Independts for building the Fort shall be allowed him — What
Cap' Poison demds a Court Martial for I know not, unless it is
on this Subject, I order'd Colo Stephens to send him & Capt
Waggener to go a recruiting, he refused going, on which I
wrote him a Letter on the Subject which he has not answered ;
I was angry he refused my orders delivered him by Colo
Stephens; for which I think he deserves a severe repremand
at least, if not something worse, I must therefore refer this
to you — I am sorry the Guns are only four Pounders, those
at the Camp are of the same Size. Capt Arburthnott says they
are six Pounders & Charges 15£ p Pss. for them; he says
you spoke for four compleat seamen, which he will send at
18d p Day. I admire Capt Clark is not returned to his
Duty. —
Now I have answer'd your Letr I am to acquaint you I have
recruited 44 Men sent to Alexandria, & this Week sent in two
Sloops to Fredericksburg 150 & in a short Time I hope to send
the like Number as I have officers in different Places recruiting,
& wou'd gladly hope to make the Number from this Dominion
from 800 to 1000 — I much want to know what Pensylvania
Assembly have done, if they raise Money we may depend on
a Supply of Provisions from that Colony — Your Calculation of
Provisions for 3000 Men I think just; but how to supply the
Salt & Cask I know not; for the carrying these two Articles
to Wills's Creek will be near three Times the first Cost. I can
purchase Barrell'd Pork & Beef, but the same extraordinary
Carriage will attend them; Pray write me your answer &
Thoughts thereon; & please forward the enclosed by the most
speedy Conveyance it's in regard to the Treaty, that if Mr
De Lancey shall think proper to send a black Belt to the Six
Nations, that he wou'd send one for this Domn —
Pray order two or three officers to Winchester to receive the
recruits, as there will not be sufficient with them to keep them
in proper order. I have been very much fatigued since
parting, & likely to continue, but if its now the Affair in View
I shou'd be very well pleased — I shall order the Prisoners to
Belhaven, & give the officer the Liberty of walking the
Town. —
My Wife & Girls join me in kind respects & I am with
great Truth
Your Excellys
Most hble & obedt Servt
Robt Dinwiddie
P. S. The two Pair of Wheels are almost
finished that you ordered to be made
if wanted let me me know & they
shall be sent.
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