USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the colonial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume VIII > Part 31
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We must not sink under the Gloom of the late un- happy event but as becomes true English men our Spirits must rise with our Difficulties and we must make them more strong and vigorous Push to emerge out of them.
Upon reading the Gov' of Nova Scotia" Letter to the Gov' of the Massachusett's I think it my Duty to repeat & press upon you the Passing a Law without delay in strict Prohibition of the Exportation of Provisions of any kind from this Province for three Months to come, the Act to be so restricted and qualified as may be the least detrimental to our selves or Neighbours for altho' the Gov' may issue a Proclamation of Embargo yet it is the Legislature only that can impose mulcts & Fines on such Offenders as shall presume contrary to Nature & Reason to supply our Enemies with Provisions and thereby prevent their falling a Prey into our hands.
129
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
1755]
Altho' I have once and again recommended to you the revising and amending the Militia Bill yet I must now again recommend it to your serious Consideration as a thing absolutely necessary to defend and save the Poor People of this Province on the Frontiers from the merciless depredations and Cruelties of the French and Indians, for as we have no regular Troops we have (under God) no force or hope but what we may expect from the Militia of the Province and it ought therefore to be put under a better regulation than it might be on common Occasion.
Gentlemen, as any thing new comes to my Hands I shall be communicating it to you and I pray God to di- rect your Deliberations into the best measures for lengthning out the welfare and Prosperity of the good People under our Care.
J. BELCHER ELIZ: TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBER Augt 9. 1755.
Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor Sir Charles Hardy, of New York-recommending the appointment of a Commissioner to arrange the boundary difficulties with New Jersey.
[From N. Y. Col. Docts., Vol. VI, p. 960.]
[Tho. Centaur, Hardwicke, C. Granville, T. Marlborough, C. P. S.]
Additional Instruction to Sir Charles Hardy Knight Captain Gen! and Govr in Chief in & over His Majty's provce of New York and the territories depending thereon in America ; or in his absence to the Lieut' Govr, President 9
130
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
of the Council, or Commander in Chief of the said province for the time being. Given at Whitehall the 12th day of August 1755, in the 29th year of His Majtys Reign
Whereas it has been represented unto us, that a controversy has for many Years subsisted between his Majesty's Provinces of New York & New Jersey con- cerning the true line of partition between the said pro- vinces, on account of which great outrages have from time to time been committed on the frontiers of the said provinces, to the prejudice of His Majty's service and the disturbance of the public peace, and whereas it is of the greatest importance to the tranquility and welfare of the said provinces that a line of property and Jurisdiction should be speedily settled between them, which can only be done by a Commission to be issued by His Majesty for that purpose, with liberty to all parties who shall think themselves aggrieved by the Judgment of the Commissioners thereby to be ap- pointed, to appeal from such Judgment to His Majes- ty in his privy Council; and whereas the Agent for the Proprietors of New Jersey, has declared himself will- ing to concurr on their behalf in this measure, as the only proper and effectual means of determining the matter in dispute, and has offered to give ample secu- rity that the said proprietors shall and will defray one half of the expence of obtaining and executing such a Commission: You are therefore hereby authorized and required earnestly to recommend it, in His Majesty's name, to the Assembly of the Province of New York, under your Govern', that they do make speedy and effectual provision for defraying the other moiety of the expence of obtaining and executing such commis- sion, as aforesaid, whenever His Majesty shall be gra- ciously pleased to issue the same.
131
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
1755]
Letter from Governor Belcher to his nephew, Mr. Oliver-about the condition of the forces on the frontier.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
Aug 21 1755
MR. OLIVER
Sir
* * * I think a Gloom at Present hangs over his Majestys Colonies on this Continent nor do I conceive any great hopes about Crown Point or Niagara but rather think the Kings Troops for both those Attempts are too short in Numbers and too late to do anything this Year.
The Colonies this way have made strict Prohibitions of the Exportation of Provisions of any kind yet I have but a lean hope of thats bringing forth so great an Event as we wou'd fain feed our selves with espec- ially if what we have by a Vessel at Phila of 20: of June from Lisbon be true that a fleet of 24 Sail of French Ships was ready to sail for America and that S' Edward Hawk was to follow them with a strong Squadron.
The present Complexion of Affairs seems to forbode this Continents being the Seat of War. Deus avertat ! I am
Honoble & dear Sir Your affectionate Uncle.
