I BOOK CARD ? Please keep this card in 5 book pocket IJl University: -#^^ P^ndowed by tl; i mJ ^ thrc cr THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL ENDOWED BY THE DIALECTIC AND PHILANTHROPIC SOCIETIES E195 .S55 V. 1 UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00018265299 Th.s book .s due at the LOUIS R. WILSON LIBRARY ot, last date stamped under "Date Due. If not on hold it may renewed by bringing it to the hbrary. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY NEW YORK . BOSTON • CHICAGO DALLAS • SAN FRANCISCO MACMILLAN & CO., Limited LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA MELBOURNE THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Ltd. TORONTO Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill http://www.archive.org/details/correspondenceof01shir CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS AND MILITARY COMMANDER IN AMERICA 1731-1760 EDITED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA BY CHARLES HENRY LINCOLN, Ph.D. TWO VOLUMES V, / Vol. I ^ fccJ C THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1912 All rights reserved Copyright, 1912, By the MACMILLAN COMPANY. Set up and electrotyped. Published April, 1912. Norivood Press J. S. Gushing Co. — Berwick & Smith Co. Norivood, Mass., U.S.A. CONTENTS PAGE Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, December 6, 173 1 . i Thanks the Duke for his recommendation to Governor Belcher. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, July i, 1733 . . . 2 Reasons for refusing post of Judge of Admiralty offered by Belcher, Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, August 4, 1733 • • 4 Asks appointment as Surveyor-General of Woods in America or of Surveyor of Lands in Nova Scotia. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, December 22, 1736 . 6 Massachusetts intends to contest Crown's right to King's Woods fit for the Navy. Mrs. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, March 2, 1736/7 8 Position desired for her husband. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, January ii, 1737/8. 10 Requests post as Attorney-General of Virginia. Mrs. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, July 19, 1738. 11 Asks post of Naval Officer in New England for Shirley. Duke of Newcastle to Mrs. Shirley, July 23, 1738 . 12 Hopes to obtain an appointment for her husband. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, March 3, 1738/9 . . 13 Denies participation in plan to oust Governor Belcher from office. Mrs. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, March 13, 1739/40. IS Appointment of Shirley as Governor of New Hamp- shire. Duke of Newcastle to Shirley, April 5, 1740 ... 17 Expedition against the West Indies. Dissatisfaction with Governor Belcher. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, May 12, 1740 ... 20 Loyalty of New England to the Crown. Hopes to be ^? of service to the King. r CONTENTS PAGE Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, August 4, 1740 . . 22 Assistance offered Governor Belcher in promoting new levies has been declined. Lords of Trade, June 25, 1741 28 Draft of commission to Shirley as Governor of Mas- sachusetts. Mrs. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, July 5, 1741 . 37 As to the appointment of a Naval Officer at Boston. Lords of Trade to Duke of Newcastle, July 22, 1741 38 Transmit instructions for Shirley as Governor of Mas- sachusetts. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, August 23, 1741 . . 39 Acknowledges appointment as Governor. Conditions in province. Lords Justices to Shirley, September 10, 1741 ... 43 General instructions as Governor of Massachusetts. Lords Justices to Shirley, September id, 1741 ... 73 Instructions as to Navigation and Trade Laws. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, October 17, 1741 . 76 Conditions in province. Land Bank scheme. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, January 23, 1741/2 . 79 Royal instructions. Suppression of Land Bank. Re- cruits in province. Shirley to Lords of Trade, April 30, 1742 .... 83 Provincial bills of credit. Effect of act against silver scheme and Land Bank. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, May 4, 1742 ... 86 Promises diligence for his son as naval officer. Speaks favorably of Secretary Willard. Shirley to Lords of Trade, June 23, 1742 .... 87 Regarding settlement of salary upon him. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, September 15, 1742 . 89 Suppression of Land Bank. Forts in the East. Com- mands regarding Josiah Willard. Shirley to Lord President of the Council, November I, 1742 • _ ; . 93 Ordnance for Castle William. Expeditions against Pemaquid and the Spanish West Indies. Shirley to Lords of Trade, January 24, 1742/3 . . 95 Massachusetts bills of credit. CONTENTS PAGE Shirley to Lords of Trade, January 30, 1742/3 . . 98 Land Bank scheme. Acts passed under Belcher gov- ernment not presented for approval of Crown. Shirley to Lords of Trade, March 19, 1742/3 . . . loi Opposition to act to ascertain value of money. Shirley to Lords of Trade, November 7, 1743 . . . 107 Concerning the Land Bank. Incloses act for approval of Crown. France, Declaration of War against Great Britain, March 15, 1743/4 112 Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, March 19, 1743/4 • ^S Ten companies of snow-shoe men raised for Indian war- fare. Will put provincial forces in good condition. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, March 23, 1743/4 . 116 Thanks of Massachusetts for stores received. Great Britain, Declaration of War against France, March 29, 1744 117 Duke of Newcastle to Shirley, March 31, 1744 . . 121 Incloses declarations of war between Great Britain and France. Shirley to General Court of Massachusetts, May 31, 1744 122 Defense of Annapolis Royal until arrival of British forces. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, June 2, 1744 . . . 125 Has proclaimed the war between Great Britain and France. Shirley to John Stoddard, June 2, 1744 127 Declaration of war against France. Proceedings on the frontier. Shirley to John Stoddard, June 3, 1744 128 Order for enlistment of troops for defense of western frontier. Shirley to John Stoddard and Others, June 8, 1744 . 129 Commission as Massachusetts representatives at Albany. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, July 7, 1744 . . . 131 Probable French attack on Annapolis Royal. Arrival of women and children from Canso. Letter from governor of Louisbourg. CONTENTS PAGE Shirley to Lords of Trade, July 25, 1744 . . . . 134 Security of Annapolis Royal. Exchange of prisoners with French. Proposals for neutrality of New Eng- land and Cape Breton. Shirley to Lords of Trade, August id, 1744 . • . 138 Measures taken for defense of Massachusetts. Treaty with Indians renewed. Bills of credit. Great Britain, Crown, September 6, 1744 142 Order in Council approving conduct of Shirley. Great Britain, Crown, September 9, 1744 144 Royal instructions to Shirley, allowing emission of over £3000 in bills of credit for the war. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, September 22, 1744 145 Arrival of French ships at Louisbourg. Probable attack upon Annapolis Royal. Equipment of priva- teers by Massachusetts. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, September 24, 1744 149 Escape of two counterfeiters from Salem gaol. Shirley to Lords of Trade, October 16, 1744 . . . 150 Vessels sent to Annapolis Royal. Relations with Cape Sable and St. John's Indians. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, November 10, 1744 151 Importance of Louisbourg to America is to be shown in England. Shirley to Jonathan Law, November 19, 1744 . . . 152 Outlook to be kept for English deserters from Castle William. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, December 7, 1744 . 153 Forwarding a pipe of wine. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, December 20, 1744. 154 Massachusetts and New Hampshire to act together in any war. Duke of Newcastle to Shirley, January 3, 1744/5 • ^55 Directions as to proceedings against the French. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, January 5, 1744/5 • I57 Arrival of provisions and clothing at Annapolis Royal. Fortifications to be erected on island off Castle William. Shirley to General Court of Massachusetts, January 9, 1744/5 159 Urges an attack upon Cape Breton. CONTENTS PAGE Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, January 14, 1744/5 • 161 Advantages to the French of Cape Breton and Louis- bourg. Reduction of the latter necessary for safety of Nova Scotia, Annapolis Royal, etc. Shirley to Justices of the Peace and Other Officers, January 14, 1744/5 166 Instructions to assist Benning Wentworth in execution of office of Surveyor-General of the King's Woods. Shirley to General Court of Massachusetts, January 19, 1744/5 •.•••. 167 Expedition against Louisbourg and Cape Breton. Shirley to General Court of Massachusetts, January 23, 1744/5 167 Argues in favor of an attack upon Louisbourg. Massachusetts General Court, January 25, 1744/5 • 169 Resolutions in reply to Shirley's proposals for an attack upon Louisbourg. Shirley to Jonathan Law, January 29, 1744/5 • • • 171 Proposals for an expedition against Louisbourg. Shirley to William Greene, January 29, 1744/5 . . 172 Same. Shirley to the Lords of the Admiralty, January 29, 1744/S 173 Same. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, January 31, 1744/5 ^11 Same. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, February 2, 1744/5 17^ Further emissions of paper money. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, February 3, 1744/5 178 Acknowledges aid promised for Louisbourg expedition. Shirley to George Thomas, February 4, 1744/5 • • ^79 Aid furnished by New Hampshire and Rhode Island against Louisbourg. Need of naval assistance. Shirley to Richard Cutt, Jr., February 5, 1744/5 • 181 Instructions for enlistment of volunteers. Shirley to Supervisors of Enlistments, February 13, 1744/5 182 Same. Shirley to William Pepperrell, February 13, 1744/5 183 Enlistment of soldiers in York County. iz CONTENTS PACE Shirley to William Pepperrell, February 14, 1744/5 184 New Hampshire levies to go with Massachusetts troops. Shirley to William Pepperrell, February 17, 1744/s 185 Need of haste in preparation of troops. Shirley to William Pepperrell, February 18, 1744/5 186 Death of writer's daughter. Preparations for Louis- bourg expedition. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, February 26, 1744/5 187 Minor importance of arrangement of troops by com- panies. Shirley to William Pepperrell, February 26, 1744/5 188 Forwards bounty money. Troops to be hurried to Boston. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, March 2, 1744/5 • ^9^ Transportation of troops. Insurance of vessels. Shirley to William Pepperrell, March 8, 1744/5 • • ^93 Orders for embarkation at Boston for Cape Breton. Shirley to Roger Wolcott, March 8, 1744/5 • • • ^93 Incloses commission as second in command in Louis- bourg expedition. Shirley to William Pepperrell, March 19, 1744/5 • ^94 Instructions regarding establishment of court martials. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, March 27, 1745 . . 196 Troops raised for Cape Breton. Has applied to Peter Warren for ships of war. Shirley to William Greene, March 28, 1745 . . . 200 Authorizes impressment for Louisbourg expedition. Shirley to Roger Wolcott, March 30, 1745 .... 201 Behavior of certain officers on Louisbourg expedition. Shirley to General Court of Massachusetts, April 3, 1745 • • 202 Progress made and measures used in Louisbourg expe- dition. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, April 8, 1745 . . . 203 Proposes a second expedition against Canada. Shirley to William Pepperrell, April 10, 1745 . . 205 Progress of Commodore Warren. Other reenforce- ments. Benning Wentworth to Shirley, April 12, 1745 . . 206 Proposals for further conquests. CONTENTS Shirley to William Pepperrell, April 23, 1745 , . Supplies of provisions are being forwarded. John Stoddard to Shirley, April 24, 1745 Fears Six Nations will go over to the French. Shirley to William Pepperrell, April 26, 1745 • • Is forwarding assistance against Louisbourg. Shirley to Jonathan Law, April 27, 1745 Urges military assistance for Hampshire County. Shirley to Jonathan Law, April 27, 1745 Calls attention to fugitives from Massachusetts justice hiding in Connecticut. Shirley to Gideon Wanton, May 3, 1745 Massachusetts deserters hidden in Rhode Island. Shirley to William Pepperrell, May 5, 1745 . . . Arrival of the Princess Mary and Hector. Royal ap- proval of the Louisbourg expedition. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, May 13, 1745 . . . Relating to the expenses of the New Hampshire con- tingent of troops. Shirley to William Pepperrell, May 17, 1745 . . . Advises the dismissal of certain naval auxiliaries. Shirley to William Pepperrell, May 25, 1745 . . . Reenforcements promised by several American colonies. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, June 2, 1745 . . . French and Indians have raised the siege of Annapolis and gone to Louisbourg. Stores sent to Canso. William Pepperrell to Shirley, June 2, 1745 . . . Progress of Louisbourg expedition. Relations with Commodore Warren. Shirley to William Pepperrell, June 3, 1745 Men and ammunition being forwarded to him Shirley to Gideon Wanton, June 6, 1745 . In regard to manning the Vigilant. Shirley to Jonathan Law, June 15, 1745 . Need of reenforcements at Louisbourg. Jonathan Law to Shirley, June 19, 1745 . Massachusetts fugitives hiding in Connecticut Shirley to Gideon Wanton, June 24, 1745 Suggests that an embargo be placed on powder PAGE 208 209 211 212 213 214 216 218 219 221 222 225 227 229 230 231 CONTENTS PAGE William Pepperrell to Shirley, July 4, 1745 • • • 232 Capitulation of Louisbourg. Departure of John Rous for England. Shirley to William Pepperrell, July 7, 1745 . . . 234 Approves terms of capitulation. Considers it necessary for Pepperrell to remain with the troops. Will come to Louisbourg later. Shirley to William Pepperrell, July 7, 1745 . . . 236 Instructs Pepperrell not to agree to Warren's desire to command on land. Further reenforcements are raised for expedition. SniRLEif to William Pepperrell, July 9, 1745 . . . 238 Designates the Ccssar for the Rhode Island seamen. Shirley to Lords of Trade, July 10, 1745 .... 239 An account of the reduction of Louisbourg. Shirley to Penobscot and Norridgewalk Indians, July 12, 1745 • 247 Duplicity of the French. Confidence to be placed in the English. Josiah Willard to Jonathan Law, July 12, 1745 . . 248 Convoy ready for Louisbourg. Indian outbreak in New Hampshire. Shirley to William Pepperrell, July 16, 1745 . . . 249 Plans to come to Louisbourg in the Hector. Hopes Pepperrell will not leave the service at present. William Pepperrell to Shirley, July 17, 1745 • • • 250 Agreement with Warren. Condition of Colonial troops. Awaits with impatience the coming of Shirley. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, July 21, 1745 . . . 251 Repairs upon fortifications at Louisbourg and expenses of maintaining a garrison at that point. Shirley to Jabez Bradbury, July 22, 1745 .... 253 Relating to the Penobscot Indians and hostilities on the St. George's River. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, July 27, 1745 . . . 254 Cares of government have affected his health and for- tune. Shirley to William Pepperrell, July 29, 1745 . . . 256 Is about to sail for Louisbourg. Supplies will be for- warded. Pride in behavior of Massachusetts troops. CONTENTS PAGE Jabez Bradbury to Shirley, July 29, 1745 .... 261 Outbreak among the Penobscot Indians. [Need for assistance. William Pepperrell to Shirley, August 6, 1745 . . 262 French and Colonial forces in Canada. Inadequacy of supplies. Dissatisfaction among the troops. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, September 2, 1745 . 264 Conditions among provincial forces. Probable effort of French to retake Louisbourg necessitates large gar- rison. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, September 27, 1745 . 265 Appreciates royal approval of capture of Louisbourg. Fortress to be put in state of defense. Warren for governor of city. Shirley to William Pepperrell, October 2, 1745 . . 271 Continuance of soldiers of Louisbourg expedition in the royal service. Shirley to William Pepperrell, October 7, 1745 . . 272 Requests appointment of Christopher Kilby as agent of regiment formed from Pepperrell' s troops. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, October 28, 1745 • 273 Official account of the Louisbourg expedition. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, October 29, 1745 . 280 On his return to New England recommends a garrison of four thousand for Louisbourg. Sale of European commodities should be increased. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, November 6, 1745 . 287 Valuable services of officers in Louisbourg expedition. Shirley to Lords of Trade, November 16, 1745 . . 291 Proposals for maintaining control of Louisbourg and Canada. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, November 20, 1745 . 291 Request for coal land in Cape Breton. Shirley to William Pepperrell, November 22, 1745 . 292 Proposes the dismissal of Edward Eveleth. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, December 14, 1745 • 293 Conditions at Louisbourg. Two American regiments to be organized on English establishment. Importance of French post at Crown Point. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, December 17, 1745 3°'^ Abundant Colonial business to occupy the winter. CONTENTS PAOE Shirley to Benning Wentworth, December 31, 1745 30i Action upon appropriation bills as presented. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, January 20, 1745/6 302 Information from Governor Clinton regarding an attack upon Crown Point. William Pepperrell and Peter Warren to Shirley, January 28, 1745/6 • • , 303 Weakness of garrison at Louisbourg through sickness. Need of additional forces and renewal of provisions. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, January 30, 1745/6 306 Enlarged powers for New Hampshire officials. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, February 9, 1745/6 307 Requests permission to recruit his regiment in New Hampshire. William Pepperrell to Shirley, February 20, 1745/6 308 Arrangements for recruiting two regiments on the Eng- lish establishment. Shirley to William Pepperrell, March i, 1745/6 . . 310 Conditions at Louisbourg. Arrangements for relief of garrison. William Pepperrell to Shirley, March 20, 1745/6 . 312 Arrival of troops from Great Britain. Progress in en- listment of Colonial regiments. Shirley to William Pepperrell, April i, 1746 . . . 313 Advises Pepperrell to keep informed regarding regi- mental recruiting. William Pepperrell to Shirley, April 6, 1746 . . . 314 Transportation of troops. Dissatisfaction of officers at Louisbourg. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, April 23, 1746 . . 316 Enlistment of volunteers in New Hampshire. William Pepperrell and Peter Warren to Shirley, May 6, 1746 317 Not prudent to weaken garrison at Louisbourg. Will send troops home only as replaced by volunteers. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, May 27, 1746 . . . 318 Appointment of commissioners to meet others from New York. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, May 31, 1746 . . . 319 Comments upon letter from Duke of Newcastle. Shirley, Proclamation, June 2, 1746 323 Enlistments for expedition against Canada. CONTENTS PAGE Shirley to Benning Wentworth, June 6, 1746 . . . 324 Congratulations on success with New Hampshire assem- bly. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, June 8, 1746 . . . 326 Selection of officers for provincial troops. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, June 18, 1746 . . . 327 Thanks the Duke for recommending him to command. Suggestions as to policy to be followed in Acadie. Shirley and Peter Warren to William Greene, July 4, 1746 .- • •. 329 Expedition against Canada. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, July 7, 1746 . . . 332 Importance of Quebec in a conquest of Canada. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, July 28, 1746 . . . 334 Necessity of British naval control of mouth of St. Law- rence. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, July 29, 1746 . . . 335 Provision for troops prior to their embarkation. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, August 15, 1746 . . 336 Best method of securing loyalty of Nova Scotia. Paul Mascarene to Shirley, August 20, 1746 . . . 337 French movements in eastern Canada. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, August 24, 1746 . . 339 Advises against the abandonment of Cape Breton. Great annoyance caused by French at Crown Point. Shirley and Peter Warren to Benning Wentworth, August 25, 1746 342 Campaign against Canada, with emphasis on movements against fortresses on lakes George and Champlain. Shirley to General Court of Massachusetts, Sep- tember 9, 1746 346 Dangers in Nova Scotia and from fortress at Crown Point. Massachusetts General Court to Shirley, September 10, 1746 350 Diversion of provincial forces from Nova Scotia to Crown Point. Shirley and Peter Warren to Benning Wentworth, September 12, 1746 351 Most advantageous employment of New Hampshire forces. XV CONTENTS Shirley to Paul Mascarene, September i6, 1746 . . 354 Loyal French need not fear transportation. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, September 20, 1746 355 Danger from French fleet. Shirley and Peter Warren to Benning Wentworth, September 23, 1746 356 Grant of men by New Hampshire for defense. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, September 29, 1746 357 Warning to Admiral Lestock of danger from the French. Shirley and Peter Warren to William Greene, Octo- ber 14, 1746 358 Urge Rhode Island to send reenforcements to Nova Scotia. Shirley and Peter Warren to William Greene, Octo- ber 23, 1746 359 Conditions in Nova Scotia. Commission for Edward Kinnicut. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, October 25, 1746 . 361 Forwards examinations of various seamen as to dangers from foreign war vessels. Shirley to William Greene, October 27, 1746 . . . 364 Reenforcements for Annapolis Royal. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, October 28, 1746 . 365 Reenforcements sent to Annapolis Royal. Shirley to William Greene, November 4, 1746 . . . 366 Movements of French. Need for Rhode Island troops. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, November ii, 1746 367 Plans for campaign in Nova Scotia. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, November 12, 1746 . 368 Plans for expedition against Crown Point. Shirley to John Stoddard, November 13, 1746 . . . 370 Dismissal of troops gathered for invasion of Canada. Shirley to Paul Mascarene, December 19, 1746 . . 370 Relative to removal of French from Nova Scotia. Shirley to Benning Wentworth, December 22, 1746 . 373 Disposition of New Hampshire forces. Benjamin Seally and William Furness, December 31, 1746 ; 373| Deposition regarding encounter with French fleet. French plans against Annapolis. CONTENTS PAGE Shirley to Peter Warren, January 2, 1746/7 . . . 376 Reimbursement from England for expenses of Louis- bourg campaign. Shirley to William Greene, January 5, 1746/7 . . 377 Boundary disputes between Rhode Island and Massa- chusetts. Shirley to William Greene, February 7, 1746/7 . . 378 Alliance with Indians in New York dependent upon prompt action. Shirley to William Greene, February 9, 1746/7 . . 379 Aid in Nova Scotia will enable Massachusetts to meet the situation in New York. William Greene to Shirley, February 20, 1746/7 . . 381 Assembly declines to send troops to Crown Point or Annapolis. Josiah Willard to William Greene, March 5, 1746/7 382 Grant by Parliament for expenses of Cape Breton expedition. Shirley to John Stoddard, April 10, 1747 383 Defenses for Massachusetts frontiers. Shirley to Gideon Wanton, May 18, 1747 . . . . 384 Six Nations ready to act against French if rewarded. Hopes Rhode Island can do something. Duke of Newcastle to Shirley, May 30, 1747 . . . 386 Instructions as to completion of regiments of Shirley and Pepperrell. Treatment to be accorded Nova Scotia. Shirley to Selectmen of Boston, June 23, 1747 . . 389 Need of wood. Wishes convoy for eastern vessels. Shirley to Gideon Wanton, June 29, 1747 .... 390 Provincial Congress at Albany in September. Shirley to George Clinton, July 24, 1747 .... 392 Danger of Six Nations going over to the French. Shirley to George Clinton, August 15, 1747 . . . 393 Importance of expedition against Nova Scotia. Re- grets attitude of William Johnson toward John H. Lydius. Shirley to Gideon Wanton, August 20, 1747 . . . 394 Arrangements for exchange of prisoners with Canada. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, August 24, 1747 . . 395 French views regarding Nova Scotia. CONTENTS PAGE Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, August 31, 1747 . . 397 Forwards packet by his son, for whom he requests military experience in Flanders. Shirley to George Clinton, August 31, 1747 . . . 398 Regarding an alliance with Six Nations. Shirley to George Clinton, September 14, 1747 . . 399 Financial assistance from the Crown for an Indian alliance. Duke of Newcastle to Shirley, October 3, 1747 . . 401 Security of Nova Scotia. Importance of Crown Point. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, October 20, 1747. . 404 The French in Nova Scotia. Shirley to Josiah Willard, November 19, 1747 . . . 406 Insults of mob at Boston. Letter from Governor Knowles. Shirley, Proclamation, November 21, 1747 .... 410 Apprehension of rioters in insurrection. Shirley to Lords of Trade, December i, 1747 . . . 412 Riot in Boston regarding impressment. Shirley to Gideon Wanton, December 28, 1747 . . 419 Meeting of commissioners at Middletown. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, December 31, 1747 . 420 General Court wishes to be relieved from impressing seamen for service on warships. William Shirley, Jr., to Duke of Newcastle, Janu- ary 14, 1747/8 424 Presents request of his father that John Shirley be given military experience in Flanders. George Clinton to Shirley, February 17, 1747/8 . . 425 Will endeavor to keep Indians loyal to Crown. Ex- pects liberal grants from provincial assembly. Shirley to George Clinton, March 2, 1747/8 . . . 426 Importance of expedition against Crown Point. Shirley to George Clinton, March 22, 1747/8 . . . 427 Participation of Pennsylvania and New Jersey in cam- paign against Crown Point. Shirley to Six Nations, July 23-27, 1748 429 Negotiations at conference at Albany. Shirley to Marquis La Galissoniere, July 29, 1748 . 437 Position of Six Nations. Exchange of prisoners. CONTENTS PAGE Shirley to George Clinton, August 13, 1748 . . . 441 Political conditions in Massachusetts and New York. Shirley and Clinton to Lords of Trade, August 18, 1748 449 Military and Indian affairs. Shirley to Duke of Bedford, October 24, 1748 . . 456 Participation of the several colonies in Canadian expe- dition. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, October 28, 1748 . 457 Defense of writer's conduct in Canadian campaign. Shirley to Duke of Bedford, January 10, 1748/9 . . 460 Payment of troops in the several colonies. Shirley to Duke of Bedford, January 31, 1748/9 . . 462 Paper currency in Massachusetts and New England. Shirley to James Hamilton, February 20, 1748/9 . . 468 Preparations of French to resist English advance. Shirley to Duke of Bedford, February 27, 1748/9 . 470 Submits general heads of a charter government for Nova Scotia. Shirley, Plan for Civil Government of Nova Scotia. 472 Shirley to Duke of Bedford, April 24, 1749 . . . 478 French plan to settle about Crown Point. Importance of Nova Scotia. Message of Massachusetts Assembly. Shirley to Marquis La Galissoniere, May 9, 1749 . 481 Status of the Abenaqui Indians. Shirley to Duke of Bedford, May 10, 1749 .... 485 Relations with the French in Canada and Nova Scotia. George Clinton to Shirley, May 19, 1749 .... 487 Canadian Indians being stirred up against the English. Need of diligence on part of latter. Shirley to Duke of Bedford, June 18, 1749 .... 488 Conditions in Nova Scotia. Shirley to Spencer Phips, September ii, 1749 . . . 489 Redemption of paper money in Massachusetts. Direc- tions for administration of the government. JosiAH WiLLARD TO Shirley, December 11-19, 1749 • 49^ Financial and political conditions in Massachusetts. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, January 23, 1749/50 493 Vindication of writer's administration of Massachu- setts. Pleasant relations with the people. xix CONTENTS PAGE Shirley to Josiah Willard, February 13, 1749/50 . . 498 Cessation of paper currency in Massachusetts. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, March 28, 1750 . . 499 Hopes to receive favors equal to those shown Cornwallis. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, April id, 1750 . . 505 Services rendered to Crown in America. Josiah Willard to Spencer Phips, April, 1750 . . . 506 Money received from Crown is to establish new system of currency. Release of captives in Canada. Shirley to Duke of Newcastle, September 7, 1750 . 508 Asks appointment as Governor of New York. ILLUSTRATIONS Portrait of William Shirley Frontispiece A Plan of the Siege of Louisbourg, 1745 . facing page 218 An Autograph Letter of William Shirley facing page 410 XX, INTRODUCTION William Shirley was one of the few popular English governors in America during the Colonial period. Born in Sussex County, England, on December 2, 1694, he was de- scended from an old and distinguished English family. The son of a London merchant, he was for a considerable time identified with that center of the English world as a law- yer, and there acquired a good knowledge of the intrigues which characterized the Court of George II and the methods employed to secure results in the government of Great Britain. Coming to America in 173 1, he, ten years later, be- came a governor of Massachusetts, approved by the people of that colony and trusted by his official superiors at Lon- don. The words used by Mrs. Shirley in her letter to the Duke of Newcastle, March 2, 1737, when seeking office for her husband, contained much truth : "From his own capacity and the general esteem the people have for him, he may be of great service to the Crown, and I am sure will employ his utmost ability and industry in return for any favors bestowed on him, and I may venture to say the King wants such men in America." Shirley's experience in America during the ten years preceding his appointment as governor was a good prepara- tion for his duties as chief executive of the colony, and con- tributed much to the efficiency shown by him in that posi- tion. As Surveyor of the King's Woods he learned the value of the forests of New England, and particularly of the tall pines reserved for use as masts in the royal navy; and the knowledge of the geography and resources of north- eastern America gained when in this office served him in good stead in the defense of the country during his fifteen years of warfare against the French and Indians in his double position as governor of Massachusetts and Military Com- INTRODUCTION mander in America. In 1733 Shirley was offered the post of Judge of Admiralty by Governor Belcher. Writing to the Duke of Newcastle on July i of that year, he declared that the position tendered him was dependent upon the good will of the Provincial Assembly, and that for this reason he could not, as judge, adequately defend the rights of the Crown in America ; he felt himself therefore bound to de- cline the honor extended him. In 1734 he became "the King's only Advocate-general in America" {i.e. all of New England except Connecticut), and on January 2, 1737-8, he applied to Newcastle for the post of Naval Officer for Massachusetts, a position which Governor Belcher's son- in-law was seeking at the hands of Sir Robert Walpole ; but he was unsuccessful in this application. While thus acquiring a reputation as a loyal champion of the King's interests and avoiding so far as possible any open break with Belcher, Shirley gained popularity with the people of Massachusetts and was chosen by the Assembly to serve on the commission to determine the boundary line between that colony and Rhode Island. Meanwhile the boundary dispute between Massachusetts and New Hampshire had become intense. Into the merits of this dispute or the arguments of the disputants it is unneces- sary to enter, but the results of the contest were important in determining Shirley's future. Governor Belcher retired from his post as head of the two colonies, and a little later was appointed chief executive of New Jersey. Newcastle, who appears to have promised the collectorship of the port of Boston to Mrs. Shirley for her husband, and despite that pledge had then given the position to Charles Henry Frank- land, found in Belcher's retirement an opportunity of redeem- ing his promise to do something for Shirley. He could at the same time solve a colonial difficulty and reward an efficient officer, who had been selected by his constituency to serve in the settlement of a similar dispute with a sister colony and was familiar with its merits. Separating the government of New Hampshire from that of Massachusetts, Newcastle offered to Shirley the post of chief executive of INTRODUCTION the latter colony, and this offer was promptly accepted. Shirley entered at once upon his new duties, his appointment being made on May i6, and the draft of his commission bear- ing date of June 25, 1741. His period of service as gov- ernor extended to 1756, and during the year following Brad- dock's defeat and death in 1755 he was Commander in Chief of the British forces in America. Thus far no adequate biography of Governor Shirley has been published. Mr. J. A. Doyle has given a gen- eral outline of his life and work in the Dictionary of Na- tional Biography, but this is merely a sketch. Bancroft, Parkman, and other American writers have reviewed the period of his governorship, but so long as the Shirley correspondence remained in large part unpublished, suffi- cient basis for a true estimate of his character was lacking. The friendship of the New England governor with the royalist Hutchinson seems to have prejudiced some of Amer- ica's early historians, but writers of a later period have been more impartial in their estimates. As the feeling between the mother country and her American daughter has become more friendly, the harsh judgment which American writers were only too willing to pass upon British appointments In the colonies has given place to more just appreciations. It remains true that Shirley was an office seeker, but who among his contemporaries was not ^ Official favor, due in part at least to his wife's influence with Newcastle, gave him his position as governor of Massachusetts ; but had the Colonies and the Crown been as well served by other in- termediaries as by William Shirley their relations would have been much more cordial than those generally exist- ing during the eighteenth century. Shirley's abilities may have been disproportionate to his ambitions, but in many respects the Massachusetts governor was in advance of his time. He saw distinctly the real issue between Great Britain and France in America, and repeatedly presented the ques- tion to his superiors at London, urging adequate support for Colonial effort. He discovered in the common weal the true basis of Colonial loyalty and sought to promote that INTRODUCTION end. Nor did he insist that all the credit for success should be his own. As he wrote Governor Wentworth of New Hampshire, when in March, 1755, he was urging the appoint- ment of Sir William Johnson to command the expedition against Crown Point: "Provided his Majesty's service in so essential a point as the present one is consulted, I care not who takes the lead in any punctilios attending it." William Shirley's work in America was confined to no single line. Succeeding Jonathan Belcher as governor of Massa- chusetts in May, 1741, he carried through many civic reforms in that province for which his predecessor had labored. Perhaps the greatest of these was the establishment of a sound currency system. At Shirley's accession the rela- tive values of silver and paper were as four to one. Land banks and other devices of the time were the suggested forms of relief, but Shirley considered none of them an ade- quate solution of the problem. Taking advantage of a successful war, he secured compensation from Great Britain for the expense of Massachusetts in the northern campaigns, and by reserving for the redemption of Colonial paper the coin received, he succeeded in fixing the colonial currency on a specie basis, giving Massachusetts the name of "the hard money Colony," a name she bore until the Revolution. In the field of military effort Shirley's achievements were no less admired. If not a great general he was no mean strategist, and he knew how to work with provincials. As both Great Britain and France were careless of the wel- fare of their American Colonies, much depended upon the latter's capacity to care for themselves. Shirley realized this fact and sought to make united action follow union of interests. No such aid came to him as his efforts deserved or as Pitt supplied to his successors, but the New England governor accomplished much. Reconciling Admiral Sir Peter Warren and Sir William Pepperrell, and arousing enthusiasm throughout New England, Shirley gave the mother country her one great victory in King George's war by the capture of Louisbourg. Of this expedition Doyle writes in his sketch of Shirley: "Probably every INTRODUCTION prudent strategist would have deemed the scheme foolhardy." In the somewhat similar case of the attack upon Quebec by Wolfe fourteen years later, Parkman, in his " Conspiracy of Pontiac," states that the problem how to invest the city or even bring the army of Montcalm to action "might have perplexed a Hannibal " ; but in each of these campaigns, as so frequently in military activities, fortune favored the attacking party. With Shirley, as with Wolfe, the bolder course led to victory, and success justified the venture. The New England governor's letter of November 6 to Newcastle shows his willingness to share the credit of his victory with his associates and subordinates in command, thus securing their continued loyalty. In the words of the author of the anonymous Lettre d'un Habitant de Louisbourg the capture of the fortress " was an enterprise less of the English nation and its King than of the inhabitants of New England alone." I Gratified by Shirley's success in Cape Breton, the Ministry accepted his plans for the further conquest of Canada in 1746-1747, and America responded to the request of the Massachusetts governor with over 8000 provincial troops drawn mainly from the northern colonies. Another ener- getic and profitable campaign seemed assured, and had good fortune added the cooperation of the English navy as she had in the movement against Louisbourg, Shirley might have obtained a still higher military reputation. British regulars were to cooperate with the American forces, but this portion of the plan miscarried, partly because of bad weather detaining the English fleet, and partly because of the blunders of the London government, and as a result nothing of importance was accomplished against the French in America during the remainder of the war. The corre- spondence of the period is worthy of publication, however, if for no other reason than to show the extent to which Amer- ica's loyalty and enthusiasm had been aroused by the success- ful leadership of Pepperrell, Wolcott, and Shirley in the Louisbourg campaign. Another consequence of the Louis- bourg victory was to bring forward Shirley's opinion on a question of State policy which has since then caused almost INTRODUCTION ceaseless discussion. How shall the treatment of Acadia by Great Britain be regarded ? The question has been an- swered hy poets, novelists, and historians, and has been answered in widely differing ways. The problem of the treatment of a hostile population in conquered territory is not an easy one to solve. The defense of the country was left to Shirley by the British Ministry, and it was upon Shirley that Lieutenant Governor Mascarene of Annapolis called when the English possessions seemed in danger. Shirley was the most pronounced defender of British and Colonial rights in America up to the time of Pitt and Wolfe. From the best information obtainable he believed the native population of Acadia hostile to the English. In October, 1745, he wrote to Newcastle that "all the people beside all the Indians" would join the French troops if France should invade the peninsula. The French governor of Canada shared this opinion and wrote his superiors at Paris to the same effect. In June, 1746, Shirley favored the removal of "the most obnoxious of the French inhabitants of Nova Scotia," but he did not believe in the indiscriminate removal of the natives, preferring rather to have a new population from Ulster and Hanover placed among the old, thus decreasing if not entirely overcoming the danger of insurrection. As he wrote Newcastle on November 21, 1746, his plan was that of "treating the Acadians as subjects, confining their punish- ment to the most guilty and dangerous among 'em, and keep- ing the rest in the country and endeavoring to make them useful members of society under his Majesty's Government." Again on July 8, 1747, speaking of Nova Scotia, Shirley ad- vised that the French population of but one district be trans- planted into New England. He adds: "If the 2000 New England men were to share among 'em that district upon condition of their settling there with their families in such a defensible manner as they should be directed to do . . . the inhabitants of the two other districts would be constantly held to their good behavior, and by intermarriages and the spreading of the English settlement the whole province might become English Protestants." The same arguments INTRODUCTION are advanced by Shirley in his letter of May 8, 1754, to Sir Thomas Robinson, but they received no more attention than nine years earlier. Had the proposals of the Mas- sachusetts governor been vigorously carried out by New- castle, the adherence of Acadia might have been secured in 1746, the question would have been settled, and the removal of her inhabitants in 1755 avoided. In 1749 Shirley obtained leave of absence from America, and in the following year was sent to Paris to assist in nego- tiating with France a settlement of the Canadian boundary, but the negotiations were indecisive. The memorials of the French and English Commissioners "concerning the limits of Nova Scotia or Acadia," the latter signed by Shir- ley and his colleague, are In the Public Record Office at London, but as they are of little interest in connection with Shirley's work in America, they have not been used in these volumes. The English memorial is dated at Paris, January 11, I75i,and with the French case makes a large printed book. When in Paris, Shirley privately married the daughter of his landlord as his second wife, but this marriage impaired neither his hostility to the French, nor his loyalty to Colony and Crown. On his return to Boston in 1753 he again urged the prime minister to activity in support of Colonial effort against French hostility, and made a good beginning for an offensive campaign by conciliating the Indians and erecting fortifications along the Maine border. Meanwhile the wrangling of Newcastle and Bedford, and the mistake of Fox in angering the Duke of Cumberland, prevented singleness of purpose at London and effective action In uniting the American Colonies "by a well-con- certed scheme . . . for their mutual defense " as proposed by the New England governor in January, 1754. The French and Indian War followed, with the American Colonies divided in interests and jealous of each other's success. Shirley's work in America during the period of his mili- tary command, 1755-1756, compared favorably with any- thing done in the British War Office. Five months before the English declaration of war he had a well-planned scheme INTRODUCTION for an offensive campaign prepared, with Crown Point, Niagara, and Fort Duquesne as its objective points ; but lack of support compelled its abandonment and increased the difficulties under which he labored. If there grew up a suspicion that he had been given more to do than his military experience warranted, the lack of confidence in the outcome of the war felt by Pitt in England or Sir William Johnson in America was not assuaged by Shirley's dismis- sal in 1756. Newcastle distrusted all his political lieuten- ants and the Colonial governments distrusted each other. America's experience with Braddock had not increased her confidence in British commanders, and difficulties as to the comparative rank of British and Colonial officers at once arose. The inefficiency of Webb and Abercromby, Shir- ley's successors, each hampered by the knowledge that his command was provisional, held preparations for the war in suspense when efficiency was essential and delay ruinous. The Earl of Loudoun, succeeding to the chief command on May 20, 1756, was little better than his immediate prede- cessors. Shirley had not hesitated in time of action. His energy had led him to take the initiative against Louisbourg in 1745, and he had continued the mainstay of British authority in America since that date. In Franklin's opin- ion Shirley would, if continued in power, have made a campaign much superior to that of Loudoun. As to the latter's capacity in the field, Shelbourne was not far astray when he characterized him as a pen-and-ink man whose greatest energies were put forth in getting ready to begin. The estimation in which Loudoun was held by Pitt is made clear by a study of the latter's correspondence with the Colonial governors and military commanders in America, and that statesman recalled him in December, 1757, so soon as political conditions would allow. Regarding the capac- ity of Shirley, Franklin continues in his Autobiography : "Though not bred a soldier, he was sensible and sagacious in himself, attentive to good advice from others, capable of forming judicious plans and quick and active in carry- ing them into execution." INTRODUCTION Under conditions such as have been pictured, the imme- diate effects of a change of commanders upon British pros- pects in America is self-evident. The progress of the war was not aided by the official declaration that no provincial officer should rank above a captain of regulars, this being the effect of a Royal order of May 12, 1756, ranking all gen- eral and field officers holding provincial commissions as captains when serving with regular troops. General in- dignation was aroused in America, and in certain cases the provincials declined to serve with the regulars. No such affront had been offered Pepperrell's Colonial troops during the Louisbourg campaign of 1745, and Shirley would have had no desire to anger such able lieutenants as Bradstreet, Lyman, and Winslow in the campaign of 1756, when their aid was most needed. Although treated with scant courtesy by the new commander, and charged indeed with foment- ing the Colonial dissatisfaction, Shirley at this time did his best to smooth out the difficulties between Loudoun and the New England officers, and wrote strong letters to Winslow to promote harmony. Loudoun's reply to these efforts was to urge Shirley's immediate return to England, and to insist that the charges against the late commander be laid before the Massachusetts Assembly. The letters of Shirley to the English government present his defense against the charges of Loudoun so adequately that there is no need to enlarge upon the subject in this place. As has been said. Governor Shirley knew how to work with the provincial leaders. He had little of the blustering ar- rogance which Parkman finds in Braddock and Amherst. It was not merely his position as governor of the most popu- lous New England colony that gave Shirley his influence with Governor Wentworth of New Hampshire, Governor Law of Connecticut, or Governor Greene of Rhode Island. He sought their assistance when it was needed and showed appreciation of their aid when given. Although Shirley's relations with New York were less pleasant, the blame for this cannot be laid wholly on the shoulders of the Massa- chusetts governor, and his correspondence with Governors INTRODUCTION Morris, Sharpe, and Dinwiddle was most friendly. Shir- ley's wisdom appears when he turns for counsel to that leader among Americans, Benjamin Franklin, at a time when that statesman's ability was unrecognized in his own province of Pennsylvania. Agreeing with Franklin that the colonists must work together if they were to work effi- ciently, Shirley allowed no controversy over boundaries to interfere with united Colonial action when the latter was necessary, yet he abandoned no claim to territory when he considered the rights of Massachusetts or of the Crown endangered. In the formulation of a policy against the French in America, Shirley's work was creation not imita- tion. It was pioneer work done in the face of difficulties and doubts which his successors were not compelled to meet. The New England governor received meager support from London; his plans had to be adjusted to limited means, yet he accomplished much for British supremacy in the new world. It is upon his honesty of purpose, his prescience of the future of America, and his loyalty to Crown and Colony that William Shirley's claim to distinction rests, and upon them it rests securely. Dismissal from office did not destroy his loyalty to the King or his love for Massa- chusetts. He made no effort to embarrass either Spencer Phips or Thomas Pownall, who followed him as governors at Boston, and did much, before returning to Great Britain, to aid the Earl of Loudoun, his ultimate successor in mili- tary command in America. In his letter of September 13, 1756, to the several provincial governors, he urges "that it will certainly be right to strengthen Lord Loudoun as much as possible." After reaching England, Shirley was vindicated from the unwarranted charges made against him, and on January 30, 1759, he was appointed a heuten- ant general in the army. Through the Duke of New- castle he obtained also the post of Governor of the Baha- mas, to which he was appointed on July 24, 1761, a poor reward for his service in Massachusetts, but affording an occu- pation preferable to idleness. In 1769 Shirley succeeded in turning this post over to his son, and in 1770 he returned to INTRODUCTION New England and settled at Roxbury, Massachusetts, where he died on March twenty-fourth of the next year, in the colony whose prosperity he had done so much to advance, and in whose welfare he had been so deeply interested. The abundance of Shirley material available to the com- piler has made it impossible to print in full even that part of the correspondence consisting of letters from the Massa- chusetts governor. Shirley Manuscripts, already published and easily accessible, have, with the exception of those necessary to give an impartial presentation of their author, been confined to notes ; many have been omitted or barely mentioned. A large amount of material thus far unpub- lished has been treated in the same manner. Many let- ters addressed to the governor or executive officials of other colonies have been omitted, as their publication comes more properly within the field of state records or correspon- dence of other individuals prominent in their respective colonies. The correspondence here printed aims to give a clear view of William Shirley as Governor of Massachusetts and Mili- tary Commander in America. In the accomplishment of this purpose some three hundred and forty letters and other manuscripts from Shirley are printed in the body of the text, and over fifty additional papers are printed or referred to in the accompanying footnotes. Many letters other than those from Shirley have been included In the main text, making a total of over four hundred and fifty manuscripts here printed. Among these are a few from his wife, whose influence with the Duke of Newcastle did so much toward securing for the governor his position at the head of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Frances Shirley was a woman of no mean powers, and her family position gave her access to the Duke of Newcastle. A believer in her husband's ability, she Impressed that belief upon the prime minister, and secured an opportunity for Shirley such as otherwise he could hardly have hoped to obtain. No more could the assistance given Shirley by Sir William Pepperrell nor the relations existing between the Massachusetts governor INTRODUCTION and men like Sir William Johnson, Benjamin Franklin, and the Earl of Loudoun be disregarded. To furnish a true setting for the Shirley correspondence, certain letters of those national characters have been published, but lack of space has limited their number, as it has the letters from the Duke of Newcastle and other government officials at London. With letters from prominent men have been included some from writers less distinguished. A noteworthy writer does not necessarily mean a letter of surpassing interest, and a man of less reputation may write an extremely illumi- nating account of events occurring under his immediate observation. Shirley autographs are of most weight, but occasionally it happens that what a man writes is of less importance than the replies which his letters call forth from their recipients. The subordinate can state his honest convictions to his chief and give a true account of existing difficulties when called upon by his superior officer. The leader is kept silent frequently by his sense of responsi- bility for each word or opinion given or by fear of alienat- ing support. From this point of view we realize the impor- tance of letters from Shirley's military subordinates, such as Williams and Pepperrell, Hale and Bradstreet, and from Colonial governors, such as Wentworth, Sharpe, and Morris. An added significance for the same reason is at- tached to Shirley's letters to Robinson, Fox, and their fellow officials at London. Together with the instructions and other communications received from the Home Government, these letters form the body of the correspondence here printed. About them gather the more local letters and an effort has been made to keep the local subordinate to the national. In some instances portions of long letters have been omitted, but in case of such as have been hitherto un- published this has been very rarely done, and in every case it has been indicated. The editor has considered it wiser to give the whole of important letters even at the possible cost of decreasing the number included in the text rather than to risk the danger of an incomplete and possibly in- accurate presentation of the writer's views. INTRODUCTION The Importance of this series of letters here printed needs no emphasis. The significance of the fifteen years covered by Shirley's period of office is not to be lost in the brilliancy with which the Seven Years' War closed. The encouragement of a vigorous Colonial spirit was as valuable to the empire in America as was the alliance with Frederick of Prussia to the cause of Great Britain in Europe. As much as any leader of the time Shirley recognized the importance of the conflict in America and his counsels were of no mean order. In 1758 Governor Pownall of Massachusetts stated In a letter to Pitt and In words very like Shirley's what should be done, and even recalled 1748 and 1754 as the time when the forward policy should have been agreed to by the Crown. Plans very like the ones Shirley urged were the guides for the final victory over the French, and his influ- ence cannot be disregarded in a search for the cause of the union of the English settlers in America against that nation and their later growth into one people. The manuscripts printed in these two volumes have been secured for the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America from the originals in the Public Record Office and British Museum In London, from the collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society and the State Archives in Boston, from the Library of Congress In Washington, from the Historical Societies of Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Maryland, and from other widely separated sources. Important letters have been found In smaller collections, and mention should be made of the kindness shown by the librarian of the New York State Library among others, but the editor's reliance has been placed mainly on the records at London, Washington, and Boston. All persons using this publication will appreciate the care with which Miss Mary T. Martin of London and Miss Bea- trice M. Davis of Washington have examined the manu- script archives of the London depositories and the Library of Congress respectively, and the accuracy with which they have made copies of such letters as were desired. In be- half of the Society the editor wishes to thank Mr. Worthing- INTRODUCTION ton C. Ford, Editor of Publications in the Massachusetts Historical Society, Professor Charles M. Andrews of Yale Uni- versity, and Dr. J. Franklin Jameson, Director of the Depart- ment of Historical Research in the Carnegie Institution of Washington for help given. To each of these gentlemen the editor wishes also to acknowledge his personal debt, and particularly to the last-named scholar to whose sugges- tion and assistance this publication is largely due. Charles Henry Lincoln. xxxlv CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ My Lord, The Gratitude due to yr Grace for the protection, wch yr Grace's Letter has afforded me in this distant part of the World ; as well as the Justice due from me to his Excel- lency Governr Belcher in acknowledging the Civilities, wch I have received from him on acct of yr Grace's recommen- dation, will, I hope, sufficiently excuse me to yr Grace for troubling you wth a Letter from these parts, where I am lately arriv'd wth my family, and shall make it the chief Business of my Life to endeavour to merit that Notice, wth which yr Grace has been pleas'd to favour me. I have had yet but a short Acquaintance wth my Country- men in America ; But it is no small Recommendation of their good sense to me, that they think it part of their Happi- ness, that they are within yr Grace's province, and I have often wth much pleasure, since my arrival among 'em, heard 'em mention that distinguishing part of yr Grace's Character that the Honours & Wealth, wch the Generality of first Ministers seek to obtain by means of their publick Stations, yr Grace brought along wth you into the Service of yr Country ; in which service that you may long continue is not only the wish of every true Englishman in Great Britain, 1 P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 898, 249. VOL. I — B I CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY But in every part of his Majesty's Dominions, and of none more sincerely than of, My Lord, Yr Grace's most Dutifull & oblig'd Humble Servt W. Shirley. Boston, Deer. 6, 1731. P.S. At his Excellency's Desire Mr Belcher his youngest son has the Honr to deliver this into yr Grace's hands. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ' My Lord, Governour Belcher, to whom I am indebted for much civility and friendship upon yr Grace's Recommendation having inform'd me that he has given yr Grace an Account of a Vacancy here by the Death of the late Judge of the Admiralty ; and that I have refus'd his Nomination to it ; I take the Liberty, least I should seem not to have made a right use of that favour which yr Grace's Countenance and Goodness have procur'd for me more than any Merit of my own ; to trouble yr Grace wth a short acct of the Circum- stances of that post. . The Jurisdiction of it is at present entirely unsettled by the Constant prohibitions of the provincial Judges in all Cases concerning Breaches of Trade, tho' never so plainly giv'n by Act of Parliamt to be try'd by the Court of Ad- miralty, such prohibitions being popular things, and all Officers here being Creatures of the House of Representa- tives, tho' naturally by their Office and Relation to the Crown they should exert themselves in favour of the pre- rogative and Revenue, because the House in effect pays 'em, and marks every one who is in the least suspected to be not mere slaves of theirs. In the next place there is at ^ B. M., Additional Manuscript J2688, J/. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY present an Attempt to destroy the Court totally by sinking the perquisites and fees of the Judge from abt thirty pounds a year Sterl to fifteen, and accordingly at the Instigation of a Gentleman, whose name I believe yr Grace is no stranger to, Dr. Cook of Boston, to please the populace, prosecutions Civil, and Criminal were commenc'd agt the late worthy Judge, who before his Death had spent two hundred pounds New England Currency in the Defence of himself and his Officers, and had two Cases sent home by way of Complaint, (an Appeal being deny'd him) to his Majesty in Council just before his Death, which are not yet determin'd ; and all this persecution of him carry'd on notwithstanding the known Opinion of the Judges of our Superior Court, who had not courage to take the Judgmt of the point of Law upon themselves, as they were bound to do by their Oaths, but rather chose to deny him the Common Justice of con- sidering his plea, because he would not submit to give such a plea as would bring it to the Examination of a Jury. So that to have accepted this post in it's present situation, would have reduc'd me to the hard Choice of sacrificing the Court to a mean popularity, or making a sacrifice of myself in the defence of it ; the first neither honourable nor honest, and the last not prudent.^ But if there should be any prospect of these Grievances being redress'd any way by their Lordships of the Admiralty, and a support provided for the Judge in the discharge of his Duty ; No one would, my Lord, be more sensible or Ambitious of the Honour of such a post ; which would yet not be too late, should the sum be so alter'd, their Lordships not having yet dispos'd of it; so tho' I refus'd the Govr's. Nomination, I will with the utmost resignation submit to yr Grace's Determination for me in this matter. . . . ^ Although Shirley was a popular official in America, he did not gain his popularity by a sacrifice of the rights of the Crown or the prerogatives of its representatives in America. He was ever a believer in a strong central government, considering it a necessity in the conditions existing in America during the struggle between the Colonists and the French. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY I should not have troubled yr Grace wth this Imperti- nent account of a little Office, had it not been for his Ex- cellency's letter to yr Grace concerning my refusal of it ; which made me jealous even of a bare possibility of being thought foolishly neglectfull of making use of an Opportu- nity for my own Interest, wch yr Grace's Goodness had procur'd for me. We have just receiv'd Advice by Sr. John Randal, that the House of Commons has treated Dr. Cook's late Memorial to 'em agt his Majesty's Instruction to his Govr concern- ing the Supply of the Treasury, with due resentmt and In- dignation, wch sounds like a Thunderclap in the Ears of his Mob and the House of Representatives. His Excellency abt a fortnight ago try'd his strength wth him in Council, and turn'd him out from being Judge of the Court of Common pleas. I am, my Lord, in all Duty and Gratitude Yr Grace's most Obedt Humble Servt. W. Shirley. Boston N. England July i. 1733 WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE 1 Boston, New England, Augt. 4, 1733. My Lord, Colonel Dunbarr having wrote to Sir Robert Walpole, desiring his Majesty's leave to sell two of his Commissions, one of Surveyor Genl. of his Majesty's Woods in North America, and the other of Surveyor of his Lands in Nova Scotia, and in the mean time having sent a Genl. power to Mr. Silas Hooper a Mercht. in London to sollicit that Affair and to agree with any person at home for the Sale of the ^ B. M., Additional Manuscript 32688, 44. A transcript is in the Library of Congress, and a second copy is in Additional Manu- script J2688, 42. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Commissions, in case he can obtain leave to sell, upon what Terms he can get ; wch I have certain knowledge of, having my self drawn the power to Mr. Hooper by the Colonel's direction, and had a particular Account of his Letter to Sir Robert from a Gentleman who read it and forwarded it to England ; I once more take the liberty of troubling your Grace with a petition, begging the favour that I may have such preference in the purchase, if the Colonel has leave to sell, as yr Grace's Goodness shall think proper to give me. Both the Commissions are worth 400 lb per Ann, the Salary of each being 200 lb ; And I would propose to pay the Colonel's Agent in England 600 lb upon his resignation, in case yr Grace should bestow on me the favour of being his Successor. And as the holding these posts seems precari- ous, one Mr. Burniston the Colonel's immediate predecessor in the survey of the Woods having been superseded by the Colonel, and another person before by Mr. Burniston within a few Years ; I scarcely think that any prudent person would venture to give above 800 lb for 'em, even if they were posts at home ; But as I may be mistaken, I would submit to any Terms, that shall be thought proper for me to take 'em upon ; One of my Clients here having been so good as to offer Vol- untarily to furnish me wth the Money for that purpose. If thro' yr Grace's Goodness I succeed the Colonel, I shall endeavour to establish my self in the posts by a faith- full Discharge of my particular Duty in the Execution of my Commissions, and a Distinguish'd Zeal in his Majesty's Service in all other respects to the utmost of my power ; And should I be so happy as to be continu'd in 'em for some Years, the salary from England, with frugal Managemt, would restore my Family, and for ever command my Gratitude to yr Grace for their Happiness. In hopes that this may be an happy Crisis of my Affairs by yielding a proper Opportunity for yr Grace's Goodness to distinguish me, I am My Lord Yr Grace's most Devoted, and Oblig'd Humble Servant ,,7. ^ W. Shirley. 5 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY P.S. If the Colonel should not obtain leave to sell, and should resign ; I would beg yr Grace's favour for both or one of the Commissions. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ' Boston, N. England, Deer. 22, 1736. My Lord Duke, His Majesty's Woods in the Province of New Hampshire and the Massachusett's bay in New England being one of the most valuable productions of the plantations in North America to the Crown & esteem'd at home of such Conse- quence to the Royal Navy that the parliamt has made several penal Laws for the preservation of 'em ; I thought the inclos'd case, wch is stated for the Attorney & Sollicitor Genl's Opinions might deserve yr Grace's Notice, as the care of these Woods is within yr Grace's province ; & that it was my Duty to make this Representation to yr Grace concerning 'em. The Tract of Land in Question, wch is 120 miles square, contains the largest & most valuable part of all the King's Woods fit for the use of the Royal Navy ; and to my cer- tain Knowledge the Massachusett's Governmt are deter- min'd to contest the Crown's right to 'em, & for that pur- pose have maintained & supported at the Province Charge, the Defence agt the two Appeals lately brought before his Majesty in Council in the two Actions mention'd in the Inclos'd Case, & sent directions to the Agent of their Prov- ince in England to take care of it. The suppos'd Defect in the Crown's right to the Trees set forth in the case, if it should be thought so by the At- torney and Sollicitor Genl, may at present be easily cur'd by purchasing in one Gentleman's right in this province, which may now be done upon reasonable Terms before the province is appriz'd of the Defect ; but if they should come 1 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 899, 185. 6 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY to the Knowledge of it, they would soon forestall the Crown in the purchase of that right, or at least render it very diffi- cult to be obtain'd ; And should the people of the Province get but the Shadow of a Title to these Trees the Crown's claim to 'em, wch now labours with Difficulties, tho guarded with two penal Acts of Parliamt, would be so weaken'd that I don't think Workmen would be found in the province, who would venture to cut any for the service of the Crown. Another Consequence, My Lord, which would attend the purchase of this right, if it is a good one, is this : It would then be in the Power of the Crown to unite this Tract of Land, wch of itself is a considerable one, being the best for Soil & Trees (except the other Eastern parts of the Prov- ince, wch lie contiguous to it) together wth those other Eastern parts to his Majesty's Province of New Hamp- shire, by wch it is bounded on the other side, & out of 'em all to form the best province in North America wch would be of a larger extent than England, & the chief, if not only Magazine of Naval Stores in New England, has the best Harbours & Bays in the King's Dominions, and is more in request wth new Settlers of all Nations at this time than any part of New England ; Whereas at present New Hamp- shire wch is the only King's Province (as it is term'd here) in New England, & is surrounded with three Charter Prov- inces, all thriving & flourishing, is a weakly, declining Col- ony situated in the bosom of the Massachusett's Province between the Massachusett's Old bounds, & this Tract of Land, & so poor as not to be able to support a governour without being tacked to the Governmt of the Massachu- sett's bay, & by that means subjected to great Inconven- iences & troublesome Dispute, between the Chief Governour & Lieutent Governour. I should not have ventur'd to launch out so far to yr Grace but that the Crown abt six years ago sent Col. Dun- barr to take possession of & settle these very Eastern parts wch I am now writing abt ; & the Colonel had actually begun settlemts there in behalf of the Crown, & was making a progress in 'em, till some private persons in conjunction 7 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY with the Massachusett's Governmt petition'd his Majesty to recall his Instructions to Col. Dunbarr, & to order him to quit his possession, upon their claiming title to that tract under former grants of the Crown, wch was accordingly allow'd. But the Massachusett's Governmt is now in a Disposi- tion to restore those lands to the Crown, & have absolutely refus'd to protect the Settlers there for reasons, wch it would be too tedious to trouble yr Grace with here. And I am satisfy'd that the uniting & erecting the Province of New Hampshire, the late Province of Maine, & the other Eastern parts of New England (if Mr Usher mention'd in the inclos'd case has any title to the Province of Maine) into one province in such manner as the Crown should please, if properly manag'd & conducted, might be effected with- out any trouble to the Ministry, & even with the good liking of the people here. But if yr'Grace should be of Opinion that this is not worth the Crown's Notice ; Yet the Immediate preservation of the Crown's right to much the greatest part of the Royal Woods in America fit for the Service of the Navy, will I hope excuse to yr Grace the trouble, I have here given you. And if it should be thought proper to purchase in Mr Usher's right ; yr Grace might depend upon the most faith- full service in this, or any other respect from My Lord Yr Grace's most Dutifull and Oblig'd Humble Servt Wm Shirley. FRANCES SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ' My Lord Duke, I have often attempted having the Honour of Wateing on your Grace, but have met with so many Repulses at the Door that I am Oblig'd to take this way of addressing my Selfe to you. ^ B. M., Additional Manuscript 32690, 261. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. 8 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Mr. Pelham tells me he has deliver'd to your Grace the Petition, wherein Mr. Shirley begs he may have a Sallary for the Place of Advocate General,^ and that your Grace is so good as to Say you will do wt you can in that Affair. I am told if I do Succeed, it will be refir'd to the Board of Admiralty, or the Board of Trade ; I hope your Grace will be So good as to Send it to the latter, they being well Inform'd of the Affair, and much dispos'd to assist me in it. I am Inform'd your Grace has often been Inclin'd to do Somthing for Mr. Shirley, wch has given me the Courage to trouble your Grace wth this letter. I am Sencible an Husbands Charecter comes very Improperly from a Wife, but I must beg leave to Say, he is a Man of great Honour and Honisty, and I dare say will never dis- credit your Graces Choice, whatever Imployment you be- stow on him, from his own capasity and the General Esteem the people have for him, he may be of great Service to the Crown, and I am Sure will Imploy his utmost Ability and Industry in return for any Favours bestow'd on him, and I may venture to say the King wants Such men in America. Mr. Shirley My Lord Duke, is Descended from an An- ^ The petition here mentioned is probably contained in Shirley's letter of July 19, 1736, to Newcastle (C. O. 5, 899, p. 171), in which, with the suggestion of a salary, Shirley forwarded the draft of a measure for the preservation of the King's Woods. See also the paper submitted by Shirley, as Advocate General, to the Admiralty (Admiralty Section, Insular Letters 3817), showing the case against Nathaniel Oilman of Exeter, N.H., regarding the cutting of one white pine tree. Another illustration of Shirley's activity in behalf of the Crown's interests in the forests of America is his notice to Newcastle, Dec. 22, 1736 (C. O. 5, 899, p. 185), that the Massachu- setts Government intended to contest the Crown's right to woods fit for use in the navy. Upon such vigilance for the interests of the navy he might well base his request for the post of Naval Officer, Jan. 2, 1737-8. The son-in-law of Governor Belcher had already requested the office from Sir Robert Walpole (C. O. 5, 899, p. 239), but the feeling between Belcher and the Shirleys was not such as to prevent the latter from seeking the place despite Mr. Lyde's earlier effort. See also Mrs. Shirley to the Duke of New- castle, July 19, 1738, post, p. II. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY cient and good Famely in Sussex, your Graces favourite County, his Ancestors were not only Neighbours but had the Honour of an Intimacy and Friendship wth your Graces Ancestors, and I am in great hopes (from your Graces General Charecter of goodness, compassion and readiness to make your great Station a blessing to those below you) that you will not lett Mr, Shirley and Nine Children Sink in a Foreign Country. My last letters from America In- form me that Mr. Clark Levtt : Governor of New York, is in great hopes of the Government of that place and So, he must quit his Secretarys Post, wch Mr. Shirley wou'd be very glad to leave Boston for. I beg pardon for presume- ing to take up So much of your Graces time, and hope you will Impute it to wt was the Real Cause, a Necessity of troubleing your Grace, or letting my Family Sink in Silence. I am my Lord Duke wth the greatest Duty and Respect your Graces Most Obedient and Most Humble Servant March the 2d, 1736. Fra. Shirley.* WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ Boston, New Engld. Jany. 11, 1737. My Lord Duke, 1 am sensible how very lately I trespass'd upon yr Grace in this way; But not knowing how proper the request of ^ Frances Shirley was the first wife of William Shirley and the daughter of Francis Barker for whom she was named. She was born in England, and by reason of her family had access to and in- fluence with the Duke of Newcastle. Fond of politics, and of more than usual ability in political intrigue, she was of much aid to her husband in his several promotions. His greatest success in war — the capture of Louisbourg — was secured before her death, which occurred in September, 1746. See prefatory note, ante, p. xxxi. 2 B. M., Additional Manuscript 32691, 15. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. Here and in similar cases the old style dating is used. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY my last letter might be,^ and finding by the publick Prints from Virginia that Mr Clayton the late Attorney Genl there, who is appointed by Commission from home, dy'd on the 1 8th of last November, I venture to trespass upon yr Grace once more to inform yr Grace of this Vacancy, and beg the favour that I may be appointed to succeed Mr. Clayton, wch would be a very Advantageous removal for me. After having been so troublesome, I dare not detain yr Grace a Momt longer than with the utmost sense of Grati- tude and Duty to yr Grace to subscribe myself My Lord Yr Grace's most Devoted and Obedt. Humble Servt. Wm. Shirley. FRANCES SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ My Lord Duke, I troubl'd your Grace some time agoe wth a letter in re- lation to the Goverment of New England. If your Grace is so good as to design that for Mr. Shirley when it becomes Vacant I shou'd be very glad to wate some time for it but if neither that nor any other good thing is in View I beg leave to Mention a Post that I Spoke of the first time I had the Honour of seeing your Grace. It is the Naval Officer of New England wch I am Inform'd Mr. Loyd,^ Son in ^ His application for the post of Naval Officer of Massachusetts, ante, p. 9, note. ^ B. M., Additional Manuscript 32691 , 2^4. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. See Newcastle's reply of July 23, following. ' The person referred to is Byfield Lyde. He was the grand- son of Judge Nathaniel Byfield and married the only daughter of Jonathan Belcher. Mr. Lyde was graduated from Harvard College in 1723, and was at this time Governor Belcher's candidate for the position of Naval Officer of New England. The Governor sought to obtain the office through Sir Robert Walpole, but was opposed by Mrs. Shirley, to whom he had given the name '"'Mrs. Gypsy." 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., Vols. VII and X. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Law to Governor Belcher Is now Soliciting your Grace for. The Post is worth about 200 lb. a year Sterling and when a Deputy is paid there will remain about 140 lb. I am thor- oughly perswaded your Grace is well Inclin'd to do som- thing for us and that if nothing better is in View your Grace will be so good as to bestow this upon Mr. Shirley I am my Lord Duke your Graces Most Oblig'd Most Obedient and Most Humble Servant July the 19th, 1738 Fra. Shirley. DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO FRANCES SHIRLEY ^ Claremont, July 23d, 1738. Madam, I am very sincere, in assuring You of My Readiness to serve Mr. Shirley, on any proper Occasion. I don't at all know, that the Government of New England is like to be vacant, or that the Place of Naval Officer of New England is vacant ; so that I can say Nothing to either of those things. If the Chief Justice of New York should be removed, I shall not fail to recommend Mr. Shirley, to succeed to that Post ; and will repeat my Sollicitations to Sr. Robert Walpole, for the Employment, that You formerly mention'd to Me, which is in the Gift of the Treasury. I am Madam Yr Most Obedt. Humble Servt. Mrs. Shirley. Holles Newcastle.^ ^ B. M., Additional Manuscript 326QI, 262. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. ^ Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of Newcastle, was born in 1693, and died in 1768. During his career as minister to the king, he rose as high as First Lord of the Treasury (1754), but during the period with which we are most concerned in these volumes, he was Secretary of State for the Home Department in ministries headed by Sir Robert Walpole, Lord Wilmington, and Henry Pelham. This department included the charge of the Colonies. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ' Boston, N. E. March 3, 1738. My Lord Duke. This Morning I had the honour of yr Grace's Commands relating to Sir Thomas Prendergast's Demand agt Mr. Auchmuty, wch I hope, I have already finish'd to Sir Thomas's satisfaction. And now I must intreat yr Grace to permit me to ex- press the great Concern, I am under, at receiving this Morn- ing an acct of yr Grace's having been troubled wth an Impertinent Letter sign'd J. Bowden,^ containing Complts. agt Govr Belcher, and desiring that I might be put into his post ; and to assure yr Grace that it is Counterfeit. The person, whose name is borrow'd to sign this Letter with, is a Merchant of the largest Estate in this province, a French- man by birth, who does not trouble his head abt anything that relates to the Governmt, is upon good Terms with Govr. Belcher, and has very little acquaintance with me ; and to bring it to the Test whether the name set to the Let- ter is of his handwriting, as he is one of the Signers of our Merchants publick bills, I have sent Mrs. Shirley one of ^ B. M., Jdditional Manuscript J26q2, 2j. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. Substantially the same letter is in C. O. 5, 899, 263. See also an unsigned letter of about eighty words re- lating to Prendergast's demands, ibid. p. 260. Robert Auchmuty was Judge of the Court of Admiralty and disliked by Belcher. ^ The letter to which Shirley refers is in C. O. 5, 899, p. 250, and the person said to have written the letter was James Bowdoin the merchant, father of the later Governor Bowdoin. James Bowdoin was, as Shirley says, born in France. He was the son of Pierre Baudouin, a Huguenot refugee from near La Rochelle, born in 1676, and died in Boston, Sept. 8, 1747. 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 364. 13 CORRESPONDENCE OP WILLIAM SHIRLEY 'em to make use of for a Comparison of his handwriting with the Letter. I am also perswaded that this Letter did not come from any friend of mine, but from some person, who design'd to discredit me in yr Grace's Opinion ; For if the Writer of it had really design'd to serve me, and prejudice Govr. Belcher, he would, I doubt not, have consulted me as to the propriety of framing it, and sending it. And I hope I am not fall'n so low in yr Grace's Opinion as that yr Grace can think me Guilty of offering so very weak, and silly an Abuse to yr Grace's Goodness as to encourage so pitifull a Contrivance. Besides, when this was wrote, I was an utter Stranger to any Application of my friends for this Governmt ; And there is no person in this province, who could reasonably think I had any such View. There is indeed one Gentleman in the province, whose Jealousy I can't forbear mistrusting in this Aifair, and who, I know, would now be glad by any Contrivance to hurt me in yr Grace's Opinion. It may seem hard and groundless to impute so mean and improbable an Artifice to a Gentleman in the highest Station among us. But as I am thoroughly acquainted wth his politicks, and am knowing to other In- stances of the like kind of Treachery from him towards an- other Gentleman now in England (one of which is now lying before the Board of Trade) I dare almost risque my Credit upon the Truth of my suspicion. 1 Having thus broke in upon yr Grace, I must further beg leave just to mention my uneasiness at Mr. Waldo's ^ indiscretions in his Application to yr Grace in my favour : The Account wch he has sent me, of his intruding upon yr Grace in Sussex, and his manner of solliciting for me since, has given me no small pain. It is what I was much sur- priz'd at, and if I had been consulted in it, should never have consented to. I am well satisfy'd of Mr. Waldo's friendship for me, and hold myself much oblig'd to him for ^ Samuel Waldo was a wealthy merchant and second In com- mand at Loulsbourg in 1745. He was born in Boston in 1696 and acquired large land holdings in the district of Maine, where he died in May, 1759. 14 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY his good intentions ; but I can appeal to my own Letters to Mrs. Shirley,^ and Mr. Waldo's letters to me for a full proof, that he had no Commission from me to be so troublesome to your Grace. It is impossible for me fully to express here the deep sense I have of yr Grace's late Goodness to me in the whole Course of my Application to his Majesty for annexing a Salary to my post of Advocate Genl, and also in nominating me for Chief Justice of New York,^ and there is nothing I more ardently wish for than to have an opportunity of giving a proof of my Duty and Gratitude to yr Grace, and with what an unfeign'd Zeal and Attachmt I am My Lord, Yr Grace's most Oblig'd and Devoted Humble Servt Wm. Shirley. FRANCES SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE 3 My Lord Duke Mr. Western has Inform'd me of a late Conversation that he has had wth your Grace by wch I find that it is your Opinion that it is not proper at this time to make an Altera- tion in the Massachusits Govert. and that therefore your Grace is so good to Advise Mr. Shirley to Accept of the Govert. of New Hampshire^ together with the Post Office ^ It is interesting to read in the light of this statement Mrs. Shirley's letter to Newcastle of March 13, 1739-40, following. By that time certainly the position of Governor of Massachusetts would have been gratefully received. 2 See Newcastle to Frances Shirley, July 23, 1738, ante, p. 12. ^ B. M., Additional Manuscript 326gj, I2j. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. * During 1739 there had been great discontent with Governor Belcher shown throughout New Hampshire, and a movement for a government distinct from that of Massachusetts had gained IS CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY wch I am Inform'd are very Consistant together. This Advice I am sure Mr. Shirley is very ready to take wth the greatest Thankfullness and I will venture to say will in that Post Indeavour to Convince your Grace that he is not un- deserving of the other whenever your Grace sees proper to make a removal. By the best Enquiry I can make I find that two hundred a year is the utmost that the People of N Hampshire can allow a governour. I doubt not therefore but the Ministry will make such an additional allowance as will be Necessary for the Support of a governor appointed by his Majesty in the settling of wch I flatter myself I shall have your Graces Assistance, wch, if I have, I doubt not but these two places will afford us a Comfortable Subsist- ance till your Grace shall see proper to give us further In- stances of your goodness to us. And now my Lord Duke I most Humbly beg pardon for having given so much trouble about the Massachusits Governor wch I asure your Grace I had not so strongly solicited had I not had the strongest reasons given me to think that he was very unworthy of that post, I have nothing further to trouble your Grace wth at present but to beg the favour of your Grace by this propos'd kindness to take the first Opportunity of deliver- ing Mr. Shirley from the III treatment that he now meets much headway. The Lords Commissioners for Trade and Planta- tions, as a result of a memorial supported by John Thomlinson, Joseph Gulston, Navy Agent at the time, and others, reported to the Privy Council (Aug. lo, 1739) "that it would be for His Majesty's Service and the Good of the Colony of New Hampshire that it should have a distinct Governor." Others wished to be annexed to Massachusetts, and on Oct. 17 the Commissioners re- considered their former report and urged that the matter be again referred to the New Hampshire Assembly and that New Hamp- shire be not given a distinct government until it was known what provision would be made for a separate governor. The Com- missioners reported against annexation to Massachusetts and the Privy Council upheld them. The result was the appointment of Governor Benning Wentworth, who came to New Hampshire Dec. 13, 1741. Belknap, "History of New Hampshire,'*!, 255; N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 87. 16 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY with from the Governors anger. I am my Lord Duke with the greatest Gratitude your graces Most Obedient and Most ObHg'd Humble Servant F. Shirley. March the 13th, 1740. DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY » Whitehall, April 5th, 1740. Mr. Shirley. (at Boston.) Sir, This Letter will be transmitted to You by Colo. Blake- ney,2 who is charged with His Majesty's Instructions to the several Governors of the Colonys in North America, for raising a Body of Troops to join the Expedition, which is shortly to go from hence to the West Indies, under the Command of My Lord Cathcart. I conclude You will have heard, that Mr. Belcher has already received the King's Orders,^ (They having been sent from hence in Janry last) to make the necessary Dispositions for raising Men in the Provinces of Massachusets Bay, and New Hampshire ; Which I hope. He will have accordingly done, in the best Manner He has been able. ^ B. M., Additional Manuscript j 2 6pj, lyy. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. 2 William Blakeney. Folio 158 of this same manuscript con- tains Newcastle's letter of April 5 to Governor Belcher. Sub- stantially the same letter to the Governor and Company of Rhode Island is printed in Kimball : " Corres. Col .Govs, of Rhode Island," I, 143- ' The preliminary instructions of Jan. 5, 1739-40, are printed in New Hampshire Provincial Papers, 5, 47-49. There is an inter- esting letter of June 29, 1740, from George Jaffrey, Theodore Atkinson, and four others to Shirley regarding the New Hampshire levies for the expedition in C. O. 5, 899, p. 368. VOL.1 — c 17 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY You are no Stranger to the Complaints, that have been brought hither, against Mr. Belcher's Conduct, in the Administration of his Government ; and Mr. Western will have acquainted You, with the Application, that has been made, by your Friends here, to procure the Government for you, in case of Mr. Belcher's Removal ; And tho' there is at present, no Resolution taken upon that Head, one Reason for which may have been, that It might not be thought adviseable to appoint a New Governor at a Time, when a Commission of such great Importance was upon the Point of being executed,) yet I may assure You, (as I have already done Mr. Western) That in case of a Vacancy of the Government of New England, I shall think of no other Person to recommend to His Majesty to fill it, but yourself ; In which I am persuaded. All the King's Servants will readily concur. It has been represented here, by some Persons, who are not unacquainted with the Affairs of New England, That Mr. Belcher's Conduct has rendered Him so disagreeable to the People of Both the Provinces, under his Govern- ment, That He will find great Difficulty, in Executing His Majesty's Orders, for raising a Number of Men within those Provinces. If there should be any Grounds for such an Apprehension, (which however, I hope, is carried too far) I doubt not but You would be ready, in that Case, to assist Mr. Belcher to the Utmost of your Power, that His Majesty's Service, in this critical Conjuncture might not suffer thro' Mr. Belcher's Misfortune. And as a sincere Friend of yours, I should think It might even be a pru- dent Step for You, effectually to put it out of the Power of Those, who may wish better to Mr. Belcher than to You, to allege in his Excuse, that you had made use of the Credit and Influence, which You have acquired with the People of New England, to obstruct the Governor in the Perform- ance of this Service ; And, for that Purpose, that You should take the first Opportunity, after the Receipt of this Letter, to go to Mr. Belcher, and assure Him, that you are ready and desirous to give Him all the Assistance in your i8 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Power, in promoting, and forwarding the Levys to be made within His Government, pursuant to His Majty's Orders and Instructions to Him for that Purpose ; And that You should be glad, if He would let you know, in what Manner You may be serviceable to Him therein.^ 1 need not tell You, of how great Importance It is to his Majty's Service, That these Levys should be made, as full, and with as much Expedition as possible ; And I shall therefore only assure You, That if It shall appear. That your Weight and Influence shall have contributed to the Carrying Them on, with success and Dispatch, It will effec- tually recommend You to His Majty's Favour; And that I shall gladly take an Opportunity of representing your services, upon this Occasion, in the most advantageous Light. 2 My Regard for You, and Desire to serve You, as well as my Zeal for carrying on the Levys, in North America, ^ On this point see Shirley's letter to Newcastle of May 12, fol- lowing. On June 28 Shirley wrote that he would offer to assist Governor Belcher to raise men in New Hampshire and Massa- chusetts for service in the Spanish War, but that he expected a poor reception for his offers (C. O. 5, 899, p. 298). He had already written Newcastle on May 26 as to the lack of naval stores on hand and the difficulty experienced in supplying masts for war vessels {ibid. p. 293). On July 12 Governor Belcher requested Shirley to cease recommending persons for offices in the king's service, which letter was forwarded by the latter when writing to Newcastle, Aug. 4, 1740 (C. O. 5, 899, p. 310). Specific examples of men rejected by Governor Belcher are given in Robert Temple to Shirley, July 1740 (C. O. 5, 899, p. 360). Other letters bearing on the matter are those from Timothy Ruggles to Shirley, Aug. 2 (ibid. p. 374) ; Captain John Turney, Aug. 3 (ibid. p. 373) ; John Winslow, Aug. II (ibid. p. 365) ; John Prescott, Aug. 18 (ibid. p. 367), and Shirley to Newcastle, Sept. 18, 1740, regarding the levies to be raised in Massachusetts (ibid. p. 351). 2 In the Colonial Office Manuscripts (P. R. O., C. 0. 5, 899) is a statement of approximately 3700 words setting forth " the services performed by William Shirley Esq. in the Assistance he gave to the raising Levies in New England for the Service of the Expedi- tion under the command of Lord Cathcart," etc. This statement appears to have been the basis of such a representation as that of which Newcastle writes, 19 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY with success, which I think of such Importance to the Pub- Hck, is the Occasion of my giving You this Trouble, which, I am persuaded, You will take, as It is really designed. I am etca. HoLLEs Newcastle. Endorsed: Drat, to Mr. Shirley. April 5th. 1740. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ Boston, N : Engld. May 12, 1740. My Lord Duke, I could not be easy, after receiving my late Information of yr Grace's Exceeding Goodness to me, without troubling you wth some Expression of my Gratitude, wch I there- fore hope yr Grace will indulge me in. I must confess, upon first considering the present Obstacle to the promo- tion, wch yr Grace intended to honour me with, I was at some loss, whether I should not be pleas'd wth a Delay wch would exempt me from all possible risque of being thought to have been an hindrance to his Alajesty's service at this Critical Juncture. But my friends here have given me such strong Assurances, and I have since had so many proofs, that my succeeding in present to the Governmt of this province would have been no Disservice to the raising of Soldiers here and in the Neighbouring province of New Hampshire, that it now gives me some Concern to have lost one Opportunity of contributing to his Majesty's Service. Not that I should have assum'd to myself any great Merit in the Success of the present Levies ; For indeed the Eagerness, wch appears in the people here to serve in the Expedition agt the Spanish West Indies, seems to be suffict of itself, without a Govr's personal Interest, to engage 'em in it, and ^ B.M., Additional Manuscript 326QJ, 279. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY even to surmount any disgusts, they may possibly entertain agt one ; And I am inform'd there is an appearance that the Levies (at least in this province) will be compleated, as soon as the Commissions shall arrive, wch are expected every Day ; And hope that even the Gentlemen of New Hampshire province, who if Disaffection to a Governt. would possi- bly make 'em run so counter to their Duty to his Majesty, as to oppose the present Levies (least the success of 'em should be imputed to his present Excy's Interest among the people) would be in Danger of doing so, will not think of such unjustifiable Measures. I am sure they have been caution'd agt it and advis'd otherwise. Upon this Occasion it is some satisfaction to me that I have been so fortunate as to have had some small share in promoting his Majy's service in this Expedition (before the Arrival of the last Vessells from England) by procuring a speedy supply of stores for Admiral Vernon's Squadron at Jamaica, wch his Majy's storekeeper there had wrote for by the Admiral's Order, and the Astrea prize taken at Porto Bello ^ is this day arriv'd to fetch ; and wch would have been retarded, if I had not taken upon me to bear the Deputy Surveyor of his Majesty's Woods here harmless from any blame or Censure at the Navy board for acting as I advis'd him on this Occasion. But the particulars of this I shall not trouble your Grace wth, nor detain yr Grace longer than to assure you that however yr Grace shall be pleas'd to dispose of me, the Chief Aim, and business of my life shall be to pursue the united Interest of his Majy and the Country ; and this Rule of action I flatter myself I shall steadily ad- here to, because I am perswaded, my Lord, it is the most acceptable return I can make to yr Grace for yr patronage and protection, besides it will gratify a strong ambition wch I have, to copy in my low sphere of Life, what yr Grace has long been in that Exalted station wch has render'd you a Blessing not only to the publick in general, but to private families in particular, and to none more so than K Porto Bello had been taken by Vernon on Nov. 22, 1739. 21 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY to mine, who am with the Deepest sense of Duty and Grati- tude My Lord Duke Yr Grace's most Dutifull, and most Obedt. Humble Servt. W. Shirley. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ' Boston, N. Engld. Augt. 4, 1740. My Lord Duke, In Obedience to yr Grace's Commands, upon the Re- ceipt of the Letter, with wch yr Grace honour'd me by Col. Blakeney, I sent my son to wait on Govr Belcher wth a Letter acquainting him that as I thought it the Duty of every person withm his Excy's Governmts to give what assist- ance he could in promoting & forwarding the new Levies, pursuant to his Majy's Instructions for raising a number of men within the two provinces, I was ready & desirous to contribute all the assistance in my power towards it, & that if his Excy would be pleas'd to let me know, in what manner I might be serviceable to him therein, I would wth great pleasure wait upon him to receive his commands in that respect, & order'd my son to beg the favour of his answer, whether he would permit me to wait upon him for that pur- pose. And at the same time I sent one Mr Caverley a young Gentleman, whose father lives in very good Circumstances in this Town, & had serv'd as an Officer in Spain for eight years under the late Earl Rivers & Genl Stanhope, to offer him- self to his Excy to serve as a Second Lieutent in one of the two Companies. To wch his Excy after civilly receiving my son & the young Gentleman, return'd me for Answer by word of mouth, that he would think of what I had wrote. The day following, as we had not then one Soldier enlisted in the Province ; nor Orders issu'd out to beat up for Volun- iP. R. 0., C. O. 5, 899, 310. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY tiers, nor Money in the Treasury to pay the Bounty, nor the Subsistence Money, wch had been voted by the Genl Court, I thought it might be of service in Expediting the Levies, if I could prevail wth Mr Caverley the father, who had been well vers'd in the business of raising recruits in England, to offer his service to his Excy to raise men for the Expedi- tion, & Subsist 'em at his own Expense, till he might be reimburs'd, wch Mr. Caverley at my request very generously did in a Letter to his Excy, wch was deliver'd him by my son, wherein he desired leave to wait on his Excy, & that he would furnish him wth beating Orders, or proper powers to enlist men. And the next day I sent one Mr MacGown to wait on his Excy wth a recommendation of him for a Cap- tain's post upon the Terms of his raising a Company of able Body'd, Effective Men Natives of Ireland, seventy of which he had actually engag'd, & could have rais'd the remainder & 50 more, if wanted, in a few days. This man was a very good Officer, had serv'd in this Country agt the Indians, & under E. Stairs in Scotland, & his father had been an Offi- cer in K. William's service, & his Grandfather one in the service of K. Charles ; and to make my recommendation of him the more effectual, I procur'd for him the recommen- dation also of Col. Winslow a Gentleman in great favour wth his Excy, who pressed the acceptance of him as one who would be of great service to his Majesty in the Expe- dition. And, as one Captn Pollard is esteem'd the most fit person among the Natives of this place to serve his Majy in this Expedition and do honour to the Country in it, & is so popular a man that no person doubted his being able to raise 200 men in a short time ; and he had been courted by several of the Councill here, & others of the Govr's friends, to offer his Service to his Excy as a Captain of one of the Companies, wth an assurance that he would be accepted, but all without Effect, he having declar'd that he would accept of no Post from him, & being in such Circumstances as to be Indifferent abt the Perfermt, I thought I should do a good piece of service to his Majesty, & not unacceptable to his Excy if I could prevail on Mr Pollard to give me leave to 23 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY offer his Service in the Expedition to him, wch I accord- ingly did. As to Mr MacGown, his Excy told him at first, if he had any occasion for him, he would send for him ; But the same day he told Col. Winslow before menton'd, & one of the Coun- cil, that he would not by any means hear of MacGown, because I had recommended him, otherwise he should have had a Commission ; and hereupon the poor man dismiss'd 25 of his Countrymen, who had foUow'd him to Boston, and is gone to Col. Blakeney at N. York, to whom, I am in- form'd, Ld Cathcart had recommended him in England, as a person well qualified for his Majy's Service. As to Mr Caverley, his Excy was pleas'd to send for him, & acquaint him, that he could not grant his Request as to his Son, because I had recommended him ; for if he should, he might be plagu'd wth every Pettifogger's recommenda- tion, expressing likewise much resentmt at my pretending to recommend Captn Pollard to him, & to intermeddle in these Affairs ; to wch purpose he soon after sent me a Letter, tho in softer Terms, forbidding me to trouble him any further wch Letter I have inclos'd to yr Grace, subscrib'd, & di- rected wth his own hand, & under his Seal, the other part of his Secretary's handwriting. — But as to Mr Caverley's Offer to raise men, his Excy told him, he would lay it be- fore the Councill for their Advice, wch he did the same day, & influenc'd them not to accept of it for the reasons men- tion'd in their Advice to him thereupon, as will appear by a copy of it attested by the Deputy Secretary. How- ever Mr Caverley's offer had this good effect wth regard to the Province that his Excy two days after issu'd out his Or- ders to beat up for Voluntiers, & wth regard to his Son, that the Council esteeming the offer a well spirited thing, pre- vall'd wth his Excy to grant him a Second Lieutenancy ; and Mr Caverley soon after enlisted 50 Men towards fill- ing up the Company, in wch his son was plac'd. Upon the receipt of his Excy's Letter to me findl g that any further Offers of Assistance to him, In raising the Levies, from me, would be very disagreeable, and not only hurt my 24 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY friends, but hinder his Majy's Service, I desisted from mak- ing him any ; but I have found Opportunities of contribut- ing to the Service of the Expedition in other ways, without his Excy's Knowledge. For there being but four of the thirty Commissions sent over by Col. Blakeney, allotted to Govr Belcher to fill up, when ten Companies were raising in the Province, those Captains & their Companies, who could not have any of the four Commissions, but must go to the West Indies without Commission, Cloaths or Arms upon the Govr's Certificate & Letter to Ld Cathcart, & Col. Blake- ney's Assurance that they will be receiv'd into pay, & put into Commission by him, & furnish'd with Arms & Cloaths, were exceedingly disappointed & dispirited ; & one of the Captains in the Country, who had compleated his Com- pany, has actually dismiss'd his Men, & two more of 'em in this Town were upon the point of disbanding their Com- panies (upon the Difficulties arising from their want of a Commission & Arms to keep their men together, as well as disgust & resentmt to the Govr, from whom they appre- hend they have receiv'd ill usage), had not I us'd my In- terest wth 'em to perswade & engage 'em to go Into the Service notwithstanding their disappointmt & Difficulties, wch they are now determin'd & have absolutely promis'd me to do wth their two Companies, as will appear to yr Grace by Captn Turney's Letter to me, & Captn Richard's Letter to Mrs Cosby, who was well acquainted wth his Bror's family at New York. And I have a very good View of recovering the other Company, wch is actually dispers'd, to his Majy's Service, of wch I hope to give a good Account by the next Ship. And as Col. Gooch & Col. Blakeney had inform'd me by Lieutent Govr Clark that one Company of Indians would be very usefull in the Expedition, I have procur'd one to be rais'd by Captn Ruggles, & himself to go into the Service with 'em upon the prospect of a Commis- sion from Ld Cathcart, as will appear from Govr Clark's, & Captn Ruggles Letters to me. What is become of the two other Companies of this Province wch were raising in the Country, I have not heard. But if I find that they are in 25 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Danger of Dispersing upon their disappointmt in not being put into Commission, & receiving their Arms, and Cloaths here, I shall use my utmost application to recover 'em. As a considerable Expence has arose to the Captains by means of the too scanty Allowance of the Genl Court for Subsistence of the men, being no more than 2s 3d Sterl. a week for each man, whereby the Captns are much out of pocket, I have undertaken, & doubt not to contribute, by my friends among the Representatives & Councill towards remedying that Evill at the next meeting of the Court. And as I have had Information that Col. Blakeney had drawn bills to the amt of abt 1500 1. sterl. upon the Governmt at home, to be endors'd by Govr Belcher, for paymt of the Officers here, & that our Merchts have hesitated abt taking the bills, I have this day wrote to Govr Clark to inquire into that fact of Col. Blakeney, to whom, I am inform'd, an Express is dispatch'd on that acct, & to assure him (if there should be occasion for it) that I will find, among my friends, purchasers for those bills, or such Indorsers, as shall make 'em market- able, wch I doubt not of doing. These are the Services, wch in Obedience to yr Grace's Commands I have attempted in this province, where I wish it had been in my Power to do more, but hope, yr Grace will make Allowance for the Disadvantages of an Opposition from the Gentleman, who has. the disposal of the Commis- sions ; and of Certificates & subsistence money for those Cap- tains, who raise Companies without Commissions. To make amends for my Defects in this province, I have endeavour'd to be serviceable in the neighbouring prov- ince of New Hampshire, & Colony of Rhode Island ; from the former of wch I have receiv'd, in answer to an Ex- press wch I sent 'em upon the rect of yr Grace's Letter, the strongest Assurance in a Joint Letter from Six Gentle- men, viz. three of the Councill, two of their house of Repre- sentatives (one of wch is the Speaker) & the Clerk of the As- sembly, who intirely govern the Assembly, & have the chief Influence over the people of the province, that they will not only avoid all opposition to the Levies out of disaffec- 26 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY tion to the Govt, & for fear of his raising a merit to him- self by the success of 'em, but exert their utmost Interest in promoting them ; as will appear by their Letter to me ; And I doubt not of their Sincerity & Success, unless the people there are too much exasperated by the Govr's filling up all his four Commissions in the Massachusett's bay, & putting them upon the Difficulty of raising men with- out one Commission, or any Arms or Cloaths for the present, wch no Colony or province besides is under. And as to Rhode Island, where I am well known by frequent visits there on his Majy's Service, as Advocate Genl, & am not without some interest among 'em, I took Occasion (being there) in the beginning of July to assure 'em that it would be a most acceptable Instance of their Duty to his Majy, & Zeal for the publick good, to contribute as much as they could towards the Service of the Expedition, where- upon the Deputy Govr & Councill, wch was then sitting, appointed a Committee of three of their Members to have a Conference wth me at my Lodgings, in wch the Gentle- men of the Committee assur'd me in the name of their principals, that upon my advice to 'em, notwithstanding their people had fitted out six privateers, & they had rais'd 300 menfor the Expedition, wch was much more than their pro- portion among the Colonies, they would proceed to aug- ment their forces for the Expedition, wch they inform'd me, they believ'd they should do to 500, wch in proportion would be equal to 3,500 in our Province ; but the day follow- ing news arrived by the two first Lieutents that only two Companies were demanded, & no more would be receiv'd from 'em, so that one of their three Companies must be dis- miss'd. What effect that might have upon their Councill, when I left 'em, I know not, but expect to be soon inform'd in a Letter from the Gentlemen of the Committee. I shall trespass upon yr Grace no longer than to observe that the only Method taken by all his Majy's Govrs upon the Continent to raise Men for the Expedition has been to grant Commissions to the Captains on condition of their raising 100 men each, wch is all the share the Govrs have had in 27 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY it ; & that in the Colony of Connetlcutt, soon after a Bounty- was voted for 500 men, 700 gave in their names to the Governmt, & soon after the same Vote in Rhode Island Colony 300 men were rais'd, even before a Captain was nam'd in either of the Colonies, wch fact is a Demonstra- tion that the success of the Levies there was owing entirely to the Spirit of the people ; and I can venture to assure yr Grace it is the Opinion of all unprejudic'd Persons here, & true in fact, that had every one of his Majy's Govrs happen'd to be turn'd out before the Executing of the Com- missions for raising of men, & mere Strangers have been sent to execute 'em, not one man less would have been rais'd on that acct, provided those Govrs had not endeavour'd to defeat the Service by naming Improper Captains, to whom the people had an Aversion. I am now to ask yr Grace's Pardon for detaining you so long, & am with the greatest Duty & Gratitude, My Lord Duke, Yr Grace's most Dutifull & most Obedt Humble Servt W. Shirley. The Vouchers of the facts abovemention'd I have sent to Mr Western, & desir'd him to wait on yr Grace wth them. COMMISSION TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY, GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS 1 George the Second by the Grace of God, of Great Brit- ain France and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith etca. To Our Trusty and Wellbeloved William Shirley Esqr. Greeting. Whereas by a Royal Charter under the Great Seal of England bearing date the Seventh day of October in the third year of the Reign of King William the third, the Colony of the Massachusets Bay, the Colony of New Plymouth, the Province of Main In New England, the Terri- ^ P. R. O., C. O. 5, 199, III. Inclosed in Lords of Trade to Duke of Newcastle, July 22, 1741. 