154 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

contribute to assist the small number of his Majesty's Regular
Forces, in going thro' the Service of the Campain: And if
the Enemy cannot be attacked in their Retreats, which I would
by all means attempt, I may at least be enabled to preserve
those posts, which have cost us so much blood & Treasure,
from falling into the hands of the Savages; I am therefore to
request of you, to send Directions, to the Officer Command-
ing the Militia of your province to obey the Orders, they shall
[receive] from Col^o Bouquet, in respect of the Stations, that
shall occupy with their Militia, within the limits of the Colony
of Maryland. And that such of them, as upon an Emergency,
wou'd go Volunteers with the Kings Troops, to escort provi-
sions &ca may have permission so to do, and not be struck
off their pay, as Militia Men whilst on such Service. I flatter
myself I shall meet with the like assistance from the Militia of
Virginia, having wrote to L^t Gov^r Fauquiere on the same
Subject.
I am to thank you for your polite Answer, to my Letter of
the 30^th Decem^r last which I received some time since, and am
with great regard Sir
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant
Gov^r Sharpe. Tho^s Gage

Letter Bk.III

[Sharpe to Gage.]

Copy of a Letter to General Gage. Annapolis 21^st April
1764.
Sir
I do myself the honour to acknowledge the Receipt of Your
Letter dated the 4^th Inst together with one from Colonel
Bouquet of the 10^th & to inform Your Excellency that agree-
able to your Desire I shall correspond with the Colonel & give
him any Assistance in my power during the time he may con-
tinue in the Command to which you have been pleased to
appoint him. I have by this Opportunity wrote to inform
Colonel Bouquet what Instructions have been already given
to the Officer that commands the Militia of our Frontier County
with respect to his ordering out Parties for the protection of
the Inhabitants & what farther Instructions I shall send him
in pursuance of Your Excellency's & the Colonels Letters
nevertheless I cannot give him much room to expect that any
considerable Number of our Militia will be prevailed on to
march so far as Pittsburg or to any Post on the Communica-
tion. I sincerely wish all Your Excellency's undertakings may
be attended with success & am with great Regard &c.