My Lords --I enclose for your Lordshipps information the Declaration sent me from Albany of the Soldiers who were originally Deserters from the French, & had taken on in Generals Shirley & PepereUs Regiments this paper did not come to me from any publick authority, as Lord Loudoun could n not then have time to copy papers. One of the Sailors that belonged to the Ontario Capt Lafory, I

have seen he gives this information that to the best of his memory on the morning of the 10 th of August a small Schooner was sent from Oswego to make discovery, that she returned off of the Harbour again in about two hours, informing them that they had discovered a large incampment of the

enemy about three miles to the Eastward of Oswego, upon this information Capt ns Lafory & Deane sailed in two sloops to attempt cannonading the Camp, before they could reach the shore where the enemy lay they were fired upon with Cannon very briskly, that four shot struck the Ontario, three of them stuck in her side, which they cut out found them to be Balls of twelve pound weight with the Kings broad arrow on them, that they did not think it adviseable to make any further attempt, but returned to Oswego, & sail'd again the next morning as [and?] observed the encampment By this time the enemy had marched Bodys of their Forces & attacked Fort Ontario as before. with Musquetry which they continued for two days, when the English Garrison abandoned it, first spiking their small Cannon, threw their Powder into a well, & retired into the old Fort, soon after the enemy drew up theirJCannon to Fort Ontario in number 8 or 9 and cannonaded the old Fort, which continued for 24 hours when Lieut Col Littlehales, who succeeded to the Lieut Coll Mercers being killed sent out an Officer and Drum with a white Flag, soon after the surrender took place, & the French possession of the Fort, that the Garrison were made prisoners of War & well used, that the vessels which were all in Port, was soon