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 47
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This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that if the petitioner will take the oath of allegiance unto His Majesty King George the Second, he shall be discharged from jail ; that otherwise, the committee of war send him off to some neutral port, by the first opportunity; and that the sheriff of the county of Newport, make inquiry whether the said John Tirril has any estate, and if he has not sufficient to support himself, that he be supported at the charge of the colony until he makes oath, or is sent off.
Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the au- thority thereof it is enacted, that the following articles be, and hereby are, made the heads of instructions to be observed by the commissioners appointed to go to Albany, and wait upon His Excellency the Earl of Loudoun :
1. That they present an address to His Excellency, in be-
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half of this colony, assuring him of their readiness to obey and fulfil all such orders and directions as he shall honor them with for His Majesty's service, agreeably to the abilities of this colony.
2. That they lay an exact state of the colony before His Excellency ; as to fortifications, cannon, warlike and military stores, the number of inhabitants, the state of the treasury, and funds for supplying it.
3. That they beg His Lordship to lay their defenceless condition before His Majesty, in the most favorable light.
4. That they pray His Lordship to afford the colony such an allowance for the provisions and warlike stores furnished by them, to the provincial forces the present year, as may be agreeable to His Majesty's gracious intentions, signified to all his colonies, by his secretary of state.
5. That they endeavor to prevail with His Lordship, to set- tle and ascertain the proper and equitable proportions and quotas of men and other aids that each colony ought to fur- nish towards the common cause of defending their country, that on future requisitions, His Lordship send to each colony for the specific number their duty requires them to send ; and that the commissioners, at their return, lay His Lordship's de- termination before the General Assembly, for their approbation or rejection.
6. That they treat with His Lordship, in respect to hiring of the crown a sum of money, in case the colony should have occasion, and think proper to hire it.
7. That the committee receive a commission for these pur- poses, signed by the secretary, and sealed with the colony's seal, by order of the General Assembly.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that His Honor the Deputy Governor, James Honey- man and Daniel Updike, Esqs., be, and they are hereby, ap- pointed a committee, to prepare a bill respecting persons dis- affected to His Majesty, and lay the same before this Assembly, at their next session.
God save the King.
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HI. Fox, to the Governor and Company of Rhode Island.
Whitehall, March 13th, 1756.
Gentlemen :- I have acquainted you in my other letter of this date, with the King's having appointed the Earl of Londoun to be commander in chief of all His Majesty's forces in North America ; but as it will be some time before His Lord- ship or Major General Abercrombie (who is to be the next in command to him,) can set out from hence, the King has directed Colonel Webb (who will forward this letter to you,) to embark immediately for North America, and to take upon him the command of the forces there, till the arrival of Lord Loudoun, or Major Gen- eral Abercrombie; you will, therefore, correspond with Colonel Webb, and give him all necessary lights and assistances, in the same manner you were directed to do to the late General Braddock.
It having been represented that a considerable number of the foreign settlers in America might be more willing to enter into the King's service, if they were com- manded by officers of their own country, an act of Parliament has been passed, of which I send you enclosed a printed copy, enabling His Majesty to grant commis- sions to a certain number of German, Swiss and Dutch Protestants, who have served as officers or engineers ; and as they have already engaged, they will embark with all expedition, in order to assist in raising and commanding such of the foreign Protestants in North America, as shall be able and willing to serve with the rest of the forces upon this occasion ; and it is the King's pleasure, that you should give any of the said officers who may come into your government, all the assistance in your power, in the execution of this service.
It being of the greatest importance that His Majesty should, in the present sitna- tion of affairs, be truly and exactly informed of the real state of defence of all bis colonies in America, as well in relation to the ordnance and stores of war, which are in each colony, respectively, as to the forts and fortifications, and the number of their inhabitants, it is the King's pleasure, that you should prepare and transmit to the Earl of Loudoun, or the commander in chief of His Majesty's forces, for the time being, an exact and particular account thereof, with respect to the colony un- der your govervment, in which you are to express the present actual state and quantity of the cannon, small arms, ammunition and other ordnance and military stores, belonging to the said colony, either in the public magazines, or in the pos- session of the militia, or other private persons ; together with the true state of all places, either already fortified, or which yon judge forthwith necessary to be forti- fied, with your opinion at large in what manner His Majesty may further contrib- ute to the security and defence of the said colony ; and also, as exact an account as you can obtain, of what number the militia is composed, and how armed, mus- tered and trained.
