Spring, which is all I think possible to be done now, but I shall
be greatly obliged for your advice herein; as I am sensible of
your Knowledge in Military Affairs.
I have earnestly wrote Home for Assistance of Men &
Money, witht which I dread our Success; as also for a proper
Supply of Ordnance Stores for we have none here suited for a
Campaign or a Siege, which will be much wanted to dispossess
the French of the Fort at Monongehela.
I have Complaints from our Frontiers in Augusta County of
many Parties of Indians &c. Robbing & ill treating our
People, have therefore ordered a Compa of our Regiment
there to assist & protect them.
A Governor in the Discharge of His Duty to his King &
Country, is much to be pitied, when it's considered his Trans-
actions with an obstinate Assembly; full of their own opinions,
& entirely deaf to Arguments & reason; I assure you I am
heartily fatigued & quiet weary with the unjust opposition to
every Thing proposed to them for the Genl Good, & without
the Government take some Steps to assist us I fear the Con-
sequence from the indefatigable Motions of the Enemy.
The Establishment of the Pay to your Forces I think very
equitable I have ordered Colo Innes to take Possession of the
Ohio Company's Warehouse which will make a very good
Magazine, & we had better pay rent than begin to build, have
directed a Breast Work & the great Guns to be mounted for
Defence; & if they can build a Shed round it, may be proper
for the Soldiers to lodge in; & to proceed to the Mountains to
build a Fort to secure a Pass by the Time we can collect a suf-
ficient Force to attack the Enemy, to do it with the few Men
we have, I think would be sacrificing their Lives.
I am glad you have directed the opening the new road from
Rock Creek, which must be of great Service. I am an entire
Stranger to the back Country, but have desired Colo Innes to
¥et the best Information he can & to write me fully thereon —
'here is no Doubt but the French will do all in their Power to
stop the Passes over the Mountains & endeavour to intercept
our Provisions &ca I therefore am of opinion with our hand-
full of Men, we can only be on the Defensive till we increase
our Numbers; & would willingly hope on next Meeting of our
Assembly, they will more seriously consider their danger, &
grant a Supply without any Clogg; but really their Behaviour
this Session gives me a bad opinion of them.
Your Scheme is very just & intirely agreeable to me, but
without Men & Money I cannot tell how to conduct myself &
indeed it gives me very real Concern —
You may please to direct your Men for two Months as you
may think most suitable, after that, the Season of the Year will
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