USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. II > Part 18
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1 Printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 113.
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Correspondence of the
ing War into the Heart of the Enemy's Possessions ; And His Majesty not judging it expedient to limit the zeal and Ardor of any of His Provinces, by mak- ing a Repartition of the Force to be raised by Each respectively, for this most important Service; I am commanded to signify The King's Pleasure, that you do forthwith use your utmost Endeavours, and Influence, with the Council and Assembly of your Colony, to induce Them to raise, with all possible Dispatch, as large a Body of Men within your Col- ony, as the Number of Its Inhabitants may allow; and, forming the same into Regiments, as far as shall be found convenient, That you do direct them to hold Themselves in Readiness, as early as may be, to march to the Rendezvous at Albany, or such other Place as His Majesty's Commander in Chief in America shall appoint, in order to proceed, from thence, in Conjunction with a Body of The King's British Forces, and under the supreme Command of His Majesty's said Commander in Chief, in America, so as to be in a Situation to begin the Operations of the Campaign, by the First of May, if possible, or as soon after, as shall be any way practicable, by attempt- ing to make an Irruption into Canada, as above, by the Way of Crown Point, and, if found practicable, to attack either Montreal or Quebec, or Both of the said Places successively, with the whole Force in one Body, or at one and the same Time, by a Division of the Troops, into separate and distinct Operations, according as His Majesty's said Commander in Chief shall, from His Knowledge of the Countries thro' which the War is to be carried, and from emergent
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Circumstances, not to be known here, judge any of the said Attempts to be practicable. And the bet- ter to facilitate this important Service, The King is pleased to leave it to you, to issue Commissions to such Gentlemen of your Colony as you shall judge, from their Weight and Credit with the People, and their zeal for the publick Service, may best be dis- posed and enabled to quicken and effectuate the speedy Levying of the greatest Number of Men; In the Disposition of which Commissions, I am per- suaded you will have nothing in View but the Good of the King's Service, and a due Subordination of the Whole, when joined to His Majesty's Com- mander in Chief; And all Officers of the Provincial Forces, as high as Colonels inclusive, are to have Rank, according to their several respective Commis- sions, in like Manner as is already given, by His Majesty's Regulations, to the Captains of Provincial Troops in America.
The King is further pleased to furnish all the Men, so raised as above, with Arms, Ammunition, and Tents, as well as to order Provisions to be issued to the same, by His Majesty's Commissaries, in the same Proportion and Manner as is done to the rest of the King's Forces: A sufficient Train of Artil- lery will also be provided, at His Majesty's Expence, for the Operations of the Campaign; And the Ship that conveys this, carries Orders for timely providing, at The King's Charge, with the utmost Dilligence, and in an ample Manner, Boats, and Vessels, neces- sary for the Transportation of the Army on this Expedition.
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The Whole, therefore, that His Majesty expects and requires from the several Provinces, is, the Levy- ing, Cloathing and Pay of the Men; And on these Heads also, that no Encouragement may be wanting to this great and salutary Attempt, The King is further most Graciously pleased to permit me to acquaint You, that strong Recommendations will be made to Parliament in their Session next Year, to grant a proper Compensation for such Expences as above, according as the active Vigor and strenuous Efforts of the respective Provinces shall justly appear to merit.
Altho' several Thousand Stands of Arms will be forthwith sent from England, to be distributed to the Troops, now directed to be raised, in the Northern and Southern Provinces; Yet, as it is hoped, that the Numbers of Men levyed in all Parts of America, may greatly exceed the Quantity of Arms that can at present be supplied from England; It is His Majesty's Pleasure, that you do, with particular Dili- gence, immediately collect, and put into the best Condition, all the serviceable Arms that can be found within your Colony, in order that the same may be employed, as far as They will go, in this Exigency.
I am further to inform You, that similar Orders are sent, by this Conveyance to Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.
The Southern Governments are also directed to raise Men in the same Manner, to be employed in such offensive Operations, as the Circumstances and Situation of the Enemy's Posts, in those Parts, may
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point out; which, it is hoped, will oblige them so to divide their Attention and Forces, as will render the several Attempts more easy and successful.
It is unnecessary to add any thing to animate your zeal, in the Execution of His Majesty's Orders on this great Occasion, where the Safety and Preserva- tion of America are at Stake; And the King doubts not, from your known Fidelity and Attachment, that you will employ Yourself, with the utmost Applica- tion and Dispatch, on this urgent and dangerous Crisis.
