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Intelligence and harrassing the Enemy in their own Country, and desir'd their Opinion and Advice upon the Utility of such Companies for his Majesty's Service in this Country.

His Excellency also propos'd to the Council to have a practicable Road made from the German Flatts to Oswego as soon as might be.

The Council having maturely consider'd and debated upon the several Points lay'd before them by his Excellency for their Opinion and Advice, were unanimously of Opinion.

Ist. That 1300 Men would be necessary for putting Oswego into a proper State of Defence; and that for keeping open the Communication between Schenectada and Oswego, it was necessary to have 50 Men posted at the Oswego Falls, 200 at the Oneida Carrying place, 150 at the German Flatts, and 150 at the Conajohara Falls; which Troops together with the four Companies of Rangers propos'd to be employ'd by his Excellency in the manner, he hath mention'd, they judge would be sufficient for securing Oswego, and the Communication between that Place and Schenectada; And as they were of Opinion that the 50th and 51st and the New Jersey Regiments together with the four Independent Companies of New York, and four North Carolina Companies should not be depended upon for producing above 2000 Men fit for present Service, they advis'd his Excellency to employ the whole of these Regiments and Companies in the abovesaid Service.

2dly. That the 44th and 48th Regiments together with what could be spar'd out of the aforesaid Regiments and Companies for attempting the Reduction of the French Forts at Niagara or on the Lake Ontario, were not a sufficient Force for that Service, especially as it appears by the Minutes of the Council of War held at New York on the 12th and 13th of December last, which was compos'd of the principal Governors upon this Continent and his Majesty's Field Officers then present, that they were unanimously of Opinion that 6000 Troops at least were necessary for that purpose, and that it is not adviseable to leave the securing of the Country

to the Northward of the City of Albany together with that City to the provincial Troops rais'd for the Expedition against Crown point.

3dly. That the 44th and 48th Regiments with the Provincial Troops appear to be, from the Intelligence of the Enemy's Strength, a sufficient Force to attempt the Reduction of the French Forts at Ticonderoge and Crown point; but that for the present those two Regiments do remain where they are now encamp'd, and that immediate Preparations be made for joining them with the Provincials in the Reduction of Crownpoint, that being the only Way at present, where they can be of use in annoying the Enemy.

4thly. That the Ranging Companies mention'd by his Excellency are necessary for his Majesty's Service, and they are of Opinion, that his Excellency should have as many more such Companies rais'd, as will make up the Number of them ten to be employ'd in keeping the Communication open between Schenectada and Oswego, and with our Advanc'd Forts, procuring Intelligence, surprizing and cutting off the Enemy's Convoys, and Stores, and harrassing them in Canada by scouting parties in every way they can.

5thly. They are unanimously of Opinion, that a practicable Road be made, as soon as conveniently may be, from the German Flatts to Oswego.

Lastly, That it appears to this Council very necessary further to strengthen Fort Edward, and to build a Fort at South Bay in the Way to Crown point; the former being a post of the utmost Consequence as a deposit for Stores and Provisions, and in the Center of all the different Routes to Crown point, the other commanding the Route, by which the Baron Dieskau came to attack Fort Edward, and by which all parties of the Enemy do come to invest our Northern Frontier, and which would cover our Convoys of Provisions for the Expedition against Crown point from the Insults of the Enemy.

a true Copy

WM. ALEXANDER Sęcy.

Endorsed:

Copy. Minutes of a Council of War held at Albany the 25th of May 1756. In Maj. Genl. Shirley's of June 23d, 1756.

SIR,

WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO CHARLES HARDY1

Albany, May 27th, 1756.

I inclose your Excellency a Copy of the Minutes of a Council of War held at Albany the 25th: Instant, which I have not done nor shall do to any other Governor, and now communicate it to your Excellency in confidence that you will not disclose it to your Council, or any other person whatever untill the 44th, and 48th Regiments shall actually Join the Provincial Troops in the Expedition against Crown Point, in case such a Junction shall ever take effect.