I am, gentleman, your most obedient humble servant, H. FOX. To the Governor and Company of Rhode Island.
" This letter, with those which follow, to that of the 13th of May, 1756, inclusive, were not discovered till it was too late to insert them in that part of this volume to which they they belong.
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Major General Johnson, to Governor Hopkins
Fort Johnson, April 2d, 1756.
Sir :- I have received a letter from Sir Thomas Robinson, bearing date from Whitehall, the 11th November last, in which are the following paragraphs, which I judge it my duty to communicate to you.
" The King is pleased to order, that you do signify to the officers and pri- vate men who have so eminently distinguished themselves, that their resolute and undaunted behaviour has given His Majesty the greatest satisfaction.
The alaerity and despatch with which these reinforcements were raised, is greatly to be commended.
The colonies which have so readily and vigorously exerted themselves on this great occasion, will always find favor and protection from His Majesty."
I am, most respectfully, sir,
Your obedient humble servant, WM. JOHNSON.
'To Governor Hopkins.
Memorial of Richard Partridge, Agent for Rhode Island, to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations.
The memorial of Richard Partridge, agent for the colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, humbly showeth :
That some years since, the said colony of Rhode Island and Providence Planta- tions directed your memorialist to apply to the King, and to represent that they had built a fortification at the entrance of the harbor of Newport, their principal town, which cost them upwards of £10,000, currency, which was more at that time than £3,000, sterling ; and had purchased twenty-four cannon for the same, which cost between £600 and £700, sterling, all at their own charge, for their defence against an enemy.
Whereupon, your memorialist did humbly prefer a petition to the King, conform- ably thereto, in behalf of the said colony, signifying their request of being supplied with twenty cannon more, from eighteen to twenty-four pounders, and a quantity of shot for each gun ; which petition was referred to the lords commissioners for trade and plantations, who, after hearing your memorialist's allegations, in behalf of the said eolony, did, on the 14th of July, 1735, make their report, that they were of opinion, it would be of service to the colony, if His Majesty would be graciously pleased to grant their request, which report is yet lying in the eouneil office.
That upon further application, afterwards made by your memorialist, to the then lords committee of council, they were pleased, on the 20th day of September, 1744, to refer the consideration of this affair to the Duke of Montague, master gen- eral of the ordnance, and in ease he had no objection thereto, that then he should cause an estimate to be prepared of the expense thereof, and report the same to the said committee.
That, thereupon, the said master general of the ordnanec caused an estimate to be made of the said twenty pieces of cannon, with proper stores appertaining,
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amounting in the whole, to £1,812 14s. ; and on the 6th of November, 1744, a report of the same was signed by the Duke of Montague, and sent to the lords committee of couneil, accordingly.
That the said lords committee did afterwards, viz. : on the 5th of February, 1744, take into consideration the report of said estimate, and made an order that your memorialist should write over for an exact plan of the said fort, and when re- ceived, to lay the same before the said lords committee of council.
That your memorialist did write over to the Governor of Rhode Island, aceord- ingly, and received from thence a plan of their fortification, which he laid before the said lords committee, agreeably to their order ; but this matter, notwithstanding your memorialist's endeavor, (being delayed) nothing has ever yet been obtained, in consequence of the aforesaid application, till peace was concluded.
