USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. II > Part 15
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1 The garrison of 3000 men, under Colonel Blakeney, retired to the Castle, where they were besieged. An indecisive engagement took place off Minorca on May 20. Blakeney held out until June 28, when he was obliged to surrender.
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Correspondence of the
Lord Louden is not gone yet, but its expected he will depart in about 1 or 2 Weeks Time.1
As to your Affairs about Cannon and Stores, I understand the Lords of Trade have made a Report to the King in Council upon the Letter they lately recd from thee, but they are under some difficulties about those Matters having been pretty much drained of Cannon that at present our Success is doubtful, but yet the said Lords of Trade are upon drawing up a Representation (as their Secry informed me) of the State of the Northern Colonies in general with regard to their Case and Circumstance as to their Fortifications, and included Rhode Island amongst them, about which I intend still to continue my Care and if we are likely to have Encouragement thou mayst expect to be advised of it.
And now herewith I send my Accot with your Colony the Ballance whereof is £89.16.6 in my favour - and as there may possibly be a further occasion to advance Money shortly I have presumed to draw a Bill on thee of this date for £100 Sterling at forty days Sight payable to Gideon Wanton Esq: which I doubt not the Gen! Assembly will enable thee to comply with. I am with due Respects to them and thy Self,
Thy assured Friend
RICH? PARTRIDGE
22ª Ditto
Since writing the foregoing, War has been pro- claimed here in London on the 18th Inst. against
1 He reached America in July.
1
+
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France and here inclosed I send the Kings Declara- tion of it &c., but we dont hear yet that they have done the like in France tho' doubtless we shall be soon informed of it. As to the French Expedition agast Minorca they have landed their Forces there and are beseiging Port Mahon where they are likely to meet with a Stout Resistance, yet probably they will take the place unless they are timely releived by Adm! Byng as mentioned in my above letter. The Sterling Castle Man of War is still at Portsmouth waiting to convoy some Transport Ships bound to New York with whom Capt. Johnson intends to sail also. all the French Prizes with their Cargoes now in the Custody of the English will probable soon be ordered to be Sold.
Lord Louden went to Portsmouth a week since and its supposed he sailed in the Nightingal Man of War for N. York, ere this time and carried the Declaration of War with him.
I am Thy lo. Friend
RP PARTRIDGE
I herewith send thee a Copy of a Bill prepared to have certainly been brought into Parliament which woud have greatly infringed the Privileges of the Charter Governm's but it has been happily Postponed for this Sessions.
To STEPHEN HOPKINS, Esq!
Governor of the colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
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Correspondence of the
GOVERNOR HOPKINS TO THE HOUSE OF DEPUTIES.
To the House of Deputies
Gentlemen
At your last Meeting1 I recommended to You the making some Addition to the Number of Forces heretofore ordered to be raised by this Colony for the present Expedition to reduce Crown point Fort &c to the Obedience of his Majesty. But as you did not think it seasonable to make any Augmentation at that Time : My Duty to his Majesty to my Coun- try in General and to this Colony in Particular re- quires that I should again recommend that Matter to your Consideration and urge that You would at this Time order so many more Men to be raised in this Colony as when added to those already raised may make the whole Number equal in Proportion to those ordered by the other Colonies concerned in that Enterprise.
I herewith lay before You a Copy of a Law passed by the Province of the Massachusetts Bay for Govern- ing their Forces in the Expedition above mentioned and recommend to you to pass some Act for the Government of the Forces sent by this Colony into that Service.
As the Money given to this Colony by the British Parliament is daily expected to arrive in America I must desire you to direct me in what Manner it shall be received and how appropriated
As the Estates of several Persons convicted of Counterfeiting the Bills of Credit of this Colony have
1 May, 1756.
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been forfeited and are now ready to be appropriated I desire you to order in what Manner The same shall be done and whether the just Debts such Per- sons owed before Conviction shall be paid or not; if paid how and by whom and whether such Counter- feit Bills as may have been received by the Inhabit- ants of this Colony shall be redeemed out of such forfeited Estates.
