July 23d, 1755.
Sir:
My last to You was the 8th of this Mo. to w'ch please be refer'd. On the 14th I rec'd a Lett'r from Colo. Innes with the bad News y't our Forces on the Ohio were defeated and the Train of Artillery taken by the Enemy. Y's Let'r was wrote in a great Hurry. I am, therefore, in hopes to have y't News contradicted, at least not so bad as he then writes me. I daily expect another Ex's w'ch I hope will bring more agreeable News.
Several flying Parties of Ind's and French have come into our Frontiers, committed barbarous Murders and Robberies. I have rais'd three Compa's of Rangers, now on our frontiers, to destroy these Banditti, and
to protect the Settlers who are seized with a Pannick or they might have suppress'd them and protected themselves. I have order'd all the Militia of y's Colony to be drawn out. Muster'd their Numb's, Guns and Amunit'n to be ret'd to me directly, and if the News should be so bad as Innes writes I shall make a large Draught from each Co'ty to go ag'st the Enemy to protect our Co'try, and I presume You will think it necessary to do the same with Y'r People. Our News from Nova Scotia is very good and great Success has attended our Forces by Sea and Land, w'ch You may observe by the enclosed Paper w'ch You may depend on is true. Mr. Glen appears to do every Thing in his Power to obstruct the Expedit'n. I had reason to expect a Numb'r of Catawbas and Chickasaws to join our Forces, but he desir'd a Meet'g with these People in June, w'ch prevented their com'g to our Aid. I cannot conceive his Conduct, as it appears quite contrary to the Int't of the Nation. Mr. Hunter has fifty Suits of Cloths for Y'r Rangers. I am extremely hurried, and must finish. With Kind Respects,