USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. I > Part 26
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The prodigious Expence was another discourag- ing Article ; for the Colony had anticipated all their Funds to defray the Expence of the fatal Expedition to Carthagena, the last year's Rate for maintaining
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the Colony's Sloop was unpaid, the carrying on the Law-Suit and the defence of our Charter Priviledges against the Province was very expensive and the Bill depending in Parliament about Paper Currency was of such a Nature as made it very hazardous to emitt any large Sum at this Juncture before We knew in what Shape it would pass.
The Colony was then exhausted of Men to an uncommon degree, not twenty had ever return'd from the West India Expedition, We had lost many more in the Privateers and had then ten or twelve sail on a Cruise so that it was morally impossible to raise such a Number of Volunteers here at that Time as was desired. For the People in general had not the same Apprehensions of the Danger of an Indian War or the same dependence upon and Expectations of Advantage from the Fishery as the Massachusetts and New-Hampshire had, and which went for to spirit up their People to inlist so chearfully as they did.
However our Gen! Assembly after serious delib- eration voted to send the Colony's Sloop well mann'd,1 the Merch's of the Town of Newport subscribed about seven thousand Pounds towards the Pay of two Pri- vateers that were thought necessary. We permitted the Governor of Boston to endeavour to raise Men and even offered an additional Bounty to encourage them to inlist and put our selves to a considerable Expence on that Account but to no Purpose.2 On further Application to Us in the Month of March We voted to raise three Companies of fifty men each
1 See Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 100, 104.
2 Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 105.
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beside officers, and in order to raise the Men if it were possible, We voted them both higher Bounty and larger Pay than was offer'd by the Province 1 but there being no Probability that the Companies should be fill'd in Season, after We had put our Selves again to a large Expence to no Purpose We were forced to disband them, however the Colony's Sloop well fitted and mann'd convoy'd the Connecticutt Forces and prov'd of singular Service.
Afterwards when we had Advice that Commodore Warren with a Squadron of men of war had block'd up the harbour and that the land Army needed a Reinforcement, we reviv'd the Vote to raise three Compan® and actually did raise them, tho' at a much greater Expence than the Province, and tho' We were obliged to impress Men to compleat the Com- panies,2 and on further Notice that there was a Want of Seamen to mann the Ship Vigilant, We voted seventeen Pounds Bounty a man for Volunteers, but not being able to raise a sufficient Number, We ac- tually impress'd several 3 so as to send away about seventy to Boston and tho' the good news of the sur- render of Louisbourgh arrived at Boston before Our Forces sail'd from thence yet they proceeded the Voyage and are there now.
If we have not done all that our Neighbours de- manded Yet You will observe that we have given them considerable assistance, and that the Assembly endeavoured to have given them still greater, it must also be observed that our Assistance has been thro'
1 Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 102 et seq.
8 Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 117-119.
2 Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 113, 114.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
the Providence of God singularly useful, our Col- ony's Sloop sav'd the whole Connecticut Regiment from a thirty two Gun french Ship by the Gener- osity, Courage and good Conduct of Cap: Fones, he afterwards intercepted a Brigg: laden with Provisions and Refreshments for the Town and was happily the means of breaking a large Body of above a thou- sand french and Indians that came from the Siege of Anapolis and were imbark'd in the Bay of Vert for the Relief of Louisbourgh.1
You will also observe that no Other of the Planta- tions could be induced to give any Assistance at all at the first (besides Connecticutt and New Hampshire) nor afterwards all of them together to give so much and such effectual Assistance as this little Colony and the Merch's of the town of Newport chearfully afforded, and that hereby our Sea Coast has been unguarded while the Enemie's Privateers have cov- ered the Sea, there not being a Man of War on this Side of South Carolina.
We are far from desiring to lessen the Merit of this important Conquest and are willing our Neigh- bours should share the chief Glory as they are like to reap the chief Benefit. But we would not will- ingly suffer in the Opinion of the Ministry as defi- cient in Loyalty, publick Spirit and Zeal for his Majesty's Service, if you judge it necessary we will send you Copies of the several Votes and Acts of Assembly relating to this Expedition 2 and if You find the Charge of it is likely to be born by the Crown
1 See letters of April 26 and June 26, 1745.
2 See Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 123.
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desire You would appear in our Behalf for what we have spent the Proof of which we will transmit to you.
