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the Provinces of His Majesty's Extensive Dominions on this
Continent; which are therefore things every man who is a real
Lover of his Country will to the utmost Avoid.
As to the Dispute of what Province Fort Cumberland
belongs to, 'tis a thing I never heard disputed, but by all men
I have met with, was deemed to be in Maryland; but be that
as it will, 'tis of no Consequence, nor has it any thing to do
in this Affair, nor had I the least Intention of Loading Mary-
land or easing any other Province, by sending the Provincial
Troops of Maryland to it, and in my orders at that time, I
shewed the greatest attention to Maryland in Employing the
whole of the Troops raised by them, in Covering their Fron-
tiers & securing the Inlets into their Country when I actually
sent 200 of the Provincials of Virginia by Sea, at the Expence
of that Province to South Carolina & had 200 more of the
Virginia Provincial Troops ready to be Carried there, if that
Service had not been provided for, by the Arrival of a Regimt
of 1000 men from Europe.
I Have shewed you above that the King has the undisputed
Right, that he has, by his Commission put the Execution of it
into my hands, that Maryland alone have Disputed the Kings
Right of Commanding His Subjects in Arms, Altho' His Maj-
esty's Servant in the Execution of that Trust, has had a par-
ticular Regard to the Ease & security of the Province of Mary-
land.
When I know things really to stand on this footing and can
have no doubt that the Gentlemen that Compose the As-
sembly of Maryland mean not only to protect the Province of
Maryland, but to give Every aid to the Common Cause in
their power; I can have no doubt that on a Cool Reflection of
the General situation of the Affairs of this Country, the Duty
they owe to the King & the Community, whatever Represen-
tations may have led them into the present Bill, they will imme-
diately sett those things on a true Constitutional Footing, &
Enter heartily into the Common Cause for the security of
Maryland, & to give their utmost Assistance against the
Common Enemy.
I Intended when I writ from Albany to have Come directly
to Annapolis, but some unexpected Business put it out of my
power at that time, and now I cannot fix the Time I shall be
with you.
Hoping from your wise management, and the People coming
to see their own true Interest, that I shall very soon have
better accounts from You I am, with Sincere Regard,
Sir
Your most obedient
Humble Servant
His Excellency Governor Sharpe. Loudoun.
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