It is with great Concern that I communicate to you the Intelligence contain’d in the enclos’d Paper. For tho’ the Names of two of the French Gentlemen are not mentioned, I have reason to fear they were our two Friends: I suppose they informed you in their late Letters that they were prevented from going down the Ohio last Autumn by the Freezing of the River before their Boat was ready. They were thereby detain’d at Fort Pitt all Winter; and in their last Letter to me they acquainted me that the Ice being now gone they should soon proceed, and desired those letters coming to my hands for them, might remain with me till I should hear from them, and receive Directions where to send them. Your two last accordingly are still in my Hands. We have as yet no farther Account of this melancholy Event, and therefore do not yet know whether the Gentleman said to have escaped to the Shore, tho’ badly wounded, still survives. I hope to hear that he is recovered. It seems they were unprovided with Arms to defend themselves. Indeed Travelling on the Ohio has for some Years past been thought as safe as on any River in France, so that there was not the least Suspicion of Danger, many Thousands of People having gone down that way to the new Settlements at Kentucke. I condole with you most sincerely on the unfortunate Accident. They were two young Men of uncommon Knowledge and most amiable Manners, so that I have scarce ever met with Persons for whom I had in so short an Acquaintance so much Esteem and and Affection. Mr. Pique deposited in my “Hands” thirty Louis d’ors and some Silver Spoons and Forks, which will be delivered to him if living, or to his Representative. I have the Honour to be, with great Regard, Sir, your most obedient and most humble Servant