equal as I could wish [myself] to be. Upon this head I must beg leave to mention to you as my friend that hitherto the Colonies have made no provision to support me in that distinguishing character to which your favour and friendship have been pleased to promote me. As I assure you I neither seek nor desire any emolument to my private fortune thereby, so I hope you and they will judge it not unreasonable [sic] for me to be left without a necessary and proper establishment. I am with the utmost respect and with unfeigned Gratitude, Sir,

Your Excellency's Most Obedt. and obliged Humb. Servt.
W. JOHNSON.

Upon second thought it appears to me that it will be more proper and effectual for your Excelly to acquaint the several Govrs with such of this letter as you think necessary [and so add your sentiments in order to render them effectual], and therefore I shall decline writing to them except to Mr. DeLancey.

WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO ISRAEL WILLIAMS AND OTHERS1

GENTLEMEN,

Boston, May 17, 1755.

There being divers Persons belonging to the Colony of New York apprehended and committed to his Majesty's Gaol in

1 L. S., Mass. Hist. Society, Col. Israel Williams Manuscripts, 71 D, 129. There was much trouble in connection with raising troops and other aids for Shirley in New York. See: Shirley-Johnson correspondence in Johnson Manuscripts, 3, 8; 1, 160, 163, 169; Shirley to Governor Morris of May 2, 1 Penna. Arch. 2, 297; William Alexander to Shirley of May 10 and 18, ibid. pp. 348-350; and William Alexander and Lewis Morris to Shirley of May 17, ibid. p. 314. In a letter of May 24 (post, p. 174) Shirley pledges his coöperation and influence to Johnson, and in letters of May 26 to Lieutenant Governor DeLancey and May 28 to Governor Morris he writes about the efforts made in Connecticut to raise a portion of New York's contribution in that colony, I Penna. Arch. 2, 326, 330. See also Shirley to DeLancey, June I, post, p. 182.

Springfield for some Riotous Actions perpetrated on the borders of this Province where one of his Majesty's subjects was Murthered in the said Riot.

I do therefore with the Advice of his Majesty's Council direct you or any two of you forthwith to make Inquiry into the Circumstances of the Commitment of divers Persons taken at Mr. Livingston's Iron Works or any other Persons committed on Account of the late riotous Disorders near the Line and that you cause the said Persons to be admitted to Bail upon their recognizg with Sureties for their Appearance and taking their Trial according to the Nature of their Offence Provided they are not charged with the Actual Murther of William Race, and that you represent the State of this Affair as soon as may be.

I am

Gentlemen,

Your Assured Friend
and Servant

W. SHIRLEY.

Israel Williams, Josiah Dwight and John Worthington Esqrs.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY1

SIR,

Philada., May 22, 1755.

Mr. Norris 2 not being in Town, your Excelly's Letter of the 14th Instant pr Express, was delivered to me. I immediately conven'd the Committee, and communicated the Contents. In answer, they desire me to acquaint your Excelly with the State of the Provisions they have procured which is as follows

They have purchased but 500 barrels of Pork. It is all of the best Burlington Pork, and not one Barrel among it of any other sort. There is no more of the kind to be bought;

so that this Article will fall short 700 Barrels of the Quantity required by your Committee.

Beef, and can get no This is all choice Stallkill'd in this Town and

They have bought 250 barrels of more that they would chuse to send. fed Beef, exceeding good, most of it put up on purpose, and the rest carefully examin'd and repack'd here. The Gentlemen of the Committee who purchase the Provisions are Messrs. John Mifflin, Saml Smith and Reese Meredith, all long practis'd in the Provision-Way, and esteemed thorough Judges; they are of Opinion that no better Beef will or can be brought to the Army from any Country; and as your Excelly's Request that it may be sold again, and not sent, seems founded on a mistaken Supposition of your Committee, that good Beef is not to be expected from Pensilvania, these Gentlemen will venture their own Credit and that of their Country on this Beef, that it shall prove as good as any from Boston; and they suppose that in such Case, neither your Excelly. nor your Committee would desire to have it omitted. They therefore propose to send the said 250 Barrels, and no more. All the Casks, both of the Pork and Beef, are full trimm'd, and in the best Order.

