that it was thought necessary by the Government in King William's Reign to settle the Quota of Men and Money, which every one of the Colonies should be alloted to raise for the defence of New York; and that I find the like settlement continued in Sir Danvers Osborne's, late Govr. of New York's 95th and 96th instructions; a copy of which No 3. to save your Lordship trouble, I likewise inclose. The carrying of this settlement into execution, Your Lordship will be pleased to observe, stands solely upon the King's recommendation of it, and I can't learn upon the best inquiry, I have been able to make hitherto, that it ever took effect, yet, I must likewise remark this fact to Your Lordship, that since the time of making that settlement, the abilities and circumstances of several Colonies are much altered, so that, that would be a very unequal rule for settling the just proportion of their Quota's in Men or money at this day. For instance: Your Lordship will find the Quota of Men allotted to this Province to raise for the assistance of New York is 350, and that allotted to Pennsylvania is 80. Now, such a proportion between the two governments at this time would be extreamly unequal; the Number of Inhabitants in Pensylvania having since King William the 3rd's Reign been so much increased by the great number of Foreigners, who have annually transplanted themselves and their families thither, from the Palatinate, Swiss Cantons and Northern Parts of Germany, and by the natural increase of the people, that some have computed them at 500,000 persons; whereas the increase of the numbers of Inhabitants in the Massachusets Bay within that time (not to mention their having had but a very inconsiderable number of Foreigners transplanted among them) hath been greatly hindered by having many of their valuable Townships lately lopped off by the new Settlement of the boundaries between them and the Province of New Hampshire in 1737 as also by the settlement of the boundaries between them and the Colony of Rhode Island in 1741; and the province hath been further reduced by the great loss it sustained of its inhabitants by sea and Land in the expedition against Cape Breton, and the preser vation of Nova Scotia, both, before and during the whole course of the late Warr; so that there is no reason to doubt but that at this day the Inhabitants of Pensylvania tho' they should be computed only 400,000, are about double the number of those of this Province. The like remark may be made upon the proportion of the Quota of men and Money settled between the Colony of Connecticut and this Province, which is about 1 to 3, that Colony being alloted to raise 120 Men, and the Province 350, whereas the Colony, by means of the beforementioned reduction of the ancient, reputed limits of this Province, and its being exhausted of its Inhabitants in the late expeditions, and Warr, hath since making the aforesaid settlement so far got the start of the Province in the increase of its Inhabitants, that the just proportion at this day between them is (according to the computation of good Judges) no more than as 2 to 3. There are other circumstances besides to be considered in adjusting the proportion of the Quota between the Colony and the Province; viz: the Colony is entirely covered by this Province, so that it hath no frontier of its own, to defend in time of war, and consequently is at no expence in the maintenance of marching Companies, Forts and garrisons for that purpose; whereas the Province hath a very extensive frontier, which is constantly harras'd by the Indians and French, upon every rupture, and at a very considerable charge in maintaining marching Companies, Forts and Garrisons; and in time of peace the Colony's Taxes for the support of His Majty's Government among them, is very trifling in comparison of that of the Province's. I submit these observations to your Lordship's consideration as specimens of the alteration of the circumstances of the Colonies with regard to the proportion, which they bore to each other in respect of their number of Inhabitants and ability in King William's Reign, and their present state, and to shew, how unequal a rule the settlement made at that time for adjusting their respective Quotas of Men and Money, would be for adjusting them at this day. I must further add upon this head, that nothing would contribute more effectually to secure His Majesty's subjects and territories upon this continent, against the rapid progress, which the French seem to be making in perfecting a strong line of Forts upon our backs from Bay Verté Easterly, to the utmost extent of His Majesty's Dominions Westward, and to bring the Indians to a dependance upon the English, than a well concerted scheme, for uniting all His Majesty's Colonies upon it, in a mutual defence of each other, duely carried into execution. I have the utmost reason, My Lord, to think that the People of this Province are most readily disposed to do their part in promoting so necessary an Union, and to exert the same