I must also recommend to You the appointing proper Persons to audit the General Treasurer's Accounts, and that they be directed to examin what Interest Bonds remain unpaid and what Fines be- longing to the General Treasury are detained, that some Method may be taken to collect such Monies as remain due on Them : and also that the Grand Committees Accounts be auditted
And as the Credit of the Colony and of all our circulating Bills of Credit wholly depends upon our keeping up punctually to our own Acts and sinking all our Bills according to the periods stated by the Acts for emitting them I recommend it unto You to make proper Provisions seasonably for those Pur- poses and for defraying the publick Expences of this Colony 1
STEP HOPKINS
COUNCIL CHAMBER NEWPORT the Nineth Day of June 1756.
1 No additional troops were voted. For the action of the Assembly upon the other items in the message, see Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 496-498.
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Correspondence of the
GERARD BEEKMAN TO THE COMMITTEE OF WAR.
NEW YORK the 26 June 1756
Gentlemen,
I Received from Cap: Joseph Sheldon 3 hhd. Bread, one Cask sugar, One Cask w: Stocking and 4I Blankets, and Agreeable to Jona Nichols Esqrs Order,1 have Sent them to M: Rufus Hopkins your Colonys Commassary now at Albany,2 at foot you have Coppy of W. Gordon and W" Wallis Receipt for two Dollars Each, In part of their Pay it being for their Subsistance While in this place, Since which have not seen them, and believe they are gone home. you have not yet, agreable to my request let me know When Your Troops are discharged from this Campaign and Return this way in the fall, wether I am to Supply them w! Provisions &c or not, untill they Can git a Passage to Rhode Island, This is Necessary as they all Call on me for Assistance and say they are so direct! by the Gentelmen Who give them their discharge, to which I beg your An- swer and You! Oblige Gentlemen
Your Hume Serv!
GERARD G. BEEKMAN
NEW YORK June IIth 1756 Received of the Com- mittee of War for the Colony of Rhode Island by the hand of Gerard G. Beekman Two Mild Dollors Each
1 Member of the Committee of War.
2 See note on p. 195. Rufus Hopkins was the governor's son, and his was one of the appointments for which the administration was severely criticised by its political opponents.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
in part of Payment of my Wages in the Colonys Service
W. GORDON WILLIAM WALLIS
Jonathan Nichols Esq: Lieut. Governor Thomas Cranston, Peter Bours Esq. and Others Committee of War, for the Colony of Rhode Island.
GENERAL WINSLOW TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
ALBANY June 27. 1756.
Sir
Your fav: per Col. Harris was duly delivered me, the Contents I note. Inclosed you have a Return of the Troops1 under my Command by which youl find we fall short of the Number proposed. By the re- turn of Your Regiment I find that several in the last return and this Deserted before they join'd the Regi- ment. I am in hopes that all the Governments con- cerned in the Expedition will supply the full number agreed upon, and have returnd none but those on the Spot, but if this should not be the Case am de- termind to March the whole Body in all next Week to Fort William Henry, and hope to find things in such readiness there as not to detain me long when I shall put the Grand Plan in Execution.
Captain Rogers has been out on the Discovery and Reports that the French have quitted their Ad- vancd Post on this side Ticonderogo, and at that
1 See enclosure.
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Correspondence of the
place he judges the Enemy to be three Thousand strong. I am Sir,
Your most Obedient and most humble Servant
JOHN WINSLOW
To Gov! HOPKINS.
[Enclosure.]
Return of the Rhode Island Troops raised for the Reduction of Crown Point.1
AT FORT WILLIAM HENRY.
FIT FOR DUTY AT HALF-MOON AND ALBANY.
2 Captains.
I Subaltern.
54 Noncommissioned and privates.
2 Captains. 5 Subalterns.
53 Noncommissioned and privates.
AT FORT EDWARD.
