Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1753-1761. 71

one of the best and freshest Horses I had here and this
moment he is returned with much the same accounts. His
Horse giving out he could Proceed no farther than the Little
Meadows 25 Miles from this all the Accounts I get from him
is related by the Waggoners and much to the same purport
as at first that the General and many Officers are killed and
half of our Soldiers with most of the Artilery taken by the
Indians But not in this time having any Accounts from the
Army gives me hopes things cannot be so very bad with us.
However I think it highly requisite and full time that the
Militia in the three Neighbouring Provinces should be im-
mediately draughted and Sent out to their assistance, Horses
and Waggons will be absolutely needful, Three or Four thou-
sand men will absolutely carry Victory before us when five
times the Number in a little time hence will not do, All which
I most humbly Submit, you may depend as soon as I receive
any Accounts I shall forward them, you may likeways
depend Please God I live I will do my best to maintain this
Post. I am
Your Hon^rs Most Obedient humble Servant
Fort Cumberland James Innes

13 My 1755

To the Hon Governor Dinwiddie

His Excellency is pleased to desire the Opinion of this
Board Whether If the General has met with a Defeat Is it
then necessary to call the Assembly —
Benjamin Tasker Esq^r Col Hammond, Samuel Chamber-
laine Esq^r Col Tasker & Col Goldsborough are of Opinion &
Advise his Excellency that the Assembly be called

At a Council held at the City of Annapolis on Friday the
15^th day of August in the fifth year of his Lordships Do-
minion Annoque Domini 1755.

Present
His Excellency Horatio Sharpe Esq^r Governor

Lib. J. R.

& U. S.

The
honourable

Benjamin Tasker Esq^r
Col Charles Hammond
Samuel Chamberlaine
Esq^r
Philip Thomas Esq^r

Col Benjamin Tasker
Benedict Calvert Esq^r
Col William Goldsbor-
ough