Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1761-1769. 61

defence of the Fort as the Preservation of Order and Quiet-
ness among themselves I have also directed him to have all the
Arms which were lately brought down to Conegocheague re-
paired and Carried back to the Fort lest many of the People
who may retreat thither should come unprovided with Arms
and by that means be unable in Case of Necessity to assist in
defending the place. Persuaded that you will pay due regard
to these Instructions and take every Proper step for the pro-
tection of the Frontier Inhabitants agreeable to the Power
with which by your Commⁿ You are invested,
I am your very humble Servant
To Col^o Tho^s Prather Commander Horatio Sharpe.
in Chief of the Militia of Frederick Cot^y

Sir
If any of the People who live or have dwelt in this Prov-
ince Westward of Fort Frederick or near that Fort shall be
alarmed by the Accounts which lately have been or may be
received of the Indians hostile Proceedings and fly to Fort
Frederick for Security you are to suffer such Persons to have
access to and reside there, they bringing Provisions with them
as long as they should Choose to do so, on Condition that they
do not in any way injure or endanger the buildings within
the Fort and that they will also observe such orders and
regulations as you with the Approbation of Col^o Thomas
Prather Commander in Chief of the Militia of Frederick
County shall make or give them, least the Inhabitants in the
Neighbourhood of Fort Frederick who may on any Alarm
repair thither should not be provided with Arms you may get
all the Publick Arms which you lately sent from the Fort to
Conegocheague repaired and Carried back again thither for
the defence of the Fort and by the first Waggon that shall
be returning from this City to Frederick County some Am-
munition shall be sent to you for the same Purpose but not to
be delivered out by you to any Persons except those who you
are persuaded will defend themselves and Use it only in case
of their being attacked by an Enemy, and I recommend it to
you should you think it necessary on any Occasion to deliver
such Arms and Ammunition to any Persons for the Purposes
above mentioned to require from theim receipts for the same
to be on Occasion if called for produced by you as Vouchers to
shew how the Ammunition and Arms have been disposed of
Should the Indians Commit any Murders or Acts of hostility
within your County between Fort Cumberland and Fort Fred-
erick I desire you will immediately send Col^o Prather Notice
thereof that he may give such orders to any part of the Militia

Lib. J. R.

& U. S.
p. 356