USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the colonial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume VIII > Part 30
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I think it my duty, to say to Your Lordships, that the Regiment raised in this Province, are a Number of as likely men, as (I believe) any that have been rais'd for His Majesty's present Service, & have been for some time past, at Shenectady, the Place of General Randezvous, & from thence they will be marching, in conformity to General Braddock's Orders, to Niagara, where may God send them well, & give the desired Success.
As anything material comes to my knowledge, re- lating to His Majesty's Service, in the present Arma- ment on this Continent, I shall do myself the Honour, of keeping your Lordships duly acquainted therewith.
I am in the meantime, & always, with great Respect, My Lords, Your Lordships: Most Obedient & Most humble Servant
J. BELCHER.
ELIZA: TOWN (N J) June 27: 1755
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
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[Enclosed in foregoing.]
LETTER FROM CAPTAIN BRADSTREET TO GOV. BELCHER.
Sir,
I think it my duty to give you the earliest Notice, that in my Way to this Place, Col! Johnston & I ex- amined a French man, who deserted from Canada, with his wife, who inform'd us, that the French had actually sent nine hundred & fifty men to the Ohio, in four Detachments, the last of which he saw at Cata- raque, & they pass'd this Place about the Time he ex- pected, and that on my Arrival here, the 27: Inst, I made it part of my Business, to examine into the Truth of this, from Indians who are constantly com- ing here, from all Quarters, who agree entirely with his Account; since which the Movements & Activity of the French, make it still more necessary I should lose no time in letting you know what has pass'd, & the accounts I have, viz! that on the 25: of this Month, twelve Battoes pass'd this place, with men & Pro- visions; the 27th Eleven, & this day Eleven, which latter had on board nine small Cannon, & they carry one with the other ten men, & I am well inform'd, there are more men preparing to set out from Cata- raque, & others daily expected from Mountreal there; & the French are using all their Power & Artifice, to get as many Indians with them, to oppose General Braddock, as they possibly can, & openly declare to the Indians, they will send the whole Force of Canada, but they will carry their point.
I must also inform you there are many Indians here, & Numbers are daily expected, & they appear to be very attentive to the Proceedings between the French & us, and that I concieve there never was a Time, when the giving Provisions to such as are in real Want, & well chosen Presents to the Principal People,
8
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
than at this time, & that great Good might, & I be- lieve wou'd result from it.
I have sent an Express, with these Accounts, this day to the General, across the Country, & have wrote to the several Governours from N:York to Virginia also.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant
OSWEGO 29th May 1755. JNº BRADSTREET
To his Excellency Jonath" Belcher Esq: Gov! of New Jersey.
Proceedings of Privy Council - recommending the repeal of the Act submitting the boundary dis- pute of New Jersey and New York to the final determination of the King.
[From N. Y. Col. MSS. in Secretary of State's Office. Albany. Vol. LXXXI, p. 42.]
AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER WHITEHALL. the 24h day of June 1755
PRESENT
The Lords Justices Lord Chanceller Lord Steward Duke of Dorset Sir Thomas Rob- inson Lord President Lord Berkeley of Stratton Duke of Queenberry Lord Chief Justice Ryder Earl of Buckinghamshire Sir George Lee.
Whereas by Commission under the Great Seal of Great Britian the Governor Council and Assembly of His Majesties Province of New York, are authorized and empowered to make constitute and ordain Laws Statutes and Ordinances for the Publick Peace Wel-
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
fare and Good Government of the said Province which Laws Statutes and Ordinances are to be as near as conveniently may be agreeable to the Laws and Stat- utes of this Kingdom and to be transmitted for His Majestys Royal Approbation or Disallowance.
And Whereas in pursuance of the said Powers, An Act was passed in the said Province in December 1754 and transmitted Entitled as follows. Viz-
"An Act for submitting the controversy between "the Colonies of New York and New Jersey relating "to the Partition between the said Colonies to the "final Determination of His Majesty."
