"From Fort Cumberland to Fort Duquesne by Ge^{nl} 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 to judge at such Distance, and of a Country I never saw, nor heard spoke off but in Cap^t Ward's account, I therefore can say nothing decisive, so have sent up S^{ir} John St Clair in order that he may explore that new road and determine the most Ellegible to be pursued, but this I think need not hinder you from proceeding upon the new road as soon as you can Conveniently.... I have spoke very roundly upon this subject [roads and forage] to S^{ir} John, who was sent up the Country from Philadelphia for no other purpose than to fix the roads and provide forage, both of which I am sorry to say it, are yet to begin--but all this _entre nous_ until I see you." Under the same date (July 25) General Forbes wrote as follows to Major-general Abercrombie: "Scouting Parties have been sent out, with the best Guides we could find, and according to the Reports which some of them have made, the Road over the Allegeny Mountain and the Lawrel Ridge will be found practicable for Carriages, which will be of infinate Consequence, will facilitate Our Matters much by shortening the March at least 70 miles, besides the Advantage of having no Rivers to pass, as We shall keep the Yeogheny upon our Left.... The Troops are all in Motion ... but I have Retarded the March of some of them upon the Route from this Place, as I am unwilling to bring them together till the Route is finally determined." On the twenty-sixth Bouquet wrote Forbes as follows: