thoroughly sensible of the impracticability of passing by the shortest way over the Laurell Hill to the Ohio. The difference at present in the length of road the one way and the other stands thus—
"From Raestown to Fort Cumberland, 34 miles or upwards
"From Fort Cumberland to Fort Duquesne by Genl Braddocks, 125 miles in all 160 to which add the passage of rivers &c and the last 8 miles not cut.
"The other road—
"From Raestown to the top of the Laurell Hill 46 miles
"From then to Fort Duquesne suppose 40 or 50 miles in all 90 with no rivers to obstruct you and nothing to stop you that I can see, except the Bugbear, a tremendous pass of the Laurel Hill.
"If what I say is true and those two roads are compared, I don't see that I am to Hesitate one moment which to take unless I take a party [join a faction] likewise, which I hope never to do in Army matters.
"I have now told you my Opinion, and what I think of the affairs of the road, but
