USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. II > Part 2
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Contents
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, APRIL 12, 1760 . . 307 Reimbursement claims.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, DECEMBER 10, 1760 . 309 The Crown Point expedition claim - Accession of George III. - Public news.
SAMUEL WARD TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, JANUARY 2, 1761 . . 311 To the members in their private capacity, stating his position as to candidacy for governor against Hopkins.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, JANUARY 31, 1761 . . 313 The Crown Point expedition claim - Enclosing the report of the Secretary at War and the Paymaster-General upon the agent's peti- tion.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, MARCH 3, 1761 316 Reimbursement claims - Public news.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, MAY 30, 1761 318
Reimbursement claims for 1759 and 1760- Condemnation of ships engaged in trade with the French - Disposition of money granted - Crown Point claim - General Amherst's return of troops voted by the colonies in 1759.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, FEBRUARY 6, 1762 . . 322 A grant to the colonies - Public news - Failure of application for reimbursement of Crown Point expenses.
SAMUEL WARD TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, FEBRUARY 26, 1762 . 323 Proposing a compromise with Governor Hopkins.
INSTRUCTIONS OF GOVERNOR WARD TO COLONEL ROSE, MAY 17, 1762 . . . · 325
Directing him to proceed with the Rhode Island regiment to Albany.
GOVERNOR WARD TO NATHANIEL MUMFORD, JULY 1, 1762 . . . 326 Despatching him to New York to obtain money from General Amherst on the billeting rolls for 1757, 1761, and 1762.
COLONEL ROSE TO GOVERNOR WARD, JULY 5, 1762 329
Enclosing a return of the regiment - Desertions.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR WARD, JULY 31, 1762 331 Reimbursement for 1760 - Peace talk.
LIEUTENANT EDMUND NEWLAND TO GOVERNOR WARD, AUGUST 2, 1762 .
Suggesting an improved method of recruiting. · 333
GOVERNOR WARD TO JOSEPH SHERWOOD, AUGUST 6, 1762 . . . . 334
Reimbursement claims - Protested drafts - The agent's accounts - The colony's debt - Distress among the people - Enlistment of troops.
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GOVERNOR WARD TO COLONEL ROSE, SEPTEMBER 6, 1762 . . 337 On various subjects connected with the regiment.
COLONEL JAMES ROBERTSON TO GENERAL AMHERST, SEPTEMBER 15, 1762 . 338
Concerning the Rhode Island billeting rolls of 1757.
CAPTAIN CORNELL TO GOVERNOR WARD, SEPTEMBER 20, 1762 · 340 In regard to the reenlisting of a company of troops.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR WARD, MARCH 26, 1763 ·
. 342 .
Grants to the colonies - Proclamation of the Peace of Paris - Popular dissatisfaction at a proposed extension of the excise laws. GOVERNOR WARD TO JOSEPH SHERWOOD, APRIL 6, 1763 · 343 Reimbursement claims - The Surveyor-General's demand on Rhode Island on account of a sale of forfeited sugars - Introducing Mr. John Hadwen - The company at Fort Stanwix.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR WARD, MAY 21, 1763 . . . 346
Transmitting an evidence of Pennsylvania's indebtedness to Rhode Island on account of an arrangement between the agents in reference to the 1760 grant.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, JUNE 8, 1763 . . . 347 The Crown Point claim - General Amherst's return of colonial troops in 1761.
CAPTAIN CORNELL TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, JUNE 24, 1763 350 Concerning the garrison at Fort Stanwix.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, JULY 7, 1763 . . . . 350
The application for distribution of the Parliamentary grant for 1761.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, SEPTEMBER 12, 1763 . 351 Share of Massachusetts in the £10,000 balance - The 1761 grant - Changes in the ministry - A scheme to prevent or abridge the trade of the colonies with the French islands.
GOVERNOR HAMILTON TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, OCTOBER 3, 1763 . 353 In regard to the discharge of Pennsylvania's debt to Rhode Island.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, OCTOBER 31, 1763 . . 354 Allotment of Rhode Island's share of the 1761 grant - The Penn- sylvania reimbursement - The affair of the sloop Kinnicut - Par- liament - A new collector for Newport.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, NOVEMBER 25, 1763 . 356 Receipt of Rhode Island's proportion of the grant for 1761 - The agent's account.