28 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY tory of Accadle or Nova Scotia and the Lands lying between the said Territory of Nova Scotia and the Province of Main aforesaid were United Erected and incorporated into one real Province, by the Name of Our Province of the Massachu- sets Bay in New England, and his said Majesty did thereby Grant to Our loving Subjects, the Inhabitants of Our said Province or Territory of the Massachusets Bay in New England, and their Successors, that there shall be a Governor, a Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Our said Province and Territory, to be from time to time Appointed and Commissionated by the said King William, his Heirs and Successors, with several Privileges, Franchises and Immu- nities thereby granted to Our said loving Subjects, And whereas We did by Our Letters Patents Under Our Great Seal of Great Britain bearing date at Westminster the (sic) ^ day of (sic) in the (sic) Year of Our Reign, Consti- tute and Appoint Jonathan Belcher Esqr. Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over Our said Province of the Massachusets Bay in New England, for and during Our Will and Pleasure, as by the said recited Patents, relation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear; Now know you, that We have revoked and determined, and by these Presents do revoke and determine, the said recited Letters Patents, and every Clause Article and thing therein contained. And further know you, that We, re- posing Especial Trust and Confidence in the Prudence, Courage and Loyalty of you the said William Shirley, of Our Especial Grace, certain knowledge and mere Motion, have thought fit to Constitute and Appoint and by these Presents do Constitute and appoint You the said William Shirley to be Our Capt. General and Governor in Chief in and over Our said Province of the Massachusets Bay in New England. And for your better Guidance and direction We do hereby require and Command you to do and exe- cute all things in due manner that shall belong unto the Trust we have reposed in you, according to the several Powers and Authorities mentioned in the said Charter, ^ The date is omitted in the original. 29 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY And in these Presents, and such further Powers Instructions and Authorities as you shall receive, or which shall at any time hereafter be granted or Appointed you, under Our Sign Manual and Signet or by Our Order in Our Privy Council, in pursuance of the said Charter, and according to such reasonable Laws and Statutes as are now in force, or which hereafter shall be made and agreed upon, in such manner and form as by the said Charter is directed. And Our Will and Pleasure is, that you the said William Shirley, after the Publication of these Our Letters Patents, do in the first place take the Oaths appointed to be taken by an Act passed in the first year of his said late Majesty's Reign, Entituled, An Act for the further Security of his Majesty's Person and Government and the Succession of the Crown in the Heirs of the late Princess Sophia being Prot- estants and for Extinguishing the hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales and his open and Secret Abettors ; As also that you make and Subscribe the declaration mentioned in An Act of Parliament made in the 25th Year of the Reign of King Charles the Second, Entituled, An Act for preventing dangers which may happen from Popish Recusants, and likewise that you take the usual Oath for the due Execution of the Office and trust of Our Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the said Province, as well with Regard to the due and Impartial administra- tion of Justice, as otherwise, and further that you take the Oath required to be taken by Governors of Plantations, to do their utmost that the several Laws relating to Trade and the Plantations be Observed ; which said Oaths and declarations Our Council of Our said Province, or any three of the Members thereof, have hereby full Power and Authority, and are required, to tender and Administer unto You and in your Absence to Our Lieutenant Governor of Our said Province, if there be any upon the Place, all which being duely performed, you shall administer to each of the Members of Our said Council, and to Our said Lieutenant Governor, if there be any upon the Place, the Oaths mentioned in the said Act, Entituled, An Act for 30 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the further Security of his Majesty's Person and Govern- menty and the Succession of the Crown in the Heirs of the late Princess Sophia being Protestants, And for Extinguishing the hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales and his open and Secret Abettors, As also to cause them to make and Sub- scribe the foremention'd declaration, and to administer to them the Oath for the due Execution of their Places and Trusts. As also that you Administer or cause to be administered unto all the Members that shall be Elected to serve in the General Assembly of Our said Province the Oaths mentioned in the said Act, Entituled, An Act for the further Security of his Majesty^ s Person and Government, and the Succession of the Crown, in the Heirs of the late Princess Sophia, being Protestants, And for Extinguishing the hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales, and his open and Secret Abettors; And likewise cause them to make and Subscribe the foremention'd declaration, and until the same shall be so taken and Sub- scribed, no Person shall be capable of sitting, though Elected. Our further Will and Pleasure is, that you shall and may keep and Use the Publick Seal of Our said Province, for Sealing all things whatsoever, that pass the Great Seal of Our said Province Under your Government. And We do hereby give and Grant unto You full Power and Authority where you shall see Cause, and shall judge any Offender or Offenders, in Capital or Criminal matters, or for any Fines or Forfeitures due unto Us, fit objects of Our Mercy, to Pardon all such Offenders, and to remit such Fines and Forfeitures, Treason and Wilfull Murder only excepted, in which Cases you shall likewise have Power, upon Extraordinary Occasions, to Grant Reprieves to the Offenders therein, to the End and until our Pleasure shall be further known. And We do . hereby give and grant unto you the said William Shirley, by Your Self or by your Captains and Commanders by you to be Authorised, full Power and Au- thority to levy. Arm, Muster, Command and Employ all Persons whatsoever residing within Our said Province and 31 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Territory of the Massachusets Bay in New England, and as occasion shall require to march them from one place to another, or to Embark them for resisting and withstand- ing of all Enemies, Pirates and Rebels, both at Land and Sea, and such Forces, with their own Consent, or with the Consent of Our Council and Assembly, to Transport to any of Our Plantations in America, as occasion shall re- quire, for the defence of the same, against the invasion or Attempts of any of Our Enemies ; and such Enemies, Pirates and Rebels, if occasion shall require, to pursue and Prosecute in or out of the Limits of Our said Province, or any part thereof; And if it shall so please God, them to Vanquish, Apprehend and take, and being taken, either ac- cording to Law to put to Death, or keep and preserve alive at your Discretion. We do further give and grant unto you full Power and Authority to Erect, raise and Build within Our Province and Territory aforesaid, such and so many Forts, Platforms, Castles and Fortifications as you shall judge necessary; And the same or any of them to Fortify and furnish with Ordnance Ammunition and all sorts of Arms, fit and neces- sary for the Security and defence of Our said Province ; and from time to time to commit the Government of the same to such Person or Persons as to you shall seem meet, and the said Forts and Fortifications again to demolish or dismantle, as may be most convenient; And to do and Execute all and every other thing or things which to a Captain General doth or ought of right to belong, as fully and amply as any other Our Captain General doth or hath usually done according to the Powers hereby granted or to be granted to you. And We do hereby give and grant unto you the said William Shirley full Power and Authority to constitute and Appoint Captains, Lieutenants, Masters and other Com- manders and officers of Ships, and to grant unto such Cap- tains, Lieutenants, Masters and other Commanders and Officers of Ships, Commissions to Execute the Law Martial, according to the directions of an Act pass'd in the 13th 32 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Year of the Reign of King Charles the Second, Entituled, An Act for the better Establishing Articles and Orders for the regulating and better Government of His Majesty^ s Navys, Ships of fVar, and Forces by Sea, and to Use such Proceed- ings, Authorities, Punishments, Corrections and Execu- tions upon any Offender or Offenders who shall be Muti- nous, Seditious, Disorderly or any way unruly, either at Sea or during the time of their Abode or Residence in any of the Ports, Harbours or Bays of Our said Province and Territory, as the Cause shall be found to require, accord- ing to Martial Law, and the said directions during the time of War, as aforesaid. Provided that nothing herein contained shall be con- strued to the Enabling you, or any by your Authority, to hold Plea or have Jurisdiction of any Offence, Cause, mat- ter or thing committed or done upon the high Sea, or within any of the Havens, Rivers or Creeks of Our said Province or Territories under your Government, by any Captain, Commander, Lieutenant, Master or other Officer, Seaman, Soldier or other Person whatsoever, who shall be in actual Service or Pay in or on Board any of Our Ships of War or other Vessels, acting by immediate Commission or Warrant from Our Commissions for Executing the Office of Our high Admiral or from Our high Admiral of Great Britain for the time being under the Seal of Our Admiralty ; But that such Captain, Commander, Lieutenant, Master, Offi- cer, Seaman, Soldier or other Person so Offending shall be left to be proceeded against and tryed, as the merit of their Offences shall require, either by Commission under Our Great Seal of Great Britain as the Statute of the 28th of Henry the Eighth directs, or by Commission from Our said Commissrs for Executing the Office of Our High Ad- miral, or from Our high Admiral of Great Britain for the time being, according to the foremention'd Act, Entituled, An Act for the Establishing Articles and Orders for the regu- lating and better Government of His Majesty'' s Navys, Ships of War, and Forces by Sea, and not otherwise. Provided also that all disorders and Misdemeanors com- VOL. I — D 33 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY mitted on Shore by any Captain, Commander, Lieutenant, Master or other Officer, Seaman, Soldier or other Person whatsoever, belonging to any of Our Ships of War, acting by immediate Commission or Warrant from Our Commis- sioners for Executing the Office of Our high Admiral, or from Our high Admiral of Great Britain for the time being, under the Seal of Our Admiralty, may be tryed and Punished according to the Laws of the Place, where any such Dis- orders, Offences and Misdemeanors shall be Committed on Shore, notwithstanding such Offender be in our actual Serv- ice and borne in our Pay on Board any such Our Ships of War, or other Vessels Acting by immediate Commission or Warrant from our Commissioners for Executing the Office of Our high Admiral, or from Our high Admiral of Great Britain for the time being, as aforesaid, so as he shall not receive any protection for the avoiding of Justice for such Offences committed on Shore, from any Pretence of his being Employed in Our Service at Sea. And further Our Will and Pleasure is, that you shall not at any time hereafter by Colour of any Power or Authority hereby Granted or mentioned to be Granted, take upon you to give, grant or dispose of any Office or Place within Our said Province and Territories, which now is, or shall be granted, under the great Seal of Great Britain, any further than that you may, upon the Vacancy of any such Office, or suspension of any Officer by you, put in any Person to Offi- ciate in the interval until the said Place be disposed of by us, Our Heirs or Successors, under the Great Seal of Great Britain, or that Our directions be otherwise given therein. And We do hereby require and Command all Officers and Ministers, Civil and Military, and all other the Inhabit- ants of Our said Province and Territory, to be obedient. Aiding and Assisting unto you the said William Shirley, in the Execution of this Our Commission, and of the Powers and Authorities therein contained, and in Case of your Death or Absence out of Our said Province and Territories, to be Obedient, aiding and Assisting unto such Person as shall be appointed by Us, to be Our Lieutenant Governor or 34 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Commander in Chief of Our said Province and Territories, to whom We do therefore by these Presents give and Grant all and Singular the Powers and Authorities herein granted, to be hy him Executed and Enjoyed during Our Pleasure or until your Arrival within Our said Province. And if upon your Death or Absence out of Our said Province, there be no Person upon the Place Commisslonated or Appointed by Us to be Our Lieut. Governor or Commander in Chief of Our said Province and Territories, Our Will and Pleasure is, that Our Council of Our said Province for the time being do take upon them the Administration of the Government, and Execute Our said Commission and Instructions and the several Powers and Authorities therein contained, in the same manner and to all intents and pur- poses, as Our Governor or Commander in Chief of Our said Province and Territories should or ought to do, in Case of Your Absence until your return, or in all Cases until Our further pleasure be known therein : And that in such Case the Eldest Councillor present at each meeting of the said Council shall always preside therein. And Our Pleasure is, that you the said William Shirley shall and may hold Execute and Enjoy, the Office and Place of Our Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over Our said Province and Territories of the Massa- chusets Bay in New England, with all and Singular the Powers and Authorities hereby granted unto you, for and during Our Will and Pleasure. And whereas there are divers Colonies adjoining to Our Province of the Massachusets Bay, for the defence and se- curity whereof it is requisite that due care be taken in the time of War, We have therefore thought it further neces- sary for Our Service, and for the better Protection and Security of Our Subjects Inhabiting those parts, to Consti- tute and appoint, and We do by these Presents, Constitute and Appoint you the said William Shirley to be Our Cap- tain General and Commander in Chief of the Militia and of all the Forces by Sea and Land, within Our Colonies of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation, the Narragansett 35 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Country or King's Province, and of all Our Forts and Places of Strength within the same, in time of War or imminent Danger. And for the better Ordering, Governing and Ruling Our said Militia, and all Our Forces, Forts, and Places of Strength, within our said Colonies of Rhode Island, and Providence Plantation, and the Narragansett Country or King's Province, We do hereby give and Grant unto You the said William Shirley and in your Absence to Our Lieu- tenant Governor or Commander in Chief of Our said Province of the Massachusets Bay, all and every the like Powers as in these presents are before Granted and Recited for the Ruling, Governing and Ordering Our Mili- tia and all Our Forces, Forts and Places of Strength, within Our Province of the Massachusets Bay, to be Exercised by you the said William Shirley, and in your Absence from Our Territory and Dominion of New England, by Our said Lieutenant Governor or Commander in Chief of Our said Province of the Massachusets Bay, for the time being, within Our said Colonies of Rhode Island and Providence Planta- tion and the Narraganset Country or King's Province, dur- ing the time of War or imminent Danger as aforesaid. In witness whereof We have Caused these Our Letters to be made Patents, Witness Our Self at Westminster the [25th] day of [June 1741]^ in the fourteenth Year of Our Reign. Endorsed : Draught of a Commission to William Shirley Esqr. to be Governor of the Massachusets Bay. July 1 , 174 ^. June 25. 1741. ^ Shirley's commission as governor appears to have been ap- proved by the Privy Council on May 6, 1741. The formal date attached to the writing was, as shown by the indorsement and the text, first set as July 10 and later changed to June 25, 1741. The endeavor to induce the Privy Council to allow Shirley to assent to measures providing for free issuance of Bills of Credit continued from May, 1740, well into July, 1741. In 1730 Governor Belcher had been granted power to consent to an emission of £30,000 36 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY FRANCES SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ My Lord Duke, I have lately heard of an Opportunity of returning to America. I am much asham'd I have not Personaly re- turn'd your Grace thanks for your Goodness to us but I have hitherto Omitted it for fear I shou'd pitch upon an Improper Hour and I thought it better to Omit that part of my Duty than be troublesome. Mr. Western Informs me that your Grace seems to think that we wou'd desire Mr. Pemberton Naval Officer for Bos- ton shou'd be put out of a place wch he appears to have a right to. I think my selfe Oblig'd in my own Justification to Inform your Grace that I apprehend Mr. Pemberton to be now Actualy out for as soon as Mr. Shirleys Commission Arrives no act of Mr. Pembertons will be good so that Mr. Shirley must be Oblig'd to appoint sombody to that Post for Mr. Belchers Appointment of him reaches no farther than the time of his Govt : and I am told that even dureing that time he cou'd have turn'd him out by the Manner of his Appointing him a Coppy of wch I can procure and send your Grace if you please to Command me. I am in some pain least Mr. Shirley seeing it in this light (if he has not your Graces Commands to the Contrary) shou'd by this time have put his Son into the Naval Office for I think it Natural to sup- pose that if Mr. Shirley must appoint a Naval Officer it will annually. This power was continued to Shirley by Committee on Aug. 7, by the Privy Council itself on Sept. 8, and the In- structions of Sept, lo, 1741, forbid the increase of this limit {post, p. 47). No more could be issued without the consent of the king. For an instance of this permission see Instructions to Shirley, Sept. 9, 1744, post, p. 144. On Aug. 23, 1741, Shirley acknowledged the receipt of his appointment as governor and in a lengthy letter to Newcastle gives details of the circumstances of the colony and the difficulties arising over the settlement of his salary. The letter is in C. O. 5, 900, I. ^ B. M., Additional Manuscript 326g7, 282. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. 37 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY be his Son. If that shou'd be the Case and I might presume to aske a Favour in Addition to your late Goodness it shou'd be that your Grace wou'd not Oblige him to turn his Son out again for in that Case it will not only be this loss of a Provi- sion for our Son but wou'd lessen Mr. Shirley very much in the Eyes of the People if they shou'd see Mr. Pemberton a man who is held so very Cheap by them prefer'd to the son of Mr. Shirley who they wou'd wish shou'd have a better In- terest with your Grace. As to Mr. Shirleys haveing any pre- tence of right to dispose of this place I am sure he will readily submit to your Grace and I dare say it will give him more pleasure to receive it as a mark of your Graces Favour than to think it his right. I thought it my Duty to set this affair in as true a light as I cou'd and I am not without hopes that when your Grace Considers how much the Govt : is lessen'd, how large our Family and the Extraordinary ex- pence we must be at in our way of liveing, you will bestow this provission on my Son. Thus far I presume to beg but however your Grace shall determine I shall AUways Ac- knowledge that whatever we Injoy of the goods of this World it is Intirely oweing to your Graces goodness and Com- passion to an unfortunate Family and I hope your Grace will believe that I shall allways be with the greatest Grati- tude and thankfullness My Lord Duke your Graces Most Oblig'd most Obedient and Most Humble Servant Cobham, July the sth, 1741. ^' Shirley. THE LORDS OF TRADE TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ My Lord, Having prepared a Draught of general Instructions, as likewise of those, which relate to the Acts of Trade and Navigation,, for Williamx Shirley, Esqr. whom his Majesty ^ P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 199, 123. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. 38 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY has been pleased to appoint Governor of the Massachusets Bay, We take Leave to inclose the said Draughts to your Grace, together with Our Representation thereupon, and to desire Your Grace will be pleased to lay the same before Their Excellencies the Lords Justices.^ We are, My Lord, Your Grace's most Obedient and most humble Servts : MONSON M. Bladen Whitehall, July : 22d : 1741 His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. R. Plumer. B. Keene WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ Boston, Augt. 23, 1741. My Lord Duke, ' On Thursday se'nnight I had the Honour of receiving his Majy's Commission appointing me his Governour of this Province, wch I had the satisfaction of seeing publish'd with as full & Genl a Testimony of the people's good Will (Mr Belcher's best wishers not excepted) as I could rea- sonably expect or desire ; one instance of wch appears in the present made me by both Houses of the Genl Court in the most unanimous manner, towards defraying the Expense of my Equipage &c., of a Larger Sum than what was ever granted before upon the like Occasion ; and that done when I was upon the Spot at the time of my nomination, and of the Arrival of his Majy's Commission. What Duty and Gratitude are owing from me to yr Grace for this Dispensation of his Majy's favour, if I could fully ex- press the sentiments of my Heart in words, I should be able to declare here ; But as those would fall short of doing ^ See Instructions of Sept. 10, p. 43 following. 2P. R. O., C. O. 5, 900, I. 39 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY It, I shall instead of attempting it, give your Grace the utmost assurances of my best Endeavours to discharge my Duty to his Majesty in the most beneficial manner for the Country, wch I am satisfy'd will be the most acceptable acknowledgmts, I can make to yr Grace for all yr goodness to my family. I am sensible. My Lord Duke, that I am now entring upon the Governmt of a province, where Col. Shute quitted the Chair, & Mr Burnett broke his heart thro the Temper and Opposition of the people ; & Mr Belcher in the midst of his Countrymen fail'd of carrying any one of those points for the Crown, wch might have been expected from him ; and that I enter upon it at a time, when an empty Treasury, an Aversion in the House of Representatives to supply it conformably to his Majy's last Instruction; a weak and Ruinous Condition of their Fortifications, a bad Spirit rais'd throughout the Country by the Land Bank Scheme, by means of it's being conniv'd at here in it's first rise, re- maining uncheck'd so long, that the imprudt manner of en- deavouring to check it here afterwards by those who were at the same time endeavouring to support & countenance it at home thro Mr Partridge, only inflamed it ; & Mr Belch- er's constant acceptance from year to year of a Diminished Salary, after he had obtain'd leave to take it without in- sisting upon his Majesty's Instruction on that head, the value of wch is by that means sunk from abt loool. Sterl. wch had been allow'd by the Genl Court to Governr Bur- nett and himself wth a promise to the former of 'em to continue as ample an Allowance, down to the Value of 650I. Sterl. wch seems to have been done by him with some particular View of his own, to secure his station by the smallness of his Salary ; are what make up the present Scene of Affairs in the province, whereupon the House of Representatives tell me in their Address, that they are concern'd my Accession to the Chair should be attended with such Difficulties. I would not have troubled yr Grace with this Detail of the Circumstances of the province (wch yet I shall not despair of wading through in some measure by the help of Patience 40 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY and Moderation) if I was not fearfull that, as some Dis- putes with the Country seem unavoidable for the service of the Crown, particularly with regard to the present state of the Salary, wch if not brought up again now to the Sum order'd by his Majy, and formerly conceded by the Genl Court, will be endeavour'd to be reduc'd yet lower, your Grace might, when you should find me so early engag'd in any Dispute, think it might proceed from Rashness & Indiscre- tion on my part, wch I shall always most carefully avoid, and whatever Disputes the Province may have with the Crown, I shall ever decline being drawn into a personal Quarrell with it. I would further beg leave to mention to yr Grace, that as there seems to be a certainty of my not being able to receive a penny of my Salary for a considerable time ; so that I must remain all that while without Support in his Majy's Service, except from the fees & perquisites of the Governmt, wch I be- lieve are under the value of lool sterl pr annum, I am oblig'd to appoint my son Clerk of the Naval Office, that I may have some support from thence, wch I would not otherwise have done without first having obtain'd yr Grace's leave for it ; and there was a necessity for me to appoint some Clerk im- mediately, unless I would have executed the Post myself (as I may do by virtue of the Act of Parliamt, and did for a few days) by reason that Mr Pemberton's Appointment by Mr Belcher, wch was only during his pleasure (not the King's) expir'd with his principal's Commission, so that Mr Pemberton could not have acted in that Office without a new appointment from me to be my Clerk of it ; Wherefore as the Service of the Crown really required the appointmt wch I have made, in order to support myself in the Discharge of my Duty ; and the way was clear for doing it, the Clerk- ship being vacant by the Expiration of Mr Pemberton's appointment, wch he had accepted from Govr Belcher, with his principal's Commission, without my removal of him ; and I am in a worse plight to combat wth the Diffi- culties of the Governmt than his Majy's three former Govrs were, who held the Governmt of New Hampshire with the Governmt of this Province, wch is now put under a separate 41 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Govt ; and the full Salary, fees, and profits of both Governmts united under one Govr were but a scanty Allowance for supporting the Dignity and Honour of his Majy's Governmt, and Provision for a Govr, and his family, when large. I am in hopes that your Grace under these Circumstances will not be displeas'd with what I have done, but permit me to hold the Governmt with the same Extent of all it's perquisites, wch preceeding Governrs held it with, even when N. Hamp- shire Governmt was join'd with it, 'till Mr Pemberton brought an Order from his Majy commanding Mr. Belcher *- to appoint him Clerk of the Naval Office ; especially as Mr Pemberton has had the full Effect of that Order in the manner wch he thought fit to accept it in from Mr Belcher, tho not so full as the Terms of the Order ; and Mr Pemberton has receiv'd at least treble as much as all the Losses pretended to have been sustain'd by him from the French, when he obtain'd his Majesty's Order to Mr Belcher, amounted to; two thirds of wch losses are well known here to have been sustain'd by Merchts now living here, and all of 'em sustained by means of a Contreband Trade : But I pretend to noth- ing more in this Aifair, than what yr Grace's Goodness will be pleas'd to allow me, by wch Tenure I desire to hold every- thing I have, as my best Claim & Title ; and will upon the least signification of yr Grace's pleasure that it shall be so, appoint Mr Pemberton, and remove my son, without any further Commands. In the mean time that Mr Pemberton, whose whole family consists of himself and his Wife without any prospect of hav- ing a child, may not be put to Difficulty in his Circumstances, I shall offer him a Post of the reputed Value of 4 or 500I a year, New England Money, in the County where he chooses to live, viz. the post of Sheriff of the County, or one better, wch he shall be put into possession of at present, if he will accept of it, and design to add something more to it, when I shall have a fair Opportunity of doing it; tho I don't know that his Circumstances require it. That his Majesty & yr Country may long be blessed with yr Grace's Services, and that yr Grace may long continue an 42 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Honour to the Administration, & the Object of every good man's Esteem & Love, is the ardent Wish & prayer of him, who wth the most grateful! Sense of all yr Grace's Goodness to him is, My Lord Duke Yr Grace's most Devoted & most Obedt Humble Servt W. Shirley. Endorsed: Boston Augt 23. 1741 Governor Shirley. %. Oct. 14th THE LORDS JUSTICES TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY^ [General Instructions] By the Lords Justices Jo. Cant Grafton Richmond, Lenox, and Aubigny Montagu Hay. - \ Instructions to William Shirley Esqr. His Majes- ty's Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the Province and Ter- ritory of the Massachusets Bay in New England, in America. Given at White- hall the loth Day of September 1741 in the Fifteenth Year of His Majesty's Reign. ^ — First. With these His Majesty's Instructions You will receive His Commission under the Great Seal of Great ^ P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 199, 127-168. A transcript Is in the Library of Congress. The Instructions were received Jan. 16, post, p. 79. ^ The names of the Lords Justices and the date and place of signature are in a different hand from the remainder of the manu- script. 43 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Britain, Constituting You Captain General and Governor In Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of the Massa- chusets Bay, and likewise Captain General and Commander in Chief of the Militia, and of all the Forces by sea and Land within the Colonies of Rhode Island, Providence Plantation and the Narraganset Country or King's Province in New England, and of the Forts and Places of Strength within the same ; You are therefore to fit your self with all con- venient Speed, and to repair to the said Province of the Massachusets Bay ; And being arrived there. You are to take upon you the Execution of the Place and Trust His Majesty has reposed in You, and forthwith to call together the Members of His Majesty's Council in that Province. 2. You are with all due and usual Solemnity to cause His Majesty's said Commission to be read and published at the said Meeting, and Notification to be also given to His Majesty's Colonies of Rhode Island, Providence Planta- tion, and the Narraganset Country, of the Power wherewith You are intrusted concerning the Militia, Forces and Forts within the said Colonies and Country, as aforesaid ; which being done, you shall then take and also Administer unto each of the Members of the said Council the Oaths appointed to be taken by An Act passed in the first Year of His late Majesty's Reign, Entituled An Act for the further Security of His Majesty'' s Person and Government and the Succession of the Crown in the Heirs of the Late Princess Sophia being Protestants, and for Extinguishing the Hopes of the Pretended Prince of Wales and his open and Secret Abettors, as also make and Subscribe, and cause them to make and Subscribe, the Declaration mention'd in An Act of Parliament made in the 25th Year of the Reign of King Charles the Second Entituled, An Act for preventing Dangers which may happen from Popish Recusants, together with an Oath for the due Execution of Your and Their Places and Trusts, as well with regard to the equal and impartial Administration of Justice, in all Causes that shall come before you, as in all other Matters ; And you are likewise to take the Oath required to be taken by Governors of Plantations, 44 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY to do their utmost that the Laws relating to the Planta- tions be observed. 3. You are forthwith to communicate unto the said Council such and so many of these Instructions, wherein their Advice and Consent are mention'd to be requisite, as likewise all such others from time to time as you shall find convenient for His Majesty's Service to be imparted to them. 4. You are to permit the Members of the said Council to have and Enjoy Freedom of Debate, and Vote in all Affairs of publick Concern, that may be debated in Council. 5. You are from time to time to send to His Majesty by one of His Principal Secretarys of State, and to His Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, the Names and Qualities of the Members appointed to be of the said Council by the first Convenience after such Appointment. 6. And in the Choice and Appointment of the Members of the said Council, and also of the principal Officers, Judges, Justices, Sherrlfs and others ; You are always to take Care that they be Men of good life, and well affected to His Majesty's Government, and of good Estates and Abilities, and not necessitous Persons. 7. You are to Observe in the passing of all Laws, that the Style of enacting the same be, by the Governor, Council, and House of Representatives, and no other. You are also as much as possible to observe in the passing of all Laws, that whatever may be requisite upon each different Matter, be accordingly provided for, by a different Law, without intermixing in one and the same Act, such things as have no proper relation to each other ; And you are more especially to take Care that no Clause or Clauses be Inserted in, or annexed to any Act, which shall be foreign to what the Title of such respective Act Imports ; And that no perpetual Clause be part of any temporary Law ; And that no Act whatever be Suspended, Altered, Revived, Continued or Repealed by general Words ; But that the Title and Date of such Act so Suspended, Altered, Revived, Continued or Repealed be particularly mentioned and expressed in the Enacting part. 45 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY 8. You are to take Care that in all Acts or Orders to be passed within that His Majesty's Province in any case for the Levying Money or imposing Fines and Penalties, express mention be made that the same is granted or re- served to His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, to the publick Uses of that Province, and the support of the Govern- ment thereof, as by the said Act or Order shall be directed. And you are particularly not to pass any Law, or do any Act by Grant, Settlement or otherwise whereby His Maj- esty's Revenue may be lessened or Impaired without His Majesty's especial Leave or Command therein. 9. And you are not to permit any Clause whatsoever to be inserted in any Law for levying Money or the Value of Money, whereby the same shall not be made liable to be accounted for to His Majesty and to His Commissioners of the Treasury or the High Treasurer for the time being; And Audited by the Auditor-General of the Plantations, or his Deputy for the time being. And His Majesty does hereby particularly require and enjoyn you, upon pain of His Highest Displeasure to take Care that fair Books of Accounts of all Receipts, and Payments of all publick Moneys be duly kept, and the Truth thereof attested upon Oath, and that the said Books be transmitted every half year or oftner to His Majesty's Commissioners of the Treasury, or High Treasurer for the time being and to the Commission- ers for Trade and Plantations, and Duplicates thereof by the next Conveyance ; In which Books shall be specified every particular sum raised or disposed of, together with the Names of the Persons to whom any Payment shall be made, to the End His Majesty may be Satisfied of the right and due Application of the Revenue of the said Province, with the Probability of the Increase or Diminution of it under every Head or Article thereof. 10. And it is His Majesty's express Will and Pleasure, That no Law for raising any Imposition on Wines or other Strong Liquors be made to continue for less than one whole Year; As also that all other Laws whatsoever for the good Government and Support of the said Province, be made 46 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Indefinite and without Limitation of time ; except the same be for a Temporary service, and which shall expire and have its full Effect within the Time therein prefixt. 11. And whereas Laws have formerly been Enacted in Several of His Majesty's Plantations in America for so short a time, that the Royal Assent or Refusal thereof could not be had thereupon, before the time for which such Laws were enacted, did Expire ; You shall not therefore give your Assent to any Law that shall be enacted for a less time than two Years, except in the Cases mention'd in the foregoing Article. And You shall not Re-enact any Law to which the Assent of His Majesty or His Royal Predecessors has once been refused, without express Leave for that purpose first obtained from His Majesty upon a full Rep- resentation by you, to be made to His Majesty and to His Commissioners for Trade and Plantations of the Reason and Necessity for passing such Law, nor give your Assent to any Law for repealing any other Law passed in your Government whether the same has or has not received the Royal Ap- probation, unless you take Care that there be a Clause in- serted therein, suspending and deferring the Execution thereof until His Majesty's Pleasure shall be known con- cerning the same. 12. Whereas Acts have been passed in some of His Majesty's Plantations in America for Striking Bills of Credit and issuing out the same in lieu of money in order to dis- charge their publick Debts and for other Purposes, from whence several Inconveniencies have arisen, It is therefore His Majesty's Will and Pleasure, that you do not give your Assent to, or pass any Act in the said Province of the Massa- chusets Bay under your Government, whereby Bills of Credit may be Struck or issued in lieu of Money, without a Clause be inserted in such Act declaring that the same shall not take effect, until the said Act shall have been approved and confirmed by His Majesty, His Heirs or Successors, except only for the Annual Support and Service of the Government not exceeding Thirty thousand pounds in such Paper Bills and this Permission to continue only 47 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY until His Majestys further Pleasure shall be known there- upon, And you are to take especial care that no more than Thirty thousand pounds of such Bills be ever Current at One and the same time. 13. And whereas An Act of Parliament was passed in the 6th Year of her late Majesty Queen Anne, Entituled, An Act for ascertaining the Rates of foreign Coins in Her Majesty's Plantations in America, which Act the respective Governors of all the Plantations in America have, from time to time been instructed to observe and carry into due Execution ; And whereas notwithstanding the same. Complaints have been made that the said Act has not been Observed as it ought to have been, in many of His Majesty's Colonies and Plan- tations in America, by means whereof many indirect Prac- tices have grown up, and various and illegal Currencies have been introduced in Several of the said Colonies and Plantations, contrary to the true Intent and meaning of the said Act, and to the Prejudice of the Trade of His Majesty's Subjects : It is therefore His Majesty's Royal Will and Pleasure, and you are hereby strictly required and Com- manded under Pain of His Majesty's highest Displeasure and of being removed from your Government, to take the most effectual Care for the future that the said Act be punctually and bona fide observed and put in Execution, according to the true Intent and meaning thereof. 14. And it is His Majesty's further Will and Pleasure, that you do not give your Assent to, or pass any Act in the said Province of the Massachusets Bay under your Government for any Grants or Payments of an Extraordinary Nature either to you the Governor or to any Lieut. Governor or Commander in Chief, or to any of the Members of the Councih or House of Representatives or to any other person whatsoever, without a Clause be likewise inserted in such Act declaring that the same shall not take Effect until the said Act shall have been approved and confirmed by His Majesty, His Heirs or Successors. 15. And whereas His Majesty is Informed that several Bills of Credit to a considerable Value, are already issued 48 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY and standing out upon the foot of certain Acts heretofore passed for that purpose whereby particular Funds are provided for the calling in, and Sinking them ; You are hereby especially directed to take Care that the said Bills heretofore issued be called in and Sunk according to the Periods and Provisions of the respective Acts by which they were Issued. i6. And Whereas great Mischiefs may arise by passing Bills of unusual and extraordinary Nature and Importance in the Plantations which Bills remain in force there from the time of Enacting until His Majesty's Pleasure be signified to the contrary; His Majesty does hereby Will and require you not to pass or give your Assent to any Bill or Bills in the Assembly of the said Province of unusual or extraordi- nary Nature and Importance wherein His Majesty's Preroga- tive or the Property of His Subjects may be prejudiced, the Trade or Shipping of this Kingdom any ways affected, until you shall have first transmitted to His Majesty the Draught of such a Bill or Bills, and shall have received His Royal Pleasure thereupon, unless you take care in the passing of any Bill of such Nature as beforemention'd, that there be a Clause inserted therein, Suspending and deferring the Execution thereof until His Majty's Pleasure shall be known concerning the same. And It is His Majesty's Express Will and Pleasure that no Duty be laid in the Province under your Government upon British Shipping or upon the Product or Manufactures of Great Britain, and that you do not, upon pain of His Majesty's highest Displeasure, give your Assent to any Law whatever, wherein the Natives or Inhabitants of the Province under your Government are put on a more Advantageous footing than those of this Kingdom. 17. You are to take Care that no private Act be passed whereby the Property of any private Person may be affected, in which there is not a Saving of the Right of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, all Bodies Politick or Corporate, and of all other Persons except such as are mentioned in the said Act, and those claiming by, from or under them ; And VOL. I — E 49 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY further you shall take Care that no private Act be passed without a Clause suspending the Execution thereof, until the same shall have received His Majesty's Royal Approba- tion ; It is likewise His Majesty's Will and Pleasure, that you do not give your Assent to any private Act until Proof be made before you in Council (and entered in the Council Books) that publick Notification was made of the Partys Intention to apply for such Act in the several Parish Churches where the Premises in Question lye, for three Sundays at least Successively before any such Act shall be brought into the Assembly ; And that a Certificate under your Hand be transmitted with and annexed to every such private Act, signifying that the same has passed thro all the Forms above mentioned. 1 8. You are to transmit Authentick Copies of all Laws, Statutes and Ordinances that are now made, and in force, which have not yet been sent, or which at any time hereafter shall be made or enacted within the said Province, each of them separately under the publick Seal, unto His Majesty and to His said Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, within three Months, or by the first Opportunity after their being Enacted, together with Duplicates thereof by the next Conveyance, upon pain of His Majesty's Highest Displeasure, and of the Forfeiture of that Year's Salary wherein you shall at any time, or upon any Pretence what- soever omit to send over the said Laws, Statutes, and Ordi- nances, as aforesaid, within the time above limited ; As also, of such other Penalty as His Majesty shall please to Inflict. And you are hereby directed to take Care, that the Copies and Duplicates of the said Acts be fairly abstracted in the Margins, but if it shall happen that no Shipping shall come from the said Province within three Months after the making such Laws, Statutes and Ordinances whereby the same may be transmitted as aforesaid, then the said Laws, Statutes and Ordinances are to be transmitted by the next Conveyance after the making thereof whenever it may happen, for His Majesty's Approbation or Disallowance of the same. 19. And His Majesty's further Will and Pleasure is, so CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY that in every Act which shall be transmitted, the Several Dates or respective Times when the same passed the House of Representatives, the Council, and receiv'd your Assent, be particularly Expressed. And you are to be as Explicit as may be in your Observations (to be sent to His Majesty's Commissioners for Trade and Plantations) upon every Act, that is to say, whether the same is introductlve of a nev/ Law ; Declaratory of a former Law, or does repeal a Law then before In being. And you are likewise to send to His Majesty's said Commissioners the Reasons for the passing of such Law, unless the same do fully appear in the Preamble of the said Act. 20. You are to require the Secretary of the said Province or his Deputy for the time being, to furnish you with Tran- scripts of all such Acts and publick Orders as shall be made from time to time together with a Copy of the Journal of the Council ; And that all such Transcripts and Copies be fairly Abstracted In the Margins, to the end the same may be transmitted unto His Majesty and to His Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, as above directed, which he is duly to perform upon pain of incurring the Forfeiture of his Place. 21. You are to require from the Clerk of the House of Representatives or other proper Officer, Transcripts of all the Journals and other Proceedings of the said House, fairly abstracted in the Margins, to the end the same may in like manner be transmitted, as aforesaid. 22. Whereas several Inconveniencies have arisen to His Majesty's Governments in the Plantations by Gifts and Presents made to His Majesty's Governors by the Assemblies, It is His Majesty's Express Will and Pleasure that you do not give your Assent to any Act or Order of Assembly in the said Province of the Massachusets Bay under your Government, for any Gift or Present to be made to you the Governor or Commander In Chief by the Assembly of the said Province, and that you do not receive any Gift or Present from the said Assembly, or others on any Account or in any way whatsoever upon pain of His Majesty's Highest DIs- CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY pleasure, and of being recalled from that Government, except only in the manner prescribed in the following In- structions. 23. Whereas His Majesty by His Instructions in the 3d Year of His Reign to Jonathan Belcher Esq his late Governor of the Province of the Massachusets Bay, did Order and Direct the said Governor to acquaint the Council and House of Representatives of the Province, that as They hoped to recommend themselves to His Majesty's Royal Grace and Favour, His Majesty expected they should Manifest the same by Establishing a fixed and Honourable Salary for the Support of the Dignity of the Governor there for the time being, and that He Deemed One thousand pounds Sterling pr Annum a Competent Sum for that purpose, to be constantly paid out of such Monies as should from time to time be raised for the Support of the Government and Defence of the Inhabitants of the said Province ; Now it is His Majesty's Express Will and Pleasure, that you rec- ommend it in the most pressing and Effectual manner to the Assembly to pass An Act settling a fixed Salary of One thousand pounds Sterling pr Annum clear of all Deduc- tions, on your self and your Successors in that Govern- ment, or at least on your self during the whole time of your Government. But in case the Assembly should not readily comply with this His Majesty's reasonable recom- mendation You may in the mean time for the Support of your Dignity as His Majesty's Governor of the said Province, and you are hereby impowered to give your Assent to such Bill as shall be Annually passed for paying to you a Salary of One thousand pounds Sterling or the Value thereof in Money of that Province, until His Majesty's Royal Pleasure shall be Signified to the contrary. Provided such Act be the first that shall be passed by the Assembly of the said Province before they proceed upon the other Business of that Session wherein such Act shall be proposed. 24. Whereas for some Years past the Governors of some of His Majesty's Plantations have seized and appropriated to their own Use the produce of Whales of several Kinds, taken $2 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY upon those Coasts, upon pretence that Whales are Royal Fishes, which tends greatly to discourage this Branch of Fishery in the Plantations and prevents persons from Settling there; It is therefore His Majesty's Will and Pleasure, that you do not pretend to any such Claim nor give any manner of discouragement to the Fishery of His Subjects upon the Coast of the Province under your Government, but on the contrary that you will give all possible encouragement thereto. 25. And whereas great Prejudice may happen to His Majesty's service, and the Security of the said Province by your Absence from those Parts, without a Sufficient Cause and especial Leave from His Majesty ; For the prevention thereof you are not upon any Pretence whatsoever to come to Europe from your Government without having first obtained Leave from His Majesty for so doing under his Sign Manual and Signet, or by Order in His Majesty's Privy Council. 26. Whereas His Majesty has been pleased by His Com- mission to direct that In case of your Death, or Absence from the said Province, and in case there be at that time no Person upon the Place Commissionated or appointed by His Majesty to be his Lieutenant Governor or Commander in Chief, the then present Council of the aforesaid Province of the Massachusets Bay shall take upon them the Administration of the Government, and Execute the said Commission and the several Powers and Authorities therein contained in the manner thereby directed ; It is nevertheless His Maj- esty's Express Will and Pleasure that in such Case, the said Council shall forbear to pass any Acts but what are Immediately necessary for the Peace and Welfare of the said Province without His Majesty's particular Order for that Purpose. 27. Whereas an unwarrantable Practice hath of late Years been Introduced Into the Proceedings of the Assembly of the Province of the Massachusets Bay, of raising Money and Supplying the Current Service of the Year, by a Vote or Resolve Instead of An Act of Assembly, and of reserving S3 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY thereby to the said Assembly, a power of determining what Accounts shall, or shall not be paid even after the Service performed, expressly contrary to the Tenour of the Charter granted to that Province by His Majesty's Royal Pred- ecessors King William and Queen Mary, whereby they are empowered to raise Monies for the Support of the Govern- ment and for the Defence of the Inhabitants, by Act or Acts of Assembly only ; And the issuing of the said Money when raised is expressly reserved to His Majesty's Governor for the time being, with the Advice and Consent of the Council of the said Province ; Now His Majesty's Will and Pleasure is, and He doth hereby require you to take care for the future that no Money be raised, or Bills of Credit Issued in the Province of the Massachusets Bay, but by Act or Acts of Assembly, in which Act or Acts, one, or more Clauses of Appropriation may be inserted, but that the pass- ing all Accounts for Payment, and the Issuing of all Monies so raised, or Bills of Credit, be left to the Governor or Com- mander in Chief of the said Province, with the Advice and Consent of the Council, according to their Charter, Subject nevertheless to a future Enquiry of the then present, or any other Assembly, as to the Application of such Monies. 28. And whereas His Majesty is willing in the best manner to provide for the support of the Government of the said Province, by setting apart a Sufficient Allowance to such as shall be Governor, Lieut. Governor, or Commander in Chief residing for the time being within the same ; His Majesty's Will and Pleasure therefore is, that when it shall happen that you shall be absent from the said Province, One full Moiety of the Salary and of all Perquisites and Emoluments whatsoever which would otherwise become due unto you, during the time of your Absence from the said Province be paid and satisfied unto such Lieutenant Governor who shall be resident upon the Place for the time being, which His Majesty doth hereby Order and Allot into him towards his Maintenance and for the better Support of the Dignity of that Government; Provided nevertheless, and it is His Majesty's Intent and Meaning, 54 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY That whenever you shall think it necessary for His Service to go into the Colony of Rhode Island, to view and regu- late the Militia, whereof His Majesty has appointed you Captain General and Commander in Chief; Or whenever His Majesty shall think fit to require you by His especial Order to repair to any other of His Governments, on the Continent of America for His particular Service, that then and in such Case you shall receive your full Salary, Perquisites and Emoluments, as if you were then actually residing within His Majesty's Province of the Massachusets Bay, any thing in these Instructions to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding. 29. You shall not remit any Fines or Forfeitures whatso- ever, above the Sum of Ten pounds, nor dispose of any Escheats or Forfeitures whatsoever until upon signifying to the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury or His High Treasurer for the time being and to His Commissioners for Trade and Plantations the Nature of the Offence, and the Occasion of such Fines and Forfeitures or Escheats with the Particular Sums or Value thereof (which you are to do with all Speed) you shall have received His Majesty's Di- rections therein ; But you may in the meantime Suspend the Payment of the said Fines and Forfeitures. 30. You are to transmit unto His Majesty and to his Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, with all con- venient speed, a particular Account of all Establishments of Jurisdictions, Courts, Offices and Officers, Powers Authori- ties Fees and Privileges which shall be granted or Settled within the said Province, together with an Account of all publick Charges relating to the said Courts ; And likewise exact and Authentick Copies of all Proceedings in such Causes where Appeals shall be lodged before His Majesty in His Council. 31. You shall likewise take especial Care with the Ad- vice and Consent of the Council, to regulate all Salaries and Fees belonging to Places or paid upon Emergencies that they be within the Bounds of Moderation, and that no Exaction be made upon any Occasion whatsoever ; As also 55 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY that Tables of all Fees be publlckly hung up In all Places where such Fees are to be paid ; And you are to transmit Copies of all such Tables of Fees unto His Majesty and to his Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, as aforesaid. 32. And whereas Complaint has been made to His Majesty, that certain illegal and unaccustomed Fees on Shipping have been heretofore exacted, It is His Majesty's further Will and Pleasure, and He does hereby Strictly Command, that neither you the said Governor nor any Governor, Lieut. Governor or Commander in Chief of the said Province of the Massachusets Bay do presume to exact or demand any other Fees than what are legal and have been accustomarily taken by the Governors or Commanders in Chief of that Province, for registring of Ships and for let passes, on any Pretence or Account whatsoever. 33. You are to take Care, that no Man's Life, Member, Freehold or Goods, be taken away or harmed in the said Province under your Government, otherwise than by es- tablished and known Laws, not repugnant to, but as much as may be agreeable to the Laws of this Kingdom. And that no Persons for the future be sent as Prisoners to this King- dom from the Province under your Government, without Sufficient Proof of their Crimes, and that Proof transmitted along with the said Prisoner. 34. You shall endeavour to get a Law passed (if not already done) for the restraining of any inhumane severity which by ill Masters or Overseers may be used towards their Christian Servants and their Slaves, and that Provision be made therein, that the wilfuU killing of Indians and Ne- groes may be punished with Death, and that a fit Penalty be imposed for the maiming of them. 35. You are to take Care that all Writs be issued in His Majesty's Name throughout the said Province. 36. You are to take Care, by and with the Advice and Assistance of the said Council, that the Prisons there, if they want Reparation be forthwith repaired and put into and kept in such a Condition as may sufficiently secure the Prisoners that are or shall be there in Custody. S6 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY 37. And whereas several Complaints have been made by the Surveyor General and other Officers of His Majesty's Customs in His Majesty's Plantations in America, that they have frequently been obliged to serve on Juries, and per- sonally to appear in Arms whenever the Militia is drawn out, and thereby are much hindred in the Execution of their Employments ; His Majesty's Will and Pleasure is, that you take effectual Care, and give the necessary Directions that the several Officers of the Customs be excused and exempted from Serving on any Juries or personally ap- pearing in Arms in the Militia, unless in Cases of absolute Necessity, or serving any Parochial Offices which may hin- der them in the Execution of their Duties. 38. And whereas the Surveyors General of the Customs in the Plantations are Impowered, in case of the Vacancy of any of the Offices of the Customs by Death, Removal or otherwise, to appoint other Persons to execute such Offices until they receive further Directions from the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury or the High Treasurer, or Com- missioners of the Customs for the time being ; But whereas the Districts of the said Surveyors General are very Exten- sive, and that they are required at proper times to Visit the Officers in the Several Governments under their Inspec- tion ; And that it may happen that some of the Officers of the Customs in the Province of the Massachusets Bay may Dye at the time when the Surveyor General is absent in some distant Part of his District, so that he cannot receive Ad- vice of such Officer's Death within a reasonable time, and thereby make Provision for carrying on the service by ap- pointing some other Person in the room of such Officer who may happen to Dye ; Therefore that there may be no De- lay given on such Occasions unto the Masters of Ships or Merchants in their Dispatches, It is His Majesty's fur- ther Will and Pleasure in case of such Absence of the Sur- veyor General, or if he should happen to Dye, and in such Cases only, that upon the Death of any Collector of the Customs within that Province, You shall make Choice of a Person of known Loyalty, Experience, Diligence, and Fi- 57 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY delity to be employ'd in such Collector's Room for the Pur- poses aforesaid, until the Surveyor General of the Customs shall be advised thereof, and appoint another to succeed in their Places, or that further Directions shall be given therein, by the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, or the High Treasurer or by the Commissioners of the Customs for the time being, which shall be first Signified, taking care that you do not under Pretence of this Instruction inter- fere with the Powers and Authorities given by the Com- missioners of the Customs to the said Surveyor General, when he is able to put the same in Execution. 39. And whereas His Majesty has been graciously pleased to constitute and appoint a Surveyor General of all His Woods in North America, with proper Deputies under him, in order the better to secure and preserve for the use of the Royal Navy, such Trees as shall be found proper for that Service, It is His Majesty's Will and Pleasure, that you be Aiding and Assisting to the said Surveyor and his Deputies ; And that you give Orders to all Officers Civil and Military that they in their several Stations and Places be aiding and assisting to the said Surveyor or his Deputies, in preventing the Destruction of the Woods in that Province or in punish- ing such as shall be found offending therein. 40, You shall Administer or cause to be Administered the Oaths mention'd in the aforesaid Act, Entituled, An Act for the further Security of His Majesty^ s Person and Govern- ment and the Succession of the Crown in the Heirs of the late Princess Sophia being Protestants, and for extinguish- ing the Hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales and his open and secret Abettors, to the Members and Officers of His Majes- ty's Council and House of Representatives, to all Judges, Justices, and all other Persons that hold any Office or Place of Trust or Profit in the said Province, whether by Virtue of any Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, or the Seal of the Massachusets Bay, or otherwise ; And you shall also cause them to make and subscribe the aforesaid Declaration, without the doing of all which you are not to admit any Person whatsoever into any publick Office, nor s8 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Suffer those who have been admitted formerly, to continue therein. 41. You are to permit a Liberty of Conscience to all Persons (except Papists) So they be contented with a quiet and peaceable Enjoyment of the same, not giving Offence or Scandal to the Government. 42. His Majesty having been graciously pleased to grant unto the Right Reverend Father in God, Edmund Lord Bishop of London, a Commission under the Great Seal of Great Britain, whereby he is impowered to execute Eccle- siastical Jurisdiction by himself or by such Commissaries as he shall appoint in the several Plantations in America ; It is His Majesty's Will and Pleasure, that you give all Countenance and due Encouragement to the said Bishop of London or his Commissaries in the legal Exercise of such Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction according to the Laws of the Province under your Government, and to the Tenour of the said Commission, a Copy whereof is hereunto Annexed ; And that you do cause the said Commission to be forthwith registred in the publick Records of the said Province. 43. The said Lord Bishop of London having presented a Petition to His late Majesty, humbly beseeching him to send Instructions to the Governors of all the several Planta- tions in America, That they cause all the Laws already made against Blasphemy, Prophaness, Adultery, Forni- cation, Polygamy, Incest, Prophanation of the Lord's Day, Swearing and Drunkenness in their respective Govern- ments, to be vigorously executed ; and His Majesty think- ing it highly Just, that all Persons who shall offend in any of the Particulars aforesaid, should be prosecuted and pun- ished for their said Offences, It is therefore His Will and Pleasure that you take due Care for the Punishment of the Aforementiond Vices, and that you earnestly recommend to the Council and House of Representatives of the Massa- chusets Bay, to provide Effectual Laws for the Restraint and Punishment of all such of the aforementioned Vices, against which no Laws are as yet Provided ; And also you are to use your Endeavours to render the Laws in being 59 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY more effectual, by providing for the Punishment of the aforemention'd Vices, by Presentment upon Oath to be made to the Temporal Courts by the Church Wardens of the several Parishes, or other proper Officers to be appointed for that Purpose ; And for the further Discouragement of Vice and Encouragement of Virtue and good living (that by such Example the Infidels may be invited and perswaded to embrace the Christian Religion) you are not to admit any Person to publick Trusts and Employments in the said Province under your Government, whose ill Fame and Conversation may occasion Scandal ; And it is His Majesty's further Will and Pleasure, that you recommend to the As- sembly to enter upon proper Methods for the erecting and maintaining of Schools, in order to the training up of Youth to reading and to a necessary Knowledge of the Principles of Religion ; And you are also with the Assistance of the Council and House of Representatives, to find out the best Means to facilitate and encourage the Conversion of Ne- groes and Indians to the Christian Religion. 44. You shall send an Account to His Majesty and to His Commissioners for Trade and Plantations by the first Conveyance, of the present Number of Planters and In- habitants Men, Women and Children as well Masters as Servants free and unfree, and of the Slaves in the said Province ; As also Yearly Accounts of the Increase or De- crease of them and how many of them are fit to bear Arms in the Militia of the said Province. 45. You shall also cause an exact Account to be kept of all Persons Born, Christened and Buried, and you shall Yearly send fair Abstracts thereof to His Majesty and to His Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, as afore- said. 46. You shall take Care that all Planters and Christian Servants be well and fitly provided with Arms, and that they be listed under good Officers and when, and as often as shall be thought fit, mustered and trained, whereby they may be in a better readiness for the Defence of' the Province under your Government. 60 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY 47. But you are to take especial Care that neither the frequency nor Unreasonableness of remote Marches, Mus- ters and Trainings be an unnecessary Impediment to the Affairs of the Inhabitants. 48. You shall not upon any Occasion whatsoever establish or put in Execution any Articles of War or other Law Mar- tial, upon any of His Majesty's Subjects Inhabitants of the said Province, without the Advice and Consent of the Coun- cil there. 49. And whereas there is no Power given you by your Com- mission to execute Martial Law in time of Peace, upon Soldiers in pay, and yet nevertheless it may be necessary that some Care be taken for the keeping of good Discipline amongst those that His Majesty may at any time hereafter think fit to send into the said Province, (which may properly be provided for by the Legislative Power of the same) you are therefore to recommend unto the General Assembly of the said Province that (if not already done) they prepare such Act or Law for the punishing of Mutiny, Desertion, and false Musters, and for the better preserving of good Disci- pline among the said Soldiers as may best answer those Ends. 50. And whereas by His Majesty's Commission for the Government of the said Province of the Massachusets Bay, He has given you all the Powers and Authorities of any Captain General over His Majesty's Colonies of Rhode Island, Providence Plantation and the Narraganset Country or King's Province, His Majesty's Royal Pleasure and In- tention is, that in time of Peace, the Militia within each of the said Colonies be left to the Government and Dis- position of the respective Governors of the same. But so as nevertheless in Case of apparent Danger or other Exigency, you do at all times take upon Your self the Superior Com- mand of those Forces, as in the said Commission is directed. 51. You are to encourage the Indians upon all Occasions, so that they may apply themselves to the English Trade and Nation rather than to any other. 52. And whereas you will receive from His Majesty's 61 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Commissioners for executing the Office of High Admiral of Great Britain and of the Plantations a Commission con- stituting you Vice Admiral of the said Province of the Massachusets Bay, You are hereby required and directed carefully to put in Execution the several Powers thereby granted you. 53. And there having been great Irregularities in the man- ner of granting Commissions in the Plantations to private Ships of War, you are to govern yourself whenever there shall be Occasion according to the Commissions and In- structions granted in this Kingdom, Copies whereof will be herewith deliver'd you ; But you are not to grant Com- missions of Marque or Reprizal against any Prince or State, or their Subjects in Amity with His Majesty, to any Person what-soever without His Majesty's especial Command, and you are to oblige the Commanders of all Ships having pri- vate Commissions or Letters of Marque or Reprizal, to wear the same Ensign as Merchant Ships, and a red Jack with the Union Jack in a Canton at the upper Corner next the Staff. 54. Whereas it is absolutely necessary that His Majesty be exactly informed of the State of Defence of all his Plan- tations in America, as well in Relation to the Stores of War that are in each Plantation as to the Forts and Fortifications there, and what more may be necessary to be built for the Defence and Security of the same ; you are so soon as pos- sible to prepare an Account thereof with Relation to His Majesty's said Province in the most particular manner; And you are therein to express the present State of the Arms, Amunition and other Stores of War belonging to the said Province, either in any publick Magazines or in the Hands of private Persons, together with the State of all Places either already fortified, or that you Judge necessary to be fortified for the Security of His Majesty's said Province ; And you are to transmit the said Accounts to His Majesty and to His Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, As also a Duplicate thereof to His Majesty's Master General or Principal Officers of his Ordnance, which Accounts are 62 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY to express the particulars of Ordnance, Carriages, Ball, Powder and all other Sorts of Arms and Amunition in His Majesty's publick Stores at your Arrival, and so from time to time of what shall be sent to you or bought with the pub- lick Money, and to Specify the time of the Disposal and the Occasion thereof, and other like Accounts half Yearly in the same manner. 55. You are to take especial Care that fit Storehouses be Settled in His Majesty's Province of the Massachusets Bay, for receiving and keeping of Arms, Amunition and other publick Stores. 56. And whereas His Majesty's Royal Predecessors have been constantly at great Charge in sending thither and maintaining Ships of War to Cruize upon the Coasts of that Province, in order to their Protection against Enemies by Sea ; You are therefore to require and press the Council and House of Representatives vigorously to exert themselves in fortifying all Places necessary for the Security of the said Province by Land, and in providing what else may be neces- sary in all Respects for their further Defence ; In order whereunto you are also to cause a Survey to be made of all the considerable Landing Places and Harbours within the said Province, and with the Advice of His Majesty's said Council to erect In any of them such Fortifications as shall be necessary for their Security and Advantage. 57. You shall transmit to His Majesty and to His Com- missioners for Trade and Plantations, by the first Oppor- tunity, a Map with the exact Description of the whole Terri- tory under your Government, with the several Plantations and Fortifications upon It, and you are likewise to use your best Endeavours to procure a good Map to be drawn of all the Indian Country In the Neighbourhood of His Majesty's Plantations in those Parts, marking the Names of the sev- eral Nations as they call themselves, and are called by the English and French, and the Places where they Inhabit, and to transmit the same In like manner. 58. You are from time to time to give an Account, as be- fore directed, what Strength your Neighbours have (be they 63 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Indians or others) by Sea and Land, and of the Condition of their Plantations, and what Correspondence you do keep with them. 59. And in case of any Distress of any others of His Majesty's Plantations, You shall, upon Application of the re- spective Governors thereof to you, assist them with what Aid the Condition and Safety of the Province under your Government can permit ; And more especially in case the Province of New York be at any time Invaded by an Enemy, You are to call upon the Council and House of Represen- tatives of the Massachusets Bay to make good in Men (or Money in lieu thereof) their Quota of Assistance according to the Repartition formerly sent thither, assuring them that in case of the like Invasion of the Province of the Massachu- sets Bay, they will be mutually assisted from New York. 60. You are to examine what Rates and Duties are charged and payable upon any Goods Imported and Exported within the said Province, whether of the Growth or Manufacture of the said Province or otherwise ; And you are to Suppress the Engrossing of Commodities as tending to the Preju- dice of that Freedom which Trade and Commerce ought to have ; And to use your best Endeavours in the Improving the Trade of those Parts by Settling such Orders and Regu- lations therein, with the Advice of the said Council, as may be most acceptable to the Generality of the Inhabitants ; And to send unto His Majesty and to His Commissioners for Trade and Plantations Yearly or oftner, as Occasion may require, the best and most particular Account of any Laws that have at any time been made, Manufactures set up or Trade carry'd on in the Province of the Massachusets Bay, which may in any wise affect the Trade and Naviga- tion of this Kingdom. 61. And you are to give all due Encouragement and In- vitation to Merchants and others who shall bring Trade unto the said Province, or any way contribute to the Advantage thereof; and in particular to the Royal African Company, and other His Majesty's Subjects trading to Africa. 62. Whereas His Majesty has been informed that during 64 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the time of War His Enemies have frequently got Intelli- gence of the State of the Plantations by Letters from pri- vate persons to their Correspondents in Great Britain, taken on Board Ships coming from the Plantations, which has been of dangerous Consequence : His Majesty's Will and Pleasure therefore is, that you signify to all Merchants, Planters and others, that they be very cautious in time of War, whenever that shall happen, in giving any Account by Letters of the publick State and Condition of the Province of the Massachusets Bay ; And you are further to give Directions to all Masters of Ships or other Persons to whom you may intrust your Letters, that they put such Letters into a Bag with a Sufficient Weight to Sink the same immedi- ately in case of imminent Danger from the Enemy ; And you are also to let the Merchants and Planters know how greatly it is for their Interest, that their Letters should not fall into the Hands of the Enemy, And therefore that they should give the like Orders to Masters of Ships in relation to their Letters ; And you are further to Advise all Masters of Ships, that they do Sink all Letters in case of Danger in the Manner beforementioned, 63. And whereas in the late Wars the Merchants and Planters in America did correspond and trade with His Majesty's Enemies, and carry Intelligence to them, to the great Prejudice and Hazard of the British Plantations, you are therefore by all possible Methods to endeavour to hin- der all such Trade and Correspondence in Time of War, 64. Whereas by the 5th and 6th Articles of the Treaty of Peace and Neutrality in America, concluded between Eng- land and France the 6/16 Day of November 1686, The Subjects and Inhabitants of each Kingdom are prohibited to Trade and Fish in all Places possessed or which shall be possessed by the other in America, and that if any shall be found trading contrary to the said Treaty, upon due proof, the said Ship shall be confiscated ; But in case the Subjects of either King shall be forced by Stress of Weather, Enemies or other Necessity, into the Ports of the other in America, they shall be treated with Humanity and Kind- voL. I — F 6s CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ness, and may provide themselves with Victuals and other Things necessary for their Sustenance and Reparation of their Ships, at reasonable Rates ; Provided they do not break Bulk, nor carry any Goods out of their Ships, Exposing them to Sale, nor receive any Merchandize on Board, under Penalty of Confiscation of Ship and Goods ; It is therefore His Majesty's Will and Pleasure, that you Signify to all His Subjects under your Government the Purport and In- tent of the abovesaid two Articles ; And that you take partic- ular Care that none of the French Subjects be allowed to trade from their said Settlements to the Province under your Government, or fish upon the Coasts thereof. 65. Whereas Commissions have been granted unto sev- eral Persons in His Majesty's respective Plantations in America for the trying of Pirates in those Parts, pursuant to the Acts for the Effectual Suppression of Piracy ; And by a Commission already sent to the Province of the Massa- chusets Bay, you (as Captain General and Governor in Chief of the said Province) are empowered together with others therein mentioned to proceed accordingly, in refer- rence to the said Province ; His Majesty's Will and Pleasure is, that in all Matters relating to Pirates you Govern your- self according to the Intent of the said Acts and Commission. 66. Whereas His Majesty has thought it necessary for His Royal Service to constitute, authorize and appoint a Receiver General of the Rights and Perquisites of the Ad- miralty, It is his Express Will and Pleasure that you be Aiding and Assisting to the said Receiver General, his Deputy or Deputies in the Execution of the said Office of Receiver General, and does hereby enjoin and require you to make up your Accounts with him, his Deputy or Deputies of all Rights of Admiralty (Effects of Pirates included) as you or your Officers have received, or shall or may receive for the future, and to pay over to the said Receiver General, his Deputy or Deputies for His Majesty's Use, all such Sum or Sums of Money as shall appear upon the foot of such Ac- counts to be and remain in your Hands or in the Hands of any of your Officers ; And whereas the said Receiver Gen- 66, CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY eral is directed in case the Parties chargeable with any Part of such Revenue, refuse, neglect or delay Payment thereof by himself or Sufficient Deputy, to apply in His Majestys Name to the Governors, Judges, Attorneys General or any others His Majesty's Officers or Magistrates, to be aiding and assisting to him in recovering the same ; Now you the Governor, the Judges, the Attorney General and all other His Majesty's Officers whom the same may concern are hereby required to use all lawful Authority for the recovering and levying thereof. d'j. Whereas it is very necessary for His Majesty's Serv- ice that there be an Attorney General appointed and Set- tled who may at any time take Care of His Majesty's Rights and Interests within the said Province, you are with all con- venient Speed to Nominate, with the Advice and Consent of the Council or Assistants, a fit Person for that Trust ; And whereas His Majesty has been informed that the General Court have taken upon them to Name this Officer, You are therefore to signify to them, that His Majesty conceives that Nomination to be his undoubted Right, And you are not to Suffer any Person to Act in that Station but such as shall be Nominated by you, as aforesaid. 68. And whereas an Act was passed here in the 3d and 4th Years of Queen Anne, Entituled, An Act for encouraging the Importation of Naval Stores from Her Majesty^ s Plantations in America, and another passed in the 9th Year of the said Queen's Reign, Entituled, An Act for the Preservation of White and other Pine Trees growing in Her Majesty'' s Colonies of New Hampshire, the Massachusets Bay, and Province of Main, Rhode Island and Providence Plantation, the Narraganset Country or King's Province, and Connecticut in New England, and New York and New Jersey in America, for the Masting Her Majesty's Navy; And also An Act passed in the 8th Year of his late Majesty's Reign, Entituled, An Act giving fur- ther Encouragement for the Importation of Naval Stores, and for other Purposes therein mentioned ; Yet nevertheless His Majesty has been informed that great Spoils are daily com- mitted in His Woods, in the Province of Main, and other 67 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Parts within your Government of the Massachusets Bay, by Cutting down and converting to private Use, such Trees as are or may be proper for the Service of the Royal Navy ; And it being necessary that all such Abuses which tend so evidently to deprive His Majesty of those Supplies, be ef- fectually redressed ; It is His Majesty's Will and Pleasure, that you take Care and give in Charge, that the said Acts as also that, passed in the 2d Year of His present Majesty's Reign Entituled, An Act for the better Preservation of His Majesty^ s Woods in America and for the Encouragement of the Importation of Naval Stores from thence, and to encourage the Importation of Masts, Yards and Bowsprights from that Part of Great Britain, called Scotland, and every Clause, Article and Proviso therein be Strictly and duly comply'd with. 69. You are to take all possible Care in the granting of any Lands within the Province under your Government not already disposed of, that such Limitations and Methods be observed as may best tend to the Safety and due Im- provement of the said Province. 70. You are from time to time to give unto His Majesty and to His Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, as aforesaid, an Account of the Wants and Defects of the said Province, what are the chief Products thereof, what New Improvements are made therein by the Industry of the Inhabitants or Planters, and what further Improvements you conceive may be made or Advantages gained by Trade, and which way His Majesty may contribute thereunto. 71. If any thing shall happen which may be of Advantage or Security to the said Province under your Government, which is not herein or by your Commission provided for, His Majesty doth hereby allow unto you with the Advice and Consent of the said Council to take Order for the pres- ent therein, giving to His Majesty by One of His Principal Secretaries of State, and to the foresaid Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, Speedy Notice thereof, that so you may receive His Majesty's Confirmation if He shall approve the same. Provided always and His Majesty's Will and 68 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Pleasure is, that you do not by any Colour of any Power or Authority hereby given you, commence or declare War without His Majesty's Knowledge and particular Commands therein, except it be against Indians upon Emergencies, wherein the Consent of the Council shall be had, and Speedy Notice thereof given to His Majesty, as aforesaid. 72. Whereas Disputes and Controversies have for many Years subsisted between His Majesty's loving Subjects of the Province of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire in New England, in regard to the Boundaries between the said Provinces And whereas His Majesty was pleased by his Order in Council dated 226. January 1735, to direct that Commissioners should be appointed to mark out the divid- ing Line between the said Provinces, and also by His Order in Council of the 9th February 1736, to direct that a Com- mission should be prepared and passed under the Great Seal (which said Commission was accordingly issued out) for Authorizing such Commissioners to meet within a limited time, "to mark out the Dividing Line between the said Provinces, with Liberty to either Party who should think themselves aggrieved by the Determination of the said Commissioners, to appeal therefrom to His Majesty in Council ; Which said Commissioners did make their Report in the following Words." "In Pursuance of His Majesty's aforesaid Commission, the Court took under Consideration the Evidences, Pleas and Allegations offered and made by each Party, referring to the Controversy depending between them, and upon Mature Advisement on the whole, a Doubt arose in point of Law, And the Court thereupon came to the following Resolution Vizt. "That if the Charter of King William and Queen Mary, dated October the 7th in the third Year of their Reign, grants to the Province of the Massachusets Bay, all the Lands which were granted by the Charter of King Charles the first, dated March the 4th in the fourth Year of his Reign, to the late Colony of the Massachusets Bay, lying to the Northward of Merrimack River, Then the Court 69 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY adjudge and determine that a Line shall run Parallel with the said River at the Distance of three English Miles North, from the Mouth of the said River, beginning, at the Southerly Side of the Black Rocks, so called, at low Water Mark, and from thence to run to the Crotch or Parting of the said River, where the Rivers of Pemigewasset and Winnepiseokee meet, and from thence due North three English Miles, and from thence due West towards the South Sea until it meets with His Majesty's other Governments which shall be the Boun- dary, or dividing Line between the said Provinces of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire on that side ; But if othervv^ise, then the Court Adjudge and determine, that a Line on the Southerly Side of New Hampshire beginning at the Distance of three English Miles North from the Southerly Side of the Black Rocks aforesaid at low Water Mark, and from thence running due West up Into the main Land towards the South Sea, until it meets with His Majesty's other Governments, shall be the Boundary Line between the said Provinces on the side aforesaid ; Which point in doubt with the Court, as aforesaid, they humbly Submit to the wise Consideration of his most Sacred Majesty In his Privy Council, to be determined according to His Royal Will and Pleasure therein ; And as to the Northern Boun- dary between the said Provinces, the Court resolve and determine that the dividing Line shall pass up thro the Mouth of PIscataqua Harbour, and up the Middle of the River, into the River of Newickwannock (Part of which is now called Salmon Falls) and thro the Middle of the same to the furthest Head thereof, and from thence North, two De- grees Westerly until One hundred and twenty Miles be finished from the Mouth of PIscataqua Harbour aforesaid, or until It meets with His Majesty's other Governments, And that the dividing Line shall part the Isles of Shoals, and run thro the Middle of the Harbour between the Is- lands to the Sea on the Southerly Side ; And that the South- westly Part of the said Islands shall lye In and be accounted Part of the Province of New Hampshire, And that the North easterly Part thereof shall lye In and be accounted Part of 70 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the Province of the Massachusets Bay, and be held and en- joyed by the said Provinces respectively in the same Manner as they now do, and have heretofore held and enjoyed the same ; — And the Court do further adjudge that the Cost and Charge arising by taking out the Commission, as also of the Commissioners and their Ofhcers, Vizt. The two Clerks, Surveyor and Waiter, for their Travelling Expences and attendance in the Execution of the same, be equally born by the said Provinces." And whereas Appeals from the Determination of the said Commissioners have been laid before His Majesty, by the Agents for the respective Provinces of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, which said Appeals have been heard before the Committee of Council for hearing Appeals from the Plantations, who, after having Considered the whole Matter, and heard all Parties concerned therein, did report unto his Majesty as their Opinion, "That the North- ern Boundaries of the said Province of the Massachusets Bay are and be a Similar Curve Line, pursuing the Course of Merrimack River at three Miles distance on the North Side thereof, beginning at the Atlantick Ocean, and ending at a Point due North of a Place in the Plan returned by the said Commissioners called Pantucket Falls, and a Strait Line drawn from thence due West cross the said River, un- til It meets with his Majesty's other Governments, And that the rest of the Commissioners said Report or Deter- mination be Affirmed by His Majesty, which said Report of the said Committee of Council, His Majesty hath been pleased with the Advice of His Privy Council to Approve, and to Declare, Adjudge and Order, That the Northern Boundaries of the said Province of the Massachusets Bay are and be a Similar curve Line, pursuing the Course of Merrimack River at three Miles distance on the North Side thereof, beginning at the Atlantick Ocean and ending at a Point due North of a Place in the Plan, returned by the said Commissioners called Pantucket Falls, and a Strait Line drawn from thence due West cross the said River, till it meets with His Majesty's other Governments, and to n CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Affirm the rest of the Commissrs. said Report or Determina- tion ; Whereof the Governor or Commander in Chief of His Majesty's said Provinces for the time being, as also His Majesty's respective Councils and Assemblies thereof, and all others whom it may concern, are to take Notice." It is therefore His Majesty's Will and Pleasure, and you are hereby required and enjoined, under Pain of His Majes- ty's Highest Displeasure and of being removed from your Government, to take especial Care that His Majesty's Commands in this Behalf be executed in the most effectual and expeditious Manner, to the End that His Majesty's good Intentions for promoting the Peace and Quiet of the said Provinces may not be frustrated or delayed. You are likewise hereby directed to communicate this Instruction to the Council and House of Representatives of His Majesty's said Province of the Massachusetts Bay, and to cause the same to be entred in the Council Books thereof. And for your further Information herein An Authentick Copy of the Plan returned by the said Commissioners is hereunto annex'd. 73. You are upon all Occasions to send unto His Majesty by One of His Principal Secretaries of State, and to the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations a particular Ac- count of all your Proceedings and the Condition of Affairs within your Government. I. C. G. R. L. and A. M. Endorsed : Draught of Instructions to William Shirley Esqr. Govr. of Massachusets Bay. Sepr. loth 1741. ^ The initials of the signers are in another hand. 72 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY THE LORDS JUSTICES TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY ^ [Instructions for Trade] By the Lords Justices J. Cant Orders and Instructions to Grafton William Shirley Esqr. His Richmond, Lenox and Aubigny Majesty's Captain General Montagu and Governor in Chief in Hay. and over the Province and Territory of the Massachu- sets Bay, in New England, in America, In pursuance of several Laws relating to the Trade and Naviga- tion of the Kingdom of Great Britain and His Maj- esty's Colonies and Plan- tations in America. Given at Whitehall the lOth day of September 1741. in the fifteenth Year of His Maj- esty's Reign. ^ First. You shall inform yourself of the principal Laws relating to the Plantation Trade, Vizt. the Jet for the en- couraging and encreasing of Shipping and Navigation, made in the 12th Year of the Reign of King Charles the Second, the Act for preventing Frauds and regulating Abuses in His Majesty^s Customs, made in the 14th Year of the said King's ^ P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 199, 171-205. A transcript Is In the Library of Congress. These Instructions for Trade are verbally the same as those given Benning Wentworth, Governor of New Hampshire, July 21, 1741. ^ The names of the Lords Justices and the date and place of signature are in a different hand from the remainder of the manu- script. 73 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Reign, the Act for the Encouragement of Trade made in the 15th Year of the said King's Reign, the Act to prevent the planting of Tobacco in England and for regulating the Planta- tion Trade, made in the 22d and 23d Years of the said King's Reign, and continued by a Clause in the Act against clandes- tine Running of Goods, and for the more effectual preventing of Frauds relating to the Customs, made in the 5th Year of the Reign of his late Majesty, the Act for the Encouragement of the Greenland and Eastland Trades, and for the better se- curing the Plantation Trade, made in the 25th Year of the said King Charles Reign, the Act for preventing Frauds and regulating Abuses in the Plantation Trade, made in the 7th and 8th Years of the Reign of King William the 3d, the Act to permit the Exportation of Irish Linnen Cloth to the Planta- tions etca. made in the 3d and 4th Years of the Reign of Queen Anne, and continued and explained by an Act passed in the 3d Year of His Late Majesty's Reign for continuing the Liberty of exporting Irish Linnen Cloth to the British Plantations in America, Duty free, the Act for an Union of the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland, made in the 5th Year of the said Queen's Reign, in which are certain Articles relating to the plantation Trade more particularly the 4th 5th and 6th, the Act for ascertaining the Rates of foreign Coins in Her Majesty^ s Plantations in America, made in the 6th Year of the same Queen's Reign, the Act for the Encourage- ment of the Trade to America, made in the same Year of the said Queen's Reign, A Clause in the Act for continuing several Impositions and Duties upon Goods imported etca. and to limit a time for prosecution upon certain Bonds given by Mer- chants, called in the Act, Plantation Bonds, made in the 8th Year of the same Queen's Reign, the Act for the preservation of white and other Pine Trees growing in Her Majesty^ s Colonies of New Hampshire, the Massachusetts Bay, and Province of Main, Rhode Island, and Providence Plantation, the Narragan- set Country, or King's Province and Connecticut, in New Eng- land, a7id New York and New Jersey, in America, for the Mast- ing her Majty's Navy, made in the 9th Year of the said Queen's Reign, the Act against clandestine running of uncustomed 74 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Goods, and for the more effectual preventing of Frauds relating to the Customs, made in the 5th year of His late Majesty's Reign, the Act giving further Encouragement for the Importa- tion of Naval Stores and for other Purposes therein mentioned made in the 8th Year of his said late Majesty's Reign, the Act for the more effectual Suppression of piracy, made in the same year of his said late Majesty's Reign, the Act for the better Preservation of His Majesty's Woods in America, and for the Encouragement of the Importation of Naval Stores from thence etc, made in the 2d Year of his present Majesty's Reign, the Act Jor importing from his Majesty's Plantations in America directly into Ireland, Goods not Enumerated in any Act of Parliament, made in the 4th Year of his present Maj- esty's Reign, as explained, by an Act pass'd in the 5th year of the same Reign, the Act for the more easy Recovery of Debts in His Majesty's Plantations and Colonies in America, made in the 5th Year of the same Reign, the Act to prevent the Exportation of Hats out of any of His Majesty's Colonies or Plantations in America, and to restrain the Number of Appren- tices taken by the Hatmakers in the said Colonies or Planta- *made in the same Year tions, etc. made in the Same year of His Majty's Reign, the of His Majesty's Reign, the Act Act for the better securing for encouraging the Growth of and encouraging the Trade Coffee in His Majesty's Planta- 0/ His Majesty's Sugar tions in America* mSidQ in the 6th. Colonies in America,^ Year of His Majesty's Reign, And the Act for the further en- couraging and regulating the Manufacture of British Sail Cloth, and for the more effectual securing the Duties now pay- able on Foreign Sail Cloth, imported into this Kingdom, made in the 9th year of His Majesty's Reign. All which Laws you will herewith receive, and you shall take a solemn Oath to do your utmost, that all the Clauses, Matters and Things con- tained in the before recited Acts, and in all other Acts of Parliament now in force, or that hereafter shall be made relating to His Majesty's Colonies or Plantations, be punc- ^ This note of omission is in a different hand from the main body of the manuscript. 75 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY tually and bona fide observed, according to the true intent and meaning thereof. Endorsed : Draught of Orders and Instructions to William Shirley Esqr. Governor of Massachusets Bay. , Sepr. loth. 1741. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ Boston, N. England, Octr. 17th, 1741. My Lord Duke, His Majestys last additional Instruction to Govr Bel- cher for not giving his Assent to any Act for emitting of Bills of Credit in lieu of Money without having a Clause inserted in it That It shall not take Effect till It is approved of by His Majesty makes it necessary for me to represent the pres- ent State of the Province and transmit to Your Grace a Copy of the Supply Bill which passed both Houses this Session with a Copy of my Speech to Them thereupon con- taining my Reasons for not giving my Assent to it and my proposed Amendments of it. As to the State of the Province the Treasury is empty ; Castle William the Chief Fortress and Key of the Province and all its other Garrisons Forts and Fortifications are out of Repair and in a defenceless Condition and in Danger of being deserted by the Officers and Soldiers to whom Arrears of Wages are due as there is to all the Civil Offices of the Government ; And there is such a settled aversion in the Majority of the House of Representatives to the inserting a suspending Clause in Their Money Bills misconceiving the Instruction to be contrary to their Charter and destructive of all their Privileges, That they seem utterly regardless ^ P. R. O., C. O. 5, 883. An early effort for sound money. 76 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY of any Consequences which may ensue upon their Refusal to comply with it; And should a Warr with France break out in the Spring my Refusal to give my Assent to a Supply Bill without a Suspending Clause in it might be of fatal Con- sequence to the Province. Wherefore as it seemed to me to be more for His Majestys Service That this Bill should be laid before him for His previous Approbation of it before it Is passed than under the present Circumstances of the Province to insist further upon the Inserting of a suspending Clause tin I received His Majestys Directions therein. I have transmitted a copy of the Bill to your Grace with my proposed Amendments of It which I make no great Doubt of prevailing In, If I would accept Them without the suspending Clause, the bare Mention of which in my Speech has so dis- concerted the House of Representatives and taken away all Their Disposition for the publick Service that I thought it most prudent at their Request to give them a short Recess, and lose no time In laying before Your Grace what in my humble Opinion will be for His Majestys Service at this Juncture. My Objections against the Bill and what I con- ceive to be the proper Amendments are fully expressed in my Speech to the Assembly upon that Occasion, And if the Bill was amended in the manner I have mentioned in my pro- posed Amendments tho' the Act is exceptionable in other Matters yet there would be a sure Fund of Silver and Gold for redeeming the Bills without Loss to the Possessors at the End of the Periods ; and the great Dishonesty and mischief of the Bills would be taken away when such Provision was made as I have proposed, That the Creditor should receive the full Value of his Debt which It was of at the time of its being contracted. For in such Case tho' the Bills should be depreciated Yet no Person could be Injured by It as every Creditor would receive the Sterling Value of his Debt, tho' It was In depreciated Bills ; and this seems fully to answer all the Complaints of the Merchants against the Bills and every End of all His Majestys Instructions for preventing the Mischief of them And It would establish them upon an honest foot, which they never have yet stood upon since the first 77 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Emission of them in the Province, and ease His Majesty for the future of all Complaints against them and the People here of all their Discontents and restore a Spirit of Honesty among them both in their publick and private Dealings which has hitherto been very much sunk by the badness of the bills. Wherefore I humbly submit it to Your Grace's Consider- ation whether it might not be for His Majestys Service in this Instance that I should be permitted in case the Assem- bly will amend the Act in the Particulars mentioned in my second third and fourth Objections in my Speech or at least in the second and fourth of them without their Inserting the suspending Clause in it as its having been laid before His Majesty in this manner does indeed in some measure answer the End of a Suspending Clause. If Your Grace should be of that Opinion I could I think depend upon their conceding to all the Amendments proposed by me except perhaps the Fixing of less distant Periods for Redeeming the Bills of Credit ; and that they would also forthwith make Provision for calling in all the Old Bills now outstanding They are already influenced to make Sterling the Standard of the Value of their Bills and thereby establish the Rates of the Silver Coins agreeable to the 6th of Queen Anne for the future which is a Compliance with the first part of the above men- tioned Instruction, and is what they never did before and will prevent much Confusion. The Sum to be emitted by this Act is indeed £36000 Sterling which is £6000 more than what is allowed by His Majestys Instructions to be Current at the same time ; but the £6000 is to defray the extraordinary Charge they have been and will be at for His Majestys Service in promoting the Expedition which I presume will be allowed them, and cannot be deemed contrary to the Intent of the Instruction. This Permission if consistent with His Majestys Service in other respects would also put me into a Capacity of being more serviceable by my Influ- ence with the People with whom it would much ingratiate me to be thought instrumental in obtaining it and beget or rather fully establish the Opinion they have of my being sincerely disposed to promote the Welfare of the Province. 78 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY And I am not without hopes that the Provinces ready dis- position for Flis Majestys Service in their late Encouragement of the Recruits may be a Circumstance in their favour with His Majesty ; which Circumstance if taken notice of as such, and that my Recommendation of it was acceptable It would have a good Effect upon their future Behaviour in making them more dependant upon their Governors. ^C ^C Mc ^Ic ^Z ^£ sif As to the malignant Spirit raised by the Land Bank Scheme in the Province it is now vanished and I have brought the Directors some of whom are the most leading Members in the House of Representatives to come into publick Votes at three or four general Meetings of all the partners in it for taking Measures to put an Entire End to the Scheme and disincorporate themselves ; and they have destroyed, they inform me, their Plates and called in all their Bills, which are issued out, near £37000 of which have been brought in and consumed to Ashes ; And it is expected by them that all the Bills will soon be brought in to be burnt : And indeed I have found some of them in the House of Representatives, who will be very Instrumental in curing this publick Manufactory Scheme or Land Bank of the Legislature projected in their Supply Bill and will for the future, be zealously attach'd to His Majestys Service, and the true Interest of the Country. If I might be so happy as to receive Directions for my Conduct in the Supply of the Treasury by one of the first spring Ships, It would be much for the Ease of the Province. 2tf ^k Hi Hz $f^ rfC dC WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE! My Lord Duke, ^°^^°"' ^^ ^^S^^' J"">^' "3^' ''7^'^^' On the i6th Instant I had the Honour to receive His Majy's Instructions, to which I shall strictly conform in my 1 P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 900, 29. 