Williamsburg Virg^a Nov^r 24^th 1753 —
S^r
Having an Express with some Letters from Gov^r Hamilton
of Pensylvania, I cou'd not let him return without paying
my Compliments to You, & to desire you'll excuse my not
not answering your last Letter, which was occasion'd by great
Hurry in our Assembly's meeting. I receiv'd a Letter from
the Earl of Holderness which occasion'd my sending a Person
of distinction to the Comander of the French Forces on the
Ohio River; I desir'd to know his reasons for his Invading
His Majesty of Great Britain's Dominions while a solid Peace
subsisted between us & France, & by what Authority he acted
in so unwarrantable Manner; & I desir'd he wou'd desist &
retire; Otherways I must follow the Orders & Directions of
the King my Master, by oblidging him by Force. — The Mes-
senger has been gone three Weeks when he returns, I shall
acquaint you of his reception & the Answer to my Letter; In
case of his refusal, which I expect will be, I shall depend on
the Assistance of the neighbouring Colonies to defeat their
Designs.
Next May I have desir'd a Meeting of the Northern &
Southern Indians, in the British Interest, at Winchester; when
I shall endeavour to make up some small Breaches subsisting
between them & endeavour to make Peace among themselves;
afterwards endeavour to have a firm Alliance concluded be-
tween the several different Nations of Indians, with the Crown
of Great Britain, & the Subjects settled on this Continent.
I shall be very proud of your Advice & Assistance in an
Affair that I think, will be of great Service to Britain, to the
Trade of these Colonies, & strengthening Our Western Fron-
tiers. I presume the Letter I sent you by the Express was
from the Secretary of State, for a mutual Supply, I shall be
glad to know the Inclination of your People on this Occasion.
I have laid His Majesty's Orders before our House of Bur-
gesses, but I fear they will not grant what I desire, unless the
Messenger I sent to the French returns before the House