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122 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.
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for if they will consider what has happened in almost all the
other Provinces, they will hnd they are Single in the opinion
of the King's power of marching the Provincial Troops into
other Provinces.
At the meeting at Philadelphia it was settled last Spring,
that South Carolina was in danger of a more powerfull Inva-
sion from the Enemy than they were able alone to resist ;
therefore it was agreed that it was necessary they should have
an Additional Force sent to their Assistance composed partly
of Troops raised by the other Provinces; and 200 men did
accordingly Sail from Virginia, & are now with them, and the
Troops from North Carolina were in readiness to go, but were
prevented by Letters from the Commanding Officer there, on
the Arrival of a Regiment of 1000 men from Europe, so that
they did not then stand in need of them. There is an Instance
in point in the very next Province, who were likewise to have
made up their Quota of Troops to 400 Men, if they were
found necessary for that Service in So Carolina.
But further to Illustrate this Point let them Reflect that the
Provincial Troops in the more Northern Provinces, that is
those of Newhampshire the Massachusetts bay, Rhode Island,
Connecticutt and the lerseys, have for three Years last past,
been serving in the Province of New York, There was an
Attempt about 18 months ago to have restrained part of
those Troops within certain Bounds, to serve particular pur-
poses; altho they never thought of Carrying that point so
far, as to restrain them within their own Province, and the
moment that Intention appeared the Ministry immediately
interposed, and no such measures have been attempted since.
Altho' the Prerogative is undisputed every where I have
thought it necessary to mention these few Instances in their
Neighbourhood, to shew them the singularity both of their
opinion & Proceedings, the Consequence of which I foresaw,
and mentioned in a former Letter, and warned them of, in the
Letter I had the honour to write you, of the Effect such a
measure would have not only to throw open the Frontiers of
their own Province, but to open a Door to the Enemy in the
very Heart of His Majesty's Dominions in North America.
As this is the fair State of the Affair, I cannot doubt that those
Gentlemen, on Considering Coolly on the Affair will from
their Care for the Preservation of the Lives and propertys of
their Fellow Subjects, from their Zeal for the Common Cause
of all North America and their Duty to the King, propose
such an Act as is not only agreable to the Instructions, but
agreable to our happy Constitution of Government in the
British Dominions, without attempting to make alterations in
it, at a time when the Enemy are taking every advantage that
can be drawn from any little Jarrs that may happen in any of
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