79 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Administration of His Governmt here ; and have already, in obedience to the 23d of 'em respecting the Govr's Salary, rec- ommended it in the most strong Terms to the Genl Court to settle the Allowance therein proposed by His Majy upon me and my Successors in this Governmt ; And I am exceedingly oblig'd to your Grace's Goodness in directing the latter part of that Instruction to be so qualified, as that I am left at liberty, in case the Assembly should persist in their Refusal to settle the Salary, to take an Annual Allowance from 'em of the Value of £1000 Sterl. as they shall vote it from year to year, untill His Majy's pleasure shall be signified to the contrary. The Omission of that Instruction out of His Majy's to me whereby Govr. Belcher was restrain'd from emitting Bills of publick Credit for the support of the Gov- ernmt, without a Suspending Clause being inserted in it, was very seasonable for the Province at this Juncture ; and I have been thereby enabled to relieve all the Necessities of the Governmt, and to bring the Assembly to issue out their Bills upon a better foot than was ever yet done in the Prov- ince, by providing an effectual Remedy for all Creditors against future Depreciations of the Bills ; the want of which hitherto has been the chief, if not only Ground and Occasion of all the Mischiefs of our paper Currency, of the Complaints at home against it, and of His Majy's Instructions from time to time for restraining it ; And I have likewise brought the Assembly to make such provision in their new Supply Bill for drawing in all the Bills of Credit, both those extant and those to be emitted, at certain periods, which it is not now left in their power to postpone (as it has hitherto been) that the publick Faith is also better secured than was ever before done ; which two things, I hope may give as good Satis- faction to the British Merchants and Traders to this place, as it has done to the Province in general. A punctual Obedience has been paid to the Act of Parlia- ment for suppressing the Land-bank Scheme by the Direc- tors of it, who have got above one third part of their Bills in and consum'd 'em to ashes, and are daily endeavouring to draw in the Remainder of 'em ; And as a very consid- 80 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY erable part of the House of Representatives consists of per- sons, who were concern'd in that Scheme or Favourers of it ; I have used all my Influence to reclaim 'em to the true Service of His Majy and the Country, in which I havu suc- ceeded so far as to bring 'em off from a very bad Money Bill which had pass'd both Houses to join in passing these two new Acts, which I look upon to be of more Service to the Country in the Points, I have mention'd, than all the Acts of Assembly that have been made since the first Emission of Bills of Credit here ; which Method of laying the Malig- nant Spirit, that I found in these people at first, and bring- ing 'em into the Service of the publick, instead of irritating 'em and driving 'em out of it by that means, I hope will not be dis-approved of by His Majesty. Since my last to your Grace 150 Recruits have been raised here for the Service of the Expedition, about 100 of which are embark'd to proceed for Cuba or other place of Ren- dezvouze : and as the Treasury will not have any Money in it these two Months, I have supply'd the Province's part of the Bounty Money, & towards transporting 'em till I can be reimbursed out of the Treasury ; I am not with- out hopes of sending another Company of 100 Men at least, and believe upon the whole I may possibly have raised more Recruits within this Province, than will be sent from any of the other Northern Colonies ; tho a very troublesome con- test with the People about the Enlisting of bought Servants has been raised here which has much embarrass'd the Service and made it extremely fatiguing : This has occasion'd the Loss and Desertion of several Men by the ill practices of the Masters, which is owing to their having been permitted upon the raising of the Levies the last year to take their Servants by force out of their Ranks, as they muster'd, without Con- troul ; which I have utterly opposed, and insisted upon keeping every Servant that was not secreted. This and my refusing my Consent to the first Supply Bill when the Province was in great want of money, and my insist- ing upon the Suspending Clause, till I was acquaint'd that His Majy had dispens'd with it, together with some other un- VOL. I — G 81 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY popular Points which happen'd to besett the Chair when I first came into it, are now got over, I hope, without Disadvantage to me with the People, since the Genl Assembly three days ago voted an Address to His Majy, in which there are strong Expressions of their Esteem and Affection for me ; And I think I have reason to depend upon their complying as far in the Affair of the Salary, as good Will can carry 'em. Some time ago I acquainted your Grace that I had set- tled Sr Thos Prendergast's Dispute with Mr Auchmuty, which your Grace did me the Honour to recommend to me ; And I shall now very suddenly have the pleasure to remit him the Money due to him, which tho I have the Security of Mr Auchmuty's whole Estate for it here, is very diffi- cult to be raised out of it. I have now got the Judges of the Superior Court to make Mr Pemberton one of their Clerks, which is a post worth £700 p anii paper Money or about £130 Stert, according to an exact Calculation of it's profits by his Brother Clerks, provided he will do the Business of it himself ; and is al- most equal to the Profits of the Naval Office, as they were when he first had it, he having given Bond to Col. Shute and Mr Yeamans that a Friend of theirs should enjoy one third part of them. As I have your Grace's Approbation of my Behaviour much at heart, not only because I am accountable to your Grace for it, but as my good Behaviour is the only Return, I can make your Grace for your exceeding great Goodness and Favour to me, & I shall esteem the continuance of your Grace's good Opinion and patronage of me my chief Honour and Happiness, it shall be the Endeavour of my Life in every part of my Duty to approve myself to your Grace, My Lord Duke Yr Grace's most Devoted, & most obedt Humble Servt Endorsed: W. Shirley. Boston Janry 23d 1741/2 Governor Shirley '^ April 2d 82 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE LORDS OF TRADED Boston, N. Engld, April 30, 1742. My Lords, My last to your Lordships inclos'd the Copy of the late Supply Act, which I gave my consent to pursuant to the Lib- erty given me in his Majesty's Instructions for that purpose, as his Service seem'd necessarily to require that I should, since which I am advis'd that your Lordships seem'd to declare your Opinion to be against any Emissions of Bills of Credit in this Province : But when your Lordships are inform'd that I had no other possible Method of putting the ruinous Fortifications of the Province into a defensible Condition, and preventing his Majesty's Forts and Garri- sons from being deserted for want of Cloaths and Pay, and promoting the raising of Recruits for his Majty's Service in the Expedition, I hope what I have done in the Supply of the Treasury will not be disapproved of, especially as I have taken care to put the Province Bills upon a better foot than they were ever emitted upon before, by securing all private Creditors from being hurt by any future de- preciating of those Bills, and putting it out of the Assem- bly's power to postpone the drawing 'em in beyond their limited periods of payment, which new Regulations seem to be the most effectual provision for securing the publick Faith, and private Justice, that a paper Currency will ad- mit, and to bid fair for curing the chief Mischiefs and In- conveniencies arising from it to the British Merchants, as well as Creditors within the Province, and in a great meas- ure to answer the Ends of his Majesty's Instructions for restraining it ; and I may assure your Lordships that whilst the Government of Rhode Island are unrestrain'd in their Emissions, all Restraints of that sort laid on this Province by his Majesty will prove ineffectual to prevent the Mis- chiefs proposed by your Lordships to be thereby cured. iRR.O, CO.s, 883. 83 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY For that little Colony will of itself issue Bills enough to supply all New England with a paper Medium, and in such case the effect of further Restraints laid on this Province will only tend to clogg his Majys Government in it with Difficulties, and subject the people of it to the necessity of receiving the Rhode Island Bills at any rate, than which (according to their present Scheme) there never was a more palpable Cheat within his Majy's Colonies, which had the countenance of the Government of the Colony, or any unwarrantable practice productive of more Evils, Your Lordships will be pleas'd to observe that £6000 of the £30,000 was emitted for his Majesty's Service in the Expedition, and £6,500 of it for Fortifications; and that the Government had near two Years Arrears of Debt at the Time of passing the Acts, which very extraordi- nary Expences made the Sum emitted to be rather Scanty than large. In one of my former I made some mention to your Lordships concerning the Effects of the late Act of Parliament for suppressing the two private Money Schemes call'd the Silver Scheme, and the Land Bank or Manufac- tory Scheme, since which many persons unhappily con- cern'd in both those schemes have been in great Conster- nation and Distress ; For the Act has destroy'd the Agree- ments and Contracts, which pass'd between the Directors and partners of each Company, and has subjected every person concern'd in 'em to the Demands of all the Pos- sessors of the Bills ; by which means it has happen'd that the honester part of each Company, who have comply'd with the Directions of the Act by bringing in their Quota's of the Bills to be consumed still remain exposed to the De- mands of the Possessors of the Outstanding Bills, and all penalties of the Act, and have at the same time lost all remedy against their knavish partners, who obstinately refuse to redeem their respective Quotas of 'em, taking ad- vantage of their Bonds, and other securities for that pur- pose being annuU'd and made void by the Act. To prevent this Ruin to many private Families, and Confusion to the publick, the Assembly and Council, upon the Petition of the CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY worthier part of each of the late Companies, pass'd one of the inclosed Orders No i, and most earnest soUicitations have been made to me by the Sufferers to give my Consent to it ; But as the Remedy proposed by it is at the Bottom founded upon the supposed Subsistance of the mutual Agreements and Contracts made at first between the Di- rectors and Partners of each of the Companies ; which are deem'd and declared by the Act of Parliament to be illegal and void ab initio, I could not possibly come into it ; But to relieve the Sufferers and preserve the publick peace and Quiet, as far as was in my Power, I form'd and promoted the Inclosed order of the General Court No 2, which is con- sistent with the Act, and I understand has considerably alarm'd the deficient partners, and will, I hope, help to make the Act of Parliament have its full effect and draw in all the Outstanding Bills properly. As I sent your Lordships a copy of my first Message to the Assembly concerning the Settlement of the Governour's Salary, I now inclose Copies of the subsequent Messages between me and the Assem- bly upon that head, which contain the whole of their pre- tences for not complying with his Majesty's Instruction, and my answers to 'em : How far the Province may be prevail'd upon towards complying with the Instruction, the first Session of the next General Court will determine. I have the honour to be wth all possible respect My Lords Your most Obedient and humble Servant W. Shirley. Right Honble the Lords of Trade &ca. Endorsed: Massachusets Letter from Mr Shirley Governor of the Massachusets Bay, dated at Boston the 30th April 1742, transmitting several publick Papers. Reed July i6thl Read — 21 p742 85 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ' Boston, N. Engld. May 4., 1742. My Lord Duke, Mrs Shirley having inform'd me that your Grace has been pleas'd to permit her to give Security to the Commissioners of the Customs for my son as Naval Officer of this Province ; This waits upon your Grace wth my GratefuU acknowledgmts for this fresh Instance of your Grace's Goodness to my family, & to promise in my son's behalf that he shall behave in his post wth Diligence & Integrity ; And it gives me no small pleasure to find that as my son's succeeding Mr Pember- ton was at first universally acceptable to the people, so yr Grace's Confirmation of him in it is equally agreable to 'em. Mrs Shirley having also inform'd me that your Grace was pleased, out of your exceeding Goodness to me, by Mr Western to order her to endeavour to get an Interest in Ld Wilmington's favour for me, I have made my Applica- tion to that Noble Lord so successfully that I have reason to hope his Lordship entertains favourable sentiments of me, as he has done me the honour to order Mr Thomlinson to let me know that he would be my Friend. I would now mention to your Grace that Mr Willard, who has been Secretary of this Province upwards of Twenty Years, wch post he at first purchas'd of a Gentleman, who resign'd in his favour, & depends upon chiefly for his Bread, still continues to discharge it with good Abilities, Diligence and fidelity ; and as he is a person of remarkable worth, and very serviceable to his Majesty and the province in the post he sustains ; and I have certain Intelligence, that a Scheme has been form'd by Mr Auchmuty, who is lately gone from hence Agent for the Province to London, to supplant this Gentleman in favour of another, by misrep- resenting him as too old and infirm for his Oflice ; I have taken the liberty to do him this Justice, esteeming it not 1 P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 900, 58. 86 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY only an Act of Humanity to Mr Willard, but of Duty to his Majesty to give your Grace notice of this intended abuse. I am wth the most Dutifull sense of your Grace's Goodness ^°"^^ My Lord Duke ._ > Your Grace's most Oblig'd, and most Devoted, Humble Servant ^V Shirley His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed: Boston. May 4. 1742 GovR Shirley 3 July 13th WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE LORDS OF TRADE 1 My Lords Boston, N. Engld. June 23d, 1742. I have before transmitted to your Lordships Copies of my several Messages to the late Assembly, in which in obedience to his Majy's 23d Instruction to me I recommended to 'em in the most pressing manner, I could, the Settlement of a Salary of £1000 Sterling p ann on me and my Successors in this Government, and (upon their Refusal to do that) on myself during my Administration, and also Copies of the Answers of the House of Representa- tives in that Assembly to those Messages, and of their Re- fusals to comply with the Settlement of the Salary either way, together with Copies of the two Grants which the Assembly offer'd me for my Support, the first after the rate of about £750 Sterling p ann, and the next of about £950 Sterling, both which as they were not conformable to his Majy's Instruction either in the sum or manner of granting it, I refus'd, and at the end of the year, when the Royal Charter required it, dissolv'd that Assembly without ac- cepting any Salary from 'em. Upon the Meeting of the present Assembly I recommended to them also the Settle- ip. R. O., CO. 5, 883. 87 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ment of the Salary, and now inclose to your Lordships a Copy of their Vote, in which they unanimously refuse to settle it in any way : But they have complied with one part of his Majesty's Instruction by making his Majty a Grant of £1300 Bills of Credit of the last Emission, which may be deem'd of the value of £1000 Sterling according to the price of silver and gold in Boston, tho not of private Bills of Exchange payable in London, for my support; which Grant being the first Act of their Session, I have pursuant to the power given me in his Majty's Instruction accepted, as I could not entertain, after the full and unanimous votes of two Houses of Representatives against the Settlement of the Salary, reasonable hopes of prevailing for it at present; And I esteem it no small point gained to have prevail'd with the Assembly to raise their Grant from the value of £680 Sterling p anii, which is what Mr Belcher accepted from 'em for the greatest part of his Administration, to £iocmd Sterling, which is a larger Salary than any Governour ever yet received from 'em ; And I hope it may possibly be a leading step towards the Settlement of it, tho I can't pre- tend to promise more upon this point than that I will use the utmost attention to find some favourable opportunity of effecting it, which may possibly happen if the Harmony at present subsisting between me and the Assembly should continue, which I shall always endeavour to preserve, tho even that must be reckon'd precarious, as the irregular things which the Assembly of this Province frequently affects to do in Government must sometimes unavoidably involve me in Disputes with 'em. The inveterate Aversion, which the Body of the people have contracted to the Settlement of the Salary from their Disputes with his Majy's Governours about it, in which they have ever maintain'd their Ground (tho Govr Burnet endeavour'd to bring 'em into it by Acts of Power, and the Province had reason to expect at the same time that his Majesty would shew some Resentment of their Behaviour in that Affair) has made it so unpopular a Point among the Representatives, who by being annually elected are render'd 88 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY extremely dependent upon the Humour of their Constitu- ents, that even those Members, who are well disposed to vote for the Settlement of the Salary, dare not try their strength or Interest in the Assembly upon it. And if ever it is effected without the Interposition of Parlia- ment, it seems to me that it must be done, not by dint of Dispute when the people are upon their Guard against it, but at some unexpected Juncture when their settled af- fection for a Governour may give the Representatives Cour- age to venture upon a short Settlement at first, out of a personal regard to him, which might easily perhaps be fol- low'd with a Settlement of it during his Administration, fromi which precedent it might be difficult for the Province to recede upon the Appointment of a new Governour. I have the honour to be wth the utmost Regard My Lords your most Obedient and most Humble Servant W. Shirley. Rt. Honble Lds Commissrs of Trade &ca. Endorsed: Massachusets Letter from Mr Shirley, Govr of Massachusets-Bay, dated at Boston the 23d of June 1742, relating to his Dis- putes with the Assembly, about getting an Established Salary. Reed Augt 30th I Read Octr 21 | ^^4^ WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ Boston, N. Engld. Septr. 15, 1742. My Lord Duke, In my Letter to your Grace of the 30th of Aprill I mention'd the Consternation and Distress, which the 1 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 900, 67. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Effects of the Act of Parliament lately made for sup- pressing the Land Bank or Manufactory Company had occasion'd to such of the Directors and Partners, as had in Obedience to the Act brought in their Quota of Manufactory Bills to be consumed ; inasmuch as they still remain'd ex- posed by the Act to satisfy the Demands of the Possessors of all the other Bills, and for want of doing it to incurr the penalty of a premunire, without having any Remedy against those dishonest Partners, who stood out in defiance of the Law; And that to relieve such Persons as much as might be without interfering with the Act of Parliament, I had upon their earnest Petition form'd and proposed an Order, which afterwards pass'd the General Court, and I hoped would contribute towards bringing in the other Partners to do their Duty by a Compliance with the Act : Since which that Order has had the Effect to reduce the Outstanding Bills, which amounted to the Sum of £49,250 Lawful Money, to about £11,000, and brought in upwards of six hundred of the Partners to comply with the Act of Parliament ; and in order to give the finishing Stroke to the whole Scheme by compelling the Delinquent Partners to redeem and bring in the Remainder of the Outstanding Bills to be consumed, I have this day given Orders to those Partners, who have done their Duty, to cause Demands to be made and Ac- tions commenc'd against the most Refractory of the Delin- quent partners, in order to bring 'em within the Penalties of the Act of Parliament upon their persisting to stand out against it, and caus'd an Order of Council to be pass'd directing the Attorney General to prosecute 'em forthwith ; which Steps will, I doubt not, now put an end to this pernicious Scheme ; tho they might some months ago have probably been attended with Disorder and other ill Consequences. To apprize your Grace fully of the late dangerous Tend- ency of this Scheme it will be necessary to observe to your Grace that the late Land Bank Company consisted of be- tween eight and nine hundred partners, chiefly Country- men, and of some landed Estate; That the Merchants, 90 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY whilst the Company was forming, made Application to Mr Belcher, then Governour to prevent it; But upon his not taking those steps which he had promis'd 'em to do, they applied to his Majesty In Council for Redress against the Scheme ; Mr Belcher being alarm'd at this proceeding of the Merchants exerted himself by turning many of those, who were concern'd In the Scheme, out of publick Posts ; But these Eiforts of his coming too late, after large Quanti- ties of the Bills were emitted and dispers'd all over the Prov- ince, and when those Persons, whom he turn'd out, were really so engag'd by Covenants and Agreements (which the other partners would not release 'em from) that it was not then in their power to extricate themselves, serv'd only to exasperate the People, and begot so Malignant a Spirit in 'em that the Company and other Abettors of the Scheme became almost formidable to this Government. But as the Quantity of the Outstanding Manufactory Bills Is now so much reduced, and the Currency stopp'd, and the Partners so divided and broke among themselves that the Delinquent ones are an inconsiderable party, a rigorous Execution of the Act of Parliament grounded upon the Complaint of those, who have comply'd with it, against their Delinquent Partners Is now the best Method to sub- due those, who have hitherto stood out against the Act, and will, I doubt not, effectually do it. And, I think, I may now assure your Grace that this Scheme will have been so timely destroy'd, that not one honest man will suffer much by It. And In the mean time, I have had the satisfaction to find that those Members of the House of Representatives, whose Relation to the Land Bank Scheme made it expected that they would have been In opposition to the Measures of the Government, have been brought to concurr in and promote his Majy's Service In several con- siderable points, which had never been before gain'd from former Assemblies ; And that the Difficulties of the Prov- ince, which the House of Representatives in their Address upon my first coming into the Chair tell me they were much concern'd that my Accession to the Government should be at- 91 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY tended with; But that they must not despair of the Com- monwealth are surmounted ; and a general Tranquility and Satisfaction to which this Province has been an utter Stran- ger for these many years past, seems to be happily establish'd among the People. Since my last to your Grace I have obtain'd further Grants of Money from the General Court for finishing the Forts in the Eastern Parts of the Province, and have prevail'd on 'em to take some steps towards providing for the mainte- nance of a Chaplain in Fort Frederick at Pemmaquid, which I hope will be compleated at their next Session, and will perfect the Establishment of that Fort. And upon being inform'd that the French Government in Canada have lately refus'd to permit any English to walk their streets at Quebeck, but had confined some to their Rooms, who at- tempted to come there, I gave Orders for the like Confine- ment of the French Men, who were in this Town, and for their Departure out of the Province in five days ; Before which I prohibited those only from coming into the Province, who were suspected to come with a View of Illicit Trade or some other ill purpose. Mr Plumptre has communicated your Grace's commands to me concerning Mr Willard the Secretary of this province, I had before taken the liberty to write in his Favour to your Grace ; and your Grace's Commands will add to the At- tachment which his own Merit had given me to him.^ I am wth the most Dutifull Regards My Lord Duke Your Grace's most Obedient & most Devoted, Humble Servant W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed: Boston New England 15 Sepr 1742 GovR Shirley. 3. 1st Novr pr Capn Haines ^ See ante, p. 86. 92 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL! [Extract] Boston, Nov. ist, 1742. As Mr. Kilby has inform'd me that the Lords of the Com- mittee of Council have consider'd the Province's petition to his Majty for Cannon &ca to supply the new Battery at Castle William,^ (without which that Castle will not be a sufficient protection to the Province against an Enemy) and that the chief Impediments to the Success of the peti- tion are the Province's neglect to repair Pemmaquid Fort, (the doing of which has indeed been particularly given in charge, ever since Its' Demolition by the French, to every one of his Majty's Governours here by his Royal Instruc- tion) and to pay 500 Guineas for the same Number of Fusils sent to the Province in 1704; I would beg leave to inform your Lordship as to Pemmaquid Fort, that I have taken effectual care concerning the repairs of it, which upon a view I find are already near two thirds compleated with stone work in a very defensible manner, & will be finlsh'd early in the Summer, I having obtain'd a sufficient sum at the last Session of the Genl Court for that particular Service, and made some Advance towards getting a Chaplain settled there, so that I dare undertake for the finishing of the Works at the Fort & the thorough Establishment of the Garrison by Summer, which I hope will Induce their Lordships of the Committee to overlook past neglects in this Matter. As to the Nonpayment of the 500 Guineas, I have (in the present recess of the Genl Court) ordered the Secry to search the proceedings of the Court In that Affair, and to make his ^ Mass. Arch. Col. Sen Letters 53, 138. A similar letter to the Duke of Newcastle is In P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 900, p. 74. 2 On Feb, 3, 1741/2 Shirley had requested from Newcastle cannon and warlike stores for Castle William (C. O. 5, 900, p. 34), and on June 19 he appointed Spencer Phips, John Jeffries, Samuel Welles, and others to supervise the repairs at the Castle {ibid. p. 6^)' 93 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY report to me thereupon, which I shall transmit to the Agents, that they may give their Lordships the best account they can of it. And if I might be allowed to be an Intercessor with your Lordship & the other Lords of the Council for the Prov- ince in this particular, I would observe in its Favour that it has been at a very considerable Expence this last Year by several Grants for repairing not only Pemmaquid Fort, but three other of his Majty's Forts in the Eastern part of the Province for its Defence against the Indians & French of Canada,^ as also for erecting Batteries in all the Seaport Towns, all which as well as the Fortifications of Castle William were a few Months ago in a very defenceless Con- dition, & will require large sums of Money to compleat 'em. I would presume further to observe to your Lordship that the Genl Court has by their remarkably free grants for his Majty's service in the Expedition agt the Spanish West Indies^ considerably increased the Taxes of his Massachusetts subjects within these three years, which was done with great Zeal & cheerfulness : I would lastly urge in their fa- vour that the great Fishery carried on by the Inhabitants of this Province only & the Importance of the Harbour of Boston to his Majty's service, in case a large Armament should be ever sent from Great Britain against any of the French settlements in North America, (as that port is looked on by the French & really is the most convenient & advan- tageous if not the only place of Rendezvous in his Majty's northern Colonies for a considerable Number of Ships and troops) would, in case of a rupture with France, expose it more to a visit from the enemy, on accot of it's impor- tance to the interests of his Majty's British Dominions, ^ On Aug. 30, 1742, Shirley had written Newcastle of his visit to the eastern forts and on Sept. 15, he wrote the Lords Commissioners of Trade that he had obtained money for their completion. C. O. 5, 900, p. 65, and C. 0.5, 883. ^ Shirley's proclamation encouraging volunteers to enlist in the service of the expedition against the Spanish West Indies was dated Oct. 16, 1741. A copy is in C. O. 5, 900, p. 22. On Oct. 17 he wrote Newcastle regarding the difficulties attendant upon the raising of recruits in the province {ibid. p. 13). 94 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY than any other of his Northern Colonies, which therefore requires that Harbour to be secured in the best manner, and may I hope recommend it to his Majty's Favour. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE LORDS OF TRADE 1 Boston, N. Engld, Jany. 24, 1742. My Lords, A Deficiency having lately happen'd in the Funds pro- vided for drawing in the Outstanding Bills of Credit, whereby £8000 of those commonly call'd the New Tenour Bills, which were left outstanding by Mr Belcher, will remain so, 'till the year 1746, I think it my duty to inform your Lordships of the Occasion and Circumstances of it, which are as follows. By several Acts pass'd in 1736, 1737, and 1738 Diverse Emissions of Bills of Credit for the support of the Govern- ment (to the Amount of £57,966 : 6 : 8) of a Tenour and Form different from that of all former Bills of Credit, and distinguish'd by the name of Bills of the New Tenour were made, six shillings and eight pence of which was to be equal in value to one Ounce of Silver Troy Weight of Sterling Alloy, or Gold Coin at the rate of Four pounds eighteen Shillings ^ Ounce to the possessor, and to be so accepted by the Treasurer in all publick payments, the Duties of Impost, Tunnage of Shipping and Incomes of the Light- house only excepted, which Duties were made payable in Silver or Gold only, in order to raise a Fund of those Species for securing the Redemption of such of the New Tenour Bills, as should not be drawn back into the Treasury by publick payments, but be outstanding in the Hands of pri- vate persons after December 1742. These Bills, which were the only Bills of Credit in the province redeemable with Silver and Gold, were at the very time of their Emission depreciated above 33 ^ Cent, both in publick and private iP. R. O., CO. s, 883, 95 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY payments by means of some Mistakes in the before men- tioned Acts (a Detail of which would be too long for me to give your Lordships in this Letter) insomuch that before the end of the year 1739 private persons began to hoard 'em up for the Advantage of exchanging 'em at the Treasury, after December 1742, for Silver and Gold according to their Denomination, which was 33 and ^ '^ Cent more than what they pass'd for in their common Currency ; and con- sequently there could be no just Expectation of their being all drawn back into the Treasury by publick payments, as they were design'd to have been. In December 1739, notwithstanding that such was the State of these Bills as made it most probable that great Quantities of them would be hoarded up and brought to the Treasury to be exchang'd for Silver and Gold, the Genl Court passed an Order which from that time effectually de- stroyed the before mentioned Fund of Silver and Gold provided for the Redemption of such of these Bills, as should be out- standing in the Hands of private persons after December 1742. i: At the Beginning of November Session last, when the Period limited for the Redemption of these Bills was within seven weeks of its arrival, I reminded the Assembly of the Engagements, they were under to the possessors of 'em, and press'd 'em to make a proper provision for answering their Demands ; and order'd the Treasurer to lay before 'em the State of the Treasury, by which it appear'd that upwards of £42,000 in Bills of the New Tenour was out- standing and that there was but £2,900 in Silver in the Treasury to redeem 'em with. The Assembly was at first much averse to my proposal, and I could not prevail with 'em to do anything for the Satisfaction of the possessors of the Bills, till the fifth week of their Session, when after repeated pressing Messages to 'em upon that Head they pass'd a Vote that those Bills should be accepted in all publick payments at '^'^ and ^ "^ Cent more than the value^ at which they had been stated by the beforementioned Acts ; and afterwards passed a second Vote 96 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY that the Treasurer should exchange such of 'em as should he brought to the Treasury for that purpose, for Bills of the last Emission made since my coming to the Administration of the Government, which tho of no more than equal Denomination pass'd for 33 and ^ ^ Cent more in publick and private payments than those Bills did. This Satisfaction to the Possessors of the Bills falls indeed short of the value of the Silver and Gold, they were entitled to receive ; But it is the best I could procure for 'em, and what was obtain'd with much Difficulty, and seems to be very well accepted by the possessors : And indeed the Province was unable to purchase a sufficient Quantity of Silver and Gold to answer the Demands of the possessors by the time limited for their payment ; Wherefore I thought myself very successful in prevailing so far, as I have done, and by that means procuring the above mention'd Justice for the possessors of the Bills, saving the Publick Faith of the Prov- ince from being destroy'd, and the Credit of their Bills from being irretrievably lost, and preventing your Lord- ships from being troubled with loud Complaints to his Majesty against the province. And as this Method of doing justice to the possessors of the Bills was the only practicable one, so it is the most con- sistent with his Majy's Instruction for limiting the Quan- tity of Bills of Credit current at the same time within the province, as it does not occasion the least Increase of the Bills now current. Your Lordships will by this time perceive that the raising of the value of the above mentioned Bills 33 and ^ ^ Cent in all publick payments must necessarily occasion a De- ficiency in the Funds of Taxes provided for drawing them into the Treasury by the End of 1743 : and it will leave £8000 of 'em outstanding beyond that time. For draw- ing in these by the End of the year 1746 the General Court has pass'd a Tax Act, which I have consented to, being un- able to prevail with 'em to lay that Sum upon the Inter- mediate years (which must be pretty much burthen'd with- out it;) and being under this Dilemma either to acquiesce VOL. I — H 97 COftHESf^ONDENCE OE WILLIAM SHIRLEY In so distant a period or to suffer the possessors of the Bills to go without any Satisfaction, and the Province to be overwhelmed with the 111 Consequences of such Injustice. I hope to find at last some End of the perplexed State of the old Bills of Credit, and that the Method taken for procuring Satisfaction to the possessors of the abovemen- tlon'd Bills and extricating the Province out of its before- mentlon'd Difficulties will "not be disapproved. I am wth the highest Respect My Lords, Your most Obedient and most Humble Servant W. Shirley. Rt Honble Lds Commlssrs of Trade &ca. Endorsed: Massachusets Letter from Mr Shirley, Govr. of the Massachusets-Bay, to the Board, dated at Boston the 24th of Janry 174/^, giv- ing an acct of a deficiency of £8000 In the funds for drawing in the bills commonly called the New Tenour Bills, with the occasion & Circumstances thereof, & also what he has done to remedy the same. Reed March 14th 174^ Read April 12th 1743. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE LORDS OF TRADE 1 Boston, N. Engld, Janry. 30, 1742. My Lords, A. By the last Ship I acquainted your Lordships that I was in hopes of finishing the late Land Bank Scheme by caus- ing the Attorney General to prosecute all such of the part- ners, as should refuse to redeem their just Quota of the Bills, in order to subject 'em to the penalties of the late Act of ip. R. O., 0.0.5,883. 98 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Parliament made for suppressing that Scheme ; And Mr Attorney has filed one Information accordingly, and is preparing others ; And out of £49,000 of those Bills, which have been issued out, there is not much more than £7000 outstanding ; and of upwards of 800 partners 675 have paid in their Quotas : But I am Inform'd that some part of the Bills which are outstanding was issued out by the late Company In Trade, and that they have some Debts owing to them, and that considerable charges have arisen upon their late Transactions whilst the Company subsisted, the get- ting in and adjusting and proportioning of which, as all their mutual Covenants and Agreements among themselves, and Transactions with others as a Company are declared by the Act of Parliament to be null and void from the be- ginning, can't be effected by themselves ; Also that some of the Possessors of the outstanding Bills sue great Num- bers of the partners with a View only of extorting Money from the Defendants in order to let the Actions drop, and by that means lay 'em under Contributions, those who have comply'd with the Act of Parliament as well as those who have not, by which unwarrantable Method and other practices, these Bills may be kept circulating without End, unless something further is done to prevent It. For remedying which Mischiefs, drawing In all the Bills, and effectually finishing the whole Scheme, and preventing any further III consequences of It the Inclos'd Bill was pass'd the last Session by the Assembly and Council ; And tho I am of opinion that the Scheme can't well be finished otherwise than by Commissioners vested with proper powers for that pur- pose, yet as this Bill is of an unusual and extraordinary Nature ; and might. If I had given my Consent to it, have obtaln'd it's whole effect before his Majesty has an oppor- tunity of disallowing it, If it should be disapproved of; and It seems In some measure to interfere with the Remedy given to the possesors of the Bills by the Act of Parliament, tho it does not take it away and is intended partly for their Benefit; I did not think It consistent with my duty to act upon it 'till I could know his Majy's Royal pleasure concern- 99 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ing it; for which purpose I now transmit it to your Lord- ships in order to be laid before his Majesty : And if your Lordships should be of opinion that this Act is not of too extraordinary a Nature to take place in the Plantations, and of no dangerous Consequence in any other Respects, I believe it might be Beneficial in its Consequences in this particular Case. The Assembly has voted an Allowance for a Chaplain at Pemmaquid Fort, and I have appointed a Chaplain there ; and as the Rebuilding of the Fort will be linish'd by next Summer, I shall endeavour to get the Garrison properly establish'd according to the Intent of his Majesty's Instruction. The Assembly has also pass'd an Act for an Allowance of pay to the Inhabitants of Dorchester in the neighbourhood of Castle William, whom I shall en- list into the Service of that Fortress and form into two Companies of about 60 men each under proper officers to be exerciz'd and disciplin'd in the use of the Great Artillery, and who are bound by the Act to be ready upon any Alarm for the Defence of the Castle against an Enemy. As this Province never had before any Matrosses or persons capable of making a proper use of the Great Guns in case of an In- vasion by an Enemy, I am in hopes that th s Establish- ment may be for his Majy's Service and the Security of the Province : And I flatter myself if his Majesty shall be pleas'd to extend his Royal Bounty to it in furnishing the great Guns, for which the General Court has petition'd, for the use of the New Works at the Castle, (towards finish- ing which works I have obtain'd another Grant of Money from the Assembly this last Session) that the Fortifications of this Harbour may be such as will be suitable to his Majy's Capital province in North America. B. The Agents for the province having inform'd me that some of the Acts pass'd in Mr Belcher's time had not been duely presented to your Lordships for his Majy's Allowance or Disallowance, I have caus'd the Secretary to send new Exemplifications of those Acts by this Ship, and find upon Enquiry that they had certainly been sent before, so that it must be an Omission by the late Mr Agent Wilks occa- CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY sion'd very likely thro his Indisposition To which I have to add that among the other Acts nov/ sent to be present'd to your Lordships there is a private one pass'd for the Sale of some wild lands of an inconsiderable value belonging to two Minors, upon which I would observe to your Lordships that I suddenly gave my Consent to this Act which I was press'd to do upon my first perusal of it, when I was in the Chair ; and as it was for providing for the Education of the two Minors, just enter'd in College and the lands were but of small value, I did not give the Matter so thorough a Con- sideration as I have done since, upon which I much doubt whether a subordinate Government has power to make an Act of so extraordinary a nature ; & therefore thought it was proper to point out to your Lordships my own Doubts upon it, tho this particular Case is but of a trifling value. I am wth the highest Respect My Lords, Your most Humble, and most Obedient Servant W. Shirley. Rt Honble Lords Commissrs of Trade &ca. Endorsed: Massachusets Letter from Mr Shirley, Govr of the Massachusets Bay, to the Board, dated at Boston the 30th Janry 174^ Reed March 14th 174^ Read Apl 1 2th 1743 WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE LORDS OF TRADE 1 Boston, March 19th, 1742. My Lords, In a former letter to your Lordships I observ'd upon the provision made for preventing Creditors from suffering in ^ P. R. O., C. O. 5, 883. See letters of Jan. 24 and 30 preceding. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY their Estates upon the depreciating of the Bills of Credit, by the late Province Law entitled an Act to ascertain the Value of Money and of the Bills of publick Credit of this Province ^ca which Act I understand has been laid before your Lordships for his Majy's Royal Approbation. By this Law it is enacted that the Genl. Assembly shall once in every six months determine the Rates that the said Bills then commonly pass at in proportion to Silver and Bills of Exchange payable in London, and that in want thereof it shall be determin'd by the Committee of his Majy's Council appointed by the Act for that purpose, and, in case of their failure, that then the Justices of the Superior Court of Judicature in their several Terms in the County of Suf- folk annually shall appoint five able and sufficient men upon their Oaths to do it ; which Valuations of the Bills are from time to time to be certify'd into the Secretary's Office, and thence issued out to the Justices of his Majy's Courts in every County within the Province, who are required to proceed by them as their Rule in making up Judgments for all Debts and Dues to be contracted after the last Day of March 1742, (Specialties and express Contracts excepted,) and in case it shall appear by those Valuations that the Bills are depreciated since the Debt was contracted then the Judges are bound to make up Judgment for the true value of the Debt in Silver, or in want thereof for the nominal value of the Debt in Province Bills with an Addition of so much more in those Bills as will make the Creditor amends for the depreciating of 'em since the time of the Debts being contracted. So that to carry this Law into Execution your Lordships perceive it became necessary either for the General Court, or the Committee of his Majty's Council, or the Justices of the Superior Court of Judicature to ascertain the Value of the Bills of Credit, from time to time, in order to furnish the several Courts of Judicature with a Rule to proceed by in making up their Judgments for the true value of the Debt, without which Rule the Ends proposed by the Act would be frustrated, and the Law be of no effect. As I at first met with great Diflliculty in getting the As- CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY sembly to pass this Act, so I have found no less in getting it carried into Execution ; For the House of Representatives having obtain'd the Emission of £30,000 in Bills of Credit for the Supply of the Treasury in 1741, which was their sole Inducement for passing the abovemention'd Act (I having made their passing it the Terms of my consenting to that Emission) soon grew dis-inclined to its being put in Execution, as it was a new thing in the Province and quite unpopular, and so utterly neglected to determine the Rates of the Bills pursuant to the directions of the Act, and the Committee of his Majy's Council being as listless in the Affair for the same Reason have also hitherto neglected to do it ; and the Judges of the Superior Court of Judicature, who are dependent upon the General Court for their Salaries, which are voted 'em annually and occasion their being too much byass'd by Popularity, likewise omitted doing it till this present Term, when I sent 'em a Letter reminding 'em of their Duty in this matter, and peremptorily insist- ing upon their constantly doing it ex officio for the future. Thus I have at last influenc'd 'em to carry this Law into Execution ; and Creditors will now be secure by virtue of it, of recovering from their Debtors within this Province the true value of their Debts contracted since the first Day of March 1742, and of all future Debts after any length of time, which will not barr 'em of an Action for that purpose, let the Bills of Credit of this Province be depreciated never so much between the time of the Debts being contracted and the time of their payment; Whereas before the passing of this Act, upon every such Depreciating of the Bills, the Merchants trading to this Province and every Creditor within it (who had not guarded against such Loss by ex- press Contracts) lost part of the Value of their Debts ; and some have lost even the full Value of their principal Money upon Debts of a long standing : But I hope the due Execu- tion of this Act will effectually prevent these Mischiefs for the future; and it seems to be the only Remedy of 'em, which the present Circumstances of the Province will bear; For since the Depreciating of the Bills of Credit must re- 103 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY main Incurable, whilst the Neighbouring Colonies of Rhode Island and Connecticutt are permitted to pour into this Province such Floods of their Bills of Credit, as they at present do ; all that can be done in such case is to hinder the Depreciating of the Bills from producing those Mischievous Effects, which they used to do before. His Majesty's Instruction indeed limiting the Quantity of the Bills of Credit emitted in this Province, so as that not above £30,000 of 'em shall be current at the same time, was well calculated to prevent them from being depre- ciated ; But when I inform your Lordships, that there Is now a larger Sum in Bills of publick Credit of the Colonies of Connecticutt and Rhode Island (neither of which Colonies are under the same Restraint) current within this Province, as there are of the Province Bills, you will soon perceive how Ineffectual the Royal Instruction is for obtaining the End proposed by it. And I may assure your Lordships from certain Experience, that nothing but a Restraint upon the Colony of Rhode Island limiting their Emissions of Bills of publick Credit, of equal force at least with that which his Majesty has lay'd upon this Province, will prevent the same Quantity of Rhode Island Bills from being current In the Province as now passes there ; For Bills of publick Credit being the only Medium of Exchange In this Province, and so become necessary to the people for circulating the great Variety of Trade which Is carried on within it. Paper Cur- rency will pass among 'em almost In any shape. To demonstrate to your Lordships how Insensible they are grown of the Difference between the Real and the Nominal Value of publick Bills I shall mention one Instance of it, which is, that about eighteen months ago the Rhode Is- land Bills emitted in 1740 of an equal Denomination with the first New Tenour Bills of this Province, currently pass'd among the people at 25 "^ Cent more than those Province Bills did, tho the Province Bills were redeemable with Sil- ver or Gold In sixteen months time, and the Rhode Island Bills were not redeemable till about sixteen years hence ; so that If they had been also redeemable with Silver and 104 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Gold (which is not the case) yet they were by the Rules of common Discount above 40 '^ Cent worse than the Prov- ince Bills ; and this was owing to nothing but the Impo- sition of the Rhode Island Government, and the blind fond- ness of the people for paper Money, both which still continue in an extravagant degree and will do so till the Parliament of Great Britain shall make a general Regulation of the- Bills of publick Credit, at least in the four Governments of New England ; For I find all Attempts to procure an Act of Assembly for hindring the Bills of Credit emitted by other Colonies from passing in this Province will be vain from the Fate of a Bill which was last Session of the As- sembly projected for that purpose and first read in Council, where I could scarcely prevail to get it committed ; But in the House of Representatives it was unanimously negatived saving one Vote only ; And could I have prevail'd to have got it pass'd into a Law, I scarcely think it could be carried into Execution ; For the Trade of this Province is so link'd with the Colonies of Rhode Island and Connecticut that it is scarcely possible to keep their Bills from having a Currency here, especially as the Quantity of Bills of Credit allow'd by his Majesty to be emitted in the Province is not near suffi- cient to serve 'em as a Medium of their Trade, As it seems probable by our Advices from England that a Bill may be soon brought into Parliament for a general Regulation of the Paper Currency in the Plantations, I thought it might not be improper to lay before your Lord- ships, who, I suppose, will be chiefly consulted in this Affair, an Account of the State of the Paper Currency in the four Governments of New England ; and this led me into the above mention'd particular Detail of it, and also into the inclosed Reasons ^ against an immediate total Suppression of the Bills of Credit. I am wth the Highest Respect My Lords, Your most Obedient, and most Humble Servant W. Shirley. ^ These reasons are given in full on p. 106 following. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY P. S. The Outstanding Bills of Credit of the Colony of Rhode Island may be computed at about £420,000 Old Tenour, of wch about £350,000 being of the Value of about £62,000 Sterling is circulating within the Province of the Massa- chusetts Bay — And the Outstanding Bills of the Colony of Connecticutt may be computed at abt £100,000 old Tenour of wch about £50,000 being of the Value of abt £8,300 Sterl is circulating within the said province. Rt Honble Lds Commissrs of Trade &ca Endorsed: -Mt y ^ Massachusets. Letter from Mr Shirley, Govr of the Massachusets Bay, to the Board, dated at Boston the 19th of March 1742/3, relating to his putting in Execution an Act entitled An Act to ascertain the value of Money i^tc. together with his observns on the Bills of Credit of Rhode Island, Connecticut, &c. Reed June 21st Read — 22 1743 Reasons against an immediate Total Suppression of Paper Bills of publick Credit in New England The Ballance of Trade between the province of the Massa- chusetts Bay (which is the Center of the New England Trade) and Great Britain has for these several last years been so much in favour of the latter that it has continually drain'd the province of all it's Silver and Gold by Remittances made to Great Britain for discharging the Debts due to the Merchants and Traders there. This has occasion'd the Great and General Court of that Province to strike Bills of publick Credit from time to time to supply the want of Silver and Gold for supporting the Charges of his Majesty's Government; and those Bills together with the Bills of publick Credit emitted by the Colonies of Rhode Island, Connecticutt and a few Bills of the Province of New Hampshire (all which are as current in the province of the Massachusetts Bay as the Bills of that Government itself) have also for several years last past been 106 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the sole Medium of Trade within the Province and the three other Governments of New England. Should therefore the Use of these Bills, which as has been observ'd are at present the only Means of supplying the Treasury for the Support of his Majy's Government, and also the sole medium of Trade within the Province be immediately and at once suppress'd (as the Opinion of some is that they should) such a sudden Alteration would very much distress his Majy's Government within the Province, and at first almost put it to a stand ; and cause a Stagnation and great Confusion in the Trade and Business of the province ; And would moreover for two or three years at least, necessarily draw all the Silver and Gold, which is now annually remitted from the province to Great Britain to pay it's Ballance due to the British Merchants, out of that Trade (as such Silver and Gold must upon a total Suppression of Bills of publick Credit be employ'd in payment of Taxes for the Support of the Government & circulating Trade and Business within the province) and thereby lessen the Vent of British Woollen and other British Commodities and Manufactures there for some time, and perhaps put the Inhabitants upon attempting to supply themselves with Manufactures of their own in lieu of 'em, or otherwise divert part of it's present Trade to Great Britain into some other Channell so as to make it difficult to be regain'd. It would also for some years cramp the New England Trade in all it's other Branches, check the Growth of the Settlements of the Lands, and lessen the Whale and Cod fishery of the province of the Massachusetts Bay. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE LORDS OF TRADE 1 My Lords, ^°^^°"' ^- ^"8^^' ^°^^- 7' ^743- I have receiv'd your Letters of the 22d of June and 6th of July, in the latter of which you are pleas'd to express your ip. R. O., CO. 5, 884, 231. 107 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Approbation of my Refusal to assent to the late Bill for the more speedy finishing of the Land Bank or Manufactory Scheme on account of the extraordinary Powers thereby vested in the Commissioners appointed for carrying it into Execution, and it's interfering in some measure with the Act of Parliament pass'd in England for the Relief of the Credi- tors, and to say, you could wish the Assembly could frame a Bill of an Equitable nature, that might stand clear of the Objections against the last, and be Effectual for the purposes design'd thereby. I now transmit to your Lordships an Act of an Equitable nature, which, I believe, will be Effectual for the purposes design'd by the late Bill, (if it shall have his Majy's Royal Approbation) and which is so framed as that I hope it may appear to your Lordships, as it does to me, to stand clear of all Objections against that Bill. The extraordinary powers given by the late Bill to the Commissioners were a power by their Warrant to the Sheriff to break open Doors, Chests &ca in order to seize the Effects, Books and papers of the late Directors ; an absolute power to assess any Sum upon any of the Delinquent Directors or Partners, without liberty of appealing from their De- termination in case of any Grievance, as also to apportion the general Loss among 'em without any Appeal ; likewise to sell that part of any Delinquent Director's or Partner's Estate, which had been before mortgag'd to the Company at their Discretion for payment of the Sums assess'd upon 'em ; and those Delinquent Partners and Directors were made Incapable of Alienating such part of their Estates from and after the Publication of the Act without special Leave from the Governour and Council, and all the Acts of the Commissioners in general were to be final, except that they were to be accountable to the General Court for their Re- ceipts and Payments. Whereas this Act has no other Effect for binding and subjecting the Estates of the Delinquent Directors and Partners from and after the publication of it to the payment of such Sums, as shall be assess'd upon 'em by the Commissioners with the Allowance of the General io8 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Court, than the actual Service of an ordinary Writ of Attach- ment at the Suit of any Creditor would have upon their Estates for subjecting 'em to the payment of any common Debt, according to the common course of the Law and Usage within the province : The Commissioners have no power to break open locks ; no absolute power to Assess any Sums of Money upon any partner or Director, but they are obllg'd to make a Report of their Assessments and all their other Acts to the General Court, which must give a Sanc- tion to 'em before they are binding, and may disallow 'em : And such partners or Directors, who think themselves aggriev'd by any of their Determinations, may appeal from 'em to the Genl Court : and if they choose to have any material Facts not agreed between them and the Commissioners try'd in a Court of Law upon an Issue to be directed by the Genl Court, such Issue Is to be directed for the Trial of 'em by a Jury In his Majy's Superior Court of Judicature. Thus no party can lose the Benefit of a Trial at Law if he desires it; And the Commissioners have no power to make Sale of that part of any Delinquent partner's or Director's Estate, which was before mortgag'd to the Com- pany, as was before given 'em by the late Bill, but only to mortgage It ; And it is expressly provided by the Act that, notwithstanding any thing contain'd In It or done In pur- suance of it, the persons and Estates of the partners and Directors shall be liable to the same Demands and Attach- ments of the possessors of the Bills, as they were before the making of the Act ; So that this Act of the Genl Court does not In the least Interfere with the Act of Parliament, by taking away the Remedy, which that gave the possessors of the Bills against the partners or Directors, and substitut- ing another in lieu of it, unless the possessors choose to bring in their Bills to the Commissioners to be redeem'd by them, which Is In their favour; nor does It In the least clash with the Act of Parliament by declaring or supposing any of the Agreements or Covenants between the Partners and Directors In forming and executing their late Scheme to be good in Law, which the Act of Parliament declares 109 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY to be Illegal and Void ; but Is manifestly calculated to carry the Act of Parliament into Execution according to it's full Intent, which I suppose was to punish and Burthen the whole Company, and not that such of 'em, who should pay a due Obedience to the Act, should be ruin'd in their Estates and Families, and those, who were Dishonest and Refractory, should avoid their part of the Loss and Burthen by their Obstinacy, which among so great a number as eight hundred, of which the Company consisted, must have been the Fate of some. If this Act had not been made ; be- sides their being subjected to the Oppression of such persons as buying up the Bills of some Ignorant Possessors at a great Discount either out of Avarice or pique against particular persons, harrass 'em with Demands in order to exact sums of money from 'em to let their Suits drop, and contribute to keep such of the Bills as are now outstanding In a Cir- culation. And it seems to me upon the whole that this Act of the Genl Court is so well guarded, and that It Is framed In such manner, as that. If any Act Effectual to answer the Ends deslgn'd by this and consistent with the Act of Parliament can be devis'd, this is such a one. And your Lordships perceive that this Act provides that, in case of the Death or Refusal of any of the Commissioners, such Vacancy Is not to be fill'd up by the Governour and Council, as was provided by the former Bill, and which I understand was excepted to by your Lordships, but is to be supply'd by the General Court. And I would particularly observe to your Lordships that I have taken care that the Commissioners shall only proceed to Audit the Accounts of the Company and make Report of their proceedings to the Genl Court, (at their next May Sessions) which must give Sanction to all that they do, so that I have It absolutely in my power to hinder the Act from being carried Into Execution, 'till I know his Majy's pleasure upon It, and I shall accordingly suspend the Execu- tion of it till then; And I hope that the Steps, which the Commissioners will take in the mean time In Auditing and settling the Affairs of the Company and In apportioning the CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Loss, which will arise from the whole Scheme, in order to be lay'd before the General Court, may tend to check several Mischievous Practices, one of which is an Endeavour to influence some Members of the Assembly, who have been lately Active in his Majy's Service, by intimidating 'em with Demands of large Sums of Manufactory Bills, in order to make 'em oppose the Measures of the Government for the sake of getting rid of such Demands, for which special purpose some Sums of those Bills have been purchas'd of the possessors ; which is a vile abuse of the Act of Parliament. As it appears to me that the Execution of this Act would be for the Service of his Majy's Government here, as well as very much for that of the Country, and correct several Abuses of the Act of Parliament, I hope your Lordships will not find any thing so Exceptionable in it as to hinder his Majy's Approbation of it ; And if your Lordships would be pleased to signify to me his Majy's pleasure upon it, as early as may be consistent with your Conveniency, so that I may know how to act upon it by the Beginning of next June, I should esteem it a singular Mark of your Goodness and Favour to me. I shall observe your Commands relating to the Lands between Nova Scotia and the River of Sagadehock, and an Account of the State of the Paper Currency, and all other Matters in your last Letter not answer'd here, and am with the highest Respect My Lords Your Obedient & most Humble Servant W. Shirley. Rt Honble Lords Commissrs of Trade &ca Endorsed: Massachusets Letter from Mr. Shirley, Govr of the Massachusets Bay to the Board, dated the 7th of Novbr 1743, transmitting An Act for the more speedy finishing the Land Bank or Manufactory Scheme, passed the iith of that Month, with his Observations CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY on it, as also on the late Bill for that purpose, to which he had refus'd his Assent ; and promising to observe the Board's Directions relating to the Lands between Nova Scotia and the River Sagadehock, the Paper Currency and other Matters in their last. Reed from Mr Kilby Reed Janrythe i8th Act Confirmed Read Ditto 27th THE FRENCH KING'S DECLARATION OF WAR^ By the King Upon the breaking out of the Troubles after the Death of the Emperor Charles the Sixth, the King took all Oppor- tunities of shewing, that his Majesty desir'd nothing more earnestly than to see them speedily concluded, by an equit- able Accommodation between the Parties in War. The Conduct which his Majesty has ever since observed, has sufficiently demonstrated, that he constantly persisted in the same Dispositions ; and his Majesty, not being de- sirous of forming any Pretensions for himself which might in the least obstruct the Re-establishment of Tranquillity in Europe, had no Notion of being obliged to take Part in the War, otherwise than in supplying his Allies with the Succours which he was engaged to give them. Such disinterested Views would soon have restored Peace, if the Court of London had thought with as much Equity and Moderation, and if it had consulted nothing but the Welfare and Advantage of the English Nation ; but the King of England, Elector of Hanover, had very opposite Intentions, which, as it was soon perceiv'd, aimed at nothing less than kindling a general War. Not satisfied with dissuading the Court of Vienna from entertaining any Notion of a Recon- ciliation, and with nourishing its Animosity by the most ^Inclosed in Newcastle to Shirley of March 31, p. 121. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY violent Councils, it has taken all Opportunities of irritating France, by every where disturbing her Maritime Commerce, in Contempt of the Law of Nations, and the most solemn Treaties. The Convention of Hanover, in October 1741, seem'd at least to have assured his Majesty of the Discontinuance of such Excesses. The King of England during the Stay he made in his German Dominions, appeared to listen to the Complaints which were made to him on this Occasion, and to perceive the Justice of them ; he gave his Royal Word that he would cause them to cease, and he formally engaged himself not to disturb the Allies of the King in the Pursuit of their Rights ; but scarce was he returned to London, before he forgot all his Promises ; and as soon as he was cer- tain that the King's Army had entirely quitted Westphalia, he caused it to be declared by his Ministers, that the Con- vention no longer subsisted, and that he looked upon himself as disengaged from it. He then thought there was no longer Necessity to act with circumspection : Being himself a personal Enemy of France, he seemed to have no other Views than to raise up such every where against her : This became the principal Point in the Instructions of his Ministers in all the Courts of Eu- rope. The Piracies of the English Men of War increased with Cruelty and Barbarity ; even the Ports of the Kingdom were no longer an Asylum against their Insults. The Eng- lish have at length dared to block up the Port of Toulon, to stop all Ships, to seize upon the Merchandize which they carried, and to take even the Recruits and Ammunition v/hich his Majesty was sending into his strong Places. So many repeated Injuries and Outrages have at last tired the Patience of his Majesty, who can no longer bear with them, without failing in the Protection which he owes his own Subjects, in the Assistance he owes his Allies, in the Defence of himself, his Honour and Glory. These are the just Motives that no longer permit his Majesty to keep within the Bounds of Moderation which he had prescribed to him- self, and which constrain him to declare War, as he does VOL.1 — I 113 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY by these Presents, against the King of England, Elector of Hanover, both by Sea and Land. His Majesty ordains and enjoins all his Subjects, Vassals and Servants, to fall upon the Subjects of the King of Eng- land, Elector of Hanover ; forbids them in the most express Manner from hereafter having any Communication, Com- merce, or Intelligence with them, on Pain of Death ; and consequently his Majesty hath from henceforward revoked, and does revoke all Permissions, Passports, Safe-Guards, and Safe-Conducts, which may have been given by himself, or by his Lieutenant-Generals, and other his Ofhcers, contrary to these Presents, and hath declared them, and does declare them null, void and of no effect, forbidding all Persons from having any Regard thereto. His Majesty orders and commands the Duke de Penthievre, Admiral of France, the Marshals of France, the Governors and Lieutenant-Generals for his Majesty in his Provinces and Armies, Camp-Marshals, Colonels, Captains, Heads and Conductors of his Military People, as well Horse as Foot, French and Foreigners, and all other his Officers whom it shall concern, that they, and each of them, cause the Purport of these Presents to be executed, in the Extent of their Powers and Jurisdictions, for such is the Will of his Majesty. He wills and intends that these Presents shall be published and fixed up in all the Cities, as well Maritime as others, and in all the Ports, Harbours, and other Places of his Kingdom and Territories under his Obedience, where it shall be needful, that none may pretend Ignorance thereof. Done at Versailles, March 15, 1744 Louis. Amelot. 114 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ' Boston, N. England, March 19, 1743. My Lord Duke, In Obedience to the Direction? of the late Lords Justices by his Majesty's Sloop Hawk for putting this Province into the best posture of Defence, and guarding it against any Surprize, I have now to inform your Grace that I have rais'd ten Companies of Snow shoe men (as they are call'd here) consisting of fifty Men each in the Frontier parts of the province, whose Duty it is to hold themselves ready at the shortest Warning to go in pursuit of any Party of Indians, who frequently in time of War make sudden Incursions, whilst there is a deep Snow upon the Ground, and retreat as suddenly into the Woods after having done what Mischief they can ; in which case it is necessary that the Soldiers who go in quest of 'em, should make use of Snow shoes and Mogga- sons to travel thro the Snow ; And I have given Directions for erecting a Line of Block-houses and Garrisons round the Frontier parts, which lye expos'd to the French and Indians, to be situated in such manner as to be capable of protecting the Inhabitants residing thereabouts, and also relieving the Scouts which must, in case of War, be kept continually in Marches round the Frontiers to prevent any sudden Incur- sions ; And I am inform'd considerable progress is made in erecting 'em, and that several of 'em will be finish'd by July next; Both which provisions for securing the Inhabitants and intimidating the Indians will, I am satisfy'd, have a very great Effect. Since my beginning this I have receiv'd a second Letter from Mr Stone by the way of South Carolina dated the 3d of September last signifying to me the Directions of their Excellencies the late Lord Justices that I should put the Forces belonging to this Province into such a Condition as to be able not only to repell the French Forces if they should ip.R.O.,C. 0.5,900, 93. "5 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY attack the Province, but also to attack them if it should become necessary, which Commands I shall pay a due Obedience to 1 am with the most Dutiful! regards My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Obedient, and most Devoted Humble Servant W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed: "~ Boston, New England March 19. 1743/4 GovR Shirley 5^ June 1st WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ Boston, New Engld. March 23, 1743. My Lord Duke, This waits upon your Grace at the earnest Request of the Assembly of this Province, who have desired me to make their grateful acknowledgements to your Grace for the Instances of your Goodness to this Government and People, particu- larly that of favouring their late Petition to his Majesty for a Supply of Cannon and other Warlike Stores ;^ and to express their Sense of the Province's Happiness in having it's Affairs lye under the Care and Inspection of your Grace ; and to beg the Continuance of your Grace's Protection of it, and favour- able Regards to it's Interests. It is with the utmost pleasure, my Lord, that I now com- ply with the Assembly's Request, and I shall think myself ^ B. M., Additional Manuscript ^2702, 244. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. The governor, council, and assembly thanked the king for the cannon sent in an earlier address of Feb. 8 of this year. It is in C. O. 5, 900, p. 83. 2 See Shirley to the Lord President, Nov. i, 1742, and notes. 116 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY extremely happy if I may be Instrumental In conciliating your Grace's Favour to the province and by that means pro- moting the Interest of it's Affairs in Great Britain, in hopes that it may produce from them suitable Returns of Duty to his Majesty, and Gratitude to your Grace, the obtaining of which Effects I should esteem the highest Honour of my Administration. I beg that your Grace will also permit me to join to the Thanks of the Assembly my own most Dutiful Acknowledg- ments to your Grace for your Goodness in procuring by your Grace's Recommendation his Majesty's most gracious Answer to the Province's beforemention'd Petition, and for the many Instances I have personally receiv'd of your Grace's Pat- ronage and protection, for which I shall ever remain with the greatest Duty and Gratitude My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Obedient and most Devoted, Humble Servant W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed: Boston. March 23, 1743/4. GovR Shirley ^ June 1st. HIS MAJESTY'S DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST THE FRENCH KING ^ George R. The Troubles, which broke out in Germany, on Account of the Succession of the late Emperor Charles the Sixth, having been begun, and carried on by the Instigation, Assist- ^ Copies are in the British Museum and in the John Carter Brown Library. Copies of the Boston reprint (1744) are in the Amer. Antiq. Society and Boston Public Library. Later reprints are in Amer. Antiq. Society, Trans. & Coll, v. 12 and Conn. Hist. Soc. II, 135. See Newcastle to Shirley, March 31, p. 121. 117 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ance, and Support of the French King, with a View to over- turn the Balance of Power in Europe, and to extend the dangerous Influence of that Crown, in direct Violation of the solemn Guaranty of the Pragmatic Sanction, given hy him in the Year one thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight, in Consideration of the Cession of Lorraine ; and We having on Our Part executed Our Engagements for maintaining the Pragmatic Sanction, with that good Faith which is insepa- rable from Us ; and having opposed the Attempts made against the Dominions of the Queen of Hungary ; we are not surprised that our Conduct in this Respect, should have drawn upon Us the Resentment of the French King, who has found his ambitious Views, in a great Measure, disappointed by the Assistance We have furnished to Our Ally, unjustly attacked by him ; or that he should alledge it as a principal Reason for declaring War against Us. From the Time that we found Ourselves obliged, for the Maintenance of the just Rights of Our Subjects, to enter into a War with Spain, instead of observing a strict Neutrality, which We might have promised ourselves on the Part of the French King, from whom We were even founded by Treaty to have demanded Assistance ; he has given Encouragement and Support to Our Enemies, by conniving at his Subjects, acting as Privateers under Spanish commissions, both in Europe and America, and by sending in the year One thousand seven hundred and forty, a strong Squadron into the American Seas, in order to prevent us from prosecuting the just War which we were carrying on against Spain in those Parts ; and We have the most authentick Proof, that an Order was given to the Commander of the French Squad- ron, not only to act in a hostile Manner against Our Ships, either jointly with the Spaniards, or separately ; but even to concert Measures with Our Enemies, for attacking one of Our principal Dominions in America ; a Duplicate of that Order dated the Seventh of October, One thousand seven hundred and forty, having fallen into the Hands of the Com- mander in Chief of Our Squadron in the West Indies. This injurious Proceeding was greatly aggravated by the French ii8 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Minister at Our Court, having declared on Occasion of send- ing the said Squadron ; that the French king was very far from having any Design or Intention of breaking with Us. The same offensive Conduct was continued, on the Part of the French King, towards Us, by his Squadron in the Mediterranean, in the Year One thousand seven hundred and forty-one, joining with and protecting the Ships of Our Enemies, in Sight of Our Fleet, which was preparing to attack them. These unwarrantable Proceedings ; the notorious Breach of Treaties, by repairing the Fortifications, and erecting New Works at Dunkirk ; the open Hostilities lately committed against Our Fleet in the Mediterranean ; the Affront and Indignity oifered to Us, by the Reception of the Son of the Pretender to Our Crown, in the French Dominions ; the Embarkation actually made at Dunkirk, of a considerable Body of Troops, notoriously designed for an Invasion of this Kingdom, in Favour of the Pretender to Our Crown ; and the sending a Squadron of French Ships of War into the Channel, to support the said Embarkation and Invasion; will be lasting Monuments of the little Regard had by the French Court for the most solemn Engagements, when the Observance of them is inconsistent with Interest, Ambition, or Resentment. We cannot omit taking Notice of the unjust Insinuations contained in the French King's Declaration of War against Us, with respect to the Convention made at Hanover, in October, One thousand seven hundred and forty-one. That Convention, regarding Our Electorate only, had no Relation to Our Conduct as King of Great Britain, the Allegations concerning it, are groundless and injurious ; Our Proceeding in that Respect, having been perfectly consistent with that Good Faith, which We have always made the Rule of Our Actions. It is unnecessary to mention the Objections made to the Behaviour of Our Ministers in Foreign Courts ; since it is notorious that the principal View and Object of the Negotia- tions of the French Ministers in the several Courts of Europe, 119 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY have been either to stir up intestine Commotions in the Countries where they resided ; or to create Differences and Misunderstandings between them and their respective AlHes. The Charge of Piracy, Cruelty, and Barbarity against Our Ships of War, is Equally unjust and unbecoming; and We have all such Proceedings so much in Abhorrence, that, if any Practices of that Nature had been made appear to us. We should have taken effectual Care to put a Stop to them, and to have punished the Offenders in the severest Manner, We being therefore indispensably obliged to take up Arms, and entirely relying on the Help of Almighty God, who knows the Uprightness of Our Intentions, have thought fit to declare and do hereby declare War against the French King; and We will, in pursuance of such Declaration, vigorously prose- cute the same by Sea and Land ; being assured of the ready Concurrence and Assistance of all Our loving Subjects, in so just a Cause : And we do hereby will, and require, Our Gen- erals and Commanders of Our Forces, Our Commissioners for executing the Office of High Admiral of Great Britain, Our Lieutenants of Our several Counties, Governors of Our Forts and Garrisons, and all other Officers under them, by Sea and Land, to do and execute all Acts of Hostility in the Prosecution of this War against the said French King, his Vassals, and Subjects, and to oppose their Attempts ; will- ing and requiring, all Our Subjects to take Notice of the same, whom We henceforth strictly forbid to hold any Corre- spondence or Communication with the Subjects of the French King : And We do hereby command Our own Subjects, and advertise all other Persons of what Nation soever, not to transport or carry any Soldiers, Arms, Powder, Ammunition, or other contraband Goods, to any of the Territories, Lands, Plantations, or Countries of the said French King ; declaring, that whatsoever Ship or Vessel shall be met withal, trans- porting or carrying any Soldiers, Arms, Powder, Ammuni- tion, or other contraband Goods, to any of the Territories, Lands, Plantations, or Countries of the said French King, the same being taken, shall be condemned as good and law- ful Prize. And whereas there are remaining in Our Kingdom CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY divers of the Subjects of the French King, we do hereby de- clare our Royal Intention to be, that all the French Subjects, who shall demean themselves dutifully towards us, shall be safe in their Persons and estates. Given at our Court at St. James's, the Twenty ninth Day of March, 1744, in the Seventeenth Year of our Reign. God Save the King. DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY » Whitehall, March 31st, 1744. Sir, The French King having declared war against His Maj- esty, (as you will see by the inclosed Copy of His Declara- tion for that Purpose, which is full of the grossest and most indecent Misrepresentations, and Reflections upon His Majesty's Conduct,) I am to acquaint you, by His Majesty's Command, that on Thursday last, the 29th Inst., a great Council was held at St. James's, where His Majesty ap- proved, and has since signed, a Declaration of War against the French King, and ordered that the same should be pub- lished on this Day, by the Heralds at Arms, in the usual Places, and with the accustomed Formalities on the like Occasions ; which has been done, accordingly. I send you inclosed a printed Copy of the said Declara- tion, and am commanded to signify to you His Majesty's Pleasure, that you cause it to be proclaimed in the Colony under your Government, that His Majesty's Subjects hav- ^ The letter here printed as to Governor Shirley appears to have been a circular one addressed to the several Governors in America. See Rhode Island Col. Rec. 5, 80, Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. 11, 132, 140. See also Shirley's reply of June 2 on p. 125. The proclama- tions of war by France and England respectively are printed on pp. 112 and 117. The second English proclamation named was of date March 29 and was headed "His Majesty's most Gracious Declaration For the Encouragement of His Ships of War and Pri- vateers." It was printed in the London Gazette olM-Axch. 31, 1744. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ing this Notice, may take Care to prevent any Mischief, which otherwise they might suffer from the Enemy, and do their Duty in their several Stations, to distress and annoy the Subjects of the French King : And His Majesty would have you be very rigorous and severe, in preventing any Ammunition, or Stores of any Kind, from being carried to them ; and you are to use all proper Methods, that may be most effectual for that Purpose, I send you inclosed, His Majesty's Proclamation for the Distribution of Prizes taken by His Majesty's Ships of war, or Privateers, which, you will take Care, may be published in the Colony under your Government : And you will do every thing in your Power, to encourage His Majesty's Subjects to fit out Ships to act as Privateers against the Enemy ; And you will, upon the Receipt of this Letter, take all Opportunities, as far as depends upon you, to distress and annoy the French in their Settlements, Trade and Com- merce. I am. Sir Your most obedient humble servant, Newcastle. To the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS 1 Gentlemen of the Council and House of Representatives, As the Acquisition of the Country of Nova Scotia, and more especially of the Fortress at Port Royal (now Annapo- lis Royal) has been always thought by this Government, ^ Mass. Arch. Journals House of Representatives. On May 21 Major John Paul Mascarene, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, had written to Shirley asking for assistance to be sent to Port Royal. In addition to this message to the Assembly of Massachusetts Shirley sent the appeal for aid on to Rhode Island and other colonies (Kimball, Corres. Col. Govs, of R. I. i, 265), but New England was in poor financial condition to meet the demands made upon her from the northeast and at the same time defend CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ever since it's first Settlement by the French, to be a Point of the greatest Importance to the Welfare and Safety of this Province ; and many Designs have been form'd, and Expe- ditions fitted out for reducing that Place, and recovering it out of the Hands of the French, so I cannot but hope you will think it of equal Necessity to preserve it for his Majesty at this Juncture, from any Attempts of the Enemy ; And as it appears highly probable that the French will make some Attempts upon that Place before the Garrison there can have a Reinforcement from Great Britain, I believe you will judge it a Piece of Service that will be highly acceptable to his Majesty, and tend to secure some of the most valuable Interests of this Province, to send some Recruits for that Garrison to continue there for a few Months, or till it be sufficiently reinforced from Great Britain. The Expence of this will not be very great (as we may suppose the Men will have both Pay and Subsistence from his Majesty :) And therefore, Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, I hope you will readily provide for it ; I shall only add upon this Head, that if any thing be done herein, the least Delay may render our good Intentions wholly ineffectual. Gentlemen of the Council and House of Representatives I am of Opinion that it is highly requisite forthwith to pass a Law, prohibiting upon great Penalties all Trade with our Enemies, and more especially the supplying of them with Arms, Ammunition or Provisions of any Kind whatsoever. The passing of such a Law and a strict Execution of it will, I am persuaded, very much contribute to streighten and re- duce the French Colonies and Settlements in particular, and her western boundaries. As Shirley wrote Newcastle on the day of this message, there was no gold or silver coin circulating in any of the four colonies of New England. P. R. O., C. O. 5. 884, p. 315. The call for aid for Nova Scotia was renewed on June 8, and on June 10 Bradstreet brought to Boston a call from Patt. Heron, Thomas Prendergast, and others who were prisoners of war at Louisbourg, asking that provisions be allowed them. C. O. 5, 900, p. 104. 123 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY your Neglect to do it, will soon be attended with mischievous effects to the Province. Council Chamber, May 31, 1744. W. Shirley.* ^ As a result of this message the House voted on June 12, 1744, to raise two independent companies of volunteers of sixty men each. On June 19 Shirley in consequence of a memorial from President (Paul Mascarene) and the Council of Annapolis asked for two hundred men, but the request was not granted. (Mass. Arch. ; C. O. 5, 884, p. 467.) The Act of June 12 follows : M:::rchufem Bay } I" ^^e House of Rep^f June ,.? ,744 Whereas the Preservation of His Majestys Fortress at An- napolis Royall is an Affair of Great Importance to the Crown as well as to the Respective Governments in New England and that until the Arrival of Some Forces there from Great Britain it may be for His Majestys Service to Afford them some immediate Relief. Therefore Voted that His Excellency the Captain General be desired to give orders for raising two Independent Companys of Voluntiers Consisting of Sixty men each exclusive of Officers to be sent to that Fortress as soon as may be at the Expense of this province and for encouragement to good and Effective men to Enlist into this service that there be and hereby is granted to be paid out of the Province Treasury to each able Bodied man that shall Enlist Twenty pounds old tenor or other Bills of Credit Equivalent and that they be freed from all ordinary Impresses in this Province three years after their Return and that His Excel- lency the Governour be desired to Acquaint the neighbouring Governments with the state of that Fortress, that they may afford a reasonable Aid of men for the aforesaid Purpose and inasmuch as the said Forces are neither to be Subsisted nor paid by this province during their Continuance there that His Excellency be further desired to use his good Offices with the Commander of that Fortress in Obtaining Pay and Subsistance for the said Com- panys from the Crown until they return home. Sent up for Concurrence T. CUSHING Spk'. In Council June I2*? 1744 Read and Concurred J. WiLLARD Secry. Consented to W. Shirley. See also Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. 11, 180, and Kimball, Corres. Col. Govs, of R. I. I, 263. X24 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ (Duplicate) Boston, New Engld, June 2d, 1744. My Lord Duke, This day In the Afternoon Capt. Jelfe In his Majesty's Sloop Swallow arriv'd here, by whom I had the Honour to receive your Grace's letter dated the 31st March last ^ signifying to me his Majesty's pleasure, that I should cause his Declaration of War against the French King to be pro- clalm'd In the Province under my Government; which was accordingly done here In a few hours afterwards with the formalities us'd upon the like occasions In this Province, the whole Regiment of Militia belonging to this place attending under Arms, and the people universally expressing a just Resentment of the Indignities offer'd his Majesty by the French King's declaration of War, and an English spirit upon the proclamation of his Majesty's Declaration : and in Obedience to his Majesty's Commands I shall exert my- self to the utmost of my Power In prompting his Subjects within my Government, not only to use all proper means for their own defence against the Enemy, but to do their Duty In their several Stations to distress, and Annoy the Subjects of the French King In their Settlements, Trade and Com- merce.^ I also caus'd his Majesty's Proclamation for the Distri- bution of Prizes taken by his Majesty's Ships of War, or Privateers to be publish'd here Immediately after the pro- claiming of his Declaration of War against the French King ; ^B.M., Additional Manuscript j2yoj, 81. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. On June 16 Shirley wrote the Lords of Trade, announcing that the declaration of war had been proclaimed in the province, stating the needs of Fort Dummer and an estimate of the expenses of the war. The letter is in C. O. 5, 884, p. 303. A somewhat similar letter of June 20 to the Earl of Harrington is in ibid. 327. ^Newcastle's letter of Mar. 31 Is on p. 121. ^ See Shirley to John Stoddard of June 2 and 3, pp. 127, 128, post. I2S CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY and shall do everything in my Power to encourage his Majesty's Subjects to fit out Ships to act as privateers against the Enemy. Capt. Jelfe deliver'd me also your Grace's Packet directed to the Governours of his Majesty's other Provinces and Colonies on the Continent of North America, all which I dispatch'd forward within three hours afterwards by trusty Expresses by Land to the respective Governours, except that to the Comander in Chief of Nova Scotia, for the Convey- ance of which I have caus'd an Express Boat to be hir'd by the Assembly, which is to Sail for Annapolis Royal with the first fair wind.^ Before my Receipt of your Grace's Letter I had Issu'd a proclamation with the Advice of his Majesty's Council here for preventing any Ammunition, Stores, provisions or Mer- chandize of any kind from being carried to any of the French settlements or Territories by his Majesty's Subjects of this Province, and had Recommended it to the Assembly to pass a Law with severe penalties in it for the same End : ^ and shall endeavour to use all methods, which may be proper and most effectual for that and the other purposes mention'd in your Graces Letter; and am wth the most Dutiful! Regards, My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Obedient, and most Devoted Humble Servant W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. ^ Shirley's attention during the period between the receipt of this letter and the Loulsbourg campaign appears to have been de- voted in large part to the welfare and defense of Nova Scotia. His letter to Newcastle of July 7 {post, p. 131) gives an Illustra- tion of this attention shown In the forwarding of troops, and leads one to expect further activity in the Northeast as the war pro- gresses. 2 See Shirley to General Court, May 31, 1744, ante, p. 122. ^ 126 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO JOHN STODDARD ^ Boston, 2d June, 1744. Sir, I have just now reed, his Majs declaration of War Against the French King with his Majs Orders to publish it, I would not delay to Inform you of it till the Copies of it are printed off; But I desire you would forthwith send to all your Frontier Towns & Settlements in your County to Advertise them hereof and to put them upon all Possible Care not to Expose themselves to be Surprised by the Enemy. I desire ^ Original, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. On the same date Shirley sent to other governors a copy of the declaration of war received from St. James, following the same with the Act of the Massachusetts Assembly making provision for the Albany Congress, In reply to one such letter came the following from Governor Law of Connecticut (Conn. Hist. Society, Law Papers 2, 11) : Sr. Milford June 19 1744 I had the favour of Yours of the 2d Instant with the Proclama- tion of Warr as also the Act of your Asembly on the 5th I reed on fryday night following. Respecting Comrs for the Congress att Albany our Assembly had Provided In Case Such an Occasion should happen that with the advice of the Council I should send Comrs but the time was so farr lapsd as to Render that Imprac- ticable so I gave a Comn to Govr Wolcott and others who pro- ceeded on Monday following hoping to meet with your Comrs at Sheffield. I would also Inform your Excellency That wee have appointed a Comtee of Warr att Hartford who are impowered to send forces to youer Assistance in Case of any Invasion or Eminent danger thereof upon Request made I Subscribe You Excelencies very humble Servant JoNATH Law To W Shirley Esqr The correspondence with Rhode Island is In Kimball, Corres. Col. Govs, of Rhode Island (i, 259, 262). On Jun. 5 Secretary Wlllard of Massachusetts asked that the southern colony appoint commissioners to the Albany Conference, the reply coming from Governor Greene on June 8. 127 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY also that you would forthwith fit out a proper number of men to Scout in Such Places on your Borders where they may be Most Likely to discover Any Motion of the Enemy Espe- cially Such as may be Sent out from the French fort at Crown Point . I am Sir Your most Humble Servant W. Shirley. To the Honble Colo. Stoddard P. S. I have receiv'd yours by Col.Dwight, which will be of great service ; I will take care of your own Interest : and approve much of your scheme for carrying on the War, I shall govern myself very much by it. w. s. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO JOHN STODDARD ^ Province of the Massachusetts bay (Seal) By his Excellency the Governour You are hereby ordered forthwith to impress or en- list out of the Regiment of Militia under your Command one hundred able Bodied Effective Men for the Defence and Pro- tection of his majesties Subjects in the Western frontiers of this Province against the Enemy to be posted and disposed of in such manner as I shall farther Order, and you must Take effectual Care that the said Men be compleatly furnished with Arms and Ammunition for all which this shall be your Sufficient Warrant Given under my hand and Seal at Boston June the 3d 1744. W. Shirley. To John Stoddard Esqr., Collonel of the Regiment of Militia in the County of Hampshire. ^ Original Mass. Hist. Society, Colonel Israel Williams Manu- scripts 71, D p. 8. See also Shirley to Col. Thomas Bowen, June 13, 1744, directing him to forward men to Stoddard. Ms. in Boston Public Library, No. 225. 128 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSIONERS 1 [Commission] William Shirley Esqr Captain General and Gov- (Seal) ernour in Chief in and over his Majestys Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England — To all unto whom these Presents Shall Come Greeting — Know Ye that by and with the advice of the Great and General Court or Assembly of his Majestys Said Province of the Massachusetts Bay at their Session begun and held Boston the thirtyeth of May Last I have Constituted and Appointed and by these presents do Constitute and appoint Authorize and Impower, John Stoddard, Jacob Wendell, Thomas Berry, John Choate and Thomas Hutchinson Esqrs or any three of them Commissioners for and In behalf of this Province to appear at the City of Albany or Elsewhere within the Province of New York on the twelfth of this Instant June or as Soon after-wards as may be, then and there to Treat with his Majestys Governour of New York aforesaid or with any Commissioners that may be appointed on the Part of that Province or with any Commissioners that may be appointed on the part of the Governments of New Hamp- shire Connecticut and Rhode Island or any of them, and on the part and Behalf of this Province to make Such agree- ments and Stipulations with the aforesaid Governour or Commissioners or any of them Either Joyntlv or Separately ^ Original, Conn. Hist. Society, Law Papers, 5, 14. Printed : Conn. Hist. Society Coll. 11, 174. These commissioners were appointed to meet the Indians at Albany. An account of the negotiations of the commissioners from Connecticiit and Massa- chusetts with the Indians giving speeches of both parties is in ibid. II, 185-197. On June 29 the Journal of the Massachusetts Commissioners was given to the House of Representatives at Bos- ton (Mass. Archives, Journal of the Assembly). VOL.1 — K 129 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY as they Shall think Equal and Necessary for the aforesaid Several Governments or any of them to Enter Into for their Mutual Safety and Defence or for annoying the Enemy In the Present Warr Such Agreement to be binding and Obliga- tory on the aforesaid Respective Governments and every of them. And also to Treat with the said Governments or Commissioners Chosen by them Respectively, Either Separately or Conjunctly as they Shall Judge best in order to Accomplish the Ends above mentioned. And Further as a Treaty Is Intended between the Province of New York and the Indians bordering on the Said Province to be held at Albany aforesaid on the before mentioned twelfth of June Instant, I do by these Presents by and with the Advice of the Great and General Court aforesaid Constitute and Appoint the Said John Stoddard Jacob Wendell Thomas Berry John Choate and Thos Hutchinson or any three of them Commissioners for and in behalf of this Province to Treat with and Engage the Friendship of the Indians Com- monly Called the Six nations of Indians or any other Nation or Tribe of Indians Whatsoever which shall be there (having first Obtained Leave of the aforesaid Governour of New York for that Purpose) to the Province of the Massachusetts Bay. And the Said Commissioners are also Hereby Impowered to agree to act and Transact any other Matter and thing for the Weal Safety and Defence of this Province as they may Judge Proper In and about the Premises according to Such Instructions as they have herewith Received. Given under my hand and the Seal of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay aforesaid at Boston the Eighth Day of June in the Seventeenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second over Great Brittain France & Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c. Annoque Domini one Thou- sand Seven Hundred and forty four. W. Shirley. By His Excellency's Command J. WiLLARD SeCRY. 130 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ' My Lord Duke, ^°^^°^' ^^ ^^8^^' ^""^^ 7, 1744- Six days ago I caus'd to be embarqu'd on Board a Trans- port upwards of seventy of the Soldiers lately rais'd here for the Reinforcement of His Majesty's Garrison at Annapolis Royal, and to proceed the next day under Convoy of one of the Province Guard-ships for Annapolis, where I doubt not, from the Winds we have since had, but that they arriv'd two days ago. I was the more sollicitous to dispatch this part of the succour, because from the Intelligence I have lately receiv'd from Louisbourg, I have the strongest reasons to conclude that the French from that place have rais'd a party of five hundred Indians at Menies to be join'd by other forces in order to attack Annapolis Royal by land, for which purpose I have a certain Account that two large Mortars are shipp'd from Louisbourg with a large Quantity of Small Arms on Board one of the arm'd Vessells which took Canso and was seen to enter the Gut of Canso again about a Month ago ; which Mortars can't be probably thought to be design'd for any other place than to be landed at Menies, and trans- ported from thence thro a good Road to Annapolis Royal : But as I understand the repairs of the Old Works of the Garrison have been carry'd on with the utmost Diligence by near an hundred Workmen under the Direction of Mr Bastide, and his Assistant, ever since the Garrison receiv'd the first Account which I sent them of the Declaration of Warr between the two Crowns on both sides, and the Garri- son will have receiv'd a reinforcement of the above mention'd Soldiers, which will (I believe) be augmented with a further number from this place in a few days, I am in hopes the Enemy, in case they should attack it, will be disapointed. If it should unfortunately happen that the Soldiers from this place should arrive too late for the Assistance of the Garrison, which I hope will not be the case ; it may be im- 1 P. R. 0., C. O. s, 900, 94. 131 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY puted to the Delay, which I suppose Captn Jelfe's picking up two Prizes in his passage to this place with the Packets from your Grace's Office containing the Declarations of Warr might occasion to his arrival here, and give the Enemy at Louisbourg the greater start of us. But the succour already sent will have been obtain'd from the Assembly, rais'd, transported and landed at Annapolis within less than six weeks after Captn Jelfe's arrival here, and my Dispatch in raising and transporting the Remainder of the Soldiers design'd for that place shall not be in the least slacken'd. Three days ago arriv'd here from Louisbourg a Flag of Truce with some of the Wives and Children of the Soldiers taken at Canso and five Men-prisoners sent chiefly for the sake of Piloting and Navigating the Vessell, and yesterday arriv'd here from the same place a Schooner (which set out in Company with the Flag of Truce) with Major Aldridge's Wife and family, and fourteen lame incurable Soldiers of the Canso Companies sent by the Governour of Louisbourg under the care of Lieutent Bradstreet belonging to one of the same Companies, who deliver'd me a Letter from Mr Du- quesnel the Governour of Louisbourg concerning the Ex- change of Prisoners. As this Letter contains terms of Indignity to his Majesty, which are Copy'd from the French King's Declaration of Warr, I hold it my Duty to transmit your Grace a Copy of it and of the Answer which I shall send to it, and of my Proceedings upon it, by the next Ship ; and in the meantime inclose to your Grace a Copy of the Capitulation made by the Garrison at Canso, which was deliver'd to me by the Captain of the French Flag of Truce : The Preservation of Canso, besides the necessity of it for carrying on the New England Fishery, would be of great service to his Majesty as a most convenient harbour for any Ship that should be Station'd thereabouts to intercept all Trade and Provisions coming into Louisbourg, which would in a short time in- evitably reduce that place to great Distress. By the two Inclos'd Acts, now transmitted to your Grace for his Majesty's Royal Approbation, your Grace will see 132 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY what Incouragement I have induced the Assembly to give to Privateer Cruizers against the French : And under what a severe Penalty I have prevail'd on them to prohibit all Correspondence with the Enemy, and the Exportation of Provisions as well as warlike Stores to the French Colonies, which if duely observed, and the same precaution was us'd by the rest of his Majesty's Colonies, would very much distress the people of Louisbourg and Martinique in par- ticular, where tho they have at present a plenty of Bread and Fish, yet they are in great want of all other Provisions (as we learn here from authentick accounts) and will soon be in great distress for want of Bread from the Numbers which resort to them from parts adjacent. By a Master of a Vessell now here, who was taken by the French Packet-boat that carry'd the French King's Decla- ration of Warr to Louisbourg, I learn that the Declaration arriv'd at Louisbourg the 5th of May O. S. and that the day following the Expedition begun to be fitted out against Canso ; and that the French packet-boat brought Stores on Board of her for one of the two French Men of Warr said to be building at Canada. About a fortnight ago the Province Snow took and brought into this Harbour one of the two arm'd Vessells, which was employ'd in taking Canso : She is a Sloop, had ninety four Men on board including Officers, eight Carriage Guns and proportionable swivels and small arms, and was cruizing in this Bay, but had not taken any thing since she had been out : And I have now in this place One hundred & Twenty French Prisoners in the whole. I am with the most Dutifull Regards My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Obedient & most Devoted Humble Servant \\T Stttrt K*Y" His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed : Boston. July 7, 1744 Govr Shirley 5 Augt 15th ^^^ CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE LORDS OF TRADE 1 (Duplicate) Boston, July 25th, 1744. My Lords, A. In my last which I had the honour to write to your Lordships I express'd my apprehensions of some Attacks being suddenly made upon the Garrison of Annapolis Royal, and that a few days before I had for that Reason dispatch'd away all the soldiers I had then raised here (being upwards of seventy) under Convoy of the Province Galley for the Rein- forcement of it. That succour arriv'd at Annapolis the 4th Instant, and found the Garrison besieg'd by a Body of Indians with a French Priest & Officer at their head, for the Particulars whereof, and the present situation of the Garrison I beg leave to referr your Lordships to Mr Mas- carene the present Comander in Chief's own account of it contain'd in two Letters to me, as also to Mr Bastide the Engineer's Letters, Extracts of which I enclose, and shall only mention here what the Captain of the province Galley further Inform'd me vizt. that the Indians had upon their first approach demanded of Mr Mascarene to surrender the Garrison ; that they had almost kill'd all the Cattle that belong'd to the English, & that the Indians upon the first Appearance of the Galley & Transport Vessel under it's Convoy, tho wearing English Colours, were so confident of their being French & bringing 'em an expected assistance that they were coming towards the Shoar in order to meet the Soldiers at their Landing ; but upon discovering their Mistake betook themselves to precipitate Flight. I have also to Inform your Lordships that five days ago I sent under Convoy to the Garrison another Company of Soldiers consisting of Fifty three. Nine of which belonged to the Companies taken at Canso, & I had got cur'd of their in- dispositions so as to be very fit in the Opinion of two of ^ P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 884, 447. A note on the manuscript states that the original letter was never received at the home office. 