USA > Pennsylvania > Early history of western Pennsylvania, and of the West, and of western expeditions and campaigns, from MDCCLIV to MDCCCXXXIII > Part 46
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Sir, your most obedient humble servant, ROBT. H. MORRIS.
WILLIAMSBURG, March 10, 1755.
SIR :- As it must be attributed, principally, to a want of a proper union among the colonies, that the French have had it in their power to make so great encroachments upon the King's territories in America, as they have lately done, it ought to be considered as a very strong instance. of his Majesty's care and regard for them, that he has sent a considera- ble force from England to their assistance, in order to repair their losses, which their own misconduct has occasioned. As it is highly reasonable, he has declared that he expects the several colonies, in proportion to their respective abilities, should furnish the forces, with supplies of pro- visions and all necessaries, and likewise, raise such additional numbers of men, as shall be requisite for the purpose now intended ; upon this occasion, the province of Pennsylvania, by far the most populous and most opulent of any upon the continent, as well as most nearly interes- ted in the event of the expedition, instead of making the earliest and largest contribution, is endeavoring to take advantage of the common danger, in order to encroach upon his Majesty's prerogative, in the ad- ministration of his government; in what light such conduct must ap- pear to his Majesty, may be easily conceived. As I am directed by him to advise and assist his several Governors upon the present oc- casion, I would propose to you, sir, to call your Assembly together, and endeavor, once more, to bring them to a sense of their duty to his Majesty's, and their own interest, by representing to them, in the strong-
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est light, the consequences which must attend their neglect of it. With the assistance required of the colonies, I shall have good hopes of ans- wering his Majesty's expectations from me, by securing his dominions, and their possessions of his subjects in these parts; with their assis- tance, it may be in my power, and in such case it may be worth their while, particularly the province under your government, to consider, whether it may not be presumed, that the government at home will take some method to oblige them to act for the future, as becomes the duty of his Majesty's subjects.
I must repeat to you, sir, what I have already mentioned in a former letter, that I am directed by his Majesty, to propose to the several colo- nies, to make one common stock of the money they shall severally raise, in order to serve as a provisional fund for the present service ; such a measure would greatly promote our success ; but if it should be objected to, I must at least desire, that what is raised, may not be particularly appropriated, but granted, in general terms, for the service of the expe- dition.
I doubt not, sir, you will continue to exert your utmost endeavors for the present service, particularly according to their deserts, all, if any such shall be found, who are guilty of carrying on a traitorous corres- pondence with the enemy by supplying them with provisions.
I shall only add, that as I am to give a faithful account to his Majesty's ministers of the behavior of each Colony at this important junction, I am still in hopes that the province under your government, will put it in my power to represent them as becomes their ability, their interest and their duty to his Majesty.
I am, Sir, your most humble and most ob't. serv't.
Prov. Rec. M. p. 545.
E. BRADDOCK.
WILLIAMSBURG, March, 10, 1755.
SIR-The inclosed is calculated to be laid before your Assembly, if you think it may be of any service towards bringing 'em to a sense of their duty to his Majesty and their own interest upon the present occa- sion, for which purpose I would propose to you the calling 'em together once more as soon as possible.
I am sensible of the difficulties you must have in the management of so factious a people as those under your government, but am persuaded they are not sufficient to discourage you from continuing your most earnest endeavors for reclaiming 'em to a reasonable conduct at this im- portant juncture.
I am, &c.
E. BRADDOCK. PHILADELPHIA, 25 March, 1755.
SIR-An express this minute from New York, brought me Gov. Shir- ley's packet, which I now forward to Maryland to Gov. Sharpe, and only take time to tell you that I have your favors of the 10th inst. that are designed for the Assembly. I have laid before them, with a mes- sage strongly recommending it to them to exert themselves upon the present occasion, and pointing out the consequences of their refusal ;
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but such is their temper of mind at present that I have no hopes of their acting reasonably ; however, this day and to-morrow will fully inform me of what they will do.
I promise myself the pleasure of meeting you at Annapolis* with Governor Shirley, who I expect in about a week, when I shall have op- portunity of laying more fully before you the conduct of the Assembly, and in the mean time, am,
Sir, your most humble and ob't. serv't.
