in any respect with the measures Congress are
pursuing or have in view, I shall with pleasure give him the
necessary orders. In order to improve and secure the
advantages gained by Colonel Clark, I propose to support him
with a reenforcement of militia. But this will depend on the
pleasure of the Assembly, to whose consideration the measure
is submitted.

The French inhabitants have manifested great zeal and
attachment to our cause, and insist on garrisons remaining
with them under Colonel Clark. This I am induced to agree
to, because the safety of our own frontiers as well as that
of these people demands a compliance with this request. Were
it possible to secure the St. Lawrence and prevent the
English attempts up that river by seizing some post on it,
peace with the Indians would seem to me to be secured.

With great regard I have the honor to be, Gentn,
Your most obedient servant,
P. HENRY.[294]

During the autumn session of the General Assembly, that body showed
its continued confidence in the governor by passing several acts
conferring on him extraordinary powers, in addition to those already
bestowed.[295]

A letter which the governor wrote at this period to the president of
Congress, respecting military aid from Virginia to States further
south, may give us some idea, not only of his own practical
discernment in the matters involved, but of the confusion which, in
those days, often attended military plans issuing from a many-headed
executive:--

WILLIAMSBURG, November 28, 1778.

SIR,--Your favor of the 16th instant is come to hand,
together with the acts of Congress of the 26th of August for
establishing provision for soldiers and sailors maimed or
disabled in the public service,--of the 26th of September
for organizing the treasury, a proclamation for a general
thanksgiving, and three copies of the alliance between his
most Christian Majesty and these United States.

I lost no time in laying your letter before the privy
council, and in deliberating with them on the subject of
sending 1000 militia to Charlestown, South Carolina. I beg
to assure Congress of the great zeal of every member of the
executive here to give full efficacy to their designs on