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„ COUNT FRONTENAC ’s EXPEDITION AGAINST THE ONONDAGAS,

LETTER FROM COLL. FLETCHER TO Mr. BLAITILWAYTE, DATED THE 18th SEPT R 1696.

[ Lond. Doc. X. ]

Sir—I am not willing to take up much of your time by my scurvy scribblings; having said allthat occurs to my thoughts in this hasty call from the Five Indian Nations, who have been drivenby the French from their wooden castles and are returned; they desire to see me at Albany in ashort warning and I am now ready to step on board. The French Count of Canada has made but avery silly business of it after three years preparation afrighting a few naked Indians only; by thishe shews them his strength and his mercy, being this summer recruited from France , he told all hetook prisoners, his business was to bring them under the protection of his Master but not to destroythem. Our Chiefe Sachims would not be persuaded to stay and treate, but seeing his force, theyfled, and are return’d. I hope to revitt them in their allegiance, by the presents sent from HisMaj l y and an addition sent from this Province; but yet I want the most congent argument; a goodbody of men.

A JOURNALL

OF WHAT PASSED IN THE EXPEDITION OF HIS EXCELL. COLL. BENJAMIN FLETCHER CAPTAINE GENERALLAND GOVERNOR IN CHIEFE OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW YORKE &C. TO ALBANY TO RENEW THE COVE-NANT CHAIN WITH THE FIVE CANTON NATIONS OF INDIANS, THE MOHAQUES, ONEYDES, ONONDAGES,CAYOUGES AND SENNEKES.

Sept. 17, 1696. On Thursday after sunsett his Excell: imbarqued at Greenwich: on Tuesdaymorning arrived at Albany .

22. This day his Excell, viewed the fortifications of the city and gave orders to y° May andAldermen for such reparacons as were found needfull in the blockhouses platformes and stockadoes.

27 th Sunday afternoone the Sachims of Oneyde and Onnondage arrived at Albany , in the eveningthey supped with his Excel , giving great expressions of ye joy and satisfacc6n they had in meetinghis Excell.

28 tl1 His Excell sent Capt James Weems to view the garrison at Schenectady and bring report toHis Excell what necessary repairs are wanting which was performed accordingly.

This day the Sachims of the other three Nations arrived and desired time to rest themselves tilltomorrow.

29 th His Excell, called the Sachims together and spake.

At a Meeting of the Sachims of the Five Nations at Albany the 29th of September, 1696Present His Excell Coll Benjamin Fletcher &c

Coll. Nicholas BayardWilliam Pinhome EsqMaj r Peter SchuylerMatthew Clarkson Esq Secretary.

The May Recorder & Aldermen of Albany &c

of the Council