BILL OF EXCHANGE, NOVEMBER 28, 1763 356 Sherwood's draft for £100.
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GOVERNOR HOPKINS TO THE SHERIFF OF THE COUNTY OF NEWPORT, JANUARY 13, 1764 . ·
. 357
A warrant for the convocation of the General Assembly for the purpose of raising troops against the Indians - The sheriff's return. THOMAS RICHARDSON TO JOSEPH CLARKE, OCTOBER 27, 1764 · 359
Concerning a shipment of money from Philadelphia.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, FEBRUARY 23, 1765 . 360 Concerning the rejection of certain petitions in Parliament.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND, APRIL II, 1765
. 361
Concerning a petition to the King and the use of certain pamphlets - The merchants of London and the relief of the colonies - A bill in Parliament for punishing mutiny and desertion in America, and requiring colonists to furnish quarters, etc., for the troops.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, MAY 2, 1765 . . 363 . .
Omission of the obnoxious features in the bill in regard to the quartering of troops - Obligations of the colonies to the London merchants in this matter - Complaints against the colony on ac- count of an attack upon the British schooner St. John - An Act to Regulate the Trade of America - A regency bill under considera- tion.
GOVERNOR WARD TO JOSEPH SHERWOOD, JUNE 28, 1765 . . . . . 365 Commending his action in opposing the measure in regard to the quartering of troops and expressing obligations to the London mer- chants for their assistance - The affair of Lieutenant Hill and the schooner St. John - The Act to Regulate the Trade of America - Reimbursement for the Crown Point expedition of 1756.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR WARD, JULY 16, 1765 367 Announcing a change of ministry.
GOVERNOR FAUQUIER TO GOVERNOR WARD, AUGUST 8, 1765 . . 368
Respecting a charge against Captain Charles Thomas of kidnap- ping free negroes in Africa.
CAPTAIN THOMAS TO GOVERNOR FAUQUIER, JULY 26, 1765 . . . 369
Enclosed with the last - Denying the charge of kidnapping negroes and explaining the circumstances.
THOMAS NEWTON AND CO. TO GOVERNOR FAUQUIER, JULY 27, 1765 .
37I
Concerning the charge against Captain Thomas.
THE LORDS OF TRADE TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND, AUGUST 23, 1765 37I
Announcing their appointment and desiring news from time to · time.
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Contents
GOVERNOR WARD TO MESSRS. JOHN ROBINSON AND JOHN NICOLL, OCTOBER 29, 1765 372 To the King's customs officers at Newport, recommending leniency and assuring them of protection from violence.
GOVERNOR WARD TO THE LORDS OF THE TREASURY, NOVEMBER 21, 1765 . 373 Concerning the customs officers.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR WARD, JANUARY II, 1766 . . . 374 Reimbursement claim for 1756 - Outlook for America in Parlia- ment - Action of the London merchants.
JOHN ROBINSON AND JOHN NICOLL TO GOVERNOR WARD, FEBRU- ARY 22, 1766 376
Complaining of unfair treatment by the Court of Admiralty in several cases.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR WARD, MARCH 13, 1766 381
The repeal of the Stamp Act- The agent's accounts and the pro- testing of drafts - Concerning letters to Colonel Barré - In regard to certain petitions.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR WARD, MAY 15, 1766 384
Reporting the adoption by the Commons of a set of resolutions for a tariff revision favorable to the colonies - Transmitting the report of the Paymaster-General and the Secretary at War on the expenses incurred in 1756-Claims against Rhode Island on ac- count of riots.
THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND TO THE KING, JUNE 14, 1766
388
Conveying thanks to the King and Parliament for the repeal of the Stamp Act.
GOVERNOR WARD TO THE MERCHANTS IN LONDON, JUNE 30, 1766 391 Thanking them for their assistance in procuring the repeal of the Stamp Act.
