USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. I > Part 27
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I am Sir,
Your most obedient and most humble Servant
The honble GIDEON WANTON Esq. PHIPS
GOVERNOR SHIRLEY TO GOVERNOR PHIPS.3
LOUISBOURG 4 Septem: 6. 1745.
Sir
Three Days ago We were Alarmed with a Report that two of the Seven French Ships of War men- tioned in my last had been seen very near this Har- bour by a Fisherman who said he fell in with one of them and came under her Stern, which from the rea- son there is to think that Squadron cannot be far off was easily Credited, Dispatches have been sent by the Commodore 5 and my Self upon this Occasion to Col Mascarene6 to Apprize him of the Appear-
1 See the following document.
2 See note to preceding letter.
3 Enclosed with letter of September 23, 1745.
4 Shirley arrived at Louisbourg on August 16.
5 Commodore Warren.
6 Governor of Nova Scotia.
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ance of this Armament with our thoughts upon it, and that upon their first notice of their making him a Visit for procuring which proper Care has been taken, he might depend upon Succours being sent from hence to him and as the Commodore has had Intelligence given him that a Scheme is set on foot by the enemy for assembling a Body of Indians and Canadeans very speedily in the neighbourhood of this place to be ready to Surprize it upon the Arrival of any Force from France to joyn 'em, We have the Utmost reason from the Attempts which were formed last year against annapolis Royal and were prevented from being carried into Execution by the Expedition against this place, to expect that a large Body of the Enemy from Canada (whose fate in a great measure depends upon this Islands being recovered from his majesty by next spring) will Winter near us most likely in some part of nova Scotia (as they did last year) and that not only Artillery, Warlike Stores and provisions, but Officers and some Troops will be sent from France this Fall and Rendezvous somwhere in the neighbourhood of this Place in order to make some Attempt upon it by the first opportunity after Commodore Warren with the Squadron under his Command shall leave it, These indeed were my Sen- timents before we received the Intelligence and I have already Communicated them from hence to the Governments of Connecticutt and new Hampshire and told them I shall look upon this place as lost if we have not 4000 Troops in it by the middle of march at farthest but it seems to me now not impos- sible but that even that time may be too late for us
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to reinforce the Garrison tho I hope it will not. you will by this Account see the necessity of the 1000 men last Voted to be raised in the massachusetts being Compleated with all possible Dispatch and I doubt not Sir your best Endeavours to forward those Levies before my Return to Boston, In the mean time this will Retard our sending a Detachment to St Johns Island to Clear it of the French as We designed before now for I shall not think it advisable to part with 400 men, the number proposed for this Service till we shall have waited a few Days for the Event of our late Intelligence concerning the French Squad- ron which may possibly by our Advice Consist of 19 Sail.
I am Sir
Your most humble servant
W SHIRLEY
ADMIRAL SIR PETER WARREN TO GOVERNOR WANTON. LOUISBOURG Oct. 23™ª 1745.
Sir,
His Grace the Duke of NewCastle has signified to me that his Majesty is determined to provide for the effectual Security of the valuable Acquisition made to his Dominions by the Reduction of this place ; and that their Excellencies the Lords Justices have orderd two Regiments to be sent here from Gibraltar for that purpose, with all possible Expedition; but as the Season of the Year is so far advanced as to render it very uncertain whether they will arrive here
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this Fall, and as it may be expected that the Enemy will make the earliest and most vigorous Efforts pos- sible next Spring, for the regaining so important a Fortress ; and his Majesty having done me the Hon- our to put it under my Protection, by appointing me Governour 1 hereof and directed me to concert all possible Measures for the Security of it, I take Occa- sion to represent to You, Sir, that it is intirely ne- cessary for his Majesty's Service, as well as the Hon- our and Interest of the Colonies that they furnish Troops for the effectual Support of this Garrison till a sufficient Force for that purpose shall arrive from Europe, and that they be sent here as early next Spring as the Season will possibly admit of, (which may probably be the beginning of March at farthest) inasmuch as if the Regiments expected from Gibral- tar should not embark this Fall, it is highly probable this place will be closely besieged before they can gain their passage hither, from so distant a place.
