within this Province, I have my Information only from Report,
but by what I can learn there was a Party of Colonel Washing-
tons Regiment posted somewhere in Virginia opposite the
Place above mentioned; Lieutenant Gordon who commanded
it, on some Account or other came over into Maryland, and
falling into a Fray of which I cannot learn any thing particular,
was killed by an Inhabitant of this Province who was thereupon
apprehended, but through the Ignorance of a County Justice
was soon after admitted to Bail. As soon as I was advised
thereof, I ordered a Provincial Warrant to be instantly issued
requiring the Sheriff of Frederick County where the Fact was
committed to take the Offender into Custody, and carry him
before a Provincial Magistrate to be dealt with according to
Law, and to take his trial, at the next Assize's for the County
which Will be held at Frederick Town the fifth of May next,
when the Attorny General will be sent up to prosecute, you
will therefore be pleased to direct the surviving Officer of the
above mentioned Party to order such Soldiers, or other Inhab-
itants of Virginia, as may have been Witnesses to this unhappy
Accident, to attend at the Assizes and give their Evidence.
In case such Witnesses should be afraid of being molested (of
which I think they have not the least Reason to be apprehen-
sive) they shall on the Officer's making Application either to
the Court or myself have a Protection; which your Honour
will be pleased to signify to him, that whatever might be the
Issue of the Trial, there may not be the least Room given any
Person whatever to insinuate hereafter, that every Step was
not taken to bring the Criminal to condign Punishment.
Your Honor will I hope be perswaded that every Measure
shall be taken by this Government that is agreeable to Law,
and Justice, and believe that I am
With great Regard
Sr Your most humble & mt obedt Servt
Hor: Sharpe
To
Governor Dinwiddie.
|
Liber J. R.
& U.S.
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