I cannot draw more than eight hundred militia, one hundred of the best of whom will be required These will do nothing else than come and go during our exto manage the fifty canoes for convoys. pedition to transport provisions for our troops and for those whom we shall station during the winter at the Post which we must occupy either at Niagara or near the Senecas, to serve as a retreat for those of our Indians who will be desirous to harrass them during the winter and the following Without this nothing effectual will have been done to humble tlus Nation, for to be satisfied year. in driving them from their villages and then to retire, is not accomplishing any great thing, as they immediately return and re-establish themselves in their Villages. As you, My lord, are perfectly acquainted with the ruinous condition of this Colony, you understand very well the deplorable consequences of this war which require that the settlements be confor in truth the establishment of the tracted, and it is here we must anticipate many difficulties Colony would have to be almost begun over again, and this it is which causes me repeat the demand that I have already made for regular troops to support our habitans, and to occupy the posts neces;

sary to be guarded, without which I cannot preserve

many points very requisite to be protected

among others Chambly, where I should like to station a strong post, because it is the most important pass to reach the English by lake Champlain.