Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1753-1761. 403

New York 21^st February 1760.
Sir

With his Majestys Commands for the Reduction of Can-
ada received last Night, I likewise had a Copy of M^r Pitts
Circular Letter to the Northern and Southern Governors of
the 7^th Janr^y last, the original of which goes inclosed, and
whereby you will see, that his Majesty having nothing so
much at Heart as to improve the great and important Ad-
vantages gained the last Campaign in North America and
not doubting that all his faithful and brave Subjects there
will Continue most chearfully to Co-operate with and second
to the utmost the large Expence & Extraordinary succours
Supplied by the Kingdom of Great Britain for their Preser-
vation and future Security; and his Majesty considering that
the several Provinces from Pensilvania inclusive to the
Southward are well able with proper Encouragements to
furnish a Body of several thousand Men to join the Kings
Forces in those parts for some Offensive Operations against
the Enemy and his Majesty not judging it expedient to limit
the Zeal and Ardour of any of his Provinces by making a
Repartition of the Force to be Raised by each respectively
for this most important Service he (M^r Secretary Pitt) is
Commanded to signify to you the Kings Pleasure, that you
do forthwith use your utmost Endeavours and influence with
the Council and Assembly of your Province to induce them
to raise with all possible Dispatch within your Government
as large a Body of Men as the Number and Situation of its
Inhabitants may allow (in the due performance of which
service it hoped and expected they will not again fail in their
duty to the King, as they have done the two last Campaigns)
and forming the same into Regiments as far as shall be found
Convenient that you do direct them to hold themselves in
readiness as early as may be to March to the Rendizvous at
such Place or Places as may be named for that Purpose by
the Commander in Chief of his Majestys Forces in America
or by the Officer who shall be appointed to Command the
Kings Forces in those parts in order to proceed from thence
in Conjunction with a Body of his Majesty's British Forces
and under the Supreme Command of the Officer to be ap-
pointed as above so as to be in a Situation to begin by the
first of May if possible or as soon after as shall be any wise
practicable such Offensive Operations as shall be judged by
the Commander of his Majestys Forces in those parts most
expedient for Annoying the Enemy.
As the Kings Directions on the aforegoing Subject are so
fully Stated in the above abstract I have only to Request that
you would exert your utmost endeavours to incite & en-

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.