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974.4 

M335C 

Ser.l  ,v.7 

1169669 


M. 


«ENEAL,0<3Y  COULBCTION 


ALLEN  COUNTY  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


3  1833  01101  0128 


COLLECTIONS 


GF    THE 


MASSACHUSETTS 


HISTORICAL     SOCIETY, 


For  the  Year  M,DCCC. 


Printed  by  Samuel  Hall,  No.  S3)  Cornhill,  Boston. 
1801. 


J_  X  o  V..'  o  "o  ^ 

The  Hiftorical  Society  holds  not  itfelf  "refponfible  for 
every  thing,*'  which  appears  in  its  Collections.  If 
any  reprefentation  is  not  fupported  by  good  authorities, 
it  is  open  to  temperate  difcuflion.  Perfonal  fatire  is 
here  inadmiflible.  It  is  requilite  that  he,  who  combats 
any  real  or  fuppofed  error,  give  his  reafons,  or  authori- 
ties, difpailionately  ;  and  thus  prove  that  he  is  contend- 
ing, not  for  victory,  but  for  truth.  This  is  the  only 
becoming  conteft  in  the  republic  of  letters. 

Quid  verum  atque  decens  cuio  et  rogo,  et  omnis  in  hoc  fum. 

The  anonymous  writer  of  the  following  article  v*dll, 
hence,  perceive  why  fome  of  his  remarks  are  fuppref- 
fed. 

■Remarks  on  "A  History  of  Salem.** 

1  HE  learning,  the  refpe^lability,  the  known  merits  of 
the  Hiftorical  Society,  awe  an  individual,  and  command 
rcfpect  to  what  is  publifhed  under  their  fanclion.  Yet  as 
it  may  be  doubtful  whether  they  feel  refponfible  for  every 
thing,  which  particular  members,  or  correfpondents,  may 
communicate,  it  becomes  a  duty  to  point  out  any  excep- 
tionable paffages  in  their  publications.  If  this  be  not 
done,  the  weight  of  their  influence  may  tend  to  give  au- 
thority to  error,  and  pervert  public  opinion. 

This,  we  hope,  will  apologize  for  a  few  remarks  on  "A 
Hiflory  of  Salem,"  pubHflied  by  the  Hiftorical  Society. 

Palling  over  feveral  other  things,  the  character  given  of 
Mr.  Roger  Williams  particularly  provokes  examination. 
The  portrait  of  him,  drawn  in  this  hiftory,  is  fo  unlike 
that,  left  by  his  cotemporaries  and  acquaintance,  that  were 
it  not  for  the  na?ne,  no  mortal  would  imagine  it  defigned 
for  the  fame  perfon.  If  the  learned  hiftorian  have  any  au- 
thorities for  what  he  aiTerts,  it  would  have  been  kind  in 
him,  and  fatisfadory  to  his  readers,  had  he  admitted  them 
to  fee  the  new  difcovery  for  themfelves.  No  authority  is 
quoted.  But  in  page  246  he  fays,  though  "  Mr.  Williams 
blamed  the  adminiftration,  he  did  not  oppofe  it"    In  the 

fame 


(       iv       ) 

fame  page  he  fays,  he  "  could  be  perfuaded,  but  not  com* 
pelled,  to  renounce  his  opinions.**  In  page  249  he  fays, 
that,  "  In  Salem  every  perfon  loved  Mr.  WilUams  ;  that 
he  had  no  perfonal  enemies  under  any  pretence.'*  In  page 
245  he  fays,  that  Mr.  Wilhams,  "  throughout  aU  his  life, 
fupported  a  high  place  in  their  affe^llons,  as  a  truly  godly 
man.**  Again  he  fays,  that  "  kind  treatment  could  win 
him  J  that  he  always  had  addrefs  enough,  with  his  firm- 
nefs,  never  to  be  forfaken  by  the  friends  he  had  ever  gain- 
ed ;  that  he  breathed  the  pureft  devotion.** 

We  will  make  no  reflections,  but  appeal  to  feveral  wri- 
ters, who  lived  nearer  the  fcene  of  adion  ;  fome  of  whom 
faw  this  comet  blazing  in  his  eccentric  orb.  One  of  them, 
Morton,  informs  us  that  "  Williams  refufed  the  oath  of 
fidelity  himfelf,  and  taught  others  fo  to  do  :  that  he  alfo 
fpake  dangerous  words  againft  the  patent,  v/hich  was  the 
foundation  of  the  government.'* 

Mather  tells  us,  that  this  "  hot-headed  man  publicly  and 
fiiriouJJy  preached  againft  the  patent  \'  that  "  he  violently 
withjiood  the  oath  of  fideUty."  I  might  quote  from  Gov- 
ernor  Winthrop,  Hutchinfon,  and  Hubbard,  to  prove  the 
fame  fact.  Was  not  here  oppofition  to  the  adminiftration, 
as  powerful  as  he  could  make  ? 

Equally  violent  was  his  oppoiition  to  church  adminiftra- 
tion.  Morton  fays,  that  "  he  procured  the  church  of  Sa- 
lem*s  confent  unto  letters  of  admonition,  which  were  writ- 
ten and  fent  by  him  in  their  name  to  the  churches  of 
Bofton,  Cliarleftown,  and  Newtown.**  What  Pontiff  at 
Rome  would  have  done  more  ? 

The  fame  author  informs  us  that  Williams,  "  growing 
more  violent,  immured  in  his  own  houfe,  fent  a  letter  to 
his  church,  which  was  read  in  public,  threatening  that  if 
they  would  not  feparate  not  only  from  the  churches  of 
Old  England,  but  from  the  churches  of  New-England  too, 
he  would  feparate  from  them."  The  church  did  not  com- 
ply with  fuch  a  mad  propofil,  and  therefore  he  did  fepa- 
rate from  ibc?n.j  and  fet  up  a  meeting  in  "  his  own  houfe, 
to  which  divers  of  the  weaker  fort  repaired."  Thus  v/as 
he  forfaken  ;  yet  the  prefent  hiftorian  afferts,  "  that  he  al- 
ways had  addrefs  enough — never  to  be  forfaken  by  the 
friends,  he  had  ever  gained."  He  alfo  afferts  that  "  In  Sa- 
lem 


(         V         ) 

lem  every  perfon  loved  him."  Stubborn  facts  repel  thefe 
aflertions,  and  other  writers  contradid  them. 

The  lame  remark  wiU  apply,  when  he  fays  that  Williams 
"  could  be  perfuaded,  and  that  kind  treatment  could  win 
him."  Governor  Hutchinfon  fays,  that  "  endeavours  were 
ufed  to  reclaim  him,  but  to  7io  purpofe.'*  Mather  fays,  that 
"  before  the  court  proceeded  to  banifh  this  incendiary, 
they  advifed  with  the  pallors  of  the  neighbouring  church- 
es,*' "  whq  requejled  that  they  would  forbear  profecuting 
him  till  they  and  their  churches  had  in  a  church  way  en- 
deavoured his  conviction  and  repentance."  Their  propo- 
fal  was  allowed.  "  The  church  of  Bofton,  and  feveral 
other  churches,  took  the  beft  pains  they  could,  and  though 
they  brought  the  church  of  Salem  to  join  with  them,  the 
effeft  on  Williams  was,  that  he  renounced  them  all  as  no 
churches."  And  though  the  church  of  Salem  gave  him 
up,  and  joined  with  thofe,  Vv^ho  admoniflied  him  ;  yet 
this  writer  fays,  that  "  every  perfon  loved  him,  and  that 
he  had  addrefs  enough  never  to  be  forfaken  by  the  friends 
he  had  ever  gained." 

With  equal  propriety  he  fays,  Williams  "  breathed  the 
pureft  devotion."  As  he  has  not  produced  any  fample  of 
his  devotion,  the  talk  is  ours.  Writers,  who  had  at  leaft 
as  good  opportunities  as  this  hiftorian,  fay,  that  after  he 
feparated  from  his  people,  "  he  never  more  came  to  the 
church  alTembly  ;  he  withdrew  all  private  religious  com- 
munion from  any,  who  held  communion  with  them"  ; 
"  he  would  not  pray  with  his  own  wife  and  family,  nor 
alk  a  bleffing  at  meals  with  them,  becaufe  they  went  to 
the  church  aifemblies." 

Finally,  after  his  banilhment  as  a  peft  of  fociety,  "  he 
turned  Anabaptift,  (fays  Morton)  then  told  his  deluded 
followers,  he  was  out  of  the  way  himfelf,  and  had  mifled 
them,  for  he  did  not  find  that  there  v/as  any  upon  earth  that 
could  adminifter  baptifm,  and  therefore  their  laft  baptifm 
was  a  nullity  as  well  as  their  hrft,  and  therefore  they  muft 
lay  down  all,  and  v/ait  for  the  coming  of  new  apoftles  ;  fo 
they  diffolved  themfelves." 


CONTENTS* 


History  of  Cambridge,  by  Abiel  Holmes,  A.  M. 

a  member  of  the  Hiftorical  Society,  -  -  "      .    '     * 

Review   of  the  military  operations  in  North-America, 

from  the  year  i753  to  the  furrender  of  Ofw^go,  m  1756,  67 

Introduaion.—American  colonies  too  long  neglected,  tnough  ot 
general  importance— More  confidered  on  the  reduftion  ot  l^ouU- 
bourP—Charafler  of  Governor  Shirley-His  attention  to  colony 
affairs-Is  rewarded  with  a  regiment,  and  fent  commiffary  to  1  a- 
ns.— (i7ca.)    The  French  encroach  on  Virginia.— Mefrage  to  the 
iommandant-lt  is  anfwered.-(i754.)     Virginians  apply  for  aid 
to  the  colonies— but   they   generally  excufe   themfelves.— forces 
raifed  under  Col.  Wafhington— who  had  fuccefsful  fkirmiftes  with 
the    enemy— but   v/as   afterwards    fubdued   by  numbers.— Conle- 
quenc-s  of  his  defeat.— Grand  congrefs  at  Albany. — Indians  de- 
lay attendance,  and  the  reafons— Commiffioners,  and  how  ranked. 
^Indians  pleaf^d  with  the  prefents,  but  blame  our  conduct— Plan 
of  union-Approved  by    all,  except  De  Lancey.-His  charader 
and  hiftory— His  appointment  to  the  government,  and  fyftem  of 
politics— His  fpccch  to  the  council  and   affembly.— Affembly  s 
evafive  anfwer.—Obfer-ation^    on    this   addrefs.— Numerous   and 
fulfome  addreffes  to  the  Lieut.  Governor.— His  Je^'f>"fy— ^"'J.  "J-- 
vcrfal  influence.— Refleaions  on  popular  merit.— Charaaer  of  Mr. 
Thomas  Pownal.— Anecdotes  refpeding  a  piece  he  puahlhed.— 
Shirley  ereds  forts  on  Kennebec— ( 1755- )     He  defigns  an  e:<pe- 
dition  a^rainft  Crown-Point.— De  Lancey  endeavours  to  obftruft  the 
concurrence  of  New-York— but  in  vain.— Braddock  convenes  the 
S^overnors,  and  fettles  the  operations.-Shirley  returns  to  Bofton, 
to  piepare  for  the  northern  expedition-and  fails  for  Aibany.-- 
Nova-Scotia  reduced.— Biaddock  marches  from  Fort  Cumberland. 
—To  what  caufes  the  defeat  was  afcribed.— Dunbar  retreats  pre- 
cipitately  to  Fort  Cumberland— Maj .  Gen.  Shirley  affumes  the  com, 
mand— Is  detained  at  Albany.— Route  to  Ofwego.— Troops  pro- 
ceed  to  that  garrifon.— Six  Nations  averfe  to  the  Niagara  expedition, 
and  why.— Johnfon  holds  a  conference  with  them.— Anecdote  ot 
Tohnfon  and  Shirley. -Faflion  formed  againft  the  Genera  ,  and  oc- 
cafion  of  it.— Evil  effefls  of  it.— Dunbar  marches  to  Philadelphia. 
—Frontiers  of  Virginia  left  cxpofcd.— She  provides  for  her  frontier 

defence  alone De  Lancey 's  management  with  refpcd  to  the  rein- 

forcement—His  influence  over  the  alfembly.-His  PoP^^^^y  de- 
clines —He  fpcures  the  ear  of  his  fucceffor.- Lyman  builds  a  fort 
at  the  carrying-place.— Dieikau  defigns  to  reduce  Ofwego— but  is 
diverted!LHc^^.arches  to  attack  General  Johnfon.-Hxs  nregu- 


CONTENTS.  vii 

lars  averfe  to  the  attack  of  Fort  Edward. — He  moves  agalnfl  our 
camp — and  meets  our  detachment. — He  is  defeated,  and  taken 
prifoner. — Gallant  behaviour  of  M'Ginnes. — Remark  on  Wraxal's 
imagination. — The  enemy  not  purfued. — The  Indians  joined  not 
in  the  aflion — and  left  our  army  after  it. — Major-General  Lyman 
malicioufly  charged  with  cowardice. — Remarks  on  Johnfon's  rea- 
fons  for  not  purfuing  the  enemy,  or  profecuting  his  expedition. — 
Refledions  on  the  fortune  and  condudl  of  this  General. — Why  this 
aflion  was  greatly  exaggerated. — Shirley  abfurdly  cenfured. — 
Courfe  of  proceedings  at  Ofwego. — A  council  of  war  held  there. — 
The  General  reprefents  the  ftate  of  affairs,  and  informs  the  council 
of  his  intelligences. — Preparations  to  proceed  on  the  Niagara  ex- 
pedition.— Prevented  by  the  weather. — Another  council  of  war 
held. — Their  opinion,  and  advice  to  lay  afide  the  expedition,  and 
ftrengthen  Ofwego — which  was  carried  into  execution. — ^The  Gen- 
eral labours  to  eftablifli  the  Indians  in  our  intereft — and  returns  to 
Albany. — French  defign  to  cut  off  Ofwego. — Sir  Charles  Hardy 
calls  in  the  militia  on  a  falfe  alarm. — Tranfaftions  in  New-York 
between  Sir  Charles  Hardy  and  his  afTembly.- — Anecdote  of  Sir 
Danvers  Ofbome. — Sir  Charles  Hardy's  fpeech  to  his  affembly. — 
Their  anfwer. — Their  behaviour  different  from  what  it  was  in 
Clinton's  time,  and  the  reafon. — Grand  council  of  war  convened 
at  New-York  for  fettling  the  operations  for  1 756. — The  General 
delivers  his  fentiments  to  the  council — and  propofes  his  plan  of 
operations — which  was  approved  Avith  feme  little  alterations. — De- 
fign againft  Ticonderoga,  in  the  winter,  defeated. — The  cabal 
againfl  the  General  ftrengtheued,  and  by  what  caufes. — Mr.  Pow- 
nal's  behaviour  to  the  Governor  of  New-Jerfey. — He  procures  one 
Evans  to  publifh  invedives  againfl  the  General. — Great  pains 
taken  to  prejudice  Mr,  Shirley  both  in  England  and  America. — 
Reflexions  on  the  fruitlefs  operations  of  1755. — The  importance 
of  the  New-England  colonies  in  military  matters. — Shirley  obliged 
to  vifit  his  own  government — (1756)  and  with  diihculty  obtains 
their  concurrence  in  another  expedition. — Lieut.  Gov,  De  Lancey 
refumes  his  feat  on  the  bench,  though  his  office  of  chief  juflice  was 
becoine  extindt. — The  opinion  of  a  gentleman  of  the  law  with  re- 
fpedt  to  it. — De  Lancey  obliges  the  Governor  to  pafs  two  adts  of 
afTembly. — Intelligence  from  England — agreeable  to  Mr.  Shirley's 
adverfaries,  and  why. — The  General  arrives  at  Albany,  and  calls 
a  council  of  war — and  acquaints  them  with  the  fituation  of  af- 
fairs.— Capt.  Rogers,  an  adive  officer,  gains  intelligence,  of  which 
the  General  informs  the  council. — Their  opinion  and  advice.— 
Major-General  Abercrombie  takes  the  command  of  the  army. — 
Sir  William  Johnfon  holds  a  conference  at  Onondago. — Forty 
companies  of  batteau-men  raifed,  and  their  great  ufefulnefs. — A 

fmall  pofl  cut  off  in  the  Indian  country Gov.  Sharpe's  defigned 

attempt  on  Fort  Du  Quefne  fails. — Circumflances  of  Indian  af- 
fairs to  the  northward. — Situation  of  our  affairs  with  the  fouthem 
Indians. — Sir  William  Johnfon's  condudl  confidered. — Account  of 
a  gallant  aftion  of  our  batteau-men  under  Capt.  Eradllreet. — Brad- 

flreet 


vUi  CONTENTS. 

Page 
ftreet  gives  intelligence  of  the  enemy's  defign  to  attack  Ofwego. 
— Lord    Loudon  arrives. — Our  prefent  force,  and  that  of  th^ 
French. — Ofwego  taken  by  the  French,  and  the  garrifon  made 

prifoners    of    Avar. Circumftances    of   the    fiege    unknoAvn. 

— — Batteau-men    imprudently    difcharged. General    Webb's 

march  delayed. — Unhappy  confequences  of  the  lofs  of  this  im- 
portant pofl.— The  colonies  not  fo  powerful  as  imagined. — 
General   reflexions   upon   the   whole,     -  -  -  -     i6o 

Defcription  of  Wifcaffet,  and  of  the  river  Sheepfcot, 

by  Rev.  Alden  Bradford,  Miniftcr  at  Wifcaffet,  S.  H.  S.     -      16$ 

Witham  Marflie's  Journal  of  the  Treaty  held  \vith  the 

Six  Nations,  at  Lancafler,  June,  1744.     -  -  -         -  ^1^ 

Lift  of  pubHc  offices,  ecclefiaftical  preferments,  &c.  in 

Maryland,  with  their  revenues,       -  -  ^  -     202 

Union  of  the  Britilh  American  colonies,  as  propofed 

in  the  year  1754,         -  ~  -  -  -         -  203 

Report  of  a  committee  of  the  affembly  of  Connec- 
ticut, refpefting  the  foregoing  plan  of  union,     -         -        -   207 

The  Reafons  offered,  by  the  Affembly  of  Connecticut, 

concerning  the  plan  of  union,       .  -  -  -       210 

Petitions,  &c.  from  members  of  the  church  of  Eng- 
land, in  Bofton,  refpedling  bifhops,     -  -  -  -  215 

An  Account  of  the  trade  and  Clipping  of  Newfound- 
land in  1799,     --  "■  -  -  -  -2191 

Number  of  Britifh  fubjecls  in  the  colonies  of  North- 
America,  in  the  year  1755,    -----  220 

A  Bill  for  better  regulating  of  charter  and  proprietary 

governments  in  America,      -----  ibid. 

Dedications  to  the  Rev.  John  Eliot's  Indian  verfion 

of  the  Old  and  New  Teftament,      -  -  -  -  222 

Sir  Thomas  Temple's  Apology  for  coinage  in  MalTa- 

chufetts,       -  -  -  -  -  -  -    228 

Heads  of  Inquiry,  relative  to  the  ftate  and  condition 
of  Connefticut,  fignified  by  his  majefty's  fecretary  of  ftate, 
in  1773,  with  the  anfwers,  returned  by  the  governor,  in  1774,  231 
Some  account  of  the  fevere  drought  in  1749,    -       -  239 
Grand  Jury's  Bill  againft  Mary  Ofgood,      -  -     241 

Biographical  Notice  of  the  Rev.  James  Noyes,  firft 

minifter  of  Newbury,         -  -  -  -  -       242 

Defcription    and    hiftorical   account    of  the    Ifles   of 

Shoals,         ...----   ibid. 

Ecclefiaftical    Hiftory   of  MafTachufetts   and    the   old 

colony  of  Ply  mouth,        -  -  -  -  ^      z6z 


COLLECTIONS 

OF     THE 

MASSACHUSETTS    HISTORICAL    SOCIETY, 

For  the  Year   1800.  , 


The  History  of  Cambridge.     By  Abiel  Holmes,  A.M, 
A  Member  of  the  Society. 

forfan  et  haec  olim  meminifTe  juvabit.  Virgil, 


A   topographical  Defcription  of  Ca7nbridge.* 

CAMBRIDGE  is  a  fliire  town,  in  the  county  of  Mid- 
dlefex.  It  lies  in  42°.  23'.  north  latitude,  and  7 1  ° . 
weft  longitude  from  London.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north- 
eaft  by  Charleftown  ;  on  the  north-weft  by  Lexington  ; 
on  the  weft  by  Watertown  ;  on  the  fouth-weft  by  New- 
ton ;  on  the  fouth  by  Brooldine,  and  on  the  fouth-eaft 
and  eaft  by  Cambridge  bay  to  Charleftown  line. 

It  is  about  three  miles  diftant  from  Bofton,  on  a  right 
line  ;  eight  miles,  as  meafured  on  the  road  leading  through 
Brookline  and  Roxbury  ;  about  four  miles  and  a  half 
through  Charleftown  ;  and  three  miles,  one  quarter,  and 
fixty  rods  from  the  old  ftate-houfe,  by  the  v/ay  of  Weft- 
Bofton  bridge. 

The  foil  is  various.     In  the  fouth-weft  part  of  the  town, 

within  a  mile  of  Charles  river,  the  land  is  hilly,  and  abounds 

in  fprings.     The  foil  is  loamy,  and  natural  to  grafs.     hi 

the 

*  For  this  Defcripthn,  I  am  principally  indebted  to  my  worthy 
friend,  and  refpeftable  pariftioner,  Caleb  Gannett,  Efquir-:. 

B 


2  T/je  Hi/lory  of  Cambridge. 

the  north-wefl  part  of  the  town,  the  land  is  hilly,  and  lim- 
ilar  to  that  in  the  Ibuth-weft  part.  The  hills,  in  each  part, 
afford  large  quantities  of  Hone  for  mafon's  work.  From 
the  foot  of  the  hills  on  the  fouth  fide  of  Charles-river,  ex- 
cepting a  quantity  of  marlh  of  about  300  acres  on  each 
fide,  the  foil  is  moftly  light,  and  intermixed  with  loam, 
lying  upon  a  ftratum  of  clay,  at  tlie  depth  of  fifteen  or 
twenty  feet,  though  at  fome  places  it  runs  to  or  near  the 
furface.  The  foil  is  the  fame  through  the  firft  parifh,  and 
Menotomy  plains.  On  the  fides  of  the  rivulet,  which  di- 
vides the  lirft  and  fecond  pariilies,  there  is  a  large  quantity 
of  meadow  land,  producing  but  little  grafs,  and  of  an  in- 
ferior quality.  This  meadow,  however,  abounds  with 
peat,  which  is  ufed  by  the  poorer  inhabitants  for  fuel. 

The  original  growth  of  the  land  was  oak,  walnut,  and 
pine.  The  orchards,  planted  by  the  firft  fettlers,  flouriflied 
greatly.  The  few  ancient  trees  now  remaining,  being  of 
a  much  larger  fize  than  any  planted  within  half  a  century, 
denote  vegetation  to  have  been  much  more  vigorous  in 
former  than  in  later  years.  From  this  caufe,  the  quantity 
of  fruit  is  greatly  diminifhed. 

The  plains,  though  not  fruitful  in  grafs,  are  well  adapted 
to  the  railing  of  Indian  corn,  winter  rye,  and  the  common 
efcuient  vegetables. 

From  the  hilly  and  diverfified  furface  of  feveral  parts, 
and  the  paffage  of  Charles  river  through  the  middle,  of 
the  town,  it  might  be  fiippofed  that  the  air  is  very  pure. 
Experience  confirms  the  fuppofition.  Many  of  the  inhab- 
itants have  attained  great  longevity  ;  and  invalids,  from 
other  towns,  have  realized  the  beneficial  effecls  of  a  falu- 
brious  air  from  a  temporary  refidence  in  the  town.  Per- 
fons  afflided  with  chronic  diforders  have  alfo  received  ad- 
ditional advantages,  and  fometimes  effedlual  relief,  by  the 
life  of  the  waters  in  a  chalybeate  fpring  in  the  fouth-weft 
parifh. 

The  largcft  river  in  Cambridge  is  Charles  river,  which 
is  navigable  to  the  bridge  leading  to  Brookiine,  for  vefTels 
of  ninety  tons,  and  for  lighters  to  Watertown. 

Three  ponds  head  a  rivulet,  which  divides  the  lirft  and 
fecond  paridies,  and  which  empties  itfelf  into  Myftic  rivCr. 
The  filli,  ufualiy  to  be  found  in  frelh  rivers  and  ponds, 

mav 


The  Hijiory  of  Cambridge.  3 

may,  in  their  feafon,  be  caught  in  thefe  waters.  Ancient- 
ly, the  alewife  filhery  was  of  confiderable  value,  Exclu- 
iive  of  the  purpofe  of  exportation,  the  hfh  were  ufed  as 
manure  for  the  land.*  This  fifliery  is,  at  prefent,  of  little 
confequence. 

In  the  north-weft  pariih,  in  Cambridge,  on  a  fmall  brook, 
which  originates  in  Lexington,  and  empties  itfelf  into 
Myftic  river,  there  are  one  faw  mill,  and  three  grift  mills. 
Perfons,  tranfporting  their  grain  from  the  north-weft  part 
of  the  ftate  to  Bofton,  might  avail  themfelves  of  thefe  mills, 
with  convenience,  to  convert  it  into  meal ;  and  thus  ren- 
der it  more  faleable  in  the  market. 

In  the  fame  parilli,  there  is  a  card  manufactory  which 
does  great  honour  to  American  ingenuity.  The  machine, 
ufed  in  this  manufactory,  by  a  hmple  operation,  bends, 
cuts,  and  fticks  the  card  teeth.  It  was  invented  in  the 
Ipring  of  1797,  by  Amos  Whittemore,  of  Cambridge  ;  and, 
on  the  firft  of  September,  1799,  William  Whittemore  and 
company  commenced  buiinefs.  Twenty-three  machines, 
now  in  operation,  ftick  two  hundred  dozen  pairs  of  cards, 
on  an  average,  every  week.  Forty  perfons,  male  and  fe- 
male, employed  in  this  manufactory,  complete  the  above- 
mentioned  number,  weekly,  for  fale.  The  building,  in 
which  the  whole  work  is  done,  is  46  feet  fquare  ;  and  the 
average  price  of  the  cards  is  7  dollars  per  dozen  pairs. 

About  fifty  rods  below  the  bridge  leading  to  Brookline, 
there  is  a  very  commodious  wharf,  owned  by  William 
Winthrop,  Efquire,  at  which  great  quantities  of  Vv^ood 
and  lumber  are  annually  unladen,  to  the  great  convenience 
of  the  mechanical  interefts,  and  to  the  general  accommoda- 
tion of  the  town.  The  breadth  of  Charles  river  here,  is 
twenty-two  rods. 

Weft-Bofton  bridge,  connecting  Cambridge  with  Bofton, 

is  a  magnificent  ftruCture.     It  was  ereCted  at  the  expenfe 

of  a  company  incorporated  for  that   purpofe  ;  and  coft 

^ 76,700 

*  This  Angular  fpecies  of  manure  appears  to  have  been  much  ufed 
in  the  infancy  of  the  country.  An  early  writer,  in  reference  to  the  firfl; 
fettlers  of  Concord,  obferves  :  "  The  Lord  is  pleafed  to  provide  for 
them  great  ftore  of  fifh  in  the  fpring  time,  and  efpecially  alewives, 
about  the  bignefs  of  a  herring  :  many  thoufands  of  thefe  they  ufed  to 
put  under  their  Indian  come."  IVonder-ivorking  Providence  of  Smii 
Saviour  in  Ns'w-England, 


4  The  Hijiory  of  Ca?nbndge. 

76,700  dollars.  The  caufeway,  on  the  Cambridge  lide, 
was  begun  July  15,  1792  ;  the  wood  work,  April  8,  1793. 
The  bridge  was  opened  for  paffengers,  November  23,  1793, 
feven  months  and  an  half  from  the  time  of  laying  the  firll 
pier.  It  is  very  handfomely  conftrufted  ;  and,  when 
lighted  by  its  two  rows  of  lamps,  extending  a  mile  and  a 
quarter,  prefents  a  vifta,  which  has  a  fine  effed. 

It  Hands  on   180  piers,  and  is        -  3483  feet  long» 

Bridge  over  the  gore,  14  do.     -         -      275  do. 
Abutment,  Bofton  fide,      -        -        -       87^ 
Caufeway      -         -         -         -         -         3344 
Diftance  from  the  end  of  the  caufeway 

to  the  firft  church  in  Cambridge     -    7810 
Width  of  the  bridge       -         -  -         40 

It  is  railed  on  each  fide,  for  foot-paffengers.  The  fides  of 
the  caufeway  are  ftoned,  capftand,  and  railed  ;  and  on  each 
iide  there  is  a  canal,  about  30  feet  wide.  A  toll  is  granted 
to  the  proprietors  for  70  years. 

The  diftance  from  the  firft  church  in  Cambridge  to  the 
old  ftate-houfe  in  Bofton,  over  this  bridge,  is  three  miles, 
one  quarter,  and  fixty  rods  ;  and  to  the  new  ftate-houfe 
about  three  miles. 

The  erection  of  this  bridge  has  had  a  very  perceivable 
influence  on  the  trade  of  Cambridge,  which,  formerly,  was 
very  inconfiderable.  By  bringing  the  travel  from  the 
weflward  and  northward  through  the  centre  of  the  town, 
it  has  greatly  invigorated  bulinefs  there.  It,  at  the  fame 
time,  has  given  rife  to  a  thriving  trade  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  bridge,  where  feveral  houfes  and  ftores  have  already 
been  built,  and  where  a  rapid  progrefs  of  trade  and  com- 
merce may  rationally  be  expefted.  The  land,  on  each  fide 
of  the  road  to  Bofton,  from  the  farm  formerly  Inman's 
(lately  Mr.  Jarvis's)  to  the  bridge,  is  divided  into  fmall 
lots,  accommodated  to  the  purpofe  of  houfes  and  ftores  ; 
and  has  recently  been  fold.*  This  Me  will,  probably,  be 
introductory  to  a  compact  and  populous  fettlement. 

There  are  five  edifices  for  public  worfhip  in  the  town  : 
within  the  limits  of  the  firft  parifh,  a  Congregational  and 
an  Epifcopal  church  ;  in  the  fecond  parifh,  a  Congrega- 
tional and  a  Baptift  church  j  and  in  the  third,  a  Congrega- 
tional church. 

*  January,  1 80 1.  There 


The  Hijlory  of  Cambridge.  5 

There  are  five  College  edifices  belonging  to  Harvard 
Univerfity  :  i.  Harvard  Hal/,  (ftanding  on  the  fcite  of 
old  Harvard,  which  was  burnt  in  1764)  containing  a 
chapel,  and  dining  hall,  the  library,  and  miifeum,  a  philof- 
ophy  chamber,  and  an  apartment  for  the  philofophical  ap- 
paratus ;  built  in  1765  : 

2.  Majfachufetts  Hall,  of  4  ftories,  containing  32  rooms, 
and  64  ftudies  ;  built  in  1720  : 

3.  Hollis  Hall,  of  4  ftories,  containing  32  rooms,  and 
64  ftudies  ;  built  in  1763  : 

4.  Holden  Chapel,  lately  converted  into  leduring  and 
reciting  rooms,  for  the  ufe  of  the  profeffors  and  tutors ; 
built  in  1745.     Thefe  4  buildings  are  of  brick. 

5.  College  Hoiife,  a  wooden  building,  of  3  ftories,  con- 
taining 12  rooms  with  ftudies.  This  building  ftands  with- 
out the  college  yard,  having  been  originally  built,  about 
1770,  for  a  private  dwelling-houfe,  and  purchafed,  about 
two  years  afterward,  by  the  Corporation  of  Harvard  Col- 
lege. 

Stoughton  Hall,  which  ftood  nearly  on  a  line  v/ith  Hollis, 
on  the  fouth,  was  a  brick  building,  built  in  1698,  and 
taken  down  in  1781.  An  extenlive  and  beautiful  com- 
mon fpreads  to  the  north-weft  of  the  colleges,  anci  adds 
much  to  the  pleafantnefs  of  this  central  part  of  the  town. 

A  few  rods  to  the  fouth-weft  of  the  firft  church,  ftands 
a  county  court-houfe,  where  the  judicial  courts  are  holden, 
and  the  public  bufmefs  of  the  town  is  tranfacled.  At  the 
fouth-weft  corner  of  Market  Square,  is  the  jail,  an  ancient 
wooden  building,  not  much  ufed,  for  the  confinement  of 
criminals,  fmce  the  ereftion  of  a  ftone  jail  at  Concord, 
(the  other  fliire  town  of  Middlefex)  in  1789. 

A  little  to  the  weftward  of  the  Epiicopal  church  is  the 
grammar  fchool-houfe  ;  Vv^here  a  town  fchooi  is  kept 
through  the  year.  Befides  this,  there  are  fix  fchooi  houfes 
in  the  town  ;  two  in  each  of  the  three  pariflies. 

During  •  this  fummer,  a  bath  w^as  erecled  at  brick- 
wharf,  principally  for  the  benefit  of  the  ftudents  of  the 
Univerfity.  It  was  made  under  the  fuperintendance 
of  Thomas  Brattle,  Efquire,  and  happily  unites  ornam.ent 
with  utility. 

The  gardens  of  Thomas  Brattle,  Efquire,  are  unlverfally 

admired. 


6  The  Hi/iory  of  Cambridge, 

admired,  for  the  juftnefs  of  their  defign,  and  for  the  rich- 
nefs,  variety,  and  perfe6lion,  of  their  produftions.  In  no 
part  of  New-England,  probably,  is  horticulture  carried  to 
higher  perfection  than  within  his  inclofure.  A  mall,  ad- 
joining his  grounds,  made  in  1792,  and  fliaded  by  hand- 
fome  rows  of  trees,  is  a  work  of  neatnefs  and  tafte  j  and 
is,  at  once,  convenient  and  ornamental  to  the  town. 

On  the  road  leading  to  Watertown,  there  are  feveral 
elegant  feats,  which  attract  the  notice,  and  delight  the  eye, 
of  the  traveller.  One  of  thefe  feats,  now  owned  by  Mr. 
Andrew  Craigie,  was  the  place  of  General  Washington's 
refidence,  while  he  was  with  the  American  army  at  Cam- 
bridge. 

It  is  generally  conceded,  that  this  tov/n  eminently  com- 
bines the  tranquillity  of  philolophic  folitude,  with  the 
choiceft  pleafures  and  advantages  of  refined  fociety. 

Acres,  rods. 

The  Firft  Parifli  in  oifinbridge  contains       -     2851  60 

The  Second     ------      4345  118 

The  Third 2660  8i 

In  Odober,    1798,  the  number  of  dwelling-houfes  in  the 
Firft  Parifti,  and  within  the  town,  was       -         -        148 

In  the  Second -       8  ^ 

In  the  Third 68 


Total  houfes  in  Cambridge,         301 

The  prefent  number  of  inhabitants  in  Cambridge  is     2445 
In   1790,  the  number  was       -  -         -         -         21 15 

Increafe  in,  10  years         -         -         330 

The  Hi/lory  of  Cambridge, 

THE  fettlement  of  Cambridge  commenced  in  1 63 1 .  It 
was  the  original  intention  of  the  fettlers  to  make  it  the 
metropolis  of  the  Province  of  Maflachufetts.  Governor 
Winthrop,  Deputy-Governor  Dudley,  and  the  AiTiftants, 
having  examined  the  territory  lying  contiguous  to  the  new 
fettlements,  upon  view  of  this  fpot,  "  ail  agreed  it  a  fit 
place  for  a  beautiful  town,  and  took  time  to  confider  fur- 
ther 


The  Hijlory  of  Cambridge.  j 

ther  about  it."*  On  the  29th  of  December,  1630,  "  after 
many  confultations  about  a  lit  place  to  build  a  town  for 
the  feat  of  government,  they  agree  on  a  place  N.  W.  fide  of 
Charles  river,  about  three  miles  W.  from  Charleftown  ; 
and  all,  except  Mr.  Endicot  and  Sharp  (the  former  living 
at  Salem,  and  the  latter  purpoling  to  return  to  England) 
oblige  themfelves  to  build  houfes  there  the  following  fpring, 
and  remove  their  ordnance  and  munition  thither,  and  firit 
call  the  place  Newtown."!  The  town  was  laid  out  in 
fquares,  the  llreets  interfering  e?.ch  other  at  right  angles. 
One  fquare  was  referved  for  the  purpofe  of  a  market  ;  and 
remains  open,  to  this  day,  ftiil  retaining  the  name  of  Maj-- 
ket  Place.\  The  ftreet,  leading  by  the  Tov/n  Spring  to  the 
fouthward,  was  called  Creek  Street.  The  ftreet,  parallel  to 
this,  leading  from  the  College  to  the  Caufev/ay,  Wood  Street. 
The  ftreet,  parallel  to  this,  leading  from  the  Firft  Church 
to  Marfh  Lane,  Water  Street.  The  ftreet  eaftward,  and 
parallel  to  this,  leading  from  Braintree  Street  to  Marfh 
Lane,  Crooked  Street^  or  Lanc.^  The  ftreet,  from  the  Par- 
fonage  to  Wood  Street,  Braintree  Street.  The  ftreet  fouth- 
ward, and  parallel  to  this,  running  from  the  Tcv/n  Spring 
to  Crooked  Lane,  Spring  Street.  The  ftreet,  parallel  to  this, 
and  farther  fouth,  running  from  Creek  Street  to  Crooked 
Lane,  Long  Street.  South  of  this  a  lane  on  the  margin  of 
the  marlh,  called  Marfo  Lane.  A  lane  leading  from  Crook- 
ed Street  or  Lane  into  the  Neck,  called  Back  Lane.  Back 
Lane  was  narrow  and  crooked,  and  is  nov/  difcontinued 
and  inclofed  ;  and,  in  its  ftead,  a  new  ftreet,  45  feet  wide, 
and  ftraight,  has  been  laid  out  a  few  rods  to  the  fouthward 
of  that  lane. 

According  to  agreement,  the  Deputy-Governor,  Secre- 
tary Bradftreet,  and  other  principal  gentlemen,  in  the 
fpring  of  1 63 1,  commenced  the  execution  of  the  plan,  with 

a  view 

*  Gov.  Winthrop's  Journal,  printed  at  Hartford,  in  1790. 

f  Prince's  Chronology,  vol.  II.  8.  Three  numbers  only  of  a  fecond 
volume  of  tliis  Chronology  were  ever  publilhed. 

X  For  the  original  names  of  the  ftreets  of  Cambridge,  I  am  indebted 
to  William  Winthrop,  Efquire,  (a  defcendant  of  Governor  Winthrop) 
who,  in  fome  other  particulars,  has  obligingly  contributed  to  the  cor- 
re^nefs  of  this  hiftory. 

^  This  ftreet  w^s  ftraightened  the  prefent  year. 


8  I'he  Hijlory  of  Cambridge. 

a  view  to  its  fpeedy  completion.  The  Governor  fet  up  the 
frame  of  a  houfe  where  he  firft  pitched  his  tent  ;  and  the 
Deputy- Governor  finiflied  his  houfe,*  and  removed  his 
family.  On  fome  confiderations,  however,  "  which  at  firft 
came  not  into  their  minds,"  the  Governor,  in  the  enfuing 
autumn,  took  down  his  frame,  and  removed  it  into  Bofton, 
with  the  intention  of  making  that  the  place  of  his  future 
abode  ;  greatly  to  the  difappointment  of  the  reft  of  the 
company,  who  were  ftill  refolved  to  build  at  Newtown. 
Having  promifed  the  people  of  Bofton,  when  they  lirft  fat 
down  with  him  there,  that  he  would  not  remove,  unlefs 
they  fhould  accompany  him  ;  they  now  petitioned  him, 
"  under  all  their  hands,"  that,  according  to  his  promife,  he 
would  not  leave  them.  About  this  time,  alfo,  Chicketaw- 
bu,  the  Chief  of  the  Indians  in  the  neighbourhood  of  New- 
town, viiited  the  Governor  with  high  profeffions  of  friend- 
fhip  ;  which  rendered  him  lefs  apprehenfive  of  danger  from 
the  Indians,  and  lefs  folicitous  for  a  fortified  town;  To- 
gether with  thefe  confiderations,  to  influence  the  Governor 
to  this  new  refolution,  Bofton  was  now  "  like  to  be  the 
place  of  chiefeft  commerce."! 

Various  orders  of  the  Court  of  Afiiftants  fhew,  however, 
that  Nev/town,  ftill  defigned  for  the  metropolis,  was  taken 
under  legiflative  patronage.  Oh  the  1 4th  of  June,  1 63 1 ,  the 
Court,  in  confideration  of  "  Mr.  John  Mailers'  having  un- 
dertaken to  make  a  paffage  from  Charles  river  to  the  New 
Town,  12  feet  broad,  and  7  deep,  promifes  him  fatisfac- 
tion."  On  the  5th  of  July,  the  Court  ordered,  "  that 
there  be  levied  out  of  the  feveral  plantations  £-'^0^  for 
making  the  Creek  from  Charles  river  to  Newtown. "|  In 
the  courfe  of  the  fame  year,  a  thatched  houfe,  in  Bofton, 
taking  fire  from  the  chimney,  and  becoming  burnt  down  j 
"  for  prevention  whereof,"  obferves  the  Deputy-Governor, 
"  in  our  New  Town^  intended  to  be  built  this  fummer,  we 

have 

*  It  flood  on  the  weft  fide  of  Water  Street,  near  its  fouthern  termi- 
nation at  Marlli  Lane. 

f  Belknap's  American  Biography,  11.  339.  Hubbard's  MS.  Hift. 
of  N.  Eng. 

%  Prince,  II.  30,  31.  This  creek,  or  paflage,  which  is  ftill  open,  ex- 
tends from  the  river,  in  a  northerly  direction,  to  the  upland  on  the  weft 
fide  of  Water  Street,  where  it  is  interfered  by  Marfti  Lane. 


The  Eijlory  of  Cambridge,  9 

have  ordered,  that  no  man  there  fhall  build  his  chimney  with 
ijuood^  nor  cover  his  houfe  with  thatch"*  On  the  3d  of 
February,  1632,  the  Court  ordered,  "  that  £.60  be  levied 
out  of  the  feveral  plantations,  tov/ards  making  a  pahfado 
about  the  New  Town."t 

An  hiftorian,  who  was  in  New-England,  at  this  timej  ana 
who  left  it  the  year  following,  obferves  :  "  Newtov^^n  v/as 
fu-ft  intended  for  a  city,  but,  upon  more  f=rious  coniidera- 
tions,  it  was  thought  not  fo  fit,  being  too  far  from  ths 
fea  ;  being  the  greateft  inconvenience  it  hath.  This  is  one 
of  the  neateft  and  beft  compacted  towns  in  New-England. 
having  many  fair  ftruclures,  with  many  handfome  contrived 
ftreets.     The  inhabitants  moft  of  them  are  very  rich.''^ 

In  fome  of  the  firft  years,  the  annual  eledion  of  the  Gov- 
ernor and  Magiftrates  of  the  Colony  was  holden  in  this 
town.  The  people,  on  thefe  occafions,  affembled  under  an 
oak  tree,  which  long  remained  a  venerable  monument  of 

the 


*  Prince,  II.  23. 

f  Prince,  II.  57.  This  fortification  was  aclually  made  ;  and  the 
foffe,  which  was  then  dug  around  the  town,  is,  in  fome  places,  vifible,  to 
this  day.  It  commenced  at  Brick  Wharf,  (originally  called  V/indmill 
Hill)  and  ran  along  the  northern  fide  of  the  prefent  Common  in  Cam- 
bridge, and  through  what  was  then  a  thicket,  but  now  conftitutes  a 
part  of  the  cultivated  grounds  of  Mr.  Nathaniel  Jarvis  ;  beyond  which 
it  cannot  be  diftindly  traced.     It  enclofed  above  1000  acres. 

X  Wood's  New-England's  Profpe^fl:. 

Not^for  page  8. 
Chlckctawbu  was  the  fagamore  of  Neponcett,  which  could  not  have 
been  far  from  Bofton,  for,  on  the  14th  of  February,  1632,  "  the  Gov- 
ernor  and  fome  other  company  went  to  vievv'  the  country  as  far  as  Ne- 
poncett, and  returned  that  night."  The  firft  mention  of  this  Indian 
chief,  within  my  knowledge,  is  March  23,  1631,  when  "  Chickatabct|i 
came  with  his  fannops  and  fquaws,  and  prefented  the  Governor  with 
a  bufhel  of  Indian  com."  In  April,  he  "  came  to  the  Governor  again, 
and  he  put  him  into  a  very  good  new  fuit  from  head  to  foot  ;  and,  af- 
ter, he  fat  meat  before  him,  but  he  would  not  eat  till  the  Governor  ha4 
given  thanks,  and  after  meat  he  defired  him  to  do  the  like,  and  fo  de- 
parted." He  died,  of  the  fmall  pox,  in  November,  1633,  when  that 
diforder  occafioned  «  a  great  mortahty  araor^  the  Indians,"  -^  -" 
ried  off  many  of  his  people.  IVinihrofi  jctini^^l,  24,  r.::: 

II   Thus  fpdt  by  Gov.  Whitbrop, 

c 


and  car- 


lb  The  Hijhry  of  Cambridge. 

the  freedojn,  the  patriotifm,  and  the  piety,  of  the  anceftors 
of  New-England.  § 

The  firfl  confiderable  acceflion  to  the  fociety  appears  to 
have  been  in  Auguft,  1632,  when  "  the  Braintree  company 
which  had  begun  to  fit  down  at  Mount  Woolafton  by  or- 
der of  Court,  removed  to  Newtown.  Thefe  were  Mr, 
Hooker's  company."||  Mr.  Hooker,  however,  having  not 
yet  come  to  New-England,  they  were  ftill  deftitute  of  a  fet- 
tled minifler.  But  a  preparation  for  the  privilege  of  the 
public  miniftry,  and  of  the  ordinances  of  the  gofpel,  was  an 

^ _^_^____^___^  immediate 

§  This  venerable  oak  flood  on  the  northerly  fide  of  the  Common  in 
Cambridge,  a  little  weft  of  the  road  leading  to  Lexington.  The  flump 
of  it  was  dug  up  not  many  years  fmce. 

11  Winthrop's  Journal,  42.  It  is  highly  probable,  that  this  company 
came  from  Braintree,  in  Efiex  county,  in  England,  and  from  its  vicini- 
ty. Chelmsford,  where  Mr,  Hooker  was  fettled,  is  but  eleven  miles 
from  Braintree  :  And  Mr.  Hooker  "  was  fo  efleemed  as  a  preacher, 
that  not  only  his  own  people,  but  others  from  all  parts  of  the  county  of 
Effex  flocked  to  hear  him." — The  names  of  this  company,  conftituting 
the  firft  fettlers  of  the  town  of  Cambridge,  are  preferved  in  the  records 
of  the  Proprietors,  under  the  date  of  1632,  and  are  as  follow  : 
Jeremy  Adams  Richard  Lord 

Matthew  Allen  John  Mafters 

John  Benjamin  Abraham  Morrill 

Jonrithan  Bofwell  Hefter  Mufley 

Mr.  Simon  Bradflreet*  Simon  Oakes 

John  Bridge  James  Olmfted 

Richard  Butler  Capt.  Daniel  Patrick 

John  Clarke  John  Prat 

Anthony  Couldby,  or  Colby  William  Pentrey 

Daniel  Dennifon  Jofeph  Redinge 

Thomas  Dudley,  Efcj.  Nathaniel  Richards- 

Samuel  Dudley  William  Spencer 

Edv/ard  Elmer  Thomas  Spencer 

Richard  Goodman  Edward  Stebbins 

William  Goodwin  John  Steele 

Garrad  Hadden  Henry  Steele 

Stephen  Hart  George  Steele 

John  Haynes,  Efq.f  Samuel  Stone 

Thomas  Heate  John  Talcotc 

Rev.  Thomas  Hooker  William  Wadfworth 

Thomas  Hofmer  Andrew  Warner 

Richard  Harlackenden  Richard  Webb 

William  Lewis  William  Weflwood 


John  White. 

Mis  houfe  Jlood 
Market  Place.    For  h'n  charaSier,  fee  TrumbulJ's  Hijlory  of  Connc£Hc»t^  I.  222, 


*  Afternxiard  Go'vernor  of  Majfachiifetts. 

f  Afterward  Go'vernor  of  ConneSlicut.     Mis  houfe  food  on  the  avef  ftde  of 


The  Uijlory  of  Cambridge.  1 1 

immediate  and  primary  objed  of  their  pious  attention. 
This  year,  accordingly,  they  "  built  the  firft  houfe  for  pub- 
lie  worfhip  at  Newtown,  with  a  bell  upon  it/'* 

The  removal  of  ^  the  Governor  into  Bofton  havmg  occa- 
fioned  a  mifunderftanding  between  him  and  the  Deputy^ 
Governor  ;  "  the  minifters,  for  an  end  of  the  difterence, 
ordered,  that  the  Governor  fliould  procure  them  a  mmii- 
ter  at  Newtown,  and  contribute  fome  tov^ards  his  mainte- 
nance for  a  time  ;  or  if  he  could  not  by  the  fprmg  effed 
that,  then  to  give  the  Deputy,  tovv-ards  his  charges  m 
building  there,  £.20."  The  Governor  accepted  this  order, 
and  promifed  a  compliance  with  it.  The  Deputy-Gov- 
ernor, however,  on  the  reception  of  one  part  of  the  orderj 
returned  it  to  the  Governor,  profefling  fo  full  a  perfuafion 
of  the  Governor's  love  to  him,  and  fo  high  an  eftimation 
of  it,  that  "if  he  had  given  him  ;C-io°»  inftead  of  £.20, 
he  would  not  have  taken  it,'*  Notwithftanding  the  vari- 
ance, which  had  fubfifted  between  thefe  venerable  men, 
«  yet  they  peaceably  met  about  their  affairs,  without  any 
appearance  of  any  breach  or  difcontent  ;  and  ever  after 
kept  peace  and  good  correfpondency  together  in  love  and 
friend£hip."t ^ 

*  Prince,  II.  75.  This  church  flood  on  the  weft  fide  of  Water  Street, 
and  fouth  of  Spring  Street,  near  the  place  where  thefe  ftreets  interfed 
each  other,  about  30  rods  fouth  of  where  the  congregational  church 
now  ftands. 

+  WInthrop's  Journal. Governor  Winthrop  is  charaderifed,  by 

Morton,  as  "  Angular  for  piety,  wifdom,  and  of  a  public  fpirit  ;  as  a 
maai  of  unbiaffed  juftice,  patience  in  refpedt  of  perfonal  wrongs  and  m- 
juries,  a  great  lover  of  the  faints,  efpecially  able  minifters  of  the  gelpel ; 
very  fober  in  defiring,  and  temperate  in  improving,  earthly  content- 
ments ;  very  humble,  courteous,  and  ftudious  of  general  good.  i)r. 
Belknap  iuftly  obferves,  that  "he  was  eminently  qualified  for  the  farft 
office  of  government,  in  which  he  fhone  with  a  luftre,  which  would  have 
done  him  honour  in  a  larger  fphere,  and  a  more  elevated  fituation.  He 
was  the  father,  as  well  as  governor,  of  an  infant  plantation."  His  houle, 
in  Bofton,  ftood  a  few  rods  north  of  the  Old  South  church,  where  the  pile 
of  brick  ftores  has  been  recently  built.  The  late  John  Winthrop,  tfq. 
HoUis  Profeffor  of  Math,  and  Nat.  Philof.  was  his  defcendant  of  the 
fourth  generation  ;  and  James  and  William  Winthrop,  Efquires,  now 
living  in  Cambridge,  are  defcendants,  of  the  fifth  generation.  Gov.  Wm- 
throp  died  in  1 649,  «tat.  lxiii.      ^mer.Biog.  II.  337-     Magmha,  U.  o. 

Thomas  Dudley,  Efq.  is  charaaerifed  as  "  a  man  of  found  judg- 

ment  in.  matters  of  religion,  and  well  read,  beftowing  much  labour  that 

°  way  i 


12  The  Hijlory  of  Cambridge, 

The  recent  fettlers  of  Newtown  had,  while  in  England, 
attended  the  miniftry  of  the  Reverend  Thomas  Hooker, 
who,  to  efcape  fines  and  imprifonment  for  his  non-con- 
formity, had  now  fled  into  Holland.  To  enjoy  the  priv- 
ilege of  fuch  a  paftor,  they  were  willing  to  migrate  to  any 
part  of  the  world.  No  fooner,  therefore,  was  he  driven 
from  them,  than  they  turned  their  eyes  towards  New- 
England.  They  hoped  that,  if  comfortable  fettlements 
could  be  made  in  this  part  of  America,  they  might  obtain 
him  for  their  paftor.  IiAmediately  after  their  fettlement 
at  Newtown,  they  expreffed  their  earneft  defires  to  Mr. 
Hooker,  that  he  would  come  over  into  New-England,  and 
take  the  paftoral  charge  of  them.  At  their  defire  he  left 
Holland  ;  and,  having  obtained  Mr.  Samuel  Stone,  a  lectur- 
er at  Torcefter  in  Northamptonfhire,  for  an  afliftant  in  the 
miniftry,  took  his  paflage  for  America,  and  arrived  at 
Bofton  September  4,  1633.  With  him  came  over  the  fa- 
mous Mr.  John  Cotton,  Mr.  John  Haynes,  afterwards  Gov- 
ernor of  Connecticut,  Mr.  Goff,  and  two  hundred  paffen- 
gers  of  importance  to  the  Colony.*  "  Tjiey  got  out  of 
England  with  much  difhculty,  ail  places  being  belaid  to 
have  taken  Mr.  Cotton  and  Mr.  Hooker,  who  had  been 
long  fought  for,  to  have  been  brought  into  the  High  Com- 
miiiion  ;  but  the  mafcer  being  bound  to  touch  at  the 
Wight,  the  purfaants  attended  there,  and  the  mean  time 
the  faid  minifters  were  taken  in  at  the  Downs."!  Mr. 
Hooker,  on  his  arrival  at  Bofton,  proceeded  to  Newtown, 
where  he  was  received  with  open  arms,  by  an  afte<fl:ionate 
and  pious  people.  He  was  now  chofen  paftor,  and  Mi% 
Stone  teacher,  of  the  people  at  Newtown  ;  and  on  the  i  ith 
of  October,  1633,  after  folemn  fafting  and  prayer,  they 
were  ordained  to  their  refpective  offices,  rpr 

way  ;  as  a  lover  of  juftice,  order,  the  people,  Chriftian  religion — the  fu- 
preme  virtues  of  a  good  magiftrate.  He  was  exadt  in  the  pradtice  of  pi- 
ety in  his  perfon  and  family  all  his  life.  He  was  a  principal  founder 
and  pillar  of  the  colony  of  Mairachufetts  ;  and,  feveral  times,  Governor 
and  Deputy-Governor  of  that  Province.  He  was  a  principal  founder 
of  the  town  of  Newtown,  [Cambridge]  being  zealous  to  have  it  made 
the  metropolis."  On  Mr.  Hooker's  removal  to  Hartford,  he  removed 
from  Newtown  to  Ipfwich,  and  afterward  to  Roxbury,  where  he  died, 
in   1653,  £etat.  lxxvh. 

Wonder  ^orkhig  Providence.    Morion'' s  Memorial.    Prince.    Mather. 
*  Trumbull,  I.  11.  f  Winthrop's  Journal. 


The  H'tjlory  of  Cambridge .  13 

The  fame  of  the  removal  of  thefe  eminent  men  to  A- 
merica  invited  over  vaft  numbers  of  Puritans,  who  could 
not  find  reft  under  Archbilhop  Laud's  fevere  adminiftra- 
tion  ;  "  infomuch  that,  for  feveral  years,  hardly  a  veffel 
came  into  thefe  parts,  but  was  crowded  with  paffengers  for 
New-England,  "t 

An  hiilorian  of  this  early  period  pioufly  notices  "  the 
admirable  acts  of  Providence"  toward  the  people  of  New- 
town, in  this  infancy  of  their  fettlement.  "  Although 
they  were  in  fuch  great  ftraites  for  foode,  that  many  of 
them  eate  their  bread  by  waight,  and  had  little  hopes  of 
the  earths  fruitfuUneffe,  yet  the  Lord  Chrift  was  pleafed  to 
refrefh  their  fpirits  v/ith  fuch  quickning  grace,  and  lively 
affections  to  this  temple-worke,  that  they  did  not  defert 
the  place.  And  that  which  was  more  remarkable,  when 
they  had  fcarce  houfes  to  fhelter  themfelves,  and  no  doores 
to  hinder  the  Lidians  acceffe  to  all  they  had  in  them  ;  yet 
did  the  Lord  fo  awe  their  hearts,  that  although  they  fre- 
quented the  Englifhmens  places  of  aboade,  where  their 
whole  fubftance,  weake  wives  and  little  ones  lay  open  to 
their  plunder,  during  their  abfence,  being  whole  dayes  at 
Sabbath- Affembiies,  yet  had  they  none  of  their  food  or 
ftufFe  diminiflied,  neither  children  nor  wives  hurt  in  the 
ieaft  meafure,  although  the  Indians  came  commonly  to 
them,  at  thofe  times,  much  hungry  belly  (as  they  ufe  to 
fay)  and  were  then  in  number  and  ftrength  beyond  the 
Englifh  by  far."* 

As  early  as  May,  1634,  it  appears  that  the  number  of  in- 
habitants at  Newtown  had  become  difproportioned  to  the 
townlhip.  "  Thofe  of  Newtown,"  lays  Governor  Win- 
throp,  "  complained  of  ftraitncfs  for  want  of  land,  efpecial- 
ly  meadow,  and  defired  leave  of  the  Council  to  look  out 
either  for  enlargement  or  removal,  which  was  granted  ; 
whereupon  they  fent  men  to  fee  Agawam  [Ipfwich]  and 
Merrimack,  and  gave  out  they  would  remove."!  In  July, 
fix  inhabitants  of  Nev/town  went  pallengers  in  a  veffel 
^'  bound  to  the  Dutch  plantation,  to  difcover  Connecticut 
river,  intending  to  remove  their  town  thither."  § 

At  the  General  Court,  vdiich  fat  at  Newtown  in  Septem- 
ber, 

f  Neal.  *  Wonder-working  Providence. 

t  Winihrop's  JournaL  §  Ibid, 


14  The  Hiftory  of  Cambridge. 

ber,  "  many  things  were  agitated  and  concluded,  as  farti- 
fyingin  Caftle-Ifland,  Dorchefter  and  Charleftown  ;  with  di- 
vers other  matters.  But  the  main  bufinefs,  which  fpent  the 
moft  time,and  caufed  the  adjourning  of  the  Court, was  about 
the  removal  of  Newtown.  They  had  leave  the  laft  General 
Court  to  look  out  for  fome  place  for  enlargement  or  removal, 
Vv'ith  promife  of  having  it  confirmed  to  them,  if  it  were  not 
prejudicial  to  any  other  plantation  ;  and  now  they  moved 
that  they  might  have  leave  to  remove  to  Connedicut." 
The  fobjecl  was  largely  and  warmly  debated  ;  "  the  whole 
Colony  being  affefted  with  the  difpute.'*'  "When  the  quef- 
tion  was  put  to  vote,  fifteen  of  the  Deputies  voted  for  leave 
of  departure,  and  ten  againft  it  \  the  Governor  and  two 
Affiftants  voted  for  it ;  but  the  Deputy- Governor,  with  all 
the  other  Affiftants,  voted  againft  it ;  fo  a  legal  a<5l  could  not 
be  obtained.  Hence  arofe  a  great  difference  between  the 
Governor  and  Affiftants,  and  the  Deputies,  concerning  the 
negative  voice.  "  So  when  they  could  proceed  no  further, 
the  whole  Court  agreed  to  keep  a  day  of  humiliation  to 
feek  the  Lord,"  which  was  kept,  accordingly,  in  all  the 
congregations.  The  Court  met  again  foon  after  ;  but  be- 
fore it  proceeded  to  bufmefs,  Mr.  Cotton  (on  Mr.  Hooker's 
declining)  preached  from  Hag.  ii.  4.  "  And  it  pleafed  the 
Lord  fo  to  affift  him,  and  to  blefs  his  own  ordinance,  that 
the  affiiirs  of  the  Court  went  on  cheerfully  ; — and  the  con- 
gregation of  Newtown  came  and  accepted  fuch  enlargement 
as  had  formerly  been  offered  them  by  Bofton  and  Water- 
town.*'*  This  firft  enlargement  was,  doubtlefs,  in  breadth, 
to  the  fouthward  and  weftward.  When  the  firft  fettlers 
erefted  "  the  New  Town,"  between  Charleftown  and  V/a- 
tertown,  it  v/as  "  in  forme  like  a  lift  cut  off  from  the 
broad-cloath  of  the  two  fore-named  towns."! 

The  people  of  Newtown  manifefting  a  perfevering  de* 
termination  to  remove  into  Connefticut,  and  thofe  of  fome 
neighbouring  towns  concurring,  at  the  fame  time,  in  the 
wifh  and  projeft  of  removal  to  other  places  ;  the  General 
Court,  in  May,  1635,  gave  them  leave  to  remove  whither 
they  pleafed,  on  condition  that  they  fhould  continue  under 
the  jurifdiction  of  Maffachufetts. 

In  Oftober,  Mr.  Thom.as  Shepard,  whofe  name  holds  a 

confpicuous 

*  Wlnthrop's  Journal,  70.         f  Wonder-working  Providence,  lii. 


The  Hlfiory  of  Cajnbridge.  15 

corifpicuous  place  in  the  annals  of  New-England,  arrived 
at  Bofton,  together  with  the  people  who  were  to  form 
his  paftoral  charge.  On  the  firft  of  February,  1636,  the 
firft  permanent  church  was  gathered  at  Newtown.  Mr. 
Shepard,  and  "  divers  other  good  chriftians,'*  intending  to 
forni  a  church,  ccmmumcated  their  defign  to  the  magif- 
trates,  who  gave  their  approbation.  Application  was  alfo 
made  to  all  the  neighbouring  churches,  "  for  their  elders 
to  give  their  aihftance  at  a  certain  day  at  Newtown,  when 
they  ftiould  conftitute  their  body."  A  great  aflembly  ac- 
cordingly convened,  and  the  church  was  organized  in  a 
public  and  folemn  manner.*  The  ordination  of  Mr.  Shep- 
ard probably  took  place  foon  after  this  organization  of  the 
church  ;  but  the  precife  time  cannot  now  be  afcertained. 
"  It  was  deferred,"  fays  Dr.  Mather,  "  until  another  day, 
wherein  there  was  more  time  to  go  through  the  other  fo- 
lemnities  proper  to  fuch  an  occaiion.** 

Early  in  the  fummer  of  1636,  Mr.  Hooker,  Mr.  Stone, 
and  about  a  hundred  men,  women,  and  children,  compof- 
ing  the  whole  of  Mr.  Hooker*s  church  and  congregation, 
left  Newtown ;  and  travelled  above  a  hundred  miles, 
through  a  hideous  and  tracklefs  wildernefs,  to  Connedicut. 

They  had  no  guide  but  their  compafs  ;  made  their  way 
over  mountains,  through  fwamps,  thickets  and  rivers, 
which  were  not  paiTable  but  with  great  difficulty.  They 
had  no  cover  but  the  heavens,  nor  any  lodgings  but  thdte 
which  limple  nature  afforded  them."{ 

^_____ They 

*  For  the  form  of  the  organization  of  this  church,  and  the  religious 
exercifcs  on  the  occafion,  fee  Winthrop's  Journal,  9J,  96.  This  was 
the  eleventh  church,  gathered  in  Maffachufetts.  The  order  of  the 
churches  was  as  follows  : 

The  firft  church  was  gathered  at  Salem,  in  the  year  1639 
The  fecond  -  -  -  at  Charleftown,  -  -  1631 
The  third         -  -  -        at  Dorchefter,      -        -        1631 

The  fourth  -  -  =  -  at  Bofton,  -  -  -  1631 
The  fifth  -  -  -  -  at  Roxbury,  -  -  -  1631 
The  fixth     ,        -        -        -      at  Linn,     -  -  -     1631 

The  feventh  -  -  -  .  at  Watertown,  -  -  1631 
Th^  eighth  (Mr,  Hooker's)  at  Newtown,  [CambrivJge]  1633 
The  ninth  -  -  -  -  at  Ipfwich,  -  -  -  1634 
The  tenth  -  -  »  .  at  Newbury,  -  -  -  1634 
The  ekvtnth     (Mr.  Shepard's)     at  Newtown,  [Cambridge]  163^5 

X  Trumbull,  I.  ^%,    Winthrop's  Journal,  loo. 


1 5  The  U.ijior'j  of  Cambridge i 

They  drave  with  them  1 60  cattle,  and  fubfifted  on  the 
milk  of  their  cows,  during  the  journey.  Mrs.  Hooker  was 
carried  in  a  litter.  This  little  company  laid  the  foundation 
of  Hartford,  now  a  very  ilourifliing  city  in  Connecticut. 

Their  removal  was  very  opportune  for  Mr.  Shepard  and 
his  company,  who  purchafed  the  dwelling-houfes  and  lands^ 
which  they  had  owned  at  Newtov^ai ;  and  thus  enjoyed  the 
advantage  (which  fell  to  the  lot  of  few  of  the  early  colo- 
nifts)  of  entering  a  fettlement  already  cultivated,  and  fur- 
niflied  v/ith  comfortable  accommodations. 

This  year  (1636)  the  General  Court  contemplated  the 
ereftion  of  a  Public  School  at  Newtown,  and  appropriated 
four  hundred  pounds  for  that  purpofe  ;  which  laid  the 
foundation  of  Harvard  College.* 

Mrs.  Anne  Hutchinfon,  a  very  extraordinary  woman^ 
commencing  a  religious  teacher,  about  this  time,  and  hold- 
ing ledures  for  the  propagation  of  her  peculiar  tenets,  at-  1 
trafted  a  num.erous  audience,  and  gained  many  adherents.  1 
"  The  whole  Colony  v/as  foon  divided  into  two  parties,  ), 
differing  in  fentiment,  and  ftill  more  alienated  in  affeclion.  \ 
They  ftiled  each  other  Antinomians  and  Legalifts."t     Such  \ 
was  the  warmth  of  the  controverfy,  that  it  was  judged  ad-  | 
vifable  to  call  a  Synod  to  give  their  opinion  on  the  contro-  \ 
verted  points.  A  Synod  was  accordingly  holden  atNewtown 
on  the  30th  of  Auguft,  1637,  at  which  "  all  the  teaching  el- 
ders through  the  country,"  and  meilengers  of  the  feveral 
churches, were  preient.  Them.agiftrates,too,attended  as  hear- 
ers, and  fpake  occaiionally,  as  they  faw  fit.   Of  this  Synod  Mr. 
Shepard,  who  opened  it  with  prayer,  "  was  no  fmall  part.'*} 
After  a  lefHon  of  three  weeks,  the  Synod  condem^ned  eigh- 
ty-two erroneous  opinions,  which  had  become  diffeminated 
in  New-England.     The  proceedings  of  this  Synod  appear 
to  have  been  conducted  with  fairnefs  and  ability.     "  Lib.- 
erty 

*  "  After  God  had  carried  us  fafe  to  New-England,  and  wee  had 
builded  our  houfes,  provided  neceflaries  for  our  Hveli-hood,  rear'd  con- 
venient places  for  God's  worlliip,  and  fettled  the  civill  government  : 
One  of  the  next  things  we  longed  for  and  looked  after  was  to  advance 
learning  and  perpetuate  it  to  pofterity  :  dreading  to  leave  an  illiterate 
miniftry  to  the  churches,  when  our  prefent  minifters  ihall  he  in  the 
duft."  Nenfj-England's  FirJiWrnits^puUiJJied  in\6\i,    | 

f  Adams's  Hiftor y  of  New-England.  \ 

X  C.  Mather. 


The  Hiftory  of  Cambridge,  i^ 

erty  was  given  to  any  man  to  difpute  pro  or  con,  and  none 
to  be  charged  to  be  of  that  opinion  he  difputed  for,  unleffe 
he  fhould  declare  himfelfe  fo  to  be.— The  clearing  of  the 
true  fenfe  and  meaning  of  any  place  of  fcripture,  it  was 
done  by  fcripture."     An  hiftorian,  who  lived  at  that  peri- 
od, fays  :  "  Foure  forts  of  perfons  I  could  with  a  good  will 
have  paid  their  paffage  out,  and  home  againe  to  England, 
that  they  might  have  been  prefent  at  this  Synod,  fo  that 
they  would  have  reported  the  truth  of  all  the  paffages 
thereof  to  their  own  Colledges  at  their  return.'*     Thefe 
i  were  "  the  Prelates"  ;  "  the  godly  and  reverend  Prefbyte- 
1  i-ian  party"  ;  "  thofe  who  with  their  new  ftratagems  have 
I  brought  in  fo  much  old  error"  j  and  ''  thofe  who  derided 
i  all  forts  of  fchoiarfhip."§ 

I  ^  The  vigilance  of  Mr.  Shepard  was  bleft  for  the  preferva- 
j  tion  of  his  own  church,  and  of  the  other  New-England 
j  churches,  from  the  Antinomian  and  Familiftical  errors, 
I  which  began  at  this  time  to  prevail  :  "  And,"  accordino-  to 
j  Dr.  Mather,  "  it  was  with  refpedl  to  this  vigilancy,  and  the 
i  enlightening  and  powerful  miniftry  of  Mr.  Shepard,  that 
I  when  the  foundation  of  a  College  was  to  be  laid,  Cambridge, 
rather  than  any  other  place,  was  pitched  upon  to  be  the 
feat  of  that  happy  feminary."*^ 

A  contemporary  hiilorian  clofes  "  the  difmall  yeare  of 
iixteene  hundred  thirty-lix,"  with  the  following  ilory,  il- 
luftrative,  at  once,  of  Mr.  Shepard's  preaching  talents,  and 
of  the  fpirit  of  his  times.  A  perfon,  who  had  come  to 
New-England,  '"  hoping  to  finde  the  powerful  prefence  of 
Chrift  in  the  preaching  of  the  word,"  was  encountered,  at 
his  firft  landing,  by  iome  of  Mrs.  Hutchinfon's  difciples, 
who  ^  were  zealous  to  profelyte  him  to  their  doclrine. 
Finding  that  "  hee  could  not  fiiill  in  that  nev/  light,  v/hich 
was  the  common  theame  of  every  man's  difcourfe,"  he  be- 
tooke  himfeif  to  a  narrow  Indian  path,  which  foon  led  him 
"  where  none  but  fenceleflis  trees  and  echoing  rocks  make 
anfwer  to  his  heart-eafeing  mone."  After  a  perplexed  and 
pathetic  foliloquy,  in  this  deep  recefs,  he  formed  a  refolu- 
^ion  "  to  hear  foiijap  one  of  thefe  able  minifters  preach, 
^   \ whooi 

§  Wonder-working  Pipyidence. 

*  Magnalia,  III.  87.  "i/Vondcr-r/orkine  Previdence,  164. 

D 


i8  The  Hipry  of  Cambridge. 

whom  report  had  fo  valued,"  before  he  would  "  make 
choice  of  one  principle,"  or  "  crofs  the  broade  feas  bacK 
a^aine.     Then  turning  his  face  to  the  fun,  he  fteered  his 
courfe  toward  the  next  town,  and  after  fome  fmall  travel! 
hee  came  to  a  large  plaine.     No  fooner  was  hee  entred 
thereon,  but  hearing  the  found  of  a  drum,  he  was  diredted 
toward  it  by  a  broadfe  beaten  way."     Followmg  this  road, 
he  enquired  of  the  firft  perfon  he  met,  what  the  fignal  ot 
the  drum  meant.     The  anfwer  was,  "  they  had  as  yet  no 
bell  to  call  men  to  meeting,  and  therefore  made  uie  ot  a 
drum."*     Who  lec1:ures,  faid  he,  at  this  town  t        1  iee 
vou  are  a  ftranger,  new  come  over,"  replied  the  other, 
*'-  fmce  you  know  not  the  man.     It  is  one  Mr.  Shepard, 
"  I  am  new  come  over,"  faid  the  ftranger,  "  and  have  been 
told  fmce  I  came,  that  moft  of  your  mimfters  are  legal! 
preachers,    onely    if    I    miftake    not    they    told    me    this 
man  preached  a  finer  covenant  of  works  than  the  other. 
However,  I  fliall  make  what  hafte  I  can  to  hear  him.     Fare 
you  well."     Haftening  to  the  place,  he  preiied  through  the 
thickeft  crowd  into  the   church,   "  v/here  having  ftayed 
while  the  glaffe  was  turned  up  twice,  the  man  was  meta- 
morphofed."     He  was  frecjuentiy  meked  into  tears,  during 
the  fervice,  and  overwhelmed  with  gratitude  to  God,  whofe 
*'  bleffed  fpirit  caufed  the  fpeech  of  a  poore  v/eake  pale  com- 
pkaioned  man  to  take  luch  impreffion  in  his  foul."     The 
preacher  ''  applied  the  word  fo  aptly,  as  it  hee  had  been 
his  privy  counfeller  ;    cleering  Chriils  worke  of  grace  in 
the  foule  from  all  thofe  falfe  doftrines,  which  the  erronious 
party  had  afrighted  him  withall."     Finding  that  there  was 
here  not  only  a  zeal  "  for  the  truth  of  the  difciphne,  but 
alfo  of  the  doctrine,"  of  the  gofpel,  "  he  now  reiolves  (the 
Lord  willing)  to  live  and  die  with  the  miniflers  of  New- 
England."!  .       ^  a  ! 
The  Reverend  John  Harvard,  of  Charleftown,  m  1038^^ 
added  to  the  fam,  appropriated  by  the  Legiflature  to  thd! 

public 

*  The  town  records  confirm  Mr.  Prince's  account,  that  the 
church  had  a  bell  at  Hrft  ;  for  they  Ihew  that  the  town  meetings 
were  then  called  by  the  ringing  of  the  bell.  A  drum,  for  what  rc.iion 
does  not  now  appear,  was  afterwards  fubftituted  m  its  place  ;  for  1  hnd 
an  order  of  the  townfmen,  in  1646,  for  the  payment  of  fifty  Ihiihngs 
to  a  man  "  for  his  fervice  to  the  towne,  in  beating  the  drum." 
■\  Woiider-workins  Providence,  C.  XLIII. 


The  Hijiory  of  Cambridge^  19 

public  fchool  at  Newtown,  about  eight  hundred  pounds. 
Thus  endowed,  this  fchool  was  exalted  to  a  college,  and 
alTumed  the  name  of  its  principal  Benefadlor  :  and  Newtown, 
in  compliment  to  the  college,  and  in  memory  of  the  place 
where  many  of  our  fathers  received  their  education,  was 
now  denominated  Cambridge. 

In  1639,  the  firll;  printing  prefs,  creeled  in  New-Eng- 
land, was  fet  up  at  Cambridge,  "  by  one  Daye  at  the  charge 
of  Mr.  Glover,"  who  died  on  his  paffage  to  America.* 
The  firft  thing  which  was  printed  v/as  the  freeman's  oath  ; 
the  next  was  an  almanack  made  for  New-England  by  Mr. 
Pierce,  mariner  y  the  next  was  the  Pfalms  newly  turned 
into  metre.! 

The  eccleJlaftical  fethers  of  New-England,  diffatisfied 
with  Sternhold  and  Hopkins'  verfion  of  the  Pfalms,  then 
in  common  ufe,  refolved  on  a  new  verfion.  Some  of  the 
principal  Divines  in  the  country,  among  whom  were  Mr. 
Welde  and  Mr.  Eliot,  of  Roxbury,  and  Mr.  Mather  of  ^ 
Dorchefter,  undertook  the  work.  Aiming,  as  they  well 
expreffed  it,  to  have  "  a  plain  tranllation,  rather  than  to 
fmooth  their  verfes  with  the  fweetnefs  of  any  paraphrafe  ;'* 
^ ^^ 

*  "  The  Reverend  and  judicious  Mr.  Jof.  Glover,  being  able  both 
In  perfon  and  eftate  for  the  work,  provided,  for  further  compleating  the 
colonies,  in  church  and  commonwealth,  a  printer,"  &c.  Wonder-'vcorkhig 
Providence,  X. — Mrs.  Glover  (probably  the  relid  of  this  gentleman) 
bought  Gov,  Haines'  houfe  and  eftate,  fituated  at  Market  Place,  in 
Cambridge,  in  1639. 

Nothing  of  Daye's  printing  is  to  be  found.  The  prefs  was  very  early  In 
the  poifeffion  of  Mr.  Samuel  Greene,  who  was  an  inhabitant  of  Cam- 
bridge, in  1639,  and  who  is  confidered  as  the  frj}  Pri?iter  in  America. 
His  defcendants,  in  every  fucceffion  to  this  day,  have  maintained  tlie 
honour  of  the  typographic  art.  The  prefent  printers,  of  that  name, 
at  New-London,  and  New-Haven,  in  Connedticut,  are  of  his  pofterity. 
The  firft  prefs  was  in  ufe  at  Cambridge,  about  half  a  century.  The 
laft  thing  I  can  find,  which  iffiied  from  it,  is  the  fecond  edition  of 
Eliot's  Indian  Bible,  in  1685.  Some  reliques  of  this  prefs,  1  am  in- 
formed, are  ftill  In  ufe,  in  the  printing  office  at  Windfor,  in  Vermont. 

Mr.  Samuel  Hall,  printer  to  the  Hiftorical  Society,  printed  the  New- 
England  Chronicle  at  Cambridge,  from  the  commencement  of  the  rev- 
olutionary war,  in  1775,  to  the  removal  of  the  American  army  from 
Cambridge.  A  new  printing  prefs  was  fet  up  In  this  town,  the  pre- 
fent year,  by  Mr.  William  Hilliard,  a  fon  of  my  worthy  predecefTor 
in  the  miniftry. 

f  WInthrop's  Journal. 


io  -the  Hijiory  of  Cambridge, 

and  regarding  ''  confclence  rather  than  elegance,  fidelity 
rather  than  poetry/*  their  verfion,  it  feems,  was  too  crude 
to  fatisfy  the  tafte  of  an  age,  neither  highly  refined,  nor  re- 
markably critical.     Hence,  Mr.  Shepard,  qi  CambridgCj 
addreffed  them  with  this  monitory  verfe  : 
"  Ye  Roxhiry.  poets,  keep  clear  of  the  crime 
Of  miffing  to  give  us  very  good  rhyme  : 
And  you  of  Dorchejler  your  verfes  lengthen. 
But  with  the  texts  own  words  you  will  them  ftrengthen." 
This  Verfion  was  printed  at  Cambridge  in  1640  :  but  re^ 
quiring,  as  it  was  judged,  "  a  little  more  art,"  it  was  com- 
mitted to  Prefident  Dunfter,  a  great  mafi:er  of  the  oriental 
languages,  w^ho,  v/ith  fome  afiifi:ance,  revifed  and  refined 
it,  and  brought  it  into  that  fi:ate  in  which  the  churches  of 
New-England  ufed  it  for  many  fubfequent  years.* 

In  1639,  the  town  ordered,  that  fome  perfon,  chofen  for 

the  purpofe,  fliouid  regifter  every  birth,  marriage,  and  bu- 

,  rial,  and,  "  according  to  the  order  of  the  Court,  in  that 

cafe  provided,  give  it  in  once  evrie  yeare  to  be  delivered 

by  the  deputies  to  the  Recorder." 

In  1 641,  (Dec.  13)  the  town  chofe  two  men,  whom  they 
direfted  to  "  take  care  for  the  making  of  the  towne  fpring, 
againft  Mr.  Dunfter's  houfe,  a  fufficient  well,  with  timber 
and  ftone  fit  for  the  ufe  of  man,  and  wattering  of  cattel."J 

In  1642,  according  to  an  order  of  the  laft  General  Court, 
*'  for  the  townfmen  to  fee  to  the  educating  children,"  the 
town  was  divided  into  fix  parts ,  and  a  perfon  appointed 
for  each  divifion,  "  to  take  care  of  all  the  families"  it  con- 
tained. 

The  firfl:  Commencement  was  holden  at  Cam.bridge  in 
1642,  at  which  time  nine  Students  took  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts.§     "  They  were  young  men  of  good 

hope, 

*  The  Rev.  Mr.  Prince,  of  Bofton,  obferved,  that,  when  he  was  laft 
in  England,  in  1717,  he  foimd  this  Verfion  "  was  by  fome  eminent, 
congregations  there  preferred  to  all  others  in  their  public  worfhip."  I 
find  the  eighteenth  edition  of  this  Verfion  printed  with  the  Bible  at 
Edinburgh,  in  1741  ;  and  the  twenty-third  (I  fuppofe  New-England) 
edition  printed  at  Bofton,  in  1730.  The  Rev.  Mr,  Prince  revifed  and 
improved  this  New-England  Verfion,  in  1758. 

X  May  not  this  be  the  town  well,  ftill  in  ufe,  a  little  fouthwefterly 
of  the  firft  church  ? 

§  There  are  now  one  hundred  and  ninety-one  Students  in  this  ancient 
and  very  refpefiable  feminary  ;  and,  for  feveral  preceding  years,  there 


The  Hijlory  of  Cambridge.  21 

liope,  and  performed  their  a<5ls  fo  as  gave  good  proof  of 
their  proficiency  in  the  tongues  and  arts."*  Moft  of  the 
members  of  the  General  Court  were  now  prefent,  "  and 
dined  at  the  college  with  the  fcholars  ordinary  commons, 
which  was  done  of  purpofe  for  the  Undents  encourage- 
ment— and  it  gave  good  content  to  all."t 

In  1643,  the  General  Court,— which  had  previoufly  com- 
mitted the  government  of  the  College  to  all  the  magiftrates, 
and  the  minifters  of  the  three  neareft  churches,  with  the 
prefident, — pafled  an  ad  for  the  well  ordering  and  manage 
ing  of  Harvard  College,  by  which  all  the  magiftrates,  and  the 
teaching  elders  of  the  fix  neareft  towns,  [Cambridge,  Wa- 
tertown,  Charleftown,  Bofton,  Roxbury,  and  DorchefterJ 
and  the  prefident  for  the  time  being,  w^ere  appointed  to  be 
forever  governors  of  this  Seminary,  They  met  at  Cam- 
bridge, for  the  firft  time,  by  virtue  of  this  Acl,  on  the  27th 
of  December,  1643,  "  confidered  of  the  officers  of  the  col- 
lege,  and  chofe  a  treafurer."| 

Flow  early  the  Grami-oar  School  was  eftablifhed  at  Cam^ 
bridge  does  not  appear  :  but  it  feems  to  have  been  nearly 
coeval  with  the  town,  and  to  have  been  an  object  of  great 
care  and  attention.  As  early  as  1643,  "^  vvriter  obferves  : 
*'  By  the  fide  of  the  Colledge  is  a  faire  Grammar  Schoole, 
for  the  training  up  of  young  fchollars,  and  fitting  of  them 
for  Academical  learning,  that  ftiil  as  they  are  judged  ripe, 

they 

have  been  upwards  of  two  hundred.     Since  the  year  1642,  tliere  have 

graduated  at   this  College 3674 

Of  whom  have  died        .-.»-..  2113 

Now  living        ,.„. 1561 

The  whole  number  of  ministers  who  have  graduated  here,  is  1158 

Of  which  number  have  died         ------       -787 

Now  living       -         -         -         -         -         -         -         -         -         371 

The  observations  of  Mr.  Oakes  are  worthy  of  perpetual  regard  : 
!'  Think  not  that  the  Commonwealth  of  Learning  may  languifh,  and  yet 
our  Civil  and  Ecclefiaftical  State  be  maintained  in  good  plight  and  con- 
dition. The  wifdom  and  forefight,  and  care  for  future  times,  of  our 
firft  Leaders  was  in  nothing  more  confplcuous  and  admirable,  than  in 
the  planting  of  that  Nurfery  ;  and  Nev/-England  is  enjoying  the  fweet 
fruit  of  it.  It  becomes  all  our  faithful  and  worthy  Patriots  that  tread 
in  their  fteps,  to  water  what  they  have  planted." 

Jddrefs  to  the  General  Court,  in  his  EUSiion  Sermon,  1673, 
*  Winthrcp's  Journal  f  Ibid.  +  Ibid. 


22  The  Hi/iorj  of  Cambridge. 

they  may  be  received  into  the  CoUedge  of  this  fchoole  : 
Mafter  Corlet  is  the  Mr.  v/ho  hath  very  well  approved  him- 
felf  for  his  abinties,  dexterity  and  painfulnelfe  in  teaching 
and  education  of  the  youths  under  him."t 

This  fchool,  fome  years  after,  received  a  liberal  donation 
from  Edv/ard  Hopkins,}  Efquire,  Governor  of  Connedicut, 
who  died  in  England,  in  1657.  This  charitable  and  pious 
man  gave,  by  his  laft  will,  the  principal  part  of  his  eftate  to 
his  father-in-law,  Theophilus  Eaton,  Efquire,  and  others^ 
"  in  full  aiTurance  of  their  truft  and  faithfulnefs  in  difpofmg 
of  it,  according  to"  his  "  true  intent  and  purpofe."  This 
purpofe  is  declared  to  be,  "  to  give  fome  encouragement  in 
thofe  Foreign  Plantations,  for  the  breeding  up  of  hopeful 
Youth  in  a  way  of  learning  both  at  the  Grammar  School 
and  College,  for  the  public  fervice  of  the  Country  in  fu- 
ture times."  Five  hundred  pounds  of  his  eftate  in  Eng- 
land, appropriated  to  the  college  and  grammar  fchool  in 
Cambridge,  were  laid  out  in  real  eftate  in  the  town  of 
Hopkinton,  and  now  conftitute  a  refpeclable  fund.  Three 
fourths  of  the  income  of  this  eftate  are  applied,  according 
to  the  inftrudion  of  the  will  of  the  donor,  to  the  mainte- 
nance of  live  reiident  Bachelors  of  arts,  at  Harvard  College, 
and  the  other  fourth  "  to  the  Mafter  of  Cambridge  Gram- 
mar School,  in  conlideration  of  his  inftrufting  in  Grammar 

Learning 

f  New-England's  Firft  Fruits.  See  Coll.  of  Hlft.  Soc.  I.  24.3.  Mr. 
Corlet  appears  to  have  been  a  man  of  learning,  of  piety,  and  refpeftabil- 
ity  ;  and  it  is  to  the  honour  of  Cambridge,  that,  in  the  infancy  of  the 
town,  great  exertions  were  made  for  his  fteady  and  permanent  fupport. 
He  was  marter  of  the  Grammar  School,  in  tliis  town,  between  40  and 
50  years.  He  had  the  tuition  of  the  Indian  fcholars,  who  were  defigned 
for  the  College,  and,  "  for  his  extraordinary  paines  in  teaching"  them, 
received  compenfation  from  the  Society  for  propagating  the  Gofpel.  In 
the  accounts,  tranfmitted  from  New-England  to  that  Society,  he  is  re- 
peatedly, and  very  honourably,  mentianed.  [See  Hazard's  Hill.  Coll. 
IL]  Dr.  C.  Mather  (who  has  inferted  in  his  Magnalia  a  biographical 
fketch  of  the  Rev,  Mr.  Hooker,  drawn  by  Mr.  Corlet)  ftyles  him  "that 
memorable  old  School-rnafter  in  Cambridge  ;  from  whofe  education," 
he  adds,  <'  our  College  and  Country  has  received  fo  many  of  its  worthy 
men,  that  he  is  himfelf  v/orthy  to  have  his  name  celebrated  in  our 
Church  HiRory." 

X  See  his  charadlcr  in  Trumbull's  Hift,  Conned.  I.  241, 


The  Hijiory  of  Cambridge.  23 

Learning  five  boys,§  nominated  by  the  Prefident  and  Fel- 
lows of  Harvard  College,  and  the  Minifter  of  Cambridge 
for  the  time  being,  who  are,  by  the  Will,  conftitnted 
"  Vifitors  of  the  faid  School."  They  make  an  annual  vifi- 
tation,  the  week  before  the  comm.encement,  "  to  fee  that 
fo  many  children  are  taught,"  and  that  they  "  give  proof 
of  their  proficiency  in  learning."  Two  fliillings  on  the 
pound,  or  a  tenth  part  as  much  as  each  Bachelor  receives, 
is  applied  to  "  buy  books  and  rev/ard  the  induflry  of  fuch 
under-graduates,  as  diftinguiih  themfeives  by  their  applica- 
tion to  their  fludies." 

In  1644,  Mr.  Daniel  Gookin  removed  from  Virginia, 
with  his  family,  and  fettled  at  Cambridge  ;  "  being  drawn 
hither  by  having  his  affedion  ilrongly  fet  on  the  truths  of 
Chrift  and  his  pure  ordinances."!  His  arrival  was  very  op- 
portune for  the  Reverend  Mr.  Eliot,  the  Indian  apoftle, 
who  was  now  preparing  himfelf  for  his  great  work  of 
evangelizing  the  Indians.  Mr.  Gookin,  animated  with  an 
apoflolical  zeal  for  the  promotion  of  this  pious  deiign,  vig- 
oroufly  co-operated  with  Mr.  Eliot,  in  its  execution.  He 
himfelf  informs  us,*  that  Mr.  Eliot  "  was  liis  neighbour, 
and  intimate  friend,  at  the  time  v/hen  he  firfl  attempted 
this  enterprize,"  and  communicated  to  him  his  defign.  In 
Mr.  Eliot's  evangelizing  vifits  to  the  Indians,  Mr.  Gookin 
fo  often  accompanied  him,  that  he  is  faid  to  have  been 
^'  his  conftant,  pious  and  perfevering  companion. "|  In 
1646, 

§  The  Legiflature  of  MafTachufetts  has  made  fuch  an  addition  to  this 
very  ufeful  fund,  that  fix  bachelors  may  now  refide  at  the  College,  and 
feven  boys  be  inftruded  at  the  Grammar  School. 

f  Wonder-working  Providence.     Magnal.  III.    120. 

*   Hid.  Colleft.  of  the  Indians  in  New-Englanc. 

X  Homer's  Hill,  of  Newtown,  in  Coll.  of  Hift.  See.  vol.  V.  z^t^. — 
Soon  after  Mr.  Gookin's  arrival,  he  v/as  appointed  captain  of  the  mil- 
itary company  in  Cambridge  ;  and  a  member  of  the  houfe  of  deputies. 
In  1652,  he  was  eleded  afliftant  ;  and,  four  years  after,  was  appointed 
by  the  General  Court  fuperintendant  of  all  the  Indians,  who  had  fubmit- 
ted  to  the  government  of  Maffachufetts  ;  in  which  office  he  appears  to 
have  continued,  with  little  interruption,  till  his  death.  In  1662,  he  was 
appointed,  in  conjundion  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mitchel,  one  of  the  licenfers 
of  the  printing-prefs  in  Cambridge.  In  i68r,  he  was  appointed  major- 
general  of  the  Colony.  He  is  charadterized  by  the  writers,  who  men- 
tiea  his  name,  as  a  man  of  good  underHanding,  rigid  in  his  religious 

and 


^4  "^b^  Hijiory  of  Cambridge, 

164.6,  Mr.  Eliot,  having  acquired  a  knowledge  of  the  In^ 
dian  language,  began  to  preach  to  the  Indians  at  Nonan- 
turn,  then  lying  within  the  limits  of  Cambridge.  From 
this  time,  for  many  years  afterward,  great  pains  were 
taken,  and  large  funis  expended,  to  educate  Indian  youth 
for  the  miniilry*  Several  were  maintained,  a  number  of 
years,  at  the  grammar  fchool,  with  a  view  to  the  comple- 
tion of  their  education  at  the  college  in  Cambridge.  Such, 
at  this  early  period,  was  the  zeal  of  our  pious  anceftors  for 
the  chriftianization  of  the  IndianSjand  fp  fanguine  Vvxre  their 
hopes  of  rendering  the  Indian  youth  auxiliary  to  the  defign^ 
that,  in  1 66 ^^  a  brick  edifice,  30  feet  long,  and  20  feet  broad^ 

was 

and  political  principles,  but  zealous  and  adlive,  of  inflexible   integrity, 
and  exemplary  piety,  difniterefted  and  benevolent,  a  firm  patriot,  ands 
above  all,  uniformly  friendly  to  the  Indians,  who  lamented  his  death 
with  unfeigned  forrow.      He  died  in  1687 — a  poor  man.     But,  fuch  was 
the  ellimation  of  his  charafter  and  fervices,  that  a  decent  monument 
was  ei-efled  over  his  grave.      It  ftands  on  the  fouth-eaft  fide  of  the  bu- 
rying-ground  in  Cambridge,  and  has  this  infcription  ; 
Here  lyeth  intered 
the  body  of  Major  Genl, 
Daniel  Gookins  aged  75  yeares 
who  departed  this  life  ye  1 9  of  March 
1686—7 
Mr.  Eliot's  apoftollcal  labours  among  the  Indians  are  juflly  celebrated 
in  Europe  and  America.     His  Indian  bible  will  remain  a  perpetual 
monument  of  his  patient  diligence}  and  pious  zeal.     "  The  whole  tranf- 
lation,"  Dr.  C.  Mather  iays,  "  he  writ  with  but  one  pen."     The  firft  edi- 
tion cf  it  was  publilhed  as  early,  at  leaft,  as  the  year  1668,  and  a  fecond 
in  1685.     Both  editions  were  printed  at  Cambridge.     The  title  of  thiff 
bible  is  ■ 

MamuiTe 

Wunneetupanatamwe 

UP-BIBLUM     GOD 

Naneefwe 

NUKKONE    TESTAMENT 

Kah  Wonk 

WUSKU    TESTAMENT. 

The  Lord's  Prayer  is  as  follows  : 
Noofhun  kefukqut,  quttianatamunach  koowefuonk.  Peyaumooutch 
kukketafTootamoonk  nen  nach  ohkelt  neane  kefukqut.  Nummeet- 
fuongalh  afekefukokifh  affamainneau  yenyeu  k-efukok.  Kah  ahquoan- 
tamaiinnean  nilmmatchefeongafii  neane  matchenehukqueaglg  nutah- 
quontamounnonog.  Ahquc  fagkompagunaiinnean  en  qutchhuaongaint 
webe  pohquohwuffinnean  wutch  matchitut.  Newutche  kutahtaunn  ke- 
taifootamoonk,  kah  menuhkefuonk,  kah  fohfumoonk  rnicheme.     Amen. 


The  Hijicry  of  Cambridge.  25 

was  ere(^ed  at  Cambridge,  for  an  Indian  College.  Several 
Indians  entered  college,  of  whom,  however,  one§  only  ever 
attained  the  academical  honours.  "  The  defign,"  fays  Mr. 
Gookin,  "  was  prudent,  noble,  and  good  ;  but  it  proved 
ineffeclual." — "  The  awful  providences  of  God,  in  fruftra- 
ting  the  hopeful  expedations  concerning  the  learned  In- 
dian youth,  who  were  deiigned  to  be  for  teachers  unto 
their  countrymen,"  are  noticed,  with  great  feniibility,  by 
this  hiftorian,!  who,  amidft  all  difcouragements,  retained 
his  zeal  for  the  promotion  of  this  pious  delign,  till  the  very 
clofe  of  his  life. 

A  Bill  having  been  preferred  to  the  General  Court  in 
1646,  for  the  calling  of  a  Synod,  for  the  purpofe  of  com- 
poling  and  publilhing  a  platform  of  church-difcipline,  a 
**  motion"  was  made  by  the  Court  to  the  churches,  to  af- 
femble  fuch  a  fynod.  It  was,  accordingly,  convened  at 
Cambridge  that  year,  and  protrafted  its  feffion,  by  ad- 
journments, till  1648.  This  fynod  compofed  and  adopted 
the  Platform  of  Cburcb-Pfcipline,  called  "  The  Cambridge 
Platform,"  which,  together  v/ith  the  Weftminfter  Confef- 
iion  of  Faith,  it  recommended  to  the  General  Court,  and 
to  the  churches.  I'he  churches  of  New-England,  in  gen- 
eral, acceded  to  this  platform  for  more  than  thirty  years  ; 
and  it  was  recognized  and  confirmed  by  a  fynod  at  Boilon, 
in  1679.* 

The  thriving  Hate  of  the  herds,!  belonging  to  this  town, 

to,2;ether 

§  Caleb  Cheefcaumuck,  (anciently  written  Cheefhahteaumuckj  ia  1665. 

X  Gookin's  Hiftorical  Colleflions,  chap.  V. 

*  Adams's  Hlft.  of  N.  England.     Neal's  Hid,  of  N.  England,  II.  33. 

f  By  an  eftimate  of  the  number  of  perfons,  and  of  the  eftate,  in  Cam- 
bridge, taken  by  the  Townfmen,  [Seledlmen]  by  order  of  the  General 
Court,  in  1647,  it  appears,  that  there  v/ere  then  in  town, 

Perfons    (rateable)           -         -         -         -  -  135 

Houfes -90 

Cows,  (valued  at  _^.9  pr.  head)         .         -         ~         208 

Gxen,  (at  ;^.6  pr.  head) ijr 

Young  cattle 229 

Total  head  of  cattle         -  -  568 

Horfes,  (at /".y  pr.  head) 20      ^ 

Sheep,  (at  ;^.i  10  pr.  head)     -         -         -         -  37      ' 

Swine,  (at  ;^. I  pr.  head) 62 

Goats,  (at  8/.  pr,  head) 58 

E 


i6  The  Hi/lory  of  Ca^nhridge, 

together  with  the  confidence  repofed  in  Waban\  (an  influ- 
ential Indian,  recently  converted  to  chriftianity  by  the 
apoftolic  Eliot)  appear  in  the  following  compaft,  dated 
April  13,  1647  •  "  Bargained  with  Waban,  the  Indian,  for 
4o  keepe  ihoMt  fix  /core  hcade  of  dry  cattle  on  the  foiith  fide 
of  Charles  River,  and  he  is  to  have  the  full  fome  of  eight 
pound,  to  be  paid  as  followeth,  viz.  30=-  to  James  Cutler, 
and  the  reft  in  Indian  corne  at  3  Ih.  buihel,  after  micheU 
tide  next. — He  is  to  bargain  to  take  care  of  them  the  21 
day  of  this  prefent  month,  and  to  keepe  them  untill  3 
vv'ccks  after  michelmas  ;  and  if  any  be  loft  or  ill,  he  is  to 
fend  word  unto  the  towne,  and  if  any  fhall  be  loft  through 
his  carelefl'nefs  he  is  to  pay  according  to  the  value  of  the 
beaft  for  his  defed.  his    S^::::^^    mark. 

