USA > New York > The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 3 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
The legislature of New-York, in December 1756, passed a law for billeting and quartering the King's forces upon the inhabitants of the province. It was to continue in force to the first of January, 1758. Duties were imposed on all imports. A stamp act was introduced ; and indeed every thing which would wring money from a people impoverished and borne down by two disastrous campaigns.
Notwithstanding the ill success which had thus far attended the combined armies of America and Great Britain, and not- withstanding the untrueness of his lordships assertions, that all the disasters of the preceding campaign were attributable to the Americans, and that a few Highland Scotch had saved the country from being overrun ; the colonies still cherished the hope, that their future efforts, under abler counsellors and bet- ter generals than his lordship, would be attended with more success; they therefore exerted themselves, disregarding his asseverations, to bring a formidable force into the field, and the winter was spent in great preparations. The requisitions of lord Loudoun were complied with, and he found himself in VOL. III.
4
261 .
HISTORY OF THE
the spring at the head of a formidable army, not composed of a few Highlanders and British troops, for these would have scarcely formed the rear guard, but of Provincials. It was not now doubted, that some important enterprise would be undertaken against Canada, as soon as the armament expected from Europe should arrive.
In the beginning of July, Admiral Holbourn arrived at Halifax, with a squadron and transports under his command, and a reinforcement of five thousand men under the command of George Viscount Howe, and on the sixth of the same month the Earl of Loudoun sailed from the city of New-York with six thousand men, to join the troops lately arrived from Eu- rope. at the place of their arrival. When the junction was effected, the whole force amounted to twelve thousand men.
But after collecting the land and naval forces at this point, in- telligence was received, that a fleet had lately arrived from Brest, and that Louisburgh was garrisoned by a regular army of six thousand men exclusive of Provincials, and was also defended by seventeen line of battle ships, which were moored in the harbour. The commanders were fully apprised of the conse- quences of an unsuccessful attempt ; and it was therefore resolv- ed to abandon the expedition for the present.
Lord Loudoun's departure from New-York with so consid- erable a body of troops, afforded the Marquis de Montcalm the . fairest opportunity of improving the successes of the former campaign In March he had made an attempt to carry Fort William Henry, at the head of Lake George, but, although he failed, he succeeded in destroying two sloops, almost all the batteaux, three store-houses, and every thing not covered by the guns of the fort.
Colonel Parker, with a detachment of men, in the early part of the campaign, went by water, in whale-boats, to attack the enemy's advanced guard, at Ticonderoga, and landing at night on an island, he dispatched, before dawn, three boats to the main land, which they took. Having procured informa- tion of the colonel's design, they concerted their measures ac- cordingly, and placed three hundred men in ambush, behind the
-
27
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
point where Colonel Parker intended to land, and sent three batteaux to the piace of rendezvous. Colonel. Parker mistak- ing these for his own boats, eagerly put to shore, where he was surrounded by the enemy, reinforced with four hundred men, and attacked with such impetuosity that of the whole detachment, only two officers and seventy private men escaped. Flushed , with this advantage, and animated with the absence of the British general-in-chief, the Marquis de Montcalm, collected an army which, with the Canadians and Indians, amounted, as is said, to nine' thousand men, and proceeded directly to Fort William Henry. This fort was garrisoned with three thousand men, under the command of Colonel Monroe. The fortifica- tions were strong, and in very good condition. Oa the very day he invested the place, he summoned the commander to sur- render, which was refused, under a hope that succour would be sent. Upon this, the French opened a tremendous fire from their 'batteries, which they kept up for six days, at the end of which, the garrison capitulated on account of a want of am- munition. During this time, General Webb remained at Fort Edward, with four thousand .men, and made no effectual at- tempt to annoy the enemy, or afford relief to the garrison.
