To James West Date: MARLBOROUGH, March 1, 1756. SIR, A few days since, Mr. Whitefield and I desired a friend to ask your advice, to whom it would be proper to make an offer of rafting a company of volunteers for His Majesty's service. We apprehended the number would be about five hundred, Finding Mr. Whitefield has since been persuaded that such an offer is premature, I am constrained to make the following independently of him: To raise for His Majesty's service at least two hundred volunteers, to be supported by contributions among themselves; and to be ready in case of an invasion to act for a year (if needed so long) at His Majesty's pleasure; only within . . . miles of London. If this be acceptable to His Majesty, they beg to have arms out of the Towel giving the usual security for their return, and some of His Majesty's sergeants to instruct them in the military exercise. I am now hastening to Bristol on account of the election, concerning which I wrote to my brother last week; but if my return to London would be of any service, you may command, Your obedient servant.