Letter from Mr. Pownall to sevl. Govrs. for their Opinion, what will be the best Method for protecting the Frontiers, & for the Management of Indian Affairs.

Whitehall July 16. 1755.

To William Shirley Esqr. Govr. of the Massachuets Bay.

Sir,

The Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations having under their Consideration the State of His Majesty's Colonies in North America, more especially with respect to the defenceless State of their Frontiers and the irregular Management of Indian Affairs; and it appearing to their Lordships to be absolutely necessary, as well for the Safety and Welfare of the Colonies, as to ease the Mother Country of the great and heavy Expense, with which it has been of late years burthened on account of Services relative to these points, that some general System should be laid down, and some certain, general and permanent Provision made for the Defence of the Frontiers and for the Management of Indian Affairs, they shall think it their Duty, when the Circumstances of the Times shall require it, humbly to lay before His Majesty their Thoughts upon this Subject; and to the end that they may have the fullest Information upon every Point necessary to be attended to in the consideration of a Question of so great Extent and Importance, I am directed to desire you will as speedily as possible, take these Points into your serious Consideration, and favour their Lordships with your Opinion, as to what may be a proper general System to be laid down for the Defence of the Frontiers against all future Encroachments or Invasions, and for the Management of Indian Affairs under one general direction; what Forts it will be necessary to erect; of what Size and Strength; where those Forts should be situated; what Number of regular Troops it will be necessary constantly to keep up in America; where they should be stationed; what will be proper Fund to be established for making a constant and permanent Provision for these Services with the least Burthen and Inconvenience to His Majesty's Subjects.

I am,

Sir,

Your most obedt. humble Servant,

John Pownall

Secretary

Exd.

A like Letter was writ to the 3 following Govrs.— Robt. Dinwiddie Esqr. Lt. Govr. of Virginia, Arthur Dobbs Esqr. Govr. of No. Carolina, Sr. Charles Hardy, Knt. Govr. of New York.