English until we have arrived at the point whence I shall send to tell the Iroquois, by some of their Nation, that I am not come to wage war against them but only to reduce the English, who have caused our division, and to re-establish the good friendship that formerly existed between us therefore they had better avoid coming to their aid if they wish not to be treated with the greatest rigor, the said English being unable to protect

them from the force I lead against them, and that I

shall turn against the said Iroquois, if they dare assist

them.

As the Batteaux cannot proceed further than the Carrying Place, my intention is to erect there a small log fort (un petit fort de pieux terrasses) which I shall have built in three days, and to leave

200 men in

it

to

guard the Batteaux

;

thence march direct to Orange, embarking our supplies on

the River in canoes which we shall bring and which can be convoyed by land, we marching with the troops along the river as an escort. I calculate to seize in passing some English Villages and

Settlements where I shall find provisions

and other conveniences for attacking the town of Orange. That town is about as large as Montreal, surrounded by picquets at one end of which is an Earthen Fort defended by palisades and consisting of four small bastions. There is a garrison of 1 50 men of three companies in the fort and some pieces of Cannon. Said town of Orange may contain about 1 50 houses and 300 inhabitants capable of bearing arms, the majority of whom are Dutch and some