Correspondence of Gov. Horatio Sharpe, 1754-1765. 489

that of the intire Defeat of General Bradock and the Forces
on their March to Fort Du Quesne in the Ohio Country; The
Loss of the General and Officers killed and wounded from
Desertion on the Action by the Regular Forces sent hence,
is hardly to be paralleled in History. It seems agreed they
Run from the Enemy not seen, and were drove by Fire
Arms from a Rabble of Savages and Canadians, Conducted
by a few French Officers and Regulars. All Accounts ac-
knowledge Our Officers stood and did their Duty, and had
their Endeavours succeeded by Rallying the Men, the latter
might have regain'd their Honour, Deem'd lost by Sudden
Surprise! Unawares taken by Forces obscure in the woods.
The General's conduct is much Arraign'd and not following
Advice, the sending the American Provincial Forces to Rec-
onnoitre the woods before him as he March'd; by which
means would have Sprung the Enemy and gain'd a good
Shot. These Troops is said did their Duty, His Lordship
has peculiar Satisfaction therein as they were partly com-
posed of Men from His Province.

By the Conveyance of this Unhappy Affair I received
yours of June the 10^th 28^th and 29^th also the 9^th of July last,
M^r Chamiers in your first I have not heard of. You therein
acquaint me with your Receipt of mine of the 17^th of March
concerning the Carrying the Salt Act next Sessions of Par-
liament and of which you think a fair Prospect, I write
doubtful, and fear it cannot be proposed during this trouble-
some time; as it Clashes in Interest with other Provinces
who have shewn more Regard to the Necessity of His Maj-
esty's Commands than here is allowed Maryland has done.
With Respect to M^r Thornton's Induction into a Benefice,
there being you say no Vacancy, My Lord desires you'l
present him on a Vacancy. The Laws you mention in yours
of the 28^th passed in the Sessions of Assembly last March
and by you sent, I have, His Lordship has perused them and
has no Objection. Yon acknowledge mine of the 7^th of April
with His Lordship's Scarf to the Reverend M^r Gordon,
which you'l take Care to deliver. To what you mention
about M^r Hyde's Affair with the late Lord, M^r Tasker has
sent me the whole Account, the Contents I am a Stranger

to, however here Others knowing: There is Quit Rent due

to this Lord which is Considerable, from M^r Hyde who
claims the Lands under Powers given him from Samuel
Hyde deceased. For this M^r Tasker or M^r Lloyd must gain
His Lordship Satisfaction without Delay.

Yours of the 29^th informs me of your Receipt of mine of
the 16^th of April about Doctor Sharpe. I hope you'l not be