USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. II > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
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, carrys Orders for timely provid- ing, at the King's Charge, with the utmost diligence, and in an Ample manner, Boats and Vessells, neces- sary for the Transportation of the Army on this Expedition. The whole therefore, that His Majesty expects and requires from the several Provinces, is, the Levying, Cloathing, and Pay, of the Men ;1 And, on these Heads also, that no Encouragement may be wanting to this great and salutary Attempt, the
1 The Assembly met in February, 1759, and voted to raise one thousand men for the ensuing campaign. Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 181, 191.
283
Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
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 Vigour and strenu- ous Efforts of the respective Provinces shall justly appear to merit.
It is His Majesty's Pleasure, that you do, with particular Diligence, immediately Collect, and put into the best Condition, all the Arms, issued last Campaign, which can be any ways rendered service- able, or that can be found within your Government, in Order that the same may be employ'd, as far as they will go, in this Exigency. I am at the same time to acquaint you, that a reasonable Supply of Arms will be sent from England, to replace such, as may have been lost, or that become unfit for future Service.
I am further to inform you, that similar Orders are sent by this Conveyance to Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, and New Jer- sey; 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 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 successfull.
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 future Safety and Welfare of America are at Stake; and the King
284
Correspondence of the
doubts not, from your known fidelity and attachment, that You will Employ yourself, with the utmost Application and dispatch, in this urgent and decisive Crisis.
Altho' the knowledge of an Intention to invade Canada is apprehended, not only to be unattended with any 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 discretion in communicating, by Name, any of the immediate 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.
I am Gentlemen
Your most obedient humble Servant,
W. PITT
Governor and Company of Rhode Island.
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
LONDON Ist month or Jan" 31 1759.
To the Gov. ana Compa of Rhode Island and Provi- dence Plantations
My last to Gov: Hopkins was of 12th Dec! of the Sea Horse Man of War, to wch I refer having since recd none of his favours, this now brings my acco with your Colony the Ball. thereof being £99.8.6.
285
Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
and of this date I have presumed to draw a Bill of £100. Sterl. at 40. days Sight payable to the Order of And! Oliver which you will please to honour accord- ingly.
Several of the Agents of the of the Nº Colonies are about Soliciting the Ministry for som Compensa- tion for the Expence incurr'd for the Troops raised last year agreeable to the assurances given by the SecTy of State that the King woud make strong Representations to Parliament for it;1 I intend to Solicit also in behalf of your Colony in the best manner I can, tho' there shoud have been sent over Acco's of the Expence duly Authenticated, and how many of the 1000 Men your Colony agreed at first to raise did actually march.
What proportion of the Expence will be allowed we know not yet, or whether it will be done this Sessions, unless the Acco's come over in time, but yet it is intended to have the Matter push'd for- ward. I am with due Respects to your Selves and the Gent" of the House of Representatives.
Your assured Friend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
To The Governor and Company of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
1 See Pitt's letter of December 30, 1757.
286
Correspondence of the
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
LONDON 3d Mo. or March 1: 1759.
Gent.
My last to You was of the 31st of Ist Mo.1 or Jan'y last which I Expect you will Receive before this. My Principal View in Writing to you now is to In- form You that I have been confined near a Fortnight with a severe fitt of the Gravel so that I am under some Apprehension least this Illness shod carry me to my Grave the Consideration of which and my advanced Age has made me thoughtfull about the Affairs of the several Colonies which I have the Honour to represent
I have for some time past had the Assistance of one of our Friends in Conducting and Transacting my Agency Affairs and have found him Capable and Attentive to Business and carefull to Discharge his Duty with Fidelity and application I have Appointed him one of my Executors when it shall please Divine Providence to Remove me, Permitt me also to pro- pose him to You as a proper person to Succeed me in the Office of Agent for your Colony and if he meets with your Approbation am well perswaded his knowledge in Business his prudent Conduct and Dil- igent application will give you ample Satisfaction. His Direction is Joseph Sherwood Attorney at Law in Austin-Fryers near the Royal Exchange London. If it please the Almighty to Favour me with the Restoration of my Health I shall continue my Care
1 See the preceding letter.
287
Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
and Paines in your Affairs. I am Gentlemen with due respects.
