Correspondence of Gov. Horatio Sharpe, 1754-1765. 493

the King & Country. Surely Destruction being so near it
must awaken & Rouse the Spirit of the Burgesses to Action
& Quick Resentment; All being now United under the Fun-
damental Law of Nature, that of Self Preservation—against
a Cruel & unjust Desolation, in all Circumstances. The
March of Col Dunbar after his Retreat to Fort Cumberland
Surprizes all here! It more particularly Effects My Lord,
his Province being in View of the Conquering Enemy, now
bereft of Britain's Force sent to it's Protection, gone by his
retire with the Troops from the Frontiers to Philadelphia
some hundred Miles Distance; leaving Virginia & Mary-
land to the Devastations of Cruel Enemies, who now have a
free uninterrupted Access in the two Colonies, which must
Occasion as you Observe the Back Inhabitants of each Prov-
ince retiring to their Friends in the more Popular Parts
Subject to Distressful Loss; But of this his Lordship has
some Comfort, your having persuaded several to return
Back with Assurances that a Sufficient Body of Troops
would be at Fort Cumberland, & that you would take proper
Measures to prevent the Inroads & Incursions of any French
or Indians by having Parties of Force in Forts to be built.
He approves of your Plan at Tonallway Creek & hopes the
Assembly will enable you to perfect the Three Forts under
the Northern Mountains. Your Proposition for Garrison in
each to Patroll from one to the other & to Fort Cumberland
and in Case of Alarm to receive the Neighbouring Familys
into their Protection, will be I hope very Efficacious. The
Forts must be well provided with Ammunition & Provisions,
else Provincial Troops will Desert, which I understand from
you they have already Done from Fort Cumberland. Your
Account of the 13^th of August being Intelligence from an
Advance Party of Indians, the Scouts of which Party dis-
covered to a Lieutenant sent from Fort Cumberland with a
Party of Men; I wish the Intelligence not true, as the Con-
sequence is to be fear'd must be Tragical from a Powerfull
Enemy's Arrival at a hidden Bait of Stores undestroyed,
left by Col Dunbar at his Camp on his Retreat after the
fatal Action, what could Possess him, to leave so tempting
a Bait & Beneficial Allure to bring the Enemy near the
Provinces whose Inhabitants must be under the greatest
Alarm. On this Occasion his Lordship approves of your
Removal of the Hospital to Frederick Town, & Trusts in
your's & Col Inne's Abilities & Courage with the Assistance
of his Province join'd with Virginia, that a Glorious Stand
will be made against the Enemy; the only means for Preser-
vation of his Majesty's Dominion, with the Peoples Lives
Religion & Property. Col Inne's Dispatch for Assistance