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canted on, in the most public Manner, since the same unhappy Cause
that 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, I conceive, now to learn, that in Pursuance of a Plan to secure
a Communication between their Northern and Southern Settlements,
and, in Time, render themselves Masters of all the Continent, from
Cape-Breton to the Gulf of Mexico, that restless and ambitious
People have proceeded to build several Forts on his Majesty's
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 Contrabrand Trade, they have
employed Numbers of those Natives to depopulate and distress these
Colonies, and have also themselves, committed every Kind of Hos-
tility on our Fellow-Subjects, who have been unfortunate enough to
be exposed to their Cruelty and 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 a People.
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L. H. J.
Liber No. 48
December 12
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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 solicited, 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 and Loyalty of His Maryland Subjects, by distinguishing
their Governor with the Honour of Commanding the combined
Forces that shall be assembled to oppose the Enemy's hostile
Attempts, I entertain the most sanguine Hopes; and that you will
generously concur with the neighbouring Provinces, to enable me
to answer his Majesty's Expectations and Royal Intention, in honour-
ing me with such a Commission. A Commission, also, from his
Lordship the Lord Proprietary, whereby his Lordship, from an earn-
est Desire and Solicitude, to contribute to the Restoration of Peace
and Tranquility to this, and the other British Colonies, has been
pleased to dispense with my temporary Absence from his Govern-
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p. 3
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