I Subaltern.
6 Noncommissioned and privates.
AT SARATOGA.
I Subaltern.
21 Noncommissioned and privates.
AT STILL WATER.
48 Noncommissioned and privates.
I Captain.
3 Subalterns.
55 Noncommissioned and privates. 10 Captains.
ON COMMAND.
437 Noncommissioned and pri- vates.
I Captain.
6 Noncommissioned and privates. JOHN WINSLOW
1 Enclosed in letter of June 27, 1756.
2 The total number returned in July was 416.
r
....
INVALIDS.
I Subaltern.
48 Noncommissioned and privates.
BATTOEING AND EXCHANGE DUTY.
I Subaltern.
TOTAL.2
15 Subalterns.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
LETTER OF MAJOR SAMUEL ANGELL.1
CAMP HALF MOON June 29 : 1756
Sy
I received by Col Harris 2 Wherein You Inform me that the forces of Our Colony was marched and Stoors Sint as for the Latter Wee are in Want of Such as Tents kittles Bowls Cans and knapsacks. The Camp is in General helthy and the Worst Dis- temper that the People of Our Regimnt has is the Sperrit of Desertion for by the Last return Wee had 25 in that Collum. the more of that has happened for the Want of the retained men being formed in to Sum Companys Which I Expected When Col Harris Com Would have Been Prevented by his Bringing the Musterools Made Out but he tarrying a Longer time then Expected and then not Bringing them I thought Strange but know not Where the fault Lays, by these Men being Sent on So many Different Commands it gave them great Oppurtunity to Desert for the Want of Rools it is Impossible Wee Should know how many Men Wos Sent. I have Purposed to Col Harris to Order the Officers of Each Com- pany to Return the Names of the Deserters that they May be Sent to the Com' of War but I Know not When he Will have it Done. William Reeder Is Deserted from My Company.
SAMLL ANGELL.
1 Major of the Rhode Island regiment sent to Crown Point in 1756.
2 Christopher Harris, colonel of the Rhode Island regiment raised in February. See Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 484.
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Correspondence of the
GENERAL WINSLOW TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
ALBANY July 4th 1756
Sir
Since My Last the Plan of Opperation is Settled for Our Present Campain. The whole of the Pro- vincials are to Proceed Pass the Lake Enter into the Enemys Country and remove the French Incroach- ments as at First Designed. And General Aber- crombie will Send Sufficient Forces of the Regulars to Posses the Post we now Occupie as we Go on and have a Number at Forte William Henry to assist or Sustaine us if Needfull, which I apprehend is a thing as Circumstances are the Best adapted Plan that Could be Lade as our People are So Averse to Joyne in Duty with the Regulars and The Generals have been so Good as to Gratify us in our own way. Which I hope will be Acceptable to your Hon1.1
The Commissioners Of the Several Goverments had a Meeting at My Lodging this Day when it was Concluded that for the removing our Ordenance Stores the Charge of the Portage should be Borne According to the Number of Men Proposed to be Sent from the Several Goverments and that to for- ward that Service, over and above One Hundred and Twenty one oxe Teams Now Employed, and to Fir- nish the Transporting Provisions, it would be Neces- sary that we have at Least 455 wagons Taken up for the use of the whole, The Maior of the City, Re- corder And aldermen and Some other Magistrates were So Good as [to] meet us and assured [us] that
1 When Loudoun arrived, at the end of July, the plan of campaign was changed again. See Winslow's letter of July 27.
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the Number Demanded Should be Procured and Compleated by Tomorrow weak and if More was Necessary would Provide them. So that I am [in] hopes we shall March the Day after and will Make our Tarry at the Lake as Shorte as the Nature of the thing will admit off.
