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

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

perswaded that they then will Act honestly and effectually,
otherwise it is apparent to me that they will be lost to the
British Interest as their Situation & the Genius of that
People will lead them to Join with the Strongest Side

Sir
Since writing the above I received yours of the 26th Decem-
ber and am mighty glad of the Hopes you have that your
Assembly will enable you to raise men for the Support of his
Majestys undoubted right to the Lands on the Ohio and at
the same Time to Protect these Colonies from the Insolence
of those that want to disturb our peace. An Answer to this
by the bearer will greatly Oblige
Your Excell^y Most Obed^t Hum^ble Serv^t
Rob^t Dinwiddie

p. 24

On Reading the above Letter it is Ordered that the present
General Assembly of this Province appointed to be held on
the first day of May next do meet and be held at the City of
Annapolis the 25^th day of this Instant and Proclamations
issued in the following manner

Maryland ss^t

By his Excellency Horatio Sharpe Esq^r Governor & Com-
mander in Chief in and Over the Province of Maryland

A Proclamation

Hor^o Sharpe

Whereas the present General Assembly of this Province
Stands prorogued to the first day of May next, And whereas
his Majestys Service notified to me by the Honourable Rob-
ert Dinwiddie Esq^r Governor of the Colony of Virginia re-
quires their meeting before that time I have therefore
thought fit with the advice of his Lordships Council of State
by this my Proclamation to publish and declare that the
present General Assembly of this Province do meet and be
held at the City of Annapolis on Wednesday the 25^th day of
this Instant February and to the End that all Persons con-
cerned may have due Notice thereof I do hereby Strictly
charge and require the Several Sheriffs of this Province to
make this my Proclamation publick in their Respective Coun-
ties in the usual manner as they will Answer the Contrary at
their Peril Given at the City of Annapolis this 13^th day of
February in the third year of his Lordships Dominion An-
noque Domini 1754
J. Ross Cl Conl.