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Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 81
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but it is not improbable that he was afraid General Webb
would be immediately reinforced by the Militia of all the adja-
cent Colonies & that he declined attempting any thing farther
till they should be recalled when he will perhaps return again
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Letter Bk. I.
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which now the Enemy are absolute Master of the Lake he can
easily do whenever he pleases & if he should determine to
take such a Step I am much afraid that Fort Edward will be
found an easy Conquest. It appears by the Philaa Gazette as
your Ldp will perceive that the French have a very strong
Fleet at this time in the Harbour of Louisbourg, it is also
said that the Garrison of that place is very strong insomuch
that the Earl of Loudoun dares not venture to attack it nay
some private Letters have been received this Day from Philaa
wherein it is said that His Ldp is actually about to return with
most of the Regiments that are now at Hallifax to N York.
Affairs in this & the Neighbouring Colonies remain in the
Situation that they have been in for some time . The Governor
of Pensilva held a Treaty lately with a considerable Number of
the Shawanese & Delawares & entertained hopes that those
Indians were at length throughly reconciled & that they would
desist from making Incursions & destroying the Frontier In-
habitants, but I see that several of the People of Pensa have
been since cut off & I beleive one might venture to pronounce
that this Treaty will be observed no better than those which
these Indians & the Pensilvanians have before made. I have
not heard that any Mischief has been lately done in Virginia
or this Province but I cannot help thinking that an Attempt
will be yet made before the End of the Summer on Fort Cum-
berland or some other of our advanced Posts. We learn
from Carlyle that the Germans desert daily from Colo Stanwix,
it is not long since a Corporal & Seven Men went off together
as it was supposed to the Enemy & we are now informed that
another party consisting of a Musician a Drummer & nine
private Men all Germans has followed their Example: in
Virginia the Assembly made an Act this Summer for impressing
Men to compleat the Regiment that is supported for the
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p. 309
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Defence of that Province but I understand that the Corps is
not much the better for the Men that were taken in pursu-
ance of that Act, several hundred of them having deserted
before or soon after they joined the Regiment. Upon its
being intimated to me by the Agents that the Money which
was granted for the Support of the Men that have been raised
for the Defence of this Province is almost expended I desired
a meeting of the Gentlemen of Your Ldps Council & as it is
almost three Years since the last Election I have by their
Advice dissolved the old Assembly & called a New One
which is to meet the 25th of this Month. Of this Proceeding
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p. 310
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