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312 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.
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Letter Bk. I.
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his Arrival ever since the 8th Inst. & am desired by a Lettr
which a few Days ago I received from him to continue here
till the 2d of Decr when he hopes to have dispatched the Busi-
ness of the greatest Consequence which he says has inevitably
detained him at Albany so long beyond his Intention &
Appointment, finding an Attempt on either of the French-
Forts on Lake Ontario this year impracticable on Account of the
Season's being so far advanced before a sufficient quantity of
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p. 177
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Provisions & other Necessaries could be got to Oswego, & by
reason the French Garrisons both at Cataracui & Niagara
were found to be very strong. The General has employed
his Troops in strengthening Oswego with other Works & left
for the Defence thereof this Winter about 900 Men of his own
& Sr Wm Pepperels Regiments under the Command of Lieutt
Colo Mercer We have at present on the Lake a Sloop &
Schooner that carry 6 Carriage & 20 Swivel Guns each but as
the French are building Vessels of greater Force at Cataracui
to dispute the Navigation of the Lake with us next Summer
it is said General Shirley will order some Vessels of more than
100 Ton Burthen to be set on the Stocks immediately & a
great Number of Whale Boats to be built this Winter as they
are found more proper for the Navigation of the Lake than
Battoes or any other small Craft. General Iohnson is building
a Fort at the place where he was Encamped when the French
attacked him the 8th Septr it is about 40 Miles on this side
Crown Point on an Arm of Lake George & 70 miles from
Albany, twas reported that the two British Regiments would
releive the Provincials & garrison the Fort on Lake George
this winter but tis now said that a sufficient Number of General
Johnson's own Troops will be left there & that the Regiments
will take up their Winter Quarters at Albany where Barracks
are building for their Reception. I am told the General finds
himself impowered & is come to a Resolution to raise two
more Regiments in these Colonies, as it is very likely His
Majesty has not yet appointed any Colonels to such Regiments
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p. 178
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& as one of them will probably be ordered to Maryland &
Virginia I flatter myself from your Ldp's Kindness last Year in
permitting me to accept the Command of such Troops as
should then have been raised & to be absent from Your Ldp's
Govt for a While if His Majesty's Service should so require,
that your Ldp will not be averse to my Friends making Appli-
cation on this Occasion in my favour & if Your Ldp approves
of such Request I will presume to hope that I shall not want
your Ldps kind Offices to procure me one of the Regiments
that are now to be raised. As I desired Mr Tasker to send
me an Express Messenger to advise me if any thing extra-
ordinary should happen in your Ldp's Province during my
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