USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. II > Part 11
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The Parliament has now been sitting from the 14th ult but I dont understand any thing has been yet on the Carpet there relating to the Northern Colonies except some Resolutions of Grants for Money for the 2 Regim's to be raised in America &c.1 the Trans- ports wth the Forces destin'd for Virginia by this time may probably be got to Ireland from whence they will doubtless depart with all Expedition and as we hear carry with them 36000, ounces and upwards of Silver tow's Support of the Troops when they get to Virginia.
The old Sugar and Mollasses Act expires at the End of this Sessions of Parliamt and Scarce any body beleives it will be renewd again in the same Shape as it was for that it is conjectured the duty will be considerably lowerd on Mollasses wch we suppose will be no ways Grateful to the West India Gentlemen.
I think the apprehensions now of general War seems to abate. for the rest I refer to the Print here inclosed and to the Magazine &c of the last month wch I send for thee to my Correspond! And! Oliver of Boston to be forwarded by a private hand wherein thou wilt see the Substance of the Kings Speech to the Parliam! and the House of Lords and Commons Addresses.
Inclosed is a Copy of an Advertizm: printed in our London Gazette of 22ª Jan'y last, and as it is published by Authority it may be depended on as real and genuine, wch is a discovery for converting Sea Water into fresh and doubtless may be of great Utility to Seafaring Men which I thought proper to
1 See letter of Secretary Robinson in Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 406.
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send thee it shoud not have been with you before. Joshª Appleby the Inventor was one of our Society 1 who is since deceased and his Representatives are about applying to Parliam! for a Suitable Reward. I am with due Respects to thySelf &c Gentle &c Thy and their assured Friend
RP PARTRIDGE
To WILLIAM GREENE Esq" Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
GOVERNOR SHIRLEY TO DEPUTY-GOVERNOR GARDNER.2
BOSTON Jan! 13 th 1755
Sir,
I am favour'd with your Letter of the 4th Instant3 by M: Chace.
I wish every English Colony in North America was animated, Sir, with the same Spirit and Zeal for his Majy's Service and the general Welfare of his Colonies, that the Governmt of Rhode Island hath shown in the Instance of it mention'd in the letter wch I have the honour to recieve from you, at this Critical Conjuncture of Affairs.
I am in daily Expectation of recieving his Majes- ty's further Commands from the R: Honble Sir Thomas
1 The Society of Friends.
2 John Gardner served Rhode Island as boundary commissioner in 1737, commis- sary-general in the war of 1744, deputy-governor in 1754, and again, from 1756 until his death in 1764.
8 Printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 405. See also the act of Assembly for raising a company of one hundred men.
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Robinson, and the R! Honble M! Fox his Majy's prin- cipal Secretary at Warr, and will upon the reciept of them do my self the honour to give your letter a particular Answer in every respect.
I beg, in the mean time, you would make my Com- plim's to his Honour Governour Green, and assure him that I have a very great regard and respect for him and every Branch of his Governmt, as I have a particular one for your self, being,
Honble Sir,
Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant W SHIRLEY
P. S. Last Saturday I prorogu'd the Assembly of this Province to the 5th of Feb!, when they will meet upon business of importance.
Honble JOHN GARDNER Esq!
HENRY BABCOCK TO THOMAS WARD.
WESTERLY Feb 8. 1755
S
Your Favour of Octobr 8 together with the inclosed Act of Parliament had the Pleasure to receive, for which I take this Opportunity of returning You my grateful Acknowledgements. And as you was pleased to advise us of agreeing on the 4 Days in which to exercise ; pursuant to your Directions we have agreed, The Days are - Last Monday in March. First Monday in May; after the general Election. First Monday in September. Last Monday in October.
We wait only for our Charter and Commissions -
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as we have raised a Company and like to have near a hundred if nothing should impede it more than is imagined.
The Officers are the same with this small Altera- tion our Ensign we have stiled 2ª Lieutenant - Henry Babcock Cap: John Champlin first Lieunt Ichabod Babcock Ju' 2ª Lieunt I am S' your most obedient most obliged and very humble Sert
HENRY BABCOCK
THOMAS WARD Esq.
IN COUNCIL
Feb. 8th 1755. The Choice of Officers for the Artillery Comp! of Westerly and Charlestown is approved and the Secretary is directed to make a Charter and Commissions accordingly By Ord"
THO. WARD Secretary
GOVERNOR SHIRLEY TO GOVERNOR GREENE.