In Behalf of the Government I am,
Y! Assured Friend
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
6 month the 8th 1745
Since the foregoing we have had an other Express per Cap: Rouse 1 who arrived in about 3 weeks from Cape Briton wth a Confirma of the News of the Sur- render of Lewisbourg to our Forces there, the Guns of the Tower have been fired off and great Rejoy- cings made here for the Success, and I am apt to think when the Parliam' meets the Expence of that Expedition, or good part of it will be paid if authen- tick accots thereof are sent over and due application made
I was lately at the Secry of States Office where I was told again of the backwardness of Rhode Island in contributing their Assistance towds that Expedi- tion, - whereupon I wrote to the Gentleman who informed me of it in vindication of the Colony, A Copy whereof I also send inclosed wch I hope will take off the edge of the Prejudice the Ministry may have recd on that acco! 2
As to publ : News -the King is still at Hano! but will probably return sooner than was expected. The
1 One of the Massachusetts captains, commander of the Shirley, of twenty guns.
2 See the following document.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
Lds Justices on the 6 Inst published a proclama offer- ing a Rewad of £30000. for apprehen& the Pretends eldest Son who (as it is pretended) was either em- barked or preparing for it in ord! to Land in Scotld 1 but notwithstands we dont seem to have any thing to fear on his acco! As to the War in general, things of late [word missing] but with an indiff: aspect on our side I mean as to the Land War especially in Flan- ders where the French are driving almost all before them they being above double the Number of our Allies there, and have now beseig'd Ostend wch very probably they will be Mast off this Summer In- deed many here are now of opinion that if the Eng- lish had not expended so many Millions as they have done in carrying on the Land War but had employd the Money more in managing the War by Sea and stuck principally to that, it wd have been much more to our advantage.
The taking of Cape Briton, and since that of 2 pro- digious rich Span: S. Sea Ships (worth abo! a million St:) taken by 2 of our Londo Privateers, and also of 4 or 5 French Inda Men (3 of them from China) taken by 4 of our Men of War in the East Indies, wch with several other late valuable Captures must greatly distress the Enemy and go a good way towds making amends for our ill Success in other respects. for the rest I refer to the prints I now send by this Ship to my Correspond: And' Oliver Esq! of Boston to be forwarded to thee, and remain
Thy assured lo: Friend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
1 The young Pretender landed in the Highlands on July 25.
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Correspondence of the
this I intend per Capt Rouse via Cape Briton they say Comodore Warren is appointed Gov! of Cape Briton and Gen! Pepperell is to have a Regi- ment wch will be worth to him about £1400. a yer Sterling.1
GIDEON WANTON Esq.
Governour of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
RICHARD PARTRIDGE 2 TO THOMAS RAMSDEN.3
Friend Tho : Ramsden
I am obliged to thee for the hint thou hast given me of the Complaint that has been lately wrote over against the Colony of Rhd Island for their backward- ness in joyning their assistance towds the Expedition against Cape Briton.
Upon wch I take the liberty in Justice to the Colony to send thee the folls observa" in their Vindication.
Now altho' there are disputes depending between that Governmt (which is but a small Colony) and that of the great Province of the Massachusetts, - and that the Said Colony had no ordrs about the Said Expedition from great Britain and consequently it cod be no disobedience or disrespect in them to the Crown: Yet it is notorious and apparent from the Publick accots lately come over, that there was an Armed Sloop of War belonging to Rhª Island at
1 See note on p. 335.
2 Enclosed with letter of August 8, 1745.
8 Secretary to the Lords of the Regency.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
Cape Briton with our Ships when the Place was taken. And I am credibly informed that that Colony actually raised 150. Men besides for that Service lat- erly towards the reinforcemt and wod have procured a Party before but could not find a Sufficient Num- ber of their People willing to enlist themselves.
That the Merch's of Rhd Island advanced £8000: amongst themselves and hired a 20. Gun Ship to be employd in that Service : and I am ready to think that Comod: Warren (who was not now at Boston himself) must have been imposed upon and preju- diced by the Massachts People respecting the Colony of Rhd Island or else he wod hardly have wrote home as I understand he did.
Their Loyalty and obedience to the Crown hereto- fore is well known, for that whenever there has been any Exped" ordd from great Britain to be executed in North America, the Rhd Island"s have always paid due Obedience to. the Crown and afforded their Quo- tas ; perticularly in the Wars of the late Queen in the Exped" agst Annapolis Royal and against Canada. And that in the Sea War at that time; the New England's must Confess that the Privateers from this Colony of Rhode Island did more Execution agst the Privateers of the Enemy that infested their Coasts than all the Ships of War of the Massachusetts or indeed than of all the Colonys in those parts put together.
