Whereas nothing contributes more to the wealth and prosperity of a country than free and open communications to and from it on all sides and that by our present possession of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, a direct road from hence into New England by No. 4 must prove of the greatest advantages to the inhabitants and settlers of the latter particularly those of the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire; I have accordingly for the mutual benefit of the whole, as well as that of the garrisons of Crown Point and Ticonderoga, caused a road to be marked and cutt from hence to No. 4, and in order that the same may be come known to and frequented by the people of New England, as well as to save their troops a long and tedious march, I have resolved to send these last home by this new road, and that they may meet with less fatigue and difficulties than are common to new roads in an uncultivated country, I propose to have the same entirely cleared, straightened and widened, and as I am convinced that no one is more equal to the task than yourself and that from your love for your Country and zeal for the common cause you will exert yourself to the utmost to carry this good design into execution in the best manner possible I do hereby repose that trust and confidence in you.

You will accordingly take upon you the command of the party appointed for that purpose by last night's orders, and with them proceed to the entrance of the said new road from hence which you will carry out in the most direct line possible to No. 4 clearing the forest all the way you go and widening it in every part to at least twenty feet and wherever it may be necessary to lay any bridges across you will lay them sufficiently strong to bear carriages.

You will also at every fifteen miles distance cause log'd fences to be put up for harboring and keeping together the cattle that will be drove through that road for the use of the troops.

And that nothing may retard you in this so necessary and essential work or that your party may not be so bothered they are to leave their  arms behind them and I send you Lieut. Small of the Royal Highland Regiment with a party of thirty armed men of the Regulars not only to guard and serve you but to be aiding and assisting to you in everything that you shall require of him for the good of the frontier.

When your work is quite completed and  finished in the manner before mentioned you may then dismiss your party at No. 4 where Lieut. Small will order them provisions sufficient to carry them to the inhabited country or farther if the men chuse it but if from thence they had rather have four pences in lieu of provisions they shall receive the same from him for so many days as at a moderate march will take the Massachusetts [men] to go to Worcester, the Connecticut to Hartford and the Rhode Islanders, Providence.

Signed Jeffry Amherst