USA > Connecticut > A complete history of Connecticut, civil and ecclesiastical, from the emigration of its first planters, from England, in the year 1630, to the year 1764; and to the close of the Indian wars > Part 47
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The surrender of this island, which was the seat of gov- ernment, the principal mart of trade, and the centre of the French force in the Caribbees, was soon succeeded by the surrender of all the dependant islands. The fertile islands of Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincents, followed the ex- ample of the capitol. In a short time, the English became the sole and undisturbed possessors of that grand chain of islands which form the immense bow, extending from the eastern point of Hispaniola, almost to the continent of South-America. These islands together, can boast of more trade than falls to the share of some respectable nations.
Meanwhile, war was declared against Spain, and it was War de- clared a- gainst Spain. determined to give a capital blow to her settlements in the West-Indies. "An armament was prepared with the utmost dispatch. Lord Albemarle was appointed to command the operations by land. His lordship had been trained to war from his youth, under the command of the duke of Cumberland. The fleet destined for the service was un- der the command of admiral Pocock, who had before com- Expedition against manded with such success in the East-Indies. The ob- ject of the expedition was the Havanna. In this center- Havanna. ed the whole trade and navigation of the Spanish West-In- dies. The fleet sailed from Portsmouth, on the fifth of March. This was to be reinforced by a squadron from Martinique, under the command of sir James Douglass. On the twenty-seventh of May, the two fleets formed a junc- tion, at Cape Nichola, the north-west point of Hispaniola. "The fleet consisted of thirty-seven ships of war, with nearly an hundred and fifty transports. The land force on board was about ten thousand men. Four thousand regular troops, from New-York, were ordered to join them at the Ilavanna. A considerable number of provincials enlist- ed. under their own officers, and served in this arduous en- terprise. The whole land force, when collected, would a- mount to about fifteen or sixteen thousand men.
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The admiral was not insensible how much the success of Book II. the expedition depended on dispatch ; that it might be carried into execution before the coming on of the hurri- 1763. cane months. Therefore, instead of keeping the common track of the galleons to the north of Cuba, which was much the safest, though far the most tedious passage; he determined to pursue his course from east to west, through the straights of Bahama. This is a narrow passage, about seven hundred miles in length. It is bounded, on the right and left, with so many shoals and sands, that the naviga- tion is dangerous for single ships. Yet such were the cau- tions and admirable dispositions of the admiral, that he carried this fleet of nearly two hundred sail safely, through this perilous passage. On the fifth of June, Havanna, the object of this long voyage, and of so many anxious hopes and fears, presented itself to the view of the fleet and ar- my. On the seventeenth, the troops were landed, and, for The troops more than two months, every exertion of courage, every Havan- land at art of war, with the most invincible patience and perse- na, June verance, under almost insuperable difficulties, were uni- 17th. tedly employed, by officers and soldiers, by the fleet and army, for the reduction of this important island. The for- tresses were strong by nature and art. The enemy made a gallant and noble defence. The climate was burning, and the want of water great and almost insufferably dis- tressing. Never were British valour and resolution put to a severer trial. Some of the soldiers dropped down dead, under the pressure of heat, thirst and fatigue. Before the middle of July the army, in this unwholesome and burning region, and under the rigour of such extraordinary services, was reduced to half its original numbers. Five thousand soldiers and three thousand seamen, were ill at one time. The hearts of the most sanguine sunk within them, while they saw this fine army wasting by disease ; and they could not but tremble for that noble fleet which had so long been exposed along the open shore, and must, in all human probability, suffer inevitable ruin, should the hurricane sea- son come on before the reduction of the place. As the season advanced, the prospect grew more and more unfa- vorable. But when the troops were almost on the point of total despondency, the arrival of the troops from North- America revived their drooping spirits, gave fresh vigor to their operations, and was of the most signal service.
Such was the zeal of the New-Englanders in his majes- ty's service, that not only many of them enlisted, with a particular view to the reduction of the Havanna ; but such of them as had assisted in the conquest of Martinique, and,
G 3
1
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Book II. by reason of sickness, had been sent off in three ships for
their native country, for their recovery, soon finding their 1762. health restored, ordered the ships about, and steering di- rectly for Havanna, shared in the dangers and honors of that glorious enterprise.