134 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY their Officers for Garrison Duty; and that I depend upon sending to Annapolis in a few days Seventy more Soldiers raised here, which will consist chiefly of pick'd Indians and other men fit for ranging the woods under a very expert Officer for that Service, who has undertaken (and upon a probable scheme as it appears to me) to destroy and drive off all the Indians which have infested the Government of Annapolis, and are what are properly call'd the Cape Sable Indians, this next winter; for his Encouragement to do which, I have promis'd him, if he accomplishes the Service, to represent it to his Majesty. And upon the whole I have reason to hope that with the Assistance, which the Garrison will have receiv'd from hence they may be able to Defend themselves for the present from any Attempt, which may be made against them, if no large Ships of Warr should attack 'em, even tho the French should send a Detachment of their Troops from Louisbourg, which it is not improbable may be their design, when the season of the year for an Expedition against Cape Breton shall be over ; or tho the Cape Sable Indians should be reinforc'd with other Tribes, and make a strong push against the Garrison (as it is possible they may if not deterr'd from it by our own Indians and rangers) in the time of the deep Snows, which is a Season of the greatest Danger from them, the Trenches being then frequently fiU'd and Leveird with the Ramparts by the sudden Snows ; and I am the rather induc'd to hope the Garrison may be in a Ca- pacity to defend itself as the early notice I gave 'em of a rupture with France made Mr Bastide instantly Desist from carrying on the New Works, & gave him near a month's more Time to put the old ones into the best repair they are capable of; and the Succours I then promis'd the Garrison kept the French Inhabitants in a proper respect and Awe, and procur'd the best Assistance, they could give the Gar- rison in carrying on the repairs ; which might have happen'd otherwise, had they not receiv'd such a Visit and promise of Assistance from hence. B. I am also to enclose to your Lordships a Copy of Mons. Duquesnel's Letter to me, concerning the Exchange 135 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY of Prisoners mention'd in my last with a Copy of my answer to and proceedings upon it ; also of the Applications of the English Officers, prisoners for a year from the 13th of last May at Louisbourg for a supply of provisions from hence for the Subsistence of themselves and their Families, and likewise of the Soldiers of the late Garrison at Canso pris- oners also for the same Term : And would inform your Lordships that as to the Soldiers I have wholly refus'd send- ing 'em any Supply, esteeming it an unprecedented and dangerous thing to supply 'em with provisions in the Enemy's Country where there is a scarcity of Provisions for the sup- port of the Inhabitants & what would probably prevent their being releas'd before the Term of their Capitulation was expir'd, and as to the Officers who live at Louisbourg at their own Expence, I have reduc'd their Demands to so small a Quantity that if the Enemy should upon it's Arrival at Louisbourg be so dishonourable as to make Use of it, the support it would afford them would be altogether incon- siderable, as may appear from the inclosed Schedule of what I allow'd Mr Bradstreet upon the Advice of his Majesty's Council to take with him. Upon this unforeseen release of the English prisoners by Mr. Duquesnel, and his proposal to me for an Exchange I have inquired after precedents of the proceedings of other Governours of his Majesty's Colonies upon like Occasions, and as I found Instances of Exchanges of prisoners of Warr made by 'em without any footsteps of particular Instruc- tions from his Majesty for that purpose, it appear'd to me that they made the Exchanges & settled Cartells by virtue of their General Commissions, and I have accordingly acted upon this Occasion, as appear'd to me best for his Majesty's Service, and the Good of his Subjects belonging to this prov- ince, many of whom (Fishermen especially) are now Pris- oners at Louisbourg ; and I was more especially determin'd to act in this manner as I was willing (if possible) to procure the immediate discharge of the Officers and Soldiers now at Louisbourg for His Majesty's Service at Annapolis Royal in this dangerous Conjuncture for the Garrison. . . . 136 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY C. As to Mr. Duquesnel's proposal to me concerning a Neutrality with respect to the New England & Cape Breton Fisheries ... I am not surpriz'd to find that the French sho'd have so much at heart the preservation of their Fishery (which they apprehend it is in his Majesty's Power to resume) since the Growth of the Cape Breton Fishery, and the Decay of the New England Fishery would be attended with the most Valuable Consequences to the French Commerce and Naval Strength on the one hand, and with the contrary Effects to his Majesty's subjects in New England and the Trade of Great Britain to those parts on the other. D. And I would beg leave further to inform your Lord- ships that the late surprize of Canso will not only give the French the Advantage of the Sole Fishery there, but has also open'd a free Communication between Loulsbourg c^nd the Inhabitants of Menies and Schenecta, which Tract is not only the Granary of those Parts but abounds with plenty of live Stock, from whence the French at Louis- bourg have already receiv'd Seasonable Supplies of Fresh Provisions, not to mention that they thereby have freed themselves from the Annoyance, which any British Ships station'd there might give to the Trade and Privateers of that Port during the Warr. I am with the highest Regard, My Lords, Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant W. Shirley. To the Rt Honble the Lords Commrs of Trade &c. Endorsed : Massachusetts Letter from Mr Shirley, Govr of the Massachusets Bay, to the Board, dated at Boston ye 25th of July 1744. Reed Novbr the 27th 1 Read Ditto 28th J ^^44 137 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE LORDS OF TRADE! Boston, New England, Augt. lo, 1744. My Lords, The Account which in my last to your Lordships I gave of the Condition and Circumstances of his Majesty's Gar- rison at Annapolis Royal, and of the Succours sent and preparing to be sent to it from hence, and of my pro- ceedings in the Exchange of Prisoners with Mr. Duquesnel the Governour of Louisbourg, and upon the Application to me from the Officers of his Majesty's Troops lately taken at Canso by the French in behalf of themselves & the sol- diers now Prisoners at Louisbourg for provisions from hence, has hitherto hindered me from Transmitting to your Lord- ships an Account of what I have done within this Province for the defence and Protection of it, since the Rupture with France ; Concerning which I have to inform your Lord- ships that Instantly after my receipt of the Duke of New- castle's Letter inclosing his Majesty's & the French King's Declarations of War on Saturday noon the 2d of June last the Assembly being then Setting, 500 Men were Voted to be raised for the protection of the Frontiers, besides an Aug- mentation of all the Garrisons ; and the day following I issued Impress Warrants out to the Colonels of the several Regiments for raising and posting the men, which was ac- cordingly done within three or four days, and within a few days afterwards these Soldiers were reinforced with a second supply of Five hundred Men more. These proceedings, together with the Erecting of the Line of Block-houses and raising of ten Companies of Snowshoe men consisting of Five hundred men more mentioned to your Lordships in a former Letter, and the Treaty I had with these Tribes two years ago, have had the Effect not only to keep the Bordering Indians, who upon other Occasions of a French Warr ever broke out into sudden Hostilities upon ip. R. O., C. O. 5, 884, 361. 138 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY our Settlements before, quiet; But has produced the most strong Professions of Peace from 'em and made 'em really SoUicitous to prevent a Rupture with us at present ; And this has very much encourag'd our people upon the Ex- posed part of our Frontiers to stand their Ground, & saved some young Settlements, where the Inhabitants had begun to draw off their Families Cattle & Effects, from being In- tirely broke up. What has further contributed towards keeping the Neighbouring Tribes of Indians in peace is a Treaty of Friendship, which I have lately renew'd between the Indians of the Six Nations commonly called the Mo- hawk Indians near Albany, two of whose Sagamores or Chief Captains delegated by all the Tribes I have Prevail'd with to carry a Belt of Wampum (the Instrument of a Covenant or Treaty between Indian Nations) to the several above- mentioned Eastern Tribes on our Frontiers, and to Insist upon their Observing a strict Neutrality between the French and English, letting 'em know that by the Terms of their Alliance with us the Albany Mohawks would be obliged, if the Eastern Indians broke the peace with us, to take part in our Quarrel, which the Mohawk Delegates, accompanied with some Gentlemen from this Government very faith- fully did, and has struck no small Terror into the Eastern Tribes who have also promised to lay their Commands (to use their own Expression) on the Cape Sable & St John's In- dians, who lately besieged his Majesty's Garrison at Annapolis Royal, to desist from all further Hostilities ; and this day arrived a Chief Sagamore & Counsellor, from the Cagna- wagha Indians near Canada, commonly called the French Mohawks, with a Belt of Wampum from his Tribes for the Government of this Province, in order to assure the Govern- ment that the Cagnawagha Indians had made an Agree- ment with the Six Nations to observe an exact Neu- trality between the French & English, and had declared to the Governour of Canada, that they would not take up the Hatchet on the side of the French as Formerly, and to make a Treaty of Peace with this Government. The chief part also of one of the Eastern Tribes of Indians i^ 139 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY called the Pigwaketts have lately put themselves & their Wives and Children under his Majesty's Protection within this Government : the men offering themselves to be Em- ploy'd In his Majesty's Service, and two of them in par- ticular desiring to go into his Service at Annapolis Royal, an Instance hitherto unknown in New England since the French have practised upon the Indians ; and which may be attributed to my before mentioned Interview with 'em in the Eastern Parts, two of these Indians having been then among the Indian Councellors who treated with me on be- half of all the Eastern Tribes. These Events seem to afford a fair Prospect of a Neu- trality among all the Indians, which is a new thing here in time of a French Warr, and will at least be a very great dis-appolntment to the French, who, I am well assured from Louisbourg, had a great dependance upon Engaging all the Indians even the Albany Mohawks, in the present Warr on their side, as appears also by Letters from the Governour of Louisbourg to the Eastern Indians for that purpose, of which I have had an Account, and the Solllcitatlons used by the Governour of Canada to make the Indians take up the Hatchet, In Obtaining which has hitherto consisted chiefly their Power to harrass & distress the Governments of New England. But I must at the same time observe to your Lordships that I don't flatter myself with much de- pendance upon the Present Disposition of the Eastern Indians, who are many ways liable to be drawn into a Rup- ture with us by the artifices of the French, their own Weak- ness & the Influence which the French Missionary Priests have over them ; But nothing shall be wanting on my Part to Cultivate a peaceable disposition in 'em. I must here beg leave to trouble your Lordships with my re- peated request for his Majesty's Permission to Consent to a supply of the Treasury with such Sums in Bills of Credit as the necessary support of his Government, the defence of his Subjects within this Province, and the Exigencies of his Service In other respects will unavoidably demand during the continuance of the Warr with France, and which will 140 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY greatly exceed the sum limited by his 12th Instruction to me for that purpose ; as without exceeding it, his Service must suffer in every respect, and the People, who cannot possibly otherwise supply the Treasury at present, must be laid under unsurmountable Difficulties, & be thrown into Confusion ; And these Inconveniences will ensue without answering any other Purpose, that I can think of, which ought to have weight when put into Competition with them, for the particulars of which I beg leave to referr your Lord- ships to my last Letter upon that Subject; I have been obliged to consent to a partial supply only for this year, in order to keep within the £30,000 limited by the Royal Instruc- tions, in hopes of obtaining by November next a permission from his Majesty, to exceed it in such manner as his Service may necessarily require, & should esteem it a singular Act of Favour in your Lordships, if I might receive by that time some directions for my Conduct under the Dilemma, which I shall then find myself under, of either using a dis- cretionary Latitude in Acting upon the Twelfth Instruc- tion by Exceeding the Sum of Paper Money there limited, or wholly refusing to supply the Treasury, for the Sup- port of the Government & every other Service, in the only way by which it can be provided for at present. I am with the most perfect Respect, My Lords, Your most Humble, and most Obedient Servant W. Shirley. Rt Honble Lords Commrs of Trade &c. Endorsed : Massachusets Letter from Mr. Shirley, Govr of the Massachusets Bay to the Board, dated at Boston August the loth 1744, giving acct of what he has done for the Defence of the Province, Exchange of Prisoners & Peace with the Indians, and desires an Enlargemt of his Instruction about issuing Paper Money. Reed Octobr 3istl Read Novbr 8 J ^^44 141 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ROYAL ORDER APPROVING CONDUCT OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY 1 At the Court at Kensington, the 6th day of September 1744. Present The Kings most Excellent Majesty. Lord President Lord Delawar Lord Privy Seal Mr. Speaker Earl of Winchelsea Mr. Vice Chamberlain Lord Carteret. Upon reading at the Board a Report from the Right Hon- ourable the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs dated the 29th of last Month in the words following Vizt. Your Majesty having been pleased to referr unto this Committee a Letter from William Shirley Esqr. your Majesty's Governour of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle dated the 25th of June ^ last, representing the several Steps he hath taken, and the endeavours he hath used towards raising within that Prov- ince a Body of Forces for the Assistance of Annapolis Royal in your Majesty Province of Nova Scotia, and that he hath prevailed with the Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay not only to consent to the raising of three Companys of Sixty Men each exclusive of Officers but as an encourage- ^ B. M., Additional Manuscript 33026, 3. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. 2 On Aug. 6 Shirley had sent to Newcastle and on Aug. 10 to the Lords of Trade an account of what he had done for the protec- tion of the province, the treaty of friendship made with the In- dians and financial measures taken (P. R. O., C. O. 5, 884, 361 ; C. O. 5, 900, no). This order passes on Shirley's acts up to an earlier date. The editor has found no trace of any letter of June 25 as mentioned, but two letters of July 25, one to Newcastle (C. O. 5, 900, 97), the other to the Lords of Trade (C. O. 5, 884, 447), seem to him to be the manuscripts mentioned as those upon which this order is based. 142 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ment for the speedy raising of the same to give a bounty of near Four Guineas to each Man as Ukewise to Victual them for three Months and to be at the further Expence of Trans- porting them to AnnapoUs Royal ; But that with regard to the pay of the said Forces, the Governour represents That he stands engaged for your Majesty's Providing for the same, as also, that they shall be Discharged upon the ar- rival of a reinforcement from Great Britain, which he hopes your Majesty will be pleased to approve of, as he could not otherwise have obtained the said succour. The Lords of the Committee have in Obedience to your Majesty's Commands, taken the said Letter, as also several other papers relating to this affair, into their consideration. And Do agree humbly to Report to your Majesty as their opinion. That your Majesty's said Governour of the Massa- chusetts' Bay hath acted as became a DutifuU and Zealous Servant to your Majesty in obtaining the aforementioned Succours for the assistance of your Majesty's other Prov- ince of Nova Scotia and that therefore It may be advice- able for your Majesty not only to enable him to make good the engagement he hath entred into for the pay of the said forces but also to Signify your Royal approbation of his conduct in this affair and in order to Your Majesty's being informed of the time when the pay of the said forces is to commence the committee begg leave to propose that the sd Governour should be directed to Transmit forthwith an exact account thereof to your Majesty in Council. His Majesty in Council this day took the said Report into Consideration and being well pleased with the dutifuU and Zealous behaviour of William Shirley Esqr. His Gov- ernour of the Massachusetts Bay in obtaining the afore- mentioned Succours for His Province of Nova Scotia, Doth therefore hereby signifye His Royal approbation of the said Governour's conduct therein And his Majesty is likewise pleased to Declare that He will make good the Engagement entred into by the said Governour for the pay of the Suc- cours, and to that end the said Governour is to transmit to 143 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY His Majesty at this Board an exact account of the time when their pay is to Commence.^ Endorsed: Kings Order in Council approving of Governour Shirley's Conduct. ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY 2 Instruction to our Trusty and Wellbeloved William Shirley, Esqr. Our Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over Our Province and Territory of the Massachusets Bay, in New England, in America. Given at Our Court at Kensington the 9th Day of September 1744, in the Eighteenth Year of Our Reign. Whereas by the 12th Article of Our Instructions You are restrained from consenting to the Emission of more than Thirty Thousand Pounds of Bills of Credit, at one and the same time, without inserting a suspending Clause in the Acts for that Purpose, to prevent their taking Effect, untill Our Pleasure shall be known, And Whereas It has been rep- resented to Us, that the said Sum of Thirty Thousand Pounds may not be sufficient during the Time of War for the Defence and necessary Support of Our Government; And forasmuch as many unforeseen Accidents may arise which may demand an immediate Supply, It is therefore Our Will and Pleasure for the present to dispense with our ^ Upon the news of this Order in Council reaching Boston the Massachusetts House of Representatives on Oct. 13 passed resolu- tions acknowledging Governor Shirley's attention to the protection of the province and his good use of the provincial troops in Nova Scotia. Mass. Arch. 2 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 200, 49. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. See also Instructions of Aug. 9 allowing Shirley to give his consent to acts for the supply of the treasury during the war, C. O. 5, 918, 136. For original instruction see ante, p. 47, § 12. 144 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY said 1 2th Instruction, and We do hereby allow you in case of Emergencys to give your Consent to such Acts as may be necessary for the Supply of the Treasury of Our said Province with Bills of publick Credit during the Continu- ance of the present War, provided the Money thereby raised be appropriated to the necessary Support and De- fence of Our said province only. Endorsed: Instructions to William Shirley Esqr., Governor of the Massachusets Bay. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ _ Boston, N. England, September 22., 1744. My Lord Duke, I have given the inclos'd papers all Possible Dispatch to your Grace on Account of the Intelligence contaln'd in four of them, the substance of which has been confirm'd to me by all the Officers of his Majesty's Troops lately taken at Canso, who arrived here yesterday with other prisoners of War to the Amount of 340 from Louisbourg in three Flaggs of Truce ; and from whom I learn that it is likely that the India Merchant Ships mentioned in the Inclosed Papers will not sett out till late in October or the Middle of Novem- ber, so that if the Vessell by which this goes should have a quick Passage, it is possible that these Ships whose Value is reported here to be exceeding great, may be intercepted by Some of his Majesty's Ships, if it shou'd be thought proper to send some of them out for that purpose upon the Arrival of this Intelligence. I have also sent Commo- dore Warren the Account of the French India Ships, but much doubt whether he can draw together a sufficient Force from these parts to Cope with the French Men of Warr and Merchant-Men^ being all ships of considerable Force. ip. R. 0., C. O. 5, 900, 117. ^ See Shirley to Governor William Greene of Rhode Island (Kimball, Corres. Col. Govs, of R. L i, 271), with depositions of VOL. I — L 14s CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Upon the First account I had of the Arrival of these Ships of Warr at Louisbourg I was in some pain for Annapolis Royal, but find the Canso Officers are of Opinion that nothing is design'd against it at present by those Ships ; but am Inform'd by 'em that an Embarkation had been before made & two Bombs actually put on board a Vessell to Attack that Place, and that the design was lay'd aside upon Ad- vice which the Captain of the First French Flagg of Truce, who came to Boston, Carry'd from hence, that Commodore Warren was to be joined here by a Number of his Majesty's Ships and a Bomb Vessell from the West Indies upon some secret Expedition, supposed to be design'd against Cape Breton (a Report which I did not think fit to discourage at that Juncture) and that I had sent a very considerable Reinforcement of men from hence to the Garrison at Annapo- lis Royal which was justly founded and has hitherto had its desired Effect. However the French have actually pro- ceeded to send a Detachment of 60 soldiers into the neigh- bourhood of Annapolis Royal to be Posted in some small wooden Forts in Accadie, in order to draw the Inhabitants from their sworn allegiance to His Majesty, and to induce 'em to take up Arms against the Garrison, which Scheme they Flatter themselves they shall be able to Effect this Winter, unless they should be disturb'd by the Appearance of one of his Majesty's Ships in the Harbour, which would give Countenance to his Majesty's Garrison and keep the Inhabitants of Accadie in a proper Awe and respect, as has been repeated to me in every Letter from the Officers of the Garrison. I find also the English Officers think it is likely that An- napolis Royal will be attack'd very early by Sea next spring ; and they further Inform me that the French at Louisbourg have been under Apprehensions all this year of a Visit from England and in great want of Provisions, which appears to have been the Case also of their Countrymen at Canada by John Richards, John Nealson, and Peter Dejoncourt as to French privateers on New England coast. See also Shirley to Governor Jonathan Law of Connecticut (Conn. Hist. Society Coll. ii, 225). 146 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY undoubted Advice from thence and from Old France from whence Store Ships were sent in May and June last to sup- ply 'em with Flower &ca., but have been one of 'em at Least intercepted by our Privateers as have been three or four Provision Ships bound for Louisbourg. It is I sup- pose owing to this Scarcity of Provisions at Louisbourg and my Refusal to supply the Canso Troops with Provisions from hence during their Imprisonment at Louisbourg and the very small Quantity which I allow'd Ensign Bradstreet Agent for the Officers to carry from hence for their Subsist- ence that the Governour of Cape Breton has released the English Officers and Soldiers from their Confinement at Louisbourg and sent 'em here, tho your Grace will Per- ceive by the Inclos'd Copy of the new Agreement enter'd into between the French Governour & Captain Heron the late Commandant at Canso, whereby Capt. Heron has stip- ulated that the Officers and Soldiers shall not bear Arms against the French King or his Allies, 'till the 1st of Sep- temr 1745 N : S : which is near four months longer than the time for which they surrender'd themselves Prisoners of War at Canso by their Capitulation there (a Copy of which I inclosed to your Grace in a former Letter) that they are not released upon the Terms of my Proposal to the French Gov- ernour (a copy of which I also inclosed to your Grace in a former letter) which was made with a View of rend'ring them of Immediate Service to his Majesty in his Garrison at Annapolis Royal. The reason of this new Agreement on the part of Mr. Heron your Grace will find assigned by himself in the inclos'd Copy of his Letter to me, whereby your Grace will Perceive that all the Share I have in this new affair, is to find a proper Place in Boston for the Re- ception of Soldiers till they may be of Service to his Majesty, which I shall do in Castle William, and if there is any diffi- culty in procuring Credit for furnishing the Troops with Provisions Bedding Cloaths, and other Necessarys till his Majesty's Pleasure shall be known concerning the further disposition of them, I shall Endeavour to Assist the Officers in that Matter and in the mean time inclose to your Grace 147 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY my answer to Monsieur Duquesnel the French Governour upon the head of this new Agreement between him and Captain Heron. I would also observe to your Grace upon these several in- formations concerning the French East India ships and the time of their departure from Louisbourg which I send in the several shapes that I receiv'd 'em in that they may speak for themselves, that I make the greatest dependance upon that of Mr. Ryal Lieutenant of his Majesty's Ship Kinsale, who was left at Canso by Captain Young last summer to Cruize between that Place & Cape Breton for Preventing the Pro- vision Trade, and Ensign Bradstreet whom I esteem the most Competent Judges in this Affair. The Privateers fitted out from this Place which are eight or nine besides a snow, a brigantine, and a sloop equipp'd by this Government for Guard ships, have taken in the whole upwards of 40 Sail of French Vessells and much annoy'd the Enemy's Fishery, some of whose small settlements they have broke up by burning their Works & Houses as the Enemy did at Canso, which kind of Hostility there I Perceive they now think wrong, and repent of setting the Example. If I can prevail upon the Assembly to Enable me to dis- turb from hence the French detachment in their new Posts in Accadie, I shall not fail to do it, and I shall also apprize the Neighbouring Governments of the Enemy's attempts there in hopes of their joining with us. I am with the most DutifuU Respect My Lord Duke Your Graces most Obedient and most Devoted humble Servant W. Shirley. I hope your Grace will excuse the hurry which these Dispatches are made in. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed : Boston. Septr 226. 1744. Govr Shirley. B Novr 6. 148 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH* : Boston, 24th September, 1744. Sir, There are two Fellows that were imprisoned in Salem Goal, in order to be prosecuted for counterfeiting Bills of Credit, who have broke prison, and it is supposed have escaped into the Province of New Hampshire, their Names are Joseph Boyce and John Scias. As it is much the In- terest of all his Majesty's Governments in these Parts [thjat this wicked Practice should be detected and the Authours of it punished, I must pray your Excellency would give Orders that Search may be made for these Fellows in your Government, that they may be apprehended and de- livered up to Justice, and be brought to their Trial for these Facts : If they may be seized in your Province you will please to order that they may be conveyed to New- bury, and delivered to the Authority there. I am. Your Excellency's most obedient humble Servant W. Shirley.^ His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Endorsed: Gov. Wm. Shirley 1744. ^ Massachusetts Manuscripts, Vol. I, Library of Congress. 2 It was with the greatest difficulty that counterfeiting was kept down, but Shirley seems to have given the same aid to his neigh- bors that he requests in this letter. Writing to Governor Greene of Rhode Island on Sept. i, Secretary Willard in behalf of the Massachusetts Governor informs his correspondent of the dis- covery that counterfeit Rhode Island bills are being made in the northern government and requests directions. Corres. Rhode Island Govs, i, 269. 149 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE LORDS OF TRADE 1 Boston, N. Engld, October i6th, 1744. My Lords, Yesterday I fitted out an Arm'd Snow, Brigantine and Sloop, Vessells in the service of this Government with orders to proceed to Annapolis Royall, and there to take in such a Detachment of Soldiers from the Garrison to join 'em, as Collonel Mascarene can spare with four field Carriages some Cohorns, and a Mortar upon a small Expedition against the party of French Troops which I mention'd in my last to your Lordships, were to winter in Menis or Chignecto, and also to take satisfaction of such of the French Inhabitants as have already revolted from their Allegiance and join'd the French Enemy, by destroying and burning their Settlements and taking them prisoners, and to take Hostages from among those, who have not yet revolted to be deliver'd to the Garrison as Pledges for the fidelity of the Country. These Vessels wait for nothing but a Wind, and will be join'd with two small Tenders in the Service of the Ordnance, now at Annapolis and a Schooner that is to carry provisions there, and I am in hopes cannot well fail of having it's desir'd Effect; unless the Garrison's late Treaty with Monsieur Duvivier which I mention'd in my last to your Lordships and their condescending to agree with him upon preliminaries (tho the same were not actually sign'd) for surrendring upon the arrival of the Armament from Louisbourg, which I likewise mention'd in my last, should have encourag'd the French to make a Trial with a Thirty gun ship, and one or two small arm'd Vessells which are, I am inform'd, now at Louisbourg and the Garrison should upon the sight of 'em be prevail'd on to surrender before our Vessells arrive. I have also to inform your Lordships that with the unani- 1 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 884, 491. A similar letter to the Duke of Newcastle is in C. O. 5, 900, 129. 150 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY mous Advice of his Majesty's Council for this Province I shall tomorrow pubHsh a Declaration of War against the Cape Sable and St. John's Indians, who have joln'd with the French In assaulting his Majesty's Garrison at Annapolis Royal and shall propose to the Assembly to give a Bounty of Scalp-money for every Indian of either of those Tribes, that shall be klll'd, which If obtaln'd, and the Garrison should not be taken by a Sea Armament from Loulsbourg, seems to promise a good Effect, as there Is now at Annapolis a considerable party of Indians, under the command of a very good Officer from this province who with such En- couragement would in all probability rid the Government of Annapolis Royal of the Cape Sable Indians at least. I have just now recelv'd a Letter from your Lordships of the 9th of August which I shall answer by the first Oppor- tunity, and have the honour to be with the highest respect, My Lords, Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant W. Shirley. Rt Honble Lords Commissioners for Trade Endorsed : Massachusets Letter from Mr. Shirley, Governr of the Massachusets Bay, to the Board, dated at Boston, the i6th of October 1744. He has sent some Vessels with men for the reduction of the French Indians In Nova Scotia and security of Annapolis RoyaL Reed Novbr 27th Read Ditto 28th 1744 WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH ^ Boston, Nov. 10, 1744. This waits upon ybu by Capt. Ryal who was left in his Majtys service at Canso by Capt. Young to take care ^ Belknap Papers, N. H. Hist. Soc, i, 194. 151 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY of the Trade between that place and Louisbourg, and was there taken with the Garrison by Monsler Duvlvier, and is now going home, where I hope he will be of considerable service to our part of the world, with the Lords of Admiralty and other parts of the ministry, from his particular knowl- edge of Louisbourg, and of its harbour ; and of the great consequences of the acquisition of Cape Breton and the keeping of Canso and Annapolis to his Majtys northern Colonies ; Be pleased to give me leave to introduce him to you, as an honest, worthy young officer, and whatever countenance and civilities you shall show him for the two or three days he will stay at Piscataqua will be esteemed favours done to Your Excys most obedient humble servant W. Shirley. His Excy Gov. Wentworth P.S. I'll send the warrts you write for in your last, very soon. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO JONATHAN LAW^ Sir, Divers Soldiers belonging to General Philips's Regi- ment, who were taken from Canso, & returned hither from Louisbourg in the French Flag of Truce, have deserted from Castle William, where they were quartered 'till his Maj- esty's Pleasure should be known about them : And the Officers of the said Soldiers have advertised their Desertion In the Print herewith Inclosed, & offered a Reward to such Persons as shall apprehend and secure them ; And it being probable that they may be got Into your Governmt & entred on board some Privateer or other Vessel outward bound, ^ Law Papers 2, 37. Printed: Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. ii, 244. A similar letter was sent to Governor Wentworth of New Hamp- shire (N. H. Prov. Papers 5, 931). It is a fair example of the vigilance displayed by Shirley in looking after enlistments in the Louisbourg campaign. 152 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY I must pray your Honour to give Orders to your Officers to search for them, & if they or any of them may be found to ap- prehend and secure them. You will excuse me if I urge this Matter with some Earnestness, it being of great Importance for the Preservation of his Majesty's Interest at Annapolis Royal that all these Soldiers returned from Louisbourg should be kept from Desertion, and ready to execute his Majesty's Orders, which I expect to receive early in the Spring. I am, Your Honours most obedient humble Servant W. Shirley. Boston, Novr 19, 1744. The Honourable Jonathan Law Esqr. Endorsed : Govr. Shirley's Letter Novbr 1744 WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ Boston, New England, Deer. 7, 1744. My Lord Duke, Having found a Pipe of Madeira Wine in my Cellar, which the Judges of that Liquor reckon extraordinary good in it's kind, and as that sort of Wine is generally esteem'd better when it goes round than when it is im- ported directly from Madeira to England, I have sent it to Mr. Thomlinson ^ the Agent for New Hampshire, whom I have desir'd to receive and take care of it 'till it shall be ^ B. M., Additional Manuscript 32703, 438. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. The letter is printed as an illustration of the manner in which the appointees of London ministers catered to the personal tastes of their patrons. 2 John Thomlinson had been one of the opponents of Governor Belcher during the latter portion of his regime and his opposition had been an important factor in bringing about the change in the Massachusetts government as well as that of New Hampshire. In his letter to Newcastle of Mar. 3, 1738-9, Shirley, however, had denied participation in the plan to oust Belcher from office. See letter of Mar. 3, ante, p. 13. 153 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY fit for your Grace's drinking and then to wait upon your Grace and beg the Honour of your Acceptance of it from me, and receive your Grace's Commands for his manner of con- veying it to your Cellar. We esteem the Madeira to be the most wholesome of Wines in New England, and if this shall be acceptable to your Graces Taste and contribute in any measure to your Grace's Health, which it is my Duty to wish and pray for, it will be a singular pleasure to Your Grace's most Dutiful and most Oblig'd Humble Servant W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed: New England. Deer 7. [1744] Govr. Shirley. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH^ Boston, December 20, 1744. Sir, The General Assembly of this Province in their consulta- tions respecting the methods of carrying on the Warr so as it may be most for the Protection of his Majestys subjects in these Parts and least expensive to both Prov- inces, among other things have judged that it will be for ^ Belknap Papers, N. H. Historical Society, i, 190, N. H. Prov. Papers 5, 932. Benning Wentworth was born at Portsmouth, N.H., July 24, 1696, and died in that town Oct. 14, 1770. He was the eldest son of Lieutenant Governor John Wentworth, was educated at Harvard College, where he graduated in 171 5 and in 1734 became governor of the colony. He served in this position until 1767, and during Shirley's term of office was one of his most faithful supporters among the New England governors and the one to whom the Massachusetts governor first turned for assistance. 154 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the common advantage of the Province of New Hamp- shire & this Province that we should act in conjunction in this important Business, and that we should agree together as well concerning the measures to be pursued in the action of War, as the Proportion of men which each Province should furnish, and of the charge to be respectively born by them ; and therefore the two Houses have desired me to propose to your Excellency that Commissioners may meet together on this affair. As I am fully sensible that such an agreement between us will very much tend to promote his Majesty's service & the Benefit of both Provinces, I de- sire you would take the matter into consideration, & let me know your Resolution upon it as soon as may conveniently be ; and if your Assembly inclines to favour this Proposal that you will please to let me know what time & Place you judge will be most convenient for such commissions to meet, either your Excellency in person or such Commissioners as you shall appoint to manage this affair for your Governmt. I doubt not but you will give this affair a speedy Dispatch, his Majesty's service requiring us to act with the utmost vigour for the safety of his subjects in these Provinces. I have inclos'd a copy of the Resolution of our Assembly upon this subject, which will give you further Light into it. I am, your Excellency's most obedient Humble Servant W. Shirley. DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY ^ White Hall, Jany 3, 1744- Sir, His Majesty having thought it necessary for the Secu- rity of the Collonys in North America, and particularly of the Province of Nova Scotia, (which has been already in- ^ Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. i, 20. Similar orders were sent to the governors of other colonies in America. For the one to Rhode Island, see R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 132. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY vaded by the French, & upon which there is great reason to apprehend that they will early in the Spring renew their attempts by the attack of Annapolis Royal) to employ such a Strength of Ships of Warr in those Seas under the Com- mand of Comodore Warren as may be sufficient to protect the sd Province, and the other neighboring CoUonys in North America, and the Trade and Fishery of His Majesty's Sub- jects in those parts and may also as Occasion shall offer, attack and distress the Enemy in their Settlements, and annoy their Fishery & Commerce, I have His Majs Commands to signify to you his Pleasure that if Mr. Warren shall apply to you for assistance, either of Men, Provisions, or Shipping to enable him to proceed either to the Relief & Succour of Annapolis Royal, or of any other of His Majs Forts or Settlements, or for making any Attempts on the enemy. You should in all such cases be aiding & assisting to him in the most Effectual Manner, and according as upon Consultation together shall be judged proper for carrying on His Majs service ; and you will be ready to concert and advise with Mr. Warren^ upon all Occa- sions that may arise which shall have Relation to the Serv- ices on which he is employed, and particularly you will procure and communicate to him the best Intelligence you shall be able to obtain of the State and Condition of the Enemy's Settlements and of the Ships in their Harbours that he may be enabled to judge whether it may be practi- cable and advisable to make an Attempt upon any of their Ports. HoLLEs Newcastle. To the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay. Endorsed: A copy of his Majesty's Orders to me signified in a letter from the Duke of Newcastle. Examined, W. Shirley. ^ Peter Warren was born in 1703. For his services in the Louls- bourg campaign he was knighted and raised from the rank of Cap- tain to that of Admiral. 156 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ Boston, New England. Jany. 5, 1744. My Lord Duke, Since my last to your Grace I have an account from Annapolis Royal that the Provisions and Cloaths which I sent to the New England Auxiliaries there, were safely arriv'd, concerning which Colonel Mascarene writes thus to Mr Engineer Bastide ; Everything goes well here, the Auxiliaries are CloatKd, the provisions lodged; Two V ess ells saird in Quest of the Indian Enemy, Gorham in one with part of his Indian Company, and Wheaton with Twenty Volun- teers, Auxiliaries out of the Garrison, and Jones and Jaques come from your Eastern parts in the other. The North and East Bastions are revested and the Parapet raised, a great many Timbers round and Square cut i^ca. I must observe to your Grace that Jones and Jaques are two Officers under whom I have lately sent 80 Volunteers from hence, all pick'd men for the Service they are gone upon, which being joined with Gorham and his Indians, and the other party of auxiliaries from the Garrison may I hope if no unfortunate Accident prevents, bid fair for destroying the Cape Sable Indians, which are the Tribe, that chiefly infests the Garrison, besides very much distressing the St Johns Indians, and for eifecting what I gave your Grace some expectation in a former Letter would be attempted, vizt. ridding the Tract of Land distinguish'd here by the Name of the Government of Annapolis Royal, of the Cape Sable Indians. In the abovementlon'd Letter Colonel Mascarene in- forms Mr Bastide that he had sent his letters for me, by a Vessell sail'd two days before from Annapolis and should send Duplicates by a Vessell to sail two or three days after. Had these Letters corne to hand I should have had a fuller » P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 900, 145. 1S7 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Information, no Doubt, but both the Vessells are at present missing ones. I have further to inform Your Grace, that upon observing that an Island opposite to his Majesty's Castle William, the main Fortress and Defence of this whole province against an Enemy by Sea, lay within the reach of a mortar from the Works of the Castle, and expos'd to the Enemy's landing artillery upon it in Safety, whereby they might command the Batteries and other works of the Castle, whilst their own men were shelter'd by the situation of the Ground In the Island and safe from being annoy'd from the Artillerle of the Castle, I have after a close application to the Assembly for that purpose obtain'd a Grant of money from them to enable me to erect two Batteries and a Block house upon the Island, for securing it from the Enemy's landing either their Artillery or men upon it, which when finlsh'd will render this principal and most serviceable harbour in his Majesty's Colonies in North America much more secure than it was before : and for this purpose the Thirtysix smaller Iron Ordnance, re- mainder of what his Majesty was lately pleas'd in his Royal Bounty to grant this Province in answer to their Petition, are within these few days very opportunely arrlv'd under Convoy of his Majesty's ship Eltham Capn Durell, last from Antigua where they were forc'd by Distress of Weather. Upon occasion of the late Instances in which this Province has promoted his Majesty's Service, and the prospect of it's being able to promote it further In the Course of this or any future Warr, if it's present abilities continue the same, I would beg leave humbly to submit it to your Grace's con- sideration whether it seems to be for his Majesty's Interest that it should be still further reduced in It's limits (than It has allready lately been by the Settlement of the New Hampshire line) since the Consequence of such Reduction might be to render It less Serviceable to the Crown against the Enemy in these parts. I will not trouble your Grace with a Repetition of the Necessity, which there seems to be that the Garrison of An- napolis Royal should be protected very early in the spring is8 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY from Great Brittain by one or more of his Majesty's Ships. As the Bomb or Comet, is upon the Point of sailing for the Leeward Islands, I shall apprize Commodore Warren like- wise of the Circumstances of the Garrison, and no Endeav- ours of mine for further assistance of it from this Prov- ince shall be wanting, and if any opportunity of annoying the Enemy's Settlements from hence shall present it self to me, your Grace may depend upon the most Indefatigable Attention from me to improve it for his Majesty's Service. I am with the most dutifull Regards My Lord Duke Your Grace's most obedient and most devoted Servant W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed: Boston Janry 5th 1744/s Govr Shirley B 16 March (by Mr Loring) WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS! Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, As we must expect in the course of the present War the utmost annoyance of our Navigation and Trade in general, and frequent captures of our provision vessels, and the de- struction of our Fishery In particular from the Harbour of Louisbourg, it is evident that nothing would more effectu- ^ This message was delivered to the Assembly on Jan. 9, 1744-5. Mass. Arch. Court Records, 17, 4, 629. On the same day Shirley wrote the Duke of Newcastle expressing his thanks for the King's approval of his conduct. He also statec the necessity of providing for the security of Fort Dummer. The letter is in C. O. 5, 900, 147. This message was inclosed by Shirley in a letter of Jan. 14 to Newcastle. See also Shirley's message of Jan. 19, ■post, p. 167. ^59; CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ally promote the interests of this Province at this juncture than a reduction of that place; and I doubt not but every Gentleman's zeal for the welfare and prosperity of his coun- try will sufficiently animate him to lay hold on any favour- able opportunity for procuring so inestimable an advantage and benefit to it, without any arguments from me for that purpose. Such an opportunity seems now to present itself, which I will just point out to you. From the best information that can be had of the circum- stances of the Town and of the number of the soldiers and Militia within it, and of the situation of the Harbour, I have good reason to think that if Two Thousand men were landed upon the Island as soon as they may be conveniently got ready (which as I am credibly informed may be done in the proper part of the Island for that purpose with little or no risque) such a number of men would, with the blessing of Divine Providence upon their Enterprize, be masters of the field at all events, and not only possess themselves of their two most important batteries with ease, break upon their Out Settlements, destroy their Cable and Magazines, ruine their Fishery Works, and lay the town in mines, but might make themselves masters of the Town and Harbour. It cannot be expected that I should enter here into a Detail of the manner of executing such an attempt. There are (I doubt not) some Gentlemen in your House who are in a great measure judges of the practicableness of the thing in general ; which is sufficient at present ; and as I am very desirous of embracing every opportunity for the service of the country, I would earnestly recommend it to you to make a suitable provision for the Expences of such an expedition, which, if it should succeed no further than with respect to laying open the enemies Harbour and destroying their Out Settlements and Works, must greatly overpay the expence of it, by its consequences to this Province, and if it should wholly succeed, it must bring an irreparable loss to the enemy, and an invaluable acquisition for this Country. z6o CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE 1 My Lord Duke, ^°'^°"' ^- ^^S^^* J^^>^ ^4, 1744- It having been represented to me by persons well ac- quainted with the Island of Cape Breton and the Harbour and present Circumstances of Louisbourg as practicable to surprize and take it with two thousand men, if attempted before the Arrival of their expected Supplies and Recruits from Old France, and finding the Fishermen in particular and the People of this Province in general so well spirited for such an Enterprize that it seem'd no difficult matter at this Juncture to raise that number of Men upon the Occasion in a very short time, I recommended it to the Assembly in my inclos'd Message to 'em to make a suitable provision for the Expence of such an Expedition, to which, after a close Consultation upon my Proposal for two days, and apprehend- ing the Attempt too hazardous, they return'd me the inclos'd Answer, praying in the latter part of it that I would lay be- fore his Majesty the Danger, which this Province and the Neighbouring Governments are expos'd to from the Situation of the French at Louisbourg, and in the name of his Maj- esty's most Loyal and Dutiful Subjects of this province to intreat his Majesty's Compassionate Regards to these his Governments in reducing Cape Breton, and represent to his Majesty the ready Disposition of this province to exert them- selves to the utmost of their Abilities in conjunction with the other Neighbouring Governments upon such an Occasion. In Compliance with this Request I humbly beg leave to lay before your Grace, and that your Grace would be pleas'd so far as you shall think proper, to represent to his Majesty that Cape Breton, which was originally deem'd part of Nova Scotia and possess'd as such by his Majesty's Subjects, till it was conceded to the French King by the Treaty of Utrecht, is situated so as to be a most commodious Harbour, from whence the Enemy's Ships may intercept (in different De- 1 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 900, 152. VOL. I — U 161 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY grees) the British Trade and Navigation to and from this province, the Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and the provinces of New Hampshire, New York, the New Jerseys and Pensilvania, also supply their own Colonies with provisions from the Vessells of his Majesty's Northern Col- onies, to the great Distress of all his Sugar Colonies in par- ticular, and very much interrupt the Coasting Trade and Navigation of the Northern Colonies as far as Pensilvania, but especially of this province ; And that In particular the New England Fishery, which since the French have been in possession of Louisbourg has been half ruln'd by their carry- ing on the Cape Breton Fishery and Encroachments upon the English Fishery In time of peace, will be now in danger of being quite destroy'd and lost to the Enemy, who have already made a Beginning by their Surprize of Canso. I would further beg leave to represent to your Grace that the Harbour of Louisbourg Is most commodiously situated for a place of Retreat for the Enemy's Ships of War navigating these Seas to refit In, and also for a Rendezvous for 'em to form Expeditions from against his Majesty's Northern Colo- nies, especially Nova Scotia, and as we have had a late In- stance of it's being made use of as a place of Shelter and Refreshment for their East India Fleet In their Return home, and to meet Convoy for the Remainder of their passage, it seems to be a proof of what further Service it may be to 'em In time of War. But what seems a much more consider- able Advantage arising to the Enemy from their possession of Cape Breton is that it Is the principal Settlement of their growing Fishery, from which alone during the Fishing Sea- son they employ seven thousand men, and from whence they may effectually protect their own Fishery and annoy the British : It would require too particular Calculations for me to pretend to ascertain what the Revenue of the whole Fish- ery In those Seas, clear of the French Incroachments upon it, would be to Great Britain, where the profits arising from the New England Fishery likewise chiefly center In the End ; also what the number of men employ'd in the French Fishery is ; But the Revenue would certainly be very large, and the 162 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEYi Nursery of able Seamen rals'd thereby for the Royal Navy be very considerably increas'd ; And it would render the Roman Catholick States in the neighbouring Seas in some measure dependent upon his Majesty's Subjects for part of their provisions. I would further beg leave to observe to your Grace that the Reduction of Cape Breton seems almost necessary for securing to his Majesty the possession of Annapolis Royal and province of Nova Scotia, and for the Recovery of the Canso Fishery ; At least the Expence of maintaining 'em whilst the French hold Cape Breton will probably equal that of his Majesty's reducing and holding that Island ; And the further Consequence of reducing it would be in a great meas- ure cutting off in present the French Navigation to and from Canada, and would probably in a little time be attended with an easy Reduction of that Country also by the joint Forces of his Majesty's Northern Colonies assisted with a few of his Ships of War and some few Troops, which Event would give his Majesty's subjects the whole Furr Trade, now chiefly in the possession of the French of Canada, and render 'em Masters of an entire Territory of about eighteen hundred miles extent upon the Sea Coast, (reckoning from Georgia to Newfoundland inclusive) which from it's produc- tion of Naval Stores and it's Fisheries, it's Demands for Woollen and other British Manufactures (that must increase in proportion to the increase of it's Inhabitants, who from the general Healthfulness of the greatest part of it's Climate make a very quick progress in the Growth of their Numbers, to which it would be difficult to set Limits in so large and healthful a Country) and from the Support it yields by Sup- plies of provisions and Lumber to his Majesty's Sugar Col- onies, (without which they could not subsist) if the Value of a Territory to the Mother Country may be computed by the Increase of her Natural Wealth and power, which it occasions, may be reckon'd a more valuable Territory to Great Britain than what any Kingdom or State in Europe has belonging to it. And on the other hand the Loss of Annapolis Royal and whole province of Nova Scotia to the 163: CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY French, besides being attended with the Loss of the New England Fishery, the Destruction of it's Trade, and the breaking up of all its Eastern Settlements, and very prob- ably of the province of New Hampshire itself by the Addi- tion of five or six thousand fighting men (which the Enemy would gain by that Conquest) in Conjunction with the Indi- ans of all Tribes, would, as it is a Country fruitful of pro- visions and nearly contiguous to Canada in which the French have increas'd their Numbers exceedingly within these few years, not only strengthen 'em so greatly in Cape Breton as to bid fair to give 'em the whole Fishery and chief Naviga- tion of those Seas, but afford 'em such a Footing upon the Northern Continent of America as might possibly in time make 'em think of disputing the Mastery of it with the Crown of Great Britain. Such may be the Difference between His Majesty's reducing Cape Breton and holding Nova Scotia, and the French King's holding Cape Breton and gaining that province, which two last Events seem to be too closely con- nected together, as the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia are all Frenchmen and Roman Catholicks, and who ought to be look'd upon (be their pretensions what they will) as ready in their Hearts to join with the Enemy, whenever a French Force sufficient in their Imagination to subdue it shall appear in their Country : and so much seems to depend upon reduc- ing Cape Breton to the Obedience of his Majesty, that the Reduction of it, if estimated from it's beforemention'd Con- sequences to the particular Interests of the British Crown and Dominions, might seem almost of itself to be near an Equivalent for the Expence of a French War. As the Motives which induc'd me to propose at this time to the Assembly an Expedition from hence for surprizing Cape Breton may be thought of some force still, I shall just mention the chief of 'em to your Grace. There seem'd to be now an advantageous Opportunity to attempt the Reduc- tion of it on account of it's present scarceness of provisions and probably of Military Stores ; The Garrison, which has not yet receiv'd any Recruits since the Commencement of the War, does not exceed seven hundred men, one hundred 164 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY and forty of which being Swiss and their best Troops are greatly discontented, and did not scruple to talk in a very mutinous manner when some of our people were prisoners there ; And, as I am inform'd, there is an Hill on the back of the Town, and at about a quarter of a mile's Distance from it, from whence it may be extremely annoy'd with Safety to the Besiegers, and which the French level'd about twelve feet of last Summer, and will doubtless go on to level as fast as they can, but have not so lower'd yet as to take away the Danger arising from it. I would further beg of your Grace that your Grace would be pleas'd to represent to his Majesty that his most Loyal and Dutiful Subjects within this province are not only most readily dispos'd but desirous, in case his Majesty shall be graciously pleas'd to attempt the Reduction of Cape Breton to it's former Obedience and Subjection to his Crown, to exert themselves to the utmost of their abilities upon this Occasion in conjunction with his Majesty's other Neigh- bouring Governments, which I have herein before mention'd to your Grace, or such of 'em as his Majesty shall be pleas'd to lay his Commands on to assist in such an Expedition ; And whatever proportion of Men his Majesty shall be pleas'd to allot this province to raise and transport to Cape Breton or of the other Expences of it to bear I hope I may venture to assure your Grace of their most Dutiful and cheerful Com- pliance with it ; And I most humbly beg of your Grace to assure his Majesty that at all Events his Majesty may depend upon my utmost Zeal and Attention in the performance of my Duty and promoting his Service upon this Occasion. I am with the most Dutiful Regards My Lord Duke Your Grace's most Obedient and Most Devoted Servant His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. W. Shirley. Endorsed : Boston. Jany 14th 1744/s Govr Shirley 3 1 6th March (by Mr Loring) i6s CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY BY WILLIAM SHIRLEY — PROCLAMATION » By his Excellency William Shirley, Esq. Captain General & Governour-in-Chief in & over his Majesty's Province of Massa- chusetts Bay in New England. Whereas it appears to me that his Majesty has been pleased by his Royal Warrant bearing date the twelfth day of De- cember 1743, in the seventeenth year of his Reign, to con- stitute and appoint his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. his Majesty's Governor of New Hampshire to be surveyor general of all his Woods within the Colonies & Plantations in America, and whereas the said Benning Wentworth Esq. has signified his desire that I would issue my Warrant to the proper officers within this Province (and more especially within the county of York) to do what may be necessary on their Part for the assistance of himself & his Deputy Sur- veyors in the Execution of their office : I do therefore hereby require all his Majesty's Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs & other his Majesty's officers within this Province (& more especially In the county of York) whom it may concern, to give all necessary assistance to the said Benning Wentworth & his Deputy or Deputies In the due Execution of their office agreeable to the several acts of Parliament and the Laws of this Province relating to the same, That so his Majesty's Royal Pleasure and Intention therein for the Preservation of his Woods within this Prov- ince & the Prevention of all Waste & spoil thereof may be rendered effectual : for wch this shall be a sufficient Warrant. Given under my Hand & Seal at Boston the fourteenth day of January 1744, in the eighteenth year of His Majesty's Reign. W. Shirley. ^ Original Manuscript Correspondence in Office of Secretary of State of New Hampshire. Printed: N. H. Prov. Papers 5, 223. 166 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS! Gentlemen of the Council and House of Representatives, Being informed that the same spirit which appears in the Subscribers to the Petition herewith laid before you, pre- vails all over the maritime parts of the Province, I would recommend it to you (notwithstanding you have lately declared to me your sentiments in general upon the matters contained in the Petition) inasmuch as a particular scheme for effecting the Enterprize therein mentioned is proposed by some Gentlemen (as the Petitioners suggest) to give those Gentlemen an hearing by a Committee of both Houses, or otherwise as you shall judge most proper, upon the practi- cableness of their particular proposal, & to determine upon it according as it shall appear to you upon the inquiry. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS 2 Gentlemen of the Council and House of Representatives, As the more I consider the proposed Expedition for re- ducing Cape Breton, the more I am persuaded Three thou- sand men could be safely landed upon the Island for that purpose, tho all attempts for taking it by surprise should fail of success ; that such a body of Forces with a train of ^ This message was delivered to the Assembly on Jan. 19, 1744-5. Mass. Arch., Court Records, 17,4, 649. It accompanied a petition from "Benjamin Marston Esqr and a great number of others Inhabitants of Marblehead, shewing the practicableness of an Expedition against Cape Breton and praying that the Court would engage in it." See the message of Jan. 23 following. * This message was delivered to the Assembly on Jan. 23, 1744-5. Mass. Arch., Court Records, 17, 4, 654. It is referred to in the Action of the Assembly on Jan. 25, as of Jan. 22. See post, p. 169. 167 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Artillery that might be sent from hence, must remain at least Masters of the Field, not only against the regular troops and other fighting men, computed to be actually resident at this season of the year within the walls of Louis- bourg (which do not jointly exceed the number of nine hundred men in the whole) but also against such a Rein- forcement as may with any probability be expected to be sent from old France in the spring to strengthen that gar- rison, in case it should happen that those recruits should be thrown into the Town, notwithstanding the opposition of any Naval force we should be able to muster up in these parts to prevent it. As I am persuaded, I say that Three thousand men, if landed as soon as possible after they can be raised, would remain at least Masters of the Field against the enemy, tho any scheme for a surprise and all other at- tempts for reducing the Town of Louisbourg should fail of success (which yet thro the blessing of Divine Providence upon our Arms might in the meantime be expected) till they could be supported by a Naval Force and troops from Eng- land sufficient to secure the reduction of the whole Island to the obedience of His Majesty; which succour I think, could not be reasonably doubted of, if His Majesty is season- ably apprized of the certainty of our attempt ; for doing which I should use my best endeavours to send proper intelligence to Great Britain, as well as to the Commanders of His Majesty's Squadrons in America, from some or others of whom also we might probably have some Naval force seasonably sent for our assistance upon such an occasion; I think it my duty once more to recommend to you, in the strongest terms, to lay hold on the present favourable opportunity, which Provi- dence seems to have put into our hands, of securing to the Province, by the single reduction of Cape Breton, every advantage which can contribute to its prosperity both by land and sea, and for embracing which opportunity so general a spirit in the people seems happily to be raised. I am sensible, Gentlemen, that in order to make our levies upon this occasion more expeditious and successful some reasonable pay or bounty should be proposed for the en- i68 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY couragement of Voluntiers to enlist for the service of this expedition and that the expence of it will be very consider- able ; but as all the neighboring Colonies will share in the success, in a greater or less Degree in case we do succeed, and Great Britain it self will also reap most valuable benefits to her trade from it, I think we have the utmost reason, from our past experience of His Majesty's Royal bounty and tenderness for the welfare of his subjects within this Province, to rely upon his Royal goodness, that this Prov- ince shall not finally bear more than its just & reasonable proportion of the burthen. And in the meantime I should think that upon our Appli- cation to the Governments of New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut & Rhode Island, which I should not fail to make in the strongest manner I can for their assistance of us in this expedition both with Sea and Land forces, that we might reasonably depend upon their furnishing their respective Quotas toward this enterprize ; in the success of which the Interest and welfare of their Provinces and Colonies are likewise very nearly concerned as well as that of this Prov- ince. MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL COURT Action on the Cape Breton Expedition * Province of the | Massachusetts Bay j The Committee of both Houses upon the Subject of His Excellency's Messages of the 19th & 22d Instant make the following Report vizt. That they have been attended by two Gentlemen, who have lately been prisoners at Louisburgh & by others who have been traders there & who are well acquainted with the ^ On Jan. 9, 19, and 23 (although referred to as Jan. 22), 1744-5, Governor Shirley placed the scheme of an attack upon Cape Breton before the General Court, and on Jan. 25 the action here recorded was taken (Mass. Archives, Court Records, 17, 4, 657-659). It was forwarded by the Governor to New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut with his letters of Jan. 29, post, pp. 171, 172, 177. 169 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Place from whom the Committee have received information that the Garrison there does not consist of more than five or six hundred regular Troops & that there are not above three or four hundred fighting Men of the Inhabitants, that they have but a small Stock of provisions, That they have no Vessels of Force in their Harbour, & that the place is at this Time less capable of being defended against an Attack than its probable, it will ever be hereafter. The Committee therefore are of Opinion that it is incum- bent upon this Government to Embrace this favourable Opportunity to Attempt the reduction thereof : And they humbly propose that His Excellency the Captain General be desired to give forth his Proclamation to Encourage the Enlistment of three Thousand Voluntiers under such [proper] Officers as he shall appoint. That each person so enlisting be allowed Twenty five Shillings ^ month & that there be de- livered to Each man a Blanket, that one month's pay be Advanc'd & that they be entitul'd to all the Plunder; That Provision be made for the furnishing of necessary Warlike Stores for the Expedition ; That four Months Pro- visions be laid in ; That a Committee be appointed to pro- cure & fit Vessels to serve as Transports to be ready to depart by the beginning of March, & that a suitable Naval Force be provided for their Convoy as this Court shall hereafter Order ; That Application be forthwith made to the Govern- ments of New York, the Jerseys, Pensylvania, New Hamp- shire, Connecticut & Rhode Island to furnish their respective Quotas of Men & Vessels to Accompany or follow the Forces of this Province In the Name & by Order of the Committee Wm Pepperell In the House of Representves Jan. 25, 1744 Read and Accepted. Sent up for Concurrence T. CusHiNG Spkr In Council Jan. 25, 1744 Read & Concur'd J WiLLARD Secry Consented to W. Shirley. 170 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO JONATHAN LAW ^ Boston, January 29, 1744. Sir, This goes by Express to Inform your Honour that Peti- tions having been preferr'd by a Considerable number of the Inhabitants of this province to the General Court here ; representing the present weak state of Louisbourg, and the great Importance of the Reduction of that place to the Obedi- ence of his majesty ; and a General Disposition Appearing in the people to Engage in this Service I recommended the Deliberate Consideration of this affair to the General As- sembly, who by their Committee examined a great num- ber of Persons, who have been Traders or prisoners in that place, & have known it both in peace and War, some of whom came from thence in the beginning of this Winter. This Examination, which was had before a large Com- mittee of both Houses has been so very Critical and exact as to take up diverse days in the prosecution of it. The Result of which is a ChearfuU & almost unanimous Reso- lution of the Court to undertake this Important Business in such manner, as is particularly expressed in the Report of the Committee accepted by the whole Court which I herewith Inclose ; and wherein you will find this Affair is undertaken by us in full Confidence and Expectation that all His Majestys governments in North America, who are Concerned in Duty and Interest as well as we, will readily join with us in so laudable a Design for the Honour of his Majesty and the safety of the trade and navigation of all those Colonies & Provinces ; and our Expectation herein will appear the more reasonable if it be considered what Pains & Charge this Government have been at alone for the saving his majestys Interest at Annapolis Royall and in the Province of Nova Scotia ; ^ I must therefore earnestly ^ Original Conn. Hist. Society, Law Papers, 5, 30. Printed : Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. 11, 253. * Massachusetts had sent a company of 200 men to the aid of Lieutenant Governor Mascarene of Nova Scotia, ante, p. 134. 171 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY desire that all may be done that is possible to engage your Colony to do their full part in Concert with us for the Carry- ing on this expedition, and that you either joyn us or soon follow us with a sufficient force both for the Land & Sea service ; and as the Success of this Affair depends much upon Dispatch, I doubt not but you will use it. I have pro- posed to the ministry in Great Britain the undertaking of this Design, and earnestly urged it as of great Importance to the Crown and the Safety of His majestys Subjects in all these parts before I had any Thought of the Thing's being Attempted in this Way ; and I shall now Write press- ingly by the first Conveyances both to the ministry at home & to the Commanders of the Squadrons in the West Indies to send a Naval Force to meet us & Support us in our Design : I have ordered an Embargo of all Vessells whatsoever, and have Seized all the French men among us and have endeavoured to have them kept under such safe Custody as to prevent them from sending any Intelligence : The same measures will be necessary (as I apprehend) in your Government. I am, Sir, Your Honour's most Obedient Humble servant W. Shirley. To the Honourable Governour Law Endorsed: Govr Shirleys Letter concerning the Expedition to Cape Briton Date Janr 29 : 1744 WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM GREENE * Boston, Jany. 29, 1744. Sir, Tho' I doubt not but that the Interest of the Common Cause of New England will sufficiently animate your Gov- ernmt to exert themselves Vigorously in the Intended Ex- pedition agt Louisbourg, yet I would beg leave to add that * R. I. Col. Records, 5, 74. 172 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the Exposd situation of your Colony by sea, and the resent- ment of the Enemy agt it, on acct of the activeness of your privateers, make it particularly probable that you may have a sudden Visit from the French, this summer, if Cape Breton is not reduced. The Gentlemen who deliver this, will apprize Your Honour how essential it is, towards our proceeding in this Important Affair, that we should have a Naval force before Louis- bourg, by the beginning or middle of March at furthest to cut off the Enemy's Provision Vessels, and intercept Mr. Duvivier, who is expected abt that time with Recruits for the Garrison, which latter Event must be so killing a blow to the People of the Town and Garrison, that it would not fail of being decisive ; and they will also let you know what this government has done, and what Applications I have made towards providing such a Naval force ; I hope, there- fore, you will not fail to Exert yourself in this respect. They will further inform you how necessary it is that we should have a proper Train of Artillery, which should be four pieces, of i8 pd Shot, to 24 pd, of which sort we have not sufficient in our Castle, and I therefore hope you will contribute your Quota, also in this respect. I doubt not but our united Force, vigorously exerted upon this Occasion in conjunction with His Majesty's other Neighbouring Colonies, will meet with success, which I hope will be the Event of this Expedition, and am, sir. Your Honour's most Obedient Humble servant, TT u^ r> r^ W. Shirley. Honble Governor Greene. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY 1 Scheme for Attacking Louishourg Memo. In order for the attacking of Louisbourg this Spring by surprise It Is propos'd that 3000 Troops should ^ The original of this plan Is in P. R. O., Admiralty Section, Insular Letters 3817. A copy seems to have been forwarded by 173 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Embark from hence in Sloops & Schooners and proceed for Canso, well armed which should be the place of Rendezvous it being within 20 Leagues of Louisbourg ; and its being un- certain that so many vessels should be able to keep Com- pany together when they are arrived at said Port, to take a favourable opportunity to sail from thence in order to be at Gaberus Point by Dusk, from whence it is but 3 Leagues from Louisbourg, then to push into the Bay, and as soon as said vessels are at an anchor to man as many whaleboats as they have & send them along the shore as near as pos- sible, which will make it the more difficult for them to be discovered, & when they come to the cove which faces the low part of the wall, there to land if the sea will permit and scale that place if possible, & if otherwise as the Wall breaks off a little on the other side of the East gate, not far from that there are picketts put for a considerable distance across a pond over to the Wall on the Beach on the other side of the Pond, and as this Pond is frozen all the month of March it is not very difficult to get over them : but if the weather will not permit their landing in the above place, let them proceed along the shore till they come to a long Range of Rocks that goes towards the Island, at the End of which is a Passage where the shallops go through, let them go in there and follow the Ledge of Rocks right back again, then they will land right against the East gate on a point, and as there are some Houses there, it will hinder their being seen, but one Boat ought to go first & surprise the People in those Houses a little time before the others come up. Each whale boat must have two ladders in them of fifteen foot long which may be put in the middle of the Boat without hin- drance to the men ; but the Boatmen must lay still at this Point till they think the main body is got near the Town, & that a party of as many men as shall be judg'd proper shall be ready to attack the Grand Battery, its necessary it should be low water if no Drift Ice aground along the shore. Shirley to Governor Benning Wentworth of New Hampshire. See N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 273. It is printed in Mass, Hist. Soc. Coll. I, also. 174 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY The remainder of the men are to go round the Picketts by the north gate, and when they get round with Ladders of 15 feet long, they can scale the Wall facing the Harbour which is a Quarter of a mile round, and it will be absolutely necessary to appoint a Time to strike the blow all at once, which can be done by agreeing upon a certain hour just be- fore Day, which is the Sleepiest Time, and the Commanding officer of each Detachment to know the time, and when the Time comes by his Watch to begin without further cere- mony ; The Enemy finding themselves attacked at so many different places at once its probable it will breed such con- fusion among them that our men will have time to get in unm.olested ; & it is to be observ'd that as the men march from the above point the low wall is on the left hand of the gate, and the Picketts on the right hand ; as all the enemy's troops are in the citadel except a small guard or two it will be a considerable time before the men are drest & got ready to march out, and even then it is quite in the other end of the town. This is what probably may succeed, but least any accident should happen to prevent it, it will be necessary to provide accordingly & in case our People should be discover'd & Re- puls'd the above number of m.en being sufficient to command the field, it will be necessary in order to reduce the place to have what shipping can possibly be got to cruise off the Harbour's Mouth in order to intercept their Provision ves- sels which they Expect early being at this time very short of Provisions, as likewise to take any transports with men if any should come, and that our men may not be dis- courag'd at being repuls'd once, it will be necessary to send 12 nine pounders & two small mortars with shells, &c. and a Quantity of Provisions, so to bombard them & endeavor to make Breaches in their Walls & then storm them : and should the shipping be so lucky to take their Provisions and the land forces take all their cattle & keep them constantly employed, it will be impossible for them to hold the place till the last of July for want of provisions. In order the better to secure the Retreat in case a superiour 175 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY naval Force to ours should come from France & drive ours off the Coast, it will be necessary to have two small vessels with about Two hundred men at Canso, & the day after the Fleet is sail'd for Louisbourg for them to sail so as to get in by night, and it being but six Leagues from Canso to St. Peters they can get there before day & surprise that place, which is an exceeding good harbour for small vessels, but has not Water sufficient for vessels of that size which will be able to drive ours off the Coast, so that the vessels for the Retreat will lay there safe, and the Troops be able to go to them by Land ; there will be an advantage besides this in surprising this place as there is always a number of Indians with their Families which keep with a French Priest at a small Distance from the French Inhabitants, and the Booty taken there will pay the Expence & more in taking it. It is to be observed that during the time our Troops lay seige to the Town, it will be in their power to send parties and Destroy all their Fishery on the Island as well as the north side of the Harbour which would ruin their Fishery for four or five years ; and as it is impossible to fail of taking the Royal Battery at least, that would in a great measure lay open their Harbour exposed unto an attack by Sea from England, as the new Batterys in the Town in the greatest part of the Ambroziers, there are no guns & there are two gates that are made in Diamond fashion facing the Harbour that can be beat down in an instant the pieces not being but two Inches and an half thick. N. B. The full complement of the Troops is 700 out of which deductions must be made of 50 for each of the two Batteries, viz. the Royal & Island Batteries, and 50 for Death, sickness &c. which reduce them to 550, and the other fight- ing men in the Town do not exceed 300, and that the Swiss Troops which are their best Troops are exceeding Discon- tented and mutinous ; also that at St. Peters there may be about 200 men in scatter'd houses, and in the suburbs of the Town of Louisburg without the Walls about 200. it is improbable that more than two 30 or 40 Gun ships should come with Mr. Duvivier who may be expected the first 176 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY with Recruits and supplies, and in case the naval Force that comes should be superiour to our naval Force, that our 3000 men would command the Field, and continue so till they could be protected and Reinforc'd from England. Endorsed: Governours Shirley's letter and scheme dated 29th January 1744. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH » Boston, Jany. 31, 1744. Sir, To the inclosed Circular Letter^ drawn by the Secretary and sent to all the neighbouring Governmts as far as Pen- silvania, I have to add that it may be urg'd with respect to your Province that it seems to be more deeply interested in the Event of this Expedition than any of the other colonies : For if Cape Breton is not reduced, there appears to be great danger that the French will soon be masters of Nova Scotia, the consequences of which would be an addition of 4 or 5000 fighting men to the Enemy immediately from the In- habitants of that Province ; who in conjunction with the Indians of all Tribes, and assistance from Canada would irresistibly over run and destroy all our eastern settlemts as far as Portsmouth itself in your Province, and whether they would stop there may be some Question ; Whereas the reducing of Cape Breton would on the other hand be the Destruction of Canada. This, I observe with respect to your Assembly ; with regard to yourself I know no other motives need be urged than our Duty to his Majesty and zeal for the good of the common cause. ... I am. Sir Your Excellency's most obedient Humble servant W. Shirley. His Excy Govr Wentworth. ^Original, Belknap Papers, N. H. Hist. Soc, I, 202. Printed: N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 932. ^ See Shirley to Law, Jan. 29, ante, p. 171. VOL. I — N 177 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH n Boston, Feby 2, 1744. In answer to my repeated applications for that purpose, I received an Instruction from his Majesty whereby I am per- mitted during the continuance of the present Warr to give my consent for the Emission of such sums in paper bills as the Emergencies of the Warr shall require : and I should think, if you consent to the Emission of a further sum in bills than what your Instructions would otherwise permit, for the service of so extraordinary Emergency as the intended Expedition, provided such sum is appropriated to that use, that you would not run any great risque of censure at home, but rather have your conduct approved of, if you can't pro- mote the Expedition upon other terms. ^ As your Express only stays for my answer, I will detain him no longer than till I wish you success with your As- sembly, wch I dare say would be very acceptable to his Majesty upon this occasion ; and subscribe myself with much sincerity and esteem, Sir ^.r -c ^ i_ j- ^ ' Your Excys most obedient Humble servant His Excy Govr Wentworth. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH ^ ^ Boston, Feby 3d, Sunday, 1744. I am this moment favor'd with your Excellency's second Express, and am extremely glad to see so good a spirit in * Original, Belknap Papers, N. H. Hist. Soc, i, 203. Printed: N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 933. * Shirley had secured permission to issue £50,000 in bills of credit. Parkman considers this persuasion of Wentworth by the Massachusetts governor as a mark of the latter's talents in working upon a pompous and self-important personage. 'Original, Belknap Papers, N. H. Hist. Soc, 1,204. Printed: N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 933. The letter is not signed. 178 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the Gentlemen of your Assembly as is discovered in the Resolution of the Committee of both Houses with wch you have acquainted me. As to your giving your consent to an Emission of bills of Credit for defraying the expenses of your share in the Expedition wch so nearly concerns his Majesty's service and the interest of his Northern Colonies, as also of his British Dominions, upon the most mature con- sideration I am clearly of opinion that you may safely do it (as I should not hesitate to do was I in your case) and that it will be approved of by the ministry upon this extraor- dinary, unforeseen Emergency ; As to myself I shall sign an Act tomorrow for the Emission of 50,000 new Tenour upon this occasion. You will doubtless take care that what- ever sum is emitted shall be appropriated to the service of the Expedition. Half an hour ago I received a Letter from Rhode Island, by wch I have an assurance that their Assembly will also exert themselves to the utmost at this crisis of the Fate of New England ; and I hope all the neighboring governments will vie with each other who shall contribute most in pro- portion to their ability, to the common cause.^ WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO GEORGE THOMAS* Boston, Feb. 4, 1744. Sir, Since the Departure of the Gentlemen, by whom I sent my Dispatches to you referring to the Expedition which we are forming against Cape Breton, I have Advice from Gov- ^ Shirley was not so successful in Rhode Island as in New Hampshire. The Rhode Island Assembly sent no men to aid in the expedition since it was not approved by the British authorities. The colony sloop Tartar, "equipped with all necessary warlike stores," was placed at the disposal of Shirley. She carried fourteen cannon and twelve swivels, and was to be manned by a force of not over one hundred and thirty seamen. R. I. Col. Records, 5, 100. ^ Original, Hist. Soc. Penna. Coll. Same letter except P.S. to Governor Law of Connecticut, Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. 11, 255. 179 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ernour Wentworth that the Assembly of New Hampshire have very chearfully determined to join with us, and have Voted to raise two hundred & fifty Land Forces for this Serv- ice, and that he hopes to persuade them to raise a greater number. I have Hkewise Letters from the Gentlemen I sent to Rhode Island, informing me that the people there are much spirited to engage in this Business, & that the Assembly will meet in a day or two to consult on the Affair ; And that it looks probable that they will furnish their full Quota of Land Forces for this Service, if not more, as also a private Ship of War of Twenty Guns which now lyes in their Harbour. I thought it of Importance that your Honour should be informed of these things ; not doubting but you will make a proper Use thereof for exciting an Emulation in your People & for encouraging them to do their part to promote His Majesty's Service & the common Interest of these Provinces, which so much depends upon the Success of this Enterprise. We are going on in our preparations & now beginning our Levies ; And I think Our People are full of Spirit & with Dependance on the Blessing of Providence I hope for a prosperous Event. I am Sir Your Honour's Obedt. humble Servant. W. Shirley. P.S. Be pleased to give me leave to add to this Circular Letter, that the assistance of one or both of the two large privateers belonging to some of your provinces would be of infinite importance in this Expedition. To the Honourable Governour Thomas i8o CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY- PROCLAMATION » Authorizing Enlistment of Recruits [Seal] Province of the Massachusetts-Bay. By His Excellency the Governour, I Do hereby authorize and impower [Capt Richard Cutt junr] to beat his Drums within the Regiment of Militia, whereof [William Pepperrell] Esq : is Colonel, for the en- listing of Voluntiers for His Majesty's Service, in the in- tended Expedition against the French of Cape-Breton ; for the Conducting of which Expedition [William Pepperrell Esqr. is] Commander in Chief. And the said Colonel, with the other Officers in the said Regiment, are hereby commanded not to give the said [Capt Richard Cutt] any Obstruction or Molestation herein ; but on the contrary to afford him all necessary Encouragement and Assistance, for which this is a sufficient Warrant. And the said [Capt Richard Cutt] is hereby required not to suffer this Warrant to go out of his Hands, nor to give Copies of it to any Person whatsoever; but after he has made full Use of it, to make Return thereof into the Secretary's Office. Given under my Hand and Seal at Boston, the [fifth] Day of [February] 1744. In the Eighteenth Year of His Majesty's Reign. W. Shirley. ^ Original, Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., Belknap Manuscripts, 61 A, p. 136. This is a printed document, the words in brackets being filled in in manuscript. It is an illustrarion of the recruit- ing permits issued by Shirley to various ofiicers at this time. See also Shirley to Colonel Thomas Bowen, Feb. 7, 1744, Boston Public Library Mss. v, 225, and to Governor Benning Wentworth of New Hampshire, Feb. 14, N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 935. 181 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY — PROCLAMATION Directing Assemblage of Troops^ Province of the Massachusetts Bay By his Excellency the Governour I do hereby direct all Persons Employed by my War- rants to Enlist Soldiers for the Present Expedition or who have Enlisted any by Virtue of my Proclamation, to repair as soon as may be with the Soldiers Enlisted under them to the Respective Places of Rendezvous Underwritten Vizt : Those Enlisted to the Eastward of Biddeford at Falmouth ; Those to the Westward thereof within the County of York, at York ; Those at Newbury & the Towns on Merrimack river in the County of Essex together with Rowley to Ren- dezvous at Newbury ; Those Enlisted in the Western Part of the County of Essex to Rendezvous in the Town of Salem, that so the sd Soldiers may be Daily Exercised & Fitted for Service, & in case any of the sd Officers have not made up their Compliment yet they that have Enlisted the Num- ber of Thirty men are hereby Commanded to send them under some Officer to their respective Rendezvous as above & all the sd Officers are hereby required Forthwith to send me by Alexander Young the Bearer hereof Lists of the Men they have Already Enlisted. Given under my hand at Boston the Thirteenth day of Febry 1744 in the Eighteenth Year of his Majesty's Reign W. Shirley. ^ " Coppy," Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., Belknap Manuscripts, 61 A, p. 140. 182 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELLi Boston, Febry. 13, 1744. Sir, I desire that you would forthwith send Orders to the sev- eral Officers that are enlisting Men in the County of York to bring their Men without Delay to the Places of Rendez- vous in the said County ; vizt those in the Eastern Parts so far as the Town of Biddeford (including that Town) to Falmouth, & those in the Western Part, at York, there to be billeted at twenty shillgs per Week old Tenor, & to be constantly exercised that they may be fit for Service; And I desire that you would take effectual Care that Quarters be provided for them in York and Falmouth accordingly, and that you would appoint some Persons well skilled in the Military Exercises for instructing them in both Places ; Every Officer that has enlisted thirty Men must bring them to the Rendezvous ; And I further desire you to get Lists of every Officer of the Names of the Men enlisted, & send them to me as soon as may be, & take Care that the Exercises be diligently attended. And whereas there will be wanting 150 Men of the Size of Granadiers, or as near it as you can find, to be employed in that Service, who must be instructed in the Exercise of throwing hand Granadoes, I desire you would draft out of the Men which shall rendezvous in your Town thirty whom you shall judge most fit for the Service, & send 'em to Bos- ton forthwith to be instructed for that Purpose. I am. Sir, Your most assured Friend and Servant W. Shirley. * Original, Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., Belknap Manuscripts, 61 A, p. 141. Pepperrell was commissioned Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of all forces by sea and land Jan. 31 by Governors Shirley, Law, and Wentworth. His commission to hold Court Martials was from Shirley alone and was dated Mar. 19. 183 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY You will be pleased to employ as many persons to assist in the Services here mentioned as is wanting : and what is reasonable must be allow'd.^ P.S. I must also desire the favour of you to forward my Warrant to the several Towns beyond you ; and to appoint some very proper person to view all the Arms, and to take a particular acct of the different bores among 'em that balls & Cartridges may be provided accordingly ; & that I may know how many Firelocks, Bayonetts, Cutlasses, and Belts must be provided to supply those who want 'em, or who have such as are not fit for Use : and let me know all this as soon as is possible. Honble General Pepperrell WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL « Boston, Feby 14, 1744. Sir, Perceiving that the Province of New Hampshire is likely to fail at last in furnishing Levies for the Expedition, I have propos'd to Govr Wentworth the raising of five or six Com- panies within his government to go under my Commissions, and in the pay of this province, for wch purpose I have sent him six beating Orders^ sign'd in blank; and have told him that if their having one field Officer out of their own province would encourage the thing, I would give a Commission to such as he should recommend wth your Approbation : This I think is right policy ; and I have endeavour'd to do the same within Rhode Island Colony, that we may at all Events be secure of our 3,000 Men at least; and if more than that Number should be rais'd by this means, it is possible our Assembly may be induc'd to take 'em into pay; But at all ^ The last two paragraphs of the letter are in the writing of Shirley. 2 Original, Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., Belknap Manuscripts, 61 A, p. 142. 2 See Shirley to Wentworth, Feb. 14, N. H. Prov. Papers 5, 935. 184 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Events it behoves us to secure our Number of 3,000 wch seems to me necessary for effecting our scheme. You will perceive, I write in a great hurry, and have only at present to assure you that no Attention and Vigilance of mine shall be wanting and that I think the Affair has a very good Aspect. I propos'd to Govr Wentworth that he should name either a Lieutent Colonel or Major : But if his naming both those Officers would promote the raising of the Levies within his province, it would be well worth our while to have it so : If there should be Occasion, I could appoint two Majors or two Lieutent Colonels to one Regiment. I am Sir Your most Humble Servant ^^^ Stttrt ey Brigadier Genl Pepperiil. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL ^ Sir Boston, Feby 17, 1744. My Daughter Bollan being very dangerously ill in Child- bed, I have but just time to acknowledge the favour of yours by the post, and shall write at large by the return of it. I am intirely of your Opinion that not a momts time should be lost in getting the forces ready, and upon further Con- sideration I would have all of 'em sent to Boston, the mo- ment they can come ; and as any Number of 'em is raised without staying for compleating the Regiments : For we have but ten days of this Month left, and they must be fitted wth Arms and disciplined a little before they go. I beg that you would give Orders accordingly within the County of York and am in the utmost hurry, but with great truth q. Your faithfull Humble Brigadier Genl Pepperiil. W. Shirley. ^ Original, Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., Belknap Manuscripts, 61 A, p. 142. i8s CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL ^ Boston, Feby i8, 1744. Sir, The afflicting Loss, I have receiv'd this Morning in the Death of my Daughter Bollan, will be an excuse for the Brevity of my Letters. I must desire you not to lose one Momts time in getting the Men & Transports round to this Place from the County of York for the reasons men- tioned in my last ; and that you would take the trouble to forward by Express to Falmouth and the Eastern parts beyond it, the packets addressed to Colonel Waldo and the recruiting Officers there, as also some of the Money re- mitted to you by the Post for payment of the Bounty (in part at least) to those enlisted out of the Upper Regiment, I mean that beyond yours Eastward, wch may be necessary to be done ; to be deposited in Col Waldo's hands or such other person's as you think proper, in case of his Absence : If our Affairs turn out so that I can possibly spare 'em, you shall have some nine pounders for the defence of your forti- fications. You will be pleased to engage your Chaplain and Surgeon : and it shall be confirmed by me or any other Officers you shall recommend of the sort. I am with much truth Sir Your most assured Friend and Humble Servant W. Shirley. Brigadier Genl Pepperill. ^ Original, Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., Belknap Manuscripts, 61 A, p. 147. x86 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH^ Boston, Feby 26, 1744. Sir, I am obliged to you for your kind condolence wth me upon my daughter's Death, and for your several favours since my lastc I am extremely glad to hear of your good prospect of completing your Regiment in time : All things will be ready here for the Imbarcation of our fleet by the end of the week as the committee informs me, so I should be glad of your being ready with yours as soon as may be ; whatever you want for the 150 men to go with my commissions & in the pay of this government, be pleased to send to me for it by Ex- press and you shall have it instantly. I think the essential thing is the number of the men in the whole ; and that it is not absolutely necessary that there should be exactly 50 men in each company, if there are 40 in one and 60 in another, all the things may be set right by pro- portioning the service in the field ; and indeed if a company does not consist of less than 40 men I think we ought not to be critical. If any of 'em should not rise up to that com- plement, in such case indeed it will be necessary to join two companies together. I take the liberty of mentioning my sentiments to you in this affair, as it is possible you may like to know how I should act in the same difficulties, which ^ Original, Belknap Papers, N. H. Hist. Society. Printed : N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 936. On Feb. 14 Shirley wrote Wentworth that if New Hampshire would not provide equipment for her recruits they could enlist in the Massachusetts companies, adding that it would have given "infinite satisfaction" if the New Hamp- shire governor could have commanded his colonial forces in person. By the i6th his views had changed, and he wrote in a postscript of that date : " Upon communicating yr offer of your taking the Command of the Expedition and proceeding in it, to two or three Gentlemen in whose prudence & judgmt I most confide, I found *em clearly of opinion that any alteration of the present command would be attended with great risque, both with respect to our assembly, and soldiers being intirely disgusted." On Feb. 8 William Vaughan had written Pepperrell congratulating him on 187 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY may possibly occur in the raising of your levies, and that we act in the same manner together. ... I am in the utmost hurry Your Excellency's most faithful Humble servant, His Excy Govr Wentworth. W. Shirley. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL^ Boston, Feby 26, 1744. Sir, 1 send money now by Gerish^ to make up Bounty Money wth the £200 Col Waldo ^ has had before for six Companies in his Regiment, and advanc'd pay for the same number, wch we judg'd absolutely necessary for us to do, and desire the favour of you to remit to him, or some other proper person for him by express together with my Letter to him. We must desire you to advance the months pay for the Com- panies within your Regiment, and the moment you come to Boston it will be reimburs'd to you. But if that is in- convenient be pleas'd to send an Express for it and it shall be instantly sent you. It is certainly of Absolute necessity that the Men should be dispatch'd round to Boston his appointment as Commander in Chief (6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, loi), and his letter seems to express the general sentiment of New England. The position of second in command was given to Connecticut (Shirley to Wolcott, Mar. 8, posty p. 193) to guarantee the support of that colony. ^ Original, Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., Belknap Manuscripts, 61 A, p. 147. 2 Samuel Gerrish was a messenger employed by the governors of New Hampshire and Massachusetts at this time. See N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 748, where his account is approved. 3 On Feb. 5 Shirley had notified Samuel Waldo, a merchant of Boston and owner of extensive estates in Maine, of his appoint- ment of Brigadier General of forces raised for the expedition, and about the same time had recommended him to Newcastle. The manuscripts are in P. R. O., C. O. 5, 753. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY without a Momts Delay * ; and I am glad to hear you are in so fair a way of having five or six of your Companies here some time this week, within wch time I shall hope to see yourself here. I imagine some of your Captains have been able to raise more than their Complement of 50 Men, wch it will be right to encourage in order to make up for the Defi- ciencies of others : The essential thing is to get Men, and it is not so necessary that every Company should consist ex- actly of 50 Men ; If some have 40 others 60, all may be set right by proportioning their Service in the field ; And we must not be Critical as to the exact Complement in each Com- pany, or indeed in any Company, provided none consists of less than 40 Men ; in such case two must be joined together, and the two persons, who rais'd *em must draw lotts which shall be Captain, and wch Lieutent or rather he that has rais'd most should be Captain. All things will be ready here, the Committee informs me for Imbarcation, by the End of this Week.^ I am much oblig'd to you for your kind Condolence with me upon the Death of my Daughter, and am in the utmost hurry with much respect and esteem Sir Your faithful! Humble Servant W. Shirley. ^ So on Feb. 20 Shirley had written Colonel Thomas Bowen : "Use your utmost Diligence to forward raising of the Soldiers in your parts." Ms. in Boston Public Library. ^ The drain upon the province occasioned by the Louisbourg expedition may be judged from the following note of Feb. 25 from Shirley to Governor Wentworth of New Hampshire. "The Scarcity of men in this Province is at present so great, occasion'd by the Demand we have for 'em to Man our own vessells design'd for the service of the Expedition, that I am obliged to let Capt. Graves go from hence upwards of twenty men short of his com- plement, which I am sorry 'tis not in my power to help him to ; as the speedy and safe arrival of his ship with the Mast ships under his convoy is of great consequence to his Majestys ships at Jamaica, if you could get that number of men for him or assist him in pro- curing them, it would very much promote his Majesty's service, and be esteem'd by me as a particular obligation." 189 CORRESPONDENCE OP WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH ^ Boston, March 2d, 1744. Sir, Last night I had the favour of your answer to my last Express, and am sorry to find it will be inconvenient for your Troops to come round to Boston in order to join and proceed wth ours. The successs of our scheme for sur- prising Louisbourg will intirely depend upon the Execution of the first night after the arrival of our forces there ; and for this purpose it is necessary that the whole fleet should make Chappeaurouse point just at the shutting in of the day, when they can't be easily discover'd, and from thence push into the Bay so as to have all the men landed before twelve at night, (the landing of whom by Capt. Durelle and Mr. Bastide will take up three hours at least) after which the forming of the four several corps to be employed in attempting to scale the walls of Louisbourg near the East Gate fronting the sea, the West Gate fronting the Harbour, to cover the retreat of the two beforementioned parties in case of a repulse, and to attack the Grand Battery, (which attack must be made at the same time with the two other attacks) will take up two hours more at least, and after these four Bodies are form'd their march to their respective ports from whence they are to make their attacks and serve [guns] to cover the retreat, will take up another two hours, wch supposing the Transports to arrive in Chappeaurouse Bay at 9 o'clock in the evening and not before, as it is not necessary for 'em to do in order to land and march under cover of the night, will bring 'em to four in the morning, being day-break, before they begin their attack, wch will be full late in the morning for 'em to begin : Your Excel- lency will hence perceive, how critical an affair the time of the fleets arriving in Chappeaurouse Bay is, and how necessary it is to the success of our principal scheme, that ^ Original, Belknap Papers, N. H. Hist. Society, I, 214. Printed : N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 938. 190 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the fleet should arrive there in a body, at that precise hour and how dangerous it will be for us to trust to the chance of meeting at the Isles of Shoals. Besides this, it will be necessary that our Transports should be divided into four Divisions, each wearing distinct colours, and that the several parties of Troops, with their officers appointed to these several services, should embark in these distinct divisions and land together in separate Bodies out of 'em, in order to go instantly upon the Execution of their respective duties and attacks ; for otherwise there will be the utmost confu- sion, and the forming of 'em after their landing will consume so much time, that the Execution of the main scheme will be impracticable the first night, after wch time it will be in vain to attempt it : And I do not see how the Transport vessells can be form'd properly into these Divisions unless they rendezvous at Nantasket, or the officers of your Regi- ment be appris'd thoroughly of the Duty they are to go instantly upon immediately after their landing, without being here upon the Spot : For as to their rendezvous at Canso, besides so large a fleet being in danger of being dis- cover'd even from St. Peter's hill, there will be great dan- ger of some fishing vessell or others' carrying an alarm to the enemy before our arrival. However if there should be an unsurmountable difficulty in the Troops rais'd in your Province getting round here, as I propose, we must endeav- our to join as we pass by your harbour or at the Isles of Shoals as you propose upon my letting you have a day's notice before we sail ; and as I will send you a copy of my orders to the General, wch will contain a plan of what the Troops are to execute instantly after their landing & of the several parts wch the four several corps are to execute, I will then mention the part proposed to be allotted to your Regiment. ... The Transports hired here are by a vote of the General Court pass'd this morning insur'd by the Governmt, and you may depend that the Transports taken up by you for carrying the men in the pay of the Governmt rais'd in your Province shall be insur'd in the same manner at their ap- 191 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLLVM SHIRLEY priz'd value, wch I suppose will be indisputable security : The subsistence and stores I will take care of. Let the 150 men to be aggregated to your Regiment of 350, be raised by you in what companies they will provided the officers do not exceed the number of officers usual to three Com- pany's I will accept 'em and provide for 'em with the pay of this Government ; and whatever men Mr. Vaughan shall raise over and above the 150 by virtue of your orders (pro- vided they do not exceed 150 more) I will accept, notwith- standing my countermanding my orders for his raising more men mentioned in my last to you,^ wch I did partly upon what you mention'd in yours of the 27th Feby to me. It will be necessary for me to know what muskets. Bayonets, Cut- lasses, Belts &c will be wanting for such of the men rais'd within your Governmt to be in our pay, as have none of their own, that I may provide 'em. We take care that all our people have slings to their muskets, wch (as they can't be better provided) must be done by line or rope, and take particular care to provide Tents for all our Soldiers with- out wch it will be impossible for the men to subsist, & wch will be done in a great measure by old sails and poles, tho' we have upwards of 100 new ones regularly made, besides Tents for the army. Be pleas'd to let Mr. Vaughan know he may go on as far as I have mention'd above ; and fa- vour me with your Letters by all opportunities. I am wth great Truth your Excellencys most obedient, Humble servant His Excy Govr Wentworth. W. Shirley. ^ In his letter of Mar. i, Shirley had stated his desire that William Vaughan should not raise over one hundred and fifty men ; Wentworth's letter of Feb. 27 expressed a fear that resort might be had to impressment, a fear which Shirley hastened to allay. 