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110 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.
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Letter Bk. II.
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indeed have shewn a Disposition to exert themselves by re-
pelling some Depredations & Invasions that they were threat-
ened with, & really I have such an Opinion of their Power &
Spirit as to think they will sufficiently secure their own
Frontiers, but can we with any face expect them to succour us
whom they esteem little inferiour to themselves while they see
us in a State of almost total Inactivity or Supineness. It will
be vain I imagine for us to sollicite New Hampshire a weak &
young Colony for Assistance; & from the Character of Rhode
Island Government I see no great Prospect of being assisted
from that Quarter: however to these will I address myself as
well as to the Governor of Connecticutt whatever hopes I
entertain of succeeding in my Applications. The Governt of
New York has sent Mr Dinwiddie about £3000 Sterg. which
is as much as we must expect from that Province itself exposed
& open more than any of us to the Incursions & Devastations
of the French & their Indian Allies who may at any time in a
Day or two march into the heart of that Country.
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The Jerseys have for their part been so far from concurring
with or approving of Mr Belchiers inviting them 3 or 4 several
times to shew themselves not unmindful of their Country &
unworthy of the British Name that they seem to have had
nothing else in view at their meetings but to shew the greatest
Disregard of & Contempt for the old Gentleman's Recom-
mendations. A Quaker Sect for the most part composes the
Pensilvania Assembly who in 3 successive meetings have abso-
lutely refused tho their All was at Stake to advance a Shilling
unless their Governor would make such Concessions to them
as his Instructions particularly forbad him to think of. The
Assembly of South Carolina have as yet I think shewn no less
Backwardness to engage in the Cause, & the sinking entirely
by gross mismanagement a Sum of £12.000 Proclamation
money which North Carolina granted last Spring for the
Service, before the Companies raised therewith could possibly
advance to the Scene of Action I am afraid will not incline
them very readily to repeat their Vote, & tho the Virginians
have been prevailed on to give £20000 for their own Defence
beside the £10000 which has been long since expended, & our
Assembly may possibly be induced to make an Addition to
what they lately advanced yet I cannot hope with such parci-
monious Supplies as these to be able to execute the Commis-
sion I am honoured with with any great Eclat; I wish I may
be able to do it with some small Reputation. It is expected I
apprehend from your Letter that the Germans who have
imported themselves into these Provinces will be found as
ready as they are capable of bearing Arms on this Occasion,
but I can assure you that whatever Character they may deserve
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