Which Act together with a Representation from the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, pro- posing the repeal thereof having been referred to the Consideration of a Committee of Lords of His Maj- estys most Honorable Privy Council for Plantation Affairs. The said Lords of the Committee did this day Report to the Lords Justices as their opinion, That the said Act ought to be repealed-The Lords Justices taking the same into Consideration were pleased with the advice of His Majesties Privy Coun- cil, to declare their Disallowance of the said Act. And pursuance to the Lords Justices Pleasure there- upon expressed, the said Act is hereby repealed de- clared Void and of none effect Whereof the Gover- nour or Commander in Chief of His Majesties Province of New York for the time being and all others, whom it may concern are to take Notice and Govern them- selves accordingly.
W. SHARPE.
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieutenant-Gover- nor Morris, of Pennsylvania-Indian affairs, etc.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
ELIZ: TOWN July 9. 1755
L. Gov. MORRIS
Sir
Last night I recd your honours favour of the 4: inst . and which I have read with Attention & shall take the freedom to extract from your Letter what may be necessary to send to the Officers in the several Ports of this Government to prevent as much as possible the Exportation of Provisions for the present & when our Assembly meets (next month) I shall earnestly recom- mend to them the making a prohibitory Law in this Affair.
I thank you, Sir, for the Particulars of the latest In- telligence you have of General Braddock Motions & which seems to be something Cloudy-may God Al- mighty succeed him.
I think the Barbarous scalping & Captivating of the poor Virginians, Marylanders & Pensylvanians shou'd raise in them a Spirit of Indignation against the Per- fidious French & of Compassion to their Neighbours by exerting all in their Power to raise men & money in Assistance of General Braddock & the keeping open the Communication with him so very necessary to the King's Service.
With mine & Mrs. Belcher's Compliments1 I am Sir Your Honours most Obedient &c.
J BELCHER
1 The "young man" frequently alluded to by Governor Belcher in terms of dis- paragement to his correspondents in England in 1751-2, having been appointed Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, he is now entitled to all compliments .- ED.
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
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Letter from Governor Belcher to General Braddock.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
ELIZ. TOWN July 9. 1755.
General Braddock Covd to L. Gov" Morris. Sir
My last was 16: of June covª to M' Dinwiddie & which I hope your Excellency has received.
I am now to own your Favour of the 9: of last month which came to my hands 7: Inst by way of N. Y. & Albany the Purport whereof I answered in mine of 5: of June Covd to L. Gov. Morris of Pensylvania & which I hope got well to hand-the putting of the Regiment of this Province under the Command of Gov Shirley I think a very prudent Step for his As- sistance in the Attack to be made on Niagara & yet I shou'd not have done it without your Excellys particu- lar Direction.
As you are His Majesty's General of all his Forces in N. America I shall carefully observe such Instruc- tions as I shall from time to time receive from your Excelly in Employment of any Troops raised or to be raised in this Province. I am with great Respect,
Sir, Your Excellys Most Obedient & Most humble Servt. J. BELCHER.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Secretary Read, of New Jersey-relating to the reported defeat of the army under General Braddock.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
ELIZ: TOWN (N J) July 19: 1755.
MR SECRETARY READ
The very melancholy Acct I have just now rec; by Express from Phila of the killing General Braddock- the intire Defeat of the Army under him -- the taking
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the Artillery &c. these things I say make it absolutely necessary for the Assembly to meet me as soon as pos- sible to consult what is to be done for his Majesty's Honour & Service & for the necessary & real Safety of this poor Province on whose Frontiers we may expect the French and Indians in Scouting Parties so that a Moment is not to be lost in the Assembly's Coming on this arduous and momentous Occasion and as things will require the greatest Dispatch I am determin'd that the Assembly shall meet me at this Place & in 10 days or sooner if possible so you must send away Expresses directly on recd of this-I am
Sir your Assured Friend & Servant.
J. BELCHER.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Pownall-con- gratulating him on his appointment as Lieut .- Governor of New Jersey, etc.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
July 21 1755
MR POWNALL
Sir
I just now recd your Letter of the 18 & 19 Currt by Mr Clopper and as you are entring by his Majesty's Favour into an honourable Station in this government I am glad to see you so ready in your duty to the King in handing to me what occurs for His Majesty's Ser- vice & Interest.
The first Account of General Braddocks defeat &c. was very shocking but what you write me alleviates & in Part dissipates the Gloomy Prospect which came by the first Acct-and I hope Almighty God will upon this fatal Incident animate & invigorate the Southern Colonies to the raising three or four thousand men and
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
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with all possible dispatch to march and be put under the Command of the brave General Braddock for as the matter is begun it seems to be now or never to make a strong Push that we may know whether King George or the French king is to be finally Master of this Continent.
