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Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 279
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Carolina Company away from Fort Cumberland & the place:
of their Destination, If no other good had been obtained
thereby I am inclined to think that if he had left either of
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Letter Bk. II.
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those Companies Desertions among the Provincials would have
been much less frequent, for the Men would have been afraid
of the Execution of martial Law on them as being in Conjunc-
tion with His Majestys Regular Forces, which the case being
now different they think there is no reason to fear. You speak
as if Dunbar had taken Mortars with him, I did not appre-
hend that any were imported neither did I before hear what you
relate concerning the Enemy's destroying the Artillery that fell
into their hands — Your Proposal to build a Fort somewhere
beyond the Allegany Mountains this Fall I approve of & should
be glad our People would contribute to the putting such a
Scheme in Execution, but that I am convinced they will never
do unless compelled by the Legislature of Great Britain or
unless some Letters that I expect by Montgomery bring me
such Instructions as will let me meet the Assembly on a very
different Footing from what I have lately done. If the Gen-
erosity of the Virginians alone will enable you to construct &
garrison such a place of Defence I think you cannot take any
measure more for his Majesty's Service & the Security of these
Colonies than setting it about it immediately, but at the same
time I cannot help thinking that 'twill be expedient or rather
absolutely necessary to have some strong place on this side the
Mountains where the Stores & Provisions may be lodged in
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p. 136
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Safety: such a place Fort Cumberland is not, & never can be
made, its Situation will not permit it (as I am persuaded
every one of your Officers if you will ask them will tell you) &
I know not of any so proper as that which I before acquainted
you the Engineers had pointed out; if you entertain hopes
of proceeding to construct a Fort beyond the Mountains,
I presume you will endeavour to procure the assistance of one
of them Gentn Coll Innes's Letters to me express vast Appre-
hensions of Danger, he seems to think the Enemy will make
an Attempt on Fort Cumberland & I am apt to think, that if
they do with any force it is as certainly their own. I do not
hear that the Maryland Company has lost more than two Men
by Desertions, we have beside them a Command of about 20
at a small Fort on Tonallaway Creek for the Protection &
Satisfaction of the distant Inhabitants, wch as well as the Com-
pany is supported out of the Subscription Fund, till something
farther can be done for his Majestys Service & our Protection.
I have not learnt that any Mischief has been lately done on our
Frontiers but I am told the Country is entirely deserted for 30
Miles below Fort Cumberland since Colo Dunbar marched. I
suppose your Express will inform you that he has now left
Phila & is proceeding to N York so that if he makes Dispatch
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p. 137
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