|
Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 265
|
|
being at Fort Cumberland with 200 men at least the 8th or 9th
Inst. I suppose the Virginians or most of them will have
received Orders to march to Rays Town as soon as they shall
be relieved, but I should be obliged to you for ordering the
Surgeon or his Mate at least to remain with us. All the
Blanketts that could be got being 489 will be did at Fort
Loudoun to Morrow Evening where the Person that I em-
ployed to collect them will wait on Your Excellency for Pay-
ment. I heartily congratulate you on the Success of His Maj-
esty's Arms in the Reduction of Cape Breton & I am glad
you have Reason to think that the French have not sent any
Regular Troops this Summer from Canada to the Ohio. If
Your Excellency was thorowly satisfied that the Indians which
are to be at Easton would immediately after the Conclusion of
that Treaty either join you or go back among the other West-
ern Indians & endeavour to draw them off from the French it
would perhaps be worth while to postpone Your March a few
Days if you apprehend that by moving on you shall give
Offence, but if it be doubtful whether these Indians that are
about to treat will declare themselves our Friends or Enemies,
It would not be advisable in my opinion to let any Advantage
slip in hopes that they will be thereby obliged, if they are real
Friends they must be pleased at your proceeding & if they
think proper they may bring the Treaty to an Issue & either
join you or go among the Western Indians before you can pos-
sibly get to Fort Du Quesne, but if they sd find that you halt
untill you know the Event of their Treaty & .they are not sin-
cerely disposed to join us they will probably protract the Treaty
& thereby give the Enemy time to bring down a Body of Indians
from Canada as well as from the Westward or perhaps some
Regular Troops & it is not impossible that they may after-
wards behave in a worse manner than the Cherokees have
lately done. As Your Excellency was pleased to desire my
opinion I have taken the Liberty to say what occurs to me but
at the same time I would have You consider that it has never
lain in my Way to be conversant with Indians nor have I ever
heard what Reason the Goverl of Pens* has to think that the
Delawares will attach themselves to the British Interest & in
short I do not think myself capable of advising you with
respect to the Point about which you desire my Sentiments,
but as it is not improbable that some of the Southern Indians
or of these Delawares or perhaps some of the Enemy Indians
may come to Fort Cumberland while I have the Command
there & desire to be admitted into the Fort I should be
obliged to you for letting me know what Signal our Friend
Indians are to make.
|
Letter Bk. III
|
|
 |
