my Letter of the 28^th of Nov^r acquainted M^r Calvert with the
Proceedings of the Assembly to that time I have now only to add
that they have done little since, or at least that no Bill of Con-
sequence has been yet offered to the Upper House since the
Opening of the Session except one to revive & continue in
force for five years longer the Act called the Inspection Law
to which I have by the unanimous Advice of Your Ldp's
Council given my Assent. &c.

Letter Bk. IV

[Sharpe to Pitt.]

8^th of Decem^r 1758.
Sir
Since I did myself the Honour to write to you the 28^th of
Novem^r We have received Advice by the Way of Winchester
in Virginia which was brought thither from the Loyalhannon
by a Lieut' of the Virginia Forces that the French had carried
the Artillery & all their Stores from Fort Du Quesne down
the Ohio the 20^th or 21^st of last month a few Days before
General Forbes arrived there, & that they had before they
went off destroyed the Fort & all the Houses which had been
built near it as well on the other as on this Side the River. I
am informed that Letters have been received by several Per-
sons in the Western Parts of Pensilvania wherein their Friends
at Loyalhannon give them the same Account & altho I have
not myself received any such Advice from the General or any
Officer under his Command yet I do not in the least doubt
but the Enemy have actually abandoned Fort Du Quesne
agreeable to the above Relation & as there is a Vessel just
about to sail from this Province I thought it my Duty to com-
municate to you what I have heard & give Credit to.

[Pitt to Sharpe.]

Whitehall Dec^r 9^th 1758.
Sir
His Majesty having nothing so much at Heart, as to improve
the great and important Advantages gained the last Cam-
paign; as well as to repair the Disappointment at Ticonde-
roga, and by the most vigorous and extensive Efforts to avert
by the Blessing of God on His Arms, all Dangers, which may
threaten North America, from any future Irruptions of the
French; And the King not doubting, that all His faithful and
brave Subjects there will chearfully co-operate with, and
second to the utmost, the large Expence and extraordinary