GOVERNOR WARD TO JOSEPH SHERWOOD, JULY 4, 1766 . 391 Gratitude in the colonies for the repeal of the Stamp Act - The address to the King - The 1756 claim.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR WARD, JULY 25, 1766 393
Suspension of payment of claim of 1756 till the colony's answer be received in regard to the claims for damages on account of riots against the Stamp Act.
JOHN ROBINSON AND JOHN NICOLL TO GOVERNOR WARD, DECEM- BER 22, 1766 . 394
Concerning the judge and the advocate of the Court of Admiralty.
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JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, MAY 20, 1767 . .
. 395
A bill to prohibit the legislature of New York from passing any act until they shall have complied with the act of Parliament re- lating to billeting soldiers - A proposal to lay duties on certain articles imported into America - The indemnification for riot dam- ages.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, AUGUST 7, 1767 . . . 396 The Crown Point reimbursement still contingent on the compensa- tion of riot sufferers - The case of Collector Robinson - Passage of two acts relating to the customs in America.
LORD SHELBURNE TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE IS- LAND, OCTOBER 8, 1767
398
Transmitting a copy of an act to enable the King to put the cus- toms, etc., into the hands of a resident commission.
TOBIAS SHATTOCK TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, DECEMBER 8, 1767
398
Concerning the forced sale of certain lands belonging to the Indians in Rhode Island.
MATTHEW ROBINSON TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, MARCH 1, 1768 . 400 Concerning the negotiations with the Indians.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS, MARCH 21, 1768 . 401 .
Dissolution of Parliament - Collector Robinson's case - The Crown Point claim - The writer's accounts.
LORD HILLSBOROUGH TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND, APRIL 30, 1768 402 Desiring the apprehension of Kinsman, the alleged murderer of William Odgers, a customs officer at Penzance.
EDWARD STANLEY TO THOMAS BRADSHAW, APRIL 21, 1768 .
. 403 Enclosed with the last - Enclosing affidavits against Kinsman.
THOMAS BRADSHAW TO RICHARD PHELPS, APRIL 25, 1768 . . . . 405
Enclosed with Lord Hillsborough's letter - Concerning the Kins- man case.
EDWARD STANLEY TO THOMAS BRADSHAW, APRIL 14, 1768 . . 406 Enclosed with the last - The Kinsman case.
THE HOUSE OF DEPUTIES TO THE HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIR- GINIA, JUNE 20, 1768 . 407
In regard to an address to the King protesting against recent acts of Parliament for raising revenue in the colonies and professing loyalty to the Crown and the Constitution.
THE HOUSE OF DEPUTIES TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF MASSACHUSETTS, AUGUST 5, 1768 . 410
· Concerning the address to the King.
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GOVERNOR BOTETOURT TO GOVERNOR WARD, DECEMBER 24, 1768 . 412 Announcing his appointment by the King.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR LYNDON, FEBRUARY 4, 1769 . . 413 The claim for 1756 - Enclosing a pardon for a negro woman - The agent's account.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO MOSES BROWN, JULY 21, 1769 . 414 The agent's accounts and correspondence.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR WANTON, JANUARY 26, 1770 . . 415 The 1756 claim and the riot sufferers - Parliament and the American situation.
THE ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND TO THE ASSEMBLY OF RHODE IS- LAND, FEBRUARY 26, 1770 416
Enclosing a copy of resolutions concerning the American griev- ances against England.
JOSEPH WANTON, JR., TO MOSES BROWN, APRIL 5, 1770 418 Urging efforts on the part of the Hopkins faction against the Ward faction.
MOSES BROWN TO JOSEPH SHERWOOD, JUNE, 1770 . 420 Advising him of the determination of the colonists to import as little as possible from Great Britain until the tea duty is removed.
MOSES BROWN TO JOSEPH SHERWOOD, JULY 3, 1770 421
The agent's accounts - Talk in the Assembly of the 1756 claim and the desirability of engaging a new agent or employing some one to serve jointly with Sherwood.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO MOSES BROWN, SEPTEMBER 4, 1770 . . . 423
Complaining of his treatment at the hands of the Assembly - The 1756 claim and the compensation of the riot sufferers - Importations into the colonies.
