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The following are the annexed Letters, which are referred to in
the Governor's Message, viz.
Copy.
To Captain Joseph Chapline, and to Lieutenant Moses Chapline,
of Frederick County.
Whereas I have been informed, that a considerable Number of
Indians have lately killed several Persons in Frederick County, at
no great Distance from your Habitations, and that they are still
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L.H.J.
Liber No. 49
Dec. 9
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Lurking in that Part of the Province with an Intention, as might be
reasonably supposed, to do more Mischief; I have thought fit, and
do hereby impower and direct you to muster the Company of Militia
under your Command, and with the said Company or any other
Men capable of bearing Arms (that shall be willing to join you) to
Range on the Frontiers for the Protection of the Inhabitants, till a
greater Body of Troops can be Raised for their Defence. You are
to act agreeable to the Militia Laws of this Province, while you are on
this Service, and to keep a Journal of your Proceedings in Conse-
quence of these Orders, to be returned to me at the End of one
Month, before which Time you may expect to be relieved.
Hor.o Sharpe.
Given at Baltimore the 23d of April, 1757.
Baker's Fort, May 10th, 1757.
Honoured Sir,
I and my Brother are now at Conococheague with about Sixty
Men, and ever since I reached that Place, notwithstanding several
small Parties of Indians were seen, yet the People were encouraged
to provide, to sow and plant Corn, till the unhappy News came of the
Indians defeating our Forces at Fort Cumberland, together with the
Information of the Prisoners that escaped from Fort Duquesne,
giving an Account of a large Number of the Enemy Design on our
Parts (which I make no Doubt but your Excellency has had a full
Account of) with a Design to destroy all our Settlements, which we
are not able to defend against so great a Force, without more Help
if it Should be true. What most affects us to see the People so much
Dispirited at the late Alarm; but as our Company consists mostly of
good Woodsmen, shall use our utmost Endeavours to defend the
Place against any Number that don't much exceed ours. I am, Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedient and humble Servant,
Joseph Chapline.
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p. 161
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