SIR, ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY1 [Philadelphia, Nov. 26, 1755.] I am to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's several favours of 11th and 15th instant. That relative to the things requested for the security of this Province, I shall do myself the honour to make a particular answer to, and hope when you consider the nature of this government and its consequence to the crown and nation, you will afford us some relief; especially, as without such relief it will be disabled from furnishing the necessary Carriages and Provisions towards an Expedition against fort Duquesne in the next summer, which you seem to think will be undertaken. It would give me very great pleasure to meet you in the Congress you have summond at New York, not only to assist you in any thing within the reach of my abilities, but to congratulate you upon your safe return from so fateguing a campaign. But the daily accounts I have of the cruelties committed on the Borders, and the necessity I am under of trying every method for the relief of the Inhabitants, will hardly admit me to leave the Province: which, however, if there is a possibility of doing, I will try to be with you. This morning an Express came to town with an account that the Indians had cut off a Moravian settlement not far from the River Delaware, where they destroyed all the Inhabitants but two, and I am in hourly Expectation of hearing of more mischief in that quarter. The Proprietors have sent me over an order for five thousand pounds; this money which they give freely towards the 1 Draft. Printed: 1 Penna. Arch. 2, 524. On Nov. 20 Gov. Jonathan Belcher of New Jersey, replying to Shirley's letter of Nov. II, assured the Massachusetts Governor of his belief that the American colonies could unite and overthrow the French power, and on Dec. 4 he expressed to Shirley his pleasure with the results of the Councils at Oswego and his willingness to aid in the campaigns of the next year (1 N. J. Arch. 8, pt. 2, pp. 168, 182). Expences that they thought would attend the defeat of Genl. Braddock, for it was immediately upon receiving the account of that affair that they dispatched this order. But you are sensible this sum will go but little way towards the defence of a Province circumstanced as this is, and whether the assembly will make any addition to it, I can't as yet say. I am etc. [ROBERT H. MORRIS.] WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO JOHN BRADSTREET 1 Albany, Novr. 28th, 1755. Memorandum for Lieut. Colonel Bradstreet. 1 To grant Furlows in my name to such men as shall be inlisted here for my Regiment as he shall judge adviseable, and send the remainder to Schenectady; and to pay those, who remain in Schenectady such part of their Bounty Money, as he shall find proper. All proceedings for the winter expedition and raising men for the new Regiments to be suspended untill Col. Bradstreet hears from me: As to the men which he or the officers at Lake George have already inlisted, in case the Inlistments don't proceed, he is desir'd to use his Discretion in preventing Expence, which may arise from it; and if any of those men or others in passing thro' Albany can be oblig'd to go either into Sir William Pepperrell's Regiment or my own I should be glad [if] he would promote it; for which service he will upon his application be supply'd with money by Mr. Stephenson. He is likewise desir'd, in case more Barracks are wanting either at Schenectady or Albany, to give his advice and assistance in the manner of constructing them or fitting up Quarters. He is likewise desir'd to take under his Care the building of the Whale Boats, and give such orders therein as he shall judge for his Majesty's Service. And he is desir'd to transmit to me from time to time his Sentiments upon every point of his Majesty's Service. Original, Amer. Antiq. Society, Bradstreet Papers. And Whereas I have advanc'd 500 Dollars to Major Hoar for inlisting men at Lake George. Col. Bradstreet is desir'd to settle the accounts thereof with him, and the other officers amongst whom it was distributed, and receive what shall become due to me, unless he thinks it may be employ'd in inlisting men for my own Regiment. Endorsed: Genl. Shirley's Memorandum 1756. W. SHIRLEY. JAMES F. MERCER TO WILLIAM ALEXANDER 2 Oswego, November 30th, 1755. DEAR SIR, I send these few lines after Capt. More to acquaint you I have seen a Seneca Indian, who the Interpreter Says is of good Character, who informs me he has seen the Messenger that was sent to the Messessagues, and who is to be here in a few days. He told him that not only the Messessagues, but the Whole Neighbouring Nations have gladly accepted of General Shirley's Invitation, and were it not for the Dangers on the Lake in the Winter they would have been here before. this time, but that we may Expect them Early in the Spring. I give you this Information that the General may be Apprised of it, that he may Either Send me Instructions or some proper person to treat with them. Let me likewise observe to you, that there are very few Indian presents left in the Store and will be Insufficient if great Numbers Come. I am Sir MR. ALEXANDER Yor Most Obedt. Humble Servt. JAMES F. MERCEr. A true Copy Examin'd by WM. ALEXANDER Secy. 1 Maj. William Hoar is the officer here meant. To him Shirley had given charge of enlistments at Lake George. 2 P. R. O., C. O. 5, 46. Inclosed in Shirley to Robinson, Dec. 20. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. Alexander was secretary to Shirley. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM JOHNSON 1 New York, Dec. 7th, 1755. SIR, You already know I have the honor to be appointed Commander in Chief of all His Majesty's Forces in North America, with the same Powers as the late General Braddock had the command. Inclosed is the 8th article of His Majesty's Instructions to me concerning Indian affairs, which is a copy of that, and the only Instruction which the late Genl. Braddock had relative to that matter, you will find it refers to some appointment of you to the service therein mentioned, supposed to be made by His Majesty before Genl. Braddock left England. If you have received such a commission you will act in pursuance of it, according to the Instructions you may have received with it, and such further Instructions as I do now or shall hereafter send you. In case you have received no such commission, you will then act in pursuance to the Commission which I send you herewith, by virtue of the Power given me by His Majesty and founded upon the words and intent of his Royal Instructions, looking upon the Indians called there the Northern Indians, to be intended as those of the Six Nations, and whatever allies they may have to the Northward. Inclosed are general Instructions for your Guidance and Directions in the execution of your Trust and some calculated for this occasion to which I refer you, and to the enclosed papers containing an account of Governor Morris's Intelligence and Proceedings relative to the Shawanese, Delawares, and other Indians therein mentioned and of his Messages to several Tribes of the Six Nations, which last mentioned papers will throw light upon the Service, I propose now by directing you to proceed to these Castles. You will let me know by the return of this express whether 'P. R. O., C. O. 5, 46. Inclosed in Shirley to Robinson, Dec. 20. A transcript is in the Library of Congress. Printed: Docts. rel. Col. Hist. Ñ. Y. 6, 1024. you have received any other Commission than that from the late General Braddock relative to the care of the Indians and how far I may depend upon your acting under the inclosed Commission and proceeding in the Service I now direct you to go upon, that in case you may decline it, I may otherwise provide against His Majesty's Service being disappointed by that means. If the advanced Season of the year, or your state of Health will not suffer you to go as far as the Onondaga Castle you will then transmit the business by proper Messages to such of them as you cannot personally go to. As the effectual execution of the trust reposed in you, will on many accounts require my having an interview with you as soon as the business I now direct you to do will admit, I must desire you to let me see you at Boston this Winter some time before the month of March at furthest. By His Excellency William Shirley Esqre Major General and Commander in Chief of all His Majestys Forces in North America To Major General William Johnson, By virtue of the Power and Authority to me given and granted by His Majesty to appoint a proper Person or Persons agreeable to the Northern Indians to improve a good correspondence with them, and to engage them to take part, and Act with His Majestys Forces, in such operations as I Inclosed in Shirley to Robinson, Dec. 20. New York papers in the Library of Congress. rel. Col. Hist. N. Y. 6, 1025. A copy is in the |