1761. December 7, December 9, of flour. The weather continuing bad, does not know when he can send for the saved provisions, especially owing to the bad condition of the boats he has. Dow and Van Hulst are better. Garden seeds wanted. The expedition under Monckton has sailed for Martinico. Regimental changes and promotions. Page 323 Schlosser to Bouquet (in French). Consulting him about his proposal to settle on a plantation (p. 116). Sir William Johnson's advice, &. Repeats the story of the wreck of the bateau with flour, in case Bouquet has left Fort Pitt before the official letter (p. 323) reaches. 326 Lieut. Meyer to the same (in French). What rations are required daily; three cattle had to be killed for want of pasture. No venisou brought since the 20th of last month. No reliance to be placed on the Indians, 330 December 9, Hoops to the same. Sends a newspaper and invites him to his house Philadelphia. should he come to the city this winter. December 9, 332 Capt. Barnsley to the same. Sends £320 Penn, currency, which may Philadelphia. do till he can bring more, if his old wound, which has broken out, allow him to come. Cochrane, now in New York, reports the surrender and pardon of a deserter. December 10, Le Bœuf. 333 Lieut. Guy to the same. Sends returns by Michael Long, to whom he has given leave to go down on account of his good behaviour. Kettles and blankets wanted. 354 335 December 10, Plumsted and Franks to the same. Respecting the packing of pro- December 19, Ligonier. December 23, New York. December 24, December 24, Venango. December Ligonier. No date. Earl of Egremont to Governor Sharpe, That in order to meet the insincerity and chicane of the Court of Versailles and to secure a suitable peace, the King desires that he use his best endeavours with the Council and Assembly of his Province to raise such number of men, to be formed into regiments, as their situation, &., may allow, to be ready for service in such part of America as the Commander in chief may direct, the provincial officers to have rank according to His Majesty's warrant of 30th December, 1757. These troops to be armed and fed the same as the other forces, and Parliament will be applied to for a compensation for the expense of clothing and pay. The same communication has been made to Pennsylvania and the Northern Governments. 336 Arthur Hamilton to Bouquet. Respecting cattle, &c., received. 341 James Leighton to Capt. Barnsley. Colonel Prevost has succeeded in obtaining £737 from the non effective funds to be divided among the officers of his battalion. Colonel Young proposes to take steps to have the privilege extended to the other battalions. 342 Repeats his Capt. Schlosser to the same. Sends returns. Has succeeded in getting up the provisions saved from the wreck of the bateau. request for garden seed. Nails wanted, &c. Lieut. Carre to the same. The bad weather and deep prevented him from getting supplies of venison. 345 snow have 344 L'eut Blane to the same. The Pennsylvanians passing, who had arms (but these were few) made no difficulty about giving them up; has heard of no disorders committed by them. Has given a pass to the Pennsyl vanians in his garrison. Has ordered the surplus bullocks to Fort Pitt. Presumes a reinforcement will be sent and will remain, but the post is too weak to secure respect. Memorandum of some trunks, &c., expected. 312 352 Lieut. Blane to Bouquet. Thanks for the list of promotions and the hope of being speedily relieved. Difficulty of sending oats, &o., &c. 350 LETTERS TO COLONEL BOUQUET. VOL. VI, Part 1. 1762. 1762. January 7, Ft. Chiswell. A. 18-1. B. M., 21648. Colonel Adam Stephen to Bouquet. Has been ordered to march down the Virginians to be disbanded; the men at Forts Burd and Cumberland to be relieved, that they may march to Winchester, to be paid and discharged. After a long campaign matters are firmly settled in this quarter. The submission of the Cherokecs with details of their behaviour, &c. The good conduct of the Northern Indians; they are but indifferent warriors; their pass was signed by George Crogban. Has about 40 stall-fed oxen on his farm; would be glad to know when they are wanted at Fort Pitt. Page 1 3 January 17, Captain Young to the same. The orders he received as to paying men Philadelphia. remaining over their time. Polite messages, &c. January 17, Governor Fauquier to the same. The uneasiness caused by his proWilliamsburg clamation, as