I hope therefore when these things are duely con- sidered that our Colony of Rhd Island shall not be censured till at least they be heard for themselves what they may have further to say in their Vindica-
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tion and that till then the Report of accusa" against them will not gain any Credit ex Parte I am Thy obliged Frd RP PARTRIDGE
MARK LANE 5 month the 30. 1745
If thou thinkest it proper thou mayst Communicate this letter to the Duke of N. Castle.
To THOMAS RAMSDEN Esq' Secretary to the Lds of the Regency At the Duke of N. Castles Office Whitehall
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR PHIPS TO GOVERNOR WANTON. BOSTON Augst 19. 1745 Sir,
The State of Affairs between this Government and the Eastern Indians being in such a Situation as to make it necessary for the better Security of his Majes- ty's Subjects on the Frontiers exposed to their Fury to declare War against them, unless, by their speedy Compliance with the Demands of the Government, they should prevent it; I do now at the Desire of the General Court in this Province in their late Ses- sion hereby inform your Honour of Our Proceedings with the said Indians in order to prevent a War, and the Unsuccessfulness thereof, as you will find by the inclosed Copy of a Letter from Governour Shirley
1 Nephew and adopted son of the Sir William Phips who captured Port Royal in 1690, and was governor of Massachusetts from 1692 to 1694, The second Phips was lieutenant-governor of the colony from 1731 to 1757, and administered the government during the absence of the chief executive.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
to the said Indians, and another Letter from him to Cpt. Bradbury Commander of the Fort at St Georges River,1 directing him to demand Satisfaction of them for the Murthers committed upon Our Inhabitants by some of their People (joining with the other In- dians) and their burning their Houses, killing their Cattle &c. with Cpt. Bradbury's Answer to the last mentioned Letter.
And as the Common Cause requires the mutual Assistance of these Governments in time of War and Danger, We desire the Concurrence and Assist- ance of your Government for prosecuting a War against these Indians, when it shall be declared and furnishing a Quota of men for the Defence of the Frontiers in this and the other exposed Colonies ; And altho' some of these Colonies are not much, or at all, exposed to the Assaults of the Indians, yet as the others are a Barrier to them, they must judge it highly reasonable that they should send Succours to the most exposed Places ; and especially as we are all equally obliged to this Duty as Subjects of the same Prince and which his Majesty will justly expect from all his Colonies in these Parts. I am Sir
Your Honour's most Obedient humble Servant
PHIPS
The Honourable GIDEON WANTON Esq'
1 See the two following documents.
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Correspondence of the
GOVERNOR SHIRLEY TO CAPTAIN BRADBURY.1
BOSTON July 22. 1745.
Sir
I have received your Letter of the 16th Instant July giving me an account of the assault Committed by the Indians upon your Fort and other places near you M' Milliken tells me that you are possitive that you saw some of the Penobscutt Indians among the Assailants and particularly that you saw one of those that had been in under a pretence of Friendship to inform you of these Designs : By your Letter you seem to apprehend, that the Penobscutt Indians are generally in these Acts of Hostility However I think it will be best that if any of the said Penobscutt Tribe shall appear near the Fort that you hoist a Flag of Truce to call them in to an Interview with you, and if you can obtain any Speech with them I would have you read my Letter to 'em which I sent by M' Mil- liken and also tell them that I am informed of this Violation of Treaty and that if the Body of the Penob- scotts are engaged with our Enemies, I shall imme- diately declare War and pursue them with all the Resentment which so horrid an Act of Treachery and Wickedness deserves, but if they profess that the Body of the Tribe are against these proceedings and are disposed to peace I expect and insist upon this proof of their Sincerity, that they deliver up those of their people as have been in Arms against us and have Joined with the party of Indians who have As- saulted us and that you will give them the Space of
1 Enclosed with letter of August 19, 1745.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
Seven days only for their either delivering up these murtherers or giving five Hostages of Some of their Principal men to Secure the Delivery of the said Indians in the Space of Seven days more.
I am Sir your Friend and Servant
W SHIRLEY
P. S. Give me a full account of these affairs with all possible Dispatch.
To Capt JABEZ BRADBURY
Copy examined per J. WILLARD Secretary.
CAPTAIN BRADBURY TO GOVERNOR SHIRLEY.1
GEORGES 2 July 29. 1745.
May it Please your Excell.