We Lost Last week Lieut Grant and Twelve Pri- vates of the Connecticut Troops Either Kild or Taken by the Indians by Suprise (an unfortunate Event of war). The Camp are in General Healthy and in Good spirits, but Little alteration Since Last return. Am your Hon's Most
Obedeant and Most Humble Servant
JOHN WINSLOW
P.S Should be Glad of More hands To His Hon! Gov: HOPKINS &C.
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
LONDON 7th mo (or July) 12th 1756 To the Gov'. of Rhode Isld &c.
I wrote last to yo' Deputy Gov' of 15th ult via Bos- ton to wch I refer, and now I am in hopes that the Sterling castle Man of War with the Money on board for the Northern Colonies (wch I suppose sailed abot 10 Day since) may be arrived at N. York ere this comes to hand, but if it should happen to mis- carry as it is liable to do these troublesome Times, in as much as it is reported there have been sev' Fr: Men of War cruizing off Louisbourg, and the Money
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Correspondence of the
being as I'm informed all insured here; I have been thinking it might be proper in that Case, that as soon as you hear of Such a Misfortune to send over to yo' Agent a prop" Power to receive the Money here that shall be recovd of the Insurance, couched in the Terms of some such written Authority as is herewth Sent thee to be Signd by the Gov! and Com- pany of yo! Colony under the Colonies Seal, and then at the same Time to draw sundy Bills on the Agent, as money can be had there for them at 60. days sight, wth Letts of advice, and as soon as the Money comes into my hands I shall be sure to hon" them to the amount of {6000 St. and the rest afterwds as I shall advise about, not knowing what Failure may happen to some of the Insurers, or perhaps they may defer paym' for want of due proof of the Loss, wch may be stipulated wth those who take the Bills to write to their Correspondts to keep the Bills here a suitable Time in case there shd be any delay of Paymt because of the Objections wch probably may be made by the Insurers as aforesd; this method I judg'd proper to recommend and leave to thy Consideration.
As to publ: News, There are Still apprehensions of a French Invasion design'd on this Kingdom, and great Preparas are making here agst what may hap- pen in that Case. the Castle at Port Mahon holds out Still by the last accot we have had about it:1 and some People are ready to think now that the French will hardly take it at last. Some few of our Mer- chant Ships have been taken since the War has been proclaimed.
1 See note to letter of May 7, 1756.
1
1
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
I have lately been again wh Lord Halifax, and also with the Secry of State H. Fox Esq: Soliciting for Cannon &c for yo! Fortifica", but to little pur- pose, the first seemd to excuse him self in as much as the Board of Trade has done their part in making their Report to the King in Council, and the latter tho' he was also of the Privy Council was unwilling to medle in it alledging that a Grant of Money had already been made to the North" Colonies, meaning as I apprehend, that that shª be a Means to excuse the Governm' here from granting what is the present. Subject of our Solicita", and indeed as the Public extra Expences on the present pressing Emergencies are so prodigious it is no great wonder at this Time so hard a Matter to get Money or moneys worth from the Treasury. I am &c. R P
8 mo. Aug: 2ª.
The foregoing is Copy of my last to thee via Philade since wch I have recd none of thy Favours. And now respecting further publick News we have certain Advice of Port Mahones being surrendª to the French by Capitula" after a long and vigorous defence; Adm! Byng is returned to Engª being sent home by Adm! Hawk from Gibraltar in the Antilope M : of War wch Hawk went out in who has now the Command of Byngs Fleet in the Meditera", the latter on his arrival is put under arrest in ordr to take his Trial (as its supposd) for not doing his duty as he might have done in the late Engagemt wth the French Squadron.
Adm1 Boscawen is yet lying off of Brest blocking VOL. II.
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Correspondence of the
up the French Fleet in that Port, for the rest I refer to the inclosed Print and remain Thy Friend RP PARTRIDGE.
To The Governor and Company of the Colony of Rhode Island
GENERAL WINSLOW TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
CAMP AT FORTE EDWARD July 27 1756
Hond Sir
Yours of the 16th of July I recd and finde that the Plan of Opperation that was Entered upon was agreable to your Hon! and I Immagine the Best that could have been Devised and Seams to be the opin- ion of the Several Governments.
