with corne the ensuing yeare which will add to the charges of this Province. s I have herewith transmitted to your LordP a copy of my proceeding at Albany on this occasion, I have delayed the giving them the present from His Maj'y until such time I can get them all together,

and having received advice from the R' Hon ble the Lords of His Majtys Privy Council of a designe the French have upon some part of America, I hastened to Yorke, for in a month or six weeks time the winds are esteemed a defence to this coast.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE LATE EXPEDITION TO ALBANY IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST 1696. [

Lond. Doc. X. ]

His Excelly Benjamin Fletcher had certain intelligence that the French were on their march against the Indians of the Five Nations. July 31.

Sunday Aug st the 2'

.

Intelligence

came that the French were in the Indian Countrey and that

the inhabitants of Albany were apprehensive of their marching against that garrison. At the same time came a letter from the PJ Hon ble the Lords of his Maty s Privy Council advising of preparacons

His Excell. the same day did recommend to the Council to cause the guns and batterys to be put in order and about noone took his departure for

made by the French against some part of America.

'

Albany.

On the 7* of Aug8 as

'

his Excell arrived at

were upon the frontiers.

Albany and called a Council of such gentl. and officers