I had your Excellency's Letter of the 31st. December with the Copies of Capt. Demare’s Letters; I forwarded your Dispatches by Express to Governor Dinwiddie, as also your former of the 18th, but have not yet had any Return from him, when I have I shall forward them to you. 

I am much obliged to you for communicating to me what is doing in Indian Affairs, and the Steps you have taken to reinforce Capt. Demare, which I hope at present will be sufficient to defeat the French presents to be sent to the Cherokees at Tellico, if they don't make a general Defection from our Interest to the French, which by the Accounts sent down I think can't be the Case, if we can intercept their Presents, and distribute them among our most faithful Indians, it wou'd be a happy incident, and reserve some to give to such of the Tellico Indians as wou'd solemnly give up the French, and have no further Correspondence with them: The Orders and Instructions you have given are highly necessary and prudent. I shou'd be glad to hear that the wavering Creeks shou'd be fixed, but the killing & scalping the brave faithful Chickesaws has a very bad Aspect. I cou'd wish that they were not so much exposed to the French, and hope that you may be able to protect them, and send them Supplies of Arms and Ammunition of the best kind as well as other necessary presents. I hear that Mr. Atkins is upon the Road from New York, when he comes I shall deliver your Excellency's Letter to him, and press him to make no Delay as his presence among the Indians is absolutely necessary at this Critical Juncture, and hope he will fix the Indian Trade upon so equitable a footing as to please the Indians, and not make the most of the Trade to their prejudice, as was done under the late Administration. Lord Loudoun set out for Boston the 8th. instant, so can't come Southward this Season, the greatest part of B. Farril's Regiment was got to New York, and Blakeneys, and Poles were to follow them from Cork, the News to New York from Lisbon and Cales says that Count Richlieu has totally defeated Prince Picolomini, and taken all his Cannon and Baggage, which I shou'd be glad to hear was confirmed—I hope by this Time you have sent off the Opinion of your Council touching the Boundary Line.

I wish your Excellency an easy and happy Administration and Success against the French Schemes—I am with great Regard and Esteem