The French have a Fort on the Lake at Cadaraqui, where the biggest Guns they have are patereros, that one man can carry about in liis arms So that probably they could bring no bigger thither. I have had a report from some New England captives lately redeemed from Canada that the Governour of Canada was preparing 400 French & 800 Indians to attack this Fort. But there is reason

to believe that this is more given out to intimidate us than really intended,

and when I charged the Governour of trois Rivieres with it he utterly denyed it, but J thought I had ground enough to hint

at it by way of

Reproach in my letter tho' without asserting it positively. However if they should come we are provided with a double Garrison at Oswego, provisions for six months and powder and

Ball sufficient for their Defence, and I have sent proper persons among our five nations with presents to them to engage them to stand by us, and not to suffer any Indians to molest us upon their Lands,

as we shall be ready to defend ourselves against the French, so that I am in good hopes to be able to

hold this place, in case we are attacked, and I hope Your Lordships will support me in taking these measures for securing our right to the five nations against the Encroachments and Pretensions of the

French, and represent the whole affair to His Majesty, both of the French building at Niagara, contrary to the treaty of Utrecht, and of their disturbing our undoubted right of Trading and building