I had the favour of Yours of December 24th a few Days ago. I am sorry to find your Assembly, have now in the middle of the War reduc'd their Forces, without waiting to see what occasion there would be for them, the ensuing Campaign, besides I think it was impolitick, for themselves at Present, in Regard to the £50,000, the Crown has obtained from Parliament to be given to The two Carolinas and Virginia: for altho' I have as yet no Orders on that Subject, from the Ministers I see by the Publick Account, that it is to be given according to the Services, that have or shall be done by each Respective Province, of which Whoever has the Division of it must be a Judge, and will be complained of by the other Provinces, if He decides it by any other Rule than that prescrib'd to him. 

Notwithstanding of this Saveing Measure of your Assembly I can have no doubt, that with your Influence, they will readily comply, with what I am to ask of you now, as tis so material for the Kings Service, and cannot be supplied by in any other Shape but by You, and at the same time will be of Material Service to Yourselves which is this. 

As I have found it necessary to engage a Body of the Cherokee Indians, to march to the Northward to assist in carrying on the War against the Enemy, and as they must march thro' Your Province, I must desire that you will endeavour to get Your Assembly to make Provision for Supplying them with Victuals, as they pass [torn] driving Live Cattle to the Places thro' which they [torn] or what other Species of Provisions the Season [can][torn]. 

I expect they will march thro' your Province [torn] middle of April at furthest, and that their Nu[mber] [torn] 500 & 1000, Men. 

I need not use Arguments with you to enforce the measure, as from Your knowledge of the Country, you will [see] the Necessity of it, and the usefullness of the measure of engag[ing] the Indians in the War, against the French