Joseph Dudley letter to Francis Nicholson, 1691 May 7

Copy of Joseph Dudley's letter letter of May 7, 1691 to Francis Nicholson. This copy was sent to William Blathwayt on a sheet with a copy of Simon Bradstreet's letter of April 15, 1691 to Francis Nicholson {MS1946.2.880], Henry Sloughter's letter to Nicholson, dated April 6, 1691 [MS1946.2.881] and his letter to Nicholson dated April 6 [MS1946.2.882].

1 item (4 pages)

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I haue yours of the 11th of March ultimo before mee, wherein
you are pleased to remarque to unto mee, the Honor done you by
their Sacred Majesties in appointing you their Majesties Lieutenant Governor
of Virginia & the desire of your being informed of the state of
this Country; with Reference to the Common Enemy French & Indians.

As I am studious att all times in all things to
approve my Duty & Loyallty unto their Majesties soe likewise to
maintaine a good Intelligence & Correspndence with their Majesties
Governments of the Neighbouring Colonies & Plantacions, in
whatsoever may conduce to their Majestys Service

The unhappy disappointment of our last Summers Enterprize
against the French of Canada & the loss of Men sustained therein
(far more by sickness, then by the sword) has laide us under
noe small disadvantages; In which the Providence of God, by
a long Continuance of contrary Winds & Tempestuous
weather, is more to be taken Notice of then any preparacions
or strength of the Enemy, in the frustrating of the designe. An
account of that affair is long since transmitted to England to bee
laide before their Majesties & Sir William Phipps who had the chief
Command of those Forces, is in person gone home to attend their
Majesties with a particular Narrative thereof

Since October last wee haue not been allarm'd by any motion
of the Enemy; but through Gods mercy haue been free from their
Molestacions all this Winter, not understanding that either the French
or Canada Indians haue come over on this side the Lake.

The Eastern Indians haue held a [crossed out, illegible] Truce these severall
Months; & earnestly sollicite they may bee att Peace, their former
Treacheries make the English more Jealous of them & Scouts are
constantly abroad on the head of the Frontiers to bee observant
of their motions : What will bee farther done with Relation to
them is yet undetermined; what troubles the ensueing Summer
may

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may produce is alone with god; Our present Sollicitude is to make
due provision for our own Security, & to repulse the Assaults
of the Enemy. I suppose no farther advance will bee made
to the Attack of Canada for the present, unless his Majesty shall
please to giue speciall Order or Direction there about. I am
glad to hear that their Majesties Territory under your Government is in
Peace, & pray there may bee a Continuance thereof, And
that all their Majesties Colonies in America, may haue a happy
settlement & lasting tranquillity. There are severall Shipps
in this Port laden for London, & I suppose will saile within
fourteen days at the Longest. What shall occurr to mee
that may bee conducing to their Majesties Service; or concerne
the Security of your parts; I shall take care to transmitt
the Speedy Intelligence thereof unto yourself. And am

Ink on paper