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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Circular letter from William Pitt, Earl of Chatham to the American governors of the Southern Colonies
Pitt, William, Earl of Chatham, 1708-1778
February 04, 1757
Volume 05, Pages 743-744

[B. P. R. O. Am: & W. Ind: Vol. 75.]
To the Govrs of Southern Provinces in America

Whitehall 4th Febry 1757.

Sir

The King having Nothing more at heart than the Preservation of his good Subjects and Colonies of North America, has come to a Resolution of acting with the greatest Vigour in those Parts, the ensuing Campaign, and all necessary Preparations are making for sending a considerable Reinforcement of Troops together with a strong Squadron of Ships, for that Purpose, & in Order to act offensively against the French in Canada.

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It is His Majesty's Pleasure that you should forthwith call together Your Council & Assembly & press them in the strongest Manner to raise with the utmost Expedition as large a Number of Provincial Forces as may be for the Service of the ensuing Campaign, over and above what they shall judge necessary for the immediate Defence of their own Province, & that the Troops so raised do act in such Parts as the Earl of Loudoun, or the Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces for the Time being shall judge most conducive to the Service in general.

And the King doubts not, but that the several Provinces, truly sensible of His paternal Care, in sending so large a Force for their Security, will exert their utmost Endeavours to second, and strengthen such offensive Operations against the French, as the Earl of Loudoun, or the Commander in Chief for the Time being, shall judge expedient, and will not clogg the Enlistments of the Men, or the raising of the Money for their Pay &c with such Limitations, as have been hitherto found to render their Service difficult & ineffectual; And as a further Encouragement I am to acquaint you that the raising of the Men, their Pay, Arms, & cloathing will be all that will be required for this Campaign on the Part of the several Provinces Measures having been already taken for laying up Magazines of Stores; and Provisions of all kinds at the Expence of the Crown.

I cannot too strongly recommend it to you to use all your Influence with your Council and Assembly for the punctual & immediate execution of these His Majesty's Commands.

I am likewise to acquaint you, that the Earl of Loudoun is directed to send forthwith to Virginia a Battalion of regular Forces, to be employed as the Exigency shall require for the Succour and Defence of the said Province of Virginia, South Carolina or any other of the Southern Colonies.

I am &c
W. PITT.