Letter from John Montgomery, Carlisle, to Governour Penn

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Carlisle, June 3, 1774.

HONOURABLE SIR: I am just returned from the back country. I was up at the place where Courts, are held for Westmoreland County; I found the people there in great confusion and distress; many families returning to this side the mountains, others are about building of forts in order to make a stand, but they are in great want of ammunition and arms, and cannot get a sufficient supply in these parts. I wish some method would be taken to send a supply from Philadelphia; and unless they are speedily furnished with arms and ammunition they will be obliged to desert the country. There is a fine appearance of crops over the mountains, and could the people be protected in saving them, it would be of considerable advantage, in case we should be involved in an Indian war, and obliged to raise troops, to be able to support them with provisions in that country. Captain St˙ Clair has wrote your Honour a full state of affairs in the back country, whose letter I send by express from this place.

I am, honourable sir, your Honour' s most obedient humble servant,

JOHN MONTGOMERY.

To the Hon˙ John Penn, Esq˙, Governour and Commander-in-chief of the Province of Pennsylvania.