Whereas upon the Recommendation of his Excellency William Shirley Esqr Captain General and Governour in Chief of his Majesty's Province of the Massachusets Bay, That Government and the several other Governments of Kew Hampshire, Connecticut 1^3^ ue Island and this Province, have respectively raised a body of Men, amounting in the \yhole to about four thousand, to be eojployed in an Attempt to erect a Strong Fortress upon an Eminence near the French Fort at Crown point ; And for removing the Incroachments of the French on his Majesty's Lands there.

654 MANUSCRIPTS OF

And his said Excellency having nominated you to be the Commander in Chief of such Provincial Forces the said several Governments have acquiececd therein And whereas his Excellency Major General Braduock Commander in Chief of all his Majesty's Forces in North America hath since approved of your being appointed to that Command And I reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Fidelity Courage and good Conduct Do therefore by Virtue of the powers and. authority to me given by his Majesty constitute and appoint you to be Major General and Commander in Chief of the Forces raised and to be raised by the before mentioned five Governments for the Service of the said Expedition, as also of such Indians as shall assist his Majesty in the same. You are therefore to take upon you the Command of the said Forces and diligently to execute the duty and office of Commander in Chief of the said Expedition duely observing the Instructions which you will receive herewith from me bearing even d^te with these presents. And all the Officers and Soldiers of this province employed in that Service And all others whom it may Concern are required to obey you as their Commander in Chief and to pay due obedience to this your Commission.