On the thirteenth of August, to the universal joy of the fleet and array, the Spaniards surrendered the town of Ha- vanna, with the shipping in the harbor, and a territory of an hundred and eighty miles westward of the town. This, in its consequences, was one of the most important and de- cisive victories obtained since the commencement of the war. Though Havanna is not reckoned the capital of the Spanish West-Indies, yet it is the first in wealth, size and importance. The harbor on which it stands, is one of the best in the West-Indies, if not in the known world. It is of sufficient extent to contain a thousand of the largest ships. It is perfectly secure from every wind. It is the grand resort of the rich fleets from every part of the Span- ish West-Indies, called the galleons and the flota. Hence they take their departure for Europe. These circum- stances combined their influence, to make the Havanna one of the most flourishing, opulent, and populous cities in that part of the world. The fortifications were not une- qual to its importance.
The advantage gained in the capture of the enemy's shipping, was equal to that of the greatest naval victory. 'Twelve of their best ships of the line, three frigates, and some merchantmen, were either destroyed or taken.
New-England, by her zeal in this enterprise, sustained a very considerable loss of men. Scarcely any of the pri- vate soldiers, and but few of the officers, ever returned. Such as were not killed in the service, were generally swept away by the great mortality which prevailed in the fleet and army.
In the course of Providence, this year, there was a con- currence of a number of great events, beyond all human foresight or calculation, which gave an entirely different turn to the affairs of Europe, and most favorable to the in- terests of the British colonies in America.
On the second of January, the empress of Russia, one of the most powerful enemies of the king of Prussia, died, and such was the revolution in Russia that, after her de- mise, the troops of Russia, which before had been employ- ed against him, were allowed to join his forces and assist against his enemies. This ·gave a most unexpected and favorable turn to his affairs ; so that he was not only able to defend himself, but to act powerfully against his ene-
The town surren- ders, Aug. 13th.
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mies. Besides the loss of Martinique and Havanna, the Book II. Spaniards received a wound in Asia, no less unexpected or terrible, than that given them in the West-Indies. An 1762. armament under the command of general Draper and ad- miral Cornish, on the sixth of October, made a complete conquest of Manilla and the Philippine islands. These capital losses, with the capture of several rich ships, of nearly two millions value, made deep impressions on the Bourbon family. They very considerably affected those resources of money, which, with France, had been the principal objects in her treaties with Spain. These pow- ers had been entirely frustrated in their attempts to reduce Portugal and Lisbon. The campaign in Germany, had by no means succeeded agreeably to their wishes. These all combined their influence in disposing the house of Bour- bon to peace, and to stop that flow of human blood, which, for seven years, had been running almost without intermis- sion or parallel.
At the same time, those grand acquisitions which Great- Britain had made, in Asia, and the East and West-Indies, enabled her to treat of peace, without giving up a single post which she had gained on the continent of North- America.
Towards the close of the year, commissioners were ap- pointed to attempt a general pacification. On the third Definitive of November, preliminaries of peace were signed, at Fon- treaty of tainbleau, by the British and French ministers. The de- peace, finitive treaty of Paris, was signed on the tenth of the suc- Feb. 10, 1763. ceeding February.
In the fourth article of the treaty, his most Christian ma- jesty renounced all pretensions which he had ever formed, or might form to Nova-Scotia, in all its parts, and guaran- teed the whole of it, with all its dependencies, to the king of Great-Britain. He also ceded and guaranteed to his Britannic majesty, in full right, Canada, with all its depen- dencies, with Cape Breton, and all the other islands and coasts in the river St. Lawrence, with every thing depend- ant on said countries, lands, islands and coasts ; with the sovereignty, property, possession, all rights acquired by treaty or otherwise, in the amplest manner and form, with- out any liberty to depart from the said cession and guar- antee. The seventh article fixed the limits of the territo- ry between the two nations in the manner following: In Bounda- ries be- order to establish peace on solid and durable foundations, tween G. and to remove forever all subject of dispute with regard to Britain the British and French territories on the continent of Amer- and ica, it is agreed, that, for the future, the confines between America.