I have order'd the Assembly of this Province to meet me the next Week when I shall earnestly press them to the raising their Proportion of men and money for the occasion I have mentioned.
I very readily take a just notice of the Honour you do yourself in cheerfully offering your duty to the King in any Services you may be capable of on these extraordinary Occasions & I shall be glad to see you here and to find out anything that I may be able to do for your Service and Interest. * * While you remain at Phila I hope you will not fail of keeping me in a constant Intelligence of all things you can learn at any time for His Majesty's honour & Service & to the Welfare of these Provinces. I am
Honble Sir, your Friend & Servt,
J. BELCHER
Message from Governor Belcher to the Council and Assembly of New Jersey.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
Gentlemen of the Council & of the General Assembly.
Upon the Advices I have lately recd of an Action be- tween the Kings Troops under the Command of the late brave General Braddock & a Body of French and Indians on the Banks of the River Monongahela & upon which the English Troops have been obliged to
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
retreat and this Extraordinary Event has been the Rea- son of my Calling you together something sooner than I Intended-the accts of this matter have been very various but the most authentick is a Letter from Mr Orme Aid de Camp to General Braddock wrote to Gov" Morris of Pensylvania which shall be communicated to you and as this matter may Produce fatal Conse- quences to this and the Neighbouring Provinces I have thought it necessary that this whole Legislature shou'd enter into the Earliest and most Sedate Consul- tations for preventing the Evils that may accrue & to do all in our Power for the best Defence and Safety of this Province & those of our Neighbours and before I leave this Subject you will give me leave to recom- mend to you the passing of a Bill for restraining the Exportation of Provisions & warlike stores out of this Province for some reasonable Time.
I think it is storied of the Pelican that she sucks out her own Blood to nourish & support her young.
An uncommon Storgee' in Nature ! and in a good Degree a fine Pattern of Imitation for all true Fathers and Lovers of their country-how unnatural a Perfidy is it then for any Persons or People from a voracious Thirst after filthy Lucre to be supplying their Enemies with Food and Raiment & warlike Stores thereby en- abling them to subsist & to be continually annoying their Neighbours who thus support them and if I am rightly informd this has been the Case, too often, of some of our neighbouring Provinces in supplying the French in the manner I have mentioned or many of their settlements must have been broke up long ago & altho' we have had certain advice of a large Fleet of French Ships and Land Forces arrived at Cape Breton and at Canada yet we are at the same time Inform'd that they are in great Streights for want of Provisions we shall
Sic .- ED.
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
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therefore honour our selves in passing such an Act as I have mentioned which may greatly distress the Enemy and have a good Tendency to the better Safety of all the English Colonies.
Gentlemen, I have lately recd a Letter from M' Din- widdie Gov' of Virginia relating to the arms with which he supplied us as also a Letter from Col' Peter Schuyler respecting the Troops of this Province under his Command both which Letters I shall order to be laid before you that you may do upon them what may be necessary in support of the Honour and Justice of this Governm'.
GENTLEMEN OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
. As the raising of monies for defraying all the past Charge of what has lately been thought necessary and expedient to be done together with the usual Support of the Government belongs to you to begin upon I shall not doubt your giving the best dispatch to what may properly belong to be done by your House.
GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL AND OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
If you can think of anything else for advancing the Kings honour & Interest and the Weal and Prosperity of N. Jersey I shall upon your suggesting it to me cheer- fully promote it to the utmost of my Power.
J. BELCHER
ELIZA TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBER Augt 1 1755.
[Message of Governor Belcher to the House of Assembly, sent with the foregoing.] Gentlemen of the General Assembly
In answer to your message of this day I am well pleasª that you are come to an unanimous Conclusion to do the necessary Business at this Time as well as to consider duly the important Matters I have recom- mended to you. You cannot but be sensible as well as
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
I what a critical Conjuncture this is with respect to the Safety and Welfare of the Province you will therefore give all possible Dispatch in all Affairs that lye before you-as to the other Part of your message I must assert the Kings Right and Prerogative and say that the Calling you hither is absolutely Consonant to the Kings Royal Orders to me.
