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372 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.
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Original.
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[Dinwiddie to Sharpe.]
London 12th Febry 1760
Dear Sir
Your Letter of the 4th of Septr last was a long time ere it
reached me, for which I thank you & do now Congratulate
you on the repeated Successes of last Campaign in N. America,
and I hope Genll Amherst in the ensuing Summer will be
able to take Mount Real, so as to reduce the whole of Canada
to the British Crown. We had great rejoicings here on the
above successes & Adml Boscawen's & Sr Edward Hawke's
defeating two French Squadrons so effectually that 'tis thought
it will be many years before the French can bring their Navy
into a respectable condition. After all our Successes His
Majesty & the King of Prussia proposed a Congress for
bringing about a general Peace, but it appears this must be a
work of time, as there has been no direct answer to the above
generous Proposal, but all parties are preparing with great
assiduity for the operations of the Ensuing Campaign. Our
ministry are very sanguine therein. A subscription was
opened & in a few days was subscribed eight millions for
that service, which is all that was demanded or expected.
The French have neither money nor Credit; They have called
in all their plate to the Mint to be coined. They stop pay-
ment of all their funds; Annuities to the People not paid;
Bills of Exchange of all kinds by an Edict from the Crown are
ordered not to be paid, which puts a general stagnation on
their trade, & they cannot borrow money at 8 pr Cent Interest.
In short I think that Nation was never reduced to so low
an ebb.
Now, Sir, after leaving publick affairs I shall mention some-
thing relating to yourself. As I live pretty near your Brother
William, you are often the subject of our discourse. I have
been pressing to get you on this Establishment as Lieut Coll
your Brother says Ld Albemarle will write to Gen" Amherst
to see if that can be done with you, & I am convinced if you
had remained here in the Army you would have had a Regi-
ment before this, you have some demands on the publick
for services done; These demands should be specifically
drawn out & sent with a Letter to Mr Pitt, which probably
with your Brother's Interest may be attended with success.
He has been soliciting for Mr. Ridout to succeed Mr. Deacon
but your Letter came too late, for the warrant was obtained
for Mr. Wolstenholme, but as I was in the City the other day
I heard that gentleman was thought be dying & given over
which I communicated to your Brother & yesterday he waited
on the Duke of Newcastle & I think on that period Mr. Ridout
will succeed, but all sollicitations at this time are attended with
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