Letter Bk. III
Original.
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Quantity of Provisions in 12 large Boats & that he was told
by some of the Garrison that 700 men were expected down
from a Fort which had been built on this Side the Lakes, upon
whose Arrival some Expedition of Importance would be
undertaken wherein they should have Occasion for 6 Cannon
& 2 mortars that had been got ready for such a purpose.
If what he says also about a Party's being sent from Fort Du
Quesne a few Days before he left it to cut off our Communi-
cation with Fort Cumberland is true It is not I think very
improbable that they have a Design on that place. As it is
much farther advanced than any other of our Forts it has
served as a Place of Retreat to all the Parties of Soldiers or
Cherokees that have at times annoyed the Enemy, this the
French are not ignorant of, they have heard also that a con-
siderable Quantity of Ammunition & other Stores were left
there by Colo Dunbar & they cannot but see that it is exceed-
ingly weak as well from its Situation as from the materials
wherewith & manner after which it is built. For some time
past it has been garrisoned with 150 Men who are in the pay
of this Province but I apprehend that Colo Stanwix has e'er
now given orders for the Garrison's being reinforced with 120
men from two New Companies that the Assembly of this
Province when they met in May last thought fit to impower
me to raise, the Rest of the Troops that are at present sup-
ported by this Province being in Number about 140 effective
Men are left at Fort Frederick to garrison that place & patroll
on our Frontiers for the Protection of our Westernmost Set-
tlements from which that Fort is about 12 miles distant.
I am My Ld wth the utmost Respect Yr Ldps —
[Dinwiddie to Sharpe.]
Williamsburg Iuly 28th 1757
Sir
Yours of the 16th I recd And I hope Doctr Ross has replac'd
at Fort Loudoun the Flour & other Things not objected to
by Your People. I have a Copy of Iohn Streets Information
& I believe Fort Du Quesne has been reinforc'd & supplied
with Provision from Mississippi, & that they will constantly
send Parties to harrass our Frontiers, & probably endeavor to
supplies being sent to Fort Cumbld; but I cannot think
that 700 Men are sent from the Lakes, as I am of Opinion that
all the Men they possibly can collect will be sent to Canada to
oppose Lord Loudoun; however the News ought not to be
neglected but we shou'd be provided against the Worst & no
Doubt Colo Stanwix will do the necessary to have the Forces
ready to join on a Call; & the Convoy sent to Fort Cumbld
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