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

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

Major General Braddock, shall advance Westward beyond
the Mountains in hopes as it may be presumed thereby to
retard & divert his Excellency from the Execution of the
Plan which he purposes to pursue, I have therefore thought
fit with the Advice of his Ldps Council of State to cause the
same to be made known by this Proclamation To the End that
the distant and other the Inhabitants of this Province may
put themselves in a posture of defence, that those who want
may immediately furnish themselves with Arms and Am-
munition and be on their Guard to prevent such a surprize as
those Threats of our Enemies give us too much Room to
fear, and as I think it my duty to caution and exhort all the
Inhabitants of this Province to prepare in the best and most
expeditious manner they can for the defence of themselves
and each other against the Attempts of such presumptuous
Invaders and to use the most effectual means for that pur-
pose; I do hereby Command the Sheriffs of Baltimore &
Frederick Counties to publish this my Proclamation in the
most frequented places of their said Counties and to affix
Copies thereof in many publick places Given at Annapolis
this 30 day of May in the 5^th year of his Lordships Dominion
Annoq Domini One thousand Seven hundred & fifty five

His Excellency is pleased to acquaint this Board that he
has sent the following Letter to the Colonels of the Militia
in Frederick and Baltimore Counties.

Sir
I desire you will have a general Review of the Militia of
your County either together or separately, and that you will
make me a particular Return thereof, specifying the several
Officers Names, and the number of men in Each Troop or
Company; you will also acquaint me how they are furnished
with Arms, and whether plenty of Ammunition can be pro-
cured on Occasion within your said County. In case of any
rioting or caballing by Servants, Slaves, or others, you are
to march with or order any Troops or Companies under your
Command to quell them and Seize the Ringleaders, whom
you shall keep in Custody till I can be advised thereof.
Ordered that the present General Assembly of this Prov-
ince which stands prorogued to the first day of July next
be called to meet at the City of Annapolis the Twenty third
day of June, & Proclamations issued accordingly