USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts, for two hundred years: from the year 1620 to 1820 > Part 14
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After the affair between General Johnson and Baron Dies-
Colonel Williams was a native of Newton, but was then an inhabitant of Berkshire county. He was the founder of the college in Williamstown. His will, giving a large part of his property for the purpose, was made while on his way in this expedition.
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kau, near the southern part of Lake George, an effort was made, in October following, to reinforce the English army and to proceed against Ticonderoga and Crown Point. On the ad- vice of Governor Shirley, Massachusetts, oppressed as it was by the expenses of the season already incurred, voted to as- sist ; and sent commissioners to Albany, to meet those from other colonies, for uniting in furthering the design. But it was there concluded that the men under General Johnson should be discharged ; leaving six hundred, however, to man the fortress erected by General Lyman, on the Hudson, and a fort still nearer Lake George. Of this number, Massachu- setts furnished nearly two hundred. When Governor Shirley returned from Oswego, he gave directions, that the place should be more strongly fortified ; and seven hundred men were left for that purpose.
The fifth earthquake in New England, which excited alarni or notice, from its first settlement by the English, occurred in November, 1755. Its power and extent were very similar to the memorable one of 1727. It continued for the space of four minutes, and walls and chimnies were thrown down.
The British government, instead of abandoning the object, the conquest of Canada, for which the great military preparations had been made, resolved to prosecute the war with vigor, and to retrieve the disasters of the last campaign. Nor did the colonies lack a laudable zeal of aiding in the danger. None were more for ward and prompt than Massachusetts. At that critical period, it had the just praise, from eminent characters in other colonies, " of being always foremost in measures of defence."
When the death of General Braddock was known in Eng- land, Governor Shirley was appointed commander-in-chief of his majesty's forces in North America ; and he immediately summoned a council of war, to consist of the governors of the several colonies, to meet at New York. At this meeting, it was proposed to prepare for military expeditions the ensuing year, against the fort Du Quesne, and against Crown Point and Niagara; and that troops should also be sent up the river Ken- nebec, to attack the Indians in Canada. For all these enter- prises, it was recommended to raise 12,000 men.
There was less zeal manifested for an expedition against . Crown Point, both because it was believed that it would require great expense, and because it might be better to inake an attack on Quebec, the strong hold of Canada, which would not make much greater expense necessary, and if taken, by aid of a British fleet, it would decide the contest. It was not therefore without some delay and some objections, that Massa
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chusetts consented to engage in this and other expeditions pro- posed. Nor is it a matter of surprise, that they should have proceeded with caution in ordering three or four thousand men to be raised, whose wages and bounties, with other unavoidable expenses attending the expedition, would add greatly to the debt and the taxes of the province, already extremely burden- some to the people. And it was in the expectation, they said, that a sum would be advanced by the governor, who had funds in his hands belonging to the British government, for the wages of the past year, and a bounty for those to be raised the approaching season. £30,000 were soon after loaned to the province by the governor.
The popularity of Governor Shirley, at this time, was not so great as it had before been. The failure of most of the expe- ditions of the past year, was by some, though most unjustly, charged on him. And it was believed that he was ready, at the command of the British ministry, to call for men and sup- plies from Massachusetts, when she was heavily pressed by debt incurred for the common welfare. His measures were criticised and censured in the public papers ; and some of the writers were incorrect in their statements, and severe in their accusations. The governor was so displeased with these free remarks, that he referred to them, in a communication to the general court. They expressed their opinion of the good charac- ter of the governor, and bore witness to his zeal and activity for the public welfare ; but wisely declined to punish the printer, or to interfere in the case.
