USA > Rhode Island > Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. Printed by order of the General Assembly, Vol. V > Part 22
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Due care shall be taken of the arms of the soldiers ; and if any of them are lost, the value shall be discounted out of their pay.
By the accounts, it appears that the three companies raised within this govern- ment, have been paid $1,455 14s., for which they have given their receipts. My opinion about their pay, I have already signified to you ; but it appears to me, by the copy of the extraets of the letter from His Grace, the Duke of Newcastle, that Your Excellencies are to determine that point ; when, therefore, you have liqui- dated the sum this colony's companies are to receive, I presume you will let me know ; and likewise at what rate you fix the exchange between sterling money and
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New England currency ; for I believe the General Assembly of this colony will abide by your determination in both these points; and till they are known, I think it altogether impracticable to pay off the forces.
All possible frugality having been used, and the government having been obliged to advance part of their pay to the soldiers, and some additional clothing, to induce them cheerfully to go on the expedition to Annapolis, many of them having fami- lies to support, and the winter then approaching, I beg leave to renew my request of your good offices as well in behalf of the merchants who advanced the money for that payment made a twelve-month ago, as of the colony getting their expense in- curred by this expedition, reimbursed ; which favor shall ever be gratefully ac- knowledged by
Your most humble servant, GIDEON WANTON.
To Governor Shirley, and Admiral Knowles.
P. S. I am apprehensive there are demands for services done, relating to this expedition, that are not yet brought in.
Governor Shirley to Governor Wanton.
Boston, December 28, 1747.
Sir :- I sometime ago informed Your Honor of a meeting of commissioners, to be appointed from the governments from Virginia as far as New Hampshire, being proposed to be at New York ; and am now to apprise you, that in consequence of that proposal, there has been a meeting of commissioners from this government, New York and Connecticut, at New York ; and that they agreed on another meeting, now fixed to be at Middletown, in Connecticut, the 20th of next month.
Those commissioners have reported, that there be a representation made to His Majesty, as to those governments which refuse to assist in this common cause ; thinking, I suppose, that there is a necessity for it, when there is such danger of losing the Six Nations, and the other numerous tribes of Indians, their allies, to the westward; for the preservation of whose friendship, the King has always been very solicitous ; as also for the safety of his province of New York.
And in his instructions to the present Governor, has, as I am informed, directed that the other governments should give their assistance in it.
I hope your government will look on my apprising Your Honor of this, to pro- ceed, as it really does, from a most friendly disposition to them, and my hearty zeal to promote the interest of the common cause ; and that they will send one or more commissioners to meet and act with the others, upon this important affair.
I hear all the people at Pennsylvania, are willing to assist in preventing the western Indians going over to the French.
I am, sir, Your Honor's most obedient and humble servant,
W. SHIRLEY.
To the Hon. Governor Wanton.
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Governor Wanton to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury.
Newport, on Rhode Island, January 9, 1747-8.
My Lords :- The Governor and Company of this, His Majesty's colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, having, in obedience to His Majesty's commands, transmitted to them by His Grace, the Duke of Newcastle, bearing date the 9th of April, 1746, raised three companies of soldiers within this col- ony, for His Majesty's service, in the intended expedition against Canada ; and hav- ing, besides a bounty of £50 to each soldier, expended £ 76,083 11s. 4d., New Eng- land currency, in levying said soldiers, in purchasing arms, ammunition, tents and provisions for them, in billeting them, and in advancing to them part of their pay, in hiring transports, and in equipping and manning a convoy, and in other necessary charges on account of said three companies, all which will appear by proper vouch- ers, sent to His Excellency, Governor Shirley, and the Honorable Admiral Knowles; and also to Mr. Richard Partridge, agent for this colony ; and the Gen- eral Assembly having enjoined and authorised me, the subscriber, Governor of the colony, abovesaid, to draw bills for the expense incurred by this colony on the oc- casion above mentioned ; I have, pursuant thereto, drawn upon Your Lordships for the said sum of £76,083 11s. 4d., reduced to sterling money, at the rate of $750 currency, for £100 sterling, two sets of bills of this date ; one, for £3,662 138. 5d. sterling ; and the other for £6,481 16s. 1d. sterling, payable to the said Richard Partridge.