France in
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Book II. the dominions of his Britannic majesty, and those of his most christian majesty, in that part of the world, shall be 1763. fixed irrevocably, by a line drawn along the middle of the river Mississippi, from its source, to the river Iberville; and from thence by a line drawn along the middle of the river, and the lakes Maurepas and Ponchartrain, to the sea : And for this purpose, the most christian king cedes, in full right, and guarantees to his Britannic majesty, the river and port of Mobile, and every thing which he possesses, or ought to possess, on the left side of the river Mississippi, except the town of Orleans, and the island on which it is situated, which shall remain to France : provided, that the naviga- tion of the river Mississippi shall be equally free, as well to the subjects of Great-Britain, as to those of France, in its whole breadth and length, from its source to the sea, and expressly that part which is between the said island of Or- leans and the right bank of the river, as well as the passage both in and out of its mouth. It is further stipulated, that the vessels belonging to the subjects of either, shall not be stopped, visited, or subjected to the payment of any duty whatsoever .*
The king of Great-Britain made a restoration of all his conquests in the West-Indies to the king of Spain. In consequence of which, his catholic majesty, in the twenti- eth article, made to his Britannic majesty an ample ces- sion of Florida, St. Augustine, the bay of Pensacola, and all that Spain possessed on the continent of North-America, to the cast or to the south-east of the river Mississippi. A cession was also made, of every thing dependant on said country or lands, with the sovereignty, property, posses- sion, and all rights acquired by treaties, or otherwise, which ever the catholic king, or crown of Spain, had over the said countries.
Liberties
In the fourth, seventh, and twentieth articles, it was stipu- granted to lated by his Britannic majesty, that the inhabitants of the the Roman catholics. respective countries above ceded, by France and Spain, should be allowed the enjoyment of the Roman catholic re- ligion ; and that he would give the most express and ef- fectual orders, that his new Roman catholic subjects might profess the exercise of their religion, according to the rights of the Romish church, so far as should be consistent with the laws of Great-Britain. It was further stipulated, that the inhabitants of said countries might sell their estates to British subjects, and retire, with all safety and freedom, wherever they shall think proper. They were also allow- ed to remove their effects, as well as persons, without any
# Rider's Ilist. vol. 1.
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CHAP. XXII. . CONNECTICUT.
restraint in their emigration, under any pretence whatso- Book II. ever, except in cases of debt, and of criminal prosecutions. The time of emigration was limited to eighteen months, 1763. from the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty. These were the principal stipulations relative to the continent of America.
Signally conspicuous was that all-governing Providence, which, for so many years, by sea and land, in Europe and America, and in other quarters of the world, combined such a variety of circumstances, as united their influence in this great event. In this important treaty, the American colo- nies saw the enemy which had given them such immense trouble, caused them so many years of fear 'and sorrow, such an incredible expense of blood and treasure, either removed from the continent, or reduced to circumstances in which they were so far from injuring them, that they could not but contribute to their emolument, and to the wealth and grandeur of Great-Britain. The treaty was Peace fa- peculiarly favourable with respect to the colonies, in that vourable extent of territory which it secured to them. In the extent and security which it gave them, relative to their fisheries and commerce, and in every other respect, relating to their particular interests, it was favourable, whatever deficien- cies there might be in it with respect to the other interests of Great-Britain. In this, pious people could discover something very providential, that though the colonies had no hand nor influence in the treaty, yet that it was more favourable for them, than it was for the nation in general.
