I returned here from our Congress at Philadelphia only on Friday the 8th. instant, where the Governors Dinwiddie Sharpe and I had been detained by Lord Loudoun's not having been able to meet us there until the Middle of March, having been delayed at Boston, and upon his Return at New York to answer his Dispatches from England, after which we were detained until the 27th. of March until he cou'd get the Money Bill passed in Philadelphia for £100,000 their Currency before we cou'd settle a plan for the Southern Colonies, at which time he set out Northwards, and we set out Southwards to our several provinces—I saw your Letter to Govr. Dinwiddie and herewith send you his Answer. Lords Loudon's Letter from you he only received with yours upon his Return, which he then forwarded to Lord Loudoun, and yours to me I only received with the inclosed Copies upon my Return here, so cou'd not answer Your Excellency's Letter sooner, which I now send to Cape Fear by Express to be forwarded by Post. 

Since I have not had any Letter from you of a later Date, I hope the French have been hitherto disappointed of their intended Attack upon Georgia and your Frontiers from the Mississippi, either by their not gaining the Creeks, or by the Spanish Governt. at Augustine refusing them a passage to attack Georgia, and hope you need fear no Invasion by Sea from Hispaniola, for I saw Capt. Arbuthnott of the Guarland at Hampton in Virginia who told me he looked into the Harbour of Cape Francois so as to count the Ships there, and there were not any Ships of force in the Harbour the 15. of March, and if the 4 Men of War and 1500 Men in Transports, which Admiral Knowles sent Notice were sailed for the West Indies had gone there they must have been arrived before that time, so that probably they were either destined for Africa or the East Indies, and as a Squadron was ordered under Admiral Coates for Jamaica, and Admiral Frankland has a Squadron at Antigua I hope you will be in no Danger of an Invasion by Sea—But as we were apprehensive by the ticklish Situation you were in from the wavering of the Creeks, and French Intrigues with the Indians, and from the Numbers from time to time sent by the French to Mississippi and the Mobile, and the Activity of the French that they wou'd if possible attack your Province to make Reprisals for what we may gain upon our grand Operations to the Northward, We all heartily joined with Lord Loudoun In sending you a Reinforcement as soon as possibly We can from our southern Provinces, of which no doubt you have or will soon have Advice from Lord Loudoun, but as I don't yet hear that any Letters from him have passed this place for you It may be proper for me in brief to inform you of what we agreed upon—vizt. to send you 500 Men of the American Regiment then in Philadelphia under the Command of Colo. Bouquet, 200 Provincials from Pensylvania, 400 from Virginia, and 200 from hence, as soon as they can be compleated, for which I have issued a Proclamation to call the Assembly the Beginning of May, and in the mean time have given Orders to recruit up our 2 Companies as soon as possible to 100 Men each to have them ready for you, to which it is expected you will raise 500 Provincials, which with your Independent Companies will make when joined 2000 Men, besides which Virginia is to send 100 Men to their new Fort at Tenesee among the Cherokees. 

I find by Governor Ellis's Letter to Lord Loudoun that his force in Georgia is very small, and if attacked must be supported by your forces. We are besides to raise 2 Companies more of 100 Each for to defend our forts and Batteries on our Sea Coast and our Western forts, which I hope our Assembly will think necessary for their Safety, there are to be 2700 Provincials and Regulars left upon the Frontiers near the Ohio in Virginia Maryland and Pensylvania, viz. 500 Regulars under Colo. Stanwix, 1200 Pensylvanians, 500 Marylanders and 500 Virginians to act as Occasion offers, and prevent the French from sending any forces back to Canada, or if they do, then they must desert Du Quesne or their forts on the Lakes—About 300 Indians were passing Northward as I came thro' Virginia, Cherokees, Catawbas and Tuskeroras &c. how long they will continue out scalping God only knows, a Body of about 90 Delawares and Shawanese were come to Pensylvania when I came away to desire peace—I find they can get no more French Goods but at an extraordinary price, and very few to be got, so they are starving for want of Cloaths and want Supplies from us. I expect we shall have 2000 Regulars and 6 or 7000 provincials under General Webb to act properly by Land against Crown point, whilst Lord Loudoun will have 15000 Men with him in his Expedition, which by the Blessing of God if attended with Success will make us easy for the future; As far as I shall be enabled you may be assured of all the Assistance I can procure you from this Province, in Case of any Attack. Mr. Atkin is now upon the Road from Philadelphia, when he will arrive here I know not; he makes such Demands of Money from Lord Loudoun which he can't supply him with, and he says he can't go Southwards without it, besides he demands a great Sum to build forts where he shall think proper, when he comes I will give him your Excellency's Letter. 

I hope you have sent away Your plan for our Bounding Line so necessary to be amicably adjusted for the Good of both Colonies.

I wish you peace and Safety to your province, whilst our grand Plan goes on to the Northward, and am with great Regard and Truth