Rum was one of the Articles directed in your Excelly's Orders given to the Committee here. They had accordingly bought and shipt 50 Hogsheads before they received your Committe's Letter of the 14th April, in which there is no mention of Rum. They have Advice that the Rum is arriv'd in York; so much less therefore need be sent from Boston; and the Committee conceive that the Army will not be discontented at finding it good Barbadoes, instead of New England.

A Thousand Pounds worth of Pease are also purchased in Albany by Order of the Committee; and they have shipt and sent forward 140 Barrels of Meal and Flour. 600 Barrels more of Flour are purchased and actually in Store ready to send; to which they will add 50 Tierces of Rice, and the Remainder of the Sum in Bread of the kind required. If your Committee should think that Quantity of Bread too

great (for it will become greater by the Diminution of the Pork) they may accomodate the New York Forces with some of it in Exchange for Pork: Connecticut Pork being plenty at New York and Bread wanting.1

The Committee will send all to the Persons recommended; but doubt they shall not be able to get the whole delivered at Albany in time, without re-shipping some at New York; our Vessels of any Burthen drawing too much Water for that River. They will however comply with this Direction as far as they can.

This being the exact State of the Provisions sent and to be sent from hence, your Committee can now regulate their remaining Purchases accordingly.

I did not reach home 'till the 12th Instant, from the Journey, in which I had the Honr. to accompany your Excy. as far as Annapolis. In my way I have had the good Fortune to do an acceptable Piece of Service to the Forces under General Braddock. I found them stuck fast, and unable to move for want of Horses and Carriages; all their Dependencies for those Articles having failed. They are now supply'd with both as well as with 6000 Bushels of Oats and Indian Corn, which were much wanted but scarce expected. Your Excy, I find by the Papers, got well home about the same time. I do not expect more Pleasure from any News, till I hear of your safe Return after a successful Campaign at Niagara.

With the greatest Respect and Esteem, I have the Honr. to be,

Your Excy's most obedient

and most humble Servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

1 For other aid to Shirley in securing provisions see William Alexander and Lewis Morris to Shirley, May 24, I Penna. Arch. 2, 315. On the following day Shirley wrote Lieutenant Governor De Lancey to keep French Indians from having any intercourse with Albany, thus guarding provisions collecting at that place. Johnson Manuscripts, 1, 188.

WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS 1

GENTLEMEN,

Boston, May 23, 1755.

This Morning I received by Express from Major General Johnson 2 dated at Mount Johnson in the Mohawks Country, among other things of Importance, the inclosed Articles of what he proposes as necessary to be done without delay, and which I shall press the other Govts. concerned to comply with likewise. Besides what is included in this Extract he computes 800 barrells of Gun powder, and the like proportion of Ball to be necessary for the service of the Expedition; As I shall want 5 or 600 barrells for Niagara, will it not be adviseable for us both to lay in for some at New York and Philadelphia least both of us should not be supply'd at Boston.

It is proper you should secure forthwith a competent number of small arms to supply all deficiencies that may happen among the soldiers, who may want arms. The News I have from Albany, and Intelligence from Crown point require your utmost dispatch in the Execution of the Trust repos'd on you upon which I know I may depend. I am, Gentlemen,

Yesterday I received your Packet dated at Mount Johnson the 16th Instant by Express.

1 Original, A. L. S., Mass. Arch., Col. Ser. 54, 442.

2 A letter from Johnson dated May 16 is in ibid. 428. For other memoranda of same date see Johnson papers in New York State Library, and Johnson to Shirley, ante, p. 168.

3

Original, L. S., Johnson Manuscripts, New York State Library,

I, 184.