When this important place was surrendered, the commander- in-chief had not yet returned from Halifax. The loss of Fort Edward, it was feared would quickly follow that of Fort Wil- liam Henry, and the whole northern frontier be laid open to the formidable enemy, who menaced its invasion. On the first ap- proach of the enemy towards him, General Webb had applied for additional troops, which were held in reserve for the purpose of assisting him in case of emergency, and the utmost exer- tions were made to furnish them from the militia. It is not im- probable that these exertions were among the causes which re- strained Montcalm from marching to Fort Edward. The re- turn of the regulars to New-York, on the last of August, dis- pelled the fear of an invasion.
Foiled in all his endeavours to reap laurels from the common enemy, the earl of Londoun, after placing his army in winter quarters, found himself engaged in a controversy with Massa-
28
HISTORY OF THE
chusetts, in the beginning of which, at least, he displayed a de- gree of vigour, which had till now, been kept in reserve for two campaigns. This controversy is thus stated by Mr. Minot.
" Upon information from the governor, that a regiment of Highlanders was expected in Boston, the general court pro- vided barracks for one thousand men at Castle Island, not as an expense which could be of right, demanded of the inhabit- ants, but as an advance of money on the national account. Soon after several officers arrived from Nova Scotia, to recruit their regiments, which could not be done if they were to be lodged in the barracks at the castle. They made application to the justices of the peace, to quarter and billet them, as pro- vided by act of Parli unent; but met with a refusal on the principle, no doubt, that the act did not extend to this country. In cousequence, lord Loudoun sent a letter, November 15th, 1757, insisting peremptorily on the right demanded, as the act for quartering did, in his opinion, extend to America, and every part of his Majesty's dominions, where the necessities of the people should oblige him to send those troops, either for the defence of those dominions, or the protection of his sub- jects. . After descanting largely on the question, he conclud- ed in the following decisive manner ; that having used gentle- ness and patience, and confuted their arguments without effect, they having returned to their mistaken plan ; their not comply- ing, would lay him under the necessity of taking measures to prevent the whole continent from being thrown into confusion. As nothing was wanting to set things right, but the justices doing their duty (for no act of the assembly was necessary, or wanting for it) he had ordered the messenger to remain only forty-eight hours in Boston ; and if on his return, he found things not settled, he would instantly order into Boston the three batedlions from New York, Long Island and Connecti- cut ; and if more were wanting, he had two in the Jerseys, at hand, besides those in Pennsylvania. As public business obliged him to take another route, he had no more time to settle this material affair, and must take the necessary steps before his departure, in case they were not done by themselves."
1
.
29
-
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
The general court passed a law. This law was far short of his lordship's expectation, which he failed not to communicate. by a letter, which the governor laid before the assembly. 'i hey answered it by a spirited address to his excellency, in which the spirit of their fathers seemed to revive. They again asserted, that the parts of the act of Parliament, relating to this subject, did not extend to the colonies and plantations. They assert- ed their natural rights ; that by the royal charter, the powers and privileges of civil government were granted to them ; that the enjoyment of these was their support under all bur- dens, and would animate them to resist an invading enemy to. the last. My lord, upon receiving the address, and some as- surances from the governor, lowered his peak and countermand- ed the march of the troops.
But to return to the affairs of the Province of New-York .. The assembly, in the winter of 1757, adopted measures to complete its contingent of troops, and prepare them for active operations.
On the third of June, Sir Charles Hardy, who had been promoted to the rank of rear admiral in the British navy, re- signed the office of governor to James Delancey, who had for- merly filled the office of lieutenant governor.
The legislature, in their session, held in December the same year, among thie acts passed, enacted one with some additions, prolonging the several militia acts. The additions merely re- lated to the counties of Orange and Ulster, and consisted in this, that it empowered the commanding officers, in the back settlements, to call out the militia under their respective com- mands, in cases of invasions. These counties, at this time, were thinly peopled, and had extensive frontiers, which were not unfrequently exposed to the inroads of the Indians. The set- tlements, in general, were insulated, and did not extend so far back as they now do, especially those of Ulster. Woods, and mountains intervened between these settlements. We have no way of ascertaining. the population, or even the militia of these counties, at this period ; about seven years before, the latter amounted to three thousand men.
