440 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

June 5^th
Since I wrote the above I have receivd your Letters with
the several Papers Inclosd, which I will forward if Possible
this Afternoon, but I doubt if time enough to meet Johnson, as
I am just now informed that he most probably left home for
Onondaga before my Express reached him, however will desire
M^r Shirley to send them after him by Express.
I think it is very clear if we do not Act Vigorously and
Exert ourselves in all Quarters the French will secure great
part of the Indians, and I fear the whole of them to the South-
ward, to Prevent which I could wish the Southern Colonys
would undertake another Expedition to Fort Du Quesne, or
any other Post on the Ohio, as should be Judged most proper
if preperations were made for such a Service, I should hope
Lord Lowden on his Arrival, when he might have the state of
things laid before him particularly with respect to the Indian
Interest, would have, no difficulty of joining the Provincials
with a sufficient Body of Regulars, such a scheme Vigorously
prosecuted appears to me to be the only one that can secure
to the English the Fidelity of the Southern Indians, and indeed
the Settlements and Country of the Southern Colonys; if this
year be lost the french will be strongly Fortifyed and make it
very difficult for us to remove them from those Waters do spur
your Neighbours to get a Body of men ready against the
Commander in Chief arrives.
The Jersey Assembly have not only passed a Prohibition
Act, but have Prolonged it for three months from the first of
August, if the Legislatures of yours and this Province pass
Laws for the like purpose, which I hope you will approve of,
and get your Assembly to do, I shall recommend it to mine
on their Meeting, for however late it be I am of opinion the
french will be greatly distress'd if we persevere in sloping the
Exportation.
As I have not time to Communicate the Indian Information
to Governors Sharpe and Dinwiddie I shall be obliged to you
to forward it to them.
I am &c
P. S. June 8^th Cha^s Hardy
Yesterday the Packet arrivd
after a Passage of 8 Weeks Col^o Webb
Came in her who takes the Command
of the Forces till Lord Loudens Arrival
who we may expect with the Troops daily.