Sir:

Before L'd Loudon arriv'd G'l Abercrombie was at Albany, where there are 7,000 Provincials and six Reg'm'ts of Regulars. The Provincials entreated G'l Abercrombie to allow 'em to make the first Attack on C. Point. You know they have an enthusiastical Cast. The Gen'l, I think, very prudently indulg'd 'em in y'r Request, and I believe they began y'r March for C. Point the 18th Ult'o. Pray God grant 'em success. There were Reinforcements order'd to Oswego, and I believe Y'r Companies were of y't No. L'd Loudon made but a very short stay at N. Y., and went immediately to join the Army. By his L'd'p I rec'd Orders from the Sec'ry of State to declare war ag'st the Fr., I imediately sent for the Council, and y's Day I declare it with proper Formalities, and I presume You have the same Orders, w'ch engaged me to send Y'r Packets by Ex's, and I doubt not You will take the same Care in forward'g the Packets for the So'w'd. We are weekly alarm'd with parties of Fr. and Indians on our Front's comitt'g the most cruel Murders. Tho' we have 1,200 Men in pay, we can't come up with 'em to destroy them, and I fear y's will always be the Case till we drive the Fr. from the Ohio, w'ch I have fully laid before L'd Loudon, but he will have work enough on his hands to the No'w'd y't no Expedit'n of y't sort can be undertaken till next Spring. I expect him here in the Winter.