it seems to tend to prevent the resettling of lands taken up by patent, but abandoned during the late disturbances. There are many who made settlements on the Monongahela, Green Bryer, and New River to the westward of the Alleghanies and on the waters of the Ohio. Asks for a copy of his instructions to issue the proclamation, and if the intention is to ascertain the identity of the persons settling under the claim of a patent from the Crown, so as to prevent vagabonds from taking possession of the just rights of others. Has received orders to make no grants on the Obio till His Majesty's pleasure be known. Alarm as to the clause relating to courts martial. 5 8 January 18, Alexander Lunan to the same. Giving references to the Willing family, January 22, Hoops to the same. Respecting the settlement of provision accounts. No word from Monckton's expedition except by a young man from Monte Cristo, who said that there were bets by the French about Martinico being captured. 11 Plumsted and Franks to the same. Explaining previous letters respecPhiladelphia. tirg the payment of bills drawn on account of the Crown for disburse ments formerly paid by the Quarter Masters and Engineers. Are thank ful for the favourable reports sent and that so many of their stray cattle have been picked up. Discrepany in the weight of hogs unaccount January 24, able. 12 [A letter of this date is in vol. A. 19-1, p. 29, from George Croghan, placed among letters of 1763 by mistake. I Capt. Schlosser to Bouquet. Returns sent; the deficiency in pork delivered; recommends a survey. Bakers have been paid. Intrenchments have fallen down with the frost; what is he to do? Is impatient for news. The sufferings of the garrison; no freeh meat and the pork so bad that neither officers nor men can eat it. He himself has lived on flour and pea soup, with only a little bear's meat at Christmas; the bread is tolerably good. 15 January 24, Capt. Barnsley to the same. Entirely relating to accounts, except & Philadelphia. reference to brevet promotions. January 27, January 28, Germantown. 18 Lieut. Blane to the same. Has not pressed the bearor's horses to carry salt, but it threatened rain and he has promised to carry it from choice. 20 George Lache to the same (in French). Had delivered powder to de Haas. The stores have been flooded with water, &c. 21 January 30, Alexander Lunan to Bouquet. Social gossip. Page 22 James Livingston to the same. Has received orders for the Virginian Fort Cumber- troops to march down; what is he to do with the stores at the crossing? The Potomac is to be made navigable by subscription of Virginia and Maryland. Sends returns. land. January 30, February 2, Venango. February 6, Philadelphia. February 8, February 10, February 13, land. 23 Lieut Blane to the same. Forwards parcel brought by express from Bedford, the man had lost his horse between the Alleghany and Stony Creek and the packet has been brought on foot from there. 24 Lieut. Carre to the same. Shall send a barrel of powder to Le Bœuf. Patterson, the trader, asks leave to carry his furs down in spring by the old path, &c. 25 Lieut. Dow to the same. Has purchased garden seeds. The flour has been got as far as the season will admit of. Papers, &c., sent. Social news Has purchased a commission for his son. Remains of last year's clothing sent for, &c. 39 Mrs. Mary Billings to the same. That she has had her pension granted since the day of her husband's death. Thanks for his kindness. 26 Bouquet to Governor Fauquier. Explains the object of the proclamation is to prevent people from hunting or settling west of the Alleghany hills without leave from the General or the Governor of their respective Provinces. It is not to invalidate any just rights, but to prevent vagabonds, under pretense of hunting, &c., from making settlements on Indian lands contrary to the treaty made at Easton and since confirmed. When these people were driven off the Indians complained of new comers, against whom the proclamation was issued, and two days ago the Six Nations complained that ten new huts were built in the woods and land cleared for corn, and had sent to inquire. People living out of the settlements and beyond civil law can be tried by court martial for offences, but this cannot affect settlements within the known limits of a Province, these being subject to its jurisdiction With regard to persons holling patents under the Crown for lands on the Ohio, he shall afford them every protection on receiving the necessary information from him (Fauquier). 