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320 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.
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his causing more Vessels to be built & of a larger Force upon
the Lake that what His Majesty hath there already & how
many such Vessels it is necessary to have built for gaining the
Mastery of that Lake —
The Council after taking the several Matters into Considera-
tion gave it as their unanimous Opinion Ist That it is most essen-
tially necessary at all Events to secure the Navigation of the
Lake Ontario, & from the Intelligence the General has informed
them he has already received of Vessels building by the Enemy
at Fort Frontenac, that at least Three Vessels be built immedi-
ately at [Oswego] large & Force as the Depth of the
Water at the Entrance of the Harbour of Oswego will admit
& that on any future Intelligence of the Enemy's encreasing
their Naval Force, that the General should build such & so
many more Vessels as he finds necessary for securing the
Mastery of the Lake.
2dly That one Expedition be carried on against Crown Point
& another against the French Settlements & Encroachments
on Lake Ontario that both Armies rendezvous at their respec-
tive Places of Destination soon as possible in the Spring —
3dly That an Army of 10,000 Men will be necessary for the
Expedition against Crown Point —
4thly That an Army of 6000 Men at least will be necessary
for the Expedition against the French Encroachments on the
Lake Ontario &c.
5thly That as to the Attempt proposed to be made upon Fort
Duquesne they are unanimously of Opinion that such a Measure
would answer very good purpose by availing the English
Forces of the Assistance of that portion of the Southern
Indians which are still in Alliance with them & preventing
those in Alliance with the French from opposing our Opera-
tions to the Northward & therefore advise the General to
recommend it to the Western Governments to undertake an
Attempt upon that Fortress, & do it in such a manner as will
not in the least interfere with the Expedition already agreed on —
6thly That as to the Feint with 2000 Men against Quebec by the
way of the River Chaudiere they are unanimously of Opinion
that it should be carried into Execution provided it can be
done without prejudice to the other Parts of the Service
already agreed on —
7th That with Regard to the Operations on Lake Ontario it
was the Opinion & Advice of the Majority of the Council that
they be begun by the Attack of Cataracui
Lastly the Council considering the several Services to be
carried on in North America are unanimously of Opinion that
an Additional Number of Regular Troops will be necessary for
effectually recovering & Securing his Majestys Rights &
Dominions upon this Continent.
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