48 Assembly Proceedings, Feb. 22-Mar. 26, 1755.

L. H. J.
Liber No. 48
February 22

when I acquaint you that a short Experience has shewn that many
of the Inhabitants have raised the Price of Carriage since the begin-
ning of these unhappy Disturbances, in Proportion as they found
we stood in Need of their Assistance.
I must also observe to you that the few Men we have been hitherto
obliged to Quarter in or March through this Province have occa-
sioned a very Extravagant Expence by Reason the Ordinary-Keepers
refused to receive any into their Houses or afford them Entertain-
ment but at the Rates that have been settled by the Magistrates
of the respective Counties for private Travellers and Passengers;
These Prices I doubt not you will think too great to be paid for
private Soldiers; and you will I hope regulate them by a Bill in a
moderate and reasonable Manner which will remove all Occasion
of Dispute between the soldiers and the Inhabitants.

Gentlemen of the Lower House
I shall acquaint you by a Message, how part of the Six Thousand
pounds, which you granted sometime since, has been disposed of for
the service; and shall be much pleased, if my Manner of Expending
it receives your Approbation.

Ordered That an Address be prepared to his Excellency thereon
and that the Committee of Laws do prepare and bring in the same.
The Governor having delivered to M.^r Speaker a Letter from
Sir Thomas Robinson one of his Majestys principal Secretaries of
State, Ordered That the same be Read, which was accordingly.

p. 28

Ordered that Sir Thomas Robinsons Letter be Entered on the
Journal of this House. In Pursuance of the Order .... of the
House the following Letter is Entered viz.^t

Duplicate Whitehall 26^th Octo^r 1754.
Sir
Having informed you in my Letter of July 5th that the King had
under his Royal Consideration the State of Affairs in North
America I am now to acquaint you that amongst other Measures
that are thought proper for the Defence of his Majestys Just Rights
and Dominions in those parts the King has not only been pleased to
Order Two Regiments of Foot Consisting of Five hundred Men
Each Besides Commissioned and Non Commissioned Officers Com-
manded by Sir Peter Halket & Col^o Dunbar to Repair to Virginia
& to be there augmented to the Number of 700. Each, but like-
wise to send Orders to Gov^r Shirley and Sir Will^mPepperell to
Raise Two Regiments whereof they are Respectively appointed
Colonels of 1000 Men Each and also to sign Commissions for a
Number of Officers to Serve in the said Two Regiments and who
will forthwith Repair to North America for that Purpose.