USA > New Hampshire > Register of officers and members of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New Hampshire, 1724-1725 > Part 4
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And That his Honour the Lieutt Govern" be also Desired, in the Name of this Court, by the same Express, to move the Honble Gov- ernour Talcot, & the Government of Connecticut, As Also the Govern- ments of Rhode Island & New Hampshire to join a Commissionr from each Governmt in the same Affair.
In Council, 25 Nov 1724
Read & Concurred
Consented to
WVm SSDUMMER. [ Mass. Archives.
Governor 37Burnet, of the province of New York, replied :
New York 16th Decr 1724
Sr
I received the favour of yours, of the 30th Novr, by the Express, on the 14th at night, and have made all convenient Dispatch to return you an Answer; after that I had taken the Opinion of the Council, which you will find enclosed, and in which Opinion I cannot but agree with them, Since I look on the Threatening the French Governour with the Insults of our friend Indians, in Case of his not complying, thoh Ex- pressed ever so cautiously, naturally makes us responsible for what they may do.
And by our threatening to pursue the Eastern Indians to the utter- most, must be understood into Canada, which will be entring that Country in a hostile manner ; and this my Instructions expressly forbid, in these words.
Provided always that you do not by Colour of any power or Authority hereby given you, commence or declare War without our knowledge and particular Commands therein, except it be against Indians upon Emergencys, wherein the Consent of the Council shall be had, and speedy Notice given thereof unto us.
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BRIEF RELATION.
And as to entering into a War with the Eastern Indians, it is what the Assembly of this Province did, in 1722, refuse to contribute to, which Resolution of theirs I then communicated to your Government, and therefore need not now send you a Copy of it.
Under these Circumstances, a Message to the Governour of Canada, which this Government is not able to support by any one Action, in Case of Refusal, would be not only of no use, but of very ill Conse- quence by acquainting him with our feebleness.
I see no reason to expect that our Assembly will be prevailed upon to alter their Resolutions; But I cannot have an opportunity of trying that, till after Harvest next, it being impracticable to meet them while the River continues shut up, and the Affairs of New Jersey obliging me to meet that Assembly in the Spring: So that upon the whole, tho' my Wishes and Intentions are to serve your Province to the utmost of my Power, I find myself intirely incapable of joining with you in the present Proposal, or any part of it.
Being with great Esteem,
Sr Yours most obedient humble Servant W. 3Burnet
The government of Connecticut replied :
Hartford Decembr 22d 1724
Sr
I have Received Yours, of November 30th, with the Enclosed Referred to therein, and Wish that a Copy of the Act of Your Assembly, respect- ing the Message to Canada, had also been Inclosed which Your Com" Can Yet Supply.
I have advised with the Gentlemen of the Councill, that I Could at this Season with Convenience Speak with, and am not Unsenceible of the great difficulty and Charge of the Warr with the Eastern Indians hath brott upon the whole Province under Your Comand. I Wish this Government were able to Render the Circumstances of Your Province (in that affair) more Easie; but as to what Your Honr Intimates respecting Sending Messingers to Canada, altho' that project Seemeth Likely to make Monsr Vandrevill Senceible that his Conduct Cant be Justifyed, neither will it well support the french Cause when the Same Methods shall be Taken by New England against Canada, the Letting Loose the Indians (as Intimated in Yours) will doubtless give Convic- tion when those things proper to Convince Reason fail; and therefore 'tis to be hoped at Sight of it at a distance, as Represented by messin- gers, may do Something with that Governour.
But Yet, would further propose to Your Honrs Advisement, whether it may not be proper to Close the Message to M. "Vandrevill with a representation, that it is Very Apparent that our Indian Enemy have Such a dependence on him to Support them in the Warr, that he Can Easily reduce them to Quietness, and that his Exerting himself in So good a Work (as reducing those Indians to Order would be) may hapily prevent many Mischieffs, that Seem to Threaten us, as well as the people under his Comand; and also give us a Speciall Instance of
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his good Neighbourhood; and if this or any thing Else, proper to In- sert in the Message to the Governour of Canada might gain him to Influence the Indians to peace, it would be well; but if he Should Slight the motion of being an Instrument to gain a peace for us, I think he would Still be the Less Excusable, and must Thank himself when he is Taught by other Means.
