1765. April 17, Fouquet to Gen. Gage. Thanks for promotion and for the removal of Philadelphia. the barrier to the preierment of other foreign officers. Page 134 May 19, Same to the same. Letter from Rutherford regarding outrages by Philadelphia. frontier men of Pennsylvania and Maryland, and invasion of Indian territory. 135 May 22, June 4, 135 Same to the same. Distracted state of West Florida. Want of a payPhiladelphia. master leads to great expense. The negotiations for possession of the Illinois must be conducted prudently. June 13, 137 Same to the same. The prosecution against Major Farmer. Want of Philadelphia. activity in Captain Small as Brigade Major for the Southern district. The Iberville not cleared and repairs wanted at Pensacola. 1759. March 5, New York. March 15, April 26, CORRESPONDENCE WITH GENERALS STANWIX, GAGE, MONCKTON, &c. A. 8. 1759-1765. 138 B.M., 21,638. Brigadier Stanwix to Bouquet, Philadelphia. Can conceive the disagreeable nature of last summer's work. The Quarter Master General, Brigadier Monckton and Colonel Young will settle the rest. Has no objection to Harding and Leinder going out, if good men come in their room. General Amherst leaves all these things to go by seniority, the companies being offered to the senior lieutenant-captains, and so on downwards. There are more companies to be sold than purchasers to be found in young regiments. Leinder and Harding sent to Maryland, Virginia or the lower country, to try their bands at recruiting. The necessity of them (Stanwix and Bouquet) making a junction. Amherst understands this, but will make no change till final orders are received from England. His own fate uncertain; will either go home or have a separate command here. Page 1 Same to the same. Hopes to see him at Philadelphia in a few days. Monckton is ordered up the St. Lawrence under Wolfe, who is made Major General for war expeditions only. Murray, Burton and Townsend, brigadiers for the expedition only. The King's troops will be ordered this way; his four companies to join the six, and Montgomery's Regiment also. The King will not allow him (Stanwix) to leave, so he must be content. His command will probably be on the Mohawk. 3. Bouquet to Stanwix. (No address but begins. "Dear General. ") Had received the four companies on arrival; in better order than he expected, but in want of tailors and gun makers to repair their clothing and arms. Shall discharge the men totally unfit for service and retain inva lids fit for garrison duty. Arrival of Lieut. Blane and party; the others left sick at Ligonier. Bad news from the frontier; the magazines. empty, the roads spoiled and the bridges carried away by the last flood. The enemy have appeared on the communication, have killed and scalped 11 eick going to Bedford, and taken a prisoner at Ligonier where Lloyd and Mackenzie do not agree well. The 300 Virginians were not marchcd, which will be no disappointment; has written to their Colonel to repair the worst parts of the read and to mako a new bridge. Has written to Hoops to contract for waggons to carry provisions to Ligonier. It will be difficult to get 20 waggour, the people being in bad humour; he had addressed them at the Court House and pacified them by explain 1759. ing that immediate payment of their accounts would be made. It may be necessary to buy pack and waggon horses to send provisions to Ligo. nier and Pittsburg. The progress of recruiting; 50 or 60 men might be raised in Maryland. Four officers of Maryland remain at Cumberland, where they came with 200 men, who are nearly all gone; they can be of no further use as the province does not seem disposed to pay them. Page 4 Advertisement for waggons for Ligonier. 7 May 1, Stanwix to Bouquet. He is to act as Deputy A ljutant-General for Philadelphia. the campaign, and be obliged to take the entire Department of the Deputy Quarter Master General, who is employed settling the arrears of the campaign of Forbes. The difficulties of the duties make it necessary he should be allowed a clerk, who shall be charged for in the accounts, 8 May 18, Same to the same. Respecting arrangements for waggons for proviPhiladelphia. sions to Ligonier. Is glad that a brigade goes up next week as a beginning. The change in the disposition of the people is only what he expected from his (Bɔuquet's) temper, conduct and good sense. Approves of his going to York Town and afterwards to Reading. Respecting the transport of provisions and the supply of flour, forage, &c. He (Stanwix) has contracted for 1000 horses to be stationed at Bedford. Has arranged