USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. II > Part 13
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ROBERT RODGERS
Witnesses Present was NOAH JOHNSON JAMES HENRY
To Coll. GLAISAR Commdr at fort william Henry
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NATHAN WHITING1 TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
Sir
As I have the honour to be intrusted with the Command of this Garison in behalf of the Several Governments concerned in maintaining it, I think it my duty to send your Honour the return of the forces that belong to And the State of the provi- sions and Military Stores In it; Accordingly you have them enclosed; I Likewise send an examination of a French deserter Who came Lately into the other fort, Which I took of him in his way to Albany, by Which you will have all the intelligence I can give of the State of the Enemy at Ticonderoge, Capt Rogers was there about the time this deserter came Away, I hear he Imagined there was a Thousand Men there, but as I have not had his Report I cant vouch for the truth of it; I have sent frequent Scouts towards Woodcrick And South Bay, Who have never made Any discovery of Any Enemy. you are doubtless Acquainted that the Troops in this Garison are of Connecticut and New York that consequently I can give no particular Acct of the State of the Troops of your Gov! I have Nothing farther material to Ac- quaint you of, but that I am with due Esteem
Your Honours most Obedient humb Servt
NATHAN WHITING
FORT EDWARD January I+ 1756 The Honble HOPKINS Esq!
1 Whiting was lieutenant-colonel of the Second Connecticut Regiment, raised in 1755. In January, 1756, the Connecticut Assembly granted him £13 for his extraordinary expenses in garrisoning Fort Edward, and in March appointed him colonel of the Fourth Regiment, to go against Crown Point. Pub. Rec. of Conn., X. 345, 450, 470.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
GOVERNOR SHIRLEY TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
NEW YORK Jan. 2d 1756.
Sir,
I inclose your Honour a Scheme for an Attempt upon Tionderoge and Crown point to be made this Winter.1
I have fully and maturely consider'd it, and the more attentively I have thought upon it, the more practicable it appears to me, extraordinary Disap- pointments, as a long Succession of violent Snow Storms or unusual breaking up of the Ice in the Wood Creek2 and River beyond it in the Month of February excepted ; to some or other extraordinary unforeseen Disappointments, all Undertakings of this kind must be subject.
I believe it will be agreed, that if the propos'd Forces and Armament arrive safely at Tionderoge3 and Land between that and Crown point, the Carry- ing of the Works, and securing of the French Troops at the former will, from the Acct given of them in the inclos'd Report of Thomas Poor's, who is es- teem'd by those, who know him, a very intelligent Officer and to be depended upon, be an easy Task,
1 See the enclosure which follows. By the death of Braddock, Shirley became com- mander-in-chief of the English forces in America. With a force of some 1400 men, he had, in the summer of 1755, pushed through western New York to Oswego, the Eng- lish trading-post on Lake Ontario. From this as a base it was hoped to capture the French forts, Frontenac and Niagara. Both posts were too strongly reinforced to allow the English troops to venture upon so desperate an attack. Leaving 700 men as a garrison at Oswego, Shirley returned to Albany in October.
2 A small but navigable stream, the usual route from the Hudson to the head of Lake Champlain.
3 A promontory on the west shore of Lake Champlain, commanding both routes from the Hudson, that of Wood Creek and that by Lake George. Fortified by the French during the winter of 1756.
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and take up a very Short time, perhaps not many Hours; and I think it extremely improbable, by all Accts we have had, that the French should have erected any Strong Works upon the Eminence, which commands Crown point, the making ourselves Mas- ters of the former of which would probably be Soon follow'd with the Surrender of the latter; I can't see why the taking of Crown point1 itself which is not above 16 Miles from Tionderoge, should be de- spair'd of.
As to the conveying of the Troops and Armament to Tionderoge in due Season, that Seems chiefly to depend upon collecting the number of Slays requi- site by the second Week in February, and clearing the Wood Creek from Incumbrances above the level of the Ice, so as to give a passage to the Slays ; which must be very practicable by a Party of 100 Men or less in a Day or two at furthest. The Port- age or Carrying place at the Falls of the Wood Creek is not above 300 Yards, and as the Men will be transported in Slays, the whole Passage will not take up above Six Days, and but three of those at most between Fort Edward and Tionderoge ; so that the Men, if provided against the Inclemency of the Season as propos'd. will not be greatly har- rass'd by this Conveyance to Tionderoge, and their Incampm's in going to it ; And upon their Arrival there, they will find good Cover ready for the great- est part, if not all of them from the Enemy's Works.2 The Forces, which are design'd to be employ'd to
1 North of Ticonderoga.
2 Entrenchments were thrown up at this point by Dieskau, in the previous summer.
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make the propos'd Attempts, if they succeed, will, I apprehend, be strong enough to hold either Tion- deroge or Crown point 'till they are reinforc'd from the Colonies, especially as the French can't be rein- forc'd by Water Carriage over the Lake Champlain, which at that time hath an Ice upon it, that will pre- vent it from being navigable, and not Strong enough to bear the Weight of either Stores, Provisions or Men, and by the time, that the Waters of it shall be open, our Vessell and Boats may enter the Lake, and command the Navigation of it.
