Williamsburg Iune 18^th 1756.
Sir
I wrote you the 24^th Ult^o to which please be refer'd, I have
not any from you since which surprizes me, as I shou'd be glad
to know the last Determination of y^r Assembly. Our Assem-
bly voted 60,000 for His Majesty's Service & further pass'd a
Law to draught the Militia to augment our Forces to 1500
Men; but unluckily & against my opinion they excused the
Men draughted on paying ten Pounds each, this in a great
Measure defeated the Intention of the Law, as very many paid
the 10£ the Number sent up to Winchester I as yet have not
a true Acc^t of, but they will come far short of my Expectations.
One Stalniker, who was taken Prisoner by the Shawnese
made his Escape; he says he saw six French Officers with
1000 Indians from Oubatch, bound to Fort Du Quesne, &
reports they intended to visit our Frontiers this Sumer; I
wou'd gladly think they have not near the Number mention'd
but I tho^t it necessary to acquaint you that we may be on our
guard against them.
One Cap^t Brown, bound to y^r Gov^t in seven Weeks Passage
from London, wrote to a Friend of his here, that 2000 Regulars
were embarked for N York ten Days before he sail'd, & that
Lord Loudon with 1000 more Forces, was to sail ten Days
after him; they are much too late for this Sumer's Campaign,
it may be expected that the next Post from N York will give
us acc^t of the arrival of the first Detachment, & Lord Louden
with the others may very soon be expected.
I cannot see what we can do but be on the Defensive & I
have given Colonel Washington Orders accordingly. I shall
be glad of a Line from you with your Opinion on our present
Situation.
Inclos'd You have the Treaty concluded with the Catawbas
& Cherokees. I remain with kind Respects
Your Excellency's
Most hble Servant
Rob^t Dinwiddie

23^d of Iune 1756. From the North Mountain
Sir
I do myself the honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your
Favour of the 9^th Inst. which gave me the agreeable Account
of your safe Arrival in America. I thank you for forwarding