Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 113

Annapolis Novem^r 5^th 1754. transmitted by Cap^t Clarkson.

Sir
The 25^th of last month I took the Opportunity of a Ship's
sailing from Virginia to acknowledge the Receipt of His Lord-
ships Commission and your kind Favour of luly. This Day
Sennight I left Williamsburg & arrived here Sunday last.
Yesterday I met the Gentlemen of the Council (having while
I was in Virginia writ to desire their Presence at that time) &
acquainted them with His Lordships Kindness to me in dis-
pensing with my attendance for a time on the Administration
of His Government in case his Majestys Service should require
at any time my presence out of His Lordships Province. With
their advice I have taken the Liberty to issue writs for a new
Election of Representatives, as the Term that they have
usually continued was expiring, & imagining that they would
not so readily be induced to make the Provision that His
Lordship has been pleased to recommend to them wⁿ they
were every Day expecting a Dissolution. Before the new
Assembly can possibly be convened I hope some of the neigh-
bouring Colonies will set them a laudable Example, and then I
despair not of finding them disposed to exert themselves at
last by a generous Resolution, & by paying the greatest Regard
to His Lordships earnest Recommendation manifest their Duty
to His Majesty & their Constituents. The making some
necessary preparations for my Journey will detain me this
week at Annapolis but the beginning of next I propose to set
out for Wils Creek & if there appears a probability of effecting
any thing with such a Body of Troops as can be drawn
together before the severe Season comes on, I hope by the
next opportunity of Conveyance that will probably offer to give
you a Satisfactory account of my Winters Campaign. But if a
Council of War which I intend to hold as soon as I reach
Wils's Creek shall find it most expedient to postpone any
Attack till the Neighbouring Governments can be persuaded
to send us proper Reinforcements I shall return again as soon
as I have regulated & disposed of the Companies for the
Security of our Frontiers this winter against the Incursions of
the French Indians who were seen Governor Morris advises
me on their March towards the French Fort on Ohio to be
employed this winter as was apprehended against our Back
Inhabitants. As I have reason to think that the several Letters