No. 989
New Bern Decembr 18th 1755
Sr,
I Have your Favour of the 29th Ult. and am mightily pleased that you are Satisfyd with the preceedings of our Assembly, and My Endeavours to promote the Kings Service and the Interest and Safety of the Colonies.
I am Extreamly well pleased that your Assembly are raiised out of their Lethargy and have granted at last the £55000, had that been done a year ago, many lives had been saved, and their Colony would not have sufferd. When you are prepared, I shall heartily Cooperate with you and Governor Dinwiddie, as far as this Province hath Empowered me, in your Plan of operation, which I make no doubt will be well Concented.
Governor Dinwiddie is Sending Commrs. to the Cherakees and Cataubas, with presents, to Secure them in our Interest, and to procure their assistance. I shall Send Commrs. to Joyn theirs, to give weight to his application, altho' I Have no presents to Send to them, and make no doubt but Governor Littleton, who I Expect hath been orderd from England to his Governmt, Soon after his Return from France, will heartily Cooperate with us, in procuring the Cherokees assistance, and not betray the British Interest in America; as Glenn hath done as far in his Power.
I Shall Send a Copy of your Inclosed Letter of advice from Shippensburgh to South Carolina, as you desire, I would fain hope the Intelligence is not true, Since So many of the Six nations have Joynd General Johnston, and Several General Shirley; I believe the Senecas may have been gained by the French, and have had Influence over the Delawars and Shawanese. I Hear that the Tuskaruras who have Joyn'd the Six nations, have Sent to the Tuskaruras here for 30 men, to Joyn them Next Spring, and that they are [Susque] [training] them, to have them ready; I Should be glad you would Enquire particularly whether they are in the French or our Interest, for if they are in the French Interest; it would be necessary that I Should have them Secured from going to Joyn them; which if they are in our Interest I Should not do.
As soon as you have any Certain Intelligence about those Indians be so good as to let me Know, that I may Know how to act; in Case my Intelligence be true of them having demanded them. I wish you all the Success you Can wish for in your Government, and that you may be able to bring those Thoughtless Representatives of yrs, to do Justice to their Colony, and to act like true Britons, in defense of their Liberties from Savage Enemies; and not Spend their Time about trifling pretended Rights of their Assembly, which is all Faction, and Private Power, lest Squabbling for the Shadow they Should taxe the substance. I am with Esteem Sr
yr most Obedient Humble
Servant
Arthur Dobbs
Decr. 18th. 1755
Govr. Dobbs