30
HISTORY OF THE
In Orange, the Minisink settlement was on the then frontier. It Jay along Basler's-kill and Neversiuk river. Between it- and the other settlements lay the Shawangunk mountain, over which there were then only some rude paths. Between it and Ulster, many miles of woods intervened. On the west there was a forest which stretched westwardly to Lake Erie.
The acts laying duties on imports, and continuing the stamp act, were extended. An act to keep up the currency of the bills of credit was also made.
The campaign of 1757 had terminated disastrously, leaving the affairs of Great Britain in America in a worse situation . . than at any former period. By the reduction and destruction of Oswego on Lake Ontario, and the capture and demolition of fort William Henry at the head of Lake George, the French had obtained the entire dominion of Lakes Ontario and George. By means of Fort du Quesne too on the Ohio, they maintained their ascendancy over the Indians and held undisturbed posses- sion of all the country west of the Alleghany mountains, while the colonies were restricted to the country between the Atlantic ocean and the east side of those mountains. With a very infe- rior force, the French had been successful in every campaign and now threatened the subversion of the colonies. .
A change however in the British ministry, by which Mr. Pitt was placed at the head of the cabinet, gave a new aspect to affairs in America. Mr. Pitt was very popular in the colo- nies. He assured them, that formidable forces should be sent over to act in concert with the colonies, both by sea and land ; he recommended to them, to raise as large bodies of men with- in their respective governments as they could ; and lie inform- ed them, that arms, ammunition, tents, provisions and boats should be provided by the crown.
The legislature of Massachusetts voted seven thousand men ; Connecticut agreed to furnish five thousand ; and New Hamp- shire three thousand ; New-York contributed two thousand six hundred and eighty effective men. So high was the public spirit and so great were the exertions, that the American troops were ready to take the field very early in May. Nearly one
1
31
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
third of the effective men of Massachusetts are said by Mr. Minot to have been in military service, in some mode or other ; and the taxes are represented to have been so heavy, that in Boston they amounted to two thirds of the income of real estate.
In the mother country too, was transfused into every de- partment a degree of vigorous activity. Her fleets blocked up the ports of Frauce, and prevented the supplies of men and · stores destined for Canada, from going out. Admiral Boscaw- en arrived early in the spring at Halifax, with a powerful fleet and twelve thousand land forces, under the command of General Amherst.
We have already, noticed the contingent of New-York. The whole number of men required by the British ministry, from the colonies, was twenty thousand. Towards defraying the expenses of these, the assembly voted, one hundred thousand pounds, which were to be levied by a tax. To meet this sum immediately, bills of credit to the same amount were issued, and made payable in November 1768, with interest.
This tax, when we consider the population and circumstan- ces of the province at that time, and the difference in the value of money was enormous.
The act authorising a levy of two thousand six hundred and eighty men, gives the quotas to be furnished by each county in the province ; to wit :
The city and county of New- York, 312 men.
The city and county of Albany,
514 do.
King's county,
63 do.
Queen's county,
290 do.
Suffolk county, -
290 do.
Richmond county,
55 do. ·
West Chester county,
394 do.
Dutchess county, 389 do.
Ulster county, 228 do.
Orange county,
147 do.
2,680 men.
32
HISTORY OF THE
These were to be raised in case volunteers could not be pro- cured. There was a clause in the act, which subjected all free negroes, mustees and mulatoes to be detached indiscriminately. . An act was passed at this session, empowering justices of the peace to try causes to the amount of ten pounds. Hence, it obtained the name of the ten pound act This superseded the five pound act, as the latter had the forty shilling act. . We have noticed the mutations which were made in this court, un- der the colonial government. The objects of the law, accord- ing to the preamble, were to facilitate the collection of debts, prevent litigation and correct abuses. How far the second and third objects have been attained, suitors can best determine.
.
-
The Earl of Loudoun had, after two inglorious campaigns, returned to Europe, and the command of all the forces had devolved on General Abercrombie. He now saw himself at the head of the most powerful army ever seen in America. His whole numbers, comprehending troops of every description, have been computed by Mr. Belsham, at fifty thousand men, of whom about twenty-five thousand were Provincials. To have been irresistible, this force required only energy and skill in its direction. 'The objects of the campaign were no longer defeated by delays.
