Sir:

I rec'd your L're with't Date, and observe the Objection of furnishing Men for the fort in the Cherokee Country. That of Com'd has been much the Bane of Contention in the diferent Colonies. I sh'd have been glad of Men with't an Officer, but at present that Officer must be dormant, as Maj'r Lewis is return'd, and from his Report I fear the Indians have been tamper'd with by the French, and that they are ready to declare for them. It is a g't Surprise to me when I consider we have oblig'd 'em in every thing they ask'd—built 'em a Fort, and the Assembly voted £2,000 to send men to Garrison it, and otherwise sent them large Presents by the Comiss'rs; they must, therefore, be ungrateful Wretches if they don't continue in our Interest. I had no Orders w'th my Comm'n for granting Letters of Marque, but had Recourse to the Records and follow'd the Rules of fitting out Privateers [in the] last War, and inclos'd I send yo. Copy of the whole. I have been greatly indispos'd and confin'd to my House for sometime, must, therefore, leave of with my kind Respects. I remain,