New Bern 26. Octor. 1756

Sir

I wou'd have wrote sooner to Your Excellency to have known whether Your Council had taken under Consideration the fixing an equitable Boundary Line, you have acquainted me that they had appointed a Committee to enquire into the former Proceedings upon it, but delayed it until I cou'd acquaint your Excellency of the Issue of this Assembly; which has sat about a Month; they have only raised about £4000 to erect a fort near the Cataubas to protect them and secure our frontier and to maintain 2 Companies to defend them and protect our back Settlements—Major Lewis having sent me a Copy of the Letter he wrote to you to let you know the wavering State of the Cherokees, after he had built his fort, and their several Cabals with French Emissaries, by which he apprehended they meditated a Breach with these provinces; which has greatly alarmed us to prepare for the worst. I have also got a Vote of Credit to pay off the Debt we have contracted in New York to supply our Troops; the Expense having considerably exceeded the pay allowed to them, upon Account of the Levy Money Transportation, field Equipage, and bad Remittances, so that I cou'd get no further Supply for the Norther Provinces. 

The last Account I had from New York was That the French after demolishing Oswego had marched our Men to Montreal, and had gone to join their Troops at Crown point that they had made a Movement towards our forts with 7000 Men, and that Lord Loudoun had marched with four Regiments to support our provincials, who when joined wou'd make out 9000; if any Action happens a great deal depends upon the Issue of it. 

I hope you will let me know how your Province stands with the Cherokees and Creeks, and what hopes you have in preserving their friendship, and that you will acquaint me when you will send over your Representation and Opinion where the Line shou'd be fixed between the Provinces; for I hear our Settlers are still very mutinous on or near the Line, and some time ago took the Sheriff of Anson prisoner, when he was levying the usual Taxes, under pretence of an Incouragement from your Council, and under the Colour of Commissions they had from Mr. Glenn, so that to prevent a flame it will be necessary to dispatch your Representation to the Board of Trade as soon as possible, that his Majesty may determine it. 

I wish your Excellency a good harmony and Success with your Assembly at this Critical time, and hope to hear a better Account from you of the Cherokees than I have had from Major Lewis  

I am with due Regard and Esteem

Sir

Your Excellency's

most obedient

humble Servant

Arthur Dobbs