(seq. 127)

January 26th
continued

had come in to beg protection from His Majesty's officers - that
they were in the utmost distress for want of clothing, and at variance
among themselves - He added that the Southern Indians were
were never so well supplyed as at present, owing to the case of
Mr. Stewart the Superintendant -

27th - The Chippoweys being about to return, I sent to them to
speak about a young man of the name of Williams, who had
been taken prisoner by them on our first coming to St. Vincennes,
and whom I was desirous of restoring to his friends, on the
earnest application of Captain Helm -- having told them my
intention, Methusaagai said, Father! You ought not to think
we can refuse you any request, since you are always ready to grant
us what we ask -- Tis true, I had set my heart on taking
his young man home, and meant to have adopted him, in the
place of one of my sons who died last year, but I shall give him
up to you with pleasure -- I thanked him, saying I had a better
opinion of his regard for me, than to propose purchasing a favor
of this kind, but that since he made me a present with so good a
grace, he must accept something as a mark of my good will --
On which some armbands, and a model for the son of Massigaiash
as well as for Methusaagais' son, and other silver works --

The Old man said further, I am about to return to Detroit,
where I shall attend to what the Chief (Captain Lernoult) shall
say to me, unless he shall desire me to return to you next Spring
with a small number of Warriors, in which case I shall not listen
to him, as I am resolved to bring a large number -- I have been
ashamed to bring with me so few as have accompanied me on this
occasion, it appears as if I had stolen away from my Nation