No Packet yet arrived, we wonder at it, no Cause assigned, but Winds & Weather, perhaps the King of Spains Death, w^h tho not certain, is yet very probable, may give a new turn to the political System of Europe & have detained the Packet. Yesterday it was said a Fleet was off our Port & supposed to be ours from Gaadaloope with soldiers for Cape Breton, I am afraid they will be sickly & instead of a reinforcement produce Distempers.

We have lost Fort S'. David in the East Indies & expected that Fort S* George our Chief Settlement in those parts will follow, it will hurt individuals, but if all our possessions in the East Indies were gone, it might not perhaps be a national Loss, many judicious Persons think the East India Trade is on the whole, considered as an exclusive one, no advantage to Great Britain.

I impatiently expect to hear from you what route you are to take, when I know that, I shall patiently wait the Event of the Generals Plan, without being curious to dive into his Secrets, I think his reserve proper enough, as I believe it arises from Judgment & not affectation, he is marcht I hear, from Albany & all the Troops moved.

I hope your Scouts to Crown Point & Sweegachie are returned to your satisfaction.

Smith writes me, that the Indians have delivered up M"" MclVXckeys murderer, an extraordinary compliance if true. & I hope the General will follow your Advice upon it & not gratify an impudent & impolitic resentm' have you ever talked to the General about tlie scheme of building a strong Fort at F' Du Que<r^« » I fear