192 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL^ Province of the Massachusetts Bay By His Excellency the Governour You are hereby directed to give out Your Orders to the Captains of the several Companies raised for the Expedi- tion now in the Town of Boston to Embark their respec- tive Companies on board such Transport Vessels as are provided for them, and as the Committee for the War shall direct them to with all convenient Speed. Given under my Hand at Boston the Eighth day of March, 1744. In the Eighteenth Year of His Majesty's Reign. - W. Shirley. To William Pepperrell Esqr Lieut. General of the Forces raised for the Expedition WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO ROGER WOLCOTT^ Boston, March 8, 1744. Sir, Agreable to the Proposal made to me from the Government of Connecticut by Colo Trumbal & Mr Williams,^ I have ordered a Commission to be made out to give you the second ^ Original, Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., Belknap Manuscripts, Vol. 61 B, p. 5. '^ Original, Roger Wolcott Papers, i, 64. Printed : Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. II, 259. ' At a special session of the Connecticut Assembly In February Jonathan Trumbull and Ellsha Williams were appointed as a com- mittee to confer with representatives of the governments of other colonies about matters relating to the proposed expedition. Wil- liams had been at the head of Yale College, but served as chap- lain in the Louisbourg expedition at Pepperrell's request. Later in the month Shirley followed this letter with another, in which he wrote Wolcott : "Having given you a Commission to command as Major General in the Forces raised within this Province & the neighbouring Provinces & Colonies for the Expedition against the French at VOL. I — o 193 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Command over the Forces raised for the Expedition against Cape Breton ; Which Commission is herewith inclosed. And from my personal Knowledge of you & the Character you bear of those Qualities which make you at least equal to this Trust, I do with the utmost Chearfulness commit it to you, & wish you all possible Success in the Discharge of it. I doubt not but you will do your utmost to have the Succours your Governmt sends by you seasonably join our Forces, to prevent any Inconvenience that may happen by a Delay. I am Sir Your most obedient humble Servant Roger WolcottEsqr. W. Shirley. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL^ William Shirley Esqr Captain General and Governor In Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of the Massa- chusetts Bay in New England in America. To William Pepperrell Esqr Commander in Chief of the Forces raised for the Expedition against Cape Breton, By Virtue of the Power and Authority in and by his Majesty's Royal Commission to me granted, & pursuant to the Directions contained in an Act made and pass'd by the Cape Breton, whereof William Pepperrell Esqr is Lieutenant General & Commander in Chief; I do hereby direct you as soon as the Auxiliary Troops from the Colony of Connecticut which are under your particular Command are ready & embark'd on board their respective Transports, with them forthwith to proceed to Cape Breton, & join the other Forces for the said Expedition, and there you must follow such Orders and Directions for the Annoy- ance of the Enemy as you shall from time to time receive from the said Lleutt General Pepperrell." (Roger Wolcott Papers, i, 74.) 1 Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 B, p. 14. Shir- ley's General Instructions to Pepperrell of this date are printed I Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. i, 5-1 1. See also Shirley to Governor Law of Connecticut (Mar. 15) as to the Louisbourg expedition and (Mar. 18) as to defense of the western frontier. Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. II, 264, 265. On Mar. 23 Shirley sent Pepperrell a list of the companies arranged by regiments, and In the accompanying 194 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Great and General Court or Assembly of this Province at their Session begun & held at Boston the thirtieth day of May, 1744, & continued by Adjournment to the ninth of August following, entitled. An Act for punishing of Officers or Soldiers who shall mutiny or desert his Majesty's Service, Reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Skill and Prudence, I do by and with the Advice and Con- sent of his Majesty's Council, commissionate and impower you the said William Pepperrell from time to time as Oc- casion may require to call and assemble Courts Martial, of the Commission Officers in his Majesty's Service & under Pay, no such Court to consist of fewer than eleven (whereof you the said William Pepperrell always to be one) for try- ing and punishing of Officers & Soldiers muster'd and in Pay in his Majesty's Service, for Mutiny, Sedition & Deser- tion, or other Offences according to the Directions of said Act, which you are strictly to observe in all your Proceed- ings ; And all Courts Martial to be called and assembled as aforesd are hereby authorized & impowered to appoint all proper & necessary Officers unto such Courts belonging. In Testimony whereof I have caused the publick Seal of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay aforesd to be hereunto affixed ; Dated at Boston the nineteenth day of March 1744, in the eighteenth Year of his Majesty's Reign. By Order of the Govr with the Advice & Consent of the Council J Willard Secry Copy as of Record Attest. J Willard Secry letter speaks of his difficulties in the assignment of commissions. Of William Vaughan, Shirley writes: "I desire you would let Mr Vaughan, who goes a voluntier to Cape Breton in this ex- pedition and has been very instrumental in promoting it, both within this and the neighbouring province, and has the success of it much at heart, assist in your Councils, and I do hereby appoint him to be one of it. Your countenance and protection of him also, as far as is proper, I shall esteem a favour." In other letters of Mar. 24 and 25 detailed instructions regarding Colonel Brad- street and other officers are given. See 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 120-124. 195 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ' Boston, New England 27 March, [1744] 1745. My Lord Duke, Since my last to your Grace I have raised 3200 Troops exclusive of Commission Officers for his Majesty's Serv- ice in the present Expedition against the French Settle- ments on Cape Breton, 2800 of which have already taken their departure and the remainder are embark'd, and will I hope sail from this place tomorrow. At Canso the place of Rendezvous they will be joined by 350 Troops more raised by the Governour of New Hampshire, which I understand have likewise sailed and will be followed to Cape Breton by 500 more troops from Connecticut in the beginning of next month ; And Ten days ago I sent three good ships of 20 Guns each, Two Snows of 16 Guns each, and a Brigan- tine of near the same force, all well manned and equipped, to cruise before the harbour of Louisbourg in order to in- tercept any intelligence. Recruits or Supplys, which might be sent to the Enemy before the arrival of our Forces upon the Island ; these will be joined by another Snow of 24 Guns and other arm'd Vessels of less force, after our Troops are landed, and are all in the Pay of this Government, and will also be joined by the Connecticut Colony Sloop upon the arrival of the Forces of that Government at Cape Breton ; and if the Government of Rhode Island raise the 150 men, which they have voted for this Service and man their Colony Sloop, upon neither of which I absolutely depend, there will be that addition to our Land and sea Armament, — And Embargoes have been laid on all shipping in the four New England Governments, and strictly observed in three of ^ P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 900, 168. On the same day Shirley wrote the Board of Trade a letter similar to the one here printed. An abstract of additional matter contained is on p. 199, following this letter to Newcastle. 196 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY them, to prevent the Enemy's haveing any intelligence or provisions carryed to them from these parts. To strengthen the before mentioned Naval force I apply'd in particular to Commodore Warren at Antigua for the assist- ance of one or more of his Majesty's ships from the Squad- ron under his command, as the Service in those parts would admit, acquainting him with the intended Expedi- tion, and that, as Mr Duvivier was gone from Louisbourg to old France for Recruits and Supplies, and was expected to return very early in the Spring, it would be of the utmost consequence to his Majesty's service in this Enterprize that we should be assisted by him in time to block up the harbour of Louisbourg and cut off the Enemy's expected recruits and supplies from old France, which if we could ob- tain seasonably for that purpose, and to Encourage our own forces upon the Appearance of the King's Ships, as well as to terrify the Enemy, we had very great reason to hope that our Land forces would be able to carry all their points against the Enemy in their present weak Circumstances ; This advice I sent by an Express Boat, which arrived at Antigua the 22d of February, and by which two days after Mr War- ren return'd me for answer that he had received orders to attend on New England in the Weymouth some time in March, from doing which he was prevented by the unhappy Loss of that Ship, but that he should in a very few days dispatch the Launceston to attend on New England and the Mermaid to New York, pursuant to his directions from the Lords of Admiralty ; The Loss of the Weymouth, which has hinderd the Commodore from following his Directions to come here himself, is an unhappy misfortune at this Crisis ; but notwithstanding that, if instead of sending the Launceston to this place and the Mermaid to New York he had been pleased to have Dispatch'd them both di- rectly to Cape Breton, to have join'd the other Ships there in blocking up Louisbourg Harbour, as I pressed him in my Letter to do, and, I suppose, he might unquestionably have done, consistent with his orders, there is no room to doubt but that Our naval Force would have been superiour 197 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY to what Mr Duvivier may probably be expected to bring with him from France early in the Spring to convoy the recruits and Supplies for Louisbourg, (and perhaps after- wards to attack Annapolis Royal) especially if we had been assisted by his Majesty's Ship the Bien Amy Prize now in this harbour, and which was ordered hither by Mr Knowles, partly to load with masts of a proper size and Dimensions for repairing the ships of the Squadron at Jamaica, some of which, by means of the Hurricane there in October last must be greatly in want of them, and which Mr Knowles was informed could not be got ready here 'till the beginning of July, so that that ship might in the meantime have cruised before Louisbourg till the middle of May, which I also re- quested of Mr Warren ; but instead of being permitted to do it Mr Knowles thereupon dispatch'd orders for the Bien Amy Prize to return to Antigua instantly without staying for masts fit for repairing the Jamaica ships, that suffered in the Hurricane, which seems to have a Tendency to dis- appoint the service at Jamaica as well as the Expedition ; whereas had my request of the assistance of that Ship been allowed it would have answered both Services. Thus we have been unhappily disappointed of such Assist- ance from Mr Warren's Squadron, (which with respect to the Launceston that is appointed for the Service of New Eng- land we seem to have a plain right to have had) as would in all human probability have secur'd success to our at- tempt against the Enemy under their present low Circum- stances : And what turn it may give to the Event of the Expedition is uncertain. I shall hope that Providence will favour the small Naval Force, which I have been able to muster up here, with Success ; and that our Land Forces will still be able to maintain their ground on Cape Breton 'till I shall receive his Majesty's Royal Pleasure upon this matter : In the meantime I have endeavoured to provide a Retreat for our Vessels and Forces at Canso against all Events, and at least to secure the other points of preserv- ing Annapolis Royal from any sudden early attempts against it before the arrival of the recruits from England, destroy- 198 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ing one or both of the principal Batteries of the harbour of Louisbourg, breaking up the Enemy's small Settlements upon that Island and in the neighbouring parts, (which are numerous) and by that means ruining their fishery there for sometime, and beginning a resettlement at Canso, and recovering the English Fishery there, in case his Majesty shall be pleased to garrison Canso again, and protect it by one Station ship as usual in time of Peace ; the Gaining of all which, though the attempt against the Town of Louis- bourg it self should fail, or his Majesty should not be pleased to support the Expedition with any Ships and Marines from England, will yet promote his service in other points of such importance, as may answer the Expence, which this Enter- prize will occasion, and I hope will not be disapprov'd of by His Majesty, as the Motive for my Engaging in this Expe- dition was my Zeal for His Majesty's Service and the in- terest of his British Dominions in the first place & next to that for promoting the particular Interests of this Prov- ince and his other northern Colonies. I am with the most dutifuU regards My Lord Duke Your Grace's most obedient and most devoted humble Servant W. Shirley.^ His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed : New England. March 27, 1745 Govr Shirley B June 3d Dupte ^ In a letter of the same date to the Board of Trade (C. O. 5, 923, p. 161) Shirley incloses a resolution of the Council and Assembly of Massachusetts for an expedition against Cape Breton, and ex- presses the hope that the King will support it. He outlines the great advantages of Cape Breton to the French and the hazard to the English trade while it remains in French hands. The Governor then states the danger the northern settlements are in from the French so long as they possess Cape Breton, and the loss to French trade with Canada resulting from the conquest of Cape Breton, as in his letter of Jan. 14 on p. 161. 199 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM GREENE ^ Boston, March 28, 1744. Sir, I am informed that your Governmt have agreed to raise 150 Men for the Expedition against Cape Breton and to send your Colony Sloop in the same Service, and as the Gov- ernmt of Connecticut will have their Forces ready early in the next month & are solicitous for their getting safe to Cape Breton I cannot but think it will be for the Convenience of both Governmts if you could join your Forces & proceed together upon this Voyage, and in case anything should hin- der your raising the Forces proposed, yet I hope you will think it necessary for His Majesty's Service to send your Colony Sloop for the safeguard of the troops from Con- necticut. I am Sir Your Honours most humble & obedient Servt W. Shirley. P.S. Sir, I hope if you cannot otherwise man your Sloop, you will not scruple upon this extraordinary Occasion to impress Seamen as this Governmt has done, & if it should happen that the 150 Land Forces are not raised pursuant to the Vote of your Assembly Your Honour will at least make up the complement of your Colony Sloop 130 men as at first voted. Honble William Green Esq. or in his absence the Honble Joseph Whipple Esq. iR. I. Col. Rec. s, 133. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO ROGER WOLCOTT^ ^ Boston, March 30, 1744. Inclos'd are my orders to you to proceed to Cape Breton with the forces under your particular Command from Con- necticutt, in doing wch if you judge proper to touch at Canso in your way for Intelligence it may not be amiss. I am sorry it is not in my power to procure you the Convoy of Captn Gayton's Ship ^ for your Transport Vessells, as you desire, that Ship being order'd to go to Antegoa and from thence directly to Jamaica wth Maps for the Jamaica Squadron . . . About fourteen days ago I sent three ships of twenty Guns each, two Snows of Sixteen Guns each and a Brig of near the same force to cruize before Louisbourg Harbour, wch I am in hopes may intercept any Intelligence, provisions, or recruits, wch the Enemy may expect to arrive early to 'em : And our Forces sailed under the Convoy of Captn Rous's Snow only, wch I doubt not is sufficient between this place and Cape Breton, as we have so many Vessells before it, and wch will be join'd by Rous after our Forces are landed on the Island wth the New Hampshire Troops, wch I expect will be on Monday or Tuesday next if no extraordinary Acci- dent prevents 'em ; I hope therefore there is no Danger of your meeting with any thing in your way, wch your own Colony sloop will not sufficiently protect you agt ; How- ever I have wrote to the Governour of Rhode Island in the strongest Terms I can, to engage him to order His Colony's Sloop to join you, as Col Lothrop will inform you ; tho I must confess I have no great Dependance upon that Govern- ment in this Expedition. I heartily wish you all Imagi- nable success and am Sir Your faithfull Humble servant W. Shirley. ^Original, Law Papers, i, 372. Printed: Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. II, 272. See Shirley to Wolcott of Mar. 8 {ante^ p. 193) for noti- fication of command. ^ The Bien Aime. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY I must refer you to Col Lothrop ^ for the behaviour of Lieutent Col Eveleth, Captn Byles, Captn Davis, & Captn Baker in leaving the Squadron Fleet and putting in to Cape Ann 'till Wensday last and permitting their Men to go on shoar all of 'em except Captn Baker who did not behave so ill as the rest ; Col Eveleth & Captn Byles are most to blame pray acquaint the General with it, some notice shd be taken of 'em. Major Genl Woolcott. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS [Extracts^] Gentlemen of the Council and House of Represen- tatives, ; In Pursuance of the Resolution of this Court for forming an Expedition against the French Settlements on Cape Breton, pass'd the 25th of January last, which is agreeable to His Majesty's Pleasure signifi'd to me upon the present Rupture with France : " That I should take all Opportu- nities, as far as is depended upon me, to distress and annoy the French in their Settlement, Trade and Commerce" I have raised three Thousand Voluntiers, under proper Offi- cers to be employed in His Majesty's Service upon that Expe- dition ; two Thousand eight Hundred of which, by the 24th Day of last Month, and the Remainder within two Days after, were embarqued and sailed for Canso where they were to be join'd with three Hundred and fifty Troops more rais'd by the Government of New Hampshire for the same serv- ^ Simon Lothrop, Lieutenant Colonel of the Connecticut regi- ment, commissioned Mar. i, 1744/5. ' Massachusetts Archives, Court Records, Vol. 17, pt. 4, p. 713. Copies of this speech were sent by Shirley to various Pro- vincial governors in answer to letters regarding the expedition, e.g. to Governor Law of Connecticut in Shirley's letter of Apr. 8, Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. 11, 278. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ice, upon my Application to Governour Wentworth ... to be followed some time this Week by live Hundred Troops more from Connecticut, rais'd likewise for the same Service by that Government, upon my Application to them.^ — The Governor then sets forth the extent of his naval preparations, the probability of aid from England and from Commodore Warren in the South by reason of orders given from London and concludes : — The warm Assurances I have receiv'd from His Majesty's Governours in the Colonies of New York, the Jerseys and Pennsylvania of their most hearty Endeavours to engage the Colonies under their re- spective Governments in the Support of the common Cause upon this Occasion, have given me good Encouragement to proceed in this Expedition, towards securing the Success whereof, I immediately receiv'd from Governour Clinton, upon my Request to him for that Purpose, a considerable Train of Artillery, without which we could not have had the same Prospect of reducing the Island as we now have. W. Shirley. Council Chamber, April 3d. 1745 WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH 2 • Boston, April 8th, 1745. Sir, 1 should be oblig'd to you if you would let me know by the next post your sentiments upon our undertaking, in con- junction with the neighboring Governments, an Expedition against Canada this year, in case of our succeeding against Cape Breton ; that you would communicate to me what you think would be the most advisable scheme for doing It ; what the most proper season; by what time at latest it should ^ Good accounts of the preparations made In New Hampshire and Connecticut are In letters to Shirley from Gcvernor Went- worth, Mar. 21 (6 Mass. Hist, Soc, Coll. 10, 120), and Governor Law, Mar. 30 (Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. 11, 270). 2 Original, Belknap Papers, N. H. Hist. Soc, i, 220; N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 949. 203 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY be begun, and how long time it would take to march our Forces there, and when it would be necessary for 'em to re- tire on account of the season of the year; & whether it is practicable to march a sufficient number of forces by Land, and transport a sufficient Quantity of provisions for such an enterprise, as also artillery and stores, and what number of men you think might be necessary for such purpose, also what number of Regular Troops and militia the Enemy can probably muster to oppose our army. And particularly, whether such an attempt can be pru- dently made without first making ourselves masters of Crown point, and how practicable that may be, with the manner of doing it, and what supports we should want from home to enable us to subdue the country; also in particu- lar, whether it is not very practicable to break up all the enemy's settlements in the country, and oblige 'em to fly into Montreal or Quebeck, and whether the effect of that, if it should be repeated two years, and they were cut off from all supplies by sea from old France, would not be to subdue 'em by famine or extreme distress, supposing our Forces should not penetrate so far as Montreal or Quebeck ; And that you would send me your sentiments as particu- larly upon every circumstance concerning the affair as if it was expressly mentioned here and put to you. I am in- form'd that Mr. Atkinson is the most capable of advising in this matter of any man in America. I should be glad if your Excellency would consult] with him concerning it as far as you shall think proper. I have heard nothing further of Commodore Warren, so am in hopes he has been off Cape Breton, for some time past. I am with much esteem, Sir, your Excys most obedient Humble servant W. Shirley.^ * This letter is printed here to show the energy of Shirley. It gives the reader ample preparation for the Massachusetts Govern- or's plans of 1746 for wider conquests in Canada. See Went- worth's reply, Apr. 12, on p. 206. 204 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY His Excy Bennlng Wentworth, Esq. I shall find time, I hope, by next post to write to your Excellency upon our other affairs, as I shall then have got rid of my Despatches by a ship to go from hence this week to London. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL [Extracts ^] Boston, April lo, 1745. Sir, Having heard nothing further from Commodore Warren, I conclude he must have met, upon his designed passage, with some of our fleet; and thereupon altered his course and, instead of coming to Boston with the three of his Majesty's ships under his command, proceeded directly for Canso or Cape Breton,^ where I hope he is now blocking up the enemy's harbour, in conjunction with our crulzers and that Mons. Duvivier will soon bring us an account of it to Boston. It is a general observation, that the land and sea forces, when joined upon the same expedition, sel- dom or never agree, but I am persuaded it will not be so between you and Commodore Warren, as any misunder- standing between you might prove fatal to his Majesty's service in the expedition. ^ * * iti * * * I am in hopes the Connecticut forces will have joined you before you receive this, and that by the middle of next month, if not sooner, you will be supported from England with ships and marines, or other troops In the reduction of Louisbourg, if that shall not be effected before the arrival ^Printed in full: Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. i, 19. ^ A letter from James Skinner of Marblehead Is Inclosed as a postscript, giving an account of meeting Warren on his way to Cape Breton with three men of war. 20s CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY of that reinforcement, which I pray God may be the case ; In the meantime nothing shall be wanting on my part, to contribute towards it. With most ardent wishes for your success and prosperity, I am, Sir, your most assured friend, and humble servant, W. Shirley. BENNING WENTWORTH TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY^ Portsmouth, I2th April, 1745. Sir, I have now duly considered the subject of your favour of the 8th currt respecting a future conquest against the French settlements up the river St Lawrence, in case we succeed in the Reduction of Louisbourg, which if we are not greatly deceived in the accounts we have had of the strength of that Garrison, I have little room to doubt of. Capt. Warren's with the two other ships arrived before that place, before they were Reinforced from old France, which I conceive must be the case, since he has not appear'd in this quarter. Granting the Reduction of Louisbourg, I am quite clear in pursuing the conquest, with additional Troops, provided they can be cover'd with a proper naval force to secure their Retreat, as high up as Montreal, in which there will be no difficulty, but at Quebec. How strong that may be, I am not able to discover; the other settlements on the River may be conquered with 50 whale boats well arm'd, & proper vessells to attend them on our way up, or in coming down as may be thought most prudent. Mr. Atkinson is the only person in the Government that can give me the least infor- ^ Original, Belknap Papers, N. H. Hist. Soc, i, 221. N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 950. Although this manuscript is neither addressed nor signed, it is endorsed as a copy of a letter to Governor Shirley, and its subject matter, when taken in connection with that gov- ernor's manuscript of Apr. 8, on p. 203, seems to show that it is from Governor Wentworth. 206 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY mation on this head, & he thinks 4000 effective men a suffi- cient force to go against Quebec, & from what he was able to learn of the strength of that Town when at Montreal, he thinks the conquest very Easily made, tho' we should not have the assistance of Brittish troops, provided we had men of war to guard the River and to secure the Retreat of our Forces ; between Quebec and Montreal there is only one Town fortified, which is called the Three Rivers, but can make little resistance. Montreal when he was there, might be taken with 500 men, having no walls or cannon capable of resisting a stout privateer. The River will admit of vessels from 50 to 150 Tons, quite to the banks of the River on which the Town of Montreal is built. The proper time for our troops to leave that Country is the latter end of Sept. or early in October — and the time of being there must be so early as to prevent the Enemy from gathering in their Harvest, by which means the out settlements, wch are not many must flee to fort Shamblea, which is a strong Fort but must be soon given up & abandoned for want of provisions, if many of the inhabitants should flee thither from Montreal, which must be the case when they are besieged ; and upon the Enemy's abandoning Shamblea there is no refuge but Crown Point fort, whither they can get by Canoes, & the help of two small vessels that were built in the lake, and armed to transport troops, provisions & war-like stores to Crown Point fort. Upon our success at Cape Breton, if the Governments as far as Philadelphia would heartily & speedily unite in this grand enterprise I am convinced the Reduction of Louisburg would so dispirit the Enemy that we might make an intire conquest of the French in North America & then the French war would be the happiest war New England ever engaged in. The greatest difficulty that at present occurs to me is the want of good arms — which I can see no prospect to be supply'd with. But as the progress of this undertaking depends wholy in my opinion on our success at Cape Breton, I shall only say that it is my fixed opinion, that upon the first notice 207 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY of our success every hand & every heart should be Im- ploy'd in pursuing the conquest to Montreal, having no re- gard to Shamblea or Crown Point Fort wch must of conse- quence fall into our hands for the reason, that if the Enemy should not flee to those forts for safety, we could easily drive such numbers thither as must necessarily oblige them soon to surrender, or starve by famine. I am, Sir, . Your Excellency's most faithful & Obedt humb servt Endorsed: Copy of a letter to Gr Shirley on carrying the conquest after the Reduction of Louisbourg to Quebeck &c. 1745- WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL ^ Boston, April 23, 1745. Sir, Yesterday I dispatched a Vessell loaded with provisions, a Sloop Captn Bradford Master, to Canso wth orders to the Commandant there to forward her to you together wth some packets for you and the Commodore : And the Wind, and Weather being very inviting to day, a second Sloop Load of provisions will sail this afternoon, wch I have sent Orders to the Commandant at Canso to dispose of according to such Orders as he has or shall receive from you, and if he has none concerning the provisions he shall receive, to keep the provisions at Canso, and forward the packet he shall receive with this by the first Opportunity without loss of time, desiring your Orders upon this Sloop Load instantly : wch method I thought best, as I apprehend the Cruizers will go oft to Canso for fresh supplies of provisions, when they want 'em. You will be pleased to regulate that matter by * Original, Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, Vol. 61 B, p. 21. Other letters to Pepperrell on same subject are in 61 B, 20; 61 B, 24 and (printed) in 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, T27. 208 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY your Orders concerning the provisions in general to the Commandant at Canso for the future. On Thursday morning I hope to get Captain Gayton away, who will bring under his Convoy another Sloop load of provisions for you. The Committee seem to me to compute the number of Lands- men and Seamen in the Service of this Government at 4000 ; whereas they are at least 4500, wch I will observe to 'em accordingly. I shall write by the Sloop under Captn Gayton's Convoy and am with best Wishes and prayers for your Success and prosperity Sir Your most Faithful! friend and Servant W. Shirley. Lieutent General Pepperill. JOHN STODDARD! TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY [Extracts^] North Hampton, April 24, 1745. Sir, I having no prospect of an Opportunity speedily have sent a man to carry my Letters. I have waited several days expecting News from Albany. Capt Shelden returned from thence Yesterday, but brought me no Letters. He tells me that Mr Lydius purposed this week to write to me concern- ing the Difficulties they have about the Six Nations, & the danger of loosing them. * John Stoddard was one of the most important of Shirley's military supports. During his lifelong residence in Northampton he was colonel, commander In chief of the Western Department of Massachusetts, representative, councilor, justice of the common pleas and superior courts, and was frequently employed In negotia- tions with the Indians. He died June 15, 1748, in his sixty-seventh year. '^ Original, Law Papers, i, 371. Printed: Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. II, 282, VOL. I — p 209 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Capt Shelden tells me that those Nations have not hunted this Spring, neither are they likely to plant, their Chiefs are going to Canada to wait on the Govr & notwithstanding all the Commissioners can say to them there still remains a Suspicion that the English & Dutch had formed a Design to destroy them & besides what the Governour of Canada has said to them, Some English or Dutchman has told them that we had designed their Ruin, but the Commissioners (for some reason) had declined to enquire of them who it was. These people are very numerous, & if they should be drawn to the French Interest they will be worse to us than all Canada. It seems to me unsafe for us to lie still & use no Endeavours to free them from their Jealousies, they are so distrustful of the Dutch that it may be difficult for them to pacify those Nations. I propose to your Excellency whether it would not be worth while to send Capt Martin Kellog of Newington amongst them, he is a man of Good understanding, has formerly been very conversant amongst them, he speaks their Language, and I can't but hope that his going may have a good effect at this Critical Conjuncture. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL [Extracts ^ ] Boston, April 26, 1745. Sir, The bearer John Stinson, master of the sloop Philadelphia, carries another load of provisions to the commandant at Canso for the use of the forces under your command, concern- ing wch I have sent orders to the commandant at Canso that he should forward it to you at Cape Breton by the first safe conveyance, unless he should have receiv'd other orders from you, in which case I have directed him to follow them. I ^ Original, Pepperrell Papers. Printed : 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 127. . . CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY hope you will take particular care to keep up a most frequent correspondence between yourself and Commodore Warren and me. Since my last I have appriz'd the Committee of War that they must compute the number of men in the army and on board the fleet at 4400 at least ; and have obtain'd from the Assembly before their dissolution yesterday a vote impowering the Committee to purchase and send you pro- visions for one month more over and above the four months they were impowered to purchase provisions for before ; so that now you are secure of having five months provisions reckoning from the beginning of the expedition. This is the third sloop's load of provisions wch will have been sent to Canso since the news of your arrival there. I have put 50 more barrells of powder for you on board Capt Gayton who is equipp'd and full mann'd after infinite trouble in getting it done, & will, I hope, sail by Sunday morning at furthest. ... I believe some [match] is made, and what is you shall have and every thing else necessary for your support in my power, who am with the most ardent wishes for your success and prosperity, Sir, Your faithfull friend and servant. W. Shirley. A fourth sloop is loading wth provisions, and I will call upon the Committee every day for an acct of their proceed- ings. Lieutenant General Pepperill. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO JONATHAN LAW ^ Boston, Apr. 27, 1745. Sir, I wrote to your Honour the eighteenth of March last to move you to send Succours from your Government into the County of Hampshire, to which you sent me a favourable ^ Original, Law Papers, i, 361. Printed : Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. II, 283, Shirley's letter of Mar, 18 is in ibid. p. 265. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Answer But I understand the Matter is not yet complied with : I refer you to my Letter for the reasons of my pressing this Matter as a thing of the greatest moment. I have lately received Advices from Colo Stoddard which I now inclose to you, which represent the State of Our Affairs to be such as to require your immediate Assistance. And you will give me Leave to tell your Honour that if your Succours are to be raised & sent, after any Blow is struck, It will be of little Service in Comparison of a Force ready upon the Spot to receive & repel the Enemy, I must therefore repeat my Insistence that no Time may be lost but that your Succours may be sent into the County of Hampshire as soon as possible I am Sir, Your Honour's Most Humble Servt W. Shirley. The honble Jonathan Law Esqr WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO JONATHAN LAW^ Boston, April 27, 1745. Sir, Having by means of one Robert Clarke the Bearer got Intelligence that John Scions, Joseph Boyce, and one Bos- worth conceal themselves at and near a Place called the Ob- long in New York Government & sometimes in your Govern- ment that borders thereupon occasions my present Writing to your Honour. They are men that have been Guilty of enormous Crimes in this Government having been two of them tried and con- victed at Salem for forging & Emitting Counterfeit Bills of Credit & upon praying the Same had the Benefit of their Clergy ^ allowed them since which upon perpetrating fresh Crimes of the like Nature they were taken & Committed to ^ Original, Law Papers, i, 375. Printed: Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. II, 284. See Law to Shirley, June 19, post, p. 230. * In old English law the exemption of ecclesiastics or persons in orders from the jurisdiction of other than ecclesiastical courts. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Salem Gaol from whence they escaped & have for the most part with their Associates & others that joined, ever since continued the like Practices so as to be a Pest to this & the Adjoining Government. It is expected they will be taken in New York Govern- ment or Yours and the Bearer who has been so instrumental in discovering them is resolved to Act every thing in his power for the taking & convicting of them & therefore what is in your Power for countenancing, protecting or Assisting him in the Doing thereof without Question will be complyed with on your part. The Heads of this Confederacy have been bold & daring in their Villanies and have practised the same hitherto with so much success that it will be next to impossible to Suppress this great Mischief without Sup- pressing them and therefore what is in your Power to do towards it without Question will be complyed with I am your Honour's W. Shirley. The honble Jonathan Law Esqr WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM GREENE ^ Boston, May 3, 1745. Sir, The occasion of this Letter is something that has lately happened in the County of Bristol, which tends much to the obstruction of His Majesty's Service in this Province. I gave orders to Col. Bowen and Col. Willis to impress a number of men out of their respective Regiments for the defence of the Frontiers of this Province, and the said orders were executed accordingly, but the greatest number of [the] Men that were impressed absconded after their impressment which is contrary to the Laws of this Province, and many of them are supposed to be retired into Your Government. ^ Printed : R. I. Col. Records, 5, 134. The warrant to Colonel Bowen for impressment is in Boston Public Library of date Apr. 20, 1745. ai3 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY I need not take much pains to show Your Honour of what pernicious consequence it must be, if these Men should meet with the least encouragement within your Governmt ; A few days delay may cost the lives of many innocent people on the frontiers, that now want the protection of this Governmt. I have inclosed a list of those mens names belonging to Col. Bowen's Regiment, who are supposed to be gotten into your Colony, & I desire that Your Honour would give effectual orders to your Officers forthwith to search for the said per- sons & if any of them may be found, to secure them & con- vey them safe into this Province, and there deliver them to Col. Thomas Bowen that so they may be put into His Maj- esty's Service abovementioned or suffer the penalty of the law in that case provided. I am the more earnest in this Affair, because if such disobe- dience to the authority of His Majesty's Government be not discouraged but the offenders finally escape from Justice these examples will soon be multiplied, and what detriment will arise to His Majesty's Service thereupon Your Honour will easily judge. I am Sir Your Honour's most obedient humble Servt W. Shirley. To the Governor of Rhode Island. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL^ Boston, May 5, 1745. Sir, I have the pleasure to inform you, that two hours ago, arriv'd here his Majesty's Ship the princess Mary, of 60 Guns, Captain Edwards Commander, who was sent in Com- pany with the Hector, a 40 Gun Ship, Captn Cornwal Com- mander, to assist in the Expedition against Cape Breton, and was design'd to proceed directly before Louisbourg ^ Original, Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 B, p. 36. Printed: Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. i, 25, 214 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Harbour, but her Bowsprit being sprung she was forc'd to come hither for another, with which Hallowell will furnish her some time tomorrow, and Mr Apthorpe with provisions by the same time, and I am in hopes she will be dispatched from hence, to join Commodore Warren in three or four Days, with the Hector, who is hourly expected in. Captain Loring, by whom I sent my Dispatches advising of the Ex- pedition to the Duke of Newcastle, stay'd but twelve Hours in London, before he was ordered to go on board the princess Mary. The Duke of Newcastle being out of Town, his Secretary, Mr Stone, instantly lay'd my Letters before his Majesty, who upon reading them, was pleas'd to express his approbation of the Expedition, and referr'd the Letters to the Lords of Admiralty, whereupon a Board was call'd at Eleven o'Clock at Night. I understand their Lordships received the Scheme with very great pleasure, and ordered away those two Ships upon the Spot, and would scarce give Loring leave to sleep, whom I sent for a pilot to his Majesty's Ships, before he went on board Captn Edwards. I am. Sir, Your Faithful Friend, and Humble Servant W. Shirley. P.S. I take this opportunity of recommending to you Capn Macdonald ^ Commanding Officer of the Marines on board the princess Mary as a very worthy Officer ; & who has had the Experience of several Campaigns in Flanders : He is well respected by the Duke of Newcastle, & I should esteem your favours to him, as obligations to myself. w. s. ^ Captain McDonald, here recommended by Shirley, was later one cause of the friction between Warren and Pepperrell. See Pepperrell to Shirley, July 17, post^ p. 250. Captain Loring is more commonly known as Commodore Joshua Loring. SIS CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH i Boston, May 13 th, 1745. Sir, I had your favour this afternoon by young Mr. JafFrey, who produced his fathers account, which I desir'd him to deliver to the Treasurer, to whom his Father's receipts I think were given. As to the agreement your Excellency mentions to be made between you and me, that the Com- panies to be rais'd in your Government should consist of 40 men each, and that three companys of 50 men each should at all Events be rais'd by you to be in the pay of this Gov- ernment & added to your companies, I am apt to think may be a mistake ; & would therefore beg the favour of you to let the paragraphs of my several letters upon which you found that agreement, be transcribed & send them to me by the next post (for I have not kept copies of them not imagin- ing that we could mistake each other) and I will in the mean time look out the paragraphs of your Letters that relate to this affair and send them to you by the return of the Post, which I doubt not will clear up the matter between us. It is certain that I always intended and understood the agreement to be that you should if you pleas'd raise as many men to be in the pay of this Province as would make up your 350 a Regiment of 500 men, ever supposing that 350 of the men to be rais'd by you should be in your pay, according to the vote of your assembly, and not that you should raise only 320 men, and this Province pay the 30 men which that num- ber falls short of the Quota of your Government voted to be raised by your Assembly ; but that all the men raised by you within your Province over and above that Quota not exceeding the number of 150, should be in the pay of this Government; and this I consented to at your own request in order to augment your own 350 men, not to ease your Province of any part of that number, which would have been ^Original, Belknap Papers, N. H. Hist. Soc. i, 224. Printed: N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 942. 216 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY an injurious agreement on my part both to his Majesty's service, and this Province, and indeed unpardonable in me with respect to the latter, and unreasonable to be expected or desired of me on the part of your Government. I can't pretend to recollect every expression which may have dropped from my pen on this affair between us ; But I am satisfyed the agreement you mention is so foreign to my intention that upon perusing my letters again and compar- ing 'em with your own you will find the real agreement to be, that all the men not exceeding 150 to be raised by you over and above the Quota of 350 Voted by your Assembly, should be paid and subsisted by this Government. The reason of my mentioning to you the vote of the Assembly of this Province for reducing our Companies from 50 men in each to 40, was to remove the difficulty of their first vote which I was afraid might ly in your way as it did in mine here, by which no Captain that had not raised 50 men was entituled to have his Company received into pay ; whereas by the second vote forty men was to be received as a Com- pany, which I found an ease to me in raiseing my own Levies, but whatever I have said in that respect was not designed in the least as a proposal or agreement that your Companys should be only eight in number and consist of no more than 40 men Each, and that at all events this Province was to pay & subsist 150 men of the New Hampshire Regiment. But upon the whole I ever understood that this Government was to pay and subsist as many men not exceeding 150 as you should raise within your Province over and above your own Governments Quota of 350 and no more. I am with great respect Sir, your Excellencys most obedient humble servant W. Shirley. His Excy Govr Wentworth. P.S. Upon second thoughts — If the 350 men voted by your assembly were for the sea service as well as the Land, and 30 of 'em were appropriated to the sea, I mean the 217 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Transports, then eight Companies of 40 men each will make your Quota of Land forces, according to your Intention, tho' I did not understand it so at first. But I am willing that should be so. But then 320 of the men raised by you must in all justice & reason be in your pay, as that is your Quota voted by yr Assembly. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELLi Boston, May 17th, 1745. Sir, In pursuance of the inclosed Advice of the Council I have requested Commodore Warren, who will transmit this to you, to discharge such of our hir'd Cruizers as he thinks his Majesty's Service will dispense wth, first advising with you upon it, by letting you know his determination in the matter by a line to you, that you may apprize him of any particular Service, wch you may have for any of 'em. I think Rouse should be kept longest in pay of any of 'em, as being the best Sailor, and very capable of Service : You will be pleased to consider also whether Donahew, and Bosch may be spar'd. I have desir'd Mr Warren to spare likewise Smethurst and Fletcher for the protection of our own Coast, and to send ^ Original, A. L. S. Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 B, p. 55. Pepperrell's 1400-word letter to Shirley of May 12 giving an account of the engagement with the French at Chap- peaurouge Bay and the favorable position gained as a result had probably not been read at this time. In another place Shirley speaks of receiving it on Friday (May 17), but although in "hourly expectation of news," the packet was as yet unopened. Pepperrell's letter of May 12 was sent to Newcastle and is in P. R. O., C. O. 5, 900, p. 183. A copy was forwarded to Governor Law of Connecticut on May 18 (see Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. 11, 289), and a second copy forwarded to England is in Admir. Sec. Insular Letters, 3817. It was in reply to this letter that Shirley wrote Pepperrell on May 22 : "your packet has given me and the Council and your country the highest satisfaction in your conduct which, we hope, will soon com- pass the reduction of Louisbourg itself." 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. 10, 205. 218 'i ■<; V 4 .^ ^ -§ ,« ,^^ :s § s a -5 s -i X «3 '^ cs tq fe; ^s a, v^ s CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY 'em home as soon as may be ; But all these things must give way to his Majesty's Service in the present Expedition, wch must be consulted in the first place : And whatever the Com- modore shall determine concerning the Employment of any of the Cruizers will I am sure be quite satisfactory to the province : If Sanders likewise can be spar'd, we have use for him here. But we must referr every thing intirely to the Commodore and you in this Affair. If you have room to fill up a first Lieutenancy for young Mr Cosby, I should be glad, as also for Colonel Bradstreet's Nephews, who went in Captn Gayton. We are in hourly expectation of News from you ; and with our most Ardent Wishes and prayers for your Success I am Sir Your most Assur'd and Faithful Friend and Servant W. Shirley. Lieut. Genl. Pepperrill. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL [Extract ^] Boston, May 25, 1745. Sir, In answer to the letters I sent to the governments of New England pressing for a reinforcement of men, I have receiv'd from Governr Wentworth that he will use his best endeavours with his new Assembly, which is to meet the 5th of next month ; ^ from the Rhode Island Governour that he will use his with the Assembly of that Colony, which sits to-morrow ; and from the Governour of Connecticut that the Assembly of that Colony have voted two companies of 100 men each, exclusive of commission officers, to be rais'd instantly ^; and * Printed in full: 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 217. * See N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 752 ; R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 113 ; Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. II, 296. 219 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY as I have promis'd in order to induce 'em the more readily to raise men that I would take care that the troops should be convoy'd to Cape Breton, I have desir'd the Cofhodore to enable me to do it by instantly sending away to New London the Connecticut Colony sloop and one other of our cruizers besides Semthurst and Fletcher, whom I desir'd for the pro- tection of our own coasts. I meet our own Assembly Thurs- day next. I am assur'd that the 170 troops which I hourly expect from England under the command of Captn Winslow have orders to proceed directly to Boston, and there to take their orders from me, and if I send 'em upon no other service, for 'em to proceed from hence to Annapolis Royal. If I find I can with any safety to the garrison send 'em to Cape Breton I will do it, but I shall be very tender of leaving that expos'd to any risque for the want of 'em. Since I begun this letter I am inform'd that 400 of the Nova Scotians enlisted at Schiegneto and Menis in the enemy's service, and have been training all this winter under officers from Canada. It grieves me much that I have it not in my power to send a party of 500 men forthwith to Menis, and burn Grand Pre, their chief town, and open all their sluices, and lay their country waste at the back of their camp, which might be done with such a number in a night's time. But if it pleases God that we succeed at Cape Breton, I doubt not but we shall settle Nova Scotia upon a better foot for the future. >i> >i( * 4: * * 4: Sir, Your faithful friend and humble servant. W. Shirley. Lieut. Genl. Pepperill. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ' (Duplicate) Boston, June 2, 1745. My Lord Duke, I have to add to my other Pacquets by this Ship, which is upon the Point of Sailing, that I have just now received Dis- patches from Lieutenant Governour Mascarene informing me that on the 24th of May the French and Indians before his Majesty's Garrison at Annapolis Royal struck their Standard & raised the Seige of that Place, having received Orders from Louisbourg by a Messenger Conveyed from thence for that purpose, to quit the Seige and come to their Relief. Whether they will endeavour to make a Diversion by attempting to surprize Canso, where I could spare no more than a detachment of eighty men from the Land Forces em- ployed in the Seige of Louisbourg, or to come upon the back of our Camp before Louisbourg is uncertain : But I have the Satisfaction to hear from Mr Mascarene and Mr Engineer Bastide, that the Latter (whom with Governour Mascarene I had before soUicited strongly for the Assistance of one En- gineer & some Gunners from Annapolis) sail'd on the 27th of May in an arm'd Sloop belonging to the Board of Ordnance with an Assistant Engineer, a Master Smith, who is likewise a good Artillery Officer, & two Gunners from the Garrison for Canso and Cape Breton, both which places I hope they will reach before the Enemy can reach either of them. I have upon this Advice sent further Stores to Canso, & apprized the General and Commodore by a Pacquet Boat, of this Incident. I have the honour to be with the most dutiful! Regards My Lord Duke Your Grace's most obedient and most dutiful Servant ^ ^ His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed: r> ^ t Boston June 2, 1745 Qovr Shirley] 5 July 17 ■' ^ ,^P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 900, p. 193. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM PEPPERRELL TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY [Extracts ^] Camp, June 2d, 1745. May it please your Excellency, Inclos'd is a copy of my last pr Smith, since which our batteries have been employ'd in the best manner the gun- ners I could here pick up & the scantiness of ammunition would admit of. Our powder has been some days since expended, as well the 100 half barrels sent pr Capt Gayton as the whole of what was first brought from Boston. We are now also in want of shott of all sorts. ... I have borrow'd of Commodre Warren 187I barrels gunpowder, but have not the least encouragemt from him to expect any further supply, so am unavoidably oblig'd to press on your Excellency the necessity of an ample supply for our future occasions, as well as to return Mr Warren the quantity ^ Pepperrell Papers, Mass. Hist. Society. Printed : 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 241. For the months of June and July there is an interesting Journal of Events at Louisbourg by Roger Wol- cott of Connecticut, printed in Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. Vol. i. Sir William Pepperrell was born in Kittery, Maine, June 27, 1696, and died there July 6, 1759. His father was a native of Devon- shire, and had been a merchant in America for about twenty years at the time of his son's birth. Entering his father's business at an early age, young Pepperrell was appointed Captain of Cavalry when twenty-one, and by successive advance became Colonel of the regiment with command of all the militia in Maine at the age of thirty. Three years earlier he had married Mary Hirch, a granddaughter of Judge Samuel Sewall. Family position and wealth aided in securing Pepperrell's election to the Massa- chusetts Legislature and Council, and in 1730, although with no legal training, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of York, an office he held until his death. Offered the command of the Louisbourg expedition by Governor Shirley, he accepted the post and sailed from Boston with the Massachusetts troops Mar. 24, 1744-45. On June 16 the city capitulated, and although not made commander of the city as he had hoped, Pepperrell was made a Baronet and appointed Colonel of an American regiment to be raised on the English establishment, an honor shared with Shirley himself. CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY borrow'd of him. . . . We have made many essays for an attack on the Island Battery, in the last of wch abt 400 of the army were detach'd for that purpose, but by the strength of that fortress, & the advantage the enemy had of us by their being under cover, & our men quite open & expos'd, we were repuls'd with the loss of near half our party, either kill'd, drown'd, or taken prisoners, that I ap- prehend no further attempts will be made on that fortress by boats ; since this misfortune the enemy have doubled their fire on our trenches at the West Gate, but to no great advantage on their part, we keeping our ground there. Commodore Warren's squadron has some days since been join'd by the Princess Mary & Hector ; and on the morrow by the assistance of 600 men I have ordered him out of the army & transports, wch upon Comre Warren's repeated solicitations my Council advised to, as necessary for his majesty's service, wch will have the addition of a fine French prize ship of 64 guns, wch in my last I inform'd your Ex- cellency he was then engag'd with, so that I hope he will be able effectually to support the blockade by sea. By that prize we learn that another ship of like force is daily ex- pected here with three store ships from France, wch hope will fall into his hands, wch if he is able to man her, and the Newfoundland ships join the squadron, hope shall be safe at all events in that quarter, but for the land service we are inferiour in number to any account of the enemy's forces, whose not sallying on us hitherto must be owing to their apprehension of our being much more formidable than we are. We have abt 1500 sick & wounded men, from whom have little prospect of service, so that a reinforcemt of near 3000 men is absolutely necessary. Should we be so happy as to reduce this formidable place before their arrival, they will notwithstanding be most of them necessary to sustain the town, the Royall & Island Batterys, until his Majesty takes the same under the charge of his troops. I have heard nothing of Smithurst since his being in bad weather on his passage from St Ann's. If he is well he must be at Boston long before this can reach your hands. 223 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY No ship has got into Louisbourg since my last. There is a French ship of 30 & another of 26 guns cruizing be- tween this & Cape Sables, for want of an entry into this port. Wish it were in my power without prejudice to the siege to promote any of the ships of war going for protection of the New Engd coast. We are now erecting a battery on the light house point to play on the Island Battery, & prevent the entrance of any French ships into the port, wch hope in two days will be ready for service. . . . I have been waiting wth four of my Council for several days past to have an interview wth Commodore Warren, at his desire, on board his ship, but fogs and bad weather hitherto prevent our meeting. If it be possible to settle with him a general attack it will be done ^ ; but should the event be heavy on the land forces we shall be only able to act the defensive part for a while by cover of the ships, without a considerable reinforcemt from our province & our neighbouring provinces & colonies, who had too mean thoughts of the strength, and I wish they may not yet of the consequence, of this place to his Majesty's Northern Colo- nies and all his dominions. I had in due time your Ex- cellency's favours of 10 & 17th ulto. Whether Colo Mc- Donald will come on shoar to join our forces, or enter the town by boats from the men of war is not yet settled. As to dismissg any of the cruizers, I fear it may at present be attended wth great inconvenience. I shall advise with Commodore Warren, & endeavr that these be not kept longer than their service be of more consequence to the province than their pay wch is exhorbitant. Donahew, as I under- stand, is gone for Boston without any directions from me, and ordered the prizes & prisoners from Canso, I wish they may be all well. We have abt 200 shells of 13 inches yet by us, found at the Royall Battery, but the engineers say they're something too large for the mortar brot wth us. I propose ^ A consultation of officers had been held on the Superbe May 25, as a result of which Warren had issued general orders to vessels, giving the line of battle for entering Louisbourg harbor. These are printed 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 220. 224 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY to send this under Rous's convoy to Cape Sables. I shall write yr Excellency again by Capt Gayton. In the mean time, I am, your Excellency's, &c. W. P. To his Excellency, &c., &c., &c. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL [Extracts ^] Boston, June 3, 1745. Sir, I had the pleasure of receiving your packet of the 19th, 20th, & 23d of May, giving me an account of your transport- ing your eight cannon of 22lb shott, & erecting a second bat- tery within 200 yards of the west part of the town, both which I acknowledge are beyond my own expectations, tho I thought it prudent to send the two trains of artillery. I am very sensible of the extreme dliRculty and fatigue wch must have attended the execution of these two things, wch are very considerable points gain'd agt the enemy, and I hope such a breach will be soon made in their gate and works as may afford an entrance by assault into that part of the town, when it shall be thought advisable to make one upon it, wch whenever it is done I could wish it might be in con- junction with the sea forces entring the harbour and attack- ing the town on that side, rather than by an assault by land only, wth the assistance of 1500 seamen landing for that purpose, as the Commodore proposes (with your consent), in case upon a General Council of land and sea officers it shall be thought not adviseable for the ships to enter the harbour, wch I should think could not have been a question in the least had the Island Battery been taken. ... I congratulate you upon his taking the Vigilant, wch I am endeavouring to get mann'd from hence with the utmost dispatch. If possible to be done. This is an heavy blow indeed upon the enemy, and I hope may be foUow'd with one or two captures soon of the same nature. ^ Printed in full : 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 252. VOL.1 — Q 225 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY I apprlz'd you In my last that the governmt of Connecti- cutt was raising 200 more men, and our Genl Court has voted 400 more. I shall strain hard for 500. Rhode Island has voted 150 more; and the New Hampshire sets to-day. The Jerseys has voted 200olb In provisions, and another sub- scription is on foot at York. But the men Is the material article, wch I shall hurry away with the utmost dispatch, but can't send 'em 'till some of our cruizers and transports arrive here from you, wch pray let us have. I am In some pain for Smethurst, as also least the 800 French and Indians wch were lately besieging the garrison at Annapolis Royal should surprize either Canso, or come by surprize on the back of our army before Loulsburg, or get into the town. For preventing the first I think one of our 20 gun cruizers at least should be a guard to Canso, If not a detachment of 50 men at least, or 100 If possible to be spared, orderd to It, and a very good lookout kept by our cruizers round the Island. I suppose Mr Bastlde Is arrlv'd with you by this time, with the Assistant Engineer Combrune, his master smith, and two good gunners from Annapolis Royal. They set sail the 27th of May, and Inform me that the siege was rals'd the 24th by order from Loulsburg wch requlr'd those Indians and Canadeans to come forthwith to the relief of the town, or to surprize Canso. Govr Mascarene writes me word that by the two vessells wch escap'd into Louisbourg harbour the enemy were advls'd of a 72 and three other large ships of warr, with two frigates of 36 guns each lying ready In Brest to sail wth the new Governour and Mr Duvlvler for Louisbourg. Those advices doubtless gave the enemy resolution to hold out 'till the arrival of that arma- ment. But I should think when they were apprlz'd of the large ship's being intercepted by the Commodore (wch I shrewdly suspect must have the new Governour and Mr Duvlvler in It, or at least one of 'em), and the others being In danger of sharing the same fate that It must lower their spirits & make 'em more flexible to terms of capitulation. I am extremely glad that Annapolis Royal is at present out of danger. Had it been taken the Inhabitants would have 226 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY instantly taken up arms, and made it difficult to have been retaken, and perhaps have come upon your back besides. ******* Your most faithfull friend & Servt W. Shirley.^ Honble Genl Pepperill. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO GIDEON WANTON ^ Boston, June 6, 1745. Sir, Notwithstanding I have but five days ago applied to you for the Assistance of your government in manning the Vigilant prize, for His Majesty's Service at Cape Breton, I find it necessary to trouble you with a second letter upon that Affair for although the General Assembly of this Prov- ince has granted a bounty of £3 in bills of the new tenor to each Volunteer that shall enlist and I have besides issued my Warrants for impressing Seamen for this Service, I find my endeavors will be to little purpose, whilst all mariners subject to be impressed here into His Majesty's Service, fly to Rhode Island to avoid it (as indeed has been long the practice) and are there sheltered and encouraged, where (I am credibly informed) there are at this time many hundreds of foreign Seamen daily walking the streets of Newport, whilst scarce one is to be found in Boston ; from whence I am assured in particular that upwards of twenty have secretly fled towards your Colony from my Impress Warrants, within these last two or three days.^ This being the case Sir, I think it necessary to inform you ^ The last paragraph of this letter illustrates the prevailing opinion regarding the Acadians held at this time. A postscript is omitted. 2 pj-jnted : R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 136. ^ The resolutions referred to by Shirley were of June i and were as follows : In the House of Representatives, June i, I74S- Voted. — That His Excellency, the Captain General, be desired as soon as may be, to cause to be impressed such seamen as are 227 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY of it, & as I have the honor of receiving (among other in- structions from His Majesty upon this occasion) his express commands to supply Commodore Warren with what men and shipping he shall want for the protection of His Majesty's Subjects in his Northern Colonies, and the annoyance of his Enemies, and their Settlements in these Parts ; and Mr. Warren has applied to me to furnish him v/ith Seamen, to man the Vigilant for His Majesty's Service at Cape Breton, I hope you will excuse me if I repeat my Application to your Governmt for that purpose ; and that particularly at so critical a conjuncture for His Majesty's Service, and the general interest of all his Northern Colonies (in which your own has a very considerable share) as the present emergency plainly is, you will exert yourselves in the most effectual manner, for furnishing Mr. Warren with Seamen, which I am satisfied it is in the power of your Governmt to do, either by offering the same bounty to volunteers as this governmt has done, or by impressing ; and that you will not permit your Colony to be an Assylum to all mariners com- ing into New England, for screening themselves from His Majesty's Service, especially when Mr. Warren has offered all Volunteers the advantageous terms of entering into pay from the time of their enlistment, and being discharged if they desire it at the end of the Expedition, or his sooner re- turn to Boston ; which makes their declining to serve their King and Country upon this occasion wholly inexcusable. I am Sir, Your Honour's obedient humble Servt. W. Shirley. To the honble Gideon Wanton, Esq. foreigners, belonging to all inward bound vessels, (coasting and provision vessels coming from the northward of South Carolina, on the Continent, excepted,) in order for manning the Vigilant, a ship of war, lately taken by the Hon'ble Commodore Warren, from the French ; and that there be allowed and paid out of the public Treasury, the sum of £3, to every other able bodied man that shall voluntarily enlist himself in His Majesty's service, for the manning the said ship, the Vigilant, to make up in the whole, with those impressed, the number of three hundred men. 228 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO JONATHAN LAW [Extract *] Boston, 15 June, 1745. Sir, I have just now receiv'd Letters from General Pepperrell & Commodore Warren, by which I learn that altho' we have suffered some Loss of men (between 100 & 200) in an Attack of the Island Battery, wch miscarried, yet that we have obtained considerable Advantages agst the Enemy in taking several of their provision Vessels, & worsting them in some Skirmishes, our parties have had with them, & by the Intelligence they have reed from Prisoners, wch is confirmed by other Circumstances, the Enemy are short of Provisions & Ammunition, But as the Number of our Men there are not equal to the Greatness of the Enterprize, & therefore the Duty is heavy on the Officers & Soldiers they press impor- tunately for at least three thousand Land Troops as ab- solutely necessary to reinforce them, & a considerable Num- ber of Seamen for manning the Ship Vigilant. ... I do assure you that I find the Assembly were well spirited to support the Expedition to their utmost, and that they will do all that they can to furnish the necessary Recruits, but it is not possible nor can it be expected that we should answer these Demands of Recruits without very great As- sistance from our Neighbors. We hear nothing of our Transports coming from Cape Breton, and are taking up fresh Transports for our own Troops here, & are afraid there will be a Necessity for your doing the same, tho' we hope you may depend upon Convoy wch we expect every day from thence. ^ Original, Conn. Hist. Soc, Law Papers, i, 366. Printed : ibtd. Coll. II, 302. A similar letter to Governor Wentworth of New Hampshire is In N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 947, and to Governor Wanton of Rhode Island in Corres. Col. Govs, of R. 1. i, 346. See also Pepperrell to Shirley of June 5, 1745, in 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. ID, 261, and Shirley to Colonel Thomas Bowen of June 19 in Boston Public Library. 229 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY It will be of great Consequence that I hear speedily from you for the Encouragement of our friends at Cape Breton. I am Sir, Your Honour's obedient humble Servant W. Shirley. P.S. I hope your honour will exert your self upon this Occasion ; it is the very Crisis of the fate of the Colonies of New England. I must press you in the Strongest manner to augment the number of your recruits ; and to imbark those already raised as soon as possible, as I shall begin to do throut this Province. The Disappointment from the Trans- ports not being sent by the General, as he propos'd is un- foreseen & unavoidable : pray don't let that be any obstacle in the case. The Quantity of ammunition I must now send down is exceeding great but we regard not Expence. The honourable Jonathan Law Esqr. JONATHAN LAW TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY ^ Milford, June 19th, 1745. Sr, Saturday night was Sennit a Justice of peace on our western Borders informed me of one who Contrived to Expose young Boyce and others to be taken in the Very act of using the Counterfeit plates in a Certain Swamp in the oblong on tuesday following but it being out of this Govermt I sent the Justice directly to Govr Clinton to Inform of the Stratagem thinking nothing was wanting but an authority & assistance Sufficient would readily be had of our people within ten miles of the Spot, he Shewed me two rhoad island xxs bills one with Divers mistakes in it the other with those errors in the plate rectified taken of the day before, and the Justice returned with a Letter the Govr Signifying that the ^ Cont. copy. Conn. Hist. Soc, Law Papers, i, 332. Printed : ibid. Coll. II, 312. See Shirley to Law, Apr. 27, ante, p. 211. 230 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Council were of opinion that there was no foundation for a warrant, the Justice being able to Sware only to heresays but the undertaker had found the plates a 20s Rh and an half a Crown Plate & a N. Y. plate of 20s not perfectly Compleated, Press cloths and other implements &c : Sends them over the Line, Decoys Boyce & one Hurlburt a partner into the Edge of this Govmt Seizeth them & they are in N. Haven Gaol Hurlburt Confesseth himself Guilty and ac- cuseth 22 persons as Confederate with them Boyces father & Scions were transported through this Govrmt to you Some time Since. So far as I can Learn our troops have been Enlisted a Considerable time since when the transports are Likely to be here shall Exspect Speedy Information. In hast ask your Excellencys pardon for this trouble & Conclude as your Humble Servant j j To Govr Shirley Endorsed: Copy of a Letter to Govr Shirley June 19 1745 WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO GIDEON WANTON ^ gj^ Boston, June 24, 1745. The Siege of Loulsbourg having quite exhausted all our Magazines of powder except a necessary Store for Castle William, and it being uncertain what further demand of powder there may be for His Majesty's Service at that place & when any further Supplies of It may be brought in here, I must desire your Honour to lay an Embargo upon all the powder now lying in your Stores or Magazines (as I have done for several months past in this Province) so as to secure it for some time for the Service of the present Expedition against Cape Breton at the market price in case it should be wanted. I am Sir Your Honours most Obedient, Humble Servt To His Honour, Governor Wanton. iTrr p W. Shirley. ^ Printed : R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 137. 231 CORIlESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM PEPPERRELL TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY ^ May it please your Excellency, My last was by the Hector, man of war, Capt Corn- wall, who saild for Boston 30th ulto, duplicate of which I now inclose to your Excellency, also copies of my letters to the Duke of Newcastle and Lords of the Admiralty, and a list of the artillery & warlike stores here, and of Mr Bastide's estimate of the repairs necessary, likewise du- plicate of the advice of the Council of War relating to sd repairs and copy of their further advice thereon wch hope will be acceptable to your Excellency. By the last you'll find it is propos'd that bills be drawn by Commodore Warren & myself on his Majesty's Treasury for payment of sd repairs, which he is very confident will be honoured, which bills are to be dispos'd of for sterling money in order to pay off the workmen weekly, the better to encourage them therein ; and the Council have made choice of two treasurers jointly to receive and pay sd money, one of which was nominated by me and the other by Commodore Warren, and the repairs are to be carried on as fast as possible under the direction of Mr Bastide, but all kinds of materials there- for are wanted, of which he has given in a list, copy of which also have herewith inclos'd, and pray your Excellency would be pleas'd to give such orders as your wisdom shall think best, there being but a very small quantity of any of these species here at present. I find many in the army are very impatient to return home, and plead your Excellency's proclamation ; they are also very desirous that some suitable person should go to England that their services in this expedition may be justly and fully represented, and the Council have requested & urged me to go in Rous, & to take with me a gent, from the Connectt. and N. Hampshire regiments, but as I imagine that I ought not to leave my station here 'till your Excellency's mind is known thereon I have declin'd it, but as your presence here * Printed: 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 310. 232 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY is earnestly requested & expected, I shall impatiently wait for that favour in order to your Excellency's giving the neces- sary directions relating to this place and army, and that I may obtain leave to return to my family. In the mean time shall permit none of the troops to return but such persons as the committee appointed for that purpose shall advise to. Capt Rous has brought from Annapolis two mortars and sundry stores which it is thought adviseable should be re- tain'd here at present ; those sent from Boston I propose to return by first opportunity. Commodore Warren has aken loobbs more of powder out of the Annapolis storeship, to be replaced with the other 5obbs in Boston, wch I promised to recommend to your Excellency. The principal French officers wth their families & several of the inhabitants are at last, not without difficulty, embarked on board the Lances- ton, and several transports are saild for Rochfort in France yesterday, being about 1200. Monsieur Duchambon at going off insisted on a ratification of the capitulation which was accordingly made, copy of which have now also inclosed to your Excellency. I am much concern'd for a seasonable supply of provisions. There being many necessaries on board some of the prizes here which the army are in great want of, it was thought advise- able that proper officers should be appointed for the legal tryal & condemnation of them, and I have joind with Com- modore Warren in erecting a Court of Admiralty for that purpose for the present exigency. Capt Rous is to sail for Engd wth his dispatches to-morrow. Capt Becket is arrived here from the Gut of Canso, and in- forms that the Rhode Island sloop wth Donahew and him- self met wth four vessells full of French & Indns in the Bay of Verte, suppos'd to be those from Annapolis, wth whom they had a skirmish, but that they retreated to the head of the Bay and escaped. Your Excellency will please to observe that in the letter to the Duke of Newcastle we mention our thoughts of a treaty with the Indians, and we imagine it might be of good consequence, if the Indians taken by Capt Donahew should 233 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY be sent here. Since the above, I have your Excellency's favour pr Giddins, and observe wth the greatest gratitude the kind concern & care of your Excellency & our country in the supplies sent, wch are not unseasonable tho' we are so happy as to be within the city. The army is yet in great want of shoes, hose, and cloathing of all kinds. I shall pay all regard to your Excellency's recommendations, & have delivered your messages to the Brigadiers & Colo Bradstreet. Was it not for the reason before mentioned, and that I am afraid it would make an uneasiness in the army, I should take the first opportunity to repair to N. Engd. I am, wth all duty & respect. Your Excellency's most obedt and most humb. servt. W. P. Louisbourg, July 4th, 1745. His Excellency Govr Shirley, &c., Sec, &c. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL^ Boston, July 7, 1745. Sir, I have the pleasure of receiving by Capt Bennet your account of the reduction of Cape Breton with its depend- encies to the obedience of his Majesty, upon which I con- gratulate you and the other officers and the whole army under your command, who by their late bravery and un- parallell'd services before Louisbourg have lay'd a most lasting foundation for the wealth, peace, and prosperity of this country, and acquir'd an honour to themselves and glory to the New England arms which must make a shining part of the English history to the latest posterity. I approve of the terms of the capitulation ^ which you and Commodore Warren granted to the enemy ; for had Louis- bourg been carried by storm the conquest must in all human ' Printed : 6 Mass, Hist. Soc. 10, 320. ^ See Pepperrell to Shirley, July 4, and the terms of the capitula- tion, June 16, 1745, on p. 239. 234 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY probability have cost the lives of looo or 1500 brave New- England men, which I should have esteem'd an irreparable loss, whereas the army's disappointment of the plunder of the town may be recompens'd to 'em by their King and country, for obtaining which and every thing else in my power for their service my best endeavours, they may de- pend upon it, shall be exerted. It is a special favour of the Divine Providence which has most remarkably attended our forces thro the whole course of this enterprize that this formidable fortress has been gain'd with the loss of only about 100 men, as you inform me. And I hope the whole army will most thankfully and devoutly acknowledge it to the Lord of Hosts, their protector, who has thus graciously subdued their enemies for 'em, as I design their brethren in this Province shall do in a day of solemn thanksgiving to be observ'd on the i8th instant. It will be necessary for you to stay with the forces at Louisbourg 'till I shall receive his Majesty's pleasure con- cerning it, which I hope I may do speedily, and I now send you orders accordingly ; and I doubt not but the same principles of loyalty to their King and love to their country, which first led the troops to make this glorious acquisition, will still warm their hearts and make 'em desirous to pre- serve it from falling again into the enemy's hands, before his Majesty shall have garrison'd it, and that they will continue to yield till that time a most dutiful and willing obedience to your command, and particularly that they will not sully the honour of their arms by any murmurs or discontent or strife among 'em. There is honour enough gain'd by their late services for ten times their number of troops to share with satisfaction. I design, if his Majesty's service does not indispensably require my attendance at Boston, to come to the army the latter end of this month, and attend the service there for five or six weeks, and would have the Massachusetts frigate come without delay to Boston to fetch me, if the Commodore can spare it. Mrs Shirley will come with me, and perhaps two or three more, and should I go in the Lark, some of the 235 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY company which is to attend on Mrs Warren must be shut out of that vessell, which I should be loath to have done. But I shall come out in company with the Lark. I am, Sir, to yourself and the whole army, A most assur'd friend and servant. W. Shirley. Honble Gen Pepperill. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELLi Boston, July 7th, 1745. Sir, You will perceive that the inclos'd is calculated for the army ; and I accordingly desire you will order it to be read at the head of every regiment by some person of a distinct and audible voice. I have carefully noted the contents of your two last by Bennet, and shall pay a just regard to 'em. It is with infinite satisfaction that I congratulate you upon the success of the forces under your command, who deserve largely of his Majesty's favour for their extraordinary services to him and their country, for which last they have gain'd immortal honour by their behaviour under your most worthy conduct, which ought to render you dear to every man who wishes well to New England, and will, I doubt not, recommend you to his Majesty's favour. In the midst of this joy it is no small damp to me to find that Mr Warren designs to take upon himself the chief command on shoar, the attempting which I am satisfy'd will produce great discontent here as well as in the army, and be very prejudicial to his Majesty's service in all the colonies of New England by putting an end to expeditions from hence for his Majesty's service. I have already ob- serv'd the seeds of great discontent, both here and in letters from the camp, arising from a jealousy of this scheme, and they will soon burst out, I am affraid, into an unquenchable ^ Printed : 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 322. 236 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY flame, If it is attempted to be carry'd into execution. And I can't but think it will be censur'd by his Majesty in Council as an unwarrantable usurpation, in case the dispute should come to be decided there, as it must finally if it should arise to a dispute. What points you may have given up to the Commodore I can't judge at this distance, but observe that the order of your signing your respective names is alter'd, and the direction from Mr Duchambon to you is inverted, the Com- modore being now first nam'd in the instruments. If he should offer to assume a command over you, which he must do if he takes the chief command of the place upon himself, it will be something extraordinary indeed, and what I suppose you will not submit to, as it must detract from the honour of his Majesty's commission to me, under which you are appointed. To say the truth I am In great pain for the mischiefs that will ensue to his Majesty's service upon such an attempt, which I have mention'd to the Commodore, and to prevent the danger of 'em Is the chief reason of my coming to Louisbourg. You must not have the least thought of quitting Louisbourg till we know his Majesty's pleasure concerning it. If you should desire to do It, there will be the utmost confusion and disorder, and your King and country and own honour will suffer exceedingly. I recelv'd advice last night from the Governour of Con- necticut that the Assembly there had voted 300 men more (besides the 200 lately voted) to be forthwith rals'd for the service of the expedition, provided I can procure the convoy of their own Colony sloop for 'em, or some other vessell of force, which I hope the Commodore will dispatch away to New London as soon as may be. The French have made great rejoicing at Martinique upon news they have heard that four French men of war have enter'd Louisbourg, and rals'd the siege and klU'd the Commodore. But I hope he will live to carry one of the most principal flags in England into their harbour, as he has carry'd his Commodore's Into that of Louisbourg. He Is too valuable a man for his country to lose yet awhile. I have as high 237 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY an opinion of his merit as you have, but he is certainly mis- taken In the point I have before mentlon'd. I am, Sir, Your most faithful friend and servant. W. Shirley. Pray excuse me to Brigadiers Waldo and Dwight and Colonel Bradstreet till next ship. The Lark Is, I believe, coming in. I shall hope for an exact account of the stores and state of Louisbourg, &ca, by her. P.S. None of the bomb shells are prov'd, so you must prove 'em there. Honble Genl. Pepperlll. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL i Boston, July 9, 1745. Sir, It was thought best, when the Caesar arrlvd, that she should be immediately dismlss'd the Service but when we were inform'd that the Sea men enlisted at Rhode Island for the Vigilant were coming to Boston to be transported to the Fleet it was thought proper again to employ the Snow for that Service. And the Committee of War have agreed with the Owners both of the Snow & the Ship Fame that said Vessels may be discharg'd three days after the Snow shall join the Fleet and their pay is then to cease whereas by the first agreement they were to continue in Pay till they re- turn'd to Newport. I am of opinion as these Vessels are upon a most extravagant hire they should be dismlss'd as soon as ever the Service will admit of it and as they purpose to proceed on a Cruize they will at least expect all the men they brought from Newport with them, and it is agreeable to the promise I made the Owner, but a number of the men that were taken out of this Ship & Snow to mann his Majestys ^ Original, L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 B, p. 141. 238 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Ships were Inhabitants of this Province & enlisted at Cape Ann and they had the promise of the Government that they should not be compell'd to proceed on any other Cruize but should return & be discharg'd with the other Seamen in the Service of the Province at the end of the Expedition, so I think the Commanders of these two Vessels have no Pre- tence to any of those men unless they are willing to enlist with them. I am Sir, Your Assured Friend and Servant W. Shirley. Honble Lieutent Genl Pepperill. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE LORDS OF TRADE ' Boston, July lo, 1745. My Lords, A. I have now the Honour to congratulate your Lordships upon the Reduction of Cape Breton with it's Dependencies to the Obedience of his Majesty, which was compleated by the Surrender of Louisbourg on the 17th of last Month upon Terms of the French Garrison's being permitted to march out of the Town with their Arms and the other Honours of Warr, and all the Inhabitants to carry off their Effects and be transported to France at his Majesty's Expence. A Copy of the Ratification of the Terms of the Capitulation made by the Enemy I inclose to your Lordships.^ ^ P. R. O., C. O, 5, 885, p. 153. A letter to Newcastle on the same subject and of the same date is in C. O. 5, 900, p. 197. ^A"CoPY OF THE Ratification of the Capitulation made FOR the Surrender of Louisbourg and its Dependencies" follows : Ratification of the terms of Capitulation made & concluded on for the surrender of Lewisbourg & territories adjacent to the obedience of his Brittanick Majesty, June i6th, 1745, O. S. On the part of his Most Christian Majesty it is agreed & con- 239 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Our Battery upon the Light House point erected with incredible Labour to our Troops thro the Steepness of the Hill and the bad ground, over which the Artillery was transported by Hand, distress'd the Enemy so exceedingly sented that the city of Lewlsbourg on the island of Cape Breton, with the fortifications & batteries thereof, also the fortifications, batteries & territories adjacent, together with all the artillery, arms, & stores of war thereunto belonging be forthwith surren- dered & delivered up to the obedience of the Crown of Great Britain, & that all the subjects of his Brittanick Majesty who are prisoners in Lewisbourg shall be immediately deliv'd up, & that none of the officers, soldiers, nor inhabitants in Lewisbourg who are subjects of the French King shall take up arms against his Brittanick Majesty, nor any of his allies untill after the expiration of the full term of twelve months from this time. On the part of his Brittanick Majesty it is agreed & consented that upon sd surrender & due performance of every article of the aforesd premises to be made & compleated as soon as possible, the following articles shall be allowed & granted, viz. That all the subjects of the French King now in sd city & terri- tory shall be treated with the utmost humanity & have their per- sonal estates secured to them & have liberty to transport them- selves & sd effects to any part of the French King's dominions in Europe. That if the vessells in the harbour of Lewisbourg belonging to the French there shall be found insufficient for the transportation of their persons & proposed effects to France, such a further num- ber shall be provided on his Britannick Majesty's accot as may be sufficient for that purpose, also any provisions necessary for the voiage that they cannot furnish themselves with. That all the commission officers belonging to the garrison & the inhabitants of the town may remain in their houses with their familys & enjoy the free exercise of their religion, & no person shall be suffer'd to misuse or molest any of them, till such time as they can conveniently be transported to France. That the non-commission officers & soldiers shall immediately upon the surrender of the town & fortresses be put on board some of his Brittanick Majesty's ships till they can also be transported to France. That all the sick & wounded now in Lewisbourg, subjects of the French King shall be taken care of in the same manner with those of his Britanick Majesty. That the commander-in-chief now in the garrison shall have leave to send off two cover'd waggons, to be inspected only by one 340 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY in their Island Battery, particularly with the Bombs thrown from it (as the General informs me) and the incessant Fire from the Grand Battery and our other Batteries, which was greatly increas'd on the i6th of June beyond what it was before, was so insupportable to the Enemy that they were confin'd to their cover'd ways, and some drove out of the Island Battery into the Sea ; all which besides the An- noyance from our Musquetry, that made it dangerous for any man to shew his head above the Ramparts, brought the Enemy on the same day to beat a Parley and desire a Suspension of Hostilities, 'till they could draw up Terms of a Capitulation, which was compleated the day following, and Possession of the Town and Batteries deliver'd up ; the former of which (as the General and Commodore in- form me) is greatly damag'd in all it's Buildings, and among the latter the Demilune or Circular Battery (the most im- portant one within the Town) is quite ruin'd, & the draw- bridge. West Gate and adjoining Wall (in which Mr Bigot the Intendant says in a Letter to a French Officer, a prisoner here, a practicable Breach was made) extremely shatter'd ; But the Troops and Seamen are diligently employ'd, I understand, in repairing the Fortifications and Buildings. It happen'd when the Enemy sent out their Flag of Truce, that the General & Commodore were together on shoar, and had agreed upon making a general attack by Land and Sea the next day, in order to which Captain Cornwal now officer of his Brittanick Majesty's that no warlike stores be con- tain'd therein. That if there are any persons in the town or garrison who shall desire not to be seen by the English they shall be permitted to go off mask'd. That the troops of the French King now in Lewisbourg may march out of the garrison with their arms & colours, and be then deliver'd to the English till said troops arrive in France, at which time to have them returned to them. In witness whereof we the subscribers have hereunto inter- changeably set our hands & seals in the city of Lewisbourg upon the island of Cape Breton, this 20th day of June, 1745, O. S. (Seal) P. Warren. (Seal) W. Pepperrell. (Seal) DuChambon. VOL. I — R 241 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHlULEY here in the Hector informs me they had begun to clear their ships ; But I think it happy that this Design was prevented from being put in Execution by the Enemy's Capitulating; For as the number of effective men under Arms in the Town was more than half that of our Troops (the Enemy having about three days before the Landing of the Troops, which had been detain'd at Canso for near three Weeks by the uncommon Quantities of Ice, that choak'd up Chappeau- rouge Bay and prevented their Landing there at the time appointed, drawn into Louisbourg from their out Settle- ments lOCX) Men, occasion'd by their discovering our Cruizers sent to cut off Provisions and Intelligence from getting into the Harbour) it must have been hard work to have carry'd it by Storm, tho I make no great doubt but it would have been done had it been attempted, as it seems evident, from the Enemy's never daring to make any strong Sallies to hinder the approaches of our Batteries, that they were in such Terror of our Troops that it is probable their defence would not have been very obstinate against 'em when as- sisted by the Ships ; and to this may be added their Stock of Powder within the Town was near spent. Upon the whole, I hope when it is consider'd that 3,600 raw New England Troops, supported by His Majesty's Ships to the seaward, have reduc'd one of the French King's strongest and most important Fortresses, having in it a Garrison of near 600 regular Troops, and about 1400 Effective Men under Arms besides, with the Loss of not quite lOO men on our side, and killing near the same number of the Enemy within the Walls during the Siege (many of them with their Small Arms) I may be permitted to say in Justice to His Majesty's New England Subjects that their behaviour has done no dishonour to his Arms. B. To what I have in former Letters taken the Liberty to observe to your Lordships concerning the Importance which the possession of this Place may be to His Majesty, I begg leave to add that it will be further evident from the Con- sideration of the Value, which the French set upon it whilst it was in their Possession, which appears from the exceeding 242 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY large sums of money lay'd out by the French King in forti- fying it; and how well it has answer'd that Expence the surprizing Growth of the French Codfishery and proportion- able diminution of our own, both chiefly depending upon their Possession of Cape Breton, will in part shew. The inclos'd account, which I have procur'd and is I believe as carefully collected and as authentick, as we can obtain, as well as a moderate one, and which computes the profits of the French Codfishery at about One Million Sterling pr anii. is a Proof of the former, and the Loss of a Silver Currency in New England, and it's great Load of Debts, chiefly oc- casion'd by the Decay and Ruin of it's Fishery since the Peace of Utrecht, is so of the latter. I omit mentioning the Influence, which this fishery that first open'd the French Trade in the Mediterranean, still continues to have upon all their Trade in General in that Sea. But what seems still more considerable is the great Number of Men (twenty seven Thousand) necessarily employ'd in the French fishery which may be esteem'd a Principal Support of the Navy of France, and if not only taken from them but added to the Nurseries of Seamen for the Royal Navy of Great Brittain, must still make it of more Consequence to the Brittish Crown. Louisbourg Harbour may be also call'd the key of the French and Brittish Northern Colonies and is consequently the most convenient Harbour for Privateers to be fitted out from and Rendezvous in, and is a good shelter for the French Trade in their Passage to and from the East and West Indies, and the only Harbour from whence they can con- veniently fit out Armaments for Expeditions against His Majesty's Northern Colonies, particularly against Nova Scotia, the Eastern Settlements within this Province, and the province of New Hampshire (which not only abound with Provisions, but contain all the Nurseries of White Pine trees found upon Trial in the Kings yards to be fit for the service of the Royal Navy) and if gain'd from His Majesty by the Enemy, as they were in Imminent Danger of being last year by the Attempt upon Annapolis Royal 243 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY fitted out from Louisbourg, will give the French such a foot- ing upon this Continent (which may be justly looked upon in its Increase to be an inexhaustible Source of Wealth and Power to Great Brittain) as will put 'em some time or other upon disputing the Mastery of the whole of it with the Brittish Crown. The only thing which I shall presume further to observe to your Lordships upon this Head is that Louisbourg in case His Majesty shall think fit to Garrison the City, and station a Squadron of Ships of Warr in the Harbour, during the proper Season, is so situated as that besides securing the Navigation and Fishery in these Seas, and protecting the Brittish Northern Colonies against the Enemy, and facilitating any Attempts to drive the French wholly off from this Continent, it would by it's vicinity to the Brittish Colonies, and being the Key of them, at least of the most principal of 'em, give the Crown of Great Brit- tain a most absolute hold and Command of 'em, if ever there should a time come when they should grow Restive and dispos'd to shake off their Dependency upon their Mother Country ; the possibility of which I must freely own seems to me from the Observations I have been able to make upon the spot, at the Distance of some Centuries farther off than I have heard it does to some Gentlemen at Home. C. I shall continue to exert my best Endeavours in every Respect for securing this important acquisition to His Majesty 'till I shall receive his Royal Pleasure concerning it, which I hope I shall have the Honour to do as soon as conveniently may be, together with Directions concerning Canso, which I am inform'd affords much the best Fishery for small vessells of any place in North America. D. As it seems to me that the best Prospect of effecting a speedy Settlement of Cape Breton with his Majesty's Subjects is that of doing it with Fishermen and others chiefly from this Province, I shall exert all the Influence and Encouragement in my Power for promoting it, and would humbly submit it to Your Lordships Consideration whether, since the Troops are disapointed of the Plunder of Louis- 244 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY bourg, if his Majesty would be pleas'd to distribute part of the conquer'd Lands among such of the Captors as shall settle upon the Island, it might not forward the Settlement of it, and encourage his Subjects, Inhabitants of these Colonies, to enter into like Attempts for his Service upon any future Occasions. And if His Majesty should approve of this Method of Settlement, and it should succeed, the Neighbourhood of this Province (being no more than about 1 80 Leagues distant from Cape Breton) and it's near Affin- ity to the New planted Colony might be of advantage to it in it's Growth, Trade and Support, of which the timely Succours sent last year to Annapolis Royal, and the reduc- tion of this Island itself by Forces sent chiefly from this Province are some Proof. I presume to mention to your Lordships under this Head that an allowance of the same Liberty of Conscience, which is granted in Religious matters to the Inhabitants of this Province by the Royal Charter, would be a favourable Cir- cumstance for drawing Settlers from hence, where the Inhab- itants are chiefly Dissenters from the Church of England. A Civil Government seems essentially necessary for the Settlement or at least the Growth of an English Colony in these parts ; and I understand from the Commodore's Letters to me that he has given it as his opinion that the General and himself have Power to erect a Court of Ad- miralty at Louisbourg, which I hear is done : But as I doubt some Inconveniences may arise from a Want of proper Powers in either of 'em to do that, and I am clearly of opinion that it appertains solely to His Majesty to erect Courts of Judicature in a conquered Territory, I shall, to prevent the Perplexities, which may arise upon unneces- sary Condemnations in a Void Court of Admiralty, advise the Suspending of these Steps. The Commodore also writes me word that he has given it as his Opinion that the General and he may grant Houses and Lands to Settlers, 'till his Majesty's Pleasure shall be known ; But as I think this also is a mistake, I shall endeavour to prevent their making any Grants, and I hope none are yet made. 24s CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY The Commodore and General have likewise both of 'em in their Letters to me mention'd it as a proper Encourage- ment that Louisbourg should be made a Free Port ; But as that would defeat the Intent of the Principal Act of Trade, whereby Great Britain is made the Staple of all European Commodities imported into her Plantations, and the Bene- fit of her Plantation Trade is secur'd to herself, and break the main Ligament, whereby the Brittish Colonies are made dependent upon their Mother Country, I doubt the Granting of such a Privilege would be of dangerous Consequence in these parts, where the spirit of illicit Trade prevails too much allready : But your Lordships will be much better Judges of the Conveniency or Inconveniency of such an Exemption, if ever it should come under Consideration than my self. If the Privilege of being free from any Suits for Debt, which has been frequently granted to the Settlers of new Colonies, should be thought proper to be indulg'd for a Term of Years to the Settlers of the New Colony of Louis- bourg, that, I believe, would contribute to the Settlement of it from hence, as well as from other Parts ; I should not have proposed this did not the Circumstances of the times seem to require a speedy Settlement of the Place. I am with the highest Regard My Lords, Your most humble and most Obedient Servant W. Shirley. Rt Honble Lords Commissrs of Trade &ca Endorsed : Massachusets Letter from Mr Shirley, Govr of the Massachusets Bay, to the Board, dated at Boston, the loth of July 1745. Reed Septbr 17th 1 Read Septbr the 19th f ^'^^^ 246 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE PENOBSCOT AND NORRIDGEWALK INDIANS.^ Boston, July 12, 1745. Good Friends, As we have agreed to give one another Advice of all that happens, I now Acquaint you that Heaven has favour'd our righteous Cause against the French who have unjustly made war upon us, and Louisbourg with the Island of Cape Breton was the 17th of June last, delivered into our hands,^ where we have now 4000 Soldiers, Masters of the place, & ten large Men of War besides many smaller Ships of War there, and We have also taken a large Man of War from the French carrying near Seventy Guns, and between five and six hundred men besides a great Number of Merchant Ves- sels, and We have now brought to Boston above Seven hundred French prisoners, and above Two Thousand French prisoners at Louisbourg and aboard our Ships of War will be sent home to France immediately. This Intelligence we Send you that you may not be deluded by the French or St Johns & Nova Scotia Indians that may Sollicit you to break your Friendship with us to your own ruin. We have been your faithful Friends, and your Traffick with us has been much more for your Advantage than your Trade with the French and you may still live easy with us, & free from the distress & danger of War if you please but if not, & you will let the French & the Indians in their Interest deceive & Seduce you & you will perfidiously break your Solemn League with us, we doubt not but the Great God who is the Avenger of all such Wickedness and has so remarkably punished our Treacherous Enemys the French will stand ^ A copy of this letter was sent to Governor Law of Connecticut and to Governor Wentworth of New Hampshire. See : Law Papers, i, 326, Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. 11, 337; Belknap Papers, New Hampshire Hist. Soc. i, 238; N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 942. ^ See Shirley to Bradbury, July 22, post, p. 253. The news of the Colonial victory did not reach the Indians in season to prevent their outbreak. 247 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY by us & give us Success for the punishing your perfidious- ness, but if you are willing to Enjoy the Benefits of peace with us, we Shall Expect that you will Send two or three of your chief Captains to Confirm the Friendship between Us, and if any of your people stand in fear of the French and therefore want protection for themselves and their Familys and will come up to Boston, we will take care of them, I Expect that you Send me your answer without delay. I remain your good Friend W. Shirley. To the Sachem and others of the Penobscot and Norridg- walk Indians. Copy Examd pr J Willard Secry JOSIAH WILLARD TO JONATHAN LAW [Extract ^] Sir, His Excellency has directed me ... to inform your Honour that the Western Indians have killed two Men, one at Ashuelet & the other at the Narraganset Town Number Four ; And therefore His Excellency desires that you would please to give Orders that your Soldiers designed for the Protection of our People in the County of Hampshire may repair thither without Delay. I am Sir, Your Honours most obedient Humble Servant J. Willard.