Altho' the Knowledge of an Intention to invade Canada, is apprehended to be not only unattended with an Inconvenience, but necessary to be propa- gated in the Provinces, in order to give Success to the Levies; Yet, as Secresy in all Enterprizes on particular Places, is of the greatest Importance, The King is persuaded, that you will use all proper Dis- cretion in communicating by Name, any of the im- mediate Objects before pointed out, further than to such Persons to whom it may be necessary, for the Good of the Service, confidentially to entrust the same.1
I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
W. PITT.
Governor and Company, of Rhode Island.
1 In response to this vigorous appeal the Assembly, in March, 1758, voted to raise one thousand men. See Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 129.
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Correspondence of the
WILLIAM PITT TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.1
WHITEHALL 30th December 1757.
Gentlemen,
The King having judged proper, that the Earl of Loudoun should return to England, And His Ma- jesty having been pleased to appoint Major General Abercromby to succeed His Lordship, as Commander in Chief of the King's Forces in North America, with the same Powers and Authorities; I am commanded to signify to You His Majesty's Pleasure, That you do apply to, and correspond with, Major General Abercromby, on all Matters relating to the King's Service ; and that You do obey such Orders as You shall receive, from Him, in the same Manner as You were directed to do, with regard to the several former Commanders in Chief, in North America; And You will, from time to time, give M! Abercromby, all the Assistance and Lights in your Power, in all Matters relative to the Command, with which the King has honored Him.
And I am particularly to signify to You His Ma- jesty's Pleasure, that, in Case Major General Aber- cromby, or the Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces, shall, at any Time, apply to You to lay an Embargo on all Ships within your Colony, You do strictly comply with the said Request, for so long a Time, as the Commander in Chief shall desire.
The King having resolved to send a considerable Squadron of Ships of War, the ensuing Year, to
1 Printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 115.
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North America ; I am farther to signify to You His Majesty's Pleasure, that You do, from time to time, transmit to the Commander in Chief of the King's Ships in North America, all Intelligence, relative to his Department, in the same Manner, as You were directed to do, by my Letter of the 19th of last Feb- ruary,1 to Vice Admiral Holburn; And it is also the King's Pleasure, that You do, in any Application from the Commander in Chief of the King's Ships, use all legal Methods, to supply him with such a Number of Sailors and Workmen from your Colony, as He shall, at any Time, require, for His Majesty's Service.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble Servant.
W. PITT.
The Gov! and Company of Rhode Island.
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR GREENE.
LONDON 3ª month or Mar 4th 1758
Gov. Greene
I wrote thee last of 7th and II Octo!2 since which I have recd none of thy Favours This may now in- form thee that I have lately been soliciting the Gov- ernment here in behalf of Connect for the Sum of £18315 lawful Money wch amounts to £13700. Sterl and upwards for the Cost and Charges of Provisions, Amunition, Stores building Store houses and other Necessities for the Support of 2500 Men in the year
1 See Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 39.
2 See letter on p. 258.
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Correspondence of the
1756 wch by a circular letter from H. Fox Esq! (then Secry of State) to the Gov! of the Several Northern Colonies datd 13. March 1756 for which they expect to be reimbursed by the Crown founded on these words among others in the sd Sec'! of States letter 1 viz " This Service will be the less burthensome to " them as the raising of the Men, their pay, Arms " and Cloathing will be all that will be required of " them (the Colonies): Measures having been already " taken for laying up Magazines of Stores of all kinds " at the Sole Expence of the Crown "
The above Sum mentioned is exclusive of the Sum of £5043.15.6 lawful Money wch the sd Colony recd of Ch: Kilby the Agent for the Crown at Philada. This I thought proper to advise thee of that if yo! Colony has any the like demand on the crown care may be taken to send over hither prop! and authenticated accots of it with a particul' Authority under the Govrs hand and Seale of the Colony to receive the Money and give a discharge for it and also a prop' Affidavt under seal certifying what the Excha wth Sterl Money was at, when it was advanced : there is no Body else making Applica" on the same footing except the Agent for the Massachts which is for a larger Sum than I am soliciting for
As for publick News I refer to the prints herewith sent and remain with Respects
Thy assured Friend
RP PARTRIDGE
1 This letter is in Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 485.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
GOVERNOR HOPKINS 1 TO THE HOUSE OF DEPUTIES.