The Train of good Consequences, which the gain- ing of Crown point or even Tionderoge this Winter by the propos'd Attempt would draw after it, by less- ening the Expence and Difficulties, which an Attack of either in the Summer would be attended with giving Spirit and Vigour to every other part of the General Service in the ensuing Year; the Effect it would have upon all the Indians in general, retrieving the Reputation of the English Arms in North Amer- ica, and lowering the presumption and Vaunts of the French, is too obvious to need being particularly observ'd on.
If it should be thought that the 40 Days provisions is too scanty a Stock for the Subsistence of the Troops 'till the Ice shall be broke up, it is highly probable that a Party of the Slays might make a sec- ond Trip upon the Ice with an additional Supply of Provisions before the Ice is broke up.
It is most evident, that the effecting this Service will depend upon each of the Gov's concern'd, imme- diately upon receiving this Express, raising their
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respective Quota's of good Men for it with proper Officers to command them, and fitting them out in time to rendezvous at Albany, by the first Week in Feb!", which I can't but hope will be comply'd with in the most ready and chearfull manner as the Gen- eral Interest of all the Eastern Colonies in particular is so deeply concern'd in the Event.1
I purpose to set out from this Place for Boston on Friday the 9th Instant.
In the mean time I can't omit expressing my thanks to your Honour for the very great Assistance I had from consulting you upon the Several parts of his Majesty's Service at Albany.2
I am with very great Esteem and Regard, Sir,
Your Honour's most Humble, and most
Obedient Servant,
W SHIRLEY.
P.S. I need not observe to your Honour how ne- cessary it is to have this Scheme kept secret, except to the Assembly.
[Enclosure.]
Proposal for an Attempt to be made against Crown point and Ticonderoge this Winter.8
It is propos'd that 1150 Men, to consist of 950 Provincial Troops and 200 Regulars pick'd for the Service, with half the Company of Artillery and Engineers and a proper Train, should
1 See Shirley's letter of February 2, 1756, in Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 473. The Assem- bly voted to send five hundred men, including those " now in the pay of this colony," " to reduce the French forts on Lake Champlain." Ibid., V. 480.
2 At Shirley's request, a conference of delegates from the colonies was held at New York to arrange a plan of campaign for the ensuing year. Governor Hopkins and Daniel Updike, the attorney-general, were appointed by the Assembly to represent Rhode Island. Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 463.
8 Enclosed with letter of January 2, 1756.
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make an Attempt upon the French Works at Ticonderoge, and if found practicable to proceed from thence to Crown point, and make an Attempt upon that ; the Troops to rendezvous at Albany the first week in February. -
The Men with their Baggage and Provisions for 40 Days, the Artillery and Ordnance Stores to be transported from Albany to Fort Edward, and from thence to Woodcreek, and over that to Ticonderoge all in Slays, wch may take up six Days.
The Provincial Troops to be provided with Tents, Blankets, Woolen Waiscoats, Caps and Mittens, two pair of Moggisons, and one pair of Indian Stockings each.
Each Colony to be at the Expence of the pay, Arms, Cloath- ing, Provisions, and Tents for their respective Troops, and pay for - Officers and Seamen to man the Vessells and Whale- boats hereafter mention'd.
The Crown to be at the Expence of 600 Slays, Horses, or other Carriages, and Ordnance Stores, and building one or more Ves- sells of Force sufficient to command the Navigation of the Lake Champlain, together with Whale Boats, all weh it is propos'd shall be begun to be built as soon as Ticonderoge or Crown point is taken, and launch'd into the Water as soon as the Ice will per- mit.
The Provincials to be apportion'd as follows, Massachutts Bay 300, Connecticutt 250, New York 200, New Hampshire 100, Rhode Island 100.
The Provisions, Great Artillery and Ordnance Stores, Snow Moggisons and Indian Stockings are already some at Albany, some at Fort Edward and others at Lake George.
One Commissary General of Provisions must be appointed for this purpose, and a Clerk appointed by each of the Colo- nies.
