[E.B. O'Callaghan (1849)] FRONTENAC'S EXPEDITION, 1696. [ Council Min. VII. ] At a Council held at his Ma^8 ffort in New Yorke the 9* of July 1696. Present His Excellency Benjamin Fletcher &c ifred Phillips ) Gab Monvielle ) Steph. Cortlandt > Esq/8 Peter Schuyler > Esq1'3 Nich: Bayard ) John Lawrence ) His Excell : did communicate intelligence from Albany with the examination of a ffrench prisoner wherein appears there is great preparacon in Canida and a resolution of the Govern1' of Canida to reduce the five Nations this summer that all the men between fifteen & fifty in Canida are ordered to be in readiness and that all the fi'rench Indians & Ottawawaes are together & that they are to joyn the Dawaganhaes His Excell. offered his opinion to march up 400 men to the Castle of Onondage to encourage and confirme the Indians. The Council do approve thereof, but affirm the impossibility for want of money which is not to be had our neighbours having denyed assistance the Revenue lessened much by the decay of trade and great backwardness in bringing in the taxes At a Council held at his Ma*'8 ffort in New Yorke the 27* of July 1696. Present His Excellency Benjamin Fletcher &c. fired Phillips ) John Lawrence > n Steph : Cortlandt > Esqrs Caleb Heathcote ) S(1 Gab Monvielle ) His Excell: did communicate a letter from Mr.