Three expeditions were proposed for this year. The first was against Louisburgh; the second was against Ticonderoga and Crown Point; and the third was against Fort du Quesne. The forces, destined against Louisburgh, amounted to twelve or fourteen thousand men and were commanded by Major General Amherst. Those destined against Ticonderoga consisted of six- teen thousand men, and were under the command of Aber- crombie. Those employed against Fort du Quesne comprised a force of about eight thousand men; commanded by Brigadier General Forbes.
General Amherst embarked with his troops at Halifax, May 24th, and in conjunction with Admiral Boscawen sailed from . Louisbourgh, where he arrived the second of June. The gar- rison of this place, consisting of about three thousand men in- dluding some militia, was commanded by the Chevalier du
.
1
33
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
Drucourt. " Amherst, soon after his arrival, commenced the siege, which was prosecuted with so much vigor, that the place surrendered on the twenty-seventh day of July. The reduction of Lonisbourgh, Island Royal, St. John's, and their dependencies, very essentially diminished the military and naval strength of France in America, and opened the way for the reduction of Canada.
The expedition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point was conducted by Abercrombie in person. In the beginning of July he embarked his forces, amounting to nearly seven thou- sand regulars and ten thousand Provincials, on Lake George, on board of nine hundred batteaux, and one hundred and thirty-five whale boats with provisions, artillery and ammunition. Several pieces of cannon were mounted on rafts, to cover the proposed landing at the outlet of the lake. Early the next morning he reached the landing place, which was in a cove on the west side of the lake near its issue, leading to the advanced guard of the enemy, composed of one battalion, in a logged camp. He immediately debarked his forces, and after having formed them into three columns, marched to the enemy's advanc. ed post, which was abandoned with precipitation. He con- tinued his march with the army towards Ticonderoga, with the intention of investing it ; but the rout lying through a thick wood that did not adinit of any regular progression, and the guides proving extremely ignorant, the troops were bewildered, and the columns broken by falling in one on another. Lord Howe being advanced at the head of the right center column, encountered a French detachment, that had likewise lost its way in the retreat from the advanced post, and a warm skir- mish ensuing, the enemy were routed with considerable loss; and one hundred and forty-eight were taken prisoners. This advantage was purchased at a dear rate. Lord Howe, and one other officer, besides privates, were killed. " The former is spo- ken of in very high terms for his bravery. Abercrombie perceiv- ing the troops were greatly fatigued and disordered, deemed it advisable to fall back to the landing place. Then he detached Lieutenant Colonel Bradstreet, with a detachment, to take pos-
VOL. III.
5
34
HISTORY OF THE
session of a saw mill in the vicinity of Ticonderoga, which the enemy had abandoned. This post being secured, Abercrombie advanced again towards Ticonderoga, where he understood frow the prisoners, the enemy had assembled eight battalions, with a body of Canadians and Indians, amounting in all to six thousand men. The actual number, however, was considerably less, not exceeding four thousand men, as was afterwards ascertained. These, they said, being encamped before the fort, were employ- ed in making a formidable intrenchment, where they intended to wait for a reinforcement of three thousand men, who had been detached under the command of M. de Levi, to make a diversion on the side of the Mohawk ; but upon intelligence of Abercrombie's approach, were now recalled for the defence of Ticonderoga. This information induced Abercrombie to strike, if possible, some decisive blow before the junction could be effected. He therefore early next morning sent his engineer to reconnoitre the enemy's intrenchments ; and he, upon his return, reported that the works being still unfinished, might be attempted with good prospect of success. A disposition was made accordingly for the attack, and after proper guards had beeu left at the saw mill and the landing place, the whole army was put in motion. The troops advanced with great alacrity towards the intrenchments, which, however, they found altoge- ther impracticable. The breast-work was raised eight feet high, and the ground before it covered with an abbatis, or felled trees, with their boughs pointing outwards, and projecting in such a mauner as to render the intrenchment almost inaccessible. Notwithstanding these discouraging difficulties, the troops marched up to the assault with an undaunted resolution, and sustained a terrible fire. They endeavoured to force their way through these embarrassments, and some of them even mounted the parapet ; but the enemy were so well covered, and defended their works with so much gallantry, notwithstanding their great- ly inferior numbers, that no impression could be made ; the carnage became fearfully great, and the assailants began to fall into great confusion, after several attacks, which lasted sev- eral hours. Abercrombie by this time saw plainly that no hope
35
1735154
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
of success remained ; and in order to prevent a total defeat, sounded a retreat, leaving about two thousand men on the field. Every corps of the army behaved, on this unfortunate day, with remarkable intrepidity ; the greatest loss sustained among the corps, was that of the regiment of Lord John Murray.