The third day of our being Attack't by the Indians and before I reced y: Excellencys orders for so doing being desirous of knowing who of the Penobscotts were amongst our Enemys; I put up a Flagg of Truce one of the Indians Came in, Capt" : Bane and I went out to the Others who were thirtyfive in Number Many More being up the River at the same time burning Houses and killing Cattle whom we Saw not, Amongst those we Saw were Nine Ponob- scotts the Chief of whom were Sebohooset, one Called Rich Outrea, and Paternion Men well known here
I read y: Excell! Letter to them thrice that they
1 Enclosed with letter of August 19, 1745.
2 The fort on St. George's River.
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Correspondence of the
might fully understand it, they said it came too late and added that we had broke the Peace by refusing them Powder at the Truckhouses and the taking S: Johns Indian last fall.
The Man Mentioned in My last letter they killed and Scalp't, we bro! him in and buried him and I hear that a dutchman at Broad Bay was killed and scalp't by the Indians about the same time they were here.
Its now more than ten days since we saw them. where they are I know not, but suppose they are Preparing for More Mischief I Expect soon to see them here. I hope your Excell? will send seven Men to fill up the Company, And also Increase the Number if it may be thought best.
I am y: Excellys Most Obed: humble serv!
JABEZ BRADBURY
His Excellency Governour SHIRLEY.
Copy examined per J. WILLARD Secy.
CAPTAIN FONES TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LOUISBOURG HARBR 20 Aug: 1745 Hond S.
This per Cap: Cahoon 1 Informs you, that we are now bound on a Cruize; and I beleive To New- foundland. I am Surprized that in the one Letter you Sent me, you gave me orders To wait the Com-
1 Probably John Cahoone, who sailed with Fones as lieutenant of the Tartar. Arnold, History of Rhode Island, II. 146.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
mod's pleasure; and that our Commissary sent us no Stores of any kind. the Commodre will by no means part with me; and provisions are extravagantly dear. I'm Obliged To give 24s per Gall" for Rum, and for other Stores in proportion. four of my people are dead : many more Sick ; and the Rest almost Naked : w: renders the Circumstances of my people Miser- able. Our Circumstances Considdered, I Impatiently wait your Orders To go home. for News I refer you To Capt Cahoon; and am wth Respect,
Honª S! y: most humble Serv!
DALL FONES
To the Honrable GIDEON WANTON Esq. Govern! and Commander in Chief of the Colony of Rhode Island
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
From the Boston Evening post, June 24 : 1745
NEWPORT June 21.
The Governmt of Rhode Island have passed an Act for raising a Number of ablebodyed Seamen not exceeding 200. to be sent forthwith for manning the Vigilant who are to have £17. (old Tenour) bounty upon enlistmt to be paid by the Colony : The con- duct of enlisting was committed to M' Seth Harvey and M! Ezeck1 Hubbard, Persons very capable to serve his Majesty in this affair who have generously resolved to go themselves wth the Men enlisted.1
1 See Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 118.
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Correspondence of the
They have now between three and four Score able Saylors with which they design directly for Boston, And what can be further procured will be sent after : The Land Forces will also Speedily embark
the above was done before they had in New Engld the News of the Surrender of Cape Briton to the English.
LONDON 6th month the 22ª 1745
Gov. Wanton
I wrote thee of the 8th, and 15th, Inst of the Colonys Affairs to wch I refer, this now only Serves to ac- quaint thee that meeting with the above parragraph in a New Englª News Paper I transcribed it and sent it in a Letter to my Friend Ramsden of the Duke of NewCastles Office as a further Testimony 1 of what yo! Colony have done wth respect to their joyning their assistance in the Expedition, and now I hope the Duke will be fully convinced of the disposi- tion of Rhode Island Colony in that Affair notwith- standing the Reports thrown out against them; in vindication of whom I apprehendd it my duty that so they might not lay under false Imputations.
I am Thy assured Friend RICHP PARTRIDGE
To GIDEON WANTON Esq! Govern' of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations New England
1 See Partridge's letter to Ramsden, of July 30, 1745.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
CAPTAIN FONES TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LEWISBOURG HARBR the 23d Aug: 1745
Hond S!
Since my last I have been Obliged to Carry Sev- erall of my people on Shore To the hospital Some of them I never Expect To See again and am Obliged To recruit in our Land Companys. I'm this day To Sail for Newfoundland wth a paquett To the Gov. when we Shall be at home I know not.
I Conclude Hond S: y's To Command
DALL FONES
P. S: I have this day Taken up provisions for 6 weeks but have not yet an accot of the price
I have sent Some of my Sick on Board the Bearer Cap: Cahoon in order to be Carried to New England.