That your memorialist has lately received advice from the Governor of the said colony, dated April 17th, 1755, intimating that, as now again they seem to be threat- ened with a war, and have been strictly commanded by His Majesty to do every thing in their power to put their colony in the best posture of defence they can, and that, in obedience thereto, they have ordered their fortification to be repaired and enlarged ; and have again directed your memorialist properly to apply for such a number of cannon and stores of such sizes as may render their fortification eon- plete, according to its enlargements now making ; and the said Governor hath also written to Sir Thos. Robinson, secretary of state, thereabout, and sent him a com- plete plan of their fortification ; a copy of the Governor's letter, thereupon, is here- unto annexed
That the General Assembly of the said colony, have lately granted a tax on the people, of £10,000, currency ; and the town of Newport, in the said colony, £5,000 more, to be wholly appropriated to the repairing and enlarging the fort.
That Rhode Island is situated about seventy miles from Boston, in the Massachu- setts Bay, and separated from the main land, only by a river of about two or three iniles over ; and in case it should be invaded in the condition it is at present, it may become (as it is conecived, ) an easy prey to the enemy ; in which case, they may cross a narrow river, and march an army into the heart of the Province of the Massachusetts.
And for that, as your memorialist has been lately advised from their Governor, Stephen Hopkins, Esq., of the 10th of January last, that in the late expedition, un- dertaken for reducing Crown Point, this little colony has already expended more than £15,000, sterling ; the whole of which sum lies as a debt upon it.
Therefore, in regard the said colony, as your memorialist apprehends, hath done, and is now about doing, to the utmost they are able, in building and repairing their fort, and formerly purchasing the said twenty-four cannon, before they would become chargeable to the crown. .
Your memorialist most humbly prays, that you would be pleased to advise the King to grant the said colony such a number of cannon, as may render their fortifi _ cation complete, from eighteen to twenty-four pounders, with shot for each gun, and other stores suitable for them. All which, is humbly submitted.
London, 4th mo., or April 2d. 1755.
RICHARD PARTRIDGE.
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Governor Shirley to Governor Hopkins.
Boston, April 4th, 1756.
Sir :- I am favored with Your Honor's letter, of the 2d instant, and am glad to find that you have reason to be fully persuaded that the colony of Rhode Island will augment their numbers of men for the present expedition, in proportion to the other colonies concerned ; and I can't but much approve of the prudent method you intend to observe for preventing any embarrassment in the enlisting the men.
Four companies, consisting of two hundred men, carpenters and axemen, are gone from this province for Albany and Fort William Henry ; the committee for forwarding the transportation of provisions and stores, &c., set out for Albany about ten days ago. In their way to Albany, they are to forward to Albany, the ox teams ; and the sooner the carpenters, guards, and ox teams of your colony set out for the same place, the better.
I have appointed Major General Winslow, to the chief command, which I hope will be agreeable to Your Honor's government.
I will take care to appoint a court of admiralty for the trial of Joseph Hughes, as you desire.
I am, with great regard and esteem, sir,
Your Honour's most humble and most obedient servant,
W. SHIRLEY.
To the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Esq.
Sir Charles Hardy to Governor Hopkins.
Fort George, New York, 18th April, 1756.
Sir :- I have your favor of the 7th instant ; also one from the gentlemen ap- pointed by your General Assembly, a committee to transact the business relative to the expedition against Crown Point, during their recess.
I am extremely glad Your Honor is so forward to think of sending some of your companies to Albany ; but I must acquaint you, that there is a very small propor- tion of boards in that city, for the building batteaux and boats, occasioned by the openness of this winter,-there has been no sleighing, to draw logs to the saw mills ; three batteaux I am now building for the use of the forces raising in the pay of this Province, for this expedition, I am obliged to construct in this city. .
The measure Your Honor proposes for the transporting your provisions, stores, &c., from Albany to Lake George, is well judged ; the Massachusetts and Connec- ticut propose the same method ; the northern counties of this Province are so ex- hausted in waggons, from last year's service, that they cannot, with the assistance of the lower counties, furnish a sufficient number for the service against Crown Point, and the expedition to be carried on by His Majesty's troops to the westward.
The Assembly of this Province are to meet next week, when I shall lay before them your letter, desiring that you may be excused paying the duty for rum sent to this city, to be sold for the purposes you mention. All provisions and stores, subject to duties, on being imported into this Province, that are designed for the use of
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the forces of the colonies concerned in the intended expedition, and as such are to be sent to Lake George, are free of those duties, as last year ; but I cannot give you encouragement to expect that the Assembly will consent to remit that duty upon the foot that you desire it.