Early in the spring of 1756, the proper measures were adopted for enlisting men and preparing for the expedition to . Crown Point. This was the most important object, and great efforts were made to raise the quota of men allotted to the prov- ince of Massachusetts, which was 3,500, for the expedition to that place, and Major General John Winslow was appointed to command them. He had then been some time in Nova Scotia, where he conducted with that prudence and firmness which added much to his character as an able military chief. But enlistments were not easily made. The people had become tired of military life, when their pay was long delayed, and their exposure to disease was deemed very great. In the expeditions, for several succeeding years, far more died by sickness, than were slain in battle. To this should be added, that the British ships of war were in the constant practice of impressing fishermen ; and that a battalion from' Massachusetts was detained in Nova Scotia, although the time of their enlist- ment had expired. From all these causes it resulted, that on
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the last of May there were only 2,600 enlisted ; and so late as August, the whole number ready for the enterprise did not exceed 3,000.
Governor Shirley, in the mean time, though in the expecta- tion of being superseded as commander-in-chief of the military forces, continued to give his attention to hasten and perfect the preparations for the intended campaign. Soon as his cares, as chief magistrate of Massachusetts, would permit, he proceeded to Albany, and remained in discharge of his official duty, till the arrival of General Abercrombie, in June, who was appointed to succeed him. Governor Shirley, soon after, sailed for England, having been informed, that his majesty's service required his personal presence there. He was not summoned to answer to any specific charges of misconduct, nor did he receive any public censure ; but was soon after appointed governor of the Bahama Islands, in the West Indies. And yet it is not improbable, that the representations made by the lieutenant governor of New York, and General Johnson, who were envious of his superior station, had an influence in his being superseded. The want of success in his plans of 1755, however vigilant he was, and the want of confidence which these and other officers had in him, might also furnish motives for his recall. He did not relax in his efforts for the honor of the British arms, and the security of the colonies, to the day of his departure ; and he carried with him the respect and gratitude of the people of Massachusetts, for his long and faithful services. After holding the office of governor of the Bahamas, he returned to Massachusetts, where he resided till his death, in 1771.
The military plans of Governor Shirley, for the year 1756, were generally approved by General Abercrombie, and by Lord Loudon, who succeeded him in a few months, except that it was concluded to make the most vigorous attack on Crown Point, rather than to maintain Oswego, and weaken the power of the enemy at Lake Ontario; which Shirley had deemed of the greatest importance. His opinion was, that it was necessary to carry the war nearer Canada, and that by securing Oswego, enterprises might be made against the forts Niagara and Frontenac, or, at least, the enemy be prevented from passing from Quebec to Ohio, and Illinois. By having a force at Oswego, he also believed the French would be pre- vented from sending large supplies to Crown Point. The lat- ter was not out of his plan, but a part of it was to seize that place also.
The departure from this extensive plan, and the delay
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which was occasioned by a new destination of part of the men first intended for Oswego, was one cause of the failure of suc- cess in the expeditions proposed in 1756. The French had early information of the movements and designs of the English troops, by their Indian spies ; and they ordered a large force on Lake Ontario, and captured the forts at Oswego. They were so powerful also at Crown Point, that General Winslow made no attack on that post. His chief object was to maintain his position at the south margin of Lake George, and to act on the defensive ; such were his orders from Lord Loudon. The British forces under General Webb did not advance far- ther than Fort Edward, several leagues south of the lake, and on the bank of Hudson river. The small pox attacked the provincial troops, and proved extensively mortal. A difficulty also arose, as to placing the men raised in the province under the command of British officers, and the close union of them with regular British troops. This difficulty had occurred before ; so that the men sometimes would not enlist, but on condition of being under the immediate command of their own officers. The question arose before Lord Loudon arrived ; and again, soon after he took the command of the army. Or representation of General Winslow, by request of his officers, the British commander consented, that the provincials should be kept distinct, and be commanded by officers under whom they had enlisted ; with the reservation, that they should be subject to his orders and directions.
On the news of the fall of Oswego, a great alarm spread through the troops at and near Lake George, and even through New England. The enemy were represented to be numerous, and to be aided by a great number of Indians, ready for the work of cruelty and slaughter. On this occasion, the general court of Massachusetts ordered a draft of 1000 men, from the western part of the province, in addition to the numerous forces then in the service.
