bad consequences the loss of it must be attended with, and therefore that he hop'd they would march the Troops or such part of them as they should find necessary for the relief of that place.

The Council declared His Excellency had taken all the measures in his power on this Occasion.

[N. Y.

Mercury May 31.

1756.]

Oswego May 17. 1756. I arrived

here three days ago, after a Tedious Time occasioned by the large Train I was with,

consisting of 200 Whale Boats, and 200 Battoes, excepting two Whale Boats, and two Battoes that

were lost at the Falls, twelve Miles from hence, & four Men drowned in them. On my arrival I heard, that a few days before, a Party of Indians came on some ship Carpenters cutting Timber not 300 yards from the Town & before a Party could be turned out, Killed and carried off Twelve Our People found one Killed, Tli y were pursued by the Party, but they could not get sight of them :

;

:

whicli they Scalped, & threw his

Body in the River, besides several Blankets shot thro', Knives, About eight o'clock

Muskets &c. by which 'tis thought some more of the Enemy have been Killed.

1;

PAPERS RELATING TO OSWEGO.

this Day we heard a firing up the River which we took to be an attack on one Lieut Blair, who went

up this Morning to the Reefs, with 24 Men, two miles off, for a Guard to the Battoes at that Place upon which Numbers of People, with a few Mohawks run from the Town that Way. The Firing still continued; and soon after a man came in with an Indian Scalp, and brought Word, that Blair's Upon which Party was attacked by a Party of French & Indians, himself and one Soldier Killed upwards of 500 Battoe Men were sent different Ways into the Woods.