Endorsed :
Proposal for an Attempt to be made agst Ticonderoge and Crown point this Winter.
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RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
LONDON 2ª mo. Feb. 12th 1756.
Gov'. Hopkins
My last to thee was of Dec! 16th1 since which I have had none of thy Favours. This now comes to acquaint thee that on the 28. Ult the King sent a Message to the House of Commons in the follow- ing words Viz: " His Majesty being sensible of the " Zeal and Vigour with which his Faithful Subjects " of certain Colonies in North America have exerted " themselves in defence of his Majestys just Rights " and Possessions recommends it to this House to " take the same into their Consideration and to enable " his Majesty to give them such Assistance as may " be a proper Reward and Encouragement."
In consequence thereof the House of Commons have granted the Sum of £5000. to S: William John- son as a Reward for his Services.2
And also resolved That £115,000 Sterling be granted for New York, New Jersey, and the Colonies of New England, to be distributed amongst them as a free gift and Reward for their Past Services and an Encouragement to continue to exert themselves with Vigour in defence of the Kings just Rights and Pos- sessions ; 3 That is as I am informed from Members of the House £20,000 for New York and New Jer- sey, and £95,000 for Massach's, Connecticutt, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire in proportion,4 to be
1 See p. 175.
2 See note to letter of September 1, 1755.
8 See Parliamentary Register, III. 263.
4 Rhode Island received £6,684.12. 3.
+
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
sent over in Specie very soon to America; and when they have collected the respective Accots of Expence, and times of Inlistments there, after its arrival the money to be distributed accordingly; as it was im- possible to do it here, and I further hear it will be paid in Specie to the Respective Treasurers of each Colony.
And the Commons have since Voted £81.178.16. St: for the charge of a Regiment of Foot to be raised in America for 1756,1 which Regiment as I'm in- form'd is to consist of 3 Batallions of 4000 Men in the whole to be Commanded 1d of them by Forreign Protestants who are to Act and Rank as Officers and Engineers in America mostly sent from Europe, and the Commander in Chief and other Principal Officers to be of Great Britain sent from hence also and some other Officers to be Commissioned in America. Lord Loudon a Nobleman of a very good Character is to be Commander in Chief 2 who with upward of 2000 Men including some Highlanders, are to be sent over to America now (as I suppose) with all Expedition for a further defence of the Fron- tiers there.
As for other Publick news the Affairs of Europe are still in a state of uncertainty, no War yet being declared by the French or English 3 but our own Men of War continue taking the French Merch! Ships as Prizes without a certain account of their having taken any of our Ships yet, except Seizing a
1 See Parliamentary Register, III. 263.
2 See letter of Secretary Fox of March 13, 1756, in Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 485.
3 See note on pp. 154, 161.
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few English Vessells of late that were in the French Harbours.
I am forced to conclude in hast to save this con- veyce from
Thy loving Friend
RP PARTRIDGE
I have not long since enquired at the Attorney Generals and find no further proceeding has been made in the affair of the Marquis De Lambertie
To STEPHEN HOPKINS Esq.
Govern' of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
GOVERNOR SHIRLEY TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
BOSTON Feb"? 20 1756. Sir,
I inclose to your Honour, at the Request of the Assembly of this Governmt, a Copy of their Resolves for raising 3000 Men as their Quota of 9000 for carrying on an Expedition against Crown point this Year in conjunction with his Majesty's other Col- onies.
If the Circumstances of the Province would have admitted it, I should have urg'd them to increase the Number, but there were so many Men in Service the last Year in the two Expeditions East and West, and there are so many constantly employ'd for the De- fence of the Frontiers, that it will be extremely diffi- cult to make an addition to what has been determin'd; and indeed if the other Governments would raise their
1
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Proportion, the whole would amount to as large an Army, as I should desire for this purpose ; whilst the Men are raising I design that a sufficient Quantity of Provisions and Stores of every kind shall be trans- porting to Fort Edward and Fort William Henry,1 and that the Battoes for the Carriage of the Artillery and Stores of War shall be ready for the Use of the Army, as soon as it shall arrive at the Lake; for the Success of the Campaigne will very much depend on our being ready for Action as soon as the Advances of the Spring will permit, and indeed we have no time to lose.
