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Niagara 18 Sepr.1766
Sir
I am thank god a little recovered tho. I have yet a convulsed cough & a pain in my head. I intended going to wait on you. but I see that everything will be in confusion in my absence. Capt Browne I thought was for a reconciliation for I represented. the impropriety of having so many farmyards in the lower town & a large Rack of Hay. he order a Court of Enquiry. that reported twas improper. that Soldiers should live amongst the Traders. but that the Hay was in no more danger of fire than the Huts. Capt Browne ordered the Soldiers to be in the Fort
He insists on seeing every Indian that comes here. He has order'd all the traders to give in a return of their powder. says they shall keep but two pounds in their houses the rest must be put in the Magazine for no reason he has abused some of them. Mr. Pfister who knows his behavior can give you an account of him.
I have sent DeCongne this day to enquire after the Oxen & desire the Seneca's may bring the Herdes back I think it right to wait their answer tho. I should pass my time disagreably. for my part I avoid every means of jealousy or dispute. I am only uneasy that the Authority you vested me with should be tram
trampled upon. perhaps when he gets his Country man here he'll allow him some Authority. he talks of putting the Interpreter or traders in Iron's if the disobey him & builds his Authority on General Amhurst Commission for this place where he finds, "no huts to be erected within two thousand yards of the Fort without the consent of the Commanding Officer
We dine together & are very friendly notwithstanding as I am sure you would disaprove of my having an open rupture I shall try every means to avoid it till I hear from you. I long much for my Instructions for Michilimackinak Capt Howard says there are Colours & Medals much wanting in presents.
The Circumstances of my stress & not having transacted any business will plead in my favor, that I was not in the fault of this dispute. Suffering the least {"stroke", crossed out}in your opinion would be the Severest Stroke I could feell. which I hope I shall avoid
I most Sincerely wish you all the happiness this World affords & if good works can Secure it in the next you are assured out. I remain with the greatest respect
Sir Your most obedient humble Servt B Roberts
{written to the left of the closing}
It's a long time I ha'nt heard from Sir John}
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Niagara 18th Sbr. 1766 Lt. Roberts Letter
{rotate 180} To Sir William Johnson Baronet at Johnson Hall
{rotated 90 } Henry Savage Esqr. of Sandfield near Lisborn The Revnd. Jn. Taylor at
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{rotated 180} a glass for a nearsighted person, wth. several spare glassesMinister