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Lib. J . R.
& U. S.
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Regiment of a thousand Men from Europe so that they did
not then stand in Need of them; there is an Instance in Point
in the very next Province who were likewise to have made up
their Quota of Troops to 400 Men, if they were found neces-
sary for that Service in South Carolina.
But further to illustrate this Point let them reflect that the
Provincial Troops in the more northern provinces, that is
those of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island
Connecticut and the Jerseys have for three Years last past
been serving in the province of New York. There was an At-
tempt about 18: Months ago to have restrained Part of these
Troops within certain Bounds to serve particular Purposes,
altho they never thought of carrying that Point so far as to
restrain them within their own Province and the Moment
that Intention appeared the Ministry immediately interposed,
and no such Measures have been attempted since.
Altho' the Prerogative is undisputed every where I have
thought it necessary to mention these few Instances in their
Neighbourhood to shew them the Singularity of their opin-
ion and Proceedings the Consequence of which I foresaw,
and mentioned in a former Letter, and warned them of in
the Letter I had the Honour to write you of the Effect such a
Measure would have, not only to throw open the Frontiers of
their own Province but to open a Door to the Enemy in the
very Heart of his Majestys Dominions in North America.
As this is the fair State of the Affair I cannot doubt that
those Gentlemen on considering coolly on the Affair will
from their Care for the Preservation of the Lives and
properties of their Fellow Subjects from their Zeal for the
common Cause of all North America, and their Duty to the
King propose such an Act as is not only agreeable to the
Instructions, but agreeable to our happy Constitution of Gov-
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p. 207
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ernment in the British Dominions without attempting to
make Alterations in it at a Time when the Enemy are taking
every Advantage that can be drawn from any little Jars that
may happen in any of the Provinces of his Majestys extensive
Dominions on this Continent, which are therefore Things
every Man who is a real Lover of his Country will to the
utmost avoid.
As to the Dispute of what province Fort Cumberland be-
longs to 'tis a Thing I never heard disputed but by all Men
I have met with was deemed to be in Maryland but be that
as it will 'tis of no Consequence nor has it any thing to do in
this Affair, nor had I the least Intention of loading Maryland
or easing any other Province by sending the Provincial
Troops of Maryland to it, and in my Orders at that Time I
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