But Since That things have Taken another Turn, for after I Thought all things were Compleat and I on my march from half Moon, I recd an Express from Albany to repair there which I Did, and had a Meeting with General Abercromby- Sir Charles Hardy Sir Will™ Johnston Col. Webb and Other Principal Officers. who Informª me that they had Concluded to Send Forward Col. Webbs Regiment to Garrison this Place and the Fortes below it Forte Miller Excepted which they Sleight and when once our Stores are out I am of Opinion is Not worth a Keeping) One other Regiment is Gone Forward to Oswego, and a Junction Proposª between the others and us wch I Donte Like half So well as the other Plan as it Seams almost Impossible that Such a Junction Can be made and the Libertys of the Pro-
r
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
vincials Kept up. I have Sir Sent you the Question Proposª at Albany with my answer.1 and haveing refered it to all the Field officers in Camp and Forte. they have had it Five Days in Debate and are greatly Divided in Some parts of their answers. tho' Universally agree that be the Event what it will No Junction Can be Admitted off, Unless the Pro- vincial Officers Hold their Proper Rank as we Look upon our Selves only as Executors in Trust for the Provinces have Sent you the Result and Protest Since my Last Some Days Since we had Three men kild and Two Taken Prisoners in Sight of Forte William Henry. and yesterday Morning at Five o' the Clock within Sixty Rods of the Same Forte we had Two men kild viz: Gideon Potter of Colo Angels Company and Charles Goff a Carter. Two other Men wounded our People Pursued and recovered about Twenty [illegible] and some Hatchetts but no Men.
We Two Days Since had three Deserters from the Forte at Carelong 2 alias Ticonderoga. who I have Examinª and Sent you wht Is material in it, as also Inclose you a Return of our State
Am now Sir to Return your Hon! and the Govern- ment Mine and the Armys Sincere Thanks for the Care taken of us by ordering a Hundred Men to Joyne us 3 a Truly Laudable Zeal and worthy Immi- tation which I hope will Reach the Massachusetts and Produce Good Effects
1 An account of Loudoun's difficulties in ranking the provincials is in Parkman's Montcalm and Wolfe, I. 399, 400.
2 Carillon.
8 See Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 500 ; also Hopkins's letter, Ibid., p. 485.
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Correspondence of the
Our Stores and things will Soon be at the Lake and if Not retarded for want of Boats Shall soon be in Motion Purpose to March for the Lake tomorrow with your Regiments Col. Rugles and one Other Massachusetts and one Connecticut to Endeavor to put an End to the Enemys Depredations
I am Sir with Great regard your very Humble Servant
JOHN WINSLOW
To The Honble Gov. HOPKINS
GOVERNOR FITCH TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
NORWALK 27th July 1756
Sir,
Having received from M! Barons Sir Charles Hardy's Secretary a Copy of Sir William Johnson's Letter to Major General Abercrombie giving a sum- mary Account of the Conclusion of M' Johnson's Treaty with the Chiefs of the Shawanese and Dela- ware Indians, which M' Barons Desired me to com- municate to you, I have inclosed a Copy of the Copy he sent me.1 And Doubt not the agreable Intelli- gence will be accepted with great Satisfaction, I hope the affair will terminate not only for the general good but in Special for the releife of those particular parts where those Indians with others have Exercised
1 Johnson's letter is given in Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 529. An interesting account of Johnson's work among the Indians during this trying campaign, and of this treaty with the Delawares, is in Parkman's Montcalm and Wolfe, I. 390-393.
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such Extream Barbarity and Cruelties. I am Sir with much respect
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Your Honours most Obedient and most humble Servant
THOS FITCH
The Honble STEPHEN HOPKINS Esq.