for provisions and forage for Bedford from the borders of Virginia and Maryland. May 20, Lancaster. July 23, Chambers' Mill. August 23, 9 Bouquet to Stanwix. Gratification at the good opinion of him by Stanwix. Has succeeded at York (York Town) in getting at least 50 waggons, which shall begin to move in 10 or 12 days. Stevenson has agreed to manage the transport, going direct to Bedford which will save roads, forage and time. Advertisements wanted for the counties of York, Berks and Cumberland, 200 for each county. Mr. Allen spoke to the people from the bench and recommended the service in the strongest terms. Will be to-night at Reading; will meet the chief men, and hopes to settle with them and be at Philadelphia on Wednesday. Forage will be scarce till after barvest; has collected 6,000 bushels and continues buying. Captain Hambright has executed well the duty of purchasing horses in which he has been employed The price averages £14. Hambright says he can provide drivers and procure 280 horses within a fortnight, but they must wait till the money can be raised as the horses must be paid for in ready cash. Preparations for getting waggons, harness, &c. 12 Calculation of the transport required, (horses, waggons, etc.), to carry provisions, forage, etc, to Bedford. Memo on the same subject to Stevenson. 15 17 Stanwix to Colonel Byrd. Had received his letter from Bedford of 21st July. The last letter sent by him (Stanwix) was lost, the express being taken by the Indians. On arrival at Ligonier, he is to send 400 of his regime it to repair the roads from there to Fort Bedford. The importance of the work; how tools are to be got. The garrison to be reduced at Pittsburgh so that a magazine may be formed there and at least a month's provisions for 1,000 men. After that Gordon wi h an escort of 450 men could march with a large convoy from Ligonier to begin the work at Pittsburgh The communication with the Monongahela must be laid aside for the present, and the rest of the men and artificers are to join the convoy at Bedford. 21 Bouquet to Stanwix. Had succeeded in getting 16 waggons to LigoFort Bedford. nier and 23 to Pittsburgh. They set out with the rest of Gordon's stores except the lead. The King's horses could not be shod in time, but they will go to-morrow with 50 waggons. There are 32 waggons 1759. August 23, August 24, coming with forage from Carlisle, on which he would try his rhetoric and the winning influence of the dollars. Has contracted with Ramsay to send 1,000 barrels of flour or 50,000 pounds on or before the beginning of October, and the same amount every fortnight, under the penalty of £1,000 sterling; has advanced him £1,000 Virginian currency. Has also contracted with Graham, another merchant, to deliver 600 bushels of salt at the same place. The saving in transport, etc., by these two contracts. Burd with upwards of 100 men will try to open the road from the Great Meadows and to build store houses, etc., on the Monongahela; has supplied him with provisions &c.; head carpenters to be sent from Pittsburgh to direct the work. Has paid the Catawbas. Sends saddle bags with silver Indian trinkets. Page 24 Stanwix to Bouquet. Has arrived last night; expects the baggage waggons to-day. Sends 20 waggons to Bedford under escort of Captain. Robinson's Highlanders, to assist in sending them back loaded. He expects 68 waggons from Pittsburgh. What cannot be loaded here back to Pittsburgh shall be sent to be loaded at Bedford and this is to be the general rule. Other details on the subject of transport, &c. Major Stewart has done wonders to the road so far as he has gone. He was left at the Shades of Death, which infamous road it is hoped he will mend well. Byrd is to open the road from this to Laurel Hill; the Pennsylvanians to mend from this to Pittsburgh. 27 Same to the same. Is glad he has prevailed to get 16 waggons to come Fort Ligonier. here and 23 to go through to Pittsburgh. Approves of his contract with Ramsay, to forward the formation of a magazine at Pittsburgh, on which the whole depends. Respecting money. The saddle bags with trinkets received; will not open them till he gets to Pittsburgh 23 September 1, Same to the same. Letters received The salt is on the road to WinFort Bedford. chester from Red Stone Creek. The 200 pack horses from Virginia with flour arrived at Fort Cumberland. Byrd sends 68 to him (Bouquet); the rest are to load forage for Pittsburgh. Almost a total stagnation of waggons since he (Bouquet) left; scarcely enough arriving to keep the stores full and feed the horses beyond the