Y! Assured Frd
RICHP. PARTRIDGE.
To The Gov! and Company of the Colony of Rhode- Island and Providence Plantations.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD" TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
Gent
The other side is a Copy of a Letter from Richard Partridge sent per the Sherborn Capt" Calef, at that Time he did not think himself so near his Dissolu- tion as he really was (he dying on the 5th Instant) but being dubious of his Recovery he Directed that Letter to be wrote and sent to You and Subscribed it with his own hand.
He requested me a considerable time before his Illness to stand one of his Executors, and as I was Conversant with his Business and Assistant to him therein Occasionally, I take the Liberty of Offering my Services to you Gent" to succeed him as your Agent and if you shall please to confer that Honour on me I shall Endeavour to Meritt your Favour and Discharge my Duty with application and Fidelity .?
I have not yet had time or Opportunity to Meth-
1 Sherwood was, like Partridge, a member of the Society of Friends. He acted as agent for Rhode Island until his death, in 1772, and was agent for New Jersey from 1761 to 1766.
2 See Letter of Agency to Sherwood, of November 1, 1759; and votes of the Assen- bly in Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 224, 226.
288
Correspondence of the
odize and peruse his Papers with Attention and con- sequently am not able to write so fully on your Affairs as I could wish but Intend to take the Lib- erty of troubling you with another Letter shortly. I am Gentlemen with great respect
Y! Assured Frd
JOSEPH SHERWOOD
AUSTIN-FRYERS.
17h 3ª Mo. or March 1759
I have been forced to hurry over the above as the New-York Pacquett is made up this Evening and I was not willing to miss this Opportunity.
Gov! and Company of the Colony of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
GOVERNOR HOPKINS TO THE HOUSE OF DEPUTIES.
As the Season of the Year is Approaching when we have reason to fear being Visited by our Ene- mies I therefore, recomend to you, to take Such Proper Measures, as You may think Necessary for putting the Colony in a proper Posture of Defence; and, for Providing Such Warlike Stores for the Fort as may be Wanting : and, so many Men to be placed there as are Needfull for rendering the same as Use- full as may be.1
NEWPORT May 4th 1759 To the House of Deputys
STEP HOPKINS
1 See vote of the Assembly, Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 208.
289
Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
Gov'. Hopkins Respd Frd
Before the Receipt of this thou wilt doubtless hear of the Decease of our Esteemed Frd Richª Partridge and that he Appointed me one of his Executors.
I received thy Letter respecting the Appointment of Officers of the Court of Vice-Admiralty in your Colony and also the Letters and Accounts relating to your Disbursements and considering that no time was to be lost in these Affairs I Immediately pre- ferred my Petition to the Lords of the Admiralty a Copy of which is annexed, and also delivered the Acco's with a further or additional Memorial to the Lords of the Treasury, R. Partridge having Exhib- itted one on y. behalf just before his Decease, In re- gard to the first Affair I have not yet got the Peti- tion answered, but fear it sticks on Account of my not being cloathed with the Authority of an Agent, as for the latter a Message was brot into the House of Commons from the King on the 26th ult was read by the Speaker and is as follows.
GEORGE R.
" His Majesty being sensible of the Zeal and " Vigour with which his Faithfull Subjects in North " America, have Exerted themselves in Defence of " his Majesty's just rights and Posessions Recom- " mends it to this House to take the same into their " Consideration, and Enable his Majesty to give them " a proper compensation for the Expences incurred " by the respective Provinces in the Levying Cloath- VOL. II.
290
Correspondence of the
"ing and Pay of the Troops raised by the same Ac- " cording to the Active Vigour and strenous Efforts " of the respective Provinces shall justly Appear to " Meritt. Ordered Nem : Con :
" That his Majesty's most gracious Message be " referred to the Consideration of the Committee of " the whole House to whom it is referred to Consider " further of the Supply granted to his Majesty.
And on the 30th of same Month the said Com- mittee brt in the following Resolution.
" Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Com- " mittee that a Sum not Exceeding Two Hundred " Thousand Pounds be granted to his Majesty upon " Account to Enable his Majesty to give a proper " Compensation to the respective Provinces in North " America for the Expences incurred by them on the " Levying Cloathing and Pay of the Troops raised " by the same according as the Active Vigour and " Strenous Efforts of the respective Provinces shall " be thought by his Majesty to Meritt"
The said Resolution being twice read was Agreed to by the House.
In what manner the above is to be divided will be the Subject of future Consideration. I shall Use the utmost Diligence for the Benefit of your Colony, in every respect, that no Inconvenience may Arise from the Sudden Decease of your Agent I hope I shall be able to Meritt the favourable Regard of the
291
Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
Gentlemen of the General Assembly and am with due respects to them and thyself their and Thy Assª Fra
JOSEPH SHERWOOD
AUSTIN-FRYERS NEAR THE EXCHANGE.
5* Mo. or May IIth 1759.
A Message has been sent from the Ministry to the Treasury Recommending the Distribution of the above to that Board.
To the Lords Comm's of the Admiralty.
The Petition of Joseph Sherwood on the behalf of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Planta- tions in America. Humbly Sheweth.
That near a Twelve month ago a Commission Issued from the High Court of Admiralty Appoint- ing John Andrews Esq: Judge of the Court of Vice- Admiralty for the said Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.1
That your Petitioner hath lately received from Stephen Hopkins Esq: the Governour of the sd Col- ony a Vote of the General Assembly there and a Letter representing that there is a Deficiency of Offi- cers in the said Court of Vice Admiralty there being neither Register nor Marshall of the same Court Ex- cept a Deputy Register Appointed by a Principal living at a great Distance from the said Colony and that great Mischiefs and Inconveniences are likely to Attend the Want of such Officers and also Recom- mending Tho: Vernon Esq: for the Office of Register and Cap: William Mumford for the Office of Marshall
1 See warrant on p. 275.
292
Correspondence of the
they being Persons of unblemished Characters and Suitable to those Offices as sett forth in the said Vote of the General Assembly 1 and Letter hereunto annexed. That the said Letter and Vote came Di- rected to Richd Partridge the Agent for the said Colony, who is lately deceased having Appointed y! Petitioner his Executor and Left to him the Care of his Business.
Wherefore y: Pet' humbly prays that you wod be pleased to Appoint and Commissionate the said Thomas Vernon to be Register and the said William Mumford to be Marshall of the Court of Vice-Admi- ralty of the said Colony of Rhode Island and Provi- dence Plantations accordingly
Which is humbly Submitted JOSEPH SHERWOOD
To STEPHEN HOPKINS Esq! Gov! of the Colony of Rhode Island and Provi- dence Plantations in America
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
14th 7 Mo. or July 1759. Respd Frª Gov'. Hopkins.
My last to thee was per the New York Pacquett and Duplicate per the London Capt" Finglass. Since which Vizt on the 20th Ult. the Lords of the Treasury Gave Audience to the several Agents for the North-
1 See vote of the Assembly, Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 174.
293
Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
ern Colonies in respect to the Meritt and Active Vigour of each where I Attended on behalf of your Colony (having first laid a proper Memorial before them as mentioned in my last) They were averse to taking Notice of any thing but the Expences of 1758 altho' the Mem's of some other Colonies as well as yours pressed for a Compensation for the preceed- ing Years, But the Lords alleged they were con- fined to the last Year only.
The Allotment to each Colony is not yet known but I don't doubt your Colony will fare as well as the Rest and have it's due proportion.
It is thought the money may be ready some time in September but they seem to determine to pay it to none but some person Authorized by the Govern- our Council and Assembly of the several Provinces to Receive the same, tis therefore Incumbent on you Immediately to send an Authority for that purpose.1
Gen! Winslow made a Demand on Connecticut New-York and Rhode Island which is thought will be allowed him.
As to the Affair of the Court of Vice Admiralty, it Remains as before the Lords not having Answered my Petition owing as I beleive to the Reason given in my last. Admiral Rodney is just returned from an Expedition to Havre de Grace, where he de- stroyed some flatt Bottomed Boats and damaged the Town by Fire, But it Appears he has not done the French so much Mischief as was at first Expected and Reported 2 I am with due respect to thy self
1 See vote of the Assembly authorizing Sherwood to act as agent, Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 226.