One very material part of the Plan propos'd at New York was the breaking up the French Settle- ments upon the River Chaudiere 2 and giving an Alarm to Quebec which must naturally retain a con- siderable Number of the French Forces on that side the Country; but this cant be determin'd upon 'till it be known what Forces the several Governments will raise : I hope Connecticut will furnish 2500 Men, New Hampshire and Rhode Island 1800 be- tween them ; 3 and altho' the Assembly of New York hath voted only 1000 Men, I can't but hope it will at least double the Number, when they shall be inform'd what the Massachusetts hath done, espe- cially as New York Government, from its Situation and other Circumstances is more nearly affected by
1 Built by Sir William Johnson, in 1755, at the head of Lake George, and named in compliment to one of the king's grandsons.
2 The portage between the Kennebec and the Chaudière (a tributary of the St. Law- rence, which enters that river a little above Quebec) was an entry into Canada of con- siderable importance.
3 See note on p. 184.
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the Incroachments of the French than any one of his Majesty's Colonies besides.
Suppose the whole Number, which I have com- puted, should be rais'd, it will fall short, your Honour knows, of what was propos'd in the Plan at New York.
As to the New Jersey Troops, they must be em- ploy'd at Lake Ontario1 or the Force there will be in- sufficient : Unless therefore the Governments South- ward of the Jerseys shall assist with their Troops also,2 I don't see how the 3000 Men propos'd for the Service at Chaudiere can be well spar'd.
I know your Honour to be well dispos'd to forward the Service, and I hope the Colony of Rhode Island will raise at least a proportionable Number of Men to that which the Govt employ'd the last Year: The Massachusetts then propos'd in their first Levies 1500, Rhode Island then voted 400, so that I flater myself your Assembly will not think 800 too large a proportion now, especially since his Majesty has been pleas'd to order such Strong Assurances to be given of his most gracious Favour to the New England Governments wth respect to a Reimbursement of the Charges of the last Expedition; 3 and I think that the Continuance of the same Vigour and Spirit in prosecuting the present Expedition will give us good Reason to hope for the same favour wth respect to this also; whatever Number shall be determin'd on, it will be necessary that your Government make full
1 In the proposed expedition against Niagara.
2 Both Pennsylvania and Virginia refused to do so.
8 See Partridge's letter of February 12, 1756.
----... ........
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Provision for that Proportion, of all the Charges that shall attend the Expedition. The failure of some Colonies last Year in the seasonable Transportation of their provisions and Stores tended as effectually to prevent the proceeding of the Army as if all had fail'd.
Some Companies of the first Rais'd Men in each Colony should be sent, as soon as possible, to Albany to serve as a Guard or Convoy for the Boats and Carriages, that shall pass from thence to the Fort at Lake George: The Battoes for all the Forces ought also to be completed immediately, as there is no going forward without them; At least this Advan- tage is gain'd by the last Year's Expedition, that we may know what was wanting on the part of each : Governmt then, and it will be inexcusable if there should be the same Neglect a second time.1
I must desire your Honour to give me the earliest Advice of the Determinations of your Assembly ; and I must again mention to you, that the utmost Dispatch is necessary, and a Minute of time ought not to be lost.
I am with great Regard, and Esteem Sir, Your Honour's most Humble and most. obedient Servant W SHIRLEY
P. S. I am to acknowledge the receipt of your Honour's letter the last Week.
Honble STEPHEN HOPKINS Esq!
1 The difficulties of transportation are graphically described in Parkman's Mont- calm and Wolfe, I. 384-387.
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GOVERNOR FITCH - TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
HARTFORD Feb? 26 1756
Sir
As You have (I presume) some Time since, re- ceived from His Excellency Mayor General Shirley, the Plan of Operations advised to by the Council held at New York in December last, with his Letter relative thereto, as also the Proportions of the several Governments as proposed by Him, which is accord- ing to that agreed upon by the Commissioners at Albany, I am now by the Desire of the General As- sembly of this Colony to acquaint You that accord- ing to General Shirleys Proposal, that in Case the southern Governments should not raise their Parts for this Service The northern Colonies should aug- ment their Proportions, to make up the Number proposed, The Assembly of this Colony having had no Intelligence from the southward beyond New York, And it being uncertain whether they will raise any Men on this Occasion, have thought it best that the New England Governments, and New York, aug- ment their Proportion to double the Number proposed, which will make up the Number of Ten Thousand, And have therefore agreed to raise, two Thousand five hundred in this Colony and expect the Massa- chusets will raise three Thousand five hundred and New York Two Thousand. I hope therefore S! You will be pleased to use Your Influence with Your Assembly for that Purpose; The Assembly of this Colony have not made the necessary Provisions, for
1 Governor of Connecticut from 1754 to 1757.
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raising the Men, but have adjourned till the 17th of March, that they may see whether these Proposals be agreeable to the other Governments, and that Wee may be further acquainted what Assistance wee may expect by Money from Home, without which as our last Years Expence has so involved us beyond our Neighbours Wee shall not (without extream Diffi- culty) be able to go on, But I hope when wee meet again shall be able to proceed, and if so, shall do it without Loss of Time.