Great and universal was the joy which the return of Joy on the peace gave to the English colonies in America. For near- general ly eight years, they had been making the most strenuous pacifica- exertions to carry on the war, and to assist his majesty tion. in humbling the pride of their common enemy. Their Burthens burthens and losses had been great. As the provincials of the war. enlisted for one campaign only, a new army was to be raised, new bounties given, and new clothing to be furnish- ed, every spring. So great was the expense, that the colo- nies were obliged, not only to emit bills of credit to a great amount, but to tax the people as highly as they could bear. Besides the public bounties given by the colonies, the mer- chants, farmers, and gentlemen of character, were obliged to advance considerable sums to encourage the enlistments, or they must have left their farms, merchandize, and vari- ous employments, and gone into actual service. Especial- ly was this the case with the northern colonies. New- Supplies England, in general, had, during the war, ten thousand from New- men in the field. Some years, the two colonies of Massa- England. -
to the co- lonies.
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Book II. chusetts and Connecticut furnished that number. Massa- chusetts annually sent into the field five thousand five hun- 1763. dred men, and one year, seven thousand. Besides her an- nual quota, this colony, for several years, garrisoned Lou- isburg and Nova-Scotia, that the regular troops might be employed in the expeditions against Canada. On the ap- plication of the British admiral, she furnished five hundred seamen, in the expeditions against Louisburg and Quebec. At several times, many others were impressed out of the vessels employed in the fishery. According to the state- ment made by governor Bernard, and transmitted to the lords of trade, the colony had expended in the war, eight hundred and 'eighteen thousand pounds sterling .* Of this sum, three hundred and twenty-eight thousand pounds had been replaced by parliamentary grants. Four hundred and ninety thousand pounds were expended, for which the colony had no parliamentary compensation.
Particu- larly from Connecti- cut.
From the resolutions of the assembly, it appears that Connecticut exerted herself more, beyond her proportion, than Massachusetts. On the commencement of the war in 1755, she raised a thousand men for the service. After the battle at the lake, on the 6th of September, she sent on a detachment of two thousand of her militia. From this time to the close of the campaign, she had about three thou- sand men in the field. The next year Connecticut sent into actual service two thousand and five hundred men. This was more than double the number required by the commander in chief. Such was her zeal for his majesty's service that, lest the cause should suffer by the failure of the southern colonies to furnish their respective quotas, she exerted herself in this duplicate proportion. In 1757, the requisition of the commander in chief was fourteen hun- dred only. These were not only raised, but on the intelli- gence that fort William Henry was attacked, she, with un- common dispatch, sent forward a detachment of five thou- sand of her militia : so that, for some time, the colony had about six thousand men in actual service.
As she was called upon the next year, by his majesty and the commander in chief, to raise all the men in her power, the colony exerted itself beyond all former exam- ple, and sent into service about five thousand men. Gen- eral Amherst, taking advantage of the zeal of the colo- ny this year, made this number the rule of his demand dur- ing the war. This was a number far beyond her propor- tion, and was a heavy burthen on the colony. The ex- pense of this small commonwealth, during the war, from * Governor Bernard's letter, August 1, 1764.
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1755, to 1762, inclusively, after deducting the parliamen- Book II. tary grants, amounted to upwards of four hundred thou- sand pounds .* 1763.
Besides the public expense, that of individuals was ve- Effects of ry considerable. It was sometimes at a great premium the war. that they could obtain substitutes ; much time was spent by the officers of the militia, and principal men in the seva eral towns, in procuring arms, clothing, and other articles for the troops, for which they had no compensation. Of these, and numerous other incidental expenses, losses, and damages, no estimate can be made. Exclusive of the men raised by the colonies, under the general name of provin- cials, many of their inhabitants cnlisted into the regular regiments, and were among their grenadiers and very best troops. They were in the sharpest actions and severest services during the war. The royal American battalions, which were not inferior to any of the regular regiments, were raised wholly from the colonies. Numbers were im- pressed on board his majesty's ships ; many were employ- ed in privateering, and other services relating to the war. The whole number employed was very great. The colo- nies probably sustained the loss of considerably more than twenty thousand men. These, in general, were their most firm and hardy young men, the flower of their country. Many others were maimed and enervated, in the many distant and arduous campaigns during the war. As the New-England colonies furnished much the greatest number of men, so this loss fell with the heaviest weight upon them. Connecticut, as she exerted herself so much be- yond her proportion, necessarily sustained a greater loss in proportion to her inhabitants, than the other colonies.
