Private. Albany Nov^r 3^d 1757.
Sir I Have by this Express, writ you a Publick Letter in pretty
strong Terms, as it appeared to me necessary in the present
situation of Your Assembly, that you should have such in
your possession; But as Fort Cumberland is of the greatest
Consequence to the security of the Back Settlements in your
part of the Country, not only to the Province of Maryland, but
likewise to Pensilvania & Virginia, I have not entirely trusted
to your Assembly's coming to Iudge right on this so very
Important point, on having the Consequences fairly stated to
them of such a proceeding; but have ordered Colonel Stanwix
to take a particular attention to that place, & if he can Collect
as many of the Virginia Troops as are necessary for Com-
posing that Garrison, to march them directly to take posses-
sion of it; If they should be Infected with the Proceedings of
your Assembly, & follow their Example, that in that Case he
should immediately march a Number of the King's Regular
Troops to take possession of that Garrison; and in the mean
time I have ordered the Contractor for Provisions to dispatch
a proper person to Colonel Stanwix, to receive his orders in
relation to Victualling that post. —
I Have likewise directed Col^o Stanwix to Correspond and
Co-operate with you; and I must beg you will be so good as
to Concert measures with him, and give him Constant Infor-
mation of what may be Expected from Your Assembly, who,
I should hope, would not run headlong into a measure, that
may be the Ruin of their own, and the neighbouring Prov-
inces, and the giving the Enemy an Advantage, that may
probably Cost the Lives of Thousands of His Majesty's Sub-
jects before it can be Retrieved, nor can I think they will ven-
ture, by so dangerous a Step, to draw the lust Resentment of
Government upon them, notwithstanding the Slights People
of this Country Affect to treat Acts of Parliament with.
In order to shew you the nature of the orders I have sent
to Colonel Stanwix, I send you Copies of them Enclosed, and
do not doubt that you will, most seriously Co-operate with me,
not only in bringing your People, to Act in Conjunction with
the other Colonies in the Common Cause, but that you will
Endeavor to the utmost likewise to save all Expence to the
Publick, and endeavor to get your People not only to Garrison
Fort Cumberland, but likewise to supply it with Provisions.
This Affair gives me the greatest Concern, as it seems big
with the most fatal Consequences. Your Assembly in this
Case, have taken a Step that tended to Subvert all Govern-
ment, and at once to throw off all Submission to the Govern-