ROBT. H. MORRIS.
FREDERICK, April 24, 1755.
SIR-I have found it necessary to contract in Pennsylvania for wagons and horses to attend me over the mountains, and have already discover- ed the very great inconvenience of not having a road from Philadelphia to Wills' creek, as the march of these wagons must for want of it be greatly delayed, and consequently cannot join me soon, or in so good condition as they otherwise might. It is likewise of such importance to have a free communication with your province, to facilitate the march of any assistance or convoys I may require from thence, that I don't see how I can with safety move from Fort Cumberland till that work is finished, or in great forwardness. I must, therefore, desire you to give your orders to have it immediately made, and if you cannot prevail on your Assembly to bear the expense of it, nevertheless to have it done, and must be obliged to charge it to the public account. I am satisfied you have so much regard for his Majesty's service, and the safety of his colonies, that you will readily and speedily see this important work car- ried into execution.
I am, Sir, your most humble and most ob't. serv't. E. BRADDOCK.
FORT CUMBERLAND, May 10, 1755.
SIR-I have found it absolutely necessary to send Mr. Leslie, Assist- ant Deputy Quarter-Master General, into your Government to purchase a large quantity of oats for the service of the forces, and must beg of you to give him such countenance and assistance towards providing them, as may be in your power. And as the Deputy Paymaster Gen- eral is not yet arrived at the camp, I should be much obliged to you if you would advance to Mr. Leslie such a sum as he shall have occasion for, and I will repay it to you in the manner that you shall desire. I have given Mr. Leslie an assurance that the wagons shall be suffered to return home immediately after the delivery of the forage, which shall be punctually complied with.
I am, Sir, your most humble and most ob't. serv't. E. BRADDOCK.
* A council was held at the camp at Alexandria, Virginia, April 14, 1755- present, his Excellency Edward Braddock, General and Commander in Chief of his Majesty's forces in North America ; Hon. Augustus Keppel, Esq., Com- mander in Chief of his Majesty's ships and vessels in North America; Hon. William Shirley, Hon. Robert Dinwiddie, Hon. James Delancy, Hon. Hora- tio Sharpe, and Hon. Robert Hunter Morris .- Prov. Rec. N. p. 9, at Harris- burg, Pa .- I. D. R.
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FORT CUMBERLAND, May 10, 1755.
SIR :- I received your letter yesterday, acquainting me with your proceedings relating to the road to be made from Philadelphia to the forks of the Youghiogheny, to which I shall only say, that as I am con- vinced of your zeal for his Majesty's service, and the success of the present expedition, I make no doubt you have already, and will continue to use your utmost endeavors for carrying that necessary work into execution.
I have engaged between 40 and 50 Indians from the frontiers of your province to go with me over the mountains, and shall take Croghan and Montour into service. In a few days the women and children which accompanied them hither, will return to your government; and must repeat my desire to you, that you would take particular care of them, of which, I have given them the strongest assurances.
I have signified to Mr. Shirley, my approbation of his taking Col. Schuyler, and the 500 men raised in the Jerseys, under his command, and have acquainted Gov. Belcher with my resolutions.
This will be delivered you by Mr. Franklin .* I have received great assistance from his father and himself; for which I think myself the more obliged to them, as I have hitherto met with very few instances of ability or honesty in the persons I have had to deal with, in the execu- tion of his Majesty's service in America.
I am, sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
E. BRADDOCK.
A letter came to the Governor from Gen. Braddock, informing him that some persons were suspected of supplying the French with pro- visions, and two of the inhabitants of Cumberland county were particu- larly named, against whom the governor issued warrants in council, and wrote the following answer to Gen. Braddock :
PHILADELPHIA, May 12, 1755.
SIR :- I am honored with your favors of the 24th of April, and 4th instant, the former came to me at New York, where I was with Gov. Shirley, and the letter I received yesterday by express.
I shall be heartily sorry, if the march of the troops should be retarded or the supply of provisions rendered more difficult for want of necessary roads, which it was the duty of this province to have opened in time ; but as I have taken the greatest pains imaginable, ever since my arrival in their province, in October last, to prevail on the Assembly to grant the supplies necessary for carrying his Majesty's commands into execu- tion, I cannot take any part of the blame to myself.