But Yet, after all must Let Your IIon" Know that it is not in my power with the Councill to Comply with Your desire, and if I Should Call our Assembly together, (who can only Authorize a person to go upon the errand you mention,) I fear the Same Scruples, (as when Colº Stoddard was with us,) will Still be Started, which were princi- pally two; first, that the Indians had been wronged in their Lands : Secondly, that the Hostages, received by Your Government of the Indians, were only to Secure the payment of Some Beavour, which the Indians Say they have Since paid, and therefore the Warr not Just on the English Side. These things our people have had Confirmed to them by many persons (and Some of distinction) of Your Government. I would Charitably hope these reports are wholely groundless. I should be very Unwilling to Entertain Such things without the Clearest proofs. Notwithstanding which, in Order to Satisfy our Assembly, possibly it may be best to Send to me the fullest accounts that may be Come at. Our Late Very Honble and Excellent Govern" Saltonstall, Sometime before his death, received one of Your Treaties with the Eastern Indians, which now Cant be found; doubtless Treaties and other Writings respecting the Eastern Lands, if Communicated to our Assembly, might be of Service ; and a Copy of the Entry, made when the Said Hostages were delivered up, (which Entry Certainly doth Include what they were received for,) will Certainly Sattisfy our Assembly how the Matter is as to the Hostages. Yor Hont wont think it strange that there is need to Sattisfy our Assembly in these things, when You consider our people had the reports from Among Your Selves, as is above hinted; and that what persons Confess against themselves is Easily beleived and in many things these wants no other proof. I have Insisted the more Largely that, if possible, I might prevent all difficulties; for I would always Cultivate that good Under standing that hath been between the Two Governments.
By Order of the Governor extra of the Colony of Connecticutt Signed pr Hez Wyllys Secretry
Endorsed
To The Honourable William Dummer Esqr Lt Govr of the province of the Massachusetts Bay att Boston
These
The action of the Rhode Island colony is found re- corded on page 353, vol. iv, R. I. Col. Records, viz. :
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Respecting the proposition of sending a man to Canada, from this government, it is the opinion of the General Assembly, that the same will create unnecessary charges; but they order and direct, that a letter be sent there, from this government, by the messenger from the Massa- chusetts, directed to Monsieur 2Vandriel, governor thereof, to deter him, and all others under the French government, from affording suc- cor or encouragement to the Indian agency, or from sheltering them, after they have committed their depredations on the subjects of His British Majesty; and to excite him to exert himself for the procuring and settling an honorable peace with said Indians, for the ease and benefit of the English settlements, least by His Majesty's favor and permission, all the English governments, on this Continent of America, unite their forces in ridding the whole land of this restless, lurking enemy, and all their abettors and encouragers.
Signed in the name and by order of the General Assembly, &c
Richard Ward, Recorder.
New Hampshire authorities responded cordially, viz. :
Xbr . 12th 1724. Journal of the House
A vote passed for the Livt Governor to commiss a Man to goe to Canada with those Gent from the other Governments.
Voted-That the Comissr to be appointed for to goe to Canada be Supplyed and paid out of the Public Treasury Jag Jeffry Clr Assm In The house of Represent Decr 12th 1724
In answer to His Honour The Lieut Governour and Gen1 assembly of the Province of the Massachusetts, requesting our Joyning wth them New York Connecticut & Road Island Governments in Sending Com- missioners to Mons" Vandrevil Govr of Canada,
Resolved, That His Honr the Lieut Govr be desired to Commissionate a Suitable person to represent this Government to John wth the Com- missioners of the Governments afore said to go to Monsr 22Vandrevil Gov! of Canada and Demand of him all and Every of His Majesty's Subjects that have been captivated by the Indian Enemy and carryed into and detained in any part of his Government & likewise demand yt the Said Governour Vandrevil withdraw the Countenance and assistance which in violation of the Treaty of Utrecht and contrary to the friend- ship & alliance between the two Crowns he has given to the Said Indians in the Prosecution of their unjust warr against His Majesty's Subjects of these Colonies, otherwise if our friend Indians who have hitherto been with difficulty restrained Should in pursuit of the Enemy Indians commit hostilitys upon the french familys who dwell promis- cusously with them as have been by the french Indians Committed upon ye Inhabitants of this Province, the blame will be entirely oweing to his own Conduct and likewise Inform him that if the Indians Shall Still persist in the warr against us the Several English Governments will find themselves obliged with their united force (by the help of God) to prosecute and prusue. them to the uttermost, and That His
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Honr the Lieut Govr be desired to give his Instructions to The Com- missionr according to the above resolve
James Jeffry Cler Assem In Council Eod die
Read and Concurred Richd Waldron Cler Con
To accomplish the conference, Lieutenant-Governor 38 Dummer appointed Col. William "Dudley, of Roxbury, and Col. Samuel 28Thaxter, of Hingham, the Massachu- setts members of the commission, and Lieutenant-Gover- nor 8Wentworth appointed Col. 1Theodore Atkinson, of Portsmouth, as the New Hampshire member. To the latter the following instructions were given :
Instructions from His Honour, John $Wentworth, Esq", L't Gov'T and Command'r in Chief of New Hampshire, to Mr. Theodore 1Atkin- son, chosen and appointed Commissioner on the part in behalf of this Province, on a Message to ye Gov'r of Canada.
