to have large parties to cover the carpenters others to clear the woods around the garrison that it would be imprudent to attempt it till we are stronger. For these ten days past we have quitted the Fort on the hill, on the Oswego side, it not being tenable but as some troops (about 200) are come up with Col. Bradstreet, we expect it to be immediately put in a posture of defence. Provisions we abound in, but now the cry is Men! So believe we shall rest on the defensive this summer and ;

;

winter.

What is the occasion, time may discover

;

and may the enemies of our country meet their

just deserts is my sincere wish.

M.

DE VAUDREUIL TO THE MINISTER. [

Paris Doc. XII. ]

Montreal, 5 July, 1756.

My lord,--English vessels have appeared several times on Lake Ontario freight to Niagara, could not chase them.

;

our's occupied with the

Nevertheless, our two barks returning from Niagara on

the 26th of June perceived across the Bay of Quintee some coming towards them. chase, all our sails set, but the

enemy immediately sheered off.

We gave them

He was pursued so close that he

was obliged to abandon his sloop, which was his third vessel. We left this to our two barks our two Corsairs continued in pursuit of the enemy who seeing himself gained on cut his boat loose and threw a number of other things overboard. In vain we fired our chasers after him he made no re;