The first notice I had that such a road would be wanted was about the 24th of February, when I received a letter from Sir John St. Clair, dated 4th of that month, recommending it to me to open a communica- tion from this town to the Forks of Youghiogheny, which I immediately sent to the speaker of the Assembly, who, with some other members had a power over £5,000 of the public money ; but they would neither consent to open that road, or to enable me to do it, upon which I wrote
* William Franklin .- I. D. R,
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Sir John, " that I was under very great difficulties, having no money at "my command, and obliged for every article of expense, to apply to a "set of men quite unacquainted with every kind of military service, and " very unwilling to part with money upon any terms." I must observe to you, that the Assembly of the three lower counties upon Delaware, which form a little government district, and independent of Pennsylvania, had lodged £1000 in the hands of the speaker of their House, to be dis- posed of as he and I should agree, for his Majesty's service ; and when he came to town, which was not till the first week in March, we agreed to defray the expenses of reconnoitering that country and surveying a proper road out of that money, but thought what was then left of it not sufficient to open and clear the same, the expense of which I agreed to recommend to the Assembly of this province to bear; and as soon after this as a commission and proper instructions could be prepared, I issued one on the 12th of March, to a number of men* acquainted with that
* These men were George Croghan, James Burd, John Armstrong, William Buchanan and Adam Hoops. They set out from Carlisle, March 29, 1755, and reached the waters of Youghiogheny, April 11th. In their return home called at Fort Cumberland, when Sir John St. Clair, abused them shamefully, as appears from the subjoined letter to Gov. Morris.
FORT CUMBERLAND, April 16, 1755.
HONORED SIR :- In pursuance of your commission, we set out on the road from Carlisle on the 29th March, and with the greatest industry reached the waters of Yohiogain on the 11th inst. We stopped at about eighteen miles on this side of the Three Forks, and would have proceeded farther, had we not had certain intelligence of great numbers of French and Indians hunting and scouting, &c. Our Indians all fled from us, some at Rays Town, and some on the Allegheny hills, save one Delaware.
We were very fortunate in finding a good road all the way, and particularly through the Allegheny hills, considering how mountanious that country is .- From Parnal's Nob, or McDowell's mill, to where we stopped is about sixty- nine miles, and were it not for the interposition of mountains, would not be so far by ten or fifteen miles. The expense of making the road thirty feet wide, and the principal pitches twenty, will make an expense of about eight hun- dred pounds.
Last Saturday evening we came to the camp, and were kindly received by the officers, but particularly by Capt. Rutherford. We waited for Sir John'st coming to camp from the road towards Winchester, who came this day at three o'clock, but treated us in a very disagreeable manner ; he is extremely warm and angry at our province: he would not look at our draughts, nor suf- fer any representations to be made to him in regard to the province, but stormed like a lion rampant. He said our commission to lay out the road should have issued in January last upon his first letter; that doing it now is doing nothing; that the troops must march on the first of May; that the want of this road and the provisions promised by Pennsylvania, has retarded the expedition, which may cost them their lives, because of the fresh number of the French, that are suddenly like to be poured into the country. That in- stead of marching to the Ohio, he would in nine days march his army into Cumberland county to cut the roads, press horses, wagons, &c. That he would not suffer a soldier to handle an axe, but by fire and sword oblige the inhabitants to do it, and take every man that refused to the Ohio, as he had yesterday some of the Virginians. That he would kill all kind of cattle, and carry away the horses, burn houses, &c .; and that if the French defeated them by the delays of this province, that he would with his sword drawn pass through the provinces, and treat the inhabitants as a parcel of traitors to his master. That he would to-morrow write to England by a man-of-war, shake
+ John St. Clair, Deputy Quarter Master General. E
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country west of the settled parts of this province, to reconnoitre the same, and to survey and lay out a road as nigh as they could to Ohio, and another to Fort Cumberland, and upon the meeting of the Assembly on the 18th of March, I strongly recommended it to make provision for that necessary service, but could not prevail with them to grant any money for that purpose, as I fully informed you when I was at Alexan- dria. But since my return, the same committee that refused it before, have with difficulty been prevailed on to advance some money for this service, and engaged to use their interest with the Assembly to pay the whole expense; whereupon, I sent orders to the commissioners who had made the survey, to open the roads with all possible dispatch, and they began the work on the first of this month, and nothing shall be wanting on my part to further this necessary service, which would not have remained thus long undone, if the Assembly had furnished money, or I had been sooner informed of your intention to defray the expense of it. I should not have been so particular as to this matter, had not Sir John St. Clair, taken the liberty to speak of my conduct in it, in a very improper manner to the persons I employed upon this service, which may lessen me in the eyes of those I am appointed to command, but cannot in the least contribute to his Majesty's service. Had he wrote me on the head, I should have been obliged to him; but as he took another method, I think it unbecoming me to take any other notice of it, than what I have done in answer to your letter, being satisfied that you want no proofs of my attachment to the crown, or zeal for his Majesty's service.
