have likewise happen'd since that time; that Oswego would, in all human probability, have remain'd safe under the protection of the Land Forces and Naval Armament allotted by me for it's defence, without the Assistance of any further Reinforcement, if it had not been prevented from having the benefit of great part of them, at the time of it's being attack'd by the French; and the reduction of Crown Point been effected by the Troops destin'd by me for that Service, if their march to Ticonderoge had not been retarded by Delays. I have the honour to be with the highest Respect Pursuant to the Letter, which I had the Honour to write you, dated the 15th instant, I shall now lay before you, in 1 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 46. Transcripts of this letter are in the Library of Congress and in the Parkman Papers in the Mass. Hist. Society. In this letter Shirley presents his defense against the charges of Loudoun for the loss of Oswego and shows the general hostility of Sir William Johnson and Gov. Charles Hardy of New York. Shirley does not clear himself of the responsibility for leaving Oswego with insufficient support during the spring of 1756, when the breaking up of the winter gave him the opportunity to act before |