The New Hampshire Gazette

Wednesday last Mr. Jeremiah Lincoln came to Town from Fort Edward, and upon Oath has declared, That he was an Ensign under Major Thaxter, and that on the 18th of September last (being out on a Scout with Capt. Hodges) he was taken Prisoner by a Number of French and Indians near Fort William Henry, and was carried by them to Ticonderoga, and there redeemed by General Montcalm for 200 Livres, and sent to Crown Point, from whence he went to Montreal, where he had Liberty to work for his Living.

That on or about the 10th Day of June last, he was informed, that 3 Vessels had arrived at Quebeck from France, who brought News, that 27 Sail, with 2000 Troops were to sail soon after them for Canada.

That he was informed by a Number of Englishmen, and others who had been at Quebeck, that by the best Information they could get, they could not raise above 10,000 Forces there.

He was also informed by several of the French People, that they had not above 6000 Regular Troops in all Canada.

That about the 12th of June 300 Regulars and 400 Indians marched from Montreal to Ticonderoga.

That he often heard at Montreal, that the French designed to attack our Forts at the Lake; but by all the Intelligence he could get, and Observation he could make, they could not be able to make up an Army of above 2000 Men to go against them, by Reason they had sent a great Number of their Forces to defend the Ohio, which they heard was going to be attacked by Col. Washington; and tho Reason given why the Army was not sent against our Forts sooner, was because they heard at Montreal, that a Fleet and Army was coming from New England up the River St. Laurence against Quebeck; but had given over the Expedition of their coming now, which was the Reason of their sending some of their Forces to the Ohio, and others to Ticonderoga.

That he the Declarant, with three others, made their Escape from Montreal on the 14th of June last, in the Night, and on their March homewards, two of them being so tired and fatigued that they could not proceed further, went and delivered themselves up at Crown Point.

That he the Declarant and the other afterwards arrived at Fort Edward, where his Companion was stopped by General Webb, as he was one of the Regulars taken at Oswego.

The Declarant further says, that when he was at Crown Point Fort, by all the Observation he could make, there was no Battery or any Works thrown up on any Hill near the Fort.

N. B. The French were so short of Provisions at Montreal, that they could not support their Prisoners in Goal, but let them go at large, to provide for themselves.