mountain; 400 pack horses are gone to Ligonier. Many horses unfit to work are sent to pasture. Captain Hambright is coming with 30 new waggons loaded with forage for Pittsburgh. The 500 new pack horses daily expected. If half that promised from Philadelphia is received it will be well. Roads finished to Ligonier. Supplies of flour at Pittsburgh. Captain Gordon's stores being gone, the carriages will be left for flour and forage. Liquor and salt gone up. He (Bouquet) should be able to feed 3,000 men including Indians at Pittsburgh. Will come bimself after Hambright's arrival. Is pestered with 16 Catawbas come on Girt's invitation; Mercer ordered to send them back as cheaply as possible. Mercer states that gold and silver would purchase in Virginia double what would be done with paper currency. Suggests that the Monongahela should be reconnoitred a little above the mouth of Red River Creek. Beptember 2, 29 Same to the same. Has enough to feed 300 more men than he has. He has ordered Byrd to march up 300 of his Virginian regiment. Gordon having received tools, calls for more men than he can give, he (Bouquet) is to send up 300 or 400 of the first and second battalions of Pennsylvanian regiment to Ligonier. Stevens to march here with the rest of the Virginian regiment. Another convey expected from Virginia, which will put them beyond fear of starving. 32 Beptember 7, Bouquet to Stanwix. The first battalion of Pennsylvania will march Fort Bedford. to-morrow for Ligonier. The second has gone to Red Stone Creek, part being left at Cumberland to escort the pack horses, &c., from Virginia. 1759. September 8, Men ordered to keep up roads, &. Forage coming in fast; 200 horses will carry 1,200 bushels to Ligonier; the continued rains have prevented the waggons from starting; they go to day. Hambright has engaged 80 good drivers and sent 50 before his brigade who will take better care of the horses than the villains draughted from the new levies. Has sent 100 large beeves to Ligonier since he (Stanwix) left; 100 more go tomorrow, and 100 weekly unless the Indians kill or steal them. It would be a good time to kill at Pittsburgh in November for winter stock. The station from Ligonier to Pittsburgh being too long, suggests to place 50 rangers at the four redoubts. An idle report that 30 Indians were seen near Ligonier. Page 33 Stanwix to Bouquet. Is glad he got the order for the £1000 and that salt is on the way from Winchester to Red River Creek; there are more boats than are needed to carry it forward. Gordon preparing to build six large bateaux. Respecting the supply of provisions and forage. The 215 beeves from Cumberland are very small, not equal to those from the other way. Indians and Indian presents, Shelby surveying the road to Ligonier; how the work is to be done. Ground broken for the fort on the 3rd; slow progress owing to the demand for other services. If the project at Red Stone Creek succeed, he has no doubt a good magazine can be formed here. Amherst's letter stated the reduction of Niagara, and that the French were burning and retiring from Crown Point. Wishes that such disposition of the troops were made for Bedford and Ligonier that those at Bedford should make good all escorts to Pittsburgh, so that the work could be carried on there without the troops being taken off for escort, &c. 35 September 11, Bouquet to Stanwix. He may be easy respecting stores for the future. Fort Bedford. Forage coming from all quarters; the quantities sent off. Details of provisions, &c. Mercer has been successful on the frontiers of Virginia and Maryland; if the river prove navigable there will be no want. Arrangements for escort duty. Tools wanted for Armstrong to repair the road. Good news expected from below. Money wanted, &c. 39 September 12, September 12, September 13, Same to the same. It is lucky a door was opened in Virginia and Maryland, as Pennsylvania has almost abandoned them. List showing how little the counties of that Province will do, but yet he can feed 3,000 men at Pittsburgh for three months and lay in six months provisions for 1,000 men. Details on this point, &c. 43 Same to Stephen. (?) Is doing all he can to help him in executing orders, but being shamefully abandoned by Pennsylvania, he has been obliged to open new channels by which provisions, &c., begin to flow in. Respecting stores, tools, &c. 45 Stanwix to Colonel Armstrong. That he will be satisfied with the decision come to by him and Bouquet. 47 Same to Bouquet. Gives details of the arrangements he has made for Pittsburgh. making and repairing the roads; preparing salt provisions, &c. Indians quiet. 