Waban.'* 

In  1648,  "it  was  agreed,  at  a  gen er all  meeting,  when 
the  whole  towne  had  Ipeciall  warneing  to  meete  for  the 
difpofeing  of  Shawfhine,  that  there  fhould  be  a  farme  layde 
out,  of  a  thoufand  acres,  to  be  for  a  publick  ftocke,  and 
improved  for  the  good  of  the  Church,  and  that  part  of 
the  Church  that  here  fliall  continue  ;  and  every  perfon  or 
perfons,  that  fliall  from  time  to  time  remove  from  the 
Church,  doe  hereby  reiigne  up  theire  intereft  therein  to 
the  remaineing  part  of  the  Church  of  Cambridge."  * 

The  fame  year,  it  v^'as  ordered,  "  That  there  ihall  be  an 
eight  peny  Oxdnary  provided  for  the  Townfmen  [Select- 
men] every  fecond  munday  of  the  month  upon  there 
meeteing  day  ;  and  that  whofoever  of  the  Townfmen 
faile  to  be  prefent  within  half  an  houre  of  the  ringing  of 
the  bell  (which  fliall  be  half  an  houre  after  eleven  of  the 
clocke)  he  fliall  both  iofe  his  dinner,  and  pay  a  pint  of 
facke,  or  the  value,  to  the  prefent  Townfmen.'* 

Among  the  town-oflicers  for  the  following  year,  three 
commiflioners  were  chofen,  "  to  end  fmali  caufes  under 
forty  fhiUings.'* 

Mr.  Shepard  died  in    1649,  ^^*^^  ^^^  fucceeded  In  the 

mihiftry 

X  Wiiban  lived  at  Nonantum,  a  part  of  Cambridge  Village,  now 
Newton.  AVhen  Mr.  Eliot  made  his  firft  evangelizing  vifit,  Odl.  28, 
1 646,  "  Waban  met  him  at  a  fmall  diftance  from  the  fettlement,  and 
welcomed  him  to  a  large  wigwam  on  the  hill  Nonantum  ;"  and  became 
one  of  the  firfl  fruits  of  his  miffion.  Homer' i  Hift.  o/Ncivtcn. 

*  Town  Records. 


The  Hifiory  of  Cambridge.  27 

miniftry  by  the  Reverend  Jonathan  Mitchel.  In  the  in- 
terval between  Mr.  Shepard*s  death,  and  Mr.  MitchePs  or- 
•lination,  the  pulpit  was  fupplied  by  Prefident  Dunfter, 
and  Mr.  Richard  Lyon,  who  lived  at  the  Prelident*s  in  the 
capacity  of  a  private  tutor  to  an  Englifli  ftudent. 

A  vote  of  the  town  to  repair  the  old  church  "  with  a 
4  fquare  roofe,  and  covered  with  Ihingle,'*  paiTed  Feb.  18, 
1650,  was  refcinded,  in  March  ;  and  the  committee,  now 
ordered  to  "  defift  from  repairing"  the  old  houfe,  was  in- 
ftrucled  to  "  agree  with  workmen  for  the  building  of  a 
new  houfe,  about  forty  foot  fquare,  and  covered  as  was 
formerly  agreed  for  the  other.  It  was  alfo  then  voted, 
and  generally  agreed,  that  the  new  meeting-houfe  fliall 
ftand  on  the  Watch  houfe  hill."  This  is  beheved  to  be  the 
hill  on  which  the  prefent  congregational  church  ftands. 
The  fecond  church  was,  doubtlefs,  erected  about  this 
time  ;  for,  in  February,  1651,  the  town  voted,  "  That  the 
Townfmen  fhall  make  fale  of  the  land  whereon  the  old 
meeting  houfe  ftood." 

In  1650,  the  General  Court  gave  the  College  its  lirft 
charter,  appointing  a  Corporation,  conlifting  of  the  Prefi- 
dent, five  Fellows,  and  the  Treafurer.  This  board,  and 
that  previoufly  mentioned,  now  denominated  the  board 
of  Overfeers,  conftitute  the  legiflature  of  Harvard  Uni- 
verfity.* 

Cambridge  appears,  at  this  time,  to  have  befi:owed  fome 
attention  on  navigation  ;  for  an  early  hifi:orian  mentions 
"  a  fhip,  built  and  fet  forth  by  the  inhabitants  of  Cam- 
bridge," 

*  Presidents  of  Harvard  University. 

Accefs.  Exit. 

1640  Rev.  Henry  Dunfter,  refigned     -        =        -  .     1654 

1654  Rev.  Charles  Chauncy,  died     -           -           -  -1672 

1672  Rev.  Leonard  Hoar,  M.  D.  refigned     -         .  -    1675 

1675  Rev.  Urian  Oakes,  A.  M.  died     -         -         -  -    i68i 

1682  John  Rogers,  A.M.  died      ...  -       1684 

1685  Rev.  Increafe  Mather,  S.  T.  D.  refigned      -  -      1701 

1 70 1  Rev.  Samuel  Willard,  A.M.  Vice-Prefident,  died      1707 

1708  Hon.  John  Leverett,  A.M.    S.  R.  S.  died    -  -     1724 

1725  Rev.  Benjamin  Wadfworth,  A.M.  died      -  -      1737 

1737  Rev.  Edward  Holyoke,  A.M.  died      ...     1769 

1770  Rev.  Samuel  Locke,  S.  T.  D.  refigned       -  -       J  773 

1774  Rev.  Samuel  Langdon,  S.  T.  D.  refigned     -  »     I7*» 

1781  Rev.  Jofeph  Willard,  S.  T.  D,   L.L.D, 


%9  The  Hijiory  of  Cambridge, 

bridge,*'  in  1649,  as  being  "  fplit  and  caft  away."  The 
fame  biftorian,  who  compofed  his  hiftory  in  1652,  fays  of 
Cambridge  :  "  This  town  is  compad  clofely  within  itfelfe, 
fill  of  late  yeares  fome  few  ftragling  honfes  have  been  built. 
The  liberties  of  this  town  have  been  inlarged  of  late  in 
length,  reaching  from  the  moft  northerly  part  of  Charles 
river,  to  the  moft  foutherly  part  of  Merrimeck  river.*  It 
hath  well  ordered  ftreets  and  comly  compleated  with  the 

faire  building  of  Harvard  Colledge. ^The  people  of  this 

Church  and  Tov/ne  have  hitherto  had  the  chiefeft  Ihare  in 
fpirituall  bleffings,  the  miniftry  of  the  v/ord  by  more  than 
ordinary  inftruments  : — Yet  are  they  at  this  day  in  a 
thriving  condition  in  outward  things,  alfo  both  corne  and 
eattell,  neate,  and  fheepe,  of  which  they  have  a  good 
flocke,  which  the  Lord  hath  caufed  to  thrive  much  in 
thefe  latter  dayes  than  formerly."  f 

The  firft  licenfe  for  an  inn,  in  Cambridge,  appears  to 
liavc  been  given  in  1653,  when  "the  tov/nfmen  granted 
liberty  to  Andrew  Belcher,  to  fell  beare  and  bread,  for  en* 
tertainment  of  ftrangers,  and  the  good  of  the  towne."| 

The  inhabitants  of  Cambridge  Village  had  become  fo 
numerous,  by  the  year  1656,  as  to  form  a  diftinft  congre- 
gation for  public  worfliip  ;  and  an  annual  abatement  was 
made  of  "  the  one  halfe  of  their  proportion  to  the  minif- 
tryes  allowance,  dureing  the  time  they  were  provided  of 
an  able  miniftdr  according  to  law.'*5 

The  fame  year^  the  inhabitants  of  Cambridge  confented 
to  pay  each  his  proportion  of  a  rate  to  the  fum  of  £.100^ 
"tovi^ards  the  building  a  bridge  over  Charles  River." |j  A 
bridge  Was  ere6led,  about  the  year  1660,  and,  for  many 
yt?A-?,, 

*  Cambridge  appears,  in  the  firft  inftance,  to  have  contained  merely 
a  fiifEeient  trait  of  land  for  a  fortified  town.  Hence  the  early  tendency 
of  its  inhabitants  to  emigration.  By  this  fecond  enlargement,  it  ap- 
pears to  have  included  the  territory  conftituting  the  principal  part  of 
the  prefent  townihip  of  Billericas  and  the  whole  towniliip  of  Lexhigtcn  ; 
the  former  of  which  was  incorporated  May  29,  1655,  ^"<^  ^^  latter, 
March  20,  1712.  Cambridge  Village  was  incorporated,  by  the  name  of 
Nenutott,  December  8,  1691. 

f  Wonder-working  Providence,  C.  XXVIII. 

X  Town  Records. 

\  Town  Records.  The  firft  church  in  Cambridge  Village  [novr 
Nev^tonJ  was  gathered  July  20,  1664. 

fl  Town  Records. 


The  HiflQry  of  Cambridge.  29 

years,  was  caUed  "  The  Great  Bridge."  Not  long  after 
its  ereftion,  it  was  ordered  that  it  ftiould  be  "  layd  in  oyle 
and  lead."*  ^     ^ 

About  this  time,  there  was  built  in  the  town,  "  a  houle 
of  corre6tion  ;"  which,  in  conjundion  with  other  fads,  in- 
dicates the  early  care  of  qur  anceftors  to  reprefs  idlenefs 
and  vice,  and  to  encourage  induftry  and  economy.  In 
1656,  certain  perfons  were  appointed  by  the  feledmen, 
to  execute  the  order  of  the  General  Court,  for  the  im-. 
provement  of  all  the  families  within  the  llmitts  of  this 
towne,  in  fpinning  and  cloathing."!  The  year  following, 
James  Hubbard  had  "  liberty  granted  him  to  fell  fome 
fmall  timber  on  the  common,  for  the  making  him  a 
loome."{ 

Orchards  muft  have  been  fuccefsfuUy  cultivated,  as  early 
as  the  year  1662  ;  for  Mr.  Mitchel  was  then  "  granted  a 
tree  for  a  cider  preffe  ;"  and  James  Hubbard  *'  timber  for 
fencing  his  orchard." i| 

In  September,  1665,  five  Mohawk  Indians,  "  all  ftout 
and  lufty  young  men,"  came,  in  the  afternoon,  into  the 
houfe  of  Mr.  John  Taylor,  in  Cambridge.  I'hey  were 
feen  to  come  out  of  a  fwamp  not  far  from  the  houfe. 
Each  of  them  had  a  firelock  gun,  a  piftol,  a  helved  hatchet, 
a  long  knife  hanging  about  his  neck,  and  a  pack,  well  fur- 
nifhed  with  powder,  and  bullets,  and  other  necefiary  im.- 
plements.  The  family  giving  immediate  notice  to  the  au- 
thority of  the  town,  a  conftable,  with  a  party  of  men,  came 
to  the  houfe,  and  feized  them  without  any  refiftance,  and, 
by  authority,  committed  them  to  prifon.  The  Englifn 
had  heard  much  of  the  Mohav/ks,  but  had  never  feen  any 
of  them  before.  "  At  their  being  imprifoned,  and  their 
being  loaden  with  irons,  they  did  not  appear  daunted  or 
dejecTed  ;  but,  as  the  manner  of  thofe  Indians  is,  they  fang 
night  and  day,  when  they  were  awake."  Within  a  day  or 
two  after,  they  were  removed  from  Cambridge  to  Bofton 
prifon,  and  were  repeatedly  examined  by  the  Court,  then 
in  fefiion.  They  alleged  that  they  came  not  with  any  in- 
tention to  do  the  leaft  harm  to  the  Englifli,  but  to  avenge 
themfelves  of  the  Indians,  their  enemies.     The  Court,  at 

len  g  th , 

*  A  phrafe,  fuppofed  to  mean  "  painted." 

t  Town  Records.  t  Ibi^-  ii  ^^»^' 


30  The  Hijlory  of  Cambridge. 

length,  dlfmiffed  them,  with  a  letter  to  their  chief  fachem, 
the  purport  of  which  was,  to  forbid  the  Mohawks,  for  the 
future,  to  kill  any  of  the  Indians  under  the  protection  of 
the  Englifh,  and  to  come  armed  into  any  of  the  Englifti 
towns.  With  this  letter,  and  a  convoy  of  horfe  to  condud 
them  into  the  woods,  clear  of  the  Indians,  their  enemies, 
they  were  difmiiTed,  and  were  heard  of  no  more.* 

To  the  moral  and  religious  education  of  the  children 
and  youth  in  Cambridge,  there  appears  to  have  been  a 
regular  and  fyllem.atic  attention.  In  1668,  fome^of  the 
moft  refpedable  inhabitants  were  chofen  "  for  katechifeing 
the  youth  of  this  towne."t 

Mr.  Mitch  el  died  in  1668.  "  At  a  public  meeting  of  the 
Church  and  Town,"  in  1669,  "  to  confider  of  lupply  for 
the  miniftry,  it  was  agreed.  That  there  ftiould  be  a  houfe 
bought  or  built,  to  entertain  a  minifter."]:  For  this  pur- 
pofe,  the  parilli,  the  fame  year,  fold  "  the  church's  farm,'* 
of  fix  hundred  acres,  in  Shawfhin,  (Billerica)  for  ^^^-t^o 
fteriing.  Four  acres  of  land  were,  foon  after,  purchafed  ; 
on  which,  in  1670,  a  houfe  was  erecled  thirty-lix  feet  long, 
and  thirty  feet  wide,  "  this  houfe  to  I'emaine  the  church's, 
2nd  to  be  the  dwelhng  place  of  fuch  a  minifter  and  officer, 
as  the  Lord  Ihall  be  pleated  to  fupply  us  withall,  during  the 
time  he  fhall  fupply  that  place  amongft  us."|j 

The  Church  and  Society  nov/  invited  Mr.  William 
Stoughton*  to  become  their  minifter  ;  "  but  they  were 

denied." 

*  Gookin's  Hift.  Colled.  f  Church  Records.  %  Ibid. 

![  Church  Records.  All  the  minifters,  fmce  Mr.  Mitchel,  have  refi- 
<Icd  at  the  Parfonage.  The  front  part  of  the  prefent  houfe,  at  the 
Parfonage,  was  built  in  1720. 

*  The  Honourable  William  Stoughton,  Efquire,  was  a  preacher  of 
the  gofpel  for  feveral  years.  His  Sermon,  at  the  annual  Eledtion,  has 
been  ranked  among  the  very  beft,  delivered  on  that  occafion.  His 
Epitaph  (which  Mr.'  Clap,  the  late  venerable  town-clerk  of  Dorchefter, 
told  me,  in  his  cautious  manner,  he  believed  7?iay  have  been  written  by 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Mather,  of  Dorchefter)  afcribes  to  him  thefe  traits  : 

Religione    Sandus, 

Virtute  clarus, 
Doctrina    Celebris,   • 

Ingenio  Acutus, 


Jmpletatis  Iff  Vitii  Hoftis  acerrimus. 
Hunc  Dodores  laudant  Theologum, 
Hunc  Pii  venerantur  Aufterum.  With 


The  Hijlory  of  Cambridge,  31 

denied." — "  After  fome  time  of  feeking  God  by  prayer, 
the  Lord  was  pleafed  to  guide  the  church  to  make  tliPir 
application  to  Mr.  Urian  Oakes  in  Old  England."  jN-r. 
William  Manning  was  fent  as  a  meffenger  with  a  letter 
from  the  church,  and  with  another  letter  "  fent  by  feveral 
Magiftrates  and  Minifters,  to  invite  him  to  come  over  and 
be  an  officer  amongft  them."t  Mr.  Oakes  accepted  the 
invitation,  came  to  America,  and  was  inducted  into  office, 
in  1 67 1.  In  1675,  he  was  invited  to  the  prefidency  of 
Harvard  College,  and  was  induded  into  that  office  the 
fame  year.  The  charge  of  his  flock,  however,  he  did  not 
entirely  relinquifli  till  his  death. 

In  1675,  the  felectmen  appointed  certain  perfons  "  to 
have  infpedion  into  family es,  that  theare  be  noe  by 
drinking  or  any  mifdemenor  wheareby  fme  is  committed, 
and  perfons  from  theare  houfes  unfeafonably."{ 

At  a  town  meeting,  in  1676,  called  "  to  confider  about 
fortifieing  of  the  towne  againft  the  Indians,"  it  was  judg- 
ed neceflary,  "  that  fomething  bee  done  for  the  fencing  in 
the  towne  with  a  ftockade,  or  fume  thing  equivalent." 
Materials  were,  accordingly,  prepared  :  but  king  Philip's 
war  being  foon  after  terminated,  the  town  ordered  that 
the  feleftmen  fliould  "  improve  the  timber,  that  was 
brought  for  the  fortification,  for  the  repairing  of  the  Great 
Bridge."*  This  bridge  was  rebuilt  in  1690,  at  the  ex- 
pence  of  Cambridge  and  Newton,  with  fome  aid  from  the 
public  treafury. 

The  extent  of  the  town,  and  the  provident  and  pious  at- 
tention of  its  inhabitants  to  the  fupport  of  the  miniftry, 
appear'  by  a  vote  of  January  8,  1682  :  "  That  500  acres 
of  the  remote  lands,  lying  between  Woburn,  Concord, 
and  our  head  line,  fhall  be  laid  out  for  the  ufe  and  benefit 
of  the  miniftry  of  this  town  and  place,  and  to  remain  for 
that  ufe  forever."  § 
Mr, 

With  thefc  excellent  qualifications,  however,  he  was  never  fettled  in  the 
miniftry.  But,  in  civil  life,  he  was  eminently  ufeful  to  the  Common- 
wealth. He  was  repeatedly  chofen  its  Lieut.  Governor  ^  and,  for  fome 
years,  was  Commander  in  chief.  He  was  a  generous  benefador  to 
Harvard  College.  Stoughton  Hall  was  ere<5ted  at  his  expenfe.  See 
his  Epitaph  entire  in  Hill.  Colleflions,  II.  10. 

f  Church   Records,  %  Town   Records. 

*  Town  Records.  5  Ibid. 


3^  The  Hiftory  of  Cambridgs< 

Mr.  Oakes  died  in  1681.  Mr.  Nathaniel  Gookin,  who 
had  been  employed  by  the  fociety  as  his  afliftant,  during 
the  latter  part  of  his  miniftry,  was  now  chofen  his  fuccef- 
for.     He  was  ordained  in  1682.     He  died  in  1692. 

Not  long  after  his  death,  the  church  and  fociety  unani* 
moufly  invited  the  celebrated  Dr.  Increafe  Mather  to  fuc- 
ceed  him,  in  the  miniftry  :  but  the  reluctance  of  his  peo- 
ple, (among  whom  he  had  then  miniftered  36  years)  with 
Other  obftacles,  prevented  his  acceptance  of  the  invitation. 

The  Reverend  WilHam  Brattle  was,  at  length,  chofen  to 
this  office  ;  and  was  ordained  in  1 696.  During  his  minif- 
try, a  formal  and  public  relation  of  religious  experiences, 
as  a  qualification  for  church  fellowfliip,  was,  by  a  vote  of 
the  church,  declared  unneceflary  ;  the  bufmefs  of  examin- 
ation was  referred  to  the  paftor  and  elders  ;  and  the  con- 
fent  of  the  church  to  the  admillion  of  a  member  was  ligni- 
fied  by  filence,  inftead  of  a  manual  vote. 

In  1700,  the  proprietors  of  the  common  and  undivided 
lands  in  Cambridge  gave  the  high  way  on  the  fouth  fide 
of  Charles  river,  from  the  river  to  the  road  now  leading 
to  Roxbury,  "  for  the  ufe  of  the  miniftry  in  this  town 
and  place."!  This  highway  lay  to  the  eaftward  of  the 
prefent  one,  on  the  fouth  lide  of  the  river.  Before  the 
eredion  of  the  firft  bridge  over  Charles  river,  there  was 
a  ferry,  from  t\vi  wharf  at  Water  ftreet,  in  Cam.bridge,  to 
this  highway. 

In  1706,  the  third  church  was  erected  in  Cambridge,  a 
little  in  front  of  the  fpot  where  the  prefent  church  ftands  j 
and  the  firft  divine  fervice  was  performed  in  it  on  the  13th 
of  Odober. 

On  the  petition  of  the  farmers,  "  that  they  might  be  dif- 
miffed  from  the  town,  and  be  a  townfliip  by  themfelves  ^'* 
leave  was  given  them,  on  certain  conditions  :  and  Cam- 
bridge Farms  were  incorporated,  by  the  name  of  Lexington, 
in   171 2.* 

Mr.  Brattle  died  in  1717  j  and  was  fucceeded  by  the 
Reverend  Nathaniel  Appleton,  v/ho  was  ordained  the 
fe,me  year. 

A  form  of  500  acres,  lying  at  a  remote  part  of  Lexing- 
ton, toward  Bedford,  "  given  in  former  time  by  the  pro- 
prietors 

t  Town  Records.  *  Ibid. 


TU  Uijlory  of  Cambridge,  ^3 

prietors  of  the  town  for  the  ufe  of  the  minlftry  In  this 
town  and  place/*  was  fold  in  1 7 1 9  ;  and  the  avails  (except- 
ing £'i^o  for  the  erection  of  a  new  parfonage  houfe)  were 
appropriated  to  the  eftablifliment  of  an  accumulating  fund, 
for  the  purpofe  originally  defigned  by  the  donation.  It 
was  Mr.  Appleton's  propofal,  (which  has  been  carried  in1;o 
effed)  that  the  minifter  Ihould  receive  two  thirds  of  the 
intereft,  and  that  the  other  third  Ihould  be  added  to  the 
principal,  that  it  might  be  "  a  growing  ellate."  This 
fund,  by  its  own  accumulation,  and  by  the  addition  of  the 
.produd  of  minifterial  lands,  fold  in  1795,  has  become 
greatly  auxiliary  to  the  fupport  of  the  miniilry. 

In  1732,  the  inhabitants  of  the  north-wefterly  part  of 
Cambridge  were,  by  an  ad  of  the  Legiflature,  formed  into  a 
diflind  and  feparate  Precind.  On  the  Lord's-day,  Septem- 
ber 9,  1739,  a  church  was  gathered  in  this  precincl,  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Hancock,  of  Lexington  :  and,  on  the  12th  of 
the  fame  month,  the  Reverend  Samuel  Cooke  was  ordain- 
ed its  paftor.  On  this  occafion,  the  firft  church  in  Cam- 
bridge voted,  that  ^^.25  be  given  out  of  the  church  ilock 
to  the  fecond  church  in  Cambridge,  "  to  furnilh  their 
communion  table  in  a  decent  manner."* 

In  1734,  the  town  received  ;C-3oo  from  the  General 
Court,  toward  defraying  the  expence  of  repairing  the 
Great  Bridge  over  Charles  river  ;  and,  together  with  a 
vote  of  thanks  to  the  Court,  voted  tlianks  to  Jacob  Wen- 
dell, Efquire,  and  Mr.  Cradock,  for  their  kindnefs  in  pi'-O- 
curing  and  collecting  a  very  bountiful  fubfcription  for  the 
fame  purpofe.f 

In  1736,  a  committee,  chofen  by  the  church  to  confult 
with  the  paftor  refpecling  meafures  to  promote  a  reform?.- 
tion,  propofed  and  recommended  to  the  church,  as  what 
they  "  apprehended  might  be  ferviceable  for  reviving  re- 
ligion, and  fupprefling  growing  difordei's,"  that  there  be  a 
number  of  v/ife,  prudent,  and  blamelefs  Chriftians  chofen 
among  themfelves,  whofe  fpecial  care  it  fliouid  be,  to  in- 
{peft 

*  Church  Records.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Cooke,  "  in  whom,"  as  his  epi- 
taph juftly  ftates,  "  were  united  the  fecial  friend,  the  man  of  fciencc,  the 
eminent  and  faithful  clergyman,"  died  June  4,  1783,  in  the  75th  year 
of  his  age,  and  44th  of  his  miniftry.  He  was  fucceeded  by  the  Rev, 
Thaddeus  Fifke,  who  was  ordaiueji  April  23,  xySS. 

f  Town   Records. 

F 


54  ^>^^  Uijiory  of  Cambridge. 

fpe<5l  and  oblerve  the  manners  cf  profeffing  Chriftlans,  and 
fuch  as  were  under  the  care  and  watch  of  the  church. 
The  propofal  was  adopted,  and  a  committee  was  appointed, 
for  the  piirpofe  exprelTed  in  the  recommendation.  This 
committee,  which  was  a  kind  of  privy  council  to  the  min- 
ifter,  though  v/ithout  authority,  appears  to  have  been  very 
ierviceable  to  the  interefts  of  rehgion  ;  and  it  was  renewed 
annually,  for  the  fpace  of  about  fifty  years. 

In  1756,  the  prefent  Court  Koufc  in  Cambridge  was  built. 

The  prefent  church,  in  the  Firft  Parifti  in  Cambridge, 
which  is  the  fourth,  built  in  this  parifh,  was  raifed  Novem- 
ber 17,  1756  ;  and  divine  fervice  was  firil  performed  in  it 
July  24,  1757.  The  bell,  now  in  ufe,  was  given  to  the  fo- 
ciety,  by  Captain  Andrew  Belcher,  in  the  year  1700  5  at 
which  time  the  town  gave  "  the  little  meeting-houfe  bell 
to  the  farmers,'*  or  Lexington.  The  bible,  for  the  pulpit, 
was  the  gift  of  the  Honourable  Jacob  Wendell,  Efquire,  of 
Bofton,  in  1 740.  The  pi'efent  clock  was  procured  by  fub- 
fcription  in  1794. 

In  1 76 1,  five  or  fix  gentlemen,  each  of  whofe  income 
was  judged  to  be  adequate  to  the  maintenance  of  a  domef- 
tic  chaplain,  were  defirous  to  have  an  epifcopal  church 
built,  and  a  mifiionary  fixed,  at  Cambridge.  This  year, 
accordingly,  a  church  was  erected  :  and  the  Reverend  Eaft 
Apthorp  took  charge  of  it,  as  miilionary  from  the  Society 
for  the  propagation  of  the  Gofpel  in  foreign  parts.* 

*  This  church,  called  Chrij}  Churchy  was  opened  Odlober  15, 
MDCCLXI  ;  and  is  conildered,  by  connoiffeurs  in  architefture,  as  ooe 
of  the  bed  conftruifted  churches  in  New-England.  Its  model  is  faid  to 
have  been  taken  from  Italy.  On  its  corner-{lone  is  the  following 
Inscription  : 

DEO.  jETERNO. 

PATRI.  FILIO.  SPIRITtM.  S. 

HANC.  AEDEM. 

SUB  AVSPICIIS.  ILLUSTRISS.  SOCIETATIS. 

PROMOVENDO.  EVANGELIC. 

IN.  PARTIBUS.  TRANSMARINIS. 

INSTITUTAE. 

CONSECRABANT.  CANTABRIGIENSES. 

ECCLESIAE.  ANGLICANAE.  FILII. 

IN. 

CHRISTIANAE.  FIDEI.  ET.  CHARITATIS. 

INCREMENTVM. 

A.D.  MDCCLX. 

PROVINCIAM.  PROCURANTE. 

V.  CL. 

FRANCISCO.  BERNARDO.  Mr., 


The  Hijiory  of  Cambridge,  35 

The  Inhabitants  of  Cambridge  early  difcovered  a  zealous 
attachment  to  the  liberties  of  their  country.  On  the  occa- 
fion  of  the  memorable  Stamp  Ad,  it  was  voted,  Odober  14, 
1765,  "  as  the  opinion  of  the  town,  That  the  inhabitants 
of  this  Province  have  a  legal  claim  to  all  the  natural,  inher- 
ent, conftitutional  rights  of  Engliflimen,  notwithftanding 
their  diftance  from  Great-Britain,  and  that  the  Stamp  Ad 
is  an  infraction  upon  thefe  rights."  After  ftating  its  op- 
preffive  tendency,  the  vote  proceeds  :  "  Let  this  Ad  but 
t^ke  place.  Liberty  will  be  no  more  ;  Trade  will  languilh 
and  die  ;  our  Medium  will  be  fent  into  his  Majefty's  ex- 
chequer ;  and  Poverty  come  upon  us  as  an  armed  man. 
The  Town,  therefore,  hereby  advife  and  direft  their  repre- 
fentatives  by  no  means  whatfoever  to  do  any  one  thing  that 
may  aid  faid  Ad  in  its  operation  ;  but  that,  in  conjundion 
with  the  friends  of  liberty,  they  ufe  their  utm.oft  endeavours 
that  the  fame  may  be  repealed  :  and  that  this  vote  be  re- 
corded in  the  Town  Books,  that  the  children  yet  unborn 
may  fee  the  defire  that  their  anceftors  had  for  their  free- 
dom and  happinefs."* 

At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  the  common  and  un- 
divided lands  in  Cambridge,  in  1769,  "  all  the  common 
lands,  belonging  to  the  proprietors,  fronting  the  college, 
commonly  called  the  Town  Commons,  not  heretofore 
granted  or  allotted  to  any  particular  perfon,  or  for  any 
Ipecial  or  particular  ufe,"  were  "  granted  to  the  town  of 
Cambridge,  to  be  ufed  as  a  Training  Field,  to  lie  undi- 
vided, and  to  remain  for  that  ufe  forever."! 

The  eledion  of  counfellors  for  the  Province  of  Maffachu- 
fetts  was  holden  at  Cambridge,  In  May,  1770,  by  order  of 
Governor  Hutchinfon  ;  in  oppofition  to  the  Charter,  and 
to  the  fenfe  of  the  whole  Province, 

On  the  impoiition  of  a  duty  on  teas  Imported  to  Amer- 
ica, by  the  Eaft-India  Company,  feveral  fpirited  refolves  of 
the  town  of  Cambridge,  November  26,  1773,  were  clofed 

with 

Mr.  Apthorp  was  educated  at  Jefus  College,  in  the  Univerfity  of 
Cambridge,  in  England,  of  which  he  was  afterwards  a  Fellow.  He 
proceeded  A.  B.  in  1755,  and  has  fmce  received  the  degree  of  D.  D. 
from  one  of  the  Englifh  Univerfities.  Within  a  few  years  after  his  fettle- 
ment  at  Cambridge,  he  went  to  England,  and  became  fettled  in  Lon=. 
don,  where  he  is  ftill  living. 

*  Town  Records.  -}•  Proprietors'  Record<;. 

1.1S9SG9 


^4  The  Hijiar^  of  Cmnhfidge, 

v^-itR  tlie  following  :  "  That  this  Town  can  no  longer  ftand 
idle  fpedators,  but  are  ready,  on  the  fhorteft  notice,  to  join 
with  the  town  of  Bofton,  and  other  towns,  in  any  meaf- 
ures  that  may  be  .thought  proper,  to  deliver  ourfelves  and 
poflerity  from  flavery."* 

On  the  great  queftion,  "  Whether,-  if  Congrefs  fliould, 
for  the  fafety  of  the  Colonies,  declare  them  independent  of 
Great-Britain,  the  town  would  fupport  them  in  th6 
meafure  :"  the  inhabitants  of  Cambridge,  May  27,  1776, 
urianimouily  and  folemnly  engaged  -  fuch  fupport,  with 
their  lives  and  fortunes.! 

From  the  commencement  of  hoftilities  at  Lexington, 
April  18,  1775,  the  tranquillity  of  Cambridge  was,  for  fev- 
eral  years,  interrupted,  by  the  tumult  of  war.  Many  of 
the  inhabitants  left  the  town,  and  retired  into  the  interior 
parts  of  the  country.  The  Seat  of  the  Mufes  was  now  oc- 
cupied hy  foldiers.  It  was  at  Cambridge  that  General 
Wafhington  fixed  his  firft  encampment  ;  and  this  was  the 
place  of  the  head-quarters  of  the  American  army,  till  the 
evacuation  of  Bolton j  by  the  Britifh  troops,  in  1776. 
During  this  period  the  college  was  affembled  at  Concord, 

On  the  capture  of  General  Burgoyne,  in  1777,  he,  and 
his  captured  troops,  were  located  at  Cambridge,  under  the 
fuperintendance  of  General  Heath,  as  prifoners  of  war. 

The  prefent  Conftitution  of  Maflachufetts  was  framed  at 
Cambridge,  in  1779,  by  a  Convention  chofen  by  the  feveral 
tdWns  in  the  Commonwealth.  It  w'ais  referred  to  the  con- 
iideration  of  another  ConVentiort.  The  irihafcitants  of 
Cambridge,  after  propoiing  feveral  amendmejlts,  gave  an 
eXaitiple  of  a  liberal  patriotifm,  efferitial  to  every  republican 
government,  which  muft  reft  on  the  \vill  of  the  majority. 
"  Willing  to  give  up  th'cii'  oWn  op'ifiion  in  leffer  matters, 
in  birder  id  obtain  a  governmeirt  whofe  ailthorit^-  might 
not  be  difputed,  and  which  they  wifhed  might  foon  be  ef- 
tibiifhed  ;"  they  inftrucled  their  rcprefentative  to  the  Con- 
vention, "  in  their  name  and  behalf,  to  ratify  and  confirm 
the  |5ropdf^d  foi'iTj,  ^/hether  the  amendments  be  made^ 

of    nGt."t  _    r 

In  178c,  tiie  diiircli  members  on  the  fouth  fide  of 
Charles  river  in  Cambridge  prefented  a  petition  to  the 

church, 

'^-  Town   Records.  \  Ibid.  %  Ibid. 


The  Wjiory  of  Cambridge*  37 

c5iutcli,  "  fignifymg  their  delii^e  to  be  diftniffed,  and  incor- 
porated into  a  diftina:  church,  for  enjoying  the  fpecial  or- 
cfinances  of  the  gofpel  mote  conveniently  by  themfelves.'* 
The  church  voted  a  comphance  with  their  petition  ;  and 
they  were  incorporated  on  the  23d  of  February,  1783. 
The  Reverend  John  Fofter  was  ordstJiied  to  their  paftoral 
charge,  November  4,  1784. 

In  1783,  in  confideration  of  the  "  very  advanced  age, 
aiid  growing  inhrmities,"  of  Dr.  Appleton,  a  day  of  faft- 
ing  and  prayer  was  obferved  by  the  church  and  congrega- 
tion, "  to  feek  of  God  divine  diredion  and  afiiftince  in  the' 
important  affair  of  procuring  a  more  fixed  and  fettled 
preaching  and  adminiftration  of  the  word  and  ordinances 
among  them.'*  A  few  days  after,  "  at  the  general  defire 
of  the  brethren  of  the  church,  as  well  as  in  compliance 
with  his  own  inclination  and  earneft  wiflies,''  Dr.  Appleton 
appointed  a  meeting  of  the  brethren  of  the  church,  for  the 
purpofe  of  chooling  a  colleague,  for  his  affiftance  in  the 
miniftry.  The  church,  accordingly,  chofe  the  Reverend 
Timothy  Hilliard  :  and,  the  lociety  concurring  in  the 
choice,  he  was  inllalled  the  fame  year. 

The  aged  and  venerable  Dr.  Appleton,  having,  agreeably 
to  his  delire,  lived  to  fee  his  country  again  bleft  with  peace, 
and  his  church  furnifhed  with  a  worthy  paftor,  departed 
fhis  life,  with  calmnefs  and  tefignation,  early  in  the 
year  1784, 

In  1786,  the  prefent  alms-houie,  in  Cambridge,  was  pur- 
chafed,  repaired,  and  devoted  to  the  ufe  of  the  poor  of  the 
town. 

The  condud  of  the  town  of  Cambridge,  in  the  memor- 
able Infurredion  of  1786,  v/as  highly  to  its  hofiour.  A 
letter  was  direded  to  the  Seledmen  of  Cambridge,  written 
by  delire  of  a  meeting  of  Committees  from  feveral  towns 
in  the  county  of  Middlefex,  "  requefting  their  concurrence 
in  a  County  convention  to  be  held  at  Concord  on  t]^e  23d 
of  Auguft,  in  order  to  confult  upon  matters  of  public 
grievances,  and  fmd  out  means  of  redrefs."  The  letter  be- 
ing laid  before  the  town,  a  vote  was  palTed,  "  That  the  Se- 
ledmen be  deiired  to  anRver  faid  letter,  and  exprefs  the  at- 
tachment of  this  town  to  the  prefent  conftitution  and  ad- 
miniftration of  Government,  and  alfo  to  exprefs  our  aver- 

lion 


38 


The  Hiftoij  of  Cambridge, 


Hon  to  ufe  any  irregular  means  for  compafling  an  end 
which  the  conilitution  has  already  provided  for  ;  as  we 
know  of  no  Grievances  the  prefent  fyftem  of  Government 
is  inadequate  to  redrefs."* 

Mr.  Plilliard  died  in  1790.  He  was  fucceeded  in  the 
miniftry  by  the  Compiler  of  this  Hiftory,  in  1792. 

A  "  Friendly  Fire  Society,"  confifting  of  twenty-eight 
perfons,  was  formed  in  this  town,  in  1797.  The  objeft  of 
this  alTociation  is,  to  prevent,  or  mitigate,  the  evils  occa- 
iloned  by  fire.  It  annually  choofes  a  Chairman,  Treafurer, 
Clerk,  and  Wardens  ;  and  already  poffefTes  a  decent  fund. 

The  Kine-rox  was  introduced  at  Cambridge,  this  pre- 
fent year,  by  Profeffor  Waterhoufe,  who  imported  the 
matter  from  England.  Tiie  firft  who  was  inoculated  for 
this  diforder,  in  America,  was  Daniel  Oliver  "Waterhoufe, 
a  fon  of  the  Profeflbrc 


First  Church  in  Cambridge. 


Succeffion  of  MiniflcrF. 

Eev.  Thomas  Hooker 
and 
Samuel  Stone 


Thomas  Shepard 
Jonathan  Mitchel 
Urian  Oakes 
Nathaniel  Gookin 
William  Brattle,  F.  R.  S. 
Nathl.  Applcton,  D.  D. 
Timotliy  Hilliard 
Abiel  Holmes 


Time  of  fettlement. 

atCamb.Oa.ii, 
1633  ;  removed 
with  their  chh.  to 
Hartford,  1636. 


Time  of  ae ceafe. 

July  7,  1647 
July  2,  1 66 J 


— 

1636 

Aug. 

21, 

1650 

Nov. 

H, 

1671 

Nov. 

i"^, 

1682 

Nov. 

2?, 

1696 

Oft. 

9, 

I717 

oa. 

27» 

1783 

Jan, 

25:. 

1792 

Age. 
61 


Aug.25,1649 

44 

July  9,  1668 

4.1 

July  25,  1 68 1 

?o 

Aug.  7,  1692 

34 

Feb  15, 1717 

S? 

Feb.  9^1784 

91 

May  9,  1790 

44 

A  Biographical  Sketch  of  the  Ministers  o/"  Cambridge, 


Mr.  hooker. 
The  Reverend  Thomas  Hooker,  the  firft  minifter  of 
Cambridge,  and  the  father  of  the  colony,  as  well  as  of  the 
churches,  of  Conneclicut,  was  born  at  Marfield,  in  Leicef- 
terfhire,  in  1586.  He  was  educated  at  Emanuel  College, 
Cambridge,  in  England,  where  he  was  afterwards  promoted, 
to  a  fellowflilp,  in  which  office  "  he  acqurtted  himfelf  with 

fuch 
*  Town   Records. 


The  Hi/iory  of  Cambridge,  35 

fiich  ability  and  faithfulnefs,  as  commanded  univerfal  ap- 
probation and  applaufe."  Upon  his  leaving  the  TJniverfi- 
ty,  he  preached  occafionally  for  fome  time  in  London  ;  till, 
at  length,  in  1626,  he  was  chofen  Ledurer  at  Chelmsford. 
Here  he  preached,  with  great  fuccefs,  for  fever al  years,  and 
was  fo  well  beloved  by  the  neighbouring  clergy,  that, 
when  the  Billiop  of  London  filenced  him  for  Nonconformi- 
ty, forty-feven  of  them,  figned  a  petition  in  his  favour,  tef- 
tifying,  TiJat  Mr.  Hooker  was  orthodox  in  dodrins^  honeji  and 
fober  in  bis  lifo  and  converfation^  of  a  peaceable  difpofition^  and 
710  ivays  turbulent  or  factious.  But  this  petition  had  no  effed: 
on  the  imperious  and  inexorable  Laud.  Mr.  Hooker  was 
conftrained  to  lay  down  his  miniftry  ;  and  he  fet  up  a 
Grammar  School  at  a  village  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Chelmsford.  At  the  next  vifitation,  however,  he  was  cited 
by  the  Bifliop  to  appear  before  the  High  Commiflion 
Court.  Thus  cruelly  perfecuted,  he  abfconded,  and  went 
to  Holland,  where  he  lived  two  or  three  years,  preaching 
fometimes  at  Delft,  and  fometimes  at  Rotterdam. 

In  1633,  he  came  to  New-England*  ;  and,  though  he 
had  been  "  ordained  a  prefbyter  by  a  bilhop  in  England,*' 
he  was  ordained  "  then  again  by  the  brethren  at  New- 
town."!   He  was  a  man  of  "  the  moft  exemplary  piety, 

felf-deniai, 

*  The  reafons  of  Mr.  Hooker's  removal  to  New-England  are  ftated 
in  a  letter  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cotton,  preferved  in  Gov,  Hutchlnfon's 
*'  Colledlion  of  Papers." — "  The  queftions  you  demand,  I  had  rather 
anfwer  by  word  of  mouth,  than  by  letter,  yet  I  will  not  rcfufe  to  give 
you  account  of  my  brother  Hookers  removall  and  mine  owne,  feinge  yoii 
require  a  reafon  thereof  from  us  both.  We  both  of  us  coacurre  in  a 
3  fold  ground  of  removal,  i.  God  havinge  fhut  a  doore  againft  both 
of  us  from  miniftringe  to  him  and  his  people  in  our  wonted  congrega- 
tions, and  calling  us  by  a  remnant  of  our  people,  and  by  others  of  tliis 
countrye,  to  minifter  to  them  here,  and  opening  a  dore  to  us  this  way, 
who  are  we  that  we  fhould  ftrive  againft  God  and  refufe  to  follow  the 
concurrence  of  his  ordinance  and  providence  together,  callinge  us  forth 
to  minifter  here.  If  we  may  and  ought  to  follow  God's  callinge  3  hun- 
dred myles,  why  not  3  thoufand  ?  2.  Our  Saviors  warrant  is  in  our 
cafe,  that  when  we  are  diftrefTed  in  oiir  courfe  in  one  country  (nequid 
dicam  gravius)  we  fliould  flee  to  another.  3.  It  hath  beea  noe  fraall 
inducement  to  us,  to  choofe  rather  to  remove  hither,  than  to  ftay  there, 
that  we  might  enjoye  the  libertye,  not  of  fome  ordinances  of  God,  but 

of  all,  and  all  in  purity." See  the  reafons  more  fully  ftated  in  Mr. 

Cotton's  letter  :  Hutch.  Coll.  p.  54. 

t  Prefident  Stiles's  EleiSiou  Sermon,  fecond  edition,  103. 


^6  The  Hl/icry  of  C^^bridge, 

felf-denial,  patience,  and  goodnefs.--— In  his  day,  he  was  one, 
of  the  moft  animated  and  powerful  preachers  in  New-Eng- 
land. In  his  fermons,  he  was  fearching,  experimental,  and 
pra^ical."  In  difputation  he  M^as  eminent.  During  his 
refidence  in  Holland,  he  became  intimately  acquainted  with 
the  celebrated  Dr.  Ames^  author  di  Medulla  Theologm^  v/ho 
declared,  that  "  though  he  had  been  acquainted  with  many 
fcholars,  of  divers  nations,  yet  he  never  met  with  Mr, 
Hooker's  equal,  either  for  preaching,  or  for  difputing."J 
In  prayer  he  excelled.  "  In  cpnverfation  he  was  pleaYant 
and  entertaining,  but  always  grave.  He  v/as  exceedingly 
prudent  in  the  management  of  church  difcipline. — He  wa:S 
affable,  condefcending,  and  charitable  ;  yet  his  appearance 
and  conducl  were  with  fuch  becoming  majefty,  authority, 
and  prudence,  that  he  ^ould  do  more  v/ith  a  word,  or  ^ 
look,  than  other  men  could  do  with  a  fevere  difcipline.'* 
It  was  not  uncommon  for  him  to  give  away  five  or  ten 
pounds,  at  a  time,  to  perfons  in  indigence.  He  died  of  an 
epidemical  fever,  July  7,  1647,  setat.  lxii.  "  He  had  for 
many  years  enjoyed  a  comfortable  a^ffurance  of  his  renev/ed 
eftate,  and  when  dying  faid,  /  am  going  to  recei'-ce  juercy.  He 
iclofed  his  own  eyes,  and  appeared  to  die  with  a  fmile  on 
his  countenance."*  He  publillied,  in  his  Hfe  time,  feveral 
pra<5tical  treatifes  ;  and  his  friends,  after  his  death,  publifh- 
ed  feveral  of  his  fermons,  which  were  well  received.  ."  |klr. 
Hooker's  books  (fays  a  contemporary  writer)  a^i'e  of  great 
rcquef]:  among  the  faitliful  people  of  Chrift.'*  His  princi- 
pal vv-ork,  entitled,  "  A  Survey  of  the  fumme  of  Church- 
Difcipline,"  was  tranfcribed  "  under  the  eye  and  exaft  re- 
view of  the  eminently  acconipliiht  author  himfelfe,"  aixd 
fent  over  to  be  publiflied  in  EngUrid,  about  a  yea,r  before 
his  death.  '•  But  it  was  then  buried,"  fays  Dr.  Goodwin, 
^'  in  the  rude  waves  of  the  vaft  ocean,  with  many  precious 
faints  on  their  pailige  hither/'     Another  copy  of  it,  how- 

ever, 

X  Magnalia,  III.  61.  Dr.  Ames  delignetl  to  follow  Mr.  Hooker; 
-but  he  died  foon  after  Mr.  Hooker's  removal  from  Rotterdam.  His 
widow  and  children  came  afterward  to  New-England,  where  they  found 
in  Mr.  Hooker,  a  faithful  friend  and  beneficent  patron. 

The  great  Mr.  Cotton  pronounced  Mr.  Hooker  Vir  folertis  ingenii, 
atque  acerrimi  judicii. 

*  Trumbull's  HiH.  Connefticut.  See,  alfo,  Mather's  Magnalia, 
B.  III.  p.  j8-:68. 


The  Uijlorj  of  Cambridge.  41 

ever,  was  fent  to  England,  and  publiflied  in  1648,  under 
the  infpeftion  of  the  celebrated  Dr.  Thomas  Goodwin, 
(a  member  of  the  Affembly  of  Divines  at  Weftminfter,  and 
fome  time  Prefident  of  Magdalen  College  in  Oxford)  who 
fays,  "As  touching  this  Treatife  and  the  worthy  author  of 
it^ — to  preface  any  thing  by  commendation  of  either  were 
to  lay  paint  upon  burnilhed  marble,  or  add  light  unto  the 

fuui" There  is  no  infcription  on  Mr.  Hooker's  tomb- 

ftone.  An  hiftorian,!  who,  in  general,  is  not  entitled  to 
credence,  fays  truly  :  "  The  tomb  of  Mr.  Hooker  is  view- 
ed with  great  reverence." 

Mr.  stone. 

The  Reverend  Samuel  Stone,  Mr.  Hooker's  afliflant 
in  the  miniflry,  was  educated  at  Emanuel  College,  in  Cam- 
bridge. "  He  was  eminently  pious  and  exemplary  ; 
abounded  in  failings  and  prayer  ;  and  was  a  moft  ftrict  ob- 
fervcr  of  the  chriftian  fabbath. — His  fermons  were  doctrin- 
al, replete  with  fentiment,  coAcifely  and  clofely  applied. 
He  was  efteemed  one  of  the  moft  accurate  and  acute  dif- 
putants  of  his  day.  He  was  celebrated  for  his  great  wit, 
pleafantry,  and  good  humour*  His  company  was  courted 
by  all  gentlemen  of  learning  and  ingenuity,  who  had  the 
happinefs  of  an  acquaintance  with  him."*  After  a  minif- 
try  of  thirty  years,  he  died  July  20,*  1663. 

His  Epitaph. 

New  England's  glory  and  her  radient  crown 
Was  he  who  now  in  fofteft  bed  of  down 
Till  glorious  Refurre<5lIon  morn  appear 
Doth  fafely,  fweetly  fleep  in  Jefus  here. 
In  nature's  foHd  arc  and  reafoning  well 
Tis  known  beyond  compare  he  did  excell 
Errors  corrupt  by  finnewous  difpute 
He  did  oppugrte  and  clearly  them  confute. 
Above  all  things  he  Chrift  above  prefer'd  : 
Hartford  !    thy  ricliefl  Jewel's  here  interr'd. 

Mr. 

f  Peters. 

*  Trumbull's  Hiftory  of  Connedicut,  I.  326  :   and  New- England's 
Memorial,  179.     For  a  more  particular  account  of  Mr.  Kooker  and 
Mr.  Stone,  fee  Mather's  Magnalia,  III.  58  &  116. 
G 


4.2  The  liijlorj  of  Ca?nhridge, 


Mr.  SHEPARD. 

'I'lie  Reverend  Thomas  Shepard  was  born  in  Tow- 
cefter,  near  Northampton,  in  Great-Britain,  November  5, 
1605.  H^  "^'^s  t^^^  ^^^  ^^  I'^^'^'*  William  Shepard,  who  call- 
ed him  Thomas,  becaufe  his  birth  was  fuppofed  to  be  at  the 
very  hour,  when  the  Gunpowder  Treafon  was  defigned  to 
be  perpetrated  ;  a  plot,  concerning  which  he  obferved, 
"  This  child  of  his  would  hardly  believe  that  ever  fuch 
wickednefs  could  be  attempted  by  the  fons  of  men."  At 
the  age  of  fifteen,  he  became  prepared  for  the  univerfity, 
and  entered  Emanuel  College  in  Cambridge.  Here,  after 
a  relidence  of  about  two  years,  he  was  imprefled  v/ith  very 
powerful  conviclions  of  his  mifery  in  unrcgeneracy,  which, 
though  occafionally  fiifpended,  V7ere  effeclually  renewed 
through  the  inftrumciitality  of  that  celebrated  Divine,  Dr. 
Prefton,  in  1624.  From  this  time,  he  gave  himfelf  to 
daily  meditalion,  which  he  attended  every  evening  before 
fupper.^ — Having  proceeded  A.  M.  at  Cambridge,  he  ac- 
cepted an  invitation  to  Earl's  Coin,  where  he  held  a  lec- 
ture, fupported  by  the  pious  charity  of  Dr.  Wilfon,  for 
three  years.  At  the  clofe  of  this  term,  the  inhabitants  of 
Ea^i-l\s  Coin  were  fo  reluctant  to  part  with  him,  that  they 
raifed  a  falary  among  themfelves  for  his  fupport  ;  and  pre- 
vailed on  him  to  continue  with  them.  Although  he  was 
yet  a  young  man,  there  was  an  unufual  majefty  and  ener- 
gy" in  hir,  preaching,  and  a  holinefs  in  his  life,  which  ren- 
dered him  eminently  ufeful  to  his  ov/n  people,  and  to  the 
towns  in  the  viciriity,  from  v/hich  feveral  afterwards  ac- 
companied hirn  to  New-England,  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of 
his  miniftry. 

WJicn  Dr.  I^aud  became  bifliop  of  London,  Mr.  Shepard 
was  filenced  for  his  Puritanifm.  Being  invited  into  York- 
fliire,  he  officiated  there,  for  fome  time,  as  a  private  chap- 
lain, in  the  fomily  of  Sir  Richard  Darly,  whofe  near  kinf- 
woman  he  afterwards  married.  To  that  family  and  neigh- 
bourhood he  appears  to  have  been'  a  great  bleffing.  Bifliop 
Neal  rcfufing  him  liberty  for  his  miniftry  without  fuhfcrip- 
iion  ;  he  removed  to  Heddon,  in  Northumberland,  v/here 
his  labours  were  very  fuccefsful.      But  the  zeal  of  the 

bifliop 


TSe  iliftory  of  Cambridge.  43 

bifliop  reached  him,  even  in  this  remote  corner  of  the  king- 
dom, and  prohibited  him  from  preaching  here  any  more.* 
The  removal  of  Mr.  Cotton,  Mr.  Hooker,  Mr.  Stone, 
and  others,  to  America  had  already  excited  many  pious 
people,  in  various  parts  of  England,  to  contemplate  a  fimilar 
removal.  Several  of  Mr.  Shepard's  friends,  m  New- 
Endand,  and  others  who  purpofed  a  removal,  unitmg 
their  folicitations,  at  this  junfture,  he  refolved  to  repair  to 
this  new  plantation.  Plaving,  accordingly,  preached  his 
farewell  iermon  at  Newcaftle,  he  went  in  difguiie  to 
IpfWich,  and  thence  to  Earl's  Coin  ;  whence,  accom- 
panied by  Mr.  Norton,  he  went  to  Yarmouth,  intending 
to  embark  there  for  New-England.  Purfuivants,  however, 
were  employed  to  apprehend  him.  Thefe  purfuivants, 
having  difcovered  Mr.  Shepard's  quarters,  had,  by  a  fum 
of  money,  obtained  a  promife,  from  a  boy  belonging  to 

*  The   following  extradl  from  Mr.  Shepard's   MS.  Diary,  fumilhes 
an  Jnterefting  fpecimen  of  the  barbarous  treatment,  which  our  pious 
anceftors  received,  under  the  Inqulfitorial  domination  of  bifliop  Laud  : 
<-  Dec    1 6,  1630.     I  was  Inhibited  from  preaching  ui  the  Diocefs  ot 
London,  by  Dodlor  Laud,  biihop  of  that  Diocefs.     As  foon  as  I  came 
In  the  morning,  about  8  of  the  clock,  falling  into  a  fit  of  rage  he  aiked 
me,  What  decree  I  had  taken  at  the  Univerfity  ?    I  anfwered  him,  I  was  a 
Mafter  of  Arts.     He  allced,   Of  nvhat   College  ?    I  anfwered.  Of  Eman- 
uel.    He  aflced,  How  long  I  had  lived  In  his  Diocefs  ?    I  anfwered,  1  hree 
^^ears  and  upwards.     He   afked,    Who  maintained  me    all  this   while  ? 
charging  me  to  deal  plainly  with  him,  adding  withal,  that  he  had  been 
more  cheated  and  equivocated  with  by  fome  of  my  malignant  Faaion 
than  ever  was  man  by  Jefuit.     At  the  fpeaking  of  which   words  he 
look'd  as  tho'  blood  would  have  gufti'd  out  of  his  face,  and  did  Ihake 
as  if  he  had  been  haunted  with  an  Ague  Fit,  to  my  apprehcnfion,  by  rea- 
fon  of  his  extream  malice  and  fecret  venom.    I  defired  him  to  excufe  me  : 
He  fell  then  to  threaten  me,  and  withal  to  bitter  raihng,  calling  me  all 
to  naught,  faying.  You  prating  coxcomb  !    Do  you  think  all  the  Learning  ts 
in^our  brain  ?    He  pronounced  his  fentence  thus  :  /  charge  you,  that  you 
neither  Preach,  Read,  Marry,  Bury,  or  exercife  any  Minijierial  Funaion  m 
any  part  of  my  Diocef  ;  for  if  you  do,  and  I  hear  of  it,  I'll  be  upon  your 
hack,  and  follow  you  wherever  you  go,  in  any  part  of  the  kingdom,  and  fo  ever, 
lafiingly  difenable  you.      I  befought  him  not  to  deal  fo,  m  regard  of  a 
poor  Town  ;  and  here  he  llopt  me  In  what  1  was  going  on  to  fay,  A 
poor  Town  I    vou  have  made  a  company  of  feditiaus  faiiious  Bedlams  ;  and 
what  do  you  prate  to  me  of  a  poor  Town  ?     I  prayed  him  to  fuffer  me  to 
catechife  in  the  Sabbath  Days  In  the  afternoon  :   He  replied,  Spare  your 
breath,  I'll  have  no  fuch  fellows  prate  in  my  Diocefs,  get  you  <?^'f '  f'"^  "f" 
■make  your  complaints  to  whom  you.  will.     So  away  I  went  ;  and  bklied  be 
God  that  I  may  go  to  him." 


44  ^he  Hijiory  of  Cajnbridgfi. 

the  hoiife  where  he  lodged,  to  open  the  door  for  them  at 
a  certain  hour  of  the  night.  But  by  the  fmgular  provi, 
dence  of  God,  the  defign  was  fruflrated.  Some  ferious 
exprefiions  of  Mr.  Shepard  being  uttered  in  the  hearing 
of  this  boy,  he  was  ftruck  with  horror  at  the  thought,  that 
he  Ihould  be  fo  wicked  as  to  betray  fo  good  a  man  ;  and, 
with  tears,  difcovered  the  whole  plot  to  his  pious  matter, 
who  took  care  immediately  to  convey  Mr.  Shepard  out  of 
the  reach  of  his  enemies. 

Toward  the  clofe  of  the  year  1634,  Mr.  Shepard  em- 
barked at  Harwich  ;  but  in  a  few  hours  the  fhip  was  driv- 
en back  into  Yarmouth  road,  where  arofe  one  of  the  moft 
tremendous  ftorms  ever  known.  The  Ihip  was  almoil 
mn-aculoully  faved,  but  io  materially  damaged  that  the 
propofed  voyage  was  rehnquiihed.*  Mr.  Shepard,  after 
fpendmg  the  winter  at  Baftwick,  went,  in  the  fpring,  to 
London,  where,  by  a  removal  of  his  lodgings,  he  again 
narrowly  efcaped  his  purfuivants.  In  July,  he  failed  from 
Gravefend,  and,  on  the  third  of  Oftober,  1635,  after  a 
hazardous  voyage,  he  arrived  at  Bofton.  His  friends  at 
Newtown  [Cambridge]  foon  conduced  him  to  that  infant 
fettlement,  deftined  to  be  the  field  of  his  future  labours. 

^  After  a  diligent,  laborious,  and  fuccefsful  miniflry,  he 
died  of  the  quinfy,  Auguft  25,  1649,  ^itat,  xliv.  On  his 
death-bed,  he  faid  to  the  young  minifters  around  him, 
"  That  their  work  was  great,  and  called  for  great  feriouf- 
nefs  ;■*  and  mentioned  to  them  three  things  ccncernins 
himfeif  :  "  That  the  ftudy  of  every  fermon  coft  him  tears  ; 
That  before  he  preached  any  Sermon  he  got  good  by  it- 
himfeif ;  and,  That  he  always  went  into  the  pulpit,  as  if 
he  were  to  give  up  his  accounts  to  his  Mailer.'' 
^  He  is  faid  to  have  been  "  a  poore,  weake,  pale  complec^ 
tioned  man."  He  was  diftinguifhed  for  his  humility  and 
piety  ;  and  as  a  preacher  of  evangelical  truth,  and  an  au- 
thor on  experimental  religion,  he  was  one  of  the  foremoft 


*  "  In  the  meane  time  the  mafter,  and  other  feamen,  made  a  flrange 
conftruflion  of  the  fore  ftorme  they  met  with  all,  faying,  their  fhip  was 
bewitched  ;  and  therefore  made  ufe  of  the  common  charme  ignorant 
people  ufe,  nailing  two  red  hot  horfe  fhoos  to  their  maine  mail." 

Worider-ivorkiiJ^  Providence^ 


The  Hijiory  of  Cambridge*  45 

of  his  day.f  He  was  an  influential  patron  of  learning,  as 
well  as  of  religion,  and  was  zealous  in  promoting  the  in- 
terefts  of  the  infant  college,  as  well  as  thofe  of  the  infant 
church,  at  Cambridge4  "  By  his  death,  not  only  the 
church  and  people  at  Cambridge,  but  alfo  all  New-England, 
fuftained  a  very  great  iofs.  He  not  only  preached  the  gof- 
pel  profitably  and  iuccefsfully,  but  alfo  left  behind  him  di- 
vers worthy  works  of  fpecial  ufe,  in  reference  unto  the 
clearing  up  the  ftate  of  the  foul  toward  God."  || 

Mr, 

f  Prefident  Edwards  flyles  Mr.  Shepard  "  that  fomous  experimental 
divine  ;"  and,  in  his  very  judicious  and  elaborate  "  Treatife  concerning 
Religious  AiFedions,"  makes  a  greater  ufe  qf  his  writings,  particularly 
of  his  "  Parable  of  the  Ten  Virgins,"  than  of  any  other  writings  what- 
ever. _ 

Johnfon,  who  wrote  a  few  years  after  Mr.  Shepard's  death,  fays  : 
*'  Thoufands  of  fouls  have  caufe  to  blefTe  God  for  him  even  at  this  very 
day,  who  are  the  feal  of  his  miniftrey,  and  hee  a  man  of  a  thoufand,  in- 
dued v/ith  abundance  of  true  faving  knowledge  for  himfelfe  and 
others."*— Later  writers  have  not  overlooked  Mr.  Shepard's  antiquated 
merit.*  Dr.  Mayhew,  in  one  of  his  controverfial  eflays,  mentions  him 
as  a  perfon  of  great  note  in  his  day,  and  a  learned  man.  Dr.  Chaun- 
cy,  in  his  "  Seafonable  Thoughts,"  quotes  him  with  great  refped:,  ftyling 
him,  in  different  parts  of  his  work,  ♦'  the  memorable,"  «  the  cele- 
brated," "  the  famous"  Shepard. 

I^  In  1644,  he  v/rote  to  the  Commiffioners  of  the  United  Colonies, 
reprefeuting  the  neceffity  of  further  affiftance  for  needy  fcholars^  at 
Cambridge  ;  and  defired  them  to  encourage  a  general  contribution 
throu2;h  the  colonies.  The  Commiffioners  approved  the  motion,  an^ 
recommended  it  to  the  confideration  of  the  Legillatures  of  the  feveral 
colonies,  which  adopted  the  recommendation  ;  and  an  annual  contribu- 
tion was,  accordingly,  made  through  the  United  Colonies,  for  many 
fubfequent  years.  TrumhuWi  Hiji.  Connea.  I.  148.  Hazard's  Hiji.  CoU 
kaionsy  II.  17,  'whers  Mr.  Shepard's  Propofttion  to  the  Commifwners  is 
preferved  entire. 

fl  Morton. — Mr.  Shepard's  monument  is  not  now  diftinguilhable 
among  the  tombs.  In  the  burying  ground  in  Cambridge,  there  are 
feveral  monuments,  of  hard  ftone,  with  incifions,  evidently  defigned  to 
admit  a  fofter  ftone  widi  an  infcription.  By  the  ravages  of  time,  or  of 
facrileeiotts  liands,  thefs  inlet  ftones  are  now  removed,  and  the  infcrip- 
tions  ar'e  unhappily  loft.  But  for  this  injury,  we  might,  perhaps,  now 
have  the  melancholy  pleafure  of  vifiting  the  monuments  of  the  pious 

and 

*  V/onder-ivorklng  Providence,  xxxiv.  This  -very  fcarce  and  'valuable  bookf 
(obligingly  put  into  my  hands  by  the  'venerable  antiquarian  Judge  Cranch,  of 
^micey,)  luas  jirJlpuhUJbAd  luithoiit  the  author's  name  ;  and,  afterward,  erro- 
neou/ly  ofcribed  tof.r  F.  Gorges.  The  real  author  was  Mr.  Johnfon,  ofWoburn^ 
in  iV.  England.  See  Preface  of  Prince  s  Chron.  lu 


4-6  The  Hijiory  of  Cambridge, 

Mr.  Shepard's  printed  works  are  :  Thcfes  Sabbatica;^  **  iii 
which  he  hath  handled  the  morality  of  the  fabbath,  with  a 
degree  of  reafon,  reading,  and  religion,  which  is  truly  ex- 
traordinary."    [C.  P/lather.] 

A  Difcourfe,  in  v/hich  is  handled  the  controverfy  of  the 
Catholic  vifible  church,  "  tending  to  clear  up  the  old  way 
of  Cin-ift,  in  the  churches  of  New-England." 

A  Letter  on  "  The  church  memberiliip  of  children,  and 
their  right  to  baptifme."  This  letter  zvas  printed  at  Cani' 
bridge,  1663. 

A  Letter,  entitled,  "  New-England's  Lamentation  & 
Old  Eno-land's  errors." 

o 

A  Sermon,  entitled,  "  Cautions  againll  fpiritual  drun- 
kennefs." 

A  Treatife,  entitled,  "  Subjection  to  Chriil,  in  all  his 
Ordinances  and  Appointments,  the  beft  means  to  preferve 
our  liberty  :"  to  which  is  fubjoined  another  Treatife, 
"  Concerning  ineffeftual  hearing  of  the  Word." 

*•  The  Sincere  Convert,"  which  the  author  called  his 
ragged  child,  on  account  of  its  incorreclnefs,  it  having 
been  furreptitiouliy  publifhed. 

"  The  Sound  Believer,"  which  is  a  difcriminating  Treat- 
ife on  Evangelical  Converfion. 

*'^  The  Parable  of  the  Ten  Virgins,"  a  pofthumous  work, 
in  folio,  tranfcribed  from  his  fermons,  preached  at  his 
Lecture  from  June  1636  to  May  1640  ;  concerning  which 
the  \Tnerablc  divines  Greenhil,  Calamy,  Alh,  and  Taylor 
cbferved,  "  That  though  a  vein  of  ferious,  foiid  and  hearty 
piety  run  tlirough  all  this  author's  works  ;  yet  he  hath 
referved  the  befc  wine  till  the  lafl." 

"  Singing  of  Pfaimes  a  Gofpel-Ordinance,"  which,  in  the 
title-page,  is  faid  to  be  "  By  John  Cotton,  Teacher  of  the 
Church  at  Bofton  in  New  England  ;"  but  which  was  real- 
ly, in  fubftance,  the  work  of  Mr.  Shepard.  On  a  blank 
leaf  of  the  copy  now  befoi;e  me,  there  is  the  following 
memorandum,  probably  \^Titten  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Shep- 
ard, 

and  renowned  Shepard  and  Mitchel,  and  of  others,  of  revered  mem- 
ory.— ^The  fl:xb,  which  covered  the  grave  of  the  great  Prefident  Chaun- 
cy,  is  broken  into  three  pieces  ;  and  the  fragments  are  carefully  laid 
S-fide.  A  line  of  Horace  would  form  an  appofite  infcription  for  the 
tomb  of  many  a  great  and  good  man  : 

Oblitufque  mcorum  oblivifcendus  ct  illis. 


The  Hijicry  of  Cambridge^  47 

ard,  of  Charleftown,  wliofe  name  is  on  the  book  :^  "  Mr, 
Edward  Bulkley,  paflor  of  the  church  of  Chriit  in  Con- 
cord, told  me  Sept.  20,  1674,  that  when  he  boarded  at  Mr. 
Cotton's  honfe  at  the  lirft  coming  forth  of  this  book  of 
fmging  of  Pfahnes,  Mr.  Cotton  told  him  that  my  fa- 
ther Shepard  had  the  chief  hand  in  the  compofmg  of 
it,  and  therefore  Mr.  Cotton  faid,  I  am  troubled  that  my 
brother  Shepard's  name  is  not  prefixed  to  it."---It  is  a 
quarto,  of  72  pages,  and  was  printed  at  London,  in  1647. 

"  The  clear  Sun-Shine  of  the  Gofpel  upon  the  Indians," 
publiihed  in  London  1648.  ^ 

Neal  mentions  a  work  of  Mr.  Shepard,  entitled,  "  Evan- 
gelical Call,"  as  one  of  his  moft  noted  Treatifes.  I  find  no 
notice  of  it  elfewhere. 

"  Seled  Cafes  refolved  :"  "  Firft  Principles  of  the  Ora- 
cles of  God,  or,  Sum  of  Chriftian  Religion  :"  *•  Medita- 
tions and  Spiritual  Experiences,"  extracled  from  Mr. 
Shepard's  Private  Diary.  Thefe  three  were  publifhed  by 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Prince,  of  Bofton,  (the  iaft  of  them  from  the 
original  MS.)  in  1747.  The  Selecl:  Cafes  and  Firft  Princi- 
ples were  publillied  together,  firft  at  London,  and  then  at 
Edinburgh,  in  1648  ;  and  have,  fmce,  palled  through  fev- 
era!  editions. 

Mr.  MITCHEL. 

The  Reverend  Jonathan  Mitchel  was  born  at  HaH- 
fax,  in  Yorkfhire,  in  Great-Britain,  in  1624.  His  parents 
were  exemplary  Chriftians,  who,  by  the  impofitions  and 
perfecutions  of  the  EngHfh  hierarchy,  were  conftrained  to 
leek  an  afylum  in  New-England,  in  1635  ;  at  which  time 
they  brought  over  their  fon  Jonathan,  then  eleven  years  of 
age.  Their  firft  fettlement  was  at  Concord,  in  MalTachu- 
fetts  ;  whence,  a  year  after,  they  removed  to  Saybrook,  in 
Connefticut ;  and,  not  long  after,  to  Wethersfield.  Their 
next  removal  was  to  Stamiord  ;  where  Mr.  Mitchel,  the 
father,  died  in  1645,  aetat.  lv. 

The  clalTical  ftudies  of  his  fon  Jonathan  were  fufpended 
for  feveral  years,  after  his  arrival  in  America  ;  ^  but,  "  on 
the  earneft  advice  of  fome  that  had  obferved  his  great  ca- 
pacity,"  they  were,  at  length,  refumed,  in  1642.* 

*  C.  Mather.  Dr.  Increafe  Mather  alcribes  this  meafure  to  his 
father's  influence,     "  After  Mr.  Mitchel  was  arrived  in  New-Englancf» 

he 


-  4^  The  Hiftory  of  Cambridge,  - 

In  1645,  ^^  *^^  ^g^  ^^  twenty-ohe,  he  entered  Harvard 
College.  Here,  he  became  religioufly  impreffed,  under  Mr. 
Shepard's  minillry,  which  he  fo  highly  eftimated  as,  after- 
ward, to  obferve,  "  Unlefs  it  had  been  four  years  living  in 
heaven,  I  know  not  how  I  could  have  more  caufe  to  blefs 
God  with  wonder,  than  for  thofe  four  years,'*  fpent  at  the 
Univerlity.  He  was  an  indefatigable  ftudent,  and  made 
great  acquirements  in  knov/ledge  and  virtue.  His  extraor- 
dinary learning,  Vv^ifdom,  gravity,  and  piety,  occafioned  an 
early  application  of  fcveral  of  the  m^oft  conhderable  church- 
es, for  his  fervices  in  the  miniftry.  The  church  at  Hartr- 
ford,  in  particular,  fent  for  him  with  the  intention  of  his 
becoming  fucceflbr  to  the  famous  Mr.  Hooker.  He  preach- 
ed his  firft  fermon  at  Hartford,  June  24,  1649  ?  ^^^?  ^^ 
the  day  following,  was  invited  to  a  fettlement  in  the  min- 
iftry,  in  that  refpeftable  town.  Having,  however,  been 
previoufly  importuned  by  Mr.  Shepard,  and  the  principal 
members  of  his  fociety,  to  return  to  Cambridge,  free  from 
any  engagement,  with  a  view  to  a  fettlement  there  ;  he 
declined  an  acceptance  of  the  invitation  at  Hartford,  and 
returned  to  Cambridge,  v^here  he  preached  for  the  firft 
time  Auguft  12,  1649.  Here  a  providential  opening  was 
foon  made  for  his  induction  into  the  miniftry.  Mr.  Shep- 
ard died  on  the  25th  of  the  fame  mxonth  ;  and,  by  the 
unanimous  deiire  of  the  people  of  Cambridge,  Mr^  Mitchel 
was  now  invited  to  become  his  fucceflbr.  He  accepted  the 
invitation  ;  and  was  ordained  Auguft  21,  1650. 

Soon  after  his  fettlement,  he  was  called  to  a  peculiar 
trial.  Prelident  Dunfter,  who  had  formerly  been  his  tu- 
tor, about  this  time  imbibed  the  principle  of  antipedobap- 
tifm  ;  and  preached  fome  fermons  againft  the  adminiftra- 
tion  of  baptifm  to  any  infant  whatever.  Mr.  Mitchel, 
young  as  he  then  was,  felt  it  incumbent  on  him  openly  to 
combat  this  principle* ;  and  conduced,  in  this  delicate  and 
difficult  cafe,  with  fuch  judgment,  moderation,  and  meeknefs 
ofwifdom>,  as  would  have  well  become  the  experience  and 
improvement  of  advanced  age.     Although  this  controver- 

, fy 

he  employed  his  fon  Jonathan  in  fecular  affairs  ;  but  the  fpirit  of  the 
child  was  ftrongly  fet  for  learning,  and  he  prayed  my  father  to  perfuade 
his  father  that  he  might  have  a  learned  education.  My  father's  perfua- 
fions  happily  prevailed." 


The  Hijlory  of  Cambridge^,  4^^ 

fy  occaiioned  the  Prelident's  removal  from  Cambridge  ; 
yet  Mr.  Mitchel  continued  to  cultivate  an  efteem  for  him, 
and,  after  his  deceafe,  paid  a  refpeetful  tribute  to  his  mem- 
ory, in  an  elegy,  replete  with  expreflions  of  that  noble  znd 
catholic  fpirit,  which  characterized  its  author.* 

Such  were  his  liter?Ty  acquirements,  and  fo  refpedablt 
his  character,  that,  fo  early  as  the  year  1650,  he  was  chofen 
a  Tutor  and  a  Fellow  of  Harvard  College.! 

Ke  was  a  very  influential  member  of  the  Synod,  which 
met  at  Boflon  in  1662,  to  difcufs  and  fettle  an  interefting 
queftion  concerning  church-memberiliip  and  church-difei- 
pline,  and  chiefly  compofed  the  Refult  of  that  fynod. 
"  The  determination  of  the  queftion  at  laft,"  fays  Dr. 
Mather,  *•  was  more  owing  to  him  than  to  any  man  in  the 
world."  The  divine  Head  of  the  church  "  made  this 
great  man,  even  while  he  was  yet  a  young  nian,  one  of  the 
greateft  inftrum.ents  we  ever  had  of  explaining  and  main^ 
talning  the  truths  relating  to  the  clmrch-Jiate  of  the  pojieriiy 
in  our  churches,  and  of  the  church-care  which  our  churches 
owe  to  their  poilerity.^'J — He  was  a  man  of  lingular  acute- 
nefs,  prudence,  and  moderation  ;  and  was,  therefore,  emi- 
nently qualified  to  difcern  the  truth,  in  diihcult  and  per-^ 
plexing  cafes,  and  to  adjuft  the  differences  of  difputants.§ 
Hence,  in  ecclefiaftical  Councils,  to  which  he  was  frequent- 
ly invited,  and  in  weighty  cafes,  v/here  the  General  Court 
frequently  confuited  the  minifters,  "  thtfenfe  and  hand  of 
no  man  was  relied  more  upon  than  his,  for  the  exad  refult 

of 

% '  -T 

*  The  condu(5t  of  both  parties,  on  this  occafion,  does  them  fingular 
honour  ;  and  furniflies  an  example  worthy  of  imitation  in  the  prefent 
age,  an  age  which  is  frequently  cenfuring  the  bigotry  of  the  pious  an- 
ceflors  of  New-England,  in  contrail  with  its  own  catholicifm.  Frefident. 
DunRer  "  died  in  fuch  harmony  of  affedtion  with  the  good  men,  who 
had  been  the  authors  of  his  removal  from  Cambridge,  that  he,  by  his 
Will,  ordered  his  body  to  be  carried  to  Cambridge  for  its  burial,  and 
bequeathed  legacies  to  thofe  very  perfons." 

Magnalia,  III.  100.  IV.  15S. 

t  Mr.  Samuel  Mather  and  Mr.  Mitchel  were  the  firfl:  that  were  eled- 
ed  Fellows  in  this  feminary.  In  the  infancy  of  the  inftitution,  a  Tutor 
was,  ex  officio,  a  Fellow  of  the  college. 

X  Magnalia. 

§  The  celebrated  Mr.  Baxter  faid  of  him,  "  If  an  CEcumenical  Cotm- 
cil  could  be  obtained,  Mr.  Mitchel  were  worthy  to  be  its  Moderator.** 

C,  Mather, 
H 


56  The  Hi/iory  of  Ca?nbridge, 

of  all."  The  great  Prefident  Chauncey,  though  much 
older  than  he,  and  though  openly  oppofed  to  him  at  the 
Synod,  faid,  at  the  very  height  of  the  controverfy  :  ^'  I 
know  no  man  in  this  world  that  I  could  envy  fo  much  as 
worthy  Mr.  Mitchel,  for  the  great  holinefs,  learning,  wif- 
dom,  and  meeknefs,  and  other  qualities  of  an  excellent 
fpirit,  with  v/hich  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  hath  adorned 
him." 

Morton,  who  was  contemporary  with  Mr.  Mitchel,  fays  : 
"  He  was  a  perfon  that  held  very  near  communion  with 
God  ;  em.inent  in  wifdom,  piety,  humility,  love,  felf-denial, 
and  of  a  compaffionate  and  tender  heart  ;*  furpalling  in  pub- 
lic fpiritednefs  ;  a  mighty  man  in  prayer,  and  eminent  at 
ftanding  in  the  gap  ;  he  was  zealous  for  order,  and  faithful 
in  afferting  the  truth  againft  all  oppugners  of  it."t 

Dr.  Increafe  Mather,  who  was  perfonally  and  intimately 
acquainted  with  him,  fays  :  "  He  was  bleffed  with  admira- 
ble natural  as  well  as  acquired  parts.  His  judgment  was 
folid,  deep,  and  penetrating  ;  his  memory  was  ftrong,  and 
vaftly  capacious.  He  wrote  his  fermons  very  largely  ;  an^ 
then  ufed,  with  enlargements,  to  commit  all  to  his  mem.o- 
ry,  without  once  looking  into  his  bible,  after  he  had 
named  his  text  ;  and  yet  his  fermons  were  fcriptural." 

As  a  preacher,  he  was  difcinguifhed  for  "  an  extraordi- 
nary invention,  curious  difpofition,  and  copious  applica- 
tion." His  voice  was  melodious,  and  his  delivery  is  faid 
to  have  been  "  inimitable.'-  He  fpoke  with  "  a  tranfcen- 
dent  majefty  and  livelinefs,"  and  toward  the  clofe  of  his 
difcourfes,  his  fervency  rofe  to  ''  a  marvellous  meafure  of 
energy." 

He  was  paflor  of  the  church  of  Cambridge  about  eigh- 
teen years  ;  and  "  was  moft  intenfe  and  faithful"  in  his 
work.  "^  He  went  through  a  great  part  of  the  body  of 
divinity  ;  made  a  very  excellent  expolition  of  the  book  of 

GPT^efis, 

*  Colonel  Whalley  and  Colonel  Gcffe,  two  of  the  Judges  ot  kmg 
Charles  I.  on  the  day  of  tlieir  arrival  in  New-England,  July  1660^ 
came  to  Cambridge,  where  they  refidsd  till  February  following,  and 
were  treated  with  the  kindeft  hofpitality  and  friendfhlp  by  Mr.  Mitchel, 
who  admitted  them  to  the  focrament,  and  to  private  meetings  for  devo- 
tion. Hutchinfon'i  Hijl.  of  Majfachufetti,  I.  2 1 5.  Prefident  StiUf'i  Hrj}, 
fif  Three  of  the  Judges  of  Charles  I.  Z^, 

f  New-England's  Memorial,  201. 


The  Kifiorf  of  Cambridge.  $  i 

Genefis-,  and  part  of  Exodus,  and  delivered  many  fruitful 
and  profitable  fermons  on  the  four  firft  chapters  of  John." 
He  held,  alfo,  a  monthly  Lefture,  which  was  "  abundantly 
frequented,"  by  the  people  of  the  neighbouring  towns,  as 
well  as  by  his  own  fociety.  "  His  race  was  but  fliort,  but 
the  work  he  did  was  very  much." — Juft  after  lie  had  been 
preaching  on  thefe  words,  /  know  that  thou  wilt  bring  me  to 
death,  and  unto  the  houfe  appointed  for  all  the  living,  as  he  came 
out  of  the  pulpit,  he  was  feized  with  a  fever,  which  termi- 
nated his  life  July  9,  1668,  in  the  forty-third  year  of  his 
age,  and  eighteenth  of  his  miniftry. 

''Dr.  I.  Mather  fays,  he  "  never  knew  any  death  that 
caufed  fo  great  a  mourning  and  lamentation  generally  :  He 
was  greatly  loved  and  honoured  throughout  all  the  church- 
es, as  well  as  in  Cambridge,  and  admired  by  the  moil  com- 
petent judges  of  real  worth." 

Very  few  of  his  writings  were  ever  publiflied.  I  can  ob- 
tain notice  of  the  following  only  : 

A  Letter  of  counfel  to  his  brother,  written  while  he  re- 
fided  at  the  Univerfity  j 

An  Eledion  Sermon,  on  Nehem.  ii.  i  o,  entitled  "  Ne- 
hemiah  upon  the  wall  ;"  preached  May  15,  1667  ;*and 
printed  at  Cambridge  ; 

A  Letter  concerning  the  fubjed  of  Baptifme,  printed 
at  Cambridge,  1675  ; 

"  A  Difcourfe  of  the  Glory  to  which  God  hath  called 
Believers  by  Jefus  Chi^ift,"  printed  at  London,  after  his 
death,  with  the  Letter  to  his  brother  alnxed  ;  and  re- 
printed at  Bofton,  in  a  duodecimo  volume,  in  1721. 

Mr.   OAKES. 

The  Reverend  Urian  Oakes  was  born  in  England 
about  the  year  1631  ;  and  was  brought  to  America  in  his 
childhood.  From  this  early  period,  he  was  diftinguilhed 
for  the  fweetnefs  of ,  his  difpofiticn,  which  characterized 
him  through  life.  He  was  educated  at  Harvard  College, 
where  he  graduated  in  1649.  While  very  young,  and 
fmall,  he  publilhed,  at  Cambridge,  a  fet  of  Afxrommical 
Calctdations,  with  this  appofite  motto  : 

Parvum  parva  decent,  ied  ineft  fu;i  gratia  parvis. 

Soon 


52  '^he  Hijlcry  of  Camhridge. 

Soon  after  his  gTaduation,  lie  went  to  England,  where- 
after having  been  fome  time  a  chaplain  to  an  eminent  per- 
fonage,  he  became  fettled  in  the  miniltry  at  Titchfieid. 
Being  filenced,  however,  in  1662,  in  common  with  the 
nonconformift  minifters  throughout  the  nation  (by  Ad  xiv. 
Car.  2)  ;  he  refided  a  while  in  the  family  of  Colonel  Nor- 
ton, a  man  of  great  merit  and  refpedability,  who,  on  this 
occafion,  afforded  him  an  afylum.  When  the  violence  of 
the  perfecution  abated,  he  returned  to  the  exercife  of  his 
miniilry  in  another  congregation,  as  colleague  with  Mr. 
Simmons.  Such  was  his  celebrity  for  learning  and  piety, 
for  minifterial  abilities  and  fidelity,  that  the  church  and  fo- 
ciety  of  Cambridge,  on  the  deceafe  of  Mr.  Mitchel,  were 
induced  to  invite  him  to  their  paftoral  charge.  They  fent 
a  mellenger  to  England,  to  prefent  him  with  the  invita- 
tion ;  vv-lilch,  with  the  approbation  of  a  council  of  minif- 
ters, he  accepted.  After  repeated  delays,  occafioned  by 
the  iickneis  and  death  of  his  wife,  and  by  a  fubfequent 
perional  illnefs,  he  came  to  America,  and  commenced  his 
miniilry  at  Cambridge,  November  8,  1671. 

So  diftinguiOied  v/as  he  for  his  learning  and  abihties^ 
and  for  his  patronage  of  the  interefts  of  literature,  that, 
in  1675,  he  was  invited  to  the  prefidency  of  Harvard  Col- 
lege, as  fuccelTor  to  Preiident  Hoar.  He  accepted  the  in- 
vitation ;  and  ofSciated  as  Prefident,  ftill  retaining  the 
charge  of  his  flock,  for  about  fix  years,  when  his  ufeful 
life  was  fuddenly  brought  to  a  clofe.-  He  had  been  fubje<5t 
to  a  quartan  ague,  which  often  interrupted  .his  public  fer- 
vices.  A  malignant  fever  now  feized  him,  and,  in  a  day 
or  two,  proved  mortal.  His  congregation,  affembUng  on 
a  Lord's-day,  when  the  Lord's  Supper  was  to  have  been 
adminiflercd,  were  affeftingly  furprifed  to  find  their  re- 
fpe^led  and  beloved  paftor  in  the  pangs  of  death.  He  died 
July  25,  168 1,  in  the  fiftieth  year  of  his  age,  and  tenth  of 
his  miniflry  at  Cambridge. 

He  was  emxinent  for  his  know-ledge  and  piety,  and  was 
a  very  engaging  and  ufeful  preacher.  "  Confidered  as  a 
fcholar,  he  was,"  fays  Dr.  C.  Mather,  "  a  notable  critic  in 
all  the  points  of  learning  ;    and  well  verfed  in  every  point 

of 


The  Hijlory  of  Cambridge.  53 

of  the  Great  Circle"  *— "  He  did  the  fervlce  of  a  Preiident, 
even  as  he  did  all  other  fervices,  faithfully,  learnedly,  inde- 
fatigably.*'  Dr.  Increafe  Mather^  whofe  charaders  appear 
to  be  drawn  with  more  exad:  difcrimination  than  thofe  of 
his  fon  Cotton,  fays  :  "  An  age  doth  feidom  produce  one 
fo  many  ways  excelling,  as  this  Authorf  was.  If  v/e  coh- 
lider  him  as  a  Divine,  as  a  Scholar ,  as  a  Chrijiian,  it  is  hard 
to  fay  in  which  he  did  moft  excel,  t  have  often  in  my 
thoughts  compared  him  to  Samuel  smong  the  prophets  of 
old ;  inafmuch  as  he  did  truly  y^^r  God  from  his  youtl^  and 
was  betimes  improved  in  holy  miivijlraiions,  and  was  at  laft 
called  to  be  Head  of  the  fons  of  the  prophets,  in  this  New 
Englilh  Ifrael,  as  Samuel  was  Prefident  of  the  College  at 
Naioth.  In  many  other  particulars,  I  might  enlarge  upon 
the  parallel,  but  tiiat  it  is  inconvenient  to  extend  iuch  in- 
ilances  beyond  their  proportion. 

Heu,  tua  nobis 

Morte  fimul  tecum  faiatia  rapt  a  I 

It  may,  without  reflexion  upon  any,  be  faid,  that  he  was 
one  of  the  greateft  lights,  that  ever  ihone  in  this  part  of 
the  world,  or  that  is  ever  like  to  arife  in  our  horizon." 

The  only  publications  of  Mr,  Oakes,  of  which  I  find 
any  account,  are  : 

An  Artillery  Election  Sermon,  on  Rom.  viii,  37,  preach- 
ed June  3,  1672  J 

An  Eiedion  Sermon,  on  Deut,  xxxii.  29,  preached  May 

An  Elegy  on  the  Rev.  Thomas  Shepard,  Paftor  of  the 
church  in  Charleftown,  [fon  of  Mr.  Shepard,  minifter  of 
Cambridge]  who  died  Dec.  22,  1667.      [They  were  all 

printed 

•  JJ..  C.  Mather,  who  was  educated  under  his  preiidency,  has  pre- 
ferved,  in  one  of  his  publications,  a  fpecimen  of  his  Latin  compofition, 
"^'hich  is  very  claflical  and  elegant.  In  his  judgment,  "  America  nev- 
er had  a  greater  mafter  of  the  true,  pure,  Ciceronian  Latin,"  than 
Prefrdent  Oakes.  He  appears  to  have  had  a  poetical  genius.  An 
Elegy,  of  confiderable  length,  written  by  him  on  the  Rev.  Mr.  Shepard, 
of  Charleftown,  rifes,  in  my  judgment,  far  above  the  poetry  of  his  day. 
It  is  of  Pindaric  raeafure,  and  is  plaintive,  pathetic,  and  replete  with 
imagery. 

-}-  This  paragraph  is  extracted  from  the  Preface  of  Dr.  Increase 
Mather  to  a  Difcourfc  of  Mr,  Oakes,  published  foon  after  the  Author's 

deceafe. 


54  273^  Hi/lory  of  Cambridge. 

printed  at  Cambridge,  by  Samuel  Green  ;  and  are  pre- 
ferved  in  the  Library  of  the  Hiftorical  Society.] 

His  epitaph,  though  not  now  diftin6ily  legible  on  his 
tomb-ftone,  is  prefer ved  in  Mather's  Magnalia,  and  is  as 
follov/s  : 

Uriani  Oakesii, 

Cujus,  quod  reliquum  eft, 

ciauditur  hoc  tumulo  ; 

Explorata  integritate,  fumma  morum  gravitate, 

Omniumque  meliorum  Ariium  infigni  Peritia, 

Speftatifiimi,  ClariiTimique  omnibus  modis  Viri, 

Theologi,  merito  fuo,  celeberrimi, 

Concionatoris  vere  MeUiflui, 

Cantabrigienfis  Ecclefise,  Doftiffimi  et  Orthodoxi  Paftoris, 

In  Collegio  Harvardino  Praefidis  Vigilantiflimi, 

Maximam  Pietatis,  Eruditionis,  Facundiae  Laudem 

Adepti  ; 

Qui  repentina  morte  fubito  correptus. 

In  JESU  linum  efHavit  animam, 

Julii  XXV.  A.  D.  M.  DC.  LXXXI. 

Memoriae. 
Etatis  fuas  L. 
Plurima  quid  referam,  fatis  eft  fi  dixeris  Unum, 
Hoc  I)i(5l:u  fatis  eft,  Hie  jacit  Oakesius. 

Mr.  GOOKIN. 

The  Reverend  Nathaniel  Gookin  was  educated  ai  ; 
Harvard  College,  where  he  graduated  in   1675.     On  Mr.  ! 
Oakes'  acceptance  of  the  prefidency  in  1679,*  the  churcli  | 
^ve  "  a  Call  to  Mr.  Gookin  to  be  helpful  in  the  miniftry,  j 
in  order  to  call  him  to  office  in  time  convenient."!     After  1 
Mr.  Oakes'  deceafe,  the  church  invited  him  to  the  paftoral  ! 
office.     He  accepted  the  invitation  ;  and  was  ordained  No- 
vember 15,  1682.     He  was  a  Fellow  of  Harvard  College. 
After  a   miniftry  of  fcarcely  ten  years,  he  died   on  the 
Lord's-day,  Auguft  7,  1692,  in  the  thirty-fourth  year  of 
his  age,  and  tenth  of  his  miniftrv. 
The 

*   His  previous  eiedtion,  in  1675,  was/z-o  te?7ipore, 
t  Church  Records, 


The  Hyiory  of  Cambridge,  $$ 

The  fliortnefs  of  Mr.  Gookin's  miniftry,  and  the  imper- 
fedion  of  the  early  records  of  the  church,  leave  us  very 
deficient  in  the  means  of  obtaining  his  hiftory  and  char- 
ader. 

He  was  a  fon  of  Major-General  Gookin,  whofs  diftin- 
guifhed  charafter,  and  eminent  fervices,  have  been  noticed 
in  the  preceding  hiftory.  Tradition  informs  us,  that  he 
lies  interred  in  the  fouth-eaft  corner  of  the  burying  ground, 
beneath  a  brick  monument,  covered  vvith  a  ftone  flab,  the 
infcription  of  which  is  not  now  legible.  He  left  a  fon,  of 
his  own  name,  who  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1703,  and 
was,  afterward,  fettled  in  the  miniftry  at  North-Hill,  a 
parifh  in  Hampton,  New-Hampfhire.  This  Mr.  Gookin  is 
leprefented,  by  a  contemporary  minifter,  as  a  man, "  whofe 
qualifications  for  the  work  of  the  miniftry,  and  whofe 
fidelity,  induftry  and  fkill  in  profecuting  it,  as  well  as  ex- 
emplary caution  and  prudence,  were  too  well  known  to 
need  any  atteftation."  *  He  died  in  1734,  ^tat.  XLVIII, 
leaving  a  fon  of  his  name,  who  graduated  at  Cambridge 
in  173 1,  and  fucceeded  his  father  in  the  miniftry,  at  Hamp« 
ton,  OcT:.  31,  1739.  This  fon  is  reprefented  as  one,  "  v/ho, 
upon  many  accounts,  befide  his  own  perfonal  worth,  ought 
to  he  near  and  dear"  to  his  fociety,  "  being  both  ways  de« 
fcended  from  thofe  who  have  been  ftars  of  the  firft  magnir 
tude."t    He  died  in  1766. 

Mr.  brattle. 

The  Reverend  William  Brattle  was  born  in  Eoftony 
about  the  year  1662  ;  and  educated  at  Harvard  College, 
where  he  graduated  in  1680.  He  was,  afterward,  chofqii 
a  Tutor,  and  a  Fellow,  in  that  feminary,  and  officiated  in 
each  of  thefe  capacities  for  feveral  years.  Dr.  Colman, 
who  was  a  ftudent,  while  Mr.  Brattle  was  in  the  tutorfhip, 

fays, 

*  The  Rev.  Mr.  ShurtlefF's  Sermon,  at  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Na« 
thaniel  Gookin,  in  1739. 

t  Mr.  ShurtlefF  informs  us,  (Ordin.  Serm.)  that  the  Rev.  Seaborn 
Cotton  was  this  Mr.  Gookin's  great  grandfather.  I  fuppofe  the  fecond 
Mr.  Nathaniel  Gookin  (fon  of  the  minifter  of  Cambridge)  married  a 
daughter  of  John  Cotton,  (his  predecefibr  in  the  miniftry)  who  was  a 
fon  of  Seaborn,  (his  predeceffor)  who  was  a  fon  of  the  renowned  John 
Cotton,  one  of  the  firft;  minifters  of  Bofton. 


^S  The  Hi/lory  of  Cambridge. 

iays,  "  He  was  an  able,  faithful  arid  tender  Tutor.  Ke 
counfenanced  virtue  and  profxiency-in  us>  and  every  good 
difpofition  he  difcerned,  with  the  moft  fatherly  goodnefs  ; 
and  fearched  out  and  puniflied  vice  with  the  authority  of 
•  a  mafter.  He  did  his  utmoft  to  form  us  to  virtue  and  the 
fear  of  God,  and  to  Ao  well  in  the  world  ;  and  difmifled 
Ms  pupils,  when  he  took  leave  of  them,  with  pious  charges 
and  v/ith  tears.'*  One  memorable  inftance  of  his  human- 
ity, and  chriiiian  heroifm,  while  in  the  tutorlhip,  is  record- 
ed as  worthy,  if  not  of  imitation,  of  admiration.  VvThen 
the  fmall-pox  prevailed  in  the  college,  although  he  had  not 
had  that  terrible  diforder,  inftead  of  a  removal,  he  ftaid  at 
his  chamber,  vifited  the  fick  fcholars,  and  took  care  that 
they  Ihould  be  fuppiied  with  v/hatever  was  neceifary  to 
their  fafety  and  com^fort.  "  So  dear  v/as  his  charge  to 
him,  that  he  ventured  his  life  for  them,  miniftering  both, 
to  their  fouls  and  bodies  ;  for  he  was  a  fkilful  phyfician  to 
both.'*  At  length,  he  was  taken  ill,  and  retired  to  his 
htdi  ;  but  the  diforder  was  very  mild,  and  he  was  foon 
happily  reftored. 

He  was  ordained  Paflor  of  the  church  in  Cambridge, 
November  25,  1696.  On  this  occalion  he  ureached  his 
own  ordination  fermon,  from  i  Cor.  iii.  6 ;  the  Rev.  in- 
creafe  Mather  gave  the  charge  ;  and  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Willard,  the  right  hand  of  fellcwlhip.  On  the  fam.e  ccca^ 
fion,  the  Rev,  Increafe  Mather  preached  a  fermon,  from 
Rev.  i.  16. 

Mr.  Brattle  was  polite  and  affable,  courteous  and  oblig, 
iiig,  c6mpaffionate  and  charitable.  His  eftate  was  very 
large  ;  and,  though  he  diftributed  it  with  a  liberal  hand, 
*'  fecret  and  lilent"  were  his  charities.  His  pacific  fpirit, 
and  his  moderation,  were  confpicuous  ;  and  "  he  feemed 
to  have  equal  refpetTc  to  good  m^en  of  all  denominations." 
He  was  patient  of  injuries,  and  placable  ;  and  faid,  after,, 
trials,  he  knew  not  how  he  could  have  fpared  any  one  of 
tKem.  With  humility  he  united  magnanimity  ;  and  was 
neither  bribed  by  tlie  favour,  nor  over-awed  by  the  dif- 
fdeafure,  of  any  m.an.  "  He  was  of  an  auftere  and  morti- 
fied life"  ;  yet  candid  and  tolerant  toward  others.  He 
was  a  man  of  great  learning  and  abilities ;  and,  at  once, 
a  philoiopher  and  a  divine.     It  is  no  fmall  evidence  of  his 

attainments 


^he  Uijlory  of  Cambridge,  zy 

?ittalnments  in  fcience,  that  he  was  eleded  a  Fellow  of  the 
Royal  Society.  "  He  was  a  generous  patron  of  learning, 
and  long  a  father  of  the  college"  in  Cambridge.  He 
placed  neither  learning,  nor  religion,  in  unprofitable  fpecu- 
lations,  but  in  fuch  foHd  and  fubftantial  truth,  as  improves 
the  mind,  and  is  beneficial  to  the  world.  Poflefiing  ilrong 
mental  powers,  he  was  "  much  formed  for  counfel  and  ad- 
vice'* ;  and  his  judgment  was  often  fought,  and  ^ighly 
refpedted. 

His  manner  of  preaching  may  be  learnt  from  Dr.  Col- 
man,  who,  comparing  Mr.  Brattle  with  Mr.  Pemberton, 
obferves  :  "  They  performed  the  public  exercifes  in  the 
houfe  of  God  with  a  great  deal  of  folemnity,  though  in  a 
manner  fomewhat  different  ;  for  Mr.  Brattle  was  all  calm, 
and  foft,  and  melting  ;  but  Mr.  Pemberton  was  all  flame, 
and  zeal,  and  earneftnefs."  Mr.  Brattle's  miniftry  appears 
to  have  been  fuccefsful  ;  and  the  church,  while  under  his 
paftoral  care,  became  very  greatly  enlarged.  Although  he 
attained  a  greater  age  than  either  of  his  famous  predecef- 
fors,  Shepard,  Mitchel,  and  Oakes  ;  yet  he  was  often  in- 
terrupted in  his  minifterial  labours,  "  by  pains  and  lan- 
guilhments,"  and  died  February  15,  1 717,  in  the  fifty-fifth 
year  of  his  age,  and  twenty-firil;  of  his  miniftry. 