I beg leave to observe to Your Lordships, that the Governor and Company of this colony, have remarkably distinguished themselves by their zeal to serve His Majesty on this occassion, in giving a greater bounty to the soldiers than any of the other governments did ; and readily sending them at the instance and by the direc- tion of Governor Shirley and the Honorable Admiral Warren, to attempt the relief of His Majesty's garrison at Annapolis Royal, at an advanced season of the year ; and that they have thereby contracted a heavy load of debt, beyond their ability to pay, if their expense should not be reimbursed.
I am, &c., GIDEON WANTON.
To the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury.
Governor Wanton lo Richard Partridge, Agent for Rhode Island, in London.
Newport, Rhode Island, January 11th, 1747-8.
Sır :- In pursuance of a vote of the General Assembly, I herewith transmit you the accounts of the whole expense arising upon the three companies of soldiers raised in this colony for the intended expedition against Canada ; as also an account of the charge of equipping, manning and victualling the colony's sloop for the same service, all which are attested and authenticated in the best manner we are capable of doing it ; and as the whole of said service was undertaken in obedience to Ilis Majesty's royal instructions, signified to the Governor and Company of this colony, by His Grace, the Duke of Newcastle, an attested copy whereof, you will receive herewith ; wherein we were directed and ordered to raise as many men as the
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shortness of the time would permit, who were to enter immediately into his service and pay, and to provide proper transports for the carrying the said forces to the place of rendezvous, and provisions for their subsistence ; as also to furnish them with arms, clothing and other necessaries for the said expedition ; and to provide as many armed vessels as could be got, to be employed in the said service, we can: not doubt but the whole of the expense will be paid by His Majesty.
And in order that you may be the better prepared to set the conduct of the colony in a true light, and to solicit the reimbursement of the expense we have been at, in complying with the King's instructions, I thought it would be proper to give you a short abstract of our proceedings in this affair.
As this colony has always distinguished itself by its loyalty to the crown, and zeal for its service, so in this affair, as they had received His Majesty's said instruc- sions, the General Assembly immediately passed an act for the raising three compa- nies of soldiers, consisting of one hundred men each, officers included ; and also for equipping, manning and victualling the colony's sloop for the same service, though she was the only armed vessel we had to guard our coast and protect our trade.
And in order the more effectually to answer His Majesty's intentions in raising these forces, they granted a very large bounty to such as should enlist in said service ; by which means, they completed the levying the men ; and provided transports, provisions, arms, tents, clothing and other necessaries seasonably, so that the men were ready to embark at a very short warning, with provisions for their subsistence for nearly twelve months; and in this state they continued, (with the colony's sloop manned, and ready to proceed with them,) until the month of October' when, at the pressing instance of Governor Shirley and Admiral Warren, (who were two of the gentlemen appointed by His Majesty to direct the plan of opera- tion in said expedition,) they were embarked to go to the relief of Annapolis Royal, which was then in the utmost danger of falling into the hands of the enemy, they departed from hence the beginning of November, under convoy of the colony's. sloop, with all the provisions, &c., provided for the Canada expedition ; but had the misfortune, in the pursuance of their voyage, to meet with contrary winds, and exceeding bad weather, whereby two of the transports were stranded and lost ; and finally, after sending them another transport, and several fruitless attempts to pro- ceed on their voyage, and after suffering very greatly by sickness and the severity of the weather, they were obliged to return in a very sickly condition, without be- ing able to get to Annapolis after their return, as the government had no orders from the King to disband them ; they were some furloughed, and some billeted out, until the King's pleasure should be known ; and thus they continued until Gov- ernor Shirley and Commodore Knowles had orders to discharge them.