48 September 16, Bouquet to Stanwix. Has no return of the troops at Pittsburgh; Fort Bedford. hopes to get it to judge of the consumption. Account of forage sent and to be sent to Ligonier, with flour, &c. Shovels and spades shall be forwarded. Men ordered to repair the road to the three redoubts; thinks 150 or 200 men would be enough at Ligonier. Armstrong could work at the roads from the three redoubts till he meets helby. If some one acquainted with the blazes were sent to direct, the road could be cut in half the time. Hogs can easily be got when orders are given for winter garrisons. Supplies of forage daily arriving. Delays of supplies from Virginia, as it takes time to advertise and get the people in motion, but Mercer writes he has had good success, waiting only for money; how that might be sent. Other money required for waggons, forage, 1759. &c. September 16, September 19, Page 1 54 Stanwix to Bouquet. Had wished Patterson to go on a scout with an Indian or two, but as he was disappointed of the white men, he (Patterson) is to come to Pittsburgh. The returns show that he (Stanwix) has only 300 or 400 barrels of flour and Stevens has as yet but little flour at Ligonier, but has no doubt he (Bouquet) can send a plentiful supply till that from Virginia is at Redstone Creek. Respecting the care of salt provisions. Money will be sent by Barron, but as the £1,000 in gold cannot be sent to Virginia, the Virginians must be obliged to deal in their own paper. Commissaries for Bedford and Cumberland; that fort must be repaired. Will leave as many troops at Bedford as can be covered and fed; bedding wanted. Hopes Red Stone Creek will be made a good communication. Money sent (about £10,000 currency). If there are not troops enough for escort at Ligonier he may call for men of the third battalion, as he hopes in future to hear of few Indians near the settlement. The men of the first battalion Royal Americans to be sent up; great want of tents. Promotions in that battalion. Bouquet to Stanwix and Barron. Details of money wanted. 55 Lieut. Colonel Mcrcer to Stanwix. Has reported his proceedings to Winchester. Bouquet as ordered. The damage done to the pack horses by the badly made saddles. Two merchants of this town have sent one Cunningham as their factor with Indian goods. It is a new trade, and on the report depends the settlement of the question of many others going out. Money wanted for various services given in detail. So often has the public faith been broken that the people will not deal with him except on his own personel engagement. Rutherford is left without money and he (Mercer) has to keep up his credit. The neglect to send money hurts the service. Bouquet has ordered a supply of money to Rutherford, but he has none and would have been obliged to let a man go who wanted half a crown had he not assisted him. September 19, September 21, 58 Stanwix to Bouquet. The state of flour still very low. Instructions to Armstrong about roads are right. Hopes to keep at least 600 or 700 men in Pittsburgh for the winter. Timber for barrels to be cut. Morton's illness; hopes with the assistance sent him he may be able to carry on the service till Hambright arrives. Money sent and arrangements respecting bills &c. Sends Byrd's letter from Girt's plantation; will send what he wants up the Monongahela if there be water, &c. 61 Bouquet to Stanwix. Memorandum of money received and how disposed of; note of money still wanted. Delays of Hambright's brigade; it was expected at Carlisle on the 17th and must be on the way to Bedford. Has also been disappointed with the Virginian pack horses; they left their loads for the garrison at Cumberland, the contractors having neglected to send provisions to that post. Reports the state of the supply of waggons, &c. Has had no return of the number of people requiring provisions at Pittsburgh, so does not know the number of carriages wanted for supplying the garrison; he (Stanwix) may be sure of meat and flour for 3,000. How provisions are sent, &c. 63 September 24, Stanwix to Bouquet. Note of money sent. Is sorry for Hambright's Pittsburgh. delay. The contractors should supply Cumberland, but they must still depend on them (Bouquet and Stanwix). Is in hopes from Bouquet's calculations they can subsist this campaign and lay in a magazine for six months for 1,000 men. Major Gates has sent a return of the present eaters (the number consuming provisions at Pittsburgh); 100 good workers have been besides ordered from Ligonier; hopes to have cap |