JONATHAN ARNOLD TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 424 Resigning the office of Clerk of the Superior Court for the County of Providence.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO MOSES BROWN, SEPTEMBER 15, 1770 . . . 425
The attitude of Freebody and Mawdesley toward the writer - The 1756 claim.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO MOSES BROWN, SEPTEMBER 22, 1770 . . 426 Defending his position as to the 1756 claim and asserting the use- lessness of making an application to Parliament.
J. POWNALL TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND, JULY I, 1772 . 429
A circular letter transmitting copies of acts of Parliament relating to America and of the King's speech to Parliament.
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LORD DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND, MARCH 3, 1773. 430
From the Secretary of State conveying the King's command that warships flying an admiral's flag shall be properly saluted.
LORD DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND, APRIL 10, 1773 43I
Concerning a claim for reimbursement.
THE EXECUTORS OF JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND, JUNE 26, 1773 43I
Announcing the death of Joseph Sherwood, enclosing a statement of his account, and desiring payment.
THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE AT BOSTON TO THE COM- MITTEE AT NEWPORT, MARCH 29, 1774 434
Concerning William Goddard's plan for a reorganization of the postal service throughout the colonies to protect the liberties of Americans.
W. KNOX TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND, JUNE 1, 1774 436
Transmitting copies of two acts of Parliament.
THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF MASSACHUSETTS TO THE COMMITTEE OF RHODE ISLAND, JUNE 4, 1774 . 437
Transmitting copies of two bills brought into Parliament and denouncing them as cruel and oppressive.
JOHN SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR WANTON, AUGUST 13, 1774 . . . 438 Rumor of a bill to vacate the Rhode Island charter - Electioneer- ing.
JOHN NORTHUP TO NICHOLAS COOKE, FEBRUARY 16, 1775 439 Concerning the equipment of militia.
ANONYMOUS LETTER, FEBRUARY 24, 1775 439
Concerning movements of the British troops in America - Post- script dated March 2 relates to the same.
SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF NEW YORK TO THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF RHODE ISLAND, APRIL 10, 1775 . ·
441
Transmitting copies of resolutions of the House, a petition to the King, and memorials to Parliament.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE IN CONNECTICUT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE IN RHODE ISLAND, JULY 12, 1775 . 44I
Concerning preparations for the war against England - The atti- tude of the Canadians.
APPENDIX 445
A chronological list of the correspondence of the colonial gov- ernors of Rhode Island, 1731 to 1775.
INDEX 469
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
STEPHEN HOPKINS HOUSE, PROVIDENCE Frontispiece From a photograph.
PAGE
GIDEON WANTON
60
From the collection of Rhode Island Portraits owned by the His- torical Society, Providence.
GOVERNOR WILLIAM GREENE HOUSE, EAST GREENWICH
144
From a photograph.
SAMUEL WARD 334 . From the collection of Rhode Island Portraits owned by the His- torical Society, Providence.
JOSEPH WANTON .
416
From a painting in the State House, Providence.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE COLONIAL GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
GOVERNOR GREENE TO RICHARD PARTRIDGE.
NEWPORT ON RHODE ISLAND August 1: 1746 Friend Partridge
the Duplicate of Your Letter Dated April 22ª 1746 per Cap: Shores; Came to hand the 15th of July Last ; by which we are Informed that the affare of the boundary Line betwixt this Colony and the province of the Massachusetts Bay (which has been so Long Disputed ; is at Last Determined in our Fa- viour ; which is not only well pleasing to me but as well to the People in Gen" in this Colony; and also to a great part of the people (as I am Informed) that will be Taken into this Colony by said Line now in Behalf of this Colony; and in Perticular that part which will be Included therein by the Settlement of Said Line. I earnestly Request that you use your utmost Indeaviours to git his Majesties Royal order out under the privy seal, with all Expedition possa- ble and Send it to this Colony ; that those people who are now Dayly Suffering under the Extraordinary Proceedings of the province of the Massachusetts ; may be more at peace for they are almost Daly Im- presing more or less of them as I am Informed ; and VOL. II.
