Novem^r 4^th 1756 —
S^r
Col^o Lee having just acquainted me with his Intention to
pay you a Visit very shortly I trouble him with this to inform
you that Col^o Steven has lately sent hither a Person from Fort
Cumberland who was sent thither as a Spy by an Officer of a
Detachment of 160 French & Indians who were ordered from
Fort Du Quesne to annoy the Frontier Inhabitants of one of
these Provinces or to make an Attempt on Fort Cumberland
if they should on Examination find the Reduction of that place
practicable. I presume Col^o Steven has communicated to you
what the Fellow said concerning the Enemy's Strength behind
us at present & of their Intention to assemble & march a con-
siderable Body of Troops into one of these Colonies next
Spring. I cannot by this, but I will by the next Opportunity
send you a Copy of the Prisoners Examination &c.

Williamsburg Nov^r 12^th 1756.
Sir
I receiv'd Your Letter by Col^o Lee. I shall be glad to hear
the Information of the Person sent you by Col^o Stephens; tho'
from all Accts they cannot spare 160 men from Fort Du
Quesne, at same Time I fancy they may make an Attempt on
Fort Cumberland; have therefore order'd Col^o Washington to
call a Council of Officers, to consult if they think it may be
properly defended, in case the Enemy shou'd attack it; if not,
to send all the Ammunition &c. to Winchester, & abandon
Fort Cumberland, destroying every Thing that may be of use
to the Enemy — I have not yet receiv'd their Report.
I doubt not in the Summer they will march a Body of Troops
against these Colonies, I therefore think it our Duty to be