With respect to the particular advantages accruing to this Province, from this intended expedition, its situation exposes our frontiers to the open incursions of the French ; and the encroachments made by them in it, I cannot but look upon as a national and common cause; and that the advantages arising from our success upon the present undertaking, is equally so. These, I offer to you as my thoughts, without having regard to any local consideration for the particular interest of this, or any other Province. However, you may be assured, I shall at all times use my endeavors to tender you my best services, and shall take the sentiments of the As- sembly, as you desire, and shall communicate to you their determination upon it.
Yesterday I received several letters from Albany, and Sir Willian Johnson, en- closing me copies of others, from Col. Mercer and Capt. Williams, at the Great Carrying Place, informing me that a body of French and Indians have posted themselves, and are surrounded with pickets, about twelve miles to the eastward of Oswego : and that Col. Mercer has further information from some Indians, that another body of Indians, &c., are on their march from Niagara; which, together with the first mentioned, are to form an attack on Oswego. This is the substance of my information, with respect to the motions of the enemy.
General Shirley's absence, and great distance from the scene of action, makes it impossible for him to give the proper orders in due time to stop the progress of the enemy in that quarter ; the want of which, enables them to make advances that I fear will tend greatly to the prejudice of His Majesty's service, and the interest of these provinces.
Under these circumstances, I have, by the return of the express, offered my thoughts to the commanding officers at the head quarters, and recommended to them to pursue such measures as to me appears most proper on the present emer- gency. Col. Bradstreet is set off with a very considerable number of whale boats and batteaux, with provisions for Oswego, which they have much wanted. I wish he may arrive safe with his convoy. I think his voyage will be hazardous, if the enemy gets footing on the waters leading to that fort.
In short, from the accounts I have received, things do not appear to be so well regulated as they necessarily should be for promoting the public service ; and if the French once post, it will cost us much more to remove them, than it would to have prevented their gaining any such advantage.
By my letters from Sir William Johnson, the last of the 12th instant, which I re- reived yesterday, I think we have at last brought about an accommodation with the Delawares. His accounts are as follows :
In his first letter, viz. : " As I finish my letter, two one-eyed Indians, on whom } "an depend, brought me an account that the delegates sent to treat with the Dela- wares, were returned, and say, that they have settled that unhappy breach between them and us; they are to be here in two or three days (meaning Fort Johnson ), when I shall be able to give Your Excellency a true statement of their proceedings at that meeting. They further add, that the Delawares have engaged to join us, with the Five Nations, against the French."
In his last letter, he says, " This evening, some of the delegates sent to treat with the Delawares, arrived here, (meaning Mount Johnson), with several of the
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Oneidas, Tuscaroras, Onondagoes and Mohawks. I have only time to tell Your Excellency, that they assure me, they have made up that unhappy affair, and that the Delawares, expect those of their people who may be prisoners, to be delivered up as soon as possible ; and then they promise to deliver up those they have of ours ; they say they will join the Six Nations against the French, if they desire it. I shall write Your Excellency more about it, as soon as I hear all they have to say."
Thus far, I hope, through the interposition of the Six Nations, this affair is in a fair way of being brought to a happy issue. The Mohawks have sent four of their sachems to invite our river Indians to remove to their castles, and I hear propose giving them a portion of their lands to settle upon.
The trade carried on by the colonies to the Dutch Islands, &c., will not only amply supply the French Islands, but will doubtless encourage them to attempt throwing in large quantities to Louisbourg, from whence Canada may easily be furnished. It appears to me absolutely necessary to prevent all supplies of provi- sions going from these colonies, at this time ; and the only method to answer this good purpose, must be by proper laws passed in the provision colonies, prohibiting such an exportation.