GOVERNOR DENNY 1 TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
PHILADELPHIA 21 Aug 1756. . Sir,
The Proprietors having done me the Honor, with the Kings Approbation, to appoint me the Governor of this Province, I take this Opportunity to inform you of my having published their Commission and taken upon me the Administration.
I shall be extreamly glad to embrace all Occasions of promoting His Majesties Service and the general Interest of the Colonies and as without an Union of Councils and a good Correspondence between the Several Governors little good is to be expected, I shall take the Liberty to communicate to you from time to time whatever Intelligence I shall receive, as well as the several Steps I shall take for the publick Service upon which I shall be obliged to you to give me your Sentiments which will always have a great weight with me.
I hope I shall be enabled to Act with Spirit at this Important Juncture when nothing less than the
1 Governor of Pennsylvania from 1756 to 1759.
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Correspondence of the
Preservation of this Province in particular and that of the Colonies in general is so nearly concerned.
It will give me a sensible Pleasure if in the course of my Administration I shall have it in my power to render you any Service. I am
Your Excellency's most Obedient humble Servant
WILLIAM DENNY
THOMAS STEPHENS TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
Sir,
Though unknown I take the Liberty of addressing you with this to inform you that tis the particular Desire of M' Partridge 1 who has always espoused my Undertaking that I wait upon you in Order to communicate any Thing that may promote the Man- ufacture of Pot Ash ; and that my Works here being now upon a good Footing I design my Self the Honour to wait on you the 2ª of next Month in my Way. South, and if you know of any one that wants my Advice or Assistance I shall be proud to Serve them and am with due Respect Sir
Your most obedient and very humble Servant
THOS STEPHENS
BOSTON 4 Sept 1756
To The Honble STEPHEN HOPKINS Esq' Governor Commander in Chief &c in Provi- dence
1 See Partridge's letter of July 30, 1754, and note.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
MAJOR SAMUEL ANGELL TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
CAMP FORT WM HENRY 5 Sept 1756
Honle Sir
I Received a Letter from Rufus 1 a few Days Ago Wherein he Mentions that the Comt of War Com- plains that they have no accts from any Officer in the Regiment Wat Wee Was Like to Do
as for Any Blame of that kind I must Beg Leave to be Excused, for Every time I had it in my Power I wrote to you the Best Intilegence that that I had but tru it is that I never Entred Into Particulars as there has Never Been but Little Certenty About Our Going forward or not and Remains So Yet
As the Express that Came to General Winslow from Ld Loudon on the News of Oswego being taken 2 Ordered him to fortify Both forts and Camps as Strong as he Could and also Informs that he has Sent Expresses to all the Goverments and Ordred them to Rais as Many Men as they Could forth With and he Ordred the General not to think of Going forward as by his being Defeted it Might throo the hoole Country into Ruin at One. Wee have Certin news that they have Destroyed Oswego and Left the Place and it is also Said that they put all the Prisoners to the Sword Except 250 Carpentrs and Saylors if Such Usage Wont Rais the Sperrits and Warm the Blood of Old Olivers Sons I know not What Will 3
1 Rufus Hopkins, commissary at Albany, and son of the governor.
2 Oswego was taken by Montcalm on August 14. See Loudoun's letter to Hopkins, of August 20, in Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 510, and the resolution of the Assembly thereupon. 8 This report was not true. Some of the prisoners were butchered by the excited
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Correspondence of the
I am hear With nigh half of Our Regt Who are not Verry Sickley. Colonel Harris, Major Babcock and other Officers are at fort Edward With the Rest of the Regt Verry Sickley, as is all the other forces at Fort Edward and Was before I came from there 18 Days ago.1 it has Been Sickly and a Dying Time here but Seems to be Over and the People On the Recovery Wee have Little or no accts from the Enemy Except four Days Ago Capt Roger Brought in three french Prisoners a man his Wife and Daugh- ter of ten years Old from Crown Point, they Say there is 5000 Men at Crown Point and Cavilery be- sides Indans.2
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