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Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 281
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the Colonies shall then exert a proper Spirit) may secure all
points in dispute between us and the French.
As a Meeting of Commissioners from all the Colonies as far
Westward as Virginia inclusive, with me to be appointed by
Act of Assembly, in the Month of October or November in
order to consult upon the most Proper measures to be taken
for the general Interest of the Common Cause the next Spring,
may have a good Effect for his Majestys Service, I mention it
to your Excellcy for your Consideration and shall do the same
to the other Govts in a Circular Letter: if such a Convention
shall be thought adviseable, I would propose New York for the
Place of meeting, and the 15th of November the time for it, as
I shall be there in my Return to Boston, where I must be present
early in December.
As I think a very early Campaigne the next year necessary
I have sent orders to Col Dunbar the Commanding officer of
his Majestys two British Regiments & two Independent Com-
panies of New York to March those Troops directly to Albany,
where I design their Winter Quarters shall be, and to leave at
this Place as many of the Troops now with me, as can be
supported here during the Winter, that they may be assembled
ready to act either Seperately or in conjunction with such Pro-
vincial Troops as the Colonies shall think fit to raise agt the
French Settlemts either upon the Lakes and Ohio; which last
place is very accessible thro that Route, or agt any part of
Canada, as his Majestys Service, & the General Interest of the
Colonies may most require.
The first thought of having a Meeting with Commissioners
from the Colonies was Suggested to me from the inclosed
Extract.
As Col Dunbar's and the late Sir Peter Halkets Regimts
have been greatly reduced by the Defeat of the late Major
General Braddock in their March to the Ohio for the Protection
and Service of the several Colonies of Pensilvania, Maryland
and Virginia in Particular; and his Majestys Service, & their
further Protection require that those Regiments should be
compleated to 1000 men each by the beginning of the Spring,
I can't but hope that the three before mentioned Gov's will
readily make Grants for Supplying Col Dunbar & Lt Col Gage
with levy money for that purpose; and that your Honour will
be pleased to recommend it in the Strongest Terms to the
Assembly within your own Governmt I have wrote to Govr
Morris & Govr Dinwiddie to the same Effect.
I am with great Regard
Sir
Your Honours Most Humble
and most Obedient Servant
W Shirley.
Honble Horatio Sharpe Esqr
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