The employment of so many men, for such a number of years, in the war, injured the husbandry and settlement of the country. The loss of so many young men, and the prevention of marriage for so many years, with respect to- others, greatly retarded population. At the same time, the war was unfriendly to literature, destructive of domes- tic happiness, and injurious to piety and the social virtues. The country thirsted for peace.
A deliverance from these evils, the return of parents, Joy and sons, brethren, and friends, from distant countries, from state of captivity and the dangers of war, to the embraces of each the colo- nies on the other, with the countless blessings of peace, diffused a gen- return of eral and uncommon joy. The extent of territory ceded. to peace. the colonies, the safety of their commerce and fishery, the
* Reasons offered in behalf of Connecticut against the internal taxation of the colonies, printed at New-Haven, 1764, written by governor Fitch,
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Book II. prodigious scope which presented itself for both, the in- crease of wealth, the extent of settlement, the advance- 1763. ment of population, and the general diffusion of happiness, all united their influence to bring in a full tide of gladness. That high point of honor and magnificence, to which the nation had been elevated, the extension of her empire, the flow of the whole trade and wealth of Canada and of this great continent into her lap, whom they esteemed as a pa- rent, and to whom they claimed the relation of children ; the honors acquired in so glorious a war, with the advan- tages of a peace which gave such lustre to the crown, and aggrandizement to a prince whom they loved, were so ma- ny circumstances enlivening the joy, and increasing the satisfaction which so universally prevailed. The colonies gloried in their prince, and in their relation to Great Bri- tain. They felt a high degree of satisfaction, and it was no small part of their pride that, with their fellow subjects of the mother country, they had shared in the labors and enterprises, and with them had mingled their blood in those battles and victories, on the continent and in the Indies, which had given such lustre to her arms, and enlargement to her empire.
They were impressed with a grateful sense of the royal beneficence, and parliamentary goodness, in the grants which had been made for their assistance, in defraying the expenses of the war. They were entirely satisfied with the British government, and conceived themselves to be peculiarly happy in the protection and privileges which they enjoyed, as British subjects. This was the general feeling and happy state of the country, at the return of peace.
The extension of settlements, the increase of cultivation, numbers, commerce, and wealth of the colonies, for about. ten or twelve years after the pacification of Paris, were almost incredible. During the war, and this whole subse- quent period, money was plenty, and suffered no deprecia- tion. Provisions of every kind, especially pork and beef, were in the best demand. This called forth the utmost ex- ertions of the husbandman, in the cultivation of his fields, and enabled him with facility to pay the taxes which the state of the country demanded. It was the policy of Con- necticut, in this favorable period, to tax the people as high- ly as they could cheerfully bear, providing substantial funds, in short periods, for the payment of their whole debt. To assist them in supporting the war, the legislature call- cd in all their outstanding debts. Contracts were made with the British commissary, annually, for several years,
-
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for provisions to the amount of four thousand pounds ster- Book II. ling. This was paid in money, or in bills of exchange. These contracts were principally for pork. At the same 1763. time, great quantities of fresh provisions were furnished the armies, in droves of fat cattle. The merchants had a safe and prosperous trade. Especially after the peace, an almost boundless scope of commerce and enterprise, was given to the colonists. In these favorable circumstances, with the return of thousands of her brave and industrious inhabitants, to the cultivation of their fields, and the vari- ous arts and labors of peace, the colony was soon able to exonerate itself from the debt contracted by the war. The other colonies, who adopted a different policy, and neg- lected to tax the people, in these favorable periods, were a long time burdened with a heavy tax.
CHAPTER XXIII.
.
Unexpected Indian war. The reasons of it. The enemy ravage the frontiers of the southern colonies. Take seve- ral English forts. Attempt the reduction of forts Pitt, Detroit, and Niagara. Battle at Detroit. The enemy attack colonel Bouquet, and are defeated. They destroy- ed a detachment of men near Niagara. Were finally humbled, and made peace.
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