J. BELCHER
Representation from the Lords of Trade to the Lords Justices, with an account of the number of white inhabitants in the Colonies.
[From P. R. O. B. T. Plantations General, No. 39, Ent. Book K, p. 423.]
An Account of the Number of White Inhabitants in His Majesty's Colonies in North America, distinguishing the Number of the Militia or of Men capable of bearing Arms, taken from the last Returns transmitted to the Lords Commis- sioners for Trade and Plantations, and, where those Returns are defective, from the best Accounts which can be obtained
Augst 29, 1755
COLONIES.
DATES OF THE RETURNS.
TOTAL NUMBER OF WHITES.
MILITIA.
MEN CAPABLE OF BEARING ARMS.
Georgia
1752
3,000
South Carolina
1752
25,000
5,000
North Carolina.
1755
50,000
13,000
Virginia
1755
125,000
28,000
Maryland
1749
100,000
12,500
Pennsylvania Connecticut
No Returns since the Year 1730; but accord- ( ing to the best accounts_ 1755
100,000
Rhode Island
30,000
New Jersey.
75,000
10,000
New York
55,000
12,000
Massachusetts Bay
200,000
40,000
New Hampshire
75,000
6,000 1,200
Nova Scotia
1754
4,000
Total
1,062,000
* N. B. Of these 100,000 are Germans, & other foreign Protestants.
132
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
I
I
1
1
I
1
1
*220,000
25,000
I
I
1
1
No Returns since the Year 1738; but accord- ( ing to the best Accounts_ 1755
[1755
133
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
1755]
Letter from Governor Belcher to Sir John St. Clair -upon the necessity of driving the French from America.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
ELIZA: TOWN Sept 3 1755
SIR JNº ST CLAIR
Sir
Your Favour of the 12: of Augt came to my hands 30th. The unfortunate Affair you mention of the 9: of July has drawn a melancholy Gloom over the Proceed- ings of the Kings Troops this way and it seems to me that the rest of the Plan & Operation will hardly be carryed into Execution this Summer in any one article and if so the French will have gain'd a vast Advantage. however, I agree with you that our Spirits shoud rise with our difficulties and we must this Winter be re- doubling the Number of Troops & early in the Spring to pursue the Plan of Operation as it has been form'd.
But I wou'd carry my thoughts still further & say Carthago est delenda Canada must be rooted out or the Crown of Great Britain may soon lose all it at Present Enjoys in these Colonies of Nº America and in Order to this I. think it absolutely necessary (& worth the while) for the Several Colonies (from Nova Scotia to Georgia) to raise twenty five thousand men & five thousand more to be sent from Great Britain to be In- corporated with them & thus to pursue the Matter of extirpating the French or they will in the Course of a little Time drive all his Majestys Subjects into the Sea, for they seem already to have drawn a Line of Cir- cumvallation about us confining us to very narrow Limits. I was very sorry to hear you was wounded but rejoiced at same time that you did not meet the same fate with many other brave Gentlemen that fell
134
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
on the fatal day. May God Almighty heal your Wounds and restore you to perfect health & Strength for the Service of your King & Country to your still greater honour and if at any time I may be capable of rendering you any Services you may with Freedom dispose of
Sir Your very humb: Serv.,
J. BELCHER
Letter from Thomas Pownall, Esq., Lieut .- Governor of New Jersey, to the Lords of Trade-expressing his obligations in being recommended by their Lordships for that office.
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 8, I. 14.]
To ye Right Honble the Lords Commissioners for Trade & Plantations
N YORK Sep. 7. 1755.
My Lords
I have receiv'd by S! Charles Hardy, His Majestys Commission appointing me Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, to which Post & Honor it has pleased Your Lordships to recommend me to His Majesty.
Permitt me, My Lords, to make my Acknowledge- ments & return my most gratefull Thanks for so high & so undeservd a Favor; And to assure Your Lord- ship's that what is not in my power, Abilities equal to so great a Trust, I will endeavor to supply by a faith- full Attention to His Majestys Service with Assiduity and Industry. I have ye honor to be, My Lords
Your Lordships most Obligd most Gratefull & Obedient Servant
T. POWNALL
135
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
1755]
Letter from Governor Belcher to Richard Partridge -about appointment of Lieutenant-Governor.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
ELIZ: TOWN Sept 17 1755
Bro: Partridge (Extract.)
