Minutes taken at a Meeting of the Governors of North Carolina Virginia Maryland and Pensylvania with the Earl Loudoun Commandr. in Chief of His Majesty's Forces in North America began at Philadelphia March 15th. and Continud. by several Adjournments to March [intentionally blank] 1757.

The Meeting having been inform'd by the Earl of Loudoun that there was a Plan, approved by His Majesty, of Employing the greatest part of the Troops this Campaign to the Northward, And that he had Invited them to this meeting, in Order to Concert in Conjunctn. with them a Plan for the Defense of the Southern Provinces, whilst the other Operations were carrying on

His Lordship further acquainted them that he was willing to leave for the defense of the Southern Provinces, One Battalion to be Compleated to One Thousand men, and the Three Independant Companys in South Carolina of One hundred men each which may amount to 200 Effective men

And that he thought it Necessary for the Security of the whole that the Several Provinces should furnish by the following proportions

And the several Governors do Engage to use their best Endeavours with their Several Provinces to raise & Support the above Number to Act in Conjunction with the Regular Forces, and under the Command of his Majestys Genll, or the Officer properly Authorized according to His Majesty's Regulation

The Meeting taking into Consideratn. the Situation of the several Provinces and the Intelligence received from different Parts, it appears to them that there is danger of the Enemys making an Attack, on the Province of South Carolina, either by sea from St domingo or from the Albama Fort in the Creek Indians, or the Head of the Mobile, for which reason they have agreed that there ought to be two Thousand men employed in the defense of that Valuable Province of South Carolina and to secure Georgia and that they shou'd be Compos'd as follows

That the said Troops shou'd be put under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Bouquet, and Transported to Charles Town in south Carolina as soon as possible, The Regular Troops and the 200 Provincial Troops of Pensilvania by Sea from hence

The 400 Provincial Troops of Virginia by sea from [intentionally blank]

And the 200 Troops from North Carolina to march by Land

The Earl of Loudoun on the Part of the Crown agrees that he will at the Kings Expence supply the 200 men from North Carolina, the 400 men from Virginia, and the 200 from Pensilvania with Kings Provisions from the time they arrive in south Carolina; during the time he keeps them there, but that he Expects the several Provinces from whence they are detached should Transport them there, at the Expence of the Province from where they are sent, And to prevent any Mistake hereafter arising in relation to any demand that may be made, It's agreed that the Several Provinces shall maintain the Remainder of the Troops raised by them for the Service in every Article, as on this Occasion they are entirely employed in the defence, and for the Security of their Respective Provinces,

And it is further agreed that We, the Governors, shall in Our respective provinces take Particular care to form such Regulations, and to see them properly Executed that in all time coming Carriages for Transportg. the Baggage of His Majesty's Troops shall be prepared at Stated reasonable Rates, And that all the Troops of whatever denomination either passing through Our Provinces, or while in fixed Quarters there in, shall in time of Peace be properly Quartered, and in time of War, Whatever Number of Troops the Commander in Chief may Judge Necessary for defence, or carrying on the General Service, shall be Quartered acording to Custom or the Exigences of Service.

Arthur Dobbs

William Denny

Robt. Dinwiddie

Horo. Sharpe

The above Resolutions are agreed to by the Several Governors & signd by us in presence of the Earl of Loudoun His Majestys Commander in Chief

Loudoun