As such Precaution is absolutely necessary, I doubt not but your Zeal for his Majesty's Service, and the Interest of your own and the neighbouring Governments in an Affair of so much Consequence will prompt you to use your utmost Endeavours that a proper Quota of Troops from your Government be sent here by the Time proposed. Sir Wm Pepperell and my self are directed to draw Bills on the proper Officers in England for such Expences of this place as we judge necessary for his Majesty's Service, by which we shall have it in our power to pay such
1 Warren's commission as governor of Louisbourg arrived, with the regiments from Gibraltar, in April, 1746.
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Troops as may be sent here from the Colonies for that purpose; and they may be assured that none of them shall be detaind here contrary to their Will after the Arrival of Troops from Europe sufficient for the Security of the place. They may also depend upon the strictest Justice and all the good Offices in my power: and I make no Doubt but all possible Encouragement will be given to them and Others to settle the Island. If the Troops from Gibraltar should arrive here this Winter I shall give you Notice of it as early as possible, to prevent needless Expence ; and I am well persuaded that his Majesty will make full Satisfaction to the Governments that have been, or shall be at any necessary Charge on this Occa- sion.1
I am with much Regard, Sir, Your very humble Servant
Honble Governour WANTON.
P WARREN
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
Gor Wanton
LONDON 8ber the 30th 1745
My last to thee was of the 17th Ult to which I refer Since which I am favour'd with thine of the 9th 7br last and Duplicate of that of the 4th July, and
1 Warren followed this letter with one of November 26 (Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 148), repeating his request for reinforcements, and in response the Assembly voted, in Feb- ruary, 1746, that the governor write to Sir Peter Warren respecting a quota of men for Louisbourg (Ibid., V. 158), but no troops were voted.
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I have also receiv'd the Gold dust per the Eltham Man of War and the £100 Bill of Exchange for Acct of the Colony whose Acco! I shall Credit for the Same and purpose in my next to render Acco! Sales of it.
As to the Matter relating to Capt Hopkins I intend to take care to Enquire about it and accordingly was up at Westminster at the proper Office where such things are Cognizable but miss'd seeing the Gentle- man belonging to it So shall go again very Soon.
As to the Affair of the Boundary I have a Petition loged at the Council Office to the King Praying that the Lords Committees Report may not be stopt and that the Massach"s Petition might not be Counte- nanced but rejected, which at Present lays as a Bar in the way, a Coppy whereof comes inclosed,1 I have taken a great deal of Pains to have the Matter for- warded to a Conclusion without this Petition but found it would not do, and now to be sure both Petitions will be referred to the Lords Committee of Course to Consider them and give their Opinion thereupon which I intend to hasten what I can Agreeable to the Colonys Request for I long to have it Over.
The Parliament met the 17th Instant wherein their Time has been pretty much taken up with the Pub- lick Affairs of the Kingdom wch indeed at this Junc- ture require their Attention on Account of the Re- bellion In Scotland Promoted by the Pretenders Son, who is at their head but the Government have Sent a Considerable Number of Forces against them which
1 See the following document.
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is generally supposed will quell them and Cause them to disperse.
Nothing is yet Moved in the House of Commons about the Paper Currency Bill, I am upon the Watch that when anything of that kind is Stirring there, I shall Exert myself in behalf of the Colony. I think it would be Prudent for the Colony to be Cautious of making or emitting any Quantitys of that Sort at least, for Peoples Mouths will be Open I find in their Exclamations against them, for it may I Doubt be Streniously urged in Parliam' to their Disadvan- tage when ever they begin upon the Bill, this I only recommend as I apprehend for their advantage and Submit it to their Judicious Consideration ; I am with due respect
Thy assured Friend
RICHARD PARTRIDGE
9ber 14th 1745.
Since the foregoing I have been again at the Proper Office to Enquire about Capt Hopkins Affair and find there that he has actually reced the Sum of Two hundred and Seventeen Pounds & Sterl: for recruiting and I have acquainted them with the Com- plaints against him, and the Affidavits but they shew'd me a letter from Colº Gooch which came as I can remember with his Acco! Inclosed to their Office however I have bespoke a Certiff: of the Money he reced to send over to thee 1 I am thine as Above
R. P
1 In the March sessions of 1745 the governor was instructed to write to the agent " respecting the supposed false certificate whereby it is conjectured " that Captain
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Correspondence of the
PETITION OF RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GEORGE II.1
To George the second King of Great Britain &ca. in Council
The humble petition of Richard Partridge Agent for and on behalf of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Sheweth That there has been for a long time a dispute depending between the said Colony and the Province of the Massachusetts Bay touching the Boundary or dividing line betwixt them.