However the old Romans wisely considered that while Hannibal was at their Gates all Dispute and Contention shou'd subside and as I look upon the Prov- ince in the Present Situation of Affairs to be attended with much Difficulty and Hazard in answer to your Request I have order'd the Secry to adjourn your House to morrow the 2: Inst to meet at P. Amboy.
J. BELCHER
ELIZA TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBER Augt 1 1755.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieutenant-Gover- nor Dinwiddie-about Military Proceedings.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
ELIZ: TOWN Aug 6. 1755
LIEUT GOV DINWIDDIE
Sir
I wrote you very particularly the 16: of June past by the Post and which I hope got to your hands altho' you mention nothing of it in yours of 29: of July which I recd this day by Express confirming to me the melancholy acct of the defeat of the late brave Gen1 Braddock with the Kings Troops under his Command in the Action between him & the French (the 9: Ult) on the Banks of the River Monongahela.
This unhappy Affair I am afraid will give a great Check to the plan of Operation as to Crown Point & Niagara.
1755]
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
As we have lately no particular Accots of the pro- ceedings of the Troops since there being at Skenectady no Judgment can be formed as to their Attempts whither they are destined God grant they may find better Success than what the Troops have hitherto met with.
The Constant good Accounts we receive from the Eastward of the Success of the Kings Ships and Land Forces in some measure alleviate the gloomy Prospect we are entertained with in these Southern Colonies- for the three only Forts the French had in Nova Scotia are reduced and are now garrisoned with Eng- lish Troops so that that Province is entirely evacuated by the French and His Majesty has a fine Fleet of 20 Ships of the Line Commanded by Admiral Boscawen cruising about Nova Scotia and Cape Breton to watch the motions of the French and to prevent as much as Possible their being supply'd with Provisions or war- like Stores.
Your Letter of the 2: of June I have laid before our Commissioners who have the Care of our Part of the present Armament and they tell me they have made the Remittance to Mr. Hanbury as you directed & shou'd observe your farther Orders in that matter.
As the Assemblies of Pennsylvania and of N. York · are now Sitting your honour will doubtless have an Acct from the several Gov's of what they are like to do in this Critical Conjuncture-the Assembly of this Province met here the ? Inst when I press'd upon them the absolute necessity of exerting themselves to the utmost on this important Occasion for his Majestys honour and Service as well as for their own Safety and Welfare & that of their Neighbours & I really think the Colonies (take them all together) ought immedi- ately to get together a Body of at least 20,000 men in order to their making a Rational Effort in what they have already began or otherwise their poor Inhabitants
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must expect to be Continually sacrificed to the Depre- dations & murders of the mercyless French and Indians from whom may God almighty defend and deliver them.
I remain with much Respect
Sir Your Honours Most Obedt
& Most humble Serv! L. Gov. Dinwiddie. J. BELCHER
Letter from The Lords of Trade to Governor Belcher -in answer to several received from him. [From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 16, p. 1.]
To Jonathan Belcher Esq" Governor of New Jersey.
Sir
Since our letter to you dated July the 5th 1754 We have received yours of August the 14th and 24th, No- vember, the 6th 23d and 26th, December the 28th 1754, and April the 28'? 1755, together with the several Pub- lick Papers transmitted with them.
It gave Us great pleasure to find by the last of these Letters, that the Assembly of New Jersey were at length awaken'd from that extraordinary inattention to their own Security, & that of the Neighbouring Col- onys, which you had so justly complained of in your former Letters, and that they now seemed disposed to shew a proper sense of His Majestys paternal regard to them, by an exertion of their Strength in Conjunc- tion with the other Colonys for the defence of His Maj- estys Territorys against the Incroachments and Inva- sion of a Foreign Power.
It would have given Us great satisfaction, if the Bill prepared by them for the emission of 70000 £ in paper Bills of Credit had been so framed, that We could, consistent with Our Duty, have laid it before
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His Majesty for His Approbation; but as it did not in any one Provision of it conform to His Majestys In- structions to you upon that head, We could do no otherwise than report our opinion against it; the rea- sons for which you will find fully contained in our Report upon it, a Copy of which was sent you some time since, together with His Majesty's Order in Council respecting the Bill.