To the Honourable GIDEON WANTON Esq" Gov' and Commander in Chief of the Colony of Rhode Island
GOVERNOR LAW TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
NEWHAVEN Augst 1745 S"
I recd Yours of July the 5th 1745 and I am now to acquaint you That our Assembly (wch finished the last night) in coming to a Conclusion to furnish the Garrison att Louisburg with 350 men to abide there till the first of June next unless his Majtys pleasure be sooner known, so that they may be dischargd, 200
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Correspondence of the
of wch to be made up of them wch are there, and 150 to be raisd and sent to be commanded by three field Officers &c. did Resolve That if your Gov: would joyn them with an 150 men or more That you should appoint a Maj: to the Regiment.
I desire therefore, you would lett me know your mind seasonably ab: that matter that I may conduct my self accordingly in appointing our Officers : in the formar Management I gave a Commission to the Lieut Gen! and Gov Shirley gave a Com" to our Maj: Gen! 1 the like doubtless will be proper for us with respect to this Regiment if you see meet to unite our forces into one Regiment.
I can only inform you That I have at present the Custody of the Counterfeit Plates &c but the men have broke the Goal are fled and as yet not recov- erd.2
I must also ask the favour of your Hon' That in Case M' Robinson should bring forward his Reviews or either of them against me or Esq" Brenton That it might not be pushd forward before M' Hall my brother can come thither. I have been and still am likely to be so engagd in this publick Affair that I cannot possibly be personally present at your Court 3 and much incumberd in furnishing out M' Hall, and the Cases are of considerable Consequence to me, and as I know the Case to be honest on my side so I. . understand it to be even universally recd among you. be sure I honestly bargaind and paid my money more than forty years agone. and for want of fair
1 Roger Wolcott. 2 See Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 130.
8 No further reference to this affair has been found.
1
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
dealings in the matter I thot my self necessitated to resign up one third part of my purchase
with my Regards to your self the worthy Dep Gov' and the Gentlemen of the Council I Subscribe Your humble Servant
JONTH LAW
the honble Gov' WANTON
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR PHIPS TO GOVERNOR WANTON. BOSTON Septem! 2. 1745
Sir,
In my great hurry the last Post Day, I omitted sending your Honour a Copy of my Declaration of War agst the Indians; which I should have been put in Mind of, if I had had any Answer to my Letter to You of the 19th of August last1 (to which I would now refer you) as I have had Answers from all the other Neighbouring Governours to my Letters of the same Date and Import; But as these Governmts are all United in Interest and under One Sovereign Prince, I would hope your Government will not dis- tinguish themselves by refusing to join with the rest in Pursuing Proper Measures against the Common Enemy. I have enclosed Printed Copies of my De- claration abovementioned and of my Proclamation for the Encouragement of Voluntiers.
I am Sir
Your Honour's most Obedient humble Servant
PHIPS
The honourable GIDEON WANTON Esq.
1 See p. 374.
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Correspondence of the
SIR WILLIAM PEPPERELL TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
Honourble S"
I writ you of the 13th inst 1 to wch must refer you, this will waite on you by Cap! Smith who I take to be a Valueable Gentleman and I make no doubt but that you will give Such orders that the deficiency in the three Companys you sent down here will be made up and hastend here for altho' we have no Accot of the Frinch Squadron of Man of Warr at present yet we may Expect a Visit from the Frinch from Cannady this Winter, for as this place is of such great consequence to them, we may be assurd they will do all in their power to Obtaine, therefore I must Arnestly desire that you will hasten down the Sold's and order the Officers to their posts as I can truly say nothing but the good of my Nation and Countery that brot me here so nothing Else would induce me to tarry, you will not be unmindfull to Send Provishon, Clothing beding &c for the men Sent from y' Goverm!
I am with best respects Honorble S"
Your Most Obed! Humble Servt WM PEPPERELL
LOUISBOURG Sept: 20 1745
Honble Gov! WANTON
1 Printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 143. Pepperell asked for twenty-eight men to supply vacancies in the Rhode Island troops. The Assembly voted the men, as well as provisions for eight months, and £3000 to pay the troops. Ibid., V. 128.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR PHIPS TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
BOSTON Sept: 23ª 1745
Sir,
Since mine to your Honour, I have receiv'd a Let- ter from Gov: Shirley (a Copy of whereof I inclose you)1 by which your Honour will see the absolute Necessity of sending Recruits to Louisbourg for pre- serving that important Place. I must therefore ear- nestly desire you to send your Quota of Recruits for that Purpose as soon as possible.2
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