spirit, which they have hitherto in His Majty's service, to the utmost of their abilities, in concurrence with his other Colonies for their mutual defence; but I think it my duty to mention to your Lordp that the thoughts of bearing the burthen of defending the wide frontier, upon which Fort Dummer stands, and was in the year 1737 adjudged to belong to the Province of New Hampshire, as they did the last War, seem so grievous to them, that I much question. whether in case of another rupture with France, they could be induced to do it; and whether, unless some especial provision is made for the protection of it by his Majesty, it would not then be greatly exposed to be ravaged by the Enemy. The daily intelligence that is received here from the Indians which frequent our Truck houses, our Traders to the Bay of Fundy, and even the Officers of Fort Lawrence in Schiegnecto, of the great Diligence of the French in strengthening their Forts and Block Houses in that District, and that on the Isthmus near Bay Vert, together with their having possessed themselves of St John's River, and the commerce they carry on in the Bay of Fundy, hath greatly alarmed the Assembly; and they extreamly dread bad consequences to the Province from such a neighbourhood; in case it shall continue until another rupture as they do also from the French encroachments at Crown Point, unless something is done to curb them; towards the expence of doing which, and maintaining a Fort and garrison, if it should be His Majesty's pleasure to have one erected for that service; I have reason to hope that the Province would contribute their just Quota of Men and money, in proportion to the protection which their western frontier would receive from it, in common with the Provinces of New York, Pensylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, as His Majesty shall be pleased to allot each Colony to do the same. I shall carefully observe, His Majesty's commands not to make use of the armed force, under my direction, excepting within the undoubted limits of His Majesty's Dominions. As I have the honour to be acquainted with the sentiments of the Right Honble the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations concerning the Isthmus of the Peninsula of Nova Scotia, where the French have erected their Forts, and the River of St John's in the Bay of Funda, founded upon the vouchers and evidences produced by the Commissarys of both Crowns in the negociation at Paris; vizt: that they are clearly within the limits of His Majesty's Province of Nova Scotia, I suppose we may deem them to be so, notwithstanding the claim of the French in their memorials, which extend as far as the River Kennebeck to the Westward, and to the City of Annapolis Royal, as also part of the lands lying between that and the Sea coast of Nova Scotia, from Cape Sable to Cape Canseau to the Eastward. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Your Lordships most Humble WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM GREENE 1 SIR, Boston, January 13, 1754. Some weeks ago, I had the honor of a letter from the Earl of Holdernesse, one of His Majesty's principal secretaries of 1 Col. Rec. of R. I. 5, 380. state, directing me to send a quantity of muskets out of those which had been saved out of the late intended expedition against Canada, to Halifax, in Nova Scotia, for His Majesty's service there; and signifying to me, that he had written to the Governors of New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island, directing them to transmit to me what arms and military stores had been saved out of their aforesaid expedition, within their respective governments, to be lodged in Castle William, for His Majesty's further orders. As I cannot collect the quantity of good, serviceable muskets, which I am directed to send to Halifax, within this Province, out of those which were saved out of that expedition, I desire Your Honor would be pleased to let me know by the first post, whether I am to expect any muskets from your government, according to the Earl of Holdernesse's orders. I am, with great regard, sir, Your Honor's most obedient servant, To the Hon. Governor Greene. W. SHIRLEY. MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL COURT TO THE BRITISH CROWN1 TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY The humble Address of the Council and House of Representatives of the Province of the Massachusets Bay in New England We your Majesty's most loyal and most dutiful Subjects the Council and House of Representatives of your Province of the Massachusets Bay beg leave to return your Majesty our humble thanks for your paternal Goodness to your Subjects in this Province, and among other Instances thereof for your late royal Bounty in causing to be replaced at Castle William eleven Cannon in lieu of those which were taken thence for the Service of the Expedition against Cape Breton, together with an Addition of other Ordnance Stores for the further strengthning of that important Fortress. 1 Mass. Arch. 21, 138. |