That after many fruitless attempts to adjust and settle the same and after diverse Expensive Hearings in consequence of a Petition to the King in Council for that purpose, a Commission was issued under the great Seale appointing Commiss's to determine the said disputed Line on the Spot in New England which accordingly was done, and a Return duely made thereof but as neither Party had liberty of Appealing to the King, both sides made their hum- ble Appeal against the said Commissioners Judg- ment and determination and both the said Appeals were referr'd to the Lords Committees of the Privy Council for hearing Appeals from the Plantations.
That after a great length of time and a most heavy
William Hopkins has received money of the paymaster-general " for forces said to be enlisted on the Cuba expedition." Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 108.
The reference is evidently to Captain William Hopkins, of one of the Rhode Island companies, who went to the West Indies in the Spanish war of 1740. Hopkins was sent home by General Wentworth to raise recruits for filling up Colonel Gooch's regi- ment, and his instructions will be found enclosed with a letter from Wentworth to Governor Ward, dated August 12, 1741. See also letters of February 2 and October 8, 1742.
1 Enclosed with letter of October 30, 1745.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
Expense the said Appeals came on and were Sol- emnly heard by the said Lords Committees at four severall long hearings, and their Lordships agreed to Report their Oppinion for the Affirmance of the Commissioners Determination made upon the Spot without any Variation from the same, at which hear- ings the Counsel for the Massachusetts had full lib- erty of urging every Matter and of giving their Lordships all the light in the Affair which they thought fitt.
That altho the said determination deprived the Petitioners of more than two thirds of what they had before conceived to belong to them, Yet they (as they allways have done) held themselves dutifully bound to Submit to their Lordships wise and equall Report and never entertained a thought of doing otherwise.
That they said Lords Committees Report to the King was accordingly drawn up and the Petition- ers were exceedingly concerned that several Gen- eral Councils should successively pass and the said Report not be layd (in the constant Method of pro- ceeding) before the King in Council for the Royal Pleasure thereon whereby this dispute of so great Expence and of more than Fourscore Years con- tinuance might at length be brought to a Period.
But upon enquiry into the Cause thereof the Peti- tioners have been informed that one while a Petition to the said Lords Committee to stop their said Re- port was presented by the Massachusetts which after- wards they thought fit to drop and that an other of the like kind has since that time been presented the King in Council.
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Correspondence of the
That thy Petitioners most humbly conceive that such an Application affects the Common Course of Justice in Matters judicially depending before the King in Council upon Appeals from the Plantations and wou'd be a precedent of the most dangerous and mischievous Consequence, as it would make Causes endless and render the determinations of the Lords of the Committee vain, and of no manner of im- port, after so much time taken up therein, besides the Grievious Expence and Inconveniences that the keeping open this Matter wou'd occasion to the Peti- tioners.
Thy Petitioners therefore most humbly pray That the said Petition of the Agent for the Province of the Massachusetts Bay against the said Report of the Lords Committee may not be countenanced or admit- ted to have any influence in putting any further stop to it, but it may be rejected as a precedent of the most dangerous Consequence and that the said Report of the Lords of the Committee in the said Appeals may be layd before the King in Council for the Royal Pleasure in the same manner as, and according to the Constant Course of Proceeding in all other Judi- ciall Appeals whatsoever.
All which is humbly Submitted
LONDON. 28. Octo: 1745
R P
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR PHIPS TO GOVERNOR WANTON.1
BOSTON December 2. 1745
Sir,
The inland Frontiers of this Province are from their situation so much exposed to the french and Indian Enemy, that the Governmt are obliged to be almost continually employed in protecting, or exe- cuting Methods for the Security or Defence of the In- habitants ; And I apprehend the Governmt of Rhode Island are concerned in the same Cause for the Pro- tection of his Majtys Subjects who more immediately are exposed to the Assaults of the common Enemy, and will readily join with the other Governments in his Majesty's Service for carrying on the War against them; Indeed at the beginning of the french War there seem'd to be so much of a peaceable Disposition in the several Tribes of Indians that the People of this Province began to flatter themselves they should remain in some degree of Security, and be free from the Calamities they had suffer'd in former Wars, but they soon found themselves disappointed, and the Indians under the Influence of the French, notwith- standing all their Engagements to the contrary, per- petrated many Acts of Hostility and Barbarity, which render'd it absolutely necessary for me to declare War against them, a Copy of which Declaration I imme- diately sent to your Honour.
