intention to augment the Regiments in British pay (vizt not only Sir Peter Halkets, and Col. Dunbar's, but, likewise those which are now employed in Nova Scotia) to the number of 1000 Men each, to which end, you will correspond with Major General Braddock, or the commander of the King's forces for the time being, from whom you will receive directions for the sending such contributions of Men, as shall be wanting, and to such places where the same shall be quartered or employed under his command. As there is probably, a considerable number of persons, as well among the Natives of America, as among such Foreigners, who may be arrived there from different Parts, particularly from Germany, who will be capable and willing to bear arms upon this occasion; the King does not doubt, but that you will be able by care and diligence to effect this intended augmentation and to defray the charge of levying the same from the common fund, to be established for the benefit of all the Colonies collectively in North America, pursuant to His Majesty's directions, signified to you, by my letter of the 26th of October last, for that purpose1; and as an encouragement to all such persons who, shall engage in this service, it is the King's intention (which you will assure them in his Majesty's name) that they shall receive arms and cloathing, at the King's expence, and that they shall not only be sent back, (if desired) to their respective habitations when the service in America shall be compleated and ended, but shall be entitled in every respect, to the same advantages with those Troops which may be already raised in consequence of your former orders. I am etc. T. ROBINSON. 1 See Robinson to Shirley, Oct. 26, 1754, ante, p. 98. ISRAEL WILLIAMS TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY 1 SIR, Hatfield, Feb: 1, 1755. I recd. your favour of the 4th Ulto, and agreeable to your directions have Enlisted into your Excelnys. Regiment four likely men, for three years each, and directed them, to be ready at a minutes warning to attend your orders, in the meantime to Support themselves have given my Word that they shall have your Excys. promise to be dischargd at the end of the Term, and be possess'd of it before they march, without which they would not Enlist. I find a backwardness for want of the Security, none was Enclosed and but one blank Enlistment. Its probable more will be Inclined to Enlist.2 I heartily wish Success to all Enterprizes against the common Enemy, and that the Expectations from our Mother Country may not be disappointed. What measures may be devised and Settled at home for our good, dont pretend to know, hope for the best, make no doubt their Eye is chiefly upon the Fishery to Save that and Nova Scotia, and that the Revenue from Virginia been't lost, what further am left to guess; and cannot but fear poor New England will be left to Struggle with Canada, and all the force they can Muster against our Frontiers; which may be easily Attackd in all Parts, and by a few, the whole Country kept in an Alarm all the Summer, and so be Impoverish'd, and yet not defend our Borders.3 1 Original, Massachusetts Manuscripts, Vol. 1, Library of Congress. See Shirley to Williams, Jan. 4, ante, p. 118. 2 On Dec. 29, 1754, Gov. Morris of Pennsylvania had promised Shirley his aid for the war, I Penna. Arch. 2, 231, and on Jan. 4, Dep. Gov. Gardner notified him that Rhode Island had provided for raising 100 men. R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 405. In his reply of Jan. 13, Shirley complimented Rhode Island for her zeal in regard to the Colonial welfare, Corres. Col. Govr. of R. I. 2, 147, and on Feb. 5, Shirley outlined his proposals more at length. 3 On Jan. 9, William Lithgow had written Shirley as to the distress of the soldiers at Fort Halifax and the urgent need of relief. The letter is in Mass. Arch. Col. Ser. 54, 360. At the same time I have always tho't it much the best to Strike at the Root, which once destroy'd the Branches fall of Course. For Such an Enterprize there is a Wonderful Spirit in People, and multitudes would heartily engage yea even in an Attempt to Demolish Fort Frederick, in which also we may Expect the assistance of the Indians, and should it prove Successful, would Secure them and open the best way in my opinion for a Land Army to go further, and the Indians then (and not Ye) would be easily perswaded to go into Canada in Small parties, and would look upon their retreat Secure, and by them the Country might be distress'd and Impoverish'd, and the People be universally drove into