Extraordinary French and Indian War Letter, May 16, 1756, Describing Problems in Northern NY ALS, 2pp (approx. 7.25 x 12 in.). Albany [NY]. May 16, 1756. Benjamin Hatlin to Jonathan Trumble (later changed to Trumbull) in Connecticut regarding problems in Northern New York. Hatlin writes: "I have had as much trouble...since I came up as I could well comport with. I want of men hear & ye distrest [distressed] state of ye forts, fear by Loosing them, ye death & captivation of many of our men & ye great uneasiness of men in ye forts, som[e] of which difficulties now subside. Col. Whiting being gone to fort Edward, Col. Bagly sets out to morrow for fort Wm. Henry, & one starts to day from hence to half moon....We have heard nothing from Major Dyer and his Party since they were taken, I hope they was all taken alive & without wounds. I have not one moments time to write being going up ye River..."Two days later (May 18) Great Britain declared war on France. The following day (May 19) France declared war on Great Britain. Yet another chapter in the battle for dominance in the New World and elsewhere between what were the superpowers of the day. What was known as the Seven Years' War in Europe ended with the Treaty of Paris (signed February 1763). The British received France's Canadian colonies and Spain's Florida territory. France kept its islands in the West Indies and Spain received Louisiana. At the beginning of the war, many Acadians were expelled from Canada and moved to Louisiana ("Cajuns") and other Gulf regions, influencing the northern Gulf populations. The debt incurred from this lengthy conflict was one reason Britain instituted various Acts in an attempt to pay down her war debt. But, of course, colonial resentment over the Stamp Act, Townshend Acts and Tea Act would eventually bring Britain more conflict.French and Indian War material is rare. An extraordinary historical document.