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478 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.
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will be a Protection to the Trade of both Colonies from Priva-
teers, several last War, came within the Capes & took several
of our Vessels, please, press it on your Assembly, & write
me their opinion thereon.
Your Letter of the 30th by the Express I received with the
Melancholy Account of the Loss of Oswego, the Vessels on
Lake Ontario, & the Train of Artillery lodged in that Fortress,
which is confirmed by Lord Loudoun's Letter to me, and I
think he complains that Affairs were in great disorder on his
Arrival. The Loss of that important Place is extreemly
unlucky & if we don't succeed against Crown Point, its more
than probable we will loose all the Indians, and very likely
they will come down the Ohio, and invade these Colonies,
we are in a bad Situation to repell their force, but it may be
hoped that these Prospects may infuse a Spirit of resentment
into our People, & do at last, what they should have begun
with. I have sent for the Councill to meet me to morrow to
consult with them on the present Emergency, and if the
Assembly are to meet I shall give you notice thereof. By my
Instructions I am directed to grant Letters of Mark, or Com-
issions, for private Vessells of War, & no doubt you have such
an Instruction, if not I think his Majesty's Declaration of War
qualifies you to grant them, as it's the Duty of every person in
Command to do every thing in their Power to distress the
Enemy. I send you Copy of what I have from the Board of
Admiralty, which relates only to the condemning Ships &
Goods. I have granted one Comission Copy of the form I
also inclose you.
It's impossible to say what the Assembly will do, but when
met shall give you notice thereof, in the mean Time I think
it absolutely necessary to urge the different Assemblies, to vote
handsomely for the raising a considerable number of Men, and
in Case of an Invasion on any one of them, that the whole
should join in a Body to repell their Force.
I am extreemely hurried in writing to the Govrs to the South-
ward must therefore leave of by assuring you I am with
respects
Your Excellency's
Most obedient humble servant
Robt Dinwiddie —
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Lower
House
Journal,
1754-57.
p. 344
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[Hall to Sharpe.]
Baltimore Town 5th of Septr 1756.
Sir
Your Instructions of the 30th of August last came to hand
the same Evening, and agreable to said Orders we have
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