2 Boats and munitions of war were being collected at Havre, it was supposed for an
294
Correspondence of the
and the Gent" of the Gen! Assembly Their and thy Assª Fra
JOSEPH SHERWOOD.
AUSTIN-FRYERS.
Great talk of a French Invasion.
To STEPHEN HOPKINS Esq!
Gov: of the Colony of Rhode Island and Provi- dence Plantations in America.
LETTER OF AGENCY FROM RHODE ISLAND TO JOSEPH SHERWOOD.
Whereas the General Assembly of the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England in America at their Session held at East Greenwich on the Twentieth Day of August in the thirty third Year of the Reign of His most Sacred Majesty GEORGE the Second by the Grace of GOD King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and soforth did Nominate, Choose and Appoint Joseph Sherwood of the Parish of - in the City of London Gentleman to be Agent and Attorney for the said Colony at in and throughout the Kingdom of Great Britain and did further order and direct the Governor of the said Col- ony for the Time being to make and Send to the said Joseph Sherwood in the Name and Behalf of the said Colony such proper and authentic Powers of Attor-
invasion of England. These were destroyed, and the operations of the French coast- ers were restricted.
295
Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
ney and Agency as may enable him to transact per- form and finish all such Businesses of the said Colony as may be committed to him.
Now be it known unto all whom it may concern that I Stephen Hopkins Esquire Governor Captain General and Commander in Chief in and over the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England in America have Con- stituted Ordained and Appointed and by these Pre- sents do in the Name and Behalf of the said Colony Constitute Ordain and Appoint the aforesaid Joseph Sherwood to be my true and lawful Agent and At- torney in my said Public Capacity and for and in the Name and Behalf of the said Colony to appear for act do transact and furnish all and every Suit and Business of the Colony aforesaid at the Court of His aforesaid Majesty and before the Parliament of Great Britain and any other of His said Majesty's Councils Courts and Boards of Business within the said King- dom and in the Name and Behalf of the said Colony and to the proper Use and Benefit thereof to receive any Sum and Sums of Money that may be given or granted or any otherwise be due and belonging to the said Colony by or within the said Kingdom of Great Britain and proper Receipts Acquittances and Discharges to make and give for and in the Name of the said Colony for any and all Sum and Sums of Money so received And in general to begin prose- cute and finish every other Matter and Thing needful to be done for and in Behalf of the said Colony at and within the said Kingdom of Great Britain Giving and by these Presents granting to the said Joseph
296
Correspondence of the
Sherwood the full Power and Authority of the Colony aforesaid so far as is needful for the carrying on and accomplishing the whole Business before-mentioned or intended Hereby promising in the Name and be- half of the said Colony of Rhode Island that all and whatsoever the said Joseph Sherwood shall lawfully do or cause to be done in and about the Premises shall be binding upon and forever held firm and valid by the said Colony.
In Witness whereof I the said Stephen Hopkins as Governor as aforesaid have hereunto Set my Hand and caused the Seal of the said Colony to be affixed at Rhode Island the Day of in the Thirty third Year of His said Majesty's Reign And in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty nine.
DANIEL JENCKS
PETER BOURS
Com tee
November the It 1759
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
Respª Frª
After long Expectation of an Answer to my Let- ters wrote thee I at length received thy agreeable Favour of 20th Sept! Accompanyed with the Vote of Assembly and Letter of Attorney 1 which Appear Sufficient for the Purpose intended.
The Assembly having been Pleased to Conferr on me the Honour of their Agency I shall Manifest my
1 See the preceding document.
r
-
---
-
297
Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
grateful Sence of that Favour by a Diligent and Faithfull Application to the Discharge of the Trust reposed in me, and hope my Endeavours will Give Satisfaction and Reflect Credit on the Memory of your late Worthy Agent in Answering the Character he was pleased to Give me.
