(seq. 3)

who commands in Chief, heads the hooks by way of the
Lakes - Admiral Holmes goes out in this Expedition,
as does Coll Townsend, a son of Lore Townsend, a good
officer. The French, tho mightily distressed, puff
away, of their intended early preperations for
America, descents on England, and what not.
We very happily know all this to be meer Garconade
being absolutely certain, that it is out of their power
to fit out any fleet which may be Equall to oppose
our grand Armaments in that way. That now
seems the Crisis of their fate, and the time is ever
when we may effectually avail ourselves of
that most persidious & cruel enemy, in the utter
destruction of their affairs in America. The Spirit
here is up as neither money, nor application is
wanting; and if the people in America do their
duty / and tis expected that the Provinces lease
many Men, at least as they did last year , surely,
with the blessing of divine providence we may
reasonably hope that the year 1759 will be the happy
eera of the Compleat Salvation of the English set-
lements in North America.

We are all in deep Mourning here
for the death of the Princess of Orange; and that of the
King of Spain, is hourly expected, he being given
over, by his physitians, what effects these important

[*Events may produce time must disvoer. The King of Prussia is recruiting his army very sweepfully, and it is
thought their will be in an early campaign. His forces is said, when compeat, will be 200,000 strong. the Kind of Sar-
dinia is arming, and tis expected he will be deemed as our ally - a most important summer is before us
God grant it be the eve of a happy & lasting peace. farewell Sir, I've neither time, nor paper to add
but with my best love & respects to the whole family, I remain D{ear} Sir, your oblig{e}d humb{le} serv{ant}. B{enjamin} Gerrish*]