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

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 789

• without the Indians connivance it may be an unadvisable Scheme. . -- I wish your late Proceedings & yr Letters for the Board of Trade were finished, as I think it quite proper they should be sent by the first Packet. Wells might copy the Proceedings & Clause the Letter.

I suppose upon aplication you may have your Garrison strengthened, if no Danger the smaller the better.

Smith writes me Majr Rogers has flung up his Commission, its a shame that worthy man has not some permanent Provision n^ade for him. No Money coming from England to the Pay Masters here. The Contractors write they can get none to send, they know not what to do for money. The French are attempting to push thro the Straits of Belleisle one of their Store Ships taken by Sanders Fleet, two or three men of war & some Transports bound to Quebec taken in Europe.