The  baptifms  of  children,  during  his  miniftry,  were  fev- 
en  hundred  and  twenty-four  ;  and  the  admiflions  to  the 
fellowftiip  of  the  church  three  hundred  and  fixty-four. 

"  They  that  had  the  happinefs  to  know  Mr.  Brattle, 
knew  a  very  religious  good  man,  an  able  divine,  a  labori- 
ous faithful  minifter,  an  excellent  fcholar,  a  great  benefac- 
tor, a  wife  and  prudent  man,  and  one  of  the  beft  of 
friends.  The  promoting  of  Religion,  Learning,  Virtue 
and  Peace,  every  where  within  his  reach,  was  his  very  life 
and  foul  ;  the  great  bufinefs  about  which  he  was  conftant- 
ly  employed,  and  in  which  he  principally  delighted.  Like 
his  great  Lord  and  Mafter  he  went  (or  fent)  about  doing 
good.  His  principles  were  fober,  found,  moderate,  being 
of  a  catholick  and  pacifick  fpirit. — For  a  confiderable  time 
before  his  death,  he  laboured  under  a  languifhing  diftem- 
per,  which  he  bore  with  great  patience  and  refignation  ; 
and  died  with  peace  and  an  extraordinary  ferenity  of 
mind.  He  v/as  pleafed  in  his  laft  Will  and  Teftament  to 
I         [Fe/.  vii.j  bequeath 


58  The  Hiflory  of  Cambridge, 

bequeath  to  Harvard  College  two  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds,  befides  a  much  gi'cater  fum  in  other  pious  and 
charitable  legacies."* 

The  funeral  of  Mr.  Brattle  was  attended  on  the  20th  of 
February,  a  day  rendered  memorable  by  The  Great  Snow, 
"  He  was  greatly  honoured  at  his  interment  ;"  and  the 
principal  magiftrates  and  minifters  of  Bofton  and  of  the 
vicinity,  aflembled  on  this  occafion,  were  necelfarily  detain- 
ed at  Cambridge  by  the  fnow  for  feveral  days.f 

He  appears  to  have  published  fcarcely  any  of  his  writ- 
ings ;  though  many  of  them  were,  doubtlefs,  very  worthy 
of  pubHcation.  His  grandfon,  Thomas  Brattle,J  Efquire, 
favoured  me  v/ith  the  perufal  of  fome  of  his  Sermons,  in 
manufcript,  which  are  written  very  fairly  and  correctly, 
and  are  remarkably  clear,  and  concife,  fententious  and 
didaftic. 

Jeremiah  Dumm.er,  Efquire,  a  gentleman  of  refpeclabili- 
ty,  having,  while  a.n  agent  in  England,  procured  fome 
printed  fermons,  by  defire  of  Mr.  Flint,  obferves  : — "  I 
think  the  modern  fermons,  which  are  preached  and  print- 
ed here,  are  very  lean  and  dry,  having  little  divinity  in  the 
matter,  or  brightnefs  in  the  ftyle  ;  I  am  fure  they  are  no 
way  comparable  to  the  folid  difcourfes  v/hich  Mr.  Brattle 
gives  you  every  week."§ 
The 

*   Bofton    News-Cetter,    No.  671. 

J  A  few  particulars  concerning  this  memorable  Snow  may  gratify  cu- 
riofity.  The  Bofton  News-Letter  of  February  25,  1 7 1 7,  has  the  following 
paragraphs  :  "  Befides  feveral  Snows,  we  had  a  great  one  on  Monday 
the  1 8th  current  ;  and  on  Wednefday  the  20th  it  begun  to  fnow  about 
noon,  and  continued  fnowing  till  Friday  the  2 2d.  fo  that  the  Snow  lies 
in  fome  parts  of  the  ftreets  about  Six  foot  high."—"  Saturday  laft  was 
a  clear  Sunfhine,  not  a  cloud  to  be  feen  till  towards  evening.  And  the 
I^ord's-Day,  the  24th,  a  deep  Snow." — "  The  extremity  of  the  weather 
has  hindered  all  the  three  Pofts  from  coming  in  ;  neither  can  they  be 
expedled  till  the  roads  (now  impaifable  with  a  mighty  Snow  upon  the 
ground)  are  beaten."  The  News-Letter,  of  Mai-ch  4,  has  this  para- 
graph :  "  Bojlon  ;  February  ended  with  Snow,  and  March  begins  with 
it,  the  Snow  lb  deep  that  there  is  no  travelling." 

\  This  very  worthy  and  refpectable  man  departed  this  life,  fmce  this 
Hiftory  was  committed  to  the  prefs,  February  7th,  1801,  DStat.  lix. 
His  father,  Brigadier-General  William  Brattle,  was  the  only  child  of  the. 
Rev.  William  Brattle,  who  lived  to  mature  age. 

$  Coll.'  of  Hift.  Soc.  for  1799,  p.  79. 


The  Hipry  of  Cambridge.  59 

The  only  publication  of  Mr.  Brattle,  which  has  come  to 
Jknowlidge,  is  a  fyftem  of  Logic,  entitled,  "  Compen- 
Sum  LogicI  fecundum  Principia  D.  Renati  Cartefo  pie- 
rumque  efFormatum,  et  catechiftice  FOP^^^!^"^-  ^^^ 
long  recited  at  Harvard  College,  and  holden  in  high  eftima- 
tion.      An   edition   of  it  was  publiftied  as  late   as   the 

^^Mr' Brattle  lies  interred  in  a  tomb,  on  the  fouth-eaft  fide 
of  the  burying  yard,  with  this  mfcnption  ; 
Depofitum 
GULIELMI   BRATTLE 
nuper  Ecclefiae  Cantabrigienfis      ^^ 
N.  A.  Paftoris  Rev^i  Senatiis  CoUegii 
Harvardini  Socij  Primarij,  ^    ^ 
Eiufdemque  Curat  oris  Spectatiflimi, 
et  R.  S.  S.  qui  obiit  xv  "  Febr  ^     ^ 
Anno  Domini  MDCCXVII,  et  ^tatis 
Sure  LV.     Hie  requiefcit  in  ipe 
Beatx  Refurreftionis. 

Dr.  APPLETON. 

The  Reverend  Nathaniel  Appleton  was  born  at  Ipf- 
wiJh  December  9,  1693-  His  father  -as  the  ^-^our.^.^^ 
JohnAppleton*  ",  and  his  mother  was  the  eWe^  d^u^^^^^^^^^ 
Prefident  Roaiers.  He  was  educated  at  Harvard  College, 
where  he  ta^duated  in  171^.  Om  the  completion  of  his 
Tducation  ^his  uncle,  an  opulent  merchant,  offered  to  fet 
Mm  upTn  trade  ;  but  he  declined  the  offer,  that  he  might 
5X^his  theological  fludies,  preparatory  to  the  work  of 

^'soltfS  the  death  of  Mr  Brattle,  the.  churc^^^^^^^^^ 
bridge  chofe  Mr.  Appleton  to  fucceed  him  in  the  mmiltry  , 
andTe  was  ordaineS'its  paftor,  Odober  9,  ^IIT;^^^-,^^ 
occafion,  Dr.  Increafe  Majher  preached  a  femonfo^^ 
Ephef.  iy.  12,  and  gave  the  charge  j  Di.  Cotton  Mather 

"  He  was  one  of  the  King's  Council  ;  and,  for  r^^i^TSiiTi^ 
vears  a  TudgeTf  Probate  fo?  the  county  of  EiTex  ;  he  was  a  man  of 
Wd  judgment,  and  unimpeached  integrity.  ^  ^VToX' there  wi' 
during  the  long  period  in  which  he  u-as  in  the  Probate  Office,  there  wa. 
never^an  appeal  from  his  judgment. 


^o  The  Hifiory  of  Cambridge, 

gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowfhip  ;  and  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Angler,  of  Watertown,  and  the  Reverend  Mr.  Rogers,  of 
Ipfwich,  joined  with  them  in  the  impofition  of  hands.    The 
fame  year,  in  which  he  was  ordained,  he  was  eleded  a  Fel- 
low of  Harvard  College  ;  which  office  he  fuftained  above 
Iixty  years  ;t  and,  by  his  amdiious  attention  to  its  duties, 
together  with  his  prudent  counfels,  which  were  greatly  re- 
fpecled  by  the  government  of  the  univerfity,  he  effentially 
contributed  to  the  interefts  of  that  important  feminary.t 
As  a  tcllimonial  of  the  eftimation  of  his  academical  fervices, 
as  well  as  of  his  theological  charafter,  and  public  ufefulnefs* 
the  Univerfity  of  Cambridge,  ^t  the  commencement  in 
1 77 1,  conferred  on  him  the  degree  of  Dodor  of  Divinity. 
This  degree  was  conferred  by  the  Univerfity  but  once  pre- 
vioully  to  this  ;    and  that  was  conferred  on  the  Rever- 
end  Increafe  Mather,  about  eighty  years  before.* 
1 1  ^l'  ^PP^^^^"'  ^^  venerable  for  his  age,  was  more  venera- 
ble  for  his  piety.     His  religion,  like  his  whole  charader 
was  patriarchal.     Born  in  the  laft  century,  and  living  till 
nearly  the  clofe  of  this,  he  brought  down  with  him  the 
habits  of  "  other  times."     In  his  drefs,  in  his  manners,  in 
his  converfation,  in  his  miniftry,  he  niay  be  clalled  with 
tne  Puritan  minifters,  of  revered  memorv,  who  (irft  came 
to  New-England.     His  natural  temper  was  cheerful  ;  but 
his  habitual  deportment  was  grave.     Early  confecrated  to 
Ood^  and  having  a  fixed  predilecl:ion  for  the  miniftry,  he 
was  happily  formed,  by  ilic  union  of  good  fcnfe  with  deep 
lenoufnefs,  of  enlightened  zeal  with  confummate  prudence 
tor  the  paftoral  office.  "■  ' 

He  preached  the  gofpel  with  great  plahmefs  of  fpe^ch  -^nd 
with  primitive  fimpHcity.  Lefs  concerned  to  pleafe,  than 
to  inftrua:  and  edify,  he  ftudiouflv  accommodated  his  dif- 
courfes  to  the  meaneft  capacity,  to  this,  end,  he  frequent- 
ly  borrowed  fimiHtudcs  from  familiar,  fometimes  from' 

. vulgar, 

t  He  refigned  his   FeIlow£hip  in    1779. 

t  Prefident  Wadfworth,  fpeaking  of  Mr.  Appleton,  fays  :    "  I  have 
onen  thought,  it  is  a  great  favour  not  only  to  the  Church  and  Town  of 
C^amhridge,  out  a!fo  to  the  College,  and  therein  to  th.e  wliole  Province 
that  he  IS  hxedm  that  public  port  and  llation,  afflgncd  by  Providence  ta 
him.  :preface  to  The  IVifdom  of  God  hi  tke  Rcdanptm  of  Man. 

*  Prefident  Stiles's  Literary  Diary, 


The  Hipry  of  Cambridge.  6i 

^ul^-ar,  objeas  :  but  his  application  of  them  was  fo  perti- 
nent, and  his  utterance  and  his  air  were  fo  folemn,  as  to 
fupprefs  levity,  and  filence  criticifm. 

"  Dr.  Appleton  was  poflelfed  of  the  learning  of  his  time. 
The  fcriptures  he  read  in  the  originals.  His  expofition, 
preached  in  courfe  on  the  fabbath,  comprehended  the 
whole  New  Teftament,  the  prophecy  of  Ifaiah,  and,  I  be- 
lieve, Daniel,  and  fome  of  the  minor  prophets.  It  was 
chiefly  defigned  to  promote  practical  piety  ;  but  on  the 
prophetical  parts,  he  difcovered  a  continued  attention,  ex- 
tent of  reading,  and  depth  of  refearch,  which  come  to  the 
fliare  of  but  very  few.  He  not  only  gave  the  Proteftant 
conftruction,  but  that  of  the  Romifh  expofitors,  in  order 
to  point  out  the  defeds  of  the  latter."*  He  carefully 
availed  himfelf  of  fpecial  occurrences,  whether  profperous 
or  adverfe,  whether  affecting  individuals,  families,  his  own 
Society,  or  the  community  at  large,  to  obtain  a  ferious  at- 
tention  to  the  truths  and  duties  of  religion  ;  and  his  dif- 
courfes,  on  fuch  occafions,  were  peculiarly  folemn  and  im- 
preflive.  Vigilantly  attentive  to  the  ftate  of  religion  in 
liis  paftoral  charge,  he  marked  prevailing  errors,  and  fins, 
and  pointed  his  admonitions  and  cautions  againft  them., 
lotl-  in  public  and  private,  with  confcientious  yet  difcreet 
fidelity.  The  difcipline  of  the  church  he  maintained  Vx^ith 
parental  tendernefs,  and  paftoral  authority.  The  Commit- 
tee, for  infpecting  the  manners  of  profeffing  Chriftians, 
appointed  originally  by  his  defire,  and  perpetuated  for 
many  years  by  his  influence,  evinces  his  care  of  the  hon- 
our ar.vl  interefts  of  the  church,  of  which  he  was  the  con- 
fdf:uted  overfeer.  So  great  was  the  afcendency  which  he 
gained  over  his  people,  by  his  difcretion  and  moderation, 
by  his  condefcenfion  and  benevolence,  by  his  fidelity  and 
piety,  that,  while  he  lived,  they  regarded  his  counfels  as 
oracular ;  and,  fmce  his  death,  they  mention  not  his  name 
but  with  profound  regard  and  veneration. 

his  praife^  not  confined  to  his  own  Ibciety,  is  in  aU  the 
churches  of  New-England.  In  controverfial  and  difficult 
cafes,  he  was  often  applied  to  for  advice,  at  ecclefiaftical 
Councils.  Impartial  yet  pacific,  firm  yet  conciliatory,  he 
was  fpecially  qualified  for  a  counfellor  ;  and  in  that  char- 
acter 

*  James  Winthrop,  Efquire. 


Ci  The  Hifiory  of  Cambridge, 

a^er  he  materially  contrib-uted  to  the  unity,  the  peace, 
and  order  of  the  churches.  With  the  wifdom  of  the  fer- 
pent  he  happily  united  the  innocence  of  the  dove.  In  his 
religious  principles,  he  was,  like  all  his  pre^eceffors  in  the 
miniftry,  a  Calvinift.  Towards  perfons,  however,  who 
were  of  different  principles,  he  was  candid  and  catholic. 
*'  Orthodoxy  and  Charity"  were  his  motto,*  and  he  hap- 
pily exemplified  the  union  of  both^  in  his  miniftry,  and  in 
his  hfe. 

His  public  ufefulnefs,  though  diminifiied,  for  a  few  of 
his  laft  years,  by  the  infirmities  of  age,  did  not  entirely 
ceafe  but  with  his  life.  He  died  February  9,  1784,  in  the 
ninety-firft  year  of  his  age,  and  fixty-feventh  of  his  minif- 
try : — and  New-England  can  furnifh  few,  if  any,  inftances 
of  more  ufeful  talents,  and  of  more  exemplary  piety,  uni- 
ted with  a  miniftry  equally  long  and  fucccfsful. 

The  baptifms  of  children,  during  his  miniftry,  were  2048 
•-  —  of  adults         _         .         -         -         .        90 

Adnnifiiohs  to  the  fellowfliip  of  the  church     -       -      784 

His  publications  are  : 

The  Wifdom  of  God  in  the  Redemption  of  Manj 
i^mo.  1728  ; 

Difcourfes  on  Romans  viii.  14.     i2mo.  1743  ; 

8  Funeral  Sermons  ; 

6  Ordination  Sermons  ; 

2  Thankfgiving  Sermons  5 

2  Faft  Sermons  ; 

A  Sermon,  at  the  Artillery  Election,  1733  ^ 

■ at  the  General  Election,  1742  ; 

^ —  Convention  of  Minifters,  1 743  ; 

-r — ". =,  on  the  dift'erence  between  a  legal  and  evaH=. 

gelical  righteoufnefs,  1749  ; 

— -— — ■-  at  the  Bofton  Lecture,  1763  5 

— —  againft  prophane  Swearing,  1765. 

Dr. 

*  His  portrait,  taken  by  Copley,  reprefents  him  holding  a  voluine 
of  Dr.  Watts,  entitled  "  Orthodoxy  and  Charity."  This  portrait, 
which  is  faid  to  be  an  excellent  lik^aefs,  is  now  in  the  poffeffion  of  Mrs. 
Appleton,  relift  of  the  late  Nathaniel  Appleton,  Efquire,  Avho  was  a 
very  worthy  and  refpedable  fon  of  the  minifter  of  Cambridge.  It  was 
refcued  from  the  fire  in  Bofton,  in  1794*  in  which  Dr.  Appleton's  MSS. 
then  in  the  hands  of  his  fon,  were  confumed. 


The  Hijiory  of  Cambridge^  ^3 

Dr.  Appleton's  Epitaph  : 

Sub  hoc  mai-mofe  conduntur. 
Cum  MARGARET  conjugis  fu3£  dileaiffimse  rehquiis 
Exuviae  viri  illius  reverendi 
NATHANIEL  APPLETON,  S.  T.  P. 
Chrifti  ecclefise 
Apud  Cantabrigienfes  prin»ae 
Per  Annos  LXVIjL 
Paftoris 
t>oai,  fidelis,  vigilantis,  benevoli. 
Majoribus  opibufque  ornatus. 
Sacrum  hoc  munus 
Omnibus  aliis  prseoptavit.  ^     ^ 

Verbi  divini  prseconis  partes  fanfte,  fervid^,  perfpicue 
Integritate  eximia 
Peregit. 
Principis  Paftoris  monitu  incitatus 
Ov€S  agnofque  gregis  fedulo  pavit, 
Et  circumfpedavit* 
Fideles  in  Chrifto  omnes, 
Quantumcunque  a  fe  diverfe  fenferint. 
Amice  complexus  eft. 
Rebus  Academicis  ex  officio,  fuifque  familiaribus> 
Caute  ac  prudenter  invigilavit. 
Ab  omnibus  dilecTus   et   obfervatusj 

Vixit, 

Et  fpe-  refurgendi  Chriftiana  fuffultuSj 

In   JESU  obdormiit 

Die  Februarii  nono,  anno  Chrifti  MDCCLXXXIV^ 

^tatis  fuae  XCII. 

««  They  that  he  nxufe  JJyall  Jhine  as  the  brightnefs  of  the  firmament y 
And  they  that  turn  many  to  righteoufnefs  as  the  Jlars  forsver  and  ever:' 

Mr.   HILLIARD. 

The  Reverend  Timothy  Hilliard  was  born  in  Ken- 
fington,  New-Hampftiire,  in  1746  ;  and,  in  1760,  entered 
Harvard  College.  "  His  natural  abilities  virere  fuch,  as  gave 
him  a  facility  in  acquiring  knowledge  ;  and,  while  he  was 
a  ftudent,he  mad^fuch  advances  in  the  various  branches 


^^  "^f^e  Hi/lory  of  Ca?nbndgs. 

of  ufeful  learning,  as  laid  the  foundation  for  that  eminence 
m  his  profeflion,  to  which  he  afterward  attained."*— When 
he  entered  the  deik,  he  was  judged  not  only  to  have  "  juft 
views  of  the  doclrnies  and  precepts  of  Chriftianity,"  Lt 
to  have  'experienced  their  power  and  efficacy  on  his  own 
heart.  —  His  pulpit  performances,  from  the  flrft,  were 
very  acceptable,"  wherever  he  was  providentially  called  to 
preach  the  gofpel. 

In  1768,  he  was  appointed  chaplain  of  Caftle  WiU^T.m  * 
and^  after  officiating  in  that  capacity  a  few  months,  he  M-as 
eeaedatutor  m   Harvard  College.      Having  continued 
about  two  years  and  a  half  in  the  tutorlhip,  "?he  duties  of 
which  he  difcharged  with  diligence  and  fidclitv,"   he   was 
invited  to  fettle  m  the  miniftry  at  Barnftable  •    where   he 
was  ordained,  April  10,  1771.     "  He  continued  his  minify 
try  in  that  place  about  twelve  years,  and  was  in  hio-h  cft-em 
among  his  people,  both  for  his  preaching,  and   fo?   aJl   hi. 
parochial  conducT:  ;  at  the  fame  time  he  was  o-reatly  valued 
m  all  that  part  of  the  country.     He  loved  the  work  of  th- 
mmiltry,  and  was  faithful  in  the  difcharge  of  all  its  duties  '* 
binding  his  health  materially  injured  by  the  fea  air    he 
was,  at  length,  conftrained  to  remove  from  Barnftable  \ 
On   the  confirmation  of  his  health,,  by  a  change  of 'air 
he  became  capable  of  refuming  the  public  fervic?s   cf  the 
mmillry  ;  and,  after  preaching  afhort  time  at  Cambrid.-e 
was  invited  to  the  paftoral  charge,  as  coUeagiie  with  the 
aged  and  venerable  Dr.  Appleton.     He  accepted  the  invi- 
tation,  and  was  mftaUed,  October  27,  1783.     On  this  oc 
cahon,  he  preached  a  fermon  from  Titus,  ii.  i  r  ;  the   Rev 
ereridDr  Cooper,  of  Bofton,  gave  the  charge       and  the 

ofTu"!?-  '^''^"^'  ^'  '^''^^^^^"'  s-^  '^^  ^'s^^  W 

Placed,  by  Providence,  in  this  confpicuous  ftation,  his. 
—^ . — ^ fphere 

Prefident  Willard's  Sermon,  at  the  funeral  of  Mr.  Milliard  ;  from 
Mr  HMl"  '^"'''/   ^  '^'^"'^'-     ^''^  ^''''^'-'  --  contemporarV  vv!th 

nJJri^fA  ^r'  '"  '''i^^°^"  ''  ^ffe<^ed  by  the  neighborhood  of  the   fea 
on  each  fide,  from  which  it  derives  a  dampnefs  and  frequently   a  chiU 

S^Socicty  in    "P"'""  of  Barnftable,  in  the  coIMons  of  the  Hiftori- 


The  Hijlory  of  Cambridge,  65 

Iphere  of  ufefulnefs  became  much  enlarged,  his  labours  be- 
ing now  extended  to  the  Univerfity-t  For  this  he^ 
fphere  he  was  peculiarly  qualified.  "  His  pulpit  talents 
were  excellent.  He  was  pleafmg  in  his  elocution.  In 
prayer  he  was  exceeded  by  few,  being  ready  in  his  utter- 
ance, pertinent  on  every  occafion,  and  devotional  in.  his 
manner.  His  difcourfes  from  the  delk  were  never  fuch  as 
could  be  faid  to  have  coft  him  nothing,  but  were  v/ell  ftu- 
died,  pure  in  the  didion,  replete  \vith  judicious  fentiments, 
clearly  and  methodically  arranged,  inftruaive,  fenous, 
praftical,  and  truly  evangelical  5  fo  that  his  public  fervices 
Were  ufeiFul  and  edifying  to  "all  ranks  of  men,  both  learned, 
and  unlearned.''  He  was  "  ever  viewed  by  the  Govern- 
ors of  the  Univerfity,  as  an  excellent  model  for  the  youth 
under  their  care,  who  were  deftghed  for  the  defk  ;  and  they 
confidered  his  introdudion  into  this  parifh,  a  mxll  happy 

event."  ^  r  1  - 

Though  he  v/as  diligent  in  acquiring  uieful  Knowledge, 
in  its  various  branches  ;  yet  he  principally  devoted  him- 
felf,  as  became  his  profeflion,  to  the  iludy  of  theology. 
«  In  the  treatment  Of  difficult  points  in  divinity,  he  was 
rational  and  perfpicuous  ;  but  he  was  not  frequent  in 
liandling  fubjeds  of  doubtful  difputation.  To^  inculcate 
repentance  towards  God,  and  taith  in  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrill, 
a'ftd  a  hearty  conformity  to  the  pradical  precepts  of  the 
gofpel,  he  confidered  of  the  firft  importance  j  and  fuch  was 
the  general  tenor  of  his  preaching.'' 

To  the  f?.ck  aud  aHlided  he  was  tenderly  attentive. 
«  His  mind  was  formed  to  fympathy  and  goodnefs  ;  be- 
nevolence was  in  his  heart ;  the  law  of  kindnefs  in  his 
tongue  ;  and  he  was  always  ready,  by  day^  and  by  night, 
to  ferve  his  flock."  He  was  amiable  in  his  temper,  pru- 
dent and  conciliatory  in  his  deportment.  ^  ^ 

Though  firm  in  the  maintenance  of  his  own  religious 
fentiments,  he  was  "  eminently  candid^  and  reacTy  to  emi- 
brace  all  good  men."  In  public  and  in  private  lite,  he  was 
exemplary  for  virtue  and  piety. 

His  miniflrations  were  very  acceptable  to  the  churches  m 
the  vicinity  of  Cambridge.     "  His  excellent  talents  and 

miniftengyi 

t  Ever  fmce  the  foundation  of  Harvard  Coilege-,  its  officers  and  in- 
dents have  attetided  public  worfliip  hi  the  firil  church  m  Camondge, 
K  IVoh  vli.] 


66  The  Hijlery  of  Cambridge* 

miniuerial  qualifications  became  more  and  more  known  ; 
and  his  reputation  was  increafmg,"  till  his  death.  He  was 
"  frequently  employed  in  ecclefiaftical  councils,  and  had 
much  weight  and  influence  in  them." — His  printed  fer- 
mons  did  him  "  much  honour." — "  There  was  no  minif- 
ter  among  us,"  faid  Prefident  Willard,  "  of  his  {landing, 
who,  perhaps,  had  a  fairer  profpecl  of  becoming  extenfive- 
ly  ufeful  to  the  churches  of  Chrift  in  this  Commonwealth." 

"  He  was  peculiarly  engaged  in  promoting  the  interefts 
of  the  Univerfity  in  this  place,  of  which  he  Vv-as  a  watchful 
Governor.  He  was  conftantly  feeking  its  utility  and  fame, 
and  was  an  attentive  and  adlive  member  of  that  branch  of 
its  legiflature  to  which  he  belonged  ;  and  his  judgment 
was  always  of  weight. 

"  Formed  by  nature  with  a  delicate  fenfibility,  kindnefs 
of  heart  and  gentienefs  of  manners,  and  endowed  with  a 
good  underftanding,  a  ready  mind,  refpeftable  acquire- 
rnents,  and  a  ficihty  and  pertinency  in  conveying  his  fen- 
timents  upon  every  occafion,  his  company  was  pleafmg, 
and  his  converfation  improving.  His  focial  intercourfe 
with  his  brethren  in  the  miniftry  was  always  agreeable,  and 
he  gained  their  univerfal  love  and  efteem." 

In  his  laft  illnefs,  which  was  very  fhort,  he  was  fupported 
by  the  Chriftian  hope,  which  gave  him  a  religious  i3aperi- 
ority  to  the  itar  of  death.  Juft  before  he  expired,  "  he 
exprelTed  his  full  confidence  in  God,  and  faid  that  he  en- 
joyed thofe  confolations,  which  he  had  endeavoured  to  ad- 
miniller  to  others.  He  mentioned  his  flock  with  afFeaion, 
and  obferved,  with  grateful  fatisfaclion.  That  he  had  not 
Jhunned  to  declare  to  them  the  ivhole  counfel  of  God,  having  kept 
nothing  back  through  fear,  or  any  finijler  'views."  He  died 
on  the  Lord's-day  morning.  May  9,  1790,  in  the  forty- 
fourth  year  of  his  age. 
His  publications  are  : 

A  Sermon  at  a  Public  Faft  ; 

~  at   the   Ordination   of   the   Rev.   Bezaleel 

Howard,  at  Springfield  ; 

■ at  the  Ordination  of  the  Rev.  John  An- 
drews, at  Newburyport  ; 

at   the   Execution  of  White  and  others,  at 

Cambridge  ; 

at  the   Dudleian  Lecture.  Mr. 


Review  of  the  military  Operation.^,  ^c.  6y 

Mr.  Hilliard's  Epitaph. 

In  Memory 

of 

The  Reverend  Timothy  Milliard,  A.  M. 

Who 

For  more  than  twelve  years,  Vv'as  a  gofpel  Miniiler 

Of  the  firft  church  of  Chrift 

In  Barnftable, 

And  for  more  than  fix  years, 

Broke  the  bread  of  life  to  the  Chriftian  foclety 

In  this  place. 

Having  been,  in  private  life, 

Cheerful,  affable,  courteous,  amiable, 

In  his  minifterial  character, 

Inftru6live,  ferious,  folemn,  faithful. 

In  full  beHef  of  the  truths  he  preached  to  others, 

Ke  fell  afleep  in  Jefus,  May  ix,  mdccxc. 

In  the  XLiv^*'.  year  of  his  age, 

In  the  Chriftian  hope 

Of  riling  again 
To  ETERNAL  LIFE. 

This  monument  was  ereded  by  the  bereaved  afFedlionate  flock 

MDCCXC. 

A  Review  of  the  military  operations  in  North- 
America,  FROM  THE  commencement  OF  THE  FrENCH 

hostilities  on  the  frontiers  of  Virginia  in  1753, 
TO  the  surrender  of  Oswego,  on  the  14TH  of 
August,    1756  5    in    a    Letter*  to    a  Nobleman. 

Interfperfed  with  various  obfervations,  charafters,  and  anecdotes  ;  neceflary  to 
give  light  into  the  condudt  of  American  tranfaftions  in  general,  and  more 
efpecially  into  the  political  management  of  aftairs  in  New-York. 

My  Lord, 

I  ESTEEM  myfelf  highly  honoured,  when  you  requeft 
of  me,  a  full  account  of  the  rife,  progrefs,  and  prefent 
ftate,  of  the  military  operations  in  North-America  ;  with 
a  juft  delineation  of  the  characters  of  the  principal  agents 
in  our  political  affairs.  Indeed,  my  Lord,  you  impofe  a 
talk  that  will  require  a  volume,  rather  than  a  letter.     As 

your 

*  This  valuable  Letter  is  faid  to  have  been  written  by  the  late  Gov.  Livingfton,  and  his 
friends,  Mefli";.  W.  Smith  and  Scott,  lawyers,  New- York. 


68^  Review  of  the  inilitary  Qperations 

your  Lordfliip's  delire,  however,  fkall  always  carry  with 
me  the  force  of  a  command,  I  v/ill  engage  in  it  with  the 
utmoft  cheerfiilnefs.  Forgive  me,  my  Lord,  for  faying  I 
have  a  ftill  flronger  motive  for  cqmpofing  thefe  Iheets,  than 
a  mere  compHance  with  your  Lordlhip's  requeft  ;  to  which 
I  would  ever  pay  the  profoundeft  regard.  When  I  refleft 
upon  your  em.inent  ftation — your  excelling  abilities— your 
warm  and  aftive  zeal,  for  the  interefl  and  welfare  of  the 
Britifli  colonies  ;  I  am  prompted  by  an  unfeigned  delire  of 
ferving  my  country  ;  and  fetting  before  your  Lordfhip's 
eyes  TpvUTH,  in  her  plain  undifguifed  habiliments  :  I 
would  ftrip  her  of  all  that  delulive  colouring,  with  which 
Ihe  hath  been  artfully  varnifhed,  by  letter-writers-  from  this 
part  of  the  world  ;  either  to  fubferve  fome  mean,  fmifter, 
party  deiign,  or  to  promote  the  views  of  fome  afpiring  and 
ambitious  minds.  Candour  ar^d  integrity  fliall  therefore 
guide  my  pen  ;  and  amidll  the  variety  with  which  it  is  my 
purpofe  to  prefent  your  Lordfhip,  it  fliall  be  my  facred 
endeavour,  to  the  beft  of  my  knowledge,  to  attach  myfelf 
to  the  ftrideft— the  moft  impartial  verity. 

The  American  colonies,  I  fpeak  it  with  fubmiflion,  my 
Lord,  were  too  long  neglected  by  their  m.other  country  ; 
though  loudly  demanding  her  i,vtronage  and  aiiiftance. 
Thofe,  on  the  continent,  require  her  peculiar  notice  :  They 
may  be  made  an  inexhauftible  magazine  of  wealth  ;  and  if 
luffered  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  French,  fuch  will  be 
the-  acceilion  to  their  already  extended  commei  ce  and  ma- 
rine ftrength,  that  (Jreat-Bribain  muil  not  only  lofe  her 
farmer  iuftre,  but,  dreadful  even  in  thought  !  ceafe  to  be 
any^  longer  an  independent  power.  Nay,  iliould  every 
other  icheme  fail,  the  fuccefs  of  this  will  inevitably  accom- 
plifli  the  lpng-proje<!;led  defign  of  that  afpiring  nation,  for 
letting  up  an  IJniverfal  Monarchy  :  for,  if  France  rule  the 
ocean,  her  refources  will  enable  her  to  fubje<5t.  all  EUi'ope, 
to  her  defpotic  fway.  Bpt  it  is  unneceiraiy  to  offer  any 
arguments  in  fuppcrt  of  a  propofition,  of  which  the  public 
feems  to,  remain  no  longer  infenl^ble..  Happy  for,  us,  had: 
thefe  fen timents  prevailed  earlier,,  and  been  rpore  fi*equent- 
]y  inculcated  1 

The  importance  of  the  colonies,  my  Lord,  v/as  too  little 
confidered,  tiU  the  commencement  of  the  lail  war.     The 

reduction 


in  North'Amenmrfrom  1753  to  1756.  69 

reduaion  of  Cape  Breton  by  the  people  o£  New-England, 
was  an  acquilition  fo  nnexpeded  and  fortunate,  that  Amer, 
ica  became,  on  that  remarkable  event,  a  more  genei'd  topiq 
of  converfation.  Mr.  Shirley,thegovernor  of  theMalTachu- 
fetts  Bay,  was  the  principal  projecTior  of  that  glorious  en- 
erprize^  An  enterprizef  which  reduced  to  the  obedience 
of  his  Britannick  Majefty,  the  Dunkirk  of  l.orth.Ameri- 
ca.     Of  fuch  confequence  to  the  French,  was  the  poffeffioa 

of  that  important  key  to  their  ^^^^^"^^/^f'^rf^' '^f 
its  reftitution  was,  in  reality,  the  purchafe  of  the  laft  gen- 
eral Peace  in  Europe.  '         01.,,, 
Of  aU  our  plantation  governors,  my  Lord,  Mr.  bniriey. 
is  moft  diftinguiftied  for  his  fingular  abilities,      ^e  y^s 
born  in  England,  and  bred  up  to  the  law,  at  one  of  the 
Inns  of  Com-t.     In  that  profeflion,  he  afterwards  pradifed, 
for  feveral  years,  in  the  Maffachufetts  Bay  :  and,  in  1741, 
was  advanced  by  his  Majefty  10  the  ^^^^^^e^^^^^"^^^^* 
that  colony.     He  is  a  gentleman  of  great  pohtical  fagacity, 
deep  penetration,  and  indefatigable  mduftry.      With  re^ 
fnea  to  the  wifdom  and  equity  of  his  admmiftration,  he 
can  boaft  the  univerfal  fuffrage  of  a  wife,  free,  jealous,  and 
moral  people.     Though  not  bred  to  arms,  he  is  eminently 
poffeffed  of  thefe  important  military  virtues.    An  extent  ot 
capacity  to  form,  and  execute  great  defigns  5   profound  fe. 
crefy  ;    love  of  regularity  and  difciplme  ;    a  frugal   and 
laborious  manner  of  living  ;   with  the  art  of  concihating 
the  affeaions  ;   a  talent  which  Hannibal  admired  m  Pyii. 
hus,  above  all  tlie  reft  of  his  martial  accomplilhments.     In 
the  fu-ft  of  thefe  great  qualities,  Mr.  Shidey  is  umverfally 
acknowledged  to  ftiine  :   and  it  is,  in  reality,  more  eftima. 
ble,  than  all  other  military  endowments  without  it  ;   con- 
fijftin^,  to  ufc  the  words  of  that  difcermng  hiftorian  Mr. 
Rollin,  "  in  having  great  vic'ws  ;   in  forming  plans  at  a  dif 
«  tarice  ;  inpropofing  ^  dcjlgn.from  ivbicb  the  author  never  de- 
«  parts  ^  in  concerting  all  the  mea/ures  necefary  for  its  fuccefs  ; 
"in  knowing  horn  to.  feize  the  favourable  moments  of  occqfio7i 
"  -which  are.  rapid  in  their  courfe,  and  never  return  ;   to  make 
^'  even  fudden  and  urforefeen  accidents  fihfcrvierit  to  a  plan  ;  in 
"  a  word,  to  be  upon  the  watch  againjl  every  thing,  without  be- 
"  im~  perpk^d  and  difeoncerted  by  any  events     But,  whethei^ 
it  arfes  from  his  being  fo  far  advanced  in  years,  or  from 

nis 


jo  Re-v/eio  of  the  military  Operations 

his  conftitutional  difpofition  and  make,  he  has  not,  in  my 
opinion,  that  aftivity  and  alertnefs  fo  conducive  to  warlike 
expedition  ;  and  on  which  the  fuccefs  of  an  enterprize  fre- 
quently depends,     This  was  one  of  the  characleriftics  of 
Braddock  ;   a  commander,  vigorous  in  executing,  as  Mr. 
Shirley,  judicious  in  contriving  a  plan-/^^  non  omnia  poffn- 
mils  omnes-^^nd  'tis  eafier,  my  Lord,  to  find  acTiive  hands, 
tlian  able  heads.     No  man  perhaps  in  the  nation  has  be- 
ftowed  more  attention  upon  the  ftate  of  the  colonies  in 
general  :  and  having  their  intereft  fmcerely  at  heart,  he  has 
been  perpetually  concerting  expedients,  advancive  of  their 
profperity,  and  to  check  the  views  of  an  all-grafping  Mon- 
arch.     Upon  the  reduftion  of  Louifburgh,  he  earneftly  re- 
commended to  his  Majefty's  minifter,  the  demolition  of 
that  fortrefs,  and  an  expedition  againft  the  French  fettle- 
ments   in    Canada.      The   reafons  why   he   fucceeded  in 
neitner  of  thefe  propofals,  I  cannot  take  upon  me  to  affign. 
His  Majefty,  however,  fenfible  of  his  fervices,  gave  him  a  re- 
giment in  1 746  :   and  upon  the  conciufion  of  the  peace  of 
Aix-la-Chapelle,  fent  him  as  one  of  the  Britifb  commiffaries 
to  Pans,  for  fettling  the  controverted  limits  between  the  two 
Crowns  in  America.    Amidft  all  the  fplendors  and  delicacies 
of  Verfailles,  he  forgot  neither  Our  intereft,  nor  His  duty. 
As  a  proof  of  his  integrity  and  diligence,  during  that  fruit- 
lefs  embalTy,  one  need  only  perufe  thefe  judicious  and  labo- 
rious memorials,  in  fupport  of  his  Majefty's  right  to  Nova- 
Scotia,  which  were  principally  framed  by  liirn  ;  and  lately 
publiflied  by  order  of  the  Lords  of  Trade,  as  a  full  exhibit  of 
our  title  to  that  part  of  America.  When  no  fatisfaftion  could, 
m  this  way,  be  obtained  from  the  Court  of  France  ;  which 
was  artfully  endeavouring  to  fpin  out  the  negociation,  and 
at  the  fame  time  fortifying  the  places  in  queftion,  as  well  as 
making  new  acquifitions  ;  the  BritiHi  commiffaries  retired 
from  the  French  Court,  and  Mr.  Shirley  refumed  his  gov- 
ernment in  New-England  in  Auguft  17 1^-. 

_  The  French,  jealous  of  the  growth  6f  the  Engliih  colo- 
nies, were  now  meditating  all  poffibie  arts  to  diftrefs  thein, 
and  extend  the  limits  of  their  own  frontier.  The  marquis' 
Bu  Quefne,  an  enterprifmg  genius,  was 'at  this  time  inveft- 
ed  with  the  fupreme  command  of  New  France.  Our 
provinces  were  quickly  alarmed  by  the  French  fettlements 


5 
which 


in  North-America,  from  17 S3  ^^  ^75^'  71 

/' 
which  he  this  year  began  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio.  Vir* 
ginia,  appearing  more  immediately  concerned,  Mr.  Dinwid- 
die*  wrote,  on  the  31ft  of  October,  to  the  commandant  of 
the  French  forces  there,  complaining  of  lundry  late  hollili- 
ties  :  and  defiring  to  know,  by  what  authority  an  armed 
force  had  marched  from  Canada,  and  invaded  a  territory  in- 
dubitably the  right  of  his  Britannick  Majefty.  Major  Walli- 
ington,  a  gentleman  of  whom  I  fliail  have  occaiion  in  the 
fequel  to  m.ake  honourable  mention,  was  the  bearer  of  this 
letter.  He  returned  with  an  anfwer  from  Monf.  Legardeur 
De  St.  Pierre,  dated  at  the  fort  on  Beuf  River,  1 5th  De- 
cember, 1753  ;  of  which  the  following  is  an  exad  tranila- 
tion  : 

"  j4S  I  have  the  honour  to  command  here  in  chief,  Mr. 
"  Wq/h ington  delivered  me  the  letter,  which  you  directed  to  the 
"  commandant  of  the  French  troops,  IJhould  have  been  pleaf&d 
*'  if  you  had  given  hi?n  orders,  or  if  he  himfelf  had  been  difpofed, 
"  to  vifit  Canada  and  our  general ;  to  ivhom,  rather  than  to  me, 
*'  it  properly  appertains  to  demonfirate  the  reality  of  the  King  my 
•'  mafler*s  rights  to  lands  fttuated  along  the  Ohio,  and  to  difpute 
"  the  pretenjions  of  the  King  of  Great-Britain  in  that  refpcd. 

"  /  fl:^all  immediately  forward  your  letter  to  Monf  Le  Mar^ 
"  quis  Du  Quefie.  His  anfwer  will  be  a  law  to  me  :  and  if  he 
"  direds  me  to  coinmunicate  it  to  you,  I  afjure  you.  Sir,  I  Jhall 
"  neglcd  nothing  that  may  be  neceffary  to  convey  it  to  you  with 
"  expedition. 

"  As  to  the  requifition  you  make  (that  I  retire  with  the  troops 
"  under  my  command)  1  cannot  believe  my f elf  under  any  obliga- 
"  tion  to  fubmit  to  it.  I  am  here,  in  virtue  of  my  general's  or- 
"  ders  ;  and  I  beg.  Sir,  you  would  not  doubt  a  moment  of  my 
'^^  fixed  refolution  to  conform  to  the?n,  with  all  the  exaditude  and 
^^  fteadinefs  that  might  be  expeEled  from  a  better  officer. 

"  I  do  not  know  that,  in  the  courfe  of  this  campaign,  any  thing 
"  has  paffed  that  can  be  efieemed  an  ad  of  hoflility,  or  contrary 
"  to  the  treaties  fubfifling  between  the  two  Crowns  ;  the  continu- 
"  ation  of  which  is  as  inter efting  and  pleafing  to  us,  as  it  can  be 
*'  to  the  EngliJJo.  If  it  had  been  agreeable  to  you.  Sir,  in  this 
'•  refped,  to  have  made  a  particular  detail  of  the  fads  which  oc- 
"  cafion  your  complaint,  IJhoidd  have  had  the  horiour  of  anfwer - 
''ing 

*  Lieutenant-Governor  of  Virginia. 


y^  Review  af  the  military  Operatiotis 

^^  ing  you  in  the  nioji  explicit  manner  ;  -and  1  dm  perfuadcd  you 
*'  would  have  had  reafon  to  he  fatisfied. 

"  7  have  taken  particular  care  to  receive  Mr.  Wajhington 
*'  wi/Z>  all  the  diJUndion  fiiitabk  to  your  dignity^  and  to  his  quaU 
"  ity  and  great  merit.  I  flatter  mfelf  that  he  will  do  w.e  this 
*'^  juftice^  and  join  with  me  in  teftifying  the  profound  nfpetl  with 
^'whichla?n,  ''SIR,    . 

''Tour  mofl  hiimhle  a:nd 
"  mofl;  obedient  Servant, 

"  Legardeur  De  Sh  Pierre.'' 

On  the  receipt  of  this  refolute  infwer,  Mr.  Binwiddie 
made  inftant  complaint  to  the  Court  of  Great-Britain  ; 
and  by  alarming  fpeeches  laboured  to  roufe  the  Virgin- 
ians into  a  vigorous  oppofition.  He  wrote  alfo  to  the 
neighbouring  governors,  importuning  the  aid  of  the  other 
colonies,  for  repelling  the  invafion,  and  erecting  a  fort  at 
the  confluence  of  the  Ohio  and  Monongahela.  An  imme- 
diate junction  in  fiich  meafures  became  abfolutelj  requifite 
for  our  common  fecurity.  But  the  colonies,  alas  !  were 
funk  into  a  profound  lethargy  ;  and,  refigned  to  ftupidity 
and  flumbering,  appeared  infenfible  of  the  threatening  dan«- 
ger.  They  contemned  the  power  of  Canada  ;  confided  iil 
the  number  of  their  inhabitants  -,  inattentive  were  they  to 
the  inconveniencies  of  an  endlefs  frontier  ;  and,  in  ftiort,  in- 
tirely  unacquainted  with  the  fituation  of  the  inland  country. 
The  waters  of  the  Ohio,  before  this  period,  were  fcarcely 
knov/n,  fave  to  a  few  Indian  traders  ;  and  the  generality- 
deemed  thofe  French  fettlements  too  remote  to  be  the  ob-^ 
ject  of  dread,  and  a  matter  of  infignificant  moment.  Ac^ 
cordingly,  w^hen  application  was  made  for  fuccours  to 
Virginia,  conformable  to  diredions  from  the  miniftry,  fome 
of  our  provincial  aflemblies,  particularly  thofe  of  Pennfylva- 
nia*  and  New-York,!  feemed  even  to  queftion  his  Majefty's 

title 


*  "  You  would  not  admit,  that  the  French  encroachments  and  foni- 
**  fications  on  the  Ohio  were  within  our  limits,  or  his  Majefty's  domin- 
«« ions,  thereby  feeking  an  excufe  to  avoid  doing  what  was  required  of 
*'  you."  Gov.  Msrrif's  ineffage  to  the  ajembty  of 

Pcmifylvaniay  2  2  Nov.  ITSS- 

f  « It  appears,  by  oth*  papers  yomr  Honour  has  been  pleafed  to 

"  communicate 


in  North-America,  fro7Ji  1753 /«?  1756.  73 

title  to  the  lands  ufurped  by  the  French,  Others,  to  avoid 
their  fliare  in  the  burden,  framed  the  moft  trifling  excufes. 
New- York,  however,  voted  £,.S^^^  currency  in  aid  of  Vir- 
ginia ;  which,  conlidering  her  own  lituation,  and  approach- 
ing diftrefs,  was  no  ungenerous  contribution. 

The  Virginians  neverthelefs  proceeded  in  their  refolu- 
tion  of  marching  a  body  of  troops  to  the  protection  of 
their  frontiers  :  and  palled  an  a6t  in  February,  1754,  for 
railing  £.10,000  and  300  men.  The  command  was  given 
to  Col.  Washington,  a  young  gentleman  of  great  bravery 
and  diftinguiflied  merit.  By  his  Majefty's  direction,  two 
of  the  regular  independent  companies  of  foot  at  New- York 
were  ordered  to  the  frontier  of  that  dominion.  They  em- 
barked for  Virginia  on  board  the  Centaur  man  of  war  ; 
which  unfortunately  did  not  fail  from  thence  till  the  mid- 
dle of  June,  and  carried  the  money  before  mentioned  to 
the  alliftance  of  that  colony. 

Col.  Walliington  began  his  march,  at  the  head  of  his  Ht- 
tle  army,  about  the  ill  of  May.  On  the  28th  he  had  a 
fkirmilh  with  the  enemy,  of  whom  ten  were  llain,  and 
about  twenty  made  prifoners.  But  this  pubhck-fpirited  of- 
ficer foon  experienced  a  reverfe  of  fortune.  Vv^aiting  for 
further  reinforcements,  he  was  alarmed  with  an  account, 
that  900  French  and  200  Indians  were  advancing  from  the 
Ohio  ;  who  accordingly  in  two  days  after*  came  up,  and 
an  engagement  immediately  enfued.  Our  troops  were  but 
a  handful  compared  to  the  number  of  the  enemy,  conlift- 
ing  only  of  about  three  hundred  effective  men.  After  a 
vigorous  reliftance  for  three  hours,  in  which  it  was  faid 
near  two  hundred  of  the  French  and  their  Indian  allies 
were  llain  ;  Col.  Wailiington,  obferving  the  great  fuperi- 
ority  of  the  enemy,  who  now  began  to  hem  him  in  on  all 

quarters, 

^*  communicate  to  us,  that  the  French  have  built  a  fort  at  a  place  called 
"  the  French  Creek,  at  a  confiderable  diflance  from  the  river  Ohio, 
*'  -which  may,  but  doe^  not  by  any  evidence  or  information  appear  to 
"■  us  to  be  an  invafion  of  any  of  his  Majefty's  colonies." 

Addrefi  of  the  general  ajjc'/nbly  to  Lieut.  Gov. 
De  Lancey,  23  Aprils  1754- 
*  The  third  of  July. 


y4  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

quarters,  found  himfelf  under  an  abfolute  neceffity  of  lub- 
mitting  to  the  difagreeable  terms  that  were  offered  him.f 

In  this  aftion  we  had  thirty  killed  and  fifty  wounded. 
The  French  were  obferved  to  be  aflifted  by  a  confiderablc 
number  of  Indians,  who  had  been  long  in-  the  Englifh  alli- 
ance :  Not  a  few  of  them  were  known  to  be  Delawares, 
Shawanefe,  and  of  the  Six  Nations.*     On  the  furrender  of 

our 

f   The  terms  of  capitulation  granted  by  Monf.  Be  Villier,  captain  and  com- 

7na7jder  of  the  Infantry   of  hi!    Mojl   Chrifian   Majefy,   to  thofe   EngliJJj 

troops  aaually  in  Fort  Nccsfity,  I'jticb  is  built  on  the  land  of  the  king's  do- 

7ni?iioiu. 

AS  our  intentions  have  never  been  to  trouble  the  peace,  and  harmony 
which  reigns  bet\veen  the  two  princes  in  amity,  but  only  to  revenge  the 
afTaffination  which  has  been  done  on  one  of  our  officer .,  bearer  of  a  fta- 
tion,  as  appears  by  his  writing  ;  as  ahb  to  hinder  any  eftabliihment  on 
the  lands  in  the  dominions  of  the  king  my  mailer  ;  upon  thefe  confider- 
ations,  we  are  willing  to  grant  protedlon  and  favour  to  all  the  Englifh 
that  are  in  the  faid  fort,  upon  the  conditions  hereafter  mentioned. 

Article  I.  We  grant  the  Englilh  commander,  to  retire  with  all  his 
garrifon,  and  to  return  peaceably  into  his  OM'n  country  ;  and  promife  to 
hinder  his  receiving  any  inilills  from  us  French,  and  to  reftrain,  as  much 
as  fliall  be  in  our  power,  the  fivages  that  are  with  us. 

Art.  II.  That  the  EnglHh  be  permitted  to  march  out,  and  carry 
every  thing  with  them,  except  the  artillery,  which  Ave  keep. 

Art.  III.  That  we  will  allow  the  Englilh  all  the  honours  of  war  ; 
and  that  they  Ihall  march  out  with  drums  beating,  and  with  a  fwivel 
gx^n  ; — that  we  are  willing  to  fhew  that  we  treat  them  as  friends. 

Art.  IV.  That  as  foo'^n  as  the  articles  are  figned  by  both  parties, 
they  ftrike  the  Englilh  coloiu's. 

Art.  V.  That  to-morrow,  at  break  of  day,  a  detachment  of  the 
French  fhall  make  the  garrilbn  file  off,  and  take  poffeiTion  of  the  fort  : 
And  as  the  Englifh  have  a  few  horfes  or  oxen,  they  are  free  to  hide 
their  effecfts,  and  come  and  fearch  for  them  when  they  have  met  their 
horfes  :  And  that  they  may  for  this  end  have  guardians,  in  what  man- 
ner they  pleafe,  upon  condition  that  they  will  give  their  word  of  honour, 
not  to  work  upon  any  building  in  this  place,  or  in  any  part  this  fide  the 
mountains,  during  a  year,  to  be  accounted  from,  this  day.  And  as  the 
Englifli  have  now  in  their  power  an  ofi?cer,  two  cadets,  and  moft  of  the 
prifoners  made  in  the  affafnnation  of  Sieur  Defamonviile,  that  they 
promife  to  fend  them  back  to  the  Fort  De  Du  Quefne,  fituate  on  the 
Fitte  River  :  And  fcr  the  fecurity  of  this  article,  as  well  as  this  treaty, 
MelT.  Jacob  Van  Bracham  and  Robert  Stobo,  both  captains,  Ihall  be 
put  as  hoftages,  till  the  an-ival  of  the  Canadians  and  French  above- 
mentioned.  "We  oblige  ourfelves,  on  our- fide,  to  give  an  efcort  to  re- 
turn in  fafety  thefe  twx)  officers ;  a  duplicate  being  made  upon  or  of  the 
poll;  of  our  blockade.  July  3,  1754' 

*  They  are  called  Mingoes  by  the  fouthcrn  Indians. 


in  Norih-Amerka,  from  1753  io  iJS^-  75 

our  camp,  they  feU  at  once  to  pillaging  the  baggage  and 
provHion^s  ;  and  not  content  with  this  they  atterward. 
fllot  fome  of  the  horfes  and  cattle,  and  fcalped  two  of  the 

''Ta1nft\his  condua,  Col.  Wafhington  remonftrated  but 
all  hts  arguments  made  but  little  imprefiion  upon  them. 
The  Canadians  delight  in  blood  -and  ^-};^^^^^ly  ^^ 
if  poffible,  the  very  Hivages  themfelves  Ihus  the  tienc 
remained'mafters  of  the  field  ;  the  Indians  were  nveted  m 
their  defection  ;  his  Majefty's  arms  unfiiccefstul  ;  and  our 

Wiers  expofed,  throu^  ^^^  ^l^-^^ ^^'I'Slv  m 
provinces.  The  enemy,  on  the  other  hand,  wifely  im- 
proved the  prefent  advantage,  and  erected  forts,  to  We 
to  themfelves  the  quiet  poflefiion  oi  that  fertile  country 
How  evident  then  was  the  neceffity  of  uniting  the  power  ot 
the  Britifli  colonies  !  The  expediency  of  a  plan  for  that 
purpofe  had  been  before  confidered.  Some  meafures  feem- 
ed  alfo  abfolutely  requifite  for  fupporting  our  Indian  inter, 
eft,  and  preventing  their  total  declenlion. 

Accordingly,  a^-eeable  to  his  Majefty's  ordevs,  the  14th 

of  June  was  appointed  for  a  grand  congrefs  of  commifl-a- 

ries  from  the  feveral  provinces,  to  be  heki  at  Albany,  as 

-  well  to  treat  with  the  Six  Nations    as  to  concert  a  fcheme 

for  a  general  union  of  the  Britifli  colonies.     Meffengeis 

had  be'en  difpatched  to  the  Indian  caftlest  tx)  requeft  their 

attendance  ;  but  they  did  not  arrive  till  the  latter  end  cf 

the  month     and  the  Mohawks,  who  live  but  40  miles  dif- 

tant    came    in    laft.       This    occafioned  various   fpecula- 

tion's  :   fome  imputed  it  to  fear  ;  left  the  French,  in  their 

abfence,  fliould  fall  upon  their  countries  :    Others  to  art, 

magin ing  that  by  exciting  our  jealoufy  of  their  wavering 

difpofition,  at  fo  critical  a  junaure,  the  more  liberal  would 

be^the  prefents  made  them  by  the  Several  governments. 

Not  a  few  thought  it  an  artifice  of  Mr.  Johnfon's,  who  ex- 

peaing  to  rife  into  importance,  from  the  reputation^  ot^  a 

+  Among;  other  infraftions  of  the  capitnlatJon,  the  deftruaion  of  the 
doL^s  box^ought  not  to  be  forgotten  ;  by  which  means  our  wounded 
were  barbaroufly  diftrefTed.    ^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^^,^  ^^^^^^  ^^  ^^  ^^^^^  ^^^^. 

X  'Jhe  Indians  call  their  villages,  which  are  only  furrounded  with 
pailifades,  caftles. 


*]6  Review  of  the  miUtary  Operations 

mighty  influence  over  the  Indians,  kept  them  from  a 
punctual  attendance  ;  being  very  confident  of  a  publick  re- 
queft  to  himfelf  from  the  commiilioners,  to  go  up,  and 
hallen  their  progrefs.  There  was  the  higheft  evidence  of 
the  like  piece  of  policy  at  an  Indian  treaty,  during  Mr. 
Clinton's  adminiftration.  The  Indians  however  at  length 
arrived^  though  fewer  in  number  than  was  expeded,  or 
had  been  ufual  on  thofe  folemn  occafions.  Hendrick,  a 
noted  Mohawk  fachem,*  apologized  for  the  delay  of  that 
canton,  in  a  fpeech  to  this  eftecl :  "  There  was  (/aid  he)  an 
*'  inter-view  lafi  fall,  between  Col.  fohnfon  and  the  Six  Nations, 
*'  at  Onondago.  Our  brethren  of  the  other  nations  reported, 
"  that  his  fpeech  to  us  was  concerted  by  the  Mohawks  :  We 
"  therefore  come  lafi,  to  prevent  any  ground  for  the  repetition 
"  of  fuch  flanders,  with  regard  to  the  addrefs  now  to  be  made 
"  us  by  your  Honour." 

The  Congrefs  having  been  opened  on  the  i8th  of  June, 
were  ready  to  treat  with  the  Six  Nations  ;  and  on  the 
29th,  after  fettling  difputes  between  the  commiflioners  con- 
cerning rank  and  precedence,  Mr.  De  Lancey,  the  Lieut, 
Governor  of  New-York,  addreffed  hinilelf  in  a  fpeech  to  the 
Indians.— On  his  right  hand,  were  Meffrs.  Murray  and 
Johnfon,  two  of  the  council  of  New- York  ;  next  to  them, 
Meffrs.  Wells,  Hutchinfon,  Chandler,  Partridge,  and  Wor- 
thington,  commiflioners  from  the  Maffachufetts  Bay  ;  then 
the  gentlemen  from  New-Ham.pihire,  Meffrs.  Wibird,  At- 
kinfon,  Weare,  and  Sherburne  ;  and  laft  on  that  fide,  MeffrSc 
Hopkins  and  Howard,  com_miffioners  of  Rhode Jfland.  On 
his  left  were  feated,  Meffrs.  Chambers  and  Smith,  two 
other  of  his  Majefty's  council  for  New- York  ;  then  the 
Connefticut  commiflioners,  Lieutenant-Governor  Pitkin, 
Major  Woolcot,  and  Col.  Williams  ;  after  them,  Meffrs. 
Penn,  Peters,  Norris,  and  Franklin,  from  Pennfylvania  ; 
and  laft  of  all.  Col.  Tafeer  and  Ma^.  Barnes,  from  Maryland. 

The  treaty  was  conducted  with  great  folemnity.  The 
Indians  appeared  well  pleafed  with  the  prefents  from  the 
feveral  governments  ;  which,  compared  to  former  dona- 
tions, amounted  to  an  immenfe  value  :    But  in  their  an- 

fwer 

*  A  fachem  is  a  warrior,  and  a  man  of  an  eftabliflied  reputation  for 
his  wifdom  and  bravery,  among  the  Indians. 


in 'North- America,  from  lys^  to  ly^G.  77 

fwer  recriminated  upon  us  the  defertion  of  our  fjort|  at 
Saratoga  the  laft  war  ;  lamented  the  defencelefs  condition 
of  our  frontier  city  of  Albany  ;  and  extolled  the  better 
conduft  of  the  French,  in  fortifying  and  maintaining  their 
garrifons. 

The  Indians  being  difmiffed,  the  conferences  were  con- 
tinued till  the  nth  of  July.  The  commiffioners  were, 
both  for  abihties  and  fortune,  fome  of  the  moft  confidera- 
ble  men  in  North-America.  The  fpeakers,  however,  were 
not  many  ;  but  of  thofe  who  fpoke,  fome  delivered  them- 
felves  with  fingular  energy  and  eloquence.  All  were  in- 
flamed with  a  patriot  fpirit,  and  the  debates  were  nervous 
and  pathetic.  This  aflembly,  my  Lord,  might  very  prop- 
erly be  compared  to  one  of  the  ancient  Greek  conventions, 
for  fupporting  their  expiring  liberty  againft  the  power  of 
the  Perfian  empire,  or  that  Lewis  of  Greece,  Philip  of 
Macedon.  In  the  conclulion,  a  plan  was  concerted  for  a 
general  union  of  the  Britifh  colonies,  and  creating  a  com- 
mon fund  to  defray  all  military  expences  ;  and  a  reprefen- 
tation  of  their  prefent  ftate  drawn  up  ;  which  were  agreed 
to  be  laid  before  the  King's  minifters.  Some  of  the  gov- 
ernments have  neverthelefs  declared  themfelves  averfe  to 
this  fcheme  ;  though  approved  at  the  time  by  every  mem- 
ber of  the  congrefs,  except  Mr.  De  Lancey.  Unaccounta- 
ble was  the  condud  of  this  gentleman  to  feveral  of  the 
provincial  deputies.  But  thole  who  were  beft  acquaint- 
ed with  his  charader  and  love  of  fway,  afcribed  his  aver- 
fion  from  the  plan,  to  an  apprehenfion,  that  ihould  the 
fame  take  place,  the  fupreme  officer,  who  agreeably  to  it 
was  to  prefide  in  the  grand  council  of  deputies  from  the 
refpedive  colonies,  would  moft  probably  be  the  governor 
of  the  Maffachufetts  Bay  :  An  apprehenfion,  which  repref- 
fed  his  own  afpiring  views  ;  and  it  was  imagined,  ftung 
him  with  unfpeakable  chagrin. 

As  the  Lieutenant-Governor  will  appear,  in  the  courfe 

of  this  letter,  to  bear  a  principal  part  in  our  public  tranfac- 

tions,  it  will  be  neceflliry,  before  I  proceed  any  farther,  to 

prefent   your   Lordfhip  with   his  piclure  at  full  length. 

Without 

t  Upon  the  difbanding  of  the  forces  raifed  for  the  Canada  expedition 
m  1746,  and  the  aflembly's  difmclination  to  garrifon  it,  the  fort,  by- 
order  of  Mn  Clinton,  was  burnt  and  abandoned. 


«g  Reikxo  of  the  military  Operations 

Without  an  intimate  knowledge  of  that  gentleman's  hifto^ 
ry  and  genius,  it  will  be  impoffible  to  comprehend  his  con. 
dua,  or  trace  his  adions,  to  their  genuine  fource. 

He  is  the  eldeft  branch  of  one  of  the  firft  families  m  the 
province.     His  father,  a  French  refugee,  a  gentleman  of 
diftinguiflied  rank  in  this  city,  and  who  here  acquu'ed  a 
large  fortune,  fent  bim  for  his  education  to  the  Univerfity 
of  l^ambridge.     He  was  a  youth  of  prompt  parts,  and 
made  a  confiderable  progrefs  in  learning,  efpecially  m  the 
claffics.     In  the  year   1729,  he  was,  by.  Governor  Mont- 
s;omery's  recommendation,  created  one  of  his  Majefty-s 
council  of  New-York  ;  but  never  engaged  the  pubhc  at. 
tention,  till  the  time  of  Mr.  Colby.     He  became  then  very 
famous.     With  this  governor  he  took  part  in  moft  or  all 
of  his  meafures ;  meafures  extremely  arbitrary,  and  pro- 
ductive of  an  adminiftration  odious  and  turbulent.     Colby, 
in  return  for  his  minifterial  fervices,  loaded  him  with  fa> 
vours.     Depofmg  Chief  Juftice  Morris  (the  main  obftacle  to 
his  perilous  projec1:s)  he  raifed  him  to  the  firft  feat  on  the 
bench.*     But  though  his  excellency  had  the  difpofition  of 
offices,  he  could  by'  no  means  delegate  the  affedions  of  the 
people.     Accordingly,  our  politician  was  equally  honoured 
and  defpifed.      He  enjoyed  the  fmiles  of  the  governor, 
which  loaded  him  with  the  curfes  of  the  people  •,  was  ca, 
reifed  by  the  former,  and  by  the  latter  abhorred.     Coiby 
leaving  a  fuccelTor  capable  of  governing  without  a  promp, 
ter,  the  chief  juftice  found  it  neceflary  to  deface  the  mem- 
ory of  his  former  conduct,  by  cultivating  the  arts  of  popu- 
laritv.     Mr.  Clarke,  who  fucceedcd,t  being  perfeftly  mafter 
of  our  conftitution,  a  gentleman  of  experience  and  penetra- 
tion, and  intimately 'acquainted  with  the  temper  of  the 
people,  in  a  ftiort  time  reconciled  all  parties ;  and  by  reftor- 
inr  the  public  tranquillity,  rendered  Mr.  De  Lancey's  plod- 
ding  abilities  utterly  ufelefs.     Hence  he  was  at  full  leifurej 
to  co-urt  the  populace.     Suddenly  he  became  transformed 
into  a  patriot ;  and,  ftrange  to  relate  !  without  a  fmgle  acl 


*  Mr.  De  Lancey  was  not  educated  to  the  law  ;  but  having  fpent 
fome  time,  after  his  return  from  England,  in  the  ftudy  of  that  fcience, 
Gqv.  Montgomery  appointed  him  fecond  judge  of  the  fupreme  Court  oi 
Judicature. 

t  In  March,  1736, 


in  North' America,  from  17 S3  ^'^  ^75^-  79 

of  patriotifm.  His  uncommon  vivacity,  with  the  fern- 
blance  of  affability  and  eafe  ;  his  adroitnefs  at  a  jeft,  with 
a  ihev/  of  condefcenfion  to  his  inferiors,  wonderfully  facil- 
itated his  progrefs.  Thefe  plaufible  arts,  together  with  his 
influence  as  chief  juftice,  and  a  vafl  perfonal  eftate  at  ufe, 
all  coi\fpired  to  fecure  his  popular  triumph.  To  eftablilh 
fuch  an  undue  power,  and  amazing  influence,  would,  in  a 
Grecian  commonwealth,  have  expofed  a  man  of  lefs  ambi- 
tion and  better  principles  to  the  oftracifm.  Mr.  Clarke 
being  fuperfeded  by  Governor  Clinton,*  Mr.  De  Lancey 
was  prefented  with  a  frefli  opportunity  for  the  exhibition 
of  his  political  genius.  Mr.  CHnton,  a  gentleman  of  but 
indifferent  parts,  wholly  reflgned  himfelf  into  his  hands. 
Contenting  himfelf  with  the  "title  and  lalary  of  governor, 
he  left  the  fole  diredion  of  affairs  to  his  minifter,  who,  by 
virtue  of  his  late  acquired  omnipotence  with  the  affembly, 
carried  ail  his  points,  and  even  endeared  him  to  the  people. 
This  intimacy  fubfifted  no  longer  than  it  vv^as  found  con- 
ducive to  his  defigns.  Having  obtained  from  Mr,  Clinton 
a  new  commiflion  for  his  office  of  chief  juftice  during  good 
behaviour  ;  and  flattering  himfelf  with  the  hopes  of  another, 
appointing  him  Heutenant-governor,  through  the  intereft 
of  his  friends  in  England,  he  cared  not  how  foon  his  ex- 
cellency abdicated  the  province,  nor  how  tempeftuous  he 
rendered  his  adminiftration  ;  and  was  therefore  prepared 
for  an  open  rupture.  He  no  fooner  thought  himfelf  capa- 
ble of  adling  independently  of  the  governor,  than,  like 
Sixtus  Quintus,  who  threw  afide  his  crutches  the  moment 
of  his  exaltation  to  the  popedom,  he  put  off  all  that  hum- 
ble devotion,  by  which  he  had  fo  fataUy  deceived  his  too 
credulous  matter,  and  openly  fet  himfelf  at  defiance  againfl: 
him.  Now  he  began  to  didate,  rather  than  advife  :  and, 
inftead  of  Sejanus,  chofe  to  be  Tiberius  himfelf.  Dining 
one  day  with  Mr.  Chnton,  and  infifting  upon  fome  favour- 
ite point  with  great  imperioufnefs,  the  governor,  who  had 
hitherto  very  cordially  fuffered  himfelf  to  be  led,  refufed 
on  this  occafion  to  be  driven.  The  Chief  Juftice  then  arofe 
and  left  him  ;  declaring,  with  an  oath,  he  would  make  his 
adminiftration  uneafy  for  the  future  :  His  Excellency  re- 
plied, he  might  do  his  worft.     Thus  they  parted  ;  nor  v/cre 

ever 

*  Mr.  Clinton  arrived  as  governor,  22  Sept.  1743. 


86  Re'view  6f  the  mdiiary  Operations 

ever  afterwards  reconciled.  This  breach  gave  rife  to  the 
contentions,  which  fo  unhappily  embroiled  our  provincial 
affairs,  during  the  remainder  of  his  adminiftration.  The 
alfembly  were  inftantly  inflamedo  He  who  before  had  been 
able  to  make  them  connive  at  very  unjuftifiable  fteps,  could 
at  once  ftir  up  an  oppofition  to  the  moft  unexceptionable 
meafures.  Remonllrances,  warm  and  virulent,  were  now 
drawn  up  ;  unworthy  their  own  dignity  to  offer,  and  re- 
plete with  the  groffeft  language  to  his  Majefty's  reprefenta= 
live.  Thus  was  formed  againll  Mr.  Clinton  a  powerful 
party,  which  ceafed  not,  while  he  continued  at  the  helm, 
to  harafs  and  perplex  him.  To  fuch  an  exorbitant  length 
did  they  carry  their  oppofition,  as  to  throw  off"  the  reftraint 
of  humanity  :  They  had  even  recourfe  to  force  and  vio- 
lence. Nay,  a  partifan  of  the  Chief  Juftice,  in  defiance  of 
the  facred  rights  of  the  magiftracy  and  the  law,  to  fhew 
his  refentment  againff:  Mr.  'Ciinton  and  his  adherents,  af- 
iaulted  the  mayor  ;  whipped  the  fneriff" ;  damned  the  Gov- 
ernor ;  and  ftabbed  his  phyfician.  MyLord,\ve  became 
the  fport  and  contempt  of  our  neighours  ;  and  it  is  beyond 
contradiaion,  that  Mr.  De  Lancey,  by  blowing  up  the 
coals  of  contention,  did  the  province  more  injury,  than  he 
will  be  ever  able  to  repair.  Nor  is  there  any  reafon  to 
doubt,  that  the  enormous  power  of  this  gentleman,  and  the 
ferment  raifed  againft  Mr.  Clinton,  occalioned  the  39th  ar- 
ticle of  the  King's  inftrudions  to  Sir  Danvers  OffDorn  ; 
which  appears  purpofely  calculated  to  render  our  future 
Governors  independent  on  his  influence  over  the  aflem- 
bly  :  For  a  law  indefinite,  making  provifion  for  the  falary 
allowed  by  the  King  to  his  Governors  ;  and  competent  fal- 
aries  to  all  judges,  juffiices,  and  other  neceffary  officers  and 
minifl;ers  of  government ;  fuch  a  law,  I  fay,  would  effedu- 
ally  render  a  Governor  independent  of  the  aflembly,  and 
confequently  of  any  undue  influence  in  it.  Nor  without 
fuch  independence,  or  an  abridgemxcnt  of  Mr.  De  Lancey's 
power,  by  reducing  him  to  his  primitive  private  fliatiorij 
do  I  fee  any  probability  of  the  extinction  of  that  party- 
fpirit,  which  hath  fo  long  difturbed  the  tranquillity,  and  in- 
jured the  publick  weal  of  the  colony.  Mr.  Clinton,  being 
fuperfeded  by  Sir  Danvers  Ofl)orn,*  a  gentleman  of  a  moft 

amiable 
*  Sir  Dauvers  Ofborn  arrived  at  New-York  the  7th  of  Oftober,  1753- 


in  North-America,  from  17 $3  ^^  ^75^'  '81 

amiable  moral  character,  retired  into  the  country  ;  from 
whence  he  propofed  to  embark  for  Great-Britain.  The 
Chief  Juftice,  notwithftanding  his  loiig  declared  enmity, 
and  unwearied  indufrry  to  embarrafs  his  adminiftration, 
had  now— the  humility,  fliall  I  call  it  ? — to  difpatch  amef- 
fenger  to  him,  with  dehgn,  if  poffible,  to  procure  an  accom- 
modation, in  order  to  fecure  his  favour  in  England, 
when  he  could  no  longer  diftrefs  him  in  America.  It  were 
difficult  to  determine,  whether  this  required  a  higher  de- 
gree of  affurance  or  ferviiity.  But  it  is  no  uncommon 
thing,  to  behold  the  fame  perfon  faftidious  and  fawning, 
fupercilious  and  fycophrntico  Mr,  Clinton,  far  from  an 
implacable  enemy,  began  to  be  foftened  •,  when  his  lady 
(who,  if  born  among  the  Scythians,  had  been  the  Thaleftris 
of  antiquity)  unravelling  the  fecretj,  fruftrated  at  once  all 
expedlations  of  a  cbmpofition  ;  and  gave  the  plenipotentia- 
ry fuch  a  volley  of  inve<5tive  againft  his  conftituent,  as  ren- 
dered all  future  overtures  entiicly  hopelefs. 

On  the  death  of  Sir  Danvers  Ofborn,t  equally  unexped- 
fed  and  deplored,  Mr.  IDe  Lancey  pubiifhed  the  commiffion 
he  had  juft  received  appointing  him  Lieutenant-Governor. 
He  was  now  to  aft  a  part  entirely  new,  and  demanding  the 
full  exertion  of  his  political  dexterity.  In  the  hrft  place, 
he  had  to  convince  the  minillry  of  his  utmoft  efforts  to  car- 
ry the  King's  inftruftions  in  the  houfe  of  reprefentatives  : 
And  in  the  next,  in  order  to  preferve  his  popularity  with 
the  affembly,  and  not  in  the  moil  flagrant  manner  coun- 
teraft  his  avowed  principles,  he  was  to  fatisfy  them,  that 
in  reality  he  by  no  means  expefted  their  compliance  with 
them.  To  execute  the  former  part  of  this  plan,  in  his 
fpeech  of  the  31ft  of  October,  1753,  to  the  council  and 
general  affembly,  he  fays  :  "  Tou  ivill  perceive  by  the  '^^th 
"  article  of  his  Majefly^s  ivJlriiElions  to  Sir  Danvers  Ofioi'n, 
*'  (copies  of  which  1  fiall  herewith  deliver  you* )  hozv  highly  his 

f  This  happened  on  the  12th  of  Oftober,  1753. 

*  The  39th  inftruclion  was  pubiifhed  in  one  of  our  newfpapers,  and 
reprinted  in  England.  The  publication  of  it  was  thought  to  have  been 
intended  to  excite  the  popular  clamour  ;  and  it  occafioned  the  refent- 
ment  of  die  minifiry.  It  is  worth  remarking,  that  copies  of  feveral 
Other  inftrudiojis  were  exprefsly  ordered  by  his  Majefty  to  be  laid  be- 
fore die  aflembly  j  but  no  fuch  diredticni  wsre  given  with  refpe^t  to  this. 
M  IFol.  vii.] 


82  Review  of  the  military  Operafmis 

"  Majejly  is  difpkafed  at  the  neglccl  of,  and  contempt  (hewn  tOy 
*'  his  royal  conunijfion  and  infirudions,  by  your  pajjlng  hnvs  of  fo 
''  extraordinary  a  nature^  and  by  fuch  your  unwarrantable  pro- 
"  ceedings,  particularly  fet  forth  in  this  injlritdion  :  Hence  dlfi 
"  his  Majejli's  royal  pleafurc  as  to  thefe  matters  will  appear^<^ 
"  and  what  he  expeds  from  you.  On  this  head,  I  mufi  obferve 
"  to  youi  that  by  our  excellent  confiitution  the  executive  poiver  is 
"  lodged  in  the  crown  :  That  all  government  is  founded  on  a 
"  confidence,  that  every  perf on  will  d if  charge  the  duty  of  his  fa- 
"  tion  ;  and  if  there  flooidd  be  any  abufe  of  power,  that  the  legal 
*■'•  and  regular  courfe  is  to  make  application  to  his  Majefty,  who, 
"  having  a  paternal  icndernefs  for  all  his  fubjeds,  is  always 
"  7'eady  to  hear  and  redrefs  their  'grievances/^  And  then 
addrelling  liimfelf  to  the  affembly  in  particular  :  "  /  mtffl 
"  earncflly  prefs  it  upon  you,  that  in  preparing  your  bill  for  the 
'■'■  fupport  of  government  and  other  public  fervices,  you  pay  a  due 
"  regard  to  his  Majeflfs  pleafurc  fignvfed  in  his  infirudions  ; 
"  and  frame  them  in  fuch  a  manner,  as,  when  laid  before  me  for 
"  my  affent,  I  may  give  it  confiftent  with  my  duty  to  his  Majejly T 
What  think  you,  my  Lord  ?  could  your  favourite  Garrick 
have  perfonated  Richard  the  Third  in  a  livelier  manner  than 
this  gentleman  the  real  advocate  for  the  royal  inftruclion  ? 
Could  the  man,  who  but  a  day  or  two  before  had  intrigued 
with  the  members  how  to  elude  that  very  inftruclion,  pre- 
ferve  his  gravity, while  acting  fuch  a  tragi-comical  farce  ?  for 
that,  my  Lord,  was  the  method  in  which  he  performed  the 
fecond  part  of  his  plan.  As  his  Majefty's  reprefentative,  he 
was  obliged  to  urge  their  compliance  with  feeming  lincerity 
and  warmth  ;  but  as  James  De  Lancey,  Efq.  their  old  friend 
and  beft  advifer,  it  was  his  real  fentiment,  that  never 
ought  they  to  fubmit. 

Matters  being  thus  previoufly  adjufted,  the  affembly,  in 
their  addrefs,  ftudioufly  avoid  a  categorical  anfwer  with  re- 
fped  to  the  indefniite  lupport  :  But  to  gratify  his  Honour, 
and  blacken  the  memory  of  Mr.  Clinton,  that  he  might 
not  prejudice  him  in  England,  they  make  ufe  of  this 
memorable  evafion  ;  "  On  reading  the  n^f^th  article  of  his 
"  Majcfifs  infirudions  to  Sir  Danvers  Ofborn,  your  Honour's 
"  immediate  predeceffor,  we  are  extremely  furprifed  to  find,  that 
"  the  public  tranfadions  of  this  colony  have  been  fo  malicioujly 
"  mifreprefented  to  our  jnojl  gracious  Sovereign.     We  can.  Sir, 

"  zvitb 


in  North-America,  from  1753  to  1756.  83 

*>  with  truth  and  jujiice  affirm,  that  his  Majcjly  has^  not  in  his 
«  dominio7is  a  people  more  firmly,  and  that  from  principles  of  real 
«  affe8ion,  devoted  to  his  perfon,  family,  and  government,  than 
"  the  inhabitants  of  this  colony.  And  we  are  greatly  at  a  lofs 
«  to  difcover  in  what  injlances  the  peace  and  tranquillity  of  the 
"  colony  have  been  diflurbed,  or  wherein  order  and  govern- 
"  ment  have  been  fiibverted.  If  the  courfe  of  jufiice  has  been 
"  obJiru6led,  or  in  any  cafe  perverted,  it  has  been  by  the  direc- 
"  tion,  or  through  the  means,  of  Mr.  Clinton,  late  Governor  of 
"  this  province,  who  fent  peremptory  orders  to  the  judges,  clerk, 
"  and  Jheriff  of  Duchcfs  County,  tojiay  procejs,  and  flop  the  pro- 
"  ceedings  infeveral  cafes  of  private  property,  depejiding  in  that 
"  court  ;  and  who  did,  in  other  counties,  commi/fionate  judges  and 
'-'■  jujlices  of  known  ill  charaBers,  and  extreme  ignorance  :  One 
^^  flood  even  prefented  for  perjury  in  the  fupreme  court  of  this 
*^  province,  whom  he  rewarded  with  the  office  of  affifi ant  judge  ; 
"  and  others  were  Jo  floamefully  ignorant  and  illiterate,  as  to  be 
"  unable  to  write  their  own  names.  From  whence  we  greatly 
'■^  fear,  that  jufiice  has  in  maiiy  cafes  been  partially,  or  very  un- 
"  duly  adminifiered.'" 

I  Ihall  not  trouble  your  Lordfhlp  with  a  vindication  of 
Mr.  Clinton  ;  but  only  obferve,  that  the  fuits  commenced 
in  Duchefs  County  were  by  deferters  againft  their  cap- 
tains ;*  that  the  Governor,  who  was  no  lawyer,  affured 
the  houie,  his  letters  to  the  juftices  were  written  unadvif- 
edly,  and  with  precipitation  ;  and  that  if  any  man  was 
injured,  he  would  readily  compenfate  his  damages.  And 
as  to  the  charge  of  appointing  ignorant  juftices,  it  lies  with 
equal  truth  againft  all  our  governors,  (Mr.  De  Lancey 
himfelf  not  excepted)  who  to  influence  elections,  have  gone 
into  an  unjuftifiable  praftice  of  intrufting  blank  commif- 
lions  with  certain  favourites  in  the  refpecTiive  counties,  im- 
powered  to  place  and  difplace  civil  and  military  officers  at 
their  pleafure.  Thefe  eledion  jobbers  are  generally  the 
court  members  in  affembly  :  And  decency,  my  Lord, 
fhould  have  induced  them  to  ftifle  the  ridiculous  affertion, 
that  Mr,  Clinton  rewarded  a  man  for  being  perjured  ;  as 
well  as  the  more  pertinent  invecflive  againft  the  dangerous 
ufage  juft  mentioned,  for  corrupting  the  houfe  of  repre- 
fentatives.  But  to  difgrace  Mr.  Clinton  was  expedient  to 
the  Lieutenant-Governor  ;  and  hence  this  attack  upon  the 
former. "^P^^ 

*  Captains  of  the  levies  raifed  for  the  Canada  expeditiou  in  1746. 


$4  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

Upon  his  Honour's  advancement  to  the  government, 
the  prefs  laboured  with  addreffes  ;  and  the  incenfe  offered 
upon  the  occafion  might  have  perfumed  the  whole  temple 
of  Delphos.  It  was  not  enough,  that,  agreeable  to  ancient 
ufage,  he  was  prefented  with  the  conipiiments  of  public 
bodies  alone.  It  was  neceffary,  from  the  number  of  ad- 
dreffes,  to  difplay  his  extenfive  influence,  and  the  univerfal 
joy  ;  thereby,  if  poffible,  to  lay  the  foundation  of  his 
continuance  in  the  adminiftration.  4-CCordingly,  the  very 
militia  officers  and  fupervifors  of  Queen's  County  (a  mot- 
ley aflemblage  !)  were  made  to  groan  out  their  afpirations 
for  this  aufpicious  event  :  ^'  Oh' I  that'  his  gracious  Majejiy 
*'  would  be  f leafed  to  confirm  and  fx^  you.,  for  a  long  ti/Jie,  in 
"  this  exalted  f^aiion.'*  Never  have  I  feen  an  infignificant 
interjeftion  more  infignificantly  employedo  To  fo  extrav- 
agant  a  pitch,  my  Lord,  did  this  exuberant  ardor  arrive, 
that  we  at  length  found  him  cloathed  with  an  incommu- 
nicable attribute  of  the  Deity  himfelf,  even  his  immutable 
moral  rectitude,  "  Thefe  things  in  you  (fay  they  J  are  not  fo 
*'  properly  called  virtues,  as  natural  endowments.  Ton 
"  will  7idt,  you  CANi^QT  ad  other-wife  than  you  do.'*  With 
ftich  fuflian  can  fome  men  be  regaled  ;  and  hy  fuch  fufiian  is 
oftentimes  a  v/hole  nation  deluded. 

To  proceed  in  the  character  of  this  remarkable  Ameri- 
can :  He  is  a  perfon  of  quick  apprehenfion,  and  extenfive 
acquaintance  with  the  lav/  ;  which  he  acquired  with  in- 
credible application,  to  obliterate  the  indift'erent  figure  he 
made,  when  firft  elevated  to  the  chief  feat  on  the  bench, 
to  ferve  the  purpofes  of  Governor  Coiby.  Without  the 
talents,  he  has  ail  the  ambiticn  of  a  Ripperda.  His  thirft 
after  popularity,  vvi-hich  in  him  is  a  mere  engine  of  ftatc, 
hath  almoft  banilhed  all  public  fpirit  ;  and  the  triumphs 
of  power  Qccafioned  the  exile  of  common  fenfe.  Appre- 
henfive  of  the  diminution  of  his  own  luftre,  his  jeaioufy 
will  not  admit  a  competitor  ;  but  fets  him  at  mortal  odds 
with  a  jrifing,  independent  fpirit,  left  it  be  rewarded  with 
popular  favour,  and  thence  refult  into  popular  intereft,  in 
derogation  of  his  own  fovereign  influence.  Hence,  who- 
ever would  accomplifh  a  patriot  meafure,  m.uft  either  ob- 
tain his  leave  ;  and  then  he  arrogates  to  himfelf  the  merit 
due  to  its  author  j  or  carry  it  by  mere  ftratagem,  v/itliout 

;\hich 


in  North-America,  from  1753  to  1756I  85 

which  he  may  be  fure  of  a  difappointment.  In  the  latter 
cafe,  he  has  generally  addrefs  enough  to  be  revenged  on 
the  projedor,  by  rendering  both  him  and  his  projed  uni- 
verfally  odious.  Some  among  ns  fee  thefe  arts  ;  many 
fufped  them  ;  few  dare  mxention  them  ;  and  fewer  ftili 
oppofe  them.  Thus  a  people,  who  would  by  no  means  be 
forcibly  deprived  of  their  liberties,  poft  into  voluntary 
bondage  :  and  they  who  would  fcorn  a  vailalage  to  the 
greatell  monarch,  become  dupes  to  a  dictator  of  t|].eir  owi^ 
creation. 

Of  all  provincial  affairs  he  is  the  uncontroled  direclon 
As  chief  juftice,  great  is  his  intereft  in  the  counties  :  with 
that  intereft  he  commands  eledions  ;  with  his  fway  in 
eledions  he  rules  the  affem-bly  ;  and  with  his  fovereignty, 
over  the  houfe  controls  a  governor.  His  influence  with, 
the  members  of  the  affembly  being  the  main  fource  of  his 
exorbitant  power,  never  will  he  ferve  the  Crown  at  the 
rilk  of  a  diffention  with  the  houfe.  He  will  only  ftand 
by  a  governor  while  at  his  devotion,  and  ftanding  fair 
with  the  people  ;  but,  in  cafe  of  a  rupture,  inftantly  facri- 
fice  prerogative  on  the  altar  of  popularity.  His  own  in- 
tereft is  his  idol,  and  every  thing  elfe  made  fubfervient  to 
procure  it  veneration  and  efteem.  The  men,  who  are  his 
greateft  tools,  are  generally  by  himfelf  the  moft  defpifed  ; 
and  fometimes  treated  with  defpite  and  infult.  If  they 
difcover  the  leaft  freedom  of  refentment  (which  few  of 
them  dare  difcover)  he  can  with  a  fmile,  or  a  joke,  or  a 
promife,  or  a  bottle,  at  once  diffipate  the  ftruggiing  refo- 
lution,  and  reduce  them  to  their  primitive  obiequioufnefs. 
By  hints,  by  threats  and  blandilliments,  by  emiffaries, 
by  dark  infmuations  and  private  cabals,  he  is  able  to  ren- 
der any  meafure  hateful  or  popular  ;  to  put  down,  or  raiie 
up,  whom,  when,  and  what  he  pleafes.  Nay,  my  Lord,  I 
will  venture  to  affirm,  and  every  man  in  the  province 
muft  bear  me  teftimony,  that  while  his  influence  continues 
to  be  fupported  with  his  office  of  chief  juftice,  no  opera- 
tion, in  v/hich  this  colony  is  concerned,  can  promife  fuc- 
cefs,  Ihould  this  monopolizer  of  power  be  determined  to 
obftrud  it. 

Should  it  now  be  inquired,  Muft  not  a  man,  fo  ex- 
tremely popular,  be  neceftarily  polTefied  of  eminent  virtue, 

and 


86  Review  cf  the  military  Operations 

and  warmly  devoted  to  the  weal  of  the  people,  who  thus 
cordially  refound  his  fame,  fubmit  to  his  control,  and 
agree  to  adorn  his  triumph  ?  The  queflion  can  only  come 
from  a  novice  in  hiftory,  and  a  ftranger  to  mankind.  In 
the  judgment  of  your  Lordfhip,  who  is  deeply  read  in 
both,  I  am  confident  that  popularity  is  no  indication  of 
merit.  With  the  deluded  multitude  the  beft  men  are  of- 
ten unpopular ;  the  moft  pernicious,  extolled  and  adored. 
The  people  are  ever  ready  to  be  bewitched,  cheated,  and  en- 
flaved,  by  a  powerful,  crafty  feducer  :  and,  what  is  worfe, 
ever  ready  to  facrifice  v/hoever  would  difabufe  and  releafe 
them.  The  fame  people  who  could,  without  emotion,  be- 
hold a  Sidney  bleeding  in  defence  of  public  liberty,  could 
commit  a  riot  in  refcuing  a  Sacheverel  for  preaching  fedi- 
tion  and  fubverting  the  nation..  Your  Lordfhip  remem- 
bers, that  Maffanello,  in  the  fhort  fpace  of  ten  days,  was  a 
poor  fiiherman,  a  popular  incendiary,  a  fovereign  vice-' 
roy,  ftripped  of  his  honours,  treated  like  a  malefaftor, 
knocked  on  the  head,  and  thrown  into  a  ditch.  Who, 
in  fine,  was  more  popular  than  the  peftilent  Claudius,  ex- 
cept, perhaps,  the  more  peftilent  CataHne  ?  It  was,  there- 
fore, well  obferved  by  the  protector  Cromwell,  that  the 
very  men,  who  followed  him  with  acclamations  and  tor- 
rents of  flatter^',  vv^ould,  with  the  fam.e  demonftrations  of 
foy.  accompany  him  to  the  gallows. 

Thus,  m.y  Lord,  I  have  prefented  you  with  a  faithful 
portrait  of  the  Lieutenant-Governor  of  New-York,  who  is 
to  bear  no  fmall  fhare  in  the  public  affiirs,  of  which  I  have 
the  honour  to  tranfmit  your  Lordfhip  an  account  ;  a  por- 
trait, under  which  there  had  been  no  need  of  fixing  a 
name  to  direcf  to  the  original  thofe,  who  have  the  leaft 
knowledge  cf  that  gentlem.an's  characfer. 

While  thefe  things  were  tranfacting  at  Albany,  Mr. 
Pownal,  brother  to  John  Pownal,  Efq.  one  of  the  fecre- 
taries  to  the  Board  of  Trade,  was  upon  the  fpot.  This 
gentleman  came  over  to  America  with  Sir  Danvers  Ofborn, 
in  quality  of  his  private  fecretary  ;  though  it  was  imagin- 
ed by  many,  he  was  d«ligned  to  be  an  alliftant  to  him  in 
the  exercife  of  tlie  government.  He  is  fomething  of  a 
fcholar,  but  a  confufed  reafoner  ;  and  in  his  ftyle  perplexed  j 
2nd  in  tliat  ufefulkii:  of  all  fciences,  the  knowledge  of  m.an- 

kindj. 


in  North'Ajuericai  from  1753^:?  1756.  87 

kind,  he  is  a  mere  novitiate  :  without  the  latter,  your 
Lordfliip  knows  that  other  acquirements  are  comparatively 
of  fmall  account,  in  the  management  of  public  bufmefs. 
To  be  only  learned,  is  frequently  to  be  vain,  oftentatious, 
and  obftinate  ;  fuch  a  one,  in  a  word,  as  Tertuilian  dc~ 
fcribes  the  moft  learned  among  the  heathens,  "  an  animal 
of  glory."  This  gentleman  is  fond  of  being  confidered  in 
an  important  light.  Infatiable  of  praife,  he  can  not  only  heav 
himfelf  flattered  ;  but,  what  is  more  unaccountable  in  a 
man  of  tolerable  fenfe,  can  flatter  himfelf.  He  is  a  perfon 
of  uncommon  application,  and  a  good  memory.  By  dint 
of  induftry,  and  an  accefs  to  the  papers  in  the  Plantation 
Board  Office,  he  has  acquired  fome  knowledge  of  Ameri- 
can affairs  ;  but  fo  keen  is  his  appetite  for  promotion,  that 
he  cannot  brook  the  thoughts  of  a  gradual  advancement. 
He  is  for  galloping  into  preferment  ;  and  fo  intent  on  the 
contemplation  of  his  future  grandeur,  as  to  lofe  all  pa- 
tience in  eai^ning  it.  Being  more  ikilled  in  books  than 
men,  he  is  very  abrupt  in  giving  a  fcholaflic  turn  to  con- 
verfation,  in  order  to  difplay  his  erudition.  Evlr  ready  to 
contradid  :  himfelf  impatient  of  contradiction.  But  won- 
derful is  his  knack  at  pluming  himfelf  v.ith  the  fchcmes 
and  inventions  of  others  ;  and,  with  the  daw  in  the  fable, 
ihining  in  a  borrowed  drefs  :  a  remarkable  inilance  ot 
which  I  fliall  give  your  Lordfhip  in  the  following  anecdote  ^^ 
as  characlerifiic  of  a  perfon,  who  will  appear  to  have  had 
fome  confiderable  influence  in  the  courfe  of  American  tranf- 
adions.  During  the  fitting  of  the  congrefs,  it  was  fcarce 
poITible  to  prevent  part  of  their  fentiments  from  tranfpir- 
ing.  The  fcheme  of  a  naval  armament  on  Lake  Ontario, 
projected  by  Lieut.  Governor  Clarke,  before  the  late  war. 
fubmitted  to  the  then  minillry,  and  now  ftrongly  recom- 
mended by  the  commiffioners  of  the  MafTachufetts-Bay, 
by  fome  means  or  other  happened  to  be  hinted  without 
doors.  Mr.  Pownal,  intent  upon  rifmg  into  fignificance 
among  the  colonies,  chofe  not  to  flip  fo  favourable  an  op- 
portunity of  diftinguifliing  himfelf,  as  he  could  now  lay 
hold  of,  from  thefe  whifpered  intelHgences.  He  accord- 
ingly drew  up  fome  loofe,  indigefted  propofals,  with  refpevfl 
to  American  affairs.  Among  other  trite  fentiments,  he  ur- 
,ged  this  fcheme  as  a  new,  unthought-of  meafure,  abfolutely 

requifite 


88  Review  of  the  miiitary  Operations 

requiiite  to  fecure  the  command,  and  preferve  the  fur 
trade  of  thofe  inland  feas.  Tliis  he  dehvered  to  fome  of 
the  members  of  the  congrefs  to  be  commnnicated  :  and  af- 
terwards tranfmitted  a  copy  to  England  ;  challenging  to 
himfelf  the  fole  merit  of  being  the  original  author  of  fo 
tifeful  and  neceffary  an  expedient/* 

While  the  congrefs  was  held  at  Albany,  Governor  Shir- 
ley,  ever  jealous  of  French  machinations,  proceeded,  at*  the 
head  of  about  one  thoufand  men,  to  the  river  Kennebec  ; 
and  erected  forts,  at  convenient  diHances,  to  ftop  the  prog- 
refs  of  the  French  on  that  quarter  ;  to  fecure  the  poifeilion 
of  that  country  with  the  friendfnip  of  the  eaftern  Indians. 

The  remainder  of  this  yearf  was  principally  fpent  in  re- 
peated reprefentations  to  the  miniftry,  refpe^ing  the  dan- 
gerous lituation  of  the  Englilli  colonies ;  and  the  abfolute 
neceflity  of  a  powerful  affiftance  from  Great-Britain,  to  de- 
feat the  ambitious  deligns  of  the  Court  of  France. 

On  the  -Welcome  intelligence  of  the  fuccefs  of  thefe  rep- 
refentations, and  while  forces  were  expecting  from  Eng- 
land, the  two  regiments  of  Shirley  and  Pepperel  were  or- 
dered to  be  re-eftablifhed,  and  recruits  were  raifmg  through 
the  feveral  governments,  to  form  an  army  for  difpoiTeffing 
the  French  from  their  late  encroachments. 

The  general  affembly  of  the  MafTachufetts-Bay  being  con- 
vened, and  the  members  fworn  to  fecrecy,  Mr.  Shirley 
communicated  to  them  a  defign  of  attacking  Fort  St.  Fred- 
erick, at  Crown  Point,  the  enfuing  fpring  ;  and  his  inten- 
tion to  appoint  Col.  Johnfon  to  the  command  of  that  ex- 
pedition. The  fcheme  being  approved  by  the  council  and 
reprefentatives  of  that  province,  and  the  quotas  fettled, 
commiflioners  were  charged  to  the  neighbouring  govern- 
ments, to  folicit  their  concurrence  and  aid^  in  the  profe- 
cution  of  this  enterprife. 

While  thefe  matters  were  in  agitation,  Mr.  Pownai  was 
at  Bofton,  intending  to  fail  from  thence  to  England.      He 

now 

*  Mr.  Pownai  had  this  piece  publiihed  in  New-York  in  Feb.  1756. 
tt  contained  an  introduftion,  declaiing,  that  copies  of  it  were  fent  by 
the  miniftry  to  the  reipedtix'e  governors  of  the  colonies  :  and  in  the 
fpring  following,  it  was  repiibliflied,  Avith  great  oftentation,  in  the  Eng- 
lifh  magazines.  With  reipecl  to  thofe  parts  of  it,  wherein  he  talks  of 
Indian  affairs,  the  fentimeiits  feem  to  be  unintelligible  by  a  North  A- 
merlcah  underftanding.  f  i754- 


in  North-Amerka-f  fro?}i  lys^  to  lys^'  ^9 

now  thought  fit  to  change  his  refolution  ;  and  Governor 
Shirley  honoured  him  with  the  embaffy  to  New- York,  for 
which  place  he  fet  out  the  beginning  of  March.  Some  gen- 
tlemen of  the  council  and  aflembly  were  commillioned,  on 
the  like  errand,  to  the  other  colonies  of  New-Jerfey,  Penn- 
fylvania,  &c. 