We have read and considered the Papers you trans- mitted to Us, relating to the disputes between New Jersey and New York concerning the Boundary Line; and are now clearly convinced, that this Question can never be adjusted or determined but by Commission from His Majesty; the Act passed by New York for submitting the controversy to His Majesty appeared to Us to be very improper and ineffectual for that pur- pose; and therefore We laid it before His Majesty for His Disallowance, and proposed a Commission; but as the Agent for New York declined entering into any Agreement to pay his part of the Expence of taking it Out, We were under a Necessity of proposing that an Instruction should be sent to the Governor of New York to recommend it to the Assembly to make imme- diate Provision for that Purpose, and We hope it will have its Effect, and that this dispute will soon be brought to a final Issue: for it gives Us the greatest concern, that the internal peace of His Majestys Col- onys shou'd be disturbed by disagreement amongst themselves upon Questions of this kind, at a time when an exertion of their United Strength is necessary in Vindication of His Majestys Rights and in defence of His Territorys. So We bid you heartily farewell, and are
Your very Loving Friends and humble Servants,
DUNK HALIFAX
J. PITT
J. GRENVILLE
WHITEHALL August 6th 1755
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary John Read-desiring the Council and Assembly to meet him at Elizabethtown.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
MR. SECRETARY READ.
Aug. 8 1755
Sir
The Advices I have recd this morning make it neces- sary I shou'd see the Council & Assembly here to im- part them to them it is therefore my Order that when this Comes to hand you adjourn them accordingly to meet me at this Place tomorrow as what I have to say cannot be so well done by Message.
It is now Eight days since the Opening of the Ses- sion a great Part of which time has been spent in pass- ing between this Place and Amboy and the Case must still be so to the great Expence of the Province and to the Delay of the Publick Affairs while the Kings Gov- ernour is in the Providence of God disabled from trav- elling.
You know, Sir, I have been for near twelve months out of Pocket for Expresses sent for the Safety of the Province tho' I know no reason why it shou'd be so or that the King's Serv's shou'd advance money while pursueing the weal and prosperity of the People but there shou'd be always a Provision in the Treasury for Contingencies and more especially during the present Crisis of Affairs.
I have been expecting to hear from your House re- specting the Choice of a Speaker pro tempore in Mr. Lawrence's Absence. I have particular Matters to lay before His Majesty's Council in which the Attendance of the Sec'ry will be absolutely necessary.
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My kind Respects to His Majesty's Council & to the House of Assembly to whom you may Communicate this Letter. I am
Honoble Sir Your ready Friend J. BELCHER.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieut .- Governor De Lancy, of New York, about Laws to enforce em- bargoes.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
ELIZ: TOWN Aug 8 1755
L. Gov' DELANCEY
Sir
* * * As the Assembly is now sitting I shall press upon them the passing a Law as mentioned in my last1 for your Honour is sensible that altho' Governours may issue Proclamations of Imbargo yet without a Law they can impose no mulcts or Fines for the Breach of them.
If the Assembly here finally come into Resolutions of doing what is proper in the difficult Situation of Affairs I agree with you that it will be best to do it by raising of more. men & with the greatest Dispatch to be sent to Coll Schuyler for reinforcing Genl' Shirley. I am with much Esteem & Respect
Sir Your Honours Most Obedt & Most humble Servant. J. BELCHER.
1 July 30, 1755, he wrote to Lieut. Gov. Delancey: "I am to meet the Assembly of this Province to-morrow, when I shall press upon their doing something effectual for restraining the Exportation of Provisions and warlike Stores for such Time as may be judged necessary."-ED.
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Message of Governor Belcher to the Council and Gen- eral Assembly of New Jersey.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.] Gentlemen of the Council & of the General As- sembly
Since the opening of this Session by my Speech of the first Inst. I have a Letter from L. Gov' Delancey of N. York with several Papers of great Importance to this and all the English Colonies in North America and these things the Secretary shall deliver you.
As the Province of the Massachusetts are raising with all expedition five hundred fresh Recruits and N. York four hundred I am fully of Opinion the best aid and assistance we of this Province can give will be in the raising of as many men as we possibly can and to send them with the greatest Dispatch to join Coll Schuyler's Regiment under the Command of General Shirley.
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