he River St. John and its
environs, I do hereby authorize and appoint you to act as my
Deputy at and in the neighborhood of the said River St. John. You
will therefore take under your care the said Indians and inform me
from time to time of their wants and wishes, and what measures you
conceive may at any time be adopted to promote his Majesty's
interest to the end they may not be led astray by the machinations
and devices of his Majesty's rebellious subjects or other of the
King's enemies. But in all your proceedings you are to consult
with and follow the advice of Major Studholme who will be so
obliging as to supply them, at your request, now and then with
some provisions, but sparingly & when they shall be in absolute
want of them.

"I have no salary to give or promise you, but as I have made a
strong representation to the King's minister of the necessity of a
fund to defray the necessary expenses, if my representation shall
be approved you may depend that I shall not fail of providing you
with an annual allowance. You will not fail writing me by all
opportunities. I am sir,

"Your most humble servant,
"Mich. Francklin.

"James White, Esq.

A crisis now rapidly developed. John Allan prevailed on the Indians to
return the British flag to Fort Howe and to send in a declaration of
war. The Indians even went so far as to take several English vessels
and to commit other acts of hostility.

CHAPTER XXV.

THE GREAT INDIAN POW-WOW AT FORT HOWE, AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.

The establishment of Fort Howe rendered the situation of the people at
the mouth of the St. John comparatively secure, but the following
summer was a very anxious and trying time to those who lived in the
townships up the river. The Indians were restless and dissatisfied.
They complained bitterly of being left without a missionary, and it
was in vain that Lieut. Gov. Arbuthnot and Colonel Franklin endeavored
to keep them in good temper by promising that a missionary would be
sent them immediately.

Most of the settlers in the townships were natives of New England, and
the threatened Indian uprising was particularly terrifying to them on
account of their forefathers' familiarity with the horrors of savage
warfare. The Indians were supposed to be hostile only to those who
were in opposition to American Independence, but it was felt that they
would not be very nice in their distinctions if they once