As to the Appointment of a Lieu Gov" for this Province it is quite a new thing & you must be watch- ful at the Offices in a silent manner so as to know if any Attempt shou'd be made to my Prejudice to be early with L-C-to prevent any severity or hardship.
When you think it may be of Service it will be well to put my Speeches into the Publick Prints.
* Sir, Your loving Brother
J. BELCHER
Letter from Governor Belcher to Sir Thomas Robinson -- about raising additional troops, etc.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
Sepr: 17 1755
SIR THOMAS ROBINSON
Sir
My last was on the 30th of April and I hope it got well to your hands.
I am now to own the honour of yours of 16: of April & 19: of June. * * * In these Letters I observe with duty and gratitude his Majesty's Early and Paternal Care and Goodness in sending a Squadron of Ships of War under the Command of vice Admiral Boscawen in Protection of His Colonies on the Con- tinent of North America & this the said Admiral has
136
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
also lately wrote me from Nova Scotia that upon the first advice I shou'd send him of any approaching Danger of the Enemy on the Coasts of these Colonies he shou'd endeavour to give all the Assistance he cou'd for their Defence & Protection and I shall be sedulous and vigilant on all Occasions to get what Intelligence I can of the Motions of the Enemy & transmitt them to the said Admiral so as may best of all conduce to his Majesty's Interest and honour & to the Safety & Welfare of these his Provinces.
I shall, Sir, strictly conform myself to the Purport of Your Letter of 19: of June and not draw any Bills upon the Paymaster General - His Deputy or any other Person nor shou'd I have presumed to have done it without such a Caution unless I shou'd have had His Majestys special direction of Leave so to do.
I am glad to repeat to you, Sir, that the Assembly of this little Province have in a late Session made ample Provision in Support of a Regiment of five hundred men till May next & this they have done with great Alacrity & Unanimity and I doubt not they will still go on to do their Proportionable Share in further Sup- port of his Majesty's Interest and honour and of the Welfare & Safety of this Colony & those of their Neigh- bours. And now, Sir, you will give me Leave to say that the Defeat and death of the late brave and Gallant General Braddock at first drew a Gloom over the Operations of the Kings Troops as to the Places they were destined to but God be thanked the several Bodies of the Kings Troops are again roused and in good Spirits pursuing the plan of Operation with all the Prudent Expedition they can & yet I hardly think any great matter of advantage against the Enemy will be ob- tained this Year for We find the French and their Indians every where more numerous and Strong than we imagined.
137
1755]
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
Will you then, Sir, indulge me while I say I think unless Quebeck and the whole Canadian Country be reduced to His Britanick Majesty's Obedience the French will in the Course of a few Years be Masters of all North America (& make it a fine Empire) I wou'd therefore humbly propose that there shou'd be raised from Nova Scotia to Georgia (thirteen English Provinces) Twenty five Thousand effective men & His Majesty to send five Thousand British Regulars to be incorporated with them and so to make the whole Body Thirty thousand men & also to send a Strong Squadron of Ships to the Gulph of St Lawrence to as- sist in the Reduction of Quebeck & this whole Arma- ment to be ready by all the Month of May next to proceed upon the Business, Carthago est delenda, or we do nothing to the Purpose-but what I propose I believe will not be effected without the Assistance of the British Parliament to mark out & ascertain the several Quotas or Proportions of men & Money to be raised in each several Colony or Province.
If I am too forward in what I have suggested I shall humbly hope for his Majesty's Pardon since it springs from an ardent desire that His Majesty and His Royal house may in future Ages sway the Scepter over all N. America.
I am with the greatest Deference & Regard
Honble Sir, Your most Faithful &c.
J BELCHER -Sept 17. 1755 Sir Thom: Robinson.
138
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
[1755
Letter from the Lords of Trade to Sir Thomas Rob- inson, Secretary of State - recommending the establishing of packet-boats between England and the Colonies.
[From P. R. O. B. T. Plantations General, No. 39, Ent. Book K, p. 426.] To the R. Honble St. Thomas Robinson, one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State.
WHITEHALL Sept. 18, 1755 Sir,
Having thought it our Duty humbly to represent to His Majesty the Expediency, arising from the present Situation of Affairs, of establishing Paquet Boats be- tween this Kingdom & His Majesty's Colonies and Islands in America, in order to prevent the Prejudice which must necessarily arise to His Majesty's Service from the precarious and uncertain Method, in which the Correspondence to and from the Plantations is carried on by Merchant-Ships, We beg leave to inclose to you Our Representation to His Majesty upon that Subject, and We desire you will be pleased to lay it before His Majesty. We are, &c.