The autumn having far advanced, Lord Loudon permitted the provincial troops to be discharged, excepting one regiment belonging to New York; and ordered the posts which they had held to be garrisoned by the British regulars.
At the beginning of the year, on application to the British ministry, with a statement of the great expenses incurred the the year before, in military preparations and services, advances were again made to the colonies of £115,000; of which Massachusetts received £54,000. But the expenses so far exceeded all calculation at the opening of the campaign, that
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the general court of Massachusetts applied to Lord Loudon for a loan. But he was not able to accommodate them.
A corps of rangers, under Major Rogers, of New Hamp- shire, rendered much service, at this period, by alarming the enemy, and giving information of their forces and movements. A scouting party was also sent up the Kennebec River, as Governor Shirley had proposed, but not so large as was intended, nor with much benefit to the province, except to prevent the attacks of the enemy on the settlements in that part of the country.
CHAPTER IX.
Military plans for 1757-Lord Loudon-Nova Scotia, Louisbourg, and Crown Point-Governor Pownall-Failure of Expeditions-Massachusetts lost many troops-Character of Pownall-Dispute about quartering troops- House contend for the authority of the Province-Duties on Trade- Complaints against it-Campaign of 1757-Mr. Pitt-Gen. Amherst- Efforts of Massachusetts-Failure of expedition to Crown Point-Lord Howe slain-Louisbourg taken -- Quebec taken-Wolfe slain -- Major Rogers- Complaints of Provincial troops-Great expenses of War- Insolvent law-Gov. Bernard-Lt. Gov. Hutchinson-Campaign of 1760 -Montreal taken.
ON a proposition of Lord Loudon, a council was held at Boston, in January, 1757, at which he and the governors of the New England colonies were present, when the outlines of a plan for military operations the approaching spring and sum- mer were settled. It was agreed to raise 4000 men in New England, 1800 of whom were to be furnished by Massachusetts. The men were enlisted accordingly ; but the enterprise against Crown Point was delayed, as Lord Loudon was anxious first to make an attack on Louisbourg, then in possession of the French, by virtue of the treaty of 1748. A British fleet arrived at Halifax, with 5000 men ; and Lord Loudon repaired thither immediately. Intelligence was received at that place, that Louisbourg was garrisoned by 7000 men, and a large French fleet had sailed fromn Brest, destined to that port. He therefore relinquished his project of attacking Louisbourg, and returned to New York. Before he reached that province, the detachment at Lake George, placed there for the meditated expedition against Crown Point, or for a check, at least, to the advance of the enemy towards Albany, was attacked, and sur- rendered. General Webb, then commanding in that quarter, and stationed a few leagues south, at Fort Edward, immediately called for a reinforcement, expecting the French would also attack his quarters. The general court was not in session, but the council advised Governor Pownall, who had then just arrived, to issue the necessary orders to the commanders of
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the several regiments, to have their men in readiness to march when called, and appointed General Pepperell to command then. He proceeded to the interior of the province, and made preparations to proceed; but intelligence was received from General Webb, that the enemy had returned to Crown Point, and did not appear disposed to advance upon New England.
When Fort William Henry, at Lake George, was taken, this season, a great portion of the men were from Massachu- setts, under the immediate command of Colonel Frye; but the British Colonel Monroe commanded the whole force in the garrison, composed in part of regular troops. After they sur- rendered, the men were treated with great cruelty and bar- barity by the Indians.
This third failure in attempting to conquer Canada, was most discouraging to the colonies and to England. There was a defect in the plans, or want of concert and energy in the efforts to execute them. Perhaps none were so wise as that of Gov- ernor Shirley, in the spring of 1756. In 1757, some blame might attach to Lord Loudon, for not sending a stronger force to Lake George ; while it might also be justly said of the com- mander of the expedition, (General Webb,) that he did not discover all the resolution which it demanded. The expenses, growing out of these great efforts, were sensibly felt in Massa- chusetts, whence so many. troops were engaged in the service: and had not the British government provided funds to a large amount, the province would have become bankrupt. It was the cause of England, as well as of the American colonies; for her preponderance in Europe must be sustained by her posses- sions and power on the western continent.