BOSTON March 26, 1755
Sir.
I herewith inclose you a Copy of the Report of a Committee of the General Assembly of this Province, accepted by the whole Court relating to the imme- diate Prosecution of the intended Expedition for securing these Colonies against the Encroachments of the French,1 with a Proclamation which I have
1 In a letter of Shirley of February 24, 1755 (printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 414), the plan of "the intended expedition " is detailed. In concert with Governor Law- rence of Nova Scotia he had planned an attack on Fort Beausejour, " upon the isthmus
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already issued for raising Soldiers within this Pro- vince for that Service, as also a Form of a Commis- sion to be given by the Several Governours to their Respective Officers, for your Honours Consideration ; It seeming proper that these Commissions should be issued in one Form. Your Honour will be pleased to observe that our Assembly have engaged to Col. Johnson to pay their Proportion of the Charge of the Indians of the Six Nations, that may be retained in the Service, which is done in Confidence that the other Governments will join with Us; Therefore it is necessary that Col. Johnson should be seasonably apprized of the Resolution of the other Governments as to this Article, that so he may act with Safety as to his Agreement with those Indians; for this Rea- son I have written already to Col. Johnson, and hope your Honour will do the like: There must be some Proportion of Cannon and Warlike Stores for the Use thereof provided by every Government, which Your Honour will be pleased to take Care of in your own Government.
I am with very Great Regard, Sir,
Your Honour's most Humble and most Obedient Servant,
W SHIRLEY
His Honour WILLIAM GREEN Esq!
of the peninsula," and was anxious that at the same time the forces of the southern colonies should march against the French posts in the Ohio country, while troops from New York, New Jersey, and New England should attack and fortify Crown Point, the key to Lake Champlain. Shirley proposed to send 1200 men from Massa- chusetts, and to give the command to Colonel William Johnson, Superintendent of Indian Affairs.
Rhode Island voted 400 men for the Crown Point expedition, and, by a later vote, that deficiencies in these companies might be filled up by the Indians of the Six Na- tions. Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 418, 430.
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THOMAS CRANSTON AND PETER BOURS TO THE COMMITTEE OF WAR.2
NEWPORT RHODE ISLAND May 22ª 1755
Gen™
If itt Should bee thought advisable to dispatch Cap: Coles 3 Company next week the article of pow- der is wanting we Should think itt the Surest way to have itt in Season, to purchas itt in Boston, if to be had, and Sent up in a cart, be So good as to think of itt, and if you purchas armes and Blanketts, purchas powder allso if posable, wee made mention of your purchasing provitions in our last, if you canot purchas, them, with you, wee Should bee glad to know itt as Soone as posable,
from yr Hum1 Servis THO. CRANSTON PETER BOURS
THE COMMITTEE OF WAR TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.4 NEWPORT May 27th 1755
Gent™
We have recª your Letters," and note the Con- tents, and are of opinion that it wou'd be best to have 300 Blankets, and 100 Small arms, with all
1 Two deputies from Newport.
2 This body " of five or more suitable persons " had powers of general supervision and direction over the enlistments, transportation, payment, and execution of the com- mands of the home government, during the recess of the General Assembly. See Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 410.
3 Edward Coles, captain of the first company of the troops for Crown Point.
4 For an account of Hopkins, see p. xxxv of the Introduction. He was governor of Rhode Island from 1755 to 1757, 1758 to 1762, 1763 to 1765, and in 1767.
5 See letter of May 22.
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Expidition from Boston, We expect to make up 100 Blankets in this Town, and 100 Small Arms; the Pork you have, Reserve for the Expidition; what arms more may be Wanting must take of the Gov- ernments and Replace them as soon as possible, as we would not have the Colony Destitute. .
We shou'd be glad to have the Presents of his Hon! the Govern' here as soon as he can, and We think it Absolutely necessary,
We are Gen™ Your most obed! hum Servt JONA NICHOLS PETER BOURS Commetee of War 1
THE COMMITTEE OF WAR TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.2
NEWPORT June 4th 1755
Gentlemen,
We think it necessary for the Transports You have at Providence to be sent to Newport as soon as possible to take on Board Part of the Provisions pur- chased for the Forces and Tents &c. We choose to put as much of each Article as appertains to a Com- pany on Board each Vessel, if the Small Arms and Blanketts are arrived from Boston You can send too of the latter for the Use of the Southern Forces.
We are with Esteem Gent!
