have obtained the consent of the Six Nations to build it, and having intelligence that a party of French of ninety men were going up towards Niagara I suspected that they might have orders to interrupt this work, and therefore I have sent up a detachment of Sixty Souldiers with a Captain and two Lieutenants, to protect the building from any disturbance that any French or Indians may offer to it.

There are 'besides about two hundred traders now at the same place, who are all armed as Militia, and ready to join in defence of the Building and their Trade, in case they are attacked The French :

can have no just pretence for doing it, but their lately building a Fort at Niagara, contrary to the laat Treaty makes me think it necessary for us to be on our guard against any attempts they may make.

When the house is finished it will be sufficiently strong against an attack with small arms, which is all that can be brought thither, and I intend to

keep an Officer and twenty men always inGarriscn

there, which will be of the greatest use to keep our Indians true to us, it being near the centre of all

the Six Nations, &: lying most conveniently to receive all the far Indians who come to trade with us.

My Lord Bellomont formerly intended to build a Fort by King William's order near this place, and it went so far that even plate and furniture for a chappie there, were sent over from England, but the Design was laid by upon his Death, and has never been resumed since 'till now. The Assembly provided three hundred pounds last fall for this service, of which I then acquainted Your Lordships, but I have been obliged to lay out more than double that value upon my own credit,