I have lately by Expresses2 from the Western Parts
1 See letters of January 27 and February 15, 1746.
2 See the following letter of Governor Clinton, which (having no address) is inserted here, because it would probably be sent to the Massachusetts executive, and by him forwarded to the other New England colonies.
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of the Province been inform'd that a large Body of the same Enemy have fallen upon the Frontiers of the Province of New York, and kill'd and carried away captive a great Number of the Inhabitants. This Proceeding will, I doubt not, induce your Hon- our likewise to a Declaration of War against them, and will also influence the People of your Colony readily to come into measures for prosecuting such a War in an effectual manner. Upon my communi- cating the Contents of these Expresses to the Assem- bly of this Province, they have desired me to write to your Honour, and acquaint you that they are (as they always have been) in a disposition to concert Measures with the Governments of New York, Con- necticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island for their mutual Protection, either by appointing Commis- sioners to treat for that Purpose with such as may be appointed by the other Governments, to meet on the Borders of this Province or in Connecticut or any other Place that may be agreed on, or by any other ways and means that may be thought more proper.
It has long been the Opinion of the People of this Province that the best method of prosecuting the War and the most effectual Way to secure our own Frontiers will be to distress and annoy the Frontiers of the Enemy, for it is certain that with the Assistance of the Indians in our Interest we can do equal and greater Mischief to the French Fron- tiers (which are setled in a scatter'd and defenceless manner) than they can do to ours ; and I doubt not we should soon tire them of carrying on the War in
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
this barbarous inhuman manner; and if they will come with an Army and fight us in a fair open manner we are able and ready to meet them. There seems likewise to be greater reason now than ever to act offensively against them, as they have unjustly extended their Settlements, and built a strong Fort in the heart of that Country, which by the Treaty of Utrecht1 is expressly determin'd to belong to the Crown of Great Britain, and if not interrupted they will in time grow to be most formidable Neighbours to these Governments.
These are Points which I thought it necessary, and am desir'd by the Assembly to write your Honour upon, and I pray you to communicate them to the Assembly of your Colony, and that I may be favour'd with an Answer, that so I may lay the same before our Assembly at their next Meeting, which I expect will be after a very short Recess.
I am Şir,
Your Honours most obedient humble Servant
PHIPS
P. S. I receiv'd your Honour's Letter of the 29th of Nov! by the Post
The honble GIDEON WANTON Esq'
1 The treaty of Utrecht (1713) declared that the " Five Nations" were subject to the dominion of England, and the English interpreted that to mean not only the origi- nal territory of the Iroquois, but their conquests - north to the Ottawa River, and west to the Mississippi.
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LETTER OF GOVERNOR CLINTON.1
NEW YORK 25 Nov. 1745
Sir
I received an Express last Tuesday from Albany that Saraghtoge (a Settlement of this province Bor- dering upon your Frontiers) was cutt off by a party of French and Indians, I had too great reason to believe this would be our Fate and upon my Return from Albany I sent the Assembly a message to guard timely agt it and even now sent them another mes- sage with this News wherein among other Things I desired that immediate encouragement should be given to the Indians of the six nations to go to War upon my orders to which they have paid no greater Regard than Voting a Fort to be built in the Carrying Place 2 to be garrisoned with a 100 Men and Covered wth 200 men while a Building
Last night I received another Express acquainting me with the Damage that place has Sustained with the Numbers of the Dead and those taken prisoners which I herewith Inclose and to which I can now only Refer the Assembly having the Consequence of this Invasion under their Consideration.
I now begin to hope the Assembly will become Sensible of the Danger We are in by this Insult and that they will provide properly for our Defence in
1 Enclosed with letter of December 2, 1745.
2 The Great Carrying Place, between the Hudson and the head of Lake George. The English built a fort there in 1709, which was twice rebuilt, and finally received the name of Fort Edward, by which the town which occupies its site is known to-day.