I need not observe the Necessity of early Conclu- sions in these Affairs And of an harmonious Pro- cedure among the Governments, And You will be pleased S: to favour Me with the Determinations of your Assembly as soon as may be.
I am S: (with great Respect)
Your Honours most obedient and most hum- ble Servant
Honble Gov! HOPKINS.
THOS FITCH
GOVERNOR SIR CHARLES HARDY 1 TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
FORT GEORGE 2 NEW YORK 29th Feb'. 1756
Sir
Inclosed I send you Copys of a Report of a Scout- ing Party under Cap" Rogers,3 from Fort William
1 Governor Hardy's administration lasted from 1755 to 1757, when he was made Rear-Admiral and sent in the expedition against Louisbourg. In 1759 he returned to England. He was a grandson of the distinguished naval commander, Sir Thomas Hardy, who is identified with the reign of Queen Anne.
2 At the southern extremity of the Island of Manhattan.
8 See note to Rodger's Report of December 17, 1755. VOL. II.
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Henry and the Examination of a French Prisoner taken by him by which your Honour will see the French are moving Troops and Provisions to Crown point and which Post they are also Strengthening with New Works.
I am sorry to find the Colonys delay taking the necessary measures for this Years Campain, I have not yet received any advices from the Eastern Gov- ernments, that there Assemblys have made any Pro- vision for furnishing the Quotas agreed upon at the Council of Warr held in this City and I fear if mea- sures are not speedily taken, we shall be full late to hope for Success in the Expedition then agreed upon.
The Behaviour and good Services of Capt Rogers Merits the Regard of the Colonys, Inclosed I send you a Copy of a Resolution of this Assembly, and must beg leave to recommend him to your Honours Favour.
Last Night I received an Express from Ulster County that a body of Indians supposed to be about 30. or 40, had crossed the Delaware and Destroyed the House, Barns &c, of one ,Phillip Swartwoudt, there were Eight Men and One Woman in the House, in endeavouring to Escape five of the Men were kil'd, the Woman taken Prisoner, and three Men escaped to a Neighbouring Settlement
I am Sir.
Your most Obedient and Humble Servant
CHAS HARDY
The Honble Gov! HOPKINS.
--
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
GOVERNOR SHIRLEY TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
BOSTON March 8" 1756.
Sir,
I shall send you herewith Copy of a Vote of the Assembly of this Province for raising an Additional Number of Men, provided the Government of Rhode Island and New Hampshire will raise One Thousand each.1 I am well assur'd that your Honour will use your best Endeavour to bring your Assembly into it, and I doubt not the Governour of New Hamp- shire will press the same upon the Assembly of that Colony also. I have said so much in my former Letters upon the Importance of the Service that I need not add any thing further now, only that we learn by the Indians who come into Albany that the French are making great Preparations and I doubt not they will bring all the Force they can possibly muster to oppose Us.
I likewise Send your Honour Copy of Instructions agreed on by the Court for a Committee which is to proceed forthwith to Albany.2 By these Instructions you will perceive the Plan which is laid for trans- porting Provisions and Stores to Lake George and providing Boats there for the Service of the Army. This Plan is entirely agreable to me, and if faithfully executed I think the Colonies will Save half the Ex- pence they would be at if they were to make use of Land Carriage only, and what is of infinitely more
1 Rhode Island did not augment her quota.
2 Each of the four New England colonies sent to the scene of operations in New York a committee to provide and superintend all supplies and means of transportation, and to be responsible to the Commitee of War at home.
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Importance the Service will be performed in half the Time. I hope each Government will appoint Per- sons that can be depended upon to see this Service done. If there be a Failure here it must be fatal. I am not acquainted with the Number of Battoos pro- vided by your Government the last Year, but the fewer you had then the more early must you be in your Preparations now and they must be built at the Lake1 for I am sure Carriage can never be found for the Stores and Boats both : You will therefore provide a Number of Whip Saws for sawing Boards for the large Boats, for I doubt not proper Timber can be found for that Purpose, and Tools for mak- ing large Cannoos out of Logs if it shall be neces- sary to build any such as also Spikes, Nails, Pitch and Oakam, and let Workmen be sent away im- mediately. I can't be too urgent on these Points. Every Government must take Measures for their re- spective Porportion of these Services and if they are neglected or not duly attended by any one Govern- ment the Expedition may be ruined as effectually as if they had been neglected by all.
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