S^r
As I propose soon to begin my march for Fort Du Quesne
I am desirous of adjusting every future contingency in such a
manner as to avoid any mistake or misunderstanding. If I
take the Fort in its present condition I shall make additions to
it as I shall judge necessary & shall leave the Guns Ammuni-
tion & Stores belonging to the Fort with a Garrison of Virginia
& Maryland forces But should they as I have reason to appre-
hend they should abandon & destroy the Fortification with its
Guns &c I will repair or construct some place of defence &
leave a Garrison as before But as to the Artillery ammunition
Stores Provisions &c they must be immediatly supply'd by the
Government of Virginia Maryland & Pensilvania seperatly or
Iointly according to the agreement made at Alexandria And
that I may not by delays in yours or the other Governments be
detain'd so long as to frustrate any other designs for this year
I must beg that you will have all these things in readiness to
be forwarded to the Fort escorted by your Militia A proper
quantity of Flower & Meal should be preparing as these in
every scituation must be requird & if care is not taken to send
these convoys the men must starve & his Majesty's Arms be
dishonour'd (should they prove successful) & the expences &
Trouble which his regard for the Colonies have engag'd him in
renderd useless. Some Indians lately arriv'd from the French
fort mention a bravado of the French & their Indians that they
propose when the troops are far advanc'd to fall upon this
back country & destroy the inhabitants Make what use or
give credit to this intelligence as you please However it may
not be amiss to take all possible precautions as I find imprac-
ticable to take my Chariot with me if you will send for it & the
Harness for the six Horses I shall be much oblig'd to you &
you will make use of it till 1 want it I shall be still more so as
I am sure it will be less damag'd by good usage than by lying
still it will also save you the trouble of sending for another
to England as it shall be at your service at your own price
when I leave this part of the World let your serv^ts take care
of the harness & have it oild if you dont use it I shall leave
directions to Coll: Innes to deliver Chariot Harness spare axle
trees & pole to your order I am
S^r
Your most Obedient &
Most Humble Servant
E Braddock
Fort Cumberland
May 22^d 1755.
Gov^r Sharpe