BOUQUET COLLECTION. September 13, A. 1. LETTER BOOK OF COLONEL H. BOUQUET. B. M. 21,631. Rark of Provincial General and Feld Officers in North America, by Royal Warrant of George II, signed H. Fox, Page 11 Regulation of the pay of the labourers and artificers, taken from. the orderly book. 12 Earl of Loudoun to Sir Charles Hardy, New York. Difficulty of settling the command of the troops. First settlers, adventurers; difference in charters. The jealousy and attacks of the French. The pretentions of the Governors of Provinces to command the troops; the commissions issued by the King and rules made to prevent the dangers thence arising. 1757. The disputes as to giving the troops quartors in the different Provinces. 3 April 9, Lt. Col. H. Bouquet to Col. Conrad Weiser. Col. Stanwix has given Philadelphia. Biddle £100 for Capt. Busse to meet expenses of raising the 1st Batt. Royal American Regiment. Trusts be (Weiser) will use his interest to raise 200 men for the defence of Carolina. 1 April 9, April 23, April 23, May 25, Williamsburgh, Virginia. June 23. 8. Carolina. 2 Warrant empowering Col. Bouquet to appoint General Courts Martial. 13 Form of warrent by Col. Bouquet to appoint a President of a Court Martial. 15 John Appy, Judge Advocate, form of deputation to a Deputy Judge Advocate, of Courts Martial. Instruction to deputy judge advocate. 16 17 Bouquet to the Earl of Loudoun. Five companies of the Royal Americans sailed from Philadelphia have arrived at Hampton Roads, James River. 200 Virginians arrived here; the Assembly has agreed to complete the contingent with militia. The collecting of men and money goes on slowly in spite of Governor Dinwiddie's efforts. No news of the 200 men from North Carolina. 20 Same to the same. Provincial troops of Virginia arrived. Small pox Oharlestown, broken out; Precautions. Bad water and heat have caused sickness. Nothing done to raise troops, but the Assembly return a favourable general answer to the Governor's demand. Governor Littleton's efforts. and influence give hopes of success. The scarcity of men raised for the defence of the Southern Provinces The poor condition of the arms and men. The bad state of the defences for the town; proposals for strengthening them. French men of war sent to the Mississippi. One battalion of newly raised Highlanders to sail from Ireland to Charleston under Montgomery. Money matters. June 23, June 23, 21 Same to Governor Dinwiddie. Arrival on the 15th. Americans encamped. Dinwiddie's troops are in town. Governor Littleton, owing to the delay in Lord Loudonu's letters, could not take measures for raising the provincials; hopes the Assembly will grant funds for the purpose. French fleet at St. François; intended for Jamaica or this place (Charlestown). The rest of Dinwiddie's troops to be sent to Charlestown. 25 Same to General Webb (in French). His embarkation at Philadel phia and landing at Hampton Roads with the troops. No men yet from North or South Carolina. Littleton has convoked the Assembly, and bas obtained the passage of a resolution to raise 500 beside the 200 men. 1757. June 23, The force of 2,000 expected by Loudoun only amounts to 600. The independent companies will act as a garrison. The number of ineffective men in the service. The state of the fortifications. Movements of the French fleet. Expected reinforcement of Highlanders. Page 28 Bouquet to Colonel Hunter. His arrival; the exorbitant charge for Charlestown. exchange. Does not think the hot climate will agree with him. The French fleet. 31 Same to Colonel Stanwix. Account of arrival, state of prepara Charlestown. tions, &c., similar to that given in previous letters, but somewhat more detailed. June 23, June 30, 33 Same to Governor Dobbs. His arrival with five companies Royal Charlestown. Americans and 200 provincials of Virginia. As soon as the men from Dobbs' Province (N. Carolina) are ready they aro to be sent on. The Assembly here framing a bill for raising troops, for fortifications, &c. Hopes that the preparations will prevent an attack on the Colonies. Newly raised Highlanders expected. June-, 26 27 40 Same to Governor Ellis. His arrival with troops, namely, Royal Charlestown. Americans, provincials of Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, for the defence of the three southern provinces. Desires to know the state of the defences of Georgia, as it is the most exposed. July 13, Same to Lord Barrington. Information similar to that in preceding Charlestown. letters. July 14, Same to Governor Ellis. The decayed state of the forts in Georgia. Charlestown. He recommends large log forts to contain all the people about them. The cannons, &c, scattered in the forts should be removed; can say nothing as to the rangers from Georgia. Will send 100 men, if they can be subsisted at the expense of Georgia. Wishes to see him (Ellis) on his (Bouquet's) way to Port Royal. July, 41 Recruiting instructions by Bouquet to Lieutenant Shrubsole of His Charlestown. Majesty's Independent Company. July 15, 43 Bouquet to Lieutenant Shaw of H. M. Independent Company. To Charlestown. relieve Eusign Bogges at Fort George. All military orders to be received from his superior cfficers under Bouquet. Orders on Indian affairs to be received from the Governor of the Province. 