1764. May 31, burning their villages and destroying their corn. Points out the advantages and disadvantages of each of the plans proposed. How he could cooperate with Bradstreet, and that Sir William Johnson should send a message with terms of peace by one of the Six Nation Indians, the terms to be equivalent to those granted to the Senecas; if the terms are refused, an attack to be made on both sides. Encloses letter to Sir William Johnson to be read and forwarded. Page 402 Bouquet to Sir William Johnson. Asks his sentiments concerning the Philadelphia. operations against the Indians; and desires as full information as possible of their numbers, the number of troops required, the best method of attacking them, &c. States (giving the distances of each in detail) the different routes that might be followed to the Lower Shawanese town, and a list of the Delaware and Shawanese towns on the Ohio, upon the branches of Muskingum and upon Scioto. He depends on Indians as guides: some one to be sent to manage them; how are they to be fed, &c.? 405 June 5, June 7, June 7, Gage to Bouquet. Respecting the half-pay officers. &c. Accounts to be closed up; there will be some trouble with Ourry's, as articles belonging to all departments are mixed together. Respecting medicine, arms, &c. Thanks for the information about the navigation of the Ohio. There is no doubt the Delawares and Shawanese have been supplied from the Illinois and have endeavoured to stir up other Savages. The French will underhand give all the trouble they can, to keep the trade of the Illinois in their own hands. Conjecture as to the murderers whom he believes to be Susquehannas. Discusses the different plans for annoying the enemy, (the Indians); Bradstreet should cooperate with him, but the distanco prevents full communication between them. Bradstreet might be informed of the time of moving so that he could join. Sir William Johnson is too far off to consider the terms of peace; that must be done by himself (Bouquet). Return of the date of reduction, &c., in the battalion, &c. The trial of Hicks to proceed. Same to the same. Accounts sent back for correction, &3. 409 413 A note from the Secretary at War attached to this letter is in volume A 6, p. 21. Bouquet to Gage. New contract for supplying provisions to the Philadelphia. troops in America, the terms. Owing to the distance of the frontier posts, desires to know if they are to come under the terms of the new contract, and what are the arrangements about transport. Has had a meeting with the Governor and Commissioners who are to raise 300 men for frontier service which are not to be victualled by him, not being voted for the King's service. They (the Governor, &c.), are to garrison Fort Augusta and to give him 950 men including a troop of 50 light horse equipped by them, and are to send for 50 bloodhounds to be used against Indian scalping parties, so as to deter them from that kind of war. Has received his (Gage's) letters and shall send returns. How pay lists have been made up. Expects the rest of the battalion from Detroit, when order will be established (in respect to the position of the officers), which is now impossible in the present state of dispersion. Respecting deserters; the trial of Hicks, whose life may be spared so that he may serve as a guide. Quiet at Fort Pitt; more scalping on the frontiers, particularly at Bedford and Ligonier. June 9, 415 Same to the same. Sends lists of the officers of the first battalion of Philadelphia. the Royal Americans, reduced on 24th August, 1763, and the alterations to 24th May last. Remarks on the returns, &c. Has received accounts of new Indian depredations, which he has communicated to the Governor, who is urging haste in completing and equipping the provincial troops. Sends list of officers. 419 1764. June 10, New York. June 15, June 17, June 20, June 21, Gage to Bouquet. Remarks on the contract for supplying provisions at Philadelphia; supposes that the contractors will make no scruple of delivering at Carlisle. If they do, the settlement may be left to the Treasury. Is glad he has procured a troop of light cavalry; hopes the Governor and Council will pursue his plan of getting over bloodhounds, and making use of rangers on horseback, which will prevent scalping parties venturing near the frontiers. The means to be adopted for bringing in deserters. Bradstreet has orders to send the men of the battalion, who are now at Detroit to join their corps. Hicks will probably be condemned, but he may be spared if a better use of him can be made. Captains Prevost and Hutchison have left New York to join him (Bouquet). The curious state of Ourry's accounts, which are a medley, the only authority he had to receive or pay money being from General St Clair, his commission from him being invalid, as the General had no power to grant one. June 11tb. Returns received. Is sorry to hear of the shocking murders on the frontiers. Page 425 Bouquet to Gage. No advice being received of the new contract, presumes they must act on the old; has consequently ordered Plumsted and Franks to form a magazine at Fort Loudoun, 43 miles beyond Carlisle. His suggestions as to the supply of fresh provisions; how transport can be provided, &c., for Fort Pitt. 423 Amnesty offered by Gage to deserters from the first battalion Royal Americans. 