As we have all the Trade, we ought to be at all the Expence: In God's Name let each contributing Colony have it's Township upon the Frontiers, with proper Magazines, and one or more Trading-Houses, and a Sloop, and make the most of it.

[Page 18] The Names of the Provinces that form the Republick of Holland with their several Rates, towards the yearly Expence of the Government, according to the Proportion of 100 Guilders; and the Order in which their Deputies to the States-General vote, are as follows:

[ This may serve for a Model.]

We have been at an infinite Expence from the Beginning of Times, in fortifying, and in Presents to the Indians, with very little Assistance from our neigh­bour Colonies; a Charge which we are hardly able to bear, and most unreasonable, as every other Colony upon the Continent, is in some Degree or other, con­cerned in the Preservation of the Friendship of the Indians, and the Security of our Frontiers. This, however, has been but paliating Matters; and doing Things by Halves: Whenever the Colonies think fit to join, Indian Affairs will wear quite another Aspect. The very Name of such a Confederacy will greatly en­courage our Indians, and strike Terror into the [...]; and be a Means to prevent their unsupportable In­croachments, which they daily make with Impunity and Insult; And this is what they have long dreaded.

[Page 19] A long Series of Ill-usage from the Traders, has given the Indians but a very indifferent Opinion of our Morals; and of late, from the several abortive Expe­ditions, they begin, I doubt, to suspect our Courage; than which, Nothing can more affect our Interest with them▪ They of themselves are honest, such at least as have not been debauched by the Christians; and brave in their Way; and despise Knaves and Cowards. It will, therefore, require some Address, and not a little Expence to recover our Character.

If all this is to no Purpose, and that they will still stand out; let us not, I say, dispair, but that upon a proper Representation to his Majesty, of the absolute Impossibility, for this Colony alone, to be at the Ex­pence of putting and keeping Indian Affairs upon such a Footing as they really ought to be, his Majesty, from his wonted Goodness, will undoubtedly, not only assist us himself, but oblige the other Colonies to assist us; in Proof of which paternal Care, give me Leave here to insert some of his Instructions to our late Governor Montgomerie, in 1727, upon this very Point.

Instruction 83, ‘Whereas it has been thought re­quisite, that the general Security of our Plantations upon the Continent of America, be provided for by a Contribution, in Proportion to the respective Abili­ties of each Plantation: And whereas the northern Frontiers of the Province of New-York, being most exposed to an Enemy; do require an extraordinary Charge, for the erecting and maintaining of Forts, necessary for the Defence thereof. And whereas Orders were given by King William the Third, for the advancing £. 500 Sterling, towards a Fort in the Onondago Country, and of £. 2000 Sterling towards building the Forts at Albany and Schenectady; and likewise by Letters under his Royal Sign Manual, directed to the Governors of diverse of the Planta­tions, to recommend to the Councils and General [Page 20]Assemblies of said Plantations, that they respectively furnish a proportionable Sum towards the Fortifica­tions on the Northern Frontiers of our said Province of New-York, viz.’

‘And whereas we have thought fit to direct, that you also signify to our Province of Nova-Caesaria, or New-Jersey, that the Sums which we have at present thought fit to be contributed by them, if not already done, in Proportion to what has been direct­ed, to be supplied by our other Plantations, as afore­said, are £. 250 Sterling for the Division of East-New-Jersey, and £. 250 Sterling for the Division of West-New-Jersey: You are, therefore, to inform yourself what has been done therein, and what re­mains further to be done, and to send an Account thereof to us, and to our Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, as aforesaid.’

84th, ‘And you are also, in our Name, instantly to recommend to our Council, and the General-Assem­bly of our said Province of New-York, that they exert the utmost of their Power, in providing, with­out Delay, what further shall be requisite for prepar­ing, erecting, and maintaining of such Forts in all Parts of that Province, as you and they shall agree upon.’