^ ^Original, Conn. Hist. Soc, Law Papers, i, 318. Printed : ibid. Coll. II, 338. To this request Law replied on July 16 from Milford : "Sr This day I reed Mr Secrtt Willards of the 12th Instant and by an Express have given notice to the Comtee of Warr att Hartford to observe the Orders of the Assembly in such Case provided and doubt not but Coll Stoddard will also apply to them" (Law Papers, i, 324). 2 Josiah Willard, son of Rev. Samuel Willard of the Old South Church, was born May i, 1681, and died Dec. 6, 1756. He was 24S CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Boston July 12. 1745. The Honble Governor Laws. Superscribed : On His Majestys especial Service To the Honble Jonathan Laws Esqr Governor of the Colony of Connecticut In Milford WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL 1 Boston, July 16, 1745. Sir, I have your Packet by Sanders, and as I am determined to come in the Hector to Louisbourg, as soon as I can pos- sibly settle the Business of the Province & make sure pro- vision for the supply of the Garrison &c, wch I hope will be by to morrow (Thursday) come se'nnight, I shall omit say- ing any thing, 'till I see you ; except that I think it uncom- mon that the Officers should desire to make either an Express or Agent of their General : surely nothing could be more improper or unsafe than for you to quit the Army at this Critical time, and I am sure it would much surprize his Majesty. As to the other Gentleman or Gentlemen proper to be spar'd upon such an Occasion, as my Honour is wound up wth that of the army ; and I have their Interest as much at heart as they can possibly have, and am the best Judge I believe of what will be most for their Interest at this June- graduated from Harvard College in 1698 and served as Secretary of Massachusetts from June, 1717, until the time of his death. His experience in office and knowledge of the affairs of the colony were of great assistance to Shirley, and during the latter's absence in Europe the importance of the Secretary increased still more. See Hill, "History of the Old South Church." ^ Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 B, p. 143. On June 29 Pepperrell had urged Shirley to come to Louisbourg and had forwarded a message from the Council of War to the same effect (6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 303), but while Shirley and Warren wrote Townsend July 8 (P. R. O., Adm. Sec. Insular Letters, 480), to protect the St. Lawrence from the arma- ment preparing at Brest, the Massachusetts governor considered it expedient to leave at once. 249 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ture, as well as the most proper Person to determine who shall go to England ; since sending any person from the Camp has been deferr'd so long, It will be best to stay 'till I arrive at Louisburg. I am with much respect and sincerity Sir, Your most Assur'd Friend and Servant. W. Shirley. I am uneasy 'till Tyng and Fletcher return for the pro- tection of our Coast and have wrote to the Commodore accordingly. Honble Lieutent Genl Pepperill. WILLIAM PEPPERRELL TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY [Extract ^] May it please your Excellency, . . . 1 am very sorry you should meet with any thing to damp your joy relating to any dispute between Comodore War- ren & myselfe, & considering that we are both quick in our tempers, I do think the land & sea have agreed in this ex- pedition as well as ever they did on the like occasion, & if it had not been for some who have had your favours I dont think there would have been any, and I was well assurd that before we got possession of this place and since that it was of absolute necessity to keep from disputes & differences (or otherwise the grand design might have sufferd) & I have strove to my uttermost to keep things easey. It is true Mr Warren did tell me he was the chief officer here. I told him, Not on shoar. I look upon it that these disputes are all over, as we both aim at the good & security of this place. ^ ^ This letter is from a rough draught in Pepperrell's handwrit- ing. It is printed in full, 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. lO, 329. 2 Pepperrell's letter to Warren of July 18 (6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 333) is extremely conciliatory in wording, and seems to have prevented any outbreak. The rivalry between Colonial and Englishman was never wholly obliterated. 250 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY As to the direction from Mr Duchambon being invertd, the Commodore being now first namd in the instrument, the scheme was carryd on by Mr MacDonnal who you gave a commission to be CoUo, Mr Warren sending him in wth a flagg of truce wth a letter from the French commandr of the Vigilant, after wch Mr Duchambon put the Commodore first. I have heard that Mr MacDonnal told here before he went wth Capt Rowse for England what great things he had done on shore. I am well assurd he never was, put it all together, one hour in any of the trenches, & he might be on shore be- fore we came in the citty three days at times in the camp, & then to be sure we were glad to get rid of him, for the most he did was to find fault that our encampment was not regulr, or that the soldrs did not march as hansome as old regulr troops, their toes were not turnd enough out, &c. I thot we encampt as regular as the hills & valeys would admit of. . . . Yor Excellency's most affectionate & most obedt humble servt. W. P. Louisbourg, July 17th, 1745. I long to return to New England. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [Extract^] Boston, New Engld the 21 July, 1745. My Lord Duke, Since my last to your Grace I have been inform'd by the General and Commodore "that they have wrote a joynt Let- ter "to your Grace telling you that the Colonies have not "impower'd the General to put 'em to the Expence of "repairing and maintaining the Garrison of Louisbourg, "and they should therefore draw on the Treasury at home "for such sums as should be absolutely necessary for repairing "the Breaches they had made, and putting the Garrison in 1 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 900, p. 215. 251 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY "a good posture of defence till his Majesty's pleasure shall "be known." Wherefore I thought it proper to inform your Grace, that tho the Colonies have not impower'd the General to put them to the expence of repairing and main- taining the Garrison, yet I may assure your Grace that the Assembly of this Province (as I have recofhended to 'em to do) will go on to furnish the iifiediate necessary Supplies, for repairing the Breaches of the Fortifications at Louisbourg and put 'em in a posture of defence, and for maintaining the Garrison 'till his Majesty's pleasure shall be known concern- ing it, in the same manner that they have supply'd the Ex- pedition before the Surrender of the place ; which will be the cheapest method of doing it, for his Majesty ; or if I should find it necessary to draw bills upon the Treasury for any part of the Expence, I will take care to do it; and doubt not but as the last bills, which I drew for the Cloathing and provisions sent to the New England Auxiliaries at Annapolis Royal met with immediate payment, I shall be able to find purchasers of the bills at twelve pr ct at least more in favour of the Crown than what the Merchants settled the Exchange at upon the Annapolis bills ; and shall endeavour to save all Comissions upon the buying of materials and provisions &ca besides ; And that the repairs may be better forwarded I have caus'd a Company of Artificers and Workmen to be inlisted. I doubt not but Mr Engineer Bastide has sent home a list of the Artillery and Warlike Stores now in the Town and Batteries of Louisbourg, and that a full proportion of 'em will be soon transmitted by the Board of Ordnance in case his Majesty shall think fit to keep the Garrison up. In the mean time I have taken care that the Quantity of powder in their Magazines Is made up 784 barrels, and that as great a quantity of shot and Shells shall be sent from hence as I can procure for the present defence of the place ; but I can't send any more powder unless fresh supplies should be im- ported soon In the London Vessells : And I must beg leave to repeat it to your Grace that the small Arms, which the New England Soldiers have there, are so bad that it will be 252 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY necessary, if his Majesty should think fit that any of 'em be Regimented, and continue in the Garrison, to send good Arms for 'em. * Hf * Hf * * Hi I am with the most Dutiful! Regards My Lord Duke Your Grace's most obedt and most Devoted servant W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle Endorsed: Boston. July 21, 1745 Govr Shirley ^ Septr 16 . WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO JABEZ BRADBURY ^ Boston, July 22d, 1745. Sir, I have reced your Letter of the i6th Instant July giving me an account of the assault committed by the Indians upon your Fort and other places near you, Mr Miliken tells me that you are positive that you Saw some of the Penobscutt In- dians among the Assailants & particularly that you saw one of those that had been in under a pretence of Friendship to Inform you of these Designs. By your Letter you seem to apprehend that the Penobscutt Indians are generally in these acts of Hostility.^ However I think it will be best that if any of the said Penobscutt Tribe shall appear near the Fort that you hoist a Flag of Truce to call them in to an Inter- view with you and if you can obtain any Speech with them ' Cont. Copy, Conn. Hist. Soc, Law Papers, i, 311, Printed: Kimball, Corres. Col. Gov. of R. L i, 376; Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. II, 349- * See Shirley to Pepperrell, July 29, for a further account of these hostilities (post, p. 256), and Shirley's letter to the Indians (ante, p. 247). 253 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY I would have you read my Letter to 'em which I sent by Mr Miliken and also tell them that I am Informed of this Viola- tion of Treaty and that if the body of the Penobscutts are engaged with our Enemies I shall immediately Declare War and pursue them with all the Resentment which so horrid an act of Treachery & Wickedness Deserves, but if they pro- fess that the Body of the Tribe are against these proceedings and are Disposed to peace I expect and insist upon this proof of their Sincerity that they deliver up those of their people as have been in arms against us and have Joyned with the party of Indians who have assaulted us and that you will give them the space of Seven Days only for their either de- livering up these murtherers or giving five Hostages of some of their principal men to Secure the Delivery of the Said Indians in the Space of Seven Days more I am Sir your Friend & Servant W. Shirley. P.S. Give me a full account of these affairs with all possible dispach To Capt Jabez Bradbury Copy examd J Willard Secry. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ Boston, N. Engld July 27, 1745. My Lord Duke, Though I am under the greatest Obligations to your Grace for the large share of your Favour I have already receiv'd, of which I shall ever retain a most grateful Memory, yet the heavy Duty I have gone through in the Course of my Gov- ernment having very sensibly decay'd my Health, and my Income having been very little more than what has suffic'd to support the ordinary Expences of my Family with a De- cency suitable to my Station, so that I have before me the ^ P. R. 0., C. 0. 5, 900, p. 217. 254 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY uncomfortable prospect of being likely to leave some Debts undischarg'd and a large Family unprovided for, I am ob- lig'd to resort again to your Grace's Goodness, and to beg of your Grace to represent my Services in such a Light to his Majesty as may obtain a further Degree of his Royal Favour to me. And I am the more encourag'd to ask this of your Grace, as his Majesty has been already graciously pleas'd to signify his Royal Approbation of my Services for the preservation of his province of Nova Scotia from falling into the Enemy's Hands the last Year, and I have been through the Blessing of the Divine Providence upon his Majesty's Arms chiefly Instrumental in procuring a valuable Acquisition to be made to his British Dominions this year, by setting on foot and conducting from hence the late Expedition against the French Settlements at Cape Breton ; Both which Services being likewise Beneficial ones to the Publick, I am in hopes I may be thought less Burthensome to it for any Share of his Majesty's Favour, which in his Royal Goodness he shall vouchsafe to support me with. Your Grace, who have long sustain'd so great a Share of the Load of the most Arduous Affairs of the Kingdom, may very possibly be at first surpriz'd to hear me mention the Business of a small Government as Burthensome and afi"ect- ing my Health ; But if I could duely represent to your Grace the Fatigue, which (after having procur'd the Essential points for his Majesty's service ever since the present War, to be carry'd through a numerous Assembly not us'd to such Engagements as they have been led into lately) it has been necessary for me to undergo in inspecting the Execution of every part of the Schemes, which have been concerted, for want of proper Officers to execute the several Orders of Government under me, together with the various Corre- spondences I have been oblig'd to maintain with the neigh- bouring Governors, the Camp and Fleet before Loulsbourg, and Garrison at Annapolis Royal, for carrying on the Ex- pedition and relieving Annapolis, the great Variety of new Incidents daily arising, and all Difficulties centring in my- 255 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY self ; And this over and above the Care and Protection of our own Frontiers amidst continual Alarms, and the ordinary- Business of the Government, besides transmitting to the several great Offices at home Accounts of my proceedings without so much as a private Secretary to assist me, the Want of my usual Exercise, and the Anxiety for all Events constantly preying upon my mind, your Grace would easily conceive that such Duty might make a deep Impression upon firmer Constitutions than mine ; And nothing but Success and the Satisfaction arising from a Consciousness of having us'd my best Endeavours to discharge my Duty to his Ma- jesty could have carry'd me through it ; And that, I hope, by the Divine Assistance will carry me through what other Service may remain for me to do. That your Grace may long continue in the full possession of your own Health an Ornament and Support of the Ad- ministration of his Majesty's Government for the Welfare of your Country is the ardent wish of him, who is bound by the strongest Ties of Gratitude and Duty to be, My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Oblig'd and most Devoted Humble Servant W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed ]^ Septr i6. Boston. July 27. 1745. Govr Shirley WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL [Extracts^] Boston, July 29, 1745. Sir, Yesterday I receiv'd your dispatches by the Rhode Island ship Fame, Captn Thompson, commander, in answer to ^ Printed in full : 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 338. 256 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY which I need not be particular as I shall without fail imbark for Louisbourg on board the Hector, either before or by Saturday next, and upon my arrival there may settle what is wanting to be done upon the spot.^ In the mean time I have to inform you that the Assembly are at present deter- min'd to supply his Majesty's service at Louisbourg in the same manner they did before the surrender of it, and that I have and will take all possible care of those two necessary articles, provisions and cloaths, as I hope you will secure wood in sufficient quantities, which is almost as necessary at Louisbourg in the winter. Materials and rum I will take par- ticular care of, and what I can of pay for workmen, and also of recruits to supply the place of those who are lost or have been dismissed. But as both yourself and the Commodore say that near 4000 men are wanting to defend the town and batteries, and it is Improbable that any troops can be sent from England before next spring it will be necessary for you to stop your hand as to dismissing more men, except some of those who belong to the most expos'd eastern parts, For I have the disagreable news to inform you of that the Indians have at last broke out upon those settlements join'd by some Penobscots, and have killed one man belonging to Broad Bay and another of George's Fort, both of 'em as they were at some distance from our settlements and alone, and have burnt two or three empty houses and destroy'd upwards of 70 head of cattle, all belonging to George's, and attack'd the fort and Brigadier Waldo's blockhouse there with a body of about 70 men, but without any hurt or damage to either or any man in 'em and with some loss to themselves. We impute this rupture to a false report spread by the French among the Indians that we were defeated and cut off at Louisbourg, to prevent the ill effects of which I had, before we had an account of the Indians breaking out, sent an express to inform the Pen- obscott and Norridgewalk tribes there of our success at Cape ^ In his letter of July 21 to Newcastle Shirley had stated that the colonies would not pay for the repairing and maintaining of the fortress of Louisbourg (C. O. 5, 900, p. 215). Temporary supplies are all that Shirley has in mind in this letter. VOL.1 — s 257 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Breton, and that all the French there were our prisoners, that with proper promises to encourage 'em in their fidelity, and threats to deterr 'em from joining the French Indians.^ But my express arriv'd at George's Fort one day too late. ... In the meanwhile I instantly order'd Sanders ^ wth 30 men on board him to repair to George's Fort, and go up all the rivers as the service should require, and have sent orders to demand of the Penobscott Indians to deliver up to us within seven days such of their tribe as had join'd the enemy, or to give five hostages to the acceptance of Captn Bradbury, to de- liver 'em up in seven days more, which, if not comply'd with I shall declare warr against 'em, and a bounty will be forthwith given for their scalps as against the St John's and Cape Sable Indians, which is already reviv'd, and the warr shall be push'd on against 'em in their own quarters with the utmost vigour, never to be ended whilst I am Governour 'till they are either destroy'd or reduc'd to such terms of obedience as to put our settlements upon an absolutely secure foot against future ruptures with the French. ... I must likewise mention that the Indians have kill'd two men at different places, straggling after their cattle upon the western frontier without the Massachusetts line, but have not appear'd in parties or made any other attempts there, and I have thereupon order'd two snow-shoe companies to scout after 'em into the woods, and reinforcements are likewise sent down into those parts, and more raising for 'em. I have given you the above account of the motions of the Indians, which I believe will certainly subside when they are undeceiv'd as to the fate of Cape Breton and the success of our expedition, that you may know the very worst of the state of our frontiers, and not have false alarms spread among you, when the people who are in the midst of the enemy speak ^ See Shirley to the Indians, July 12, ante, p. 247. ^ Captain Thomas Sanders was born in Gloucester in 1704 and was for many years in the Massachusetts service as commander of a provincial vessel. He took an important part in the Louis- bourg expedition convoying six vessels of troops to Cape Breton in March, 1744-5. He died Oct. 24, 1774. 258 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY of their efforts with contempt, as Captn Bradbury and Nichols at Mr Waldo's blockhouse, and Captn Henderson, who is well upon his guard and quite easy. In the meanwhile the two Houses in their congratulatory address to me, as you will see, desire I would dismiss so many of the soldiers belonging to the eastern frontiers as shall be consistent with the safety of Louisbourg ^ and are desirous to come away to their families, esteeming the western parts to be quite safe; and I think the eastern soldiers should be dismissed very sparingly. ... I must now give you an hint that the two Houses are very uneasy least Mr Warren should have assum'd a superior command at land over the troops, and have conceiv'd a jealousy that the officers have not been well us'd, some of 'em, and that accounts have not been properly transmitted home so as to do justice to the behaviour of our troops, which indeed makes 'em ex- tremely urgent with me to go down to Louisbourg, and I hope care will be taken that upon my entrance into the harbour I am properly saluted by the batteries, I mean the Idand Battery particularly, as I am by the gunns of Castle William : otherwise it will occasion uneasiness, which it is certainly in your power to prevent, as the guard of the Island Battery, I understand, consists of our own troops, whom you may give proper orders to, least there should be any mistake.^ ^ Shirley did not believe many could be spared until there were new troops to take their places. As late as Aug. 23 he declared to the troops at Louisbourg that they must serve a little longer and on Sept. 17 (P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 900, 225) he declared that two thousand must remain during the winter to protect the fortress. ^ The jealousy felt by the provincial soldier for the British regular is as noticeable here as eleven years later in the trouble between Loudoun, Winslow, and Shirley. The Insistence of the latter that he shall receive his due share of the honors is conspicu- ous In this letter, but he is careful that there shall be no offense to the regular. Shirley's care to avoid offense is seen in his reply to the address of the officers on the fall of Louisbourg (Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. i). Here he states: "The Success which Heaven has granted to His Majesty's arms in the Reduction of this place thro' your Services in conjunction with those of his ships demands our most GratefuU acknow- 259 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY For it is certainly of the utmost consequence to preserve a perfect harmony between the land and sea at so dangerous a crisis, which I dare say Mr Warren is disposed to do, and will do if he considers rightly, and small matters conducted with prudence will serve to do it; and unless the Commodore is so imprudent as to assume what does most evidently not belong to him, and it is inconsistent with the King's commis- sion to myself and the honour and right of the province that I should give up, (which I have a better opinion of him than to think he will) every thing will go smooth between us, and more so because I have a real esteem and friendship for him. I am very much concern'd to hear that the men are grown uneasy about the plunder, and impatient to return home ; surely they won't disgrace their past behaviour by unreason- able discontents and murmurs now, nor think that the expe- dition is over 'till his Majesty has the place in his own hands. It is evident that it would shift for itself if the troops should quit it, and that securing it for his Majesty till the possession is deliver'd to his orders must be part of the expedition. I hope this will reach you before my arrival, and that I shall have an happy sight of you some time next week, and am with much truth and esteem. Sir, Your faithfuU friend and servant. W. Shirley. Lieutent Genl. Pepperrell. ledgements for so Signal a favour of the divine Providence. The honour which you have done my Commission and to New England by your share in this Conquest, claim mine and your Country's Thanks ; And I doubt not but that the high Honour which his Majesty has done you by Signifying to you thro' Sir William Pepperell His Royal Approbation of your Services will farther animate you to exert your best Endeavours for Securing this valuable Acquisition to his Dominions." By words of this char- acter Shirley retained the regard of all who had shared in the work at Louisbourg and when the need came in later years to call again upon his province for exertions against the French, he found little difficulty in obtaining good subordinate officers to serve under him and an earnest body of men in the ranks. See also his plea for honorable dealing with the rank and file, post,pp. 267-268. 260 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY JABEZ BRADBURY TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY i i Georges, July 29th, 1745. May it Please Your ExceIlency, The third day of our being Attackt by the Indians, and before I reed your Excys Orders for So doing being desire- ous of Knowing who of the Penobscotts were amongst our Enemys, I put up a Flagg of Truce, one of the Indians came in, Capt Bane and I went out to the others who were thirty five in Number many more being up the River, at the Same time, burning Houses and Killing Cattle whom we Saw not. Amongst those we Saw were nine Penobscotts, the Chief of whom were Sebohooset, one called Rich Outrea and Paternion, men well known here. I Read your Excellencys Letter to them thrice that they might fully understand it. They sayd it came too late and added that we had broak the peace by refusing them Powder at the Truck Houses, and the taking a St Johns Indian last fall. The Man mentioned in my Last Letter they Killed and Scalp't. We brought him in and buried him, and I hear that a Dutchman at Broad Bay was killed and Scalp't by the Indians about the Same time they were here. Its now more than ten days Since we Saw them, where they are I know not, but Suppose they are preparing for more mischief, and Expect Soon to See them here. I hope your Excy. will Send Seven men to fill up the Company, and also Increase the Number if it may be thought best. I am your Excellencys most obedt humble Servt. Jabez Bradbury. His Excellency Governour Shirley Copy examined. J Willard Secry. ^ Cont. Copy, Law Papers i, 316. Printed: Conn. Hist. See. Colls. II, 353. 2(Sl CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM PEPPERRELL TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY [Extracts ^ LouisBouRG, Augt 6th, 1745. May it please your Excellency, Since I last had the honour of writing you I have not receiv'd the favour of any of your commands, and altho' am daily expecting (as well as constantly wishing for) your Excellency's safe arrival here, I cannot omitt giving you or the government the necessary notice of every occurrence. One of the inhabitants of this place, vizt, John Batiste De Young, who is desirous of recommending himself to my fav- our, tells me that in the departure of a schooner lately brought into this port (by Capt Fletcher) from Canada, he has good assurance from one Charles, a marriner belonging to said schooner, that about the 6th July last past there were ten thousand French troops raiz'd, victualled, and ready to march from Quebec for the English frontiers ; he also informs me that the number of men at Canada fitt to bear arms are 45,000, of which number are only 150 regular troops in the French King's pay, 50 of whom are posted at Quebec, and 100 at Montreal ; that there are 2000 French families settled on the River St Lawrence below Quebec ; that there is no fort or battery between the entrance of the river and Quebec ; he further adds that he was last year at Canada, but knows nothing of the French building a fort on the Isle of Orleans. On the other hand I am inform'd by the captain of the same schooner that the French at Canada were in constant alarm from an expectation they had of an English visit this sum- mer, and from many other hands that the number of men at Canada is 25,000 only. Your intelligences from Albany will probably give you the best satisfaction, but for my own part I am under no apprehension of so formidable an attack, but that the chief, ^ Pepperrell Papers, Mass. Hist. Society, Printed : 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. ID, 347. . . 262 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY if not only, danger of the frontiers is from the Canada men who lately besieg'd Annapolis, and which I fear, without the extraordinary interposition of the province, will soon ruin the whole frontiers, which must greatly abate, if not overballance, the joys of our late victory. As the supportof this fortress is of the greatest consequence to all the British Colonys it is highly reasonable they should all contribute thereto in some regular stipulated proportion, which I hope will be most speedily and successfully solicited, but as this will be a work of time and the event uncertain, the burthen must, I apprehend, lye a little longer on the Massachusetts, and as large supplys of all sorts of stores should be furnish'd and secured in the King's magazines here for support of this and the neighbouring garrisons not only this winter, but for a six months' siege, which may reasonably be expected to commence with the spring, it will require a close and speedy attention, for that the army may, and prob- ably will be here so early next spring as to prevent recruits or supplys coming in, as was the late case of this place. I have nothing further at present to offer for the publick service, but to beg of your Excellency, as I have with the utmost justice represented the circumstances of the army and of this fortress, that due consideration may be had thereon, and that such resolutions may be taken as may be for his Majesty's service and the further honour of my dear country, for the peace and welfare of which and every happiness to your Excellency is the most hearty wish of. Your Excellency's most obedt humb. servt. W. P. His Excellency Govt Shirley &c., &c., &c. 263 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH [Extract ^] Louisbourg, Sept 2d, 1745. Sir, His Majesty's service upon several accounts requiring my Presence here a few weeks, for securing our new acqui- sition, till his Majesty shall have an opportunity of tak- ing it into his own protection, I set sail in his Majestys ship Hector, from Nantasket, on Saturday night pas month, and arrived here on Fryday Evening pas Fortnight, where I have been endeavoring, in the best manner I can, to set- tle the State of the land Forces, and to act for the Interest of the common cause of the Colonies concerned in the Ex- pedition in every respect. Upon looking into the State of the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Troops I find it to stand thus : The Massachusetts Government sent into the service of the Expedition, upon the first Enlistment, including the Troops in their pay which were aggregated to your Regiment the train of Artillery and workmen, thirty three hundred men, of which twelve hundred and thirty eight are return'd home, ninety five are killed and fifty seven died natural deaths, so that of those soldiers there remain here nineteen hundred and twelve ; since which Enlistment the Massachusetts Government have voted a thousand men more to be rais'd for the service, of which about seven hundred are actually raised and arrived at Louisbourg, so that there are in the whole about twenty five hundred Mas- sachusetts Troops now upon Duty within the Garrison and Batteries here, and the remaining three hundred are now raising with the utm.ost Dispatch, to compleat the last thousand, and relieve some more of the Massachusetts Troops. Your Excellency sent hither, upon your first Enlistment 308 soldiers of which 169 — including the Invalids now sent ^ Belknap Papers, N. H. Hist. Society, i, 240. Printed: N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 372. 264 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY — are returned home. Six have dyed natural deaths, and five have been killed, so that of those first Enlisted Troops 139 are now remaining here; since which first enlistment 115 more Troops have been raised and sent hither from your Government, and Two hundred and fifty four Troops are now upon Duty within the Garrison and Batteries here. By this account your Excellency will perceive that the Quota of your Government in proportion to that of the Massa- chusetts Bay, according to the several Levies raised by each Government for the service of the Expedition is as 308 to forty three hundred ; and how much larger a proportion of the New Hampshire Troops of the first Enlistment have been dismissed than of those of the Massachusetts Govern- ment upon the same Enlistment, and how much larger a part of the Quota of the Massachusetts Troops raised and voted to be raised is upon Duty here than of the Quota of your Government; upon which I doubt not but your Excellency will observe my own and the General's disposi- tion to do full Justice to the New Hampshire troops and that your Government will continue to act in concert with that of the Massachusetts Bay, with the same vigour that you have hitherto done for the common cause. I am, with great regard. Sir Your Excellencys most obedient Humble servant His Excy. Gov. Wentworth. W. Shirley. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE 1 Louisbourg, Septr 27, 1745. My Lord Duke, Three days ago I was honour'd with your Graces Letter to me dated the loth of August by the Shirley Galley In- 1 P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 900, 236. 265 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY closing a Copy of another from your Grace to Sr Wm Pepperell. I have the highest sense of the great Honour done me by the Lords Justices in their approbation of my conduct and share in the late Expedition against Cape Breton, and a most dutifull one of His Majesty's Good- ness in vouchsafing to signify his high Satisfaction in it to those, who were Instrumental therein ; and it is with the utmost pleasure that I shall in Obedience to his Com- mands acquaint the Council and Assembly of the province under my Government with his Intire satisfaction in their Zeal for His Service in the late Enterprize, and that their Conduct on this Occasion will always Intitle them in a par- ticular manner to his Royal Favour and protection. The marks of His Majesty's Favour, with which he has been pleas'd to distinguish Rear Admiral Warren's and Sr Wm Pepperell's Services in the late Expedition, afford me a singular pleasure, and together with His Royal Ap- probation of my own for the preservation of his province of Nova Scotia from falling into the hands of the Enemy, the last year, Declar'd in his Council give me the strongest hopes of His Majesty's most gracious acceptance of my late Services for the Reduction of the Island of Cape Breton to the Obedience of his Crown, and of an equal disposition in him to extend the Marks of his Royal Favour to me as a proof of it. I have duly attended to the several orders which your Grace is pleas'd to inform me the Lords Justices have thought proper to give for putting Louisbourg into an immediate condition of Defence, and particularly that their Excellencies have it under Consideration whether one or more Regi- ments shall be Established of the American Troops now under the Command of Sr Wm Pepperell ; whereupon I would observe to your Grace that those Troops were rais'd upon my Proclamation on the Terms of being discharg'd at the End of the Expedition (without making which promise to them it would have been Impracticable to have rais'd them), and humbly submit it to your Grace's Con- sideration whether the Expedition may not be deem'd to 266 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY be at an End upon the Arrival of the two Regiments from Gibraltar, and consequently whether such of the American Troops as are not willing to remain longer in the Service can consistently with the publick faith be held in it. How practicable it may have been represented to your Grace to raise two Regiments of Garrison Soldiers out of the American Troops now here, or other Inhabitants of New England upon the usual Terms of His Majesty's Service I don't know ; but I am perswaded it would be difficult to raise even one Regiment of looo men here upon those Terms, and would humbly propose to your Grace, as what I am affraid His Majesty's Service will require upon this Occasion, that the Men may be permitted (if not to be rais'd otherwise) to Inlist for the Term of Two years, and some other Encour- agement, as a Lott of Land at the End of the Service to be held upon the tenure of appearing on Duty in the Garrison upon every Alarm during the Term of Seven years afterwards, and to be muster'd there once in a Quarter at least in everyone of those years besides, or some other Encouragement for bringing them into the Service ; without which I doubt no sure dependence can be had upon raising two or even one Regiment in New England, at least within such time as his Majesty's Service will require. However if it should be thought that the raising of Troops upon such different Establishments in the same Garrison, as that of the British Troops propos'd to be sent hither and such Amer- ican Regiments would be, might have a Tendency to raise a Spirit of discontent in the soldiers for life, and be on that or any other account Inconsistent with the Nature of the Service, I will use my best Endeavours to raise one or more Regiments out of the American Troops upon the com- mon Terms of Inlistment, and most readily assist Sr Wm Pepperell to the utmost of my Power in raising his Regi- ment; but I mention this least His Majesty's Service should be dis-appointed with an Expectation of what seems to me not very practicable. At all events, let the Success of the American Levies be what it will, I will endeavour to the utmost of my Power to retain in the Garrison during this 267 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Winter as many of the American Troops already rais'd as will make up the two Regiments from Gibraltar upwards of 2000 men, which your Grace will perceive by the inclos'd Opinion of the Council of Warr is thought a sufficient num- ber for the defence of the place 'till the beginning of March, and from that time 3000, which besides the Train of Ar- tillery is by the Engineer's opinions esteem'd a sufficient Force in the Spring and other Seasons 'till one or more American Regiments, according as his Majesty shall de- termine, can be rais'd upon Terms agreeable to his Royall Pleasure : and as on the one hand His Majesty's Service seems absolutely to require this to be done for the imme- diate Security of this Acquisition so on the other hand it seems equally to require that the Terms of the proclama- tion, upon which these Troops Inlisted should be as In- violably observed as may be ; otherwise no Faith will be given to any future Proclamations in the Colonies for his Majesty's Service upon the like Occasions. It is with the utmost Gratitude that I observe your Grace's kind Expressions of your Regard for me in your Letter, where you are pleas'd to say that if two American Regiments are rais'd your Grace is not without hopes that in Consideration of my Services His Majesty may be gra- ciously pleas'd to bestow the other on me. I hope from my Experience of your Grace's past goodness that what- ever mark of his Royal Favour his Majesty shall be gra- ciously pleas'd to honour me with, it will be such as may not diminish the honour and Influence which I have hitherto maintain'd in my own Government and his Majesty's other Neighbouring Colonies by degrading my Services below those of Sr Wm Pepperell's, which I am perswaded are not in the Estimation of the American Troops and Colonies, which have had an opportunity of knowing both upon the spot, inferior to Sr William's or any other Gentle- man's concern'd in the Expedition. And since your Grace has been pleas'd to mention His Majesty's bestowing the Command of a Regiment upon me, I would take the Liberty to beg of your Grace to recommend me to his Majesty for 268 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the Command of General Phillips's Regiment, if that Is now vacant, instead of one of those design'd for this Garrison. I should not have presum'd upon this Occasion to have pointed out anything in particular to his Majesty for my- self had not your Grace's mentioning of a Regiment en- couraged me to do it, but have entirely rested on his Royal Bounty to have allotted me such marks of His Gracious Acceptance of my Services, as he should have vouchsafed to have honour'd me with, without mentioning anything in particular. Your Grace may depend upon my utmost Attention to his Majesty's Service for the Securing and Maintaining of this valuable acquisition to his Crown, and for that purpose I shall continue to employ my best Endeavours in Con- cert with Mr Warren and Sr Wm Pepperell ; and as Oppor- tunity offers shall transmitt to your Grace particular accounts of what shall pass, with my opinion as to the steps neces- sary to be taken by His Majesty, for the Security and main- tenance of this Conquest, pursuant to your Grace's direc- tions to me in your Letter. As the Lords Justices have recommended Mr Warren to be Governour of this place I shall leave It with the greatest satisfaction In a few days, he being a Gentleman of whose Activity Zeal and Capacity for the Service of his King and Country I have a great opinion and of which he has in a particular Manner given a Proof in the direction of His Majesty's Ships under his Command concern'd In the Ex- pedition, whereby he has contributed to the reduction of this place as much as it was possible for any Gentleman to do in his Situation ; He Is already well esteem'd by the Colonies in General and I shall do every thing In my Power still farther to cultivate his Interest in New England for His Majesty's Service, and to maintain the most perfect Union and harmony with him for promoting the good of the common Cause in every Respect, as I have done ever since the beginning of the Expedition ; and I shall endeavour to the utmost of my Power to support the Interest of Sr Wm Pepperell (of whose great Merit and Services in the late Ex- 269 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY pedition I have the fullest perswasion, with the Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay and throughout the province. The Expressions of your Grace's kind regard for me in your Letter have greatly added to my Obligations to your Grace for the Patronage and protection, with which you have been pleas'd to honour me hitherto, and encourage me farther to request of Your Grace to procure of His Ma- jesty leave for me to come to England for a Twelve month for the reestablishment of my Health and the Settlement of my private affairs, as soon as may be consistent with His Service here ; which I hope may be sometime next Summer. The very close Application, which His Majesty's Service has indispensibly requir'd from me ever since I have been in my Government, but especially for these last Eighteen Months, and the Fatigue and anxiety, which have attended my duty during that time, having occasion'd the Intire Loss of my Appetite and fix'd a violent headache upon me, to which I was an Intire Stranger before, and which will irretriev- ably destroy my health unless I can soon have a Relaxa- tion from publick Business ; and I am in hopes that during my Residence in England I may not be wholly unusefull there to His Majesty by having an Opportunity of more fully laying before the Ministry some points, which greatly concern his Service here and the welfare of his Colonies, than I can do by Letters from hence. I am with the most gratefull sense of my Obligations to your Grace, and the most dutifuU regard My Lord Duke Your Grace's most Obedient and most devoted Servant W. Shirley. P.S. Cloathing for 1500 men is, as I am inform'd, just arriv'd here from Boston, and the Assembly have rais'd the Massachusetts Soldiers wages. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle Eiidorsed : Louisburgh Sept. 27. 1745 Govr Shirley. >^ B Oct. 29. 270 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL^ J, Louisbourg, October, 2. 1745. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle having acquainted both of us that the Lords Justices had it under Consideration whether one or more Regiments should be establish'd of the American Troops under your Command,^ whereby their Excellencies seem to think a sure Dependence may be had upon our raising one or more Regiments out of those Troops, I desire you would give me your Sentiments upon this point, and let me know what Number of the Troops now rais'd you think we may depend upon to continue in his Majesty's Service here as Garrison Soldiers upon the common Terms of Enlistment ; and what measures you think may be the most Adviseable for us to pursue in order to raise one or more Regiments in New England for the Service of this Garrison. I think it is necessary for me to transmit our Opinion home to his Grace concerning this matter, that his Majesty may know what may be depended upon in it, and that his Service may not be disappointed by his Expectation of what is not practicable here. Be pleased to favour me with your Opinion in writing, and you will oblige Sir ' Your most Assured Friend and Humble Servt Sir William Pepperell. W. Shirley. ^ Original A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Society, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 B, p. 171. ^ A draft of Newcastle's letter of Sept. ii, to Shirley and Pep- perrell announcing that two regiments were to be formed from the American troops and that Shirley and Pepperrell were to be their respective colonels is in P. R. O., C. O. 5, 45, p. 209. Shirley did not receive his official promotion however until Oct, lO, when a letter from the War Office announced that his regiment with others would form the garrison for Cape Breton (War Office Mss. in P. R. O., 4, 41, p. 7). Another reason for asking Pepperrell how large an enlistment could be relied upon was that at the Council held Sept. 17, a spirit of discontent appeared quite pro-, nounced in the army. See Record of Council in C. O. 5, 900, p. 229. 271 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL.^ Louisbourg, October 7, 1745. Sir, As my friend Mr Kilby has desired me to use my interest with you that he may be agent of your regiment, designed to be established out of the American troops now under your command, ^ I would beg the favour of you that you would give me the promise of it for him. This is what I have much at heart to obtain of you, and if I have any interest with you, shall not be without hopes of succeed- ing in my request. You know the gentleman whom I recommend very well, and he is your friend. If it was necessary for me to give him a character to you, I should say that he has deserved extremely well of the Province, and is a person of great integrity and honour and a good friend. Your answer to me in a line will much oblige. Sir, Your most humble servt. W. Shirley.' Sir William Pepperrell, Baronett. ^Printed: 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 377. ^See Shirley to Pepperrell, Oct. 2, preceding. ^Pepperrell's reply to this request follows : Sir, Your Excellency's favour of this date I received, and should have preventd your giving yourselfe the trouble of writing, if my indisposition of body had not preventd my waiting on you and shewing you a letter I wrote to our friend Mr Kelby, wherein I have promisd that if I should have a regi- ment I will use my endeavour that he be appointd agent to it. And nothing will give me more pleasure than obliging your Excellency in serving any friend of yours. I am with all dutyfuU regards, Your Excellency's most obedt humble servt. W. P. Louisbourg, October 7th, 1745. 373 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE 1 Louisbourg, October 28, 1745. My Lord Duke, The Council and House of Representatives of the Prov- ince under my Governmt having taken Occasion in a late Address to me to desire, that upon my Arrival here "I would give Orders that a full Account of the Proceedings of the New England Forces rais'd under my Commission for the Reduction of Cape Breton during the late Siege of this Place to the time of it's Surrender should be transmitted in the most eifectual manner, and as soon as possible to his Majesty," I have caused the inclosed Account of their Proceedings and Services from their first landing at Canso to the time of the Surrender of his Place to be taken upon the Spot from Persons who were privy to every Part of the Transactions, and to be laid before Sr. Wm. Pepperrell and other principal Officers of the Army for their Perusal and Attestation, and am persuaded from my Own Observations upon the Spot as well as the Accounts of these Gentlemen, that it contains a just Representation of the Conduct and Behaviour of the Troops in the Reduction of this Place, and now take the Liberty to transmit it to your Grace, pursuant to the Assemblys Request to me. ^ P. R. O., C. O. 5, 900, p. 240. An Autograph copy of this letter sent by Shirley to Governor Wentworth of New Hampshire is among the Massachusetts Manuscripts in the Library of Con- gress. Other accounts of the capture of Louisbourg are noted in Winsor, '* Narrative and Critical History of America," V, 410- 413, 434-447. See also the pamphlet: Shirley, William, A letter to the Duke of Newcastle with a Journal of the Siege of Louis- bourg etc. London, 1746, and Pepperrell, William, A letter to Captain Henry Stafford with An Accurate Journal and Ac- count etc. Exon. 1746. See also the Journal published for the American Antiquarian Society, 1910, from an original manuscript account of the Pepperrell Expedition in its Collections, edited with notes and bibliography by Charles Henry Lincoln. VOL. I — X 273 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY The Sum of this Account ^ Is, That the New England Troops having sail'd from Canso the 29th of April, till which time they were detain'd there by the unusual Quantity of Ice in Chappeau-rouge Bay, came to an Anchor the next Morning between 9 and 10 in the Bay, at the Distance of about two Miles from Flat Point Cove ; where being dis- covered by the Enemy, a Party of about 150 Men were detach'd from Louisbourg under the Command of Capt Morepang and Mr. Boulardrie to oppose their Landing. That General Pepperrell having made a Feint to land a Party in Boats at the Cove in order to draw the Enemy thither, did by a Signal from the Vessels cause those Boats suddenly to row back and join another party of Boats un- der his Stern, out of which were landed at two Miles d stance from the Cove about 100 of our Men, before the Enemy could come round to oppose 'em, who notwithstanding the Enemy had the Advantage of being cover'd by their Woods, attack'd 'em so briskly that they kill'd 6 of 'em upon the Spot, took as many Prisoners (among whom was Mr. Boulardrie) wounded several more, and after exchanging some Shot put the rest to flight (some of whom were taken Prisoners the next day) with the Damage sustained on our Side of only two Men's being slightly wounded. That 2000 of the Troops were landed the same day, and the Remainder be- ing near 2000 more the day following. That on the next day a Detachment of 400 of our men march'd round to the North East Harbour behind the Range of Hills there, where they burnt all the Enemy's Houses and Stores in that Neighbourhood, at the Distance of about a Mile from the Grand Battery, whereby such a Terror was struck into 'em that the same Night they deserted that Battery, leaving the Artillery consisting of 28 Cannon of 42le Shott and two of i81e and the Ordnance Stores belonging to it (except their Powder which they threw into a Well) so precipitately that they only spik'd up their Cannon in a slight manner without knocking off any of the Trunnions, or doing other ^ The account in full covers about 4200 words and is found in C. O. 5, 900, p. 248, following this letter. 274 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Damage to 'em, and but very little to the Carnages. That the next Morning being the 3d of May a party of about 15 or 16 of our Men discovered that the Enemy had abandoned the Grand Battery, and drove off a Party of 'em which attempted to reland there that Morning in Boats notwith- standing they stood on the open Beach expos'd to the Fire of the Enemy's Cannon from the Town and their Mus- quetry from the Boats. That notwithstanding an incessant fire from the Enemy's Cannon and Mortars in the Town at the distance of 5913 feet from it, and from the Island Battery at the distance of 4800 feet, our Troops by the next day clear'd three of the Cannon in the Grand Battery, which pointed against the Town, and return'd their fire upon the Enemy there, as also from other of the Guns which pointed against, the Island Battery, and were by degrees unspik'd in a few days. That our Troops within the Compass of 23 days from the time of their first landing erected five fascine Batteries against the Town consisting of Cannon some of 42le Shott, others of 22le others of i81e, and others of gle Mortars of 13, 11 and 9 Inches Diameter, with some Cohorns, all which were trans- ported by hand with incredible Labour and Difficulty, and most of 'em above two Miles ; all the Ground over which they were drawn, except small Patches or Hills of Rocks, being a deep Morass, in which whilst the Cannon were upon Wheels they several times sunk so deep as not only to bury the Carriages but the whole Body of the Cannon likewise. Horses and Oxen could not be employed in this Service, but all must be drawn by Men, themselves up to the Knees in Mud at the same time ; the Nights in which the Work was to be done cold and foggy ; their Tents bad, there being no proper Materials for Tents to be had in New Eng- land at the Outsett of the Expedition ; but notwithstanding these Difficulties and many of the peoples being barefooted and almost without Cloaths by means of this Service (in which they had worn 'em out) and their being taken down with fluxes, so that at one time there was 1500 Men incapable of Duty occasioned by their fatigue, they went on chear- 275 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY fully without being discouraged or murmuring, and by the help of Sledges transported the Cannon and Mortars over these Ways, which the French had always thought un- passable for such heavy Weights, and was indeed imprac- ticable by any People of less Resolution and Perseverance, or less Experience in removing heavy Bodies ; and besides this they had all their Provisions and heavy Ammunition which they daily made Use of to bring from the Camp over the same Way upon their backs. To annoy our people in making their Approaches and carrying on their Batteries the Enemy erected new Works where they mounted some Cannon, from whence as well as from the Cannon of other Batteries and from their Mortars they continually maintain'd a strong fire till their Cannon was silenced by being dismounted or having their Men beat off by our Cannon. The most advanc'd of our five Batteries which was finish'd on the 17th of May, was within the Distance of 250 yards from the West Gate of the Town, so that from this Bat- tery several of the Enemy were kill'd by our Musquetry, as were some of our Men by the Enemy's from the Walls ; and indeed this Battery was so near the Enemys Works that our Men were obliged to load the Cannon there under the fire of the Musquetry, which was very sharp on both Sides, the Enemy generally opening the Action every Morn- ing with the Fire of their small Arms upon this Battery for two Hours, which was constantly return'd with Advantage on our Side. The Execution done from these and the Grand Battery was very considerable ; The West Gate was entirely beat down, the Wall adjoining very much batter'd, and a breach made in it at about 10 feet from the bottom of the Wall. The circular Battery of 16 Cannon 24 Pounders near the West Gate (and the principal one against Ships next to the Grand Battery and Island Battery) was almost entirely ruined, and all the Cannon but 3 dismounted : Their North East Battery consisting of 2 Lines of 42 and 32 pounders in all 20 Cannon (another principal Battery against Ships) 376 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY was damaged and the Men beat off from their Guns ; the West Flank of the Kings Bastion belonging to the Citadel, and the Battery there of six 24 pounders which pointed to the Land Slide, and greatly annoyed our Works, was almost demolished ; two Cavaliers of two 24 Pounders each raised during the Siege, and two other Cannon of the same Weight of Metal run out at two Embrasures cut thro' the parapet near the West Gate at the same time, all pointing against our Batteries, were damaged and silenced: The Citadel was very much damaged, several Houses in the City entirely demolished, and almost every one more or less hurt, and Morepas Gate at the Eastermost Part of the City shatterd. As cross fires from the Cannon and Mortars and even from our Musquetry rang'd thro' the Houses and Streets in every Part of the City, and thro' the Enemy's Parade, whereby many were kill'd, it drove the Inhabitants out of their Houses into Casmets and other cover'd Holes, where they were obliged to take Refuge for several Weeks ; and besides this the Fire from the Grand Battery damaged also the Barracks of the Island Battery. During this time our Parties of Scouts so thoroughly rang'd the Woods that they seldom return'd without bringing in some Prisoners, which very much confin'd the Enemy within their Walls, who were constantly worsted in all Skirmishes, and repulsed in every Sally which they made, and frequently by an inferior Number of our Men, and with very little Loss on these Oc- casions sustained on our Side : the chief of which was a Party of 18 of our Men straggling contrary to Orders being surprized and cut off by a large Number of Indians, and another of 9 coming on Shoar out of one of our Cruizers to water without their Arms being likewise surpriz'd and cut off by some Indians. That on the 26th. of May after some ineffectual Preparations for making an Attack upon the Enemy's Island Battery, which is a strong Fort built on a rocky Island at the Entrance into the Harbour, mounted with 30 Cannon of 281e Shott, and having several Swivel Guns upon its Breast Work, and two Brass 10 Inch Mortars and 180 Men, it was at Night attempted by a Party of 400 277 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY of our Men in Boats ; but from the Strength of the Place and the Advantage which the Enemy had by being under Cover, and our Men expos'd in open Boats, the Surf running high, our Men not being thoroughly acquainted with the best Places for landing, and the Enemy besides (as is most probable) being appriz'd of their Design, they were re- puls'd with the Loss of having about 60 killed and drowned, and 116 taken Prisoners, yet under these Disadvantages several of 'em advanc'd within the Enemy's Battery, and maintain'd a fight with 'em for some time before they sur- render'd, and kill'd some of 'em. That it being judg'd of the utmost Consequence to make ourselves Masters of the Island Battery, as it was thought extremely dangerous for his Majesty's Ships to have enter'd the Harbour 'till the Enemy could be annoyed in that Bat- tery ; and it being after the last Attempt thought impracti- cable to reduce it by Boats, it was determined to erect a Battery near the Light House opposite to it at 3400 feet distance from it, and the same was by the nth. of June, notwithstanding the almost insuperable Difhculties which attended the drawing of the Cannon up a steep Bank and Rock, rais'd in such a manner as not to be expos'd to more than four of the Enemy's Cannon, and at the same time to flank a Line of above twenty of their Guns, and two i81e Pounders were on that day mounted and began to play, and by the 14th. of June 4 more Cannon of iSleShottwere added, and on the 15th. a Mortar of 13 Inches diameter was remov'd thither, out of which 19 Bombs were thrown, 17 whereof fell within the Island Battery, and one of 'em upon the Maga- zine ; And this together with the Fire from our Cannon, to which the Enemy was very much expos'd, they having but little to shelter 'em from the Shott, which rang'd quite thro' their Line of Barracks, so terrified 'em that many left the Fort and ran into the Water for Refuge. And now the Grand Battery being in our Possession, the Island Battery (esteem'd by the French the Palladium of Louisbourg) so much annoyed from the Light House Bat- tery, that they could not entertain hopes of keeping it 278 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY much longer; the Enemy's North East Battery being dam- aged and so much exposed to the Fire from our advanc'd Battery that they could not stand to their Guns, the cir- cular Battery ruined, and all its Guns but three dismounted, whereby the Harbour was disarm'd of all its principal Bat- teries ; The West Gate of the City being demolished and a Breach made in the adjoining Wall, the West Flank of the Kings Bastion almost ruined, and most of their other Guns, which had been mounted during the time of the Siege being silenced, all the Houses and other Buildings within the City (some of which were quite demolished) so damaged that but one among 'em was left unhurt ; the Enemy extremely har- rassed by their long Confinemt. within their Casmets and other cover'd Holes, and their Stock of Ammunition being almost exhausted, Monsf Du Chambon sent out a Flag of Truce to the Camp on the 15th. day of June in the Afternoon desiring time to consider of Articles of Capitulation, which was accordingly granted 'em till next Morning, when they sentArticlesin, which were rejected by the General and Com- modore and others propos'd by 'em in their Stead, and ac- cepted by the Enemy ; and Hostages being exchang'd on the same day for the Performance of the Articles, on the 17th. of June the City was surrender'd to Mr. Warren and General Pepperrell and the Garrison consisting of about 650 regular Troops, and the Inhabitants of the City being about 1300 effective Men besides Women and Children made Prisoners by Capitulation, with the Loss on our Side of no more than loi Men killed by the Enemy and all other Acci- dents from the time of their landing to the Reduction of the Place, and about 30 which died of Sickness. I omit mentioning the breaking up of the Settlements at St. Peters and 8 other fishing Settlements upon this Island, and the Burning of several Houses at St. John's Island within the time of the Siege by Companies put on board some of our Cruizers. Your Excy's. most Humble and Obedient servt. W. Shirley. 279 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [Extract *] Louisbourg, October 29, 1745. My Lord Duke, The late Season of the year making it dangerous for me to delay my Return to Boston longer, I shall Embark for that Place in two days leaving in this Garrison 2250 private Centinels, Corporals and Sergeants and Commission'd Officers being all among those I found here, that were either fit for Duty, or whom it was not most for his Majesty's Service to dismiss, or to permit to go to New England upon Furlo to raise recruits, or as Agents to fetch supplies for those who stay behind ; and have omitted nothing in my Power to make the Troops easy and satisfy'd in their Duty here 'till the Arrival of the two Regiments from Gibraltar, and the Garrison can be furnish'd with its Complement of Troops upon another Establishment, and to put their Bar- racks under such a Regulation, as may best preserve the men's health. I have also inspected the State of the Ord- nance Stores and put 'em into the best Condition I can, pro- moted the repairs of the Works and Houses, and the making of additional Barracks for the Reception of the Troops ex- pected here, as far as I could ; and the laying in sufficient Quantities of Provisions and Cioathing ; And to Guard against any Surprize, have order'd four Companies of Scouts of 50 men each well provided with Snow Shoes and Mog- gisons to be rais'd, and two Guard Houses for a Constant Watch to be set up without the City, where they may com- mand a View of the Country and Bay ; and shall leave the place as defensible as I can with Mr Warren, who has him- self strengthen'd the Garrison by the additional Artillery, and Ordnance Stores, which he has drawn into it from the Ships, and will further secure the Harbour by a Boom and Fire Vessell. ip. R. O., C O. 5, 900, p. 255. 280 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY As to the sea force necessary to be sent here in the Spring for the protection of this Place, and the time when the Ships should arrive in these Seas I beg leave to refer your Grace to Mr Warren. The number of Troops adviseable to be maintain'd in the Garrison inclusive of the Train of Artillery, 'till it shall be strengthen'd with a Number of Settlers, which I hope it may be within a year or two, seems to me to be 4000 at least including a Train of Artillery consisting of two Companies, after which I should think 3000 Soldiers besides a proper Train of Artillery would be sufficient for the Defence of it during the Warr, and half that number or per- haps 1000 men exclusive of the Train of Artillery in time of Peace. A Civil Government, the same general Toleration of Protestants of all Denominations, as is express'd in the New England Charter, a privilege from Arrests for five or seven years, a Distribution of some of the Lands among the first Set- tlers, and a free port (except as to the importation of European Commodities, without their having been first laden in Eng- land, which license in my opinion would have a Dangerous Tendency to throw the European Trade to this place, and indeed to all the Colonies into the Dutch Channell) if con- sistent with the Acts of Trade now in force, would be con- siderable Steps towards forwarding the Settlement of this Island, and with the Advantage of the Fishery here, es- pecially if large Convoys from the West Indies and all the Colonies were to be made up here, according to Mr Warren's proposal, could not fail, I think, of soon drawing hither a very large number of Inhabitants. For the manner of finishing the Works of the Garrison necessary to be compleated in order to put it into the most defensible posture, Mr Engineer Bastide has transmitted to the Board of Ordnance a plan of his projections, concern- ing which I can't pretend to give any opinion ; but would observe to your Grace that proper directions in that respect should b'^ a\^rf^r,^ with the utmost Dispatch ; and in particu- lar it seems of great Consequence that the weak parts of the Works, which, among other Inducements, put me upon making the late attempt against this Place, and are the 281 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY low Courtain against a Cove fronting the Sea at the South East part of the City, and the row of Pickets in a Pond at a small distance from it to the North East, and the whole wall fronting the Harbour from the Flagstaff in the North East Bastion to the West Gate, and which are plainly un- finished parts of the works, should be immediately strength- en'd in the most secure manner and rais'd. The two first- mention'd parts of .the Works seem the most necessary to be finish'd ; after which if the last mention'd part was to be finish'd by degrees, I believe all the other Works might remain in the form they are in, with being repair'd and strengthen'd, which may be done without any great Ex- pence : Though I wish some good projection had been made for securing the Landside of the Grand Battery or at least making it more tenable against great Artillery, than it is at present. I would also observe to your Grace that I perceive by Mr Bastide's plan the West Gate newly built at the Expence of about 1 300 i:" Sterling with the choicest of the Stone here, and which I mention'd in a former Letter to your Grace to be built up in the same weak manner that it was at first by the French, and to require being strength- en'd with Town Timber to make it endure a Battery, is now propos'd (I suppose for that reason) to serve only for this Winter, and the Road is design'd to be turn'd, and an- other Gate built a little to the South of the present one. I should not trouble your Grace with such particulars, or go so far beyond my line in the Business of an Engineer, if I was not exceedingly dissatisfy'd at the present Management of the repairs of the Works, the ruinous Condition of some of 'em, and the Waste of Money and Time in doing some things not very necessary and others in an ineffectual man- ner ; and I think it my Duty to observe to your Grace that the chief Direction of these Works should be under the ablest Engineer, which can be spar'd ; I doubt the cost of finishing 'em, and the maintenance of the Garrison will, from the Expence of what has been done upon the work since the Reduction of the place, and the present maintenance of the Garrison, appear extraordinary, but I don't think the present 282 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Charges a just rule for estimating the future necessary Ex- pence ; And though it appears that the French King must have been at an immense Charge in fortifying this place, yet it is most evident that from the value which his Subjects and I believe all the British Colonies likewise set upon it, that no expence will by them be thought too much for it. Among other measures necessary to be taken for pre- serving this Acquisition to His Majesty putting the Inhabit- ants of Nova Scotia upon a proper foot of Subjection and fidelity to the Crown of Great Britain seems to be an Es- sential one ; For at present upon the landing of looo French Troops in that Province with a suitable Train of Artillery for attacking his Majesty's Garrison at Annapolis Royal all the French Inhabitants, among whom may be reckon'd between 5 and 6000 Effective men, together with the Cape Sable, Penobscot, St. John's, and other neighbouring Indians computed at 1500 fighting men more must be expected to join 'em ; so that upon the Reduction of that Place the Enemy would soon have a force of 8000 Men with perhaps more than half that number of Canadeans ready within a few Leagues of this Island to land and join a Number of other French Troops from Europe, in attempting to regain the Possession of Louisbourg. And this makes it seem so necessary that His Majesty should at this Juncture be thoroughly appriz'd of the uncommon circumstances of that Province, in which the number of the Inhabitants in- stead of Strengthening his Garrison and Government there, as they ought to do, endangers the Safety of 'em, that I have endeavour'd in the inclos'd Representation, which is chiefly extracted from an Account, which Mr Sherriff the present Secretary of Nova Scotia, who has been privy to the Transact- jns there almost from the first Settlement of the Garrison, drew up at my request, to state the Circum- stances of the Province in the fullest manner for your Grace's Consideration of what may be most adviseable for his Maj- esty to do for the better Settlement of his Government within it, and the Security of his Garrison at Annapolis Royal. Mr Warren seems strongly inclin'd to the Scheme first 283 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY propos'd in the inclos'd Representation for putting the prov- ince of Nova Scotia into a better State, but the other may possibly be the most secure, though not so expeditious. I took the Liberty to mention in a former Letter to your Grace, that I thought, if the Expedition against Cape Breton should succeed, a Spirit would be immediately rais'd in the Colonies for pushing that success as far as Canada ; which observation I find was not ill grounded ; And I trouble your Grace with the Repetition of it now, because the Reduction of that Country to the Obedience of his Majesty seems to be the most effectual means of securing to the Crown of Great Britain not only Nova Scotia, and this Acquisition, but the whole Northern Continent as far back as the French Settlements on the River of Missisippi, which are about 2000 miles distance from Canada, by making all the Indians inhabiting within that Tract, (who are now chiefly, almost wholly indeed in the French Interest) dependent upon the English ; the immediate consequence of which would be throwing the whole furr Trade, except such part of it as the French Settlements at Missisippi might keep, into the hands of His Majesty's Subjects ; breaking up all the^French Fish- ing Settlements in the Gulph and river of St Lawrence, and even on the back of Newfoundland, and Securing the whole Codfishery to the English ; which besides the Profits arising from that part which the French lately had of it amounting to near one Million Sterl as computed in the account of it, which I lately inclos'd to your Grace would be farther Bene- ficial to the British Subjects by the great Consumption of Rum, and Cioathing necessary for the Men in carrying on the Fishery, and the great Quantity of Shipping, small Craft and Fishing Gear of all Sorts necessarily employed in it, which would in such Case be all British : To what I also mention'd concerning the Nursery of Seamen, which that Fishery would maintain for the Royal Navy, I may add, that from the Healthfulness of the Climates on this Con- tinent and the Surprizing Growth of it's Inhabitants within the last Century it may be expected that in one or two more centuries there will be such an addition from hence to the 284 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Subjects of the Crown of Great Britain, as may make 'em vye for numbers with the subjects of France, and lay a found- ation for a superiority of British Power upon the Continent of Europe at the same time that it secures that which the Royal Navy of Great] Britain has already at Sea ; and this is a remarkable Difference between the other acquisitions in America belonging to the several Crowns in Europe and this Continent, that the others diminish the Mother Coun- try's Inhabitants, as Jamaica, Barbadoes, and the other Southern Collonies belonging to Great Britain have done, and the Spanish West Indies have done even to the exhaust- ing of Old Spain. In the mean while the Vent of the Woollen Manufacture and other European Commodities from Great Britain to these Colonies must be Increasing in proportion to the In- crease of their Inhabitants ; and the Mother Country will be independent of all foreign States for Naval Stores, which she will purchase from thence, with her own produce, and at moderate rates ; she will supply all the Roman Catholick States with their Baccaleau ; The profits of the whole Trade of these Colonies will all finally center in her, her Navigation will be greatly Increas'd, and the Ballance of her growing Trade to North America will for ever be in her favour : And what seems to make these Advantages still the more valuable is, that they weaken the Power of France whilst they add to that of Great Britain. ******* Upon my arrival at Boston, no Endeavour of mine shall be wanting for the Support of this Acquisition from New England upon any Emergency, as his Majesty's Service shall require ; and in particular I shall concert measures with Sr William Pepperell for raising one or more American Regiments out of the New England Troops, as his Majesty shall determine, for Garrisoning it, and employ my utmost Influence for forwarding English settlement here : and what- ever other branch of His Majesty's service my situation in New England may put it into my power to promote, I shall with the greatest zeal and attention employ myself in doing. 28s CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY And I can't but hope that the province of New York in particular may be induc'd, if the support of this Place should require it, to send some men in the Spring for that purpose, though they could not be prevail'd upon to do it hitherto, nor to send one man to mann the Vigilant, notwithstanding Mr Warren has, I am perswaded, us'd his utmost Interest with 'em for those purposes ; and (as Mr Clinton informs me) they had 7, or 800 Sailors walking the streets there every day out of Employ. In the mean time I find my self, from the uneasiness, which I perceive is growing here at my not relieving the New Eng- land auxiliaries in his Majesty's Garrison at Annapolis Royal, according to the Terms of my proclamation, under a Necessity of drawing 'em out of the Garrison this Fall ; otherwise all faith will be destroy'd upon any future Emer- gencies for his Majesty's Service, which may require a Proc- lamation from any of his Governments in the Colonies to promote it ; and as I think no possible Danger can ensue to the Garrison during the Winter from the drawing off these Soldiers ; and that some recruits will in all probability be sent there from England to reinforce it by Spring at furthest, and in the meantime it is known there will be a Strong Garri- son in the Neighbourhood of it here, I hope there can be no risque in my acting thus ; and it seems evident to me that his Majesty's Service requires particularly at this Juncture, that I should as inviolably observe the proclamations I have been obliged to issue for promoting it, as is possible. However if Mr Mascarene thinks it will endanger the Safety of the Gar- rison I shall desire him in such Case to retain the Auxiliaries ° ' I am with the most Dutifull Regards My Lord Duke Your Grace's most Obedient and most Devoted Servant His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed: J . , r\ ^ ^l Louisbourg, Octr 29th 1745. GovR Shirley 'Sjk Janry 25. 286 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE 1 Louisbourg, November 6th, 1745. My Lord Duke, I should be unjust to the Gentlemen, who have been particularly Serviceable in the Expedition against this place, if I was not to represent their Services to your Grace in a just light. Next to Lieutenant General Pepperell, whose Services his Majesty has already consider'd and distinguish'd with his Royal Favour, I take the liberty to mention those of Brigadier General Waldo, a Gentleman who had the Honour to be personally known to your Grace when he was in England. He rais'd and commanded a very good Regi- ment for His Majesty's Service upon this Occasion, and by his indefatigable application to the Duty of his Post, and good Conduct and behaviour in every part of it through the whole course of the Siege has greatly recommended himself to me ; and as I am sensible too that his Private Affairs have very much suffer'd by his Absence from New England, and that by his Interest there he is capable of raising a considerable Number of Men, if his Majesty should think fit to set on foot an Expedition against Canada, and that he would exert himself upon such an Occasion to the utmost, I think my self obliged to represent him to your Grace as a Person fit to be recommended to His Majesty for the Command of one of the American Regiments to be rais'd here, in case his Majesty shall determine to have more than two rais'd, or I should be honour'd with the Command of General Phillips's Regi- ment (if that should be vacant) so as to make room for him to have one of the two Regiments, in case no more than two should be rais'd. If he can't be rewarded this way I believe it would be for his Majesty's Service, if Mr Waldo was to be appointed Lieutenant Governour of this Place, (provided it would be agreeable to Mr Warren and he recommends no other Person for his Lieutenant) as I am persuaded in the 1 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 900, p. 269. 287 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Absence of the Commander in Chief he woud be capable of promoting the Settlement of it from the General Acquaint- ance, he has in these parts ; and I find Sr William Pepperell would decline this Post if it was to be offer'd to him : Mr Waldo has also been more conversant in making new Settle- ments, than any Gentleman I know of in New England, and has had as large concerns in the New England Fishery, as any ; both which matters it may be of service for a Lieutenant Governour at least of this place to be acquainted with, has a most unwearied application to any Service he undertakes, a large Interest in unsettled Lands in New Eng- land, the value of which would greatly rise, if this Acquisition, and Nova Scotia was to be well secur'd to His Majesty, and is besides a Gentleman in whom the People in New England would have a Confidence. Lieutenant Colonel Gridley, who had under my Commis- sion the Chief Command of the Train of Artillery and the direction of the Batteries during the Siege, and particularly of the Battery rais'd at the Lighthouse over against the Enemy's Island Battery, and which so greatly annoy'd it, has by his Services also deserved to be recommended to your Grace for being Establish'd in his Post, if that may be con- sistent with the Service. Mr Benjamin Green who has behav'd himself in the Post of Secretary to the General during the whole Time of the Serv- ice with great Fidelity and Diligence, has merited from me and the General, to be recommended to your Grace as a fit person to be Secretary of this Acquisition, when erected into a Government by His Majesty, and I believe will have Mr Warren's recommendation likewise for that purpose. And Mr William Winslow whom I have appointed Com- missary General of the provisions and Stores to the Land forces here, I take the liberty to recommend to your Grace for a Confirmation in that post, which recommendation I also believe Mr Warren will join in. I take the liberty also of recommending to your Grace's favour Captain Tyng, who commanded a Ship of 20 Guns call'd the Massachusetts Frigate, and had the command of 288 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY all the arm'd Vessells employ'd by that Province, and the other Colonies in the Expedition ('till Mr Warren's Arrival at Canso) In which Service he underwent great Fatigue being upon his Station off Louisbourg Harbour by the 21st of March, and continuing upon Duty from that time to the End of the Expedition, in all which time he behav'd very well. Captn Tyng was also last year in the Province Galley, call'd the Prince of Orange, of great Service in Succouring His Majesty's Garrison at Annapolis Royal, which he did in pursuance of my orders with great Fidelity and Success, having convoy'd two parties of the New England Auxiliaries thither, been Instrumental In twice raising the Siege, besides making another visit there late In the Fall afterwards, when I sent him In Company with two more Arm'd Vessells In the Employ of the Province upon Intelligence that the Inhabit- ants of Nova Scotia were ripe for a Revolt, and the late Governour Duquesnell had sent a Ship of 24 Guns, and two other arm.'d Vessells Into Annapolis Baison In expectation of joining Mr Duvivier in an Attempt upon his Majesty's Garrison there, which visit had the Effect to make those Vessells quit the Baison upon their getting Notice soon after their Arrival there of the Massachusetts Vessells being to be sent thither soon, and to keep the Inhabitants that Winter in a better awe and respect of the Garrison. For which reasons If your Grace should think fit to recommend Captain Tyng's Services to be distingulsh'd with some mark of His Majesty's Royal Favour, as by his being made a Post Captain, or in such other way as shall be thought proper, I believe It might have a good Effect for his Majesty's Service. I owe so much to Mr Thomas Kilby's Indefatigable pains In assisting me with Intelligence, and every way forwarding and promoting the Expedition In a most necessary manner, whilst it was forming, that I should be exceedingly unjust to his Services, if I did not mention 'em to your Grace, and recommend him to be Keeper of the Ordnance Stores, or some other post here equivalent to it. I believe Mr Kilby's Residence here would be of Service on many Accounts. VOL. I — u 289 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY And though Lieutenant Aldrlch of General Phillips's Regi- ment was not in his Majesty's Service upon this Expedition, yet I owe so much to him for the Intelligence he gave me when I first entertain'd Thoughts of setting it on foot, that I take the liberty of making a favourable mention of him to your Grace, as I am perswaded he is a good Officer and of great Zeal for his Majesty's Service. But among others whom I would represent to your Grace, as deserving of his Majesty's Favour for their Services, I must not omit mentioning the Province under my Government in particular, as I have it extremely at heart that the people, whom I have been so instrumental in leading into an Expence greatly beyond their Abilities for his Majesty's Service, and have found upon all occasions most readily dispos'd to promote it, should not be overburthen'd with a Debt, which their Zeal and Loyalty have brought upon 'em ; and Justice as well as the Aff"ection, which I bear to 'em, constrains me to beseech your Grace to recommend their Case to His Majesty's paternal Care and Tenderness in the Strongest manner. [I] Am with the highest Regards My Lord Duke Your Grace's most Obedient and most devoted Servant W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed : Louisbourg Novr 6th & 20 1745 GovR. Shirley ^ Janry 25. 290 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS ' Abstract of a Letter from William Shirley Esqr Governor of the Massachusets Bay, dated at Louisbourg the i6th of November 1745. and read January the 28th, 1745/6. Mentions his Arrival at Louisbourg, and gives some Acct of what Mr Warren has done for the Defence of that Place. Has transmitted to the Duke of Newcastle some Proposals for the better maintaining and supporting this valuable Acquisition. His Remarks thereupon. The Necessity of driving the French out of Nova Scotia, and the Advantages that will accrue to Great Britain from the Reduction of Canada and the rest of the French Settlements upon the Continent of America. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE 2 Louisbourg, Noveifi. 20th, 1745. My Lord Duke, 1 take the Liberty to request of your Grace that if his Majesty should be pleas'd to make Grants of any Parcells of Lands on Cape Breton to private Persons I may be rec- ommended to His Majesty for the Grant of a few Veins of Coal lying on the Back Part of the Island. If to the many other favours, which your Grace has been pleas'd to bestow upon me, you would be so good as to add this, it may possibly be of some Service to my Family here- after, though I don't apprehend it to be of much Value in ^ P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 923, p. 165. The original letter comprising about two thousand words is in C. O. 5, 885. 2 P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 900, p. 282. 291 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY present, and will with the utmost Gratitude be acknowl- edg'd by My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Oblig'd and most Dutifull Servant W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed : Louisbourg Novr 20. 1745 GovR Shirley 5 Janry WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL ^ Sir, I think it will be necessary to have Evelath dismissed in order to make room for Hall's Regiment to do Duty with yours. Be pleas'd to think of it. Will you propose his being dismiss'd to the Admiral : you know my promise to him not to dismiss any field officers without his Consent. Yrs. &c. W. Shirley. Don't forget your appointment with me at one. Louisbourg Novr, 22, 1745. To Sir William Pepperell Baronet. ^ Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Pepperrell Manuscripts, 71 A, p. 233. This letter illustrates again the care with which Shirley acted lest that harmony with the British regulars, so essential to success, should be lost. The Evelath mentioned Is Edward Eveleth, Lieutenant Colonel of the 5th Massachusetts Regiment at Louisbourg. 292 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ' Boston, Decemr. the 14th, 1745. My Lord Duke, Six days ago I arriv'd here from Louisbourg having left the Garrison there upon their recovery from their late sickness, (which I hope may by this time be almost if not quite over) and well satisfy'd to stay 'till June under the Command of Sir William Pepperell, whom I have engag'd to remain with 'em 'till the arrival of the Troops from Gibralter, or at least till Mr Warren's Comission for the Government shall come over; so that I hope my leaving the Soldiers will have no ill effect, as was fear'd here. Just before I sail'd from Louisbourg seventy live recruits landed from Boston, and in my Passage I met a Sloop with about fifty more bound for Louisbourg from the same place, and at my Arrival here found about one hundred and thirty more ready to embark for the Garrison, all which with one hundred and seventy more recruits hourly expected at Louisbourg from the Govern- ment of Connecticut before I left Cape Breton will upon their Arrival make the number of private Centinels and Non Comission'd Officers, which I left in the Garrison, 2623, besides more than a proportion of Comission'd Officers, and provided the Sickness abates, as I hope and expect it will, render the place stronger than the Camp was some time during the Siege, when they have had fifteen hundred men at a time down with Fluxes and Unserviceable. I find a prospect of raising 150 or 200 more recruits here shortly, and shall not fail to use my utmost endeavours to influence the Neighbouring Governments to furnish their Quotas towards the defence of this important Acquisition, though I have no hopes of getting any men except from the Governments of New England, or rather from two of 'em only besides my own Government ; an officer whom I per- mitted to go upon Furlo to Rhode Island to raise recruits 1 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 900, p. 284. 293 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY there being return'd to Louisbourg after several weeks ab- sence with no more than twelve men ; and notwithstanding Mr Warren has assur'd me that he has some influence in New York, and I doubt not has try'd it to the utmost, not one man has been procur'd from thence for the Garrison, nor could he get a single Marriner for his Squadron, though Gov- ernour Clinton informs me there were eight or nine hundred stout Sailors daily walking the streets there out of employ, and he offer'd to pay 'em down the Bounty money granted by this Government, as I desired him, for manning the Vigi- lant during the time of the Expedition only ; so that no dependence is to be upon that Colony ; and indeed I am perswaded that Governour Clinton (for whose ready assist- ance in this Expedition and upon all occasions for his Maj- esty's Service I am greatly indebted to him) if the people of New York were to be prevail'd upon, must have influenc'd 'em by his Superior Interest there and Generous Publick Spirit constantly manifested for the good of the Colonies as well as his Majesty's Service among 'em. Among those who are gone to Louisbourg I have the pleasure to find that some families are already gone out of this Government to settle there ; and I hope their Example will be soon foUow'd by some out of other Colonies ; and as it seems probable that the Ordnance Stores and Provisions for the Garrison and Cloathing for the American Troops from England may not arrive at Louisbourg this winter, it is very happy I have procur'd those Supplies for the Garrison from the Colonies. Upon my Arrival here I found a letter from Mr Agent Kilby informing me that His Majesty had determin'd to Establish two American Regiments at Louisbourg, and that I was to be Honour'd with the Command of the first of 'em, for which mark of his Majesty's gracious acceptance of my Services I hold myself bound to him by the strongest tye of Duty and am extremely oblig'd to your Grace's goodness for recommending me to his Majesty for that Comand, as I am for the other Expressions of your Grace's regard and Friend- ship for me, with which your Grace is pleas'd to Honour me 294 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY in your Letter, and when the Comisslons arrive I shall use my utmost Endeavours to raise the regiment, but as I find by Mr Kilby's letter that the Comissions of the Field Officers and five of the Captains will come over fill'd up with Gentle- men from England, that ten of the Commissions of the Lieu- tenants and five of the Ensigns are under the same Circum- stances and the Comissions for Sir William Pepperell's Regiment in the like Condition, I am affraid it will be im- practicable to raise either of 'em especially if there is no Levy money allow'd, unless the soldiers now in the Garrison should be held there contrary to the terms of my Proclamation, which I presume his Majesty does not design ; For though the American Soldiers should like the Colonel in whose Regiment they are to serve never so well, yet they have a more immedi- ate regard to the Captain and Subalterns, in whose Company they are to be muster'd, and have generally so great an aver- sion to inlist under any but American Officers whom they know and have an opinion of ; that though I have learn'd to think nothing impossible in his Majesty's Service, yet if anything is, this seems to be so, or at least will cost much time to get it effected ; and in the mean time the conse- quences may be very prejudicial to his Majesty's Service, For when these gentlemen come to Louisbourg with their Commissions they will have their Companies to raise and not be able (I am affrald) to raise among 'em all lOO men out of the American Troops in that Garrison, but must have their men to seek over half the Continent. In the mean time the American Officers will be extreamly uneasy at their disappointment, and their men discontented and difficult to be kept longer in the Garrison, and it will be impracticable to get other American Officers and Soldiers to relieve 'em for the present 'till the gentlemen upon the Establishment shall have rais'd their Companies, besides the tendency it may have to damp the spirit of the Colonies upon any future occasions for his Majesty's Service, that had I apprehended the Officers for the intended American regiments would have been so many of 'em appointed from home, I would have taken the liberty to submit it to your Grace's Consideration 295 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY whether it might not have been more adviseable to have sent over four Regiments from England if that would have been convenient to garrison Loulsbourg than to have rais'd two American Regiments according to the present scheme of doing it ; And though the Command of a Regiment is what is ex- tremely acceptable to me, I should have rather foregone it and waited for some other mark of his Majesty's Royal favour even less acceptable to myself than undergo the concern I shall have least it should be impracticable to raise these Regiments, and his Majesty's service suffer by it in the manner it seems possible to me it may : But as upon raising the American Levies for the late Expedition against the Spanish Settle- ments in the West Indies I observ'd all the Captains and other Officers except the first Lieutenants were appointed by the several Governours out of the Americans upon the spot I thought it probable that the same method at least might have been pursu'd now upon the same and indeed stronger reason for doing it, if it should not have been thought proper to appoint the field Officers out of the Americans. I have taken the liberty to express my fears to your Grace upon this occasion, but shall not in the least slacken my Endeavours to do what I possibly can towards raising both regiments when the Comissions come over but could not for- bear mentioning the great difficulty of doing it, least a failure therein should be afterwards imputed either to some neglect, or diminution of my influence with the people. I find my Lord it is surmis'd in some of my Letters that the filling up of so many Cornissions may probably be owing to disadvantageous representations of the services of the land Forces and particularly of the Officers made by the Gentlemen of the Sea concern'd in the Expedition. What ground there may be for this Surmise I don't know, but hope it is a mistake. If it is not I can't forbear saying that it seems to me injurious to the Land Officers and an imposition on the Ministry. For though doubtless some of the Officers rais'd so suddenly must be exceptionable yet there are many among 'em who have done his Majesty exceeding good Service upon this Occasion at the Hazard of their Lives and greatly to the 296 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Prejudice of their private Fortunes, and are deserving of his Royal favour, and would not part with their late Conquest upon any extremity of an Enemy but at the expence of their lives. . For my own part it has been a point with me to men- tion the share which his Majesty's Ships have had in the late Conquest upon every occasion both Publick and Private in the most advantageous manner. It was for his Majesty's Honour, and I esteem'd it my Duty to do so, and indeed I was instrumental in bringing the Ships into the Service as well as the land Forces : But I must acknowledge I think there will be too much reason for the Colonies to think it something hard, if after the Gentlemen of the Sea have been let into so great a share of reputation and Wealth (by the late immediate Consequence of the Conquest by Land) at so easy a rate as to obtain both without firing a shot against the Town or loosing one man against it, they should en- deavour to forestall the Colonies of all share of favour with their Prince, and reputation with their fellow Subjects (which must depend upon the Value of their Services) and must attribute everything to the bare appearance of the Ships preparing to enter the Harbour, which is a Circumstance too, that I find after this Usage of the Land Forces will be disputed with 'em ; I mean whether the Enemy really had the least apprehension or dread of their attempting to enter the Harbour, or were appriz'd that they were pre- paring to do so ; But I have troubled your Grace more than enough about this and am extremely sorry I have occasion to do it. Some time ago I made mention of a strong French Fort call'd Crown point, situated at the end of the lakeChamplean near the borders of the Governments of New York, Connect- cut. New Hampshire and this Province, as likely to prove a place of Rendezvous for the Enemy to form any Expedi- tion from, or to retreat to after executing one. From thence a body of Canada French and Indians have lately issu'd and cut off a Village call'd Saraghtoga in Albany within the Gov- ernment of New York, where they have barbarously de- 297 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY stroy'd and carried away Captive about 30 families ; It is happy that just before this Blow Governour Clinton and the neighbouring Governments had reclaimed the Six Nations from going over to the French Interest. The Comissioners from my Government inform me that at the late Treaty with these Indians in Albany they would have engag'd 'em in an Expedition immediately against Crown point, which might have prevented the late blow given to this Village, but that the New York Council would not advise Governour Clinton to it ; but I find by my Letters from him now that the New York Government have thoughts of doing it. Having lately procur'd from Fort Major Phillips of An- napolis Royal the late Lieutenant Governour Armstrong's Original Instrument mention'd in my late State of the Prov- ince of Nova Scotia to be given by him to the French In- habitants of that Province, by virtue of which and of an- other of the same tenour given 'em by him in 1730, they claim an Exemption from bearing Arms in defence of his Majesty's Government, I enclose your Grace a copy of it. — Mr Philipps in his letter inclosing this Instrument to me observes that the " Inhabitants of Nova Scotia at the first news of Louisbourg being surrend'red were in great Con- sternation and at Minas in particular they appear'd in Tears in the Publick places, where nine months before they had assisted in singing Te Deum on a false report that Annapolis Royal was surrendered to Monsieur Du- vivier." He goes on to say that a report was spread there that Monsieur Duvivier was arriv'd at Canada with rigging for two Men of War, and the Renomme a French thirty gun ship with two Prizes at Quebec, and all the Nova Scotia Priests were gone to Canada for Instructions, and give out that there are 1000 Canadeans at Chignecto waiting ready for another attempt against his Majesty's Garrison. To this I beg leave to subjoin that it seems to me far from being improbable that the French will attempt the reduction of Nova Scotia early in the Spring, by gaining which they will have a fine provision Country to assemble 8 or 10,000 fighting men and all the tribes of Indians ready 298 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY to join In an attempt against Louisbourg at a few days warning as I observ'd to your Grace in a late Letter ; But if they should not attempt Louisbourg they would irresist- ably break up all the Eastern Settlemts of this Province and I doubt not the whole Province of New Hampshire itself, which would make 'em masters of all the Mast Country and Naval Stores and of a rich soil for Corn as well as Cattle and this would also enable 'em to make deep impressions on all the western frontiers of this Province, New York and Connecticut, and, how far they might penetrate is not cer- tain but so far at least as might make it very difficult to dis- lodge 'em and give 'em such an hold of the Continent as to make 'em think in time of pushing with the assistance of the Indians for the Mastery of it, which is richly worth con- tending for with all their might, as it would in their hands lay the surest foundation for an Universal Monarchy by Sea and Land that ever a people had. This train of Conse- quences from the Enemies being Masters of Nova Scotia may seem remote, my Lord, but they are not impossible, and it may be very difficult for the French to regain Louis- bourg at least without being Masters of Nova Scotia, and that seems under the present Circumstances of the Garrison where no recruits are yet arriv'd from England and the Inhabitants of the Country surrounding it are Enemies in their hearts no difficult Acquisition, and to be made with a small Train of Artillery in three weeks at farthest. I would submit it to your Grace's Consideration whether the Gar- rison should not be reinforc'd as soon as may be and the Inhabitants should not be forthwith put upon a good foot of Subjection and fidelity. Thus in Obedience to your Grace's Direction I have troubled you with my whole sentiments concerning the Province of Nova Scotia, which as I can't think it probable that the French will sleep the next year after the blow we have given 'em at Louisbourg (which, if they don't recover it soon, by retaking Cape Breton or getting Nova Scotia will prove their Death wound in North America) seems to be most Hkely to be attack'd by 'em of any place in these parts, 299 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY and I hope your Grace will excuse my repetition of the Danger of it. I am with the most Dutiful! regards My Lord Duke Your Grace's most Obedt and most Devoted Servant W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed : Boston. Deer. 14, 1745, GovR Shirley B Jafiry 28 WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH 1 Boston, Deer 17, 1745. Sir, I am much oblig'd to your Excellency for your kind Wel- come of me home, which I have now only time barely to ac- knowledge, the General Court, and my Dispatches for three London Vessells, the last of which I have proms'd shall be dismissed by noon, having unavoidably engross'd my whole time : But I will write to your Excellency most fully, and particularly by the next post ; and can only say in the mean time ; that both our Governmts have much depending, and we shall I think have our hands full this Winter. I am with truth and Esteem Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient, Humble Servant W. Shirley. His Excy. Govr. Wentworth. ^ Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Society, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 18. 300 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH ' Boston, Deer 31, 1745. Sir, I am to ask pardon for Inclosing Mr Warren's and Govr Clinton's Letters by the last post to you, without one line to attend 'em ; which was owing to people's crowding In upon me, whom I could not putt off, when Gerlsh call'd upon me ; and I am obllg'd farther to ask your excuse 'till the next post, by which I will endeavour to make you large Amends by a very full answer and acct. of the Situation of our Affairs at Loulsbourg, with my sentiments on every-thing very freely ; and It Is with the greatest pleasure that I shall act In Conjunc- tion with you In every-thIng for his Majesty's Service as we have hitherto done. I have some Dispatches of very great Consequence to us, which I am pushing to get away by a Cork Vessell this Week, and hinders me from writing at large now : The Contents you shall be appriz'd of In my next. In the mican time I can't think you need be in the least Anxiety for giving your Consent to the Money bills, without his Majesty's special leave, upon so extraordinary an Emer- gency for his Service ; and happily attended with such Success too. I hope on the contrary and doubt not but you will have your just and due Share of his Majesty's favour for the part you have acted on this Occasion, so much to your honour and his Service. I am with the compliments of the Season (may this coming Year prove as happy to us in our political affairs as the last) to yourself and family ; with very great regard and Esteem Sir, Your Excellency's most Obedient Humble Servt W. Shirley. His Excy. Govr. Wentworth. 1 Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Society, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 18. 301 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH ^ Boston, Jany. 20, 1746. [1745/6.] Sir, In answer to your Excy's by the post, The Bills I have as yet drawn are stated at the Exchange of £650 Old Tenour for £100 Sterl, or after the rate of 550 per Cent advance ; and are sign'd by Mr Warren and my self : But then I must apprize you that these bills are drawn for Ordnance and other Warlike Stores, which we had no Directions from his Majesty to supply, and stand singly upon the foot of the Service, and it's being a proper Article of Charge upon the Crown ; so that the risque of these bills (which you will observe the Merchts take upon themselves and indemnifye Mr Warren and me against) may be deem'd greater than that of those which I shall draw for the Cloathing and Arms which I am directed (as also the other Govrs. are) to supply. When I come to draw the bills for the Cloathing I shall endeavour to raise the Exchange to 600 per Cent advance. But whether I shall be able to do it, I can't say : You shall hear from me as soon as it is settled, which may be this Week ; In the mean time I desire your Excy. will keep what I have last say'd to your self : I think 600 per Cent advance for these last mention'd bills is the equal Exchange between the Merchts and Gov- ernmt, according to the course of paymt of publick bills. Govr. Clinton by last post informs me that the Indians and Southern forces (he will endeavour) shall be ready to join in the Attempt against Crown point; But I have no Answer yet from Connecticutt ; and our Motions will depend much upon their resolves. ^ I am with great truth and Esteem Sir Your Excellency's most Obedient, Humble Servant W. Shirley. His Excy. Govr, Wentworth. ^ Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 21. ^ The underlining is by Wentworth. 