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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Robert Dinwiddie to the Board of Trade of Great Britain
Dinwiddie, Robert, 1693-1770
June 18, 1754
Volume 05, Page 130

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[Reprinted from Dinwiddie Papers. Vol. 1. P. 205.]
Governor Dinwiddie to the Lords of Trade.

18th June, [1754].

R't Hon.:

I arrived here from Winchester two Days ago. The two Compa's from N. York arrived here only four Days ago, tho' My Lord Holdernesse's Letter was forwarded to the Gov'r of N. York the 1st of Mar. The Supply from No. Caro. of 400 Men are on their March; w'n they are all collected together they will scarcely amo. to 900 Men, and it's reported the French Forces will consist of 1,500, that, I think, we are not of Strength sufficient, however all in my Power shall be done with great Assiduity. I have been for some Month flatter'd with a mutual Assistance from the neighbouring Colonies agreeable to His M'y's Com'ds to them, and tho' the Assemblies have met several Times, they have done nothing, or can I have any Dependence of Aid from any of them. I beg leave to give my humble Opinion that the Progress of the French in Possessing themselves of His Majesty's Lands will never be effectually opposed but by means of an Act of Parliament to compell the Colonies to contribute to the comon Cause, independently of Assemblies, who, in these Parts, are either ignorant or do not foresee Danger at a Distance, or at least, [are] so Obstinate as to pay little regard to it.

R't Hon., Y'r L'ds. most obed't h'ble Serv't.