85th, ‘And you are likewise to signify to our said Council, and the said General-Assembly, that for [Page 21]further Encouragement, That besides the Contribu­tions to be made towards the raising and maintaining of Forts and Fortifications on that Frontier, as above­mentioned; it is our Will and Pleasure, in Case the said Frontier be at any Time invaded by an Enemy, the neighbouring Colonies and Plantations upon the Continent, shall make good in Men, or Money in lieu thereof, their Quota of Assistance, according to the following Repartitions, viz.’

‘Pursuant whereunto you are, as Occasion requires, to call for the same; and in Case of any Invasion upon the neighbouring Plantations, you are, upon Applica­tion of the respective Governors thereof, to be aiding and assisting to them, in the best Manner you can; and as the Condition of your Government will permit.’

As to this Instruction, his Majesty, I doubt, has not been thoroughly informed: Because, upon an Invasion, considering the Distance and Dilatoriness of Assemblies, the Mischief, in all Probability, would be over before we could have any Assistance: I should, therefore, think it adviseable, that those Pro­portions be immediately detached to the Frontiers, upon the first News of a War; there to remain, and [Page 22]to be recruited during the War, at the Expence of the said Colonies. I shudder to think what would have been the Fate of Albany, had not those Troops, design­ed against Canada, been accidentally there; more e­specially as the People of Albany, at that Time, were afflicted with an epidemical Distemper, which carried off great Numbers.

From hence his Majesty's Care is apparent; and why those Instructions have not been hitherto duly ob­served, is what I shall not take upon me to determine: I cannot, however, help thinking, that, from upwards of forty Years Observations upon the Conduct of our Colony Assemblies, and the little Regard paid by them to Instructions, if it is left altogether to them, the Whole will end in Altercation and Words. By the above Instructions it appears, that his Majesty is fully apprized of the Consequences of leaving this Colony unguarded; as well as of its Inability to answer his most gracious Intentions.

I should therefore advise, That the Quotas be doubled, which they can now very well bear; and both the Carolinas added, and the Whole enforced by an Act of the British Legislature.

In that Case, if this present Scheme, or something like it, as I am very far from thinking, but that it will admit of many Improvements, and for that Purpose it is offered, is duly executed, I will venture to prophecy, that in twenty Years the whole Fur Trade will be in British Hands, and that the Fur Trade Company in Canada, will sink, upon which the very Being of that Country depends.

I have only further, with great Submission, to advise, that the Meeting of the Indians be alternate; one Year at New-York, which will add but very little to the Expence, and where the Commissioners from those contributing Colonies, may more conveniently attend, and where, it is to be hoped, the Indians may receive [Page 23]some better Impressions of our People, than they have hitherto done at Albany; the next Year any where, but at Albany or Schenectady. That the Presents made upon those Occasions, as soon as viewed, and divided by the particular Nations, be packed up again, in such Manner, as may make the Carriage the easiest, of which they themselves will be the best Judges, and locked up, and the Keys to be delivered to the principal Sachem of each Nation, and not to be opened 'till they arrive in their own Country. I believe, I may venture to affirm, that the greatest Part of those Presents made them upon those solemn Occasions, seldom go further than Albany or Schenectady, but are bought up by the Handlers, for Rum, and afterwards sold to them when sober, at a dear Rate. I would propose this Method, being well assured, there is no Law can be contrived, or Oath framed, to bind a Handler.

[ So much for our Northern Frontiers.]

AS to our Southern Frontiers, the City, &c. I mean, of NewYork, let those be altogether under the Direction, and at the Expence of the Colony of NewYork; hoping withal, his Majesty will be graciously pleased, to favour us with a small Detachment of Gun­ners, and one Engineer, for some Time at least, toge­ther with some Artillery and Ammunition. Large Sums have been expended, or rather squandered away upon this Account, by the Country, to very little Purpose.

Let there be two Batteries erected at the Narrows; one on each Side, in proper Places, and with Breast-Works only; any Fortifications there, may fall into the Enemy's Hands, and have bad Consequences, These Batteries to be under the Care of the adjoining Counties; that on the East Side, under the Care of the Regiment of Kings County; and that on the West Side, under the Care of the Regiment of Richmond County.

