Irish-born military officer (1715-1774) who fought in the French and Indian War and who served as British superintendent of Indian Affairs, based in New York from 1755 to 1774. ALS signed “W. Johnson,” two pages both sides, 8 x 13, May 4, 1770. Long handwritten letter to Goldsbrow Banyar concerning a tract of land. In part: "You have been misinformed as to the quality of lower part of the Tract, for according to the acct. of all my neighbours who have been there, as well as that of the Indians, and of the surveyor who ran lines there last summer, it is…extraordinary good, and several of the old Scohare Farmers who have been desirous of buying assure me of the same…I know nothing of the affair you mention concerning Indian Officers Rights…had I imagined that they would have been allowed Lands on the terms of the Military, I should have long since applied in favour of them all, and in that case you may be assured I should have served you to the utmost of my power."
He goes on to comment on military matters: "Except those Regiments formed by Sir H. Moore, there has been no Regiments formed here…there being but one in the county…It has not been the invariable practice for the Col. to recommend his officers, it is contrary to every practice in the world, where the Col. has a superior officer thro' whom these recommendations should pass. Sir H. Moore did form 2 or 3 Regm'ts without my having suggested any officers to him, but this he afterwards was so polite as to apologize for, assuring me that it had been done to save trouble."
He adds a postscript, initialed "W. J.," in part: "Col. Bradstreet is pressing to have the evidences to his Indian Deed sworn before me, and an acknowledgment under my hand on the back of it, which he says you advised him to. I would willingly decline any concern in the matter & shall be glad to hear from you about it." In very good to fine condition, with some edge chipping and archival repairs to fold separations.
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