The Lords of the Treasury have Allotted the sum of Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety Eight Pounds as your Colony's proportion of the Money granted last Sessions out of which there will be a Deduction of £139.5.8ª which sum is allowed by them to Gen! Winslow that being the manner in which they have thought proper to Reward his Ser- vices. I understand he has upwards of £600 from the Colony of Connecticut. The Warrants for this money now lay before the King and I Expect will very soon be received by as many of the Agents as are properly Authorized. I shall Observe the In- structions expressed in thy Letter respecting the Disposition of your Money as soon as I have received it which I Daily Expect.
In respect to the Accounts I received of your Dis- bursements in 1756 I apprehend you are not the only Colony who missed of that Bounty which Was received by Massachusetts and Connecticut1 and tho' there was something dropped by the Lords which was a reasonable Foundation for the Observation in my Letter of the 14th (7th Mo.) July that the Lords Confined themselves to the Year 1758 Yet from what
1 The accounts of Rhode Island were not sent to England in season. Sherwood petitioned in March, 1760, for £4212, and his efforts to obtain it extend over fifteen years, but the account was never allowed.
298
Correspondence of the
has since Occurred it Appears to me this money is Intended as a full Compensation for all the Expences of the several Colonies accrued at that Time. Be that as it may I think it highly Improper to stir in that Affair till we have received the above sum (the Lords are so averse to further Applications that their Secretarys will not yet Inform the Agents what Sums are allotted to the other Colonies least the knowledge of that should produce fresh Solicitations). If I find afterward that tis Expedient and proper to make use of that Acco! I shall in that as in every other Affair have the Interest of the Colony at heart.
The application respecting the Register and Mar- shall of your Court of Vice-Admiralty shall be per- sued.
The sum Allotted to New-Jersey is £9166.
This Sessions of Parliament was opened the 1 3th ult with a speech from the King by Comm's (of which the Prince of Wales was Chief) nothing Ex- traordinary has hitherto Occurred therein nor doth there Appear any thing likely to be moved which may Affect your Colony or Abridge your Rights and Priviledges I shall keep a Diligent Watch and if there should will Endeavour to prevent and Give you Notice.
There is no material Alteration among the People at the Helm of Affairs here.
Our Publick Funds are considerably raised by the Repeated Accounts of the Success of our Arms the last being the Defeat of the French-Fleet 1 a partic- ular Accot of which Suppose will Appear in the Pub-
1 Doubtless the battle of Quiberon Bay, in November, 1759.
T
299
Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
-
lick Papers. I am with great respect to the Gent! of the Gen! Assembly and thyself
Their and thy Assa and Obliged Frd
JOSEPH SHERWOOD.
3ª Dec: 1759.
AUSTIN-FRYERS.
To STEPHEN HOPKINS Esq"
Gov: of the Colony of Rhode-Island and Provi- dence Plantations in America.
WILLIAM PITT TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.1
WHITEHALL Jan". 7th 1760.
Gentlemen,
His Majesty having nothing so much at Heart, as to improve the great and important Advantages, gained the last Campaign in North America; 2 and not doubting that all His Faithfull and Brave Sub- jects there will continue most chearfully to cooperate with, and second to the utmost, the large Expence and extraordinary Succours, supplied by this King- dom, for their Preservation, and future Security, by compleating the Reduction of all Canada; And His Majesty not judging it expedient to limit the Zeal and Ardor of any of His Provinces, by making a Repartition of the Force, to be raised by Each, re- spectively, for this most important Service; I am commanded to signify to You the King's Pleasure,
1 Printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 234.
2 Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Niagara, and Quebec had been captured.
300
Correspondence of the
that You do forthwith use Your utmost Endeavours and Influence, with the Council and Assembly of Your Province, 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 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 Com- mander 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 practi- cable, by an Irruption into Canada, in order to reduce Montreal, and all other Posts belonging to the French in those Parts, and farther to annoy the Enemy in such Manner as His Majesty's Commander in Chief shall, from his Knowledge of the Countries, thro' which the War is to be carried, and from emergent Circumstances not to be known here, judge to be practicable; And the better to facilitate this impor- tant Service, The King is pleased to leave it to You to issue Commissions to such Gentlemen of Your Province, as You shall judge, from their Weight and Credit with the People, and their Zeal for the Pub- lick Service, may be best disposed and able to quicken and effectuate the speedy Levying of the greatest
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.