prevent succor from Europe which may arrive from England or Boston, as to enter the port when I

on my arrival shall give the signal agreed upon, so as to aid us in capturing the Fort which they may cannonade from aboard their ships whilst I attack it on land. They can in case of necessity even land some marines (to replace the 400 men I shall have left on the road guarding Orange and the Batteaux); also some pieces of Cannon if we require them.

They might reimbark and return to

France in the month of October after the capture of the Fort and carry the intelligence thereof. After we should have become masters of the town and fort of Manathe I shall cause the Inhabitants to be disarmed

and send my Canadians back by the Albany river to Orange on their way to

their batteaux and on their return home.

I should winter at

Manathe with all the troops I would

have brought with me except the 200 soldiers left to guard Orange ; and as I fear

shall

have nothing to

from the land side, being master of the rivers, I would work through the winter to strengthen

myself against attacks of the English whilst waiting until H. M. should be pleased to send what

may be necessary to secure this important conquest. It would render H. M. absolute Master of the whole of Iroquois who derive from this Colony all the arms and ammunition with which they make war on us. This will afford the means to disarm them whenever considered necessary, and thereby impose on them such laws as H. M. may please; the town of Boston, the capital of New England being too far from them to afford any aid.