You are to repair to Boston as soon as may be with Convenience, and there Joyn the Commissioners appointed by that Government to go to Canada, and with them to proceed thither by the way of Albany.
Upon Your arrival at Canada, You are to wait upon the Governour of that Colony for the Time being, and Present him w'th the letter herewith delivered you.
You are to represent to the Said Governour that we Esteem what he has done (in Encouraging and assisting our Enemies the Indians against us in the Present war,) not only unneighbourly, but an open breach of the Treaty of Utrecht, and absolutely Contrary to the alliance between the King of Great Brittain and the King of France: and Thereupon, You are to propose to him, and Insist upon it, that he for- bear the like for the future, and that he deny them Protection, in case our Armys or Scouts Should Pursue them to the borders of his Govern- ment, lest any French family, in his frontiers, by undertaking to shelter them, may Share in the fate of our Enemies.
You are positively to Demand of the S'd Governour a Surrender of all His Majestie's Subjects belonging to this Province, which have been Captivated by our Indian Enemy this war, and are now detained Pris- oners in his Government.
If any Indians, at Canada, or ye French in their behalf, Should move for Pacification, You are to acquaint them that You have no Commis- sion or Instructions to Negotiate any afair of that Sort; however, if they are disposed and desirous to Treat w'th this Government of a Peace, You are to tell them they may have an opportunity so to do, and may assure them of Safe Conduct hither and back again through this Province, and give them Passports accordingly.
[N. H. Hist. Soc. Coll., vi: 211
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BRIEF RELATION.
The letter to the governor of Canada may be found in N. H. State Papers, xviii : 2, viz. :
Sir :
In Consideration of the Treaty at Utrecht and the alliance and firm amity which is now Subsisting between our Masters I could never have thought that our heathen Enemy the Indians had any Countenance or Encouragement In the Prosecution of their unjust warr agst us from Canada were it not too obvious to be doubted or that those men of blood were Shelter there had they not from time to time fled thither & been Secured from our Pursuers, and I hope Sir that upon a review of these things you may be of opinion that what has been hitherto done on the part of ye French in that matter is not justifyable by the law of Nations, and thereby be Induced to forbear the like for the future, and Indeed Sir I am not a little Surprised that you detain any of the Subject of King George or Suffer them to be detained Prisoners in Your Government which have of late been Captivated by the Indians & . led thither but I presume for ye reasons before Exprest It will be no more so, and that all ye Captives now at Canada will be immediately deliver'd to Mr Theodore Atkinson the bearer hereof who is now going In behalf of This Government by My order & in the name of my Sovereign Lord King George to demand them as his Subjects at your hands, and to remonstrate to you the Inconveniencys which probably may attend your further Encouraging & protecting ye vowed & open Enemys of ye King of Great Gritain to whom be pleased to be referred.
Historians pay small attention to this embassy ; Doctor Belknap closes the fourteenth chapter of his history of New Hampshire with this conference at Montreal. He relates that sixteen captives were ransomed, and terms agreed upon for ten others. These were all in the hands of the French. No captive seems to have been released by the Indians. We regret that we have not the names of the redeemed; for, after considerable search, we are unable to discover any list of them. Governor 22Vaudreuil gave the returning party, commissioners and the re- gained captives, a guard of soldiers, who conducted them safely to Crown Point. Colonel 1Atkinson made a formal report to Lieutenant-Governor $Wentworth, which was communicated to the General Assembly of the province and returned to the governor. If it has sur- vived, it may be among the documents of the Colonial Office, at London. Its present deposit is unknown. The
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action of the New Hampshire General Assembly is on record, viz. :
Pro : N. Hampre At a Gen1 assem held at Portsmo by Proroga May 17th 1725.
