Proposals for raising An Army to the Westward and for effectually Obstructing a communication between the Southern and Northern Governments. ー
As I have by direction from his Excellency Lord Dunmore prepared the Ohio Indians to act in Concert with me against his Majesty's Enemies in that Quarter, and have also dispatched intelligence to the different Officers of the Militia on the Frontiers of Augusta County in Virginia, giving them Lord Dunmore's Assurances (that such of them as shall hereafter evince their Loyalty to his Majesty by putting themselves under my Command when I should appear Amongst them with proper Authority for that purpose) of a confirmation of Titles to their Lands, and the quantity of three hundred Acres to all who take up Arms in the support of the Constitution when the present Rebellion subsided: I will undertake to penetrate through Virginia, and Join his Excellency Lord Dunmore at Alexandria early next Spring on the following Conditions, and Authority. ー
1st That Your Excellency will give me a Commission to Act as Major Commandant of such Troops as I may raise and embody on the Frontiers, with a power to Command to the Westward, and of employing such serviceable French, and English Partisans, As I can engage by pecuniary rewards or otherwise. ー
2dly That your Excellency will give Orders to Captain [Hugh] Lord at the Illinois to remove himself with the Garrison under his Command from Fort Gage to Detroit by the Ouabache bringing with him all the Artillary, stores &ta &ta to facilitate which undertaking he is to have Authority to Hire Boats, Horses, Frenchmen, Indians &ta &ta to proceed with all possible expedition on that Rout, as the Weather may occasionally permit, and to put himself under my Command on his Arrival at Detroit. ー
3dly That the Comissary at Detroit shall be empowered to furnish such provisions, As I may Judge necessary for the good of the Service, and that the Commanding Officer shall be instructed to give every possible Assistance in encouraging the French and Indians of that Settlement to Join me. ー
4thly That an Officer of Artillary be immediately sent with me to pursue such Rout, as I may find most expedient to gain Detroit, with Orders to have such pieces of light Ordnance As may be thought requisite for the Demolishing Fort Dunmore; and Fort Fincastle if resistance should be made by the Rebels in Possession of those Garrisons.
5thly That your Excellency will empower me to make such Reasonable presents to the Indian Cheifs and others, As may urge them to Act with Vigor in the execution of my Orders. ー
6thly That Your Excellency will send to Lord Dunmore such Arms As may be spared in.order to equip such Persons as may be willing to serve his Majesty at our Junction, in the Vicinity of Alexandria &ta &ta
If your Excellency Judge it expedient for the good of the Service to furnish me with the Authority And other requisites I have mentioned, I shall embrace the earliest Opportunity of Setting off for Canada and shall immediately dispatch Lord Dunmore's Armed Schooner (which now awaits my Commands) with an account of what your Excellency has done, and that I shall be ready (if practicable) to Join his Lordship by the 20th of April at Alexandria, where the Troops under my Command may Fortify themselves under the Cover of the men of War on that Station ー
If on the contrary your Excellency should not Approve of what I propose, you will be good enough to Honor me with Your Dispatches to the Earl of Dunmore that I may return as early as possible. ー
[Endorsed] A True Copy