Governor Pownall was not a stranger in America, nor in Massachusetts. He had been in authority under the crown, in New Jersey ; and though a political enemy of Governor Shirley, he was esteemed as a friend to the colonies. He had talents, and he had ambition also; and there was some reason to be- lieve that he was not wholly innocent of the charge of having joined a cabal to destroy the popularity of his predecessor. Yet, when he entered on the government of Massachusetts, he was well received, and the people were disposed to judge can- didly of his public conduct. In a dispute, which arose soon after he took the chair, between Lord Loudon and the general court, he acted a conciliatory part, prompted, by a desire, probably, to be in favor with the province over which he pre- sided.
Lord Loudon, early in the summer, had required that bar- racks and quarters might be provided for British troops, on
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their being ordered to be stationed in the province ; to which the house of assembly objected, and said that the castle was the proper place for them. In the fall of the same year, he proposed to the general court to pass an act, authorizing the civil magistrates to assign quarters for the king's troops, when they might come into the province. The house declined passing such an act ; again giving an opinion that the castle was the most suitable station for them. The British commander was highly displeased, and wrote again, both to Governor Pownall and to the general court, on the subject; and to the latter rather in a tone of menace. Soon after, a British recruit- ing party, and other regular troops, arrived; but no quarters had been provided. The governor exerted his influence, but in a mild rather than a dictatorial manner ; and referred, as Lord Loudon had done, to an act of parliament, authorizing such a measure. The house replied, that the act of parliament was designed for Great Britain, and not for the colonies ; and still postponed a compliance with the requisition. Lord Loudon wrote them, " that in time of war, the law martial must be obeyed." The house protested, that without their consent, it would be improper to enforce an act of parliament, unless it expressly included the colonies. After a few days of delay, however, they passed an act, providing for the quartering of the troops in public houses, and conforming, as far as might be proper, considering the difference between England and the colonies, to other parts of the act of parliament on the subject. Lord Loudon abated somewhat of the tone of his first demand, and the house were soliciting aid from the British ministry, which probably had some influence in their partial submission to his orders. A message was sent to the governor, in reply to his conciliating speech on the subject, written by Mr. Hutch- inson, the chairman of a committee which reported it; which was far from displaying the firmness and decision of the first resolution of the house, which kept the real question out of sight, and aimed chiefly to satisfy, or to quiet each party.
The attachment of the people of Massachusetts to civil lib- erty and their charter rights, was so powerful and deep-rooted, that they contended for them in all their distresses, and never could be induced to compromit them, in want or in danger. Their condition was often such, that they needed protection and relief; but they seldom asked for aid, lest it would show their dependence on the parent government. They might have yielded, in individual cases, as that of the demand of Lord Lou- don, to provide quarters for the British troops; but when they did yield, it was always with a protest to save the princi-
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ple,-that their consent was necessary, as the province was not represented in parliament. When it was proposed to instruct their agent to ask funds in England, to keep up the forts on the frontiers, it was apprehended that such a measure might in- crease the authority of that government over the province, and might lead to the exercise of its power incompatible with their charter rights. They wished not to lean on the parent state for safety, nor could they acknowledge any controlling power over the legislature.
It was this spirit and this principle, which induced them to oppose the regulations of trade, attempted to be enforced by the British administration ; especially those provisions which authorized the raising of a revenue for the benefit of England. Previously to this period, such acts of parliament had been passed, referring not only to foreign trade, which often operated grievously on enterprising merchants ; but to establish a rigid system in collecting the customs, all which were to swell the treasury of the parent government. They had always been willing to provide for expenses for their own government and defence, and therefore were ready to consider it oppression, to raise money from their industry and enterprise for another part of the empire. And greater than all others was the complaint, that it was denying the common rights of Englishmen, to levy and raise money from them, in any way, when they had no voice in the amount to be raised, nor the purposes to which it was to be applied.