Y! most obedient humble Serv's
JONA NICHOLS THOS CRANSTON PETER BOURS
1 See note to preceding letter.
2 See letters of May 22 and 27, 1755.
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P. S. we give five hundred pounds to Each of our Transports they finding water Casks and platforms for the men.
To The Honble STEPHEN HOPKINS and DANE JENKS Esq1
att Providence
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
Governor Hopkins,
7 mo. July the 4th 1755
As I am lately inform'd from your Colony that at the late Election there for a Governour the Choice has fallen upon thee I therefore take this Opportu- nity via Philadelª to congratulate thee thereon and look upon it my Duty to Inform thee from Time to Time of such Occurrences here as may affect the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations My last letter directed to the Governour thereof (which was for the Time being) was of the 24. 5mo or May to which I refer. We understand that great preparations are making in No America to repulse the Encroachments of the French and which our Governm' here too seem to have very much at Heart; Scarce ever were more vigorous Naval Armaments carried on than has been of late. we hear your Col- ony has raised 400 Men for some Expedition but I don't remember to have had any Notice of it by let- ter from any Person there. we are Still quite at an Uncertainty relating to War or Peace, if there should
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be a Rupture it's expected it will begin in America.1 The King continues in his Germain Dominions still but is expected to return sometime before the Parlia- ment Meets in Novem' next when very probably some matters relating to the Plantations will be brought on the Carpet. There has been of Late a Rumour as if a War with the Sallee 2 was likely to happen because of their having taken an English Ship and carried her into one of their Ports, but that is now all blown over the Said Ship being restored which we have from the Publick Authority in the Gazette, the Para- graph is as follows; " Gibralter May the 30th 1755 " Capt Maplesdon in his Majesties Sloop Fortune " return'd hither this day from Sallee with the Vessel " Cargo Crew and passengers lately siezed off Arzilla " by a Salletine Cruizer which has been restored " without the least plunder or embezlement, and the " most Solemn protestations have been made by the " Bashaw and Government that they are determined " to Shew the greatest Regard to the English Nation " and Colours, on the arrival of this Vessel and peo- " ple from Sallee Several Moors whom the Gov: had " detained here on Acct of the late Capture were " immediately Set at liberty
This I judged necessary to advise thee of also and
1 For the colonists the war began when Fort Duquesne was built on the headwaters of the Ohio. War was a practical fact when Jumonville was discovered and defeated near Great Meadows in 1754. For Europe, however, war was in anticipation until Boscawen's fleet met and defeated three French ships, June 8, 1755.
2 Also Salee and Sale. A seaport on the coast of Morocco, and a stronghold of the Mediterranean pirates.
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remain with due Respects to thyself, Gentlem" of the Council and Hº of Representatives Thy Assured Friend RICH? PARTRIDGE
STEPHEN HOPKINS Esq. Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
LONDON 8 m? or Aug: 8th 1755.
Gov'. Hopkins.
I Wrote thee of 4th and 7th Ult. via Philadelphia, to wch I referr thee, and as now we Seem to be at the Eve of a War, I judged it necessary to be frequent in my Advices, and there being no Ship just now likely to Sail for New England, I send this via Hali- fax, to acquaint thee, that, no War is yet Proclaimed either by the French or English, that we hear of, and People vary in their Opinions about it, but this I think may be relyed on that our Ministry will Scarce do it, till the French Declares; yet our Naval Preparations continue still vigourously, and Adm! Hawke is lately Sailed with a Strong Fleet of large Men of War, but their destina is kept a profound Secret. The taking of the two French Men of Warr and their Forts at Chignecto, is highly resented by the French; 1 Now People here are in daily expecta-
1 The only successful portion of the fourfold campaign. See note to letter of March 26, 1755.
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tion about the Success of our other Forces in Amer- ica on their Sev! Expeditions, and I believe are most in fear for that under Gen! Braddock, lest the French shod be more numerous at the Ohio, than was ex- pected : The King is not yet returned from Hanover but probably it will not be long first.