302 * CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM PEPPERRELLi AND PETER WARREN '^ TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY Louisbourg, Janry 28, 1746. Your Excelly on your departure from hence was so well acquainted with the state of this garrison that we have only to advise you the sickness which you left among us has con- tinued to rage to such a degree that from the last of Nov. to this date we have buried 561 men, and have at this time 1 100 sick. We flatter ourselves from the burials of three or four days past not amounting to more than 3 , 4, and 5 of a day, when before were generally from 14 to 17, that the distemper abates. However, it has reduced us to less than a thousand men capable of doing duty in the garrison. We think our- selves indispensably obliged by the trust reposed in us to lay our weakness open to your Excely that you and the Leg- islature of your province may (with the same laudable zeal which you have exerted thro' the whole of an expedition that has added to the British dominions an acquisition of ines- timable value) take the most effectual measures for securing the possession of it against any attempt of the enemy, who may probably make as vigorous a push as possible to regain it, and that before the troops which were intended by his ^ Printed : 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 442. This letter is in the Pepperrell Letter-Book out of chronological order, and Pep- perrell's clerk appears to have substituted the New Style date for the year. Shirley's reply is dated according to the Old Style Mar. I, 1745, see p. 310 -post. ^ Admiral Sir Peter Warren was born in 1703 and died in Ireland in July, 1752. He was in the West Indies at the time of the Louisbourg expedition, having been placed in command of the squadron sent from England to cooperate with Shirley. As a result of this expedition Captain Warren was made Governor of the city after its capture, was raised to the rank of Admiral and was also knighted. So many honors aroused the jealousy of Pep- perrell, who thought the command of the city at least should have been given to the leader of the land forces. Warren was uncle to Sir William Johnson of New York. Z°2, CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Majesty can arrive here, if they are even set out from Gib- raltar. We therefore apprehend it necessary as all human undertakings are liable to various miscarriages, to guard against the many which those troops (of which we have not heard a syllable since you left us) are exposed to in their pass- age so late in the season as they were expected to embark for this place, and as you have been advis'd that it is his Majesty's royal intention to establish two regiments of the Americans here, for their encouragement and the protection of this garrison, it will be necessary as those troops who are here at present, or at least the greatest part of them, are in hopes of returning home upon the terms promised by your pro- clamation at their first inlistment, to make new levies to relieve them, if even the regular troops from Europe should arrive in due time, for if after that we should pretend to keep them, we may reasonably expect they will be very uneasy. Upon the whole we are well assured we need not use any argument to induce your Excellency to pursue all the means in your power, both with your own governt. by your authority and influence, and by the latter with all the neighbouring ones, to whose Governours we now write circular letters upon this subject,^ that may be most conducive to the se- curity of a conquest, the value of which to our country in general, and the colonies in particular, you are so well ac- quainted with, which was no doubt the motive that induced your Excelly to take so much pains in forming and carrying into execution the plan for the reduction of it to his Majy's obedience, which has been so happily effected. We have tho't it necessary to send an express home, who saild the 23rd inst, but would have gone the i8th, had the wind permitted, to apprise his Grace the Duke of Newcastle of our situation, as we do by this your Excelly. If we should not be disturbd by the French in the spring we presume the 1st thing proper to undertake will be the getting the French from the isld of ^ A copy of this circular letter in four pages is in the Pepperrell Letter Book, Mass. Hist. Soc. 71 C, p. 66. It is dated Jan. 25, 1745, and copies were sent to the Governors of all colonies as far south as Virginia. 304 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY St Johns, if they don't prevent us by going to Canada, and transporting them and those that remain on this island to France, agreable to the capitulation, for we are of opinion none of them are to be trusted. In order to perform this service we shall want several small vessels, some of them armd, and we believe Capt. Tyng's ship will be very necessary ; of this your Excelly will be a good judge. We are greatly distress'd for firewood and necessary refreshmts for the sick. We hope quantities of fresh provisions will be sent when vessels can pass, for no expence should be put in competition with that of saving the lives of his Majesty's subjects who have done so much service. Medicines, the doctors say, are much wanted, and we fear the loss of many in the ship Rousby, which was wreck'd and beat to pieces the 27th last month within two leagues of this place, and out of 24 every soul perish'd, except three of the common saylors. Among the unfortunate was Col. Bradstreet's brother, and Doer. Eliot with his son, who it seems was formerly surgeon at Canso, and was appointed to this garrison or hospital, so that tis probable his stock of drugs are lost with him. We can't learn for certain what this ship was laden with, but we believe provision. However, we have apprised the Duke of Newcastle and the Admiralty of the loss of this ship, who will be the best judges how far this garrison will be affected by it, and how to redress it. Nor can we learn from the people that were saved more than that she saild from Eng- land with about 24 sail, five or six of them storeships for this garrison, under convoy of the Kinsale, with whom they parted in a gale of wind near the banks of Newfoundland about 3 weeks before their misfortune. Where they are is uncer- tain, but we hope some of them may be got to Boston, and that you will hurry them down to us. Mr Warren writes to the Captain of the convoy, if there, to join him here with the storeships as soon as possible. We have had pretty severe weather since the middle of December, and some ice, but not to hinder vessels from getting into the harbour. We beg your Excelly will hurry down the materials for the barracks which we wrote for to Messrs Apthorp and Sparhawk, as they VOL. I — X 305 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY will be much wanted for the reception of the regular troops should they arrive, and indeed for those you and the rest of the Colonies may send us. Nothing more occurs to us at present, proper for your information. When any does we sha'n't fail to endeavour to give you the earliest advice, being with great regard. Sir, Your Excellys most obedt. hum. servts. P. w. w. p. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH ^ Boston, Jany 30, 1746 Sir, I take the Opportunity by this Conveyance to let you know that when I wrote my last by the post, I had forgot the Inclosed Act of Assembly, which being expir'd is now reviving. You will perceive it is general and extends to all soldiers in his Majesty's service, and will doubtless reach our case ; and I shall not scruple to give the officers appointed by me a Com- mission to hold Courts Martial ^ upon this necessary Occasion. I inclose your Excy. a Copy of my Commission to General Pepperill upon the late Expedition, which if you like it may serve mutatis mutandis for the precedent of drawing one now. Upon the whole, if your Assembly will follow the Example of mine, I think such an Act will do ; and, as for my self I sha'n't scruple to proceed upon the act of this government. Observe, tho' the Officers appointed by us have not yet receiv'd Commissions from the Crown, yet they are actually in the King's pay and Service from the date of their beating Orders, and have receiv'd Commissions from us. And all Circumstances consider'd, doubtless I think, the Necessity of the Service will bear us out in giving a Commission for ^ Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Society, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 22. * The underlining is by Wentworth. 306 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY holding Courts martial, when the Penalties are inflicted by the Act of the Legislature. I am with great respect Sir Your Excellency's most Obedient, Humble Servt W. Shirley. His Excy Govr Wentworth. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH^ Boston, Febry 9th, 1745. Sir, Four days ago I wrote to your Excellency at large by Lieutent Auchmuty, desiring your leave for him to beat his drums for raising voluntiers for my regiment within your government, which I hope you have before now received. I now trouble you with the same request in favour of Mr Byfield Lyde, and shall take your good offices done him as an obliga- tion to myself. As your Excellency and myself are under the same circumstances with respect to Mr Belcher,^ I am in hopes that your generosity of temper will not discourage Mr. Lyde, who is the best of the family and reduc'd very much in circumstances, in his pursuit of a commission from me (which I strain a point to give him) by procuring me some men. If it would interfere wth your good offices to Captn. Mason (who is sure of his commission, be his success in recruiting what it will), I would not trouble you with this request. But since the arrival of my own and Sir William Pepperell's commissions I have given permission to the recruiting officer of Genl. Dalziel's regiment in the Leeward ^Printed: 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 445. A request for per- mission to recruit in Connecticut was made of Governor Law and Lieutenant-Governor Wolcott. See Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. 13, 180, 182. 2 A reference to the fact that Shirley and Wentworth each took a province away from Belcher in 1741. 307 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Islands to beat up for recruits here, though I question whether he has the King's special order for doing it, as Sir William and I have for raising them in the Northern Colonies, and it is an unlucky time for other officers to be recruiting here. I inclose you the copy of a paragraph of a letter from Mr Cranston of Newport to TVIr Caswell of this place, which I hope may be true, especially in the first article as to the main substance of it. I am, in haste, with great esteem. Sir, Your Excellency's most Obedient, Humble servt. W. Shirley. His Excll. Govr Wentworth. WILLIAM PEPPERRELL TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY. [Extracts ^] Louisbourg, Fabry 20th, 1745. Sir, My last to your Excelly was of the 8th instant, since which I am not favoured with a line from you. I should have been glad to have known what directions are come con- cerning the two American regiments^ proposed to be raised for this place, but as I have no letters from any of the officers that are arrived at Boston, I remain intirely in the dark how I am to proceed. 'Tis said here that some blank com- missions sent from England are arrived in Boston, I should be glad to know if any of them are to be at my disposal, as I am since my last to your Excelly informd by some of the officers here that if they were assured of being establish'd only as subaltans they could inlist a number of men here. I am informed that Mr Bastide has a letter from your Lieut. Colonel to proceed in such a method, but what he has done 1 Printed in full : 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 447. 2 These regiments are the ones referred to by Shirley in his letter of Oct. 2, ante, p. 271. Shirley had promised to give Byfield Lyde the first vacancy as captain in his regiment If Pepperrell would make the same promise and this agreement had been communi- cated to Pepperrell by Charles Chauncy in a letter of Feb. 14th. 30S CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY thereon I can't say, I having been III this three weeks, and have not seen him. I hope the sickness Is dayly abating, the funerals being considerably decreasd lately. Among those lately dead are the Revd, Mr Spear, one of the chaplains sent by the Massachusetts, and the Revd. Mr Backus, a chaplain sent from Connecticut, and this day died Col. Shubael Gorham. Though all that engaged on the expedition against this place have merited much, I think those have exceeded who have tarried here through the winter at the risque of their lives from a terrible pestilence, and in hazard of starving with cold for want of fuel, as well as enduring many other hardships which those avoided who returnd to New England. I impatiently wait the favour of a line from your Excely, and am Your most obedt. hum. servt. W. P.i ^ In regard to enlisting men Pepperrell wrote to Shirley further on Feb. 28 : — Yesterday Mr Bastlde by letter communicated to me a para- graph of a letter from Col. Ellison to him, which he received near a fortnight ago, by Capt. Gould, wherein Col. Ellison mentions that you have wrote at large to me and Mr Waldo on the head of raising men out of the troops here for the two American regiments, and though those letters are not come to hand Mr Bastlde has desired my leave to raise men accordingly. Upon which I took the advice of the Council of War this morning, who are of opinion that as your letters may be hourly expected in which I am to have directions at large on that head, it is best to suspend any proceedings of that kind for the present, which advice I have inform'd Mr Bastide of, and shall take care that it be observed by the other officers here, Col. Brad- street having engaged several to inlist with him when the corps In which they now serve shall be disbanded. If your Excelly should think fit that our officers should raise what men they respectively can here, and also in New England, for the joint benefit of the two regiments I shall act accordingly when I have your opinion and directions which I shall always endeavour to follow. 309 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL ^ Boston, March ist, 1745. Sir, Yesterday I was favour'd with yours and Mr Warren's joint Letter and his Separate one of 28th ^ and 29th of January, and am much Concern'd at your Melancholy Account of the late Mortality and present Sickness in the Garrison ; I pray God to put an End to both. Nothing has, or shall be wanting in me to press upon the Assembly in this Province, and the Neighbouring Governments the Necessity of their Providing Recruits to repair your great Loss, relieve the Soldiers now in the Garrison, and guard against all unforeseen Acci- dents which may happen to the Gibraltar Transports with the Troops in their Passage ; Seven of which I have the Pleasure to inform you I have a Certain Account by one of their Pilots, just come from Virginia, are arriv'd safe there under Convoy of the Dover and Torrington, and that the Troops were in good health and Spirits only twelve of 'em having dy'd in their Passage : These Seven with that arriv'd at New York make up the whole of the Gibraltar Trans- ports ; The Kinsale I hear of a Certainty is arriv'd at St Kitts but without any of her Convoy, and I have had no advice of the Arrival of either of the Ordnance Store Ships (for which I shall be in pain) nor of any other of the Transports bound for Louisbourg except those mention'd in my last to you and Mr Warren by Bennet and Stinson. The Materials for the Barracks with fresh Provisions, Bedding and the other things mention'd in yours to be ex- pected by you and Mr Warren from Messs, Apthorp and Sparrhawk, my Son informs me, are all Sent; As there is no List of the Druggs and Medicines wanted for the Sick, it will I am affraid be impracticable to furnish you with more than what may be Sent by Bennett, Stinson or the other Transports for your Garrison. ^ Original, L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 44. ^ Ante, p. 303. 310 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY I am intirely of your Opinion with regard to the transport- ing of the French from St John's Island the ensuing Spring and shall endeavour to furnish you with small Vessells for that Purpose andTyng shall assist in that and every other branch of his Majesty's Service in my Power to employ him with the Massachusetts Guard Ship. I am sorry to find such a general Disinclination in the New England Soldiers within the Garrison to enlist into either Your's or my Regiment, since we must very much depend on raising 'em in time, as Govr. Wentworth writes me Word in Answer to my Letter upon the Subject of raising Recruits to relieve their Countrymen in May, that he has not a Prospect of raising ten men within his governmt for that Service, and Govr. Clinton informs me that tho' he has been extravagant In offering a Bounty upon that Account, yet not a Man had enlisted within his whole Government : Pray God Send the Gibraltar Troops well to you, and defend 'em against the devouring Distemper's Contagion upon their Arrival, and that You and I may Succeed in our Levies upon this Continent, of which I begin to have a something better Opinion than I had at first, and am not without hopes that we may.^ Mrs Shirley joins with me and Judy and the rest of my family in their Complimts to you. I shall receive all your Com- mands with the utmost Pleasure and am with very great regard Sir Your Most Obedient Humble Servant. W. Shirley. Sir William Pepperrell Baronett. ^ See Pepperrell's answer to this letter, on p. 312 post, of date Mar. 20. 3" CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM PEPPERRELL TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY^ Louisbourg, March 20th, 1745. Sir, Inclosed is a copy of my last to your Excelly, since which I am favoured with yours of the 1st of March, being the only line I have reed from you since your departure from hence ; Bennet and Stinson by whom you mention to have wrote me being not yet arrived. I think it very happy that the troops from Gibraltar are arrived in so good order at Virginia, and hope they will get safe here in good season, and escape the contagion that has prevaild so much here, but through God's mercy is now greatly abated and most of the sick are recover- ing. I reed at the same time with your Excellcy's a letter from Col. Ryan in which was inclosed his Majesty's orders to me for raising a regiment but I have no acct what commissions I have to dispose of, which is a great disadvantage. However after having consulted with Brigr. Waldo and Capt. Bastide what terms of inlistment were best to agree upon, we proceeded to make tryal for both regiments in which we have succeeded beyond expectation, having already inlisted above three hund'd men, which gives me some encouragement, but I fear the levies will go on slowly in New England as so many of the officers are strangers. I have thought of sending up some officers to assist therein, there being some here that, I am persuaded, if I could insure them a Capt's commission could raise a company in a few days. We have reed from Messrs. ^ This letter Is printed in full In 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. 10, 467. Drafts of Newcastle's letters of Mar. 14 to the Governors of the Northern Colonies and to Shirley are In C. O. 5, 45, pp. 215 and 217. Here are given the regiments to be sent to Louisbourg and directions for a conference between Shirley and Warren as to the practicability of an attack upon the French settlements. Shirley was Informed of the appointment of Commodore Charles Knowles to be Governor of Louisbourg and all the governors were called upon to exert themselves to the utmost to secure as many men and as large appropriation, from their assemblies as possible. See Newcastle to Shirley, Apr. 9, post, pp. 319-321 notes. 312 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Apthorj. and Sparhawk part of the materials for the new barracks which we shall forward the building of with all pos- sible dispatch, as we find they will be absolutely necessary for the accommodation of so great a number of troops as are happily destind for the protection of this place. I am glad your Excelly joins in opinion with Mr Warren and myself that the French should be removed from St Johns as soon as possible, which hope will be effected accordingly, and we are much obliged to you for the offers of assistance therein. We have heard nothing lately of any of the store ships ex- pected here, but hope they are safe. There are such large quantities of ice floating on this coast that they may have been obliged to put away, if they have lately attempted to gain this port, and I wish nothing more may have happened to the missing vessells from New England. I hope the Kinsale will soon be here, on whose arrival I shall think of returning to New England as soon as possible. I now inclose to your Excelly an acct of the distribution of the fresh provisions sent by the Province for the sick in which I have endeavourd that all possible equity should be used, and hope it will be satisfactory. I am extremely obliged to your lady and good family for their complements, to wait on whom in N. E. will be no small part of my pleasure in returning. I am, your Excellcy's &c. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELLi Boston, April ist, 1746. Sir, I think my self bound in friendship to advise you to inform yourself of the State of your Regiment In as particular a manner as you can, from Major Mercer, in whom I am perswaded you may safely confide, as a gentleman of great truth and honour. I should not have mention'd this in ^ Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Pepperell Manuscripts, 71 B, p. 133. 313 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY so particular a manner, if I did not think it would be much for your Service, and necessary for you to do. He will inform you, as far as you shall think fit to inquire, of Lieutent Sattie's Affair. Having mention'd my Sentiments of Major Mercer to you before, I need not say any thing farther concerning him than what I have above. I am with much truth and Esteem Sir, Your faithfuU Humble Servant. W. Shirley. Sir Wm. Pepperell Baront. WILLIAM PEPPERRELL TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY ^ Louisbourg, April 6th, 1746. Sir, Inclosed is a copy of my last to your Excelly by Capt. Shreves, since which I am favourd with yours of Janry 15th and Febry i6th, and carefully observe the contents. Am much pleased to find that what I have mentiond in my late letters to your Excellcy, on the head of inlisting jointly here and in N. E. for the two new regiments is agreable to you, and am greatly obliged to you for the readiness you express equally to promote the service of both, in which I shall heartily join with you, and I intirely approve of the measures you have taken and propose to take for that purpose. The advantage which your Excellency observes will accrue by inlisting men on the spot here is what I have had in my mind, and I have accordingly done all in my power consistent with justice and honour to promote such inlistment, and I must confess our success therein has been much beyond my expectations, and I'm persuaded our having appeared to inlist here for seperate interests has been an advantage by stimulating the officers employed therein to outvie each other in success. ^ Printed : 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll, 10, 473. 314 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY I am under no apprehensions of any of the officers of the Gibraltar regiments getting any recruits here ; however, shall endeavour to secure all that will inlist here before their arrival. I very much fear that young officers coming here at present will be of ill consequence, as the resentment of the officers now here at their disappointment and ill usage (as they apprehend it) discovers itself more and more. If they come I shall endeavour to take and give all possible pre- caution in the affair; and I'm persuaded Mr Warren will do It likewise, and I beg your Excellcy will confer with Col. Ryan upon it, and let them be sent or delay'd as upon the whole you shall think most proper. What you mention of the necessity of allowing the soldiers provisions as at Gibraltar, I think a matter of great conse- quence, and If not successfully solicited will be of very 111 consequence on the minds of those that shall inlist now, and prevent filling up future vacancies. I took care when the raising of the American regiments was first proposed to the Duke of Newcastle to mention it particularly, and Mr. Warren did the same. I hope considerable part of the expence of transporting the levies raisd in the Colonies will be saved by the assistance of the government's vessells, but If we are allow'd but two guineas for each man we must be considerable sufferers ; but upon the whole I will endeavour to follow your Excellcy's advice, not to think of the difficulties yet to be encounterd In this affair, but in order to strengthen my resolution to surmount them if possible, I shall write to Col. Ryan to consult with you on the necessary points, and especially on the head of enlisting jointly, which I have already mentlon'd to him. As Brigr. Waldo will doubtless give your Excellency a particular acct. relating to the inllstment here, I beg leave to refer you to his letters. I am sensible of the necessity of what your Excellency mentions of retaining the chief of the troops now here till the garrison Is otherways effectually supported, and I wish I may not be obliged to tarry here longer myself than I expected for that reason ; but I am intlrely of opinion with 315 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY you that the dismission of some prudently managed will have a good effect on the remainder. ilf ^ 4i * * ^ 4: I am your Excellcy's etc. W. P. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH^ Boston, Aprill 23, 1746. Sir, The Bearer Mr. Burton waits upon you for leave to beat up for Voluntiers to enlist in my Regiment within your Excel- lency's Governmt.^ I congratulate you upon our Good news from Great Britain concerning the Dispersion of the Rebels,^ the passing by of the Gibraltar Troops for Louisbourg on George's Banks, and the prospect of Admiral Townsend's Squadron being soon there. I am greatly oblig'd to your Excelly. for all favours shown Mr. Auchmuty and am with great truth Sir, Your Excy's most Obedt, Humble Servt W. Shirley. His Excy. Govr. Wentworth. ^ Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 55. ^ The request made in behalf of Lieutenant Burton in this letter had been made in behalf of Lieutenant James Auchmuty on Feb. 5 and for Byfield Lyde on Feb. 9, See 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 445 and ante, p. 307. ^ The reference is to the events leading up to the defeat of Charles Edward Stuart at Culloden on Apr. 16. 316 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM PEPPERRELL AND PETER WARREN TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY^ Louisbourg, May 6, 1746. Sir, The weak condition of this garrison by sickness put us under the necessity of applying to your Excellcy by our joint letter of 25th of Janry ^ last for a reinforcement as early as possible this spring, lest we should be disappointed in the troops intended for our relief from Gibraltar, but as they happily arrived here the 21st of last month and as the sickness is greatly abated in the garrison, we flatter ourselves that if the colonies (who are as well as our mother country greatly interested in the safety and prosperity of this acquisition) will forward the raising and transporting levies, so as to keep the four regiments appointed for the protection of this garrison compleat, we shall have no further occasion to put them to any trouble or expence for the defence of this conquest. But as we find that the two Gibraltar regiments do not consist of above 1200 men, officers and all, including two companies and a quarter yet expected in the transport from New York, and that we sha'n't have more than 400 men belonging to the two American regiments who have inlisted here, and including the recruits sent from New England, which makes but 1600 in the whole, we appre- hend it will not be prudent, at least for some time, to weaken the garrison by a strict complyance with your Excellcy's and our promise to let all the American troops go home, but to do it by degrees as recruits arrive, and by that means keep near as many here as the four regiments, if compleat, would consist of. But if Admiral Townsend or any squadron of his Majesty's ships should arrive we think we need not keep so many. However, we hope the levies will go on well in all the colonies that we may soon have it in our power to keep our ^Printed: 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 475. 2 See letter of Jan. 28, ante, p. 303. The letter of Jan. 25 was a general letter to other governors, and is referred to in note on p. 304. 317 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY faith with the old troops. We find it extremely difficult to get quarters for the new officers and troops, tho' we have converted the hospital into a barrack which makes a very good one. We are with the advice of the Council going to send two armd vessels to the island of St. Johns to bring some of the deputies of that island here, and to settle measures with the inhabitants for their evacuating it agreable to the terms of the capitulation, with which if they comply we hope when these vessels return those you intend us from Boston will be here ready to go for them and their effects, or upon a concom- pliance [noncompliance .^], to act in an hostile manner, and if possible to force them into it and destroy their houses and settlements. Neither the Kinsale nor any of her convoy are yet arrived, except the Eliza and Sarah, victuallers, who came some time ago from New York, and is gone to Maryland. Capt. Rous is very much wanted here, and materials of all kinds for building and repairing quarters for the troops. We have sent up by the Shirley Galley about 120 of the old troops, about 30 of which are such whose health requird their change of air, and the others such whose necessities most required their dismission, and we shall continue to do the same by every opportunity as the arrival of the levies for the new regiments and the other circumstances of the gar- rison will admit of. We are, with great regard, Your Excellcy's, &c. W. P. P. W.i WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH^ Q Boston, May 27th, 1746. oIR, 1 receiv'd the inclos'd for your Excellency together with ^ This is Warren's last letter to Shirley as Commander of the naval forces at Louisbourg. On May 24 Isaac Townsend wrote Shirley that he had succeeded to the command and would gladly begin a correspondence with him. (Adm. Sec, Ins. Letters, p. 480.) 2 Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 56. 318 ' CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SPIIRLEY Packets (I suppose of the same general Import)^ for all the Governours upon the Continent as Southward as Virginia Inclusive, last night by his Majesty's Sloop Hinchenbrook in 46 days from England ; and shall say no more to your Excellency at present upon this Occasion than that I should be glad to know your Sentiments as to the number of Men necessary to enter the Enemy's Country with by Land, and to proceed to Montreal In order to form a seige of it, or to break up the Settlements between that and Quebec ; the time of Year they should enter It, and the number of Men (suppose of Regular forces) sufficient for the reduction of Quebec, which must be attempted by Sea as well as by Land. And I should take it as a favour if you would communicate your Sentiments to me upon the whole Affair as fully as may be In every particular. The Colonies of Rhode Island and Connectlcutt have nominated Commissioners to meet the New York Commis- sioners ; I wish your Excellency's Assembly would do the same. I am in great haste and with much truth Sir Your Excellency's most Obedient, Humble Servant W. Shirley. His Excy. Govr. Wentworth. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH ^ Boston, May 31st, 1746. Sir, 1 had your Excellency's favour last night by Mr. Atkin- son, and have answer'd the several Quaerls as well as I can. ^ The letter (of Apr. 9, 1746) to the Governor of Rhode Island Is printed R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 162, and relates to raising troops in the King's pay for the Canadian expedition. 2 Original in Ms. of Shirley, Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 57. The second portion of the manuscript consists of questions regarding the expedition, in the hand of Went- 319 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Was I in your place I should not be in the least uneasiness about the Emission of bills to which you gave your Consent for the Service of the Expedition against Cape Breton, or that which you purpose to give your consent to for his Majesty's Service i n this ag ainst Canada.^ I don't wonder that you have had no answer concerning your lastEmission ; theConfusion caus'd by the Rebellion drew oflF the thoughts of the Ministry from every thing else ; Besides as you wrote 'em word what you did upon the last Expedition, and have had no Answer (which is a sign that all is well) I think you have good grounds to take it for granted that it was agreable to the Ministry then, and to proceed now. But in one word the Importance of his Majesty's service and the necessity of another emission to carry it on is a sufficient reason for your proceedings. A Committee of both houses have consider'd my Speech to 'em (which will not be printed at present) and reported upon it, and the two houses will I believe pass upon the re- port today ; so that I shall be able to send you a Copy of it by the next post. I have not time to add farther in my hurry, than that I shall keep up a strict correspondence with you (as I hope your Excellency will do with me) upon all material points. I have communicated to Mr Atkinson the Duke of Newcastle's Letter to my self, the particulars of which he will acquaint you with. I am 'till next post with great respect and Esteem Sir Your Excellency's most Obedient Humble Servant. W. Shirley.^ worth with the answers furnished by Shirley. They indicate the latter's continued influence over the New Hampshire governor. - The underlining is by Wentworth. ^ On this date Shirley wrote to the Duke of Newcastle acknowl- edging the receipt of the latter's letters of Mar. 14 and Apr. 9 with the plan for the reduction of Canada. He agrees to do his best towards raising men for the campaign and congratulates the Duke on the favorable turn the rebellion in Great Britain has taken. In this letter occur the words which seem to show the feel- ing of Shirley regarding the Acadlans favorable to their expulsion. 320 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY The Affair of the Powder must be postpon'd for another Week. Surely if you have another Emission, the Assembly will pay for it, and that would put the best End to the matter. P.S. I shall esteem Mr Atkinson's ^ serving in this Ex- pedition of very great Consequence to the Success of it ; and hope your Excellency will promote his going into the Serv- ice. I shall let Genl Saintclair ^ and Mr Warren know my Sentiments concerning him. His Excy Govr Wentworth. QUERIES UPON HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF NEW- CASTLES LETTER DATED APRIL 9TH 1 746. Whether if it be to promote the Expedition, you shall make any variation, from His Majestys intention of the Companys to be raised to Consist of one hundred men. I think I can't. Speaking of the danger to Annapolis, Shirley writes (P. R. C, C. O. 5, 901, p. 7) : "... I would beg Leave to observe to your Grace, that the Danger to his Majesty's garrison arises chiefly from within the heart of the government itself, the Inhabitants and neighboring Indians whose Numbers are sufficient of themselves with a small assistance from Canada and the help of a proper Train of Artillery split up the Bay in small Vessells (which would give 'em great En- couragement to take up Arms against the garrison) to reduce it. However while the Attempt against Canada is depending, that will certainly go far towards holding the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia in suspense, till the success of it is known ; and I hope by next Spring they may either be put upon a better foot of Sub- jection, or the most dangerous among 'em removed. , . ." ^ Theodore Atkinson, the Secretary of New Hampshire and Wentworth's right-hand man in obtaining supplies from the colony, was born at Newcastle, N.H., Dec. 20, 1697. Graduated at Harvard College in 1718, and died Sept. 22, 1779. ^ Sir John Saint Clair or Sinclair, Lieutenant-Colonel in the regular army, had been selected by Newcastle as commander of the eight battalions of British troops promised for this expedition, and had been given the rank of Lieutenant-General in the Pro- vincial Service. He came to America in 1755, serving as deputy VOL.1 — Y 321 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY 2 Whether you propose a bounty to the men that shall inlist, and how much and by whom to be paid. I propose a Bounty, which must be paid by the Country ; I know not yet the Quantum. 3 Whether the Arms and Cloathing which Lieut Genl St Clair has orders to make a reasonable allowance for the Expence of, is not to be paid for here, by the respective Governmts or whether any orders are Expected for drawing for the Same, The Expence will be paid for here by the Governmts or Soldiers ; and allow'd for General St Clair. 4 Whether it is Expected that the respective Governmts furnish Vessells of War, transports, provisions, and other Necessary Subsistance and Stores at their Expence, — or on the Kings. They must be provided by the Governments, whether the King reimburses 'em for the Expence or not. It is best to construe the thing in our own favour ; But it is not clear to me ; and We must do as well as we can about it after- wards. 5 Whether any alteration can be made on His Majestys Commands, with respect to the Rendezvous appointed at Louisbourg, if one half of the men or any Considerable part, should choose rather to Joyn the Land Army, than go by Sea, of this or any other Government. This will depend upon the resolution of General Saint Clair, Admiral Warren, and myself. Endorsed: Queries ^ put and answerd relating to Expedition May 1746 per Govr Shirley. quartermaster-general under Braddock, and was wounded in the battle of the Monongahela. He served also under Brigadier- General John Forbes in 1758. ^ Newcastle's letter of Apr. 9 is in C. O. 5, 45, p. 229. It is of 1700 words, and relates to the troops which are to go to Louis- bourg under St. Clair, provisions to be made for arms and clothing, and the securing of pilots familiar with the St. Lawrence River. 322 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY — PROCLAMATION 1 By his Excellency William Shirley Esqr. Captain General and Governour in chief in and over his Majesty's province of the ^ Massachusetts Bay in New England — A Proclamation Whereas His Majesty has been graciously pleased to order a number of Troops under the Command of the Honourable Lieutenant General St. Clair to proceed from Great Britain to Loulsbourgh, with a sufficient convoy of men of War, and with them a great part of his Majestys Troops now In Garri- son at Loulsbourgh and also with such Troops as shall be Levied for that purpose in his Majesty's colonies in North America to attempt the immediate Reduction of Canada ; and has signified his Royal pleasure to me, as also to the Governours of the several provinces and colonies of Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, by Letters dispatch'd from his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, that the necessary Dispositions should be forthwith made for the raising as many men within this and the above mentioned Govern- ments as the shortness of the time will admit for proceeding on the said expedition. And whereas the Great and General Court of this province have with the utmost Chearfulness and unanimity, Voted to give all necessary and proper Encouragement for Three Thousand voluntlers that shall inlist into his majesty's Service In this Expedition ; In obedience therefore to his Majesty's said Commands, I have thought fit with the ad- vice of his Majesty's Council, to Issue this Proclamation, in order to make known his Majesty's gracious Intentions and Declarations for the Encouragement of all able Bodied, effective men that are inclined to Inlist themselves into his service In the Land Expedition, together with the further Encouragement which is offered by this Government viz. ^ Original, Mass. Archives, Military 72, 718. 323 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY That the said Volunteers will be under such officers as I shall appoint ; That they will be immediately intitlied (sic) to his Majesty's Pay, the Officers from the time they shall engage in his Majesty's Service and the Soldiers from the respective days on which they shall be inlisted ; That if provision cannot be made of Arms and Clothing for them, by reason of the shortness of the time, a reasonable allowance will be made them in money for the same ; That they shall be intitled to a share of the Booty that shall be taken from the enemy and shall be sent back to their several Habitations when this Service shall be over, unless any of them shall desire to settle elsewhere. And for the further Encourage- ment of all Voluntiers that shall engage in this Service, It is provided that they shall receive Thirty pounds in Bills of Credit of the old tenour, as a Bounty, as also for each man a Blanket, and a Bed for every two men ; the said Bounty to be paid upon the Enlistment, and the Blankets and Beds at the time of their Embarkation or proceeding on the said Expedition ; and that all such Voluntiers as shall proceed on this Expedition shall be Exempted from all Impresses for two years after their Return. Given at the Council Chamber in Boston the second day of June 1746, in the Nineteenth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith &c. By order of his Excellency the Governour, with the advice of the Council. J. WiLLARD Sec'ry. W. Shirley. God Save the King. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH 1 Q Boston, June 6th, 1746. oIR, I am favour'd with your Excellency's of yesterday's date by your Express, and congratulate you upon your Success ^ Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc. Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 58. 324 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY with your Assembly in prevailing on 'em t o vote an Encour- agemt for looo Men ,^ and wish you Success in raising 'em, as I doubt not but you will. I am very sorry Mr Atkinson seems so backward to serve in this Expedition ; I flatter'd my self, when I had the pleasure of seeing him here, that he was not averse to it ; Nothing in my power shall be wanting to engage him in it ; and if my representations of his Serv- iceableness and Consequence in it either to Lieutent. Genl. Saint Clair, or the Duke of Newcastle can be of any weight as very possibly they may to both, he shall have 'em in an hearty manner. I will use my utmost Endeavours that a party of the New Hampshire Men shall be employ'd by Land, and doubt not but a large party of 'em will. I will keep up a constant correspondence with your Excellency, and no Assistance in my power shall be wanting to you ; particularly in the Affair of provisions ; and am with very great regard and Esteem ^^^ Your Excy's most Obedt Servant W. Shirley. His Excellency Govr. Wentworth. ^ The underlining is by Wentworth. The report of the Com- mittee of the New Hampshire Assembly provided for the enlist- ment of one hundred good eifective men and that £60,000 be struck jff for needed expense. In the act as passed there was substituted for the number one hundred the words "as many men as can be got ready to imbark by the last day of July next" (N. H. Prov. Papers, 5, 812-813). On June 2, Shirley had sent letters to the several New England governors (Kimball, Corres. Col. Gov. R. I. I, 424; Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. 13, 223-225), stating the support which Massachusetts would give the expedition and inclosing his own proclamation of encouragement to men enlisting for the campaign against Canada. Printed and manuscript copies of this proclamation were sent to England and are in the Public Record OfBce (C. O. 5, 45, pp. 146 and 277, and ibid. 901, p. 209). A printed copy is in the Mass. Hist. Society also. On June 4, Gover- nor Law of Connecticut promised 600 men (Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. 13, 227), which number was raised later to lOOO. Parkman states that Rhode Island agreed to contribute 300 men, New York 1600, New Jersey 500, Maryland 300, Virginia 100, and that a popular movement in Pennsylvania furnished 400 recruits. (" Half Century of Conflict," Boston, 1892, 2, 169.) 325 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH i Boston, June 8th, 1746. Sir, I am favour'd with your Excellency's by the post, in an- swer to which, as the Duke of Newcastle says expressly in his letter to me that I am to have the appointment of all the Officers for the men to be rais'd within this governmt except the Officer who is to have the General Command of the forces rais'd within the four governmts of New England (who is to be appointed by Genl Saint Clair) and that blank Commissions are to be sent me, (and no doubt to all his Majy's other Govrs. for the same purpose,) I apprehend it is very clear that the forces rais'd in each Governmt are not to be under Command of any field Officer, or Regimental Officer, but such as the respective Govrs. shall appoint;^ and I take it for Granted that field Officers are of course to be appointed. However I have not as yet lay'd my self under any Obligation or Promise in that respect; but tell those who inquire of me concerning this point that it is im- possible for me to know how many Colonels and other field Officers Commissions I shall receive till I see the Commis- sions themselves. As you are to raise 1000 men, I think you 1 Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc. Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 58. 2 The underlines are by Wentworth. The zeal of Shirley in this proposed expedition is conspicuous, as are the points which appealed to Wentworth. The underlinings by the New Hamp- shire governor show his anxiety to know with whom the advan- tage of military appointments was to rest. Wentworth had dismissed the New Hampshire Assembly on June 5, and was ready to appoint officers as soon as or even before troops should be raised. Ten days later Shirley wrote to the Duke of Newcastle thank- ing the Duke for recommending him to the command of General Richard Phillips's regiment and suggesting more definitely the removal of the French from Nova Scotia. 326 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY can't well doubt of having the appointment of field Officers for 'em. I am sincerely Your Excy's most Obedt Humble Servant W. Shirley. His Excy Govr. Wentworth. Surely there never was a number of Companies under one General Command specially appointed for that purpose, with- out any field Officers. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ' Boston, June i8th, 1746. My Lord Duke, Since I receiv'd your Grace's Letter dated the 9th of Aprill, I have the honour to receive that of the 14th of March informing me of the Imbarkation of Major General Framp- ton's Regiment for Louisbourg, the appointment of Mr Knowles to succeed Admiral Warren in the Government of Cape Breton, and of his Majesty's Commands to the Admiral and myself for concerting Measures for his Service at Boston, and transmitting our Opinion touching the Number of Forces necessary to be rais'd in North America for the reduction of Canada : And I am particularly oblig'd to your Grace for the Assurance, you are therein pleas'd to give me that you will recommend me to his Majesty for the command of Lieutenant General Phillips's Regiment, when it shall be- come vacant, which additional Instance of your Grace's Good- ness to the other favours confer'd upon me I shall ever re- tain a most gratefull sense of : And I may assure your Grace that one of the principal motives, I had to desire I might suc- ceed General Phillips in his Command, was the hopes I have of it's putting it in my power to promote his Majesty's Serv- ice in his Province of Acadie, or Nova Scotia by securing ip. R. 0., C. 0.5, 901, p. 13. 327 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the fidelity and Allegiance of the Inhabitants there to his Majesty's Government in the best manner, and thereby pre- venting the French from making themselves masters of it, the Acquisition of which to them with the help of the Indians would likewise endanger the Loss of the Province of New Hampshire and the Mast Country to his Majesty with the Fishery of the Acadie or Cape Sable's Shoar, including that of Canso, to his Subjects here in present ; and, should not Canada be reduc'd, would enable the Enemy to harrass and Diminish all his Majesty's Colonies on the Continent, and have an inevitable Tendency to make themselves masters of the whole of it in time ; not to mention the continual Danger, which their possession of Nova Scotia would at the same time expose Cape Breton and even Newfoundland to. These Considerations have induc'd me to take the Liberty of submitting it to your Grace, whether it might not be for his Majesty's Service, that before the six Regiments to be employ'd against Canada return to England, orders may be sent that such part of 'em, as shall be thought necessary to assist in removing the most obnoxious of the French In- habitants of Nova Scotia from thence, should be employ'd in that Service, which would not take up much time ; I am not certain whether a sufficient strength might not be spar'd from the Garrison at Louisbourg a short time for this pur- pose which if it could, would make the assistance of any other Troops needless. . . . If your Grace should think this deserves so much of your Attention there will be time enough for transmitting his Majesty's Commands to me upon it before the present Ex- pedition is over. I am with the most Dutifull Regard My Lord Duke Your Grace's most Devoted and most obedient Servant ttt o W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed: t> t o ^ Boston. June i8. 1746. Govr Shirley. B Augt 5. 328 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY AND PETER WARREN TO WILLIAM GREENE 1 Boston, July 4th, 1746. Sir, Last week Mr. Warren came here in the Chester from Louisbourg in order to settle with Mr. Shirley (and Gen. St. Clair's Approbation when he shall arrive,) the plan of Operations for the Expedition against Canada, in the most speedy manner which the advanced season of the year requires to be done without the least loss of time ; as it also does that all the governmts concerned in it, should push on the completing of the Levies and making the necessary preparations and dispositions for it within their respective Colonies with the utmost dispatch, and in doing which we think they should act with the utmost Vigor not regarding what they may esteem to be barely their just Quota and proportion of Men and Money in this Expedition but the Importance of the Enterprise towards either laying a most sure Foundation for the General Welfare and Prosperity of all these Colonies, or leaving them in so precarious a situa- tion as may sometime or other expose them to be reduced under the Power and Subjection of the French, upon which account they should consider themselves as One Body united in the common Cause in which, if any one particular Colony should exert itself beyond either its just proportion or abili- ties, it may (we doubt not) be depended upon that the ex- ceedings of such Colony will be made up to it, either by an average to be afterwards settled among all the Colonies ^Printed: R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 185. Much the same letter was written to Governor George Thomas of Pennsylvania (i Penna. Arch. I, 689) and to other governors. On July 8 Shirley and Warren wrote to Isaac Townsend at Louisbourg advising that ships be kept in the St. Lawrence because of the naval and land arma- ment preparing at Brest. The letter of Townsend and Knowles to Shirley and Warren of July 13 gives an account of the defenses being prepared at Cape Breton. Both letters are in the Public Record Office, Admiralty Sect., Ins. Letters, 480. 329 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY concerned or by a Reimbursement from His Majesty or the Parliament of Great Britain. And it ought to be in a particular manner considered that this will in all probability be the only favorable Opportunity of attempting the driving of the French off from the northern part of this Continent which if neglected may never be re- deemed but followed close by an endless train of Disadvan- tages and Difficulties to all His Majesty's northern Colonies, too many to be enumerated here and too obvious to need it. Wherefore we trust that all His Majesty's Governmts upon this Continent will leave nothing untried for raising a Suffi- cient Force for securing the Success of the present Enter- prise, that is, all the Force they can raise. The securing of the Assistance of the Six Nations we esteem a point most essential to the success of the Expedition, and necessary to be gained at any rate ; Mr. Gooch writes to Mr. Shirley that he will come with presents in his hands for this purpose. All possible dispatch is so apparently necessary for our succeeding in this Expedition, or even proceeding upon it, that we are persuaded Your Honour will agree with us in it. We inclose Your Honour a Memorandum of what we apprehend necessary to be provided, and doubt not but you will be pleased to provide what part of them can be had in Your Governmt. We hope in particular that two armed Sloops, Brigantines or Snows with eighty Men and ten Car- riage guns each may be procured by Your Honour : And we think that as it will be absolutely necessary that the troops should be prepared to winter in the Enemy's Country, ten months Provisions should be got for them and some salt put on board every Transport which will be of service to cure what fresh Stock may be had in Canada ; And as there will be a greater number of Seamen wanting for not only the transports and armed vessels from the colonies but His Majesty's Ships also at Louisbourg, the Vigilant in particular, we hope Your Honour will assist as much as may be by an impress or otherwise, as you shall think proper.^ ^ In reply to these suggestions Governor Greene wrote on July i8 : "As to what you write about procuring two armed Snows or 330 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY We take the liberty to observe to you, that we are assured it will be a matter of surprise to His Majesty's Ministry to find what a small proportion of Forces the Colony under Your governmt has contributed towards carrying on this Expedition ; and we flatter ourselves that when Your As- sembly shall consider how much below their abilities they have acted upon this extraordinary Occasion and compare themselves and what they have done for the common cause with the other Colonies of New England, and in particular with New Hampshire, and the part they have acted at this important Juncture ; that they will think it not only rea- sonable and fit but for their Interest to augment their Levies to a just number. We beg leave further to observe, that the ex- traordinary bounty Your Assembly has voted for encouraging those few men to enlist which are to be raised as the Quota of your governmt has not had the best effect upon His Majesty's Service in the neighboring Colonies, having as we are in- formed not only drawn several of their men from them, but damped the enlistments within those Colonies where the bounty given, though a very sufficient one, is yet much be- low that given by Your Assembly. Mr. Shirley is in hopes that Troops raised in this Province Brigantines &c., cannot determine without the approbation of the General Assembly ; for which purpose, Intend to be advised by the Council, whether they think proper to call them together before the day they stand adjourned to. Our Colony Sloop will sail with the Transports, with one hundred men on board (Officers included) well found and provided. " As for the Provisions theGeneral Assembly has devolved a power on the Committee for carrying on the affairs of the Expedition, and care will be taken to put a ; ufficient quantity on board with some salt; Our Colony Sloop and Transports are now nearly ready, and I design they shall sail Immediately to Boston for the benefit of a Convoy and go In company with the other Forces to Louisbourg. As to what you write about the Coasters, during the time of the Embargo here not one was stopped a moment from proceeding on his Voyage being all exempted In the warrant, and at all other times never met with any hindrance here." No encouragement was given as to larger levies of troops, for the governor had small hopes of obtaining more from the Assembly. 33^ CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY may sail by the 20th instant under convoy of the Massa- chusetts Frigate and probably of His Majesty's Ship Chester, and we shall be glad if you think proper that your Troops should rendezvous here, to have them go in company with the Massachusetts and Connecticut Forces which latter propose their rendezvous at Boston. We have in a joint letter desired Lieut. Genl. St. Clair to come to Boston as it will save much time in forwarding the Expedition for doing which nothing shall be wanting on our Parts nor will, we are persuaded, on Your Honours. We are with very great regard. Sir, Your most Obedient humble servants. W. Shirley. P. Warren. The Honble Willm Greene Esqr. We desire the favor of you to let us know as soon as pos- sible the number of Troops you shall be able to raise in Your Governmt and by what time they will get to the place of rendezvous. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [Extract ^] Boston, July 7th, 1746. My Lord Duke, 4: 4: :)( 4c 4: 4= ^ Should His Majesty's Troops make themselves Masters of Quebec which I am inform'd has not 600 Houses in it, and is not near so strong as Louisbourg, that would in eflFect be the reduction of the whole Country, and it seems to me that if they could take Montreal which is not so strong as Quebec, though they should fail in their Attempt against Que- bec immediately, that would have the same Effect before the ensuing Spring, and should they fail of Success against either ^ The entire manuscript Is In P. R. O., C. O. 5, 901, p. 14. The first part of the letter describes previous plans and expeditions against Canada. 332 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY of 'em before the Winter comes on, I am Inform'd that the Buildings on the Isle of Orleans at a very small distance from Quebec would afford many Barracks for His Majesty's Troops to winter in. The immediate attending of the mouth of St. Lawrence with three or four Cruizing Ships to Intercept all Succours, Provisions or Stores from going up to Quebec, or the neg- lect of it will very much Contribute either to the Success or disappointment of this Enterprize : I wish that may have been done effectually, Mr. Warren and I have recommended it to Admiral Townshend in the strongest Terms. By the best Accounts to be procur'd of the fighting men in Canada, their regular Troops may be computed at about 500, their Militia from 10,000 to 15,000, and their Indians from 500, to 800 : The French Prisoners here talk of 40,000, but not the least Credit is given to this Account, and one [ ^] a French Priest who came from Canada to New York in 1744, and is more to be Credited reckons 'em at about 20,000. And he is of Opinion that upon the Appearance of the English Armament before Quebec, the Inhabitants would readily surrender and take the Oaths of Allegiance to His Majesty, upon the Terms of their being permitted to Stay in the Country upon the Foot of Subjects, and being Indemnify'd in their Estates and Possessions, if such Terms should be offer'd to 'em. I transmit this general imperfect Account of our Appre- hensions and proceedings here to your Grace for the present : and upon the Settlement of the Scheme of the Expedition with General Saint Clair when he shall arrive, shall send your Grace a more full account. Mr. Warren and I are acting jointly for His Majesty's Service in the best manner we are capable of doing, and have desir'd for greater dispatch that General Saint Clair would be pleas'd to come here, immediately after his arrival at Louisbourg, as we are of opinion that his coming hither to settle every thing with us would save time. * The name is not given by the writer, indicating that Shirley heard the report but not the name of its author. 333 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Nothing shall be wanting on my part In this important Affair for His Majesty's Service. I am with the most dutiful Regards My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most devoted, and most Obedient Servant, W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed : Boston, July 7th 1746. Govr Shirley. 5 Augt 23 d. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [Extract ^] Boston, July 28, 1746. My Lord Duke, 4e 4: 4c 3iE * 4: 4: I must acknowledge I should rather apprehend the French Fleet (if It Is design'd for North America) Is order'd to Can- ada ; or else to Annapolis Royal, where the Enemy may de- pend that upon the Appearance of such an Armament the French Inhabitants of Nova Scotia (to the Amount of be- tween 5 and 6000 fighting men) and a considerable Number of Indians and some Canadeans, would Immediately join 'em, and they would have a most convenient Country to ren- dezvous in within a very few days sail of Chappeaurouge Bay at Cape Breton, and be not far from Canada, than that ^ P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 901, p. 17. A transcript Is In the Parkman Papers in the Mass. Hist. Society. This letter supplements the one of July 7 {ante, p. 332). It is concerned chiefly with Shirley's complaint that the commissions for the officers of the Canadian expedition have not arrived and the raising of levies is much hin- dered thereby. A siege of Quebec is urged, and the need of an adequate guard at the mouth of the St. Lawrence to prevent the entrance of D'Anville's fleet is emphasized. The extract printed gives Shirley's view of the conditions in Nova Scotia and the prospect of an uprising of the French there. 334 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY they should attempt to enter Louisbourg Harbour with their Ships ; and I am the more inclin'd to this Opinion from the Accounts I have receiv'd lately from Mr Mas- carene, and the officers of the Garrison at Annapolis Royal which inform me that the French Inhabitants at Menis and Schiegneto (in Nova Scotia) have cut off all communica- tion with the garrison for these last five Weeks, and have stop'd the Messengers sent from thence by Mr Mascarene for Intelligences ; being in Expectation of an Armament from France. And indeed it seems probable that this will for ever be the Case ; and that the Province of Nova Scotia will never be out of Danger, whilst the French Inhabitants are suifer'd to remain in Nova Scotia upon their present Foot of Subjection. I have the Honour to be with the most Dutiful Regard My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Devoted and Most Obedient Servant W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH^ Boston, July 29, 1746. Sir, I did not discover 'till now that one thing slipt me in an- swering your Excellency's last letter to me and Mr Warren, viz. what provision there is for billeting the Men 'till their Embarcation. As to that Article, the Assembly of this province has voted an Allowance for that, tho' too scanty an one, and it seems to arise naturally from the first grant of provisions for the Soldiers. I would farther observe that ^ Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 66. 335 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY my Assembly has voted provisions sufficient to supply the Massachusetts Troops 'till the first of June next. I am in haste Your Excellency's most Obedient, Humble Servt W. Shirley. His Excy Govr Wentworth. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [Extract^] Boston, Aug. 15, 1746. My Lord Duke, I shall finish my troubleing your Grace upon the Afi"airs of Nova Scotia with this Letter after having once more Submitted it to your Grace's Consideration as a proper Scheme for better securing the Subjection of the French In- habitants and Indians there ; that the Governour and Coun- cil or such other Person or Persons as his Majesty shall think fitt to join with 'em, should have a special authority and directions from his Majesty, forthwith to Apprehend and Examine a convenient number of such of the Inhabitants, as shall be by them judg'd to be most obnoxious and Dangerous to his Majesty's Government, and upon finding 'em guilty of holding any treasonable Correspondence with the Enemy &c to dispose of them and their Estates in such manner, as his Majesty shall order by his commissions and to promise his Majesty's Gracious Pardon and a general Indemnity to the Rest for what is past upon their taking the Oaths of Alle- giance to his Majesty; And to Cause either two strong Blockhouses (or small Forts) capable of holding 100 Men each to be Built, one in Menis and the other in Schiegnecto, which may be Garrison'd out of Phillips's Regiment when Compleated or else that at least one Blockhouse (or small 1 (Duplicate) P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 901, p. 20. 33(> CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Fort) should be Built at Menis capable of holding 150 Men ; and a trading house be kept at the Fort at MenIs or some other part of the Province well Stock'd with all proper Supplies for the Indians to be sold or barter'd to 'em for Furrs &c at the most Reasonable Rates, and some presents annually distributed to 'em : by which means and removing the Romish Priests out of the Province, and introducing Protestant English Schools, and French Protestant Minis- ters, and due encouragement given to such of the Inhabit- -ants, as shall Conform to the Protestant Religion, and send their Children to the EngUsh Schools, the present Inhabit- ants might probably at least be kept in Subjection to his Majesty's Government, and from treasonable Correspond- ences with the Canadeans ; and the next Generation in a great measure become true Protestant Subjects ; and the Indians there soon Reclaim'd to an entire dependance upon and subjection to his Majesty ; which might also have an happy Influence upon some of the Tribes now In the French Interest. Your Grace will be pleased to Excuse all Incorrectness in this rough Sketch. I am with the most Dutifull Regard, My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Devoted and Most Obedient Servant W. Shirley. PAUL MASCARENE TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY [Extracts ^] Sir, 4c 4t 41 4: * * 4e The Canadeans seem to be resolved to keep footing in this province, tho their fleet should not come this fall. Whether they will make any attempt on this garrison with- out their fleet is what I am not able to determine, but their staying so near us this winter will certainly prove dangerous to ^ Printed in full : 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 479. John Paul Mascarene was born at Castras in Languedoc, France, in 1684. The revocation of the Edict of Nantes having obliged his father, VOL. I — z 337 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the safety of this place, considering the inhabitants we have about us and the soldiers we have in the garrison, that part of them which came lately from England having many Irish and foreign papists among them. Five of them are gone clear off to the enemy ; and I have by means of Lieut. Gorham and his rangers retaken five others who were going the same way. I would therefore propose that if a suffi- cient force cannot be sent immediately to root the enemy out of this province, two good sloops, not too sharp bottom'd, mann'd with fifty or sixty good men each, should come here, which with the man of war now here and the tender, which we ought and I hope will have sent to us, might go up the Bay to harrass and keep the enemy in play till the expedi- tion to Canada is over, and a more vigorous attempt can be made. The garrison here consist of 294 men, including Serjeants, corporals, drumrs, invalids and prisoners, which subtracted reduces the number of able private men to about two hun- dred and twenty, to whom must be added twenty rangers with six gunners and matrosses and the artificers belonging to the Board of Ordnance. The worst is we can hardly afford room for more, the new barracks having gone on very slowly for want of materials, that is, bricks and lime, which came but lately from Boston, so that the second story is who was a Huguenot, to leave France, young Mascarene fell to the charge of his grandmother. At the age of twelve he went to Geneva, where he was educated, going from thence to England where he was naturalized in 1706 and received a lieutenant's com- mission. He accompanied the troops to America in 171 1, and was stationed in Nova Scotia, where he rose to be Lieutenant-Colonel in the 12th Regiment of foot commanded by Colonel Phillips, who was Governor of Nova Scotia in 1720, and of whose Council Mas- carene became a member. In 1740 he became Lieutenant-Gov- ernor of Nova Scotia, holding this office until he was succeeded by Governor Cornwallis in July, 1749. He continued a member of the Governor's Council until 1750, when he obtained leave to resign because of his age. He was made Colonel in the army, and retired with his family to Boston, where he died Jan. 22, 1760. N. E. Hist, and Gen. Reg. 9, 239. 338 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY but just beginning to raise, which has prevented me hitherto pressing for more men, tho I am sensible I may want them. If the two sloops should come that want may be supply'd by throwing the men in the garrison, if we should be be- sieg'd by land. Admiral Townsend has sent positive orders to Capt Col- lins to repair to Louisbourg. He is gone down in order to take the first opportunity of wind and weather. The said Admiral has sent Capt Rous in the Shirley to keep here. This ship is but half the force of the other, but, however, may serve better in any expedition up the Bay, where the other would be of no use. Thus I have in this and my former letters given your Excellency an account of the state of this Province and of this garrison, and must leave it to you to afford the assistance which the present circumstances will allow of. I have writ both to Admiral Townsend and Governour Knowles, and sent them duplicates of the in- clos'd information with an acct of the state we are in, which may be vouch'd by Capt Collins, who is well ac- quainted with it, but I am apt to believe that the succours we want may be more readily and more effectually obtain'd by your Excellency's means, your people being for the most part both soldiers, sailors, and wood rangers, and more acquainted in the way of annoying the enemy we have to deal with. I am, with very great esteem and respect. Sir, Your most humble and most obedient servant. P. Mascarene. Annapolis Royal, 20th August, 1746. His Excellency Governour Shirley. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ My Lord Duke, ^^^'°"' ^"^"^^ ^'4' ^746. A Gentleman of this Place having Communicated to me a Letter from Louisbourg, wherein he is inform'd by the ip. R. O., CO. 5, 901, p. 31. 339 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Writer of it, that Mr Knowles had assur'd him he was in daily Expectation of receiving Orders from his Majesty (in answer to his own Representations which the Writer tells the Gentleman Mr Knowles had permitted him to read) for demolishing the Fortifications and filling up the Har- bour of Louisbourg and abandoning the Island, I think it fit, in Case this Intelligence is true (as from the Credit of the Person who sends it and the Confirmation of it by other Persons of character at Louisbourg there is room to think it may) his Majesty should be appriz'd (if Mr Knowles has not done it already in his Representation) that at St. Ann's on the East Side of the Island there is a very Commo- dious Harbour, capable of being fortified as strongly as that of Louisbourg, and at the bottom of which a Town and Garrison may be built to as great Advantage as the present Fortress of Louisbourg is ; and that the French themselves when they first became Masters of the Island were a considerable time divided in their judgment whether they should build their City at St Ann's, and fortify that Harbour, or build and fortify where Louisbourg now stands. I thought it my duty to mention this fact to your Grace as I likewise do to observe to your Grace that the French Fort at Crown Point (as the English call it and the French Fort de Chevalier) which has been during this War a very great Annoyance to his Majesty's Northern Colonies as far as New York, being the Place of Rendezvous from whence the Indians make their Incursions, and a sure Retreat to them after committing their Murders and Devastations, and a cover to the French Settlemts of Canada, as it commands the Lake Champlain as far as Fort Chamblee within sixteen miles from Montreal, is a late Incroachmt made by the French upon his Majesty's Colonies within these last fourteen years, the Point on which the Fort is built being plainly in the English Territories, and included within the Patent of King James the first to the Council of Plimouth (which grants all the Lands from the Atlantick Ocean to the South Sea between the Latitudes of forty and forty eight degrees North) lying in the Latitude of about forty five, and having 340 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ever been reputed so to this day, tho by an inexcusable Inactivity of the Governmts of New York and New Eng- land the Fort was suffer'd to be built by the French. I take the liberty in behalf of the Colonies to intreat your Grace that in case this Fort should not be reduc'd by his Majesty's Arms, before a Treaty of Peace shall be set on foot, that it may be recommended to his Majesty as a Matter of very great Consequence to the Welfare of his Colonies here, that that Fort should be insisted upon being given up by the French, and garrison'd by the English ; and that the English Limits on that Side may be settled to be a Line running from East to West in the Latitude of forty eight as above, as it of right ought to be. Such a settlemt upon a Peace would certainly be greatly for his Majesty's Service, and give general Satisfaction to his Colonies, and I cannot think the maintaining of this In- croachmt is a matter that will be so considerable in the Eyes of the Court of Versailles that they will think it worth their while to put a Stop to the Negotiations for a Peace on that Account, though it's certainly a matter of very great Con- sequence to the British Colonies. I am with the most dutiful Regard, My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Devoted and most Obedient Servant W. Shirley.* His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed: Boston Augt 24. 1746. Govr Shirley. 9 Deer 17. ^ It is worthy of notice that at this period the region of the lakes and of Crown Point was the strip of territory which Shirley considered necessary for Colonial safety. His plan of campaign in 1755 but renewed this emphasis. 341 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY PETER WARREN AND WILLIAM SHIRLEY TOBENNING WENTWORTH^ Boston, August 25, 1746. S1R5 His Grace the Duke of Newcastle having by his Majesty's Command, in his letter of the 9th of last April, signify'd to Mr Shirley that if Lieutenant General St Clair and we shall think that any other scheme than that which is contain'd in his Grace's said letter for the reduction of Canada may be more practicable and advisable, it will certainly be left to us three to do as we shall think proper. We have accordingly in the absence of Lieut General St Clair (and as the major part of those in whom his Majesty reposes this trust) from time to time, as we have judged it necessary for promoting his Majesty's service, concerted measures for the better conducting of the preparations for this im- portant enterprize. And whereas it appears to us, from the accounts we have received of the levies raised within his Majesty's several governments engaged in this expedition, that those rais'd within the four colonies of New England do not exceed 5000 at the most, nor those within the five Southern Col- onies 2100, which troops, together with the six regiments expected from England and the two lately arriv'd at Louis- bourg from Gibraltar, will not, as we conceive, be a suffi- cient land force for the reduction of the whole country of Canada, though the squadron of his Majesty's ships and transports appointed for the service of the expedition should arrive at Louisbourg in time for proceeding this year up the River of St Lawrence, and carrying on afterwards the nec- essary operations against Quebec, which from the advanc'd ^ Printed : 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 482. Similar letters to Governor Greene of Rhode Island and to Governor Law of Connecticut are printed ; Kimball, Corres. R. I. Governors, 2, p. 3, and Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. 13, 288. The replies of Joseph Whipple, Deputy Governor of Rhode Island (Aug. 29), and of Law (Sept. 2) are in the same volumes. 342 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY season of the year, and our not having yet receiv'd advice of their being on their passage, we are very apprehensive they most probably will not.^ And whereas we are of opinion that the beforemention'd American troops together with the Indians of the Six Nations, which it is hop'd will join with his Majesty's troops in this expedition, may if they should act in conjunction against the French fort at Crown Point be a sufficient force for the reduction of it, even though no diversion should be made at Quebeck to favour this enterprize by a land armament, provided it is attempted without delay ; and it appears to us that this fort being the Key of Canada on the landside and the place of rendezvous, from whence the enemy not only may make incursions upon most of his Majesty's colonies, and have begun already to commit great devastations, but very much annoy that part of his Majesty's land forces, which, according to the plan of operations for this expedition transmitted to Mr Shirley in the Duke of Newcastle's letter, is design'd to penetrate into Canada from Albany by land (if it should be left on their backs in the possession of the enemy) the reducton and garrisoning of it by his Majesty's forces would not only be a protection to the English settlements on the frontier during the expedition, but open a more safe passage into the enemy's country for his Majesty's forces, be a commodious magazine to 'em for stores and provisions, and by making us masters of the Lake Champlain with the passes, defiles, and carrying places as far as the fort at Chamblee, within six- teen miles of Montreal, afford an easy transportation of provisions and succours for the support of the expedition, prevent the enemy from discovering our motions on that ^ A letter of much the same tenor as this was sent by Shirley to Newcastle Aug. 22 (C. O. 5, 901, p. 26). In It Shirley summarizes the preparations made for the Canadian expedition, the desire of the French to win over the Iroquois, and the number of troops raised by the northern and the southern colonies. A five hundred word list of the fighting men in the northern colonies Is Inclosed, and having declared that the season is too late for the proposed attack on Quebec, Shirley suggests a movement against Crown Point. 343 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY side, and put it into our power to make sudden descents on them, all which would be the most effectual means of con- firming the Indians of the Six Nations most strongly in his Majesty's interest, and very probably draw over to it some of the tribes now in the French interest, or at least bring 'em into a state of neutrality between his Majesty's subjects and the French, and would through the blessing of the Divine Providence on his Majesty's arms very much facilitate the conquest of the whole country of Canada the next year, if his Majesty should then be graciously pleas'd to send early in the spring such a naval and land force to proceed up the River St Lawrence as he shall judge sufficient, with the assistance of the troops rais'd in America, for the reduction of Quebeck and Montreal (as we have the strongest reason to hope he will), and in the mean time succours are prevented from being introduc'd by sea into Quebec. And whereas we are perswaded on the other hand an unsuccessful attempt both by sea and land this year for the reduction of the whole country (which we apprehend, from the lateness of the sea- son and the weakness of the forces rais'd in the five South- ern Colonies that must in such case march from Albany into the enemy's country by themselves, there is reason to fear might be the case, especially if the fort at Crown Point is not first reduc'd) would be attended with the immediate loss of the Six Nations to his Majesty's service, and unite all the Indians most firmly in the French interest, prove fatal to the expedition, and afterwards produce very bad conse- quences to all his Majesty's Northern Colonies. We therefore, conceiving it our indispensable duty in the absence of Lieut General St Clair to execute the trust re- pos'd in him and us by his Majesty in such manner as we two shall judge to be most for his Majesty's service and the in- terest of his Northern Colonies upon this occasion, and ap- prehending that the joining of all the American forces now rais'd in the reduction of Crown Point, in case we don't very suddenly hear of the arrival of the fleet and British troops at Louisbourg, nor receive other instruction from his Majesty, will not only facilitate the conquest of the whole country 344 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY of Canada the next year, but is conformable to the scheme of the intended expedition as the same has been communicated in the Duke of Newcastle's letter, and is indeed the only- part of it that is hkely to be practicable this year, have com- municated our sentiments to your Excellency, which are very much founded upon the report made to us on several points which we refer'd to the consideration of Colonel Stoddard and Colo. Atkinson for their opinion, the latter of which gentlemen had a commission from you to consult and agree with us on behalf of your government, so that we doubt not of your Excellency's concurrence with us in this case for his Majesty's service and the general interest of the Colonies, and desire that your troops may receive orders from you to hold themselves in readiness to proceed upon the first notice to Albany, where we shall recommend it also to the governments of Connecticut and Rhode Island to send their troops upon the same service, in case we shall not very suddenly receive instructions from his Majesty which may interfere with this design. We have signify'd this our opinion to Governor Clinton by express sent to Albany, and desir'd him to get a proper train of artillery transported to the nearest place of ren- dezvous from Crown Point without delay, to be ready for the execution of this scheme, and to acquaint the officers of the forces of the other southern governments with what we propose. Mr. Shirley will order what ordnance stores he can from this Province which are not to be procur'd in the other governmts, and we must desire that your Excellency will provide your proportion of powder upon this occasion. We are with great regard. Sir, Your Excelly's most obedient humble servants. P. Warren. W. Shirley. His Excy. Govr. Wentworth. 345 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS 1 Gentlemen of the Council and House of Repre- SENTVES, I was concern'd at your rising last week without coming to any determination upon my message to you concerning the impending danger which his Majesty's Province of Nova Scotia is in of being lost to the Enemy. The prevention of so fatal an evil is a matter which in my Opinion demands the most speedy care, and I must press you to give an immediate and close attention to it ; and I think proper to add to my former Message upon that sub- ject that when at the beginning of this present Meeting of the Court I communicated to you Mr Warren's and my senti- ments concerning the employment of the soldiers rais'd in this Province and the three other colonies of New England for the intended expedition against Canada, in conjunction with the forces raised within the five Southern Colonies, in an immediate attempt for the reduction of the French fort at Crown Point, I was not apprised of the dangerous situ- ation of affairs in Nova Scotia, But now from the advices transmitted from Lieut. Governr. Mascarene (which are further confirmed to me by letters from Officers of the Garrison at Annapolis Royal, with this additional circum- stance that thirty French Officers are landed about Menis with the Chevalier de Ramsey, an officer of distinction from Canada, who is said to have the chief command) compar'd with the Nova Scotians stopping all communication with the Garrisons, the detaining of all the Messengers lately sent by Mr Mascarene for intelligence, the hostile re- ception which the vessell which he sent up the Bay for the same purpose, together with the numerous fires made on shoar (upon its appearance) to alarm the country ; the ac- counts which I had before received from Louisbourg that several French transports were gone to Bay Verte ; and from ^ Original, Mass. Arch., Court Records, 17, 5, p. 595. 346 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY masters of vessells that two large French ships were seen to go into Chebucto Harbour; I say from these concurring circumstances there can be no room to doubt but that a body of Canadeans and Indians is now actually assembled at Menis or some other parts of Nova Scotia with a design to make a sudden attempt for the reduction of it ; and as the enemy's making themselves masters of that Province is evidently the most practicable method (I think I might venture to say the only probable one) for the French to recover Cape Breton in, either by open force or (if that should not be thought advisable to attempt) by possessing themselves of an equivalent for it, we have still stronger reason to be perswaded of the reality of the enemy's now meditating such an attempt; as to their numbers actually landed in Nova Scotia from the appearance of their fires and other accounts, we may probably suppose 'em to be up- wards of looo men, especially as it is certain that they had besieg'd his Majesty's garrison at Annapolis Royal with about iioo men early in the spring before last, and remained there till they broke up and dispers'd upon the arrival of our troops before Louisbourg. Gentlemen, The danger which these motions of the enemy threaten us with will arise not from their present number, but our suffering 'em to continue in the province of Nova Scotia till they have gained over the French inhabitants (already ripe for a revolt) to join with 'em in attacking his Majesty's garrison, which may yet be prevented (as it has already most happily been twice before upon the appearance of succours from this government) by seasonably sending a sufficient strength of his Majesty's troops intended for the expedition against Canada to Annapolis Royal to drive the Canadeans ought [out ?] of Nova Scotia, which seems not difficult to be done at present. But if they are per- mitted to winter there that will afford 'em time to trans- port their artillery and stores (which we may reasonably sup- pose they came supplyed with and have introduced into the province by way of Bay Verte) to Annapolis, for doing which I have certain information that there is an easy 347 ^ CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY road by land from Menis to that part of the province, sup- posing they have no way of doing great part of it by water carriage, which very possibly they may. This would also give 'em time to fortify some part of the country, and effectu- ally to work upon and bring the inhabitants to an actual re- volt, who upon seeing the enemy masters of a proper train of artillery, and that they had made the necessary dispositions for a general attack upon the garrison, most likely at a sea- son of the year when it might be impracticable or extreamly difficult for succors to be sent 'em, either from the colonies or from Louisbourg, would it [is] justly to be feared most readily join the enemy. What the consequence of the loss of this province would be are so obvious that I need but barely mention 'em to you. The French by making this acquisition would gain an ad- ditional tract of territory upon this continent nearly as large as Ireland settled with about 30,000 inhabitants, all French Roman Catholicks, among whom are reckoned to be near 6,000 fighting men well acquainted with our eastern coast and harbours, besides a considerable body of the Cape Sables, St Johns and other neighbouring Indians, by which augmen- tation of their strength they would be immediately enabled to break up all our settlements in the late province of Maine and probably the whole province of New Hampshire, and with them would be lost to his Majesty that part of the mast country in America from whence are at present wholly drawn the supplies of masts, yards, &c. for the royal navy. This event would be also instantly attended with the loss of the fishery upon the Cape Sable shoar, would animate all the Indians now in the French interest and redouble their rage and fury against us, and would most probably weaken our present influence over the Six Nations, if not occasion their going over to the enemy. The addition of the inhabitants of Nova Scotia to the French would likewise greatly strengthen 'em against the intended expedition for the reduction of Canada ; and to say no more, this fatal event would in- volve the colonies of New England in such endless difficul- ties and confusion that the best they could hope for in case 348 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY they could not recover Nova Scotia from the enemy seems to be that his Majesty would be graciously pleased to save 'em by giving up Cape Breton in exchange for it, tho it may well be made a question whether the French would agree to such an exchange, and not rather take their chance for the recovery of that island in the course of the war, which their acquisition of Nova Scotia would so much facilitate to 'em. You must be sensible, gentlemen, that this alteration of the face of affairs after my first message to you since this meeting of the Court will necessarily occasion some altera- tion of the measures proposed in it, and that his Majesty will certainly expect that a suitable number of the troops now in his pay and arm'd and cloathed by him should be employed for the immediate protection of his province of Nova Scotia from the present danger it is exposed to ; a province which the Crown has been at so great an expence to maintain the possession of ever since the reduction of it, merely as a barrier to his other Northern Colonies, particularly those of New England, against the French, and the preservation of which in a most especial manner is so essential to the safety of this province and that of New Hampshire, and that I am obliged both by my duty to his Majesty and my regard to the welfare of the province to take care that Nova Scotia is properly protected. Gentlemen : I have not altered my sentiments concerning the importance of the reduction of the French fort at Crown Point, and have the carrying of that attempt on at heart as much as ever. I hope the levies raised in all the colonies con- cern'd in the intended expedition may be sufficient to answer both services. But that for the preservation of the province of Nova Scotia must be effectually attended at all events. You will see the sentiments of the Council of New York concerning the numbers requisite for effecting the reduc- tion of Crown Point, and by Col. Stoddard's letter what sea- son he judges best for attempting it, with the reasons for supporting his opinion, which seem very strong. W. Shirley. Council Chamber, 9 Septr, 1746. 349 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL COURT TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY! May it please your Excellency, The exposed and hazardous condition of the province of Nova Scotia has been duly considered by the two Houses. It is very evident that the preservation of that country is of great importance to his Majesty's interest; but the circumstances of the people of this Province are such that it is not possible for them to be at any further expence at this time, so much of their substance being exhausted by the late expedition, the levies for Canada, and the defence of the frontiers, besides so many men have been lost at Louis- bourg and since our troops returned from thence, and by the seamen that have been impressed on board his Majesty's ships of war, that there are scarce enough left to resist the attacks made by the French and Indian enemy. And it would not have been safe for so great a force as has been raised for the expedition to Canada to have left the Province only, as it was hoped this would be a means of removing the enemy from our own borders. But notwithstanding, if your Excellency is of opinion that it will be for his Majesty's service to employ any of the troops enlisted for the expedi- tion to Canada for the defence of Annapolis (there being no doubt but this service will be preferred by many of the men to that of the expedition to Crown Point), the two Houses have no exception, provided there be fifteen hundred of said troops employed for the expedition to Crown Point, and your Excellency can give assurance that none shall be compelled nor allowed to remain in garrison at Nova Scotia or as a standing force for the protection thereof; and that no part of the pay, subsistence, nor charge of transporting them shall lay upon the Province. In the name and byorderof the Council. J. Willard, Secry. In the name and by order of the House. T. Hutchinson, Spkr. ! This address was adopted by the House Sept. lo, 1746 (House Journal, 1746, 135). See Mass. Arch., CqvlvX Rec. 17, 5, 602. 350 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY PETER WARREN AND WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH » Boston, Septemr 12, 1746. Sir, Advice Is arrlv'd here from Mr Mascarene that a consider- able body of French and Indians from Canada Is assembled at Menis, and that if they don't make an immediate attempt upon the garrison there, their design is to winter 1200 of those forces in Menis, whereby they will have an opportunity of fortifying that part of the country, transporting a train of artillery (which we have great reason to believe they have introduc'd by the way of Bay Verte) from thence to Annapolis Royal and of bringing the inhabitants (already ripe for a re- volt, and among which are computed to be near 6,000 fighting men) together with the Cape Sable Indians to join 'em in attacking his Majesty's garrison very early in the spring, before the season would admit of succours being sent to it. The loss of his Majesty's province of Nova Scotia would be an event so fatal to his service in every respect and to the in- tended expedition for the reduction of Canada (if that should proceed the next year) in particular, as the enemy by means of that acquisition would augment the number of their fighting men very considerably, and besides enabling them forthwith to break up the late Province of Maine, and very probably the whole Province of New Hampshire, within which limits is comprehended all the mast country in America (from whence his Majesty draws at present the whole supply of masts, yards, &ca, for his royal navy), would greatly endanger the safety of the other English colonies upon this continent, and even of the island of Cape Breton itself, the recovery of which would be facilitated to the enemy by their possession of Nova Scotia, whether they should attempt it by force or by proposing an equivalent for it, that we think it adviseable to endeavour to drive the enemy this fall out of the Province of Nova Scotia, if possible, and in the mean ^Printed: 6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 10, 491. 351 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY time that an immediate relnforcemt should be sent to the garrison to prevent any sudden surprize. Hereupon Mr Shirley has determined to send no more than 1500 of the Massachusetts levies upon the expedition to Crown Point, and to employ the remainder of 'em, which Is about 1000, in the protection of Nova Scotia, vizt, by forthwith sending 300 men to Annapolis Royal, 200 of which for the relnforcemt of the garrison and the other 100 to be em- ployed in two sloops In the Bay, as Mr Mascarene proposes in his Inclos'd letter, and to dispatch the remaining 700 to An- napolis as soon after as Is possible, to form, in conjunction with the levies of your governmt. which you shall think proper to send and the governmt. of Rhode Island (to which also we shall recommend It) upon the same service, a sufficient body to dis- lodge the French and Indians of Canada, and prevent 'em from wintering In any part of Accadie, which would be attended with the utmost hazard to the safety of his Majesty's garrison at Annapolis Royal, and with that to his whole Province of Nova Scotia, the loss of which would be followed with the most destructive consequences to the Interests of all the colonies, particularly this and the province under your Ex- cellency's governmt and to his Majesty's service In general. Your Excellency as Governour of the province of New Hampshire and Surveyor General of his Majesty's Woods, the preservation of which and of the estates of the Inhabitants of the province are most nearly connected with his Majesty's preserving the possession of Nova Scotia, will, we doubt not, have this service so much at heart that we need only recommend it to you to join with Mr. Shirley In it by sending as soon as may be all the levies you have rais'd within your governmtfor his Majesty's service In the intended expedi- tion against Canada to Annapolis Royal for the protection of Nova Scotia and driving off the enemy from Menis, which we are in hopes may be done, if attempted in time, seasonably for the troops to return from thence within two months at farthest after their landing at Annapolis ; and we are the rather induc'd to press this upon your Excy as we are in hopes that the additional strength of 1500 of the Massa- 352 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY chusetts levies and the lOOO Connecticut troops to those rais'd in the five Southern colonies, which according to our accounts may be computed at upwards of 3000, may be a sufficient force in conjunction with the Six Nations for the reduction of the fort at Crown Point, though if his Majesty's service had not demanded such a part of his New Engld troops for the protection of Nova Scotia, we should have thought it advise- able that the whole of 'em should have been employed in the expedition against Crown Point. As to the appointmt of the commanding officer for the ex- pedition against Crown Point, which you inquir'd after in your last letter, Mr Clinton by his express from Albany with the privity (and as it appears to us with the approba- tion) of his Council acquaints us that he thinks it will be most proper that we should appoint the gentleman for that command, and accordingly desires we will do it, and we have appointed Brigadier Waldo as a gentleman whose rank, serv- ices upon the expedition against Cape Breton, and capacity to serve his Majesty in the chief command upon the present expedition, we are perswaded, clearly entitle him to it. The method we propose for investing the officer whom we nominate with that command is that the Governors of the several Colo- nies should order the officers appointed by themselves to pay due obedience to Brigr Waldo's orders as commanding officer, which we hope may be agreeable to your Excellency. Mr Waldo being not yet come from the Eastward (though hourly expected) we are not certain that he will accept the command, though we have no great doubt about it. As to the chief com- mand of the troops which shall go to Nova Scotia, we shall endeavour to do everything that may be agreeable to your Excy. in that respect, in case you think fit to send any troops there, as we hope and depend upon it you will, espeially if Colo. Atkinson goes there. We are with great regard. Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient humble servants. P. Warren. W. Shirley. We hope for the favour of an answer by the express. His Excellency Governour Wentworth. VOL. I — 2 A 353 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO PAUL MASCARENEi Sir, Having been inform'd that the French Inhabitants of Nova Scotia entertain some Jealousy of a Design in the English Government to remove them with their Families from their Settlements, and to transport them to France or elsewhere ; I desire (if you think it may be for his Majesty's Service) that you would be pleas'd to signify to 'em, that it is probable if his Majesty had declar'd such Intention I might have heard of the same, but that I am perfectly unacquainted with any such Design, and am perswaded there is no just Ground for this Jealousy ; And be pleas'd to assure 'em that I shall use my best Endeavours by a proper Representation of their Case to be laid before his Majesty, to obtain the Continuance of his Royal Favour and Protection to such of them, as shall behave dutifully and peaceably, and refuse to hold any Correspondence with his Enemies ; and I doubt not but that all such of 'em will be protected by his Majesty in the Possession of their Estates and Settlements in Nova Scotia. And I desire you would also be pleas'd to inform them that it is expected from his Majesty's French Subjects in that Province, who have for so long time enjoyed the same Privi- leges with his natural born Subjects there, and have been under a much easier Government than any of the French King's Subjects are in the neighbouring Province of Canada and other Parts of the French King's Dominions, that their Interest as well as their Duty and Gratitude should bind them to a strict Fidelity and Obedience to his Majesty and His Government. But on the contrary if any of the Inhabit- ants of the said Province shall join with the Enemy (es- pecially those that have been sent from Canada to seduce them from their Duty to his Majesty and Attachment to the English Interest) they must expect to be treated in the ^P.R.O.,C. 0.5,901, p. 32. 354 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY same manner as his Majesty's English Subjects would be under the like Provocations. I am with great regard Sir, Your most Obedient humble Servant W. Shirley. Boston, Sepr i6, 1746. Copy endorsed: Letter to Lt. Colonel Mascarene to be Dispers'd among the French Inhabitants of Nova Scotia. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH^ Sir, I now send to your Excellency two several Declarations taken upon Oath relating to the Ships discovered near the Coast of Nova Scotia, which being joined with the Informa- tion of Capt. Thornton taken before your Excellency make it more evident that they are a French Squadron : And there- fore I am now putting the Maritime Parts of this Province into a Posture of Defence, that so we may be ready to receive the Enemy if they should come this Way. Your Excellency's most obedient Humble Servant W. Shirley. Boston, Septemr. 20, 1746. Sept. 21. I have this Day received two further Accounts of the Strength of the Enemy which I inclose. His Excellency Governour Wentworth. ^ Original, L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 76. 3SS CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY PETER WARREN AND WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH^ Boston, Septemr. 23, 1746. Sir, We are favour'd with your Excellency's Express ; in answer to which we think the Caution us'd by your Assembly in avoiding to Express in their Vote upon what part of His Majesty's Service, they desir'd the 600 Men, for whom they granted Subsistence should be employed, out of an apprehen- sion that might have Subjected 'em to the Payment of the Troops, was quite unnecessary; but we are of your Opinion that the Vote stands as well as you could wish. We are perfectly sensible of the Fatigue and Trouble, which the narrow Limits of the power of His Majesty's Governours upon such Emergencies as the present must occasion to you and the other Gentlemen in like Stations, and of what dis- advantage it is to His Majesty's Service, and should be glad to Contribute by Representations, and every other way in our power towards removing this Obstacle, when an Oppor- tunity shall present itself. As to your Proposal that we should give you Orders for providing Arms and Cloathing for your Troops, and to pre- scribe to you the Method of payment for them ; We would Acquaint you that Mr Warren has never yet undertook to give any Orders about Cloathing and Arms, or the Method of paying for them, nor I for any other Forces but those of this Province, apprehending that by the Duke of New- castle's circular Letter every Governour is in the absence of General St Clair clearly qualifyed and impowered to draw for the payment of that Charge — res pecting the Troops of his government. The Method Mr Shirley has taken about the Value of the Cloathing and Arms is to make out a Warrant to some skilful persons to apprize them upon Oath, and Set down the Rate of a single suit of cloaths and a Set of Arms ^ Original, L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 1"]. The underlining is by Wentworth. 356 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY one with another, and then he appoints others to Estimate the Exchange and so draws upon the Lords of the Treasury. We inclose your Excellency Copys of several Depositions which we have received since Thorntons which seem to put it out of much Doubt that the Fleet discovered about Chebucto is a French one. You will easily Imagine from the Contents of Paine's Deposition that this Province is very busy in making Prepa- rations for the reception of the Enemy in case they should make us a Visit ; However Mr Shirley is determin'd to Send 300 Men to Succour Annapolis Royal, 100 of which are already Sail'd, and 150 more of 'em will Sail by this After- noon, and the remaining 50 follow directly. And if your Ex- cellency sends for the present 200 of your Troops there forthwith with one at least of your Arm'd Vessels which we earnestly recommend to you to do, it will be a full Reinforce- ment to the Garrison at Annapolis, and maybe the Saving of the Province by Enabling 'em to hold out till the Arrival of the Troops and Squadron from England which we have the utmost reason to Expect most speedily. The News con- cerning that you have in the Prints. We are Sir, Your Excellencys most obedient humble Servants. P. Warren. W. Shirley. His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH » Boston, Septr. 29, 1746. Sir, I have just time to inclose your Excellency Copies of the Intelligence Mr Warren and I receiv'd Yesterday from Louis- ^ Original, L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. -]-]. 357 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY bourg, by his Majesty's Sloop Hind, which was sent Express with 'em. The Enemy by having been discover'd about the same Place for near twenty days, in the Track where the English Fleet maybe expected to fall in with the Cape Sable's Coast in their Passage to Louisbourg, seem to be cruizing for em ; of which Mr Warren and I have endeavour'd to apprize Admiral Lestock by sending four Vessels to meet him at Sea with Dispatches, informing him of the Situation of the French.^ I am in haste with great Truth and Regard Sir, Your most Obedient Humble Servant W. Shirley. His Excellency Govr Wentworth. WILLIAM SHIRLEY AND PETER WARREN TO WILLIAM GREENE 2 Boston, October 14th, 1746. Sir, Having received advices of the great Danger that the Fortress of Annapolis Royal, and the whole Province of Nova Scotia is in of falling into the Enemy's hands, unless succors be immediately sent from the Colonies of New Eng- land, Mr. Shirley has accordingly sent nearly Three hundred Soldiers of His Majesty's Troops raised here for the Ex- pedition against Canada, and is sending more to make up his Quota of Six hundred Men ; and we expect that Three hundred more will be forthwith sent thither by ^ The letter of Shirley and Warren to Lestock is printed in Kimball, Corres. R. I. Governors, 2, 16, and in Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. 13, 320. Daniel Fones in the Rhode Island sloop Tartar was detailed by Governor Greene to carry one copy of the letter, Kimball, 2, 21. 2 Printed : R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 192. A similar letter to Governor Wentworth is in Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 78. 3S8 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Governor Wentworth : And as the preservation of this Province is of the utmost Consequence for His Majesty's interest and the Security and prosperity of the Colonies of New England, he will justly expect that at least the Troops in his own pay be employed for the defence of that Country ; and therefore we must earnestly urge Your Honour without loss of time to send in proper Vessels the Three hundred Men raised in your Government for the Expedition against Canada, for the defence of Annapolis Royal and Nova Scotia, the Danger being so near, and the Season of the year so far advanced, that the least Delay may prove fatal. We have inclosed an extract of a Letter from Lieut. Gov. Mascarene by which you will understand how he proposes to have these Succors employed, and if you can immediately procure a number of Whaleboats, they will be of great Service. We are, Sir, your most Obedient Humble Servants, P. Warren, W. Shirley. To the Honble William Greene. P.S. The loss of Annapolis will make an addition of Five or Six thousand fighting men to the Strength of the Enemy and thereby enable them to make further Attempts even upon Louisbourg, or prevent the success of His Majesty's arms next year against Canada if the King should think fit to extend them to make that Conquest. WILLIAM SHIRLEY AND PETER WARREN TO WILLIAM GREENE ' Boston, October 23 d, 1746. Sir, We have received your letter by Lieut. Col. Kinnicut, and are glad that your government has shown so good a spirit, » Printed : R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 195. 359 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY by cheerfully promoting a service of such importance, as the relief of Annapolis Royal, and the saving of it from falling into the enemy's hands. Last night we received from the master of a vessel, that sailed with the French fleet, from Chebucto, (which place they have wholly abandoned,) such an account of the strength and good condition both of their land and sea forces, and of their intention to sail with their whole body to Annapolis Royal, as stopped our proceedings for a few hours. But this afternoon, upon examining the captain of the English flag of truce, and two other gentlemen, of good reputation, who were taken prisoners by the French sixteen days before their arrival at Chebucto, and two intelligent masters of vessels that were likewise prisoners, all of whom sailed with the fleet from Chebucto, and left them the i6th instant, by which the state of the fleet appears to us in a very different light from what it was at first represented to us ; so that we have reason to judge that they are in a very weak condition, and are gone (at least the bulk of them,) to France, or the West Indies ; and thereupon Governor Shirley is sending the remainder of his recruits, with all despatch, and does not think it proper to stay for convoy, as all the rest of his troops sailed without, and are safe arrived at Annapolis.