27 Capt. Campbell to Bouquet. Had sent off an express, who lost the letters in a river near Sandusky. Has roceived no flour from Niagara; sent three bateaux which are frozen up half way. Received two barrels powder and some balls. The difficulty of subsisting his garrison for want of flur. The necessity of supplying the posts with ammunition; the alarm that would be felt by the Indians were they to know they were to be restricted of a supply. Forwards letters. Want of money. Report from Sandusky that the Shawanese had brought scalps from Virginia and that the Six Nations were still contriving mischief. Respecting furs. The society here is increased by the arrival of Chevalier Daverret (?) a young English Lord, who after making the tour of Europe is spending the winter here and will visit the Lakes in spring, and by that of Lieut. McDougall from Niagara, &c. 30 Sergeant Mc Dorald to the same. Shall set out for Winchester as ordored; it is hurtful to his affairs, but hopes he (Bouquet) will explain the cause of his absence from the regiment. 34 February 14, James Livingston to the same. Respecting the powder and how some Fort Cumber- can be sent to the Red Stone. Cannot detect the hunters, as they keep away from the forts on account of the proclamation, and cross the river six or eight miles from the garrison, The expense for the river cannot be estimated till the survey is made. A brass gun was found at a post called Pearsal's fort on the south branch, with a quantity of grape shot, 1762. and four swivels said to belong to the Ohio Company. A cannon, supposed to be Spanish, was at this post when Braddock came here; the gun is fit for service. Page 35 February 16, John Read to Bouquet. That returns are to be made monthly for Philadelphia. which he had not received the information from Fort Pitt &c. 37 February 17, Plumsted and Franks to the same. Thanks for assistance to Mr. Ormsby Philadelphia. in the late inundation at Fort Pitt. Send copy of the agreement made for the supply of salt. Arrangements about flour. Report of Monckton landing at Martinico with little opposition. Report of Prussian succesA requisition has been made to the Assembly, for 1800 men, but it is doubtful if they will be granted, or if they are whether they can be of service this year. February 18, 41 Alexander Lunan to the same. Social gossip. Asks that Capt BarosPhiladelphia. ley be requested to send down bills for goods furnished. Accounts settled, February 18, February 19, February 20, &c. 43 Capt. Harry Gordon to the same. Circumstantial account of the taking of Martinico from the 16th of January, when a landing was effected to the signing of the capitulation, on the 13th of February, and the formal taking possession at St Pierre on the 14th. The loss has been 500 men killed, wounded and missing. The enemy admit a loss of thres times that number. The health of the troops is good on the whole, bat the Dominican troops are in a terrible state, those that remain. 41 Ensign Pauly to the same. Sends abstracts of provisions; venison damaged in spite of the utmost care. Some discontent among the Indians about the block house; he does not think it will come to any thing, but asks instructions how he is to behave to the Indians should they be insolent. The detachment is well; has drawn money for their pay. 52 Arthur Hamilton to the same. Assures him that the letters sent in his care had been forwarded. 51 James Pitcher to the same. Friendly messages. There is a talk of 10,000 men being kept up in America, but thinks it only conjecture, &c., &c. 55 February 24, Capt. Schlosser to the same. Gives an account of his work on the Presqu'Isle. buildings at the post. Had reported the fall of part of the intrenchments, and has no doubt the rest will follow on the first thaw. Provisions scarce; the pork is extremely bad, no venison nor fish and no relief to expect unless brought by the raven as in the case of Elias [Elijab]. Lod Townshend to the same. That he has been promoted to the rank of colonel by brevet. February 25, February 27, £7 62 Lieut. Guy to the same. Only one barrel of beef left; shall send the bateau when the creek opens and allow the men flour for beef. Returns sent. 63 Arthur Hamilton to the same. Sends returns, with remarks. Had got no receipts for rations, so that he will have to lose them unless Bouquet interfere. 