As to the affair wrote to me of, by your late Gov- ernor Green,1 concerning Cannon &c. for your For- tification at Newport, I have been with S: Tho : Robinson and delivered him the Letter wrote to him on that Subject, who received me Courteously, and read it while I was present I desired his favourable influence for obtaining what was desired or to that purpose, but he Seemed to excuse himself, alledging their ordnance was pretty much Exhausted, in So much that Some Cannon was lately refused to be Granted for Halifax and directed me to the Council Office for my application, accordingly I wrote to Lord President a Letter inclosing with it a Copy of the Profil of the Fortification, and of the Letter to S! Tho: Robinson, and lodged a proper Petition at the Council Office also to be considered at the next following Committee, wch Comtee of Council Sate Yesterday, when I attended, but the Lord Presid: was not willing to do anything in relation to our affair nor to any other application of the like kind, -as I understood by the Clerk of the Council, which were then Soliciting for; but notwithstanding this I intend to try If I can get it, put in the estimate agst next Sessions of Parliament
I am with Respects to thy Self and the Gent"
1 See instructions given by the Assembly, Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 411.
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of the Council and House of Representatives Thy assured Friend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
I am now at the 23ª D. No War is yet proclaimed, and it seems now to be confirmed that the King of Spain has determined to keep in Friendship with the English wch doubtless is a great Baulk to the French
R P.
To STEPHEN HOPKINS Esq. Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
GOVERNOR HOPKINS TO THE TWO HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY.
To the Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly, in the Colony of Rhode Island.
Gentlemen,
To give you an opportunity of knowing the pre- sent position of Affairs in North America ; and, of exerting your selves according to your Abilitys, for putting them in a better Condition : hath occasioned your being called together at this Time.
The Defeat, of the English Army at the River Monogohala,1 The Death of the General, and many other brave Officers, The loss, of so many Men; with all the Artillery, Provisions, and Military Stores; are events, that must greatly Alarm all the North- ern Colonys ; and fill them, with a concern that must
1 The defeat of General Braddock, July 9, 1755.
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increase, as they consider ; that, it will greatly em- bolden, and strengthen the French ; and secure and encourage their Indians; and proportionally dis- hearten ours. That, it lays the Inhabitants of several Colonys open, to savage depredations, which have been already begon, and will be continued, and in- creased. That, the French having nothing further to fear from that Army, will be at liberty, largely to reenforce their Garrisons at Crown Point, and Niag- ara; and, thereby Defeat our Attempts against them. Should that be the Case, the Consequences must prove almost fatal to the English intrests in North America. Then, all those Indians who now waver in our interest ; will despise and forever forsake us : this will not only double the Number of our Enemys, but also lay our whole Country open to their Attacks; even from Nova Scotia to North Carolinia. When to this is added, the great danger of loseing our men, now in those services, with all their Provisions, and Military Stores: I am perswaded every man will be roused; and exert himself to the Utmost, to prevent the Distress, and Ruin, that at this Time so immi- nently threatens his Native Country.
In order to this, I must in the strongest terms, recomend to you, the raising as many more Men ; and taking every other Measure, in the Power of this Colony for effectually strengthening, and Supporting the Expedition against Crown Point: upon the suc- cess of which, the safety of the Colonys, and more es- pecially those of New England immediately depend.
And, I hope none of you, will be the less in earnest in this Matter, becase this Colony might not be the
1
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first, that would feel the dismal effects of a defeat : but, rather let all consider themselves, as Subjects of the same Gracious Sovereign; and member of the same general Society ; which, it is equally the Duty, and Intrest of all to defend. Niether let any think, that expence can be burthensome; which is Abso- lutely Necessary, and duly laid out, in Preserving those invaluable Libertys, and Priviledges we enjoy : and in the defence of our Native Country, when it is in danger.1
STEP. HOPKINS
COUNCIL CHAMBER, Newport II of August 1755.
COLONEL WILLIAM JOHNSON 2 TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
CAMP AT THE GREAT CARRYING PLACE 8 20 Aug: 1755. Sir,
Colonel Harris 4 is the Bearer of these Lines to Your Honour, he has applied to me for leave to go home in order to Sollicit for Cloathing and some other Matters relating to the Regt under his Com- mand, and wch I beleive will be found necessary to be sent them; Upon this Account, and as Lieut Colonel Cole5 is a very active and agreable officer I have consented to Col. Harris going.
1 The Assembly, thus convened, "enacted that three companies of fifty men each, including officers, be raised, and sent by land unto Albany." Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 440.
2 An Irishman, nephew of Sir Peter Warren, at first agent for Warren's estates on the Mohawk, later Superintendent of Indian Affairs. See note on p. 150.
3 See note to letter of September 1, 1755.
4 Colonel of the Rhode Island regiment.
5 See note to letter of May 22, 1755.
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The Great Variety of Business in wch I am en- gaged will not permit me to be further particular, but Col Harris will inform You of those Matters wch my time will not suffer me to do.
