And lastly, The Practibility of executing this post before the Winter sets in, Must still further be judged, not only by the number of artificers that would be Requisite to Compleat it in due time, but by considering it is one of the Reasons inter alia His Excellency General Abercrombie Himself Gives for laying aside the Scheme of Building a Fort there--By observing as follows ' Besides when I recollect how far the Season is advanced and that is not likely, that by beginning a Fort* now it would be finished against the Winter & consiquently not of the Use proposed."

* I beg it may be remembered that I have ¢oncluded the Post Ordered is to be a Fort.

524 PAPERS RELATING TO

N.B: The Exterior Circuite of Fort Edward is nearly 1569 Ft: And as I am informed took nearly Two Seasons to build it. And the Exterior Circuite of the Fort proposed will be nearly 1420 Ft.

GENL. ABERCROMBIE TO GEN STANWIX. Sir

Having been told that you had been obliged to incamp your Troops at Schenectady, thro' Reason of the Present shallowness of the Muhawk River, where it is said you cannot even yet get up light Batteaus wh will have prevented your forwarding the Tools and materials necessary for Building at the Oneida Carrying Place the Post or Fort I directed by my letters of the 16 and 234 Inst. should be forthwith built there.

And having since been advised, instead of that Post or Fort, to build one more extensive, pursuant to a Plan laid before me, I have accordingly sent that plan to Lt Williams now at Albany with directions if his health should Permit him to undertake the same, immediately to join you and set about it; my Reason for sending Lt Williams is that he is acquainted wh that part of the Country, and accustomed to the method of Working in it; besides from Capt.