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U. H. J.
Liber No. 34
December 12
p. 520
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calls us together at this disagreeable Season first obliged me after my
Arrival to desire an extraordinary Meeting of the Several Branches
of this Legislature; I presume there is little Occasion for me at this
Time to repeat the Several Arguments which the present Posture of
Affairs must Suggest to you, as Sufficient Motives to prompt you to
exert yourselves at this Important Juncture. You are not now I con-
ceive to learn that in pursuance of a Plan to Secure a Communication
between their Northern & Southern Settlements and in Time render
themselves Masters of all the Continent from Cape Breton to the
Gulf of Mexico, that restless & ambitious People have proceeded to
build Several Forts on his Majestys Lands, One especially at a small
distance from the Frontiers of this Province and have Garrisoned it
with a large Body of regular Troops. That they already extend their
Claim to Lands far within the Limits of this Province, and are
making great preparations for enlarging their Conquests; That not
Satisfied with cutting us off from all Intercourse with the Indian
Natives with whom We have hitherto it Seems presumed to carry on
a Contraband Trade, they have employed Numbers of those Natives
to depopulate and distress these Colonies and have also themselves
Committed every Kind of Hostility on our fellow Subjects who have
been unfortunate enough to be Exposed to their Cruelty & Insults
These Gentlemen are Circumstances that present to our view no
very Agreeable Prospect; and I doubt not but the Repetition of them
makes every one of Us burn with Resentment and urges us to
take the most Speedy and effectual Measures to prevent the dreadful
Calamities that our Posterities must otherwise feel from the Vicinity
of such People.
What Resolutions the Virginians have hereupon taken I appre-
hend you are no Strangers to, and I am encouraged to hope; that the
other Neighbouring Governments whom I have Solicted will Shew
an equal Zeal, and emulate their Conduct, that your Resolutions
will Confirm the Opinion his Majesty has been pleased to entertain of
you and Merit the Confidence that he has thought fit to Repose in
the affections & Loyalty of his Maryland Subjects by distinguishing
their Governor with the honour of Commanding the combined Forces
that shall be Assembled to oppose the Enemys hostile Attempts, I
entertain the most Sanguine hopes that you will generously concur
with the Neighbouring Provinces to Enable me to Answer his Majes-
tys Expectations and Royal Intention in honouring me with such
a. Commission, a Commission also from his Lordship the Lord Pro-
prietary whereby his Lordship from an Earnest Desire & Solicitude
to Contribute to the Restoration of Peace and Tranquillity to this
and the other British Colonies has been pleased to Dispence with my
Temporary Absence from his Government that I may pay the most
ready & punctual Obedience to his Majestys Commands shall with the
Royal Commission be laid before You: And I will assure You that
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