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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Robert Dinwiddie to Arthur Dobbs
Dinwiddie, Robert, 1693-1770
September 18, 1756
Volume 05, Pages 610-611

[Reprinted from Dinwiddie Papers. Vol. 2. p. 511.]
Governor Dinwiddie to Governor Dobbs.


September 18th, 1756.
Sir:

I rec'd Y'rs of the 7th by return of my Express. We had no Vessells from Londo. of a Long Time, w'ch makes us very barren of News. The Men are ret'd y't I sent to build a Fort in the Cherokee Co'try. They have constructed it, much to the satisfaction of the Ind's, and at the Charge of y's Co'try at least £2,000. They desire and request a No. of Men to garrison the Fort, and every Th'g sh'd be done to keep 'em in good Temper. So. Caro. builds 'em another Fort on River Tennessee, where they propose to leave Men to garrison it, and as the Cherokee Co'try is chiefly in Y'r Province, I think it reasonable and just to send a No. of Men to join those from y's Gov't to garrison y't Fort. I shall propose to our Assembly the supply'g an Officer with 25 Men. A supply from You of the like No., I believe, will be sufficient, and I doubt not You will endeav'r with Y'r Ass'y to vote agreeably thereto, and I desire You to write me Y'r success therein as soon as possible. Maj'r Lewis rem'd am'g the Ind's to conduct in here w't Men they w'd send in to our Assistance, and I expect 'em in three Weeks. I think now is the only time for the different Ass'ys to exert y'r utmost Efforts for the Protect'n of Y'r Lives, Relig'n, and Liberties, w'ch are all now at stake. I pray God may direct 'em, y't with Spirit they may do every Th'g necessary and incumb't on 'em at y's Time of appar't Danger.

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Pray forw'd the enclos'd by the Post. Heartily wish'g for an Opp'ty of send'g You agreeable News—Wife and Child'n send y'r Complim'ts, and I rem'n with great Truth, Y'r Ex's

Most ob'd't h'ble serv't.

P. S.—Since writing the above, Co. Hunter arriv'd from N. York, confirms the bad News of Oswego's being taken, and tho't to be surrender'd in a shameful Man'r, hav'g 1,650 Men in it, and generally believ'd to the No'w'd y't Minorca is also, taken. Great Compl'ts ag'st Adm'l Bying. Y'r Son was well, and believ'd his men were to be enlisted in the Royal Americans, and he to ret'n for more Recruits.