64 March 2, Plumsted and Franks to the same. March 3, Hope for letters, &c. The report Paid a bill of Hamilton for salt, 66 63 Hoops to the same. Money matters. Good news from Monckton. Philadelphia. Re-pecting his tan works. March 5, Plumsted and Franks to the same. Their arrangements about beef, &c. Philadelphia. Report that a Spanish fleet has taken several ships and that all British ships had been detained in their ports. March 6, 69 Lieut. Blane to the same. That the loss of provisions is owing to the destruction by vermin. Respecting bateaux and canoes. Shall observe orders about the Indian traders, but requires a list of those allowed. 71 1762. March 9, Ligonier. March 12, Arthur Hamilton to Bouquet. Shall send returns. Has obtained a certificate of the destruction of provisions by vermin. Money matters.. Page 73 Governor Fauquier to the same. The Council, to whom he has commuWilliamsburg nicated his letter, (p. 27) respecting the proclamation against unauthorised settlers, has expressd great satisfaction. Persons who can make any right appear, it must be to lands far to the south of Fort Pitt, it never having been ascertained whether the lands about that Fort are in this Colony or in Pennsylvania, although he believes that the next packet will bring instructions for the absolute prohibition of all future settlements of lands not regularly ceded to the King's subjects by the Indians, which is to be by treaty, not by private purchase, March 12, March 14, March 15, 75 Lieut. Blane to the same. Will carry out the orders (about the liquor traffic?) but it is impossible to prevent the traders passing, unless a severe example be made. Sends down the first victim. Is the order positively to prevent rum from being sold to any ono whatever? 77 Same to the same. Sends lotters. Is he to allow an Indian t› trade on Croghan's licence? 78 H. Vassel to the same (in French). Thanks for kindness. Has been Philadelphia. able by his trade in the Islands to make enough to retire on to Switzerland, and regards him and Haldimand as the authors of his good fortune. The letter is purely personal. March 16, 79 Ensign Pauli to the same. Reports that the Indians in the neighFt. Sandusky. bourhood had been uneasy about the blockhouse, but there was no danger from them, as they had gone to war to the South. One of them had advised the Vindows (Wyandots) not to fight the Southern Indians as the Six Nations had joined them to strike the English and wished the Wyandots to join also. One of the Wyandots came back to report this to the English commanders. The messengers reported that they had seen with the Six Nations scalps and horses taken from the English, and that they were fitting out another party of 200 men for the same purpose. Tho Shawano o had also brought in scalps and horses. The meat turns out very bad, and venison is difficult to be had as the Indians do not think it worth their while to bring it in. March 17, March 20, March 24, 81 Ensign Holmes to the same. Reports the state of the stores. The Indians do not bring as much meat as is required and are constantly tormenting him for presents. There being no sutler, Mr. Crawford has offered to supply the place of one; he has been allowed to sell provided he get his (Bouquet's) leave. 83 5 Lieut. Dow to the same. Has seen the biles and casks, at New Philadelphia. York, but could Lot open them, and Amherst will give no orders as to removing them to Philadelphia, although he hints they would be best there; will wait till he receive his (Bouquet's) orders. What he has done about the clothing. No word from Martinico; reports from Jamaica are that orders were given to destroy all the Spanish ships, wherever they could be found. Capt. Schlosser to the same. Thanks for garden seeds, nails, &c. Hopes more seeds will arrive with the whiskey for the artificers, the only pay they expect. The lake still frozen, the snow deep and full winter weather. How he proposes to palisade the post. Asks for a carpenter, whom he cannot do without, also for oakum, pitch, &c. Arthur Hamilton to the same. That Mr. Fournier has selected hides, for which he is to come in two or three weeks. Sends returns. Alexander Lunan to the same. That Vandervelden, the partner of Philadelphia. Hamback, wishes to join him, and to obtain liberty to have their stores returned in the boats that carry up the King's stores March 25, Ligonier. March 27, 87 90 91 |