As if entirely disconcerted by this bloody repulse, Abercrom- bie totally relinquished, for the present campaign, his designs against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and returned to the head of Lake George. This attack upon the French lines was condemned, and his retreat as pusillanimous.
In the mean time, to wipe away the disgrace which he had sustained, Abercrombie detached Colonel Bradstreet, with a body of three thousand men, chiefly Provincials, against Cad- araqui, or Fort Frontenac, situated on the north side of the St. Lawrence, just where it issues from Lake Ontario. The gar- rison of this fort, consisting of only one hundred and ten men, with a few Indians, surrendered upon the first summons. The capture of this post, in a measure, destroyed the connexion be- tween the French posts on the St. Lawrence and the upper lakes. The fortifications of Frontenac were inconsiderable. They nevertheless contained sixty pieces of cannon, sixteen small mortars, and an immense quantity of merchandise and provisions, deposited for the use of the Freuch forces, detached against General Forbes, their western garrisons, and Indian allies. The vessels, amounting to nine, also fell into the hands of Colonel Bradstrect.
In all probability, the destruction of Fort Frontenac facili- lated the reduction of Fort du Quesne. General Forbes mar- ched from Philadelphia, about the beginning of July, at the bead of the main body, in order to join Colonel Bouquet at Raystown. The most unaccountable delays were experienced in making the necessary preparations to move from this place, and it was not until the month of September, that the Virgini- ans, commanded by Colonel Washington, were ordered to join the British troops. A new road to Fort du Quesne, over the mountains by Raystown, had to be opened. About the time that the resolution of opening a new road was adopted, and
s!
36
HISTORY OF THE
. before the army was put in motion, Major Grant was detached. from the advanced post at Loyal Hamman, with eight hundred mop, partly British and partly Provincials, to reconnoiter the fort and the adjacent country. This officer, who seems to have had more temerity than judgment and good sense. invited an attack from the garrison, the result of which was, that upwards of three hundred of the detachment were killed and wounded, and the major himself was made a prisoner. At length the army, amounting to eight thousand men, moved from Rays- town. The difficulties to be surmounted were so great that they did not reach Fort du Quesne until late in November. Deserted by the Indians, and too weak to maintain the place against so formidable an army, the brave garrison abandoned the fort the evening before the arrival of the British and Amer- ican army, and descended the Ohio in boats.
The British and Americans took possession of it, and placing a garrison there, changed its name to Pittsburg. The acqui- sition of this post was of unspeakable benefit to Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. The expulsion of the F'rench gave the English the entire possession of the country, and produced a complete revolution in the disposition of the Indians. Find- ing the current of success to be settling against their ancient friends, they manifested a disposition to reconcile themselves to the most powerful, and a treaty was held, at which peace was concluded with all the tribes between the lakes and the Ohio.
Although the events of 1758 did not, perhaps, in every quar- ter, equal the expectations which might reasonably have been entertained from the mighty forces brought into the field, yet the advantages gained in it, were decisive. The whole coun- try, constituting the original cause of the war, had changed masters. The acquisition of the Island of Cape Breton opened to them the way to Quebec, up the St. Lawrence ; and their success to the west, enabled them to direct all their force against Canada. Encouraged by this revolution in their affairs, and emboldened by the conquests already made, to hope for others, the colonies, on the application made to them, through their governors, by Mr. Pitt, prepared vigorously for the ensu-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.