The Assembly of this Province are to meet soon, when I shall recommend to them to pass such a law, which if they should come into, will not prevent the ene- my's being supplied in the manner before mentioned, without the neighbouring governments concur in the same measure ; I have made this proposition to them, and beg leave to recommend it to your consideration, and beg your thoughts upon it, and the resolutions of your Assembly, if you think proper to recommend it to them. I must beg leave to make this addition to it, that if the Assembly should de- cline passing the necessary laws for this purpose, that the governments should agree to lay an embargo, which will most effectually answer the end desired. I shall have no difficulty in this measure with the concurrence of the neighboring governments, and think I can answer for that of His Majesty's Council of this Province. I am, with great regard,
Your Honor's most obedient and humble servant,
CHAS. HARDY.
To the Hon. Governor Hopkins.
Governor Shirley to Governor Hopkins.
Fairfield, Connecticut, April 26, 1756.
Sir :- I am arrived at this place, in my way to New York, from whence I pro- pose to set out for Albany in two or three days.
As the success of our operations, in the ensuing campaign, will in a very great measure depend on our troops destined for Crown Point, taking the field as early as may be, I must entreat Your Honor to forward the march or transportation of your colony's forees as soon as possible.
I can't but hope to have them (the whole forces of all the colonies concerned in that expedition, ) at Lake George, by the middle of May, at furthest ; and that three parts of them, at least, will be removed there before that time.
I know of nothing that is so likely to prove fatal to the expedition, as a late cam- paign would, which I hope every government will consider.
I am, with great regard and esteem, sir,
Your Honor's most humble and most obedient servant, W. SHIRLEY.
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P. S. Your Honor will be pleased to exeuse the hurry and paper of this letter.
To the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Esq.
General Winslow to Governor Hopkins.
Boston, May 2, 1756.
Sir :- As His Excellency General Shirley, is out of the government, I thought it my duty to inform Your Honor how affairs are circumstanced in this Province, in regard to the Crown l'oint expedition, which I am pressing forward, and flatter myself our levies are complete. We have twelve companies gone forward ; the re- mains of the thirty-five hundred men, I have ordered to parade here, at Springfield and Worcester, on the 4th instant, and shall begin to march on the 6th. Our pro- visions, warlike stores, &c., are chiefly gone, the last vessel ready to sail ; should be glad that the quota furnished by the government under Your Honor's command, may be forwarded as soon as possible, with provisions, &c.
As I look upon it, our success greatly depends on our despatch, have enelosed to Your Honor the laws passed by this government, with relation to the expedition. As I am informed there was a dispute, last year, among the officers, with regard to the government of the army, our Province thought convenient to pass the act chapter twentieth; would submit it to Your Honor and the colony, whether it would not be best for the whole to be under one form of discipline ; and should this act be approved of, the same may pass into a law in your government also.
I would further inform Your Honor, that this Province, having taken into con- sideration the annual pension I receive from the crown, which entirely depends on my life, have, besides £ 300, lawful money, advanced for my table, granted me £400, same currency, in case I arrive at Lake George, and so unfortunate as to die in the service afterwards, which is for the benefit of my family ; and if approved of by the colony, it would be a satisfaction to me that a grant of that kind, for a sum agreeable, might be made, as every one should be careful of their own house.
Am determined to be at Newport, the 11th, at Hartford, the 15th ; where I hope to consult thoroughly of the plan of operation for the ensuing campaign, with the gentlemen of your government, and that things will be to your satisfaction ; and am, with my best regards,
Your Honor's most humble servant, JOHN WINSLOW.
To the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Esq.
Governor Shirley to Governor Hopkins.
Boston, May, 1756.
Sir :- Having received letters from Richard Spry, Esq., commander in chief of all His Majesty's ships in North America, concerning the distressed condition His Majesty's ships are in at Halifax, for want of men, I thought it my duty to acquaint you, that notwithstanding the pains we have been all at to raise seamen, that they are still three hundred short of their complements ; and that without the assistance of the governors of the several provinces, in raising men, it will be impossible for His Majesty's ships to protect these colonies, prevent supplies from France to Canada, and other places, or block up Louisburg, as occasion may require.
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