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

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

Maryland ss. By his Excellency Horatio Sharpe Esq^r
Governor and Commander in Chief in and
over the Province of Maryland.

A Proclamation

Whereas the present Posture of Affairs and the Situation
of this Province makes it exceeding expedient and necessary
that the Militia thereof should be trained and disciplined I
have thought fit with the Advice of his Lordship's Council of
State to issue this my Proclamation requiring and command-
ing all Officers of the Militia within this Province to have the
several Regiments Troops or Companies under their respec-
tive Commands frequently mustered and exercised once at
least in every Month during the summer, and to see that the
Men's Arms are kept in good Order and fit for Service, that
they may be prepared and ready to defend this part of his
Majesty's Dominions, and their own properties, against any
Invaders, and I do further direct and enjoin the several
military Officers during the time above mentioned, to put
in Force, and take Care that the Militia Laws of this Prov-

p. 183

ince are strictly executed against such persons as shall neg-
lect their Duty, or disobey the lawful Commands of their
respective Officers, and to the End that all persons concerned
may have due Notice thereof, I do hereby strictly charge and
require the several Sheriffs within this Province to make this
my Proclamation public in their respective Counties in the
usual Manner, as they will answer the Contrary at their
peril: Given at the City of Annapolis the 14^th Day of May
in the year of his Lordship's Dominion Annoque
Domini 1757.

S^r
As some Advices which have been received afford Room to
suspect that his Majesty's Enemies the French intend to
make a Descent from the Westward this Summer on one of
these Provinces I must recommend it to you in a particular
Manner to have the Militia of your County regularly mus-
tered, and exercised, and to compel such as are unprovided
to furnish themselves with Arms, and Ammunition, accord-
ing to the Directions of the Militia Laws of this Province,
In Case you should receive certain Advice of the Approach of
a considerable Body of the Enemy towards this Province
you are forthwith to assemble the Militia under your Com-
mand and march therewith to Fort Frederick unless you
shall receive other orders from Col: Stanwix who is ap-
pointed to command all the Troops that shall be employed in
these Parts for the protection of this and the neighbouring