Oswegoe May 15th. 1753 Yesterday past by here Thirty odd French Canoes, part of an Anijy going to Belle Riviere to make good Iheir Claim there, and by a French man who past this also yesterday in his way to Cajocka, gives me the following Account which he said he Learned from common report in Canada viz.. That the Army Consisted of

1 Meaning the String of Wampum which 1 delivered you. VOL. II. - 40

626 MANLSCIUI'TS OF

6 tliousancl French coinmaiKk'd by Mods'. Marin who is ordered to Ohio, to settle the Limits between us & they that they lay claim on all the Lands on any of the Rivers or Creeksdcscends. or Terminating in the great Lake, that if he meet with any opposition he is to make good his Claim by force of Arms &. to Build Forts in such places he shall think most Convenient to secure their Right, that one Fort is to be Built at Ka-so-no-tia-yo-ga (a Carrying pla(;e) & another at Diontaroga, they are also to oblidge all the English they meet with, whither Traders or others to evacuate the place as they look upon all we possess now, as their undoubted right, which they mean to support by force of Arms. That this Expedition is agreeable to orders Received from the Grand Monarque late in the Winter, that he particularly orders them that they Molest not this Post at any Rate in Consideration of Cape Breton, but any other Post the English shall presume to approach or Settle near where they Claim they are to Reduce if not quitted imediately after warning given. That they expected a Decleration of War by the first Vessels from France which were not yet arrived, and was surprised when I told him we had as yet no Intelhgence or probability of a War j He also told me there'was about 500 Ind^. of the Coghnawagees, Scenondedies Onogonguas Oroondoks and Chenundies who would not Engage to go to War with y^.