this way, & the French have learned them for their own
advantage a bad custom, for by all I could learn, they
seldom made them any general presents, but as it were fed
them with Necessaries just as they wanted them Tribe
by Tribe, & never sent them away empty, which will
make it difficult & troublesome to the Gentlemen that
are to command in their Country for some time, to please
them & preserve Peace, as they are a rash inconsiderate
People and don't look on themselves under any obligations
to us, but rather think we are obliged to them for
letting us reside in their Country. As far as I can judge
of their Sentiments by the several Conversations I have had
with them, they will expect some satisfaction made them
by Us, for any Posts that should be established in their
Country for Trade. But you will be informed better by
themselves next Spring, as Pondiac & some Chiefs of
every Nation in that Country intend to pay you a visit.
The several Nations on the Ouiabache, & towards the
Ilinois, St. Josephs, Chicago, Labaye, Sagina & other
places have applyed for Traders to be sent to their settlements,
but as it is not in the power of any Officer to
permit Traders to go from Detroit or Michillimackinac,
either English or French, I am of opinion the Ind^s will
be supplyed this year chiefly from the Ilinois, which is
all French property & if Trading Posts are not established
at proper Places in that Country soon the French
will carry the best part of the Trade over the Missisipi
which they are determined to do if they can, for I have
been well informed that the French are preparing to
build a strong trading Fort on the other side Missisipi,
about 60 miles above Fort Chartres,[1] and have this
————
- ↑ Fort Chartres was originally built as a stockade post in 1720; but in 1756 was rebuilt in stone, and became the most important French fortification in the
