I think it my Duty to the King to represent to your Excellency before I go that I have strong reasons to believe great part of the Militia of the Bay of Fundy have no inclination to oppose their Countrymen, shou'd they make an attempt, Officers as well as Men;

& that as there are many Vacancys of Officers if they are fill'd up with Europeans, or others, upon whom Government can depend (& such there are to be found in every District;) it wou'd in a great measure remedy the Evil, as it might not be thought prudent at this time to displace many of the Officers already appointed, particularly those of property & Influence, even altho there may be some reason to suspect them.

I wou'd also Offer to your Excellency's Consideration, the forming a Regiment to Consist of five hundred Men, to be composed of Volunteers & Drafts taken from the Counties of Halifax, Lunenbourg, Queens County, Kings County, Annapolis & Cumberland, taking care that the Officers particularly, are well affected;

the Head Quarters of this Battalion to be at Windsor; & Detachments if you thought proper, to be posted, at Halifax, Annapolis, & Cumberland; their subsistance to be paid according to Our Militia Law, but the Expence to be proposed to General GAGE to be Defray'd from the Military Chest of the Army.

This Regiment wou'd be of Infinite service, for altho their Number might not be equal to the Force the Colony may be attempted with, yet they would be a Body that cou'd soon be augmented whereas without some Corps on whom dependance can be placed to commence with, I fear a very few invaders wou'd over run the whole Province:

& if your Excellency approved of this Measure I most chearfully offer myself for the Command of this Regiment; with which I shou'd hope to be able to make such a Diversion as to Give your Excellency time to bring up the Militia of Halifax, & to collect the Force of great part of the Colony, this plan appears to me the most eligible of any that can be fram'd for the Defence of the Province, upon a supposition that neither the General or Admiral can spare a sufficient Force to protect us.

University of Michigan, William L. Clements Library, Thomas Gage Papers, Volume 133.

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Updated 12/15/99