114 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1753-1761.

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

Instant being read, it is the Opinion and Advice of this
Board to his Excellency that he be pleased to acquaint Gov-
ernor Dinwiddie thereof, and the following Letter being read
was approved of and sent accordingly —

p. 92

Annapolis March 30^th 1756.
Sr.
I send this to acquaint you with an unhappy Affair that
I am told has lately happened at the Mouth of Conegocheige
within this Province, I have my Information only from Re-
port, but by what I can learn there was a Party of Colonel
Washingtons Regiment posted somewhere in Virginia oppo-
site the Place above mentioned; Lieutenant Gordon who com-
manded it, on some Account or other came over into Mary-
land, and falling into a Fray of which I cannot learn any
thing particular, was killed by an Inhabitant of this province
who was thereupon apprehended, but through the Ignorance
of a County Justice was soon after admitted to Bail, As soon
as I was advised thereof, I ordered a Provincial Warrant to
be instantly issued requiring the Sheriff of Frederick County
where the Fact was committed to take the Offender into Cus-
tody, and carry him before a Provincial Magistrate to be
dealt with according to Law, and to take his trial, at the next
Assizes for the County which Will be held at Frederick Town
the fifth of May next, when the Attorney General will be
sent up to prosecute, you will therefore be pleased to direct
the surviving Officer of the abovementioned Party to order
such Soldiers, or other Inhabitants of Virginia, as may have
been Witnesses to this unhappy Accident to attend at the
Assizes and give their Evidence. In case such Witnesses
should be afraid of being molested (of which I think they
have not the least Reason to be apprehensive) they shall on
the Officer's making application either to the Court or myself
have a Protection; which your Honour will be pleased to
signify to him, that whatever might be the Issue of the Trial,
there may not be the least Room given any Person whatever
to insinuate hereafter, that every Step was not taken to bring
the Criminal to condign Punishment. Your Honor will I hope
be perswaded that every Measure shall be taken by this Gov-
ernment that is agreeable to Law, and Justice and believe that
I am
with great Regard
To S^r your most humble & m^t obed^t serv^t

Governor Dinwiddie Hor: Sharpe.