To the House of Deputys
Gentlemen
The season of the year is now Advancing, which may give our Enemies Oppertunity, to ravage our Coasts, or invade our Country: My Duty therefore, requires me to recomend to your Consideration, the State, and Condition of the Fort; and, make Such Additions, and reparations as may be necessary : pro- vide such Stores as are wanting: and so Many Men as, are Sufficient to render the Fort Defenceable. I must also recomend, to you, to Consider what is fit to be done with the Brigantine lately Built at Provi- dence, with intent to be improved for Guarding the Coasts of this Colony.
STEP HOPKINS
S. KINGSTON March 17. 1758.
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
LONDON 5 month or May the 13th 1758.
To the Gov'. and Co : of Rhode Island.
My last to Gov! Greene was of the 4th 3ª month or March 2 per Cap: Rodman to wch I refer, Since wch I recd from him a Vote of your Gen! Assembly wth a letter Signed by Stephen Hopkins, Esq: directing me
1 Hopkins was chosen governor on March 13, in place of William Greene, who had recently died. Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 123. For action of the Assembly on the sub- ject mentioned in his message, see Ibid., VI. 133.
2 Not in the archives. VOL. II.
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Correspondence of the
to make Application for a Judge for the Court of Vice Admiralty of a person that resides in the Col- ony, recomending Jn. Andrews Esq: as a Suitable Gent" for that purpose,1 and accordingly I have lately prepared a Petition to the Lords of the Admiralty to which I annexed the said Vote of Assembly, and letter and delivered it in to their Office, and shall endeavour to prosecute the same to Effect and ac- quaint you of the success in my next.
The Parliamt have continued their Sessions hither tho only now that they are adjournd for a few days, and it's probable will be prorogued in about 3 weeks Time, after granting near Ten Millions of Publick Supplies for the Curr: Year in prosecuting the War &cª which still continues with Vigour, there being at this Time a large Fleet of Men of War fitting out again for some secret Expedition,2 but Spain remains Newter hitherto, Tho [the] King of Prussia still Successfull, and our Ministry seem determin'd to Support him : Hannover is intirely evacuated by the French, tho the Hannoverians have been greatly distressed.
The Parliam: are about continuing the Sugar and Molasses Act as heretofore, the old one I think ex- pires at the end of this Sessions and nothing else has passed therein, very Material relating to the Northern Colonies, as I remember -for the rest I refer to the Prints here inclosed, and remain with due Respects.
Your assured Friend, R P
1 See for vote of the Assembly, Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 107.
2 A demonstration against the French coast was in hand. Pitt made several such attempts, which at least served to keep ships and soldiers employed in France.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
24th Ditto
The foregoing is Copy of my last to the Gov. and Compa of yo! Colony per the New York pacqt, and now I have the pleasure to acquaint thee that I have succeded in my Solicita" with the Lords of the Admiralty for appointing John Andrews Esq. Judge of the Court of Vice Admiralty of Rhd Island and Providence Plantations and herewith send thee a Copy of the Warr' for that purpose1 signed by the said Lords of the Admiralty to S: Thos Salusbury Judge of the Court of Admiralty here to cause the Commission to be made out accordingly with whom I have been already about it wch I intend to hasten and when ready forward it per first suitable Oppor- tunity. I am with due Regards to the Gov: and Gen1 Assembly
Their Assured Friend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
Warrant of the Lords of the Admiralty.2
By the Comm's for executing the Office of Lord High admiral of great Britain and Ireland &c
Whereas Applica" has been made to us from the Gen1 Assem- bly of the Gov! and Compa of the Colony of Rhd Island and Provi- dence Plantas in N. Engd setting forth that there [is] no Judge of the Court of Vice Admiralty within that Colony but a Deputy, and he so much limited and controul'd by his Superior who lives out of the Governmt 3 that very great Damages, Delays, and Incon-
1 See the following document.
2 Enclosed with letter of May 13, 1758.
3 Boston, as the centre of commerce, was the seat of the Court of Admiralty for New England. See vote of the Assembly requesting Governor Hopkins to apply to the agent for the appointment of a judge of vice-admiralty "within and for the colony," and recommending Colonel John Andrews, who was appointed to command the regiment raised upon the news of the capitulation of Fort William Henry. This request was due to a memorial of the merchants of Providence setting forth the annoy- ances resulting from the necessity of adjudging prizes outside of Rhode Island. Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 104, 107.
