Apr. 30th. 1755

Sir

I have been this Mo. at Alexa[ndri]a. with Genl. Braddock, where he Como. Keppell the Govrs. of New Engl. NYork, Pensylvaa. Myld & myself met in Council to consult a Plan of Operats. for the Forces this Summer, when it was unanimously agreed that the Genl. with upwards of 3000 Forces shd. attack the Forts on Ohio River de Beuf & Lake Erie. Govr. Shirley's & Sr Wm Pepperill's Regimts. to attack Niagara. Colo. Johnston with 5000 Militia raised in the Noern. Provinces is to beseige Crown Point. That the two Indt. Companies at NYork & two Companies of Sr. Wm. Pepperill's proceed directly to Fort Oswego to raise Breast Works & make it defencable. Two Sloops to be built on Lake Champlain which Govr. Shirley has undertaken to provide Workmen &ca. These are the Dispositions made & I hope will meet with Your Approbation. The want of Money is a very great Loss I call our Assembly To morrow but I much dread of Success as the neighbouring Colonies of Pensylvaa. and Myld. continue refractory & obstinate, but shall do all in my Power. Yr. Son now here has brot. a Compa. of 84 Men they are gone for Alexa[ndri]a. & he proceeds by Land To morrow. If You can agree for 600 good fat Cattle to be drove to W. Creek it will be very acceptable & may be of use in raising Money to pay Yr. Company. Inclosed You have a Letter I think from Govr. Shirley & one from Mr Glen, which please forwd. by first convenient Oppty; as also three Packets from England for You & the two Govrs to the So.wd. I shall supply Yr. Son with what he may want. I am much hurried that I cannot enlarge but that I am in great Truth

Yr. Ex's most o. h. s.

P. S. I think C[ap]t[ain] Dalrymple is not very modest in his repeated Demds. You must keep him at a proper Distance otherways he will be too assuming & I fear he is not liked in yr. province. I forgot to acquaint you that Colo. Johnston is gone to the Six Nats. with a Prest. & to get them to take up the Hatchet. I also furnished a Prest., for the Soern Inds. to be d[elivere]d by Genl. Braddock. I much want to hear of yr. Servt's return from Mr. Glen tho' I presume Govr. Littleton may be there by this Time.

Yrs. sincerely

RD