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, 1 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 MASSACHUSETTS1

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

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.

Original, L. S., Johnson Manuscripts, New York State Library, I, 184.

I am intirely of your Opinion with regard to the Indian Officers, and will lose no time in pressing the several Governments concern'd forthwith to make the needfull Provision for their Pay in the manner propos'd by you; as also for defraying the Expence of engaging and Maintaining the Indians in the English Interest, by fix'd Funds, and giving you an absolute Power to draw upon them for that Service according to their respective proportions; which is doubtless necessary to be done.

The Assembly of my own Province was dissolv'd before my Arrival here, and a new one can't meet by the Charter before the 28th Instant; I will then obtain a positive and explicit Answer from them in the particular you desire; I have no reason to doubt of it's being satisfactory to you. I will also let the other Governments concern'd except that of New York (which Mr DeLancey will do) know the absolute Necessity there is of their coming to an immediate Determination in these Points, and making a certain Provision by some fix'd Fund accordingly; and I think with you, this may be best done by communicating to them the proper paragraphs of your Letter to me, and enforcing them with Arguments drawn from the reasonableness and Necessity of the Thing.

The £800 must, as you observe, be apply'd to making a present to the Indians; and I am sensible the Remainder of the £2000 will soon be exhausted in the articles mention'd in your Letter. I have already let you know that I shall answer your Drafts for what may be necessary over and above the money advanc'd to you by General Braddock for carrying on and supporting the Alliance with the Six Nations, pursuant to the General's Order to me for that Purpose.

I know the Difficulties you must be under in reclaiming the almost lost affections of the Six Nations to the English and engaging them in the present Service against the thousand Artifices of the French; But I can't but be perswaded, from the Knowledge I have of your Influence over them, and the Talents you have for effecting this most important business, that you will surmount them and do your King and

Country the desir'd Service. The Progress you have already made, and the scheme for satisfying their Minds with regard to the fortifying of Oswego which is a most necessary thing, give me great satisfaction; You will not forget to engage some good Indians to meet me at Oswego.

I doubt not but that the carriages and everything belonging to the Artillery design'd for the Service under your command, are rotten and unfit for Service; and shall accordingly take care to have new ones made. A large Number of Workmen are on their way to Albany from Boston, to make this Government's Battoes. I shall press the other Governments to take the same care; and will use the like Endeavours for having all the Military Stores provided in time; and that the Companies shall be sent to Albany as they are compleated.

I shall not lose a day for pushing on all preparations, and the marching of the Forces to Albany; and shall write to you again in a few days; when I hope I shall be able to mention the time of my coming to Albany. You will make the utmost dispatch on your part with regard to your business with the Indians, and giving the necessary orders concerning the Provincial Forces as they shall arrive at Albany.

The fixing of a proper Allowance by the several Colonies, I shall particularly have at heart. The intelligence contain'd in your inclos'd papers is of great service. You will have, if New York raises their 800 men, and the Colony of Connecticut their designed augmentation as I hope they will both, 4,700 men besides the Indians for the Expedition against Crown Point.

I am with much Truth and Esteem, Sir,

Your faithfull Humble Servant,

W. SHIRLEY.1

1 Ten "Suggestions for a Commanding Officer" follow this letter. Among them are the following: If you lose, don't despair. Distinguish a brave man and reward a gallant action upon the spot. Be careful of your sick men, and visit them sometimes yourself. Make sure of a safe retreat in case of accidents.

WILLIAM ALEXANDER TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY 1

SIR,

Albany, May 27th, 1755.

Your Excellency's Letter of the 20th, by Joseph Glidden, I received yesterday afternoon. He and the other five Ship Carpenters set out this Morning for Schenectady, where they are to embark to-morrow Morning for Oswego, in Company with 12 Battoes, which I send there with Provisions, each of these Battoes have two Men in them, who in General are provided with Fire Arms. This is all the Guard it is possible to get for the Carpenters (for there are no Troops left here) and I am in hopes it will be sufficient, for the People of this Country are daily passing betwixt this and Osweego, without any apprehension of danger that way.

The Stores sent us by Commodore Keppel, and most of the other Necessaries, for the two Vessels, are already in proper Store-houses at Schenectady, also the greatest part of. the Provisions, which Your Excellency ordered to be provided for your own and Sir William's Regiments, and stores are there provided to receive all the other Necessaries, which shall be sent there as fast as they arrive here.2

I have viewed all the Grounds about Schenectady fit for Encampments, and three places which I think the most convenient I shall have Plans of, ready to lay before Your Excellency at New York. Col. Glen's House, which is the most convenient about Schenectady, will be proposed for Your Excellency's own quarters. I have also engaged for you a convenient House in this Town. A Number of People are at Work in the Wood Creek, and on the Carrying Place, to mend the Passage there which was the most needful to

1 Printed: I Penna. Arch. 2, 351.

2 On May 20 Shirley had written Keppel that he would endeavor to make up the complement of men for two vessels to be built on Lake Ontario and would furnish a model for them. The letter is in P. R. O., Admiralty Section, Insular Letters, 480, and is in reply to Keppel's letter of April 15.