Mr.  PownaPs  profpe(5ls  df  fuccefs  at  New- York  were  at 
firft  not  very  encouraging.  De  Lancey,  jealous  of  Shirley's 
rifing  reputation,  appeared,  with  regard  to  the  expedition 
recommended,  extremely  phlegmatic  :  and  though  artful 
enough  to  abftain  from  an  open  oppofition,  he  made  ufe  of 
Mr.  Chambers  as  his  tool  in  council,  to  obftrudt  the  con- 
currence of  the  legiflature.  At  this  time  great  animofities 
were  prevailing  in  the  province,  occafioned  by  a  charter 
juft  before  granted  by  Mr.  De  Lancey,  conftituting  a  col- 
lege for  the  education  of  youth,  upon  a  foundation  which 
happened  to  enkindle  the  general  difguft.  The  majority 
of  the  houfe,  apprehending  the  lofs  of  their  feats  on  a  fu- 
ture election,  ihould  they  afford  it  the  leaft  aliiftance,  found 
themfelves  obliged  rather  to  countenance  the  popular  re- 
fentment.  A  gentleman  of  diflindlion,  with  whom  Mr. 
Pownal  advifed  on  the  fubjecl  of  his  commiiTion,  thought 
it  a  prudent  flep  to  open  his  melTage  in  part,  to  thofe  mem- 
bers of  the  aflembly,  who,  on  the  above-mentioned  ac- 
count, were  then  in  the  oppofition.  Several  of  the  leading- 
men  were  fecured  by  this  method  :  and  when  the  houfe 
met,  fuch  a  difpofition  appeared  to  join  in  the  fcheme  pro- 
pofed,  that  it  was  beyond  Mr.  De  Lancey's  power  to  ob- 
ftrud  it.  Out  of  pique  however  to  Mr.  Shirley,  to  whom 
this  expedition  v/as  folely  committed,  he  prevailed  upon 
them  to  fufpend  the  execution  of  their  vote,  until  Generai 
Braddock's  approbation  was  obtained  :  and  by  this  artifice 
occafioned  a  confiderable  delay  in  the  operations. 

General  Braddock,  being  now  arrived  in  Virginia,  f^nt 
expreffes  to  the  feveral  governors  to  meet  him,  in  order  to 
a  confultation  on  the  bufinefs  ot  the  approaching  cam- 
paign.    This  convention  was  opened  on  the  14th  of  April,* 


It  was  at  iarlt  propofed  to  have  been  held  at  Annapolis  in  Jiaryland. 

Shirley,  who  thro'  the  multiplicity  of  his  affairs  did  not  arrive  theie 

^piil,  has  been  charged  with  delaying  Braddock's  niHioh  near  three 

N  rrj.  vii.l  '  '.veeks;. 


po  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

at  Alexandria  in  Virginia.  Here  it  appeared,  that  through 
mifreprefentations  from  Virginia,  the  general  was  enjoined 
to  proceed  immediately  to  Fort  Du  Quefne.  Thofe,  who 
were  well  acquainted  with  the  country,  could  not  help  ob- 
ferving,  that  a  march  from  Potowmac,  acrofs  the  Allegheny 
mountains,  mull  be  attended  with  incredible  difficulty, 
hazard,  and  expenfc  ;  that  the  vicinity  of  New-York  to 
Canada,  its  fort  of  Ofwego  on  Lake  Ontario,  together 
with  the  advantages  of  water  carriage,  rendered  that  prov- 
ince by  £ir  the  litteft  theatre  of  action.  Braddock's  orders 
were  neverthelefs  pofitive.  For  the  prefervation  therefore 
of  Ofwego,  and  the  reduction  of  Niagara,  it  was  at  length 
agreed,  that  Shirley's  and  Pepperel's  regiments  fhould  pro- 
ceed to  Lake  Ontario,  while  General  Braddock  attacked 
Fort  Du  Ouefne  ;  and  the  provincial  troops,  commanded 
by  General  Johnfon,  marched  to  in  veil  Crown -Point. 

Thefe  refolutions  being  taken,  Mr.  Shirley  began  his 
I'ourney  to  Bofton,  to  prepare  for  the  expedition  under  his 
immediate  command  ;  to  forward  that  under  Col.  Johnfon  ; 
and  to  quicken  the  departure  of  the  New-England  troops, 
now  affembled  by  his  Majefty's  direc1:ions,  for  reducing  the 
French  fettlements  in  Nova-Scotia.  On  his  way,  he  fpent 
fome  time  in  conference  with  Col.  Schuyler,  a  gentleman  of 
fortune  and  courage,  who,  out  of  dillnterefted  love  to  his 
country,  was  engaged  to  head  a  regiment  of  500  men, 
raifed  and  maintained  by  the  province  of  New-Jerfey.  In 
New- York,  he  was  retarded  a  few  days  to  confult  with 
General  Johnfon,  and  remove  fome  objections  made  by  Mr. 
De  Lancey  to  the  form  of  his  commiffion  :*  and  in  Con- 
necticut, 

weeks  ;  though  it  is  notorious,  thai  delay  was  occafioned  by  the  failure 
of  the  Virginia  contrad  for  die  neceflary  fupplies.  The  general  was 
afterwards  obliged  to  enter  into  a  new  one  with  gentlemen  in  Pennfylva- 
nia  ;  which  was  not  completed  till  the  27th  of  May,  near  fix  weeks 
from  the  conclufion  of  the  congrefs. 

*  Mr.  Johnfon  had  his  commiffion  from  the  governors  of  the  prov- 
inces, which  furniflied  the  troops  under  his  command  ;  the  draft  of 
which  vv-as  fettled  at  Alexandria.  The  Lieut.  Governor  of  New- York 
now  thought  proper  to  repeat  tliofe  very  objedions  which  had  been 
there  over-raled.  This  unaccountable  condu<5i  gave  Mr.  Johnfon  great 
uneafmefs,  who  could  not  obtain  Mr.  De  Lancey's  commiffion,  till 
proper  notice  was  taken  by  General  Shirley  of  {o  manifeil  an  obftruc- 
tlon  to  the  operations  of  the  campaign. 


in  North-America,  fro?n   iyS3  f(>  ^75^-  91 

rje(5licut,  to  haften  the  afiembling  the  troops  of  that 
colony.} 

The  necelTary  difpatches  being  given  to  the  expedition 
to  Nova-Scotia  under  Col.  Winflow,  Mr.  Shirley,  upon  the 
arrival  of  the  paymafter  for  the  northern  diftrid,  returned 
to  New- York  ;  and  on  the  4th  of  July  failed  for  Albany, 
his  own  regiment  having  palled  by  for  that  place,  in  twen- 
ty-one tranfports,  a  few  days  before. 

About  this  time,  the  colonies  were  filled  with  univerfal 
joy,  on  the  agreeable  news  that  the  New-England  troops 
were  become  mafters  of  Beau-fejour  and  Bay  Verte,  on  the 
ifthmus  of  Nova-Scotia  ;  whereby  a  new  province  was 
added  to  the  Britifh  empire  in  America  :  and  that  a  ftrong 
fleet,  under  Admiral  Bofcawen,  lay  before  Louifburgh,  to 
intercept  the  French  fupplies  ;  and  which  had  alfo  feized 
two  of  their  capital  fliips,  the  Lys  and  Alcide,  and  fent 
them  into  Halifax. 

Gen.  Braddock  was  now  on  his  march  towards  the  Ohio, 
at  the  head  of  about  2200  men,  in  order  to  inveft  Fort  Du 
Quefne,  and  drive  the  French  from  their  encroachments  on 
the  frontiers  of  Virginia  and  Pennfylvania.  From  Fort  Cum- 
berland to  Fort'Du  Ouefne,  the  diftance  is  not  lefs  than  130 
miles.     Mr.  Braddock  began  his  march  from  the  former 


X  Conneftlcut  had  voted  one  thoufand  men  for  the  Crown-Pouit  ex- 
pedition, and  givea  aflurances  of  500  more,  if  the  fervice  fo  required. 
New- York  was  to  fupply  800  ;  but  through  the  delay  occafioned  by  the 
fufpending  claufe  above  mentioned  in  the  vote  of  our  afTembly,  Mr.  De 
Lancey's  brother  was  fent  into  Connedticut,  to  obtain  leave  for  recruit- 
ing the  quota  we  were  to  fui-nifh,  in  that  colony  ;  as  men  might  there 
be  raifed  more  fpeedily  than  in  the  province  of  New- York.  Mr.  Shir- 
ley being  at  Hartford,  during  this  application,  was  told  by  Governor 
Fitch,  that  if  Conneflicut  complied,  they  fliould  confider  themfelves  dif- 
engaged  from  the  affurances  given  of  500  more  than  their  own  quota, 
did  the  fervice  demand  it.  This,  with  Mr.  Oliver  De  Lancey's  declara- 
tion, that  if  himfelf  ftould  accept  the  command  of  the  New- York  regi- 
ment, he  could  in  ten  days  raife  the  whole  number  in  this  province,  in- 
duced  Mr.  Shirley  to  oppofe  the  application  ;  it  appearing  to  him  not 
improbable,  that  the  fervice  might  afterwards  require  the  reinforcement 
offered.  In  confequence  of  which,  only  300  recruits  weje  furnifhed 
New-York  from  thence  ;  a  lucky  incident  for  Mr.  Shirley's  adverfaries  to 
incenfe  the  people  of  N.  York  againft  him  ;  to  which  purpofe  it  was  in- 
duftrioufly  applied  ;  though  his  condud  in  that  aff^^ir  was  prudent  and 
rational ;  and  though,  by  repeated  letters  to  Lt.  Gov.  De  Lancey,  he  took 
pains  to  remove  any  mifundsrilanding  at  a  jundlure  fo  unfeafonable. 


92  Re'view  of  the  military  Operations 

on  the  loth  of  June,  leaving  the  garrifon  under  the  eom- 
mand  of  Col.  Innes.  Innumerable  were  the  difficulties  he 
had  to  furmount,  in  a  country  rugged,  pathlefs,  and  un- 
known, acrofs  the  Allegheny  mountains,  through  unfre- 
quented woods,  and  dangerous  defiles.  From  the  little 
meadows  the  army  proceeded  in  two  divilions.  At  the 
head  of  the  firft,  conlifting  of  1400  men,  was  the  general 
himfelf,  with  the  greateft  part  of  the  ammunition  and  ar- 
tillery. The  fecond,  with  the  provifions,  ftores  and  heavy 
baggage,  was  led  by  Col.  Dunbar.  Never  was  man  more 
confident  of  fuccefs,  than  this  brave,  though  unfortunate 
officer.  Being  advifed  at  the  great  meadows,  that  the  ene- 
my expe(5led  a  reinforcement  of  500  regular  troops,  he 
pufhed  on,  by  forced  marches,  with  fo  much  difpatch,  that 
he  fatigued  the  foldiers,  weakened  his  horfes,  and  left  his 
fecond  divifion  near  forty  miles  in  the  rear.  The  enemy 
being  not  more  than  doo  ftrong  at  their  fort  on  the  Ohio, 
gave  no  obftrudion  to  the  march  of  our  forces,  till  the 
memorable  9th  of  July  ;  a  day  never  to  be  forgotten  in  the 
annals  of  North-America.  About  noon  our  troops  paffed 
the  Monongahela,  and  were  then  within  feven  miles  of 
Fort  Du  Quefne.  Unapprehenfive  of  the  approach  of  an 
enemy,  at  once  was  the  alarm  given,  by  a  quick  and  heavy 
fire  upon  the  vanguard,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Gage.  Imme- 
diately the  main  body,  in  good  order  and  high  fpirits,  ad- 
vanced to  fuftain  them.  Orders  were  then  given  to  halt, 
and  form  into  battalia.  At  this  jundure,  the  van  falling 
back  upon  them,  in  great  confufion,  a  general  panic  feized 
the  whole  body  of  the  foldiery  ;  and  di  attempts  to  rally 
them  proved  utterly  inefFeclual.  The  general  and  all  the 
officers  exerted  their  utmofi:  adivity,  to  recover  them  from 
the  univerfal  furprife  and  diforder  ;  but  equally  deaf  were 
they  to  intreaties  and  commands.  During  this  fcene  of 
confufion,  they  expended  their  ammunition  in  the  wildefh 
and  m.oft  unmeaning  fire  ;  fome  difcharging  their  pieces 
on  our  own  parties,  who  were  advanced  from  the  main 
body  for  the  recovery  of  the  cannon.  After  three  hours 
fpent  in  this  m.elancholy  fituation,  enduring  a  terrible 
ilaughter,  from  (it  may  be  faid)  an  inviftble  foe,  orders 
were  given  to  found  a  retreat,  that  the  men  might  be 
brought  to  cover  the  v/aggons.     Thefe  they  furrounded 

but 


in  North- America,  from  1753  io  1756.  93 

but  a  fliort  fpace  of  time  ;  for  the  enemy's  fire  being  again 
warmly  renewed  from  the  front  and  left  fiank,  the  whole 
army  took  to  immediate  flight  ;  leaving  behind  them  all 
the  artillery,  provifions,  ammunition,  baggage,  military 
cheft,  together  with  the  general's  cabinet,  containing  his 
inftrudions  and  other  papers  of  confequence.  So  great 
was  the  confternation  of  the  foldiers,  that  it  was  impoffible 
to  ftop  their  career,  flying  with  the  utmoft  precipitation 
three  miles  from  the  field  of  aftion  ;  where  only  one  hun- 
dred began  to  make  a  more  orderly  retreat. 

What  was  the  ftrength  of  the  enemy,  has  hitherto  re- 
mained to  us  uncertain.  According  to  Indian  accounts, 
they  exceeded  not  400,  chiefly  Indians  :  and  whether  any 
were  flain,  is  ftiU  to  be  doubted,  for  few  were  feen  by  our 
men,  being  covered  by  fl;umps  and  fallen  trees.  Great  in- 
deed was  the  deftruftion  on  our  fide.  Numbers  of  officers 
facrificed  their  lives  through  Angular  bravery.  Extremely 
unfortunate  was  the  whole  ftaff.  The  general,  after  hav- 
ing five  horfes  Ihot  under  him,  received  a  vx^ound  in  his 
luno-s  through  his  right  arm,  of  wliich  he  died  in  four 
days.  His  Secretary, "eldeil  fon  of  Major-General  Shirley, 
a  gentleman  of  great  accompliihments,  by  a  fhot  through 
the  head,  was  killed  upon  the  fpot.  Mr.  Orme  and  Capt. 
Morris,  aids-de-camp,  were  wounded.  Of  the  44th  regi- 
ment. Sir  Peter  Halket,  Colonel,  was  flain,  with  feveral 
other  officers  ;  and  Lieut.  Col.  Gage  wounded.  Lieut. 
Col.  Burton,  of  the  48th  regiment,  was  among  the  wound- 
ed ;  and  many  gallant  officers  periflied  in  the  field.  Our 
whole  lofs  was  about  feven  hundred  killed  and  wounded. 

To  v/hat  caufes  this  unhappy  catafi:rophe  is  to  be  afcrib- 
ed,  has  been  matter  of  much  inquiry  2.nd  animated  debate. 
The  officers  charged  the  defeat  to  the  cowardice  of  the 
men  :  but,  in  a  reprefentation  they  made  to  Mr.  Shirley, 
by  order  of  the  Crown,  they  in  fome  meafure  apologife  for 
their  behaviour,  alleging,  that  they  were  haraiTed  by  duties 
unequal  to  their  numbers,  and  difpiritcd  through  want  of 
provifions  :  That  time  was  not  allowed  them  to  drefs  their 
food  :  That  their  water  (the  only  liquor  too  tliey  had)  was 
both  fcarce  and  of  a  bad  quality  :  In  fine,  that  the  provin- 
cials had  diflieartened  them,  by  repeated  fuggeftions  of 
their  fears  of  a  defeat,  Ihoald  they  be  attacked  by  In- 
dians ; 


94  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

dians  ;  in  which  cafe  the  European  method  of  fighting 
would  be  entirely  unavailing.  But,  my  Lord,  however 
cenfurable  the  conduft  of  the  foldiery  may  be  thought,  Mr. 
Braddock,  too  fanguine  in  his  profpefts,  was  generally 
blamed  for  neglecting  to  cultivate  the  friendfliip  of  the  In-, 
dians,  who  offered  their  afliflance  ;  and  who,  it  is  certain, 
had  a  number  of  them  preceded  the  army,  would  have  fea- 
fonably  difcovered  the  enemy's  ambufcade.  The  Virginian 
rangers  alfo,  inftead  of  being  made  to  ferve  as  regulars  in 
the  ranks  with  the  Englifh  troops,  fhould  have  been  em- 
ployed as  out-fcouts.  But  this  flep,  fo  neceffary  to  guard 
againfl  furprife,  was  too  unhappily  omitted  ;  the  whole  ar- 
my, according  to  the  reprefentation  above  mentioned,  fol- 
lowing only  three  or  four  guides. 

When  the  routed  party  joined  the  fecond  divifion,  forty 
miles  fliort  of  the  place  of  action,  the  terror  diffufed  itfelf 
through  the  whole  army.  Your  Lordfhip  might  naturally 
expect  to  hear,  that  Col.  Dunbar  then  entrenched  himfelf, 
and  called  on  the  neighbouring  colonies  for  immediate  re- 
inforcements ;  as  by  fuch  a  ftep  the  enemy  might  have 
been  detained  at  Fort  Du  Ouefne,  prevented  from  ravag- 
ing the  frontiers,  or  throwing  fuccours  into  Niagara. 
But  alas  !  my  Lord,  an  infatuation  feemed  to  accompany 
all  our  meafures  on  the  fouthern  quarter.  Fearful  of  an 
unpurfuing  foe,  all  the  ammunition,  and  fo  much  of  the 
provifions,  were  deltroyed,  for  accelerating  their  flight, 
that  Dunbar  was  a<ftuaily  obliged  to  fend  for  thirty  horfe 
loads  of  the  latter,  before  he  reached  Fort  Cumberland  ; 
where  he  arrived,  a  very  few  days  after,  with  the  fhatter-. 
ed  remains  of  the  Englifh  troops. 

On  Mr.  Braddock's  unhappy  cataftrophe,  the  command 
of  his  Majefty's  forces  in  North-America  devolved  upon 
Major-General  Shirley.  I  before  acquainted  your  Lord- 
iliip  of  his  return  to  New- York,  and  departure  from  thence 
to  Albany,  v/here  he  arrived  the  beginning  of  July. 

Albany,  my  Lord,  was  the  grand  theatre  of  all  the  pre- 
parations for  the  northern  expedition  againft  Fort  St.  Fred- 
erick, as  well  as  that  to  the  weftward,  for  the  reduction 
of  Niagara.  The  General,  on  his  arrival  there,  found  not 
the  former  in  the  forwardnefs  he  had  reafon  to  expeft. 
The  provincials,  difcontented  with  the  inactivity  of  a  long 

encampment, 


i?i  North^Amcrica,  from  1753  io  1756.  95 

encampment,  Major-General  Lyman  was  obliged  to  make 
fhort  marches  to  prevent  their  difbanding  ;  and  the  Gen- 
eral was  therefore  detained  awhile  in  that  city,  to  hinder 
fo  fatal  an  event.  His  own  troops,  in  the  mean  time, 
were  filing  off,  in  different  divifions,  from  Schenectady  to- 
Vv^ards  Ofwego. 

Ofwego,  along  the  accuftomed  route,  is  computed  to  be 
about  three  hundred  miles  weft  from  Albany.  The  firft 
fixteen,  to  the  village  of  Schenedady,  is  land  carriage,  in  a 
good  waggon  road.  From  thence  to  the  Little  Falls,  in 
the  Mohawk  River,  at  iixty-five  miles  diftance,  the  bat- 
teaux*  are  fet  againft  a  rapid  ftream  ;  which  too,  in  dry 
feafons,  is  fo  Ihallow,  that  the  men  are  frequently  obliged 
to.  turn  out,  and  draw  their  craft  over  the  rifts  with  in- 
conceivable labour.  At  the  Little  Falls,  the  portage  ex- 
ceeds not  a  mile  ;  the  ground  being  marftiy,  will  admit 
of  no  wheel-carriage,  and  therefore  the  Germans,  who  re- 
fide  here,  tranfport  the  batteaux  in  fleds,  which  they  keep 
for  that  purpofe.  The  fame  conveyance  is  ufed  at  the 
Great  Carrying-Place,  fixty  miles  beyond  the  Little  Fails  ; 
all  the  way  to  which  the  current  is  ftill  adverfe,  and  ex- 
tremely fwift.  The  portage  here  is  longer  or  fliorter,  ac- 
cording  to  the  drynefs  or  wetnefs  of  the  feafons.  In  the 
laft  fummer  months,  when  rains  are  not  frequent,  it  is 
ufually  fix  or  eight  miles  acrofs.  Taking  water  again,  we 
enter  a  narrow  rivulet,  called  the  Wood-creek,  which  leads 
into  the  Oneida  Lake,  diftance  forty  miles.  This  ftream, 
though  favourable,  being  fliallov/,  and  its  banks  covered 
with  thick  woods,  was  at  this  time  much  obftrucled  with 
old  logs  and  fallen  trees.  The  Oneida  Lake  ftretches  from 
eaft  to  weft  about  thirty  miles,  and  in  calm  v/eather  is 
paffed  with  great  facility.  At  its  weftern  extremity  opens 
the  Onondaga  River,  leading  down  to  Ofwego,  fituated  at 
its  entrance,  on  the  fouth  fide  of  the  Lake  Ontario.  Ex- 
tremely  difficult  and  hazardous  is  the  paffage  through  this 
river,  as  it  abounds  with  rifts  and  rocks  ;  and  the  current 
flowing  with  furprifmg  rapidity.  The  principal  obftruc- 
tion  is  twelve  miles  fliort  of  Ofwego,  and  is  a  fall  of  about 

eleven 

*  A  batteau  is  a  light  flat-bottomed  boat,  wideft  in  the  middle,  and 
at  each  end  fharp  pointed,  of  about  1500  weight  burthen,  and  man- 
aged by  two  men,  with  parddles  and  fetting  poles. 


()6  Re'vieji;  of  the  military  Operations 

eleven  feet  perpendicular.  The  portage  here  is  by  land- 
not  exceeding  forty  yards,  before  they  launch  for  the  laii, 
time. 

Your  Lordihip,  from  this  account,  will  readily  conceive, 
that,  through  fucli  a  long,  amphibious  march,  an  army 
muft  proceed  with  prodigious  rilk  and  fatigue  ;  and  the 
batteaux  be  neceffarily  conduced  by  perfons  lldiled  in  the 
navigation,  and  enured  to  hardiliips.  For  this  fervice. 
General  Shirley  had  engaged  all  the  young  men  in  the 
county  of  Albany,  who  formerly  had  been  emiployed  in 
the  Indian  trade  at  Of^vego  j  and  a  vaft  number  of  bat- 
teaux were  prepared  for  the  conveyance  of  the  troops, 
ftores,  and  provilions. 

Ofwego  was  formerly  garrifoned  by  tv/enty-five  men  ; 
but,  on  the  commencement  of  our  prefent  difputes,  the 
number  was  augmented  to  fifty.  Early  this  fpring,  fifty 
more  were  ordered  up  ;  and  about  the  latter  end  of  May, 
Capt.  Broadflreet  arrived  there  with  two  hundred,  befides 
workmen  to  be  employed  in  the  naval  preparations,  pur- 
fuant  to  the  fcheme  concerted  in  the  congrefs  of  commif- 
fioners  at  Albany  the  laft  fummer. 

Col.  Schuyler's  New-Jerfey  regiment  embarked  in  two 
divilions,  from  Scheneftady,  the  beginning  of  July.  Shir- 
ley's  and  Pepperell's  were  preparing  to  follow,  when  the 
melancholy  news  of  Gen.  Braddock's  defeat  reached  that 
place.  This  ftruck  a  general  damp  on  the  fpirits  of  the 
foldiers,  and  many  defer  ted.  Great  numbers  of  the  bat- 
teau-men  difperfed  themfelves  into  the  country,  and  fled 
to  their  refpective  habitations.  To  engage  the  return  of 
above  half  the  fugitives,  equally  inetfediual  were  threats 
or  promifes,  rewards  or  punifhments.  The  General,  how- 
ever, fenfible  of  the  importance  of  the  fervice,  purfued  his 
march  in  fpite  of  every  vexatious  difappointment.  As  he 
palTed  their  country,  he  called  upon  the  Indians  of  the  Six 
Nations  at  fome  of  their  caiHes ;  and  lent  embafladors  to 
the  reft,  preiling  them  to  join  him,  with  aflurances  of  his 
protedion.  But  they  feemed  in  general  greatly  diiinclined 
to  our  weftern  operations.  Indian  afiairs  had  been  too 
long  neglected  by  the  province  of  New- York,  to  which 
the  principal  management  of  them  has  always  been  com- 
mitted.    Neither  tlie  fums,  allotted  for  preients  to  thofc 

favages, 


in  North'Afnerica,  from  1753 /<?  1756.  97 

favages,  were  always,  by  our  governors,  fairly  expended, 
nor  the  prefents  themfelves  honeftly  diftributed.  And 
partly  through  repeated  frauds,  and  the  omiflion  of  proper 
meafures  to  conciliate  their  favour,  our  intereft  with  them 
amounted  to  little  more  than  a  bare  neutrality,  Mr. 
Johnfon,  neverthelefs,  pretending  a  mighty  influence  over 
them,  was  entrufted  with  5000I.  fterling,  in  order  to  en- 
gage their  afiiftance  for  the  general  benefit  of  his  Majefty's 
fervice.  For  this  purpofe  he  held  a  congrefs  with  fome  of 
their  principal  fachems  at  Mount  Johnfon,*  foon  after  his 
return  from  Alexandria. 

Your  Lordlhip  is  pleafed  to  infill  upon  my  "  defcending 
"  into  a  detail  of  every  tranfa^ion^  how  minute  foever,  that  can 
"  give  any  light  into  the  more  fecret  fprings  of  our  political  ac- 
"  tionJ**  I  fliall  therefore  acquaint  your  Lordlhip,  that, 
upon  the  general's  arrival  at  Albany,  Mr.  Johnfon  laid  be- 
fore him  a  copy  of  the  minutes  of  his  late  treaty  with  the 
Indians.  Thefe  minutes,  it  feems,  contained  fdme  unhand- 
fome  reflections  upon  his  excellency  ;  infinuating,  that,  to 
treat  feparately  with  them,  he  had  employed  one  Lydius, 
a  perfon  of  not  the  mofl:  unexceptionable  charader,  either 
for  loyalty  or  integrity.  The  fingle  reafon  upon  which  the 
furmife  could  be  founded,  was  this  :  Lydius,  who  former- 
ly lived  near  Lake  George,  and  whofe  Indian  acquaintance 
was  very  extenfive,  had  offered  the  general  his  afiiftance,  in 
procuring  the  jundion  of  a  number  of  them,  on  the  de- 
figned  expeditions.  Upon  which  he  wrote  to  Mr,  Johnfon, 
intimating  the  pleafure  it  would  give  him,  if  he  could 
make  any  ufe  of  this  man  in  his  Majefty's  fervice.  On  de- 
livering thofe  minutes  into  the  general's  hands,  Johnfon, 
fenfible  of  the  infinuation,  told  him,  he  entirely  difapprov- 
ed  the  refleftion  they  feemed  to  contain,  and  appeared 
afhamed  of  its  infertion.  Having  perufed  the  paper,  Shir- 
ley could  not  avoid  complaining  of  the  ill  ufage  ;  while  the 
other,  with  folemn  vows,  protefled  he  was  not  privy  to  it, 
and  importuned  him  to  return  the  minutes,  that  he  might 
erafe  the  obnoxious  paffage.  The  former  confided  in  the 
fincerity  of  his  proteftations,  but  foon  after  had  abundant 
reafon  to  difi:ruft  his  integrity.  The 

*  Sir  William  Johnfon's  own  feat,  near  the  lower  Mohawk  caiHc, 
about  }^6  miles  from  Albany. 
O  IVol.  vii.] 


98  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

The  general  had  appHed  to  one  Staats,  who  refided  near 
Albany,  and  had  a  confiderable  intereft  with  the  Indians  of 
Stockbridge.*  He  propofcd  to  him  his  railing  a  company 
of  them,  as  a  guard  to  the  batteaux  in  their  paffage  to  Of- 
wego.  Privately  was  this  man  intimidated  from  the  un- 
dertaking :  and  Mr.  Johnfon,  to  induce  him  to  break 
through  his  promifcs,  offered  him  a  captain's  commiffion, 
could  he  engage  an  Indian  company  to  proceed  on  the  ex- 
pedition under  his  own  diredion. 

.  Your  Lordfhip,  being  already  informed  of  this  gentle- 
man's appointment  to  the  command  of  the  provincial  army, 
by  the  intereft  of  General  Shirley,  will  fcarce  have  pa- 
tience at  the  recital  of  a  conduct  fo  aftonifliing  and  un- 
grateful. The  fecret,  my  Lord,  was  this  :  Mr.  Johnfon 
was  never  diftinguillied  for  his  ienfe  or  penetration.  He 
had  now  for  his  aid-de-camp,  Capt.  Wraxal,  a  man  of  art  and 
genius,  who  a  few  years  before  had  been  appointed  fecre- 
tary  for  Indian  affairs,  and  clerk  of  the  city  and  county  of 
Albany.  Governor  Clinton  had  granted  a  commiflion  for 
the  latter  of  thofe  offices,  before  the  date  of  Wraxal's  lign 
manual.  A  fuit  was  therefore  commenced,  and  is  ftill  de- 
pending between  him  and  the  perfon  in  poffeffion  of  the 
office,  fufpended  on  the  determination  of  a  point  of  law. 
Upon  this  account,  Wraxal  became  a  humble  dependant  on 
Lieut.  Governor  De  Lancey,  before  whom,  unlefs  fuperfed- 
ed  in  the  chief  command,  the  cafe  muft  be  determined  up- 
on a  writ  of  error  :  The  latter,  who  had  been  a  declared 
enemy  to  Johnfon,  throughout  the  whole  of  Clinton's  ad- 
miniftration,  and  had  even  prevented  the  affembly  from 
difcharging  a  very  equitable  demand  he  had  againft  the 
province  for  fer vices  and  difburfements,  now  determined 
to  fall  in  v/itli,  and  fet  him  up,  in  competition  with  Shirley. 
Wraxal's  poft  and  dependance  afforded  a  fine  opportunity 
for  the  purpofe  :  and  fo  Johnfon  became  ftrongly  attached 
to  the  Lieut.  Governor.  Your  Lordfhip  will  no  longer 
wonder  at  his  procuring  all  the  Indians  he  could  prevail 
upon,  to  join  the  provincial  troops  under  his  own  com- 
mand ;  or  at  his  attempts  to  excite  others  to  embarrafs  and 
obftru(5t  the  general's  defigns  upon  the  Lake  Ontario.      In 

fupport 

*  Stockbridge,  by  the  Indians  called  Houfatoaic,  lies  upon  the  wes- 
tern confines  of  the  MafTachufetts-Bay. 


in  North- America,  fro?n  1753 /<?  1756.  99 

fupport  of  a  charge  fo  heavy  as  this,  I  think  it  incumbent 
upon  me  to  affign  the  following  inftances  :  i.  Not  an  In- 
dian joined  General  Shirley  at  Schenedady,  agreeably  to 
Mr.  Johnfon*s  politive  affurances.  ?.  Nor  at  either  of  the 
caftles  in  the  five  cantons,  as  he  paffed  through  them  to 
Ofwego  :  but,  on  the  contrary,  3,  One  Brant,  an  Onon- 
daga, (three  of  whofe  fons  were  in  Johnfon's  army)  at  the 
head  of  feveral  other  Indians,  declared  to  Mr.  Shirley,  at 
Ofwego,  that  it  was  a  place  of  trade  and  peace  ;  that  there 
fliould  be  no  war  there  ;  and  that  he  fhould  not  difturb 
the  French  j  adding,  that  he  was  going  with  the  Hke  meffage 
to  Canada.  The  general  having  convinced  him,  that  the 
expulfion  of  the  French  from  their  encroachments  muft  re- 
dound to  the  advantage  of  the  Six  Nations,  he  afferted, 
that  Mr.  Johnfon  had  fent  them  upon  this  embaffy  to  Can- 
ada. Though  this  appeared  utterly  incredible,  it  is  never- 
thelefs  certain.  4.  Several  other  Indians  arrived  from  the 
Onondaga  caftle,  with  a  belt,  declaring  it  to  have  been  fent 
them  by  Mr.  Johnfon,  with  his  requeft,  that  not  a  man  of 
them  would  join  the  King's  troops,  under  the  command  of 
General  Shirley.  5.  Others  alfo,  from  the  Seneca,  Oneida, 
and  Cayuga  cantons,  concurred  in  the  like  reports  ;  par- 
ticularly one  Redhead,  an  Indian  of  great  fame,  and  a 
fpeaker  at  the  late  congrefs  at  Mount- Johnfon,  came  to  Of- 
wego, in  his  way  to  Ofwagatic  or  la  Gallette,  and  defired 
the  ceffation  of  all  military  defigns  ;  affirming,  that  with 
the  fam.e  requeft  he  was  going  to  the  French. 

It  was  with  difficulty,  my  Lord,  thefe  Indians  were 
reconciled  to  our  attempts,  detained  at  Ofwego,  and  there- 
by prevented  from  communicating  our  operations  to  the 
enemy.  The  general,  from  thefe  inftances,  became  more 
and  more  fufpicious,  that  the  fadion  at  New- York  were 
endeavouring  to  embarrafs  and  impede  his  meafures. 
What  farther  confirmed  his  fufpicions,  that  the  Lieut. 
Governor  of  New- York,  with  that  view,  made  Mr.  John- 
fon his  inftrument,  was  a  letter,  which,  after  his  arrival  at 
Ofwego,  he  received  from  the  latter,  wherein  he  juftified 
that  very  afperfion,  before  difavowed,  contained  in  the 
minutes  above  recounted. 

My  Lord,  we  will  now  leave  Mr.  Shirley  at  Ofwego  ; 
and  purfue  the  courfe  of  tranfactions,  as  well  at  New- York, 
as  in  the  fouthern  colonies,  Dunbar, 


loo  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

Dunbar,  having  reached  Fort  Cumberland,  difpatched 
an  Indian  exprefs  to  General  Shirley,  with  an  account  of 
the  defeat,  and  the  neceflary  returns  refpefting  the  troops 
under  his  command  ;  acquainting  him,  moreover,  with  his 
intention  of  marching  to  Philadelphia,  and  his  hopes  of 
meeting  his  orders  at  Shippenfburgh.  About  the  fame 
time,  Mr.  Dinwiddle  wrote  to  Dunbar,  propoling  a  fecond 
attempt  on  Fort  Du  Quefne.  But  a  council  being  there- 
upon held,  the  members  of  which  were  Col.  Dunbar,  Lieut. 
Col.  Gage,  Governor  Sharpe,  Major  Chapman,  Major 
Sparke,  and  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  it  was  unanimoufly  con- 
ceived, that  Mr.  Dinwiddle's  fcheme  was  impradicable. 
The  very  next  day,  being  the  fecond  of  Auguft,  Dunbar 
began  his  march  towards  Philadelphia,  with  1600  men,  4 
fix  pounders,  and  as  many  cohorns  ;  leaving  behind  him 
the  Virginia  and  Maryland  companies,  and  about  400 
wounded.  At  this  fudden  departure  of  the  forces,  the  Vir- 
ginians were  extremely  difobliged,  as  not  only  expoiing 
their  frontiers,  and  occafioning  the  daily  defertion  of  their 
provincials  ;  but  becaufe  the  enemy,  in  flying  parties,  pen- 
etrated  into  the  province,  and  on  many  of  the  inhabitants 
committed  robberies  and  murder.  What  judgment  ought 
to  be  formed  of  this  retreat,  I  leave  your  Lordfliip  to  de- 
termine. Certainly  thofe  fouthern  colonies  ought  to  have 
ftrengthened  General  Braddock  with  a  large  body  of  pro- 
vincial forces,  which  had  doubtlefs  prevented  all  this  efFu- 
fion  of  blood  and  treafure,  the  fatal  confequence  of  their 
ill-judged  parfimohy.  Upon  the  advices  received  from 
Dunbar,  Mr.  Shirley  gave  orders  for  renewing  the  attempt^ 
if  the  fouthern  colonies  would  readily  afford  him  a  compe- 
tent reinforcement. 

.  Governor  Morris  having  convened  the  Pennfylvania  aff 
fembly,  informed  them  of  the  retreat  of  our  army,  and  in 
a  well-drawn,  pathetic  fpeech,  preffed  them  to  the  moft , 
vigorous  meafures  for  the  defence  of  their  borders.  They 
proceeded  fo  far  as  to  vote  for  raifmg  505000I.  ;  but  offer- 
ing a  bill  for  taxing  the  proprietary-eftate,  an  immediate 
rupture  enfued,  of  which  your  Lordfiiip  is  long  lince  ac- 
quainted, by  the  ample  accounts  in  fundry  late  pamphlets 
on  that  and  fimilar  liibjecls.  As  to  Virginia,  now  equally 
open  to  the  irruptions  of  the  enemy,  four  companies  of 

ranger^ 


in  North-America,  from  ^7 S3  ^<^  ^75^'  loi 

tangers  were  ordered  out,  and  the  affembly  voted  40,000!. 
for  furnifhing  a  thoufand  men  for  the  frontier  defence. 
About  the  fame  time,  met  the  council  and  affembly  of 
New-Jerfey,  and  the  latter  voted  305O00I.  for  the  public 
fervice  :  but  as  the  houfe  propofed  to  prolong  the  curren- 
cy of  the  bills  for  nine  years,  to  which  Mr.  Belcher,  who 
never  fwerves  from  his  inftrudions,  not  being  able  to  af- 
fent,  15,0001.  only  was  raifed,  and  its  ufe  reftrifted  to  keep- 
ing on  foot  her  regiment  at  Ofwego,  commanded  by  Col. 
Schuyler.  At  New- York,  the  houfe  of  reprefentatives  af- 
fembled  on  the  5th  of  Auguft,  and  fet  out  with  a  generous 
fpirit.  Agreeable  to  the  requeft  of  the  Maffachufetts-Bay 
government,  always  foremoft  in  military  affairs,  they  re- 
folved  to  reinforce  the  provincial  army,  deftined  for 
Crown-Point,  with  400  men.  The  bill  was  aftually  paffed 
the  houfe  for  that  purpofe  ;  and  the  council  had  determin- 
ed to  conceal  from  their  knowledge,  the  contents  of  a  fe- 
cond  letter  from  Gen.  Shirley  to  Col.  Dunbar,  of  the  7th 
of  Auguft,  in  which  he  ordered  him  to  proceed  with  his 
troops  to  Albany,  for  the  protection  of  that  important 
poft,  in  cafe  the  colony  forces  fhould  meet  with  a  repulfe. 
By  this  bill,  the  affembly  propofed  to  inveft  the  refpedive 
captains  of  the  city  militia  with  an  arbitrary  power  to 
draught  men  for  the  fervice.  The  defign  of  this  extraor- 
dinary projed  was  fufpecled  to  ferve  a  particular  purpofe^ 
on  a  new  eledion  of  reprefentatives,  which,  according  to 
cuftom,  it  was  thought  would  immediately  enfue  the  arri- 
val of  Sir  Charles  Hardy,  who  was  foon  expeded  with  a, 
commiffion  for  the  chief  command  of  this  province.  It 
certainly  was  a  favourite  bill  ;  for,  contrary  to  precedent, 
the  Heut.  governor  came  to  the  council  board,*  and  preffed 
them  to  pafs  it  :  but  when  he  perceived  an  amendment 
preparing  for  a  ballot  of  the  recruits  in  New- York,  as  well 
as  in  the  other  counties,  he  immediately  laid  the  general's 
letter  to  Dunbar  before  the  houfe  ;  in  confequencc  of 
which,  the  defign  of  a  reinforcement  inftantly  dropped^ 
and  the  affembly  adjourned  the  next  day. 

After 

*  Before  the  adminiftration  of  Governor  Cofby,  it  was  cuftomary  for 
'the  governors  to  be  prefent  in  the  council,  even  when  fitting  in  their  le- 
giflative  capacity.  But  fmce  that  period,  they  have  not  openly  inter- 
■pofed  in  the  confultations  of  that  branch  of  the  legiflature. 


102  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

After  what  I  have  already  recounted,  your  Lordfhip  will 
not,  I  prefume,  be  at  all  iurprifed  to  find  Mr.  De  Lancey 
leaving  no  device  untried  to  maintain  the  fole  direction  of 
the  ail'embly.  He  knew  that  on  his  intereft  with  the  re- 
prefentatives  depended  his  credit  with  the  miniftry  ;  and 
that  with  the  expiration  of  his  power,  to  carry  certain 
points  of  prerogative,  would  alfo  expire  their  opinion  of  his 
importance.  His  agents  in  England,  to  fupport  their 
patron,  had  hitherto  amufed  a  certain  noble  Lord  with 
many  fpecious  promifes.  They  had  reprefented  his  capaci- 
ty, to  lerve  the  Crown,  in  very  magnificent  terms  ;  nor 
forgot  his  readinefs  to  procure,  whenever  an  opportunity 
prefented,  the  obedience  of  the  houfe  to  fome  favourite 
inftrudions.  Hence  it  is  evident,  that  the  lofs  of  his  af- 
cendancy,  over  that  branch  of  the  legiflature,  muft  natural- 
ly terminate  in  the  extinction  of  his  grandeur  derived 
from  the  Crown. 

While  he  held  the  reins  of  government,  alTumed  on  Sir 
Danvers  Olborn's  deceafe,  the  miniftry  had  none  to  infpeft 
his  conducl,  or  trace  him  through  the  mazy  labyrinth  of 
Iiis  politics.  From  himfelf  came  all  their  intelligence,  and 
hence  undoubtedly  none  in  his  own  disfavour.  During 
thefe  golden  days  of  fecurity  and  repofe,  he  refigned  him- 
felf to  pleafure,  and  indulged  his  natural  difpofition  to 
voluptuoufnefs  and  eafe.  The  province,  the  mean  while, 
was  principally  governed  by  his  fecretary  ;  who,  like  a  fe- 
cond  Atlas,  bore  the  chief  burden  of  the  ftate.  Thus  neg- 
ligent of  his  politics,  his  popularity  began  to  fufFer  a  man- 
ifeft  declenfion.  It  was,  moreover,  notably  abridged  by 
his  palling  the  charter  before-mentioned,  repugnant,  by 
his  own  confefiion,  to  the  dictates  of  his  judgment.  By 
this  fliep  he  incurred  fuch  general  umbrage,  that  the  very 
members  of  the  affembly  could  not  be  wrought  upon  to 
confirm  it.  Nay,  fo  difguftful  to  the  people  was  this  char- 
ter, that  a  majority  of  the  moft  reputable  inhabitants  uni- 
ted againft  it  in  a  petition  to  the  houfe.  Civil  liberty, 
and,  by  fome,  even  the  rights  of  confcience  were  imagined 
to  be  in  danger  ;  and  tlie  oppofition  being,  as  it  were,  pro 
arts  lEf  focis,  was  extremely  animated.  The  Lieutenant- 
Governor  became  now  apprehenfive  of  the  confequence. 
He  ftood  upon  the  point  of  refigning  his  command  to  a 

fuccelTor 


in  North' America,  fro?n  1753  /o  1756.  103 

fucceffor  hourly  expeded  ;  and,  without  regaining  his  feat 
as  chief  juftice,  his  popularity  appeared  defcending  from 
its  meridian  ;  nor,  in  cafe  of  a  diffolution,  was  he  infenfi- 
ble  his  authority  with  the  houfe  muft  fuffer  a  total  eclipfe. 
Your  Lordlhip  cannot  therefore  but  obferve,  of  what  mo- 
ment it  was  to  fecure  the  friendfliip  of  the  next  governor. 
Permit  me  to  mention  the  arts,  whereby  it  was  accom- 
piifhed. 

Sir  Charles  Hardy  arrived  in  our  harbour  on  the  2d  of 
September,  1755.  The  council  immediately  convened 
themfelves  for  his  reception.  In  the  midft  of  their  con- 
fultations,  Mr.  Oliver  De  Lancey,  without  leave  of  the 
board,  bolts  into  the  chamber,  and  modeftly  interpofes  his 
advice,  to  fend  a  meffage  to  Sir  Charles,  requefting  his 
continuance  in  the  fliip  till  the  next  morning.  The  reafon 
alligned  was,  to  gain  time  for  drawing  out  the  miUtia,  to 
receive  his  Excellency,  at  landing,  with  the  formality  and 
honour  due  to  his  rank.  But  the  true  fecret  was,  to  gain 
an  opportunity  for  the  Lieutenant-Governor,  and  a  feled: 
junto,  to  pafs  the  evening  with  him,  in  order  to  conciHate 
his  graces,  and  give  him  early  impreflions  in  favour  of 
their  party.  The  next  day,  the  Governor  publifhed  his 
commiflion  ;  and  was,  by  Mr.  De  Lancey,  invited  to  a 
public  entertainment.  In  the  evening,  they  conduded 
him  to  the  common,  to  hear  the  acclamations  of  the  peo- 
ple ;  and,  on  every  occafion,  followed  him  with  fervile 
court  and  adulation.  To  imprefs  a  high  fenfe  of  his  pre- 
deceffor's  popularity,  they  fpared  no  pains.  For  this  pur- 
pofe  alfo  they  intrigued  with  the  afiembly,  and  city  cor- 
poration, two  eledive  bodies,  and  thence  under  his  influ- 
ence. Of  the  latter,  Mr.  Oliver  De  Lancey,  as  alderman, 
was  a  member  ;  and,  with  true  fraternal  affection,  ftimu- 
lated  the  board  to  infer t  in  their  addrefs  a  compliment  to 
his  brother.  A  modeft  motion,  my  Lord  !  and  fo  vehe- 
mently urged,  that  it  was  carried,  though  not  without 
fome  oppofition.  The  burden  of  that  momentous  paflage, 
without  which  the  whole  had  been  jejeune  and  infipid, 
was  difcharged  in  thefe  terms  :  "  We  have  the  greateji  rea- 
'-'■  fon  to  expe6l  the  continuation  of  that  wife  and  happy  adminif 
"  tration,  we  have  been  blefi  with  fome  time  pafl.**  Still 
greater  was  Mr.  De  Lancey's  intereft  in  the  affembly,  as  I 

have 


lo4  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

have  already  had  the  honour  to  acquaint  your  Lordlhip, 
But  one  gentleman  in  that  houfe  oppofed  the  flattery  of 
their  addrefs.  He  is  a  man  of  an  affluent,  independent 
fortune  ;  a  bold,  unfhackled  fpirit,  and  of  ftrong  natural 
parts.  The  addrefs  was  calculated  to  fecure  De  Lancey's 
power  both  with  governor  and  people  :  the  former,  by 
difplaying  to  Sir  Charles  his  formidable  intereft  in  that 
houfe  :  the  latter,  by  preventing  a  diflblution  ;  than 
which  nothing  was  the  object  of  greater  dread.  "  //  has^ 
*'  «S/>,  (thefe  are  the  expreflions)  been  iifual  in  this  colony^  at 
"  the  acceffion  of  a  new  governor^  to  give  the  people  an  opportu- 
"  7iity  of  a  new  election  of  reprefentatives.  If  your  Excelle7icy 
"  conceives,  that  fuch  a  meafure,  in  the  prefent  Jiate  of  affairs ^^ 
"  will  he  confifient  with  his  Majejiy^s  fervice,  and  the  fecurity 
"  of  this  his  loyal  colony,  it  will  be  agreeable  to  us,  and  to  the 
"  people  we  have  the  honour  to  reprefent. 

"  The  importance  of  the  bufmefs  under  our  conftderaiion,  and  \ 
*'  the  difpatch  7ieceffary  to  accomplifl)  it,  will  plead  our  excufe  to  \ 
*'  your  Excellency  for  not  being  earlier  in  this  addrefs. 

"  And  here.  Sir,  we  ffoould  have  ended,  were  we  not  in  juf-  \ 
*'  tice  bound  to  pay  fome  acknowledgment  to  the  adminifiration  \ 
"  of  your  Excellency's  prcdeceffor,   the   Lieutenant-Governor  ; 
"  tvhofe  upright  intentions,  as  far  as  we  had  opportunities  of  dif- 
"  covering  the?n,  ever  tended  to  his  Majejlfs  honour  and  fer- 
^'  vice,  and  the  welfare  and  profperity  of  this  colony J^ 

Mr.  De  Lancey  is  one  of  the  moft  fortunate  of  men. 
While  the  people  impatiently  expected  a  dilToIution,  an 
exprefs  arrived.  On  the  1 2th  of  September,  with  a  confuf- 
ed,  but  alarming  account  of  an  action  at  Lake  George. 
This  rendered  it  neceffary  for  Sir  Charles  Hardy  immedi- 
ately to  proceed  to  Albany.  Thither  the  Lieut.  Governor 
accompanied  him,  and  had  thereby  a  fair  opportunity  to 
engrofs  and  cajole  him.  I  fliall  fufpend  the  rdation  of  his 
fuccefs,  -till  I  have  laid  before  your  Lordlhip  the  progrefs 
of  the  provincial  army,  and  their  repulfe  of  the  French. 

Major-General  Lyman,  being  advanced  with  the  troops 
to  the  Carrying-Place,  about  fixty  miles  from  Albany,  was 
waiting  the  arrival  of  General  Johnfon,  who  fet  out  from 
thence  on  the  8th  of  Auguft,  with  the  train  of  artillery. 
Lyman  had  begun  a  fort  at  the  landing,  on  the  eaft  fide  of 
Hudfon's  River,  now  called  Fort  Edward.  About  the  lat- 
ter 


in  North-America,  from  1753  to  1756.  105 

ter  end  of  the  month,  General  Johnfon,  with  the  main 
body,  moved  forward  fourteen  miles  more  northerly,  and 
pitched  his  camp  at  the  fouth  end  of  Lake  George,  before 
called  St.  Sacrament.  By  fome  Indians,  who  had  been 
fent  out  as  fcouts,  he  received  the  following  advices :  That 
they  had  difcovered  a  party  of  French  and  Indians  at  Ti- 
conderoga,  fituate  on  the  ifthmus  between  the  north  end 
of  Lake  George  and  the  fouthern  part  of  Lake  Champlam, 
fifteen  miles  on  this  fide  Crown-Point ;  but  that  no  works 
were  there  thrown  up.  To  have  fecured  this  pafs,  which 
commanded  the  route  to  Crown-Point  through  the  Lake, 
had  been  a  meafure  extremely  advifable.  Mr.  Johnion, 
informed  of  its  importance,  on  the  ift  of  September, 
wrote  to  General  Shirley,  that  he  was  impatient  to  get  up 
his  batteaux  ;  propofmg  then  to  proceed  with  part  of  the 
troops,  and  feize  upon  that  pafs.  The  French,  however, 
took  advantage  of  the  delay,  and  cut  out  work  eiiougli 
for  him  at  his  own  camp.  ,       ,      r    • 

Of  the  troops  v/hich  failed  from  Breft  in  the  fpring, 
amounting  to  about  3000,  your  Lordiliip  knows,  eignt 
companies  were  taken  with  the  Lys  and  Alcide  men_  ot 
war,  who  fell  in  with  our  fleet  commanded  by  Aamiral 
Bofcawen.  One  thoufand  were  landed  at  Louilburgh, 
and  the  refidue  arrived  at  Quebec,  with  Monf.  de  Vaud- 
reuil,  ffovernor-general  of  Canada,  and  Baron  Dieflcau, 
commander  of  the  forces.  The  French  court  well  ap- 
prifed  of  the  Angular  confequence  of  Ofwego,  had  deter- 
mined to  reduce  it.  Such  being  the  Baron's  mftruc^ions, 
he  immediately  proceeded  to  Montreal  ;  from  whence  he 
detached  700  of  his  troops  up  the  river,  intendmg  hmiieit 
fpeedily  to  join  them  with  the  remainder.  Juft  before  he 
had  made  the  neceflary  preparations,  Montreal  was  alarm- 
ed  with  the  news  of  our  forming  a  numerous  arm.y  near 
Lake  St.  Sacrament,  for  the  reduftion  of  Fort  FredencK, 
and  perhaps  to  penetrate  into  the  heart  of  Canada.  Vs'  liere- 
upon  a  errand  council  being  held,  the  Baron  was  impor- 
tuned to  proceed  through  Lake  Champlain,for  the  dcence 
of  that  fortrefs  ;  nor  was  he,  without  great  dilnculty  pie- 
vailed  upon  to  alter  his  intended  route. 

Diefkau,  having  in  vain  waited  the  comiDg  up  of  our 

armv,  at  length  refolved  himfelf  to  advance  towards  them  ; 

'         P         rn/.vH.l  ^^-^' 


106  Rcvkxv  of  ihc  military  Opcraiians 

and,  if  he  proved  vidorious,  to  dcfolate  our  northern  fet- 
tlement,  hiy  the  towns  of  Albany  and  Scheneclady  in  aflieSj 
and  cut  off  all  communication  with  Ofwego.  A  dreadful 
refolution,  my  Lord  !  And  had  he  fucceeded — I  tremble 
at  the  thought — had  he  fucceeded — ^but  the  SupremiC  Dif- 
pofer  of  events  had  not  yet  devoted  us  to  ruin  ;  and  tjiere- 
fore,  like  the  counfels  of  Achitophel,  blafted  the  fanguinary 
purpofe. 

For  the  execution  of  this  defign,  he  embarked  at  Fort 
St.  Frederick. with  2000  men  in  batteaux,  and  landed-  at 
th^South  Bay.*  Of  this  movement.  Gen.  Johnfon  had 
not  the  reaH  intimatioHj  till  his  fcouts  difcovered  their  aft- 
ual  departure  from  the  ^">outh  Bay  towards  Fort  Edward. 
3y  an  Englifli  prifoner  tlie  baron  Vv-as  told  that  the  Fort 
wa-,  dcfenceleft,  and  our  camp  at  the  I/ake.when  he  left  it 
a  few  days  before,  without  hues,  and  dellitute  of  cannon. 
Having  approached  within  two  miles  of  Fort  Edward,  he 
opened  his  deiign  to  his  troops,  confifting  of  600  militia, 
as  many  Indians,  and  200  regulars.  To  animate  his  ir- 
regulars, v/ho  feemed  dillnclined  to  the  attack  propofed,  he 
afTured  them.,  that  inevitable  muftbe  their  fuccefs  ;  "  that 
"  on  reducing  this  fort,  the  Englifli  camp  mull  neceflarily 
"  be  abandoned,,  and  their  army  difperfe  in  great  diforder  ; 
"  that  this  would  enable  them  to  fubdue  Albany  ;  and  by 
"  ftarving  the  garrifon  of  Ofwego,  fuperadd  to  their  con- 
"  queft  the  abfolute  dominion  of  Ontario."  With  what- 
ever intrepidity  this  harangue  infpired  his  European  troops, 
the  Canadians  and  favages,  fearful  of  our  cannon,  were  ut- 
terly averfe  to  the  fcheme  ;  but  declared  their  willingnefs 
to  furprife  our  camp,  where  they  expected  nothing  beyond 
mufquetry.f  Thus  difappointed  in  his  principal  defign,  he 
changed  his  route,  and  began  to  move  againfc  the  main  body 
at  the  Lake.  Gen.  Johnfon,  on  the  information  of  his 
fcouts,  had  difpatched  feparate  meffengers  to  Fort  Edv/ard, 
Vv'ith  advice  of  the  enemy's  approach  towards  that  garrifon  ; 
of  w^hich  one  w^as  unfortunately  intercepted  ;  the  reft,  who 
got  back,  reported,  that  they  had  defcried  the  enemy, about 
four  miles  to  the  northward  of  the  fort.  Inftead  of  any  at- 
tempt 

*  About  16  miles  from  the  Englifli  encampment, 
t  Our  artillery  was  got  up  to  the  camp  from  Fort  Edward,  but  a  day 
or  two  before  the  aflion,  of  which  the  French  had  no  intelligence. 


in  North-America,  from   1753  to  1756.  107 

tempt' to  difcover  the  ftrcngth  of  the  guard  left  with  their 
batteaux  at  the  South  Bay,  which  might  eafily  have  been 
cut  off,  a  council  of  war  refolvcd  the  next  morning  to  de- 
tach 1000  men,  with  fome  Indians,  to  fall  upon,  or,  as  Mr. 
Johnfon  exprefles  it  in  his  letter  to  the  feveral  governors, 
^^  to  catch  the,  enemy  in  their  retreat."  On  this  fervice 
commanded  Col.  Williams,  a  brave  onicer,  who  met  the 
baron  within  four  miles  of  our  camp. 

The  Englifn,  my  Lord,  were  encamped  on  the  banks  of 
Lake  George,  being  covered  on  either  lide  by  a  low,  thick- 
wooded  fwamp.  After  the  march  of  the  detachment,  Gen. 
Johnfon  drew  up  the  cannon,  then  at  500  yards  diilance 
from,  the  front.  Trees  were  alfo  felled,  to  foVm  fome  fort 
of  breaftwork  :  and  this  was  all  his  cover  againft  an  attack, 
having  hitherto  ftrangely  delayed  the  proper  retrenchments. 

About  an  hour  after  Williams's  departure,  a  heavy^  fire 
was  heard  ;  which  evidently  approaching.  Gen.  Johnfon 
judged  rightly,  that  our  detachment  was  retreating  ;  for 
the  French  v/ere  fuperior  in  number,  amounting  to  about 
1800.  Upon  this  he  fent  out  a  reinforcement  to  fupport 
them  ;  which  was  very  judicioully  conduded,  on  the  death 
of  Williams,  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Whiting,  a  Connedi- 
cut  oiEcer,  who  gained  much  applaufe  at  the  reduction  of 
Louiiburgh.  Gen.  Johnfon  informs  the  governors,  "  That 
"  about  half  an  hour  after  eleven,  the  enemy  appeared  in  fight,  and 
"  inarched  along  the  road  in  very  regular  order,  diredly  upon  our 
"  center  :  That  they  7nade  a  f mall  halt,  about  \^o  yards  from  the 
"  breafi-work,  lahen  the  regular  troops  made  the  grand  and  center 
"  attack  ;  while  the  Canadians  and  Indians  fquatted  and  difperf- 
"  ed  on  our  flanks.'*  This  halt  was  the  Baron's  capital  er- 
ror ;  for,  amidil  the  conftcrnation  of  the  camp,  h"d  he 
clofely  followed  up  the  detachment,  he  had  eafily  forced 
their  lines,  and  gained  a  complete  victory.  But  by  con- 
tinuing for  fome  time  a  platoon  fire,  w^ith  little  execution 
at  that  diftance,  our  men  recovered  their  fpirits.  As  foon 
as  the  artillery  began  to  play,  Dielkau  and  his  regulars 
found  themfelves  totally  deferted  by  the  militia  and  fava- 
ges,  who  all  lliulked  into  the  Iwamps,  took  to  trees,  and 
maintained  a  fcattered  fire  upon  our  flanks,  for  fome  time, 
with  variable  and  intermitting  brifknefs.  Having  now  no 
command  of  any  part  of  his  army,  except  his  handful  of 

regulars. 


io8  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

regulars,  the  Baron  thought  proper  to  retire  ;  which  he 
did  in  very  great  diforder.  A  party  from  the  camp  fol- 
lowed him,  fell  upon  his  rear,  difperfed  the  remaining  fol- 
diers  about  him,  and  being  himfelf  wounded  in  the  le^, 
was  found  refting  on  a  ftump,  utterly  abandoned  and  defti- 
tute  of  fuccour.  Feeling  for  his  watch,  to  furrender  it, 
one  of  our  men,  fufpeding  him  in  fearch  of  a  piftol,  pour- 
ed a  charge  through  his  hips  ;  of  which  wound  he  is  not 
yet  recovered.  Upon  his  retreat,  the  militia  and  Indians 
retired  in  fmall  parties  :  and  as  the  Englifh  neglecled  to 
continue  the  purfuit,  they  halted  about  four  miles  from 
the  camp,  at  the  very  place  where  the  engagement  happen- 
ed in  the  morning.  Opening  their  packs  for  refrelhment, 
they  here  entered  into  confultation,  refpefting  a  fecond  at- 
tack. Why  the  enemy  was  not  purfued,  when  their  re- 
treat became  general,  no  tolerable  reafon  has  ever  yet  been 
affigned  ;  and  Mr.  Johnfon,  in  his  letter,  feems  very  artful- 
ly to  evade  it.  Nothing,  however,  could  be  more  fortu- 
nate than  the  gallant  behaviour  of  a  party,  confifting  of 
about  200,  led  by  Capt.  M'Ginnes,  who  had  been  detached 
from  Fort  Edward,  to  the  affiftance  of  the  main  body. 
They  fell  upon  the  French  in  the  evening,  put  an  end  to 
their  confultations,  and  gave  them  a  total  overthrow. 
M'Ginnes  died  of  the  wounds  he  received  in  this  rencoun- 
ter, having  fignalized  himfelf  by  a  fpirit  and  conduct  that 
would  have  done  honour  to  a  more  experienced  officer. 

Mr.  Wraxall,  in  his  letter  to  the  Lieut.  Governor  of 
New- York,  told  him,  he  ftood  fo  near  Gen.  Johnfon,  when 
the  latter  received  his  wound,  that  "  he  thought  he  faw 
the  ball  enter  :"  v/hich  curious  piece  of  intelligence  was 
obliterated  before  its  publication.  I  only  mention  this  cir- 
cumftance  to  convince  your  Lordfliip,  that  the  mod  intre- 
pid foldier  hath  not  always  the  fame  prefence  of  mi  rid. 

If  the  dulk  of  the  evening  v/as  too  far  advanced,  before 
the  repulfe  at  the  Lake,  for  an  immediate  purfuit,  (which 
by  the  way  could  not  be  the  caie,  fmce  M'Ginnes's  encoun- 
ter was  fubfequent)  yet  the  negleft  of  it  the  next  day  ad:^ 
mits  of  no  colourable  apology.  Mr.  Lyman  urged  it  with 
great  warmth  ;  but  the  General,  with  moft  of  the  field  of- 
ficers, are  accufed  of  an  equal  diiinclination.  Mr.  Johnfon, 
to  judge  by  his  letter,  feemed  well  fatisiied  with  his  efcapt, 

and 


in  North-America,  from  ly Sj  ^o  lys'^-  ^^9 

and  determined  with  this  adion  to  clofe  the  prefent  cam- 
paign. It  was  probably  to  avoid  the  profecution  of  the 
expedition,  that  he  tranimitted  no  account  of  the  battle  to 
General  Shirley  ;  contenting  himfelf  with  requefting  Lieut. 
Governor  Phipps  to  fend  a  copy  of  his  letter  from  Bofton, 
though  his  own  fituation  was  200  miles  nearer  to  Ofwego. 
The  gentleman  at  Albany,  to  whom  his  difpatches  were 
entruiled,  fufpec1:iRg  their  contents,  and  conceiving  their 
communication  to  the  General  abfolutely  ncceflary  for  his 
Majefty's  fervice,  broke  open  the  letter  to  Governor  Phipps, 
and  fent  an  exprefs  with  a  copy  to  Ofwego. 

The  Indians,  during  the  whole  of  the  engagement,  fomc 
of  the  Mohawks  only  excepted,  retired  from  the  camp, 
waiting  the  event  of  the  coniiid  at  a  convenient  diftance. 
Nor  indeed  was  their  affiftance  expected,  by  thofe  who 
knew  their  boafted  fidelity  was  a  mere  delufion,  and  Mr, 
Johnfon's  fo  much  magnified  influence,  what  it  has  fince 
appeared  to  all  men,  the  grofleft  impofture.     They  even 
declared  before  their  march,  they  intended  not  to  engage, 
but  to  be  witnefles  of  the  gallantry  of  our  troops.     And 
liad  Diefkau  won  the  day,  equally  ready  had  they  been  to 
fcalp  their  brethren  the  Englilh,  as  now  they  appeared  to 
exercife  their  brutal  dexterity  on  the  French.     Moreover, 
they  came  in  a  body  to  Albany,  immediately  after  the  bat-^ 
tie,  on  pretence  of  celebrating  the  fucccfs  of  our  arms,  and 
to  condole  with  the  widows  of  thofe  who  fell  in  the  action. 
This,  fays  one  of  Mr.  Johnfon's  encomiafts,  is  their  cuf- 
tom  ;    fubjoining  prophetically,  that  they  were  in  a  fort- 
night after  their  departure  to  return  to  the  camp.     The 
favages,  my  Lord,  obferve  no  fuch  cuftom,  fave  on  the 
conclufion   of  an  enterprife  ;    whereas  this  was  fcarcely 
commenced  :    and  as  to  their  return,  it  is  notorious  they 
never  did.     Befides,  had  the  General  the  real  intereft  pre.. 
tended,  would  he  not,  for  once,  have  induced  them  to  poft^. 
pone  their  triumphant  feftivity,  and  untimely  condolence, 
when  their  prefence  at  the  camp,  would  they  really  fight, 
was  of  indifpennble  nccefiity  ;   and  himfelf  in  expecTiation 
of  a  fecond  attack  ;  nor,  by  the  ftrain  of  his  letter,  exempt 
from  a  little  perturbation  of  mind  ? 

To  render  the  luftre  of  this  gentleman's  characTier  ftill 
more  reiulsccnt,  bv  preventing  any  one's  iharing  with  him 

the 


no 


Review  of  the  miliiary  Operations 


the  glory  of  the  day,  a  junto  combined  at  the  camp,  and 
framed  a  letter*,  impeaching  Mr.  Lyman,  the  fecond  in 
command,  of  daftardly  carriage,  which  they  procured  one 
Cole,  a  fellow  of  no  reputation,  to  fign,  and  convey  to  the 
prefs.  _  A  notable  inftance  of  the  amazing  latitude  to  which 
an  invidious  fpirit  is  capable  of  proceeding  :  fo  true  is  the 
poet's  obfervation. 


-Men  that  make 


Envy  and  crooked  malice  nouriihment, 
Dare  bite  the  beft.-™-  Shakefp, 

For,  in  reahty,  no  man,  my  Lord,  behaved  with  more 
magnammity,  than  the  unfortunate  objecl  of  their  jealoufy  : 
and  from  his  fuperior  merit  aftually  arofe  their  malignity,  as 
he  thence  rivalled  their  deified  idoL  The  reafon  why  this 
mucii  injured  officer  deferred  his  vindication,  was  not  only 
th^  difgraceful  name  of  his  calumniator,  but  becaufe  he 
expected  that  juftice  from  the  public  ;  who,  accordiro-W 
m  teilimony  of  his  merit,  vefted  him,  the  next  campai^^ri. 
With  the  fame  important  poft.  But  numbers  of  witnelfes, 
eye  witnelfes,  utterly  impartial,  and  not  belonginp-  to  the 
camp  are  ready  to  depofe,  that  by  them  he  was  fe?n  fioht- 
mg  like  a  hon,  and  expofing  his  life  in  the  hotteft  of ''the 
battle  ;  not  to  mention  a  gentleman f  of  undoubted  vera- 
city to  whom  Gen.  Johnfon,  two  davs  after  the  aftion, 
frankly  acknowledged,  in  his  tent,  that  to  Lyman  was 
chiefly  to  be  afcribed  the  honour  of  the  viftory. 

I  fliall  now,  my  Lord,  take  the  liberty  to  make  a  few 
remarks  on  Mr.  Johnfon's  letter  to  the  o'overnors  ;  and  ex- 
amine the  reafons  affigned  againft  purfmng  his  advanta-e 
as  well  as  thofe  alleged  for  not  profecuting  the  expedi' 
tion.  1  he  repulfe  of  the  French  delivered  us  from  fuch  un- 
speakable calamity,  naturally  to  be  apprehended  from  the 
eiiemy  s  facceft,  that  we  have  infinite  reafon  to  thank  the 
e-oD  OF  Armies,  for  thus  remarkably  refcuing  us  from  the 
jaws  of  perdition.  Nor  ought  we  to  mention  either  our 
Oihcers  or  men,  who  generally  behaved  as  well  as  could  be 
expected,  without  a  Citable  tribute  of  gratitude.  But 
, ,  the 

Mmds  that  will  mount  into  fuperior  fta'-e, 

Climb  iDifchief's  ladder. Richards^s  Mcffalh:a. 

1  Col,  John  Ren/Telaer,  of  Albany. 


in  North-America,  from  1753  to  1756. 


I  i  I 


the  General's  own  letter  will  enable  me  to  convince  your 
Lordfliip,  that  the  magnificent  trophies,  erecled  to  his 
fame,  Iprung  wholly  from  the  New- York  cabal  ;  whofe 
fervices,  when  encircled  with  his  laurels,  he  was  ever  after 
to  acknowleds:e  and  retaliate 

o 

■ — fana  redemitus  tempora  lauro 

— veterem  Anchifem  agnofcit  amicum. 

By  this  letter  he  appears  fo  confcious  of  deferving-  repre- 
henfion,  rather  than  applaufe,  that  the  latter  part  of  his 
epiftle  is  apparently  calculated  to  divert  all  inquiry  into 
the  true  reafon  of  his  not  purfuing  the  enemy,  and  break- 
ing  up  the  campaign,  without  paying  a  vifit  to  Crown- 
Point.  "  Our  men  (fays  he)  ha^e  Jujf'ered  Jo  much  fatigue 
'•^  for  three  days  paji,  and  are  conjiaiitly  Jianding  upon  their 
"  arms  by  day,  ha f  the  la^hole  upon  guard  by  night-^-^iid  the  rejl 
*'  lie  down  armed  and  accoutred,  that  both  officers  and  men  are 
"  ahnoft  worn  out."  I  cannot  help  thinking,  that  had  the 
General  begun  his  breaft-work  more  feafonably,  and  not 
vv-aited  for  intelligence  of  the  enemy's  advancing,  before 
he  ordered  up  his  cannon,  his  men  had  been  lefs  fatigued 
by  this  redoubtable  acl:ion.  But  left  the  world  fliould  re- 
main in  the  dark  about  the  real  grounds  of  his  apprehen- 
lion,  he  proceeds  :  "  The  ene?ny  may  rally  ;  and  we  judge 
"  they  have  confiderable  reinforcements  near  at  hand.''''  I  quef- 
tion,  my  Lord,  whether  the  whole  circle  of  hiftory  affords 
a  iingle  inftance  of  an  army's  rallying,  after  the  daughter 
of  1000  men  (his  own  computation)  out  of  about  1800,  the 
whole  force  of  the  enemy.  And  whence  he  conjectured 
they  had  any  reinforcements  fo  near  at  hand,  as  not  to  be 
able  to  join  their  routed  detachment,  ftili  remains  one  of 
thofe  arcana  of  ftate,  which,  by  common  underftandings, 
is  not  to  be  fathomed  :  or,  if  the  French  confifted  of  200 
grenadiers,  800  Canadians,  and  700  Indians,  (the  Baron's 
account  to  the  General)  fo  great  a  flaughter,  as  is  pretend- 
ed by  the  letter,  Vv^ith  the  lofs  of  the  greateft  part  of  the 
principal  officers,  and  Monf  St.  Pierre,  who  had  the  chief 
command  and  influence  over  the  Indians,  muft  have  re- 
duced them  to  lefs  than  800.  From  thefe,  one  would 
have  imagined,  there  was  no  danger  of  a  fecond  attack. 
Far  more  probable  was  it,  that  for  fo  momentous  an  en- 

terprifcj 


1 1 2  Reviczv  of  the  military  Operations 

terprife,  as  the  reduction  of  the  forts  before-mentioned, 
the  French  had  muftered  all  the  forces  they  could  fpare 
from  Crown-Foint  and  Ticonderoga,  where  many  of  the 
regular  troops  were  pofted  ;  efpecially,  as  they  went  un- 
furnifhed  with  cannon.  Add  to  this,  that  our  army  was 
now  flufhed  with  viftory  ;  the  enemy,  on  the  contrary, 
difconcerted  ;  and,  according  to  his  account,  moft  of  their 
principal  officers,  and  many  of  their  men,  flain  ;  the  In- 
dians too,  by  the  death  of  St.  Pierre,  probably  were  vering 
and  diffipated.  This,  if  fuch  were  the  facts,  was  a  glori- 
ous opportunity  to  difpoffefs  them  of  Ticonderoga.  But 
the  longer  they  were  fuffered  to  fortify,  the  more  ardu> 
the  talk  to  diflodge  them,  and  the  greater  the  lofs  of  ; 
prefent  advantage,  refuiting  from  their  defeat  and  our 
fuccefs.  Befides,  was  there  any  probability  of  their  re- 
turn the  next  day,  to  re-aflault  the  camp  with  mufquetrys 
when  the  elFeds  of  our  cannon  (admitting  them  to  have 
done  the  pretended  execution*)  were  ftiil  fo  recent  in 
their  memories  ;  and  to  the  Indians,  even  the  firll  time  fg 
vifibly  tremendous  ?  But  the  cautious  general  fubjoins  : 
"  We  do  not  think  it  either  prudent  or  fafe  to  he  fending  out 
"  parties  in  Jearch  of  the  dead:'  I  agree,  it  had  been  more 
for  his  Majefty's  fervice  to  have  diipatched  them  in  pur- 
fuit  of  the  living.  After  a  Iliort  paragraph  concerning  the 
wounded,  his  panic  returns  :  "  /  think  we  may  expe^i^  ^^ery 
^'  fhortly^  a  more  formidable  attack."  More  formidable  than 
what  ?  Why,  than  that  of  their  regulars  firing  at  a  dif- 
tance,  and  the  Canadians  and  Indians  running  away  : 
*"  and  that  the  enemy  will  then  come  with  artillery.^'  I  won- 
der whether  this  gentleman  expected  to  reduce  Crown- 
Point  without  being  expofed  to  the  French  artillery  ?  But 
whence  this  furmife  of  a  more  formidable  attack,  he  thinks 
not  proper  to  communicate.  It  was  well  known,  the 
whole  force  fent  from  France  amounted  to  about  3000  : 
that  of  thefe,  Admiral  Bofcawen  took  eight  companies,  and 
1000  were  in  garrifon  at  Louiiburgh.  Admitting,  there- 
fore, that  all  the  reft  arrived  at  Quebec,  without  any  lofs, 

(a  favourable: 

*  The  cannon  were  /b  ill  ferved,  and  liighly  elevated,  that  they  did, 
beyond  all  controveiiy,  no  execution  at  all  ;  none  of  the  dead  being  ob- 
ferved  to  have  been  killed  by  cannon  llaot  :  but  amongft  the  tops  of  the 
trees,  thirty  and  fortv  feet  high,  they  made  great  and  ufelefs  havock. 


In  l>!orth-Amerka^  from  175;^  to  175^.  n^ 

(a  favourable  conceffion)  the  utmoft  amount  that  reached 
Canada  was  about  1700  ;  of  which  500  were  at  Cadaraqui ; 
fo  that,  without  any  allowance  for  thofe  killed  at  the  camp, 
or  in  the  mock  purfuit  which  enfued,  the  whole  number 
of  regulars  that  arrived  with  Dielkau,  and  could  come  a- 
gainft  him,  but  little  exceeded  1 100.  The  gentleman  pro- 
ceeds :  "  The  late  Col.  Williams  bad  the  ground  cleared  for 
"  building  ajlockaded  fort :  our  men  are  fo  haraffed,  and  obliged 
"  to  be  upon  watchfd  dtity,  that  I  think  it  would  be  both  unfea^ 
^"^  finable^  and  I  fear  in  vain,  to  fet  them  at  work  upon  the  de- 
^^Jignedfort.  I  dejign  to  order  the  New-Ha?npJlDire  regiment  up 
"  here,  to  reinforce  us  ;  and  I  hope  fame  of  the  dejigned  rein- 
^'-  for  cements  will  be  with  us  in  a  few  days.  When  thefe  frcjh 
"  troops  arrive,  ljhalV'—\  dare  fay  your  Lordfliip  expects 
at  leafl  the  demolition  of  Fort  St.  Frederick  :  nothing  like 
it — "  /  Jhall  immediately  fet  about  building  a  fort'*  Still  the 
ftrongell  fymptoms  of  terror  and  alarm  :  for,  it  is  evident 
from  this  paftage,  he  had  now  laid  afide  all  thoughts  of 
profecuting  the  expedition,  fhould  even  fuccours  arrive, 
and  in  greater  numbers  than  were  necefiary.  All  his  puif- 
fant  purpofes  terminated  now  "  in  fetting  about  building  a 
fort.''*  And  if  indeed  he  thought  Crown-Point  impregna- 
ble by  the  army  then  under  his  command,  above  4,000 
ftrong,  he  muft  necefl'arily  conclude  it  would  be  found  fo 
the  next  year,  by  double  the  number  :  and  if  then  at- 
tempted through  another  route,  his  grand  fortrefs  at  the 
end  of  the  Lake  was  abfolutely  uielefs.  Nor  would  it 
prove  any  defence  to  the  country  between  Lake  George 
and  Hudfon*s  River,  while  the  French  could  penetrate  it 
I  by  two  other  more  udial  paflages,  the  South-Bay  and 
Wood-Creek  ;  through  the  former  of  which  they  had  ac- 
tually marched  to  his  camp.  And  as  to  their  formidable 
attack  with  artillery,  w4ience  could  they  bring  it,  but  from 
Crown-Point  ?  And  if  they  learnt,  he  intended,  in  the 
prefent  campaign,  nothing  beyond  building  a  ftockaded 
fort,  that  very  intelligence  was  fufiicient  to  induce  them  to 
attack  the  camp  with  cannon  ;  againft  which,  I  am  confi- 
dent, his  fort  would  make  but  a  vei)  indiiTcrcnt  rellftancc. 
But,  in  reality,  it  was  moft  probable  they  would  exert  their 
efforts  in  ftrengthening  Crown-Point  and  liconderoga  ; 
Q         IVoL  vli.]  the 


114  Revk'iv  of  the  7niiHary  Operations 

the  reduclion  of  which,  for  not  improving  our  fuccefs  at 
the  camp,  will  coft  us  a  vaft  addition  of  blood  and  treafure. 

Thus,  my  Lord,  ended  this  expenlive  expedition  in  ered- 
ing  a  wooden  fort  ;  faulted  by  Mr.  Montrefor*  ;  and,  I 
dare  fay,  derided  by  the  enemy.  So  that  if  ever  any  man 
obtained  laurels  without  earning  them,  it  was  this  fortu- 
nate general  ;  who,  by  the  fplendid  reprefentations  of  his 
fecretary,  and  the  fovercign  decree  of  his  patron,  is  exalted 
into  an  eminent  hero.  To  the  panegyrical  pen  of  Mr. 
Wraxal,  and  the— fic  volo  fic  jubeo — of  Lieut.  Gov.  De 
Lancey,  is  to  be  afcribed  that  mighty  renown,  which  echo- 
ed through  the  colonies,  reverberated  to  Europe,  and  ele- 
vated a  raw,  inexperienced  youth  into  a  kind  of  fecond 
Marlborough. 

Fortunate  puer,  tu  nunc  eris  alter  ab  illo. 
So  capricious  is  fortune,  and  fo  fond  of  fporting  with  hu- 
man affairs.  The  emperor  Severn s,  (I  think  it  is  Herodian 
tells  the  ftory)  when  obliged  to  raife  the  fiege  of  Atras,  the 
only  attempt  in  which  he  had  ever  been  baiiled,  thought 
himfelf  conquered  becaufe  he  did  not  conquer  :  but  our 
hero,  it  feems,  is  a  conqueror  becaufe  he  was  not  conquer- 
ed. When  a  general  fmds  himfelf  attacked  in  his  camp,  a 
very  quaker,  raethinks,  would  forget  his  principles,  and 
follow,  in  fpite  of  Barclay  and  the  meeting,  the  powerful 
diftates  of  nature's  incentive  to  felf-defence.  And  did  the 
valour  of  our  warrior  carry  him  an  inch  farther  ?  Did  he 
purfue  an  enemy,  who,  by  flying,  with  the  lofs  of  about 
thirty  men,  exhibited  a  full  proof  of  a  moft  extraordinary 
pufillanimity  ?  Or,  if  his  wound  (which,  confidering  it  was 
made  by  a  ball  vifible  in  its  flight  to  his  aid-de-cam.p,  muft 
have  been  very  capacious)  rendered  his  perfonal  purfuit 
imprafticable,  were  any  orders  given  to  improve  the  for- 
tune of  the  day,  and  deftroy  a  fugitive  army  ?  Was  not, 
on  the  contrary,  the  noble  ardor  of  thofe  who  offered  to 
purfue,  by  pofitive  orders,  rcpreff:^d  ;  and  a  poltron  ad- 
verfary  fuffered  to  efcape,  whofe  recent  cowardice  promifed 
a  general  flaughter,  and  who,  in  their  prefent  panic,  had 
fallen  a  lacrifice  to  our  vidorious  arms  ? 

Thefe  are  fads  of  inconteftible  notoriety  :    and  if  your 

Lordfliip 

*  Chief  Engineer.  \ 


in  North- A?77enca^  from  1753 /<?  1756.  ^^5 

Lordflilp  demands,  whence  then  the  accounts  that  fix  or 
eight  hundred,  nay  a  thoufand,  fell  before  the  camp, 
(when,  in  reality,  the  enemy  loft  not'  above  two  hundred 
in  all  the  three  engagements,  which  is  lefs  than  our  own 
lofs)  there  is  no  other  way  of  accounting  for  thcfe  glaring 
mifreprefentations,  than  that  it  fuited  our  prefent  fyftem  of 
politics  to  have  this  action  exaggerated  and  magnified.  It 
was  neceflary  to  exalt  Johnfon,  in  order  to  deprefs  Shir- 
ley ;  and  they,  who  had  reprefented  the  expedition  againft 
Crown-Point  of  fach  prodigious  importance,  thought  it  ad- 
vifeable  to  render  every  thing  important  that  was  tranfact- 
ed  in  that  expedition.  Every  man  among  us  knew  it  to 
be  an  impofition  ;  and  yet  ran  the  rifk  of  having  his  head 
broke  for  offering  to  doubt  it.  It  was  notorious,  not 
above  thirty  of  the  enemy  were  found  flain  at  the  camp  ; 
and  that  the  reft  of  the  dead  could  neither  fly  into  the  air, 
nor  dive  into  the  earth.  Where  then  was  the  remainder  ? 
To  anticipate  the  queftion,  left  any  one  fhould  have  effron- 
tery enough  to  ftart  it,  they  were  carried  off  by  a  flying 
enemy,  who  took  to  their  heels  to  fave  their  own  lives  j 
and  yet  were  fo  anxious  about  their  dead,  as  to  carry  them 
aU  along.  Such  manifeft  contradictions  are  we  obliged  to 
believe  ! 

Nay,  to  excufe  this  favourite  General,  the  blame  of  not 
following  his  advantage,  has  been  thrown  on  Mr.  Shirley, 
and  attributed  to  his  pofitive  diredions.  Befides  the  ab- 
furdity  of  the  accufation,  that  he  could  be  acceffory  to  an 
omifTion  of  this  nature,  it  was  abfolutely  impofTible  for  him 
to  knov/  whether  the  enemy  would  at  all  riik  an  attack. 
Your  Lordfhip  will  confider,  the  General  was  then  at  leaft 
365  miles  from  the  place  of  aflion,  nor  advifed  of  it  till 
nine  days  after  it  happened.  But  when  he  received  the 
intelligence,  fo  far  from  direding  to  the  inadivity  of  a 
merely  defenfive  conduct,  that  he  difpatched  repeated  ex- 
preffes  to  Mr.  Johnfon,  urging  him,  in  the  moft  prefling 
terms,  to  purfue  the  advantage  already  obtained  ;  and  if 
unable  to  proceed  in  perfon,  to  commit  the  charge  of  the 
troops  to  Major-General  Lyman  :  or,  if  he  found  it  im- 
pradicable  to  inveft  Crown-Point  that  feafon,  at  leaft  to 
make  himfelf  mafter,  if  poflible,  of  the  enemy's  advanced 
poft  at  Ticonderoga.     But  all  was  ineftectual  ;    the  laurel 

being 


1 16  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

being  already  acquired,  fortune  was  npt  again  to  be  put  tg 
a  deiperate  venture. 

We  will  now,  if  your  Lordfliip  pleafes,  return  to  Ofwe- 
go,  where  General  Shirley  arrived  the  2ift  of  Auguil,  and 
take  a  view  of  the  courfe  of  his  proceedings  in  that  quarter. 

Your  Lordfliip  may  remember,  that  the  troops  marched 
from  Schenectady  with  fcarce  half  the  number  of  batteau 
men,  which  contraded  for  the  fervice  j  and  thefe,  by  fre- 
quent defertions,  gradually  decreafed.  Hence  the  tranf- 
portation  of  provilions,  through  this  long  trad  of  country, 
was  fo  much  impeded,  that,  until  the  latter  end  of  Sep- 
tember, it  was  impoliible,  upon  that  account,  to  move 
from  Ofwego. 

The  general,  however,  had,  in  the  mean  time,  made  all 
the  neceflary  preparations  for  the  expedition  to  Niagara  : 
and  as  the  arrival  of  a  large  convoy  with  provifions  was 
then  hourly  expefted,  he  held  a  council  of  war,  at  his  camp, 
on  the  1 8th  of  September  j  at  which  were  prefent 

His  Excellency  the  General, 
Lieut.  Col.  Ellifon,  Major  Bradftreet,  Adj.  Gen. 

Lieut.  Col.  Mercer,  Capt.  Barford, 

Col.  Schuyler,  Capt.  Broadley,  Com',  of  the 

Capt.  Patten,  veffels  on  the  Lake. 

Major  Littlehales, 

The  general  informed  this  council,  that  through  the  great 
defertion  of  batteau-men,  the  fear  city  of  waggons  on  the 
Mohawk  River,  and  the  defertion  of  fledgemen  at  the 
Great  Carrying-Place,  the  conveyance  of  provifions  and  oth- 
er ftores  had  been  fo  much  retarded,  that  there  had  not 
been  at  any  time  fmce  his  arrival,  a  fufficient  quantity  of 
dry  provifions  to  enable  him  to  go  upon  action  :  but  as  a 
large  fupply  would  probably  very  foon  arrive,  he  was  de- 
termined to  proceed  immediately.  He  thought  proper  to 
inform  them  of  his  intelligence  concerning  the  lituation  and 
ftrength  of  the  enemy,  which  was  to  this  purpofe  :  That 
before  he  left  the  Oneida  Carry-Place,  two  trufty  Indians, 
with  as  many  Albany  traders,  were  fent  as  fpies  to  Niagara  ; 
who,  after  fourteen  days  abfence,  returned  with  an  account. 
That  the  Indians  had  been  two  days  in  the  French  fort 
there,  which  was  built  partly  of  ftone,  but  principally  of 
.  lo^s. 


in  North-America,  from  ^7 S3  ^'^  ^75^'  117 

logs,  being  in  a  weak  and  ruinous  condition  :  that  the  gar- 
rilon  confided  of  about  60  French  and  1 00  Indians,  who 
faid  they  had  for  fome  time  expected  900  Indians  and  a 
quantity  of  ftores  from  Canada  ;  but  were  apprehenfive 
their  veiTels  were  taken  :  that  letters  came  in  frequently 
from  Fort  Du  Quefne,  whence  alfo  they  expected  a  confid- 
erable  reinforcement.  The  fpies  added,  that  the  Indians 
were  difgufted  at  the  divilion  of  the  fpoils  on  the  defeat  of 
General  Braddock,  and  that  the  French  had  loft  30  men  in 
that  engagement  :  that  they  faw  many  Englilh  fcalps,  with 
a  large  quantity  of  cloaths  and  furniture  :  that  the  French 
had  there  70  or  80  large  batteaux,  with  which  they  intend- 
ed to  meet  and  board  our  veffels  :  and  this  article  was  con- 
firmed by  another  Indian,  who  fet  out  after  the  fpies,  and 
meeting  one  of  our  row-gallies,  cautioned  the  commander 
againft  a  nearer  approach  to  Niagara. 

His  Excellency  alfo  informed  the  council,  that  an  Indian 
fpy  had  been  with  the  Outawawas,  who  affifted  the  French 
in  the  ad:ion  at  Monongahela  ;  that  they  had  declared  their 
inclination  to  lay  down  the  hatchet ;  and  that  others,  more 
wefterly,  gave  the  like  intimations  -,  which  had  induced 
him  to  difpatch  four  meffcngers  with  belts  of  wampum,  to 
invite  them  into  our  alliance,  or  at  leall  to  engage  their 
neutrality. 

Upon  the  general's  arrival  at  Ofwcgo,  he  thought  it  ne- 
ceffary  to  procure  intelligence  from  Frontenac  ;  and  for 
that  purpoie  fent  out  a  party  of  white  men  and  Indians, 
who  returned  about  the  8th  of  September,  with  informa- 
tion, that  they  landed  upon  an  ifland,  about  iix  furlongs 
from  the  fort,  from  whence  they  had  a  full  view  of  it  ^ 
that  it  was  built  in  a  bay,  near  the  edge  of  the  water,  and 
furrounded  by  a  ftone  wall  ;  the  land  behind  it  cleared, ' 
and  rifmg  in  a  gradual  acclivity  ;  that  two  veiTels,  of  about 
40  tons  each,  lay  moored  in  the  harbour,  unrigged,  and 
without  guns  ;  that  at  the  eaft  end  of  the  fort,  there  was  a 
regular  encampment,  and  fix  marquis  tents  ;  from  the  ex- 
tent of  which  they  imagined  it  contained  about  3  or  400 
men.  Upon  the  fide  of  the  bay,  oppofite  the  fort,  the  land 
projected  about  half  a  mile  :  between  this  and  the  Ifland 
they  were  upon,  was  another  little  ifland,  about  three  quar- 
ters of  a  mile  from  the  fort,  inhabited  by  about  twenty  In- 
dian 


1 1 8  Review  of  the  ?niHtciry  Operations 

dian  families.  The  fpies  added,  that  there  were  feveral 
other  adjacent  iflands  \  but  they  difcovered  no  batteaux. 
His  excellency  farther  acquainted  the  council,  that  an  Indian 
that  came  to  Ofwego  about  the  time  of  his  arrival,  and  had^ 
left  Frontenac  nine  days  before,  declared  there  were  thirty 
French  within  the  fort ;  a  confiderable  quantity  of  powder, 
and  many  guns  mounted  on  the  furrounding  wall,  which 
was  about  fix  feet  thick  ;  and  the  encampment  without 
confifted  of  600  foldiers.  The  information  of  Redhead,  to 
the  fame  effect,  was  alfo  laid  before  the  council,  with  the 
addition,  that  there  were  two  encampments,  one  of  Cana- 
dians, and  the  other  of  regulars,  in  a  hollow,  undifccvera- 
ble  from  the  ifland  ;  and  that  he  was  told,  by  the  com- 
mandant, of  a  much  larger  number  of  troops  expected 
with  the  General,  lately  arrived  from  France  ;  when  they 
propofcd  to  inveft  Ofwego.  Gen.  Johnfon's  letter  of  the 
I  ft  of  September,  fignifying,  that  his  fcouts  informed  him 
of  the  departure  of  300  canoes  to  Frontenac,  was  alfo  con- 
fidered  :  and  from  thefe  articles  of  intelligence,  the  account 
of  the  arrival  of  the  French  troops,  the  fufpenfion  of  all  in- 
tercourfe  between  Frontenac  and  Niagara,  and  their  lying 
ftiil  fo  long  at  the  former,  his  Excellency  obferved,  it  was 
not  improbable  their  defign  might  be  to  m?*ke  a  defcent  on 
Ofwego,  if  the  whole  force  proceeded  on  the  expedition  to 
Niagara,  which  was  about  150  miles  to  the  weftward  ;  and 
from  whence,  at  that  advanced  feafon,  they  could  not  re- 
turn in  lefs  than  thirty  days.  That  this  was  the  more 
probable,  as  Ofwego  was  of  the  greateft  importance  for  fe- 
curing  the  frontiers  of  the  wellern  colonies,  maintaining 
the  Britifh  dominion  over  the  great  lakes,  and  the  country 
beyond  the  Apalachian  mountains.  He  alfo  took  notice  of 
the  defencelefs  ftate  of  Ofwego,  which  would  render  it 
neceffary  to  leave  a  ftrong  garrifon  there  :  that  the  num- 
ber of  effectives  at  that  time  in  the  three  regiments  and  in- 
dependent companies,  including  ferjeants  and  corporals, 
amounted  to  1376  ;  and  that  the  irregulars,  who  were  Al- 
bany men  and  Indians,  procured  by  his  own  emiffaries, 
confifted  only  of  1 20.  For  the  better  fecurity  of  the  place, 
the  General  had  ordered  to  be  built,  with  all  pofTible  dif- 
patch,  a  flrong,  wooden  fort,  capable  of  mounting  cannon, 
with  pickets  and  a  ditch,  on  a  high  point,  commanding 

the 


in  Nortb-J?nerka,  from  1753^01756.  iig 

the  old  fort  on  the  eaft  fide  of  the  river.  This,  he  ob- 
ferved,  was  already  begun,  and  would  foon  be  completed  : 
and  that  for  the  pjopofed  enterprife,  he  had  built  and 
equipped  a  Hoop  and  fchooner  of  fixty  tons  each  ;  two 
row-gallies,  each  of  twenty  tons  ;  with  eight  whale-boats, 
each  capable  of  carrying  fixteen  men.  He  then  informed 
them  of  his  intention  to  embark  for  Niagara,  as  foon  as 
the  expeded  convoy  arrived,  with  600  regulars,  including 
gunners  and  matrofles,  befides  the  Albany  and  Indian  ir- 
regulars, one  18  pounder,  four  12  pounders,  a  ten-inch 
mortar,  a  feven-inch  howet,  two  royals,  and  five  fmall 
fwivel-howets  ;  the  veflels,  whale-boats,  and  a  competent 
number  of  batteaux  j  leaving  behind  him  700  effecl:ives, 
tv/o  12  pounders,  ten  6  pounders,  fix  3  pounders,  and 
eight  cohorns. 

The  council,  upon  this  reprefentation,  were  unanimouf- 
ly  of  opinion,  in  anfwer  to  the  feveral  queftions  propofed, 
that  the  force  intended  for  the  Niagara  expedition  was 
fufficient  :  but  with  refpecT  to  Ofwego,  fome  imagined  it 
w^ould  not  be  defenfible  :  the  majority,  however,  were  of 
contrary  fentiments.  All  agreed,  that  a  feint  upon  Front- 
enac,  while  his  excellency  was  gone  to  Niagara,  was  by  no 
means  advifeable.  They  univerfally  concurred  in  opinion, 
that  a  fort  ought  to  be  erected  on  the  weft  fide  of  the  old 
fort  :  and  that  it  would  be  for  his  Majefty's  fervice  to  pre- 
pare materials  for  building  one  or  more  veiTels,  larger  than 
any  of  thofe  already  upon  the  lake,  capable  of  mounting 
ten  6  pounders,  befides  fwivels,  two  more  row-gallies,  and 
a  hundred  good  whale-boats. 

In  confequence  of  this  advice,  600  regulars  were  draught- 
ed, the  artillery  and  ordnance  ftores  fliipped  on  board  the 
floop  Ontario,  part  of  the  provifions  on  board  the  floop 
Ofwego,  and  the  refidue  was  ready  for  the  row-gallies, 
whale-boats,  and  batteaux.  While  thefc  preparations  were 
making,  the  weather  was  extremely  wet  and  tempeftuous. 
The  rains  began  to  fall  fo  heavily  on  the  i8th  of  the  morith, 
that  on  the  beft  chofen  ground  the  tents  of  the  foldiers 
were  overwhelmed.  As  400  of  the  troops  muft  have  gone 
in  open  boats,  it  was  impoflible  to  pafs  the  lake,  with  any 
fafety,  till  the  ftorm  abated  ;  v/hich  was  on  the  26th  of  the 
month,  when  orders  were  immediately  iffued  for  the  em- 
barkation 


I20  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

barkation  of  the  troops  :  but  thefe  could  not  be  carried 
into  execution.  Though  the  rains  ceafed  for  a  fhort  fpace 
of  time,  the  weftern  winds  began  to  blow  with  redoubled 
fury  ;  and  were  again  fucceeded  by  continual  rains  for 
thirteen  days  together.  During  this  boifterous  weather, 
numbers  fell  fick,  whofe  tents  were  an  infufficient  Ihelter  ; 
and  the  Indians,  well  acquainted  with  the  climate,  went  off, 
declaring  the  feafon  too  far  advanced  to  admit  of  an  expe- 
dition upon  the  lake. 