DUNK HALIFAX. J. PITT. J. GRENVILLE. ANDREW STONE.
Exª
TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
May it please Your Majesty,
The great Delays, Miscarriages and other Accidents, which have always, but more especially of late, at- tended the Correspondence between this Kingdom and Your Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America from the very precarious and uncertain Method, in
139
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
1755]
which it is usually carried on by Merchant Ships, have been attended with great Inconvenience and Prejudice to Your Majesty's Service and to the Trade and Com- merce of Your Majesty's Subjects; And as it appears to Us to be of the highest importance, that Your Maj- esty should, in the present Situation of Affairs in America, have early, certain and frequent Intelligence of what is in agitation there, and of the true State of your Colonies, We think it our Duty humbly to pro- pose, that Paquet-Boats should be forthwith estab- lished between this Kingdom and the American Colonies and Islands, in like manner as was done in the last War for the Islands; and that there should be two or more, as shall be thought most advisable, estab- lished for the Colonies on the Continent, to be em- ployed in going and returning between Falmouth or some other of the Western Ports and New York, which is nearest Centre of Your Majesty's Colonies in North America.
Which is most humbly submitted.
DUNK HALIFAX.
J. PITT.
J. GRENVILLE ANDREW STONE.
WHITEHALL Sept". 18. 1755.
Exª
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Pownall-con- gratulating him on being appointed Lieutenant- Governor of New Jersey.
ELIZ: TOWN Sept 19 1755
MR POWNALL
Sir,
Yesterday I recd yours of that date which gives me the Notice that His Majesty has been graciously pleased to do you the honour of appointing you to the Lieu-
140
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
tenancy of this Province on which I hereby send you my Congratulatory Complimts and agreeable to your Desire I have directed the D: Secry to send Expresses for summoning his Majesty's Council to meet me here as soon as they can on Monday the 22: Inst in Order to your Qualification in the said Post before the Gov' in Council.
My Compliments to Mr. Alexander who I hope will come with you.
I am with Esteem and Respect Honoble
Sir Your Friend & Most Humble Serv! J BELCHER.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Yard, one of the Commissioners for procuring supplies for the troops.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.] ELIZTH TOWN Sept 27 1755
Sir
Mr. Johnston of Amboy is now with me & has brought S' John St Clair with him who brings me a Letter from Col' Dunbar from Phila telling me he in- tends to be at Trenton on Wednesday the first of the next Month with the Troops under his Command being near seventeen hundª men (officers included) and for which Sir John St Clair tells me will be wanting-Thirty seven Wagons for their Baggage-Twenty one horses for drawing the Cannon & Amunition-Waggons-and Ninety Saddle Horses, & for each man a day, a Pound of meat and a pound of Biscuit (or Flower) So that you and Mr. Johnston must with all dispatch possible make this necessary Provision-I say there must be no delay least the King's Service shou'd greatly suffer.
I am Sir your ready Friend & Serv'
J BELCHER
1755]
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
141
Letter from Governor Belcher to Governor Hardy of New York.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
Oct. 1 1755
GOVER' HARDY
Sir
I doubt not but your Excy: duly recd mine of the 5: of Sept as I since did yours of 5: & 14th of the same month and your Excy may depend I shall in duty to His Majesty as well as with Pleasure to my self keep an Exact Correspondence with you in all things rela- tive to His Majesty's Service & Interest and to the Welfare & Prosperity of this and the neighbouring Colonies more especially in this critical Conjuncture of Affairs.
I thank your Excelly for the Accot you inclosed me of the Action between General Johnston and the French & I return your Compliments of Congratulation on the Success of His Majesty's Troops in that Occa- sion & as Major General Johnston (when the Recruits get to him) will make up near seven thousand men I hope we shall in due time receive good News from Crown Point. I was heartily glad to find your Excelly imbarking for Albany where I am sensible your Pres- ence and best Advice must greatly contribute to His Majesty's Service,
If you can at any time point out to me the doing your Excelly any Personal acceptable Service I shall imbrace it with Pleasure being
Sir Your Excellys most obedt &c.
J BELCHER
142
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to Governor Hardy, of New York, about the Boundary Line.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J, Hist. Soc.] Governor Hardy.