their Strongholds, where they must soon starve, if a good Number of Ships were sent up the river, to prevent Supplys that way. In this Way the march of an army would be greatly facilitated and the Enemy fill'd with Terror and distress, and bro't to yield without the Effusion of much Blood, or loss of time. This may appear at first too Romantick, but it is what I verily beleive would be the Case. If such an Enterprize, should be undertaken, now is the time to prepare but if our Strength and Treasure must be Spent elsewhere, I desire to acquiese, and at present content myself with wishing, for what I have only some feint glimmering hopes. Let the plan of operation be what it will as soon as the French know it they will doubtless send their Indians upon the Frontiers press very hard and bring us into the utmost distress, therefore begg your Excy. would give Effectual orders that the proposed Forts be built without delay and Supply'd with Men, and that a Considerable number of the forces now raising or some others may be destin'd to the Frontiers Relying upon your Ex. Goodness to excuse all defects in this feeble uncalled for Attempt. I am with great Submission I. W. (Jan. 14) Gov. Dinwiddie of Virginia was requesting supplies for the troops at the South. Dinwiddie Papers, 1, 458. Endorsed: An Important letter from Colo. Williams to the Governor Feby. 1755. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO SIR THOMAS ROBINSON 1 SIR, Boston, New England, Feb. 4, 1755. I beg leave to take notice of a chart which Mr. Pownall hath transmitted to the Earl of Halifax one part of the design of which is to give a specimen of the disposition of an Indian Colony in such a manner as to make the Indians inhabiting it, a good barrier against the French, and at the same time dependent upon the English. The Indians in general are certainly uneasy at any incroachments upon their lands whether by French or English: could we but perswade them by such plans of settlements in their country as the inclosed Chart exhibits a specimen of, that the real design of the English was to protect them in the possession of their country, not to take it away, it would be carrying all points with them. This seems to me an object well worth attention. I find Sir by the Western prints that the Assembly of Pennsilvania after an absurd obstinate dispute with Govr Morris, about instructions, have adjourn'd themselves, whilst the enemy is at their doors, to the beginning of May, without doing any thing for the preservation of their country. The Assembly of Maryland hath likewise risen without doing any thing further than having rais'd a Company of 50 men, which was done before. I can't find any appearance of South Carolina's being active in the common cause; and whether the populous rich country of Virginia will pursue proper measures for retrieving the bad consequences of the defeat they have suffer'd from an invading enemy, thro' their 1 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 15. Printed: Docts. rel. Col. Hist. N. Y. 6, 939; 2 Penna. Arch. 6, 219. former weak measures, I mean whether they will now act with suitable vigour, is not yet known. Every ninth fighting man went out of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay upon the expedition against Cape Breton and for the defence of Nova Scotia in 1745. Why should not every twelfth fighting man at least in Virginia be rais'd there to repel the enemy out of their country, which would make a body of between 4 and 5000 men. You well know Sir what part New Jersey hath acted, and the conduct of New York. This behaviour seems to shew the necessity not only of a Parliamentary Union, but taxation, for the preservation of His Majesty's dominions upon this Continent, which the several Assemblies have in so great a measure abandon'd the defence of, and thereby lay'd His Majesty's Governmt at home under a necessity of taking care of it for the State, by suitable assessmts upon the Colonies. I am with the Highest Respect, Sir, Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant, W. SHIRLEY. P.S. I perceive by a letter from Colonel Lawrence that he is in expectation of a visit from Mr. Galissonière, in the spring; at least preparing for his reception. Rt Honble Sir Thomas Robinson one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM GREENE 1 SIR, Boston, February 5th, 1755. A month ago, I received a letter from the Honorable John Gardner, Esq., Deputy Governor of your colony, acquainting me, that the Assembly there "had passed an act to raise a 1 Printed: R. I. Col. Rec. 5, 412. |