When the orders came for the raising these troops, the warning was so very short, that there was no possible means to comply with His Majesty's intentions, but by giving a large bounty ; which you will see by the act, was £50, of the old tenor, (which is not charged in the accounts.) and the treasury being empty, the government was obliged to supply it by striking off a number of bills of credit, as well for the payment of this large bounty, (which they did not expect would be re- funded,) as also to defray the charge of levying, arming, vietualling, clothing, trans- porting, and other necessary expenses of the forces.
And notwitstanding that they expected that these last would be reimbursed by His Majesty, yet they were obliged to make provision for sinking the said bills by
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a tax ; otherwise, they never could have obtained a currency, by which means, the colony is involved in a vast debt, which they are utterly nnable to discharge at the periods prefixed in said act ; and in the mean time defray all the necessary ex- pense of the defence and support of the government ; and if they had not had as- surance of the charge being repaid, it is not probable they would have ventured on so large an expense.
The accounts, perhaps, may not appear so regular as might be expected ; this arises, in a great measure, from our not being acquainted with the methods of levying soldiers, and stating military accounts at home ; and so were forced to take methods of our own prescribing.
But we hope our zeal for the King's service in this affair, will atone for some little irregularities in the method of proceeding and stating our accounts ; especially when it is found, as we are persuaded it will, that the charge upon our soldiers will turn out full as low as the same number in any of the neigboring governments.
It is true there is no express promise in His Majesty's instructions for the reim- bursing any part of the expense the colony should be at, in raising these forces, ex- cept the arms and clothing, which were immediately to be paid for, by Lieut. Gen. St. Clair. But, as the forces were by His Majesty's express orders and directions, to enter immediately into his service and pay, it seems to be naturally and neces- sarily implied, that he would pay all the charges arising upon the subsisting and transporting his own troops.
I must further inform you, that when the forces were ordered to embark for An- napolis Royal, as they had been several months in the service without any pay, and their clothing being not sufficient for them to go into garrison in the winter season, the government thought it absolutely necessary (though they had no orders from the King,) to advance them some part of their pay, and to furnish them with some more clothes on His Majesty's account ; and as the bills first struck off for the charge of this expedition were exhausted, they were obliged to have recourse to the mer- chants to borrow a sum for this exigeney, which was accordingly effected, for which sum they were to receive sterling money, as you will see by the enclosed certifi- cate ; and as this money was borrowed, and interest to be allowed for any delay of payment, it is the government's intentions that this should be paid out of the first money that you shall receive; and they have given me directions to draw bills upon you for the same, which I have accordingly done.
You will see, also, by the accounts, that the colony hath since made another pay- ment to the officers and soldiers, for both of which payments, they have given re- ceipts, reduced into sterling money in part of their pay; which sums must be deducted when they are paid off.
When Governor Shirley and Commodore Knowles received directions to dis- charge the soldiers, they also had instructions to procure the accounts from the several governments, of the whole expense incurred on account of the American troops, from the time of their being levied, to the time of their discharge ; and they were likewise empowered to adjust and liquidate all the said accounts, and transmit them to the Duke of Newcastle, with the proper vouchers from the several Gov- ernors, that they might be laid before the Parliament, in order that provision might be mule for the payment, which seems to be a demonstration that it is the King's intention that the whole expense should be paid ; an extract of which instructions was sent by those gentlemen to me, requesting me to send the accounts of the
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whole expense this colony had been at, on account of said forces ; which accord- ingly has been done exactly in the same form and with the same attestations as those now sent you.
In what manner those gentlemen have adjusted and liquidated them, or in what light they have represented them to the Duke of Newcastle, I cannot tell ; but by some expressions in a letter from them, it does not seem as though they had done it very favorably to the colony.
A copy of the extract of the Duke of Newcastle's instructions to those gentlemen, you have here enclosed, in which you will see that they were directed to recom- mend it to the Governors of the provinces wherein the levies were made, to procure credit from their respective Assemblies for the paying the forces when discharged, which I have laid before the General Assembly ; but they have not yet made any provision for the payment of the arrears due to those raised in this colony, which is very considerable, as you may see, by considering what they have already re- ceived.