422 Gage to Bouquet. Is greatly concerned at the horrid murders committed on the frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The Virginians have resolved to abandon their posts and close towards the settled country, but the Indians will find out these settled frontiers; they seem well supplied with ammunition. Respecting unauthorised contracts made by Monckton, and how he is to act regarding them when fresh meat is wanted. Is at present busy getting vessels off for the Floridas. 429, Bouquet to Gage. The delays in furnishing money and men by the Philadelphia. Government of Pennsylvania. The delay having lost the advantage of cooperating with Bradstreet it become of less consequence to wait a little longer, as they could not without great risk and difficulty_pene. trate in summer beyond the Ohio where there are no roads. In the beginning of October, the leaves and weeds decay and the woods are more open. Hopes to do all that can be expected, that is to go to the Lower Shawanese Town. Bradstreet will be near his return by October, and on the first of that month he might make a diversion from Erie. A number of volunteers from Virginia would join if allowed provisions and ammunition. Should Governor Fauquier be asked for his approval, before their offer is accepted, or might he dispense with that and invite them to join him at Fort Pitt on the 1st of October? He will have with drivers, &c., about 2000 persons to feed, requiring 3000 pack horses to carry six months flour, besides a year's provisions to be left at each fort. The ammunition, stores, baggage, 1600 beeves, &c., must be divided, it being impossible through such a country and roads to march the whole together. His arrangement for convoys. Has, he hopes, settled accounts with the contractors, in which he has made considerable deductions. Their large claims for losses of provisions on the road are referred to the Treasury. A copy of the new contract has been sent, unsigned; point out defects in its terms, and states the arrangements he has made for carrying out the new contract. Has employed a clerk. Orders for recruiting in Great Britain complied with, and Lieut. Shaw appointed. Asks leave to grant brevets for Majors during the campaign. Clothing for the 55th arrived damaged. Rations, &c. 432 1764. June 22, New York. June 23, Gage to Bouquet. Further respecting contracts for fresh beef, &c. Page 437 Bouquet to Gage. Letters received. No detriment can arise to the Philadelphia. Crown from former delays about the new contract. June 29, July 4, July 5, New York. July 5, July 10, July 18, 439 Gage to Bouquet. Respecting the settlement of contractors' accounts. Ourry's are being divided according to the department to which they belong. How the accounts are to be settled. Hopes Captain Ourry and Colonel Robertson will soon he with him (Bouquet). He will gain nothing by applying to the Government of Virginia, it will end in calling a council, which will talk of nothing but law and advise every thing to disappoint him. The best way is to get as many volunteers as possible, and say nothing about it as there it no need to ask permission to take volunteers. Captain Fraser's promotion sent; brevets for majors to be filled up during the campaign. 440 Same to the same. Is sending this by Captain Ourry. Respecting accounts. Warrants for batt and forage will be sent, but he (Bouquet) is to be paid separately for rations as Brigadier with the rest of the staff. How the other accounts, &c., are to be settled. 442 Same to the same. Has received report of survey on the clothing of the 55th regiment. Hopes the Indians will not remain so long with Sir William Johnson as to prevent them from giving him (Bouquet) assistance. Will write Sir William for he (Bouquet) must have faithful Indians as well as other assistance. Hopes he can persuade he Virginian and frontier men of Maryland and Pennsylvania to join. Mr. McKee and other Indian officers, &c., are to look to Sir William Johnson for their pay. McKee and the others with him (Bouquet) may send their accounts direct, so as to save time in drawing out warrants. Is tired of accounts, which hinder other necessary work. 444 Same to the same. Asks him to advise with Lieut. Colonel Robertson relative to the better carrying on of the Quartermaster General's Department at Fort Pitt, so that the country people may be paid without delay. Remarks on accounts for postage, expresses, transport of baggage, &c. Regulations to be made for transport. How works are to be carried on at the forts, and rules to be laid down for everything done in his district. Sends accounts for loss of necessaries in the action of August last to be settled in accordance with Amherst's letter. 