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Conjunction with our Neighbours of which I shall send you Notice by the first Opportunity I am Sir
Your very humble Servant
G CLINTON
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON xber the 25. 1745
Gov. Wanton
My last to thee was of the 10th Inst to which I refer having nothing to add respecting the Affairs of the Colony at present ; but can hardly forbear writing to thee as the Nation is so embroiled with intestine Wars and threatnings from abroad too from our Common Enemy, believing it wd not be un- acceptable to thee to have frequent advices at this critical Juncture.
Since My former lett" the Rebells have been march- ing back with great pricipitation and confusion towds Scotland pursued by the Duke of Cumberland wth about 4000 horse who a few days since in the Even- ing came up wth their Rear a party of abo! 2000. and had a short Skirmish with them wherein the Rebells lost about 30. and 70 taken prison" and the rest made their escape in fav" of the night carrying off their Wounded wth them towds Carlisle where its supposd they were (when the last accot came) with their main Body ; The Duke expecting his ffoot coming up and to be joyned by 1000 more from Wades Army in-
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tends to go and attack them if they dont march off before he comes up.1
The French at Dunkirk are yet continuing their preparations for an Invasion upon us wth abot 12 to 15000 Men. and 100 Transports but we have a con- sidble number of M: of War in the Downs under the Command of Adm1 Vernon who keeps constantly sending out to gain intelligence and has a watchful Eye over them ; a pretty many other Men of War, Armed Vessells and Privateers are employd to and again who have taken and destroy'd 8 or 9 of their Transport Vessells - where the Storm is likely to fall we can't tell yet, but its supposed it will be some where on the Coast of Sussex.
We have lately a very good ps of News and con- firmed in the Gazette wch is that there is a Treaty of Peace actually concluded and Signed between the Queen of Hungary, the King of Poland, and the King of Prussia, at the mediation of our King 2 wch is expected will be attended with very good conse- quences for us.
And we have an Express from Adm1 Townsend in the West Indies that he has taken and destroyd 30. of the Enemys Ships near Martinico.3 The Cape Briton Fleet wth the Span : prize money and the 2 French East India Men are lately safe arrived at
1 The Young Pretender took Carlisle on November 15, and went as far south as Derby in Lancashire.
2 England signed a preliminary convention with Prussia, for the purpose of rees- tablishing peace, on August 26, 1745. The treaty of Dresden was signed December 25.
8 This action took place off the southern end of Martinique, from October 31 to November 2. The greater part of the fleet was made up of merchantmen under the convoy of five or six men-of-war. Two of the latter were disabled, and many traders captured. Gent. Mag. (1745), p. 629.
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Plymº as are also all our Fleet from the East Indies in the Downs abo! 14. Sayl wth very valuable Cargoes.
Cap: Craigie lately bound hence to Boston was taken by the French in his passage wth a Cargo on bod sayd to be worth upwds of £20000. is retaken and brot into Bristol - but the Privaters of the Enemy have of late taken and card off a pretty many of our Merch' Men from one Place or other.
No alteration in the Ministry lately. a good understanding is between the King and his Parliam! and a very great and gen1 harmony and Unanimity seems to be among the People throughout Englª agst the Rebellion. nothing done yet this Sessions about the paper Currency Bill in the House of Commons.
Pursuant to the Resolution of the Hº of Commons last year most of the Cap's and inferiour Officers of the Fleet who were complained of as delinquents in the Engagemt off of Toulon have been Tryed by a Court Martial but none Capitally convicted - the greatest punishm' any of 'em were sentenced to (as I remember) has been to be casheerd, rendered inca- pable of Serving his Majty for the future and one mulet a year or twos pay. Neither of the Two Ad- mirals Mathews or Lestock have passed their Tryals yet 1
Yours with respects
Thy assured Friend RICH? PARTRIDGE
The following is a paragraph taken out of one of our late news papers - viz
1 See note to letter of February 23, 1744.
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Correspondence of the
London. Of the five great Branches of the French Trade it is observed that the Ist That to (East) Indies has brot in scarce any thing since the beginning of the War while the (our) East India Compa have been so fortunate as not to loose one Ship.
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