2
Correspondence of the
Many Such as they Cant Resonably expect will bare arms for Conciance Sake; by which Means they Draw Great Sums of Money from Many; otherwise they will not Release them ;
I have persuant to Your Request of the 6th of Feb! 17441 Sent you a plan of our fourt and harbour ; as it now is ; and also a plan as the fort is proposed to be built with several Batteries as you will See by one of Said plans; I hope You will Do all in Your power to procure the Cannon and other Stores for this Col- ony ; according to their Request some time past (that is as a present from his majesty)
I Rec'd his Majesties Instructions from his Grace the Duke of New Castle Relating the Expedition against Canada the 28th of May Last and emediately Called the General assembly ; who unanimously Con- cluded to Raise three Hundred Souldiers as Land fources; and to Send our Gard Sloop with one Hun- dred Seamen ; and ordered a bounty of fifty pounds to each Souldier that should enlist into his Majesties Service for their Incoragement; besides Cloathing beding Tents &cª by which Means we soon have the Most part of that Number enlisted and they are Now Ready to Imbark as soon as his Majesties fources arrives, our Small Government have got their Men Ready Much Sooner than the Massachusets and a Greator proportion notwithstanding they so often Complain of us.
I am Your Sincere friend
WM GREENE
1 February 6, 174%.
3
Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
ADMIRAL WARREN TO GOVERNOR GREENE.
BOSTON August 19 1746
Sir
Admiral Townsend having desired me to give no- tice to the Trade of the Colonys, that a Convoy will sail from Louisbourg for England about the latter end of September, who will take any Ships under their care that chuse to joyn the said Convoy at Louisbourg. I take this method to desire you will be pleas'd to notify this to the Trade of your Colony, as I do not think it adviseable to advertize it in the Publick Prints.
I am Sir
Y! Most Obedient humble Servant
P WARREN
To The Honble BENJAMIN 1 GREEN Esq Governour of Road Island
GOVERNOR SHIRLEY AND ADMIRAL WARREN TO GOVERNOR GREENE.
BOSTON August 25+ 1746
Sir,
His Grace the Duke of New Castle having by his Majesty's Command in his Letter of the 9th of last April 2 signified to M: Shirley, that if Lt General S. Clair3 and we should think that any other Scheme,
1 This is a mistake. William Greene was governor of Rhode Island in 1746.
2 Printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 162.
8 Commander of the expected reinforcements from England.
4
Correspondence of the
than that which is contained in his Grace's said Let- ter for the Reduction of Canada may be more prac- ticable and adviseable, It will certainly be left to us three to do as we shall think proper; We have ac- cordingly in the Absence of Lieu: General S: Clair (and as the major part of those in whom his Majesty reposes this Trust) from Time to Time, as we have judged it necessary for promoting his Majesty's Ser- vice, concerted Measures for the better conducting of the Preparations for this important Enterprize.
And whereas it appears to us from the Accounts we have received of the Levies raised within his Ma- jesty's several Governments engaged in this Expedi- tion, that those raised within the four Colonies of New England do not exceed 5000, at the most, nor those within the five Southern Colonies 2100, which Troops together with the Six Regiments expected from England, and the two lately arrived at Louis- burg from Gibralter will not as we conceive be a sufficient Land Force for the Reduction of the whole Country of Canada, tho' the Squadron of his Ma- jesty's Ships and Transports appointed for the Ser- vice of the Expedition should arrive at Louisburg in Time for proceeding this Year up the River of St Lawrence and carrying on afterwards the necessary Operations against Quebec, which from the advanced Season of the Year and our not having yet received Advice of their being on their Passage, we are very apprehensive they most probably will not; And whereas we are of Opinion that the before mentioned American Troops, together with the Indians of the Six Nations, which it is hop'd will join with his Ma-
5
Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
jesty's Troops in this Expedition, may, if they should Act in Conjunction against the French Fort at Crown Point,1 be a sufficient Force for the Reduction of it even tho no Diversion should be made at Que- bec to favour this Enterprize by a Land Armament, provided it is attempted without Delay.