In  the  midft  of  thefe  difficulties,  another  council,  con- 
lifting  of  the  fame  members  who  compofed  the  laft,  was 
called  on  the  27th  of  September.     The  general  acquainted 
them  with  the  untoward  ftate  of  affairs,  and  fome  of  his 
lateft  advices.     He  obferved  as  follows  :    That  the  preced- 
ing day,  eight  batteaux  were  arrived,  with  48  barrels  of 
flour,  and  13  of  bread  ;  fo  that  there  was  then  14  days  full 
allowance  of  thofe  fpecies  of  provifions  for  2000,  being  the 
number  then  in  his  camp  :  That  he  thought  it  necefiary  to 
take  with  him  21,000  weight  of  bread  and  flour,  which j 
for  700  men,  forty  days,  amounted  only  to  three-fourths 
of  the  ufual  aflowance  :  that,  in  fuch  cafe,  there  would  be 
left  with  the  garrifon  only  8000  weight  of  bread  and  flour, 
at  half  allowance  for  only  twelve  days  :    but,  by  advices 
received  from  the  Carrying-Place  and  Mohawk  River,  he 
had  the  greateft  reafon  to  expeft  fuch  a  quantity  of  provi- 
iions,  in  a  few  days,  as  would  be  a  full  fupply  for  fome 
months  :  that  a  party  of  men  with  two  oflicers  in  whale- 
boats,  fent  feven  days  before  to  Frontenac,  to  difcover  the 
enemy's  motions,  were  returned,  with  the  following  report : 
That  they  went  into  the  harbour,  and  faw  the  fort,  which 
appeared  to  be  a  regular  fquare,  faced  with  ftone,  having 
four  embrafures  in  the  front  :  that  the  encampment  con- 
fifted  of  above  100  tents  :    that  two  brigantines  of  aboiit 
40  tons  each,  and  a  fmall  floop,  lying  then  at  anchor,  were 
rigged,  and  the  fails  of  one  of  them  bent  ;    and  a  number 
of  batteaux  lay  near  the  walls  of  the  fort.      Fie  communi- 
cated to  them  alfo  a  copy  of  the  orders  and  inftrudtions  giv- 
en to  the  French  regulars  fent  thither  ;  which  were  taken 
from  baron  Diefl^au,  in  the  aftion  at  Lake  George  :  whence 
it  appeared,  that  ten  companies  of  the  Queen's  battaHon 
tnarched  from  Montreal  to  Cadaraqui,  in  two  divifions,  up- 
on 


in  North-America,  from  ^753  to  lys^'  121 

on  the  firft  and  fecond  of  Auguft,  together  with  250  Cana- 
dians, exclulive  of  Indians  :  the  number  of  men  therefore 
at  Frontenac,  including  the  garrifon,  might  amount  to  1 000 
effedives,  originally  deligned,  as  appears  from  thofe  papers, 
for  an  attack  upon  Ofwego.  He  farther  took  notice  of 
the  departure  of  fome  of  our  Indians,  and  their  unanimous 
opinion,  that  the  attempt  againft  Niagara  could  not  fucceed 
this  feafon  ;  on  which  account,  the  remainder  were  refolv- 
ed  to  return  to  their  refpe^live  caftles  ;  giving,  neverthe- 
lefs,  the  higheft  affurances  of  their  willingnefs  to  join  us  in 
much  greater  numbers  in  the  fpring:  that  the  Albany  traders 
were  of  the  fame  opinion  ;  that  the  batteaux,  though  well 
adapted  for  the  navigation  of  fmall  rivers,  could  not  live 
on  the  lake  in  fuch  tempeftuous  weather  as  had  continued 
for  a  fortnight  paft  :  that  Lieut.  HoUand,  who  had  refided 
there  above  three  years,  declared  it  was  commonly  windy 
and  wet,  with  few  fair  days  intervening,  during  the  fall  : 
That  it  was,  befides,  now  impracticable  for  the  veffels  and 
batteaux  to  fail  in  concert  :  and  as  the  veffels  and  whale- 
boats  would  not  contain  all  the  fupplies,  there  was  the  ut- 
moft  danger  of  fpoiling  that  part  of  the  provifions  and  am- 
munition, which  muft  be  conveyed  in  the  batteaux  ;  in 
confequence  of  which  many  of  them  might  be  cut  off  ;  it 
being  more  than  probable,  from  the  weaknefs  of  their  fort, 
the  enemy  would  attack  them  on  the  lake  :  That,  from  the 
returns  of  the  dire6tor  and  furgeons  of  the  hofpital,  the 
number  of  the  fick  amounted  to  about  300,  exclufive  of 
officers  ;  which  they  imputed  to  the  exceffive  rains,  and 
want  of  barracks.  His  Excellency  informed  them,  he  pro- 
pofed  the  ereftion  of  barracks,  and  a  ftrong  redoubt  on  the 
hill,  weft  of  the  old  fort,  before  the  winter  Vv'as  too  far  ad- 
vanced. 

Thefe  matters,  my  Lord,  were  attentively  confidered  : 
and  the  council  of  war  prayed  leave  to  add  to  the  Gene- 
ral's reprefentation.  That  Major  Bradftreet,  fmce  his  reli- 
dence  there,  was  perfuaded  1650  Canadians  had  paffed  by 
from  Cadaraqui  to  Niagara,  for  the  Ohio  ;  a  great  part  of 
whom,  through  fear  city  of  prpvifions,  he  conceived  muft 
tlien  be  upon  their  return  to  Canada  ;  and  that  a  confide- 
rable  number  of  French  traders  go  annually  from  Canada 
to  Detroit,  and  other  French  fettlements  to  the  Vv-eftuard, 
R         rFol.  vii  ]  who. 


122  Review  of  the  ?nUitary  Operations 

who,  at  this  feafon,  are  generally  upon  their  return  •  that 
their  paflage  home  is  by  the  way  of  Niagara,  where,  it  is 
very  probable,  they  and  all  the  French  will  tarry,  as  long 
as  their  provisions  admit,  for  the  defence  of  fo  important 
a  poll  :  That  there  were  then  but  few  proper  batteau-men 
at  Ofwego  ;  nor  could  they  be  provided  with  a  fufficient 
number,  as  thofe  who  underftood  the  management  of  bat- 
teaux  were  chiefly  employed  in  the  tranfportation  of  pro- 
vifions  from  Scheneclady  to  Ofwego,  and  from  Albany  to 
Lake  George  ;  and  that  the  foldiers  were  unable  to  con- 
dud  them  to  Niagara,  the  lake  being  turbulent  generally 
five  days  in  fix. 

The  advice  of  the  council,  my  Lord,  was  unanimoufly 
to  this  efled  :  That  the  arrival  of  the  batteaux  with  pro- 
vifions,  though  hourly  expected,  was  by  no  means  to  be 
depended  upon,  there  being  fcaiping  parties  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood ;  one  of  v^'Iiich,  hnce  the  laft  council  of  war,  had 
aclualiy  killed  three,  and  captivated  two  of  the  workmen 
employed  in  building  the  new  fort  on  the  eail  fide  of  the 
river  :  and  the  cuttmg  off  the  batteaux  was  the  more  to 
be  apprehended,  as  the  Indians  in  our  alliance  were  now 
returning  to  their  caftles.  Nor  did  they  think  it  advifa- 
ble  to  iiik  the  troops  in  batteaux  upon  the  lake,  at  fo  ad- 
vanced a  feafon  of  the  year.  They  appix)ved  his  Excellen- 
cy's intention  of  raifing  barracks  for  the  foldiers  without 
delay  ;  and  thought  the  fort,  on  the  eaft  fide  of  the  Onon- 
daga river,  ought  to  be  completed  as  foon  as  poflible  ;  and 
again  advifed  the  erection  of  a  work  for  mounting  cannon 
on  the  eminence  weft  of  the  old  fort  :  all  which,  in  their 
opinion,  could  not  be  effected  before  the  winter  was  too  far 
fet  in,  without  employing  the  whole  ftrength  then  at  the 
place.  They  were  alfo  unanimoufly  and  clearly  of  opin- 
ion, that  his  Excellency  ought  to  defer  any  attempt  on  Ni- 
agara or  Frontenac,  till  the  next  fpring  ;  when  they  had 
great  reafon  to  exped  the  jundion  of  a  large  body  of  the 
Six  Nations,  and  fome  of  the  French  allies,  who  had  taken 
up  the  hatchet  againft  the  Englifli,  and  were  concerned  on 
the  banks  of  the  Monongahela.  Befides,  he  mJght,  in  the 
enfuing  campaign,  have  a  greater  number  of  troops,  whale- 
boats  infl;ead  of  batteaux,  and  a  more  powerful  naval  force, 
which  they  conceived  ought  to  be  provided  againfl:  the 
next  ipring.  This 


in  Norths  America^  from  1753  ^01756.  123 

This  advice,  my  Lord,  the  General  proceeded  imir.edi- 
ately  to  carry  into  execution.  Completing  the  fort  on  the 
eaft  fide  of  the  river  was  a  matter  of  principal  attention, 
becaufe  fituated  on  a  high  point  of  land,  at  100  yards  dif- 
tance  from  the  lake,  commanding  the  ground  round  about 
it  ;  the  old  fort  at  450  yards  diftance,  and  the  entrance  of 
the  harbour.  Its  circumference  was  800  feet,  bemg  built 
of  logs  from  20  to  30  inches  diameter,  and  the  outer  wall 
fourteen  feet  high.  Round  it  was  to  be  a  ditch  fourteen 
feet  broad  and  \en  deep.  Within,  a  fquare  log-houfe  to 
overlook  the  walls,  and  barracks  for  300  men.  This  fort, 
called  Ontario,  was  to  mount  fixteen  pieces  of  cannon. 
Another,  called  Ofwego,  was  immicdiately  begun,  upon  an 
eminence  450  yards  weft  of  the  old  fort.  It  was  a  fquare 
of  170  feet,  with  baftions,  and  a  rampart  of  earth  and  ma- 
fonry  ;  which,  befides  the  parapet,  was  to  be  twenty  teet 
thick,  twelve  in  height,  with  a  ditch  fourteen  feet  broad 
and  ten  deep.  The  barracks  within  were  to  contain  200 
men.  This  was  to  mount  eight  pieces  of  cannon  ;  being 
made  the  more  defenfible,  as  it  commanded  a  good  land- 
ing, diftant  150  yards  on  the  edge  from  the  lake. 

While  thefe  works  were  carrying  on,  the  General  em- 
ployed himfelf  in  a  neceffary  attention  to  Indian  affairs. 
He  laboured  to  eftablifh  fome  of  the  principal  Onondagas, 
who  were,  through  negligence,  become  wavering  ;  and 
difpatched  meifages  to  thofe  who  were  gone  from  us,  and 
fettled  at  Ofwagatchie,  and  to  the  MelTafagues  and  Chip- 
pawees  on  the  north  fide  of  the  lake  Ontario.  Others 
were  fent  to  foment  the  difaffeaion  of  the  Outawawas,  dif~ 
gufted  at  the  French  partition  of  the  plunder,  on  Brad- 
dock's  defeat.  With  the  Senccas,  the  remoteft  from  our 
fettlements  of  all  the  five  cantons,  and  therefore  the  moft 
debauched  by  the  French  ;  he  fucceeded  fo  well,  that  they 
now  difmiffed  Joncaire,  one  of  their  emiffaries,  v/hole 
father  had  been  long  fuffered  to  refide  among  them,  in 
fpite  of  our  repeated  remonftrances,  and  was  the  chief  pre- 
ferver  of  the  fort  at  Niagara.  They  alfo  engaged  to  meet 
him,  the  next  campaign,  Xvith  100  of  their  warriors,  and 
promifed,  for  the  future,  to  refufe  the  affiftance  they  had 
formerly  given  the  French,  in  tranfporting  their  furs,  with 
horfes  and  fleds,  acrofs  the  Niagara  Carrying-Place  ;    as 

necelLiry 


124  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

neceflary  there,  as  at  any  of  our  portages  between  Schenec- 
tady and  Ofwego.  When  nothing  further  could  be  profe- 
cuted,  the  General  retired  from  Ofwego  the  24th  of  Octo- 
ber, leaving  700  men  in  garrifon,  under  the  command  of 
Lieut.  Col.  Mercer,  with  orders  to  continue  the  works  pro- 
je6led  for  its  defence. 

Having,  my  Lord,  taken  up  too  much  of  your  time  in 
a  circumftantial  relation  of  the  proceeding  in  this  quarter, 
I  fliall  not  trouble  you  with  any  reflections  upon  them. 
Your  Lordfliip  has  feen  the  infurmountable  difficulties  at- 
tending this  weftern  expedition  ;  and  will  doubtlefs  ap- 
prove our  not  hazarding  the  lofs  of  Ofwego.  That  fuch 
would  have  been  the  event,  had  Mr.  Shirley  left  the  place 
about  the  beginning  of  Odober,  was  wifely  forefeen,  from 
the  advices  he  had  received  ;  and  Baron  Diefkau,  juft  af- 
ter the  action  at  Lake  George,  aiTured  a  gentleman  of  dif- 
tinCtion  in  the  army,  he  queltioned  not  the  Englifli  General 
would  make  himfelf  mafter  of  Niagara  ;  but  that  the 
French  had  half  the  forces  he  brought  with  him  from 
Breft,  with  a  number  of  Canadians  and  Indians,  at  Fron- 
tenac,  ready,  immediately  on  his  departure,  to  inveft  Of- 
v/ego,  and  cut  off  his  retreat. 

While  the  General  was  at  Albany,  after  his  return  from 
the  Lake,  forwarding  the  fupplies  for  the  garrifon  at  Of- 
wego, preparing  for  the  operations  of  the  next  cam-paign, 
and  exam.ining  into  the  ftate  of  the  troops  arrived  there 
under  Col.  Dunbar,  the  city  was  alarmed  by  exprefi'es 
from  General  Johnfon,  informing,  that  8  or  9000  of  the 
enemy  were  advancing  towards  him.  Sir  Charles  Hardy, 
then  at  Albany,  called  in  the  militia  ;  and  a  detachment  of 
the  regular  troops,  with  a  train  of  artillery,  held  them- 
felves  in  readinefs  to  march  at  a  moment's  warning.  But 
another  exprefs  gave  reafon  to  believe  thofe  apprehenfions 
were  ill-grounded,  and  General  Johnfon's  fears,  in  fom.e 
meafure,  abated.  It  feems  a  few  Indian  fcouts  had  difcov- 
ered  the  tracks  of  a  large  army  ;  but  Capt.  Rogers,  the 
brave  officer  before-monticned,  came  into  the  camp  foon 
after  them,  and  declared,  the  enemy  were  employed,  as 
the  General  had  predi(5ted  in  his  letter  to  Mr.  Johnfon  of 
the  19th  of  September,  in  throwing  up  works  at  Ticon- 
deroga.  Upon  which,  the  militia  were  difmiffed  to  theii% 
refpedtive  habitations.  Of 


in  North-America,  from  1755/0  1756.  125 

Of  the  malignity  of  the  New- York  faction  againft  the 
General,  I  have  already  acquainted  your  Lordfhip  :  per- 
mit me  to  prefent  you  with  another  inftance  of  the  fame 
ipirit.  A  mercenary  fcribbler,  of  whom  I  Ihall  foon  take 
more  particular  notice,  is  pleafed  to  inform  the  public,  that 
"  Col.  Dunbar,  with  his  forces,  were  obliged  fix  weeks  to 
"  lie  encamped  at  Albany,  in  the  rain  and  fnow,  till  bar- 
«  racks  were  built  for  them  :  that  they  were  entirely 
«  obliged  to  Sir  Charles  Hardy,  that  they  got  a  flick  of 
«  wood  to  burn.     So  (fays  he)  were  our  forces  difpoied 

"  of." 

Albany,  my  Lord,  is  an  old,  compad  city,  confifting  of 
3  or  400  well  built  houfes  ;  and  at  about  16  miles  N.  W. 
from  it,  is  the  town  of  Schenectady,  confifting  of  about 
150  houfes.  The  inhabitants  are  far  from  being  indigent ; 
the  adjacent  country  abounds  with  provifions  ;  and  in 
fiich  quarters,  your  Lordihip  is  fenfible,  his  ^  Majefty's 
troops  will  not  want  neceffaries,  efpecially  fuel,  in  a  coun- 
try covered  with  timber.  Where  then  the  probability, 
that  the  forces,  which  confifted  of  1200,  would  fufFer  in  a 
poft  like  this  ?  As  to  the  affair  of  barracks,  my  Lord, 
there  was  a  council  held  at  New-York,  on  the  firft  of  Au- 
gruft,  when  the  news  arrived  of  Col.  Dunbar's  retiring  in- 
to winter  quarters,  after  Braddock's  defeat.  It  was  coni- 
pofed  of  Mr.  De  Lancey,  the  Lieutenant-Governor,  Melirs. 
Alexander,  Kennedy,  Murray,  Holland,  Chambers,  and 
Smith  ;  and  the  opinion  of  that  board  then  was,  "  That 
"  not  only  the  King's  forces  to  the  fouth-iuard,  but  alfo  thofe  that 
"  could  be  f pared  from  Nova-Scotia,  Jlmdd  quarter  near  Al- 
"  bany,  for  any  future  operations:'  This  refolve,  Mr.  De 
Lancey  tranfmitted  to  the  General  at  Ofv^ego  ;  and  as 
Dunbar's  troops  were  ordered  to  Albany,  for  the  defence 
of  that  country,  and  particularly  to  make  a  ftand,  in  cafe 
the  provincials  were  defeated,  they  had,  methinks,  the 
hi^heft  reafon  to  exped  favour  from  the  inhabitants,  and 
the  fpecial  countenance  of  the  government,  even  had  they 
been  quartered  upon  them  as  ufual  :  and  which,  at  pre- 
fent, is  acliuaily  the  cafe,  by  exprefs  orders  of  my  Lord, 
Loudon.  The  General,  I  fay,  had  no  reafon  to  expect, 
upon  this  head,  any  oppoiition  from  the  civil  magiftrate.. 
But  Sir  Charles  Hardy,  on  his  arrival  at  Albany,  about  the 

26th 


126  Reiiew  of  the  7mlitary  Operations 

26th  of  September,  fignified  to  him  by  letter,  his  appre- 
henfions  of  unealinefs  arifmg  among  the  inhabitants,  Ihould 
the  foldiers  be  quartered  upon  private  families  ;  and  wifti- 
ed  to  have  his  Excellency's  orders  for  building  barracks, 
both  there  and  at  Schenectady,  left  his  affembly  fhould  not 
choofe  to  put  the  province  to  <that  charge.  He  alfo  ex- 
preffed  his  hopes,  if  fuch  an  expenfe  was  faved  them,  of 
their  greater  readinefs  to  raife  more  men,  fhould  the  fer- 
vice  require  it,  the  next  campaign.  The  General's  anfwer 
to  this  letter  equally  dem.onftrated  his  integrity  to  the 
crown,  and  concern  for  the  troops.  He  intimated  his 
fears,  that  the  conftrudion  of  barracks  v/ould  be  thought 
an  extraordinary  expenfe  ;  but  it  being  neceffary  for  the 
fervice,  that  Dunbar's,  and  the  regiment  of  the  late  Sir 
Peter  Halket,  ihould  winter  in  Albany  and  Schenedady, 
he  complied  with  Sir  Charles''s  requeft  5  and  defired  him 
to  provide  barracks  for  thofe  regiments  with  all  poilible 
diligence,  that  the  troops,  on  their  arrival  in  his  govern- 
ment, might  not  find  themfelves  deftitute  of  quarters.  To 
relieve  the  crown  in  the  expenfe,  he  farther  took  notice  to 
Sir  Charles,  of  the  requeft  made  by  his  own  government 
for  drawing  thefe  troops  to  Albany  ;  that  they  would  in  a 
fpecial  manner  cover  the  frontier  of  New- York,  be  of  fer- 
vice to  Ofwego  in  the  enfuing  fpring,  and  that  the  inhab- 
itants would  draw  very  large  fums  from  their  relidence 
amongft  them.  Nor  did  he  forget  to  recommend  an  imi- 
tation of  the  MafTachufetts-Bay,  who  thought  it  reafonable 
to  erect  barracks  for  his  own  regiment,  though  they  knew 
their  continuance  among  them  would  be  fhort,  deftined  as 
they  were  for  the  weftern  expedition.  But  that  there 
might  be  no  delay  in  building  the  barracks,  arifing  from 
any  doubt  of  the  expenfe  being  paid  by  the  province  of 
New-York,  Mr.  Shirley  informed  Sir  Charles,  that  if  they 
would  not,  after  thefe  confiderations,  take  that  expenfe  on 
themfelves,  he  would  defray  it  out  of  the  contingent  mo- 
ney in  the  hands  of  the  deputy  paymafter.  Thus,  my 
Lord,  if  any  ground  for  complaint  of  the  want  of  barracks, 
Mr.  Shirley,  it  is  clear,  was  intirely  unccnfurable  :  and  if 
the  troops,  as  this  libeller  informs  us,  did  fuffer  in  their 
tents,  I  fubmit  it  to  your  Lordfhip,  Vi^hofe  province  it  was 
to  have  found  them  better  quarters.     But  the  facl  is,  that 

the 


in  North-America,  fro7n  i7S3  ^^  ^7S^'  ^^7 

the  barracks  were  finiflied,  and  the  troops  quartered  in 
them  before  the  firft  of  December,  fuel  provided  for  them 
fufEcient  for  the  winter,  and  all  at  the  expenfe  of  the  crown. 

The  winter  now  approaching,  commiflioners  were  ap- 
pointed, by  the  governments  concerned  in  the  Crown- 
Point  expedition,  to  afcertain  their  refpedive  quotas  for 
garrifoning  the  forts  Edward  and  William-Henry,  and  dif- 
banding  the  reft  of  the  army.  After  this  was  completed, 
the  General  and  Sir  Charles  Hardy  returned  to  New- York, 
where  the  former  convened  a  grand  congrefs  of  governors 
and  field  officers,  to  deliberate  on  a  plan  for  the  operations 
of  the  fucceeding  campaign.  But  before  I  enter  upon  their 
tranfaftions,  I  Ihall  briefly  lay  before  your  Lordlhip  thofe 
between  Sir  Charles  Hardy  and  his  alTembly,  which  was 
opened  on  the  2d,  and  continued  fitting  till  the  23d  of 
December. 

I  have  already  obferved,  that  the  minillry,  from  the  time 
of  Mr.  Clinton's  departure  in  1753,  had  been  folicitous 
about  procuring  the  confent  of  our  ailembly  to  a  law,  efta- 
blifliing  a  permanent  provilion  for  the  Governor,  and  other 
necelTary  officers.  When  Sir  Danvers  Ofborne  arrived,  he 
brought  with  him  an  inftruftion  for  that  purpofe  ;  from 
the  terms  of  which  it  was  apparent  that  the  miniftry  had 
it  much  at  heart ;  and  Sir  Danvers,  before  he  left  England, 
was  made  to  believe  that  Mr.  De  Lancey,  by  means  of  his 
great  popularity,  would  enable  him  to  carry  it  into  execu- 
tion. This  I  had  from  a  gentleman,  to  whom  Sir  Danvers 
opened  himfelf,  and  whom  he  confulted  before  his  embar- 
kation for  his  government.  The  gentleman  is  a  perfon  of 
the  firft  figure  in  thefe  colonies  ;  and  being  acquainted 
with  the  fyftem  of  politics  in  New- York,  he  informed  Sir 
Danvers,  that  thofe  promifes  were  by  no  means  to  be  de- 
depended  upon  :  that  Mr.  De  Lancey  was  inexpreffibly 
jealous  of  his  afcendancy  over  the  aflembly,  who  were  ut- 
terly difinclined  to  a  perpetual  fupport  :  that  he  would 
join  in  no  meafures  that  might  weaken  the  confidence  they 
repofed  in  him  :  that  as  long  as  he  maintained  his  influ- 
ence in  their  counfels,  he  would  virtually  be  the  governor 
of  the  province  ;  and  therefore,  upon  the  whole,  his  inter- 
eft  and  ambition  would  infallibly  lead  him  to  keep  every 
Governor  in  a  ftate  of  dependence  upon  him.  Sir  Dan- 
vers 


128  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

vers  difliked  fo  difagreeable  a  prediftion  ;  and  many  are  of 
opinion,  that  its  accompliihmcnt  haftened  his  unhappy  fate. 
Excufe  me,  my  Lord,  for  troubling  you  with  a  relation  of 
facts,  a  little  out  of  the  ftrid  order  of  time.  There  is  an 
anecdote  of  Sir  Danvers,  of  which  I  would  not  have  your 
Lordfliip  uninformed.  He  arrived  here  on  the  7th  of 
Oclober,  1753,  under  very  difcouraging  apprehenfions  of 
the  people  ;  and  indeed  not  without  reafon,  the  oppofition 
againli  Mr.  Clinton  having  been  carried  beyond  all  deco- 
rum. Governor  Oiborne's  com.miffion,  through  Mr.  Clin- 
ton's abfence,  remained  unpubliflied  till  the  third  day  after 
his  arrival.  This  is  ufuaily  done  firft  privately,  in  the 
council-chamber  ;  and  immediately  after,  in  the  moft  pub- 
lic manner  at  the  city-hail.  To  wait  on  his  Excellency 
thither,  Mr.  Clinton  came  abroad  ;  an  aftoniftiing  crowd 
being  allembled  at  the  Fort  Gate,  to  attend  the  proceffion. 
Mr.  Clinton's  enemies  Vv'ere  very  afiiduous  in  exciting  the 
popular  acclamations  ;  and  the  huzzas  of  the  mob  were 
fcarce  intermitted  for  a  moment.  There  appeared,  in  ihort, 
fuch  a  profufion  of  joy,  accompanied  with  fome  indecent 
expreflions  refpe6ling  himfelf,  as  gave  Mr.  Clinton  juft  rea- 
fon to  fufpeft  more  open  indignities.  He  therefore  foon 
took  his  leave  of  Sir  Danvers,  who  exprelTed  his  difplea- 
fure  at  the  conduff  of  his  enemies.  This,  my  Lord,  prov- 
ed a  day  of  general  feftivity  and  Bacchanalian  frolic.  In 
the  evening,  the  city  was  illuminated  :  the  comm.on  blazed 
with  bonfires  :  great  was  the  confum^ption  of  Madeira  ; 
and  every  company  rung  with  maledictions  againft  the  late 
commander  in  chief,  who  was  charged  as  the  fole  procurer 
of  the  new  inilruction  ;  an  account  of  which  could  only 
have  tranfpired  from  fome  of  the  council.  Sir  Danvers 
alone  appeared  unaffected  vvith  our  intemperate  revels  ; 
and  on  his  countenance  fat  a  melancholy  gloom.  He  con- 
vened the  council  on  Thurfday  the  nth  of  the  month  ; 
and  prayed  their  fentiments  on  the  probability  of  obtain- 
ing a  permanent  fupport,  according  to  his  inftruftions. 
That  the  point  was  unattainable,  they  all  delivered  as  their 
unanimous  opinion.  He  then  required  the  fblution  of  the 
fame  queftion  from  each  member  feverally  ;  and  ftill  from 
each  received  the  fame  reply.  Upon  this,  he  turned  him- 
felf about  in  apparent  diftrefs,  uttered  a  deep  figh,  and  re- 
clining 


in  Nori/j-Jmerka,  from  1753  to  lys^-  129 

dining  his  head  againft  a  window,  in  a  defponding  ac- 
cent, faid,  "  What  then  am  I  come  hither  for  ?"     The 

next    morning But    I    defift.       This   inftruftion,    as 

your  Lordfliip  will  be  pleafed  to  recoiled,  reniained  un- 
revoked all  the  time  of  his  fucceffor  :  and  it  is  natu- 
ral to  exped,  that  the  people  of  this  province  were 
very  inquifitive  whether  it  was  continued  to  Govern- 
or Hardy.  They  were  fo.  But  Sir  Charles  did  not  fol- 
low the  example  of  Mr.  De  Lancey,  in  laying  his  inftruc- 
tions  before  the  affembly.  The  article,  relative  to  the  fup- 
port,  has  undergone,  I  am  credibly  informed,  very  few  al- 
terations, and  thofe  only  in  the  preamble.  That  it  was  in 
fubftance  the  fame,  is  evident  from  his  fpeech  to  the  houfe, 
on  the  3d  of  December,  at  the  opening  of  that  feflion.  His 
words  are  thefe  :  "■  /  a?n  conmianded  by  his  Majejiy  to  rccom- 
"  ?nend,  in  his  name^  without  delay,  to  conftder  of  a  proper  law 
"  to  be  paffed,  for  fettling  a  permanent  revenue,  upon  a  folid 
*•'  foundation,  for  defraying  the  ?ieceffary  and  ejiablifl^ed  charges 
"  of  government  ;  taking  care  that  fuch  law  be  indefinite,  with- 
"  out  Imiitation  of  time  ;  and  that  provifion  be  made  therein  for 
"  a  competent  falary  to  the  Captain-General  and  Govet-nor  in 
*'  Chief  of  this  his  Majcflf  s  province  ;  and  likewife  for  compe- 
"  tent  falaries.  to  all  judges,  jufiices,  and  other  necefjary  and 
"  ufual  ojicers  and  minifters  of  government  :  and  alfo  for  a  cer- 
"  tain  permanent  find,  for  repairifig  and  maintaining  the  fortifi- 
"  cations,  for  making  annual  prefents  to  the  Indians,  and  for  the 
"  other  contingent  expenfes  attending  that  fervice  :  and,  in  gen- 
"  eral,for  all  fuch  other  charges  of  government,  as  may  be  fixed 
"  or  afcertained.'"  The  aflembly,  in  their  addrefs,  after  a 
juftly-merited  compliment,  for  his  activity  in  proceeding  to 
Albany,  and  their  approbation  of  the  meafures  for  garrifon- 
ing  the  frontiers,  fubjoin  this  emollient  paragraph  :  '\We 
"  wifh  ive  could,  with  equal  fatisfaclion,  reconcile  to  ourfelves 
"  your  Excellency's  recommendation  of  an  indefinite  fupport  :  bid 
"  humbly  beg  leave  to  inform  your  Excellency,  that  we  have  no 
"  permanent  funds,  on  which  to  efi-abliflo  fuch  a  revenue  ;  nor  do 
"  any  occur  to  us,  without  very  apparent  inconveniencies  fo  our 
"■^  confiiiuents.  We  therefore  mofi  humbly  hope  we  foali  fiard 
"  acquitted  in  the  eyes  of  our  mifi  gracious  Sovereign,  if  we.dc- 
"  dine  a  meofure  fo  direBly  oppofite  to  the  fentimcnts  of  almofl 
"  every  individual  of  the  colony,  JVe  cannot  leave  this  fubjecl, 
S         [r./.  vii.]  ■  ''without 


13°  Review  of  the  jnilliary  Operatiom 

"  without  difcUjfmg  to  your  Excellency  the  concern  it  gi'i:ei  us, 
"  that  this  his  Majejifs  loyal  colony^  %vhich,  though  fmall  in 
**  mimbcrs,  has  cheerfully  bore  very  heavy  cxpenfes^  and  parti cu-' 
"  larly  flip  ported  its  Governors,  and  other  qfpcers  of  government, 
"  in  a  more  liberal  ?nanner  than  moft  others  on  the  contlncni, 
^^  fhoidd  be  reque/led  to  purfue  meafures  hitherto  unknown  to  it^ 
"  whilfi  the  reji,  alimfi  without  exception^  are  left  to  praBife 
"  the  very  meafures  denied  to  us."" 

Mr.  Clinton,  my  Lord,  afked  of  this  fame  alTem.bly  only 
a  fupport  for  five  years,  and  it  was  refufed  with  indigna- 
tion and  virulence.  Sir  Charles  here  demands  much  more  ; 
and  we  fee,  that  he  is  anfwered  with  the  moft  commenda- 
ble decency.  To  help  your  Lordfhip  in  accounting  for  this 
contradictory  behaviour  ;  Mr.  De  Lancey  was  bent  upon 
expelling  that  Governor  from  the  province  :  and  to  gain 
his  point,  continually  fomented  the  quarrel  he  himfelf  ex- 
cited. But  Sir  Charles  was  to  be  treated  in  a  different 
manner,  and  meafures  more  lenient  were  to  be  purfued. 
An  afcendancy  over  him  would  enfure  to  his  lieutenant 
many  advantages,  and  enable  him  to  procure  the  governor's 
affent  to  a  bill,  for  paying  him  a  large  fum,  now  due  for  his 
falary  afid  other  perquifites,  while  he  had  the  chief  com- 
mand. He  mJght  indeed,  but  durft  not  pafs  fuch  a  bill 
himfelf-  and  therefore  it  was  not  offered.  Accordingly,  the 
houfe,  at  their  very  next  meeting,  fent  up  a  bill  to  the 
council,  on  the  4th  of  February, '1756,  for  paying  the  debts 
of  the  government  ;  in  which  he  was  a  creditor  for  near 
4oocl.  But  of  this  I  fliall  have  occaiion  to  take  more  par- 
ticular notice.  Thus,  my  Lord,  I  will  forfeit  my  honour, 
if,  upon  a  faithful  perufal  of  the  journals  of  affembly,  your 
Lordftiip  doth  not  find  the  condua  of  the  houfe,  and  the 
intereft  of  Mr.  De  Lancey,  for  ten  or  fifteen  years  pafh  per- 
fectly to  tally.  ^      ^ 

Let  us  now  take  a  view  of  the  tranfaclions  in  the  grand 
council  of  vv^ar,  which  the  General  had  convened  at  New- 
York,  for  fettling  a  plan  of  the  future  operations.  It  was 
opened  on  the  12th  of  December,  1755,  and  continued 
fitting  for  the  fpace  of  two  days.  Though  the  invitation 
to  the  governors  was  univcrflil,  it  con  lifted  only  of  thefe 
members : 

His 


in  NGrth'Amerkai  from  1753/^1756.  131 

His  Excellency  General  Shirley,  commander  in  chief  of 
all  his  Majefty's  forces  in  North  America  : 

His  Excellency  Sir  Charles  Hardy,  Knight,  governor  and 
commander  in  chief  of  the  province  of  New- York  : 

The  Honourable  Horatio  Sharpe,  lieutenant  governor 
and  commander  in  chief  of  the  province  of  Maryland  : 

The  Honourable  Robert  Hunter  Morris,  lieutenant  gov- 
ernor and  commander  in  chief  of  the  province  of  Pennfyl- 
vania  : 

The  Honourable  Thomas  Fitch,  governor  and  comman- 
der in  chief  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut  : 

Colonel  Thomas  Dunbar  : 

Colonel  Peter  Schuyler  : 

Major  Charles  Craven  : 

Sir  John  St.  Clair,  deputy  quarter-mailer  general : 

Major  John  Rutherford. 
After  adjufting  feveral  points  of  rank,  the  members  took 
their  feats  in  the  order  mentioned  ;  and  the  General  open- 
^  the  conference,  by  laying  before  the  council  the  King's 
inftruclions  to  General  Braddock.  He  then  delivered  his 
fentiments  to  the  board,  to  the  following  purpofe  :  "  That 
"  our  only  entrance  mto  Lake  Ontario  -was  through  the  Onondaga 
"  River  to  Ofwego.  No  other  harbour  had  his  Majejly,  upon 
"  that  Lake,  capable  of  receiving  veffcls  of  force  :  That  Ofwego 
"  wasfttuate  in  the  country  of  the  Onondagas,  the  center  canton  of 
"  the  Six  Natio?is,  and  famous  for  the  fur  trade:  no  other  mart 
«  could  we  hoafi^for  commerce  or  correfpondence  with  thofe  nume- 
"  rous  tribes  of  favagcs  inhabiting  the  wejiern  country,  on  the 
"  banks  of  the  great  lakes  E?'ie,  Huron,  Michigan,  and  the  many 
"  rivers  which  roll  into  them  :  That  the  Lake  Ontario  %uas  only 
"  accejfible  to  the  Canadians  through  the  river  Cadaraqui,for. 
"  merly  called  by  the  French  Fleuve  Iroquois  ;  but  in  their  late 
"  maps,  calculated  to  countenance  their  exorbitant  clai?ns,  dijlin- 
<«  guified  by  the  name  of  St.  Lawrence.  At  the  head  of  that 
«  ri^gr  ^^as  their  entrance  into  that  lake,  and  near  Fort  Fron- 
"  tenac,  fituated  on  its  north-eaftern  edge,  about  fifty  miles  from, 
"  and  nearly  oppoftte  to,  our  fort  at  Ofwego  :  That  while  the 
"  enemy  kept  popjfion  of  Frontenac,  with  the  harbour  at  Fronto, 
"  and  a  free  paffage  through  the  Iroquois  River,  they  zuould  aU 
"  ways  be  able  to  build  and  maintain  veffels  of  force  upon  the  lake  : 
«  That  his  Majefty  would  therefore  be  necejfitated  to  fupport  a 

"  navai 


'132  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

"  naval  armament  there^  at  leaji  equal  to  that  of  the  French. 
*'  Without  this^  they  might  annoy  any  forts  we  could  ere6l  at  the 
"  north-eafi  end  of  the  pafs  at  Niagara  ;  and  Ofwego  iff  elf  be 
"  loji.  The  inevitable  confequence  of  which  would  be,  the  defec- 
*'  tion  of  the  Six  Nations,  the  lofs  of  the  whole  country,  for  near 
"  300  miles,  from  Ofwego  to  Schenedady,  and  perhaps  the  re- 
"  duaion  of  Albany  itfelfr  The  General  added,  "  That  all 
"  the  French  forts  at  Niagara,  upon  the  lake  Erie,  and  the  river 
"  Ohio,  thofe  alfo  upon  lake  Huron,  at  the  Sireights  of  Michil- 
*'  itnackinac,  and  the  Lake  Michigan,  fiill  more  wefterly,  received 
"  all  their  fuppUes  by  water-carriage  from  Montreal,  through  the 
"  River  Iroquois,  and  the  Lake  Ontario  :  That  the  French  fettle- 
"  ments  at  the  mouth  of  the  MiJJlfippi  furnijhed  thefe  northern 
*'  garrifons  neither  with  provifions  nor  fiores,  being  not  only  at 
''  2000  iniles  diftance  from  any  of  them,  but  embarraffed  with  in- 
^^fuperable  difficidties,  by  a  laborious  navigation  againft  a  rapid 
'■''  ftrcam:''  Hence  his  Excellency  concluded,  "  That  could 
"  the  French  be  diflodged  from  Front enac,  ajid  the  little  fort  at 
«  fronto,  and  their  entrance  into  Lake  Ontario  obflruded,  ail 
"  their  other  forts  and  fettlements  on  the  Ohio,  and  the  wefiern 
"  lakes,  were  deprived  of  their  fupport  from  Canada,  and  mujl 
*'  ere  long  he  evacuated/* 

Impreffed,  my  Lord,  with  thefe  views,  the  General  pro- 
pofed,  as  a  plan  of  operations  for  the  next  year,  That  5000 
men  Ihould  be  very  early  affembled  at  Ofwego,  and  4000 
of  them  fent  to  attack  Frontenac  and  La  Gallette  ;  which 
being  reduced,  an  attempt  Ihould  be  made  upon  the  forts 
at  Niagara,  Prefque  Ifle,  Riviere  au  Beuf,  Detroit,  and 
Michihmakinac  :  and  that,  in  the  mean  time,  3000  provin= 
cial  troops  Ihould  march  from  Will's  Creek,  for  the  reduc- 
tion of  Fort  Du  Ouefne  :  That  a  body  of  10,000  fhould 
proceed  to  Crown-Point,  build  a  fort  there,  and  launch  one 
or  more  veffels  into  Lake  Champlain  :  And,  that  the  force 
of  Canada  mighj:  be  farther  divided,  he  propofed,  that 
2000  men  ihould  carry  fire  and  fword  up  Kennebec  River^ 
fall  upon  the  fettlements  adjoining  to  the  river  Chaudiere, 
and  proceed  to  its  mouth,  three  miles  diftant  from  Quebec  ; 
and  by  dividing  themfelves  in  fmall  parties  along  the  banks 
of  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  and  deftroying  the  fcattered 
fettlements  there,  keep  that  part  of  Canada  in  continual 
alarms. 

fie 


in  North-America,  from  1753  to  1756.  133 

He  then  obferved,  that  if  the  feveral  attempts  upon 
Crown-Point,  the  forts  upon  the  Lakes,  and  the  Ohio, 
were  not  profecuted  at  the  fame  time,  very  perilous  might 
be  the  confequences  :  That  if,  in  particular,  while  Fron- 
tenac  and  Niagara  were  attacked,  no  attempt  was  made 
againft  Crown -Point,  the  whole  force  of  Canada  would 
march  to  oppofe  us  ;  which  would  defeat  the  deiign,  and 
require  fo  large  a  body  of  troops,  as  to  render  the  tranf- 
portation  of  neceffaries  to  Ofwego  imprafticable.  So  nu- 
merous an  army  might  alfo  march  againft  Albany,  as  ef- 
feftually  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  our  forces,  or  at  leaft  to- 
tally obftrucl  their  fupplies  :  That  fliould,  on  the  con- 
trary, our  whole  ftrength  be  deftined  for  Crown-Point, 
and  the  weftern  operations  neglected,  Ofwego,  the  grand 
object  of  the  French,  was  in  the  utmoft  danger  of  falling 
into  their  hands.  A  lofs  irreparable,  and  beyond  eftima- 
tion  ;  the  lofs  of  the  whole  country  down  to  Albany, 
with  that  of  the  Six  confederate  Nations  ;  and  to  the 
French,  the  acquifition  of  an  abfolute  dominion  on  the 
lakes,  and  the  whole  fouthern  country. 

His  Excellency  fmifhed  with  informing  the  council  of 
his  late  intelligence  :  That  the  French  were  building  three 
large  veffels,  of  fuperior  force  to  ours,  in  the  harbour  of 
Frontenac  :  and  upon  the  whole,  prayed  their  advice. 

A  plan,  fo  well  digefted,  and  fo  clearly  ftated,  required  but 
little  confideration  ;  and  accordingly  it  was  in  the  main 
unanimoufly  approved.  The  council  advifed  the  General 
to  give  orders  for  building  three  or  more  velfels  at  Ofwe- 
go. They  were  of  opinion,  that  10,000  men  were  necef- 
fary  for  the  Crown-Point  expedition,  and  6000  for  that 
on  Lake  Ontario.  The  attempt  againft  Fort  Du  Quefne, 
by  the  weftern  governments,  it  was  thought,  would  an- 
fwer  very  good  purpofes,  efpecially  in  fecuring  the  fidelity 
of  the  weftern  Indians.  The  feint  againft  Quebec  was  ap- 
proved, if  it  interfered  not  with  the  other  expeditions. 
The  operations  on  Lake  Ontario,  they  conceived,  ought  to 
begin  with  the  attack  on  Frontenac  :  and,  upon  the  whole, 
v/ere  of  opinion,  that  an  additional  number  of  regular 
troops  would  be  neceflary  for  effedtually  recovering  and  fe- 
curing his  Majefty's  rights  and  dominions  on  the  continent. 

The  council  having  fihifhed  their  bufmefs,  the  Govern- 
or^ 


134  Review  of  the  inilitary  Opei-ations 

ors  foon  after  returned  to  their  refpeftive  provinces.  But 
the  General  continued  his  head-quarters  at  New- York  till 
the  2 1  ft  of  January,  to  profecute  an  expedition  againft  Ti- 
conderoga,  this  winter  :  and  as  the  French  garrifon  was 
left  very  weak,  it  had  doubtlefs  fucceeded,  had  not  the 
\vant  of  froft  and  fnow  prevented  the  tranfportation  of  the 
Aores.  Before  he  left  New- York,  he  had  a  frelli  inftance  of 
the  unwearied  and  ill-natured  induftry  of  his  oppofers  j  of 
which,  becaufe  important  in  its  confequences,  I  fhall  give 
your  Lordfhip  an  ample  detail.  The  principal  agents  were 
MelTrs.  De  Lancey  and  Fownal,  who  now  formed  a  kind  of 
duumvirate,  to  perplex  the  fervice,  in  order  to  ruin  the 
General.  Without  queftion,  my  Lord,  you  are  as  much 
furprifed,  after  what  has  already  been  faid  concerning  thefe 
gentlemen,  to  find  Mr.  Pownal  among  the  General's 
enemies,  as  you  would  have  been  had  I  told  you  that  Mr. 
De  Lancey  v/as  not.  I  am  fenfible,  that  a  perfon  of  your 
Lordfhip's  high  fenfe  of  honour  will  recoiled  Mr.  Shirley's 
favours  to  him  at  Bofton  ;  and  think  it  incredible  to  find 
him  in  the  catalogue  of  thofe  combined  againft  his  benefac- 
tor. But  it  is  a  fliining  remark  of  Tacitus,*  "  That  benefits 
"  are  only  fo  far  acceptable,  as  it  feems  pofTible  to  difcharge 
"  them  ;  and  that  v/hen  they  have  exceeded  all  retaliation, 
"  hatred  is  returned  for  gratitude."  Mr.  Pownal,  who 
was  ambitious  of  recommending  himfelf  to  a  certain  noble 
Lord  in  England,  by  furnifliing  him  with  American  intel- 
ligence, could  by  no  means  brook  his  being  abfent  from 
the  congrefs  at  Alexandria,  in  the  fpring  of  the  preient 
year.  He  earneftly  fought  an  introdudion  to  Gen.  Brad- 
dock  ;  and  Mr.  Shirley  did  the  office  with  great  politenefs. 
He  was  then  juft  informed  of  his  appointment  to  be  Lieut, 
Governor  of  New-Jerfey,  and  on  that  account  pyefTed  for 
an  admiffion  into  the  council.  Mr.  Shirley,  in  a  very  gen- 
teel manner,  declined  a  tafl?:,  which  might  give  offence  to 
the  General  ;  and  if  any  refolution  tranfpired,  draw  him- 
felf into  a  fnare.  But  Mr.  Pownal,  being  a  ftranger  to 
that  diffidence  and  modefty  fo  fuitable  to  his  years  and 
inexperience,  became,  from  this  moment,  difgufted,  and 
was  fcldom  after  fcen  amongft  that  gentleman's  friends, 

^ 

*  Beneficia  eo  ul'que  Issts  funt,  dum  videntur  exfolvi  pofle  ;  ubi  mul- 
(um  antevenere,  pro  gratiii  odium  redditur. 


in  Narth- America,  from  ^753  fo  iy^6.  135 

He  tarried  at  Philadelphia,  till  General  Braddock's  defeat  ; 
and  towards  autmnn  returned  to  New- York.  This  chano-e 
of  temper  recommended  him  to  Mr.  De  Lancey,  who  fa?f- 
ed  not  to  exafperate  the  rifing  refentment  :  and  now  his 
oppofition  became  open  and  unreferved.  Juft  at  this  junc- 
ture, arrived  Sir  Charles  Hardy  ;  and  Mr.  Shirley  being 
then  at  Ofwcgo,  your  Lordftiip  fees  how  feafonable  their 
opportunity  for  fowing  the  feeds  of  prejudice  in  the  brcail 
of  the  new  Governor.  I  will  not  take  upon  me  to  fpeak 
of  their  fuccefs  ;  but  doubtlefs  no  mifreprefentations  were 
wanting  to  ftrengthen  the  cabal.  Yet  no  fooner  did  the 
General  arrive  from  Ofv/ego  at  Albany,  where  MelTrs. 
Pownal  and  De  Lancey  attended  upon  Sir  Charles,  than 
the  former,  diffembling  his  enmity,  laboured  to  procure 
his  confidence,  that  he  might  pry  into  his  fecrets  :  but 
from  previous  intimations  of  his  prefent  difpofition,  in  a 
letter  to  a  gentleman  then  near  the  General,  he  failed  in 
that  infidious  delign.  He  could  now  no  longer  fupprefs 
his  malevolence,  or  conceal  his  recent  connexions  ;  and 
therefore  openly  traduced  the  very  man,  to  whom  he  was 
indebted  for  ail  his  lignificancy  amongft  the  provinces. 
My  Lord,  it  is  v/ith  reiudance  I  utter  thefe  things.  But 
your  Lordfliip  is  as  determined  to  know  every  tranfadion,  \ 
which  concerns  the  operations  in  America,  as  I  am  to  dif- 
charge  the  office  of  a  faithful  hiftorian.  Truth 'is  too  fa- 
cred  to  be  violated,  either  cut  of  fear  or  favour  ;  and 
whatever  your  Lordfliip  may  think  of  this  gentleman, 
fuch  was  his  conduct.  I  knew  him  an  avowed  enemy  to 
Mr.  De  Lancey,  and  to  Mr.  Shirley  as  fanguine  a  friend. 
I  have  fince  known  him  to  calumniate  the  latter,  and  ap- 
plaud the  former.  With  a  change  of  refidence,  or  rather 
intereft,  he  changes  fides  ;  and,  on  this  account,  no  man 
perhaps  ever  multiplied  fo  many  adverfaries  in  fo  fhort  a 
time.  He  aims  at  two  governments,  without  the  leaft 
profped  of  peace,  if  either  of  them  fhould  fall  under  his 
command.  I  can  afiure  your  Lordihip,  that  even  in  the 
province  of  New-Jerfey  he  is  fo  little  efteemed,  and  that 
principally  for  intriguing  the  difbandment  of  the  regiment 
under  Col.  Schuyler,  to  difoblige  Mr.  Shirley,  that  upon 
his  return  to  England  in  February,  in  1756,  he  was  unable 
to  procure  a  vote  of  affembly,  deSring  his  aififtance-of 

their 


i^6  Review  of  the  7nUitary  Operations 

their  agent  at  the  Court  of  Great-Britain,  though  he  pufli- 
ed  it  with  an  earneftnefs  that  would  have  coft  moft  men  a 
blufh  of  confufion. 

Determined  to  embarrafs  the  General,  nothing  could 
have  been  more  agreeable  to  Mr.  Pownal,  and  the  Lieut. 
Governor  of  New- York,  than  an  admiflion  into  the  late 
council  of  war.  To  a  feat  at  that  board,  neither  of  them 
had  the  leaft  pretenfion  ;  and  yet  both  were  highly  dif- 
pleafed  at  not  being  invited.  Mr.  Pownal,  who  has  often 
diftinguiihed  himfelf  for  puiliing  a  bold  point,  repaired  to 
Nev/-Jerfey,  and  importuned  Governor  Belcher,  unable,  on 
account  of  his  age,  to  attend  the  congrefs  in  perfon,  to  de- 
pute him  in  his  Head.  His  Excellency  very  wifely  anfwer- 
ed,  that  the  invitation  he  had  received  from  the  General, 
was  merely  a  perfonal  compliment  :  nor  could  he,  with 
the  leaft  decency,  infift  upon  an  appearance  by  proxy.  His 
Lieutenant,  impatient  of  a  denial,  called,  in  a  menacing 
tone,  for  pen,  ink,  and  paper,  thinking  to  operate  on  the 
infirmities  of  age  by  com.mination  and  outrage.  The 
council  were  aftonilhed  at  this  indecent  attack  upon  an  an- 
cient and  faithful  fervant  of  the  Crown,  and  withheld  their 
advice.  But  the  Governor,  confcious  of  the  propriety  of 
his  refufal,  firmly  adhered  to  his  firft  refolution  ;  and  Mr. 
Fownal,  abruptly  quitting  the  board,  returned  with  difap- 
pointment  to  Nev/-York. 

This  gentleman,  my  Lord,  became  acquainted  at  Phila- 
delphia with  one  Evans,  who,  for  a  valuable*  confideration, 

dedicated 

*  Among  other  gentlemen  of  diftlnflion  in  the  colonies,  Mr.  Pownal 
became  acquainted  with  Mr.  Alexander,  of  New-York  ;  a  perfon  of 
friendly  difpofition  and  eafy  accefs.  Mr.  Alexander  had  now  the  Sur- 
veyor-General's office  of  New-Jerfey  :  and  Mr.  Pownal,  to  procure  the 
fulfome  dedication  from  Evans,  promifed  him  that  office,  upon  his  ac- 
ceffion  to  the  government.  This,  Evans  frequently  declared  in  liis  ill- 
nefs  to  one  of  his  moft  intimate  friends,  who  concealed  it  till  after  his 
death.  Such  an  anecdote  will  fcarcely  be  credited  by  thofe  unacquaint- 
ed with  Mr.  Pownal's  infatiable  ambition  to  rife  in  America.  There 
■was  another  inftance  of  his  condud  equally  furprifmg.  While  this  gen- 
tleman was  at  New- York,  difcliarging  his  embaffy  from  Bofton,  in  the 
fpring,  1755,  ^2  ^^^  ^'^^  ^o^"  of  a  map  of  the  country  from  Crown- 
Point  to  Montreal,  which  was  compofed  by  William  Alexander,  Efq.  a 
gentleman  well  (killed  in  the  geography  of  America.  Mr.  Pownal, 
who  had  occalion  to  lay  this  chart  before  the  aifembly  of  New-York, 

having 


in  North-America,  from  1753 /<?  1756.  137 

dedicated  to  him  his  map  of  the  middle  Britifh  colonies, 
with  an  encomium,  that  he  efteemed  him  the  beji  judge  of  it 
in  America.  This  man  having,  in  the  public  ftreets  of 
Philadelphia,  not  only  prefumed  to  accufe  Governor  Mor- 
ris of  high  treafon,  but  to  afperfe  two  of  his  Majefty's 
minifters  as  penlioners  to  France,  fled  from  juftice  there, 
and  took  fanduary  in  New- York.  Mr.  Morris,  however, 
commenced  an  action  againft  him  in  this  province,  more 
for  his  own  vindication,  than  a  reparation  of  damages, 
which  the  poor  fellow  would  never  have  been  able  to 
make.  Upon  this,  he  was  committed  to  gaol,  till  Mr.  Oli- 
ver De  Lancey  fo  far  befriended  him,  as  to  become  his  fe- 
curity.  Thefe  were  his  circumftances,  when  he  publiflied 
a  pamphlet  full  of  inveftives  againft  Gen.  Shirley.  I  will 
not  affirm,  that  he  wrote  it  at  the  inftance  of  the  cabal  in 
New- York.  I  leave  your  Lordfhip  to  judge  how  far  tliey 
were  concerned  in  it,  after  adding,  that  it  contained  their 
repeated  remarks  ;  that  Mr.  Pownal  was  frequently  at  his 
lodgings  about  the  time  of  its  publication  ;  and  did  adu- 
ally  accompany  him  to  a  printer,  to  haften  the  impreffion, 
before  he  failed  for  England.*  I  fliall  not  trouble  your 
Lordlhip  with  any  particular  obfervations  upon  this  libel. 
If  ever  it  Ihould  fail  into  your  Lordlhip's  hands,  this  let- 
ter will  affift  you  in  detefling  its  falfehoods,  and  forming 
a  proper  judgment  both  of  its  author  and  his  abettors. 

Thus,  my  Lord,  was  every  opportunity  embraced,  by 
the  cabal,  to  prejudice  the  General  in  the  opinion  of  the 
people  ;  and  happy  for  the  colonies,  had  their  mifrepre- 
fentations  been  confined  to  this  fide  the  Atlantic.     Bent 

on 

having  erafed  the  name  of  its  author,  very  modeftly  inferted  his  ovni. 
And  though  his  plagiarifm  was  deteded  at  the  time,  he  negleded  to  re- 
turn it,  and  afterwards  produced  the  fame  map  before  the  minillry, 
claiming  to  himfelf  the  honor  due  to  Mr.  Alexander  alone. 

*  Upon  the  news  of  the  lofs  of  Ofwego,  part  of  it  v/as  republiniccl 
in  the  New-York  Gazette,  to  lead  the  populace  to  iinpute  this  calamity 
to  General  Shirley.  It  was  appealed  to,  as  an  indifputable  authority, 
by  the  very  perfons  to  whom  poor  Evans  was  indebted  for  his  materi- 
als ;  and  without  whofe  dictating,  it  would  never  have  feen  the  liglit. 
To  write  a  book  in  another's  name,  and  then  to  quote  it  as  an  authori- 
ty, is  a  fpecies  of  proof,  with  which  Euclid  appears  to  have  been  utterly 
unacquainted. 

T  [FoL  vi;.] 


138  Refuk-w  cf  iJje  military  Ope raiiom 

on  Mr.  Shirley's  removal,  all  imaginable  pains  were  taken 
to  defame  his  diaracler.  Here,  they  queftioned  his  integ- 
rity :  but  in  England,  they  endeavoured  to  create  a  fufpi- 
cion  of  his  judgment.  General  Johnfon  was  fet  up  as  his 
competitor  j  and  to  his  renown  were  blown  all  the  trum- 
pets of  fame.  Shirley's  deep  fcnfe  of  the  importance  of 
Ofwego  was  made  the  objccT:  of  buffoonery  and  ridicule. 
The  redut^lion  of  Crown-Point  reprelented  as  a  matter  of 
fuperior  moment.  Three  hundred  men,  Mr.  De  Lancey 
often  declared  to  be  a  fufficient  garrifon  for  Ofwego.  The 
General  was  therefore  charged  with  fquandering  the  king's 
money,  in  making  it  the  main  object  of  his  attention  : 
and  out  of  mere  oppofition,  a  fcheme  was  recommended 
for  turning  our  whole  force  toward  Crown-Point.  Upon 
this  errand,  my  Lord,  Mr.  Pownal  went  home  in  Febru- 
ary, 1756.  I  need  not  inform  your  Lordlhip  of  the  fuc- 
cefs  of  the  fadion.  The  fequel  will  Ihew  with  what  con- 
fequences  it  v/as  attended.  Thus  ended  the  year  1755. 
A  year  never  to  be  forgotten  in  America.  It  opened  with 
the  faireft  profpects  to  thefe  diftant  difperfions  of  the  Brit- 
ifli  empire.  Four  armies  were  on  foot,  to  remove  the  en- 
croachments of  a  perfidious  neighbour  ;  and  our  coafts 
honoured  with  a  fleet  for  their  fecurity,  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  brave  and  vigilant  Bofcawen.  We  had  ev- 
ery thing  to  exped  :  nothing  to  fear.  The  enemy  was 
deipifed  ;  and  we  only  defired  a  proclamation  of  war,  for 
the  final  deftrudion  of  the  whole  country  of  New-France. 
But,  my  Lord,  how  unlooked-for  was  the  event !  General 
Winilow,  indeed,  fucceded  in  Nova-Scotia  ;  but  Braddock 
was  defeated  :  Niagara  and  Crown-Point  remained  unre- 
duced :  the  barbarians  were  let  loofe  from  the  wildernefs  : 
many  thoufand  farms  abandoned  :  the  King's  fubjeds  in- 
humanly butchered,  or  reduced  to  beggary  :  one  of  the 
provinces*  rent  by  inteftine  broils  :  in  another,  a  potent 
faclion  laying  the  foundation  for  new  difafters  in  the 
courfe  of  the  enfuing  year. 

The  New-England  colonies,  my  Lord,  take  the  lead  in 
all  mihtary  m^atters.  Your  Lordfliip  is  too  well  acquaint- 
ed with  hiftory,  not  to  know,  they  chiefly  owed  their  ori- 
gin to  the  difputes  which  involved  the  nation  in  aU  the 
calamities  of  a  civil  war.  The  flrll  planters  encountered 
*  Pennfyivania.  innumerable 


In  NGrth'Amcrka,  front  1753  to  lys^-  ^39 

innumerable  difficulties,  and  were  long  engaged  in  repeat- 
ed  wars  with  the  Indian  natives.     Their  dcfcendants  re- 
tain the  martial  prowefs  and  fpirit  of  their  anceftors  ;  and 
for  wifdom,  loyalty,  and  an  enterprifmg  genms,  are  a  peo- 
pie  of  renown.      In  thefe   governments    hes    the    mam 
ftrenffth  of  the  Britifh  intereft  upon  this  continent.    Beiides 
their  above  advantageous  character,  they  are  very  coniid- 
erable  for  their  numbers.     The  Maffachufetts-Bay  contams 
about  40,000  capable  of  arms.     The  miUtia  of  ConnecTicut 
is  about  27,000.     Rhode-Ifland  and  New-Hampfture  are 
not  fo  populous.     His  majefty's  fervice,  therefore,  render- 
ed it  neceffary  for  the  General,  according  to  the  plaiiot 
operations,  to  vifit  his  own  government,  m  order  to  lolicit 
the  fuccours,  without  which  the  expedition  propoied  a- 
gainft  Crown-Point  muft  inevitably  have  failed.      For  this 
purpofe  hefet  out  for  New-York  on  the  21ft  of  January  •, 
and,  but  for  his  prefeii^e  and  folicitations  at  Bolton,  no 
provincial  troops  would  this  year  have  entered  the  held. 
That  colony  was  fo  extremely  difobhged  at  the  conducT  ot 
General  Johnfon,  in  negleding  to  purfue  his  advantages, 
after  the  memorable  rout  of  the  French  at  Lake  George, 
as  to  be  in  general  averfe  to  a  new  campaign  :    and  with 
the  utmoft  difficulty  did  the  general  procure  their  concur- 
rence  in  another  expeVifive  attempt.     There  let  us  at  pre- 
fent  leave  him,  promoting  the  public  fervice  of  the  colo- 
nies  :  and  returning  again  to  New- York,  fuffer  me,  at  this 
inaaive  feafon  of  the  year,  to  entertain  your  Lordiliip  with 
one  or  two  inftances  of  Lieut.  Governor  De  Lancey's  more 
private  political  feats.  .       ^  nv 

Never  was  any  man  more  impoUtic  than  Governor  Clin- 
ton. Had  he  kept  the  chief  julHce  dependent  on  his  fa- 
vour, he  would  have  governed  his  province  with  eafe  and 
tranquiUity  :  but  by  granting  him  a  new  commiffion  tor 
his  office,  durhig  good  behaviour,  he  fet  him  at  liberty  to  a^t 
at  pleafure  :  and  in  confequence  of  this  fatal  error,  the 
province  was  thrown  into  violent  convulfions.  Nothing, 
therefore,  my  Lord,  could  be  more  dehrable  to  his  iucceli- 
or,  than  to  hold  that  gentleman  under  proper  reftraint. 
Sir  Charles  Hardy  had  this  advantage  :  his  office  of  chiet 
iuftice,  I  am  informed,  became  extinguiflied  the  moment 
the  government  devolved  upon  him  by  the  death  ot  bir 
^  Danvers 


140  Re'vlew  of  the  ?nilifary  Operations  . 

Danvers  Olborn.  From  the  time  of  Sir  Charles  Hardy's 
arrival,  Mr.  De  Lancey  had  impatiently  expected  a  new 
commiffion  :  but  the  governor  negleding  the  offer,  to  the 
aftonifhment  of  moft  in  the  province,  he,  notwithftanding, 
ventured  to  refume  his  feat  on  the  bench  in  January  term, 
when  two  felons  were  arraigned  before  him.  This  bold 
ftroke  at  the  prerogative,  moft  men  imagined,  would  have 
drawn  down  the  relentment  of  the  new  governor  :  and 
why  it  was  paffed  by  without  obfervation,  I  muft  leave  to 
your  Lordfliip's  conjedures.  That  De  Lancey  had,  in  re- 
ality, no  right  to  the  exercife  of  that  office,  has  been  ftrong- 
ly  ii^^i^ed  upon  by  gentlemen  of  the  law,  though  in  an  ex- 
trajudicial manner.  I  pretend  not  myfeif  to  any  knowledge 
in  that  intricate  fcience  ;  but  beg  leave  to  prefent  your 
Lordfliip  with  an  opinion,  relating  to  the  point,  contained 
in  the  following  letter  from  a  gentleman  of  the  profeffion 
to  his  friend  in  this  city  j  with  a  copy  of  which  I  have 
been  favoured. 

'^  Pbiladelp/jia,  21  OSf.  1755. 
"SIR, 

"  YOU  fay  you  are  informed,  that  your  Lieut.  Gov- 
"  ernor  defigns  to  exercife  his  former  office,  in  virtue  of 
"  the  commiffion  iffiied  by  your  late  Governor  Clinton. 
"  I  cannot  think  your  information  well  grounded,  becaufe 
"  I  am  clearly  of  opinion,  that  office  v/as  extinguilhed  by 
"  his  acceptance  of  the  Lieut.  Governor's  commiffion  : 
*'  and  I  conceive  Mr.  De  Lancey  will  hardly  venture  to  dif- 
"  pute  the  matter  with  the  crown.  The  main  reafon  I  go 
"  upon  is,  that  thofe  two  offices  are  incompatible.  To 
"  make  this  plain  to  you,  you  muft  underftand,  that  to 
"  every  office  there  are  duties  annexed.  The  fame  perfon 
"  cannot  exercife  two  offices  inconfiftent  with  one  another. 
"  One  of  them  muft  therefore  be  loft  ;  becaufe,  as  every 
"  office  is  pro  bono  publico,  its  ufe  lies  in  the  exercife  of  it  : 
"  and  the  inferior  office  is  that  which  is  loft,  becaufe  it  is 
*^*  moft  for  the  public  good,  that  the  officer  ffiould  hold  the 
"  fuperior  office,  as  the  law  prefumes  every  man  capable  of 
"  the  office  v/hich  the  King,  who  is  the  fountain  of  offices 
'•  and  honour,  is  pleafed  to  confer  upon  him.  Agreeable 
*■'  to  this,  we  find  many  refolutions  in  our  books  :  Til  men- 
tion 


in  North-America,  from  1753  to  1756.  14I 

*'  tion  one  or  two.  A  man  cannot  be  forefter  and  judge 
f'  eo  injlanti.  Roils  Rep.  452,  &c.  Nor  judge  of  the  Com. 
«  and  King's  bench  fimul  cff  femel  Dyer  s  Cafe  4  and  5 
«  Phil,  and  Mar.  The  firft  patent  h  defermined,  though  the 
*«  fecond  was  granted  pro  ilia  vice,  and  furrendered  the  next 
«  day.     Br.  N.  C.  5  Mar.  Br.  Commilhons  pi.  25. 

"  Nothing  now  remains  but  to  Ihew,  that  the  office  ot 
«  chief  iuftice  and  governor  of  your  province  are  mconlilfc. 
*'  ent.     To  explain  this,  I  muft  inform  you,  that  your  iu- 
«  preme  court  is  a  court  of  general  jurifdidicn,  ellabliihed 
"by  an  ordinance  of  governor  and  council;  claiming  the 
"  like  power  here  in  all  pleas,  civil  and  criminal,  as  tuUy  as 
«  they  are  taken  cognizance  of  by  the  King's  Bench  and 
"  Common  Pleas  in  England.      Superior  to  this,  is  the 
<^  Court  of  Governor  and  Council,  a  court  initituted  by  one 
«  of  his  Majefty's  inflrudions  to  your  governor,    jn  vir- 
«  tue  of  this  inftruaion,  writs  of  error  are  returned  from 
"  the  fupreme  court,  before  the  governor  and  council,    i  he 
"  i^conIiftency,  then,  of  the  two  offices  becomes  very  ap- 
«  parent.     By  the  inftrucT:ion,  the  governor  m  the  court 
«  above  is  a  fine  quo  non  ;  and  to  fuppofe  him  at  the  lame 
«  time  iudo-e  in  the  court  below,  and  muft  difregard  the 
"  abfurdity  of  the  governor's  fending  a  writ  to  command 
*'  himfelf  ;    and  of  his  juftifying  his  judgment  as  chiei 
«  iuftice  to  himfelf  in  council  a>3  governor  ;  and  yet  be  ex- 
«  eluded  from  a  voice  in   the  judgment  above  ;  which, 
"  neverthelefs,  cannot  be  given  without  him.     You  lee 
''  then  the  hicompallbiUty  is  much  ftronger,  than  if  a  man 
"  fhould  be  judge  both  of  the  King's  and  Common  iDcnch 
*'  in  England.     There  the  other  judges  of  B.  R.  might  cor- 
«'  red   the   error  in  the  Common  Pleas  ;    but   here  the 
«  courfe  of  public  juftice  might  be  entirely  ftopped. 

"  If  it  fliould  be  faid,  his  power  was  only  impended, 
"  while  in  the  chair  of  government  ;  I  anfwer  with  the 
"  obfervation  before,  that  an  office  is  a  duty,  as  the  very 
^'  word  itfelf  implies  :  and  I  know  of  no  lleeping  and  not- 
^'  to-be-exercifed  office.  Every  office  is  inftituted  for  the 
"  pubhc  good:  the  officer  is  therefore  oWiged  to  exercile 
«  his  duty  ;  for,  without  that,  he  cannot  ferve  the  pubhc  : 
"  and  to  be  obliged  to  ad,  and  at  the  fame  time  obliged  not  to 
*'  arl,  is  nonfenfe.  It  would  be  more  fpecious  to  lay,  tiie 
'  '  "  mft ruction 


142  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

*'  inftruclion  is  no  law,  as  your  affemblies  have  often  faid 
"  in  other  cafes ;  but  then,  Sir,  Mr.  De  Lancey,  in  obedi- 
"  ence  to  it,  has  dedined  ading  as  judge  ever  fince  the  death 
*'  of  Sir  Danvers  Ofborn  :  and  why  has  he  (as  I  have  been 
*'  informed)  rejefted  a  writ  of  error,  becaufe,  according  to 
*'  this  very  inftrudion,  the  damages  in  demand  did  not  ex- 
*'  ceed  300I.  fterling  ?  Befides,  this  court  of  Governor  and 
"  Council,  I  am  told,  has  long  exercifed  its  power,  under 
*'  this  and  form.er  inftruclions  to  your  governors  of  the 
*'  like  tenor,  without  the  leaft  oppofition. 

*'  The  offices  will  further  appear  to  be  inconfiftent,  if  yon 
*'  refled,  that  as  governor  he  is  alfo  chancellor.  The  Cdurt 
"  of  Chancery  often  reftrains  the  power  of  the  law  courts  : 
*'  and  it  is  the  fpirit  of  every  court  to  enlarge  its  own  ju- 
*'  rifdiction.  Upon  both  thefe  accounts,  the  two  oiSces 
"  mufl  inevitably  clalh.  I  know  that  Knevet  was  former- 
"  ly  chief  juftice  and  chancellor  :  but  the  propriety  of  that 
"  double  invelliture  was  never  folemiily  confidered.  It 
*'  was  long  ago,  in  the  time  of  Edward  III.  There  has  been 
"  no  inftance  of  the  hke  in  later  times  ;  nor  do  I  believe 
**  it  would  be  fufFered.  But  the  cafe  is  much  ftronger 
"  here  j  and  I  cannot  conceive,  for  the  reafons  above,  that 
*'  your  lieutenant  governor  will  attempt  to  fit  as  judge  by 
"  virtue  of  his  old  commiffion.  It  is  more  probable  he 
'"will  prevail  on  your  governor,  lately  arrived,  to  grant 
^'  him  a  new  patent.  "  I  am,"    &c. 

Perhaps,  my  Lord,  no  higher  evidence  can  be  affigned  of 
a  man's  influence,  than  fuch  a  bold  invafion  of  his  Majef- 
ty*s  prerogative.  Mr.  De  Lancey  was  determined  not  to 
lofe  an  office,  which  he  knew  to  be  the  grand  fource  of  his 
popularity,  and  the  main  prop  of  his  power  :  for,  whoever 
is  chief  juiiice  of  the  province,  unlefs  a  very  novice,  muft 
be  the  fecond  man  in  the  government.  Governor  Hardy 
made  no  oppofition  to  this  large  ftride  of  ambition  :  and 
the  other,  not  long  after,  by  his  wonderful  artifice,  fubjed- 
cd  him  to  his  abfolute  dominion.  It  was  effefted  in  the 
following  manner  :  Your  Lordffiip  v/ill  be  pleafed  to  recoi- 
led, that  Mr.  De  Lancey  had  the  addrefs  to  prevail  upon 
the  affembly  to  fend  up  a  bill  to  the  council,  on  the  4th  of 
February,  intituled,  "  An  aa  for  the  Payment  of  the  Debts 

due 


in  North-Amrica^  from  "^753  ^^  ^75^'  145 

due  from  this  Colony  ;  mid  other  purpofes  therein  ?nentioned.^* 
By  this,  payments  were  to  be  made  to  many  creditors  6f 
the  government, /cr/tTwV^j-  do7ie  this  colony,  without  fpecify- 
ing  what  thofe  fervices  were.  The  Lieut.  Governor  was 
to  receive  3787L  i6s.  and  feveral  other  fums  were  payable 
to  his  brother.  It  was  in  reahty  a  bill  for  difcharging  the 
arrears  due  to  the  ordinary  officers  of  the  government. 
To  render  it  the  more  palatable  to  the  Governor,  provi- 
lion  was  made  for  paying  him  alfo  large  fums  for  prefents 
to  the  Indians,  and  the  expenfes  of  his  voyage  to  Albany, 
after  the  French  repulfe  at  Lake  George.  When  it  came 
up  to  the  council,  it  obtained  a  majority  only  by  one  voice  : 
and  of  thefe,  my  Lord,  two  gentlemen,  befides  Lieut.  Gov. 
De  Lancey,  were  themfelves  interefted  in  the  bill.  They 
were  the  puifne  judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  Meffrs. 
Horfemanden  and  Chambers,  whofe  arrears  of  falary  were 
now  by  the  aft  to  be  difcharged.  Meffrs.  Colden,  Alexan- 
der, and  Smith  looked  upon  it  as  a  mean  invafion  of  tlie 
King's  inftructions,  which,  until  they  refigned  their  feats 
at  the  council  board,  they  were  bound  in  honour  to  regard 
with  facred  punftuality.  It  was,  befides,  evidently  par- 
tial ;  no  provilion  being  made  for  other  creditors,  whofe 
demands  were  indifputable.  They  alfo  conceived  it  derog- 
atory to  the  dignity  of  that  board  to  pafs  an  act,  excluding 
themfelves  from  any  knowledge  of  thofe  fervices,  for  which 
the  refpedive  fums  were  made  payable.  For  thefe  reafons, 
among  others,  they  oppofed  the  biU  ;  and  prayed  their 
diffent  might  be  entered,  as  a  vindication  of  themfelves  to 
liis  Majefty.  The  Governor,  to  whom  it  was  fent  up,  de- 
tained it  for  farther  conlideration,  though  he  pafTed  feveral 
other  bills  on  the  19th  of  the  month.  This  circumftance, 
my  Lord,  could  not  but  chagrin  his  Lieutenant,  who  had 
the  bill  much  at  heart,  not  only  on  account  of  the  large 
fums  thereby  payable  to  himfelf  and  brother,  but  becaufe 
the  palling  it  into  a  law  would  be  the  fulleft  evidence  of 
his  afcendancy  over  the  Governor  ;  and  if  he  could  bring 
him  into  difgrace  with  the  niiniftry,  by  leading  him  into  a 
breach  of  inftrudions,  it  was  plain  he  would  iiave  nothing 
to  rely  upon,  but  his  own  popularity.  This  was  an  im- 
portant card,  and  to  be  Ikilfuliy  played  off.  So  indeed  it 
was  :    and  when  I  finifh  the  ftory,  I  am  perfuaded  your 

Lordfliip 


144  Reviezo  of  the  inilitary  Operations 

Lordfhip  v/ill  entertain  no  very  mean  opinion  of  Americas 
politicians.  The  fpring  was  now  advancing  ;  and  it  be- 
came neceffary  to  pafs  a  law  for  levying  forces,  not  only  to 
join  the  eallern  colonies,  on  a  new  expedition  againft  the 
French  fortrefs  at  Crown-Point,  but  for  the  protecflion  of 
our  weftern  frontiers,  in  conjundion  with  Pennfylvania 
and  New-Jerfey,  which  were  become  fields  of  blood,  by  the 
daily  ravages  of  inhuman  barbarians.  The  bill  for  this  pur- 
pofe  originated  with  the  alTembly  ;  and  Mr.  De  Lancey, 
who  was  now  ciofeting  the  members,  was  its  principal  con- 
ftructor.  When  it  came  before  the  council,  on  the  28th 
of  March,  that  board  immediately  objected  to  it,  according 
to  his  expectations  :  and  the  Governor  declared,  that  if 
the  council  approved,  he  ihould  himfelf  give  it  a  negative. 
According  to  the  tenor  of  this  bill,  the  forces  defigned  for 
the  weftern  expedition  were  to  ferve  but  forty  days,  when 
the  province  of  New-Jerfey  had  ordained  their  quota  to  be 
difbandable  by  Mr.  Belcher  :  and  Sir  Charles  Hardy  infift- 
ed,  that  the  like  confidence  ought  to  be  repofed  in  his 
judgment.  The  two  houfes  now  engaged  themfelves  in  a 
difpute,  at  a  time  when,  of  all  others,  every  contention 
lliould  have  been  avoided.  Mr.  Oliver  De  Lancey,  ap- 
pointed by  the  houfe  to  provide  the  fupplies  for  the  regi- 
ment defigned  as  our  quota  towards  the  Crown-Point  ex^ 
pedition,  now  gave  orders  to  ftop  all  farther  preparations, 
an  open  rupture  between  the  governor  and  aifembly  being 
daily  expected.  The  members  began  freely  to  fpeak  againft 
him.  The  council  laboured  to  procure  an  alteration  of 
•  the  bill  ;  but  all  to  no  purpofe.  The  principal  thing  aim- 
ed at,  was  the  paffing  of  the  debt  bill  :  and  a  leading 
member  in  the  houfe  plainly  intim.ated  their  defigns  to  the 
Governor.  Doubtless  your  ^Lordflnip  will  v/onder  he  did 
not  diflblve  them  with  indignation.  Believe  me,  my  Lord, 
it  would  have  been  a  ftep,  at  this  time,  extremely  unadvif- 
able.  Forty  days  intermiiiion,  between  the  teft  and  return 
of  the  writ  of  fummons  for  the  eleftion  of  reprefentatives, 
being  required  by  law,  the  'pubhc  exigencies  were  too 
preffing  to  admit  of  any  delay.  Mr.  De  Lancey  knew  all 
his  advatages  :  and  that  Sir  Charles  Hardy  might  be  at  no 
lofs  to  conje<5ture  that  the  houfe  was  now  atling  at  his 
beck,  nor  himfelf  under  the  neceffity  of  joining  with  the 

council 


in  Norih-Afnerica,  frotn  1753 /o  1756.  145 

council  againft  the  bill,  abfented  himfelf  from  the  confulta- 
tions  of  that  board.  The  neighbouring  colonies,  in  the 
mean  time,  were  urging  the  difpatch  of  our  preparations 
for  opening  the  campaign.  Reduced  at  length  by  thefe 
perplexities,  he  was  obliged  to  fend  for  his  lieutenant,  and 
gave  him  his  promife  to  pafs  the  favourite  bill  for  payment 
of  the  public  debts.  The  houfe  then  privately  took  back 
the  quota-bill ;  and,  after  a  few  alterations,  the  council  paf- 
fed  it  on  the  31ft  of  March.  To  both  of  them  Sir  Charles 
gave  his  affent  the  following  day  :  and  they  were  enrolled 
among  our  laws.  I  leave  this  affair  to  your  Lordfhip's  own 
reflections  ;  obferving  only,  that  from  this  period,  the 
Lieutenant  Governor's  influence  became  m.ore  apparent 
than  before  ;  and  that  as  it  always  was,  fo  it  wiU  ever  con- 
tinue to  be,  his  ruling  pafiion,  and  the  grand  engine  of  his 
politics,  to  crufli  or  control  the  King's  governors  in  this 
province. 

The  plan  of  operations,  concerted  at  New- York  in  De- 
cember, was  a  few  days  after  tranfmitted  to  Sir  Thomas 
Robinfon,  to  be  laid  before  his  Majefliy,  for  the  royal  appro- 
bation*. Upon  the  arrival  of  the  firlt  veffels  from  Europe 
in  April  following,  we  were  furprifed  with  thefe  remarkable 
articles  of  intelligence  :  that  the  adion  at  L.George  had  been 
magnified  in  England  into  an  almofl:  decifive  victory  ;  that 
Mr.  Johnfon  was  advanced  to  the  dignity  of  a  baronet,  and 
5000I.  fterling  voted  by  the  commons,  as  a  farther  reward 
for  his  great  fervices  :  that  Eyres,  his  engineer,  was  raifed 
to  a  majority  ;  and  Wraxal,  his  fecretary,  to  the  command 
of  a  company.  To  crown,  in  fine,  the  utmoft  wifhes  of  his 
adverfaries,  that  Mr.  Shirley's  condud  having  been  entire- 
ly difapproved,  his  Majefty  had  been  pleafed  to  remove  him 
from  the  command,  and  appoint  the  right  lion,  the  Earl  of 
Loudon  general  of  aU  his  forces  in  North- America.  Than 
thefe  particulars,  nothing  could  have  been  more  pleafing  to 
the  New- York  cabal,  as  they  were  fliortly  to  reap  the  fruits 
of  all  thofe  calumnies,  of  which  they  had  been  the  origin- 
al 

*  Mr.  Pownal  importuned  Mr.  Shirley  to  he  made  the  bearer  of  thefe 
difpatches.     The  General  very  civilly  thanked  him  for  the  offer  of  his 
fervice  ;    but  chofe  rather  to  confide  in  Major  Rutherford  and  Capt. 
Staats  Morris.     Mr.  Pownal  followed  foon  alter  them  to  Eng!anJ. 
U  IFoL  vii.] 


146  Review  df  the  military  Operations 

al  authors.  A  change  of  the  General  at  once  gratified  their 
revenge  and  ambition,  and  facilitated  the  execution  of  an 
affair  earneftly  folicited,  and  greatly  advancive  of  their  in- 
tereft. 

I  will  not  affert,  that  Mr.  Shirley  had  yet  received  his 
Majefty's  orders  with  refpe<5}:  to  the  late  plan  of  operations. 
I  believe  he  had  not,  becaufe  on  the  7th  of  May  he  arrived 
at  Albany,  and  continued  his  preparations  for  carrying  that 
plan  into  execution,  until  the  25th  of  the  month,  when  a 
council  of  war  was  there  held,  conlifting  of  the  following 
members  : 

His  Excellency  the  General, 
Lieut.  Col.  Gage,  Lieut.  Col.  Burton,  Major  Chapman, 
Major  Sparks,  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  John  Montrefor,  Efq. 
chief  engineer. 
Mr.  Shirley  laid  before  them  the  minutes  of  the  congrefs 
in  December,  and  acquainted  them  with  the  ftate  of  affairs. 
With  refpecl  to  the  weftern  expedition,  the  naval  force  up- 
on the  lake  confifted,  he  obferved,  of  two  veflels  of  ten  car- 
riage guns  each  ;  two  rowgallies,  each  often  fwivels ;  and 
that  he  had  three  months  before  ilfued  orders  for  building 
three  other  veifels,  one  of  eighteen,  another  of  fixteen,  and 
a  third  of  twelve  carriage  guns.  Beiides  which,  there 
would  be  250  whale-boats  upon  the  lake,  each  of  them  ca- 
pable of  containing  fixteen  men.  The  land  forces  then  at 
Ofwego,  and  on  their  march  for  preferving  a  free  commu- 
nication between  that  place  and  Albany,  were  his  own  and 
Pepperell's  regiments,  with  that  raifed  and  fupported  by 
the  province  of  New-Jerfcy,  and  the  four  independent 
companies  of  New-York.  As  there  was  a  magazine  of 
provifions  and  ilores  at  the  Canajohary  Falls,  about  thirty- 
five  miles  from  Scheneftady,  his  Excellency  propofed  port- 
ing there  100  men  out  of  thofe  forces  ;  as  many  more  at 
the  German  Flats,  to  fecure  another  magazine,  guard  the 
portage,  and  convoy  the  provifions  through  the  Wood 
Creek  :  and  as  the  fall  near  Ofwego  occalioned  another 
fmali  portage,  a  fort  was  there  alfo  to  be  ereded,  for  a  gar- 
rifon  of  fifty  men  at  leafi:.  It  was,  my  Lord,  of  the  great- 
efi:  moment  to  keep  open  the  communica.tion  between  Al- 
bany and  our  fort  on  the  lake  ;  his  Excellency  was  there- 
fore intent  upon  raifing  four  companies  of  fixty  privates 

each, 


in  North-Amerka^  from   1753  i^<5   1756,  147 

each,  to  be  employed  in  fcoiiting  along  the  palTage,  and 
harafiing  the  French  fettlements  between  Frontenac  and 
Montreal. 

The  General  gave  them  alfo  an  account  of  the  ftrength 
of  Ofwego,  when  he  left  it  the  laft  fall  ;  adding,  that  he 
had  fent  up  Mr.  M'Kellcr,  the  engineer  in  fecond,  and  Mr. 
Sewer,  a  praciitioner  engineer,  with  orders  to  make  fuch 
additional  works,  as  they  fliould  think  neceffary  for  the  fe- 
curity  of  that  important  poft.  And  your  Lordfliip  will  be 
pleafed  to  take  notice,  that  thefe  orders  were  iffued  very 
early  in  March,  before  the  Mohawk  river  was  open  ;  and 
that  the  engineers  aftually  arrived  at  Ofwego  in  April. 
At  thefe  feveral  garrifons  w^re  to  be  depofited  fix  months 
provifions  for  7000  ;  and  he  obferved  to  the  council,  that, 
for  that  purpofe,  200  whaleboats  and  500  batteaux  had 
been  difpatched,  fince  the  iirft  of  April,  from  Schenedlady. 
The  remaining  quantity  would  have  been  tranfported  by 
the  middle  of  July,  had  his  deligns  been  carried  into  ex- 
ecution. 

As  to  the  provincial  expedition,  he  informed  them,  that 
the  troops  voted  by  the  feveral  colonies  amounted  to  8800 
men,  including  the  officers  and  garrifons  at  the  forts  Ed- 
ward and  William-Henry.  One,  or  perhaps  two  hundred 
Indians  might  be  expe<fled  to  join  them,  belides  a  company 
which  his  Excellency  had  raifed,  to  harafs  the  enemy  upon 
lake  Chaniplain,  and  procure  intelligence  of  their  motions 
in  Canada  ;  and  three  more,  for  the  Hke  fervice,  were  in- 
tended to  be  chofen  out  of  the  whole  force  deftined  for 
Crown -Point. 

About  this  time,  one  Rogers,  of  New-Hampfliire,  captain 
of  a  ranging  company,  gave  repeated  demonftrations  of  his 
activity  in  the  neighourhood  of  Crown-Point.  He  made 
many  incurfions  upon  the  enemy,  fell  on  their  fcattered 
parties,  and  fcarce  ever  returned  to  Fort  William-Henry 
without  fcalps  and  prifoners.  The  General  took  particular 
notice  of  him  ;  and  he  became  fmgularly  ferviceable  in 
procuring  intelligence.  By  a  cadet,  whom  he  took  on  the 
20th  of  May,  we  were  informed,  that  the  whole  number 
of  men  at  Fort  St.  Frederick,  Ticonderoga,  and  at  an  ad- 
vanced poft,  were  1 100,  compofed  of  the  regiments  of  Lan- 
guedoc,  the  Queen's  regiment,  two  companies  of  the  colo- 
ny 


148  Review  of  the  ?n'ditary  Operations 

ny  troops,  and  the  militia.  Befides  thefe,  there  were  In- 
dians ;  but  their  numbers  uncertain.  That  at  Ticondero- 
ga  the  French  had  twelve  pieces  of  ordnance  mounted,  and 
carriages  preparing  for  ah  additional  number  ;  but  that 
the  retrenchment  at  the  advanced  poft  was  without  any 
cannon.  Thefe  troops  wintered  at  Montreal  and  Chambly, 
and  arrived  at  the  fouth  end  of  the  lake  about  the  middle 
of  April,  being  plentifully  fupplied  with  provifions  and 
military  ftores.  Thefe  intelligences  the  General  laid  be- 
fore his  council  ;  and  then  obferved,  that  the  50th  and 
51ft  regiments,  the  four  independent  companies,  and  the 
regiment  of  New-Jerfey,  were  fcarce  a  third  part  of  the 
number  of  troops  defigned  by  the  general  plan  for  the  op- 
erations upon  Lake  Ontario  :  that  the  provincials  were 
alfo  not  only  deficient  of  the  complement  thought  necef- 
fary  at  the  congrefs,  but  even  of  the  number  voted  by  the 
provinces  concerned  in  the  enterprife  againft  Crown-Point ; 
and  that  it  was  impradicable,  even  with  the  jun<5lion  of 
the  44th  and  48th  regiments,  then  at  Albany,  to  carry  on 
both  the  northern  and  weftern  expeditions  at  the  fame 
time  :  that  he  had  no  dependance  upon  the  Indians  of  the 
Six  Nations,  Sir  William  Johnfon  being  unable  to  procure 
fcouting  parties  ;  and  that  upon  this  account  he  propofed 
railing  four  companies  for  that  fervice. 

Your  Lordlhip  may  hence  obferve,  what  reafon  the  con- 
grefs in  December  had  for  their  opinion,  that  more  troops 
were  neceifary  for  his  Majefty's  fervice  in  America.  No 
reinforcements  being  yet  arrived  from  England,  for  carry- 
ing the  general  plan  into  execution,  the  council  Vv-ere  of 
unanimous  opinion,  that  1300  ought  to  be  polled  at  Ofwe- 
go,  5c  at  the  Falls,  200  at  the  Oneida  Carrying-Place,  150 
at  the  German  Fiats,  and  as  many  more  at  the  Canajoha- 
ry  Falls.  They  advifed,  therefore,  that  the  50th  and  51O:, 
and  the  New-Jerfey  regiments,  the  independents,  and  the 
North-Carolina  provincials,  (ail  which  amounted  to  about 
2000  men)  iliould  be  employed  in  that  fervice.  The  44th 
and  48th  regiments,  with  the  colony  troops,  v/ere  thought 
fufficient  to  reduce  Crown-Point.  Accordingly,  they  re- 
commxcnded  their  junction  ;  advifing,  however,  that  the 
regulars  Ihould  continue  for  a  time  in  their  encampment  at 
Albany.  The  ranging  companies,  propofed  by  the  Gene- 
ral, 


in  North- A7nenca,  fro7n   1753  '^  '^75^-  ^4^5 

ral,  were  highly  approved ;  and  the  railing  of  others 
ftrongly  recommended.  They  alio  concurred  with  him  in 
fentiment,  that  a  road  ought  to  be  made  from  the  German 
Flats  to  Ofwego  ;  and  declared,  it  appeared  to  them  very 
neceffary  to  ftrengthen  Fort  Edward,  and  ered  another  at 
the  South  Bay.  The  former  was  a  depoiit  for  ftores,  and 
at  the  concurrence  of  all  the  routes  from  Crown-Point  to 
Albany.  The  latter  would  command  the  route  taken  by 
barron  Dielkau  for  his  deiigned  attack  upon  Fort  Edward  ; 
a  route  through  which  incurfions  were  frequently  made 
upon  our  northern  frontier.  A  fort  at  the  South  Bay  was 
conceived  requilite,  to  cover  our  convoys  of  provifions  for 
the  northern  expedition  from  the  infults  of  the  enemy,  who, 
in  flying  parties,  infelled  the  paflage  from  Albany*  to  Wil- 
liam-Henry. The  propriety  of  this  advice,  my  Lord,  muft 
be  evident  to  every  man  of  a  tolerable  acquaintance  with 
the  country  ;  and  thefe  were  the  very  fentiments  which 
the  General  repeatedly  communicated  to  Sir  William  John- 
fon,  in  his  letters,  after  the  aftion  at  Lake  George  j  which 
were  then  flighted  by  the  cabal,  who  ftudioully  oppofed 
him  in  all  his  meafures. 

Thus  I  have  fliewn  your  Lordfiiip  the  reafons  why  the 
general  plan  continued  to  be  unexecuted,  till  the  fitting  of 
this  laft  council  of  war.  Mr.  Shirley,  however,  in  hopes 
of  the  arrival  of  the  expelled  reinforcements,  and  loath  to 
be  diverted  from  his  favourite  defigns  upon  Lake  Ontario, 
continued  to  throw  large  quantities  of  provilions  and  ftores 
into  Schenedady,  and  all  the  magazines  between  that  place 
and  Ofwego.  This,  it  was  fuppofed,  v/as  done  to  induce 
his  fucceftor,  from  thefe  ample  fupplies,  to  aft  upon  this 
quarter  ;  it  being  univerfally  imagined,  that  Crown-Point 
was  now  become  the  main  object  of  the  miniftry.  Till  the 
arrival  of  General  Webb,  on  the  7th  of  June,  this  was  only 
conje«5bure,  and  general  report.  The  effecls  of  the  mifrep- 
refentations  of  American  afiairs  in  England,  then  became 
evident  to  all  ;  for  the  ftores,  laid  in  at  Schenedady,  were 

now 

*  For  the  building  of  a  fort  at  South  Bay,  preparations  were  making 
when  Mr.  Shirley  refigned  the  command  of  the  army  :  but  the  work 
has  fmce  been  neglefted  ;  and  the  paflage  from  Fort  Edward  to  pur 
camp  at  William-Henry,  infefted  all  this  fummer;  and  manv  of  our  peo- 
ple cut  off,  as  was  forefeen  by  this  counciL 


i^G  Rfvieiu  of  the  military  Operations 

now  reconveyed  tvO  Albany,  for  the  northern  expedition  ; 
and  freili  clamours  excited  againft  Mr.  Shirley,  for  his  fup- 
plies  towards  the  weftern  operations*  On  the  15th  of 
June,  Major  General  Abercrombie  landed  at  New- York  ; 
and  ten  days  after,  at  Albany  ;  where  he  immediately  took, 
upon  himfelf  the  command  of  the  army.  Shirley  continu- 
ed there  no  longer  than  to  deliver  over  to  the  new  Gene-s 
ral  the  proper  returns,  and  communicate  fuch  information 
as  appeared  necellary,  with  refpecl  to  the  prefent  lituation 
of  affairs. 

The  whole  force,  of  which  General  Abercrombie  now 
took  the  command,  confifted  of  the  44th,  48th,  50th,  and 
51ft  regiments,  four  independent  companies,  the  New-Jer- 
fey  regiment,  four  companies  raifed  by  the  province  of 
North-Carolina,  Otway's,  and  the  Highland  regiments,* 
and  the  provincial  forces  deftined  againit  Crown-Point. 

Inflructions  had  been  given  to  Sir  William  Johnfon,  tQ 
procure  a  large  body  of  the  Six  Nations,  to  join  in  any  at- 
tempt that  might  be  made  upon  the  Lake  Ontario  ;  and 
to  engage  1 00  more  for  the  affiftance  of  the  provincia;!  arr 
my.  To  effect  which,  he  was  then  holding  a  conference 
with  the  deputies  of  the  Six  Cantons  at  Onondaga,  from 
Vv^hence  he  was  to  proceed  immediately  to  Ofwego.  Mr. 
Shirley  had,  belides,  raifed  a  company  of  Indians  from 
Stockbridge,  to  be  employed  in  ranging  the  woods  between 
Fort  Wilham-Henry  and  Montreal ;  and  that  his  Majefty's 
fervice  upon  Lake  Ontario  might  be  free  from  the  obftruc- 
tions,  by  which  it  had  been  the  year  before  greatly  embar^ 
raffed,  lie  had  enlifted  40  companies  of  batteau-men,  each 
of  50  men,  a  captain  and  an  affiftant,  for  tranfporting  Rores 
and  provifions  to  Ofwego.  Thefe  were  put  under  the 
direftion  of  Captain  Braditreet,  an  active,  vigilant  officer, 
inured  to  the  hardiiiips  to  v*'hich  that  fervice  inevitably 
expofed  him.  This,  though  one  of  the  moft  judicious 
meafures  that  could  have  been  taken,  was  made  the  fub- 
ject  of  low  inveclivT.  The  faction  at  New- York  laboured 
to  reprefent  it  as  a  project  to  involve  the  Crown  in  a  need- 
lefs  expenfe  :  but  time  has  given  the  fulleft  evidence  of 
the  propriety  of  this  ftep  ;    and  proper  it  will  appear  to 

your 

*  Thefe  two  regiments  arrived  with  him,  and  confifted  of  about  900 


in  NortJj-Amej-ica,  from  lySd  ^^  ^75^'  15J 

your  Lordfliip,  before  the  conclufion  of  this  letter.  Gen- 
eral  Shirley  wifely  forefaw,  that  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions, whatever  influence  over  them  Sir  WilHam  Johnfon 
might  pretend,  could  not  be  engaged  even  to  proteft  the; 
King's  troops  in  the  pafiage  through  their  own  country  ; 
and  that  unlefs  the  communication  was  kept  open  to  Of- 
vvego,  nothing  could  be  effe^ed  upon  the  Lake,  nor  the 
garrifon  itfelf  preferved  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  Accordingly,  no  foOner  did  the  fpring  open,  than 
a  little  blockaded  poft,  with  twenty-five  men,  at  the  Car- 
rying-Place, in  the  very  center  of  the  Oneida  country,  was 
cut  off;  the  Oneidas  themfelves  being  unqueftionably  con- 
cerned in  the  maflacre.  Nothing  could  fecure  us  againilt 
the  repetition  of  thefe  infults,  but  paffing  through  the 
country  with  large  fquadrons  of  batteaux  :  and  to  facili- 
tate the  tranfportation,  Mr.  Shirley,  who  canvafled  every 
expedient  for  the  prefervation  of  Ofwego,  employed  a 
working  party  of  eighty  men,  under  a  director,  to  remove 
the  obftruclions  in  the  Wood-Creek  ;  by  this  means,  the 
portage  from  the  Mohawk  River,  acrofs  the  great  Carry- 
ing-PlacCj  was  reduced  from  eight  miles  to  one.  Nor  did 
he  omit  obferving  to  his  fucceffor,  that  an  attempt  upon 
Niagara  was  of  the  laft  importance  ;  the  lofs  or  preferva-* 
tion  of  our  Indians  depending  upon  the  fuccefs  of  the  op* 
erations  on  Lake  Ontario. 

Relative  to  the  Crown-Point  expedition,  he  recom.mend- 
ed  the  march  of  part  of  the  arm^y,  in  a  new-difcovered 
route,  on  the  weft  fide  of  Lake  George,  to  the  enemy's 
advanced  works,  five  miles  Ihort  of  Ticonderoga  ;  which 
being  carried,  the  heavy  artillery  and  ftores  might  be  there 
landed,  and  tranfported  through  a  road  to  Ticonderoga 
and  Fort  Frederick  :  and  after  the  reduction  of  thofe  for- 
trefles,  he  advifed  General  Abercrombie  immediately  to 
conftrud  armed  veiTels,  to  fecure  the  command  of  Lake 
Champlain. 

Your  Lordfhip  may  remember,  tha:t  an  attempt  was 
propofed,  at  the  congrefs  in  December,  againft  Fort  Du 
Quefne,  with  an  army  of  3000  provincials.  Governor 
Sharpe  was  to  have  commanded  in  that  enterprife  ;  but 
there  remained  now  no  hopes  of  its  profecution.  Virginia 
chofe  to  be  entirely  upon  the  defenfive.     Maryland  was 

wholly 


152  Review  cf  the  miUtary  OpcratiG7is 

wholly  inatlive  ;  her  frontier  being  covered  by  the  :ad- 
joining  provinces :  and  as  to  Pennfylvania,  {he  raifed  in- 
deed 1 500  men,  but  only  witli  a  view  to  proteft  her  out- 
farms  ;  nor  probably  would  thus  far  have  confulted  her 
own  fafety,  but  for  the  daily  murders  and  horrid  cruelties 
perpetrated  upon  her  borders. 

With  refpe6l  to  the  circumftanccs  of  Indian  affairs  to 
the  northward  :  While  Mr.  Shirley  was  at  Ofwego,  and 
upon  his  return,  as  I  before  obferved  to  your  Lordihip,  he 
propofed  to  the  Senecas,  Cayugas,  Onondagas,  and  Onei- 
das,  the  ereftion  of  fmall  forts,  for  the  protedion  of  their 
refpeftive  caftles.  The  two  laft  tribes  confented  ;  defiring 
alfo,  that  the  forts  might  be  mounted  with  cannon  :  and 
the  Tufcoraras  afterwards  fent  deputies  to  him,  v/ith  the 
like  requeft.  The  Senecas  and  Cayugas  had  alfo  lately  iig- 
nified  their  acquiefcence  to  Sir  William  Johnfon  ;  and  the 
General  tranfmitted  him  the  plan  of  a  fort,  directing  the 
profecution  of  the  work  with  all  poffible  difpatch,  as  a 
moll  effe^ual  means  to  fecure  the  Indian  country  to  his 
Majefty. 