^ However, the first mentioned account has put us upon that caution, that we shall send away to-morrow, a small well sailing vessel, with a whaleboat and crew, to look into Annap- olis basin ; and if they find none of the enemy's ships there, to go up to the fort, and get what intelligence they can from the Governor ; but if the enemy's ships are in Annapolis harbor, to come back immediately, so far as Passamaquoddy, to inform the officers of the troops and masters of the trans- ports, whom Governor Shirley will order to stop at that place for advice, and to proceed to Annapolis, or return back to Boston, according as the advice shall be ; and we judge it will be best for Your Honor to take the same method, by ordering your vessels to stop at Passamaquoddy ; and we ^ See the details of the examinations here referred to In Shirley's letter to Benning Wentworth following, 360 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY shall desire Lieut. Governor Mascarene to send one of the ordnance tenders to that place, to meet your vessels, and wait at Passamaquoddy, till their arrival ; and you may depend upon it, that your vessels will meet with advice from Mr. Mascarene, at Passamaquoddy, if the navigation to Annapolis be safe. As to what you mention, referring to Governor Shirley's giving a commission to Mr. Kinnicut ; he cannot see the propriety of it in this case ; it being left to every particular governor to dispose of the commissions over their own troops ; however, he will take effectual care that Col. Kin- nicut shall not be subjected to any command below his own rank and character. We are, with great regard. Sir, Your most Obedient Humble Servants, W. Shirley. P. Warren. To the Hon. William Greene, Esq. P.S. Governor Wentworth informs Mr. Shirley, he sent two hundred soldiers from his government to Annapolis, last Sunday. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH ^ Boston, October 25, 1746. Sir, Three hours ago Your Express arriv'd here and deliver'd me your Excellency's Packet; in answer to which I send you the inclos'd Examinations of Sanders, Kennan and Deas, Brown, Knight and Foster. Sanders, from whom Mare and Garde had, I suppose, chiefly their information, so alarm'd us here with his Intelligence, that I stopt for a few hours the proceeding of the 350 Men, which I was upon the point of dispatching away for Annapolis Royal ; But upon the Advices brought by Kennan and Deas two South Carolina Gentle- ^ Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist, Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 83. 361 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY men of very good Sense and Credit, who din'd with the French Officers every day, also of Brown a Master of a Vessell of much understanding and modesty, who had good Oppor- tunities of discovering the Strength, Designs, and Motives of the Enemy's proceedings, Foster a plain Intelligent Master of a Fishing Vessell, and Knight, who was Mate of Sanders, all which was confirm'd by Captn Scott of Major Genl Fuller's Regiment, who commanded the Flagg of Truce from Louis- bourgand is arriv'd here, I made no Doubt but that the French are making the best of their way either to France or the West Indies, notwithstanding Sander's Declaration, who either has been impos'd upon, or is brib'd by the French to propa- gate the notion of their being gone to Annapolis Royal ; It is certain that he has the Character in Salem, to which place he belongs, of the most Lying fellow in the Country and was suspected of being concern'd in the money making Scheme. By many other Circumstances, which I Collected from the five last mention'd Declarants, besides what is con- tained in their declarations, and particularly from Captn Scott, who is a Gentleman much to be depended upon, there can be no room to doubt but that the French fleet was most miserably mann'd, some of 'em with not above a Man to a Gunn, and those sickly, and that they were extremely alarm'd by the Packets from me and Mr Warren design'd for Louis- bourg, which fell into their hands and gave Advice of Admiral Lestocks being expected with a Strong Squadron, the prints contain'd in 'em said of i8 Ships of the Line which caus'd 'em to embark their Troops in the night, and to make a precipi- tate departure ; And their carrying the Flag of Truce with 'em as far as thirty leagues west of Chebucto, and then dismissing it, with the English prisoners (that were ransom'd by the same number of French brought from Louisbourg) whom they labour'd to pursuade that they were bound for Annap- olis Royal with their whole Fleet ; whereas their Circum- stances plainly requir'd 'em to conceal their designs with the utmost care, and to carry their prisoners with 'em to Annap- ohs Royal, instead of sending 'em to Louisbourg and Boston to discover their Scheme, if they were really bound thither ; I 362 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY say these Circumstances leave no room to doubt here but that their declarations that they were bound for Annapolis Royal was a mere f einte, and that they were even afFraid of Admiral Townsend's following 'em : Besides, the Season of the Year, and their certain Intelligence that the Garrison at Annapolis was reinforc'd from hence, and to be farther reinforc'd from the Colonies are farther Circumstances, which make the thing Improbable. And now to confirm my Opinion, Lieutent Gorham is arriv'd here with Letters dated the 20th instant from Annapolis and saw not one Ship in the Bay in his Pas- sage. As to their taking with 'em the Nova Scotia Pilots, that might be for their greater safety upon this Coast, or more probably to go with 'em to France both to give Intelli- gence there of the State of the province, and be made use of next Year in case the Scheme against Annapolis Royal should be then prosecuted. Upon the whole I countermanded my Orders on Friday, and forwarded the Imbarkations with all Speed, and Davis sail'd yesterday with a Company for Annapolis directly, as did Captn Cobb with thirty of his Company, which last, as I had at first upon the Alarm given by Sanders, hir'd him to go with a Schooner and Whale boat to look into the Gut first and see if any French Ships were there, I have not vary'd his Orders (tho' I think there is no Occasion for that Caution) and he is afterwards to come to Passamaquoddy, where the Bien Aime, which will sail to morrow with 200 Men from hence and Stores, (as will also, I hope, a Sloop with 70 more men and Stores) is to go and stay for Advice from Cobb, as your two Vessells may, if you choose that, tho' I shall order the Sloop, which I have hir'd to proceed directly to Annapolis. The Government of Rhode Island has upon my Application determin'd to send 300 men to Annapolis, and sent me word of it ; and they are to sail on Tuesday for Passamaquoddy, as the Commanding Officer has agreed with me, and there wait for Intelligence. Govr. Mascarene presses for more men, with an assurance, if they are sent, that they shall be able to drive the Canadians quite out of the province, which would be a finishing Stroke to 363 " - CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY 'em ; and discourage 'em from returning again, especially as they have been so disappointed by the French fleet ; and quite secure the Nova Scotians from thoughts of a Revolt. I would therefore beg of you not only to send away your two Companies and Arm'd Vessells with the utmost Dispatch ; But if possible to send 200 or 300 more men, as I shall from hence, if I can possibly ; and should send 1000 more, if I was not under an Absolute Engagement to the Assembly to send 1500 men to Crown point. I wish you may be able to read this Scrawl, which I hope you will excuse and am. Sir, Your Excellency's most Obedient &c. W. Shirley. His Excy. Govr. Wentworth. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM GREENE » Boston, October 27, 1746. Sir, I wrote to you by Lieut. Col. Kinnicut; since when, I have advices arrived from Annapolis Royal, dated the 20th instant, informing me that they go on there very well against the enemy ; and want only more strength to drive the Cana- dians out of the province, forthwith ; whereupon. Governor Mascarene presses me for such an addition of men, as will make up what is sent fifteen hundred or two thousand. Ac- cordingly, by to-morrow, near four hundred men, will, I hope, be embarked, and sail from hence, over and above what I before sent, which was two hundred and sixty ; and I shall to-morrow give orders for three hundred men more to pre- pare for embarkation ; and hope to get them ready for sailing by Friday, at farthest. These, with the two hundred men from Governor Wentworth, and your three hundred, will make about sixteen hundred ; and I have pressed Governor Went- worth to send a further reinforcement, which I am in hopes he will do ; and I must entreat Your Honor to hasten your three companies, if they shall not be sailed before this comes to your hands, with all possible speed. 1 Printed : R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 196. 364 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY The officer who brought me the despatches from AnnapoHs, saw nothing of the French fleet in the Bay of Fundy, in his passage ; and I have just now heard that they have been seen sixty leagues to the south-west of Cape Sable ; at all events, every one here is persuaded, with myself, that they are in a miserable, sickly, weak condition, and are making the best of their way to the West Indies ; and we have now an opportunity of giving the finishing stroke to the Canadians in Nova Scotia, which I hope we shall not let slip ; as it might prove of bad consequence to us, in every respect, the next spring. I am, with all due regard, Sir, Your Honour's obedient humble Servant, W. Shirley. To Governor Greene. The post stays for this ; excuse haste. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH ' Boston, October 28, 1746. Sir, I trouble you with this to let you know that I have this day order'd three more Companies of 100 men each, which will make nine Companies In the whole from Boston, for Annap- olis Royal ; I hope your Excellency will not fail to send three or four more besides the two now ready to embark from your Governmt which will effectually drive the Cana- dians out of Nova Scotia, free it from the Danger, which may ensue by next Spring, from their Wintering there ; and be undoubtedly esteem'd a singular Service by his Majesty. I am with great regard and Esteem Your Excy's most Obedient Humble Servant W. Shirley. His Excy. Govr. Wentworth. ^ Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 83. 36s CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM GREENE ^ Boston, November 4th, 1746. Sir, 1 have now the pleasure of informing Your Honour of the French Fleet's quitting the Coast, of Nova Scotia, and going off to the West Indies, and the Canadians breaking up their Camp before the garrison at Annapolis Royal ; But not- withstanding this, as service of the greatest Importance remains yet to be done in Nova Scotia, viz. taking or destroy- ing all the Enemy's Magazines of Warlike Stores and Pro- visions, at Minas and Chicknecto ;^ taking all the grain in the Country (except what is wanted by the inhabitants for their present use), for His Majesty's service, and the same with respect to their Cattle ; by which means, all the inhabitants and Indians might be disarmed ; and the latter, together with the Canadians (in case they should return next spring) be without Subsistance from the Country ; driving off the Canadians, designed to winter in Minas or Chicknecto, and distressing the Indians there ; among whom a very bad sickness prevails which has already swept off hundreds of 'em, visiting Chebucto, and seeing what footsteps the French have left there, calling the Malecontents, who are the most obnoxious among the French Inhabitants, to an Acct. for their joining an open correspondence with the enemy, and destroying the Settlements of such of 'em as shall abscond ; and perhaps recovering some of the Prize Vessels and Goods taken from the English ; By all which means, the Canadians would be discouraged from renewing their attempts next Spring, the friends to His Majesty's Government in that Province confirmed in their fidelity, the abettors of the French interest diminished, and deterred from open or even secret acts of hostility, and the Indians very much harassed ^ R. L Col, Rec. 5, 203. A similar letter to Governor Went- worth of New Hampshire is in Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manu- scripts, 61 C, p. 84. 2 More correctly Chignecto, at the head of the bay of the same name forming the western arm of the Bay of Fundy. 366 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY and disabled from giving the Enemy the usual assistance; so that If the Canadians should repeat their visit in the spring, they would not be able to make any progress in the Country, to the disadvantage of the Garrison. I say as all these services, which have so plain a tendency to settle the lasting security of the Province, remain yet to be done ; and this fall is the only opportunity for doing it ; and I am informed by persons well acquainted with the seasons in Nova Scotia, that the Winter is not yet too far advanced for doing this with a probable prospect of the men's returning afterwards, this Winter, I have determined to send the reinforcement of five companies, which I pro- posed before my receiving the last advices ; some of which, are already sailed, and others go to-day, and the rest In two days, at farthest; and I hope Your Honour, If your three companies are not already sailed, will order them to proceed forthwith. If our endeavors are attended with success at this critical conjuncture, as I hope they will, it will be a most beneficial service for His Majesty and the Colonies. I am in haste the Post waiting Sir, Your Honour's most obedt Humble Servant, W. Shirley. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH i Boston, Novr. ii, 1746. Sir, I receiv'd your Excellency's Express with great Pleasure ; and immediately sent to Mr Apthorpe to supply your Mes- senger with sixty Blankets, which he promis'd to do, But the next morning upon my sending for Mr David Jefferies he told me that one of your Committee of Warr had found a sufficient Quantity here ; and upon his Application to me for the Delivery of forty Barrels of Gunpowder for you, I ^ Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 84. 367 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY immediately order'd it. I fully design'd to answer your Excy's favour by the post ; But he slipt me. The Inclosed is sent you at the Desire of the Assembly ; and, tho' I remember I mention'd in one of mine to you, that I thought there would be forces enough left to be employ'd in the Reduction of Crown point without any from your province, yet I think our succeeding in that attempt will next to the preservation of Nova Scotia (which I acknowledge I esteem of Infinitely greater Importance in every respect) be attended with the happiest Consequences to the Colonies ; I am exceedingly glad that your Excellency's firmness has carry'd you tho' all Obstacles in the way of sending Succours to his Majy's Garrison at AnnapoHs,^ which I doubt not will turn out right ; and I shall be very glad of your contributing to the Success of the Expedition against Crown point, which ought certainly to be attempted with as strong a force as we can send, after taking care of Nova Scotia. I am with great truth and Esteem Sir, Your Excellency's most Obedient Servant W. Shirley. His Excy Govr Wentworth. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH 2 Boston, November 12, 1746. Sir, The late Apprehensions we have had of an Invasion from the French as well as of their Designs against Annapolis Royal and the Province of Nova Scotia, have lately so much employed the Care of this Government (as we suppose it has done that of the Government of New Hampshire) that we have been in a great Measure diverted from prosecuting ^ The underlining is by Wentworth. 2 Original, L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 85. 368 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the Expedition against the French Fort at Crown Point ; But the French Fleet being now gone off, I shall attend closely to the Prosecution of this great Affair, And I have according sent Provisions, Powder and all other necessary Stores of War, Including our large Mortar with a sufficient Quantity of Bomb Shells, to Albany to be ready for the Forces on their Arrival there : And I have also sent a thousand or twelve Hundred of the Soldiers raised for the Canada Expedition In this Province, and shall make them up fifteen hundred Men at least to proceed In that Part of the Winter as shall be judged most seasonable for this Important Expedition ^ and to join the Forces from the Southern Colonies now on Hudson's River and those from your Province : And as this Is a Matter of the utmost Importance to the future Tranquillity of these Prov- inces and Colonies, and the Forces of New Hampshire are so well versed In this kind of War ; I must Intreat your Excel- lency to take effectual Care that the whole of your Forces raised for the Expedition against Canada, saving what you detach for his Majesty's Service In the Province of Nova Scotia, shall be ready to join the rest of the Troops. That this Affair may be effectually prosecuted, (a Miscarriage wherein may be of fatal Consequence) I shall not have a Man taken off from this Service, more than what I have thought necessary to be sent to Annapolis. And therefore I must repeat my earnest Desire that your Excellency would press this Matter with the greatest Zeal and Vigour : And I send this to you by Express, by whom I shall hope for an Answer. I am with the greatest regard Sir, Your Excellency's most Obedient, Humble Servt W. Shirley. His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. ^ The underlining Is by Wentworth. 369 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO JOHN STODDARD ^ Sir, These are to desire and direct you forthwith to give Orders that from the 20th Day of November Instant, all the Western Frontiers, saving the Garrison at Fort Dummer, be reduced to the Number of One hundred and Nine Men, Fifteen whereof must be posted at the three Block Houses West of Connecticutt River, eight at Colrain to be of the Inhabit- ants, Six of the Inhabitants of Fall Town, and Thirty at the two Ashuelots twenty whereof to be Inhabitants, the remaining thirty five to be a marching Party under the Com- mand of such Officer as you shall think most proper, and to be employed in the best manner for the Defence of the most exposed Places, according to such order as you shall give : And you must take effectual Care that the remainder of the Forces both within and without the Line, be dismiss'd upon the twentieth Day of this Month or as soon as may be ; The Muster Rolls to be made up to that Time, and the Wages of the Officers and Soldiers in actual Service, to be carried out to such Time as is necessary for returning home, allowing twenty Miles a Day. I am . Your Assur'd Friend and Servant Boston, Novr. 13, 1746. W. Shirley. To Colonel John Stoddard. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO PAUL MASCARENE ^ Boston, Deer. 19th, 1746. Sir, Some weeks ago Governour Knowles inform'd me, that he had given it as his Opinion to the Duke of Newcastle by the last Ships from Louisbourg, that the French Inhabitants ^ Original in Massachusetts Papers, Library of Congress. 2 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 901, p. 92. 370 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY shou'd be drove out of Nova Scotia early next Spring, and that he wou'd come to Boston as soon as possible, to concert meas- ures with me for that purpose : And I understand since from another of his Letters, that he has sent his Majesty's Sloop Hind to look into the Harbours on the Cape Sable Shoar; and from thence to proceed up the Bay of Fundy to Annap- olis Royal for Intelligence and Orders from you, and then to go on to Boston. It is very probable that he has acquainted you by Letter with his Sentiments, and Designs against the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia ; But if he has not, as his Scheme for driving 'em off next Spring is publickly known and talk'd of at Louisbourg, all the People in the Hind must know it, and will doubtless talk much of it at Annapolis ; so that I think it is scarcely possible but that it must be convey'd in some manner or other to the French Inhabitants ; which, if it is, will inevi- tably lessen, if not destroy whatever Influence my Letter^ dis- pers'd among 'em may have had, and ruin our Credit with 'em ; and that an End will be put to all Dependence on our promises or Assurances to 'em, when they shall find two of his Majesty's Governours acting so contradictory to each other; at least it is most likely their fears of being drove off their Settlements and Estates the next year grounded on Mr Knowles's declar'd Scheme will prevail over any hopes, they may have conceiv'd from my late Declaration to 'em. Shou'd this happen to be the Case I need not observe to you, how dangerous the Consequences of it may be to the safety of the Province under your Comand, and his Maj- esty's Service in the Expedition next year, if his Majesty shou'd be pleas'd to have it proceed then ; For what can be expected from People in despair of preserving their Estates and Families, but desperate Attempts to secure themselves against the Danger by Joining with his Majesty's Enemies, who will Doubtless take the advantage of this Alarm, and make their utmost efl"orts to bring 'em to a general Revolt. Such an Alarm wou'd indeed be extremely unfortunate at this Crisis ; nor do I see how anything less than a certain Assur- ^ See Shirley to Mascarene, Sept. i6, 1746, ante, p. 354. 371 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ance coming directly from his Majesty that they shall be treated upon the foot of Subjects, and not all drove off as Enemies, can quiet it so effectually as is to be wish'd at this time : However it is our duty to do what we can ; and pos- sibly it may be of some Service (if such an Alarm shou'd have been spread among 'em) to let 'em know that I have lay'd their case before the Duke of Newcastle in the most favourable manner for his Majesty's Consideration, and have recommended such of em, as shall avoid all traitorous Com- binations and Correspondence with his Enemies to the Continuance of his Royal Protection of 'em in their Estates and Settlements ; and that I am perswaded, a favourable Answer may be depended upon from his Majesty; and also that as Mr Knowles has inform'd me he is coming to Boston to consult with me what Steps, he shall take in this Affair, I will be bound to 'em that he shall not offer the least Hos- tility to 'em till his Majesty's Commands shall be receiv'd here concerning 'em, which I will venture to take upon me to promise 'em will be full of tenderness towards all such, as shall not forfeit their title to his Clemency by joining with his Enemies. I doubt not but your own Prudence, if I have omitted anything, which ought to be Declar'd to 'em upon this Occasion, will suggest it to you, Sir ; And the sooner you attempt, after the Poison is infus'd, to expell it, the better. I am Sir, with great Regard and Esteem Your most Obedient Humble Servant, W. Shirley. Lieut Governour Mascarene. Endorsed : Copy of a Letter from Govr Shirley to Mr Mascarene. Boston, Deer 19, 1746 in his Letter of Deer 20, 1746. 372 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO BENNING WENTWORTH ' Boston, Deer. 22, 1746. Sir, The Post gives me but a moment's time to say in Answer to your Excellency's last favour, that as I believe from the best Opinions in this Province, particularly Colonel Stoddard's, that the forces sent agt St Francois ought to be 500 at least ^ and that a successful attempt agt the Settlemts there would be of exceeding great Service even for facilitating the Reduction of Crown point, by the Alarm, and Diversion it would give the Enemy, and your Excellency is under such Stron g Engage- ments to your Assembly for making that Attempt, I think it would be wrong to diminish the number of your Governmts Troops by Sparing 100 of 'em for Crown point ; and that I should be rather of Opinion to augment the number of your own forces with 200 from hence for breaking up the Indians at St Francois, than to take that number from 'em. Be pleas'd only not to let 'em march 'till I hear from you. I will an- swer yours at large by next Post; and am Your Excy's most Obedient Humble Servt W. Shirley. His Excy Govr Wentworth. BENJAMIN SEALLY AND WILLIAM FURNESS DEPOSITION AS TO THE FRENCH FLEET' Benjamin Seally and William Furness both of Marblehead Mariners declare and say, that on the Second day of October last they sailed out of Marblehead in the Sloop Diamond, ^ Original, A. L. S., Mass. Hist. Soc, Belknap Manuscripts, 61 C, p. 88. See also Shirley to Governor Law of Connecticut in Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. 13, 359. 2 The underlining is by Wentworth. ^ B. M., Additio7ial Manuscript 32710, 381. Inclosed in letter of William Shirley, Jr., to Andrew Stone of Mar. 20, 1746/7. 373 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY whereof Samuel Hooper of said Marblehead was master, and made the best of their Way for Cape Sables and Cape Negers ; which places they discovered about Five days after, and then kept Cruising about 25 or 30 Leagues to the West- ward of the Isle of Sables, in order to meet with the English Fleet then expected from England to Louisbourg, as our Captain Informed us ; that on the fifteenth of said month it was very foggy weather, and after it cleared away we saw six Ships about four or five Leagues distant from us, which we Apprehended were part of the English Fleet, and en- deavoured to keep the Windward of 'em in order to make a full Discovery of 'em, but in the morning we found our selves in the midst of 'em : they fired about twelve Guns at us before we struck our Colours, and nine afterwards, which was on the sixteenth day of October aforesaid, the Ship that took us was about four hundred Tons (as we Judge) and employed as a Storeship in the French Fleet, after we went aboard they asked the Captain for his papers, who told 'em he had none, (having thrown over the Packet he had for the Admiral of the English Fleet as soon as we struck :) when We were taken the French Fleet (being, as one of our men tol I them over. Forty one in number consisting of Six Line of Battle Ships and other Ships and Frigates and about Six or seven smaller Vessells) was about Ten Leagues to westward of Cape Sables, Steering to the Westward ; the wind being then to the Northward ; bound as they told us to Annapolis in order to take that place : they further said that five hun- dred French and Indians were gone to Attack it by Land, the same time the Ships did by Sea ; and if they should take it they were immediately to Fortify the place and Strengthen the Settlements ; there being five Millions of money on board the Northumberland, the French Admirals Ship for that purpose. Upon examining Captain Hooper and the Declarants, they found that he and two other Vessells were sent out By the Governour of Massachusetts to give notice to the Ad- miral of the English Fleet where the French Fleet were ; and the Circumstances they were in, at which the Captain of the Ship that took em seem'd much surpriz'd, ask'd many Ques- 374 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY tlons about the said English Fleet, and Immediately sent to the Commodore of the French Fleet about this Infor- mation, he had from Captain Hooper and the Declarants, by our Sloop. In about an hours time afterwards the whole Fleet altered their Course, and Steered to the Southwd. having determined (as we were Informed) some to go to France and the others to the West Indies ; The Day after we were taken the wind blew very hard and brought on a very severe Storm, which seperated the Ship that took us from the rest of the Fleet ; they seem'd to be much Con- cern'd a board the Ship, that took us, after the Storm was over for the rest of the Fleet ; fearing many of 'em were lost or had suffered great Damage ; for none of 'em were seen afterwards, it being very Sickly aboard all the Ships, and but few men that could be upon Deck : the Ship that took us had about 150 men on board, only 30 whereof were able to do Duty, the rest being sick Chiefly with the Scurvy ; about 60 or 70 of whom died while we were aboard ; which was till the 16 of Novemr., when we met with an English Privateer, who took us and Carried us into St. Chris- tophers ; from whence we got passage to Marblehead ; where we arrived last Saturday the 27th. Instant. his Benja. X Seally. mark William Furness. Boston, Decemr: 31, 1746. Province of the Massachusets Bay ss. Boston Dec. 31, 1746. Benjamin Seally and William Furness made Oath to the Truth of the Aforegoing Declaration Signed by them. Before me Jacob Wendell Just. Peac. Copy Examined ^ J. Willard Secry. 375 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Endorsed: Deposition of B. Sealy, [and W. Furness, Mariners.] in Mr. Shirley's of March 20, 1746/7.^ Suffolk Street March 20, 1746. Andrew Stone Esqr. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO PETER WARREN ^ Boston, Jany 2, 1746/7. Sir, The Honr. I bear for Gentlemen of a publick Spirit and such as are useful to the Commonwealth, as well as my particular and personal Obligations to you will make me always solicitous for your Welfare and especially that you may have a safe and prosperous Voyage to Great Britain, and success in the gener- ous design you have laid for his Majesty's Service in general and for the Benefit and Security of these Provinces in particu- lar. And I doubt not but that the great share you have in the Affections of this People as well as your strict regard to Justice and the knowledge you have of the peculiar difficulties and burthens lying upon us will prompt you to do everything in your Power to obtain a Reimbursement of our charges in the late Expedition which will otherwise be insupportable and ruinous to this Province, already impoverished and exhausted ^ Shirley's letter to Stone follows {Additional Manuscript S^Jio, fo. 379) • Sir, Having receiv'd the inclos'd Deposition from my Father with his Orders to lay it before my Lord Duke of Newcastle, I beg leave to cover it to you, and also to add an Extract of his Letter to me which he has likewise directed me to lay before his Grace. I am Sir Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant, W. Shirley. 2 Draft in Ms. of Josiah Willard, Mass. Arch., Col. Ser., Letters, S3, 208. 376 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY by the Expence of the War upon our Borders as well as of our Expeditions abroad. ... WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM GREENE ^ Boston, January 5, 1746/7. Sir, This will be delivered you by Lieutent Wilkinson from whom as well as by a letter from Col. Kinnicutt, I am sorry to learn that the Levies of your Governmt are at length by a Train of Cross Accidents and Disasters prevented from going upon His Majesty's service to Annapolis Royal, for which both your Governmt and the Troops have shown so ready a Disposition ; I can't say but that I think after having been so greatly weaken'd, and reduced by sickness and deaths, as I understood the three Companies are, that your Officers Judged right in not venturing 'em upon a passage to Annap- olis in so extreme, and wintry a season as the present has prov'd ; since in all probability it would have destroy'd many of the Soldiers, and the few that had survived it, might have been rather a Burthen than of service to the Garrison ; I heartily wish those of 'em, which are sailed for Newport, a safe Arrival there and that the sick among them, and those left at Martha's Vineyard, may recover. Mr Wilkinson informs me that some deserters from your Levies are suspected to be conceal'd in this Governmt; If there is any possibility of getting at 'em, I will take care they shall be secur'd for you, upon my being apprised where any of 'em may be apprehended. I took the first Opportunity of laying before the Assembly of this Province, the copy of His Majesty's Order in Council for settling the boundary line between the Province and Colony together with the Act of your Governmt, appointing Com- missioners to join with those of this Govt. In running and marking the line accordingly, and of recommending to 'em forthwith to choose Commissioners for that purpose; which ^ Kimball, Corres. R. I. Governors, 2, 34. 377 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY I hope they will readily do. When it Is done, I shall trans- mit you the first notice of it, that I can. I am, with due regard Sir, Your Honour's Obedient Humble servant, W. Shirley. To His Excellency, Gov. Greene. P.S. I hope that 800 of the Massachusetts Levies are all, long before this, safely arrived at Annapolis, with a great quantity of snow shoes ; as also the two New Hampshire Companies ; and that they may be a force sufficient for the purposes of His Majesty's service there. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM GREENE ^ Boston, February 7, 1747. Sir, By my last advices from Albany, I find the condition of the troops of the Southern colonies, now on Hudson's River, as to their state of health and numbers, and the strong dis- position of the Indians of the Six Nations to join with us in the attempt against Crown Point, and the danger of utterly losing these Nations, and their falling off to the French, (which will be of the most fatal consequence to all the North- ern English colonies,) to be such, that I am now fixed in my resolution to push forward this enterprise with all imaginable diligence ; and as the government of Connecticut has de- clined to join their forces with ours, which will much lessen the numbers we expected, I must earnestly desire Your Honour to send forward to our rendezvous on Hudson's River, as many of the troops of your government in His Majesty's pay, as you can furnish out for this service. ^ R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 209. The correspondence with Governor Jonathan Law of Connecticut to which reference is made is in the Law Manuscripts in the Conn. Hist. Soc. 2, 149, 154, 155, 156. The letter of Sir William Johnson to Lydius is in R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 210. ^ - 378 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY The success of this enterprise being of the utmost impor- tance, I trust you will do every thing in your power to pro- mote it. You have herewith enclosed, a copy of Mr. Johnson's letter to Mr. Lydius, and of the advice of our Assembly to me, in this affair. I am, Sir, Your Honour's very Humble servant, W. Shirley. To the Hon. William Greene, Esq. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM GREENE ^ Boston, February 9, 1746/7. Sir, I have this morning received advices from Lieut. Governor Mascarene, that Mons'r Rawson, who was posted at Menis, with above six hundred Canadians, and Indians, was, upon the arrival of the reinforcement sent from hence, retired to Skeenecta ; and Col. Noble, with a body of about five hun- dred men, consisting principally of some of those troops I sent from hence, is now at Menis ; but the reports of the number of the enemy (being represented as much superior to Col. Noble,) makes him cautious of pushing them without some further reinforcement. I am informed that the enemy will not be able to get off before April ; and I hope our troops will be strong enough to hinder their retreat till the English can have some further strength from these colonies. It appears to me, by what advices I have had, that if it had not been for the misfortune that happened to the com- panies from your colony, and my last company, bound to Annapolis Royal, who were cast away at Mount Desert, and above one half of them drowned and frozen ; and the New Hampshire company, under Capt. Mitchell, (instead of returning to Annapolis, from St. Johns, according to order,) 1 Printed: R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 210. 379 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY going back to New Hampshire, our troops would have either entirely drove the French forces into the woods, where they must perish if they stay long, or have made them all prisoners of war. And as Your Honour is sensible this is a matter of the ut- most importance to the safety of Nova Scotia, and for secur- ing our conquest of Cape Breton, and the season is advancing when the navigation in those parts will be much safer than it has been in the months past, I must earnestly desire Your Honour, that in case you find any difficulty in sending your troops in the King's pay to Crown Point, you would not fail of sending them as soon as they may be got ready, to Annap- olis Royal, for this necessary service. And I must urge this with greater importunity, because (having already upwards of seven hundred men in Nova Scotia,) I am not able to spare a man more ; the remainder of our troops, being absolutely necessary to be employed for the reduction of Crown Point, to which place I have given orders that they should march with all possible expedition. I shall also press the Governor of New Hampshire to order the companies (raised there for the expedition,) to Annapolis Royal. If we can make ourselves strong enough, I hope your soldiers will be detained but a short time upon this service. However, I shall continue my troops here, in hopes of a rein- forcement from you. The ready spirit which the government of Rhode Island showed, for assisting in this important service, upon my first application to Your Honour for that purpose, leaves no room to doubt, but that they will exert it now with equal vigor, and not let slip so fair an opportunity of employing the same companies, or what may be left of them, so beneficially for His Majesty's service, and the general good of the colonies ; and so acceptably to His Majesty, as the sending these com- panies to Annapolis Royal, would be, at this most critical juncture. If the troops arrive there by the second or beginning of the third week in March, it would be in time, though 380 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the sooner the better; they need not stay at Annapolis long. I am with due respect, Sir, Your very humble servant, To the Hon. William Greene. W. Shirley. WILLIAM GREENE TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY » Providence, 20th February, 1746/7. Sir, Immediately on the receipt of Your Excellency's letter of the 7th current, pressing that His Majesty's troops, in this colony, might be sent to Hudson's River, in order to join those of the Southern colonies, &c., in an attempt against Crown Point, I issued out my warrant, to summon the Gen- eral Assembly to meet at this place on the 17th instant; but before they met, I had the honor of Your Excellency's letter, of the 9th, expressing your desire, that the troops here, may be sent to Annapolis Royal, if I should find any difficulty in sending them to Crown Point. The Assembly met accordingly, when I recommended both of Your Excellency's letters to their consideration ; but they came to a resolution, that, as this colony has no pro- visions nor stores on Hudson's River, and the navigation of that river is impracticable at this season of the year, it is not possible to send the troops thither, as desired. As for sending them to Annapolis, the Assembly is of opin- ion, that the time proposed by Your Excellency for them to be at Annapolis, is so short, that we cannot procure trans- ports, provisions, &c., in time. What increases this great difficulty, is, that the troops are greatly enfeebled and lessened in numbers, by sickness and desertion, in the late attempt to go to Annapolis. More- over, the people of the colony's sloop are discharged, and the vessel itself so much out of repair, that it cannot go for 1 Printed: R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 211. 381 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY convoy; for which reasons, the troops cannot be sent to Annapolis at this juncture. This is the determination of the General Assembly, which I am directed to inform Your Excellency of, and am, with due respects, Your Excellency's very humble servant, William Greene. To Governor Shirley. JOSIAH WILLARD TO WILLIAM GREENE * Boston, March 5, 1747. Sir, I am directed by the General Court here, to apprise Your Honor of the advice we have from our agent, by the ship from London, yesterday, that a grant was made in Parliament, on Friday, the 4th of December last, of £10,- 200,000, for the current year ; £800,000 of which, is for pay- ing the charge of taking and keeping Cape Breton, by the people of New England ; and the charge of raising forces for the expedition that was designed against Canada. There have been some proposals and endeavors, that the payment might be made by debentures ; nothing seems so likely to prevent it, as applying the money granted to re- deem and finish our fatal paper currency, so absolutely neces- sary to the establishment and preservation of justice in our commerce, and so much for the interest of Great Britain, as well as ourselves. This, we are very sensible cannot be done effectually, without the meeting of the several Assemblies, interested in this grant ; it Is therefore hoped that Your Honor will call your General Court together as soon as may be, that the meeting of commissioners may not be put oif beyond the time proposed, viz. : the 12th of April next, in order to their being assured at home very soon, that this money will be so ^Printed: R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 212. 382 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY wisel7 applied, and for a purpose so absolutely inconsistent with debentures, or any dilatory methods of payment. I am, with great respect, sir, Your Honor's most humble and most obedient servant, JOSIAH WiLLARD. To the Hon. Governor Greene. P.S. The agent's letter was dated the loth December, and sent to Portsmouth a few days before the ship sailed. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO JOHN STODDARD ^ Boston, April loth, 1747. Sir, The General Court having come to a Resolution respect- ing the Defence of the Frontiers, and provided for erecting a Number of Blockhouses, particularly one at or near the Place where Massachusetts Fort stood, another to the West- ward of Fort Pelham, and third between Colerain, and Fall Town, (for the building of which you have my Order here- with inclosed), and having voted Pay and Subsistence to the Garrisons to be placed in such Blockhouses, and the Soldiers to be posted in other Places particularly mention'd, I shall give Orders to Brigadier Dwight to draw out of his Regimt so many Men as with those now in the Service in the County of Hampshire will make up the full number allowed on this Establishmt for Garrison Soldiers ; And I desire that you and he would agree upon the Distribution of them accordingly, vizt Twenty Men for a Garrison at Northfield, and as many at Colerain, Thirty at the new Massachusetts Fort. At Fort Shirley, Fort Pelham, the Blockhouse at Fall Town, the Blockhouses to be built one between Colerain and Pelham and the other to the Westward of Fort Pelham twenty Men each. And you must give Orders to the Commanding Offi- cers of the several Forts and Blockhouses that will be gar- ^ Original in Historical Society of Pennsylvania Collections. 383 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY risoned by other Soldiers than those of Brigadier Dwights Regiment (as I shall direct him to do respecting those Officers in this Service that are in his Regimt) to keep a constant Scout from one Blockhouse to another to give proper Ad- vices and Signals of the Appearance of the Enemy, and to the Commanding Officer at Massachusetts Fort to keep out a Scout Westward of said Fort, and all of them to keep Journals of their Proceedings and transmxit them to you : You must put ten of the Inhabitants of Colerain and as many of the In- habitants of Green River above Deerfield into the Pay of the Province. Besides the Recruits you will have from Brigr Dwight for the Garrisons before mention'd, I shall order him to draw out a hundred Men for a Marching Company to scout on your Borders, and more especially for covering the Men that will be employed in building the new Blockhouses ; In the disposition of which as well as in all matters relating to the Defence of your Frontier I shall order him to advise with you from time to time. I am Sir, Your most Assur'd Friend and Servant W. Shirley. Colo. John Stoddard. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO GIDEON WANTON * Boston, May i8, 1747. Sir, This goes to inform Your Honor, that by despatches I have received from Albany and Northampton, I find that the Indians of the Six Nations are generally spirited to go to war against the French of Canada ; that divers parties are now out, and others daily offering them- selves, which is a point the governments of New England 1 Printed: R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 216. 384 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY (especially those of the Massachusetts and Connecticut,) have been laboring to carry ever since the first of the war; and if this spirit be duly cherished and properly managed and directed, it may, by the blessing of God, prove of un- speakable benefit for the safety of these colonies. I refer Your Honour to an extract from Col. Stoddard's letter to me, for a more particular account of this affair; only I would observe, that Col. Johnson and Mr. Lydius, whose influence on the Indians has brought about this great event, are under such engagements, as they are not able to fulfill without proper supplies from these govern- ments ; and if for want of that, the Indians should suffer any disappointment, it is more than probable that they will be disgusted at their being left in the lurch by us, and will fall entirely into the interests of the French, which will be more fatal to these colonies than any thing that has yet befallen us. Now, as there is no General Court in being in this Prov- ince, we can do nothing, at present, for the furnishing these gentlemen ; though our General Court has entrusted Mr. Lydius with this affair, and have undertaken to supply him with a considerable sum for this service, and he has made his drafts for the payment, which will be done ; but the parties of Indians come so fast upon him and Mr. John- son, to be fitted out for this service, that what they will receive at present from this government, will be a very in- considerable part of what they are under engagements for; and the gentlemen seem to apprehend that there is great danger of their being ruined, and the common cause suffer- ing the greatest damage that we can conceive of, unless they be relieved from these governments. I doubt not, sir, but your General Court, will, in this criti- cal conjuncture, readily make proper supplies for the en- couragement of the Indians of the Six Nations, for prose- cuting this war, and for keeping these gentlemen in heart till an agreement may be made between the governments to apportion the charge that has arisen or may arise in this important affair, among themselves ; and I shall lay this VOL. I — 2 c 385 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY matter before our General Court, at their first meeting, and am fully persuaded they will cheerfully fall into all the meas- ures necessary for promoting this important interest. You will please to lay these matters before your Assembly as soon as possible, and let me know their resolutions on this affair. I am, with great regard. Sir, Your most Obedient humble Servant, W. Shirley. The Hon. Gideon Wanton, Esq. DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY [Extract^] Whitehall, 30 May, 1747. Sir, His Majesty has been pleased to direct me to signify to you his pleasure that you should immediately appoint a meeting with Commodore Knowles, at such place as shall be agreed upon, and consider with him the present state of Nova Scotia and Louisbourg, and take the proper measures for the defence of those places. It is His Majesty's pleasure you should endeavor to com- plete from out of the Americans, who are now raised for His Majesty's service. Sir William Pepperell's Regiment and your own. Lieut. Gen. Phillips's Regiment, is, I am afraid, very weak. I will, however, send His Majesty's orders to send what recruits can be got from hence ; and you will als en- deavor to have his Regiment completed out of the Americans. As it is His Majesty's intention that the Americans should be immediately discharged, except only such few as are mentioned above, the manner of discharging them, the satis- faction of their time, &c., must be left to Commodore Knowles and yourself; the King, however, is perswaded you will do it as cheap as possible. » P. R. O., C. O. s, 901, p. 178. 386 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY It Is also His Majesty's pleasure, that Mr. Knowles and you should consider what number of Americans will be really wanted for the service above mentioned ; and the King would have you retain as many as may be absolutely necessary for that service, and no more ; and the King hopes that a small number of Americans, with His Majesty's forces, which you have, may be sufficient for that purpose, as the expense of these Americans is very great ; and as to the Americans in general, except only such as may be wanted for the service above mentioned, it is His Majesty's pleasure, that you, in conjunction with Commodore Knowles, should thank them in such manner as you think proper, and immediately dis^ charge them upon the best and cheapest foot you can, and in order thereto you will consult with the respective Gov- ernours upon the manner of closing it ; and you shall trans- mit to His Majesty an immediate account of what you shall do therein. And as these American Troops have done little or no service hitherto, it is to be hoped they will not expect to be paid in the manner they would have been, had they actually been employed on service ; and it seems highly reasonable that such of these Troops as have remained in the Provinces, where they were enlisted, should be contented with less pay than such of them as may have marched into other Prov- inces. When you and Mr. Knowles shall have met and fully considered the service to be undertaken, in the manner above directed, and shall have agreed what number of Americans it will be necessary to keep in pay for that purpose, it Is His Majesty's pleasure that you should procure an account of the whole expense incurred on account of the American troops from the time of their being levied, to the time of their discharge ; and when the same shall be fully adjusted and liquidated, you will transmit it to me, with the proper vouch- ers, from the several Governours, that it may be laid be- fore Parliament, to the end that provision may be made for the payment ; and in the mean time, in order to prevent any complaint amongst the men that have been enlisted, (as 387 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY well those that shall be discharged, as those that shall con- tinue in service,) for want of immediate pay, you will rec- ommend it to the Governours of the Provinces, where these levies have been made, to procure credit from their respective Assemblies for that purpose, which His Majesty hopes may be done without difficulty. I am &ca HoLLES Newcastle. * As you and Mr Warren have represented, That an Opinion prevailed amongst the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia, That It was intended to remove Them from their Settlements and Habitations in that Province ; And as that Report may probably have been artfully spread amongst Them in order to induce Them to withdraw Themselves from their Alle- giance to His Majesty, and to take Part with the Enemy; His Majesty thinks it necessary, that proper measures should be taken, to remove any such ill-grounded Suggestions ; and, for that Purpose, it is the King's Pleasure, that you should declare in some publick and Authentick manner to His Maj- esty's subjects. Inhabitants of that Province, that there is not the least Foundation for any Apprehension of that nature ; But that, on the contrary, It is His Majesty's Resolution to protect, and maintain, all such of them as shall continue in their Duty, and Allegiance to His Majesty, in the quiet and peaceable Possession of their respective ^ The remainder of the text consists of the opening paragraphs of a signed postscript to another letter from Newcastle to Shirley of the same date as the preceding. This letter is in P. R. O., C. O. 5, 45, p, 268. The earlier part of the manuscript states that Admiral Sir Peter Warren is in England on leave of absence, that the expedition of General St. Clair is not to go to North America at the time expected, and that consequently any such conquests of Canada as had been planned must be considered as impracti- cable for the present. Consideration is then given to the state of Nova Scotia for the defense of which Shirley had been directed to plan. \ • ■ • 388 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Habitations, and Settlements and that they shall continue to enjoy the free Exercise of their Religion. His Majesty did propose to have signed a Proclamation to the purport above mentioned and to have transmitted it to you to have been published in Nova Scotia ; But as the Advices, that have been received here, of a Body of the New England Troops, which were advanced to Menis having been surprised by a Party of the French Canadeans and their Indians, and having been either cut off, or taken Prisoners, And the great Probability there is. That this Misfortune could not have happened to that Body of Troops, without the Assistance or, at least, the Connivance of the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia, make it very difficult to fix the Terms of the intended Proclamation ; His Majesty thinks it more advise- able to leave it to you to make such a Declaration in His Name, as you shall be of Opinion, the present Circumstances of the Province may require. ******* Newcastle. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE SELECTMEN OF BOSTON ' Boston, June 23d, 1747. Gentlemen, I send you the inclos'd Extract from Govr. Knowles's Letter, that you may Communicate it to the Town in such manner as you shall think proper. And as I have reason to apprehend from accounts I have received, that the Fuel already bespoke in some Country Places for the supply of this Town in the present Year, will be raised before the Winter is over to a most excessive Price, unless it is pre- vented by the importing a considerable quantity of wood from the Eastern Parts which may be very ruinous to the Poor of this Town in particular, I would recommend it to you to Consider of some Method for the Encouragement of ^ Original, Mass. Archives, Col. Ser. 53, 252. 389 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY bringing in a large Supply of Wood from the Eastern Parts, at as Moderate a Rate as may be, in which if I can assist you by granting protection for Safeguarding the Men that shall be employed in Carrying the Wood to the Vessels and loading it on board of 'em I shall be very ready to do it, or anything else in my Power that may be proposed to me for the for- warding of this affair. Your most Assured Friend and Servant. W. Shirley. To the Selectmen of the Town of Boston. . WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO GIDEON WANTON ' Boston, June 29th, 1747. Sir, This will inform Your Honor that this government has taken into consideration the great danger which all His Majesty's colonies in North America are in (as well as their own particu- lar danger) of being in time destroyed by the French, and Indians under their influence, without a firm union be- tween themselves, for their mutual defence, and for weaken- ing and destroying the power of the enemy ; and more especially for driving the French from the borders of the Province of New York ; and this Province has appointed commissioners to meet in a congress, to be held at New York, on the 2d day of September next, with such commissioners as may be appointed by all His Majesty's governments, ^ R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 219. Governor Wanton's reply is dated July 3 and is as follows : Sir : — I received your favor of 29th June, and now acquaint Your Excellency, that it is not in my power to do any thing other- wise than to represent the matters therein contained, in as strong terms as I can, to our General Assembly, which will meet by ad- journment, the second Tuesday in August; and then I shall be capable of acquainting Your Excellency of their resolutions there- upon. I am, sir, your humble servant, Gideon Wanton. 390 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY from New Hampshire to Virginia, inclusively ; then and there to treat and agree upon measures for encouraging the Indians of the Six Nations vigorously to prosecute their in- cursions on the enemy ; as also to agree upon the method and proportion of raising men and money, for carrying on the war, both offensively and defensively ; and to project and settle such enterprises and plans of operation as the common interest shall require. Your Honor will, I doubt not, duly consider the great importance of this matter, and represent It in the strongest light to your Assembly, that they may see not only how deeply His Majesty's Interest in general is concerned, but that their own particular safety will be soon much affected by the growing power of the French ; and more especially the hazard there is, that they will bring the Six Nations Into their interest, in case they are not forthwith most vigorously supported by the English, without which, it will be a very little while before the Southern as well as the Northern colonies will be exposed to their fury. And therefore I would earnestly recommend It to the several governments sepa- rately to make provision without delay, for the encourage- ment of the Six Nations, till the congress can be held ; this government having already advanced many large sums of money, and still continuing to do more for this service. Your Honor will be pleased to give me seasonable advice of the resolution of your government on this most important affair. I am. Sir, Your Honor's most Obedient and most humble Servant. W. Shirley. To the Hon. Gideon Wanton, Esq. P.S. I am to acknowledge the receipt of the favor of your answer to my last letter. 391 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO GEORGE CLINTON » Boston, July 24, 1747. Sir, As it appears to me, by the latest advices I have received from Albany, as well as from what is contained in the New York prints, that there is the utmost danger of a total defec- tion of all the Six Nations from us to the French interest, unless we do speedily and vigorously join with them in prosecuting an Expedition against the French for dislodging them from Crown point, as well as from the Fort they have built much nearer to the English settlements, I have Issued a Proclamation for summoning every Member of the General Court of this Province to attend the consultation, that will be had on that affair upon the 12th of August next, and as the least loss of time will greatly hazard the success of this Enterprise, if we should engage In it, I must intreat Your Excellcy to have the Assembly of your province sitting at or before that time, and lay before them the danger there is of all His Majesty's Northern Colonies, especially your Province and ours, being soon depopulated and swallowed up by the Enemy, unless we now join with the Six Nations without delay in pursuing the War against the Enemy, and I must pray Your Excellcy will give me early advices of the meas- ures, Your Governt shall take in this affair, and that in the mean time Your Excellcy would send a Message speedily to the Six Nations, that Your Governt and ours will do all In our power for the prosecution of this design, and for the engaging the other English Governts with us therein ; and I would further desire your Excellcy to send your circular let- ters, as soon as may be, to this Governt and the Governts of New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, earnestly recommending this affair to them. I am with the greatest regard — Sir, Your Excellcys most Obedient and most humble Servant. W. Shirley. 1 Docts. rel. to Col. Hist, of N. Y. 6, 382. 392 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY P.S. I should be obliged to Your Excellcy if you would send the inclosed by express to the Governt of New Jersey. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO GEORGE CLINTON ^ Boston, August 15, 1747. Sir, Yesterday about noon I received Your Excellcy's express in which I had a large packet from the Duke of Newcastle. I have only time to inform Your Excellcy that the expedi- tion against Canada is laid aside at present, the reasons of which are contained at large in the Duke of Newcastles letter to me, an extract of which I will send you as soon as possible, that the consideration of disbanding the Forces raised for it is referred to Mr Knowles and myself, and we are ordered to consult with the several Govrs. as to the manner of doing it ; that Mr Knowles and I are to do every thing necessary for the settlement of Nova Scotia forthwith for the protec- tion of that and Louisbourg, and to make use of what part of the American Levies we judge requisite for that service, and I am commanded to compleat not only my own Regi- ment, but Genl. Phillips's out of them, so that Your Ex- cellcy perceives the Expedition against Crown Point must be carried on by Soldiers in the pay of the Colonies, for, what- ever part of the Levies that shall not be retained for the service and defence of Nova Scotia, are ordered to be dis- charged, as soon as Mr Knowles and I have determined what number is necessary for the above mentioned service, and the manner of doing it is settled between us and the respective Governours. This indeed I imagined and fore- told would be the case, and was the reason I pressed so much for the Expedition's proceeding last year, not doubting but his Majesty's Ministry would be of opinion, that the reduction of Fort Frederick ought to be undertaken by the Colonies, without any assistance from home. 1 Docts. relat. to Col. Hist, of N. Y. 6, 384. The letters re- lating to the Johnson-Lydius-Stoddard controversy are in the Johnson Manuscripts, N. Y. State Library, 23, 40-47. 393 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY However, I impart this to your Excellcy now, in confi- dence, that it may remain in your own breast 'till you hear of it in form by a joint letter from me and Mr Knowles. I am very sorry that Coll : Johnson should take umbrage at Lydius's, being concerned with him in what has been done by this Governt towards cementing the Indians of the Six Nations in our interest ; I would not have him imagine that myself or any part of the Governt put Lydius's service in competition with his own, or that these Indians have been engaged in acts of hostility against the French by any per- son's influence but his own under Your Excellcys directions, and his Uncle Sir Peter Warren to whom my letters upon that head to the Duke of Newcastle have, I believe, been shown, can inform him that I have done his merit all the justice in my power. But Lydius has been a person long known to Coll : Stoddard and this Government, and has occasionally had the management of small sums among the Indians for them, and for my own part I thought he stood extreamly well with Coll : Johnson. I am, Sir, with great Respect Your Excellcy's etc. W. Shirley. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO GIDEON WANTON ^ Boston, August 20, 1747. Sir, I send now to inform Your Honor, that on the i6th inst. arrived here a flag of truce from Quebec, with one hundred and seventy-one English prisoners, belonging to this Prov- ince, and divers other of His Majesty's colonies in North America, &c., by which ship I received a letter ^ from the 1 R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 224. 2 The letter from the Marquis of Beauharnois, transmitted by Governor Shirley, is very long, and relates to the exchange of prisoners. It is exceedingly courteous in its tone, and acknowl- edges the kind attentions paid to the French prisoners in Boston, by the authorities there. It appears that one of them. Lieutenant 394 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Marquis Beauharnols, Governor of Canada, a copy whereof, I now enclose ; by perusing which, you will understand that I wrote to him a letter, dated the i8th of March last, therein proposing a general exchange of prisoners, without having a regard to the inequality of numbers on either side ; and that each Governor should bear the charge of the trans- portation of their own prisoners. This I undertook (absolutely) only for myself, yet presum- ing it would be acceptable to all the rest of the English Gov- ernors ; and in consequence of which, the said Governor of Canada has now released all the English prisoners with him, except a few that were not in such health as to allow them to be transported without danger; and that the said Gov- ernor does fully agree to my proposal, expecting that the other Governors will also come into this agreement, desiring that I should let him know their resolutions by the return of this flag of truce, which is limited to the term of fifteen days for his stay here, which will expire the last of this month. Therefore, I must entreat Your Honor to send me your answer upon these points by this express, that I may forward it to the Governor of Canada, agreeably to his desire ex- pressed to me in his letter; and as there are now, and may be hereafter, English prisoners belonging to Great Britain and other places, at a distance from these provinces, brought in by the flags of truce, it will be expected that your govern- ment will bear their part of this charge, so that it may not be wholly thrown upon this. And I must further desire that you would appoint some agent here, who may from time to time answer for the charge of any English prisoners of your province, that may be re- leased from captivity, in pursuance of this agreement, and La Groix, had broken his parole. Speaking of him, General Beauharnois says: This gentleman, "by his services and good qualities, had merited some distinction from me ; but I cannot but disapprove his having broken his parole, as you assure me he had done. He can blame nobody but himself, that he was put under a more close confinement. I am nevertheless obliged to you for your goodness to him, on my account. This particular he has not failed to inform me of." 395 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY brought in hither ; and as there are now brought in this flag of truce six prisoners, that you would be pleased to take such measures, that in proportion to the number aforesaid, your province may bear their part of the charge of this flag of truce; you will also send me your answer respecting the Governor of Canada's proposal, as to the purchasing pris- oners out of the Indians' hands. 1 have likewise enclosed a copy of the agreement made for the hire of this flag of truce, which you will find to be io,cxx3 livres. I am. Sir, Your Honor's most Obedient and most humble Servant, xxr ^ ' W. Shirley. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE » My Lord Duke, ^;^^^°"' ^"^^^^ ^4, 1747- The French Declaration, of which the inclos'd is a Copy, did not come to my hands till I had finished the letter, which accompanies it:^ And I send it your Grace, as it may serve to shew the Views of the French with respect to Accadie, the Dependance they have upon the Dispositions of the Inhabit- ants, what advantage they propos'd to themselves from the New England Levies under the Command of the late Lieu- tent Col. Noble's quitting Menis by Capitulation, and the necessity there was of my sending the last Detachment of soldiers to Mr Mascarene to take repossession of Menis, and make the Inhabitants of it renew their oath of fidelity to his Majesty : which had its desir'd Effect. I am with the most DutifuU regard My Lord Duke, Your Grace's Most Devoted, and Most Obedient Humble Servant, W. Shirley. ip. R.O,C. 0.5,901, 143- 2 This letter, of Aug. 18 (C. O. 5, 901, 140), contained the flag of truce and communication from Governor Beauharnois referred to on p. 394. 396 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ' Boston, Augt. 31, 1747. My Lord Duke, The Bearer Capt. Shirley of my Regiment (my youngest son) will have the honour of delivering, together with this, to your Grace a Duplicate of Governour Knowles's Packet, which he sent Express by Major Mercer of Sir William Pepperells Regiment three Months ago from Louisbourg, containing an Acct. of the late Tumult, which happen'd in the Garrison upon his Publishing His Majestys Orders among the Soldiers for making a Stoppage out of their Pay for their Provisions. Mr. Knowles had charg'd another Officer, who had ob- tain'd his Leave to go to England from hence with the care of 'em ; But as he had Countermanded that Officer's Leave, and desir'd me to take his packets from him, and forward 'em to your Grace, I have committed 'em to the care of my Son, who arriv'd here yesterday from the Garrison with other Officers upon the recruiting Service, in Order to raise men for Compleating mine and Sir William's Regiments out of the New American Levies pursuant to His Majesty's Com- mands signify'd to me by your Grace in your Letter of the 30th of May : But as I have Officers enough with me for that Duty, without my Son, and the safe delivery of Mr. Knowles's Packets with the speedy return of His Majesty's pleasure upon 'em, is an AflFair of great Consequence to His Majesty's Service in the Garrison, I have dispatch'd my Son with 'em to New York in order to take his passage there in His Maj- esty's Ship Scarborough for England, where I hope he will safely Arrive with 'em. He is under Orders (if he should be permitted to stay in England till that time) to return to his Duty in the Garrison next Spring, unless he should be favour'd with his Majesty's ^ B. M., Additional Manuscript 32712, 466. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. 397 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY leave to be absent longer in order to make a Campaign in Flanders for Experience : And as that is the best School for a young Officer, and, I flatter myself, he is very desirous of qualifying himself for His Majesty's Service in the Field in the best manner he can, I shall be Oblig'd to Your Grace for Procuring him that Honour. I would not have him be ab- sent from his post upon any other account whatsoever longer than the Spring, being desirous of his Confining himself close to his Duty. As he was in the Garrison, when the Mutinous Disorder happen'd among the Soldiers, he can give your Grace a par- ticular Acct of it, if there sho'd be Occasion. I have the Honour to be with the most Dutiful Regard, My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Devoted, and Most Obedient Servant W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed : Boston. August 31. 1747. Govr. Shirley. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO GEORGE CLINTON ^ Boston, Aug. 31, 1747. Sir, I shall lay the extracts of Coll : Johnson's letters (which contain matters of the greatest importance to the Colonies at this Juncture) before the Council and Assembly to mor- row, and hope in the mean time, that it may be of service for Your Excellcy to communicate them to the Commissrs. at the Congress. Nothing shall be wanting on my part to as- sist in compleating what Your Excellcy has so happily and even beyond our reasonable expectations, made a most con- siderable progress in, through the influence and good man- *Docts. rel. to Col. Hist, of N.Y. 6, 385. 398 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY agement of Coll : Johnson who has a most extraordinary interest with the Indians, and which he surprisingly culti- vates and continually improves. I am, Sir, with the greatest esteem Your Excellcys most Obedient humble Servant. W. Shirley. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO GEORGE CLINTON [Extract^] Boston, Sept. 14, 1747. Sir, « * * i» « «: « As the General Court was sitting when your Excellency's express came, I communicated to the Council and Representa- tives- the extract of Coll. Johnson's letter your Excellency sent me, that I might try what lengths themselves would go in concert with your Assembly towards enabling your Excellency to improve the present disposition of the Six Nations in favour of his Majestys service. The result of their answer to me was that the Commissioners had full power to act on their behalf for engaging the Indians in the English interest with your Commissioners, to join with this Province in doing their duty to their King and Country. I think after calling upon the Assembly in the manner you have done, to provide for the expence of keeping the Indians employed in His Majesty's service and preventing 'em from going over to the French interest, which they will infallibly do if they are not supported by us and kept in action, and your Assembly's refusal to make such provision, as they seem hitherto to have done, will also hinder likewise this Govern- ment and all the rest from doing any thing toward it ; I say your Excellency may safely engage in such expence on behalf ^ Docts. rel. to Col. Hist, of N. Y. 6, 398. Johnson's letter of Aug. 13 to Clinton here mentioned is in the Johnson Manuscripts, N. Y. State Library, 23, 46. 399 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY of the Crown, as shall be requisite at this most critical junc- ture, to keep the Indians firm in the fidelity, and in case the Colonies should contribute any thing towards defraying the charge, but not sufficiently for that purpose, that your Ex- cellency may supply, on account of the Crown, what the Colonies shall fall short of doing towards it; as you have already begun to do, I think in the most prudent manner by your orders to Coll : Johnson. The reasons upon which I ground my advice are, that His Majesty has declared by the Duke of Newcastle's letter of the 9th of April 1746 his dependance upon the assistance of the Indians as his allies and friends from the beginning of the intended expedition against Canada, that presents have been constantly made them at the expence of the Crown for retaining them in their fidelity, and that yor Excellency, as His Majesty's Govr of New York has the immediate care of doing this committed to you by His Majesty. I can't but think for these reasons that your Excellency's engaging in the necessary expences on the part of the Crown for promoting His Majesty's service in so essential a branch of it, will be approved of by the Ministry. And I herein advise your Excellency to what I would do my self was I under the same circumstances with you. I am, with the greatest respect Sir, Your Excellency's most Obedient humble Servant W. Shirley. 400 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY [Extracts] ^ Whitehall, Octr. 3d, 1747. Sir, You will have seen by my Letter abovementioned of May 30th ^ His Majesty's great Attention to the Security of the important Province of Nova Scotia, by Directing you to appoint a Meeting with Mr Knowles, and to consider with him the present State of Nova Scotia, as well as Louisbourg, and to take the proper Measures for the Defence of those Places, against any Attempt, that might be made upon Them, or any Part of Them, from the Canadeans, or any Force, that could be brought by the French, in North America, in Conjunction with the Indians ; And also to put every Thing in as good a Condition, as possible, that, if any Force should be sent from Europe, against them. The Places most exposed in Nova Scotia, and particularly Annapolis, might be enabled to hold out till sufficient Force could be sent from Europe, for their Defence ; which would be done, as soon as there should be Reason to think ; that any Force was sent from France to molest Them, And for this Purpose, I acquaint'd you with His Majesty's Pleasure, that you and Mr Knowles should consider, what number of Americans would be really wanted for the Services abovementioned ; and that you should retain so many, as should be absolutely necessary for that Purpose. In consequence of these Orders, His Majesty concludes you will have immediately taken the necessary steps, not only for the Defence of Annapolis, or any other Place, in the Province of Nova Scotia, that may have been exposed to be attacked by the French ; But that you will have been even enabled to act offensively against Them, and to ^ P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 901, p. 152. A note on the manuscript states : "This Draught was settled with Lord Anson and Sir Peter Warren, and humbly submitted to His Majesty's Approbation." ^ Ante, p. 386. VOL. I — 2D 401 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY drive Them from the Settlement they were making at Schiegnecto ; especially as the News of the Success of His Majesty's Squadron, by intercepting Mons'r Jonquiere, with the Reinforcement bound to North America could not but greatly discourage the Enemy, if not oblige them entirely to lay aside their Design, and animate His Majesty's Subjects to act with Vigour against Them. And the King is per- suaded you will have done everything in your Power to im- prove so favourable an Opportunity to the best Advantage, for the Disappointment of the Designs of the Enemy, and the Security of Nova Scotia. But in case the French Troops should still remain at Schiegnecto, His Majesty thinks it of the greatest Consequence to the Security of the Province, That They should, if possible, be driven from thence, in the Course of the Winter; And the King has that Dependance upon your Zeal, and Attention to the Publick Service, that His Majesty doubts not, but you will exert your utmost En- deavours for that purpose. His Majesty was pleased to direct that Lord Anson and Sir Peter Warren should con- sider the Proposal contained in your Letter of July 8th that Mr Knowles should detach looo men out of the Garrison at Louisbourg, to be join'd by 2000 from New England, at An- napolis ; and from thence proceed to drive the French from Schiegnecto ; And They are of Opinion that the Season is already so far advanced, that it will be impracticable to send any Detachment from Louisbourg. For the better security of Annapolis, against any possible Attempt that may be made upon it during the Winter ; The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have sent Directions for one of His Majesty's Ships to go thither and remain there, during the whole Winter : And I am to acquaint you with His Majesty's Pleasure, That you should immediately hire two Sloops or Schooners (such as you shall judge proper for the Service) and send them to Annapolis, there to remain under the Orders of the Commander of His Majesty's Ship, that shall be stationed there ; or (in his Absence) of the Commanding Officer of the Garrison. 402 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY In case you should have the good Fortune to succeed in driving the French out of Nova Scotia, this Winter ; It has been represented to His Majesty That It would be of great use to erect a small Fort upon the Isthmus (which, as it is proposed to be built of Wood, may be done, in a short Time, and at a small Expence) in order to prevent their Return into Nova Scotia. It is His Majesty's Pleasure, that you should take this Proposal into your Consideration and give such Directions in it, as you shall think most for His Majesty's Service. * * * * • * * * I need say nothing to you upon the great Importance It is of, to destroy the French Settlement at Crown Point ; ^ if possible, you will I doubt not omit nothing in your Power, that may promote the Execution of that Work.^ *»*♦**# Tho' I hope there is no Occasion, I send you a Duplicate of my Letter of May 30th. I have nothing to add upon any of the Points therein contained, but that His Majesty ex- pects His Orders shall have been punctually obeyed ; as well with regard to the Discharging the Men, that may have been raised in the several Provinces for the designed Expedi- tion against Canada, as for the retaining such as you shall have found necessary for the Defence of Nova Scotia, the Security of which is of such great Importance that I cannot too earnestly recommend it to you ; and for which you will take any Measures that you shall judge necessary, which may not have occurr'd to the King here. His Majesty is very sensible, from what has lately hap- pened, how much that valuable Possession is exposed ; And therefore It is the King's Pleasure that you should not only do every thing that is necessary (as I have before men- tioned) for it's present Security : But also that you should ^ See Shirley and Clinton to the Lords of Trade, Aug. 18, 1748, post, p. 449. ^ Following this reference to Crown Point is a proposal to trans- plant the French inhabitants of the District of Schiegnecto to New England. 403 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY transmit hither, for His Majesty's Consideration a Scheme for the Civil Government of the Province, whereby the In- habitants may be secured to His Majesty's Obedience, and also for the Erecting such Forts, and making such Works, as may be sufficient hereafter for defending it against any Attempt that may be made upon it.^ His Majesty has observed that you are so well acquainted with that Country, and have been so instrumental in the Preservation of it, that the King is persuaded these His Orders, could not be sent to any Person, more willing or able to execute Them than yourself. And It is His Majesty's Pleasure, that all His Officers and Subjects whom it may concern, shall be assisting to you in the Execution of these His Majesty's Commands. * 4: * * ♦ ♦ * I am &ca HoLLEs Newcastle. Endorsed : Draught to Governor Shirley October 3d 1747. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [Extract^] . Boston, Oct. 20, 1747. My Lord Duke, * ^ 4> * 4: * 4e The general Inclination which, the French Inhabitants of Nova Scotia have to the French Interest, proceeds from their Ties of Consanguinity to the French of Canada, but more especially from those of their Religion, which last seems to ^ The plan for the government of Nova Scotia here ordered was submitted by Shirley Feb. 27, 1748-9. See post^ p. 470. 2 P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 45, p. 33. Inclosed in this letter is a printed copy of Shirley's proclamation to the French inhabitants of Nova Scotia. 404 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY put 'em greatly under the Influence of their Priests, who continually receive their Directions from the Bishop of Quebeck/ and are the Instruments, by which the Governour of Canada makes all his Attempts for the Reduction of the Province to the French Crown, and Keeps the Indians of Nova Scotia (commonly called the Cape Sable Indians) in their Dependence upon him. Wherefore as his Majesty has been pleas'd to refer it to my Opinion to fix the Terms of the Declaration, which he has commanded me to make in his Name to the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia ; whereby it became my Duty to avoid every thing in it, which appear'd to me to have a Tendency to dis- serve his Government within that Province, I have taken the Liberty to suspend promissing 'em the free Exercise of the Romish Religion, tho' it is mention'd in your Grace's Letter to have been part of what was at first propos'd to have been included in his Majesty's intended Proclamation, till I could transmit my Sentiments to your Grace, and I should have his Majesty's farther Directions upon it ; and have in the mean time made a Declaration of such Points, as seem'd necessary to be ascertained to the Inhabitants for quieting their Minds, and would not admit of Delay. I might mention to your Grace some local Reasons for my Omitting in the Declaration what I have done, but shall not presume to trouble you with any but what I thought it my indispensable Duty to lay before your Grace. I am with the most dutiful Regard My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Devoted and most Obedient Servant, W. Shirley. *See footnote, post, p. 483. 40s CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO JOSIAH WILLARD » Castle William, Novr. the 19th, 1747. Sir, After suffering the Insults of an Outrageous Mob at Bos- ton on Tuesday forenoon by having my House beset, and one of the under Sheriffs, who was plac'd at my Door, dragg'd away from thence, beat, plundered, and put in the Stocks ; and great outrages committed at night in a Rebellious manner upon myself and his Majesty's Council, by being surrounded in the Council Chamber by an Arm'd Mob, and assaulted there with Brickbats ; and by their forcibly en- tering the lower floor of the Townhouse, and afterwards by the same Mob's Assembling at night before my House in a Tumultuous Manner, and threatning to burn a Barge, which they thought belong'd to His Majesty, in my Court yard ; possessing themselves of the Gates of the Town, and threat- ning to seize all the Officers of his Majesty's Navy then in Town and detain 'em as Hostages, and Subject 'em to the Violence of their Lawless, Arbitrary Will in Defiance, and to the overthrow of his Majesty's Government : And finding myself without a proper force for suppressing this Insurrec- tion, and maintaining the King's Authority in the Town ; the soldiers of the Militia there having refus'd and neglected to obey my Orders given 'em by their Officers to appear in Arms for quelling the Tumult, and to keep a Military watch at night, and there being reason to apprehend, the Insurrec- tion was secretly Countenanc'd and encourag'd by some ill minded Inhabitants and Persons of Influence in the Town ; and that the same rebellious rout would be repeated the night following ; I did not think it consistent wth the Honour of his Majesty's Government to remain longer in the midst of it, destitute of all proper means for suppressing it, preserving the Peace, and protecting his Majesty's Subjects committed ^ P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 45, p. 50. Compare this letter with those to the Lords of Trade and to the Duke of Newcastle, post, pp. 412 and 420, when Shirley is defending his colony. 406 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY to my Care. But I have retir'd to his Majesty's Castle Wil- liam, 'till I can assemble a sufficient force of the Province Militia from the Neighbouring regiments in the Country, to quell the Rebellious Tumult; and restore his Majesty's Government, and the Publick Tranquillity in the Town of Boston ; for which purpose I would have you forthwith issue out Orders to the Colonels of the several Regiments of the Towns of Cambridge, Roxbury and Milton, and of the Regiment of Horse, to cause the OfRcers and Soldiers of their respective Regiments to hold themselves in readiness to march at an hour's warning to such place of Rendez-vous, as I shall further Order; which I hope together with such Officers and Gentlemen of the Town of Boston, upon whose Duty and Attachmt to the King's Government I can depend, will be sufficient strength to enable me to support the Mag- istrates of the Town of Boston (of whose Duty and Zeal for his Majesty's Service, I receiv'd an undoubted Mark in their Message to me upon this Occasion by Col : Hutchinson ;) the Sheriff and Inferior Civil Officers in Discharging their respective Duties for the maintenance of his Majesty's Government and restoring the Publick peace ; and at the same time, I would have you draw up Letters to be sent with those Orders, to the several Colonels purporting the Occa- sion of 'em, and my Dependance upon the Duty and Zeal of their respective regiments for his Majesty's Service ; and then transmit the Orders and Letters to me fairly wrote, to be sign'd and immediately forwarded. I would also have you take the first Opportunity to com- municate this Letter to the Gentlemen of his Majesty's Council and House of Representatives, and let 'em know that I am greatly concern'd at their being disturb'd in the Pub- lick business by this rebellious Riot and Tumult ; that I desire they would proceed in it, and that I will concurr with them in any measures for his Majesty's service and the Interest of the Province, and doubt not from their known Zeal for both, of being enabl'd with their Assistance to set all things right now, and prevent such routs in the Town of Boston and Breaches in his Majesty's Government within 407 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the Province for the future. I shall be likewise glad of the Advice of the Gentlemen of the Council upon this Occasion and seeing 'em here for that purpose if they think his Maj- esty's Service requires it. Inclos'd I send you Governour Knowles's answer to the Letter, which I sent to him yesterday and read over to you first, and which I am sorry has not produc'd yet the Dis- mission of the Inhabitants of the Province lately Impress'd and Carried on board his Squadron, as also of many other Seamen belonging to outward bound Vessells ; which I am satisfy'd he would have done instantly, had not the outrages committed on his Officers, and the King's Government pre- vented him; and I am sorry to. hear that further Obstruc- tions are laid in my way by the Mob's seizing and detaining Captn Erskine, as also some petty officers last night in their Custody ; but I have the satisfaction to find that my Answer to Mr Knowles's Letter from hence has prevented him from putting his resolutions in Execution ; which had I remain'd in Boston, nothing would have hinder'd : I likewise receiv'd another Letter from him between three and four o'clock this morning with an offer of two hundred marines to reinforce the Castle and that he would come in Person with 'em : but I instantly excus'd my self from accepting his Offer (as what must have cast a reflection upon the Loyalty and Duty of the whole Province to his Majesty) by letting him know that I did not retire here for safety to my Person, but only to shew a publick Mark of my Resentment at the behaviour of the Town of Boston upon this occasion, and 'till I had collected a sufficient force of the Country Militia to quell the Insurrection : and that I had not the least apprehension of the Castle's being in Danger from any Mob. I found this morning he had bro't three of his Ships nearer to the Castle, and I hear designs to come nearer the next Tide : But as I shall dine on board of him today I will en- deavour to divert him from such thoughts and Influence him to Discharge the Inhabitants and as many others as I can in the end ; but can't promise success from the present Temper, I hear, he is in at Captn Erskine's being in the 408 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY Mob's possession ; which I earnestly wish could be forthwith remedy'd : I have only to add that notwithstanding I think the Soldiers of the Militia of the Town of Boston have been very tardy in their Duty on this Occasion, and behav'd very ill, I shall be concern'd at fixing a lasting Brand upon the Town for their failure in it ; and therefore notwithstanding my beforemention'd Orders (which yet I will not have sus- pended) if they will Obey the Orders they have recelv'd by appearing forthwith under arms and exert themselves Vigor- ously in Dispersing the Mob, and securing the ringleaders and enforcing the Execution of the Civil Authority, so as that I may be sure of finding my self in a condition of sup- porting his Majesty's Government in the Town, and obtain- ing satisfaction for the Indignities oifer'd to it, and for the Rebellious Breaches of the peace ; without my calling in the Aid of the Country Regiments, I will yet give 'em an opportunity of retrieving their own Honour, and my good Opinion of 'em, and preventing an infamous reproach upon the Duty and Loyalty of the Town. It is fit all Grievances should be enquir'd into and re- dress'd so far as it's in the power of this Government to do it, but I am sure the people have suifer'd no Grievance from the Government upon this Account. I am. Sir, Your most assur'd Friend and Servant W. Shirley. Examin'd, W. Shirley. Mr Secretary Willard. Endorsed: Copy of Govr Shirley's Letter to Secretary Willard from Castle William dated 19 Novr 1747. 409 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY. PROCLAMATION » By his Excellency William Shirley Esqr Captain General and Governour in Chief in and over his Majty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England. A Proclamation Whereas within these few days past there has been a no- torious and dangerous Insurrection in the Town of Boston of a great number of Seamen and other lewd and profligate Persons, who being armed with Cutlasses and other Weapons, contrary to the Peace of our Sovereign Lord the King, and in Terror of his liege People, did in a tumultuous and out- ragious manner beset the Province House, and offered to break into it, and there to seize divers Officers belonging to his Majesty's Navy who had retired thither for their safety, and also wounded the Sheriif of the County of Suffolk, while in the Execution of his Office, and surrounded the Court House in the Evening while the General Court were sitting, with other outragious Insults on the Authority of this Gov- ernment. I have therefore thought fit with the Advice of his Majesty's Council, and at the desire of the House of Representves, to issue this Proclamation, hereby requiring all Persons what- soever concerned in the said Riot and Insurrection, forth- with to surrender themselves up to Justice, as they would avoid the utmost Extremity of Law, and would render them- selves more suitable Objects of the King's Mercy : And all Officers and other his Majesty's Subjects are commanded to use their utmost Endeavours for the discovery of the said Rioters, and all Persons concerned in abetting and encour- aging them in their late insolent Riot, and for the seizing and securing them, that so they may be brought to Justice, and suffer condign Punishment : And all Persons whatsoever are 1 P. R. 0., C. O. 5, 886. 410 '■p"K-'*«^*'V^»MS«-^^^^W— *v J A-efl ]/f/ji /3. /9//0, ■0nL u/i .jpa-mAi^-fiurc^ LqySJnL u/us/iJ /7iji^(J//a^r 'cf/''^ar^b -*°>~. uanimeiriffu co. i/pu mt£i ■m oU tre£-iJe.J^j fkeJ /ie/urrt of^/hs JOoa/i *^ t j t\ i ' My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Dutifull and most Devoted Servant, His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. ^' Shirley. Endorsed: March 28, 1750. Govr. Shirley. S04 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ^ St. James's Street, April lo, 1750. My Lord Duke, Your Grace having done me the Honour, to tell me at your Levee that you would peruse my Letter more thoroughly than you had, I beg leave to trouble you at the same time with these Additional Lines, to request your Grace, that as I find, since writing my last, Mr. Cornwallis's Return to England will probably be more distant than I imagin'd, you would be pleas'd to recommend me to Mr. Pelham for an Allowance out of his Majesty's Treasury equal to what my late Regiment yielded me, which I compute here at £1000 Sterling pr Anfi ; 'till I am favour'd with the Government of Nova Scotia, and the Command of the Regiment late Phillips's ; or 'till your Grace shall be pleas'd to dispose of me in any other part of his Majesty's Service where an Open- ing for it may offer, which may yield me an adequate Support. This request, my Lord, I hope will not appear unreason- able, if your Grace will be pleas'd to consider that my Regi- ment, which, thro' your Grace's goodness to me, I obtain'd for my Services in the Expedition against Cape Breton, is reduc'd, for which I am not intitled to Half Pay; that, as I observ'd in my former Letter, my Government yields me no profit during my Absence from it, and my Allowance as Commissary is barely sufficient to maintain me during my negotiation at Paris ; which, under the present embarrass'd circumstances of Nova Scotia, seems likely to take up no short time ; So that I find myself in his Majesty's Service without the least Support arising from it for my Family, and in a worse Situation than I was in before I enter'd upon those parts of it, for which I had lately the Honour to have some recompence design'd and promis'd me. I hope, my Lord, this temporary Allowance to me out of ^ Original, L. S., B. M., Additional Manuscript 32720^ 199. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. SOS CORRESPONDENCE^ OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY the Treasury, for the Subsistence of my Family, will be thought the more reasonable, as I have so lately sav'd the publick near £60,000 in the Adjustment and Liquidation of the Accompts of all the Colonies concern'd in the late in- tended Expedition against Canada, and the presentation of the Barrier of all his Majesty's Colonies in North America from falling into the Enemy's Hands, with the late Acquisi- tion of Cape Breton, are principally owing to my Services. Which events, how far they have contributed towards pro- curing the present Tranquillity of the Nation, and thereby preventing a farther large National Expence, I would wholly Submit to your Grace and Mr. Pelham. I would therefore earnestly intreat your Grace to rec- ommend me to Mr. Pelham for the Allowance I have men- tion'd, that I may not, whilst I am engag'd in a difficult part of his Majesty's Service, have the Concern to reflect that I have no Support coming in for my Family ; which without some present Allowance to me must be the Case ; And that your Grace would permit me to have the Honour of a few Minutes private Audience with you, as soon as it will suit your Grace's Conveniency. 1 am with the most dutiful Regard, My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Oblig'd, and most Devoted Servant, His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed: April 10, 1750. Govr. Shirley. JOSIAH WILLARD TO SPENCER PHIPS^ o Boston, April, 1750. I have received two letters from your Excy. dated the i6th and 26th of October last. In the first you are pleased to ^ Original, Mass. Arch., Col. Ser., 53, 557. This letter is en- dorsed as to Governor Shirley, but it more probably came to 506 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY propose my supplying you with a number of Dollars out of the publick money sent hither from Gt Britain to reimburse this Province for their charge in reducing Cape Breton, and for my taking your Bills in Exchange for it. I should have been glad if it were in my power to assist your Excy. in any proper way under your difficulties but the state of the case (of which I suppose you are not acquainted) is this : By Act of the Assembly this money was directed into the Hands of the Provincial Treasurer, and was accordingly consigned to him from Great Britain, and it was apprehended by the Council to be so entirely under his Care and Custody till the General Court should give further Orders about it that they did not think it proper to direct it to be lodged in any other Place than the Treasurer's house tho they judged that not to be the Safest Place. The matter being thus circumstanced Your Excellency will excuse me that I did not think it proper for me to interpose in this affair, but I am glad to understand that your Excy. is otherwise well supplied. As to the two Frenchmen mentioned in your other letter after their examination before me and the Council, they profess'd themselves to be Protestants and that their design was to settle in this Province and that they were ready to take the Oaths of Fidelity to his Majesty ; and there- upon I got the French minister in this town to examine them touching their religion which he has done and has returned a certificate that he verily believes them to be true Protestants. The treaty between commissioners for this government and the Eastern Indians is now concluded, wherein they have made their submission to his Majesty as in former Treaties and I herewith inclose three printed copies of the Treaty to your Excy. The officer sent by Governor Shirley to Canada to demand the English Captives is not yet returned so that I cant expect him till the Lakes be so frozen as to make it safe passing on the Ice. When he shall return or any ad- vices shall arrive referring to the effect of his negotiation I shall inform your Excy. thereof. Lieutenant Governor Phips acting in Shirley's place during the latter's absence in Europe. 507 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE ' Paris, Septr. i. N. S. 1750. My Lord Duke, Together with the publick Letter now transmitted to your Grace upon his Majesty's service, I take the liberty of troubling your Grace with a short one upon my own affairs. Before I left England the Lords Commissioners for Trade etc. had made a report to the Lords of Council upon the present state of his Majesty's government of the New Jerseys in America, whereby their Lordships propose putting that Government under the Administration of the Governour of New York for the time being. Upon this Occasion, my Lord, in case the Junction should not be made under Mr. Clinton, who, I am credibly inform'd by his friends, has a prospect of returning to England more to his Advantage, I would beg the favour of your Grace to honour me with your recommendation to his Majesty for that Trust. As I understood the consideration of this Report was soon to be brought on, and your Grace's Absence depriv'd me of an Opportunity of making this Application to you before I left England, Upon my taking leave of his Grace the Duke of Bedford I mention'd my request to him, who receiv'd it so favourably, that I am not without hopes of his Grace's being extremely well dispos'd to promote it ; which I thought it would not be improper for me to apprize your Grace of. Tho' I have mention'd the propos'd Junction of the two governments to your Grace, yet I beg leave to add, that that Circumstance ; which in the present State of both of 'em, will render the service more Difficult to the Gentleman who shall have the honour to be appointed Governour, is no Inducement to me to desire the Trust ; For if the proposal of the Lords of Trade should not take place, and the Gov- ^ Original, B. M., Additional Manuscript 32^22, 212. A tran- script is in the Library of Congress. 508 CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM SHIRLEY ernment of New York should become vacant by Mr. Clinton's quitting it, I should in such case be equally oblig'd to your Grace for the recommendation of me to succeed him in New- York, tho' a Distinct Governour should be appointed for the Jerseys. I am with a most gratefull sense of all your Grace's favours, My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Oblig'd, and most DutifuU Servant, W. Shirley. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. Endorsed : Paris. Septr. ist. N. S. 1750. Mr. Shirley. 509 npHE following pages contain advertisements of a few of the Macmillan books on kindred subjects Correspondence of William Pitt When Secretary of State with Colonial Governors and Military and Naval Commissioners in America Edited under the auspices of The National yociety of the Colonial Dames of America. By GERTRUDE SELWYN PIIMBALL Two Volumes. Cloth, iUuslrated, 8vo, $6.00 net; postage extra "This collection presents in chronological order all that is of historical impor- tance in the correspondence of Pitt with the colonial governors and naval and mili- tary commanders, on the continent of North America and in the West Indies, during those years in which he held the position of secretary of state. It is a valuable work on the colonial period of our history. The documents have been copied from the originals in the Public Record Office in London," — Critic. The Letters of Richard Henry Lee Collected and Edited by JAMES CURTIS BALLAGH, Ph.D., LL.D., Associate Professor of American History in the Johns Hopkins University. Vol. I. Cloth, 8vo, 467 pp., $2.50 net; by fnail, %2.6g "Another valuable source of history is put at the disposal of the general reader. The volume is full of first-hand information, and provides not only interesting read- ing, but throws new light upon the most critical period of our history." — Brooklyn Citizen. " It contains about five hundred letters written by Richard Henry Lee to various persons, all of them reliable texts, taken from original manuscripts or transcripts, many of them of great public and historical importance, much of it preserved by his correspondents, scattered widely here or- there. Lee's distinguished public services, patriotically given to the founding and development of the American Republic, together with the wisdom and loyalty which characterized these services, render these 'Letters' very valuable. Tliey constitute a contribution of rare value to the historical and colonial literature of the country." — Telescope. "A welcome and valuable addition to the documentary history of the Revo- lution." — New York Sn7i. "The letters will be welcomed for their historical as well as intrinsic value for biographical purposes." — Boston Herald. "An important contribution to historical literature and should prove deeply interesting to the student and entertaining to any reader." — Baltimore Evening Sun. THE MACMILLAN COMPANY Publishers 64-66 Fifth Avenue New York VALUABLE BIOGRAPHIES IF BRIEF COMPASS English Men of Action Campbell. By A. Forbes. Clive. By C. P. Wilson, Cook, Capt. By Sir W. Besant. Dampier. By W. C. Russell. Drake. By J. Corbett. Dundonald. By J. W. Fortescue. Gordon, Gen. By Sir W. F. Butler. Hastings. By Sir A. Lyall. Havelock. By A. Forbes. Henry V. By A. W. Church. Lawrence, Lord. By Arch. Temple. Livingstone. By T. Hughes. Cloth. i2mo. Each ^.75. Monk, Gen. By J. Corbett. Montrose. By A. Morris. Napier. By Sir W. F. Butler, Nelson. By J. K. Laughton. Peterborough. By W. Stebbins. Raleigh. By R. Rood. Rodney. By D. G. Hannay. Smith, Capt. John. By A. G. Bradley. Strafford. By H. D. Traill. Warwick. By C, Oman. Wellington. By G. Hooper. Wolf. By A. J. Bradley, Twelve English Statesmen Oliver Cromwell. By F. Harrison, Elizabeth, By E. S. Beesly. Edward I, By Professor T. F. Tout. Henry II. By Mrs. J. R. Green. Henry VII. By J. Gairdner. Peel. By J. R. Thursfield. Pitt. By Lord Rosebery. Cloth. i2mo. Each ^.75. Walpole. By John Morley. William the Conqueror. By E. A. Freeman, William m. By H. D. Traill. Cardinal Wolsey. By M. Creighton. Chatham. By John Morley. {Preparing.) Foreign Statesmen Series. Dublin. Edited by Professor Bury, Trinity College, Cloth. i2mo. Each volume ^.75. Cavour. By Countess Caesaresco. Charles the Great. By T. Hodgkin. Cosimo de Medici. By K. D. Ewart. Joseph II. By J. F. Bright. Maria Theresa. By J. F. Bright, Mazarin. By A. Hassall. Mirabeau. By P. F. Willert. Philip II. By M. A. S. Hume. Philip Augustus. By R. H. Hutton. Richelieu. By R. Lodge. William the Silent. By F. Harri- son. THE MACMILLAN COMPANY Publishers 64-66 Fiith Avenue New York A SELECTED LIST OF BIOGRAPHIES AND AUTOBIOGRAPHIES ACTON, (Lord) J. E. E. Letters to Mary Gladstone, with Memoir by H. Paul Illustrated. Cloth, 8vo, %3.oo net ALLINGHAM, WILLIAM A Diary Edited by H. Allingham and D. Radford Cloth, 8vo, $j.75 net ARBLAY, MADAME D' Diary, Life, and Letters of Madame d*Arblay Cloth, 8vo, $75.00 net BISMARCK Some Secret Pages of His History By M. Busch Portraits. Cloth, 8vo, $10.00 net CHURCHILL, LORD RANDOLPH Life of Lord Randolph Churchill 1 By W. Spencer Churchill Two Volumes. Portraits and Illustrations. 8vo, %g.oo net DUMAS, ALEXANDRE ' My Memoirs Translated by E. M. Waller Six Volumes. Illustrated. Cloth, i2mo, each $7.75 net ELLSWORTH, OLIVER The Life of Oliver Ellsworth By William Garrott Brown Illustrated. Cloth, Svo, $2.00 net EVELYN, JOHN Diary and Correspondence of John Evelyn Edited by Austin Dobson Three Volumes. Illustrated. Cloth, 8vo, $8.00 net FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin Edited by A. H. Smyth Ten Volumes. Illustrated. Cloth, i2mo, $iS-oo net GLADSTONE, W. E. The Life of W. E. Gladstone By John Morley Two Volumes. Portraits. Cloth, 8vo, $j.oo net HAYNE, ROBERT Y. Robert Y. Hayne and His Times By Theodore D. Jervey Illustrated. Cloth, 8vo, $j.oo net HOHENLOHE-SCHILLINGSFUERST, PRINCE OF The Memoirs of Prince Chlodwig of Hohenlohe Authorized by Prince Alexander of Hohenlohe. Edited by F. Curtius Two Volumes. Cloth, 8vo, $6.00 net IRVING, SIR HENRY Personal Reminiscences of Sir Henry Irving By Bram Stoker Two Volumes. Illustrated. Cloth, 8vo, $7.50 net LINCOLN, ABRAHAM Abraham Lincoln : The Man of the People By Norman Hapgood Illustrated. Cloth, 8vo, $2.00 net Abraham Lincoln : The Boy and the Man By James Morgan Illustrated. Cloth, 127710, $1.50 }iet O'BRIEN, WILLIAM Recollections Cloth, Svo, $3-jo net RIIS, JACOB A. The Making of an American An Autobiography Illustrated. Cloth, i2mo, %i.50 net ROOSEVELT, THEODORE Theodore Roosevelt : The Boy and the Man By James Morgan Illustrated. Cloth, ismo, $i.jo net SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM Life of William Shakespeare By Sidney Lee Cloth, i2mo, $3. 2 J net Shakespeare : Poet, Dramatist, and Man By Hamilton W. Mabie Illustrated. Cloth, Svo, $2.00 net WESLEY, JOHN The Life of John Wesley By Caleb T. Winchester Illustrated. Cloth, Svo, $1.^0 net WOLFF, (Sir) HENRY D. Rambling Recollections Two Volumes. Cloth, Svo, $/^.^o net THE MACMILLAN COMPANY Publishers 64-6G Fifth Avenue New York