[Page 24] Our utmost Endeavours must be in the first Place, to prevent the Enemy's Landing; and also in the next Place, to prevent a Bombardment. For this Purpose it may be necessary, narrowly to view the Coast below the two first Batteries. Should an Enemy land at or near New-Utrecht, the March is easy, even with Can­non, from thence to the Ferry, of which we should soon feel the Effects. Low Batteries, as I would have all those to be, even with the Water if possible, at Red and Yellow-Hook, will be a Means to prevent a Bom­bardment, and the Enemy's Landing upon Long-Island. A small Battery upon Kennedy's-Island, may be of Use. Let there be several small Batteries fixed round Nutten-Island, of heavy Cannon, and it were to be wished they were all such; and one strong Entrenchment in the Middle, for a Number of Troops.

At the East End of the Town, a good Battery will be necessary, as well as several along Hudson's-River.

I would not have any of those Batteries exceed five Guns; but to be placed the thicker. Ships generally aim at one Battery at a Time. Besides, it is impossible to know where a Ship may lye. In this Case, it is odds but some of our Batteries may take her up.

Breast-Works, with Block-Houses instead of Stock­adoes, would answer all Purposes much better, be much less Expence, and last longer.

As to the Fort, and the lower Batteries, they are altogether ill designed, and as badly executed. But as our late Engineer has reported to his Excellency, the Failures, and the Improvements that may be made, so as to resist any sudden Attack, to that I refer.

It is a constant Rule, that every detached Work, however insignificant in itself, should have its Ammu­nition at Hand, to be come at without Difficulty or Danger; One Hundred Weight of Powder to each Gun.

[Page 25] The Regiments of Suffolk, Queens and Kings Coun­ties, Richmond and Westchester, will be Force sufficient to defend the City, if they can be brought together with Regularity and Certainty; to which, however, may be added, the Militia of Connecticut and Essex County. Let all the other Counties bend their Force towards the Frontiers.

Beacons, or rather Smoaks, in the Day Time, and Rockets or Great Guns in the Night, for this Purpose, will be absolutely necessary. It will be no great Diffi­culty to carry an Alarm to the East End of Long-Island, to Richmond County and Westchester, at the same Time, in a very few Hours; upon which, every Man that keeps a Horse, ought to make the best of his Way to the City, and not to wait forming into Companies, 'till they arrive at the City; where I will suppose the Colonel or Lieut. Colonel to be forming them, whilst the other who may have full Power to press Horses, is bringing up the Rear; where Transportation is necessary, the City to take Care to have Boats at the proper Landings.

During a War, let there be one stout Sloop of War provided at the Expence of the Governments of Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, and Pennsylvania; one other at the Expence of North and South-Carolinas, Virginia and Maryland; and one at the Expence of the Massachusetts, New-Hampshire, Halifax, and Nova-Scotia: Which, if under proper Regulations, together with the Station Ships, will be suf­ficient to protect our Trade. Give me Leave to pro­phecy, that in Case of a War, we shall sorely repent it, if timely Provision is not made against the Efforts of the People of Cape-Breton, and upon our Settlements from Crown-Point.

If these Things, or something of this kind, perhaps from an abler Hand, be duly considered, and executed, during the Calm of a Peace, we shall have little to apprehend from an Enemy. What I most apprehend [Page 26]is, the old Proverb, What's every Body's Business, is no Body's Business. But let those Gentlemen, I mean our General Assemblies, with whom we have intrusted the Care of our Lives and Liberties, answer, if they can, either to God or Man, a Neglect of their Duty, in a Matter of so much Importance to themselves, their Fellow-Subjects and Posterity. Dulce est pro Patria Mori, is an old Roman Maxim; and tho' I have not at present any Thoughts of dying for my Country, yet I have a real Satisfaction, in imagining, whether in Reality, or not, I cannot say, That I have pointed out some Things, which, if observed, may prevent a good deal of Bloodshed, &c. of which I wash my Hands clear, and leave it at the Doors of those whose proper Business it is to look out in Time.