Before  Mr.  Shirley  left  Ofwego  the  laft  year,  he  propofed 
to  the  Six  Nations,  their  convening  this  fummer,  in  a 
grand  council  there,  the  Indians  on  the  north  fide  of  Lake 
Ontario,  and  round  Lake  Erie,  to  confult  their  common 
intereft,  and  maintain  a  correfpondence  by  annual  coun- 
cils at  Ofwego.  And  to  draw  off  the  latter  from  their  at- 
tachment to  the  French,  recommended  to  the  Six  Nations 
their  concurrence,  in  opening  a  free  trade  with  the  foreign 
Indians,  at  the  entrance  of  the  Onondaga  river,  upon 
terms  more  advantageous  to  aU  the  Indians  than  any  hith- 
erto purfued.  This  fpring.  Sir  WiUiam  Johnfon  informed 
his  Excellency,  that  the  Six  Nations  were  extremely  well 
pleafed  with  the  projeds  relating  both  to  the  trade  at  Of- 
wego, and  the  conftruftion  of  forts  in  their  cantons.  To 
accelerate  the  latter,  the  General  fupplied  him  with  5000I. 
fterling,  in  addition  to  5000L  advanced  to  him  by  General 
Braddock  :  and  yet,  my  Lord,  he  was  conftrained  to  con- 
fefs,  in  a  fubfequent  letter,*  that,  unlefs  his  Excellency 
could  engage  feveral  companies  of  rangers,  he  defpaired  of 
the  prefervation  even  of  a  free  paiTage  througii  their  coun- 
try :  and  whether  he  has,  to  this  day,  built  a  fmgle  fortj 
*  May  10,  1756.  as 


in  North' Jmerica,  from  1753  ^^  ^75^-  ^5^ 

as  the  General  propofed,  I  have  not  been  able,  after  much 
inquiry,  to  difcover. 

Equally  unpromiling  was  the  fituation  of  our  affairs 
with  the  fouthern  Indians.  Some  hopes,  indeed,  were  en- 
tertained of  the  fidelity  of  the  Cherokees,  a  people  warlike 
and  powerful  ;  in  whofe  territories  the  Virginians  were 
ereding  a  fortrefs.  The  Shawanefe,  neverthelefs,  continu- 
ed their  irruption*  into  that  province  :  and  Governor  Din- 
widdle was  obliged  to  draft  the  militia,  to  oppofe  their 
progrefs,  and  preferve  the  town  of  Winchefter.  Thefe  In- 
dians alfo,  with  the  Sufquehannas  and  Delawares,  commit- 
ted frequent  hoftilities  upon  the  Pennfylvanians.  Gover- 
nor Morris,  for  the  protection  of  the  country,  carried  a 
line  of  forts  on  the  weft  fide  of  the  Kittatiny  mountains, 
all  along  the  extended  frontier  of  that  colony,  from  Dela- 
ware to  the  river  Potowmac.  The  government  of  New- 
Jerfey  proceeded  even  to  declare  war  againft  the  Delaware 
Indians  ;  and  vv^ould  have  penetrated  into  their  fettlements, 
had  not  aflurances  been  fent  by  Sir  William  Johnfon  from 
the  council  at  Onondaga,  that  the  Delawares  and  Shawanefe, 
in  obedience  to  the  Six  Nations,  were  under  renewed  and 
pofitive  engagements  to  refrain  from  any  farther  outrages 
upon  the  fouthern  frontiers.  If  any  fuch  promifes  were  re- 
ally made,  it  is  certain  they  were  immediately  broken,  many 
of  our  inhabitants  having  fince  been  murdered  and  captiva- 
ted by  the  favages  of  thofe  very  tribes.  Whence  we  may 
fairly  conclude,  that  either  the  Six  Nations  connived  at  thefe 
infraftions  of  their  commands,  or  that  their  ancient  fov- 
ereignty  is  become  the  contempt  of  their  tributaries.  In 
fad,  my  Lord,  the  matter  is  ftiil  worfe.  Too  much  reafon 
is  there  to  believe  the  truth  of  both  thefe  alternatives. 

I  informed  your  Lordlhip,  that  Sir  William  Johnfon  was 
ordered  to  proceed  from  Onondaga  to  Ofwego,  with  as 
many  Indians  as  could  be  perfuaded  to  march  with  him, 
not  only  for  the  more  effedual  prefervation  of  that  poil, 
but  to  execute  the  plan  which  Gen.  Shirley  had  concerted, 
for  the  eftablifhment  of  an  annual  council  there,  with  thofe 
Indians  who  had  been  long  in  the  French  intereft,  and 
feemed  ready  to  liften  to  propofals  for  an  alliance  with  us. 
It  was  expedient,  my  Lord,  that  he  fliould  have  complied 
with  thefe  inftrudions  ;  nay,  it  was  his  duty  ;  but  no 
W         iFol.  vil.]  fooner 


154  Review  of  the  ?nilitary  Opcratmn 

fooner  was  lie  acquainted  with  Mr.  Shirley's  refignation  of 
the  command  of  the  army,  than  he  returned  from  Onon- 
daga to  Albany,  at  the  head  of  about  fixty  Indians,  leaving 
Capt.  Patten,  with  his  company  of  grenadiers,  to  wander 
through  a  forlorn  wildernefs,  in  fearch  of  Ofwego.     Whe- 
ther this  inilance  of  his  conduci:  was  not  intended  to  laife- 
his  reputation  with  the  new  General,  as  a  leading' man' 
among  the  Indians,  I  leave  to  your  Lordfliip's  conjeiflure.' 
By  arts  like  thefe,  he  acquired  his  Indian  fame  :    and  the" 
influence  of  the  faction  at  New- York  fo  powerfully  fuftain-:- 
cd  it,  that  few  perfons  doubted  his  ability  to  procure  fev-' 
eral  hundred  warriors  for  our  afliPiance,  though  every  day 
exhibited  frefh  proofs  of  their  melancholy  defection.     Be- 
fides  the  dcftruction  of  our  poft  in  the  very  country  of  the 
Oneidas,  mentioned  before,  the  enemy  infefted  the  parts 
about  Ofv/ego,  and  the  whole  paflage  thither,  without  the 
leaft  oppoiition  from  the  Six  Nations.     Alarms,  indeed, 
were  frequently  given  of  the  approach  of  their  flying  par- 
ties ;  and  it  was  obfervable,  that  Sir  William  Johnfon,  on 
thofe  occafions,  as  Colonel  of  the  county,  raifed  the  militia 
of  Albany,  and  proceeded  to  the  fpot  ;  though  every  man,- 
acquainted  with  Indians,  v/eil  knows,  that,  of  all  places, 
thefe  are  the  moft  unlikely  for  finding  the  enemy.     By 
fuch  fliam  expeditions  have  our  northern  inhabitants  been 
impoveriflied  and  diftreffed  :    nor  could  they  anfwer  any 
other  end,  than  to  raife  a  bruit  through  the  colonies  ;  and, 
with  parade  and  oftentation,  fet  the  gazetteers  upon  found- 
ing his  applaufe.     Even  in  thefe  wild  romantic  excurfions, 
but  few  Indians  attended  him  :   and  yet,  if  we  credit  our 
news-writers,  hundreds  were  in  his  train. 

Mr.  Shirley  had  fcarce  refigned  the  command  to  Major- 
General  Abercrombie,  when  the  good  effect  of  the  batteau 
fervice  becam.e  fo  irreiiftibly  evident,  that  his  very  enemies 
recollefted  their  ungrounded  calumnies  with  ihame  and 
confuiion.  I  allude,  my  Lord,  to  the  action  between  the 
French  and  our  batteau-men,  on  the  3d  of  July.  Senfible 
of  the  importance  of  Ofwego,  the  enemy  collected  them- 
felves,  about  the  latter  end  of  May,  in  a  large  body,  not 
many  miles  to  the  eaflward  of  that  garrifon  ;  from  whence 
detachments  were  perpetually  fent  out  to  fall  upon  our 
workmen,  and  infeit  the  paflage  through  the  Onondaga 

River, 


in  North- America,  from  17 S3  ^^^  ^75^-  ^55 

River.  Capt.  Bradftreet,  who  had  the  direction  of  the 
batteaux,  was  apprifed  that  fmall  parties  lay  in  ambufh, 
waiting  a  favourable  opportunity  to  attack  him.  Accord- 
ingly,  when  he  left  Ofwego,  he  ordered  the  feveral  divifions 
to' proceed  as  near  each  other  as  poffible  :  but  fo  numerous 
and  irregular  a  body  could  not,  without  difficulty,  be  kept 
to  any  tolerable  order.  He  was  at  the  head  of  about  300 
batteau-men,  in  the  firft  divifion,  upon  his  return  to  Sche- 
nedady,  and  about  nine  miles  from  Ofwego,  wlien  the  en- 
emy, who  were  700  ftrong,  rofe  from  their  ambufcade, 
and  Hred  upon  his  front.  Near  the  place  of  attack,  was  a 
fmall  ifland,  by  which  the  enemy  might  eafily  have  forded 
the  river.  Bradftreet,  in  an  inftant,  landed  upon  the  ifland, 
to  prevent  being  inclofed  between  two  fires  ;  and  with  fix 
men  maintained  his  poffeffion,  bravely  repelling  twenty  of 
the  enemy,  who  attempted  to  feize  that  advantageous  poft. 
He  was  then  reinforced  with  fix  others  ;  and  even  compel- 
led a  fecond  party  of  forty  French  to  give  way.  Enraged 
at  this  fnaip.eful  difappointment,  the  enemy,  to  the  number 
of  feventy  men,  thought  proper  to  make  a  third  attempt  ; 
but  the  batteau-men,,  who  did  not  exceed  twenty,  with  re- 
doubled bravery,  ftill  kept  their  ground,  and  again  forced 
their  adverfaries  to  retire.  During  thefe  fkirmifhes,  w^hich 
lafted  near  an  hour,  the  batteau-men  in  the  rear  landed, 
w^ithout  lofs  or  confufion,  upon  the  fouth  fide  of  the  river. 
Four  hundred  of  the  enemy  now  advanced  up  the  north 
fide  of  the  ftream,  Intending  to  ford  it  about  a  mile  higher, 
and  furround  us.  Bradftreet,  aw^are  of  the  defign,  left  the 
ifland,  and  with  two  hundred  men  marched  on  the  other 
fide  to  oppofe  them.  But  they  had  adually  forded  over 
before  he  came  up,  and  pofted  themfelves  in  a  fwamp.  Dr. 
Kirkland,  with  the  fecond  divifion  of  batteaux,  was  now 
advancing  to  his  affiftance  ;  but  Bradftreet  ordered  him, 
and  Capt.  Butler,  who  commanded  the  third  divifion,  to 
keep  their  pofts,  and  cover  the  batteaux  in  the  rear.  Be- 
ing arrived  at  the  fwT.mp,  an  engagement  enfued,  in  the 
Indian  manner  of  fighting,  and  continued  above  an  hour, 
with  dubious  fucccfs.  Bradftreet,  at  length,  animating  his 
men,  ruflied  into  the  thicket  through  twice  his  number, 
and  gallantly  pufhed  them  into  the  river,  where  many  of 
them  periftied.     Another  attempt  was  made,  in  the  mean 

time. 


156  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

time,  to  ford  the  river  a  little  higher  ;  but  thofe  being  al- 
fo  repulfed,  the  whole  party  was  entirely  routed  and  dif- 
perfed. 

Juft  after  the  defeat,  Capt.  Patten,  with  his  grenadiers 
from  Onondaga,  fell  in  with  our  batteaux  ;  and  the  next 
morning  a  reinforcement  of  200  men  came  up  from  the 
garrifon  ;  and  but  for  the  exceffive  rains,  which  began 
loon  after  the  aftion,  and  continued  all  the  next  day,  thefe 
brave  batteau-men  would  probably  have  cut  off  the  whole 
party.  Had  Sir  William  Johnfon,  as  was  expelled,  accom- 
panied Capt.  Patten  to  Ofwego,  with  the  Indians  from 
Onondaga,  Bradftreet  might  have  made  immediate  pur- 
fuit,  and  many  of  the  enemy  muft  have  been  overtaken  : 
but  this  pacific  plenipotentiary  was  then  haftening  to  Al- 
bany (a  fafe  fituation)  with  the  important  minutes  of  his 
late  conference  :  a  conference  full  of  affectionate  Indian 
fpeeches,  and  large  promifes  of  their  affiftance  ;  when 
fcarce  a  man  of  them  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  turn  out 
of  his  hut  for  the  defence  of  the  common  caufe.  Brad- 
ftreet had  but  three  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  with  him 
at  this  attack.  Of  thefe,  one  took  to  his  heels  ;  a  fecond 
fought  bravely  ;  but  the  third  went  over  to  the  enemy, 
and  affifted  in  pointing  out  our  officers.  In  thefe  feveraP 
actions  we  had  about  30  men  killed  and  wounded.  How 
many  of  the  French  were  flain,  is  not  certainly  known  ; 
though  it  is  generally  faid,  they  loft  about  1 20.  Eighty 
arms  were  brought  to  Schenectady  ;  and  about  70  men 
found  in  the  woods,  and  carried  to  Ofwego.  The  French 
fled  in  the  utmoft  diforder  :  and  fome  of  their  regular  fol- 
•diers,  being  ftrangers  to  the  country,  got  bewildered  in 
the  defart,  and  perilhed  for  want  of  liiftenance. 

Bradftreet  arrived  at  Schenectady  on  the  i  ith  of  July  ; 
and  the  next  day  acquainted  General  Abercrombie,  at  Al- 
bany, of  the  ftate  of  Ofwego  :  That  he  learnt  from  his  prif- 
oners,  the  French  were  preparing  to  attack  it,  having  1200 
men  for  that  purpofe  encamped  not  far  from  the  eaftern^ 
moft  fort.  Upon  the  receipt  of  this  intelligence,  orders 
were  iffued  to  Major-General  Webb,  to  hold  himfelf  in 
readinefs  to  march  for  its  defence  with  the  44th  regiment. 
My  Lord,  Mr.  Shirley  had,  feveral  days  before,*  advifed 

General 

*  On  the  26th  of  June,  the  day  after  he  was  fuperfeded. 


in  North-America,  from  lys^tojys^.  157 

General  Abercrombie  to  reinforce  that  garrifon  with  two 
battalions!  at  leaft  :  and  they  might  have  marched  imme- 
diately, as  Bradftreet  was  ready  to  convoy  the  troops,  and 
every  magazine,  along  the  paflkge,  plentifully  fupplied  with 
provilions.     But  not  to  anticipate  my  ftory  ; 

Mr.  Shirley  arrived  at  New- York  on  the  4th  of  July, 
and  waited  the  arrival  of  my  Lord  Loudon,  who  landed 
there  on  the  23d  of  that  month,  with  Mr.  Pownal  in  his 
train  :  but  in  what  charader  the  latter  returned  a  fecond 
time  from  England,  was  a  fubjecl  of  doubtful  conje6lure. 
His  Lordlhip,  regardlefs  of  his  eafe,  and  the  fatigues  of  a 
tedious  voyage,  tarried  there  but  three  days  ;  and  on  the 
29th  of  July  reached  his  head-quarters  at  Albany,  when  he 
took  upon  himfelf  the  command  of  the  army. 

The  garrifon  of  Ofwego  coniifted  now  of  1400  men,  and 
about  300  workmen  and  failors.  Four  hundred  and  eigh- 
ty-five were  pofted,  in  fmall  parties,  between  that  place  and 
Burnet's  Field,  to  maintain  an  open  paflage  through  the 
country  of  the  Six  Nations.  The  44th  and  48th  regiments 
at  Albany  and  Scheneftady,  with  the  Britifh  troops  juft 
arrived,  confifted  now  of  2600  men  ;  and  the  provincials, 
under  the  command  of  General  Winflow,  were  about  7000, 
and  ready  to  march  from  Fort  William-Henry.  Of  the 
naval  force  of  Ofwego,  I  have  already  given  your  Lordlhip 
an  account  :  and  as  to  the  ftrength  of  the  enemy  at  Ticon- 
deroga  and  Crown-Point,  according  to  the  lateft  intelligence 
obtained  by  Capt.  Rogers,  they  did  not  exceed  3000  men» 

From  his  Lordfhip's  known  abilities  for  war,  the  colo- 
nies were  in  great  hopes,  that,  notwithftanding  the  delay 
of  the  Britifh  reinforcements,  fome  coup  d'eclat  would  ve- 
ry fpeedily  be  flruck  at  Crown-Point.  But  alas !  while  we 
were  intent  upon  this  favourite  defign,  the  enemy  were 
bending  their  main  force,  not  to  oppofe  us  at  Ticonderoga, 
but  to  fecure  what  w^as  to  them  a  matter  of  much  more 
importance,  I  mean  the  cxciufive  dominion  of  the  great 
"Lakes.  Accordingly,  they  laid  fiege  to  Ofwego  ;  and,  af- 
ter 

f  Such  a  reinforcement  could  eafily  have  been  fpared  for  that  pur- 
pofe,  Otway'^  and  the  Highland  regiment  being  now  landed  at  Albany. 
And  that  this  neceffary  ftep  might  not  be  obftrufted.  General  Shirley 
had,  before  their  arrival,  difpatched  an  exprefs  to  Ofwego,  ordering 
Bradftreet  to  quicken  his  return  to  Scheneflady. 


158  Review  cf  the  military  Operations 

ter  two  or  three  days  conteft,  obliged  the  garrifon,  on  the 
14th  of  Auguft,2to  iurrender  themfelves  prifoners  of  war. 
This  melancholy  account  was  firft  brought  to  Albany  by 
feveral  foldiers,  fome  of  whom  had  formerly  deferted  the 
French  fervice  ;  and  remained  many  days  unconfirmed,  till 
the  arrival  of  two  failors,  who  made  their  efcape  after  the 
redudion  of  the  forts.  An  univerfal  fliock  was  now  given 
to  the  whole  continent  :  and  to  increafe  our  diftrefs,  the 
Indians  reported,  that  the  whole  garrifon  was  put  to  the 
fword,  and  the  dead  bodies  of  our  countrymen  denied  even 
the  facred  rite  of  fepukure.  But  this,  by  fubfequent  advi- 
ces, was  contradided  :  and  the  fpies,  difpatched  for  obfer- 
vation,  inform  us,  that  the  works  are  entirely  demoliflied, 
and  the  enemy  departed.  In  what  manner,  and  by  what 
numbers,  it  was  taken,  or  upon  what  terms  furrendered,  I 
cannot  give  your  Lordfhip  any  fatisfaclory  account.  How 
many  were  killed  on  either  fide  is  alfo  unknown  ;  though 
certain  it  is,  that  Lieut.  Col.  Mercer,  the  commanding  of- 
ficer, is  among  the  flain. 

It  is  much  to  be  wilhed,  my  Lord,  that  Mr.  Shirley's  ad- 
vice to  General  Abercrombie  had  been  followed  :  and ' 
equally  to  be  regretted,  that  Sir  William  Johnfon  returned 
with  fuch  precipitation  from  Onondaga  to  Albany.  Nor 
ought  the  difcharge  of  400  batteau-men,  after  Bradftreet's 
return,  to  pafs  without  fome  remark.  They  arrived  at 
Schenedady,  as  I  obferved  before,  on  the  i  ith  of  July  ;  and 
methinks  the  recent  proofs  of  their  courage,  and  the  ac- 
count they  gave  of  the  ftrength  and  defigns  of  the  enemy, 
might  have  been  a  fufficient  antidote  againft  the  poifon  of 
that  council  for  their  difcharge  ;  which  was  unqueftiona- 
bly  defignedby  Pilr.  Shirley's  enemies  for  throwing  an  odi- 
um on  his  meafures.  To  the  fame  influence,  my  Lord,  it 
was  undoubtedly  owing,  that  General  Webb's  march,  with 
the  44th  regiment,  from  Scheneclady,  was  delayed  till  the 
1 2th  of  Auguft,  but  two  days  before  the  garrifon  was  adu- 
aliy  furrendered.  He  had  proceeded  no  farther  than  Bur- 
net's Field,  with  his  regiment  of  900  men,  and  the  remain- 
ing 800  batteau-men,  when  the  deferters  brought  him  the 
news  of  ihefiege.  Upon  the  receipt  of  which,  he  made  a 
forced  march  to  the  Oneida  Carrying-Place  ;  where  he  im- 
mediately 


in  North<-America^  fro7n  1753  /<?  1756.  159 

mediately  felled  trees  into  the  Wood  Creek,  to  prevent  the 
approach  of  the  enemy.* 

Thefe,  my  Lord,  were  great  overfights  :  but  the  lofs  of 
Ofwego  muft  principally  be  afcribed  to  a  more  diftant  caufe, 
to  a  junto,  who  have  all  along  embarraffed  every  part  of 
his  Majefty's  fervice  on  the  Lake  Ontario.  By  their  mif- 
reprefentations,  the  public  has  been  drawn  into  a  depend- 
ence upon  the  Six  Nations,  merely  to  exalt  Sir  William 
Johnfon  :  and  that  nothing  might  be  wanting  to  procure 
a  change  in  the  command  of  the  army,  and  deftroy  all  con- 
fidence in  Shirley's  judgment,  Ofwego,  the  great  object  of 
his  attention,  has  been  flighted  as  an  uneiTential  poft  ;  and 
the  reduftion  of  St.  Frederick  reprefented  as  a  point  of  far 
fuperior'  moment.    ~ 

My  Lord,  by  thefe  intrigues  our  country  bleeds.  Of- 
wego is  loft  ;  loft,  perhaps,  for  ever,  with  the  naval  arm- 
ament, above  fixty  pieces  of  ordnance,  and  a  rich  fupply 
of  ftores  and  provifions,  laid  in  at  a  vaft  expenfe,  for  fev- 
eral  thoufand  men,  during  the  whole  campaign.  Would 
to  God  this  was  all,  and  we  had  nothing  worfe  to  appre- 
hend !  Our  fur  trade,  which  has  long  been  the  principal 
objeft  of  the  national  attention,  and  the  fupport  of  our 
frontier  city  of  Albany,  is  at  an  end.  The  French  can 
now,  with  the  utmoft  facility,  fecure  the  inland  country, 
and  confine  us  to  the  very  brinks  of  the  ocean  :  a  free 
communication  is  opened  between  Canada  and  Louifiana  ; 
and  all  our  intercourfe  with  the  Indians  totally  refcinded. 
The  enemy,  on  the  other  hand,  may,  without  oppofition 
or  reftraint,  render  thefe  innumerable  tribes  of  favages 
their  allies  and  dependants.  The  Six  Nations  are  more 
wavering  than  ever  :  and  ftiould  they  no  longer  think  it 
expedient  to  preferve  their  neutrality,  the  whole  continent 
muft  inevitably  become  a  field  of  blood.  Whatever  m.ay 
be  thought  of  thefe  colonies,  which  of  late  have  been  mag- 
nified 

*  The  French  were  equally  apprehenfive  of  his  advancing  towards 
them,  or  of  our  attempting  to  rebuild  Ofwego  :  and  very  prudently  im- 
proving the  prefent  advantage,  began  where  General  Webb  left  off,  and 
continued  the  obftruflion  quite  down  to  the  entrance  into  the  Oneida 
Lake  ;  which  renders  it  impoflible  to  pafs  through  the  Wood  Creek,  40 
miles  in  length.  General  Webb,  not  long  after,  abandoned  the  Carry- 
ing-Place, after  burning  down  the  forts,  much  to  the  diflatisfaftion  of 
the  Indians. 


l6o  Review  of  the  military  Operations 

nified  for  their  numbers  and  opulence,  I  do  alTure  your 
Lordfliip,  that  a  fliort  war  will  efFeciuaUy  exhauft  them^ 
Their  fettlements  are  fcattered  ;  their  frontiers  extenfive  ; 
the  inhabitants  but  few,  generally  in  very  moderate  cir- 
cumftances,  and  ftill  luxurious,  and  without  refources. 
The  irruption  of  a  few  Indians  into  Pennfylvania  had  al- 
ready occafioned  the  lofs  of  feveral  hundred  fouls,  and  the 
defolation  of  near  two  thoufand  farms.  The  frontiers  of 
the  neighbouring  colonies  are  equally  defencelefs  ;  and  the 
power  of  the  native  favages,  at  prefent  in  the  French  in- 
tereft,  is  of  itfelf  fuflicient,  by  flow,  but  inevitable  means, 
to  reduce  us  to  extreme  beggary  and  diftrefs. 

Thus,  my  Lord,  I  have  finilhed  the  relation  of  what 
has  hitherto  been  tranfadcd  in  America.  I  have  not  only 
prefented  you  with  a  feries  of  the  moft  interefting  events, 
but  brought  your  Lordfliip  acquainted  vv'ith  the  charac- 
ters and  defigns  of  the  principal  agents  in  our  political  af- 
fliirs.  If  I  have  erred,  I  am  perfuaded  it  is  not  in  any  ar- 
ticle of  importance,  nor  purpofely  in  the  minuteft.  Ev- 
ery line  of  this  letter  hath  been  penned  with  the  moil 
facred  veneration  for  truth,  and  a  mind  equally  unbiafled 
by  refentment  or  afl'edion.  For  obtaining  an  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  the  matters  rehearfed,  few  in  the  colonies 
have  had  fuperior  advantages  :  nor  in  colled:ing  proper 
materials,  has  any  one  been  more  afliduous.  Add  to  this, 
that  I  had  no  other  intereft  in  the  public  meafures,  than 
the  interefl:  of  every  man  on  the  continent.  I  am  uncon» 
necfed  with  all  parties  ;  neither  enjoying  any  poft  myfelf, 
nor  fl:anding  in  the  leaft  relation  to  a  fmgle  officer  in  the 
army.  The  love  of  my  country  was  the  fole  fpring  of 
my  curioflty  ;  and  fo  far,  indeed,  I  was  not  an  unconcern- 
ed fpeclator  of  the  public  tranfaftions.  If  I  have  made 
honourable  mention  of  General  Shirley,  it  was  owing  to 
my  approbation  of  his  fchemes,  as  conducive  to  the  com- 
mon weal  of  the  Britifli  plantations  :  and  if  my  judgment 
was  in  this  regard  erroneous,  I  have  the  pleafure  to  find 
myfelf  in  very  refpeclable  company.  Except  New-York, 
or  rather  a  prevailing  faclion  there,  all  the  colonies  hold 
him  in  very  high  efteem.  Some  have  made  public  declar- 
ations of  their  fenfe  of  his  great  merit  ;  and  that  too,  at  a 
time  when  he  appeared  descending  from  his  meridian  of 

glory. 


tn  North- America,  from  1753  /(?  175^.  .1^1 

glory.  But  he  needed  no  other  than  the  teftimonials  of 
his  own  province  ;  for  he,  my  Lord,  whofe  conduct  is  ap- 
proved by  the  people  of  the  Maffachufetts-Bay,  muft  be  dif- 
tinguiflied  both  for  his  abilities  and  his  virtue.  They  are 
too  numerous  and  wife  to  be  deceived,  too  free  and  inde- 
pendent to  be  driven.  An  undue  influence  can  never  be 
obtained  by  the  Governor  of  a  colony,  who  has  neither 
pov/er  nor  places  to  beftow.  Their  affemblies  are  annual  ; 
the  members  eleded  by  ballot,  in  number  near  two  hun- 
dred. The  council,  or  middle  eftate,  chofen  yearly  by  the 
aifembly  :  and  as  all  the  offices  are  eleclive,  not  a  man  in 
the  province  is  dependent  on  the  fmiles  or  the  frowns  of 
the  King's  reprefentative  :  and  yet  fo  wife,  free,  and  loyal 
a  people  have  approved  his  judgment  ;  confided  in  his  in- 
tegrity ;  teftified  in  his  favour  ;  and  publicly  lamented  his 
departure  from  the  continent.  I  would  by  no  m.eans,  my 
Lord,  be  underftood,  by  thefe  favourable  fentimeiiLS  of 
Shirley,  to  difparage  his  noble  fucceflbr  in  the  command. 
He  yet  has  not,  at  leafl  he  deferves  not  to  have,  a  linglc 
enemy  amongft  us  :  and  I  hope  it  will  fcrve  the  purpoles 
of  no  man  to  be  his  enemy.  I  could  only  have  wilhed, 
that,  at  this  critical  jundure,  a  gentleman  fo  thoroughly 
verfed  in  American  affairs,  had  been  continued  in  America 
for  his  Lordfhip's  affiftance.  We  have  to  contend  with  a 
fubtle,  enterprifmg  foe  ;  a  foe,  rapacious,  martial,  and 
bloody,  committing  murders,  rather  than  waging  war. 
Though  the  French  colony  contains,  perhaps,  not  30,000 
men  capable  to  bear  arms  j  yet  thefe  are  all  under  the  def- 
potic  command  and  fole  direction  of  their  Governor- 
General  ;  and  experience  teaches  us,  that,  in  fpite  of  our 
navy,  they  may  be  annually  reinforced.  The  ilrength  of 
our  colonies,  on  the  other  hand,  is  divided  j  and  the  con- 
currence of  all  necefiaiy  both  for  fupplies  of  men  and 
money.  Jealous  are  they  of  each  other  ;  fonie  ill  corfti- 
tuted  ;  others  fhaken  with  inteftine  divifions,  and,  if  I 
may  be  allowed  the  expreffion,  parfimonious  even  to  prod- 
igality. Our  aflemblies  are  diiiident  of  their  Governors  \- 
Governors  defpife  their  alTcmblies,  and  both  mutually  mif- 
reprefent  each  other  to  the  Court  of  Great-Britain.  Mili- 
tary meafures  demand  fccrecy  and  difpatch  :  but  while  the 
colonies  remain  divided,  and  nothing  can  be  tranfacted  but 
X         iVol.  vii.]  '«vith 


1 62  Re-view  of  the  inilitary  Operations^  li^c, 

■with  their  univerfal  affent,  it  is  impoflible  to  maintain  thfi 
one,  or  proceed  with  the  other.  Without  a  general  con- 
ftitution  for  warlike  operations,  we  can  neither  plan  nor 
execute.  We  have  a  comnion  intereft,  and  muft  have  a 
common  council ;  one  head  and  one  purfe.  The  French  fer- 
vice  is  unexpofed  to  thofe  embarranments  j  and  hencQ 
they  project  without  dilcovery  ;  and  we  fcarce  colled  their 
deligns,  before  we  are  attacked  and  defeated.  Hitherto 
they  have  profecuted  the  war  with  fuperior  advantage  ; 
and  yet  the  militia  of  the  province  of  the  Mafl'achufetts- 
Bay  alone,  undoubtedly  exceeds,  by  fome  thoufands,  all 
the  troops  of  Canada.  Since  the  com.mencement  of  the 
prefent  hoftilities,  his  Majefty  has  loft  above  3000  loyal  fub- 
jects  :  and  as  all  the  Indians  are  at  the  devotion  of  the 
French,  and  Ofwego  is  now  loft,  many  thoufand  farms, 
befoce  the  opening  of  the  next  ipring,  will  probably  be 
abandoned  ;  and  the  interior  fettlements  deluged  with  the 
innocent  blood  of  all  ages  and  fexes.  Indeed,  my  Lord,  it 
is  not  beneath  the  moft  elevated  ftation,  to  indulge  the  be- 
nevolent feelings  of  humanity  ;  nor,  retiring  awhile  from 
the  pomp  and  gaiety  that  fur  rounds  you,  to  fhed  a  pitying 
tear  over  families  inhumanly  bereft  of  their  fubftance,  or 
more  inhumanly  ilaughtered  in  their  beds.  It  is  a  celebrat- 
ed faying,  and  does  honour  to  human  nature,  "  Homo 
fum,  et  nihil  humanum  a  me  alienum  puto.*' 

What  the  prefent  or,  the  next  campaign  will  bring  forth, 
is  knovv'n  only  to  the  Omnifcient  Governor  of  the  uni- 
verfe.  The  colonies  are  nearly  exhaufted,  and  their  funds 
already  anticipated  by  expenfive,  unexecuted  projects  :  and 
whether  they  will  ftill  continue  their  efforts,  or  refign  to  a 
liftlefs  defpair,  is  uncertain.  I  fear  the  worft  ;  and  yet  you 
know,  my  Lord,  I  am  not  of  a  melancholy  caft.  There  is 
too  much  reafon  for  general  concern  :  and  I  venture  to 
predid,  what  every  judicious  pcrfon  forefees,  that  unlefs 
fome  fuccefsful  blow  is  ftruck,  and  fpeedily  ftruck,  at  the 
power  of  France,  Britain  muft  inevitably  lofe  her  poffeftions 
in  America  :  An  event,  my  Lord,  of  the  moft  tremendous 
confequence  to  us,  to  you,  to  the  Froteftant  religion,  to 
the  peace  of  Europe  j  yes,  and  to  the  peace  and  happinefs 
of  all  mankind. 

Hitherto  we  have  wafted  our  urength  in  lopping  off 

branches. 


A  Defcnption  of  Wifcajfet.  163 

branches,  when  the  axe  fliould  have  been  laid  to  the  root 
of  the  tree.  Canada,  my  Lord,  Canada  muft  be  demoliih- 
ed.  Delenda  eft  Carthago,  or  we  are  undone.  Strength 
fufficient  have  we  left,  with  proper  affiftance,  for  a  decifive 
ftruggle  :  but  a  lingering  confumption  will  infallibly  ener- 
vate and  deftroy.  France  has  been,  ever  can,  and  will  be 
annually,  throwing  over  frelli  troops  into  her  colony,  in 
defiance  of  our  great  maritime  force  :  and  fliould  peace  en- 
fue,  even  before  our  ruin  is  completed,  what  will  be  the 
ftate  of  thefe  provinces  upon  the  next  rupture  between  the 
two  crowns,  when  the  frontier  country  is  filled  with  our 
enemies  ?  As  you  therefore  value,  my  noble  Lord,  the 
caufe  of  Liberty  ;  the  glory  of  the  Britifh  name  ;  the  hon« 
our  and  dignity  of  the  beft  of  Kings  ;  and  the  prefervation 
of  thefe  colonies  from  bloody  carnage  and  total  ruin  ;  ex- 
ert, I  befeech  you,  exert  your  influence,  to  extirpate  this 
brood  of  Frencli  favages  from  the  face  of  the  continent.  In 
a  fcheme  fo  decifive,  and  in  no  other,  wiU  the  provinces 
heartily  unite  ;  and  if  well  concerted,  and  our  unfortified 
fea-coafts  at  the  fame  time  fufficiently  proteded,  it  will 
doubtlefs  fucceed  ;  humble  the  pride  of  France  ;  and  clofe 
the  prefent  war  with  a  lafting  and  honourable  peace. 
I  am,  my  Lord, 
with  the  profoundefl;  refpecl, 

your  Lordfliip's  moft  obliged 

and  obedient  fervant. 
Nev/-York,  Sept.  20,  1756. 

A  Description  of  Wiscasset,  and  of  the  River. 
Sheepscot.  By  Rev.  Alden  Bradford,  Minister 
AT  Wiscasset,  S.  H.  S. 

JUDGE  Sullivan,  in  his  Hiftory  of  the  Diftrid  of 
Maine,  Dr.  Morfe,  in  his  Gazetteer  and  Geography, 
and  the  Due  de  Liancourt,  in  his  volume  of  travels  through 
the  United  States  and  Canada,  have  given  fome  account 
of  Wifcaflet.  But  they  are  very  partial,  and  in  fome  in- 
ftances  erroneous  in  their  ftatements  ;  and  a  particular  and 
accurate  defcription  of  this  place  and  river,  though  confid- 
erably  celebrated  for  the  nautical  enterprife  of  the  inhab- 
itants, 


1 64  «^  DefcriptloJi  of  Wifcajfet. 

itants,  and  for  its  great  advantages  with  refped  to  naviga* 
tion,  has  never  yet  been  publifhed. 

Wifcaflet  is  fituated  on  the  weftern  branch  of  Sheepfcot 
river,  about  twenty  miles  from  the  ifland  of  Seguin  •,* 
which  lies  tv/o  miles  off  the  neck,  or  point  of  land  that 
feparates  the  entrances  into  the  rivers  Kennebec  and  Sheep- 
fcot. The  mouth  of  Kennebec  is  very  narrow  ;  only 
about  half  a  mile  ;  and  the  cu-rrent  exceedingly  rapid. 
But  the  entrance  into  Sheepfcot,  for  feven  or  eight  miles 
above  Seguin,  prefents  the  appearance  of  a  large  bay. 
The  width  gradually  leffens.  But  even  at  the  diftance 
from  its  mouth,  juft  mentioned,  it  is  two  miles  and  up- 
wards. Five  miles  below  Wifcaffet,  the  river  becomes 
much  more  confined,  and  the  banks  are  high.  In  fome 
places,  it  is  little  more  than  half  a  mile.  The  water  is 
very  deep,  generally  from  fifteen  to  twenty  fathoms. 

In  one  place,  a  mile  below  Wifcaffet,  v/here  the  river  is 
only  about  one  hundred  rods  wide,  there  are  not  more  than 
eleven  fathoms.  There  is  not  lef^  water  in  any  place  in 
the  river,  below  this  fettlement :  and  it  is  navigable  for  the 
largeft  fliips  with  perfeft  fafety,  as  high  as  this  place.  In 
the  year  1775,  two  Britifli  men  of  war  came  up  the  river 
oppofite  the  town.  And  merchant  fhips  of  more  than 
five  hundred  tons  are  owned  here  ;  v/hich  lay  afieet  at  low 
water,  when  loaded,  at  fome  of  the  wharves. 

Againft  the  compafl  part  of  the  town,  and  for  a  Ihort 
diftance  above  and  below,  the  river  is  nearly  a  mile  wide- 
The  navigation  is  rather  difficult  for  large  veffels  above  this 
place.  But  thofe  of  an  hundred  tons  may  fafely  afcend 
about  four  miles  higher  up  the  river,  to  New-Caftle.  Here 
is  a  fall  of  water,  which  prevents  any  other  craft  than  boats 
to  proceed  farther  into  the  country.  The  tide-water  con- 
tinues yet  five  miles  higher,  where  the  river  is  very  fmail, 
and  fit  only  for  the  bufinefs  of  mills  j  feveral  of  which  are 
here  advantageoufly  fituated. 

Over  the  river,  half  a  mile  above  the  fall,  there  is  a  toll 
bridge,  built  in  1795,  which  is  fix  hundred  feet  in  length. 

The  land,  where  is  the  compad  and  mercantile  part  of 
the  town,  approaches  to  a  point  ;  or,  is  rather  two  fides  of 
a  parallellogram  ;  the  longefl;  of  which  is  the  bank  of  the 

■      ^^^  river, 

*  This  illand  is  in  lat.  43.  52.  long.  68. 


A  Defcription  of  Wifcajfet.  16$ 

river,  lying  about  N.  by  E.  and  S.  by  W. ;  and  the  ihorteft 
fide,  the  margin  of  a  fmall  bay,  or  inlet,  which,  on  the  fouth 
of  the  fettlement,  encroaches  on  the  main  about  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  rods,  for  the  diftance  of  three  fourths  of  a 
mile. 

The  courfe  of  the  river,  from  its  mouth,  both  above  and 
below  WifcalTet,  is  nearly  N.  by  E.  But  in  fome  places, 
for  fhort  diftances,  it  varies  from  this  direction.  A  little 
below  WifcalTet  point,  it  is  diverted  from  its  general  courfe 
to  a  N.  W.  one,  where  the  bed  of  the  river  is  narrow  j  but 
foon  again  continues  its  ufual  diredion. 

On  the  weft  lide  of  Sheepfcot  river,  near  its  mouth,  is 
Parker's  ifland.  This  is  in  Georgetown  ;  and  extends  a 
few  miles,  when  the  illand  of  Jeremyfquam  continues  to 
bound  this  Ihore  of  the  river,  within  a  mile  of  WifcalTet 
point.  This  illand  extends  about  twelve  miles  in  length, 
and  is  in  fome  places  a  mile  and  a  half ;  but  generally  from 
one  to  half  a  mile  wide.  The  weftern  lide  of  this  ifland  is 
feparated  from  the  fouthern  part  of  WifcalTet,  and  from  a 
part  of  Woolwich,  (which  is  adjoining  WifcalTet  on  the 
S.  W.)  by  a  crofs  river  running  from  Sheepfcot,  and  fall- 
ing into  the  Kennebec  oppolite  to  Bath,  about  eight  miles 
from  its  mouth.  This  crofs  river  meets  the  Sheepfcot 
about  a  mile  fouth  of  WifcalTet  point,  where  the  courfe  of 
this  latter  river,  for  a  Ihort  diftance,  makes  a  right  angle 
with  its  general  direction  ;  and  thus  a  bay  is  formed  of 
about  two  miles  by  one  ;  which  is  very  convenient  and 
pleafant. 

The  crofs  river  communicating  with  Kennebec,  is  a 
great  advantage  to  WifcalTet.  Lumber  of  all  kinds  is 
brought  here  from  various  parts  of  the  Kennebec,  and 
from  Amarifcoggin.  VelTels  of  feventy  and  eighty  tons 
pais  through  this  crofs  river  loaded.  And  a  new  light  fhip 
of  400  tons  has  been  carried  through  here,  by  taking  ad- 
vantage of  the  ti,de  and  current,  which,  in  fome  places, 
where  the  river  is  narrow,  is  very  rapid. 

Befide  the  great  depth,  and  the  comparative  ftilnefs  of 
the  water  in  Sheepfcot,  there  is  another  advantage  for  nav- 
igation, which  it  has  over  moft  other  rivers  in  the  Diftrid 
of  Maine  :  It  is  feldom  obftruded  by  ice  in  the  coldeft  and 
longeft  winters.     It  has  fometimes  been  known  to  be 

frozen, 


l56  A  Defcription  ofWifcaJfet. 

frozen,  for  one  or  two  days,  about  half  the  diftance  from 
the  Point,  where  is  the  loweft  wharf,  to  the  narrows  ;  that 
js,  half  a  mile.  But  even  then,  the  ice  was  eafily  remov- 
ed.  And  below  this,  it  never  freezes.  Only  once  in  fix 
years,  though  there  have  been  feveral  very  fevere  winters 
in  this  period,  has  the  river  been  frozen  as  low  as  the 
Point,  and  then  it  continued  only  about  twenty-four  hours. 
A  little  higher,  at  the  moft  northern  wharves,  the  ice  is 
riften  entirely  acrofs  the  rivef-,  and  fometimes  continues 
feveral  days. 

The  water  here  flows  and  ebbs  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet  ; 
generally  about  twelve  ;  which  is  nearly  the  fame  as  at 
Boilon,  And  it  is  remarkable,  that  at  Portfmouth,  Port» 
land,  and  other  places  between  this  and  Bofton,  the  tide 
fiows  lefs  than  in  thefe  two  harbours. 

There  are  ten  confiderable  wharves  in  this  place,  one  of 
which  is  550  feet  in  length.  It  is  about  eighty  rods  high- 
er up  the  river  than  that  at  the  Point,  which  is  adjoining 
the  channel  of  the  river.  The  long  wharf  alfo  runs  off  to 
the  edge  of  the  channel  ;  fo  that  very  large  veffels,  laden, 
are  afleet  at  thefe,  when  the  water  is  the  loweft. 

The  compad  part  of  the  town  confifts  of  about  one 
hundred  and  thirty  dwelling-houfes  ;  fome  of  which  are 
large  and  elegant.  The  ftores  are  numerous  ;  and  fome 
of  them  fpacious,  and  ornamental  to  the  town.  There 
are  four  ftreets  running  parallel  v/ith  the  river,  diftant 
from  one  another  about  twelve  rods.  Thefe  are  interfer- 
ed at  right  angles,  about  eighty  rods  north  of  the  Point, 
by  a  ftreet  140  feet  wide,  paffing  down  a  gentle  defcent 
by  the  meeting  and  court  houfes,  (which  are  handfiDme 
buildings,)  in  almoft  a  ftraight  courfe  to  the  head  of  the 
long  wharf.  This  is  the  main  ftreet  leading  into  the  viL 
!age  from  the  "W.  and  N.  W.  The  ftreet  leading  out  of 
town  to  the  eaftv/ard  is  the  continuation  of  the  third, 
which  is  parallel  with  the  river.  It  leaves  the  main  ftreet 
about  fifty  rods  from  the  river,  and  its  courfe  is  ftraight 
for  three  quarters  of  a  mile,  when  it  winds  to  the  N.  E. 

On  the  eaft  fide  of  the  river,  cppofite  to  Wifcaftet,  is 
the  town  cf  Edgecombe.  The  iiiand  of  Jeremyfquam, 
which  lies  on  the  weft  fide  of  the  Sheepfcot  below  Wifcaf- 
fet,  and  as  high  up  as  the  narrows,  before  mentioned,  be- 
longs 


A  Defcrlpfwn  of  WiJcajfcU  i6.ji 

longs  to  this  town,  and  not  to  Woolwich,  as  Judge  Sulli- 
van afljbrts  in  his  Hiftory  of  Maine. 

What  is  now  Pownalborough,  (for  Wifcaffet*  is  the  In- 
dian name  of  the  Point  only,  though  the  village  is  gener- 
ally known  by  this  name,)  is  bounded  N.  and  N.  by  E.  by 
New-Milford,  which  was  incorporated  in  1793  :  It  was  be- 
fore called  the  north,  parifh  of  Pownalborough  :  On  the 
N.  W.  by  Drefden,  lying  on  the  eaftern  bank  of  Kenne« 
bee,  which  was  fet  off  from  this  town  at  the  fame  time 
with  New-Milford  :  On  the  W.  and  S.  W.  it  is  feparated 
from  Woolwich  by  a  fmall  ftream  called  Monfeag,  up 
which  the  tide  flows  fome  diftance,  from  the  crofs  river, 
leading  into  Kennebec  :  And-  the  water  of  this  crofs  river 
waflies  the  fouth  part  of  Pownalborough. 

The  town  extends  nearly  eight  miles  from  S.  by  W.  to 
N.  by  E.  ;  and  is  four  miles  in  the  oppoiite  directions.  It 
contains  about  three  hundred  and  iifty  families,  and  two 
thoufand  inhabitants  ;  tv/o  thirds  of  v/hich  are  in  the  vil- 
lage at  the  Point.  Nearly  half  the  town  is  cleared  ;  and 
there  are  fome  very  good  farms.  But  the  land  in  general 
is  too  clayey  to  be  profitable  for  tilling.  For  grafs,  it  is 
very  good. 

A  great  part  of  the  land  on  the  fea  coaft,  and  within 
twenty  miles  of  it,  in  the  Diftrid  of  Maine,  contains  a 
large  proportion  of  clayjf  and  while  every  man  poflefles 
an  extenfive  farm,  it  is  not  to  be  cxpeded  that  the  clayey 
lands  will  produce  much  befide  grafs,  barley,  and  potatoes ; 
as  they  cannot  afford  to  mix  with  it  a  fufficient  quantity 
of  fand  and  manure  to  render  it  fuitable  for  the  profitable 
culture  of  corn  and  grain  in  general.  But  when  they 
Ihall  be  contented  to  hold  and  cultivate  lefs  land,  and  fhall 
learn  to  mix  fand  or  fhells  with  the  clay,  it  will  produce 
all  kinds  of  roots,  grain  and  fruits  in  the  greatefl  plenty. 
For  it  has  been  found  that  clayey  lands  are  the  befl  for 
gardens,  when  prepared  by  a  mixture  of  fand  and  manure. 

The  land  farther  from  the  fea  coafl,  and  for  a  great  dif- 
tance into  the  country,  and  parallel  to  the  ocean,  is  of  a  very 
fuperior  quality.     It  is  generally  of  the  richeft  loam,  ariH 

produces 

*  Fonnerly  it  was  pronounced  WiflkcaHet  hy  the  Indians  j  and  is 
iaid  to  mean  the  confluence  o£  three  waters  or  rivers. 
t  There  are  ibme  exceptions  to  this  general  remarL. 


t6S  A  Defcription  of  Wifcaffet. 

produces  all  kinds  of  grain  as  abundantly  as  any  part  of 
New-England.  And  it  is  fettling  and  improving  in  a  moft 
rapid  manner. 

There  are  a  few  good  orchards  in  Pownalborough.  But 
the  cultivation  of  the  apple  tree  is  too  much  neglecled. 
The  common  red  cherry  is  found  here  in  great  abundance. 
There  are  alfo  fome  plumb  trees.  And  the  pear  undoubt- 
edly might  be  fuccefsfuUy  cultivated  ;  for  it  is  generally 
found  on  clayey  ground.  A  few  peach  trees  have  been 
raifed  in  this  and  the  neighbouring  towns.  But  the  gen- 
eral opinion  is,  that  this  fruit  will  not  grow  in  this  part 
of  the  country.  This,  however,  is  a  miftaken  idea  ;  and 
adopted  probably  to  excufe  the  negligence  of  the  people. 
If  particular  fpots  were  chofen,  lying  to  the  fouth,  and  of 
a  light  or  loamy  foil,  no  doubt  they  would  fucceed.  Gen- 
eral Knox,  who  lives  about  thirty  miles  eaftward  of  this 
place,  has  in  his  garden  a  great  number  of  peach  and  apri* 
cot  trees  of  two  and  three  years  growth  ;  and  they  look 
as  flourifliing  and  vigorous  as  thofe  in  the  vicinity  of 
Bofton. 

Currants,  rafoerries,  goofeberries  and  ftrawberries  grow 
here,  and  in  moil  parts  of  the  country,  in  great  abun- 
dance. And  there  is  a  fruit  called  the  moofe  plumb, 
nearly  as  large  as  the  apricot,  natural  to  the  climate,  which 
would  probably  be  much  better,  if  carefully  cultivated. 

The  wood  is  chiefly  ever-green,  fuch  as  the  fir,  fpruce, 
hemlock,  white  pine,  and  yellow,  or  Norway  pine.  There 
is  alfo  a  conliderable'  proportion  of  maple,  of  different 
kinds,  of  birch  and  beech.  In  the  adjoining  towns,  there 
is  a  great  quantity  of  oak. 

The  extremes  of  heat  and  cold  in  this  place  do  not  dif- 
fer much  from  Boflon.*  There  are  not  fo  many  very 
warm  days  here  in  fummer,  as  in  the  vicinity  of  Boflon, 
but  fome  when  the  mercury  rifes  as  high  within  two  or 
three  degrees.  And  in  winter,  the  mercury  has  been 
found  not  to  be  more  than  two  degrees  lower  ;  but  yet 
there  is  more  cold  weather  here  during  the  winter. 

Pownalborough  was  incorporated  in  1760,  the  fame 
year  that  the  county  of  Lincoln  was  feparated  from  Cum- 
berland: 

*  Dr.  Morfe  is  miftaken,  when  he  fays  that  the  heat  here  is  greater 
than  at  Bofton. 


A  Defcrlption  of  Wifcajet,  169 

berland  :  and  it  owes  its  name  "  to  the  pride  of  Governor 
Pownal.'*  .      .  . 

There  were  fome  fettlements  made  in  this  vicmity,  as 
early  as  the  year  1661.  One  Walter  Phillips  purchafed 
land  at  that  time  of  fome  Indian  chiefs,  and  lived  feveral 
years  on  the  weftern  banks  of  Damarifcotta  river,  now 
within  the  town  of  New-Caftle,  which  lies  above  Wifcaffet. 
Between  this  period  and  1680,  there  were  many  families 
in  this  viciriity  ;  the  greater  part  of  them  on  the  eaftern 
banks  of  Sheepfcot  in  New-Caftle.  The  inhabitants  were 
moftly  Dutch  ;  and  were  under  the  government  of  New- 
York  and  Hudfon's  River.  They  were  driven  off  by  the 
Indians,  in  1680.  , 

About  this  time,  there  were  a  few  families  at  ^Wifcailet. 
One  George  Davie  fettled  here  in  1663.  It  is  faid  he 
lived  about  half  a  mile  north  of  the  Point,  on  an  eminence, 
fifty  rods  from  the  river.  A  brother  of  his,  and  tv/o  oth- 
ers, lived  here  at  the  fame  period.  But  they  all  fled  in 
1680.  The  widow  of  one  of  thefe  Davies  died  in  New- 
ton, near  Bofton,  in  1752,  aged  116.  There  is  a  por- 
trait of  her  in  the  room  of  the  Hiftorical  Society. 

George  Davie  had  alfo  purchafed  a  large  trad  of  land 
of  fome  Indians.  "  This  came  by  inheritance  and  tranf- 
fer  to  a  number  of  wealthy  men,  who,  in  1734,  aflbciated 
under  the  name  of  the  Bofton  company.  Wifcaffet  Point 
is  in  this  tract." 

"  The  fettlemxents  begun  again  by  one  Robert  Hooper, 
in  1730.  Foye  and  Lambert  came  in  '34.  And  the  pro- 
prietors foon  after  lotted  out  the  lands  for  fettlement."  * 
Hooper  lived  fome  time  by  the  fide  of  a  large  rock,  a  little 
fouth  of  Main-ftreet,  and  about  three  rods  from  the  river, 
where  now  ftands  the  houfe  of  Jeremiah  Dalton.f 

A  few  years  after  this,  fome  famihes  fettled  on  the  crofs 
river,  about  two  miles  from  Wifcaffet  Point ;  the  names  of 
which  vvrere  Boynton,  Taylor,  Young,  and  Chapman.  And 
in  1745,  one  Hihon  from  Dover,  New-Hampihire,  fet 
down  by  Monfeag  river,  which  feparates  Woolwich  from 

Pov^nalborougli- 

*  Sullivan's  Hiftory  of  the  Diftrift  of  Maine. 

t  A  daughter  of  Hooper,  Mrs.  Taylor,  is  now  living  in  Pownalbor- 
ough.     She  was  nine  months  old  when  ihe  was  brought  to  the  place. 
Y  IVoL  vii.] 


170  A  Defcription  of  Wijcajfet. 

Pownalborough.  But  they  were  kept  in  continual  fear 
by  the  Indians  ;  and  frequently  were  obliged  to  fhelter 
themfelves  in  the  fort,  which  ftood  at  the  Point.  Hilton 
was  killed  by  the  Indians  ;  and  his  oldeft  fon,  now  living 
in  this  town,  was  taken  and  carried  to  Canada  ;  but  re- 
turned the  year  after.  A  captain  Williamfon,  who  died 
here  in  1798,  aged  80,  was  alfo  taken  and  carried  to  Que- 
bec, but  was  foon  releafed. 

The  poll  road  from  Bofton  to  St.  George's  river  and 
Penobfcot  paiTes  through  this  town.  And  a  poll-office  has 
been  eftabliftied  here  eleven  years.  The  mail  arrives  twice 
a  week  from  Bofton  ;  twice  from  Hallowell  by  a  crofs 
poft,  and  twice  from  the  eaftward. 

WifcalTet  is  a  port  of  entry  and  delivery.  And  there 
are  owned  here  nearly  thirty  fquare-rigged  vefTels  ;  fome 
of  them  very  large.  They  amount  to  about  1 0,000  tons. 
They  are  lately  chiefly  employed  in  the  Weft-India  trade. 
Until  within  a  few  years,  the  merchants  fent  all  their  large 
veifels  to  England  and  Scotland  with  lumber.  And  fome 
Hill  purfue  the  lame  line  of  bufmefs.  But  the  other  is 
found  to  be  more  profitable.  For  the  laft  three  years,  the 
merchants  have  added  greatly  to  their  property  by  trading 
to  the  Iflands. 

Wifcaffet  is  juftly  conlidered  a  very  healthy  lituation  ; 
■AXidL  this  is  alfo  true  of  moil  other  towns  in  the  Diftrid  of 
Maine.  More  perfons  die  of  confumption,  than  of  any 
other  difeafe.  And  this  is  mod;  probably  oudng  to  the  too 
frequent  ufe  of  fpirit  and  tea.  A  great  proportion  of  the 
common  people  are  intemperate  in  the  ufe  of  fpirituous 
liquors  ;  and  often  drink  tea  twice  a  day  ;  which  muft  be 
very  injurious  to  the  conftitution.  If  they  could  be  per- 
fuaded  to  reform  in  thefe  refpecfls,  they  would  preferve 
both  their  health  and  their  property. 

For  the  iall  fix  years,  the  deaths,  on  an  average,  have 
been  13  a  year.  The  births  annually  are  upwards  of  60. 
And  very  few  die  in  infancy.  And  if  children  were  right- 
ly managed  fi'om  the  time  of  their  birth  ;  if  they  were 
ufed  to  frequent  cold  walhings  and  to  the  frefh  air,  and 
were  kept  cleanly,  it  would  be  very  rare  that  any  of  them 
die,  except  by  fome  malignant,  contagious  difeafe. 

Several   of  the   inhabitants   of  this   place   were  from 

England, 


Wit  ham  Mar/he's  Journal.  171 

England,  Scotland,  or  Ireland  ;  fome  of  whom  were  Epif- 
copalians,  and  fome  Prefbyterians ;  but  they  are  all  happily 
united  with  the  reft  of  the  people,  who  form  a  Congrega- 
tional Society.  The  Rev.  Thomas  Moore  was  the  iirft  or- 
dained  minifter.     He  was  fettled  in  1773. 

Wifcaffet  is  the  principal  fhire  town  in  the  County  of 
Lincoln.  The  Court  of  Pleas  fets  here  once,  the  Supreme 
Judicial  Court  once,  and  the  Federal  Diftricl  Court  twice, 
a  year. 

WiTHAM     MaRSHe's     JoURNAL     OF     THE     TrEATY     HELD 

WITH  THE  Six  Nations  by  the  Commissioners  of 
Maryland,  and  other  Provinces,  at  Lancaster, 
IN  Pennsylvania,  June,  1744. 

Saturday,  June  the  i  StJj,  1 744. 

THIS  day  the  Hon.  Edmund  Jenings,  and  the  Hon. 
Philip  Thomas,  Efqrs.  of  the  council  of  ftate  in  Mary- 
land, having  heretofore  been  appointed  (by  a  fpecial  power 
from  his  Excellency  Thomas  Bladen,  Efq.  Governor,  un- 
der his  hand,  and  the  feal  of  that  province)  commiilioners 
for  treating  with  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians,  on  behalf  of 
the  province,  concerning  fome  lands  claimed  by  them,  and 
to  renew  all  former  treaties  betwixt  the  Six  Nations  and 
this  government,  agreed  to  proceed  on  their  embafTy. 

I  was  required  by  them  to  ftay  at  Annapolis,  and  receive 
the  bills  of  exchange  (to  defray  our  expenfes)  from  Mr. 
Rofs,  clerk  of  the  council  ;  and,  after  receiving  the  bills 
on  Sunday,  P.  M.  I  went  to  Mr.  Thomas's,  where  I  lodged 
that  night. 

Sunday,  lyth.  Mr.  Commiffioner  Jenings  went  over 
Chefapeake  Bay,  as  alfo  did  Mr.  Benedid  Calvert,  who  ac- 
companied him  to  the  treaty. 

Monday,  June  \%th,  1744. 
Breakfafted  at  Mr.  Thomas's  about  8  o'clock  this  morn- 
ing, and  foon  after  fet  out  with  him,  and  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Craddock,  (who  accompanied  us  in  quality  of  chaplain  to 
the  Mai7land  commiffioners)  for  Patapfcoe.  Arrived  at 
James  Moore's  ordinary,  at  the  head  of  Severn  river,  about 
one  o'clock,  where  we  dined  j  but  fuch  a  dinner  was  pre- 
pared 


172  Wit  bam  Mar/he*  s  'Journah 

pared  for  us,  as  never  was  either  feen  or  cooked  in  the 
highlands  of  Scotland,  or  the  ifles  of  Orkney.  It  conlifted 
of  fix  eggs  fried  with  fix  pieces  of  bacon,  with  fome  clam- 
my pone  or  Indian  bread.  But  as  hunger  knows  little  of 
cleanlinefs,  and  withal  very  impatient,  we  fell  to,  and  foon 
devoured  the  viduals.  Our  liquor  was  forry  rum,  mixed 
with  water  and  fugar,  which  bears  the  heathenilh  name  of 
bumbo.  Of  this  we  drank  about  a  pint^  to  keep  down  the 
naufeoiis  eggs  and  bacon. 

P.  M.  Paid  for  our  flovenly  dinner  and  liquor,  and 
purfued  our  journey  to  Mrs.  Hughes's,  at  Patapfcoe  river, 
(over  which  fhe  keeps  a  ferry)  to  whofe  houfe  we  came 
about  3  o'clock.  Here  we  refrelhed  ourfelves  with  fome 
good  coffee,  and  toaft  and  butter,  which  was  ferved  to  us 
in  a  neat  and  handfome  manner  :  we  likewife  drank  a 
bottle  of  generous  wine  ;  then  paid  our  reckoning,  and 
went  over  the  river  to  Whetftone-Point,  and  from  thence 
proceeded  to  William  Rogers's  ordinary  in  Baltimore 
town,  being  three  miles  diftant  from  Mrs.  Hughes's. 

Monday  evening,  in  Baltimore  County.  I  left  Mr.  Tho- 
mas and  the  Rev.  Parfon  at  the  ordinary,  and  went  to 
Mr.  Robert  North's,  where  I  fupped  with  fome  blithe  com- 
pany ;  and  from  thence  returned  to  Rogers's.  Mr.  Bour- 
diUon,  minifter  of  this  pariih,  vifited  his  brother  of  the 
cloth,  and  ftaid  with  us  till  near  1 1  o'clock  this  night.  It 
was  with  this  gentleman  and  his  wife  that  I  came  into 
Maryland  on  the  ift  of  January,  1737.  She  is  niece  to  Sir 
Theodore  Janffen,  Baronet.  When  Mr,  Bourdillon  had 
bidden  us  bon  foir^  we  retired  to  reft  our  wearied  limbs, 
having  rode  44  long  miles  this  hot  day. 

Tuefday  Mornings  June  igtb,  17440 
Rofe  about  5  o'clock,  and  ordered  breakfaft  to  be  got 
prefently  ;  which  was  dene.  Drank  tea,  and  then  mount- 
ed our  horfes  to  reach  Edward  Day's,  who  keeps  the  ferry 
on  this  fide  Joppa.  Came  to  his  houfe  about  1 1  o'clock, 
baited  our  felves  and  horfes,  and  then  palled  over  Gun- 
Powder  river  in  his  ferry-boat  to  Joppa  town. 

Jt  Jop-pa,  Refted  at  Mr.  Brown's,  who  keeps  a  brick 
ordinary.  Here  we  dined  on  a  boiled  ham,  and  fome 
chickens  fried  with  bacon.     Drank  good  wine  and  fmail 

beer. 


wit  bam  MarJhJs   'Journal.  173 

beer,  and  rendered  ourfelves  fit  to  er/counter  the  fatigue  of 
riding  twenty-five  miles  further  in  this  fliltry  weather. 

Here  I  waited  on  the  Rev.  Hugh  Deane,  who  is  parfon  of 
this  parifh,  to  dehver  him  a  packet  of  letters,  &c.  I  received 
from  Dr.  Lyon,  at  Baltimore  town.  He  read  to  m.e  fome 
of  the  news,  mentioned  in  his  European  letters,  concern- 
ing the  queen  of  Hungary,  the  king  of  Pruffia,  and  the 
Lord  knows  how  many  other  potentates  ;  but  as  I  was 
neither  politician,  nor  courtier,  I  gave  but  little  attention 
to  it.  I  underftood  Mr.  D.  had  his  intellige^  '-e  from  his 
wife's  brother,  who  has  fome  place  in  the  gov  -nment  at 
home,  or  is  in  depcndance  of  favours  from  fome^,  eat  man  : 
God  help  him  ! 

.  After  dinner,  about  3  in  the  afternoon,  we  took  the 
route  to  Mr.  Benjamin  Chew's,  in  Cecil  county,  whofe 
houfe  is  diftant  from  Joppa  twenty-fix  miles. 

Betwixt  fix  and  feven  of  the  clock  in  the  e  /cuing,  wc 
reached  Sufquehannah  lower  ferry  ;  we  tarried  fome  fmall 
time,  and  fent  our  horfes  over  it  in  a  boat  by  themfelves. 

From  hence  we  went  to  the  eafi:ern  fide  of  Sufquehan- 
nah, and  then  rode  to  Mr.  Chew's,  about  a  mile  and  a 
half  diftance  from  the  river. 

At  this  houfe  we  fupped  very  heartily,  for  which  our 
prieft  returned  thanks.  After  fupper  we  had  a  good  deal 
of  chat  on  various  fubjecls  5  and  then,  very  willingly  retir- 
ed to  bed. 

Wednefday  morm?ig,  jfune  20th,  1744. 

We  breakfafi:ed  at  Mr.  Chew's,  and  then  fet  out  (with 
him)  for  Nottingham  tov/nfhip,  which  place  we  reached  a- 
bout  a  quarter  of  an  hour  after  ten  this  morning.  We 
put  up  our  horfes  at  Thomas  Hughes's,  who  keeps  here  an 
ordinary.  He  was  an  honefi:,  facetious,  and  fober  Quaker, 
a  man  of  good  plain  fenfe  and  charafter. 

Here  we  purpofed  to  dine,  and  befpoke  a  dinner  accord- 
ingly, v/hich  was  prepared  for  us  about  two  o'clock.  Here 
we  were  fhaved  by  our  friend  and  companion  Mr.  Chew. 
for  no  barber  could  be  got  in  the  whole  neighbourhood. 

I  thought  it  a  little  odd  our  friend  (who  was  a  juftice  of 
the  peace  in  his  county)  fhould  officiate  as  our  tonfor ;  but 
as  we  could  get  no  other,  he,  purely  out  of  good  nature, 
did  the  office  of  one. 
I  >-  ■■-  This 


174  Witham  Marjhe*s  Journal 

This  townfliip  is  a  large  body  of  land,  confifting  of  be- 
tween 30  and  40,000  acres.  It  lies  in  Chefter  County, 
within  the  Province  of  Pennfylvania.  It  is  chiefly  fettled 
by  Quaker  farmers,  who  ftrive  to  imitate  thofe  in  our 
mother  country  in  every  thing.  There  have  been  great 
difputes  between  the  prefent  Lord  Baltimore,  proprietor  of 
Maryland,  and  MeiTrs.  Penns,  proprietors  of  Pennfylvania, 
concerning  this  place ;  the  firft  averring  it  to  lie  within  the 
bounds  of  his  province  ;  and  the  others,  that  it  is  contain- 
ed within  theirs.  The  inhabitants  (being  Quakers)  are  de- 
firous  of  living  under  the  Penns'  government,  by  reafon  of 
the  fmall  taxes  they  are  burthened  with  ;  and  more  efpe- 
cially  as  in  that,  they  are  not  obliged  to  pay  any  thing  to 
the  priefts  of  the  fteeple-houfes  ;  whereas  in  Maryland,  by 
a  law  made  anno  1 704,  every  male,  white  and  black,  and  j 
alfo  black  v/omen,  above  the  age  of  1 6,  and  under  the  age 
of  60,  are  obliged  to  pay  40  lb.  of  tobacco  per  poll  to  the 
incumbent  of  their  refpective  parilhes.  This  is  a  moft  ini- 
quitous tax,  and  is  a  mofl  grievous  burthen  to  thofe  who 
have  many  white  men  fervants,  and  a  great  many  flaves, 
which  a  great  number  of  people  have  in  Maryland. 

The  difference  between  the  proprietors  of  the  two  prov- 
inces is  likely  to  be  ended  by  the  Lord  Chancellor,  before  I 
whom  a  fuit  is  depending,  brought  by  the  Penns  againft 
Lord  Baltimore,  for  not  (landing  to,  or  fulfilling  fome 
agreement  relating  to  the  bounds  of  both  provinces, 
wherein  the  Quakers  had  been  too  fly  for  his  Lordfhip, 
whereby  their  feveral  titles  may  be  drawn  in  quefl:ion. 

Wednefday^  P.  M.  There  was  a  great  difputation  betwixt 
the  Hon.  Mr.  Thomas,  and  one  GatcheU,  an  inhabitant  of  j 
this  place,  concerning  carnal  weapons.  The  latter  being 
one  of  the  foflowers  of  George  Fox,  flirenuoufly  infifl:ed, 
that  it  was  not  lawful  to  ufe  any  offenflve  weapon  what- 
ever. As  this  is  the  common  cant  of  that  fet  of  people,  it 
is  in  vain  to  think  of  arguing  them  out  of  it,  though 
founded  on  no  reafon. 

In  this  government  fubfifts  a  quarrel  betwixt  the  Gov- 
ernor of  it,  and  the  Quaker  members  of  the  houfe  of  aflem- 
bly,  occafioned  by  the  latter's  not  confenting  to  a  militia 
law,  which  they  will  not  grant  for  the  defence  of  the  prov^ 
ince.     Who  has  the  moft  reafon  on  their  fide,  I  know 

not  ; 


Witham  Marjhe*s  Journal,  175 

not ;  but  I  really  cannot  blame  the  Quakers  for  not  con- 
fenting  tofuch  a  law,  unlefs  the  power  of  putting  it  in  exe- 
cution fliould  be  lodged  in  the  houfe  of  affembly,  and  fuch 
officers  to  be  appointed  by  them. 

At  fix  this  evening,  the  Hon.  Edmund  Jenings,  Efq. 
Col.  Thomas  Colviil,  and  Col.  Robert  King,  (being  the 
other  honourable  commiffioners  for  Maryland)  with  Mr* 
Calvert,  arrived  here,  from  Col.  Colvill's,  in  Cecil  county. 
We  all  lodged  at  Mr.  Hughes's,  and  agreed  to  fet  out  for 
Lancafter  early  in  the  morning,  and  to  go  thither  over  the 
Barrens. 

Expenfes  at  Mr.  Hughes's,  paid  in  filver  currency,  to 
the  value  of  ;^.2"i7--2,  Pennfylvania  currency. 

Thurfday  mornings  jime  21,   1744. 

Breakfafted  before  five  ;  then  prepared  ourfelves  for 
riding.  Set  out  from  hence  with  the  commiflioners,  Mr. 
Calvert,  Mr.  Gachel,  and  our  landlord,  who  undertook 
to  be  our  guide  to  Lancafter  town.  We  were  joined  on 
the  road  by  fome  Quakers,  who  accompanied  us  to  our 
defigned  flage. 

At  eleven  o'clock,  we  arrived  at  one  Sheppard's  mill, 
having  rode  twenty  miles  from  Nottingham.  Here  we  all 
baited,  and  refrefhed  ourfelves  vvHith  fome  good  neat's 
tongue,  cold  ham,  and  Madeira  wine.  We  eat  our  repaft 
under  a  tree,  upon  a  long  plank,  clofe  to  which  was  a 
trough,  and  in  that  our  horfes  were  fed.  We  refted  at 
this  place  about  an  hour  and  an  half,  and  then  purfued  our 
journey  to  Lancafter.  From  hence  we  had  a  good  road, 
the  land  being  lefs  hilly  and  ftony  than  that  we  had  rode 
over  in  the  morning.  Here  are  feveral  large  and  fine 
farms,  fettled  by  the  Germans.  They  fow  all  kinds  of 
grain,  and  have  very  plentiful  harvefts.  Their  houfes  are 
chiefly  built  with  ftone,  and  generally  feated  near  fome 
brook  or  ftream  of  water.  They  have  very  large  mea- 
dows, which  produce  a  great  deal  of  hay,  and  feed  there- 
with variety  of  cattle,  &c. 

Thurfday,  P.  M.  Arrived  at  Lancafter  town  about  two 
o'clock,  and  put  up  our  horfes  at  Peter  Worrall's,  who 
here  keeps  an  inn.  Here  I  befpoke  a  dinner  for  our  com- 
miffioners, and  the  Maryland  gentlemen,  which  was  foon 

got 


ijS  Witbam  Mavjhe^s  JournaL 

got  ready,  to  our  great  comfort. '   Pr<)cured  a  room  and 
two  beds,  in  Worrall's  houfe,  for  our  chaplain  and  myfelf. 

Neither  the  governor  of  Pennfylvania,  nor  the  Virginia 
commiffioners,  were  arrived  at  the  time  when  we  did ; 
but  about  fix  in  the  evening  they  came  hither,  attended 
by  feveral  Virginia  gentlemen,  and  fome  from  the  city  of 
Philadelphia. 

Here  we  were  informed  that  the  Indians  would  not  ar- 
rive till  to-morrow,  they  marching  very  flow,  occafioned 
by  their  having  a  great  many,  fmail  children  and  old  m.en. 

Meffrs.  Calvert,  Craddock  and  myfelf  went  into,  and 
viewed  the  court-houfe  of  this  town.  It  is  a  pretty  large 
brick  building,  two  ftories  high.  .  The  ground  roomj 
where  the  juftices  of  this  county  hold  their  court,  is  very 
fpacious.  There  is  a  handfome  bench,  and  railed  in, 
whereon  they  fit,  and  a  chair  in  the  midft  of  it,  which  is 
filled  by  the  judge.  Below  this  bench,  is  a  large  table,  of 
half  oval  form  ;'  round  this,  and  under  their  Worfliips,  fit 
the  county  clerk,  and  the  ievcral  attornies  of  the  court, 
who,  here,  as  well  as  in  m.oil  other  courts  of  the  planta- 
tions, plead  as  counfellors.  There  are  particular  feats  and 
places  allotted  to  the  HieriiT,  crier,  he.  '    •"  ^. 

Fronting  the  juftices'  bench,  and  on  each  fide  of  it,  are 
feveral  long  ileps,  or  ftairs,  raifed  each  above  the  otherj 
like  the  fteps  leading  into  the  north  door  of  St.  Paul's. 
On  thefe  fteps,  ftand  the  feveral  auditors  and  fpeclutcrsy. 
when  a  court  is  held  here.  It  was  on  thefe,  that  the  In- 
dian chiefs  fat,  when  they  treated  with  the  feveral  govern- 
ments. This  court-houie  is  capable  to  contain  above  800 
perfons,  v^^ithout  incommoding  each  other. 

When  we  had  furvcyed  this  room,  we  ^yent  up  ft^irs^ 
into  one  over  head.  This  is  a  good  room,  and  has  a  large 
chimney.  In  this  the  juftices  fit  in  the  month  of  Februar^^ 
for  the  convenience  of  the  fire.  Adjoining  to  this  room. 
is  a  fmaller  one,  where  the  juries  are  kept  to  agree  on 
their  vcrdift. 

On  tlie  top  of  the  court-houfe  is  a  kind  of  cupola.  We 
afcended  a  ladder,  and  got  into  it.  From  hence  we  had  a 
complete  view  of  the  whole  town,  and  the  country  feveral 
miles  round,  and  likewife  of  part  of  Suf(|uehannah  river,  at 
twelve  miles  diftance. 

■  This 


Witham  Marjbis  Jaumd^  177 

This  town  has  not  been  begun  to  be  built  above  lixteen 
years.  It  is  conveniently  laid  out  into  fundry  ftreets,  and 
one  main  ftreet,  in  the  midft  of  which  ftands  the  court- 
houfe  and  market.  Through  this  runs  the  road  to  the 
back  country,  on  Sufquehannah.  There  are  feveral  crofs 
ftreets  on  each  fide  of  the  main  ftreet,  which  are  indiffer- 
ently well  built,  as  to  quantity  of  houfes. 

The  inhabitants  are  chiefly  High-Dutch,  Scotch-Irifli, 
fome  few  EngHfh  famiUes,  and  unbelieving  Ifraelites,  who 
deal  very  coniiderably  in  this  place. 

The  fpirit  of  cleanlinefs  has  not  as  yet  in  the  leaft  trou- 
bled the  major  part  of  the  inhabitants  ;  for,  in  general, 
they  are  very  great  fluts  and  llovens.  When  they  clean 
their  houfes,  which,  by  the  bye,  is  very  feidom,  they  are 
unwilling  to  remove  the  filth  far  from  themfelves,  for  they 
place  it  clofe  to  their  doors,  which,  in  the  fummer  time, 
breeds  an  innumerable  quantity  of. bugs,  fleas,  and  vermin. 

The  religions,  which  prevail  here,  are  hardly  to  be  num- 
bered. Here  are  Dutch  Calvinifts,  who  have  a  church 
built  with  fquare  logs,  and  their  interfpaces  filled  up  with 
clay.  In  this,  is  a  fmall  organ,  good  for  little,  and  worfe 
played  on  by  the  organift. 

The  feft  of  Luther  have  a  church  likewife.  This  is 
more  fpacious  than  that  of  the  Calvinifts,  being  built  of 
ftone,  and  is  much  larger  than  the  other.  The  minifcer  of 
this  church  is  a  gentleman  of  good  charader,  and  by  his 
true  paftoral  condud  keeps  his  congregation  in  good  order. 
The  minifters  of  thefe  Dutch  churches  are  allowed  no  cer^ 
tain  ftipend  for  preaching,  but  are  paid  at  the  will  of  theii 
hearers.  This  is  a  great  tie  upon  them  to  do  their  doty, 
and  makes  them  more  diligent  than  our  clergy  ars.  Hap- 
py people  !  in  this  we  may  envy  them. 

A  clergyman  of  the  church  of  England  fometimes  of 
ficiates  in  the  court-houfe,  there  being  no  church  here 
built  by  thofe  of  that  perfuafion.  There  are  great  num- 
bers of  Irifii  Preibyterians,  and  feveral  jews,  as  I  hinted  br«- 
fore,  with  divers  others,  that  neither  themfelves,  nor  -m!^; 
one  elfe,  can  tell  what  fed  they  follow  or  imitate. 

The  houfes,  for  the  moft  part,  are  built  and  covered 
with  wood,  except  fome  few,  which  are  built  of  brick  and 
(lore.     They  are  generally  low,  feidom  exceeding  two:  ftcfr- 


178  Witham  Mar/he's  Journal. 

ries.    All  the  ov/ners  of  lots  and  houfes,  here,  pay  a  groui 
rent,  greater  or  lefs,  according  to  the  grant  of  them  by  i 
James  Hamilton,  Efq.  who  is  the  proprietor  of  the  town. 

There  are  hills  which  environ  Lancafter,  as  likewife  fome 
thick  woods,  which,  in  the  fummer,  render  it  very  hot, 
efpecially  in  the  afternoon.  The  foil  is  then  dry  and  very 
fandy,  which,  when  a  frefh  wind  blows,  almoft  choak  the 
inliabitants. 

The  water  here  is  very  bad,  occafioncd  by  their  fprings, 
and  even  wells,  being  ftored  with  lime-ftones.  This  gave 
me  a  looienefs,  and  palled  my  appetite  ;  but  foon  left  me, 
after  I  refrained  drinking  the  water  by  itfelf. 

They  have  a  very  good  market  in  this  town,  v/dl  filled 
with  proviiions  of  all  kinds,  and  prodigioufly  cheap. 

Our  commiffioners  and  company  fupped  at  Worrall's, 
and  pafled  away  an  hour  or  two  very  agreeably  ;  after 
which  I  retired  to  bed  ;  but  had  not  long  repofed  myfelf, 
when  I  was  moft  fiercely  attacked  by  the  neighbouring 
Dutch  fleas  and  bugs,  which  were  ready  to  devour  both  me 
and  the  minifter  :  however,  after  killing  great  quantities 
of  my  nimble  enemies,  I  got  about  two  hours  fleep. 

Mr.  Calvert  was  more  inhumanly  ufed  by  them  than  my^ 
felf,  as  was  likewife  Mr.  Craddock.  On  the  next  night, 
Mr.  Calvert  left  our  lodgings,  and  laid  in  the  court-houfe 
chamber,  among  the  young  gentlemen  from  Virginia,  who 
there  had  beds  made  on  the  floor  for  that  purpofe. 

Friday^  June  22d,  1744. 

Rofe  betwixt  4  and  5.  Breakfafted  with  Mr.  commif- 
fioner  Thomas,  Colonels  Colvifl  and  King,  at  Worrall's. 

The  Indian  chiefs  not  being  yet  come,  we  had  no  buli= 
nefs  to  do. 

Tlie  honourable  the  commiffioners  of  Virginia  gave  our 
commiflioners,  and  the  feveral  Maryland  gentlemen,  an 
invitation  to  dine  with  them  in  the  court-houfe,  which  we 
did,  betwixt  one  and  two.  During  our  dinner,  the  depu- 
ties of  the  Six  Nations,  with  their  followers  and  attendants, 
to  the  number  of  252,  arrived  in  town.  Several  of  their 
fquaws,  or  wives,  with  fome  fmall  cliildren,  rode  on  horfe- 
back,  which  is  very  unufual  with  them.  They  brought 
dieir  fire-arms  and  bows  and  arrows,  as  well  as  tomahawks. 

A  great 


Withajn  Marjhe*s  Journal  179 

A  great  concourfe  of  people  followed  them.  They  march- 
ed in  very  good  order,  with  Cannafateego,  one  of  the  Onon- 
dago  chiefs,  at  their  head  ;  who,  when  he  came  near  to  the 
court-houfe  wherein  we  were  dining,  fung,  in  the  Indian 
language,  a  fong,  inviting  us  to  a  renewal  of  all  treaties 
heretofore  made,  and  that  nov/  to  be  made. 

Mr.  Weifer,  the  interpreter,  who  is  highly  efteemed  by 
the  Indians,  and  is  one  of  their  council  of  ftate,  (though  a 
German  by  birth)  conduced  them  to  fome  vacant  lots  in 
the  back  part  of  the  town,  where  fundry  poles  and  boards 
were  placed.  Of  thefe,  and  fome  boughs  of  trees  from  the 
woods,  the  Indians  made  wigwams,  or  cabins,  wherein 
they  refided  during  the  treaty.  They  will  not,  on  any  oc- 
cafion  whatfoever,  dwell,  or  even  ftay,  in  houfes  built  by 
white  people. 

They  placed  their  cabins  according  to  the  rank  each 
nation  of  them  holds  in  their  grand  council.  The  Ononda- 
goes  nation  was  placed  on  the  right  hand  and  upper  end  ; 
then  the  others,  according  to  their  feveral  dignities. 

After  dining,  and  drinking  the  loyal  healths,  all  the 
younger  gentlemen  of  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  Pennfylva- 
nia,  went  with  Mr.  Conrad  Weifer  to  the  Indian  camp, 
where  they  had  ereded  their  feveral  cabins.  We  viewed 
them  all,  and  heartily  welcomed  Camafateego,  and  Tacha- 
fiimtie,  (aUas  the  Black  Prince)  two  chiefs  of  the  Ononda- 
goes,  to  town.  They  Ihaked  us  by  the  hands,  and  feemed 
very  well  pleafed  with  us.  I  gave  them  fome  fnufF,  for 
which  they  returned  me  thanks  in  their  language. 

The  firft  of  thefe  fachems  (or  chiefs)  was  a  tall,  well-made 
man  ;  had  a  very  full  cheft,  and  brawny  limbs.  He  had  a 
manly  countenance,  mixed  with  a  good-natured  fmile.  He 
was  about  60  years  of  age  ;  very  adlive,  ftrong,  and  had  a 
furprifmg  livehnefs  in  his  fpeech,  which  I  obferved  in  the 
difcourfe  betwixt  him,  Mr.  Weifer,  and  fome  of  the 
fachems. 

Tachammtie,  another  fachem,  or  chief  of  the  fame  na- 
tion, was  a  tall,  thin  man  ;  old,  and  not  fo  well  featured 
as  Cannafateego  :  I  believe  he  may  be  near  the  fame  age 
with  him.  He  is  one  of  the  greateft  warriors  that  ever  the 
Five  Nations  produced,  and  has  been  a  great  war-captain 

for  many  years  paft.  ' 

He 


i8o  Witham  MarJheU  Journal 

He  is  alfo  called  the  Black  Prince^  becaufe,  as  I  was  in- 
formed, he  was  either  begotten  on  an  Indian  woman  by  % 
negro,  or  by  an  Indian  chief  on  fome  negro  woman  j  but 
by  which  of  the  two,  I  could  not  be  well  aflured. 

The  Governor  of  Canada,  (whom  thefe  Indians  call 
Onantio)  will  not  treat  with  any  of  the  Six  Nations  of  In- 
dians, unlefs  Tachanuntie  is  perfonally  prefent,  he  having  a 
great  fway  in  aU  the  Indian  councils. 

Our  interpreter,  Mr.  Weifer,  defu'ed  us,  whilft  we  were 
here,  not  to  talk  much  of  the  Indians,  nor  laugh  at  their 
drefs,  or  make  any  remarks  on  their  behaviour  :  if  we  did, 
it  would  be  very  much  refented  by  them,  and  might  caufe 
fome  differences  to  ajrife  betwixt  the  white  people  and 
them.  ^  BeSdes,  moft  of  them  undei-ftood  Englifli,  though 
they  will  not  fpeak  it  v/hen  they  are  in  treaty. 

rhe  Indians,  in  general,  were  poorly  dreffed,  having  old 
matcli-coats,  and  thofe  ragged  ;  few,  or  no  Ihirts,  and 
thofe  they  had,  as  black  as  the  Scotchman  made  the  Ja?nai- 
cans^  when  he  wrote  in  his  letter  they  were  as  black  as 
that  @  blot. 

When  they  had  refted  fome  little  fpace  of  time,  feveral 
of  them  began  to  paint  themfeives  with  divers  forts  of 
colours,  v/hich  rendered  them  frightful.  Some  of  the 
others  rubbed  bear's  greafe  on  their  faces,  and  then  laid 
upon  that  a  v/hite  paint.  When  we  had  made  a  fufficient 
furvey  of  them  and  their  cabins,  we  went  to  the  court- 
houfe,  where  the  Indians  were  expeded  to  meet  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Pennfylvania,  the  Hon.  George  Thomas,  Efq. 
and  to  be  by  him  congratulated  on  their  arrival  at  this 
town. 

Friday^  P.  M.  Between  5  and  6  o'clock,  Mr.  Weifer  ac- 
companied the  feveral  Indian  chiefs  from  their  camp  up  to 
the  court-houfe,  which  they  entered  and  feated  themJelvcS 
after  their  own  manner.  Soon  after,  his  Honour  the  Gov- 
ernor, the  honourable  the  commilTioners  of  Virginia,  the 
honourable  the  commiffioners  of  Maryland,  and  the  young 
gentlemen  from  the  three  governments, 'went  into  the 
court-houfe  to  the  Indians.  There  the  Governor,  and  all 
the  commiffioners,  feverally  welcomed  the  Indians  to  Lan- 
cafter,  and  fiiaked  hands  M'ith  the  fachems. 

Then   his  Honour  feated  himfeif  in  the  chair  on  the 

bench. 


Witham  Mar/he's  jmrnaL  iSi 

bench,  the  Virginia  Gommiflioners  placed  themfelves,  to  ivit^ ' 
the  Hon.  Col.  Thomas  Lee,  and  Col.  William  Beverly,  on 
his  right  hand,  and  our  honourable  commiffioners  on  his 
left.  William  Peters,  Efq.  fecretary  of  Pennfylvania,  fat 
in  the  middle  of  the  table,  under  the  Governor,  and  Mr, 
William  Black,  fecretary  to  the  Virginia  commiffioners,  on 
his  right  hand,  and  myfelf,  as  fecretary  to  the  cOmmiHion- 
ers  of  Maryland,  on  his  left  hand. 

The  G  overnor  defired  the  interpreter  to  tell  the  Indians, 
*'  He  was  very  glad  to  fee  them  here,  and  flioald  not  trouble 
"  them  with  bufmefs  this  day,  but  defired  they  would  reft 
*'  themfelves,  after  their  great  journey."  This,  Mr.  Wei- 
fer  interpreted  to  them,  whereat  they  feemed  v/ell  enough 
pleafed,  and  made  the  Governor  a  fuitable  anfwer. 

When  this  was  done,  a  good  quantity  of  punch,  wine, 
and  pipes  and  tobacco,  were  given  to  the  fachems,  and  the: 
Governor  and  all  the  commiffioners  drank  to  them,  whom 
they  pledged.  When  they  had  fmoked  fome  fmall  time^ 
and  ea;:h  drank  a  glafs  or  two  of  v/ine  and  punch,  they 
retired  to  their  cabins. 

Our  landlord  ihewed  me  the  book,  wherein  he  keeps 
the  account  of  the  expenfes  of  ours  and  the  Virginia  com- 
miffioners, and  which  was  ordered  to  be  produced  every 
morning  to  me,  to  know  exactly  the  amount  of  each  day's 
expenfe. 

Saturday^  June  23J,  1744,  at  Lancafier, 

This  day  I  was  feized  with  a  lax,  and  fmali  fever,  occa- 
fioned  by  drinking  the  water  of  this  town. 

After  breakfaft,  the  Governor,  the  honourable  the  com^ 
miffioners,  and  feveral  other  gentlemen,  went  to  the  Dun-- 
kers*  nunnery,  about  twelve  miles  from  hence.  They  re^ 
turned  hither  about  fix  in  the  evening. 

All  this  day  the  Indians  ftaid  in  their  wigwams  ;  and 
it  is  ufual  for  them  to  reft  two  days  after  their  journey, 
before  they  treat,  or  do  bufmefs  with  the  Engiifli. 

After  fupper,  this  evening,  I  went  with  Mr.  Freiident 
Logan's  fon,  and  divers  other  young  gentlemen,  to  thcf 
Indians'  camp,  they  being  then  dancing  one  of  their  light- 
er war  dances. 

The}'  performed  it  after  this  manner  :  Thirty  or  forty 
©f  the  younger  men  formed  themfelves  into  a  ring,  a  fire 

being 


i82  Witham  Marjhe^s  Journal, 

being  lighted  (notwithftanding  the  excelTivc  heat)  and 
burning  clear  in  the  midft  of  them.  Near  this,  fat  three 
elderly  Indians,  who  beat  a  drum  to  the  time  of  the  oth- 
ers' dancing.  Then  the  dancers  hopped  round  the  ring, 
after  a  frantic  faftiion,  not  unlike  the  priefts  of  Bacchus 
in  old  times,  and  repeated,  fundry  times,  thefe  founds, 
Tohoh  /  Bifgh  !  Soon  after  this,  the  major  part  of  the 
dancers  (or  rather  hoppers)  fet  up  a  horrid  fhriek  or 
halloo  ! 

They  continued  dancing  and  hopping,  after  this  manner, 
feveral  hours,  and  refted  very  feldom.  Once,  whilft  I  ftaid 
with  them,  they  did  reft  themfelves  ;  immediately  there- 
upon, the  three  old  men  began  to  fmg  an  Indian  fong,  the 
tune  of  which  was  not  difagreeable  to  the  white  by-ftand- 
ers.  Upon  this,  the  young  warriors  renewed  their  terrible 
fliriek  and  halloo,  and  formed  themfelves  into  a  ring,  envi- 
roning the  three  old  ones,  and  danced  as  before.  Mr.  Cal- 
vert, myfelf,  and  fome  others  flipped  through  the  dancers, 
and  ftood  near  the  fire  ;  and  when  the  drum-beaters  ceafed 
their  noife,  we  fiiaked  them  by  the  hand.  Here  we  pre- 
fented  fome  clean  pipes  to  them,  which  were  very  accepta- 
ble, moft  of  the  Indians  being  great  fmokers  of  tobacco* 
A  Concjiogoe^  or  Sufqiiehannah  Indian,  ftood  without  the  cir- 
cle, and  importuned  the  white  by-ftanders  to  give  money 
to  the  young  children,  which  was  done.  Whilft  this  di- 
verfion  happened,  fome  High-Dutch,  belonging  to  the  town, 
brought  their  guns  with  them  to  the  camp  ;  which  being 
perceived  by  the  Conejiogoe,  he  informed  us,  it  would  be  ve- 
ry difplealing  to  the  Indians,  who  would  refent  it,  though 
brought  thither  with  ever  fo  innocent  an  intent ;  therefore 
defired  us  to  tell  the  Germans  to  withdraw,  and  leave  their 
mufquets  out  of  their  fight,  otherwiie  fome  bad  confequen^ 
ces  might  enfue.  We  complied  with  his  requeft,  and  made 
the  Germans  retire. 

From  the  camp  I  went  to  Worrall's,  and  fat  up  till  ele^ 
ven  o'clock ;  to  whofe  houfe  I  heard  the  Indian  drum, 
and  the  warriors  repeating  their  terrible  ftoife  and  danc- 
ing J  and  at  this  fport  of  theirs,  they  continued  till  near 
one  in  the  morning. 

Thefe  young  men  are  furprifmgly  agile,  ftrong,  and 
ftraight  limbed.     They  Ihoot,  both  with  the  gun  and  bow 

and 


Wit  ham  MarJheU  J  our  mi  183 

and  arrow,  moft  dexteroufly.  They  likewlfe  throw  their 
tomahawk  (or  little  hatchet)  with  great  certainty,  at  an  in- 
different large  objed,  for  twenty  or  thirty  yards  diftance. 
This  weapon  they  ufe  againft  their  enemies,  when  they 
have  fpent  their  powder  and  ball,  and  deftroy  many  of 
them  with  it. 

The  chiefs,  who  were  deputed  to  treat  with  the  Englifh 
by  their  different  nations,  were  very  fober  men,  which  is 
rare  for  an  Indian  to  be  fo,  if  he  can  get  liquor.  They  be- 
haved very  well,  during  our  ftay  amongfl  them,  and  fun- 
dry  times  refufed  drinking  in  a  moderate  way.  When 
ever  they  renew  old  treaties  of  friendlhip,  or  make  any  bar- 
gain about  lands  they  fell  to  the  Englifh,  they  take  great 
care  to  abflain  from  intoxicating  drink,  for  fear  of  being 
over-reached  ;  but  when  they  have  finifhed  their  bulinefs, 
then  fome  of  them  will  drink  without  meafure. 

Sunday ,  June  24th,  1744. 

Mr.  Commiffioner  Jenings  ordered  me  to  copy  the 
fpeech  to  be  made  by  him,  in  the  name  of  the  governor 
of  Maryland,  to  the  Indians,  in  the  court-houfe,  to-morrow 
morning.  This,  and  tranfcribing  fome  copies  of  it,  bufied 
me  fo  much,  that  I  could  not  go  to  the  court-houfe,  where 
divine  fervice,  according  to  the  church  of  England,  was 
performed  by  my  fellow-traveller,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Craddock, 
to  a  numerous  audience,  this  day.  He  alfo  preached  a  very 
good  fermon,  which  met  the  approbation  of  the  fever al 
gentlemen  prefent. 

His  Honour  the  Governor  invited  Mr.  Craddock  to  dine 
with  him,  which  he  did,  and  received  a  hearty  welcome. 

Betwixt  I  and  2,  our  honourable  commifTioners,  and 
thofe  of  Virginia,  dined  in  the  court-houfe,  and  the  gentle- 
men of  both  their  governments  ;  after  which,  the  office  of 
the  day  was  again  performed  by  another  minifter  of  the 
eflabhfhed  church.  He  gave  us  an  excellent  fermon,  and 
expatiated  very  feelingly  on  the  too  prevalent  vices  of  the 
age.  He  ufed  plain  language,  and  thereby  fitted  his  dif- 
courfe  for  all  capacities,  by  which  all  might  truly  edify,  if 
they  had  any  grace,  or  good  difpofition  thereto. 

In  the  evening,  walked  to  the  Indian  camp,  where  they 
were  dancing  in  the  manner  defcribed  laft  night,  only  the 

number 


I  §4  Witham  Marjhe*s  Jourmth 

number  of  (lancers  was  augmented,  they  having  talien  m 
feveral  fmall  boys,  to  make  a  larger  ring. 

Betv/ixt  8  and  9,  this  night,  lupped  with  my  brother 
fecretary,  Mr.  Black,  in  his  lodgings  at  Mr.  George  San- 
derfon's.  V7e  had  pleafant  company,  good  -^vine,  and 
Kme-punch.  From  hence  I  went  to  AVorralFs,  where,  in 
my  room,  three  very  impudent  Indian  traders  had  taken 
polTeffion  of  my  bed,  and  caufed  another  to  be  there  made  5 
but  after  fome'difputes,  our  laiidlord  made  thefe  fcoundrels 
quit  their  beds,  and  leave  the  parfon  and  myfeif  in  quiet 
poifeflion. 

Thefe  traders,  for  the  moil  parX,  are  as  wild  as  fome  of 
the  moll  favage  Indians,  amiOngft  whom  they  trade  for 
Sdns,  fur,  &c.  for  fundry  kinds  of  European  goods,  and 
ftrono-  liquors.  They  go  back  in  the  country,  above  300 
miles°from  the  white  inhabitants  ;  here  they  live  with  the 
Indian  hunters  till  they  have  difpofed  of  their  cargoes  j 
and  then,  on  horfes,  carry  their  feins,  &c.  to  Philadelphia, 
where  they  are ''bought  by  the  merchants  there,  and  from 
thence  exported  to  London.  It  is  a  very  beneficial  trade, 
though  hazardous  to  their  perfons  and  lives  ;  for  the 
weather  is  fo  exceffively  cold  where  they  trade,  which  is 
near  the  lakes  of  Canada,  and  their  cabins  fo  poorly  made 
to  defend  themfelves  from  the  bitter  v/inters,  that  they  of- 
ten perifh  :  and  on  the  other  hand,  they  are  liable  to  the 
infults  and  favage  fury  of  the  drunken  Indians,  by  felling 
to  them  rum,  and  other  fpirituous  Hquors.  The  govern- 
ment, as  yet,  have  not  provided  a  law,  prohibiting  the  fell- 
ing fuch  Hquors,  although  it  has  been  prelled  by  his 
Honour,  who  is  but  too  fenfible  of  the  ill  effbas  produced 
by  the  Indian  traders  carrying  fo  much  to  barter  with  the 
hunters  of  tHe  Six  Nations. 

I  refted  well,  after  difpoffeiling  thefe  intruding  guelts^; 
but  this  happened  by  m.y  giving  orders  to  my  landlord's 
fervants,  this  morning,  to  walh  our  room  with  cold  water, 
and  take  my  bed  from  its  bedftead,  and  lay  it  on  the  floor  ; 
and  by  this  means  the  bugs  and  fleas  were  defeated  of 

their  prey. 

Monday  morning,  2^ib  Jiinei  174^- 
At   10  o'clock,  the  Indian  fachems  met  the  Governor, 
the  honourable  commiffioners  of  Virgiiiia,  and  thofe  of  this 

province. 