446 Same to the same. Two blank commissions for majors and one for lieutenant color el sent; the last only to be used on an emergency. The care to be taken in having provisions inspected and the prices to be paid. 449 Same to the same. The quick return of Lieut. Colonel Robertson from Philadelphia; the arrangements for the Quarter Master General's Department. Has written to Sir William Johnson to procure a body of Indians, and to Bradstreet to make in October a diversion in his (Bouquet's) favour. Gladwin is of opinion that there can be no peace unless a stroke is mado on some of the tribes in arms. An artillery man has been scalped on the carrying place. Is sorry that there should be a doubt of his having 1,000 men for the proposed attack; volunteers should be encouraged; has given his reasons for not writing the Governor on that head; Mr. Fauquier's letter showed the backwardness of the Council to afford assistance. It appears that the Governor can do nothing without the Council, and the Council will do nothing but thwart the Governors, there is no occasion to ask leave to get volunteers, and he shall not be the better for doing it. Has no doubt that Franks will use every chicanery to get his demands paid. Concerning provisions, money, &c. 451 1761. August 2, New York. August 3, Gage to Lieut. Potts, that he should have considered before he resigned his Adjutancy, and had plenty of time to consider before his successor's commission was signed. Half pay officers cannot be allowed to go on this campaign and draw full pay. If he is inclined to serve on his half pay and Bouquet approves, he shall have no objections and shall reinstate him in the army when an opportunity shall offer. Page 454 455 Same to Bouquet. Letters received. Arrangements respecting certain officers, for the service with Bouquet in the approaching campaign. The staff for America being made up in London. No change in the government of Quebec. August 16, Governor Penn to the same. The commissioners have complied with Philadelphia. his request, though it was considered unreasonable, no such claim having been made for any previous campaign and the musters at Lancaster and Carlisle showing that the battalions wanted only 28 men for whom commissions and money had been left with him. It was, therefore, expected that he would supply the deficiency without further charge to the Government (of Pennsylvania), but the desertion had induced them to come into his measures. Steps taken to prevent desertion. Medicines shall be sent up. He is empowered to draw for the sum allowed by the commissioners to complete the troops. Returns received from Colonel Francis. Wishes for his success, &c. August 18, August 27, 456 Gage to the same. Letters received. Decrease of provincial troops from desertion, &c. Hopes recruiting will be successful. The blamable conduct of Col. Stephen has been represented to Mr. Fauquier, as he has been obstructing the public service. The good character of Colonel Lewis. His (Bouquet's) powers in respect to courts martial. About 1,600 Indians were at Niagara ; the risk if they were ill disposed, kept Bradstreet too long upon the carrying place, the Chennussees (Chennusio) not there, but ultimately made a new peace and came in with their families and all their prisoners; they have brought in the Delawares to make their peace also. Except the Hurons, some Mississaugas and some Chippewas, none of the tribes sent deputies who had borne arms in hostility. During the Congress the Wyandots, Ottawas and Pottan atomies had sent in their prisoners to Detroit and saved themselves from being attacked. Bradstreet has orders us to make a formal peace with these nations or to fall on them; the Shawanese and Delawares have sent in a challenge, and he has been ordered to march and attack the nations on the Scioto at the time fixed by him (Bouquet). Trusts that between them these barbarians will pay dearly for their massacres. Bradstreet left for Detroit on the 6th with about 500 Indians. Sir William Johnson has been desired to send Indians to him (Bouquet). The Cherokees have sent out a few parties against the Shawanese; they might be more useful, but that they are on the eve of war with the Creeks. Lieut. Governor