No person besides the Members of the Council of War and my Secretary, except my first Aid de Camp, my under Secretary, and the Captain of the Train of Artillery is privy to it. I believe it may be likewise necessary to communicate that part, which respects the Destination of the 44th: and 48th: Regimt: to General Winslow; and to induce an Expectation in all the Officers and others that those two Regiments are destin'd for Oswego; a Regulation of the Allottment of Battoes allow'd by the Crown for carrying the Officers Baggage, etca: will be given out in Publick orders, which may we hope keep their real Destination from Transpiring.

I promis'd your Excellency at New York to forward the making additional works at Fort Edward; And I shall accordingly give Instructions to General Winslow for that purpose, as also for building a Fort at South Bay; which will, I apprehend, be the most ready and effectual Way of having both done at the Joint expence of the Colonies; I only wait for the Opinion of Capt. Montresor as to the manner of doing it, which will be founded, with regard to

'P. R. O., C. O. 5, 47. A transcript is in the Library of Congress.

Fort Edward, upon a Report of Engineer Gordon, whom I have order'd to Survey it, as also Fort William Henry, and Expect him here in a day or two.

I also inclose your Excellency a Copy of the Examination of a French prisoner Taken by Capt. Rogers between Ticonderoge and the Enemy's advanced Guard; which will shew their Strength and motions; Likewise the Copy of Sir William Johnson's Conference with some Indians of the Six Nations at Fort Johnson on the 12th Instant; upon which I am to acquaint your Excellency, That Sir William is at last determin'd to go to Onondago, and I expect from thence after the meeting is ended, to Oswego.1

General Winslow, since his Arrival here, hath much alter'd the appearance of every part of the preparations making for the expedition, and I am now in hopes, things may be put under some Regulation, and in a proper Channel; I shall give him the utmost assistance in my power for extricating every thing out of the disorder, which he found them in.

I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Excellencys Favour of the 16th: instant: Mr. Alexander has now the Account of the Balances due to the Several Waggoners for Waggon-hire etca, and they have receiv'd Orders to come for their Money.

I am with Great Esteem

Sir

Your Excellencys most Humble
and most Obedient Servant

W. SHIRLEY.

His Excellency Sir Charles Hardy.

SIR,

WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO HENRY FOX2

Albany, June 13th, 1756.

I have the Honour of your Letters dated the 13th and 31st of March; and shall in Obedience to his Majesty's

1 See Johnson to the Lords of Trade, May 28, Doct. Hist. New York, 2, 418.

2 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 46. gress and in the Parkman

Transcripts are in the Library of Con-
Papers in the Mass. Hist. Society.

Commands, signifi'd to me in the latter of them, repair to England with all possible Expedition, after delivering to Colonel Webb (whose Arrival at this Place from New York he informs me I may daily expect) all such Papers as relate to the King's Service, and having Notice of the Frigate, which the Lords of Admiralty have order'd to receive me on board, pursuant to the Directions, which you have inform'd me his Majesty hath been pleas'd to give them for that purpose.1

I am much oblig'd to you, Sir, for the high Pleasure you have given me in acquainting me with his Majesty's gracious Acceptance of my Services, and that he intends to give me a New Mark of his Royal Favour.

Upon Colonel Webb's communicating to me (as you are pleas'd to inform me he has Directions to do) his Orders and Instructions, and concerting with me in what manner it may be most adviseable to employ the King's Forces, now in America, untill the Earl of Loudown [sic] or Major General Abercromby shall arrive there with the Regular Troops, Artillery, and Stores, which his Majesty has order'd to be sent from England; I will give him, Sir, pursuant to your Directions all the lights, that are in my Power, to assist him in the Execution of the Commission, with which he is charg'd. I have the honour to be with the Highest respect,

Sir,

Your most Humble

and most Obedient Servant,

The Rt. Honble. Henry Fox one of his
Majesty's principal Secretaries of State.

Endorsed:

Albany June 13th. 1756.

M. G. SHIRLEY.

R Augt. 6th.

W. SHIRLEY.

1 See letters Fox to Shirley, March 13 and 31, ante, p. 425 and

note.

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