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Col. Hammond, and Samuel Chamberlaine, Esq; from the Upper
House, acquaint Mr. Speaker, that the Governor requires the At-
tendance of the Lower House immediately in the Upper House,
Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and (attended by the Members of
the Lower House) went to the Upper House; where his Excellency
made the following Speech, viz.
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L. H. J.
Liber No. 47
July 17
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Gentlemen of the Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly,
The Chear fulness with which you have attended every Business,
relative to the common Interest of these his Majesty's Colonies,
obviates every Doubt that I might entertain of any Exception being
taken to my calling you together again so soon: And I flatter myself,
that the present dangerous Situation of Affairs, will not only evince
the Necessity of it, at this Time, but engage you, without Hesitation,
fully to comply with the Directions contained in the Earl of Holder-
nesse's Letter.
The Designs of the French must now be evident to every one :
They have openly, in Violation of all Treaties, invaded his Majesty's
Territories, and committed the most violent Acts of Hostility, by
attacking and intirely defeating the Virginian Troops under Col.
Washington.
In this Emergency, the Hopes and Expectations of our Neigh-
bours, whom, in Duty, Honour, and Interest, we are engaged to
support and defend, are fixed upon us for Assistance; and what
must the World think of our Conduct, or what Calamities may we
not expect, if, from an unseasonable Parsimony, we coldly look on,
while they are cut to Pieces? The boundless Ambition of the com-
mon Enemy, and the cruel Rage of their savage Allies, now upon
our Borders, flushed with Victory, indispensably require a vigorous
and immediate Exertion of all our Powers, to check their Progress.
The Indians, who are our Friends, likewise claim our Assistance :
While their Warriors are in the Field with our Troops, their Women
and Children are sent to us, to be protected and supported: This is
the greatest Demonstration they can give of the Confidence they
place in us. Nor can I doubt, but that at this critical Period, when
the French are employing every Artifice to alienate their Affections
from us, you will embrace so fair an Opportunity of firmly attach-
ing them to our Interest, by taking Care to have their Wives and
Children kindly and hospitably treated, while they are obliged to
stay with us and implore our Protection.
As our Settlements on the Frontiers, must be the first exposed
to the Inroads of the Enemy, I have ordered a Supply of Ammuni-
tion to Frederick County; and, with the Advice of his Lordship's
Council of State, issued a Proclamation, for the Militia to be put
in the best Posture of Defence, that they may be prepared to Act,
in case of Necessity: And, by the same Advice, have, at the earnest
Request of Col. Innes, Commander in Chief of the North-Carolina
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p. 472
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