In Council. His Honr the Lieut Govr was pleased to make ye following speech,
Gentlemen *
Mr 1Atkinson our Commissioner to Canada is returned and has brought a letter from the Govr of Canada which was ordered to be translated, and then Shall lay it before you, also what was transacted by Mr Atkinson.
A Copy of the foregoing Speech being desired by the Speakr the Same was presented him.
May 21st 1725 In the house of Represent
A Message to the house by the Clerk from His Hon' The "&Lt. Govr wth ye Letter which he had recd pr Mr 1Atkinson fron Govr 22Vandrevil of Canada
May the 22d 1725 A M
In house of Representatives.
Monsrsr 22Vodrell's Letter by Mr 1Atkinson to our Governr was Read. Mr Atkinsons act of his Disbursements on his Canada Journey amounting to £248: 14: 7 Of which is paid by Mr Treasurer 130: :
as by his acct 118: 14: 7
May 22ª 1725. In Council
A Message to the board, wth the answer of the House of Represent to His Honours Speech (as follows) * * *
* * * We rejoice to see Mr 1Atkinson safe returnd from Canada, and as for the letter he has brought from the Governour, we shall know better how to answer when we know the Contents thereof, and Shall take care to raise money for the war and the Honble Support of the Government.
James Jeffry Cler : assem
May 25th 1725 In Coun
A message to the board with Mr 1Atkinson's accot of Expenses as Commist to Canada as on file and votes thereon as follows May 22d 1725 In the House of Represent
Voted That Mr Thedre 1Atkinsons accts be allowed and that the Sum of one hundred & Eighteen pounds fourteen Shillings and Seven pence the ballance thereof be paid out of the Pub- lick Treasury.
James Jeffry Cler assem
Read and Concurr'd
His Honor laid before ye board Mr Atkinsons report of his nego- tiation at Canada wch was read and taken back by his Hon Richd Waldron Cler Con
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BRIEF RELATION.
May the 28th 1725. in the house of Representatives
Whereas it Doth appear to this house that mr Theodore Atkinson hath faithfully Discharged the Trust reposed in him his Late Nego- tiation to Canada this house returns him thanks for the Same, and Voted that there be paid him out of the Publick Treasury (besides what is allowed and paid him already for his charges) the Sum of fifty two pounds for his Time in Said Negotiation
James Jeffry Clr Assm
Sent up for Concurrence. In coun' Eod die Read and Concurrd
Richd Waldron Cler Con
Judge Sewall, in his diary, iii : 355, says :
13 May 1725. Col. Sam1 28Thaxter and Col. William 8Dudley, our Messengers, come to Town from Canada, about 5 p. m.
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Authorities and Official Sources
Fortunately, we have two reports from Canadian sources, exhibiting the impression on the French, made by the commission. In the documents relating to the Colonial History of New York, vol. ix : 947, is printed an abstract of the dispatch to the 3ªsecretary at Paris by Lieutenant-Governor 22Vaudreuil, viz. :
Abstract of M. de 22Vaudreuil's Despatch.
Abstract of M. de Vaudreuil's letter respecting the interview between the Abenakis and the Deputies from New England; with the approval of the Minister thereof. 7th August, 1725. The Marquis de 22Vaudreuil reports that the Governors of Boston and of *Pescadouet sent him some delegates to Montreal.
He knew from their commission to him that their business was limited to obtaining the surrender of the prisoners within his government, and demanding of him not to assist, nor to afford any aid to, the Abenakis and other Indians who are at war with the English.
In respect to the prisoners, he gave for answer that he should have those surrendered who were in the hands of Frenchmen, who had ran- somed them from the Indians; and in regard to those with the Abenakis, he had not the disposal of them.
To the demand respecting the aid to these Indians, he answered, that he had never supplied them any, and that the annual presents to the Abenakis and all other Indians, our allies, to whom the King is gra- ciously pleased to grant yearly some token of his benevolence, could not be looked upon in that light.
Those two objects not appearing to him of sufficient importance to justify the expense of such a deputation, he told the delegates that if they had nothing more important to communicate to him, he was sur- prised they should be put to the trouble of so long and perilous a journey ; that they were free to return whenever they pleased; that he would furnish them an escort lest they might be attacked by any party of Abenakis; Whereupon they answered, that they had other matters to communicate to him.
