Pos^t I have Direct^d this to you or to the President of the
Council in case of y^r Absence, that he may on the receipt of
this follow his Lords^ps orders herein to M^r Grayham on Acc^t of
M^rs Grayham with^t delay of w^h I request the favour of hearing
by the first Opportunity. Coxen is arrived. I desire you'l tel
M^r Tasker I am surprised he has not favour me with an Order
on his corespondent in London of w^h I insist on

Williamsburg Virg^a luly 31^st 1754.
S^r
Col^o Washington's orders from me was, by no means to
attack the Enemy till the whole Forces were joined in a Body,
& they knew no Intention of the Enemy till the very Morning
they engaged them, & if the Misfortune attending our Forces
has rous'd the Spirits of our neighbouring Colonies, as you
justly observe, has done more than probably a Victory would
have effected — And I desire to congratulate you that after
your indefatigable Trouble your Legislative have agreed to
grant 6,000 for His Majestys Service — The Women & Chil-
dren belonging to our friendly Indians are gone into Pensyl-
vania Governm^t where no doubt proper Care will be taken of
them.
I called my Council this Day & laid before them y^r Letter
they are of opinion, if agreeable to you, that you shou'd send
one hundred Men to join our Forces. Col^o Innes the
Comander in Chief will have my orders to march all the Forces
he can collect together over the Allegany Mountains; & if
he cannot dispossess the Enemy of the Fort, he is to build a
Fort at Red Stone Creek, the Crossing Place or some other
Place most convenient, as may be determined by a Council of
War. It will be very agreeable if y^r Excellency with the rest
of your Men, will order the building a Magazine for Provisions,
any where near Wills's Creek, large enough to receive Pro-
visions for 1500 Men for one year, which as you justly observe,
is absolutely necessary & the Comissary of our Stores being