New York effected, & Connecticott wanted but few, (although by sickness many were lost) when Major Winthrop tooke the charge of them, receiving my commission & instructions from the commissioners at Albany after many debates, and marched to the Houtkill, [Wood Creek] being the greatest part of fattigue from Albany to Canada, without making any exceptions ag* the number of men from New York & Albany, conceiving that Boston & Plymouth forces were compleated, (tho not a man sent) he undertaking for them, not
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cfFect'.ially, but by dint of imagination, yet nevertheless when the s^ Major should have proceeded according to the result, he pauses & questions if his forces were sufficient to accomplish his commission, himselfe proposing great danger, and caused officers to vote for their retreate, forbidding peremptorily that more than 30 christians should proceed on the designe, saying he would not march further unless the Indians which promised to goe out, did comply with their M'ord & numbers, whereby many were discouraged that intended to have gone forward with a parcel of 30 accompanied with some Indians, that Killed of the ^ Enemies Catle about 150, slaine & tooke their persons 28, burning great quantities of hay and fodder & 16 houses, besides Barnes, certified if their numbers had been 150 more, they doubted not of taking the enemies fortresses & even Mon Reall itselfe. --
Now not to repeat the unaccountable and unchristian behaviour of Major Winthrop, when he first came to Albany, 9f which you have had notice by letter from our commissioners, but no answer vouchsafed us ; lett us return to facts before resulted and examined ; upon what grounds there could be any success ag* our Enemies expected vizt. --