which has subsisted ever since we first settled this Country, yet if Oswego be taken, (as nothing can hinder it while the French are masters of the Lake) the Five Nations will, and must of course, submit to our Enemy, who will oblige them to assist in all their expeditions In which Event every one of our Provinces may be so attacked, that the Planters will be obliged for the security of their Persons to quit their settlements, retire into the Towns, wherever they are, or under the cover of Forts, of which we have very few on the whole Continent, or, what is worse, leave the Country to seek a living elsewhere, the consequences whereof to England are but too obvious, & this the Enemy will more easily do, as they have a line of Forts from Canada to Messasippi. As a remedy for these Evils, which are almost as great as can befall the Nation, I propose that a Regiment of eight hundred men be sent from England (or if half the number of private men be sent, the other half I believe may be raised here) with an Engineer, Artillery, and Ammunition, & posted in the Sineca's Country on the Lake Cadaraqui, at a proper Harbour for building of Vessells there being more than one of sufficient depth of Water, That the Harbour be fortify ed and Barracks it)

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erected for the men.

That there be then built two or three Vessels of superior force to those of