His Majesty having honoured me with the Command of the Troops destined to Act upon the Frontiers of the Southern Colonies, which has no doubt been signified to you by the Secretary of State. 

And as a great part of this force, is to Consist of the Southern Provincial troops of Pensilvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina; I make no manner of Doubt but these Provinces from their known Zeal for the Publick Service, will most Chearfully and Unanimously Join In Raising with the greatest Dispatch, the body of Men Expected from them, for the Defence of their own Confines, and the honour and Support of His Majesty's Dominions in North America. 

I must therefore beg that the Officers and Men employed for this Service, be able body'd good Men, capable of Enduring fatigue, and that their Arms be the best that can be found in the Province. 

As I am given to Understand and have great reason to Expect, that A Body of the Cherokee Indians are to come and join us this Spring on the back Frontiers of Virginia and Pensilvania and as their Route leads them through Your Province of North Carolina, I must therefore beg that you will be so good as to give orders, that they meet with all kind of good usage in their passing, and hope that Mr. Atkins who has the Charge of Indian Affairs, has taken care of their being supplyed with provisions &ca. upon their March. 

As I am a Stranger to the Southern Provinces, and therefore can make no guess of the Distance that the North Carolina troops will have to March in order to Join the Army at Will's Creek upon the Potowmack by the first of May. You will therefore be so good as to regulate their March, and order them to sett out so as that they may Join me by that time. And as provisions cannot possibly be delivered to them upon their March. Each Effective Man that Joins the Army shall be paid four pence Sterling in lieu of provisions from the time he begins his march, untill that he receives provisions from the Stores. 

I must beg Sir that you will give your orders that none but those Men who are good and that Can be depended upon may be sent, as people either inclined to Mutiny or Desert would prove an immense detriment to the Service, at so critical a time, And that you will give Orders to send me an Exact account of the men you have at present in pay, and what Numbers that I may Expect you are to send me, With the route they are to take in order to join me, and the time that they will be ready to set out. And you will order the Officer that Commands them to Correspond with directed for me at Philadelphia. I have the honour to be with great regard