You will perceive by the accounts, that the expenses for doctors and medicines amount pretty high ; there was all possible care taken in this article ; but this ex- pense was unavoidable, as these forces were not regimented, and so no chirurgeons upon the King's establishment ; and sickness raging very much amongst them, we at first made use of doctors occasionally ; but finding that very chargeable, we were obliged to contract with one by the month, who continued a whole year in the ser- vice of the government, finding all medicines, which are excessively dear in this country.
The General Assembly having empowered and directed me to draw bills of ex- change for the whole amount of this expense, upon the lords commissioners of the treasury, or upon whom the payment thereof shall concern, payable to you, I have in pursuance thereof, drawn two sets of bills ; one set, including the amount of the arms, clothing, and the pay advanced to the officers and soldiers, which being re-' duced to sterling money, at the rate of £750 this currency, for £100 sterling, is £3,662 13s. 3d. ; the other set, includes all the remaining part of the expense, which amounts at the same exchange, to £6,481 16s. 1d. ; which I make no doubt you will use your best endeavors to procure the payment of, by the best means you are capable of making use of.
I have given you as full an information of this affair as I can think of at this time; if any further account should be thought necessary, I shall endeavor to trans- mit it to you ; and in the mean time remain,
Your assured friend, GIDEON WANTON.
P. S. On comparison, you will find that there is a difference in some instances between the muster rolls and the abstracts of enlistment, as to the days of enlisting. The occasion of it seems to be, the commissary took his dates from the certificates ; whereas, the captains took theirs from the days on which the soldiers agreed to enter into His Majesty's service, which was oftentimes several days before they were sworn. This error cannot be of any great consequence ; yet, it will not be amiss (if any objections should be made on that account,) for you to take notice of' what is said above. G. W.
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Gov. Wanton to Gov. Shirley.
Newport, on Rhode Island, January 14, 1747-8. Sir :- I herewith send you two sets more of the accounts of this colony's expen: in the intended expedition against Canada, and two abstracts of the enlistments but not made exactly in the manner Your Excellency hath directed. This is ow- ing to our not having been acquainted with the regular manner of enlisting ; the enlisting officers pursued the method prescribed by the General Assembly of the colony, and accepted of such as appeared to them to be able bodied men, without inquiring about their place of abode, or their age ; but this defect hath been in some measure supplied from muster rolls lodged by the captains in the commissary's of- fice ; due care was taken not to accept of any one as a soldier, who was not above sixteen years of age; and all the soldiers took the oath prescribed in the act of As- sembly, and had a certificate, that they had so done, and in what company they were enlisted, from some justice of the peace in commission, or assistant of the colo- ny, before they received the government's bounty ; all which certificates are on file in the treasurer and commissary's office ; but few of them making mention of the soldier's place of abode or age ; the columns made to express those two things, could not be filled up in the manner you have directed ; I hope this want of regu- larity is not very material, and that it will be excused for the reason above men- tioned.
I have been informed that some of the arms are not in very good order, and per- haps some of them may be missing ; if therefore, the officers of the three companies raised within this government, should apply to Your Excellency for certificates ; and you should think proper to grant them (the General Assembly having not mule any provision for paying said officers their arrears,) I desire you will be pleased to transmit said certificates to me, that I may stop them, till I shall be bet- ter satisfied about the arms than I am at present.
I beg leave to acquaint Your Excelleney, that I have, in pursuance of a vote of the General Assembly in August last, the substance of which I wrote you in my letter, of the 23d of October past, drawn bills as directed in said vote, and to en- treat Your Excellency's good offices and recommendation to His Grace, the Duke of Newcastle, and others, in whom you may have an interest at the court of Great Britain, in behalf of the merchants here, who supplied this government with the money paid to the soldiers just before their embarkation for Annapolis Royal ; and also of the colony in general, which by its zeal to serve His Majesty, in the intend- ed expeditions, hath contracted a heavy load of debt, beyond the ability of the in- habitants to discharge, in case their expense should not be reimbursed.
