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 GREENE1 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. company of an hundred men, including officers, and made suitable provision for all other necessaries, agreeably to the directions of the Right Honorable Sir Thomas Robinson's letter, of the 26th October last; and that the Assembly only waited for the arrival of blank commissions, to be filled by Your Honour." I had the honour of a letter from Sir Thomas Robinson, of the same tenor and date with that above mentioned, as Governor Gardner observes he imagines I had. It is a circular one, written to the Governors of the several colonies concerned. I acknowledged the receipt of Mr. Gardner's letter, by Mr. Chace, a few days after I received it, in one to himself, and am now to answer it more fully to Your Honour. The purport of His Majesty's orders, signified to the several Governors, by Sir Thomas Robinson's letter, is (among other things) that they should recommend it to their respective Assemblies to furnish fresh provisions for the troops that should arrive in their colonies; and to raise among them three thousand men, and a sum of money towards paying their respective quotas of the levy money. Those three thousand men are (as it seems clear to me) intended to complete mine, and Sir William Pepperell's regiments, now raising in America, which are to consist of one thousand privates each, besides non-commissioned officers, sergeants, corporals and drums, which will amount to one hundred more, for each regiment; and that the remaining eight hundred men are to complete the two Irish regiments, designed for Virginia, from five hundred to seven hundred and fifty privates each; as also to fill up the number of those which may be lost in the passage. As to the two Irish regiments, they being old corps, were both full officered before they left Europe; and Your Honour must have observed from the public prints, that five of the captaincies both in mine and Sir William Pepperell's regiments, besides the three field officers' companies in each, were filled up by His Majesty, soon after the revival of the regiments; as were all the lieutenancies, except four; and ensigncies, except four or five; so that it seems to be most evident, that it was not His Majesty's intent that the Governors should have the appointment of the officers [of the force] raised within their respective colonies. Neither Sir William Pepperell nor myself can be certain what commissions will be sent blank, to be filled up by ourselves, until the arrival of our lieutenant colonels; we can't possibly have but a very few; and Your Honour is sensible that it may be expected some at least of those should be distributed among the half-pay officers of our late regiments, now here and unprovided for. I should be extremely glad, if it was in my power, to oblige Your Honour's Assembly with blank commissions, for a set of officers, to be filled up by Your Honour, for the company to be raised by them in your colony; and as that is not in my power, if it would be acceptable to the Assembly, that I should be their captain, I will take them for my own company, and will fill up a lieutenant's and ensign's commissions for it, upon my receiving my blanks, with such persons as Your Honour shall be pleased to appoint; and I shall moreover esteem the company's being raised by the Assembly of the colony of Rhode Island under these terms, to be a great honor done me, which I shall acknowledge upon any occasion in my power, of serving them. If what I propose, is not agreeable, Your Honour and the Assembly may have the men drafted either into Sir William Pepperell's and mine, or the two Virginia regiments, as the King's service may require, which ever is chosen. The ready compliance which the Assembly has paid to His Majesty's orders contained in Sir Thomas Robinson's letter, according to their act, will be, doubtless, extremely acceptable to His Majesty. If what I propose to Your Honour, is agreeable, I should be glad if the Assembly would increase the number of the men to one hundred and ten, exclusive of commissioned officers; out of which, four may be enlisted as sergeants, four for corporals, and two for drums, as Your Honour shall order. I have likewise sent one hundred and ten blank en listments, and one hundred and ten certificates, the form of beating orders, some articles of war, and instructions for the officers, whether commissioned or non-commissioned, whom Your Honour shall think fit to choose to proceed to enlisting the men. I am, with very great Respect, Sir, and most Obedient Servant, W. SHIRLEY. To the Hon. William Greene, Esq., Governor of the colony of Rhode Island. P.S. I have ordered the bearer to wait for Your Honour's answer.1 WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS 2 GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Since making my Speech to you at the beginning of this Session, upon considering the happy Effects which through the Divine Blessing upon his Majestys Arms, we may Prom 1 In reply to this letter Dep. Gov. Gardner, to whom it was delivered, assured Shirley of the Assembly's "utmost alacrity to perform every thing His Majesty hath been pleased to command,' stating that they "will have their men ready for such time and in such manner as you shall direct" (Feb. 8, 1755). Nine days later Shirley writes of the measures taken in Massachusetts for confining all French subjects lest they aid the French, and concludes: Therefore, at the desire of the Assembly of this Province, I would earnestly desire Your Honour to use your utmost endeavour that the like precaution be immediately taken in your government, to prevent the mischief which probably will otherwise ensue. 2 Mass. Arch., Journals of the House. An attested Copy is in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania Collections, and another in the Collections of the American Antiquarian Society. See also the Resolutions of the Mass. Assembly, Feb. 18, in reply to this appeal, Journals of House of Representatives, and N. H. Prov. Papers, 6, 359. A contemporary Copy attested by Thomas Clarke is in the Collections of the American Antiquarian Society. |