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Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 105
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small Force that we shall be able to collect this Winter or early
in the ensuing Spring.
In pursuance of His & Governor Dobbs's Advice & Appro-
bation I propose if possible to raise 700 Men immediately who
will I hope (if a very severe Season does not soon set in) be
able in Conjunction with the 3 Independant Companies to carry
the Fort called Fort Du Quesne which the French have built
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Letter Bk. II.
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upon the River Monongahela before a Reinforcement can be
sent the Garrison from Canada or the French Settlements in
that part of the Continent which they call Louisiana. This one
Scheme & erecting a Fortress which we conceive absolutely
necessary on an Island in the River Ohio opposite to Duquesne
Fort is all that I can entertain very sanguine hopes of being
able to execute with so small a number of Men as will I appre-
hend (unless some Draughts be sent from England) compleat
the Corps that will be under my Direction; as most of these
will be required in Case our Enterprize succeeds, to garrison
the two Forts above mentioned & one that is already begun at
a Place called Wills-Creek on Potomack River, designed to be a
Magazine for the Troops that shall be employed in the Service ;
But if the several Colonies should be persuaded to increase
our American Forces enough in the Spring to afford us a
Prospect of making a succesful Attempt upon the Fort that
the French have compleated on Buffaloe River near Lake Erie
you will be pleased to think that I will with the greatest
Alacrity prosecute that Service tho I must at present confess
that the Strength of the Enemy in those parts, their superiour
knowledge of the Country which is likely to be the Scene of
Action & their numerous Alliances among the Indian nations
forbid me to flatter myself unless the Colonies grant Supplies
beyond my Expectations with hopes of any very important
Successes against our Enemy, who are strengthened by
unanimity among themselves, upon this Consideration I cannot
indeed but entertain some Suspicion that these His Majestys
Dominions can never be effectually secured from the Encroach-
ments of the French & Devastations of their Indian Allies,
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p. 4
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farther Hostilities on our distant & scattered Inhabitants &
such Indians as may venture to declare in our favour be pre-
vented & a free Trade with the natives which we are now
threatened to be entirely deprived of ensured to us unless the
Enemy be compelled to relinquish at once the several Fort-
resses that they have built on the Lakes & Rivers behind us
& we take possession of & garrison them ourselves. But as I
look on this as too great a Design to be executed or ever
attempted with such Assistance & Supplies only as the several
Colonies will be prevailed on to advance without they be sup-
ported by such a Body of Troops from home as I dare not
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p. 5
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