45 July 15, Same to Ensign John Bogges, Fort George. To deliver over the fort Charlestown. to Lieutenant Shaw. To leave the men there and himself proceed to Fort Loudoun. July 18, 47 Same to General Napier. His arrival and list of troops for the defence Charlestown. of Georgia and N. and S. Carolina. Description of the forts, namely, Fort Johnston, Fot Frederick, Fort Moore, Fort Prince George, Fort Loudoun. Their bad state and Georgia in a worse situation. Want of guns, &c. French in force at Cape François and in the Gulf of Mexico. Proposed fortifications, but want of engineers; the people throw away money on slight works, which engineers would save. Sickly state of the Independent companies. 36 July 20, Same to Governor Littleton (in French). Plan for protecting the Charlestown. town against attack from the sea. 48 July 21, Same to the same (in French). Memo respecting the proposed barCharlestown. racks at Charlestown. Commissioners to the same. 53 Remarks on Bouquet's plan for Charlestown. defending the town. Insuperable objections to his proposals for the defence of the harbour by booms, &c. July 28, July 28, 51 Bouquet to Capt. Paul Demeré, Fort Loudoun (in French). InstrucCharlestown. tions sent as to the report by the Little Carpenter. To take every means to find out about the Indians and the nature of the country between him and the French settlements; the course of the rivers, &c. The French make use of the Indians as scouts; why should not he? 56 1757, August 6, Bouquet to Governor Dobbs, North Carolina. The 200 men from N. Charlestown. Carolina to be sent forward. Disappointed in no receiving reinforcements; the forts cannot be garrisoned properly ani 100 men had to be sent to Georgia to guard against the privateers. Orders to complete the regular troops; hopes the recruiting officers will be assisted. Page 57 August 6, Same to Lieuts. Bentinck and Phillips. Additional instructions for Charlestown. recruiting. August 7, 59 August 6, Same to Lieuts. Hay and Jenkins. Additional instructions for recruitCharlestown. ing. 61 Same to Governor Dobbs. Regrets to learn that the 200 men raised Charlestown. are kept back for want of money, which could be obtained if the Assembly votes the security. The necessity for troops at the present juncture, as Pennsylvania cannot send whilst the enemy is at her own doors. Too late to send troops when attacked, as they might be taken by sea or intercepted by land, and the French are sounding the coast of Georgia with some design. He no longer expects the Highlanders. Supply recommended by His Majesty for the different Provinces. How money may be raised by sending on provisions and the troops maintained. August 10, August 14, Frederica. 64 Same to Lieut. Shaw, Fort Prince George. The arrangements for supplying the fort with provisions. 67 Lieut. Charles Taylor to Governor Ellis. Account of the situation and condition of the fortifications of Frederica, St. Simons, and Fort William, with details of armament, ordnance stores, &c. 77 Same to the same. Four Spaniards taken by the Creek Indians. The Long Warrior reported to have gone on an expedition against the Spaniards. August 25, Bouquet to Stanwix, with returns. The rains have driven the force out Charlestown. of camp into the town, where the quarters are bad till barracks are ready. Troops healthy and little desertion. The lawyers, justices of the peace and in general the whole people eternally against the troops. The extortions make it nearly impossible to carry on the service. He has the best major in the world. Disappointment in the number of provincials. Has visited Port Royal and will make a similar visit to the northward. 68 August 25, Sume to General Webb (in French), with returns. The men from Charlestown. North Carolina cannot be sent for want of money. The enemy tranquil. Little Carpenter, a Cherokee, has discovered a new fort building by the French on the Ohio. State of the frontier posts, Fort Londoun, Fort Prince George, &c. They are all open and defenceless. Money has been voted to fortify the town and the work is going on. Defences of Port Royal, Savannah, &c. Scarcity of men. 70 August 25, Same to Loudoun. American troops put under cover on account of Charlestown. the rain. Assembly has voted money for barracks, but it is doubtful if the furniture will be supplied. The people are saving though rich. They are pleased to have soldiers to defend them, but make no difference between them and negroes. The scarcity of men. None of the Southern Provinces have raised their troops; he has, therefore, been unable to relieve the independents from frontier service. The injustice done to these men; the disbanding of the provincials has necessitated the sending the rest of the independents to Fort Prince George. Favourable state of Indian affairs. The neglected state of military preparations changed, and the people well disposed for defence, if it does not interfere with their private interest. Details of military preparations. August 29, Same to Governor Ellis. Sending a company of the provincials of Charlestown. Virginia; how they are to be employed and victualled, &c. The battalion of Highlanders expected every day; will be able to assist 82 1757. more effectually by this augmentation. Peter Slowman, a recruit, arrested for murder in Georgia. Aeks to exchange 18 pounders left by Gen. Oglethorpe in Georgia for 9s and 12s. Page 73 75 August 29, Bouquet to Ellie. Works he proposes to do on the forts. Urges Charlestown. recruiting. August 29, Same to General Webb. Sailing reported, by a Bristol ship, of the Charlestown. new battalion of Highlanders. Difficulty of hearing from Lord Loudoun. If matters stand quietly the provincials may be sent home after the campaign. 