D^r Sir Albany Head Quarters Sept^r 22^d 1756

It gave me the greatest concern some time ago to hear of
your sickness, but as bad news travells apace in this Country,
my fears about you are seased not having heard any thing
about you for some time past. I am sorry you have had so good
an Excuse for not answering my last letter, had you not been
employ'd in securing your frontiers and out of order, I woud say
that you did not think it worth while to answer a Letter wrote
in the humour I was in when I wrote it, all the apology I
can make is that same stuck by me till Lord Loudouns arrival.
What has happend to us by M^r Shirleys Conduct is enough to
alter the nature of Man, nor do I find he has altered his way of
thinking since he has been superceeded. I am far from thinking
my self out of harms way this Campaign, if the french do but
forbear their intended Stroke eight Days longer I think we may
give them a warm reception, Our Dispositions are good and
if they do beat us they must be very strong and the Stroke will
be hard. The french bear hard on our advanced post of fort
W^m Henry, a Comp^y of Provincials on the Scout had a brush
the other day. I am going up that way so being on the Spot
I shall be the better able to give you an account of things
In case I shou'd stay at Albany this Winter I must think of
laying in some stock of Wines, I am very well supply'd with
Claret and Madiera but no Port or any other Red Wine:
I shall therefore be obliged to you if you can get me a few
Hampers of Red Wine (Claret excepted) to send it to me.
I have heard nothing as yet of the Mozell Wine, but I suppose
as it is a Wine for Summer that it will arrive at York by
Winter. I have settled a Correspondence by the help of my
German friends for good Renish & Burgundy, I shall willingly
divide with you.
I think we must see one another about Christmas, therefore
shoud be glad you wou'd buy me a very good Horse, as you
have helped me out on the like occasion I need not tell you
what kind of one I want. If I come to Annapolis I shall expect
such a Horse, and if you come to this place New York I beg
you will bring him with you. I beg you will make my compli-
ments to M^r Coutts if it be in your power to do any thing for
him I shou'd be glad of it, if not I must contrive to get him
something in this place. You see I do not write to you as
Gov^r of Maryland but on all occasions I shall be glad to show
my respect to you as such, and as a friend to convince you of
the regard & Esteem with which I am Dear Sir
Your most obedient and
most humble Servant
His Excellency Horatio Sharpe. John S^t Clair