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Correspondence of the
veniencies as well as extravagent Expences have accrued to the Persons concerned in Privateering and therefore desiring that some suitable Person be appointed Judge within and for that Col- ony : and their Request herein appearing to be reasonable, and they having recommended John Andrews Esq: of the sª Colony a Gentleman of the Law and of a fair Character as a suitable Per- son for the said Employment
These are therefore to direct and require you to cause Lett"8 Pattents to be forth with issued out of the high Court of Admi- ralty for John Andrews Esq: to be Judge of the Admiralty Court of the Colony of Rhd Island in the Room of Chambers Russell Esq: 1 accordingly in his Majestys Name in manner and form accustomed and to continue in force til further Order.
You are to insert a Clause in the said Patent revoking so much of the Patent of Chambers Russell Esq: as appoints him Judge of the Vice Admiralty Court [of the] Colony of Rhode Island. For which this shall be your Warrant. Given under Our Hands, and the Seal of the Office of Admiralty the 12. of May 1758
ANSON
GEO. HAY
J. FORBES N. STANLEY
To S! THOMAS SALUSBURY Judge of the High Court of Admiralty
By Command of their Lordships J. CLEVLAND
a True Copy
Test RICHP PARTRIDGE
To STEPHEN HOPKINS Esq"
In Providence in the Colony of Rhode Island.
1 Judge of Admiralty at Boston.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
GOVERNOR HOPKINS TO GENERAL ABERCROMBY.
PROVIDENCE June 8 1758
Sir
Your Excellencys Letter of the 8th of May1 came to my Hands and the Embargo in this Colony was taken of[f] on the 222 agreeable to the directions therein contained, your Letter of the 13th of May3 I also received and immediately issued orders for making the Men ready to Move forward and the greatest part of the Regiment are now Embarked and the remainder will very soon follow them. The Colony have furnished Five Hundred Arms for this Campaign being all that is possibly in their Power and for Arms for the remainder of the Regiment, as well as for Tents and other Field equipage for the whole, the Colony depends it will be furnished by the Crown agreeable to M' Secretary Pitts Letter to this Colony.4 As this Colony have provided Billit- ing for the Troops they have raised since the Time of their inlistment, as well as furnished Provisions for Transporting them to Albany therefore hope to be reimbursed that expence agreeable to the agree- ment made with the Colony by the Earl of Loudoun for the Troops last year with the greatest Regard and Deference I am
Your Excellencys Most Obedient and Most Humble Servant
His Excellency Gen! ABERCROMBY
1 Printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 150.
2 See votes of Assembly upon the embargo, Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 135, 148.
3 Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 150.
4 See Pitt's letter of December 30, 1757.
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Correspondence of the
THE COMMITTEE OF WAR TO COLONEL HENRY BABCOCK.1 NEWPORT June 19th 1758
Sir,
We have just received Advice that the Arms pro- mised by his Majesty to to furnish the American Troops are arrived, and we think that there will be no Occasion of those sent from this Colony, if this be so, then send by One of the Transports those Arms this Colony shipped on Board the Transports for the Use of the Forces ; As We are but poorly stocked in the Colony with military Stores. We are, Sir, Your Obed! humle Servis J GARDNER
PETER BOURS Comtee War
To HENRY BABCOCK Esq Col! of the Rhode Island Regiment at Albany
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
LONDON 8 month or Augst 28th 1758. Gov'. Hopkins
My last to thee was of 23ª 6 month or June last per the Boscawan Capt Jacobson for Boston when I sent thee the Patent under the Seal of the Admi- ralty Office appointing John Andrews Esq: Judge of the Court of Vice Admiralty of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,2 of wch I also advised him
1 Babcock was captain of one of the companies sent on the Crown Point expedition of 1755, lieutenant-colonel of the regiment raised to reinforce Webb after the loss of Fort William Henry, and also of that raised in the spring of 1758.
2 See p. 275.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
and of the Expence thereof, and hope the same is by this time got safe to hand, - since which I have recd none of thy Favours.