81 August 29, No date. Ensign John Boggs to Governor Littleton. Remonstrance against being ordered from Fort Prince George to Fort Loudoun, as he is afraid of being scalped on the way. Some directions how to adjust the quadrant. LETTER BOOK OF COLONEL BOUQUET. 90 92 95 A. 2. B.M.. 21,632: 1757. March 15, Minutes taken at a meeting of the Governors of South Carolina, VirPhiladelphia. ginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania with the Earl of Loudoun. The minutes are signed by Arthur Dobbs, William Denny, Rc bert Dinwiddie and Horatio Sharpe. It was proposed by Lord Loudoun that the greatest part of the troops should be employed to the northward; that he would leave for the defence of the southern provinces a battalion of 1,000 men and the three independent companies of 100 men each in South Carolina; about 2,000 effective men (the number is thus stated although only 1,300 are given) For the security of the whole, the Provinces were to raise enough to make up 5,000 men, in the following proportion : Pennsylvania... Virginia....... North Carolina....... South Carolina......... Which joined to the King's Troops.... Make in the whole......... 1,400 500 1,000 400 500 1,200 ............ 5,000 It was agreed by the meeting that there being danger of an attack on South Carolina, there should be raised for the defence of that Province and to secure Georgia 2,000 men, in the following proportion : Five companies of regular troops........ Provincial Troops South Carolina These troops to be under the command of Lieut. Colonel Bouquet and transported to Charles Town, South Carolina, as soon as possible. Lord. Loudoun agreed to supply provisions, but their transport was to be at the expense of the respective Provinces. Conditions were also inserted regarding the quartering of troops necessary for defence. Page 106 1757. April 24, New York. April 24, May 5, Instructions by Lord Loudoun to Lieut.-Colonel Bouquet, of the 62nd or Royal American Regiment, for his embarkation at Philadelphia for Charles Town, with directions as to his command in defence of the southern provinces. The number of troops is given, and their composition. When he is to consult with the governors; allowance of provisions; courts-martial on regular and provincial troops, &c., &c. Page 110 Loudoun to Lyttleton. Sends copy of minute; is sorry he was not at the meeting. The objection of his Province to sending any considerable number of men from fear of a rising of the blacks is removed, as the additional force sent is enough to overawe them. The character of Bouquet sent to command the troops. His plan to post the 500 men from South Carolina on the frontiers may be changed according to circumstances. Is desirous to save expense to the mother country of forwarding provisions for regulars to so great a distance as the frontiers, which must be more familiar to the provincial troops; and, bosides, Charlestown being the place of the greatest importance, the regulars should be kept near it. Other arrangements for provisioning the forces. How the posts in the Cherokee country should be garrisoned. As the force is sent entirely for the protection of South Carolina, he expects they will reinforce the fort at Chota and supply the garrison with provisions. Indian affairs. The necessity for bringing the different Assemblies to bear a share in the defence of the whole, on which the mother country is expending such large sums at present. 115 Circular of Lord Londoun to the Governors of North and South Carolina and Georgia. Calls attention to the desire of His Majesty that the Councils and Assemblies be applied to in the strongest terms to raise as large a number as possible of provincial troops over and above those needed for immediate defence. Major General Webb is to command at Albany in his (Loudoun's) absence. Colonel Stanwix is to take post in the back part of Pennsylvania with the first battalion of Royal Americans and to have command of the rest of the Pennsylvanian troops, of the troops raised in Maryland and in Virginia, Lieut. Colonel Bouquet is dispatched with other troops to South Carolina, for the security of that and the most southerly Provinces. Reminds them of the agreement as to provisions for the troops left in the Provinces. Hopes they will lose no time in getting the forces ready; that the militia be properly armed, &c., and ready to move on the requisition of the commander. Hopes to receive the same benefit from the militia as was received lately from the militia of the upper part of this country on the attempt of the enemy on Fort William Henry. 119 September 10, Bouquet to Governor Dobbs. The arrival of the Highland battalion Charlestown. commanded by Montgomery will save the trouble of sending the 200 men. Does not know what Loudoun will do with all the men here; supposes he will send some to the northward, in which case Dobbs' troops would still be wanted. Recommends officers sent to his Province, owing to the scarcity of men here, to be provided with quarters. Asks that a remedy bo found for the exorbitant price charged the officers for provisions. 2 September 10, Same to Lieut. Shaw, commanding at Fort George. Will send an officer to relieve him, if he does not soon recover. He is to farnish all the necessary scouts to Fort Loudoun, but Ensign Boggs has not gone as ordered, for want of an escort; does not understand why, as the traders go up and down unmolested. If one is needed, let Boggs have it. Garrison is supplied with provisions; the carriage to be paid by the Province, and the Governor had authorised a gill of rum to each man working in the fort. The men must not imagine they can work or not; |