484 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe,

Bordley came in upon me you should conclude that it is a
Matter of Indifference to me whether you confirm M^r Ridout
in the Office which I have conferred on him or appoint M^r
Bordley in his Stead wherefore I beg leave to explain Myself
on that Head & to assure you that tho I shall acquiesce & be
satisfied whatever may be Your Determination yet I should be
very glad to learn that the Gentleman on whose behalf I
addressed myself to you meets with His Ldp's & Your Appro-
bation.

[Amherst to Sharpe.]

New York I^st of January 1761
Sir
Yesterday arrived here Captain Prescott one of my Aid de
Camps with Letters from M^r Secretary Pitt notifying to me
the most melancholy News of the Death of the late King on
the 24^th October in the most sudden Manner his Majesty
having appeared perfectly well the Day before and even that
very Morning, that his present Majesty was proclaimed the
next Day, that the Parliament met on the 26^th and that the
King was firmly resolved steadily to support his Allies, and to
prosecute the War with the utmost Vigour. These being his
Majesty's Resolutions, altho I have not as yet received any
Commands for the particular operations which it may be found
expedient to pursue in this Country I think it incumbent on
me to give you the earliest Notice of the King's Intentions,
and at the same Time to acquaint you, that the services which
still remain to be put into Execution for compleating the great
Object of the War in America will require the further Aid and
Assistance of his Majesty's good and faithful American sub-
jects, wherefore I must desire you to be prepared for the im-
mediate Compliance with the King's Requisition for such a
Number of Men from your Province as shall be thought requi-
site by his Majesty to answer the proposed End of procuring
a good and lasting Peace, which Requisition I doubt not you
will receive soon.
I am with great Regard, Sir, your most obedient humble
Servant
Jeff: Amherst
To his Excellency Governor Sharpe.

[Sharpe to Fauquier.]

Annapolis the I^st of January 1761
Sir
Having been told that the Masters of two Vessels which
arrived lately in Virginia brought publick Prints from Eng-