And it appears to us that this Fort being the Key of Canada on the Land Side, and the Place of Ren- dezvous, from whence the Enemy not only may make Incursions upon most of his Majesty's Colonies, and have begun already to commit great Devestations, but may very much annoy that part of his Majesty's Land Forces which according to the Plan of Opera- tions for this Expedition, transmitted to M: Shirley in the Duke of New Castle's Letter, is design'd to penetrate into Canada from Albany by Land (if it should be left on their backs in the Possession of the Enemy) the Reduction and Garrisoning of it by his Majesty's Forces would not only be a Protection to the English Settlements on the Frontiers during the Expedition, but open a more safe Passage into the Enemy's Country for his Majesty's Forces, be a com- modious Magazine to 'em for Stores and Provisions, and by making us Masters of the Lake Champlain with the Passes, Defiles, and carrying Places as far as the Fort at Chamblee,2 within Sixteen Miles of Montreal, afford an easy transportation of Provisions
1 The English name for the point on the western shore of the southern end of Lake Champlain, where the lake suddenly narrows so that a few cannon would stop the pas- sage. The French intrenched themselves there in 1731, and named the place Fort Frédéric. It was a halfway station between Albany and Montreal, and the basis of forays against the settlers of New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
2 Fort Chambly, a French outpost.
6
Correspondence of the
and Succours for the Support of the Expedition, pre- vent the Enemy from discovering our Motions on that Side and put it into Our Power to make sudden Descents on them. all which would be the most effectual Means of confirming the Indians of the Six Nations most strongly in his Majesty's Interest, and very probably draw over to it some of the Tribes now in the French Interest, or at least bring them into a State of Neutrality between his Majesty's Sub- jects and the French, and would thro' the Blessing of Divine Providence on his Majesty's Arms very much facilitate the Conquest of the whole Country of Canada the next Year, if his Majesty should then be graciously pleased to send early in the Spring such a Naval and Land Force to proceed up the River S: Lawrence as he shall judge sufficient with the Assistance of the Troops raised in America for the Reduction of Quebec and Montreal (as we have the strongest Reason to hope he will) and in the mean Time Succours are prevented from being in- troduc'd by Sea into Quebec: And whereas we are persuaded that on the other Hand an unsuccessful Attempt both by Sea and Land this Year for the Reduction of the whole Country (which we appre- hend from the lateness of the Season, and the Weak- ness of the Forces rais'd in the five Southern Col- onies, that must in such Case march from Albany in the Enemy's Country by themselves, there is reason to fear might be the Case, especially if the Fort at Crown Point is not first reduced) would be attended with the immediate Loss of the Six Nations to his Majesty's Service, and unite all the Indians
7
Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
most firmly in the French Interest, prove fatal to the Expedition, and afterwards produce very bad Consequences to all his Majesty's Northern Col- onies
We therefore conceiving it our indispensible Duty in the Absence of Lieu! General S: Clair to execute the Trust reposed in him and Us by his Majesty, in such Manner as we two shall judge to be most for his Majesty's Service and the Interest of the North- ern Colonies upon this Occasion, and apprehending that the joining of all the American Forces now raised in the Reduction of Crown Point, in Case we don't very suddenly hear of the Arrival of the Fleet and British Troops at Louisburg, nor receive other Instructions from his Majesty, will not only facilitate the Conquest of the whole Country of Canada the next Year, but is conformable to the Scheme of the Intended Expedition as the same has been communi- cated in the Duke of New Castle's Letter, and is indeed the only part of it that is likely to be practi- cable this Year, have communicated our Sentiments to your Honour, and doubt not of your Concurrence with us in this Case for his Majesty's Service and the General Interest of the Colonies, and desire that your Troops may receive Orders from you to hold themselves in readiness, to proceed upon the first Notice to Albany, where we shall recommend it also to the Governments of New Hampshire and Con- necticutt to send their Troops upon the same Ser- vice, in Case we shall not very suddenly receive Instructions from his Majesty which may interfere with this Design
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