Oct 2 1755
Sir
I wrote your Excell' yesterday in Answer to your last Favours and I now again write you at the especial Request of His Majesty's Council respecting the long Dispute about the Line between this and His Majestys Province of N. York in which Affair I understand your Excelly may soon receive his Majesty's Royal Orders and which I doubt not you will execute on your Part with the strictest Justice & Impartiality & you may most assuredly depend on my doing the same that this Controversy may soon be brought to a just and happy Conclusion.
I put this under Mr. Alexander's Cover to be for- warded to you and who will at same time furnish your Excelly with all the Papers relating to this Affair. I am with much Esteem & Respect
Sir Your Excellys Most Obedt &c.
J BELCHER
Letter from Governor Belcher to James Alexander at New York.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
Mr Alexander
Sir
Oct. 14 1755
* * I shall not forget to write the Lords of Trade in the affair depending between N. Jersey and N. York p the first Vessel from your Place to London.
143
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
1755]
As your Governmt have taken off the Prohibition of the Exportation of Provisions I shall do the like here. I thank you kindly for the Book you have sent me of Doct" Cheynes on the Gout of which I shall be very carefull and return it in due time. I am Honoble Sir Yours &c.
J BELCHER
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieut .- Gov. Dinwid- die, of Pennsylvania-in relation to movements of Troops, etc.
Lt Gov Dinwiddie
Sir
Oct 16 1755
I have now lying before me your Honour's Favour of the 20: of the last month.
As to Col' Dunbar moving from Fort Cumberland to Albany he wrote me from Phila it was in Con- . formity to the Orders he had recd from General Shirley & the General himself writes me the same.
I expect the Frontiers of these southern Colonies will be continually harassd and distressd by the bar- barous French & Indians and yet as they are very well able to defend themselves I believe the King expects they shou'd do all they can in their own Protection and your Honours raising 1000 men in defence of your own Province sets a handsome Example to your Neighbours.
General Johnston with the Troops under his Com- mand behaved bravely in the late Action between him and the French & which makes us some amends in the unfortunate Affair upon the Monongahela and since that I dont hear our Forces have been in Motion altho' we have at Albany near 2000-at Oswego up- wards 2000-with General Johnston 6000 make in all
144
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
about ten thousand men & yet I understand all further operations are put off till the next Spring & a poor Campaign to be recorded in History! God grant we may do better the next Year.
When any thing occurs within my Knowledge for the Kings Service I shall hand it to your Honour & be expecting the same from you. I am in the mean time & always Sir Your Honours Most Obedt &c.
J BELCHER
Letter from the Post Master General to the Lords of Trade-informing them of the establishment of regular monthly Packets to the Colonies.
[From P. R. O. B. T., Plantations General, No. 13, O., 130.]
To the Right Honble Lords Commiss's of Trade & Plantations.
General Post Office the 21st October 1755.
My Lords,
We have in obedience to His Majesty's Commands, provided Vessells for the carrying on a regular Monthly Correspondence with His Majesty's American Islands, & his Colonies on the Main, and we propose to dis- patch one for the Islands in the beginning of next Month, so that the mail to go by her, may be sent from the Office on the 8th She will take the usual course of Barbados, Antego, Montserrat, Nevis, St Christopher's & Jamaica, and so home.
It is intended the Vessel for the Continent shall sail for New York, about the middle of next month, so as the mail may be sent from the Office on the 15th
These Vessells are to be kept intirely to the Service of correspondence, and on this Account We must give the Publick as early an Account as We can, of this
1755]
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 145
Establishment. We must therefore desire to be in- form'd whether the time propos'd for this first Dis- patch will suit that branch of His Majesty's Affairs under Your Lordship's direction, or that a longer time may be requir'd.
It is intended two other Packet Boats, one for the Islands, and one for the Main shall depart in one Month after each of these, and so on, for the support of a regular Monthly dispatch, with which it shall be our endeavour that nothing, except unavoidable Acci- dents shall interfere, and Your Lordships shall con- stantly have the earliest notice of every intended Dis- patch.
As this is the first step that has been taken in the Establishment of a regular correspondence with the Main of His Majesty's American Dominions, We have made a provision for a longer stay of this Vessell at New York. It is express'd in the Contract, that she shall remain there 20 days, but she is to stay longer if His Majesty's Affairs shall require it, upon a dimorrage stipulated, and We have used all the means which have offer'd, to give our Deputy for the Continent notice of this intended Establishment, that he may make the best dispositions there, the time will admit of, for carrying His Majestys' intentions into execu- tion.
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