On the next day, they presented him a memoir containing only the two first demands; some vague complaints regarding the assistance furnished the Abenakis, whose dependence on the Crown on England they attempted to prove.
* Piscataqua.
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SOCIETY OF COLONIAL WARS.
They next gave him to understand that if these Indians wished to submit reasonable propositions to them, they would hear them; that the people were weary of this war, and that peace, or a suspension of hostilities, would be gratifying to both the one and the other.
They had spoken, at first, in so haughty a tone, that there was ground to distrust these proposals, and he was not in the humor to dispose the Abenakis to a peace.
However, he told these delegates that it appeared to him necessary to have an interview with the principal Indian Sachems, whom he offered to send for to Montreal, in order that they might come to a mutual understanding, and adopt measures to arrive at some conclusion. They appeared to desire this interview, but told him, at the same time, that though they might agree as to their facts, they could not regulate any thing, as they had not the necessary powers.
Being persuaded that nothing was more opposed to his Majesty's interests than peace between the Abenakis and the English, the safety of the Colony on its eastern frontier having been the sole object of this war, M. de Vaudreuil thought of sounding the chiefs of these Indians on their arrival and before they could speak to the English, and of insinuating to them that it was not enough to demand of the English the demolition of the forts they had built on Abenakis territory, and the restitution of their lands and prisoners, but that the death of Father Rasle and of a great number of their people whom they had killed, and the burning of their Church, ought to make them demand heavy indemnities, without which they ought not listen to any pro- posals for peace, or a suspension of hostilities.
That they were fully aware that the Englishi were anxious to become masters of the entire continent; that not being able to attack the French of Canada openly, they attacked their Indian allies, and endeavored to encroach on their lands, not only on the sea-board, but also in the interior of the country, within a short distance of the River St Law- rence, so as to be in a position, on the first breaking out of hostilities to render themselves masters of all Canada.
He found these Indians in the best possible disposition he could wish, to satisfy him of their being very far from desiring a peace.
The only advantage, in fact, that the Colony could derive from this peace would be, that by the demolition of the forts the English had constructed on the sea-board, and of the establishments they have erected on Abenakis territory, the English would be deprived of the means of advancing into the interior and of approaching our settlements on the .South. shore of the St Lawrence. But this advantage would continue at farthest only until they should succeed in gaining over the Abenakis, which they might easily accomplish by making them considerable presents, and also by furnishing them goods and provisions at a cheap rate. And they would not experience any difficulty in obtaining the permission of these Indians to make new establishments on their lands, by making use of the pretext, that they were better able to supply their wants.
Though the Abenakis have not made any great progress during the war, those of *Narantsouac have, meanwhile, prevented the settlement of the English; the latter, however, will extend their establishments as far as they please, should they conclude peace with the Abenakis.
* Norridgwock.
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AUTHORITIES AND OFFICIAL SOURCES.
If they make it not, the latter can be usefully employed not only in that quarter, but also towards Canceau, where the English would estab- lish themselves during the peace, and thus render it extremely difficult to expel them thence, whenver hostilities would break out. By uniting with the Abenakis and the Micmaks, we should be in a position to re- cover Port Royal, and to render ourselves masters of Canceau, and of all we have lost in the East by the Treaty of Utrecht.
On these principles and with these views it is, that he also privately warned the English of the difficulties they might experience on the part of the Abenakis in concluding a peace.
At length, on the day appointed for the interview, the Chiefs of the Abenakis spoke with such haughtiness and firmness to the English, that, so far from agreeing together on any point, they separated with dispo- sitions very adverse to peace.
The Englishmen took their departure two days afterwards. He con- sidered that he could not avoid defraying their expenses, during their sojourn at Montreal, out of the King's funds, which they had done in regard to the officers sent three years ago to Boston.
He also ordered an escort to attend them, and shortly after their departure, was informed that they had met a party of Abenakis, who returned on learning that an escort had been furnished them by him.
He hopes that all he has done on this occasion will be approved.
It appears proper to approve what M. de 22Vaudreuil has done; it is of indispensable necessity to prevent the English becoming masters of the Abenakis country. The Colony would run serious risk, and nothing better can be done than to foment this war, which at least delays the settlements of the English.
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