Witham  Marjhe^s  'Journal  185 

province,  when  his  Honour  made  them  a  fpeech,*  to  which 
Cannafateego  returned  an  anfwer  in  behalf  of  all  the  others 
prefent. 

The  Indians  ftaid  in  the  court-houfe  about  two  hours  j 
and  were  regaled  with  fome  bumbo  and  fangree. 

The  honourable  commiflioners  from  Virginia  and  Mary- 
land dined  in  the  court-houfe,  as  did  the  gentlemen  of 
both  governments  ;  we  had  two  tables,  and  a  great  variety 
of  viduals  ;  our  company  being  about  thirty  in  number. 

In  the  court-houfe^  Monday^  P.  M. 

The  Governor,  and  all  the  honourable  commiflioners, 
refumed  their  feveral  feats  here  5  and  then  the  chiefs  came 
in,  and  took  their  places. 

Edmund  Jenings,  Efq.  as  firft  commiffioner  for  Mary- 
land, made  a  fpeech  to  the  Six  Nations,  which  was  inter- 
preted to  them  by  Mr.  Weifer.  Whilft  Mr.  Jenings  deliv- 
ered his  fpeech,  he  gave  the  interpreter  a  firing  and  two 
belts  of  wampum,  which  were  by  him  prefented  to  the 
fachem  Cannafateego  ;  and  the  Indians  thereupon  gave  the 
cry  of  approbation  ;  by  this  we  were  fure  the  fpeech  was 
well  approved  by  the  Indians.  This  Cry  is  ufually  made  on 
prefenting  wampum  to  the  Indians  in  a  treaty,  and  is  per- 
formed thus  :  The  grand  chief  and  fpeaker  amongft  them 
pronounces  the  word  jo-hah  !  with  a  loud  voice,  fingly  ; 
then  all  the  others  join  in  this  found,  woh  !  dwelling  fome 
little  while  upon  it,  and  keeping  exaft  time  with  each 
other,  and  immediately,  with  a  fharp  noife  and  force,  utter 
this  found,  wugh  !  This  is  performed  in  great  order,  and 
with  the  utmoft  ceremony  and  decorum  ;  and  with  the  In- 
dians is  like  our  Englifh  huzza  ! 

Monday  evening,  hi  the  court-houfe  chamber. 
I  fupped  with  the  Governor,  the  honourable  commif- 
fioners,  and  the  gentlemen  of  Philadelphia,  who  attended 
his  Honour  to  this  town.  We  had  an  elegant  entertain- 
ment ;  and  after  fupper  the  Governor  v/as  extremely 
merry,  and  thereby  fet  an  example  of  agreeable  mirth, 

which 

*  See  the  fpeech  and  anfwer,  in  the  treaty,  printed  at  Philadelphia, 
and  Williamfburg  in  Virginia. 

A  A  [r^/,  vii.]  ' 


i86  Withajn  MarJJoe^s  Journal. 

which  ran  through  the  v/hole  company.  Durhig  this  mer- 
riment,  two  Germans  happened  to  pafs  by  the  court-houl'e 
with  a  harp  and  fiddle,  and  played  fome  tunes  under  the 
window  of  our  room  :  upon  that,  they  were  ordered  to 
come  up  ftairs,  where  the  Governor  required  them  to  di- 
vert us,  which  they  did,  but  not  with  the  harmony  of 
their  muiic,  (for  that  was  very  uncouth  and  difpleafing  to 
us,  who  had  heard  fome  of  the  beft  hands  in  England) 
but  by  playing  a  tune,  of  fome  fort,  to  a  young  Indian, 
who  danced  a  jig  with  Mr.  Andrew  Hamilton,  in  a  moft 
furpriling  manner.  At  nine  o'clock,  the  Governor  and 
commiffioners  left  us  ;  and  then  the  younger  perfons  raif- 
ed  their  jolHty  by  dancing  in  the  Indian  drefs,  and  after 
their  manner. 

TuefJay,  26th  Jwie. 

Copied  fair  the  proceedings  of  yellerday  with  the  In- 
dians, as  alfo  Gov.  Thomas's  fpeech  to  them,  which  were 
tranfmitted  to  his  Excellency  Thomas  Bladen,  Efq.  Gov- 
ernor of  Maryland,  by  Mr.  Commiffioner  Jenings. 

We  dined  in  the  court-houfe  ;  and  foon  aftet  I  received 
orders  from  the  above  commiffioner,  to  acquaint  all  the 
Maryland  gentlemen,  "  That  they  fliould  defift  going  into 
"  the  court-houfe  this  afternoon,  during  our  treaty  with 
''  the  Six  Nations."  Purfuant  to  which  order,  I  informed 
the  gentlemen  of  our  commiffioners'  pieafure,  at  which 
the  firft  were  much  dilguiled,  as  were  the  Virginia  gentle- 
men, who  had  the  fame  commands  laid  on  them  by  the 
fecretary  of  their  commiffioners. 

Five  0* clock,  P.  M.  His  Honour  the  Governor  of  Penn- 
fylvania,  and  the  honourable  the  commiffioners  of  Virginia 
and  Maryland,  met  the  Indian  chiefs  in  the  court-houfe, 
when  Cannafateego'anfvv^ered  our  fpeech  of  yeflerday,  and 
prefented  a  firing  and  two  belts  of  wampum.  :  which  be- 
ing done,,  the  further  execution  of  the  treaty  was  adjourn- 
ed until  the  next  day. 

By  order  of  our  commiffioners,  and  at  the  requeft  of 
Mr.  Weifer,  the  interpreter,  I  bought  half  a  grofs  of  to- 
bacco pipes,  to  be  prefented  to  the  Indians  at  their  camp  ; 
which  was  accordingly  done,  and  they  feemed  well  pleafed 
at  the  gift,  fuch  pipes  being  fcarce  with  them. 

Wednefdavy 


Wlthajn  MarJJje^s  Journal  vly 

Wcdnefday,  2ph  June. 

After  breakfaft,  viewed  Mr.  Worrall's  book  of  our  ex« 
penfes,  which  we  fettled  ;  and  the  whole  amount  thereof, 
from  the  20th  inftant  to  this  day,  was  £.^6-'0-'$j  Pennfyl- 

vania  currency. N.  B.   Mr.  Worrall's  account  for  the 

negroes'  expenfes  was  not  included  in  the  above  fum. 

This  day  our  commiffioners  wrote  a  letter  to  our  Gov- 
ernor, giving  him  an  account  of  their  tranfadlions  with 
the  Indians,  which  I  fairly  copied  by  their  order. 

P.  M.  5  o'clock.  The  Governor,  and  all  the  honourable 
commiflioners,  again  met,  and  treated  with  the  Six  Na- 
tions, in  the  court-houfe,  v/hen  Tachanuntie,  the  famous 
Black  Prince,  (mentioned  before)  anfwered  the  fpeech 
made  yefterday  by  the  Hon.  Col.  Lee,  one  of  the  Virginia 
ccmmillioners  ;  and  in  token  that  it  was  well  received 
and  approved  by  the  chiefs,  Tachanuntie  prefented  one 
ftring  and  two  belts  of  wampum  to  his  Majefty's  commif- 
fioners of  Virginia,  Then  Mr.  Commiffioner  Jenings  de- 
lired  the  interpreter  to  alk  the  Indians  if  they  would  be 
ready  for  a  conference  to-morrow  morning,  in  the  court- 
houfe  chamber,  with  the  commiffioners  of  Maryland  ; 
which  he  did,  and  the  Indians  anfwered,  that  they  would 
meet  for  that  purpofe,  as  defired. 

At  8  o'clock,  this  evening,  I  went,  with  three  of  our 
honourable  commiffioners,  to  a  ball  in  the  court-houfe 
chamber  ;  to  which  his  Honour  the  Governor  of  Pennfyl- 
vania,  the  commiffioners  of  Virginia  and  Maryland,  and 
the  gentlemen  of  the  feveral  colonies,  with  fundry  inhab- 
itants of  this  town,  were  invited. 

James  Hamilton,  Efq.  the  proprietor  of  Lancafler,  made 
the  ball,  and  opened  it,  by  dancing  two  minuets  with  two 
of  the  ladies  here,  which  lail  danced  wilder  time  than  any 
Indians. 

Our  mufic  and  mulicians  were  the  fame  as  defcribed  laft 
Monday  evening. 

The  females  (I  dare  not  call  them  ladies,  for  that  would 
be  a  profanation  of  the  name)  v»Tre,  in  general,  very  dif- 
agreeable.  The  dancers  confifted  of  Germans  and  Scotch- 
Irifh  ;  but  there  were  fome  Jeweffes,  who  had  not  long 
fmce  come  from  New- York,  that  made  a  tolerable  appear- 
ance, being  w^ell  dreifed,  and  of  an  agreeable  behaviour. 

There 


1 88  Witham  Marjhe's  *Journal 

There  was  a  large  and  elegant  fupper  prepared  in  the 
court-houfe  chamber,  of  which  the  Governor,  fome  of  the 
honourable  commiffioners,  and  the  female  dancers,  firft 
eat  ;  then  the  other  gentlemen  in  order,  and  afterwards 
the  younger  gentlemen.  The  dances  were  concluded  about 
1 2  o'clock  ;  but  myfelf,  with  feveral  others  of  the  younger 
fort,  ftaid  till  after  one  in  the  morning. 

Thurfday,  i^th  of  June ^  'i-7AA->  ^-  M' 
At  9  this  morning,  the  commiffioners  of  Maryland  and 
the  Six  Nations  met  in  the  court-houfe  chamber,  according 
to  agreement  of  yefterday. 

Here  we  opened  the  feveral  bales  and  boxes  of  goods,  to 
be  prefented  the  Indians,  they  having  been  bought  at  Phila- 
delphia, and  fent  hither  for  that  end. 

Before  the  chiefs  viewed  and  handled  the  feveral  goods, 
Mr.  Commiffioner  Jenings  made  them  a  fpeech  in  the  name 
of  the  Governor  of  Maryland,  with  which,  after  it  was  in- 
terpreted to  them  by  Mr.  Weifer,  they  feemed  well  pleafed. 
The  chiefs  turned  over,  and  narrowly  infpefted  the  goods, 
and  afked  the  prices  of  them  ;  v/hich  being  told  them,  they 
feemed  fomewhat  diffatisfied  ;  and  defired  to  go  down  into 
the  court-houfe,  to  confult  among  themfelves,  (which  is 
their  ufual  method,  if  it  concerns  any  matter  of  importance, 
as  this  was,  for  they  muft  give  a  particular  account  of  their 
whole  negotiation  to  their  feveral  tribes,  when  they  re- 
turn) with  their  interpreter.  They  did  fo  ;  and  after  fome 
time  carne  up  again,  and  agreed  with  our  commiffioners  to 
releafe  their  claim  and  right  to  any  lands  now  held  by  the 
inhabitants  of  Maryland,  and  for  which  the  faid  Indians 
were  not  heretofore  fatisfied,  in  confideration  of  the  fol- 
lowing goods,  viz. 

4  pieces  of  flrouds,  at  £.y 
2  pieces  ditto,  £.$, 
200  ftiirts, 
"  pieces  half  thicks, 
ditto  duffle  blankets,  at  £.*j, 
ditto,      ditto, 
47  guns,  at  ;r.  I -6-0, 
lib.  vermilion, 

•  •  Carried  over^  /^'  202 


x;-^8 

0 

0 

10 

0 

0 

63 

12 

0 

1 1 

0 

0 

21 

0 

0 

6 

10 

0 

6! 

2 

0 

0 

18 

0 

Wit  ham  MarJIx's  Journal:  189 


Brought  over^ 

jC-202 

2 

0 

1000   flints, 

0 

18 

0 

4  doz.  jews-harps, 

0 

14 

0 

I  doz.  boxes. 

0 

I 

0 

icwt.  2qrs.  olb.  bar  lead, 

3 

0 

0 

1  qrs.  fhot. 

1 

0 

0 

2  half  barrels  gun-powder. 

13 

0 

0 

Pennfylvania  money.         £'^20     15     o 

The  above  quantity  of  goods  were  accordingly  given  the 
Indians,  as  agreed  on  by  both  parties  ;  after  which,  our 
commiffioners  ordered  me  to  go  to  Mr.  Worrall,  and  de- 
fire  him  to  fend  fome  punch  for  the  fachems,  which  was 
accordingly  done ;  and  after  they  had  feverally  drank 
health  to  the  commifiioners,  and  the  compliment  returned 
by  the  latter,  the  Indians  retired  to  their  wigwams,  and 
the  honourable  commiffioners  went  to  their  lodgings  about 
12  o'clock. 

Poji  Meridiem.  The  commiffioners  of  Virginia  had  a 
private  treaty  with  the  chiefs,  in  the  court-houfe,  when 
Col.  Lee  made  them  a  fpeech  ;  which  fee  in  the  printed 
Treaty,  fol.  20,  21,  22. 

In  the  evening,  about  7  o'clock,  I  accompanied  my 
friend.  Col.  Nathan  Rigbie,  to  the  Indian  cabins,  where, 
having  collected  feveral  of  their  papoofes  (or  little  children) 
together,  he  flung  a  handful  of  Englilh  half-pennies  a- 
mongft  them,  for  which  they  fcrambled  heartily,  and  with 
the  utmoft  earneftnefs.  This  pleafed  the  elder  fort  very 
much  ;  and  they  eileem  it  a  great  mark  of  friendfliip,  if 
the  white  people  make  prefents  to  their  children,  or  treat 
them  with  any  particular  notice.  I  gave  the  papoofes  fome 
fmall  beads,  which  were  kindly  received.  The  young 
men,  this  night,  again  danced  a  war-dance,  as  delcribed  on 
Saturday  laft  ;  at  which  were  prefent  a  great  number  of 
white  people.  When  the  colonel  and  myfelf  had  taken  a 
view  of  the  Onondagoes',  Cahugas'  and  Senecas'  cabins, 
he  went  from  me  to  the  ring  of  dancers,  and  then  I  went 
to  a  cabin,  where  I  heard  the  celebrated  Mrs.  Montour,  a 
French  lady,  (but  now,  by  having  lived  fo  long  among  the 
Six  Nations,  is  becom.e  almoft  an  Indian)  had  her  refi- 

dence. 


190  Wiiham  Marjhe^s  jGUrnah 

dence.  When  I  approached  the  wigwam,  I  faluted  her  in 
French,  and  aiked  her  whether  flie  was  not  born  in  Cana- 
da ?  of  what  parents  ?  and  whether  Ihe  had  not  hved  a 
long  time  with  the  Indians  ?  She  anfwered  me  in  the 
fame  language  very  civilly,  and  after  fome  compliments 
were  paffed  betwixt  us,  told  m.e,  in  a  polite  manner, 
"  That  ftie  was  born  in  Canada,  whereof  her  father  (who 
"  was  a  French  gentleman)  had  been  Governor  ;  under 
"'  whofe  adminiilration,  the  then  Five  Nations  of  Indians 
"  had  made  war  againft  the  French,  and  the  Hurons  in 
"  that  government,  (vv^hom  we  term  the  French  Indians, 
"  from  efpoufmg  their  part  againft  the  Englifh,  and  living 
"  in  Canada)  and  that,  in  the  war,  ihe  was  taken  by  fome 
^'  of  the  Five  Nations'  warriors,  being  then  about  ten 
"  years  of  age  ;  and  by  them  was  carried  away  into  their 
"  country,  where  flie  was  habited  and  brought  up  in  the 
*'  liime  manner  as  their  children  :  That  when  Ihe  grew 
"  up  to  years  of  maturity,  fhe  was  married  to  a  famous 
*'  war  captain  of  thofe  nations,  who  was  in  great  efteem 
"  for  the  glory  he  procured  in  the  wars  he  carried  on 
*'  againft  the  Catawbas,  a  great  nation  of  Indians  to  the 
"  fouth-weft  of  Virginia,  by  whom  fhe  had  feveral  chil- 
"  dren  ;  but  about  fifteen  years  ago,  he  was  kiUed  in  a 
"  battle  with  them  ;  ftnce  which,  flie  has  not  been  mar- 
^'  ried  :  That  flie  had  little  or  no  remembrance  of  the 
*'  place  of  her  birth,  nor  indeed  of  her  parents,  it  being 
'-''  near  fifty  years  fmce  fhe  was  ravifhed  from  them  by  the 
"  Indians.'^ 

She  has  been  a  handfome  woman,  genteel,  and  of  po- 
lite addrefs,  notwithftanding  her  refidence  has  been  fo  long 
among  the  Indians  ;  though  formerly  fhe  was  wont  to  ac- 
company the  feveral  chiefs,  who  ufed  to  renew  treaties  of 
friendfhip  with  the  proprietor  and  governor  of  Pennfylva- 
nia,  at  Philadelphia,  the  metropolis  of  that  province  ;  and 
being  a  white  v/oman,  was  there  very  much  carefled  by 
the  gentlewomen  of  that  city,  Vv'ith  whom  fhe  ufed  to  ftay 
for  fome  time.  She  retains  her  natire  language,  by  con- 
verftng  with  the  Frenchmen  who  trade  for  fur,  ikins,  &c. 
among  the  fix  nations  ;  and  our  language  fhe  learned  at 
Philadelphia,  as  likewife  of  our  traders,  u^ho  go  back  into 
the   Indians'   country.      In  her  cabin   were  two  of  her 

daughters. 


Witham  Marjhe*s  Journal  igi 

daughters,  by  the  war-captain,  who  were  both  married  to 
peribns  of  the  fame  ftation,  and  were  then  gone  to  war 
with  the  Catawbas  before  mentioned.  One  of  thefe  young 
women  had  a  fon,  about  five  years  old,  who,  I  think,  was 
one  of  the  fineft  featured  and  limbed  children  mine  eyes 
ever  faw,  and  was  not  fo  tawny,  or  greafed,  as  the  other 
Indian  children  were  j  but,  on  the  contrary,  his  cheeks 
were  ruddy,  mixed  with  a  delicate  white,  had  eyes  and 
hair  of  an  hazel  colour,  and  was  neatly  dreifed  in  a  green 
ban-jan,  and  his  other  garments  were  fuitable. 

Madame  Montour  has  but  one  fon,  who,  for  his  prowefs 
and  martial  exploits,  was  lately  made  a  captain,  and  a 
member  of  the  Indian  council,  and  is  now  gone  to  war 
againft  the  Catawbas,  with  her  fon-in-law. 

She  is  in  great  efteemv/ith  thebeft  fort  of  white  people, 
and  by  them  always  treated  with  abundance  of  civility  ; 
and  whenever  fhe  went  to  Philadelphia,  (which  formerly 
Ihe  did  pretty  often)  the  ladies  of  that  city  always  invited 
her  to  their  houfes,  entertained  her  well,  and  made  her  fev- 
eral  prefents. 

From  this  cabin,  when  I  had  taken  leave  of  Mrs.  Mon- 
tour and  her  daughters,  I  returned  to  the  dancers,  who 
were  continuing  their  mirth  ;  and  afterwards  returned  to 
my  lodgings. 

Friday,  June  the  2gtb,  1744,  ^-  M. 

Our  commiffioners  and  the  Six  Nations  had  a  private 
conference  in  the  court-houfe  chamber,  when  they  jointly 
proceeded  to  fettle  the  bounds  and  quantity  of  land  the 
latter  were  to  releafe  to  Lord  Baltimore,  in  Maryland  ;  but 
the  Indians,  not  very  well  apprehending  our  commiffion- 
ers, in  their  demand  refpecling  the  bounds  of  the  lands  to 
be  releafed,  occafioned  a  great  delay  in  the  fmilliing  of  that 
bufmefs  ;  however,  it  was  wholly  fettled  in  the  afternoon, 
upon  Mr.  Weifer's  conference  with  the  Governor  of  Penn- 
fylvania,  his  Majefty's  commiffioners  of  Virginia,  and  thofe 
of  Maryland,  and  alfo  with  the  Indians  in  council,  where 
he  debated  the  matter  more  fully  ;  and  explained  our  com- 
miffioners' demands  in  fo  clear  a  manner,  that  they  came  to 
fuch  an  amicable  determination,  as  proved  agreeable  to 
each  party.  We  again  prefented  the  fachems,  here,  with 
bumbo  punch,  with  which  they  drank  profperity  and  fuc- 

cefs 


192  Witha?n  Marjhe^s  JournaL 

cefs  to  their  Father,  tlie  great  King  over  the  waters,  and 
to  the  healths  of  our  commiffioners. 

This  day  we  dined  at  ou.r  landlord  Worrall's  ;  and  it 
was  agreed,  by  the  commiffioners  of  Maryland,  to  invite 
all  the  Six  Nations'  chiefs,  to  dine  with  them,  in  company 
with  the  Governor  and  Virginia  commiffioners,  to-mor- 
row, in  the  court-houfe  ;  againft  which  time,  orders  were ' 
given  to  prepare  a  large  and  elegant  entertainment. 

In  the  evening  I  went  with  Col.  Rigbie,  and  other  gen- 
tlemen, to  vilit  one  Mr.  Adams,  a  German  do6tor,  who, 
we  underftood,  had  got  an  organ  ;  but  it  was  with  the 
greateft  importunity  he  would  favour  us  in  playing  a  tune, 
telling  us,  that  unlefs  he  himfelf  was  poiTeffed  with  a  ftrong 
defire  to  play,  he  could  oblige  no  body  ;  yet,  feeing  we 
were  fo  very  importunate,  he  at  kit  complied,  and  ftrum- 
med  over  three  or  four  High-Dutch  pfalm  tunes,  to  which 
he  fang  the  words,  in  the  moft  enthuiiaftic  raptures.  For 
my  part,  what  with  the  horrid  noife  he  made  on  the  organ, 
and  his  horfe-voice,  I  never  iuffered  fo  great  an  anticipation 
of  pleafure  in  hearing  mufic,  or,  at  leaft,  a  mufical  inftru- 
ment,  in  my  whole  life.  When  he  had  finillied  his  raptur- 
ous fit  of  noife,  he  acquainted  us,  that  he  had  been  a  con- 
fummate  rake  in  his  more  youthful  days  ;  but  foon  after 
he  married,  turned  himfelf  to  a  fober  and  religious  life, 
and  praifed  his  Maker  feverai  hours  in  a  day,  by  playing 
on,  and  iinging  to  his  organ.  He  feemed  to  us  to  be  a 
perfect  enthufiaft  ;  and,  upon  inquiry  among  his  neigh-, 
bours,  he  has  borne  that  charader  ever  fince  he  took  to 
himfelf  a  wife.  Being  very  much  tired  with  his  cant  and 
noife,  we  at  lad  took  our  leaves  of  him,  though  not  before 
inviting  him  to  drink  a  glafs  of  wine  with  us  at  our  lodg- 
ings ;  but  he  delired  to  be  excufed  accepting  our  invita- 
tion, at  which  we  were  not  difpleafed,  lince  we  might  have 
expeded  his  vifit  would  have  proved  very  troublefome. 

Saturday^  '^oth  June,  1744,  A.  M, 
Mr.  Commiffioner  jenings  having  this  morning  chawn 
a  deed  of  releafe  from  the  chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations  for 
the  lands  they  claim  in  Maryland,  to  the  ufe  of  Lord  Bal- 
timore, fent  for  me  to  engrofs  it,  which  I  fo  did,  purfuant 
to  his  order,  about  nine  o'clock. 

At- 


Withani  Marjhe*s  JournaL  193 

At  ten,  his  Majefty's  commiflioners  had  a  conference 
with  the  Indians  in  the  court-houfe  chamber,  to  which  no 
other  perfons  than  themfelves  were  admitted. 

One  o'clock^  P.  M.  The  twenty-four  chiefs  of  the  Six 
Nations,  by  invitation  of  yefterday  from  the  honourable 
commillioners  of  Maryland,  dined  with .  them  in  the 
court-houfe  ;  when  were  prefent,  at  other  tables,  his  Hon- 
our the  Governor  of  Pennfylvania,  the  honourable  com- 
miffioners  of  Virginia,  and  a  great  many  gentlemen  o£ 
the  three  colonies.  There  were  a  large  number  of  the  in- 
habitants of  Lancafter  likewife  prefent  to  fee  the  Indians 
dine. 

We  had  five  tables,  great  variety  of  diflies,  and  ferved 
up  in  very  good  order.  The  fachems  fat  at  two  feparate 
tables  ;  at  the  head  of  one,  the  famous  orator,  Cannafa- 
teego,  fat,  and  the  others  were  placed  according  to  their 
rank.  As  the  Indians  are  not  acculfomed  to  eat  in  the 
fame  manner  as  the  Englilh,  or  other  polite  nations  do, 
we,  who  vv-ere  fecretaries  on  this  affair,  with  Mr.  Thomas 
Cookfon,  prothonatary  of  Lancafter  county,  William  Lo- 
gan, Efq.  fon  of  Mr.  Prelldent  Logan,  and  Mr.  Nathaniel 
Rigbie,  of  Baltimore  county,  in  Maryland,  carved  the 
meat  for  themj  lerved  them  with  cider  and  wine,  mixed 
with  water,  and  regulated  the  economy  of  the  two  tables* 
The  chiefs  feemed  prodigioully  pleafed  with  their  feaft,  for 
they  fed  luftily,  drank  heartily,  and  were  very  greafy  be- 
fore they  finiihed  their  dinner,  for,  by  the  bye,  they  made 
no  ufe  of  their  forks.  The  interpreter,  Mr.  Weifer,  ftood 
betwixt  the  table,  where  the  governor  fat,  and  that,  at 
which  the  fachems  were  placed,  who,  by  order  of  his  Hon- 
our, was  delired  to  inform  the  Indians  he  drank  their 
healths,  which  he  did  ;  whereupon  they  gave  the  ufual  cry 
of  approbation,  and  returned  the  compliment,  by  drinking 
health  to  his  Honour  and  the  feveral  commiflioners. 

After  dinner,  the  interpreter  informed  the  Governor 
and  commiflioners,  "  That  as  the  Lord  Proprietary  and 
"  Governor  of  Maryland  was  not  known  to  the  Indians  by 
"  any  particular  name,  they  had  agreed,  in  council,  to  take 
"  the  firft  opportunity  of  a  large  company  to  prefent  him 
"  with  one  :  And,  as  this  with  them  was  a  matter  of  great 
"  confequence,  and  attended  with  abundance  of  form,  the 
B  B         iVoL  vii.]  ''  i^^^^cral 


194  Wit  bam  Mar  Jibe's  'Joiirnah- 

"  feveral  nations  had  drawn  lots  for  the  performance  of 
"  the  ceremony  ;  and  the  lot  falling  on  the  Cahuga  na- 
*'  tion,  they  had  chofen  Gachradodon,  one  of  their  chiefs, 
"  to  be  their  fpeaker,  and  he  defued  leave  to  begin  ;'* 
which  being  given;  he,  on  an  elevated  part  of  the  court- 
houfe,  with  ail  the  dignity  of  a  warrior,  the  gefture  of  an 
orator,  and  in  a  very  graceful  pofture,  fpoke  as  follows  : 

"  As  the  Governor  of  Maryland  has  invited  us  here,  to 
"  treat  about  our  lands,  and  brighten  the  chain  of  friend- 
*'-  fhip,  the  united  Six  Nations  think  themfelves  fo  much 
"  obliged  to  him,  that  w^e  have  come  to  a  refolution,  in 
"  council,  to  give  the  great  man,  who  is  proprietor  of  Ma- 
"  r^^'land,  a  particular  name,  by  which  we  may  hereafter 
"  correfpond  with  him  :  And  as  it  hath  fallen  to  the  Cahu- 
*'  gaes'  lot  in  council  to  confider  of  a  proper  name  for  that 
"  chief  man,  we  have  agreed  to  give  him  the  name  of 
*'  T6cary-ho-gon,  denoting  Precedency,  Excellency,  or  liv- 
"  ing  in  the  middle,  or  honourable  place,  betwixt  Af- 
*'  ferigoa,  and  our  brother  Onas,  by  v/hom  our  treaties 
"  may  be  the  better  carried  on." 

And  then,  addrelllng  himfelf  to  his  Honour  the  Gover- 
nor of  Pennfylvania,  the  honourable  the  commiflioners  o£ 
Virginia  and  Maryland,  and  to  the  gentlemen  then  prefent, 
he  added  : 

"  As  there  is  a  CGm.pany  of  great  men  now  affembled,  we 
*'  take  this  opportunity  to  publifli  this  matter,  that  it  may 
^'  be  known  Tocary-ho-gon  is  our  friend,  and  that  we  are 
"  ready  to  honour  him,  and  that  by  fuch  name  he  may  be 
"  always  called  and  known  among  us  ;  and,  we  hope,  he 
"  will  ever  act  tov/ards  us,  according  to  the  excellence  of 
*'  the  name  v/e  have  now  given  him,  and  enjoy  a  long  and 
«  happy  Hfe." 

When  the  fpeech  was  ended,  all  the  other  chiefs  exprefled 
their  affent,  and  great  fatisfaclion  at  what  was  faid  to  our 
commifTioners,  infomuch  that  they  fent  forth  five  feveral 
cries  of  approbation. 

Gachradodon  having  finifhed  his  complimentary  ora- 
tion, Mr.  Commiflioner  Jenings,  in  the  name  of  the  other 
commiflioners,  and  on  behalf  of  Lord  Baltimore,  fpoke  in 
reply  to  the  fachem  :  "  That  his  Lordfliip  was  much  obli- 
"  ged  to  the  fix  nations  for  diftinguifliing  him  by  the  name 

"of 


Viiiham  Marjhe's  yoiirnaL  195 

"  of  Tocaryliogon,  efleeming  it  a  mark  of  klndnefs  and 
"  honour  :  That  his  Lordlliip  would  entertain  the  moft 
"  unfeigned  friendfhip  for  them  ;  and  that  the  government 
*'  of  Maryland  would  ever  be  ready  and  dehrous  to  render 
''  them  its  beft  oiEces,  conducive  to  their  tranquillity  and 
*'  undifturbed  fafety  ;"  which  Mr.  Weifer,  by  command, 
interpreted  to  the  Indians  ;  and  at  the  fame  time  was  or- 
dered to  acquaint  them,  that  the  governor  and  the  com- 
miffioners  were  then  preparing  to  drink  his  Majefty's 
health  ;  all  which  was  done,  and  the  chiefs  expreffed  a  fin- 
cere  joy  by  their  cry  of  approbation,  and  drank  the  fame  in 
bumpers  of  Madeira  wine.  The  governor,  commiffioners, 
and  indeed  all  the  perfons  prefent,  except  the  Indians,  gave 
three  feveral  huzzas,  after  the  Englifli  manner,  on  drink- 
ing the  King's  health  ;  which  a  good  deal  furprifed  them, 
they  having  never  before  heard  the  like  noife. 

Upon  ending  the  ceremony  of  drinking  healths,  the 
governor  and  commiffioners  retired  fome  little  time  ;  but 
within  an  hour,  the  commiffioners  of  Virginia  and  Mary- 
land entered  the  court-houfe,  and  afterwards  went  up  into 
the  chamber,  as  likewife  the  feveral  chiefs,  Mr.  Weifer, 
and  a  great  many  of  the  young  gentlemen.  Here,  by  or- 
der of  our  commiffioners,  I  produced  the  engroifed  releafe 
for  the  lands,  with  the  feals  fixed.  We  were  obliged  to 
put  about  the  glafs  pretty  brifkly  ;  and  then  Mr.  Weifer 
interpreted  the  contents  of  it  to  the  fachems,  who,  confer- 
ring amongft  themfelves  about  the  execution  of  it,  the 
major  part  of  them  feemed  very  inclinable  to  fign  and  de- 
liver it  ;  but  upon  Shukelemy,  an  Oneydoe  chiefs  remon- 
ftrance,  fbme  of  the  others,  with  himfeif,  refufed,  for  that 
day,  executing  it ;  which  refufal  of  Shukelemy,  we  impu- 
ted, and  that  not  without  reafon,  to  fome  fmifter  and  un- 
der-hand means,  made  ufe  of  by  the  Pennfylvanians,  to  in- 
duce the  fachems  not  to  give  up  their  right  to  the  lands  by 
deed,  without  having  a  larger  confideration  given  them, 
by  the  province  of  Maryland,  than  what  was  fpecilied  in 
the  releafe.  Shukelemy,  who  before,  we  had  efteemed  one 
of  our  fafteft  friends,  put  us  under  a  deep  furprife  and  con- 
fufion,  by  his  unfair  behaviour  ;  yet  we,  in  fome  meafure, 
extricated  ourfelves  out  of  them,  by  the  honeft  Canna- 
flitecgo's,  and  the  other  fachems,  to'the  number  of  fixteen, 

delivering 


igS  Witham  Marfhe^s  Journal, 

delivering  the  deed  after  the  forms  cuftomary  with  the 
Englifh,  to  which  there  were  a  great  many  gentlemen  fign* 
ed  their  names  as  witneffes.  Mr.  Weifer  affured  the  com- 
miffionerSy  that  he,  with  Cannafateego  and  fome  other 
chiefs,  would  fo  effeduaily  reprefent  the  unfair  dealing 
of  Shukelemy,  and  his  partifans  in  council,  that  he  did  not 
doubt  to  induce  him  and  them  totally  to  finifh  this  bufi- 
jiefs  on  Monday  next,  maugre  all  the  infmuations  and  mif- 
reprefentations  agitated  by  the  enemies  of  Maryland  ;  and 
indeed  Mr.  Interpreter  proved  fuccefsful,  as  is  evident  in 
the  tranfadions  of  Monday,  and  may  be  feen  in  the  print- 
ed treaty. 

Monday,  July  the  2d,  i244->  ^-  M. 

The  honourable  commiilioners  of  Maryland,  with  Mr, 
Weifer,  met  at  the  houfe  of  George  Sanderfon,  in  this 
town,  when  the  feveral  chiefs,  who  had  not  figned  the 
deed  of  releafe,  and  renunciation  of  their  claim  to  lands  in 
Maryland,  did  now  cheerfully,  and  without  any  hefitation, 
execute  the  fame,  in  the  prefence  of  the  commiilioners,  and 
Mr.  Weifer  ;  which  latter  they  caufed  to  fign  and  deliver 
it  on  behalf  of  a  nation  not  prefent,  both  with  his  Indian 
name  of  Tarachiawagon,  and  that  of  Weifer.  Thus  we 
happily  effedled  the  purchafe  of  the  lands  in  Maryland,  by 
the  dexterous  management  of  the  interpreter,  notwithftand- 
Ing  the  ftorm  on  Saturday,  that  threatened  to  blait  our 
meafures  ;  and  hereby  gained  not  only  fome  hundred 
thoufand  acres  of  land  to  Lord  Baltimore,  who  had  no 
good  right  to  them  before  this  releafe,  but  an  undifturbed 
and  quiet  enjoyment  of  them  to  the  feveral  poffeffors,  who, 
in  fad,  had  bought  of  that  Lord's  agent. 

The  names  of  the  chiefs,  who  figned  and  delivered  the 
deed,  were, 

Cannafateego,  Tacanoontia,  Johnuha!:,  Caxhayion,  To- 
ruchdadon,  Netokanyhak,  and  Rotierawuchto,  fachems  of 
the  Onondago  nation. 

Saguchfonyunt,  Gachradodon,  Hutafalyakon,  Rowanho- 
hifo,  Ofochquah,  and  Seyenties,  fachems  of  the  Cahugaes. 

Swadamy,  alias  Shukelemy,  Onichnaxqua,  Onochkal- 
lydawy,  alias  Watfatuha,  Tohalliwanrarorows,  Arugh- 
hofththaw,  and  Tiorhaafery,  fachems  of  the  Oneydoes. 

Sidowax,  Attiufgu,  Tuwaiadachquha,  fachems  of  the 
Tufcaroroes.  Tanafanegos, 


Witham  Marjhe's  Journal.  197 

Tanafanegos,  and  Tanachiuntus,  chiefs  of  the  Senikers, 
or  Senecaes. 

The  deed  was  delivered  by  Mr.  Commiflioner  Jenings,  on 
his  return  to  Annapolis,  to  his  clerk,  Mr.  Richard  Burdus, 
who  recorded  it  among  the  land  records,  in  the  provincial 
court  office  of  Maryland,  in  libro.  E.  I.  fo.  8,  9,  10,  11. 

This  morning  the  Governor  met  the  Indians  on  buiinefs, 
and  Cannafateego  anfwered  his  Honour's  fpeech  made  to 
the  Indians  on  Thurfday  laft,  relating  to  the  m.urder  of 
John  Armftrong  and  his  two  men,  Indian  traders.  The 
chief  faid,  "  That  the  Indians  were,  from  the  bottom 
"  of  their  hearts,  very  forry  fuch  a  misfortune  had  hap- 
*'  pened  ;  but  hoped  their  brother  Onas  would  dry  up  his 
*'  tears,  and  wipe  his  eyes :  That  they  would  fend  the  two 
"  Delawares  down  to  Philadelphia,  uiio  were  lufpecled  to 
*'  be,  and  charged  as  acceffaries  to  the  murder,  though  they 
"  really  believed  them,  guiltlefs  ;  for  they  affured  the  Gov- 
*'  ernor^  that  on  the  trial  of  the  Indian  in  Philadelphia  gaol, 
"  committed  for  perpetrating  Armftrong's  and  his  men's 
"  murder,  it  would  appear,  that  he  was  the  fole  perfon 
"  who  did  the  horrid  deed  :  however,  to  comply  with  the 
*'  Governor's  requeft,  they  would  fend  the  Delawares, 
"  (but  not  as  prifoners)  to  be  examined  and  tried  ;  and  if 
"  they  were  found  guilty,  to  fuffer  as  the  Englifh  law  pre- 
"  fcribes  ;  but  if  innocent,  then  to  return  them  fafe  to  the 
"  Six  Nations."  His  Honour,  in  return,  faid,  "  That 
*'  great  care  fhould  be  taken  to  do  the  Delawares  all  the 
"  juftice  in  the  world  :  and  if,  upon  a  fair  trial,  they 
"  ftiould  be  acquitted,  he  would  fend  them  in  fafety  to 
*'  their  own  homes." 

The  Indians  gave  the  Governor  four  firings  of  wampum.^ 
and  he,  in  return,  prefented  them  with  three  firings.  But 
for  a  more  particular  account  of  Armftrong  and  his  men's 
murder,  fee  the  treaty  at  large. 

In  the  afternoon,  the  honourable  commiffioners  of  Vir- 
ginia had  a  conference  with  the  Indians  in  the  court-houfe 
chamber,  when  a  deed,  in  the  nature  of  ours,  relealing 
their  claim  to  a  large  quantity  of  land,  lying  in  that  colo- 
ny, was  produced  by  Mr.  Weifer  to  the  fachems  for  execu- 
tion, which  was  ligned  and  delivered  by  them  in  the  pref- 
ence  qi  divers  gentlemen  of  the  three  colonies,  who  were 

witneffes 


198  Wliha?n  Marjhe*s  Journal. 

witneffes  to  the  fame.     Wine  and  fangree  was  prefented  to 
the  chiefs,  who  drank  to  the  continuation  of  the  friendfhip 
betwixt  them,  and  his  Majefty's  fubjefts  in  Virginia.     Af- 
ter the  deed  was  executed,  Cannafateego  commanded  the 
young  Indian  men,  then  prefent,  to  entertain  the  Govern- 
or and  commiffioners,  in  the  evening,  with  a  particular 
dance,  according  to  the  cuftom  of  their  nations  ;    which 
was  complied  with  about  8  o'clock.     Before  they  perform- 
ed the  dance,  I  went  to  their  camp,  where  I  faw  the  young 
warriors  paint  thcmfelves  in  a  frightful  manner,  and  on 
their  heads  place  a  great  quantity  of  feathers.     They  took 
arrows  and  tomahawks  in  their  hands,  and  then  unan- 
imoufly  ran  out  of  their  camp,  hallooing  and  ihrieking 
(which  was  terrible  to  us,  being  ftrangers)  up  the  ftreet  to 
Mr.  Cookfon's,  where  the  Governor  was  ;  and  there  they 
made  a  ring,  a  perfon  being  placed  in  it,  and  danced  round 
him  to  a  horrid  noife,  made  by  the  incloied  perfon,  and 
the  others.     In  this  manner  they  continued  fome  time, 
flourifhing  their  weapons,  and  ftriving  to  deftroy  him  in 
the  ring.     When  they  had  a6led  thus  about  feven  or  eight 
minutes,  then  their  captain  ran  before  them,  very  fwift,  to 
another  place,  about  twenty  or  thirty  yards  diftance  from 
Mr.  Cookfon's,  and  there  aded  the  fame  over  again.     This 
was  a  reprefentation  of  the  Indians  befieging  a  fort  of  their 
enemies,  (who  have  no  cannon)  the  perfon  in  the  midft  of 
the  circle  reprefenting  the  fort  beheged,  and  the  Indians 
encircling  him,  the  befiegers  :  and  as  it  happens  fometimes, 
that  they  are  beaten  from  a  fort  when  befieging  it,  fo  their 
running  away,  as  defcribed  above,  was  the  manner  of  their 
retreat.     As  foon  as  the  Indians  recovered  their  fatigue, 
they  renewed  the  attack  of  the  fuppofed  fort.     When  they 
had  finiihed  the  fiege,  and  the  Governor  and  commiffion- 
ers had  treated  them  with  fangree,  they  immediately  retir- 
ed to  their  wigwams. 

Tuefday,  3^  Juh^  1744. 
At  1 1  o'clock,  this  morning,  the  Governor,  and  all  tiie 
honourable  commifiioners,  had  a  meeting  with  the  Six 
Nations  in  the  court-houfe,  when  his  Honour  made  a 
fpeech  to  them,  as  did  the  commiffioners  of  Virginia  and 
Maryland  5    and  each  party  prefented  firings  and  belts  of 

wampum ; 


Witham  Marjhe's  Journal.-  199 

wampum ;  on  receipt  of  which,  the  Indians  gave  the  ufual 
cry  of  approbation,  and  in  a  ftronger  and  more  cheerful 
tone  than  heretofore.  They  were  ferved  with  plenty  of 
rum  at  the  conclulion  of  the  fpeeches,  and  drank  it  with  a 
good  goiit. 

Wednefday,  /\.th  July,  1744. 

The  Indian  chiefs  affembled  in  the  court-houfe,  and  the 
Governor  and  commiflioners  met  them  there,  when  the 
fpeeches  made  yefterday,  by  the  latter  gentlemen,  were  an- 
fwered  by  the  Indian  orators.  After  this,  the  chiefs  made 
a  prefent  of  a  large  bundle  of  deer-fkins  to  his  Honour, 
the  commiffioners  of  Virginia,  and  to  thofe  of  Maryland, 
which  were  kindly  accepted.  The  Governor,  commiffion- 
ers of  Virginia,  and  the  white  byflanders,  gave  three  loud 
huzzas,  and  thereby  put  an  end  to  the  treaty  in  regard  to 
them. 

In  the  Afternoon,     Court-Houfe. 

The  Shawanefe  nation  of  Indians,  who  compofe  the 
iixth  body  amongft  thefe  Indians,  in  the  year  1742,  came 
down  to  Maryland,  on  the  eaftern  fhore  of  that  province, 
to  a  nation  of  our  friendly  Indians,  and  tributary  to  the 
Six  Nations,  called  the  Nanticokes,  from  inhabiting  near 
a  river  of  that  name  ;  and,  by  their  artifices,  perfuaded 
them  to  rife  upon  the  Englifli,  to  recover  all  the  lands  that 
had  been  formerly  theirs,  but  now  poiTeffed  by  the  Englifh, 
under  Lord  Baltimore  ;  at  the  fame  time  promifmg  the 
Nanticokes  all  the  affiftance  in  the  power  of  them,  the 
Shawanefe,  though  they  were  in  perfect  friendfhip  with 
us,  by  the  treaty  made  during  the  adminiftration  of  the 
Hon.  Charles  Calvert,  Efq.  who,  giving  ear,  but  too  un- 
warily, to  the  Shawanefe,  did  intend  to  have  put  in  prac- 
tice the  wicked  fcheme  of  deftroying  the  white  inhabitants 
of  that  fhore  ;  but  their  machinations  were  opportunely 
difcovered,  by  one  of  the  Nanticoke  chiefs,  a  day  or  two 
before  they  were  to  have  perpetrated  the  intended  murders 
of  the  Englifh.  Upon  this,  the  militia  of  the  counties 
were  raifed  ;  who,  after  a  great  and  clofe  fearch,  took  68 
Nanticoke  chiefs  prifoners,  with  old  Panquafli,  their  empe- 
ror ;  and  they  were  brought  to  Annapolis  in  floops,  and 
there  examined  and  confined,  but  afterwards  fet  at  liberty. 
As  thefe  adions  gf  the  Shawanefe  (who,  indeed,  are  the 
■        ~  '  mofl 


2  CO  With  am  Marjhe's  journal. 

moll  diihonefi  and  treacherous  of  all  the  other  Six  Nations, 
and  for  that  reafori  hated  by  them)  were  contrary  to  the 
treaties  then  fublifting  betwixt  us,  and  them  as  a  part  of 
the  Six  Nations,  the  commiilioners  took  an  opportunity,  in 
a  private  conference  with  them  this  afternoon,  "  to  afk 
"  them  the  reafon  of  the  Shawnefe's  procedure,  and  wheth- 
"  er  they  had  any  countenance  from  other  nations  ?  and 
"  alfo  defired  the  chiefs,  then  prefent,  to  fearch  this  bull- 
'*  nefs  fullyj  and  reprimand  the  criminal  Shawnefe,  who 
^'  were  more  blameable  than  the  deluded  Nanticokes." 
The  Six  Nations,  by  their  orator,  faid,  "  that  they  were 
*^  heartily  forry  for  what  the  Shawanefe  had  done  ;  but, 
"  on  their  return  to  Oncndago,  they  would  make  a  ftrift 
**  inquiry  of  the  whole  affair  ;  and  if  they  found  them  fo 
"  culpable  as  we  alleged  they  were,  then  they  would  fe- 
"  verely  reprimand  them  for  their  treacherous  behaviour, 
"  contrary  to  the  faith  of  treaties.'*  \^hen  this  anfwer 
was  finillied,  our  commiilioners  fliook  the  feveral  chiefs  by 
the  hand,  and  took  their  leaves  of  them,  prefenting  Gach- 
radodon  with  a  fine  laced  hat. 

This  Gachradodon  is  a  very  celebrated  warrior,  and 
one  of  the  Cahuga  chiefs,  about  forty  years  of  age,  tall, 
ftraight-limbed,  and  a  graceful  perfon,  but  not  fo  fat  as 
Cannafateego.  His  adlion,  when  he  fpoke,  was  certainly 
the  moll  graceful,  as  well  as  bold,  that  any  perfon  ever 
faw  ;  without  the  buffoonery  of  the  French,  or  over-fol- 
emn  deportment  of  the  haughty  Spaniards.  When  he 
made  the  complimentary  fpeech  (page  194)  on  the  occalion 
of  giving  Lord  Baltimore  the  name  of  Tocaryhogon,  he 
was  conjplimented  by  the  Governor,  who  faid,  "  that  he 
would  have  made  a  good  figure  in  the  forum  of  old 
Rome."  And  Mr.  Commillioner  Jenings  declared,  "  that 
he  had  never  feen  fo  jull  an  aclion  In  any  of  the  moft  cel- 
ebrated orators  he  had  heard  fpeak." 

Thurfday,  5//^  July,  1744. 
This  morning,  Mr.  Peters,  fecretary  to  the  Governor, 
Mr.  Black,  fecretary  to  the  honourable  comrnifiioners  of 
Virginia,  and  myfeif,  examined  the  whole  treaty,  and  fm- 
ilhed  all  matters  any  way  relating  to  it.  At  1 2,  Colonels 
Colvill  and  King,  with  ths  Virginia  commilEoners,  fettled 

our 


Wit  ham  Mar/Ije*s  'Journal.  301 

our  accounts  with  Mr.  Worrall.  Here  we  dined,  and  imme- 
diately afterwards  mounted  our  horfes,  and  went  from  this 
filthy  town  to  our  kind,  facetious  landlord's,  Mr.  Hughes, 
at  Nottingham  townfliip,  by  the  Gap-Road,  fo  called  from 
a  fpace  or  gap  being  open  in  the  ridge  of  blue  mountains, 
which  extend  a  great  way  to  the  fouth-weftward  of  Virgin- 
ia, and  north-eaftward  of  Pennfylvania. 

I  was  fo  fatigued  with  my  journey,  which  was  forty-four 
miles,  and  the  weather  was  fo  very  fultry,  withal,  having 
no  good  accommodations  on  the  road,  that  feveral  of  us 
were  feized  with  a  fever.  Lay  at  Mr.  Hughes's,  where 
good  care  was  taken  of  me  by  my  kind  hoft, 

Friday^  6th  July,  I744« 
Breakfafted  at  Mr.  Hughes's  ;  and  about  eight  in  the 
morning  fet  out  for  Mr.  Benjamin  Chew's,  in  Cecil  coun- 
ty, after  having  taken  leave  of  the  honourable  commif- 
fioners  of  Virginia,  and  the  feveral  young  gentlemen  of 
that  colony,  with  the  latter  of  whom  I  had  contracted  a 
friendfliip,  and  received  many  civiHties  from  them.  M) 
horfe  tired  in  my  journey  to  Mr.  Chew's,  though  it  was 
but  ten  miles.  Here  I  refted  this  day  and  night,  my  fever 
continuing,  and  my  horfe  ftiil  remaining  lame. 

Saturday,  yth  of  July,  i744- 
Went  from  Mr.  Chew's  about  fix  this  morning  :  croffed 
the  lower  ferry  of  Sufquehannah  :  baited  at  Mr.  Tread- 
way's  ordinary,  and  arrived  at  Joppa  about  11  o'clock. 
Ferried  from  thence  over  Gunpowder  river  to  Mr.  Day's, 
where  I  dined.  From  hence  proceeded  to  Baltimore  town. 
where  I  refted  at  the  Reverend  Mr.  Benedicl  Bourdillou's  ; 
ftaid  and  drank  tea  with  him  and  his  lady,  and  then  \vcnt 
over  Potapfcoe  river  to  Mrs.  Hughes's  ordinary,  where  I 
lodged  this  night. 

Sunday,  %ih  July,   1744. 
After  breakfaft,  about  fix  this  morning,  went  from  hence 
to  Annapolis,  with  Mr.  William  Dallam,  and  arrived  there 
at  ten  o'clock. 

The  end  of  my  Journal. 

WiTHAM  Marshi-:, 
Sec'ry  to  the  Hon.  Comm'if.  of  Maryland. 
Cc  IVol.yXi.l 


202 


Lijl  of  Public  Offices,  Effr. 


A  List  of  the  several  Public  Offices,  Ecclesias- 
tical Preferments,  and  other  Places  of  Profit, 
IN  the  province  of  Maryland,  with  their  Rev- 
enues ;  in  whose  Distribution,  as  a  Proprietary 

Government. 


i^HARLES  Lord  Bultlmore,   Proprietor. 


Sterh 


Proprietor. 
Proprietor. 
Proprietor. 


Gift  of  the  S  Governor,  appointed  by  Proprietor,  ap- 
Proprietor.  ^      approved  by  his  Majefty,      -         -      £>''^SS'^' 
But  if  the  government  was  in  the  hands 
of  the  Crown,  the  Governor  would 

receive  more,       -           -           -          .  500. 

Commiffary-General,  his  olHce,  worth  900. 

Secretary's  office,     -           -          -          -  800. 

Six  naval  ofnces,  at  ^T.  1 50  each,     -       -  900. 

Thirteen  Shrievalties,  at  ;C.2oo  each,  2600. 

CC/"  Thefe  are  thriving  offices,  and  in  time  of  peace 
are  worth  more  than  ;C.2oo  per  ann.  com. 
annis. 

r  Thirteen   County  Clerkfhips,  grantable 

<     for  life,  at  ;^.ii5  per  ann.  but  more 

C      in  peaceable  times,    -          -          -          -  1 495' 

C  Colledorfliip  for  the  diftrift  of  Patuxent,  300. 

)      OZ/"  There  are  3  others,  but  know  not  their  value. 

Four  Deputy-Coilecloriliips,  in  the  gift 

of  the  feveral  Colle6lors,  -  -  -  -  i  oo. 
Three  Truftees  or  Commiffioners  of  the 

Loan  Office,  appointed  by  the  Gov.  1 20. 
Their  Clerk's  falary,     -         -         -         -        40. 

Ecclefiajl'ical  Preferments, 
Thirty-feven  Pariflies,  in  the  Proprietor's  gift,  at 

£'iio  each,      -  _         .  .         _  -         4440. 

Note.  If  the  clergy  are  once  inducted,  no  one 
can  turn  them  out,  let  their  behaviour  be  ever 
fo  fcandalous,  for  there  is  no  fpiritual  court, 
nor  has  any  Biihop  power  to  control  them  in 
Maryland,  the  Proprietor  being  head  of  the 
church,  &c. 


Gift  of  the 
Secretary. 

Lds.  of  the 
Treafury. 


Carried  ovcr^ 


£'  ^3745' 


Union  of  the  Britijh  American  Colonies.  203 

Brought  over,  £•  13745- 

TreaTurers  of  the  two  fliores,    -        -         '  ^5^; 

Se  of  ^H^ :' Belegate-s,  in  Ihe.  gift,       50. 

aJkihip  of  the  Secretary's  office,  in  the  bee  ry  sgii^,     5 

f .  14390. 

the  whole,  may  amount  to  a  confiderable  mm. 

Union  o.  the  British  Ambk.can  Co.on.es,  as  pko" 

POSED    IN    THE    YEAR    l754- 

eral  colonies,  met  in  congrefs,  at  Alban>,  June  14,    /i^ 

Prefent, 
Lieut.  Gov.  De  Lancey    ^effrs.  Mur- 7  ^^^.y^rk. 

ray,  Johnfon,  Chambers,  &  Smith,  > 
Meifrs  Welles,  Hutchinfon,  Chandler,  7  j^^fj-^^j,.^fetts-Bay. 

Partridge,  and  Worthington,  3 

Meffrs.  Wibird,  Atkinfon,  Weare,  and  ;  ]^ew-Hampfhire. 

Sherburne,  ^    ^     ^       a\ 

Lieut.  Gov.  Pitkin,  Maj.  Woolcot,and  )  connecliicut. 

Col.  Williams,  -^  Rhode-Ifland. 

Meffrs.  Hopkins  and  Howard,  ^  -^noae        ^ 

Meffrs.    Penn,    Peters,    Norris,    and ;  p^j^j^^yivania. 

cS";  and  Maj.  Barnes,'  ^    ^-^;^"^;,^^  ,„ 

That  humble  application  be  "^df  ffXf  one  g^ne^ 
Uament  of  Grcat-Britam,  by  virtue  of  which  one  g^^.^_^ 

nies  of  North-America,  except  Gcorg.a  atld  Nova  bcot.a. 


204  Uniou  of  the  Britijh  American  Colonies. 

Union  may  be  formed,  including  aU  the  faid  colonies  5 
withm  and  notwithftanding  which  union,  each  of  faid  col- 
onies Ihall  and  may  hold  and  maintain  its  prefent  conftitu- 
tion,  except  the  particulars  wherein  a  change  or  alteration 
may  be  directed  by  faid  acl,  as  hereafter  follows,  viz. 

That  in  the  faid  general  union,  the  ordering  and  direc- 
tion of  the  affairs  thereof  be  adminiftered  by  one  Prefident- 
General,  who  fliall  be  the  Governor  of  the  province  of  the 
Maffachufetts-Bay  for  the  time  being  ;  and  a  Grand  Coun- 
cil to  be  chofen  by  the  reprefentatives  of  the  people  of  the 
faid  colonies,  met  in  their  refpedive  affemblies. 

That  v/ithin  months  after  the  paffing  fuch  aft,  the 

Houfe  of  Reprefentatives  in  the  feverai  affembhes  that  hap- 
pen to  be  fetting  at  that  time,  or  that  IhaU  be  fpeciaUy  con- 
vened for  that  purpofe,  may  and  fhaU  choofe  members  for 
the  Grand  Council  in  the  following  proportions,  that  is  to 
fay, 

MaiTachufetts-Bay  -  7  New-Hampfhire  -  -  -5 
Connedicut  -  -  4  Rhode-Ifland  -  -  ,  2 
New- York   -     -      ,    4        New-Jerfey      -      -      .        3 

In  all,  23 
Who  fhall  meet,  for  the  firft  time,  at  the  town  of 
Bolton,  m  New-England,  at  fuch  time  as  fhall  be  appointed 
by  the  Prefident-General,  and  wheregf  the  members  of  the 
Grand  Council  liiail  be  duly  notified,  as  foon  as  convenient- 
ly may  be,  after  an  adl  of  Parliament  for  this  purpofe  is 
pafTed,  and  the  feverai  colonies  duly  acquainted  thereof. 

That  the  members  of  the  Grand  Council  fliall  be  newly 
elefted  and  chofen,  by  the  Reprefentatives  in  the  feverai 
affemblies,  every  three  years  ;  and  on  the  death  or  refigna- 
tion  of  any  member,  his  place  fliall  be  lupplied  by  a  new 
choice,  at  the  next  fitting  of  the  affembly  of  the  colony  he 
reprefented. 

That  the  Grand  Council  fliall  meet  once  in  every  year, 
and  oftener,  if  occafion  require,  at  fuch  time  and  place  as 
they  fhall  adjourn  to,  at  their  lall  preceding  meeting  ;  or 
as  they  fliall  be  called  to  meet  at,  by  the  Prefident-General, 
on  any  emergency,  he  having  firfl  obtained,  in  writing,  the 
confent  of  five  of  the  members  to  fuch  call  ;  or,  on  appli- 
cation made  to  the  Prefident-General  by  ten  of  the  Grand 

Council, 


Union  of  the  Britijh  American  Colonies.  205 

Council,  in  writing,  under  their  hands,  to  have  a  meeting 
called,  he  fhall  fend  due  and  timely  notice  to  the  whole. 

That  the  Grand  Council  Ihall  neither  be  dilTolved,  pro- 
rogued, nor  continued  fitting,  longer  than  four  weeks  at 
one  time,  without  their  own  confent,  or  the  fpecial  com- 
mand of  the  Crown. 

That  the  Prelident-General  fhall  have  a  cafting  voice, 
whenever  an  equi-vote  fhall  happen  in  the  Grand  Council. 

That  a  quorum  of  the  Grand  Council,  to  aft  with  the 
Prefident-General,  do  confift  of  tv/elve  members,  among 
whom  there  fhall  be  one  or  more  from  a  majority  of  the 
colonies. 

That  the  Grand  Council  fhall  annually  grant  a  falary,  to 
be  allowed  and  paid  to  the  Prefident-General,  for  his  fervi- 
ces,  not  exceeding  the  fum  oi  £.         fterling. 

That  the  members  of  the  Grand  Council  ihall  be  allow- 
ed, for  their  fervice,  lof.  fterling  per  diem,  during  their 
feflions  and  jouurney  to  and  from  the  place  of  meeting, 
twenty  miles  to  be  reckoned  a  day's  journey. 

That  in  ,cafe  of  the  death  of  the  Prefident-General,  the 
Lieut.  Governor  of  the  province  of  the  Maflachufetts-Bay 
fhall  prelide,  and  be  vefted  with  the  fame  powers  and  au- 
thorities, till  the  arrival  of  a  new  Governor  for  faid  colony. 

That  the  Prefident-General,  with  the  Grand  Council, 
fummoned  and  affembled  for  that  purpofe,  or  a  quorum  of 
them  as  aforefaid,  fhall  hold  and  direct  all  Indian  treaties, 
in  which  the  general  intereft  or  welfare  of  thefe  colonies 
may  be  concerned  ;  and  m.ake  peace  or  declare  war  with 
Indian  nations  ;  that  they  m.ake  fuch  rules  and  orders,  with 
pains  and  punifhments  annexed  thereto,  as  they  judge 
neceiTary,  for  regulating  ail  Indian  trade  ;  that  they  dired 
and  order  the  ways  and  means,  necelTary  and  beneficial  to 
fupport  and  maintain  the  fafety  and  interefts  of  thefe  colo- 
nies, agalnfl  all  their  common  enemies  ;  that  they  make  all 
purchafcs  from  Indians,  for  the  Crown,  of  lands  not  now 
within  the  bounds  of  particular  colonies,  or  that  fhall  not 
be  within  their  bounds,  when  the  extenfion  of  fome  of 
them  are  rendered  more  certain. 

That  they  make  new  fettlements  on  fuch  purchafes,  by 
granting  lands  in  the  King's  name,  referving  a  quit-rent  to 
the  Crown  for  the  ufe  of  the  e-eneral  treafury. 

That 


•20  6  V72ion  of  the  Britijh  American  Colonies. 

That  they  make  neceflary  rules  and  orders  for  the  well 
regulating  and  managing  fuch  new  fettlements,  till  the 
Crown  fliall  think  fit  to  form  them  into  particular  govern, 
ment  or  governments. 

That  they  agree  and  conclude  the  number  of  men,  and 
fums  of  money,  that  fliall,  from  time  to  time,  be  needed  to 
be  raifed  and  paid  for  the  purpofes  aforementioned  ;  and 
when  the  Prefident-General  and  Grand  Council  fliall  con- 
clude and  agree  on  any  number  of  men,  and  fum  of 
money,  needed  on  any  occaiion,  they  fliall  notify  the  fame 
to  each  of  the  AfTemblies  of  faid  colonies,  by  fending  an 
account  thereof  to  the  refpcclive  Governors  of  each  of  faid 
colonies,  to  be  communicated  to  their  Aflemblies,  recom- 
mending it  to  each  colony  to  raife  their  quota  of  men,  and 
levy,  colleft,  and  pay  their  proportion  of  money,  accord- 
ing to  the  proportion  herein  before  fettled  for  members  to 
be  chofen  for  the  Grand  Council  from  each  colony  ;  which 
may  be  d^ne,  in  each  colony,  in  fuch  manner  and  form,  as 
to  them  appears  equal  and  right. 

That  the'  Prefident-General  be  the  general  or  chief  com- 
mander of  all  the  forces  raifed  by  virtue  of  this  union  ; 
and  that  it  be  his  office  and  duty  to  caufe  the  ads,  rules, 
and  orders,  made  and  concluded  by  virtue  hereof,  to  be 
carried  into  execution  ;  and  he  fliall  commiiTion  all  the 
general  oiilcers  that  are  needed,  who  fliall  be  nominated  to 
nim  by  the  Grand  Council  ;  and  he  fliall  commiflion  the 
other  commiflion  oflicer  or  officers,  that  fliall  be  needed, 
who  fliall  be  nominated  to  him  by  the  Aflembly  of  that 
colony,  whofe  foldiers  are  to  be  commanded  by  fuch  officer 
or  officers. 

That  the  Prefident-General  and  Grand  Council  of  thefe 
United  Colonies  m.ay  appoint  a  general  treafurer,  and  a 
particular  treafurer  in  each  government,  when  neceflary  ; 
and,  from  time  to  time,  may  order  the  fums  in  the  partic- 
ular treafuries,  by  them  appointed  in  each  government,  in- 
to the  general  treafury,  or  draw  on  them  for  fpecial  pay- 
ments, as  they  find  moft  convenient  ;  yet  no  money  to  if- 
fue  but  by  joint  orders  of  the  Prefident-General  and  Grand 
Council,  except  where  fums  have  been  appropriated  to  par- 
ticular purpofes,  and  the  Prefident-General  previoufly  em- 
powered bv  an  order  to  drav/  for  fuch  fums. 

That 


Committee^ s  Report  on  the  Plan  of  Union ^  20; 

That  the  general  accounts  fhall  be  yearly  fettled  and  re- 
ported to  the  feveral  Aflemblies* 

That  the  particular  military,  as  well  as  civil,  eftablifli- 
ments  and  conftitutions  of  each  colony,  remain  firm  and 
entire,  without  any  other  change  or  alteration  than  is 
herein  before  mentioned,  this  general  union  notwithfland- 
ing. 

And  further,  it  is  propofed,  that  there  be  a  union  made 
by  an  ad  of  the  parliament  of  Great-Britain  ;  by  virtue 
whereof,  one  general  union  may  be  formed,  including  the 
feveral  colonies  of  Pennfylvania,  Maryland,  Virginia, 
North-Carolina,  and  South-Carohna  ;  the  affairs  whereof, 
in  relation  to  matters  and  things  of  the  like  nature  to 
what  is  herein  before  comprifed,  to  be  ordered,  directed, 
and  adminiftered,  in  the  like  manner  and  form  as  is  here- 
in before  mentioned. 

And  further,  it  is  propofed,  that  on  any  fpecial  emer- 
gency, and  extraordinary  occalion,  wherein  it  may  be 
thought  needful,  there  may  be  juft  rules  and  diredions 
made  and  given,  wherein  all  the  faid  colonies,  herein  be- 
fore propofed  to  be  united,  in  the  more  northern  part  of 
America,  and  thofe  propofed  to  be  united  in  the  more 
fouthern  part  of  North- America,  may  ad  in  concert  againft 
the  common  enemy,  in  the  befl  and  moil  advantageous 
manner. 

Report  of  a  Committee,  chosen  by  the  General 
Assembly  of  Connecticut,  respecting  the  fore- 
going Plan  of  Union. 

To  the  Honourable  General  Ajfemhly,  fitting  at  Nezu-Haven^ 
October,  1754. 

WE,  your  Honours'  committee,  appointed  to  take 
into  confideration  the  propofed  plan  for  an  union 
of  his  Majefty's  governments  in  North-America,  to  give 
our  opinion  thereon,  and  the  reafons  of  fuch  our  opinion, 
&c.  humbly  report  on  the  premifes,  viz. 

Having  duly  and  maturely  confidered  faid  plan,  we  are  of 
opinion,  that  the  fame  has  a  tendency  greatly  to  weaken 
and  injure  his  Majefty's  intereft,  and  that  it  is  fubverfive  of 


2o8  Cojmnittee's  Report  on  the  Flan  of  U?iwn. 

the  juft  rights  and  privileges  of  his  good  and  faithful  fub- 
jects  inhabiting  his  dominions  on  this  continent  ;  and  for 
fuch  our  opinion,  we,  with  much  fubmiffion,  offer  the  fol- 
lowing reafons. 

1.  We  find  his  Majefty's  territories,  from  the  fouth-weft 
part  of  Georgia  to  Menis,  is  more  than  feventeen  hundred 
miles  ;  of  which,  from  the  head  of  St.  John's  (v^hich  we 
fuppofe  to  be  the  north-eaft  extent  of  the  Mailachufetts 
province)  to  the  Apiiachi  mountains,  (which  we  fuppofe 
to  be  the  fouth-weft  extent  of  the  colony  of  South-CaroH- 
na,)  is,  on  the  frontiers  by  land,  about  fifteen  hundred 
miles  ,;  which  lail  extent  is  all  within  the  limits  of  the  pro- 
pofed  plan  of  union,  fo  that  the  prefident-general  and 
council  have  to  provide  for  this  large  extent  of  frontiers  ; 
and  fliould  Georgia  and  Nova-Scotia,  when  able  to  afiift, 
be  added,  it  makes  the  £ime  yet  greater.  The  fea-coaft, 
we  find,  varies  very  little  from  the  extent  by  land  ;  and 
we  think  it  impraaicable  that  his  Majefiiy's  intereft,  and 
the  good  of  his  people,  inhabiting  fo  great  a  country,  can, 
in  any  advantageous  or  tolerable  manner,  be  confidered  and 
conduced  by  the  propofed  prefident-general  and  council. 

2.  The  prefident-general  and  council  having  authority 
to  nominate  and  commilfionate  all  miUtary  commiflion 
officers,  we  apprehend,  v/iJl  be  highly  difadvantageous  to 
his  Majefly's  interefl.  Under  this  head  we  confider  that 
our  ofiicers  generally  are  chofen  out  of  the  befl:  yeomen  of 
this  colony,  who  five  on  their  own  lands,  in  peace  and 
plenty  ;  but  have  ever  been  ready  to  ferve  their  country 
in  the  field,  v/hen  called  :  their  commiflions  have  always 
been  prepared  and  delivered  into  their  hands  gratis.  Un- 
der thefe  officers,  thus  chofen  and  commiflionated,  free- 
holders* fons,  the  youth  of  this  colony,  have  on  all  occa- 
lions,  with  great  cheerfulnefs  and  alacrity,  generally  enhfi:- 
ed  ;  and  their  country's  good  (not  necefiity)  has  led  them 
to  arms.  Now,  Ihould  officers  be  fent  from  abroad,  we 
are  fully  fatisfied,  fuch  youth  would  not  enhfl  ;  and  to 
prefs  thefe  generous  young  men  into  fervice  will  be  not 
only  hard  and  grievous,  but  in  all  probability  will  greatly 
dilhearten  and  difpirit  them,  and  this,  we  conclude,  is 
very  much  the  cafe  in  other  his  Majefty's  provinces  and 
colonies  on  the  continent. 

3.  His 


Commltiee^s  Report  on  the  Plan  of  Union,  209 

3.  His  Majefty's  fubjeas,  now  inhabiting  this  country, 
are  a  very  great  body  ;  and  in  every  twenty-five  years  the 
increafe  of  inhabitants  is  fo  great,  they  are  fuppofed  to  be- 
come double.  This  power  and  ftrength  being  brought  in- 
to one  point,  all  to  move  under  the  direction  of  faid  prefi- 
dent-general  and  council,  we  fear,  may  in  time  be  of  dan- 
gerous confequence  to  his  Majefty's  intereft,  and  the  good 
of  his  loyal  fubjeds  here. 

4.  Further,  we  apprehend  his  Majefty's  intereft  is  in 
great  danger  from  the  prefident-general's  having  a  nega- 
tive  voice  ;  for  if  it  ever  be,  that  that  officer  fliould  not 
well  underftand  or  purfue  proper  methods  for  the  country's 
good,  all  may  be  ruined  before  relief  can  be  had  from  the 
throne  ;  and  it  feems  to  us,  that  the  Grand  Council  are  moft 
likely  to  underftand  the  true  intereft  and  weal  of  this  people. 

5.  We  think  the  propofal,  in  faid  plan  contained,  for 
the  Prefident-General  and  Council  to  lay  and  levy  taxes,  &c. 
as  they  pleafe,  throughout  this  territory,  is  a  very  extraor- 
dinary thing,  and  againft  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Eng- 
liflimen  in  general  ;  andfuch  an  innovation  or  breach  on  char-- 
ier  privileges,  we  fear,  wili  greatly  difcourage  and  dijhearten  his 
Majejifs  good  fubjeds.  All  which,  with  a  draught  fox  a 
union,  delivered  in  herewith,  is  humbly  fubmitted,  by 

Your  Honours'  committee, 

Wm.  Pitkin- 
Jonath.  Trumble, 
Jofeph  Fowle. 
Jofeph  Pitkin. 
Jabez  Hamlin. 
John  Hubbard. 
Theoph.  Nichols. 
John  Ledyard. 


Dd       [r^/.  vii.]  A  HZ 


2IO  ConneEikut^s  Reafons  againjl 

The  Reasons  considered  and  offered,  by  the  As- 
sembly OF  THE  COLONY  OF  CONNECTICUT,  CONCERN- 
ING   THE  Plan    of   Union    the   Commissioners    oe 

THE     SEVERAL     COLONIES     IN     NoRTH-AmERICA,    WHO 

MET  AT  Albany  on  the  14TH  June,  1754,  have 
proposed  for  uniting  the  said  colonies  into  one 
General  Government,  for  the  purposes  there- 
in expressed,  are  as  follows. 

i .  'T~^HE  limits  of  the  propofed  plan  of  union  are  of  toa 
JL  large  extent  ;  from  Nova-Scotia  on  the  north,  to 
Georgia  on  the  fouth,  is  fifteen  hundred  miles  ;  fo  that 
the  Prefident-General  and  Grand  Council  muft  have  to 
provide  for  this  large  extent  of  frontiers  ;  and  this  plan 
feems  calculated  only  to  render  this  general  government, 
therein  propofed,  capable  to  defend  againft  the  French, 
and  to  proclaim  war,  and  make  peace  with  the  Indians, 
Now  it  feems  plain,  that  it  is  impracticable  that  his  Majef- 
ty's  intereft,  and  the  good  of  his  people  inhabiting  fo  great 
a  country,  v.'ith  frontiers  of  fo  great  length,  can  be  advan- 
tageoufly  defended,  or  in  any  good  manner  confidered  and 
conduded,  by  the  propofed  Prefident-General  and  Council : 
and  it  may  be  juilly  obferved  here,  that  a  defenlive  war, 
on  the  part  of  this  government,  with  fo  large  a  frontier, 
will  prove  detrimental  and  ruinous  to  it  ;  while  the 
French  have  it  in  their  power,  at  any  time,  as  well  in  a 
time  of  peace,  as  of  a  war,  to  fend  out  fmall  parties  of  their 
Indians,  to  &ulk  about  in  the  woods,  and  fall  upon,  and 
furpriie  any  part  of  the  frontiers  ;  and  with  but  little  haz- 
ard to  themfelves,  and  fmall  expenfe,  keep  this  propofed 
government  in  a  continued  alarm,  in  one  or  other  part 
thereof,  and  put  them  to  vaft  expenfe  to  defend  them- 
feLves,  and  thereby  weaken,  impoverifli,  and  greatly  dif- 
hearten  the  King's  fubjecls  in  every  part  of  this  large  ex- 
tent of  frontiers  y  while  the  enemy  Vv^ill  be  encouraged, 
and  grow  ftrong  and  wealthy.  This,  indeed,  cannot  be 
remedied,  but  by  carrying  the  war  into  the  enemy's 
country,  for  which  this  plan  makes  no  provifion. 

2.     '.rhe  Prefident-General  and  Council  to  have  author- 
ity to  nominate  and  commiffion  all  military  officers,  will 
be  highly  detrimental  to  his  Majefty's  intereft  ;  as  it  can- 
not 


ihe  Plan  of  Union.  2 1 1 

not  be  apprehended  that  they  can  be  weH  acquainted,  in 
th«='  various  parts  of  fo  large  a  governmeRt,  with  the  per- 
fons  who  will  beft  ferve  to  encourage  loldiers  to  enlift,  and 
who  may  condud  them  with  prudence,  and  encourage 
their  hearts.     It  hath  hitherto  been  praclifed  m  the  New- 
England  governments  to  appoint  officers  out  of  then*  beft 
yeomen,  who  live  in  good  circumftances  on  then;  own 
property  in  lands  ;   and  when  chofen  freely,  and  without 
any  application  of  their  own  for  fuch  offices,  and  receive 
their  commiffions  gratis,  they  look  on  themfelves  obliged, 
and  are  always  ready,  to  ferve  their  country  m  the  field, 
when  thus  called  thereto  ;  and  under  luch  officers,  well 
known  and  efteemed  among  the  people,  freeholders'  ions, 
not  moved  by  neceffity,  but  their  country's  good,  gene- 
rally  have  eniifted  with  cheerfulnefs  and  alacrity.     Now, 
fhould  officers  be  fent  among  them  from  abroad,  and  to 
whom  they  are  ftrangers,  it  is  plain  fuch  youth  will  not 
enlift  ;  and  to  prefs  fuch  generous  young  men  into  fervice, 
muft  be  not  only  hard  and  grievous,  but  very  much  dii- 
hearten  and  difpirit  them  :   and  this,  no  doubt,  will  prove 
the  cafe  in  other  of  the  American  colonies,  as  well  as  ot 
thofe  in  New-England.  _ 

a.  His  Majefty's  fubjeds,  now  inhabiting  this  large  and 
extenfive  country,  take  them  collectively,  are  become  a 
very  great  number  ;  and,  through  the  fmiles  of  divine 
Providence  hitherto,  are  greatly  increafed,  and  it  is  lup- 
pofed  to  become  double  in  every  twenty-five  years  :  now 
this  -rowing  power  and  ftrength  to  be  brought  into  one 
poin?,  all  to  move  under  the  direction  of  fuch  Prefident- 
General  and  Council,  may  in  time  be  of  dangerous  conle- 
quence  to  his  Majefty's  intereft,  and  the  good  of  his  loyal 
fubieds  here. 

4  Th^  Prefident-General  to  have  a  negative  voice  on 
the  Council,  may  bring  his  Majefty's  intereft  into  danger  : 
That  officer,  in  fo  extenfive  a  territory,  not  well  under- 
ftanding,  or  carefully  purfuing  proper  methods  for  the 
country's  good,  all  may  be  ruined  before  rehef  can  be  had 
from  the  throne  ;  and  in  a  country,  where  the  greateft  en- 
couragement to  go  through  the  hardfhip  and  fatigue  of  a 
new  fettlement  is  the  hope  of  enjoying  liberty,  and  fecur- 
ino-  a  fmall  property  in  land  to  themfelves,  every  thing 


212  ConneSlicut's  Reafons  againjl 

that  doth  make  any  encroachment  thereon  will  difcourage 
the  people,  and  thereby  injure  his  Majefty*s  intereft  :  And 
it  feems  the  Council,  from  the  refpeftive  colonies,  are  moil 
likely  to  underftand  the  true  intereft  and  weal  of  the 
people. 

5.  The  propofal,  in  faid  plan  contained,  for  the  Prefix 
dent-General  and  Council  to  lay  and  levy  taxes,  &c.  as  they 
pleafe,  throughout  this  extenlive  government,  is  a  very  ex- 
traordinary thing,  and  againft  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
Englilhmen,  which  is  efteemed,  and  highly  prized  by  the 
people  of  thefe  colonies,  who  have  now  a  due  fenfe  of  their 
dependence  on  their  mother  country,  and  delight  in  obedi- 
ence to,  and  admire  the  protection  and  privileges  of,  the 
laws  of  England  \  which,  with  the  fpecial  favours  and 
charter  privileges  to  them  granted,  and  hitherto  kept  fa- 
cred  and  inviolate,  have  encouraged  the  people  inhabiting 
here,  at  their  own  great  expenfe,  induftry,  and  hazard  of 
their  lives  as  ¥/ell  as  fortunes,  to  fettle,  plant,  and  cultivate 
thefe  remote  places  \  and  it  is  not  to  be  doubted,  that  any 
great  innovations,  or  breach  of  their  original  charters  and 
conftitutions,  w-ill  greatly  difcourage  the  induftry  of  the 
inhabitants,  who  are  jealous  of  their  privileges  ;  and,  while 
they  are  fecured,  are  zealous  to  fecure  his  Majefty's  domin- 
ions here,  and  purfue  the  enlargement  thereof. 

At  this  place,  it  may  be  worthy  obfervation,  that  heavy 
taxes  on  the  inhabitants,  of  the  northern  colonies  efpecial- 
ly,  muft  be  attended  \^dth  grievous  complaints  from  the 
main  body  of  the  people,  who  are  not  well  furniftied  v/ith 
money,  and  not  able  to  carry  on  any  confiderable  trade 
abroad,  thereby  to  bring  home  money,  more  than  is  abfo- 
lutely  neceffary  to  carry  on  their  ordinary  affairs  ;  being 
principally  employed  in  clearing,  fencing,  and  cultivating 
their  lands,  and  fitting  them  for  future  more  profitable 
improvements  ;  and  from  their  firfl  fettlement  have  had 
the  barbarous  natives  of  the  country  frequently  making 
war  upon  them,  and  their  reftlef:}  French  neighbours  fet- 
ting  on  the  Indians,  in  a  barbarous  manner,  to  kill  or  cap- 
tivate the  people,  and  that  even  in  times  of  peace  ;  which 
hath  occafioned  a  very  great  expenfe,  and  loaded  thefe  colo^ 
nies  with  a  heavy  debt,  and  brought  on  the  neceflity  of 
f  reating  and  ifTuing  bills  of  pubHc  credit  j  which,  through 

their 


the  Plan  of  Union,  213 

their  weaknefs  and  poverty,  they  were  not  able  feafonably 
to  fmk  and  difchargc,  and  thereby  leffened  credit  in  thefe 
parts  ;  from  which  difadvantages,  thefe  colonies  are  not 
quite  freed  to  this  day  ;  and  although  they  are  well  fpirit- 
ed  to  fecurc  and  defend  all  his  Majeily's  territories  in 
North-America,  and  therein  to  lay  themfelves  out  to  their 
utmoft  ability  ;  yet,  to  bring  on  themfelves  large  and  heavy 
taxes,  more  than  they  are  well  able  to^  p^iy,  muft  occafiou 
grievous  complaints,  and  prove  very  difcouraging. 

For  thefe  reafons,  more  largely  infifted  on,  and  difcourf- 
ed  at  the  congrefs  of  the  commiiTioners  in  Albany,  in  June 

laft The  gentlemen,  who  went  commifTioners  from  the 

colony  of  Connefticut,  objedied  to  the  propofed  plan  ;  and 
thought  they  were  never  anfwered  or  obviated,  and  there- 
fore never'  came  into,  or  gave  any  confent  to  the  fame. 

And  in  addition  hereunto,  it  is  further  to  be  confidered 
and  alleged,  that  the  people  of  this  colony,  from  their  firft 
fettlement  to  this  day,  in  their  general  ailemblies,  by  their 
ads  and  refolutions  therein  made  and  palled,  have  fhewn 
true  loyalty,  and  fmcere  difpofition  to  promote  his  Majef- 
ty's  intereft  j  and  have  always  yielded  cheerful  obedience  to 
his  Majefty's  commands  ;  and  have  readily  given  affiftance 
and  aid  to  any  of  his  Majefty's  colonies,  when  the  fame 
hath  been  requefted  ;    and  ftill  remain  in  the  fame  good 
difpofition,  and  readily  to  conform  to  his  Majefty's  will 
and  pieafure,  fignified  to  this  colony  by  the  Right  Hon- 
ourable the  Earl  of  Holdernefs.     The  laft  paragraph  of  his 
letter  to  this  colony,  dated  Auguft  28,  1753,  is  in  the  fol- 
lowing words,  viz.  ^  t  •   t»t  •  r 
"  And  whereas  it  mxay  be  greatly  conducive  to  his  Majel- 
«  ty's  fervice,  that  all  his  provinces  in  America  ftiould  be 
«'  aiding  and  alTifting  each  other,  in  cafe  of  any  invafion,  I 
"  have  It  particularly  in  charge  from  his  Majefty,  to  ac- 
"  quaint  you,  that  it  is  his  royal  will  and  pieafure,  that 
*'  you  Ihould  keep  up  an  exad  correfpondence  with  all  his 
"  Majefty's  Governors  on  the  continent  ;  and  in  cafe  you 
*'  fliail  be  informed,  by  any  of  them,  of  any  hoftile  at- 
"  tempt,  you  are  immediately  to  affemble  the  general  af- 
"  fembly  within  your  government,  and  lay  before  them 
*'  the  necefTity  of  a  mutual  affiftance,  and  engage  them  to 
"  grant  fuch  fupphes  as  the  exigency  of  affairs  may  re- 
"  quire,"  1^ 


214  ConneSlkut^s  Reafons,  ^c. 

It  may  juftly  be  alleged  and  confidere'd,  that  the  fecuring 
the  five  nations  or  cantons  of  Indians,  fubjed  to  his  MajeE 
ty*s  dominions,  and  maintaining  a  peaceable  and  friendly 
difpofition  in  them  towards  the  people  inhabiting  thefe  col- 
onies, is  of  very  great  importance,  and  the  principal  good 
end  that  may  be  ferved  by  faid  propofed  plan,  by  regula- 
ting the  Indian  trade,  and  bringing  it  under  due  manage- 
ment ;  which  may  be  better  ferved  by  commiiTioners  of  his 
Majefty's  appointment,  with  pov/ers  and  authorities  to  reg- 
ulate and  manage  the  trade  with  faid  Indians,  and  the  oth- 
er natives  who  are  in  friendfhip  with  them,  and  to  make 
fuch  rules  and  orders,  with  pains  and  penalties  annexed 
thereto,  as  they  lliall  judge  necelTary,  and  to  fee  the  fame 
duly  executed  ;  and  to  hear,  coniider,  and  find  means  and 
ways  to  redrefs  the  grievances  and  complaints  of  faid  In- 
dians ;  the  neceffity  of  which  appears  by  the  reprefentation 
made  at  Albany,  when  the  commJiiioners  were  prefent  ; 
And  alfo  to  build  forts  needful  for  the  defence  of  fuch  In- 
dians, and  fecurity  of  the  trade  with  them,  and  keep  them 
fufficiently  garrifoned  ;  the  charge  whereof  may  be  princi- 
pally defrayed  by  the  profits  of  fuch  trade,  when  well  reg- 
ulated and  managed. 

And  if  his  Majefty  fhould  be  graciouily  pleafed  to  en- 
courage his  fubjeds  to  fettle  and  plant  a  government  or 
colony  on  fuch  lands,  in  their  country,  as  the  Indians  will 
readily  fell,  to  be  formed  and  conducted  as  the  New-Eng- 
land colonies  have  been,  nothing  v/ould  tend  more  to  fe- 
cure  thofe  Indians  to  liis  Majefty's  interefi:,  and  attach  their 
friendfliip  to  the  Englilh,  and  prevent  the  encroachments 
of  the  French  ;  and  fo  the  great  ends  propofed  effedually 
anfwered,  without  any  difcouragement  to  the  people  of 
thefe  colonies,  and  without  the  leaft  prejudice  or  injury  to 
their  privileges. 

General  AJjhiibly  at  Nezv-Have?i,  Thur/day,  Od.  2d,  1754. 

In  the  Upper  Houfe.  The  foregoing  reafons,  concern- 
ing the  Flan  of  Union,  kc.  were  read,  confidered,  and 
proved,  and  ordered  to  lie  on  file  in  the  Secretary's 
office.  Teft.  George  Wyllys,  Sec'ry. 

|ii  the  Lov/er  Houfe,  concurred. 

Teft,  E.  Chauncey,  Clerk. 


Petitions,  &'c.  refpe^ling  Bijhops,  i  \ 


Petitions,  &:c.    from  Members    of    the    Church   of 
England,  in  Boston,  respecting  Bishops. 

Bojlon,  December  8,  17 13. 

To  the  honourable  Society  for  propagating  the  Gofpel  in 
foreign  Parts. 

The  Reprefentation  and  Requeji  of  the  Minijlers,  Church-War* 
dens,  and  Vejlry  of  the  Church  of  England,  in  Boflon. 

WE  are  informed  by  the  Hon.  General  Nicholfon,  a 
moft  worthy  member  of  your  honourable  Society, 
and  a  moft  generous  benefactor  to  the  church  in  thefe 
parts,  that  your  honourable  Society  have  laid  before  her 
Majefty  a  particular  fcheme  of  fettlement  for  Biihops  in 
thefe  American  parts  :  and  as  nothing  can  contribute 
more  to  the' flourifhing  ftate  of  religion  among  us,  we 
have  made  our  humble  addrefs  to  her  moft  facred  Majefty 
upon  that  head  ;  and  would  humbly  intreat  fome  of  the 
members  of  your  honourable  Society  to  be  our  remem- 
brancers to  her  Majefty  in  that  behalf ;  and  that  Almighty 
God  may  blefs  and  profper  all  your  pious  endeavours  for 
the  good  of  his  church,  and  blefs  you  for  thefe  endeav- 
ours, is  the  hearty  prayer  of  your  moft  obedient  and  moft 
devoted  humble  fervants. 


J.   N. 

J.  B. 

J.  D. 

T.  B. 

T.  N. 

W.  T. 

J.  H. 
J.  V. 

W.  P. 
C.  S. 

^  ^'  ?  Minifters. 

J.   C. 

G.  G. 

C.'h.'7    Church- 
J.  J.  3  Wardens. 

G.  D. 

J.  R. 

CM. 

To  the  Queen's  moft  excellent  Majefty. 

The  humble  Addrefs  of  the  Minifters,  Church-Wardens,  and 
Vejlry  of  the  Church  of  England,  in  Boflon,  New-England. 

May  it  pleafe  your  Majefty, 

YOUR  royal  goodnefs  being  extended  to  all,  even  the 
remotelL  part  of  your  Majefty's  dominions,  we  take  this 

opportunity 


j2i6  Petitions, '<ffc.  refpe&ing  Bijhops, 

opportunity  of  expreffing  our  humble,  though  Imperfect 
thanks  to  your  Majefty,  for  the  many  bleffings  we  have 
enjoyed  in  the  courfe  of  your  glorious  reign.  Such 
was  your  Majefty's  care  of  us,  during  the  war,  that 
our  trade  was  in  a  great  meafure,  by  the  happy  reduc- 
tion of  the  important  fortrefs  of  Port  Royal,  under  tlie 
aufpicious  condud  of  General  Nicholfon  ;  and  now  that 
honourable  and  advantageous  peace,  which  your  Majefty 
has  concluded,  does  mightily  increafe  our  happinefs,  by 
delivering  us  from  the  violence  of  barbarous  favages,  who 
continually  infefted  our  country,  and  a6led  unheard-of 
cruelties.  To  complete,  we  humbly  intreat  your  Majefty 
to  provide  for  our  fpirltual  concerns,  and  to  eftablifli  Bifli- 
ops  and  biftiopricks  within  your  Majefty's  plantations  in 
America.  We  are  informed  by  General  Nicholfon,  whofe 
piety,  generolity,  and  zeal  for  the  church  we  cannot  fuf- 
ficiently  commend,  that  the  honourable  Society  for  propa- 
gating the  Gofpel  in  foreign  parts,  have  laid  before  your 
Majefty  the  particular  manner  of  the  Bifliops'  refpedive 
fettlements.  Since  nothing  can  tend  more  to  make  reli- 
gion fiourifh  among  us,  we  promife  ourfelves  that  your 
Majefty  will  take  this  affair  into  your  royal  confideration  ; 
and  that  it  may  pleafe  Almighty  God  to  grant  your  Ma- 
jefty a  long  and  happy  reign  over  us,  and  advance  you  to 
immortal  glory  hereafter,  is  the  conftant  and  fervent 
prayer  of  your  Majefty's  moft  loyal,  moft  dutiful,  and  moft 
obedient  fubjecls,  I.  D. 

W.  T.  &c. 

THAT  no  reprefentations  may  prejudice  the  interefts 
of  our  church  in  thefe  parts,  I  have  thought  it  expedient 
for  me,  at  this  juncture,  to  certify,  that  we  have  a  very 
conftderable  number  of  people  belonging  to  the  church  in 
this  town  of  Bofton  5  and  that  I  am  humbly  of  opinion, 
the  church  here,  and  alfo  in  other  parts  of  this  province, 
would  increafe  much  more  under  a  Governor  that  was  a 
conftant  communicant  thereof,  from  whom  we  might  rea- 
fonably  expect  all  requiftte  protection  and  encouragement. 

This  prefent  Governor,  Jofeph  Dudley,  Efq.  is  a  mem- 
ber of  an  independent  church  at  Roxbury,  where  his 
dwelling  is,  and  has  communicated  therefrom  his  firft  com- 


Petitions,  ^c.  refpeBing  B'ljhops,  iij 

ino-  to  be  Governor,  and  never  communicated  with  us 
jinnee  the  Rev.  Mr.  Harrifon's  arrival  here,  (as  he  can  in- 
form)  nor,  to  my  certain  knowledge,  many  years  before, 
only  this  25th  of  December  laft  paft  he  was  at  the  commun- 
ion, his  Excellency  Gen.  Nicholfon  then  prefent. 

I  do  alfo  certify,  that  Colonel  Vetch  never  received  the 
communion  with  us  here  ;  and  fmce  his  arrival  froni  An- 
napolis-Royal, has  been  but  once  at  church,  and  that  m  the 
morning  only.     This  is  aU  true  to  a  tittle,  and  attefted  by 

Samuel  Myles, 
Preibyter  of  the  church  of  England. 

Bojion,  New-England,  Feb.  17,  1713—14- 

HAVING  ferved  the  church  in  this  place,  thefe  five 
years  laft  paft,  in  conjundion  with  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Myles,  I  can  certify  the  truth  of  the  above-made  relation 
ever  fince  the  time  of  mv  arrival  here.  In  witnefs  where- 
of I  fet  my  hand,  '  Henry  Harris. 

A  reprefentation  of  feveral  officers  in  the  province  of  the  Majfa- 
chufetts-Bay,  in  New-England,  not  belonging  to  the  church  of 
England  ;  and  a  lifl  of  the  names  of  the  gentlemen  that  do  be- 
long to  f aid  church. 

OiEcers  in  public  poft. 
Members  of  her  Majefty's  Council.  Judges  of  the  Su- 
perior and  Inferior  Court.  Secretary  of  the  Province. 
Attorney-General.  Treafurer  of  the  Province.  Commif- 
fary-GeneralfortheVfar.  Judges  of  Probate.  High  Sher- 
iflFs.  Receiver  of  the  Impoft.  Naval  Officer.  Clerks  of 
Courts.  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives.  Officers  of  the  Mih- 
tia.     Deputy  Poft-Mafter.     Officers  of  the  College. 

Names  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  church. 
The  Hon.  William  Taylor,  Efq.  Lieut.  Governor,  com- 
municant, and  ferved  as  church-warden.  Sir  Charles  Hob- 
by, communicant  and  church-warden  for  the  time  being. 
John  Nelfon.  Francis  Foxcroft.  Edward  Lloyd,  com- 
municant and  church-warden.  John  JcrkyL  Efq.  commu- 
nicant and  church-warden  for  time  beir.g.  Thomas  New- 
ton, communicant  and  church-warden,  John  Bnager, 
Ek         iv.ivnr  communicant. 


2i8  Petitions i  ^c.  refpe^ltig  Bijhops. 

communicant.  Henry  Mackentofh,  Gommunicanl.  Charles 
Bleckenden,  communicant.  Mr.  Thomas  Banifter,  com- 
municant. Capt.  Cyprian  Southack,  communicant  and 
church-warden.  Capt.  Wentworth  Paxton.  Mr.  John 
Oulton,  communicant.  Mr.  Savil  Sympfon,  communicant 
and  church-warden.  Mr.  Giles  Dyer,  communicant.  Mr. 
Jofeph  Stearn.  Mr.  John  Valentine,  communicant.  Eben- 
ezer  Mountforth,  James  Lyndall.  Francis  Brinly.  Ed- 
ward Mills.  George  Turfry,  communicant  and  church- 
warden. James  Smith.  Job  Lewis.  John  Trefor,  com- 
municant. William  Roufe.  Anthony  Blunt,  communi- 
cant and  church-warden.  Edward  Weaver,  communicant. 
George  Stuart.  Thomas  Lechmore.  John  Arburthnot. 
Thomas  Sheapard.  Jofeph  Loyd.  John  Newdicate.  Dan- 
iel Weyburn.  John  Powel.  John  Bearnard.  Thomas 
Creefe.  George  Tarrant.  Henry  Franklyn,  communi- 
cant. Euftace  Hatch.  John  Chickley.  WiUiam  Patridge. 
Samuel  Hill.  Peter  Butler.  Richard  Pullen.  Thomas 
Selby,  communicant.  Richard  Hall,  communicant.  Ste- 
phen North.  Rowland  Dyke.  Henry  Sharp.  John 
Gibbs.  Mr.  Renner.  Ambrofe  Vincent,  communicant. 
Roger  Patiffon,  communicant.  Stephen  Labbie.  John 
Johns. 

Mr.  Brown,  Mr.  Bartlett,  Mr.  Sav/yers,  Mr.  Merrill, 
Newbury. 

We  have  omitted  fetting  down  a  confiderable  number  of 
our  communicants,  becaufe  of  fmall  figure,  though  good 
families  in  the  town. 

An  account  of  the  number  of  our  congregation  we  have 
fent  to  my  Lord  Bilhop  of  London,  viz.  800  ;  wherein  we 
are  well  allured  we  have  not  exceeded. 

Thefe  petitions  intercepted,  but  not  delivered  ;  faid  to  be  found 
amongft  Sir  Charles  Hobby's  papers,  by  Mr.  Mafon,  his  adminiftra- 
tor,  and  by  \\im  tranfmitted  to  Bofton. 


An 


Account  of  the  Trade  of  Newfoundland.  219 


An  Account  of  the  whole  Trade  and  Shipping  of 
THE  Island  of  Newfoundland  for  the  year  1799, 

TAKEN    from    the    CuSTOM-HoUSE    BoOKS. 

hnports. 

C  Number  of  veffels       -             -  34© 

Shipping.  <  Number  of  tons      -             -  345225 

C  Number  of  men        -              -  2,449 

Hundred  weight  of  bread  and  flour       -  44?2 1 5 

Barrels  of  beef  and  pork      .-           -           -  13,062 

Hundred  weight  of  butter  and  cheefe      -  5'^  ^5 

Buflielsoffalt             -             -             -  566,201 

Pounds  of  tea     -             »             -               -  Z^^^^l ^ 

Hundred  weight  of  refined  fugar         -         -  97|- 

Hundred  weight  of  Mufcovado  fugar      -  1,726 

Gallons  of  molaffes       -             -             -  168,104 

Gallons  of  rum       .           -             -             -  168,936 

Gallons  of  gin  and  brandy       -             -  9543  ^ 

Gallons  of  wine     -             -             -           -  20,787 

Hogflieads  of  beer  and  cider             -  -          793 
Pounds  of  coffee      -             -             -           -         95856 

Pounds  of  tobacco            -             -             -  120,663 

Pounds  of  foap  and  candles       -             -  123,939 

Chaldrons  of  coals      -             -             -  -       1,495 

Barrels  of  pitch  and  tar     -             -            -  1,242 

Thoufand  feet  of  planks  and  boards       -  541 5856 

Thoufand  of  fhingles       -           -           -  -         150 

Number  of  mafls  and  fpars       -           -  -          3°^ 

Number  of  bullocks  and  cows      -         -  -         417 

Number  of  fheep        -           -           -           -  505 

Buihels  of  Indian  corn      -          -          -  -     i»437 
Exports. 

r  Number  of  veffels        -            -  33^ 

Shipping.  ^  Number  of  tons       -             -  33'503 

CNumberofmen        -             -  2,410 

Quintals  of  dry  cod  fifli         -             -  453^337 

Quintals  of  core  fifh         -             -             -  i3'995 
Tierces  of  falmon         -           -           -           -         2,642 

Barrels  of  herrings         -           ■     .      -  -          202 

Tons  of  oil 3»°i7 

Number  of  feal  fkihs    -          -          -  -     74ji8i 


220 


A  Bill  for  better  Regulating 


Number  of  the  British  Subjects,  Men,  Women, 
AND  Children,  in  the  Colonies  of  North-Amer- 
ica, TAKEN  FROM  MILITIA  ROLLS,  POLL  TAXES,  BILLS 
OF  MORTALITY,  RETURNS  FROM  GOVERNORS,  AND 
OTHER  AUTHENTIC  AUTHORITIES.  FrOM  THE  LON- 
DON Magazine,  for  May,  1755^ 

^  I  ""HE  colonies  of  Halifax  and  Lunenburg  in 


JNova-bcotia       .          .         -         . 

