men now at Albany, do humbly offer as our opinions that since we are informed that it is now twelve dayes ago the French army left the Indian Countrey and that the Senekes and Cayouges are still undisturbed in their own country that the Onnondage Nation upon the approach of the enemy have set their own Castle on fire and all fledd to be out of the enemy's reach, that the Oneydes Nation have in like manner left their Castle and great part of them already are come in here to Albany for reliefe in their wants of provision and ainmunicon &c. and that the Maquaes Nation or great part of them are in the like manner come in hither, We cannot perceive that [Vol. I.]

COUNT FRONTENAc's EXPEDITION AGAINST THE ONONDAGAS.

it can be any great service to

send any great body of men now to the Upper Nations, who are seated

at that distance from hence, neither can any men be well spared from Albany, here being only tlrree establisht companyes in garrison with a detachment of yo

r

Excell. own Company now brought with

you, besides a few inhabitants ; which we judge to be little enough for the defence of the place

:

but

we humbly suppose that its of absolute necessity that small partyes be frequently sent out to clear the coast from such small troops that may come to annoy the adjacent farmes in getting in their harvest ; and lastly with submission we are of opinion that the best method to reduce the Indians that are fled k, to unite them with the rest to this government as formerly in renewing the Covenant chain, is