Brethren -- Your Coming heir according to the Custom of your

ancestors to Condole y^ death of the brethren murthred at Shinnectady is very acceptable, whereby your Inclination to wards us

is demonstrate, wee must acknowledge that they did not keep so

good watch as they ought Considereing what a false and deceit

full Enemy they had to deal with all but that w'' made them secure

was ye great trust they repossed in the 45 maquase who came

heire and tendred there service to goe and be y**- out watch and

to spy y*-' Enemy, which end powder and lead was given them as

they understood wee wer about hyreing of Christians to send

thither but wer un happily Deverted by the s^^ Compan'.e off

maquase who promised to have four posts ready two to goe to

there own Country and two to runn hither if any Enemy should

appear for the Brethren did assur us that no freneh Could Come

heir without beeing Discouered and then would all fall Into our

hands wee are likewise mindful! how y* y'^ 5 nations last fall wbea

168 ADMINISTIIATICN OF

the gcntlrarn of newEngkl were heir did declare how thoy \VGn1f! Encompassc the frenchof Canida that they should not break out this winter without being Discovind and Allien upon ;ind die -- likewise propose by our messeinggcrs arnout and Rob' Sanders at the generall meeting of onnondage to have 307: 400 men sent hither to be Readie on all occasions but see non