I am, with very great respect, &c., GIDEON WANTON.
To Governor Shirley.
-
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Proceedings of the General Assembly, held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at South Kingstown, the last Monday in February, 1747-8.
The Hon. Gideon Wanton, Governor. The Hon. William Robinson, Deputy Governor. With the assistants and deputies from the several towns.
Whereas, there is no regular cartel settled between His Most Gracious Majesty, King George the Second, King of Great Britain and the French King, and ITis Most Catholic Majesty, the King of Spain, &c., for the exchanging of prison- ers of war; his subjects that belong to this, His Majesty's colony, when taken by either of the powers of the aforesaid princes, now our most gracious Majesty's open and declared enemies, and at war, to the great annoyance and peace of this, his most loyal and dutiful colony ; which renders the redeem- ing of His Majesty's subjects, belonging to the same, imprac- ticable by any other method or means, but by way of flag of truce, either from this colony to either of the aforesaid princes, enemies of our sovereign, or from thence to this colony ; which, if prevented or discouraged, under proper regulations, would be greatly against His Majesty's interest, and unspeakable hardship of his subjects belonging to this colony ;-
For regulating whereof, for the future, be it enacted by this Assembly, and by the authority of the same it is enacted, that when any persons, prisoners of war, be brought into this colo- ny, belonging to either of the said princes, His said Majesty's enemies, as aforesaid, when there be to the number of fifteen or more, of such prisoners, their names, and by whom, and when taken, being first certified by the secretary of this colony, who is hereby required to keep an exact register of all such prison- ers, to be taken from the oath of the captors, the confession of VOL. V. 31
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such prisoners, or decree, or certificate from the admiralty of- fice, that then, and in such case His Honor, the Governor of this colony, for the time being, may commissionate a proper person and vessel, at the charge of this colony, unless some private merchant will offer to do the same, at his own ex- pense.
Provided always, that such person so commissionated, shall, before such vessel sails out of any harbor in this colony, pro- duce a certificate from the admiralty, or custom house office, that such vessel has not on board any more provisions than are, by them, thought to be sufficient for victualling such ves- sel's crew, and such prisoners and as many English prisoners, as such vessel is capable of bringing back from the dominions of either of the aforesaid princes, with convenieney ; and that such persons, so commissionated, give bond to His Majesty, in the sum of £1,000; to produce a certificate from the Governor, or other commanding officer of the place, where such prisoners are to be delivered, of such delivery, and that he will bring back as many English prisoners as such vessel will carry with conveniency, if they are to be had at such place.
Whereas, Jolin Gardner, of South Kingstown, hath repre- sented unto this Assembly, that the inhabitants, trade and commerce of this colony, have so far increased of late that the ferries established on the Narraganset shore, and the boats employed in that service are not sufficient to transport with convenience, the numerous passengers, their large droves, vari- ous effects and merchandise ; the boats being often crowded with men, women, children, horses, hogs, sheep and cattle, to the intolerable inconvenience, annoyance, and delay of men and business ; that he, the said John Gardner, is provided with a good wharf, and pier, situate in a convenient, and commodious place, for keeping a ferry between South Kings- town, and thereupon prayed this Assembly to grant him the liberty of keeping a ferry between the aforesaid towns of South Kingstown and Jamestown ;-
On consideration whereof, this Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is hereby voted and resolved, that the petitioner have
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the liberty of keeping a ferry, agreeably to his petition, he complying with the laws regulating ferries.
It is voted and resolved, that the Hon. William Robinson, Esq., George Wanton, Esq., Jeremiah Niles, Esq., Capt. Robert Haszard and Col. Benoni Waterman, be a committee, to con- sider of the best method that may be, for the payment of the officers and soldiers raised by this colony, for the intended ex- pedition against Canada, and make report as soon as may be.
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