Ball is informed of the plans of the French to bring provisions up the Ohio; the Cherokees to be got to intercept them. 458 Same to the same. Has received report of court martial, which he returns approved; if there is any room for mercy it is to be exercised. Is glad to hear that Colonel Reid has marched from Fort Loudoun, and that there is a good prospect of beginning the expedition at the time appointed. The Shawanese and Delawares must feel the weight of resentment or no peace can be expected. He is to listen to no proposal for peace unless the promoters of the war are given into his hands to be put to death. No answer has yet been received from Sir William Johnson respecting Indians for Fort Pitt. Holland has arrived at Quebec and brought Murray's commission as governor; those for the lieutenant governors are not yet arrived. 461 1764. September 2, New York. September 15, September 15, September 25, October 1, New York. Gage to Lieut. Potts. Is astonished at receiving articles of a peace concluded between Bradstreet and the Shawanese and Delawares, without obtaining any satisfaction for the cruelties these barbarians have been guilty of, and serving only as the basis for future massacres. Sends answer to Bradstreet, which is to be got into his hands by some means. It will show his (Gage's) opinion of the peace. He annulls and disapproves it. "Attack and use every means to extirpate the Delawares and Shawanese, and listen to no terms till they deliver the promoters of the war into your hands to be put to death, and send their deputies to Sir William Johnson to sue for peace.' He may write Bradstreet about the mutual assistance they can give each other. Presumes Bradstreet is at Sandusky, as he has given the Savages 25 days to bring all the prisoners there. Page 463 Same to the same. Finds by his letter just received, that the villains who have been amusing Bradstreet with overtures of peace on the side of Lake Erie, have been committing murders on the frontier with their usual cruelty. The deputies could not have represented the nations they pretended; they would have been furnished with more belts and gone to the Congress at Niagara. The bad effect of granting them a peace on the first asking. All the nations must be informed of the treachery of the Shawanese and Delawares as the reason for proceeding against them. Letters scnt to be forwarded to Bradstreet with the samo instructions. Sir William Johnson has sent a party of Mohawks to be joined by others, to meet him (Bouquet) at Fort Pitt. His desire is for peace and such satisfaction given as will ensure its duration 465 Same to the same. The villains who have been amusing Bradstreet with overtures of peace on the side of Lak› Erie, are still committing murders on the frontiers. The transaction seems only intended to deceive Bradstreet; they were certainly never deputed by their tribes, or they would have been better provided with belts and gone to General Congress at Niagara. Care must be taken not to be accused of an infrac tion of the peace grauted, should they, contrary to his expectation, deliver up their prisoners at Sandusky, as they have already broken it by their continued massacres, ard of this the other nations must be informed. Sir William Johnson will do this to the nations near him, and he (Bouquet) must let the others know of the infidelity of the Shawanese and Delawares and that such cannot deceive; that this is the reason of proceeding against them till they make satisfaction. Sends letters for Bradstreet to be forwarded. Sir William Johnson has sent Mohawks to be joined by others from Susquehanna to meet him (Bouquet) at Fort Pitt. Ho de ires peace and such satisfaction as shall ensure its duration and trusts he (Bouquet) will do all that can contribute to this end. 467 Same to the same. Has received letters with affidavits against Stephen which are very strong. Bradstreet met going up the Ohio; he has not yet finished with the Shawanese and Delawares, who are never in a hurry to give up prisoners even when sincere. Nothing but fear will bring them to reason, and if they find they can amuse Bradstreet they will do so till it is too late to act and then insult him and begin their horrid murders. Nothing but fear will prevent this, and is happy that he (Bouquet) is in a position to march against them. Only when they see they can be punished can they be made to keep the peace. Movements of troops. Six companies of his (Bouquet's) battalion must he placed this winter at Albany; 8 companies of the Royal H ghland Regiment are to be left at Pittsburgh and on that communication. 469 Same to the same. Letter of the 16th received. The villanies of the perfidious savages are endless; the other Indians, especially the Hurons |