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Mr. Penn's proprietaryship, and represent Pennsylvania as disaffected. That he would not stop to impress our Assembly ; that his hands were not tied, as we should find. Ordering us to take these precautions and instantly publish- ing them to our Governor and Assembly, telling us he did not value any thing they did or resolved, seeing they were dilatory, retarded the march of the troops, and hung an arse (as he phrased it) on this occasion ; and told us to go to the general if we pleased, who would give us ten bad words for one that he had given.
At length he allowed us to speak, which we did in favor of the province, to the best of our powers. Capt. Rutherford and Col. Ennis assisted us, but al in vain ; our delays were unpardonable ; he would do our duty himself, and never trust to us, but we should dearly repent of it. To every sentence he solemnly swore, and desired we might believe him to be in earnest.
In these circumstances, sir, and especially as we have not yet run the camp road, we cannot send your honor a draught, but thought best forthwith to send you this express, that your honor might take the most speedy measures in re gard of opening the road.
In the meantime, we have taken the liberty to write to the representative of our country, to know whether the Assembly had made provision for openin the road, and if so, that they would immediately encourage people to set abou it; and also to send the flour without delay to the mouth of Conegochege, a being the only thing or remedy left to prevent these threatened mischiefs .- We acquainted Captain Rutherford of our design, who approved it much .- We expect to be home in six days. Please, sir, to excuse the blunders of th letter, wrote at one o'clock last night.
We remain, honored sir, your most obedient and humble servants,
GEORGE CROGHAN, JAMES BURD, JOHN ARMSTRONG, WM. BUCHANAN, AD. HOOPS.
S sem the vin com writi no m Upor Ship age, to dr Hunte it to v could, This sequer
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Upon your letter, I have issued warrants to apprehend the two Irish- men mentioned in Delap's information, and such as shall be found car- rying provisions or warlike stores to the French; and if any of them are taken, I shall have them punished according to an act of this pro- vince lately made for that purpose ; but as the laws are slow in their motions, and legal proofs difficult to be obtained of transactions carried on in secret, and in the remote and unsettled part of this country, should your scouts take any that are concerned in that unnatural trade, or that utter treasonable words, I shall not be surprised to hear that you have proceeded to do them justice in a more summary way than I am able to do.
Agreeably to your requests, immediately upon my return from Alex- andria, I sent to George Croghan,* the person entrusted with the man- agement of the Indians in this province, to join you with as large a body of able bodied Indians as he could ; copy of my letter to him upon that head, I send you herewith ; but as I have had no answer to it, I send Mr. Peters, the Secretary of this Province, to further that affair, and to hasten the opening of the roads.
The letter herewith, from Governor Shirley, will inform you that the destination of the five hundred men raised in Jersey, is so far enlarged as to admit of their being employed under him at Niagara, which is the more necessary, as Sir William Pepperell's regiment is not near full.
I am glad Mr. Franklin has had success in procuring a number of horses and dragoons, and I shall endeavor to make my Assembly bear the charge of them, but cannot say I have any warm expectations upon that head. Mr. Franklin will be in town this evening, and I detain your messenger till he arrives, as he may have something to write to you of his transactions. I am, sir, &c.,
ROBERT H. MORRIS.