As to publick News, The devastation of War still continues to rage in Germany between the King of Prussia and the Austrians ; and also between Prince Ferdinand wth the Hessians and Hannoverians with some British Forces from hence, and That of the French under Marshall Soubise ; The English Fleet under Comodore How, Bro! to Lord How have continued their Invasions on the Coast of France, which has doubtless ben very distressing to that Nation ;1 The People here have been very lavish in their Rejoycings for the taking of Louisbourg,2 but they have been damped since, by the acco! we have had of the Repulse Gen! Abercrombie met with at Ticonderoga,3 for the rest I refer to the News Paper here inclosed and the Magazine and other Papers sent thee per Cap: Ayres - inclosed to And: Oliver Esq: of Boston to forward.
from Thy assured Friend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
To STEPHEN HOPKINS Esq! Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
1 Howe's movements were intended to divert a part of the French forces from the scene of operations in Hanover.
2 Louisbourg surrendered to the English under Amherst and Wolfe, backed by a fleet under Admiral Boscawen, on July 27, after a siege of seven weeks.
3 Ticonderoga was attacked by Abercrombie with 15,000 men, on July 6. The first assault was successful, but an attempt made two days later to carry the works without waiting for the artillery was repulsed with fearful loss of life. On July 9 Abercrombie fell back to Fort William Henry, in a retreat which became a panic. He was super- seded by Amherst in September. See Colonel Babcock's letters to Hopkins of July 4 and 10, in Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 163, 164.
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Correspondence of the
WILLIAM PITT TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.1
WHITEHALL 9th Decem! 1758.
Gentlemen
His Majesty having nothing so much at Heart, as to improve the great and important advantages gained the last Campaign; as well as to repair the disapointment at Tionderoge;2 and, by the most vigorous and extensive Efforts, to avert, by the Bless- ing of God on his Arms, all dangers, which may threaten North America from any future Irruptions of the French ; And the King not doubting, that all His faithful and Brave Subjects there, will chearfully Co-Operate with, and second to the utmost, the large Expence and extraordinary Succours, supplied by this Kingdom, for their Preservation and defence; And His Majesty considering, that the several Pro- vinces in Particular, from Proximity and Accessi- bility of Situation, more immediately Obnoxious to the main Irruptions of the Enemy from Canada, are, of themselves, well able to furnish, at least, Twenty Thousand Men, to join a Body of the Kings Forces, for invading Canada by the way of Crown Point, and carrying War into the Heart of the Enemy's Posses- sions; And His Majesty not judging it expedient to limit the zeal and Ardour of any of His Provinces, by making a Repartition of the Force to be raised by Each respectively, for this most important Service; I am Commanded to Signify to you the Kings Plea-
1 Printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 178.
2 See note to preceding letter.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
sure, that you do forthwith Use your Utmost Endea- vours and Influence with the Council and Assembly of your Colony, to induce them to raise, with all pos- sible dispatch, within your Government, at least as large a Body of Men as they did for the last Cam- paign, and even as many more, as the Number of it's Inhabitants may allow; and, forming the same into Regiments, as far as shall be found Convenient, that you do direct them to hold themselves in readiness, as early as may be, to march to the Rendezvous at Albany, or such other Place, as His Majesty's Commander in Chief in America shall Appoint, in Order to proceed from thence, in Conjunction with a Body of the King's British Forces, and under the Supreme Command of His Majesty's said Commander in Chief in America, so as to be in a situation, to begin the Operations of the Campaign, by the first of May, if possible, or as soon after, as shall be any way practicable, by attempt- ing to make an Irruption into Canada as above, by the way of Crown Point; and, if found practicable, to Attack either Montreal, or Quebeck, or both of said Places, successively, with the whole Force in One Body, or at One and the same time, by a Divi- sion of the Troops into separate and distinct Opera- tions, according as His Majesty's Commander in Chief shall, from his knowledge of the Countries, through which the War is to be carryed, and from. emergent Circumstances not to be known here, judge any of the said Attempts to be practicable; And the better to facilitate this important Service, The King is pleased to Leave it to you, to Issue Com- missions to such Gentlemen of your Colony, as you
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Correspondence of the
shall judge, from their Weight and Credit with the People, and their Zeal for the Publick Service, may be best disposed, and able, to quicken and effectuate the speedy Levying of the greatest Number of Men. In the disposition of which Commissions, I am per- suaded, you will have nothing in View, but the Good of the King's Service, and a due Subordination of the whole, when joined, to His Majesty's Commander in Chief; And all Officers of the Provincial Forces, as high as Colonels, inclusive, are to have Rank, according to their several respective Commissions, agreable to the Regulations, contained in His Ma- jesty's Warrant of the 30th of December, last year.
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