that of Oswego, the French must have an Advantage over us in building Vessells of Force for the Lake, whilst they continue in possession of that Harbour; that on the other hand their Loss of that and Fort Frontenac would go far towards excluding them from the Navigation of it.

I have likewise Received an Account Since My last Letter to you, Sir, from Lake George that Capt. Rogers Commanding the Ranging Company of 70 Men, whom I sent five Weeks ago, with five Whale boats to try to intercept the Enemy's Convoy's of Provisions and Stores upon Lake Champlain and to make Discovery of their Strength and Motions, found means to pass the two Forts at Ticonderoge and Crown point undiscovered, and took two Boat Loads of French Provisions upon that Lake which he sunk and hath brought eight of their Crew prisoners (the remaining four of them being kill'd) to Fort William Henry; so that there is room to hope, that besides the Other good effects of this Success some seasonable intelligence may be got from the Prisoners of the Strength and Designs of the French before the March of our Troops for Ticonderoge, in case an Attempt shall be made for the Reduction of that Fort and Crown point this Campaign.1

In a late Letter I Acquainted you, Sir, that Sir William Johnson was gone to a Council of the Indians at Onondago, and was to go from thence to Oswego to be present at a Meeting of the Indians inhabiting the North side of the Lake Ontario, and the adjacent Country according to my invitation of them last fall when I was at Oswego, to come there to kindle a new fire, and settle a Trade at that place upon more advantageous Terms to them, than has been yet done: But I now hear, Sir William is return'd from Onondago, to his own house; having, as he informs me settled a peace with the Delawares and Shawanese Indians, who have agreed to cease all Hostilities against Pensilvania, and to take up the Hatchet for the English against the French.

The Earl of Loudoun arriv'd here the 23d Instant, and im

1 See Rogers, Robert, "Journal of a Scout." Johnson Manuscripts, 4, 80, and Doct. Hist. New York, 4, 285-287.

barked for Albany Yesterday in the afternoon; Tomorrow I purpose to embark for Boston, and upon the Arrival of the Frigate there which is appointed to carry me to England, I shall lose no time for going on board it, pursuant to his Majesty's Orders.

I have the honour to be with the Highest Respect

Yesterday the Earl of Loudoun acquainted me that he had been informed, that you and other Officers of the Provincial Troops under your Command have declared that in case you should be joined by Regular Troops in your March to Ticonderoga for the Reduction of that Fort and Crown point, you would withdraw your Troops and return home, or to that Effect. I don't think it possible for yourself, or any Officer that has the least Sense of Honour and his Duty to make so mutinous a Declaration as this, or even to entertain so criminal a thought: I found this Representation had gained

1P. R. O., C. O. 5, 46; 5, 47. Inclosed in Shirley to Fox, Aug. 13, 1756. Transcripts are in the Library of Congress and in the Parkman Papers in the Mass. Hist. Society. See reply of Winslow on P. 495.

more Credit with his Lordship, than I could wish and I can assure you, it hath given me great Concern, both for the sakes of yourselves and the Governments which have raised the Troops; and I think it behooves you highly to lose no time for clearing up to Lord Loudoun this Imputation upon your Honour and Loyalty to the King: I must desire you will let me hear from you upon it by the return of the Express, which will deliver this to you; and I hope your answer will be such as to give me the satisfaction of being convinc'd that this Charge upon you and the other Provincial Officers is ill grounded.

Endorsed:

Extract from Major

General Shirley's Letter

to Major General Winslow
dated July 26th, 1756.

in Majr. Genl. Shirley's

Letter of Augt. 13th, 1756.

JOHN WINSLOW. ANSWER TO QUESTION OF THE COUNCIL1

[July, 1756.]

That His Majesty's Commission and Instructions to General Abercromby appointed him to be General and Commander "of all and Singular his Forces, employ'd or "to be employ'd in any or all of our Provinces in North "America."

And Whereas a Considerable Body of Provincials are on their March towards Crown-point, the Council Apply'd to General Abercromby, that he would be pleas'd to desire

1 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 46. Inclosed in Winslow to Shirley, Aug. 2, and by the latter forwarded to Henry Fox in his letter of Aug. 13, 1756. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. The question put to Winslow by Abercromby in behalf of the Council went to the bottom of the question whether or not provincials would serve with regulars, accepting the consequent loss in rank.

General Winslow would inform him what Effect the Junction of his Majesty's Forces would have with the Provincials, if order'd to join them on their intended Expedition.

The above Question being ask'd General Winslow said that he would be extremely well pleas'd such a Junction could be made; and that he look'd on himself to be under the Command of the Commander in Chief; But that he apprehended, that if his Majesty's Troops were order'd to join the Provincials, it would almost occasion an universal Desertion, because the Men were rais'd to serve solely under the Command of their own Officers, whose Commissions in the Massachusetts are worded in the following Manner; to be Colonel or Captain etc. in a Regiment or Company, to be employ'd on an Expedition against Crown point, whereof John Winslow Esqr. is Commander in Chief.

General Winslow further informs the Council, that he apprehended the four Provinces would not raise any More Men for any future Service, if his Majesty's Forces were to join the Provincials, and that as soon as he arrives in his Camp he will call a Council of his principal Officers, to know their Opinion on the above mention'd Question.

Copy Attest

Henry Leddel Secrety.

Endorsed:
Copy
General Winslow's Answer
to the Question propos'd to
him concerning a Junction
of the Regulars with the
Provincials.

in Majr. Genl. Shirley's
Letter of Augt: 13th: 1756.

THE EARL OF LOUDOUN TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY [Extract]1

"As to the Provincial Troops, I am sorry to find so little appearance of their obeying his Majesty's Commands, for by a Council of War, I have seen of theirs, they not only refuse that Obedience, but take it upon them to direct the Motions of his Majesty's Troops, and from the best Information I have, the Gentlemen from Massachusetts are the principal Opposers, but I shall suspend my Belief of that, 'till I know with more Certainty."

Your Excellency's favour from New York of 26th July3 last I received the last Evening with an Account of the Information given Lord Loudoun in these words. Vizt. "That "you and other Officers of the Provincial Troops under your Command, have declared that in case you should be Joined "by the Regular Troops in your March to Ticonderoga for

1 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 46. Inclosed in Shirley to Fox, Aug. 13. A transcript is in the Library of Congress and in the Parkman Papers in the Mass. Hist. Society. Loudoun had been appointed Governor of Virginia Feb. 17, 1756, and on Mar. 20 Commander in Chief of the British forces in America. See Shirley's letters to Loudoun of Aug. 10, post, pp. 499 and 501.

The extract printed is in P. R. O., C. O. 5, 47, where it is inclosed in the letter of the Earl of Loudoun of Aug. 19. A second extract duplicating this except for spelling, use of italics, etc., is in C. O. 5, 46, inclosed in Shirley's letter of Aug. 13, post, p. 515.

See extract from letter mentioned ante, p. 492.