PHILADELPHIA, 20th May. 1755.
SIR :- I had yours by Mr. Leslie on the 16th inst., and as my As- sembly was then sitting and about to rise, I sent it to them to know if they would furnish the forage you wanted at the expense of the pro- vince, and by a private message they gave me to understand, that their committee would purchase and send the forage required ; but upon my writing to the committee, they returned me for answer, that they had no money in their hands, and could only assist as private citizens .- Upon which I have supplied Mr. Leslie with &500, and given Mr. Shippen of Lancaster, where Leslie has contracted for part of the for- age, an order to furnish him with any greater sum he may require, and to draw upon me for the same, which shall be punctually paid. Col. Hunter being here on his way to New York, desired me to recommend it to you to make as many payments by draught to this town, as you could, where he would lodge money subject to my call, or your order. This he imagined would save the money you have with you, and con- sequently the trouble of sending and escorting money to the camp.
* George Croghan wrote Gov. Morris from Fort Cumberland, May 20, 1755. Prov. Rec. N: 37.
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Mr. Leslie is to purchase what oats, &c., he can in the back counties, and by letter to inform you what further quantity will be wanted, which I shall order to be brought here and sent to the camp ; and upon his re- turn, you will be kind enough to let me know of any thing you may want for your own use, or for the army, and I will order it to be imme- diately supplied. I am, &c.,
R. H. MORRIS.
FORT CUMBERLAND, May 24, 1755.
SIR-As I propose soon to begin my march for Fort Du Quesne, I am desirous of adjusting every future contingency with the several Govern- ors in such a manner as to avoid any mistake or misunderstanding. If I take the fort in its present condition, I shall make what additions to it I shall judge necessary, and shall leave the guns, ammunition and stores belonging to the fort with a garrison of Virginia and Maryland forces. But in case, as I have some reason to apprehend, they should abandon and destroy the fortifications with the guns, &c., I will repair or con- struct some place of defence and leave a garrison as before. But as to the artillery, ammunition, stores, provisions, &c., they must be immedi- ately supplied by the governments of Pennsylvania, Virginia and Mary- land, separately or conjunctively, for the train I take with me I shall find it absolutely necessary for the farther execution of my plan ; and these are determined to leave none of them in the fort.
And that I may not, by any delays in yours and the other govern- ments, be detained so long for the arrival of your guns and convoy, as to frustrate any other designs for this year, I must beg that the artillery, ammunition, provisions, stores, &c., may be sent with all diligence to the fort; and a proper quantity of flour and meat should be preparing as these, in every situation, must be required, and if care is not taken to send these convoys to them the men must starve, and his Majesty's arm: be dishonored, (should they prove successful,) and the expenses and trouble which his regard to his Colonies have engaged him in, rendered. useless. A neglect of this kind must therefore consequently be highly disapproved by the King and his ministers ..
Some Indians lately arrived from Fort Du Quesne, mention a bravad of the French and their Indians, (at best it appears to me as such,) tha they propose, when the army is far advanced to fall upon this bac country and to destroy its inhabitants. Make what use or give credit 1 this intelligence as you please. However it may not be amiss to tak all possible precautions.
I am, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servt. E. BRADDOCK.
DEAR MORRIS-You will by the bearer, Mr. Peters, be informed the situation I am in by the folly of Mr. Dinwiddie and the roguery his Assembly, and unless the road of communication from your pro ince is opened, and some contract made in consequence of the power have given, I must inevitably be starved. Sir John St. Clair, (who I the by is ashamed of his having talked of you in the manner he did has employed, by the advice of Governor Sharpe, a fellow at CONNEG GEE, one Cressap, who has behaved in such a manner in relation to t
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BRADDOCK'S AND MORRIS' LETTERS, 1755.
Pennsylvania flour, that if I had been a French commissary he could not have acted more for their interest-in short, in every instance, but in my contract for the Pennsylvania wagons, I have been deceived, and met with nothing but lies and villainy. I hope, however, in spite of this that we shall pass a merry Christmas together! (?) E. B.
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