THat they were ſent from the Governour, Council and General Aſſembly of His Majesties Province of New-York about the Month of November 〈◊〉 , with an humble Addreſs of Thanks to His Sacred Majeſty, for his Royal Care of and Bounty to that Province, with all dutiful Acknowledgment of their hearty Affection and Zeal to His Majeſty's Perſon and Government.

That they had alſo Commiſſion and Inſtructions to lay before his Majeſty the State and Condition of that Province, in relation to the War with the French; and further, to move and appear in any matter or thing that may conduce to the Good and Wellfare of that Province.

That being on heir Voyage hither, in the Month of January laſt, near the Iſlands of Silly, they were taken by a Privateer of St Malo, and carried into France, where they remained Priſoners till the beginning of the Month of April.

That when they found the Ship they were in was not capable of any longer Defence, they ſunk all ſuch Papers and Writings as did any ways concern the Publick or the War.

That they were inſtructed humbly to offer to and acquaint His Majeſty, That the French of Canada have Re-ſettled a Fort at a place called Cadaraque, from whence they were driven by the Indians, the beginning of the War.

That ſince the ſaid Settlement, the Indians of the five Nations have ſeemed much colder in their Friendſhip to the Engliſh, and it is to be feared, they will not only ſtrike up a Peace with the French, but make open War upon the Engliſh.

That it has not been poſſible for the Governour of New-York, with the Forces he has there, to hinder the ſettlement of the French at Cadaraque, it being ſcituate more than Five Hundred Miles from the uppermoſt Plantations, and the way thither through a Country of thick Woods and great Lakes, without any Road, and where no Proviſions for any conſiderable Party of Chriſtians are to be had.

That if thoſe Five Nations of Indians ſhould be drawn over to the French, all the Engliſh Plantations on the Main Land, that are ſettled at great diſtance from one another, will be liable to be wholly Ruined and Deſtroyed by ſmall Parties of French and thoſe Indians.

That the Province of New-York, by its Scituation, yearly Preſents and Aſſiſtance given to thoſe Indians, (to the great Impoveriſhing of that Country) has hitherto (except any Defection has happened ſince November laſt) with great difficulty kept thoſe Indians from quitting the Engliſh Intereſt.

That in that Province, conſiſting of about three Thouſand Families, towards the defraying the Charge of the War, has been raiſed, ſince the year 1690. above 30000 l. and all the Aſſiſtance had from the Neighbouring Colonies, has only been about 3000 l. though all the Engliſh Plantations on the Continent are equally (if not more) concerned in the danger.

That notwithſtanding ſo much Money has been raiſed from that Province, and the other Aſſiſtance given by its Neighbours, the Expence of the War has been ſo great, that the Government at preſent remains much in debt, and will not be longer able to ſubſiſt, unleſs ſome effectual Methods are found to ſupport it.

That the Indians being weary of the War, obſerving the great Recruits of Men, Arms and Stores yearly ſent from France, are very ſenſible of the Danger threatned them by the Neighbourhood of the French in Cadaraque, who are much better fortified there than formerly; and by this they are inclined to hearken to the Propoſals made from thoſe of Canada, who by Menaces, Gifts, and other means, endeavour to get thoſe Indians to engage on their ſide.

They humbly therefore pray Your Lordſhips to Intercede with His Majeſty, To order ſome ſpeedy and effectual Care to be taken, that the Evils, which apparently will attend the Indians Confederating with the French, and their ſettling in thoſe Parts may be prevented.