I am, my lord, about to send some reinforcements to this last fort, but this diversion will not cause me to change my design on Lake Ontario which I had the honour to communicate to you. The preservation of Niagara is what interests us the most if our enemies became masters of it and keep Chouaguen, the Upper Countries would be lost to us, and besides, we should have no more communication with the river Oyo. ;

;the same to the same. Montreal 24 July 1755

However great the evil [the backward state of Canada and the low state of its finances] I must remedy it and in carrying out my views and my zeal in this regard, I must not lose sight of my design against Chouaguen, since on the success of this depends the tranquility of the Colony.

The expedition against Chouaguen which had at all times been easy, is to-day unfortunately very difficult and that, I cannot

help repeating, because the English experienced no opposition in their

undertaking and preparations.

The quiet state of the Colony had, even, rendered them so haughty

that having arrived at the degree of perfection they aspired to, they boldly raised the mask, and were

daring enough, in the beginning of June, to send three balls through the King's Flag flying from a batteau of an Officer who was conducting a detachment to the Belle Riviere.

They have actually two and perhaps three flat bottomed gun brigs with sweeps, which cruise from day to day, on Lake Ontario. They are about to launch others for similar purposes. I have advices of the 20 th of this month stating that those two barks have been with several Batteaux as far as beyond Quinte" where the English landed and that it is certain they will go to Niagara.