I am Sir
Your Honours Most Obed! hum serv!
WM. JOHNSON
Capt Wraxall who is my Sect! and Aid de Camp and Judge Advocate to the Troops, desires his re- spectful Salutations to Your Honour.
To the Honourable Governor HOPKINS.
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO MESSRS. NICHOLS, CRANSTON, AND BOURS.
LONDON 8 mo. or Aug: 28. 1755.
My Fras Jon. Nicholls Tho'. Cranston and Peter Bours
Yours dated 12th July I have duly recd the 26th Inst. relating to the Marquis de Lambertye 1 &cª and the next day I went and communicated it to Sir Tho: Robinson Sec'y of State, and when he read the letter, he intimated that he had known him formerly, and seemed to approve of the Seizure of the 2 Ves- sels you mention, that as to Lambertye whom I think he stiled a Count, as none of his Papers were sent
1 A vessel belonging to the Marquis de Lambertie put into Newport in June, and was seized and condemned by the court of admiralty, while the marquis was impris- oned until an opportunity offered of sending him to England. See the act of Assem- bly in Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 423. M. de Lambertie could obtain no redress. Arnold, History of Rhode Island, II. 197.
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over he did not apprehend they could do any thing to him, but intended to lay the Letter before the Lords of the Regency who are to meet the 2ª of next moth - and perhaps I may afterwards heare more about it, - La Halifax was at the Sec! of States at the same time when I was there and very probably they might confer together about it, for before I was called in to Sir Thomas's Room I had acquainted La Halifax of it and Shewed him your Letter who signified that the Ministry ought to be acquainted with it.
Sep" 3d. I was this day up at Whitehal on the Watch after the Marquiss De Lamberty and find he has been at the Sec"! of States Office, I suppose about getting an order for the delivering up of his Ship and Cargo or the produce thereof which has been Condemned at Rhode Island and I hear that Affair was laid before the Lords of the Regency yes- terday and was referrd to the Attorney Genel, where- upon I went to that Gent: Chamber and desired when the Referrence came that I might have notice to attend before any Report be made (the Attorn! Gen! himself being at his Country Seat) and I design to attend wth my Sol! accordingly in behalf of the Colony and Collector. but its pitty there was not sent me some further Instructions and Papers relat- ing thereto.
No War is declared yet,1 about which we are still in the dark, but the King I hear is to set out from Hanover for England the 8th Inst. and when he arrives we Shall probably soon know what will be
1 War was not declared until May 18, 1756.
VOL. II.
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done in that respect - One of our Men of War has lately brought 4 French Merchant Ships into Ports- mouth, but some think they will be set at liberty again ; for the rest I refer to the Prints here inclosed and intend to write again per Cap! Rodman who talks of Sailing in about 4 days time. interim I rest Your assured Friend
R.P PARTRIDGE
A SUMMONS TO THE SHERIFF OF KENT COUNTY.
COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND AND SOFORTH
To the Sheriff of our County of Kent, or to his Deputy, Greeting
Whereas the honorable Major General Johnson by a Letter dated the 24th of August from his Camp at the Great Carrying Place 1 hath advised that the French in and about their Fort at Crown Point may of themselves out-number the Army under his Command, that they make take Post and fortify themselves in some advantagious Place between him and Crown Point &c. which renders a Strong and Speed[y] Reinforcement absolutely necessary to enable him to perform the Service which the Army under him was raised for. And whereas his Honor the Governor of Connecticutt by a Letter of the 29 Ult. has advised Me that the General Assembly of said Colony upon his communicating unto Them Letters of the like Import had ordered Fifteen Hun- dred Men to be raised and added unto the Five Hundred which they had before raised as a Reinformcement unto the said General Johnson, And forasmuch as another Defeat from the French at the present critical Conjuncture of Affairs will have a natural Tendency to Secure to themselves the Interest of the Indians ' and probably render all North America an easy Conquest unto
1 The carry between Fort Lyman on the Hudson (rechristened Fort Edward by Johnson in honor of one of the King's grandsons) and the headwaters of Lake George. There Johnson's men had an engagement with the French under Dieskau, on Septem- ber 8, 1755. Johnson was made a baronet and given £2000 by Parliament.
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the Arms of France and thereby reduce us unto the fatal Neces- sity of Sacrificing our Religious and Civil Liberties unto the Am- bition of an Arbitrary Monarch whose Religion is not only Cruel but destructive of the Rights of Mankind
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