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L. H. J.
Liber No. 48
September
25
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in. There are several Block Houses or Stoccado Forts built on and
near the North-Mountain, particularly on the Plantations of Evan
Shelby, Issac Baker, Alien Killough, and Thomas Mills: They were
raised before I went to the Frontiers; neither can I give you the
Dimensions or a particular Description of them. I apprehend such a
Fort as I have directed to be constructed on the North-Mountain,
will not be compleated for less than £5000. From the Agents Ac-
counts you may learn how much has been already expended thereon,
and the Plan and Letter abovementioned will shew you what Work
remains yet to be executed. By the Agents Accounts you will, I
presume, also find, that I have drawn on them for a Sum of Money
towards defraying the Expence of the Troops that were, with your
Approbation, raised and supported for the Protection of the Frontier
Inhabitants last Spring, while you were Framing a Bill for his
Majesty's Service, and making Provision for their better Security:
Some Muster-Rolls and Accounts herewith sent, will shew you how
that Money has been expended [see Appendix, pages 674-5].
Gentlemen,
At the Beginning of this Session, I gave you my Reasons for
convening you before the Time to which you stood Prorogued, and,
agreeable to his Majesty's Pleasure, and the Earl of Loudoun's Let-
ter, pressed you to appropriate Part of the Sum of Money, lately
granted for his Majesty's Service, towards raising a Number of
Men in this Colony, with the utmost Expedition, for the Royal
American Regiment; and your first Address gave me Room to
expect you would pay a particular Regard to his Lordship's Requisi-
tion, and proceed, without Delay, to Frame a Bill for such an Appro-
priation of a Sum of Money as I desired: Flattering myself with
these Hopes, I was unwilling to interrupt you, or to communicate
to you any other Matters, lest you should be thereby diverted from
the Business that I concluded you were then upon; but as you have at
length been pleased to intimate to me, that I must not expect any
Bill for Levying Men, in this Province, for the Royal Americans,
till towards the Conclusion of the Session, and that which lies before
you being not yet Framed, I shall, agreeable to your Desire, com-
municate to you some other Matters, beside those that I have more
particularly recommended to your Consideration. For the better
Defence and Security of the Western Frontier, I think a considerable
Augmentation should be made to the Troops that have been already
raised for that Purpose. Finding nothing less would prevent the
fine Settlements of Conecochiegh being entirely broke up, and all
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