rough sketch of it; but as I understood the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations were forming a plan themselves, I did not think it proper for me to transmit my crude sentiments to you upon so difficult and delicate a work. I am, with the highest respect, Sir, Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant, W. SHIRLEY. The Right Honble Sir Thomas Robinson. WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO ISRAEL WILLIAMS 1 Boston, Jany. 4th, 1755. SIR, Having lately receiv'd orders from his majesty to raise forthwith a Regiment of foot for the Defence of his majesty's Colonies in North America of which I am appointed Colonel, I would desire the favour of you to promote the Inlistment of the said men in the Regimt of Militia whereof you are Colonel. If you should be able to procure me any on the Terms herein inclos'd you will very much oblige me.2 1 L. S. without address, Mass. Hist. Society, Col. Israel Williams Manuscripts, 71 D, 107. See Robinson to Shirley, Oct. 26, 1754, Shirley to Robinson, Dec. 14, 1754, and Williams to Shirley, Feb. 1, 1755, pp. 98, 107, and 121. 2 The orders referred to by Shirley appear to have been transmitted by Secy. Fox to Shirley in his letter of Nov. 4, 1754 (War Office, Class 4, v. 50, p. 58), and are as follows: George R.: Whereas We have thought fit to raise a Regiment of Foot under your Command, for the Service and Defence of our Provinces in America, which is to consist of Ten Companies, of four Serjeants, four Corporals, two Drummers, and one hundred Effective Private Men in each Company, besides Commission Officers; These are to Authorize you by Beat of Drum or otherwise, to raise so many Voluntiers, in any of our Provinces in America, as shall be wanting to compleat the said Regiment to the above-mentioned numbers. And all Magistrates, Justices of the Peace, Constables, and other I would not ask this if I had not a moral assurance that my Regiment will be employ'd in the Defence of this Province, and of Nova Scotia in case they should be wanted there to help to drive the French out of that province, and perhaps for the Demolition of the French fort at Crown Point, or driving the French from all their Settlements on this side St. Lawrence's River, and not for the Southward, and I am perfectly assur'd that the place of it's Rendezvous will be at Boston. I can't therefore suppose that this Request will be disagreeable to you. I am, Your humble Servant, W. SHIRLEY. SIR THOMAS ROBINSON TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY 1 SIR, Whitehall, Jan. 23, 1755. The King, being determined that nothing shall be wanting, towards the support of his Colonies and Subjects in North America, has commanded me to signify to you, his Majesty's our Officers whom it may concern, are hereby required to be Assisting unto you in providing Quarters, in pressing Carriages, and otherwise, as there shall be Occasion. And we do hereby further direct, that this our Order, shall remain in force for twelve months from the date hereof, and no longer. Given at our Court, at Kensington, this 7th day of Octor, 1754, in the twenty-eighth year of our Reign. By His Majesty's Command. H. Fox. To our Trusty and well-beloved William Shirley, Esqr. Colonel of one of our Regimts of foot to be forthwith rais'd for the Service and defence of our Provinces in America, or to the Officer or Officers appointed by you to raise Voluntiers for our said Regiment. 1 This is a circular letter and a copy was sent to all the governors in British America. The original is in P. R. O., C. O. 5, 211. It is printed in 2 Penna. Arch. 6, 218 and N. Y. Col. Docts. 6, 934. 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. |