Your Excellency's Letter of the 18th. instant by the Express did not come to my hands until this day, the Express alledges that his Delay was occasioned by his Horses dying on the Road, and that he return'd to Charles Town to get another. 

Your Letter came Opportunely before I send a Message to the Assembly with the Indian Talk, and Mr. Atkins being now here who writes to you, we think it proper to apply to the Assembly for Money to finish the fort, with this Proviso that it shall not be issued until Mr. Atkins sees you and goes up to the Cataubas, and knows the bottom of this cross Application and what they wou'd have done, and if it be disagreable to them then to apply the Money to other Services, or Deficiencies in the Province⁠—I send you the Speech and Addresses⁠—We have no News but that the Fleet is sailed from Portsmouth, the Duke return'd, a Cessation betwixt the Russians and Prussians, and our Troops to the Northward going into Winter Quarters⁠—The Storm off Lewisburgh you must have heard of. Govr. Dinwiddie daily expects a Ship from Admiral Holborn to carry him and family home. 

I am glad to hear that your Excellency has escaped all Sickness, thank God my Disorder is over, but am weak, and can't yet walk far at a time. 

I am with due Regard

Sir

Your Excellency's

 most obedient

humble Servt.