The sugar act, so called, of 1733, was revived and continued in 1756. It purported to be for the encouragement of trade, but one of its objects was to raise a revenue, and was therefore obnoxious. The act granted a high duty on all sugar, molas- ses, rum, and spirits, not made in the British islands; and the penalties were also high for any violation or evasion of the law. The trade of Massachusetts was partly to other islands than the English; and these articles were taken in exchange for fish, and other things sent to those islands. The laws of trade thus amounted almost to a prohibition. For the first half of the century, especially for the first thirty years, the trade from Massachusetts to the islands in the West Indies, to the Western Islands, and to the ports in the Mediterranean, were very profitable. In 1750, the balance of trade to the West Indies was against the province.
For many years, Massachusetts imported English manufac- tures for the supply of some other colonies, as well as for her own consumption, which must have added to her prosperity. New Hampshire was the first gradually to import for her 16
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inhabitants. Connecticut traded chiefly with Massachusetts, during the former part of the century. At an early period, the vessels of Massachusetts also engaged in carrying freight from the southern colonies to Europe. The trade to the West Indies, to the Wine Islands, to Portugal and Spain, was conge- nial to the habits and living of the people. Quoting the observation of a French writer in Canada, who said of the inhabitants, " that they would live well, if they could also dress well; but, if not, that they would retrench in the table to adorn their persons ;" Mr. Hutchinson said, " that the Eng- lish would rather abate of their dress, than give up their punch and wine, or their tea and coffee."
Notwithstanding the repeated disasters and failures of three former years, the campaign for 1758 opened with vigor and hope. Mr. Pitt had been placed at the head of the British administration, whose character for energy and patriotism was already justly appreciated. He was not less desirous of the glory of the nation, than zealous for constitutional liberty. Un- der his auspices, the plan for military operations was not dissim- ilar to that of Governor Shirley, in 1755. It was proposed to send a large fleet, with sufficient land forces, against Louisbourg, then in the hands of the French, to whom it had been restored by the treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle, in 1748. The celebrated General Wolfe was then a brigadier of the land forces in that quarter. The French fort at Du Quesne was to be attacked ; and a large force was to be sent against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, on Lake Champlain. A requisition was made on the colonies to raise as many men, and furnish such provis- ions, as was practicable ; and an assurance was given that a reimbursement would be made by the British government. The general court of Massachusetts had a short time before declined to issue orders for raising men, as requested by Lord Loudon; as it was apprehended they would be sent against Louisbourg, the capture of which was far less a matter of inter- est to the province than that of Crown Point, which would check the incursions of the French and Indians of Canada. But it was now resolved to raise 7000 men for an expedition against Canada, to be officered by citizens of the province, who might be appointed by the commander-in-chief. General Amherst had been appointed to this important station, in place of Lord Loudon, and such was his reputation, that the colonists had far more respect and confidence towards him, than the other had been able to inspire. Lord Loudon had been strangely inactive the two preceding campaigns, remaining at Albany with a large number of regular troops, while General
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Winslow at one time, and the British General Webb, at anoth- er, had been at and near Lake George with forces, not sufficient for any offensive measures, and not able, indeed, to maintain the position they had taken against the enemy.
This was a large force for Massachusetts to raise, and the necessary expenditures were great in proportion. Bounties were to be given, or the enlistments would not be made ; and this must be advanced by the province. The number raised by voluntary enlistments was 4,500; and it became necessary to raise the other 2,500 by impressment or drafts from the militia. The whole force under General Abercrombie, of reg- ular British troops and provincials which advanced against the French forts at Lakes George and Champlain, amounted to up- wards of 17,000.
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