17th Regt, I signed the commissions in your Regiment according to the recommendation, and enclosed I send you the list of all that have been granted in it, since the beginning of the campaign.

Colonel Montgomery returned some time ago, but left Major Hamilton with four companies of the Royal at the Congarees; which together with one thousand men, the latter writes me, the provinces were raising in September, must, I should think, secure that Colony against any danger from the Indians: however, if any application is made to me for further succours, I am prepared to assist them with some light infantry, which I shall send thither upon the first notice, under the command of an experienced officer; the light infantry of the 17, is to be of that detach

ment.

Governor Dobbs' letter to me contains only his fears for Georgia and Carolina, which I cannot think in such imminent danger provided the people of those provinces will exert themselves with a becoming spirit, and not suffer themselves to be butchered without resistance Enclosed is a copy of his letter and my answer.

Ensign Duplessis fate sufficiently evinces the bad consequences resulting from a neglect of following a cautious council; but I hope he will be found again.

You may rely on Presqu'isle being properly and sufficiently supplied from Niagara with provisions and every thing else that can be had from thence.

On my arrival here I met with Capt. Bayard who was sent express to me from Halifax with the disagreeable accounts of the death of Governor Lawrence on the 19th October, after a very few days illness. The four letters herewith for you came by the same opportunity.

The last packet which left Falmouth in August, brought us accounts of some advantages gained by Prince Ferdinand and by a ship lately come in from Ireland, there is a Gazette containing some further successes in Germany by

the King of Prussia over the Austrians; and tho' neither of these actions were decisive, yet we may hope that they are the happy preludes of a favorable issue of the campaign in our behalf.

I am, with great truth & regard

Sir,

Your most obedient

Humble servant

JEFF. AMHERST.

P.S. You will please order the first battalion Royal Americans, to lay up their camp equipage of this year, that they may be ready to take the field on the shortest notice, and you will direct them to have that for the campaign 1761, ready, by at furthest, the first of April next.

Honb" Brig! General MONCKTON.

AMHERST TO GOV DOBBS.

SIR,

ALBANY 3rd NOVEMBER 1760

Yesterday I was favored with your letter of the 2a August, which you see has not reached me much sooner than those you thereby acknowledge did you. Your observations upon the neglect of the Post Office is certainly but too just, and it were to be wished that your remonstrances thereupon were followed by the method of conveyance you propose, as without it, the intercourse must be very precarious.

The loss of Fort Loudoun, the first authentick account of which I had only yesterday, is doubtless a very disagreeable event, and may perhaps encourage those barbarian savages

to attempt some other enterprise; but I am confident, that if the Southern provinces will exert themselves with a becoming spirit, and repel these hostilities with that vigour which their own interests and safety requires, Georgia cannot be lost, nor Carolina be in any danger. On the contrary, from the regular forces already in that last mentioned province, and the thousand men I am informed they were raising there in September, I have not the least doubt but they will compell the Indians to sue for peace.

I am with great regard

Sir, Your most obedient humble

Servant

His Excellency Gov' DOBBS

JEFF. AMHERST

SIR,

BOUQUET TO MONCKTON.

(Indorsed, REC. BY SIR JOHN ST. CLAIR DEC Y′ 8′′)

FORT PITT 26th November 1760

I have the honour to inform you, that I arrived last night from Presqu'isle, where I waited till the 19th in daily expectation of seeing the R. A. or receiving an answer from Major Walters. But had no news from that quarter since the beginning of October.

Your orders were sent to him the 31st October, and the next day four Battoes with Rangers ordered for Provisions to Niagara overtook that Whale boat, and proceeded together. This I heard from a Party sent before to bring in a French Battoe lying about 80 miles from Presque Isle. Therefore I can make no doubt that your letters arrived safe.

The 9th Instant I sent that same Battoe just repaired &

remarkably strong to Niagara, with Duplicates for the Major. They had the misfortune to be cast by the wind upon a rocky shore, the Battoe split but the men returned safe.

The weather continuing very bad, I could get no new Battoes built till the 14th when I got two, & sent them to Detroit with 3200 flour, and a large quantity of ammunition, under the care of Lt Morris, 18 Rangers and two gunners.

The 19th We had two more Battoes finished which I sent immediately well manned to Niagara, with Letters for the Major. Our provisions being then reduced to twenty Pounds fresh meat and seventy Pounds Pork, 3400 flour, I left a small Detachment there with the Shipwrights under the command of Captain Miles & Ensign Enslow, & came down. I met fifteen Bullocks near Le Boeuf, with about 4000 flour and the Blankets; Sir John had sent since twenty Bullocks now on the Road, and loaded ten Batteaux with flour; and as soon as possible I shall repair & collect about ten Batteaux more to make a last Trip, and push if it Rains to Le Boeuf. Twenty Bullocks will also be sent in two days. As my baggage is not come yet, I shall Enclose the Returns of the upper Posts in my next, and also to know if I am to send Recruiting Parties to the Settlements.

In the supposition that Captain Barnsley would be ordered to attend the Settlement of our accounts at New York, I named Capt Lieut. Ourry to command at Bedford after he has done with his accounts; Should you chuse to have another Captain sent He will go immediately; It is Lieut. Sumner of the Virg Regiment (said to be a careful officer) who is marched to Bedford in lieu of Lieut Lawson.

Mr. Hubbard having desired to be mentioned to you, I beg leave to recommend him to your Protection.

Lieut. Philips request (s) to be put upon the list for purchasing a Captain Lieut

I have the honour to be with great Respect Sir
Your most obedient & Most

This is to inclose you the Monthly Return of the Battallion.

The Rain we have had for three days have raised the Rivers & Creeks so as to make it doubtful whether the Express sent to Venango & Presque Isle can get along.

We have only 90 Bushels of forrage in store. may remain at Fort Burd & flour shall be sent for.

What

The Virginians exceeding 300 R. & F. are going down, and out of them L: Col. Stephen is to leave a few at Fort Cumberland.

All Carriages are discharged except six horses which have been appraised at £72. and two more of the King's left here, which makes two Teams for the Works.

Of the six Waggon Horses we had at Presque Isle, one was lost during the Campaign, and five I sent down from Venango with my own, under the care of a Sergeant and five men of the Pensilv" The men arrived the 27th having had the horses stolen, or lost them: I sent them back with two R.A. & one Indian to hunt for them.