Whereas the french and Indians of Canida have come in a hostile manner massacred and murtherd Sundry of there Maj'^ Subjects at Shinnectady burning y* Towne and caried divers Captives along with them ; yow are hereby required in there Maj^^ name king William and Queen Mary to Pursue and follow after y^ s'^ french and Indians with so many volunteers as shall be sent with y^ and ye s<^ french and Indians to kill and Destroy and y^ Captives to Rescue and Redeem out of y*' s^ Enemies hands if Possible, always Provided yow meet with a sufficient number of friend Indians at Shinnectady to assist yow in said Expedition

Yow are to take Especiall care to have always Spy es and Skouts

LIEUT. GOV. LEISLER. 157

out to Prevent all ambushes in y® march and to keep y^ said men in good order and Discipline & y® men are to be obedient to y orders as Souldiers are obliged to obey there officers by y^ Law raarshall given in albany y*^ 10*^^ day of february 16|| To Leift Evert de Ridder

It was Resolved to Detach 30 men more out of y« Comp® to go to Shinnectady ye Mayf P' Schuyler Jochim Staets & Robt Livingston were to goe out along with them but after that y« Respective Posts and watches were reduced by M"" Wessells Capt Jochim Staets & Capt Bleeker they w^ere found so weake that they could not spare there men & y® People generally unwilling to consent that any more men should go out of Towns not being much above 150 men in y® Citty.