- Transcription
Charlestown 6th Augst. 1757.
Sir,
According to your Excellency's Letter to me of the 30 May, which I answer'd the 30th June, I suppose the 200 Men of your Province to be ready by this Time, & beg to have them sent here, as soon as possible.
South Carolina beginning only to raise it's Contingent, our Forces in this Province are very inconsiderable by the Disappointment of the 400 Men from Pensylvania & Virginia. The Frontiers are of great Extent, & the Forts cannot be garrison'd properly till I receive reinforcements.
Upon Governor Ellis' repeated Instance, I am obliged to send him 100 Men to secure Georgia against the Attempts of the Privateers who infest their Coast, and I remain here with about 500 Men.
I have Ld. Loudoun's Orders to raise as many Volunteers as possible to compleat his Majestys Regular Forces. Besides the Officers already employ'd to recruit in this Province, I send actually four more to North Carolina (Vizt) Lieut Bentinck & Phillips to Rowan County, & Lieuts. Hay & Jenkins to New Bern. I beg leave to recommend them to your Protection and Assistance.
In order to prevent any Obstruction in the Execution of the Orders they have receiv'd from me, I hope your Excellency will be pleas'd to enjoyn all the Magistrates, Justices of the Peace, and other Civil Officers in your Province to be assisting unto them in providing Quarters, necessary Carriages, & securing Deserters, as there shall be Occasion.
Unacquainted as I am with the Country, I cannot fix upon the most proper Quarters for them to go. But I shall take it as a particular favour, if your Excellency will give them the necessary Directions.
The Distance making it difficult to send them money to recruit, if more be wanted, I shall take the Liberty to send you Bills of Exchange. Or if it was more convenient to you, I woud repay here to your Troops, the Money you wou'd advance to these Officers.
Your Excellency will oblige me to let me know the amount of your Militia, besides the Provincials in pay, & the Number & Condition of your Forts, Artillery and Ammunition.
I am with great Respect etc.
P.S. Lieuts Bentinck & Phillips shall receive your Letters for the Magistrates &c. directed to the Care of Hugh Waddel, Commanding Officer at Fort Dobbs in Rowan County.
