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

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.
p. 264

as above, According as the Active Vigour and strenuous
Efforts of the respective provinces shall justly appear to
merit.
It is his Majestys pleasure that you do with particular
Diligence, immediately Collect, and put into the best Con-
dition, all the Arms Issued Last Campaign which can be any
ways rendered serviceable, or that can be found within your
Government in order that the same may be employed as far
as they will go, in this Exigency. I am at the same time to
acquaint you that a reasonable Supply of Arms will be sent
from England to replace such as may have been Lost or
become unfit for Future Service.
I am further to Inform you that similar orders are sent,
by this Conveyance to Pensylvania, Virginia, North Carolina
and South Carolina.
The Northern Governments are also directed to raise men
in the same manner to be employed in such Offensive opera-
tions as the Circumstances and Scituation of the Enemys
possessions in those parts may point out, which it is hoped
will oblige them so to divide their attention and Forces as will
Render the several Attempts more easy and successfull.
It is unnecessary to add any thing to animate your Zeal in
the Execution of his Majestys Orders, on this great occasion,
where the future safety and Welfare of America and of your
own province in particular are at Stake, and the king doubts
not from your known Fidelity and Attachment, that you
will employ your self, with the utmost Application and Dis-
patch in this urgent and Decisive Crisis
I am Sir
Your most obedient, humble Servant

W: Pitt:

New York Decem^r 13. 1758.
Sir
The King having been pleased to appoint me Commander
in Chief of his Majesty's Forces in North America and
having at the same time signified to me his Royal pleasure
that I should correspond with and apply to all his Governors
on the Continent for their Aid and Assistance in carrying
on the Services pointed out to me, I am in obedience to those
Commands, to Acquaint you, that altho I have not as yet any
particular Orders Relative to the operations of the ensuing
Campaign I imagine they will require the Same Number of
provincial Troops that were voted by the respective prov-
inces and Colonies this year, and it will Likewise be neces-
sary, in order to carry those operations the more effectually