5000 

New-Hampfliire     -           . 

30000 

Maffachufetts-Bay      -     "-   •- 

-     220000 

Rhode-Iiland  and  Providence 

35000 

Connedicut       -          -         -         . 

I 00000 

New- York     ...          - 

-     I 00000 

The  Jerfeys     -          -          -          - 

60000 

Pennfyivania,     -         -         -         - 

250000 

Maryland     -          -          .          - 

85000 

Virginia 

85000 

North-Carolina 

45000 

South-Carolina     - 

30000 

Georgia         .         ,         ™         „         . 

6000 

Total  number 

IjOCIOOO 

Exclufive  of  the  military  forces  in  the  pay  of  the  gov- 
ernment, and  negroes. 


A  Bill   for   better   regulating   of   Charter  anx> 
Proprietary  Governments  in  America,  and  for 

THE    encouragement  OF    THE   TrADE    OF  THIS   KING- 
DOM AND  OF  HIS  Majesty's  Plantations. 

WHEREAS,  by  virtue  of  feverai  Charters  and  Letters 
Patents,  under  the  Great  Seal  of  England,  palTed 
and  granted  by  his  Majefty's  royal  predecellbrs,  the  feverai 
colonies,  provinces,  and  plantations  of  the  Maffachufetts- 
Bay,  Rhode-Ifland  and  Providence  Plantations,  Connecli- 
cut,  Pennfyivania,  Maryland,  Carolina,  and  the  Bahama 
or  I.ucay  lllands,  in  America,  have  been  granted  unto  fev- 
erai 


Charter  and  Proprietary  Governments.  1 2 1 

eral  perfons,  whereby  the  grantees  are  not  only  made  pro-- 
prietors  of  the  foil  and  lands  comprehended  in  the  faid 
places,  but  lords  and  governors  thereof  ;    and  have  fuch 
lar^e  and  unlimited  powers,  as  have  given  them  a  pretence 
to  alTume  abfolute   government  and  authority  over  his 
Majefty's  fubjefts  :  And  whereas  the  fevering  of  fuch  pow- 
er  and  authority  from  the  Crown,  and  placing  the  fame 
in  the  hands  of  the  fubjeds,  hath,  by  experience,  been 
found  prejudicial  to  the  trade  of  this  kingdom,  and  to  the 
welfare  and  fecurity  of  his  Majefty's  fubjefts  in  thefe,  as 
well  as  in  the  other  plantations  in  America,  and  to  his 
Majefty's  revenue  arifmg  from  the  cuftoms,  as  well  by  rea- 
fon  of  the  difabiUty  of  the  proprietors  to  defend  and  pro- 
ted  his  Majefty's  fubiec1:s  under  the  government,  in  cafe  of 
any  attempt  of  the  Indians,  or  other  enemy,  as  by  the  ma- 
ny irregularities  committed  by  the  governors  of  the  faid 
proprietary  governments,  as  by  others  in  authority  un- 
der them  there  : 

Be  it  therefore  enaded  by  the  King's  moji  excellent  Majejiy^ 
by  and  with  the  advice  and  confent  of  the  Lords  Spiritual  and 
Temporal,  and  Commons,  in  Parliament  affembled,  and  by  the 
authority  of  the  fame.  That  the  King's  Majefty,  his  heirs,  and 
fucceffors,  fliall  from  the  of  have  the  fole  power 

and  authority  of  governing  the  faid  plantations  and  colonies, 
and  every  of  them,  and  of  appointing  the  governors,  coun- 
fellors,  judges,  juftices  of  the  peace,  and  of  all  other  officers 
for  the  adminiftration  and  execution  of  juftice  there,  and 
of  pardoning  offences  there  ;  the  faid  pov/er  and  authority 
to  be  for  ever  united  to  the  Imperial  Crown  of  thefe 
realms,  any  grants,  ufages,^  or  other  matter  or  thing  to  the 
contrary  in  any  wife  notwithftanding. 

Provided  always.  That  nothing  herein  contained  fhall  be 
conftrued  to  extend  any  ways  to  alter,  or  take  away, 
diminifti  or  abridge  the  right  or  title  which  any  perfon, 
perfons,  or  bodies  poHtic  or  corporate  have,  or  lawfully 
may  have  or  daim  to  any  lands,  tenements  or  heredita- 
ments, or  any  other  matter  or  thing  (the  authority  and 
powers  aformentioned  only  excepted)  by  virtue  of  the  faid 
grants,  or  any  other  charter  or  letters  patents,  or  by  virtue 
of  any  right  or  title  derived  from  or  under  fuch  grants, 
charters,  or  letters  patents,  by  any  mean,  afiignments,  or 

conveyances, 


^22  Dedications  to  EHot^s  Indian  Bible. 

conveyances,  or  otherwife  howfoever.  Provided  alfo.  That 
all  fuch  lav/s,  made  in  the  faid  refpet^ive  plantations,  which 
are  now  in  force  there,  and  have  been  confirmed  and  ap- 
proved of  by  his  Majefty's  predeceffors,  or  by  his  Majefty, 
or  fliall  be  hereafter  confirmed  by  his  Majefty,  his  heirs 
and  fucceflbrs,  ihall  be  of  the  fame  force  and  effea,  as  they 
would  have  been,  if  this  aft  had  not  been  made  :  And  that 
all  laws,  hereafter  to  be  made  by  the  general  aifemblies  of 
the  faid  refpeclive  plantations,  fliall  be  made  with  confent 
of  the  refpedive  governors  thereof,  to  be  appointed  by 
his  Majefty,  his  heirs,  and  fucceftbrs,  fubjed  to  the  con- 
firmation  or  difaliowance  of  his  Majefty,  his  heirs,  and  fuc- 
ceftbrs, and  that  appeals  fliall  be  allowed  to  his  Majefty,  his 
heirs,  and  fucceftbrs,  from  the  judgments,  decrees,  and  fen- 
tence  to  be  given  and  made  in  the  courts  of  the  faid  re- 
fpedive  plantations,  as  appeals  are  allowed  and  ufed  in  other 
his  Majefty's  plantations  ;  any  law,  ftatute,  or  ufage,  con- 
trary hereunto,  in  any  wife  notwithftanding. 

Dedications  to  the  Rev.  John  Eliot's  Indian  ver- 
sion OF  the  Old  and  New  Testament. 
[Printed  at  Cambridge,  N.  E.  by  Samuel  Green  and  Marmaduke  John- 
fen.      1663.] 

[The  following  dedications  to  the  tranflation  of  the  old  and  new  tef- 
tament  in  the  indian  language,  by  the  celebrated  Eliot,  are  great 
curiofities.  Such  were  annexed  only  to  the  few  copies  fent  to  Enp-- 
!and  :  and  are  of  courfe  the  very  fiarce  appendages  of  a  very  fcarce 
book.  Of"  fix  copies  of  the  indian  bible,  which  I  have  feen,  no  one 
poiTeHed  thefe  dedications.  The  following  were  taken  from  a  muti- 
iated  copy,  ufed  in  a  barber's  fhop  for  wafte  paper.  From  this  in- 
tended deftruftion  they  were  eagerly  fnatched,  by  the  hand  Avhich 
writes  this,  as  truly  valuable  relicks^'] 

To  the  High  and  Mighty  Prince,  Charles  the  Second,  by  the 
Grace  of  God,  King  of  England,  Scotland,  France  and  Ire- 
land, Defender  of  the  Faith,  ^c. 

The  Commijftoners  of  the  United  Colonies  in  New-England,  wifh 
increafe  of  all  happinefs,  ^c. 
Moji  Dread  Soveraign, 

IF  our  weak  apprehenftons  have  not  mifled  us,  this  Work 
v/ill  be  no  unacceptable  Prefent  to  Your  Majefty,  as 

having 


223 

having  a  greater  Intereft  therein,  than  we  believe  is  gene- 
rally underftood :  which  (upon  this  Occafion)  we  conceive 
it  our  Duty  to  declare. 

The  People  of  thefe  four  Colonies  (Confederate  for  Mu- 
tual Defence,  in  the  time  of  the  late  Diftradions  of  our 
dear  Native  Country)  Your  Majefties  natural  born  Sub- 
jeds,  by  the  Favour  and  Grant  of  Your  Royal  Father  and 
Grandfather  of  Famous  Memory,  put  themfelves  upon 
this  great  and  hazardous  Undertaking,  of  Planting  them- 
felves at  their  own  Charge  in  thefe  remote  ends  of  the 
Earth,  that  without  offence  or  provocation  to  our  dear 
Brethren  and  Countrymen,  we  might  enjoy  that  liberty  to 
Worfhip  God,  which  our  own  Confcience  informed  us, 
was  not  onely  our  Right,  but  Duty  :  As  alfo  that  we 
might  (if  it  fo  pleafed  God)  be  inftrumental  to  fpread  the 
light  of  the  Gofpel,  the  knowledg  of  the  Son  of  God  our 
Saviour,  to  the  poor  barbarous  Heathen,  which  by  Kis  late 
Majefty,  in  fome  of  our  Patents,  is  declared  to  be  His 
principal  aim. 

Thefe  honeft  and  pious  Intentions,  have,  through  the 
grace  and  goodnefs  of  God  and  our  Kings,  been  feconded 
with  proportionable  fuccefs  :  for,  omitting  the  Immuni- 
ties indulged  us  by  Your  Highnefs  Royal  Predeceflbrs,  we 
have  been  greatly  incouraged  by  Your  Majefties  gracious 
expreflions  of  Favour  and  Approbation  figniiied,  unto  the 
Addrefs  made  by  the  principal  of  our  Colonies,  to  which 
the  reft  do  moft  cordially  Subfcribe,  though  wanting  the 
like  feafonable  opportunity,  they  have  been  (till  now)  de- 
prived of  the  means  to  Congratulate  Your  Majefties  happy 
Reftitution,  after  Your  long  fuffering,  which  we  implore 
may  yet  be  gracioufly  accepted,  that  we  may  be  equal  par- 
takers of  Your  Royal  Favour  and  Moderation  ;  which, 
hath  been  fo  Illuftrious  that  (to  admiration)  the  animofi- 
ties  and  different  Perfwafions  of  men  have  been  fo  foon 
Compofed,  and  fo  much  caufe  of  hope,  that  (unlefs  the 
ftns  of  the  Nation  prevent)  a  blelTed  Calm  will  fucceed  the 
late  horrid  Confufions  of  Church  and  State.  And  ftial! 
not  we  {Bread  Soveraign)  your  Subjefts  of  thefe  Colonies, 
of  the  fame  Faith  and  Belief  in  all  Points  of  Dodrine  with 
our  Countrymen,  and  the  other  Reformed  Churches, 
(though  perhaps  -  not  alike  perfwaded  in  fome  matters  of 

Order, 


224  Dedications  to  El'iofs  Indian  Biblei. 

Order,  which  in  outward  refpeds  hath  been  unhappy  iot 
us)  promife  and  affure  our  felves  of  all  juft  favour  and  in- 
dulgence from  a  Prince  fo  happily  and  gracioufly  endowed  ? 

The  other  part  of  our  Errand  hither,  hath  been  attend- 
ed with  Endevours  and  Blelling  ;  many  of  the  wdlde  In- 
dians being  taught,  and  underftanding  the  Doclrine  of  the 
Chriftian  Religion,  and  with  much  affeclion  attending 
fuch  Preachers  as  are  fent  to  teach  them,  many  of  their 
Children  are  inftrufted  to  Write  and  Reade,  and  fome  of 
them  have  proceeded  further,  to  attain  the  knowledge  of 
the  Latine  and  Greek  Tongues,  and  are  brought  up  with 
our  Englifh  youth  in  Univerfity-learning  :  There  are  di- 
vers of  them  that  can  and  do  reade  fome  parts  of  the 
Scripture,  and  fome  Catechifm.s,  which  formerly  have  been 
Tranllated  into  their  own  Language,  which  hath  occalion- 
ed  the  undertaking  of  a  greater  Work,  mz  :  The  Printing 
of  the  whole  Bible,  which  (being  Tranflated  by  a  painful 
Labourer  amongft  them,  who  was  defirous  to  fee  the  Work 
accomplilhed  in  his  dayes)  hath  already  proceeded  to  the 
finifliing  of  the  New  Teftament,  which  we  here  humbly 
prefent  to  Your  Majefty,  as  the  firft  fruits  and  accomplifh- 
ment  of  the  Picus  Defign  of  your  Royal  Anceftors.  The 
Old  Teftament  is  now  under  the  Prefs,  wanting  and  crav- 
ing your  Royal  Favour  and  AfTiftance  for  the  perfeding 
thereof. 

We  may  not  conceal,  that  though  this  Work  hath  been 
begun  and  profecuted  by  fuch  Inftruments  as  God  hath 
railed  up  here,  yet  the  chief  Charge  and  Coil:,  which  hath 
fupported  and  carried  it  thus  far,  hath  been  from  the 
Charity  and  Piety  of  divers  of  our  well-affe6led  Country- 
men in  Efigland  ;  who  being  fenfible  of  our  inability  in 
that  refpecl,  and  ftudious  to  promote  fo  good  a  Work,  con- 
tributed large  Sums  of  Money,  which  were  to  be  improv- 
ed according  to  the  Direclion  and  Order  of  the  then-pre- 
vailing Powers,  which  hath  been  faithfully  and  religioufly 
attended  both  there  and  here,  according  to  the  pious  inten- 
tions of  the  Benefactors.  And  we  do  moft  humbly  be- 
feech  your  Majefty,  that  a  matter  of  fo  much  Devotion 
and  Piety,  tending  fo  much  to  the  Honour  of  God,  may 
fuffer  no  difappointment  through  any  Legal  defe6t  (with- 
out the  fault  of  the  Donors,  or  the  poor  Indians,  who 

onely 


Dedicatims  io  Eliot's  Indian  Bible.  225 

onely  receive  the  benefit)  but  that  your  Majefly  be  gra- 
cioufly  pleafed  to  Eflablilh  and  Confirm  the  fame,  being 
contrived  and  done  (as  we  conceive)  in  the  firft  year  of 
your  Majefties  Reign,  as  this  Book  was  begun  and  now 
finifhed  in  the  firft  year  of  your  Eftablifhment  ;  which 
doth  not  onely  prefage  the  happy  fuccefs  of  your  Highneis 
Government,  but  will  be  a  perpetual  monument,  that  by 
your  Majefties  Favour  the  Gofpel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jefus  Cbri/ij  was  firft  m.ade  known  to  the  Indians  :  An 
Honour  whereof  (we  are  allured)  your  Majefty  will  not  a 
little  efteem. 

SIR,  The  Jhines  of  Tour  Royal  Favour  upon  thefe  Vnder- 
takings,  will  make  thefe  tender  Plants  to  flouri/h,  notwithjiand- 
ing  any  malevolent  Afped  from  thofe  that  hear  evil  will  to  this 
Sion,  and  render  Tour  Majejiy  more  Illuftrious  and  Glorious  to 
after  Generations. 

The  God  of  Heaven  long  preferiic  and  blefs  Tour  Majefly 
with  many  happy  dayes,  to  his  Glory,  the  good  and  coin- 
fort  of  his  Church  and  People.     Amen. 


To  the  High  and  Mighty  Prince,  Charles  the  Second,  by  the 
Grace  of  God,  King  of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland, 
Defender  of  the  Faith,  ^V, 

The  Com?niJ/toners  of  the  United  Colonies  in  New-Englaiid,  Wifj 
all  Happinefs. 

Mofi  Bread  Soveraign, 

AS  our  former  Prefentation  of  the  New-Teilament  was 
Gracioufly  Accepted  by  Your  Majefty  j  fo  with  all 
Humble  Thanlcfulnefs  for  that  Royal  Favour,  and  with  the 
like  hope.  We  are  bold  now  to  Pref^nt  the  WHOLE 
BIBLE,  Tranflated  into  the  Language  of  the  Natives  of 
this  Country,  by  A  Pairful  Labourer  in  that  Work,  and  now 
Printed  and  Finifljed,  by  meanrj  of  the  Pious  Beneficence  of 
Your  Majefties  Subjects  in  England  :  which  alfo  by  Your 
Special  Favour  hath  been  Continued  and  Confirmed  to  the 
intended  Ufe  and  Advancement  of  fo  Great  and  Good  a 
Wofk,  as  is  the  Propagation  of  the  Gofpel  to  ihcfe  poor  Bar- 
barians in  this  (Ere-whiie)  Unknown  World. 

Ff         [r^/.  vii.j  Tranfiations 


i26  Dedications  to  Eliot* s  Indian  Bible. 

Tranllations  of  Holy  Sciptu're,  The  Word  of  the  King  of 
Kings,  have  ever  been  deemed  not  unworthy  cf  the  moil 
Princely  Bediciitians  :  Examples  whereof  are  extant  in  di- 
vers Languages.  But  Your  Majefty  is  the  Firft  that  hath 
keceived  one  in  this  Language,  or  from  this  American 
JVorldi  or  from  any  Parts  fo  Remote  from  Europe  as  thefe 
are,  for  ought  that  ever  we  heard  of. 

Publications  alio  of  thefe  Sacred  Writings  to  the  Sons 
of  Men  (who  here,  and  her«':;  onely,  have  the  Myfteries  of 
their  Eternal  Salvation  revealed  to  them  by  the  God  of 
Heaven)  is  a  Work  that  the  Grcateft  Princes  have  Honour- 
ed themfelves  by.  But  to  Publilli  and  Communicate  the 
fame  to  a  Loft  People,  as  remo!:e  from  Knowledge  and 
Civility,  much  mere  from  Chriliianity,  as  they  were  from 
all  Knov/ing,  Civil  and  Chriftian  Nations  ;  a  People  with=. 
out  Law,  without  Lctte'-3,  without  Riches,  or  Means  to 
procure  any  fuch  thing  ;  a  People  thaty://<?  as  deep  in  Dark- 
nefs,  and  in  the  fnadow  of  Deaths  as  (we  think)  any  fince  the. 
Creation  :  This  puts  a  Luftre  upon  it  that  is  Superlative  | 
and  to  have  given  Royal  Patronage  and  Countenance  to 
fuch  a  Publication,  or  to  the  Means  thereof,  will  ftand 
among  the  Marks  of  Lading  Honour  in  the  eyes  of  all 
that  are  Conliderate,  even  unto  Aiter-Generations. 

And  though  there  be  in  this  Vv^eftern  World  many  Col- 
onies of  other  European  Nations,  yet  we  humbly  conceive, 
no  Prince  hath  had  a  Return  of  fuch  a  Work  as  this  ; 
which  may  be  fome  Token  of  the  Succefs  of  Your  Majef= 
ties  Plantation  of  ]<^eiu-England,  Undertaken  and  Setled 
under  the  Encouragement  and  Security  of  Grants  from 
Your  Royal  Father  and  Grandfather,  of  Famous  Memoryj 
and  Cheriflied  with  late  Gracious  Afpefts  from  Your 
Majefty.  Though  indeed,  the  prefent  Poverty  of  thefe 
Plantations  could  not  have  AccompMied  this  Work,  had 
not  the  forementioned  Bounty  of  England  lent  Relief ; 
Nor  could  that  have  Continued  to  Hand  us  in  (lead,  with- 
out the  Influence  of  Your  Royal  Favour  and  Authority, 
whereby  the  Corporation  there,  For  Propagating  the  Gofpel 
amo?2g  thefe  Natives,  hath  been  Eftabliilied  and  Encouraged 
(whofc  Labour  of  Love,  Care,  and  Faithfulnefs  in  that 
Truft,  muft  ever  be  remembred  with  Honour.)  Yea, 
when  private  perfons,  for  their  private  Ends,  have  of  late 

fouj^ht 


Dedications  to  Eliot* s  Indian  Bihle^  227 

ibuffht  Advantages  to  deprive  the  faid  Corporation  of  Half 
the  Poileffions  that  had  been,  by  Liberal  Contritmt:ons, 
obtained  for  fo  Religious  Ends  ;  We  underftand,  ^  hat  by 
an  Honourable  and  Righteous  Decifion  m  \o^xr  Majefties 
Court  of  Chancery,  their  Hopes  have  been  defeated,  and  the 
Thine  Settled  where  it  was  and  is.  For  which  great  l^a. 
vour,  and  Uluftrious  Fruit  of  Your  Majefties  Government, 
we  cannot  but  return  our  moft  Humbk  Thanks  in  this 
PubUck  Manner  :  And,  as  the  Refult,  of  the  joynt  Eiideav- 
ours  of  Your  Majefties  Subjects  there  and  nere,  acting  im- 
der  Your  Royal  Influence,  V7e  Prefent  7  ou  with  this  Wor^, 
which  upon  fundry  accounts  is  to  be  called  ro?/r^. 

The  Southern  Colonies  of  the  Spanijh  Nation  have  fent 
home  from  this  Jmencan  Continent,  much  Gold  and  Silver, 
as  the  Fruit  and  End  of  their  Difcoveries  and  Traniplanta- 
lions :  That  (we  confefs)  is  a  fcarce  Commodity  in  this 
Colder  Climate.     But  (futable  to  the  Ends  of  our  Under- 
taking)  we  Prefent  this,  and  other  Concomitant  Fruits  ot 
our  poor  Endeavours  to  Plant  and  Propagate  the  Gofpel 
here  t -which,  upon  a  true  account,  is  as  much  better  than 
Gold  as  the  Souls  of  men  are  more  worth  than  the  whole 
World.     This  is  a  Nobler  Fruit  (and  indeed,  in  the  Coun- 
fels  of  All-difpofrng  Providence,  was  an  higher  intended 
End)  of  Collbushh  Adventure.      And  though  by  his 
Brother's  being  hindred   from   a  feafonable  Apphcation 
your  Famous  Predeceffour  and  Anceftor    King  H^rj^  the 
Seventh,  miffed  of  being  fole  Owner  of  that  firft  Difcove^ 
ry,  and  of  the  Riches  thereof  ;  yet,  if  the  Honour  of  fir.u 
Difcoverin^  the  True  and  Saving  Knowledge  of  the  Gofpel 
unto  the  poor  Americans,  and  of  Ereamg  the  Kingdome  of 
JESUS    CHRIST  among  them,  be  Referved  tor,  and 
do  Redound  unto  your  Majefty,  and  the  Englifh  Nation, 
After-aa;es  will  not  reckon  this  Inferiour  to  the  mher. 
Relio-ion  is  the  End  and  Glory  of  Mankmde  :  and  as  it  wa$ 
the  Profeffed  End  of  this  Plantation  ;  fo  we  deftre  ever  td 
keep  it  in  our  Eye  as  our  main  Defign  (both  as  to  ourfelves 
and^the  Natives  about  us)  and  that  our  Produds  may  be 
anfwerable  thereunto.      Give  us  therefore  leave  (Dr^^^ 
Soveraizn)  yet  again  humbly  to  Beg  the  Continuance  of 
your  Royal  Favour,  and  of  the  Influences  thereof   upon 
this  poor  Plantation,  Tk  United  Colonics  /  N  E  ^-E  N  G» 


228  Apology  for  Coinage  in  MaJJachufetts. 

LAND,  for  the  Securing  and  Eftablifliment  of  our  Civil 
Priviledges,  and  Religious  Liberties  hitherto  Enjoyed  ; 
and,  upon  this  Good  Work  of  Propagating  Rehgion  to 
thefe  Natives,  that  the  Supports  and  Encouragements  there- 
of from  England  may  be  ilill  Countenanced  and  Confirmed. 
May  this  Nurlling  ftill  fuck  the  Breaft  of  Kings,  and  be 
foftered  by  your  Majefty,  as  it  hath  been  by  your  Royal 
Predeceilbrs,  unto  the  Prefervation  of  its  main  Concern- 
ments ;  It  fliall  thrive  and  profper  to  the  Glory  of  God, 
and  the  Honour  of  your  Majefty  :  Neither  will  it  be  any 
lofs  or  grief  unto  our  Lord  the  King,  to  have  the  Bleffing 
of  the  Poor  to  come  upon  Him,  and  that  from  thefe  Ends 
of  the  Earth. 

The  God  by  who^n  Kings  Reign,  and  Princes  Decree  Jujiice, 
Blefs  Tour  Majejiy,  and  Ejlahlijh  Tour  Throne  in  Right- 
eoiifnefs,  in  Mercy,  and  in  Truth,  to  the  Glory  of  His  Najne, 
the  Good  of  His  People,  and  to  Tour  ozvn  Comfort  and  Re~ 

joycing,  not  in  this  onely,  but  in  another  World. 


Sir  Thomas  Temple's  Apology  for  Coinage  in 
RIassachusetts.  From  the  Monthly  Magazine 
FOR  January,   1799. 

IB  E  G  leave,  through  the  channel,  of  your  liberal  and 
moft  valuable  mifcellany,  to  make  a  few  obfervations 
Tipon  the  following  paffage  in  Dr.  Robertfon*s  "  Hiftory  of 
America,"  lately  publiihed.  After  enumerating  feveral 
inftances  of  the  addrefs  and  ambition  of  the  colonifts  in  the 
northern  provinces,  the  hiftorian  goes  on  : 

"  Tliefe  were  followed  by  an  indication  ftill  iefs  ambigu- 
ous of  the  afpiring  fpirit  prevalent  among  the  people  of  the 
Maffachufetts.  Under  every  form  of  government,  the 
right  of  coining  money  has  been  confidered  as  a  preroga- 
tive pecuKar  to  fovereignty,  and  which  no  fubordinate 
member  of  a  ftate  is  entided  to  claim.  Regardlefs  of  this 
eftabliftied  maxim,  the  general  court  ordered  a  coinage  of 
filver  money  at  Bofton,'ftamped  with  the  name  of  the  col- 
ony, and  a  tree,  as  an  apt  fymbol  of  its  progreffive  vigour. 
Eyen  this  ufurpation  paffed  v/ithout  notice.'* 

From 


Apology  for  Coinage  in  MaJfachufetU»  229 

■  Trom  the  above  paffage,  it  feems  to  be  the  opinion  of 
Dr.  Robertfon,  that  the  people  of  the  Maffachufetts  affum- 
ed  this  "  pecuHar  prerogative  of  fovereignty*'  in  defiance 
of,  or  at  leaft  in  oppofition  to,  the  royal  authority.  But 
it  ought  to  be  particularly  noticed,  that  the  firft  coinage 
was  made  in  the  year  1652.  Inftead,  therefore,  of  aicrib- 
ing  this  meafure  to  the  "  afpiring  fpirit"  of  the  people  of 
Maffachufetts,  the  Doclor  might  juitly  have  faid,  that  the 
colonifts  being  nearly  deferted,  at  this  time,  by  the  rulers 
at  home,  on  account  of  the  civil  wars,  and  the  various  forms 
of  government  which  afterwards  followed,  were  obliged 
to  coin  money  from  abfolute  necefiity.  The  following  ex- 
trad:  from  the  Memoirs  of  the  late  truly  patriotic  Thomas 
Hollis,  will  prove  this  to  have  been  the  principal,  if  not  the 
only  caufe,  and  confequently  point  out  the  miftake  which 
Dr.  Robertfon  has  inadvertently  fallen  into. 

"  Sir  Thomas  Temple,  brother  to  Sir  William  Temple, 
refided  feveral  years  in  New-England  during  the  interreg- 
num. After  the  reftoration,  when  he  returned  to  Eng- 
land, the  King  fent  for  him,  and  difcourfed  with  him  on 
the  ftate  of  affairs  in  the  Maffachufetts,  and  difcovered 
great  warmth  againft  that  colony.  Among  other  things, 
he  faid  they  had  invaded  his  prerogative  by  coining  money. 
Sir  Thomas,  who  was  a  real  friend  to  the  colony,  told  his 
majefly,  that  the  colonifts  had  but  little  acquaintance  with 
law,  and  that  they  thought  it  no  crime  to  make  money 
for  their  ovv^n  ufe.  In  the  courfc  of  the  converfation.  Sir 
Thomas  took  fome  of  the  money  out  of  his  pocket,  and 
prefented  it  to  the  king.  On  one  fide  of  the  coin  was  a 
pine  tree,  of  that  kind  which  is  thick  and  bufhy  at  the  top. 
Charles  aiked  what  tree  that  was  ?  Sir  Thomas  informed 
him  it  was  the  royal  oak,  which  preferved  his  majefty*s 
life.  This  account  of  the  matter  brought  the  king  into 
good  humour,  and  difpofed  him  to  hear  what  Sir  Thomas 
had  to  fay  in  their  favour,  calling  them  a  "  parcel  of  hon-^ 
eft  dogs.'* 

The  jocular  turn  which  Sir  Thomas  gave  to  the  ftory, 
was  evidently  calculated  to  amufe  the  monarch  in  his  own 
way,  and  had  the  defired  effect,  in  difpofmg  him  to  hear 
with  good  humour  that  juft  defence  of  the  colonies,  which 
Sir  Thomas  was  fo  well  qualified  to  make.     We  find  he 

pleaded. 


^3©  -Apology  for  Coinage  in  Majfachufetts* 

pleaded,  that  the  colonifts  thought  it  no  crime  to  make 
money  for  their  own  ufe  ;  at  a  time  too,  when  the  confu^. 
iions  in  the  mother  country  prevented  them  from  receiv* 
ing  thofe  occafional  fuppiies  of  coin,  which  were  abfolutely 
neceffary  for  common  circulation.  Such  an  uncommon 
exigency  required  an  uncommon  expedient  ;  and  this  will 
account  for  the  proceedings  of  the  people  of  Maffachufett? 
in  a  more  rational  manner,  than  Dr.  Robertfon  has  done  : 
for  it  is  highly  improbable  that  they  iliould  afpire  after  in- 
dependence, at  a  time  when  their  hiftorians  reprefent  them 
as  few  in  number,  difcordant,  and  fcarceiy  able  to  defend 
themfelves  againft  their  favage  enemies. 

A  writer  of  fuch  diilinguilhed  talents  as  the  late  Dr. 
Robertfon,  will  always  enjoy  the  good  opinion  and  confi-? 
dence  of  his  readers  :  his  miftakeSp  therefore,  v/iU  be  of 
more  confequence,  and  deferving  of  being  am.ended.  That 
our  eloquent  hiftorian  is  under  a  miftake,  though,  no 
doubt,  an  inadvertent  one,  in  the  prefent  inftance,  is  next 
to  certain  ;  nor  will  his  candid  readers  be  difpleafed  with 
any  refpeftful, attempt  to  fet  this  miftake  in  a  clear  lights 
It  may  be  added  too,  as  fome  kind  of  proof  in  this  cafe, 
that,  during  the  late  unhappy  American  war,  when  the 
whole  tribe  of  hireling  fcribblers  and  afpiring  priefts  were, 
with  "  profligate  induftry,'*  ranfacking  every  dirty  corner 
to  difcover  and  accumulate  charges  againft  the  colonifts,  in 
order  to  ftimulate  the  credulous  John  Bull  to  bleed  freely, 
the  coinage  bufmefs  was  never,  to  the  beft  of  m.y  recollec- 
tion, enum.erated  in  the  black  catalogue  of  their  high 
jcrimes  and  mifdemeanours. 

Signed,  A  Friend  to  Truth. 


THi 


Queries  and  Anfwers^  isfc,  231 


The  Heads  of  Inquiry,  relative    to   the   present 

STATE    AND   CONDITION   OF    HIS  MaJESTY's   COLONY  OF 

Connecticut,   signified   by  his  Majesty's   secre- 
tary   OF    STATE,    IN    HIS    LETTER    OF    THE    5TH    JULY, 

17735    WITH  THE  Answers,  returned  to  his  Ma- 
jesty's   SECRETARY    OF    STATE,    BY    THE    GOVERNOR. 

AND    Company   of  the  English    colony    of    Con- 
necticut, October,   1774° 

I.  T  "^THAT  is  the  fituation  Of  the  colony  under  your 
VV  government,  the  nature  of  the  country,  foil 
and  climate,  the  latitudes  and  longitudes  of  the  nioft  con- 
fiderable  places  in  it  ?  Have  thofe  latitudes  and  longitudes 
been  fettled  by  good  obfervations,  or  only  by  common 
computations,  and  from  whence  are  the  longitudes  com- 
puted ? 

I.  The  fituation  of  the  firfl:  fettled  part  of  this  colony 
is  moftly  from  forty-cne  to  forty-two  degrees  of  northerly 
latitude,  and  from  feventy-two  to  feventy-three^  degrees 
and  forty-live  minutes  of  weft  longitude.  The  foil  of  this 
colony  (lying  in  the  5th  and  6th  north  climate)  is  gene- 
rally fertile,  interfperfed  t\Tth  mountainous  and  broken 
land,  with  fome  finall  parts  thin  and  barren  :  the  country 
healthful,  although  fubjea  to  the  extremes  of  heat  and 
cold  in  their  feafons,  and  to  frequent  fudden  changes. 
Two  confiderable  places  and  ports  in  the  colony  are,  Nevv'- 
London,  latitude  41°.  25'.  north,  longitude  72°.  15^  weft. 
New-Haven,  latitude  41°.  18'.  north,  longitude  72°.  56'. 
weft  ;  fettled  by  good  obfervations  :  the  longitudes  com- 
puted from  the  royal  obfervatory  at  Greenwich. 

II.  What  are  the  reputed  boundaries  ?  And  are  any 
parts  thereof  difputed  ?     What  parts,  and  by  whom  ?  ^ 

II.  The  boundaries  are  expreffed  in  our  charter, .  viz. 
"  All  that  part  of  his  Majefty's  dominions  in  New-Eng- 
''  land,  in  /imerica,  bounden  on  the  eaft  by  Narraganfet 
"  river,  commonly  called  Narraganfet  bay,  where  the  river 
"  falleth.  into  the  fea  ;  and  on  the  north  by  the  line  of  the 
"  Maffachufetts  plantation  ;  and  on  the  fouth  by  the  fea  ; 
"  and  in  longitude  as  the  line  of  the  Maffachufetts  colony, 
''  rumiing  from  eail  to  weft,  that  is  to  fay,  from  the  faid 

"  Narraganfet 


232  Queries  and  Anfwers,  relative  is 

*'  Narraganfet  bay  on  the  eaft,  to  the  fouth  fea  on  the  well 
"  part,  with  the  iHands  thereunto  adjoining/' 

A  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  colony,  called  the 
Sufquehannah,  and  Delaware  companies,  in  the  year  1754, 
for  great  and  valuable  conliderations,  in  money,  paid  and 
fatisfied  to  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations,  purchafed  of 
them,  as  early  as  they,  the  aboriginal  proprietors,  were 
willing  to  grant  and  convey  their  title  to  a  large  tra6l  of 
land,  within  the  bounds  and  limits  of  this  colony,  lying 
weft  of  the  river  Delaware,  and  from  thence  fpreading 
over  the  eaft  and  weft  branches  of  the  Sufquehannah  river. 
Since  fuch  purchafes  a  great  number  of  our  inhabitants 
have  made  fettlements  thereon. 

The  general  affembly  of  this  colony  have  afferted  their 
claim  to  thofe  lands  :  and  the  inhabitants  dwelling  within 
the  bounds  of  this  colony,  on  the  weft  fide  of  the  Dela- 
ware river,  are  made  and  conftituted  a  diftind  town,  with 
like  powers  and  privileges  as  other  towns  in  this  colony 
by  lav/  have,  within  the  following  bounds,  viz.  bounded 
eaft  by  Delavv'are  river,  north  by  the  north  bound  of  the 
colony,  weft  by  a  north  and  fouth  line  acrofs  the  colony 
at  fifteen  miles  diftance  weft  from  a  place  on  the  Sufque- 
hannah river  called  Wyoming,  and  fouth  by  the  fouth  line 
of  this  colony  ;  which  town  is  called  by  the  name  of 
Weftmoreland,  and  is  annexed  to  the  county  of  Litchfield. 
The  proprietaries  of  Pennfylvania  difpute  the  right  of  this 
colony  to  thofe  lands  ;  they  refufe  to  join,  to  run,  or  to 
fettle  the  line  between  this  colony  and  that  province. 

III.  What  is  the  fize  and  extent  of  the  colony,  the 
number  of  acres  fuppofed  to  be  contained  therein  ?  What 
part  thereof  is  cultivated  and  improved  ?  And  under 
what  titles  do  the  inhabitants  hold  their  poffeffion  ? 

III.  The  fize  and  extent  of  the  firft  fettled  part,  is  from 
the  colony  of  Rhode-Ifland  on  the  eaft,  to  the  province  of 
New- York  on  the  weft  ;  and  from  the  MaiTachuietts  on 
the  north,  to  the  fea  on  the  fouth  :  two  millions,  fix  hun- 
dred and  forty  thoufand  acres,  are  fuppofed  to  be  con- 
tained therein.  The  proportion  of  arable,  meadow,  paf- 
ture,  wood-land,  and  fuch  as  is  mountainous  and  barren, 
is  unknown.  The  lands  beyond  the  river  Delaware,  lately 
purchafed  from  the  Indian  proprietors,  are  ftill  lefs  known. 

The 


the  State  of  Conne^kui  Colo7ip  233 

The  original  title  to  the  lands  on  which  the  colony  was 
iirft  fettled,  was,  at  the  time  the  Englilh  came  hither,  in 
the  Pequot  nation  of  Indians,  who  were  numerous  and 
warlike  ;  their  country  extended  from  Narraganfet  to 
Hudfon\s  river,  and  over  all  Long-Illand.  Safacus,  their 
great  fagamore,  had  under  him  twenty-lix  fachems  :  he 
injurioully  made  war  upon  the  Englifh  ;  he  exercifed  def- 
potic  dominion  over  his  fubjefts  ;  he,  with  all  his  fachems 
and  people,  were  conquered,  and  made  tributaries  to  the 
Englifli.  The  war  being  ended,  confiderations  and  fettle- 
ments  were  made  with  fuch  fachems  and  people  as  remained, 
who  came  in,  and  received  to  their  full  contentment  and  fat- 
isfaction  ;  and  have  at  all  times  lince  been  ufed  and  treated 
with  juftice  and  humanity.  No  grants  are  made  by  the 
general  alTembly,  before  the  Indian  title  is  ptirchafed,  agree- 
able to  tJie  right  of  pre-emption,  granted  by  royal  charter 
to  the  governor  and  company  of  this  colony.  Thus  the 
greateft  part  of  this  colony  was  purchafed  and  obtained  for 
great  and  valuable  confiderations,  and  other  parts  thereof 
gained  by  conqueft,  and  with  much  difEculty,  and  at  the 
only  endeavours,  expenfe  and  charges  of  perfons  thereby 
Interefted  in  the  plantation  of  Connecticut,  in  New-Eng- 
land, and  their  ailociates.  Thereupon,  agreeable  to  our 
royal  patent  and  grant,  the  title  under  which  the  inhabi- 
tants hold  their  poffeffion,  is  a  grant  and  patent  made  by 
the  general  alfembly  of  the  governor  and  company  of  this 
colony  to  the  refpedivc  townfliips,  or  to  particular  perfons, 
to  them,  their  heirs,  fucceifors  and  afiigns  forever,  accord- 
ing to  the  moil  free  tenure  of  Eaft-Greenwich,  in  the 
county  of  Kent,  in  the  realm  of  England. 

IV.  What  rivers  are  there,  and  of  what  extent  and  con- 
venience in  point  of  commerce  ? 

IV.  The  principal  rivers  are,  Conneclicut,  New-London, 
Stratford,  Delaware,  and  Sufquehannah.  The  extent  of 
the  firft  is  through  New-Hampftiire,  Maifachufetts-Bay,  and 
this  colony  ;  navigable  to  Hartford  ;  the  fecond  to  Nor- 
v/ich  ;  the  third  to  Derby,  the  northern  parts  of  this  is 
ufually  called  Oufatannock  river  :  they  are  all  of  great 
convenience  in  point  of  comm.erce. 

V.  What  are  the  principal  harbours,  hov/  fituated,  of 

G  G.         iFo!.  vii.]  v.hat 


23-4  Queries  and  Anfwers,  reiallve  ie 

what  extent,  and  what  is  the  depth  of  water,  and  nature 
of  anchorage  each  ? 

V.  The  principal  harbours  are,  New-London,  and  New- 
Haven  :  The  former  opens  to  the  fouth  ;  from  the  light- 
houfe  at  the  mouth  of  the  harbour,  to  the  town,  is  about 
three  miles,  the  breadth  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  and  in 
fome  places  more  ;  from  five  to  fix  fathoms  water,  a 
clear  bottom,  tough  ooze,  and  as  far  up  as  one  mile 
above  the  town  entirely  fecure  and  commodious  for  large 
iliips  :  The  latter  is  fituate  north  and  fouth  ;  half  a  mile 
wide  at  the  entrance,  from  thence  to  the  town  four  m.iles  ; 
having  two  fathom  and  one  half  at  low  water,  and  three 
fathom  and  four  feet  at  common  tides,  and  very  good  an- 
choraocc. 

o 

VI.  What  is  the  conftitution  of  the  government  ? 

Vi.  The  conftitution  of  the  governm.ent,  by  royal  char- 
ter, is  a  legiflative  power  vefted  in  the  general  affembly, 
which  confills  of  the  governor,  or  in  his  abfence  the  depu- 
ty-governor, and  twelve  afliftants  (called  the  upper  houfe)  5 
and  reprefcntativcs,  not  exceeding  two  from  each  town, 
chofen  by  the  freemen  of  the  refpeclive  towns  they  repre- 
fent,  (called  the  lower  houfe.) 

No  acf  is  valid  without  the  joint  concurrence  of  both 
houfes  :  they  make  laws,  inftitute  judicatories,  appoint 
judges,  and  other  neceffary  officers,  who  are  fworn  to  a 
faithful  difcharge  of  their  truft.  A  general  affembly  is 
holden,  agreeable  to  royal  chartei%  in  May  and  October, 
annually  ;  and  at  other  times  when  called  by  the  gover- 
nor, or  in  his  abfence  the  deputy-governor,  on  any  emer- 
gency. 

VII.  What  is  the  trade  of  the  province  ?  the  number 
of  {hipping  belonging  thereto,  their  tonnage,  and  number 
of  feafaring  men,  with  their  refpec^iive  increafe  or  diminu- 
tion within  ten  years  paft  ? 

VII.  The  principal  trade  of  this  colony  is  to  the  Weft- 
India  iflands,  excepting  now  and  then  a  veffel  to  Ireland 
with  flaxfeed,  and  to  England  with  lumber  and  pot-aflies, 
and  a  few  to  Gibraltar  and  Barbary.  The  number  of 
Ihipping  is  one  hundred  and  eighty  ;  their  tonnage 
10,317  ;  feafaring  men  1162  ;  befides  upwards  of  twenty 
fail  of  coailing  veffels,  that  employ  about  ninety  ieamen  : 

The 


the  Stale  of  ConneBkut  Colony.  ^35 

The  Increafe  fince  the  year  .762,  in  number  of  Ihipping, 

Sn   and  what  is  the  annua!  amount  at  average  ? 

vill      The  quantity  of  Britifl^  manufaftures  the  mhab- 

Tlie  ffoods  and  commodities  exported  from  ner.ce  ra 
G  eat-Cain,  are  pot  and  pearl  afties,  lumber,  and  fome 
folted  provSons  •,  ^the  annual  amount  at  an  average  may 

'^i•;^'whaSrhas  the  province  under  yo-  gov-n 
ment  with  any  foreign  plantations,  or  any  1!"'  ™-''"^°j^P^ 
befides  Great-Britain  ?  How  is  that  trade  earned  on  r  What 
commodities  do  the  people  under  your  S^^^^  ^/^he 
to,  or  receive  from  foreign  plantations  ;  and  what  is  tne 
annual  amount  at  an  average  ?  ,  „  ^  ,   iTT„ft  Indies 

IX      A  trade  with  the  French  and  Dutch  Well-indies, 
Gib^ltat  and  Barbary.     Thofe  veffels  that  go  from  hence 

to  the  Fr'ench  and  Dutch  pl-'^"°"»' 'f^'^J  ^"j'Sibrftar 
flieeo  ho'Ts,  provifions  and  lumber  :  thofe  for  Gibraltar 
and  Barw!  carry  Hour,  lumber,  New-England  rum,  and 
ftores  for  muling"^;  they  receive  molaffes,  cocoa  cotton, 
and  fome  fugar  ;  from  the  Dutch  plantations  b'Us  of  ex- 
chan^^  and  from  Barbary,  mules,  fold  in  the  Weft-Indies 
foi    bills   of  exchange  :    the   annual   amount    is    about 

^■£'°  V^hat'mXdT'are  there  ufed  to  prevent , illegal 
tride  ?  and  are  the  fame  effedual  ?  ,      r      re 

X   '  A  careful  conformity  of  the  cuftom-houfe  officers 
and  "all  concerned,  to  their  duty,  which  prove  very  ef- 

^' Xl''"  What  is  the  natural  produce  of  the  country,  ftaple 
commodities,  and  manufaftures  ;  and  what  value  thereof 
in  fterling  money  may  you  annually  c'^PO"  •  , 

XI.     Its  natural  produce  is  timber  of  all  kinds,  wheat, 


2^6  Queries  and  J??fwers,  relative  to 

rye,  in^an-corn,  beans,  barley,  oats,  and  flax  :  the  ftaple 
and  SXr  ^'^  ^'^^^  P^^'^^^'  P^^^'  ^-^'  -^  P^t 
•  T^'=  ™2.n"fi=T:"r"  are  coarfe  linens  and  wooUens  done 
an  the  fami  y.vay  for  the  ufe  of  the  poorer  fort,  laboured' 
and  fervants  ;  alfo  ironmongery,  but  export  none.     The 

^:XT1:ZT'  •"•°^"^^  '-'  ~'^"'-.  '-y  be 

XII.     What  mines  are  there  ? 
W^eL.  ^^PP";,"?^^^^  i^  divers  parts,  yet  after  confidera- 

itable,  and  now  are  much  negleded^-Iron  mines  in   Lat 
plenty  m  many  places,  manufaftured  to  fome  advantage 
ym  ^'''4r^'-"  ^^^PP^^  ^^^  ^^^  inhabitants.    "^^""'"S^' 
bLicks  ?  ''  ^^^  ''''"'^^'"  ""^  ^"h^bitants,  whites  and 

XIIL     On  an  exac^l  cenfus,  the  number  of  inhabitants  : 
in   ^^^'392  ;  blacks  6,464. 
;n  7t;    i  n.^'^  '^^  inhabitants  increafed  or  decreafed  with- 
XTV      a'r.^f 'u--    K«^  "^^^h,  and  for  what  reafon  ? 
co.Z'       ir    '"f^^^^t^^^ts  are  increafed  fmce  the  year  1762, 
4d  nnmer.     ""''^'^  '^^'  '"^"'  ^^^^^  ^^^^  been  frequent 
lands  m  his  Majefty's  other  colonies  in  America  -    which 
under  the  Divine  Benediction,  we  attribute  to   ndulTrrou. 
temperate  lite,  and  early  marriage.  unous, 

wW^;     T^-^^  ''.'-^  ''''"'^''  ^^  ^^^^  ^i^^tia,  and  under 
what  regulations  is  it  conftituted  ? 

XV.     The  number  on  the  mJlitia  rolls  is  26.260.     It  is 

conftituted  under  the  regulations  provided  in   "An  ad 

tor  forming  and  regulating  the  miHtia  ;  and  for  the  en- 

"  thT?oM"">^'^^^-''^"7  ^^"'  ^^^  ^^^  ^^«-  defence  of 
this  colony/'     All  male  perfons  from  fixteen  vears  of 

lie  ?   Tf""''  'S  ""T  """^^'  ^^-P^^^^^^  --i  and'ecc  e?i- 
Aftical  oihcers,  and  others  therein  rnentioned  :    the  train- 


■L       1    .  ,  ' -..^v-^o  Lii«.icxn  ixicnuonea  :    tlie  train- 

bands  m  each  town,  to  attend  four  days  in  a  year,  for  ifl. 
ftru&on  m  m.htary  diftipline.  There' are  eighteen  ^gl 
mem  ,  wth  a  troop  ot  hovfc  to  each,  and  to  fome  tlo 
troop,  ;  eacn  regiment  to  attend  reirimental  exercifo  once 

ddTLlZh  '^'^V^'''  'P^"^  "^^^  time  Se  fol! 
diers  and  aU  houfeholders  pi-cvide  themfelvcs  « kh  arms. 


ihe  State  of  Connedictii  Colojij.  £37 

&c.     Fines  and  penalties  are  impofed  for  every  negie£l  and 
defe(5l.     It  is  no  otherwife  of  any  expenfe  to  the  colony. 

XVI.  What  forts  and  places  of  defence  are  there  with- 
in your  government  ;  and  in  what  condition  ? 

XVI.  A  fmall  battery  at  Nev/-London,  confifting  of 
nine  guns,  built  and  fupported  at  the  colony's  expenfe, 
which  is  fmalL 

XVII.  What  number  of  Indians  have  you  ;  and  how 
are  they  inclined  ? 

XVII.  There  is  thirteen  hundred  and  fixty-three  ;  ma= 
ny  of  them  dwell  in  Englifti  families,  the  reft  in  fmall  tribes 
in  various  places  :  they  are  in  peace,  good  order,  and  in- 
clined to  idlenefs. 

XVIII.  What  is  the  ftrength  of  the  neighbouring  In- 
dians ? 

X  VIII.  No  Indians  are  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  firft 
fettled  part  of  this  Colony  ;  the  Six  Nations  border  on  the 
lands  lying  weft  of  Delaware. 

XIX.  What  is  the  revenue  ariiing  within  your  govern- 
ment ;  and  how  is  it  appropriated  and  applied  ? 

XIX.  It  arifes  from  a  tax  on  polls  and  rateable  eftate, 
near  to  fix  thoufand  pounds  fterhng  :  Somewhat  more 
than  one  third  part  is  appropriated  to  the  fupport  of  fchools 
in  the  feveral  towns,  for  education  of  children  and  youth  : 
The  refidue  is  applied  for  the  fupport  of  government. 

XX.  What  are  the  ordinaiy  and  extraordinary  expenr 
fes  of  your  government  ? 

XX.  The  ordinary  annual  expenfes  are  near  four  thou- 
fand pounds  fterhng,  exclulive  of  the  fchools  :  there  hath 
|3een  no  extraordinary  expenfes  lince  the  laft  v/ar  ;  the 
burden  of  that  is  felt  to  this  day. 

XXL  What  are  the  eftablilliments,  civil  and  military, 
within  your  government  ;  and  by  what  authority  do  the 
officers  hold  their  places  ?  What  is  the  annual  value  of 
each  office,  civil  and  military  ?  How  are  they  refpeclively 
appointed,  and  who  are  the  prefent  poiTelTors  ? 

XXI.  The  civil  officers  of  the  colony,  are  ;  the  govern- 
or, deputy-governor,  and  twelve  affiftants,  annually  chofen 
in  May,  by  the  freemen  of  the  colony,  and  take  their  feve- 
ral and  refpe<5live  corporal  oaths,  according  to  our  royal 
charter  :  at  the  fam.e  time  is  chofen  and  fworn  according 

to 


23 B  (Juerks  and  Anfwers,  "iSc. 

to  law,  a  treafurer,  and  fecretary.  By  law  are  eftabliflied, 
one  fuperior  court,  whereof  is  one  chief  judge,  and  four 
other  judges  ;  which  court  is  held  in  each  county  twice  in 
a  year  :  an  inferior  or  county  court  in  each  county,  where- 
of is  one  judge,  and  two  or  more  juftices  of  the  quorum  : 
courts  of  probates  in  eighteen  diftricls,  whereof  is  one  judge 
in  each  diftridl :  juftices  of  the  peace  for  each  county, 
whereof  there  is  one  or  more  in  each  town  :  one  fheriff, 
and  one  King's  attorney  in  each  county. 

The  military  officers  eftabliflied  by  law,  are  ;  the  gover- 
nor for  the  time  being,  is  captain-general  and  commander 
in  chief  of  and  over  all  the  military  forces  within  this  colo- 
ny J  the  deputy.governor  for  the  time  being,  is  lieutenant- 
general  of  the  fame  :  one  colonel,  one  lieutenant-colonel 
and  one  major  of  each  regiment :  one  captain  of  each  train- 
band, and  troop  of  horfe,  with  fubaltern  officers. 

All  officers,  civil  and  military,  hold  their  place  by  com- 
miffion  from  the  governor.  .' 

The  governor's  falary  is  ;C'3oo  lawful  money,  per  ann.   1 

The  deputy-governor's  is  £.  i  oo. 

The  treafurer's  is  £>i^o. 

The  fecretary's  is  £.10,  with  certain  perquifites. 

Other  civil  officers  are  rewarded  for  their  fervices  ac- 
cording to  the  time  they  attend  the  fame. 

All  officers,  both  civil  and  military,  are  appointed  by 
the  governor,  council,  and  reprefentatives,  in  general 
court  aflembled. 

The  civil  officers  are  appointed  annually  in  May  ;  the 
military  officers  from  time  to  time  as  vacancies  happen. 

The  names  of  the  prefent  civil  officers,  are  as  follows^ 
viz. 

Jonathan  Trumbull,  Governor, 
,   Matthew  Griswold,  Deputy-Governor. 

Affiftants. 
Jabez  Hamlin,  Abraham  Davenport, 

Shubael   Conant,  Wilham-Samuel  Johnfon^ 

Elifha  Shelden,  Jofeph  Spencer, 

Eliphalet  Dyer,  Oliver  Wolcott, 

Jabez   Huntington,         William  Pitkin, 
Roger  Sherman,  James-Abraham  Hillhoufe,      : 

Tohn  J 


Some  Account  of  the  fevere  Droughty  1749,  239 

John  Lawrence,  Treafurer, 
George  Wyllys,  Secretary. 

The  Superior  Court. 
Mathew  Grifwold,  Chief  Judge. 
Eliphalet  Dyer,  ^ 

Roger  Sherman,         Q     .  ^ 
WiUiam  Pitkin,  ^     ^"^"^^^^ 

Samuel  Huntingt-bn,   j 

Colony  of  Connecticut. 

At  a  General  AJfembly  of  the  Governor  and  Company  of  the  Col- 
ony of  Connedicut,  holden  at  New-Haven,  on  the  fccond 
Thurfday  ofOBober^  1774. 

RESOLVED  by  this  Affembly,  that  his  Honour  the 
Governor  be,  and  he  is  hereby  delired  to  caufe  fix 
hundred  copies  of  the  queries  from  the  Secretary  of  State^ 
dated  5th  July,  1773,  and  the  anfwers  thereto,  prepared  by 
his  Honour,  and  laid  before  this  Affembly,  to  be  printed, 
and  caufe  the  fame  to  be  diftributed  to  the  feveral  towns  in 
this  colony,  in  proportion  to  their  lift  of  eftates. 

George  Wyllys,  Sec^* 


Some    Account    of    the    severe    Drought   in    1749? 
FROM  A  MS.  OF  Mr.  James  Blake,  of  Dorchester. 

"  ry-iHIS  fummer  was  the  fevereft  drought  in  this  coun- 
X  try  that  has  ever  been  known  in  the  memory  of 
the  oldeft  perfons  among  us.  It  was  a  dry  fpring  ;  and 
by  the  latter  end  of  May  the  grafs  was  burnt  up,  fo  that 
the  ground  looked  white  :  and  it  was  the  6th  day  of  July, 
before  any  rain  (to  fpeak  of)  came.  The  earth  was  dried 
like  powder  to  a  great  depth  ;  and  many  wells,  fprings, 
brooks,  and  fmall  rivers  were  dried  up,  that  were  never 
known  to  fail  before  :  and  the  fifli  in  fome  of  the  rivers 
died.  The  paftures  were  fo  fcorched,  that  there  was  noth- 
ing green  to  be  feen  ;  and  the  cattle  waxed  poor,  and  by 
their  lowing  feemed  to  call  upon  their  owners  for  relief, 

who 


^4^  Some  Account  of  the  fevete  Drought,  1749* 

who  could  not  help  them.  Although  the  dry  grafs  was 
eaten  fo  clofe,  that  there  were  but  a  few  thin  fpires  to  be 
feen,  yet  feveral  paftures  took  fire,  and  burnt  fiercely. 
My  pafture  took  fire  near  the  barn,  by  a  boy's  dropping  a 
coal  as  he  was  carrying  fire  to  the  v/ater-fide ;  and  though 
there  feemed  to  be  fo  little  grafs,  yet  what  there  was,  by 
the  ground*s  being  fo  dry,  blazed  and  flafiied  like  gun- 
powder, and  run  very  faft  along  the  ground,  and  in  one 
place  burnt  fome  fence  :  and  we  were  forced  to  v/ork 
hard  to  keep  it  from  the  barn,  and  to  extinguilh  it  ;  hav- 
ing the  help  of  fundry  men  that  happened  to  be  here.  It 
fpread  over  about  half  an  acre  of  ground  before  we  could 
ftop  it  ;  and  where  there  were  lumps  of  cow-dung,  it 
would  burn  till  the  whole  lump  was  confumed,  and  burn 
a  hole  in  the  ground  ;  and  we  were  obliged  to  ufe  much 
water  to  quench  it. 

"  There  was  a  great  fcarcity  of  hay,  being  but  a  very 
little  cut  of  the  firft  crop  ;  and  falt-marfh  failed  nearly  as 
much  as  the  Englifh  meadow.  Englilh  hay  was  then  fold 
for  £.1^  and  ^T.^-io,  old  tenor,  per  hundred.  Barley  and 
oats  were  fo  pinched,  that  many  had  not  much  more  than 
their  feed  again  ;  and  many  cut  down  their  grain,  before 
it  was  ripe,  for  fodder.  Flax  almoft  wholly  failed,  as  alfo 
garden  herbs  of  all  forts  ;  and  the  Indian  corn  rolled  up 
and  wilted.  And  there  was  a  melancholy  profpect  of  the 
greateft  dearth  that  ever  was  known  in  this  land. 

"  In  the  time  of  our  fears  and  diftrefs,  Xht  government 
ordered  a  day  of  public  fafting  and  prayer  :  and  God  was 
gracioufly  pleafed  to  hear  and  anfwer  our  petitions  in  a 
very  remarkable  manner  :  for,  about  the  6th  of  July,  the 
courfe  of  the  weather  altered,  and  there  came  fuch  feafon- 
able  and  plentiful  rains,  as  quite  changed  the  face  of  the 
earth  ;  and  that  grafs  which  we  generally  concluded  was 
wholly  dead,  and  could  not  come  again  under  feveral 
years,  was  revived,  and  there  M'as  a  good  fecond  crop  of 
mowing,  it  looking  more  like  the  fpring  than  the  latter 
part  of  the  year  :  and  the  Indian  corn  recovered,  and  there 
was  a  very  good  harveft. 

"  And  whereas  it  was  thought,  in  the  fall  of  the  year, 
that  a  multitude  of  cattle  muft  die  for  want  of  food,  info- 
much  that  they  fent  and  fetched  hay  from  England  ;   yet 

God 


Bill  agalnfi  Mary  Ofgood.    ■  241 

God  in  his  providence  ordered  us  a  moderate  winter,  and 
we  were  carried  comfortably  through  it,  and  I  did  not 
hear  of  many,  if  any,  cattle  that  died.  But  by  rcafon  of  fo 
many  cattle  having  been  killed  off  laft  fall,  beef,  mutton, 
and  butter  are  now,  in  May,  1750,  very  dear.  Butter  is 
yfd  old  tenor  pr.  lb. 

, "  Upon  the  coming  of  the  rains,  and  renewing  of  the 
earth,  laft  fall,  the  government  appointed  a  day  of  public 
thankfgiving. 

"  [This  fummer,  June  i8th  was  faid  to  be  the  hotteft 
day  that  was  ever  known  in  the  northerly  part  of 
America.]'' 


Grand  Jury's  Bill  against  Mary  Osgood. 

Province  of  the  Majfachufetts-Bay,  7  Anno  R.  'iy  Regina  Gu- 
in   Neza  England.      EJfcx,  JT.      3       liebni  et  Mari(Z  An- 

glice,  lyc.  Quarto. 

Anncq.  Dcjnini  1692. 

THE  jurors  for  our  fovereign  lord  and  lady,  the  King 
and  Queen,  prefent,  that  Mary  Ofgood,  v/ife  of  Capt. 
John  Ofgood,  of  Andover,  in  the  county  of  EfTex,  about 
eleven  years  ago,  in  the  town  of  Andover  aforefald,  wick- 
edly, malicioufly,  and  felonioufly,  a  covenant  v/ith  the 
Devil  did  make,  and  figned  the  Devil's  Book,  and  took 
the  Devil  to  be  her  God,  and  confented  to  ferve  and  wor- 
fhip  him,  and  was  baptized  by  the  Devil,  and  renounced 
her  former  Chriftian  baptifm,  and  promifed  to  be  the 
Devil's,  both  body  and  foul  forever,  and  to  ferve  him  ;  by 
which  diabolical  covenant,  by  her  made  with  the  Devil, 
fhe  the  faid  Mary  Ofgood  is  become  a  deteftable  Witch, 
againft  the  peace  of  our  fovereign  lord  and  lady,  the  King 
and  Queen,  their  crown  and  dignity,  and  the  laws  in  that 
cafe  made  and  provided. 

Billa  vera.       Robert  Face,  Foreman. 
Po?iitfc.     Non  cul  :— found. 

IT  H  {Vol.  vH.] 

Biographical 


^4!^  Defcr'iption  of  the  JJles  of  Shoals. 

Biographical    Notice    of    the    Rev.    James    Ngyes, 

FIRST    MINIST^ER    OF    NeWBURY. 

REVEREND  James  Noyes  vv'as  born  in  England,  at 
Choulderton,  in  Wiltfhire,  in  the  year  1608.  His 
father  was  a  minifter  of  that  town  :  Elis  mother  a  filler  of 
the  Rev.  Robert  Parker. 

He  had  his  education,  chiefly,  under  Mr.  Thomas  Par- 
ker, the  ion  of  Robert.  By  him  he  was  invited  from 
Brazen-nofe  college,  in  Oxford,  to  affift  in  the  care  and 
charge  of  the  public  fchool  at  Newbury  ;  and  which  they 
kept  together  until  they  came  into  New-England,  in  1634. 

Soon  afterwards  they  began  a  fettlement,  to  which  they 
gave  the  name  of  Newbury  ;  gathered  a  church,  and  Mr. 
Parker  became  the  paftor,  and  Mr.  Noyes  the  teacher.  In 
this  ftation,  Mr.  Noyes  continued  for  fomething  more  than 
twenty  years. 

His  licknefs  was  long  and  tedious,  which  he  bore  with 
patience,  and  even  cheerfulnefs,  and  died  Odober  2  2d, 
1656,  in  the  48th  year  of  his  age.  He  left  fix  fons  and  two 
daughters,  all  of  whom  lived  to  be  married.  Two  of  his 
fons,  James  and  Mofes,  were  educated  at  Harvard  college  j 
commenced  in  1659,  and  were  fettled  in  the  miniftry  in 
Connecticut. 

James  was  paftor  of  a  church  in  Stonington,  and  died 
December  30th,  in  the  year  1719,  in  the  Sift  year  of  his 
age,  and  56th  of  his  miniftry. 

Mofes  was  paftor  of  a  church  in  Lyme.  He  died  Nov. 
loth,  1729,  in  the  86th  year  of  his  age,  after  having  refid- 
ed  with  his  people  60  years. 


A  Description    and    Historical    Account    of    the 
Isles  of  Shoals. 

e  -1    ^  i  ^HERE  are  eizht  Iflands  in  the  cluf- 

SiTUATION.  I        ^        ,1     ,  t  "^  ^1  •  01 

-•  A  ter  that  bears  this  name,  compactly 
lituated,  viz.  Hog  Ifland,  of  about  350  acres  ;  Star  Ifland, 
of  about  150  acres  -,  Halc/s,  or  Smutty-Nofe\i[2.nd,  of  about 
100  acres.     Thefe  are  the  principal,  and  the  only  ones  that 

are 


De/cription  of  the  Ijles  of  Shoals,  243 

are  habitable.     The  others  are  Cedar,  White,  Londonner(s, 
Malaga,  and  Duck  Jflands  ;    the  largeft  of  which  contains 
about^  eight  acres,  the  fmalleft  one  acre       They  he  nme 
miles  S.  E.  of Portlmouth  Ught-houfe,  (N.  H.)  and  ^i  N  E 
of  the  h2;ht-houfes  at  Newburyport.     N.  Lat.  42  •  59  •  W  • 
Long,  from  London,  70°-  30'.     The  line,  which  dmdes 
New-Hampfliire  from  Maine,  paffes  between  thefe  iflands 
leaving  Halefs,  Ho^,  Duck,  Cedar  -^^  f .%.  lAes,  on  the 
N    E    in  Maine  ;  and  the  others  on  the  S.  AV.  in  New- 
Hampftiire.*     Some  have  entertained  the  idea    that  thele 
iflands,  at  fome  former  period,  joined  to  fome  of  the  point, 
or  bl-uffs,  that  projed  from  the  main,  near  Hampton.    The 
Rev.  Mr.  Tuck  was  of  this  opinion.! 

DiscovERY.l  Thefe  iflands  were  difcovered  by  the  cel- 
ebrated Capt.  John  Smith,  in  16 14,  and  by  him  named 
Smitl/s  T/les.  For  reafons  unknown  to  the  writer,  they 
fto  tly  after  obtained  their  prefent  name  The  deed  given 
by  thi  Indian  fagamores  to  John  Wheelright  -nd  others, 
in  1629,  includes  "  the  IJles  f  Shoals,  fo  called  by  the  Eng- 

''  Harbour.]  The  only  fecure  harbour  in  thefe  iflands 
is  Haley's,  which  opens  to  the  S.  W.  having  Haley^ifland 
S  E  Mahga  N.  W.  a  waU,  built  by  Mr.  Haley  between 
70  akd  80  laces  in  length,  on  the  N.  E.  This  little  well 
ftieltered  harbour  is  of  great  importance,  not  only  to  the 
fShermen  of  thefe  iflands,  but  to  merchant  velfels  coming 
on  his  coaft,  who,  not  infrequently,  have  been  obliged  to 
put  into  the  Shoals,  in  diftrefs.  Many  lives  and  much 
property  have  been  faved  by  means  of  this  harbour  and  the 
llZylnd  humane  exertions  of  thefe  hardy  iflanders. 
The  wafl,  which  fecures  this  harbour,  is  m  a  ftate  of  decay. 
The  enterpriflno;  proprietor  is  unable  to  make  the  neceflkry 
repairs.     The  fccurity  and  enlargement  of  this  harbour  ^is 

-Tl^TG^ernor  Went;^^^^^h^comml{rion"^f  1764,  the  boundanes  of 
New-HampCe  are  defcrlbed  in  part  as  follows  :  "  A^^  by  a  d.v.ding 
Kne  partTn-  the  //..  of  Shoals,  and  running  through  the  middle  of  the 
hario^ur  b  fween  the  faid  iflands  to  the  fea,  on  the  fouth-eafterly  fide, 
Ae  fouth-v4ftcrly  part  of  faid  Iflands,  to  be  accounted  part  of  our  pio- 
J^^cfof  New-HaVpfhire."  The  above  Ime  -eets  the  /outh  hue  of 
New-Hampfliire,  at  a  point  a  few  miles  eaftward  of  the  Shoals, 
-j-  MS.  Letter  of  Judge  Sewall  to  the  author. 
±  See  Belknap's  Hiftory,  vol.  I.  Ap.  p.  2. 


244  Defcriptiofi  of  the  IJJes  of  Shoals. 

an  objed  which  deferves  the  attention  of  the  public.  Thefe 
iflands  are  conveniently  fit,uated  for  the  fmuggling  trade  ; 
and  unlefs  fome  meafures  be  taken  by  the  government  of 
the  United  States,  to  prevent  it,  by  eftablifhing  a  free  port 
here,  or  making  it  a  place  of  ftrength,  it  may  be  ufed  for 
that  piirpofe.t 

Face  of  the  Islands,  &c.]  Thefe  iflands  have  a  drea- 
ry and  inhofpitable  appearance,  and  but  for  their  advanta- 
geous fituation  for  carrying  on  the  fiflieries,  would  proba- 
bly never  have  been  inhabited.  They  are  a  bed  of  rocks, 
railing  their  disjointed  heads  above  the  water.  The  great- 
er part  of  their  furface  is  covered  with  a  thin  foil,  yielding 
grafs  fumcient  to  fupport,  during  the  fummer  and  autumn, 
tv/enty  or  thirty  cov/s,  and  about  150  ffieep.  The  flieep 
raifed  here  are  ufually  killed  before  v/inter.  Nearly  half 
the  fward,  on  Star  Ifland,  has,  within  a  few  years,  been  cut 
up  by  the  nepefhtous  inhabitants,  dried  and  burnt,  inftead 
of  more  folidfuel. 

.  Upon  all  the  iflands  there  are  chafms  in  the  rocks,  feve- 
ral  yards  wide,  and  from  one  to  ten  deep,  occafioned,  if  we 
mayjudge  from  appearances,  by  fome  violent  earthquake. 
In  fome  places,  acres  of  rock  are  broken  off  from  the  reft  of 
the  ifland  ;  and  through  the  cracks  or  guts,  the  water,  at 
high  tides  and  in  ftorm.s,  ruflies  in  torrents.  The  moft 
remarkable  of  thefe  chafms  is  on  the  S.  E.  point  of  Star 
ifland,  in  v/hich  is  a  place,  where,  tradition  fays,  one  Betty 
Moody  fecreted  herfelf  when  the  Indians  vifited  the  ifland, 
and  carried  off  many  female  captives,  and  thence  called,  to 
thi3  day,  "  Betty  Moody's  bole"  Others  lay  flie  was  drown^ 
ed  here. 

Climate.]  The  worthy  Mr.  Tuck  ufed  to  fay,  that, 
in  the  winter  feafon,  the  weather  at  the  Shoals  was  "  a 
thin  under  waiftcoat  warmer,  than  in  the  fame  parallel  of 
latitude  on  the  main."  About  a  century  ago,  the  ice  ex- 
tended from  Star  to  Hog  ifland.  In  January,  1 697,  the  men 
v/ere  obliged  to  cut  the  ice,  in  order  to  get  their  Ihallops 

into 

t  In  1766,  the  town  cf  Gofport  (Star  Ifland)  voted  to  petition  the 
General  Court  of  New-Hannpfhire  for  a  lottery  to  build  a  pier  in  the 
cove  before  the  town.*  What  became  of  this  petition  is  not  known. 
A  pier  was  afterwards  begun,  but  never  finifhed.  It  is  a  work  much 
ivanted  in  that  place.  *  Town  Records. 


Defcripiion  cf  the  IJlcs  of  Shoals,  245 

into  the  cove.*  As  will  eafily  be  fuppofed,  the  weather  is 
very  bleak  here  in  winter,  but  it  is  delightfully  cool  and 
falubrious  in  fummer,  and  at  all  feafons  very  healthful. 
Amidft  all  the  expofures  necelTary  to  their  occupation,  the 
inhabitants  have  feldom  need  of  a  phyfician  ;  and  no  one 
of  this  profeflion  has  hved  on  the  ifland  for  more  than 
twenty  years.f  The  inhabitants  are  not  remarkable  for 
longevity.  A  confiderable  number  periffi  at  fea.  "  In 
1632,  a  filhing  ihallop  at  the  Ifle  of  Shoals  was  overfet."{ 
Many  boats  and  men  were  deftroyed  by  a  violent  N.  E. 
ftorm  in  February,  1695  ;  and  the  year  following,  fix  or 
feven  boats  were  taken  by  the  French.  §  In  the  winter  of 
1 80 1,  a  fifhing  fchooner,  with  all  her  hands,  was  loft  in 
the  fame  way.  Such  accidents  have  very  frequently  hap- 
pened to  the  inhabitants  of  thefe  ifles  ;  but  we  have  not 
dates  or  particulars  of  thefe  events. 

Productions.]  Thefe  iflands  lie  in  common,  except  a 
^  few  fmall  inclofures  for  gardens  and  mowing  ground  ;  the 
former  yielding  to  their  proprietors  a  fcanty  fupply  of 
'  roots,  and  other  garden  ftufF  for  fum.mcr  ;  the  latter  from 
about  three  to  fix  tons  of  hay.||  A  few  willows  and  lom- 
bardy  poplars,  planted  by  the  inhabitants,  are  the  only 
i  trees  on  thefe  iflands.  Whortle-berries,  choak-plums,  and 
1  a  few  cranberries,  are  found  on  Hog  and  Haley's  ifles. 
'  Water.]  There  are  no  frefh-water  ftreams  on  thefe 
:  iflands,  and  but  one  perennial  fpring,  which  is  on  Hog  ifl- 
and.^ The  wells,  which  are  rare,  are  none  of  them  more 
than  twelve  feet  deep,  generally  lefs.     The  clouds  furniih 

the 

*    Kelley's  Journal  MS. 

f  The  phyficians  of  Portfmouth  have  ufually  attended  the  fick  on 
thefe  ifles. 

:j;  Winthrop's  Journal,  p.  37. 

§   Kelley's  Journal. 

11  A  woman,  by  the  name  of  Pufley,  died  on  Star  ifland  about  the 
'  year  1795,  nearly  90  years  old.  In  lier  life  time  flie  kept  two  cows. 
'The  hay,  on  which  they  fed  in  winter,  fhe  ufed  to  cut  in  fummer, 
i  among  the  rocks,  with  a  knife,  with  her  own  hands.  She  ufually  col- 
ledted'^in  this  way  about  half  a  ton.  Her  cows,  it  was  remarked,  were 
always  in  excellent  order.  They  were  taken  from  her,  and  paid  for,  by 
'  the  Britifli,  about  the  year  1775,  and  killed,  to  the  no  fmall  grief  of  the 
I  good  old  woman.  The  beef  was  pronounced  to  be  of  the  very  beft 
■  kind. 

«T  See  the  petition  of  Cutts,  &c.  under  another  head. 


246  Defcripthn  of  the  IJles  of  Shoals. 

the  inhabitants  with  the  greater  part  of  their  water  for 
domeftic  ufes. 

Fort.]  On  the  weft  point  of  Star  ifland,  on  an  emi- 
nence, are  the  ruins  of  a  fmall  fort,  which  was  defended 
formerly  by  nine  cannon,  four-poimders.  This  fort  was 
difmantled  at  the  commencement  of  the  late  war,  and 
the  cannon  carried  to  Newburyport. 

Population.]  For  more  than  a  century  previous  to 
the  American  revolutionary  war,  thefe  iflands,  conlidering 
their  fize  and  fituation,  were  populous,  containing  from 
three  to  fix  hundred  fouls.  On  Hog  ifland,  which  is  now 
without  an  inhabitant,  there  were  between  twenty  and 
thirty  families,  who,  in  general,  were  good  livers.  In  fo 
profperous  a  ftate  were  thefe  iflands  formerly,  that  gentle- 
men, from  fome  of  the  principal  towns  on  the  fea  coaft, 
fent  their  fons  here  for  literary  inftruclion.  They  had  a 
eourt-houfe  on  Haley's  ifland  ;  a  meeting-houfe,  firft  on 
Hog  ifland,  and  afterwards  on  Star  ifland.  This  ifland, 
under  the  jurifdiction  of  New-Hampfliire,  was  ereded  in- 
to a  town,  by  the  name  of  Gofport,\  (at  fome  former  peri- 
od called  Appledore)^  which  was  organized  with  the  proper 
oflicers,  and  its  political  concerns  managed  with  great 
propriety.  But  it  was  found  tliat  thefe  iflands  afforded 
fufl;enance,  and  recruits,  to  the  enemy,  early  in  the  war  ; 
in  confequence,  the  inhabitants  were  ordered  to  quit  the 
iflands.  In  obedience  to  government,  the  greater  part  of 
the  people  difperfed  into  the  feaport  towns  along  the  coaft, 
and  moft  of  them  never  after  returned.  About  twenty 
families  removed  to  Old- York,  where  their  defcendants 
now  live.  The  few  who  remained,  four  or  five  families 
excepted,  have  been  a  miferable  fet  of  beings,  extremely 
poor,  dirty,  and  wicked.  In  the  autumn  of  1800,  there 
v/ere  but  eighteen  families  on  all  thefe  iflands,  fifteen  on 
Star,  and  three  on  Haley's  ifland,  containing  in  aU  112 
fouls.  Thefe  iflands,  being  probably  the  beft  fituation  for 
carry ii-g  on  the  fiflieries  in  America,  if  the  patronage  of 
government  could  be  extended  to  them,  and  a  few  men 
of  capital,  induftry  and  integrity  were  to  eftabiifti  them- 
felves  here,  might  furnifli  employm.ent,  fupport,  and  even 

affluence, 

t  In  1728,  Go/port  paid  into  the  treafury  of  New-Haxnplliire 
_^.i6--oo--4,  a:i  her  proportion  of  a  tax  of  ;^.IOQO. 


Defcnptlon  of  the  IJles  of  Shoals.  247 

affluence,  to  600,  or  even  1 000  people  ;    and  be  an  excel- 
lent nurfery  for  feamen  to  man  our  infant  navy. 

Present  state  of  these  Islands.]  At  the  clofe  of 
the  year  1800,  there  were,  on  Haley's  iiland,  three  decent 
dweUing-houfes,  occupied  by  Mr.  Haley,  an  ingenious  and 
refpedable  old  gentleman,  of  feventy-fix,  and  his  two 
fons,  with  their  families.  In  thefe  three  famihes  were 
twenty  fouls.  Mr.  Haley  has  expended  a  handfome  for- 
tune in  erecting  the  expenfive  wall  before  mentioned, 
wharves,  and  other  ufeful  works.  Among  thefe  are  a 
wind-mill,  rope-walk,  270  feet  long,  falt-works,  erected 
before  -the  war,  a  bake-houfe,  brewery,  diftillery,  built  in 
1783,  and  a  blackfmith's  and  cooper's  fliop.  Thefe  works, 
in  confequence  of  the  unprofperous  ftate  of  thefe  iilands, 
are  all  going  to  decay. 

On  Star  iiland,  are  eleven  dwclling-boufes,  if  they  may 
be  fo  called.  Four  excepted,  they  appear  to  be,  of  all  a- 
bodes  of  human  beings,  the  moft  loathfome.  In  the  fall 
of  1800,  by  the  hand  of  charity,  they  received  fome  flight 
repairs.  Interfperfed  among  thefe,  are  ten  other  buildings 
for  curing  and  ftoring  filli. 

Fisheries.]  Before  the  war,  when  the  iflands  were  in 
a  fiouriftiing  Hate,  there  were  annually  caught  here,  and 
cured  for  the  market,  from  three  to  four  thoufand  quintak 
of  fifh.  At  that  time,  feven  or  eight  fchooners,  befides 
boats,  were  employed  in  this  bufmels  ;  and  fome  ufed  to 
extend  their  fiihing  voyages  to  the  banks  of  Newfound- 
land. 

About  the  year  1730,  and  afterwards,  the  fi&eries  on 
thefe  iflands  increafed  to  that  degree,  that  three  or  four 
fliips  ufed  to  load  here,  annually,  with  winter  and  fpring 
merchantable  fifli,  for  Bilboa,  in  Spain,  and  fmaller  vefiels 
for  other  places.  Belides,  a  large  quantity  of  cod  and 
fcale  fifli  were  carried  to  Portfmouth,  for  the  Weft-India 
market.* 

The  ufual  drink  of  the  fifliermen,  at  that  period,  was  a 
liquor  which  they  called  bounce,  compofed  of  two  thirds 
fpruce  beer  and  one  third  tvine.  But,  in  a  courfe  of  years, 
they  gradually  left  off"  the  ufe  of  this  wholefome  drink, 
and  fubftituted  in  its  place,  ardent  fpirits,  which  has  been 

a  principal 

*  MS.  letter  from  C.  Chauncey,  Efq. 


548  Defcr'iption  of  the  IJles  of  Shoals* 

a  principal  mean  of  the  lamentable  degeneracy  of  thefc 
people.! 

Whale-boats,  only,  are  now  employed  in  this  lifliei'y. 
In  the  autumn  of  1800,  13  boats,  10  owned  on  Star,  and 
three  on  Haley's  ifland,  belonged  to  thefe  illanders.  From 
a  thoufand  to  fifteen  hundred  quintals  of  lifh  are  caught 
here  annually  ;  from  100  to  250  quintals  of  which  are  what 
is  called  ^winter  or  dumb  fjh.  In  the  winter  and  fpring  of 
1800,  when  bait  was  plenty,  and  the  leafon  favourable, 
about  300  quintals  of  winter  fiih  were  taken  ;  in  1788, 
when  bait  was  fcarce,  and  the  feafon  bad,  only  thirty-five 
quintals  were  caught. 

The  winter  or  dumb  nfii  are  thought,  by  the  frUiermen, 
to  be  a  "  fairer,  larger,  and  thicker  iiih,"  than  thofe  caught 
in  the  fame  places  in  fummer.  This  difTerence  may  pro- 
bably be  fatisfactorily  accounted  for,  from  the  dificrence 
in  the  feafon  of  the  year.  The  winter  and  fummer  lifli 
are  doubtlefs  of  the  fame  fpecics.  They  are  cured  alfo  in 
the  fame  manner,  except  that  the  form.er,  on  account  of 
the  coldnefs  of  the  weather,  require  lefs  fait.  The  trouble 
of  taking  and  curing  the  winter  fifli  is  much  greater  than 
of  the  fummer,  becaufe  the  days  a:c  fliorter,  and  the  fea- 
fon unfavourable  for  drying  them.  The  hardfiiips  endur- 
ed in  taking  the  winter  fifh  are  incon-ceivable  by  all  but 
eye  witnefTes.  In  fummer,  the  fifliing  is  carried  on  chiefly 
in  the  night. 

The  following  is  the  procefs  of  making  the  fifh. 

The  fifh,  in  the  lirft  place,  are  thrown  from  the  boats 
in  piles  on  the  fhore.  The  cutter  then  takes  them  and  cuts 
their  throats,  and  rips  open  their  bellies.  In  this  flate  he 
hands  them  to  the  header^  who  takes  out  the  entrails,  (de- 
taching the  livers,  vv'hich  are  preferved  for  the  fake  of  the 
oil  they  contain)  and  breaks  off  their  heads.  The  fplitier 
then  takes  out  the  back-bone,  and  fplits  them  completely 
open,  and  hands  them  to  the  falter,  who  ialts  and  piles 
them  in  bulk,  where  they  He  from  ten  to  twenty  hours, 
as  is  moft  convenient.  The  fhoremen  and  the  M'omen 
then  wafh  and  fpread  them  on  the  flakes.  Here  they  re- 
main three  or  four  weeks,  according  to  the  weather  ;  dur- 
ing which  time  they  are  often  turned,  piled  in  faggots, 

and 

t  MS.  letter  from  C.  Chauneey,  Eiq.        '         " 


Defcrtption  of  the  IJles  of  Shoals.  249 

and  then  fpread  again,  tiU  they  are  completely  cured  for 

the  market.  r      .         ^ 

The  winter  or  dumb  fifti  lie  from  ten  to  fourteen  days 
in  fait,  and  are  very  carefully  dried,  and  fecured  in  bad 
weather.  The  feafon  for  catching  and  curmg  thele  hlh  is 
from  February  to  May,  as  the  weather  will  allow. 

The  haddock  and  hake  (there  is  a  great  refemblancc 
between  thefe  fifhes)  are  caught  in  fummer  and  tall,  dur- 
ing the  nio;ht.  They  lie  in  pickle  from  twelve  to  thirty- 
lix  hours,  and  then  are  dryfalted;  after  which  they  are 
fpread  upon  the  flakes  ;  and  in  good  weather,  their  cure 
is  completed  in  a  week.  ^      1     1  t 

The  fifli  of  all  kinds,  made  on  thefe  illands,  have  the 
preference  in  market,  and  command  a  higher  price.  ^  Ihe 
dumb  filh  is  confumed  chiefly  in  New-England,  and  is  con- 
fidered,  by  connoifl'eurs  in  fifl^  the  befl:  in  the  world.  Its 
price  is  from  fix  to  ten  dollars  a  quintal. 

The  hake  is  ihipped  to  the  Weft-Indies,  to  Spam,  &c. 
The  price  at  the  Shoals  is  commonly  about  izuo  dollars  a 
quintal.  The  fpring  lilh,  which  is  next  in  quahty  to  the 
dumb  fifli,  is  ufuallv  fent  to  Madeira.  The  lummer  cod- 
fifli,  called  Jamaica  fifti,  which  goes  to  the  Weft-Indies,  is 
about  three  doHars  a  quintal. 

From  the  year  1754,  to  1771,  it  appears  Irom  the  le- 
cords,  that  the  falary  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Tucke  was  paid  him 
in  merchantable  winter  fifti,  a  quintal  a  man.  ihere  were 
from  eighty  to  a  hundred  men  then  on  thefe  iflands  ;  and 
a  quintal  of  fifii  was  eftimated  at  a  guinea.  His  ialary 
was  confidered,  in  his  fituation,  as  one  of  the  mo.t  valu- 
able, at  that  time,  in  New-England. 

Miscellanies,  historical  and  humorous.J  ^  Mi% 
William  Pepperell,  and  a  Mr.  Gibbons,  from  Topfliarn,  m  the 
weft  of  England,  two  refpedable  gentlemen,  were  among 
the  firft  fettlers  at  the  Shoals.  For  a  year  or  two  they  car- 
ried on  the  fiftieries  in  this  place.  They  foon  found  it  too 
limited  for  their  views,  and  concluded  to  remove  to  lome 
part  of  the  main.  To  determine  them  whither  they  ihould 
go,  they  fet  up  each  a  ftick,  and  left  them  to  fall  as  Provi^ 
dence  fliould  dired.  Pepper clH  fell  N.  W.  Gibhon^^i^  to- 
wards  the  N.  E.  Each  pureed,  wlch  enthufiafm,  the 
courfe  his  ftick  pointed  him  ;    and  the  former  exlaoluhed 

I  I  IVcl  vii.]  1^^^^^^^^ 


250  Defer iptlon  of  the  Ifles  of  Shoals. 

himfelf  at  the  mouth  o£  Pifcataway  river  ;  the  latter  is  faid 
to  have  obtained  a  grant  of  the  traft,  lince  called  the  Waldo 
Patent* 

The  following  curious  petition,  &c.  with  the  annexed 
remarks,  v/ere  handed  to  the  writer  of  the  foregoing,  by 
the  Hon.  David  Sewall,  Efq.  of  York. 

"  The  humble  petition  of  Richard  Cutt  and Cuttings  fncuj- 

etb.  That  John  Renolds,  contrary  to  an  ad  in  court,  that  no 
'ivo?nenfjc7il  U-ve  upon  the  Ifle  of  Shoals,  hath  brought  his  wife 
thither,  with  an  intention  there  to  live  and  abide  ;  and 
hath  alto  brought  upon  Hog  liland,  a  great  ftock  of  goats 
and  hogs,  which  doth  not  only  fpoile  and  deilroy  much  fjfh, 
to  the  great  damage  of  fcveral  others,  and  like  wife  m.any 
of  your  petitioners  ;  but  alfo  doth  fpoile  the  fpring  of  ivater 
that  is  on  that  iiland,  by  making  it  unfit  or  ferviceable  for 
any  manner  of  ufe,  ivhich  is  the  only  relief  and  fiifenance  of  all 
the  refi  of  the  ifiands.  Your  petitioners,  therefore,  pray  that 
the  faid  Ren  olds  may  be  ordered  to  remove  his  faid  goats 
and  fwine  from  the  iflands  forthwith.  Alfo  that  the  ad  of 
court,  before  mentioned,  may  be  put  in  execution,  to  the 
removal  of  all  women  from  inhabiting  there  ;  and  your  peti- 
tioners ihall  pray,  &c.** 

Order  of  Court  on  the  abo-ve. 
"  Whereas,  by  the  abovementioned  requeft,  the  general 
complaint  of  the  chief  of  the  filhermen,  and  others,  of  the 
Ilie  of  Shoals,  that  it  is  a  great  annoyance  and  prejudice 
for  Mr.  John  Renolds  to  keep  his  fwine  and  goats  at  the 
Ifle  of  Shoals  ;  it  is  by  mutual  confent  of  this  court  order- 
ed, that  Mr.  Renolds  fliall,  within  twenty  days,  remove 
his  fwine  and  goats,  that  he  hath  at  Hog  Ifland,  from 
thence,  or  any  of  thofe  iflands,  that  are  inhabited  with  fifli- 
ermen.  And  as  for  the  removal  of  his  wife,  it  is  thought  lit, 
if  no  further  complaint  come  againfl;  her,yZ;(?  may  as  yet  en- 
joy the  company  of  her  hufoand.    Dated  the  20th  of  Od.  1 647." 

Why  a  refolve  or  ordinance  fliould  have  been  made  to 
prevent  the  refidence  of  women  at  the  Shoals,  is  left  to  con- 
jedure.  That  there  was,  in  fad,  fuch  a  refolve,  (although 
it  is  not  to  be  found  on  record,)  feems  to  be  recognized 
by  the  court,  in  their  order  on  Cutt  and  Cutting's  petition 
*  MS.  letter  from  C  Chauncey,  Efq,  againll 


Dcfcripticn  of  the  IJks  of  Shoals.  251 

againft  Renolds.  Perhaps  fome  women  of  Icofe  morais  had 
occafionaily  gone  thither,  and  difturbed  the  inhabitants  ; 
a  reprefentation  of  which  to  the  legifliture  (who,  concerned 
for  the  morals  of  the  people,  appear  to  have  exercifed  fome 
extraordinary  powers  on  certain  occafions)  may  have  in- 
duced them  to  pafs  fuch  a  refolve.  On  the  records  of 
Maine,  is  a  precept  from  the  court  to  a  conflable  of  Saco, 
to  forbid  a  certain  man,  w^ho  was  reported  to  be  a  m.arried 
man,  and  to  have  left  his  wife  in  England,  from  paying  his 
addreffes  to  a  widow  woman,  or  even  to  go  into  her  com- 
pany ;  and  upon  his  perfifting,  after  fuch  notice,  to  carry 
him  before  a  magiilrate,  to  give  bonds  to  comply  with  the 

order.  r     1    1    ' 

While  Mr.  Brock  refided  at  the  Shoals,  he  perfuaded  tlie 
people  to  enter  into  an  agreement,  that,  befides  the  Lord*s- 
day,  they  would  fpend  one  day  in  every  month  together, 
in  the  worlhip  of  God.  On  a  certain  day,  which,  by  then- 
agreement,  was  to  be  devoted  to  the  exercifes  of  religion, 
the  fifliermen  came  to  Mr.  Brock,  and  requefted  that  they 
might  put  by  their  meeting  that  day,  and  go  a  fifhmg,  be- 
caufe  they  had  loft  many  days  by  the  foulnefs  of  the  wea- 
ther. He  pointed  out  to  them  the  impropriety^  of  their 
requeft,  and  endeavoured  to  convince  them  that  it  would 
be  far  better  for  them  to  ftay  at  home  and  worftiip  God, 
according  to  their  agreement,  than  to  go  a  fiflimg.  Not- 
withftanding  his  remonftrances,  however,  five  only  con- 
fented  to  ftay  at  home,  and  thirty  determined  to  go.  Up- 
on this,  Mr.  Brock  addreffed  them  thus :  "  As  for  you, 
"  who  are  determined  to  neglecT:  your  duty  to  God,  and 
"  go  a  fiftiing,  I  fay  unto  you,  catch  Jijh  f  you  can.  But  as  for 
«  you,  who  will  tarry  and  worfhip  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift, 
"  I  will  pray  unto  him  for  you,  that  you  may  catch  fijh  till 
"  you  are  weary^  Accordingly  the  thirty  who  v^^ent  from  the 
meeting,  with  all  their  IkiU,  caught,  through  the  whole 
day,  hut  four  fifties  ;  while  the  five,  who  tarried  and  atten- 
ded divine  fervice,  afterwards  went  out  and  caught  jive 
hundred.*  . 

"  A  fiflierman,  who  had  with  his  boat  been  very  help- 

ful 

*  This  ftory  is  related  from  Mather's  Magnalia,  as  «  credibly  attefl- 
ed,"  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fitch,  of  Portfmouth,  in  a  fermon  preached  at 
the  ordination  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Tucke,  July  26,  1732- 


2^2  Defcriptkn  of  the  JJles  of  Shoals. 

ful  to  carry  people  over  a  river  for  the  worfhip  of  God, 
on  the  Lord's-day,  in  the  Ifles  of  Shoals,  loft  his  boat  in  a 
ftorm.  The  poor  man  lamented  his  lofs  to  Mr.  Brock, 
who  told  him,  "  Go  home,  honeft  man,  I  will  mention  the 
matter  to  the  Lord  ;  you  will  have  your  boat  againft  to- 
morrow.'* Mr.  B.  now  conlidering  of  what  confequence 
this  matter,  that  feemed  fo  fmall  otherwife,  might  be  a- 
mong  the  untraclable  fiihermen,  made  the  bonf  an  article 
of  his  prayers  ;  and  behold,  on  the  morrow,  the  poor 
man  came  to  him  rejoicing  that  his  boat  was  found  ;  the 
anchor  of  another  vefl'el,  that  was  undelignedly  caft  upon 
it,  having  ftrangely  brought  it  up,  from  the  unknown 
bottom,  where  it  had  been  funk."  * 

During  the  miniftry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Moody  at  the 
Shoals,  one  of  the  fifhing  ihallops,  with  all  hands  on 
board,  was  loft  in  a  N.  E.  ftorm  in  Ipfwich  bay.  Mr. 
Moody,  anxious  to  improve  this  melanchoUy  event,  for 
the  awakening  of  thofe  of  his  hearers,  who  were  expofed 
to  the  like  difafter,  addreffed  them  in  the  following  lan- 
guage, adapted  to  their  occupation  and  underftanding  : 
''  Suppoiing,  my  brethren,  any  of  you  fhould  be  taken 
piort  in  the  bay,  in  a  N.  E.  ftorm, t  your  hearts  trembling 
with  fear,  and  nothing  but  death  before  you,  whither 
would  your  thoughts  turn  ?  what  would  you  do  ?" — 
"  V/hat  would  I  do,"  replied  one  of  thefe  hardy  fons  of 
Neptune,  "  why  I  iliould  immediately  hoift  the  forefail 
and  feud  away  for  Squam."  { 

At  a  time  when  the  famous  Loxv  and  other  pirates  in- 
fefted  the  American  coaft,  they  proved  very  troubleforne 
to  the  fiftierm.en  at  the  Shoals,  though  they  could  obtain 
but  little  booty  from  them.  One  of  thefe  fiihermen, 
(Charles  Randall)  with  others,  were  taken  by  them,  and 
having  no  property,  thefe  barbarous  pirates  whipped  them 
with  much  feverity  ;  after  which  they  faid  to  them,  "  You 
know  old  Dr.  Cotton  Mather,  do  you  ?"~"  Yes,"  they 

replied, 

*  Mather's  Magnalia. 

f  It  mufl:  be  noted,  that  when  thefe  fifliermen  are  overtaken  in  the 
bay,  between  Cape  Ann  and  the  Shoals,  in  a  N.  E.  ftornj,  and  the  wind 
is  ib  violent,  that  they  cannot  carry  fail  fo  as  to  beat  in  againft  it, 
Squam  harbour,  on  the  north  fide  of  Cape  Ann,  is  their  dernier  refort. 

X  C.  Chauncey's  MS.  letter. 


Defcription  of  the  Ijks  of  Shoals.  253 

replied,  "  we  have  heard  of  him  as  a  very  good  man.'* 
"  Well,  then,"  fald  the  pirates,  "  our  orders  are  to  make 
each  of  you  jump  up  three  times,  and  to  fay  each  tnne, 
«  Curfe  Parfon  Mather,''  otherv/ife  you  are  all  to  be  hang- 
ed." To  lave  their  lives,  they  all  complied.  Ihis  mfor- 
mation  the  writer  of  the  letter  had  from  Randall  himfelf.t 
A  worthy  deacon,  reading  the  following  hne  in  the  old 
verfion  of  the  Pfalms, 

"  And  I  know  more  than  all  the  Ancients  do  — 
read,  by  miftake,  thus, 

'^  And  I  know  more  than  all  the  Indians  do  — 
one  of  the  affembly,  who  had  more  wit  than  piety,  ac- 
quainted  with  the  crafthiefs  and  Jhrewdnefs  of  Indians,  rofe 
and  addreffed  the  good  deacon,  in  a  loud  voice,  "  If  you 
do,  you  are  a  plaguy  cunning  man."{  ,    ,    ^  .n     j 

At  an  early  period  after  the  fettlement  of  thele  lilands, 
tradition  fays,  that  a  houfe,  belonging  to  a  Mr.  Tucker  Jit- 
uated  on  the  rocks  near  the  water,  on  Haley's  ifland,*  dull- 
ing a  violent  ftorm,  was  walked  from  its  foundation,  and 
carried  entire  to  Cape  Cod,  where  it  was  taken  up,  and  a 
box  of  Hnen,  papers,  &c.  taken  out  of  it,  by  which  it  was 
difcovered  whence  it  came.  The  family  had  juft  time  to 
efcape  before  the  houfe  went  off. 

History.]  Thefe  iflands,  as  has  been  already  mention- 
ed, were  difcovered  as  early  as  1614.  The  convenience 
of  their  iituation  for  carrying  on  the  fifheries,  which  was 
a  principal  objed  of  the  firft  fettlers,  induced  them  to  fix 
on  thele  iflands  as  a  place  of  their  firft  fettlement.  Among 
the  firft  inhabitants  were  the  refpedable  names  of  Pepper- 
ell  and  Gibbons  ;  the  former  an  anceftor  of  the  celebrated 
Sir  William  Pepperell.  The  firft  fettlers  of  thefe  ifl- 
ands were  a  religious  people,  and  felt  the  importance  of 
havino-  the  worihip  of  God  regularly  ir.aintained  among 
them.''  And  it  is  remarkable,  that  till  the  year  1775  there 
was  a  conftant  fucceffion  of  preachers  of  the  word  on  thefe 
iflands,  though  none  of  them,  except  Mr.  Tucke,  was  or- 
dained to  the'paftoral  office  in  this  place. 

Sometime  before  the  year  1641,  the  inhabitants  of  thefe 
iflands  erefted  a  meeting-houfe  on  Hog  ifland  ;  and  at  this 

period 

+  C.  Chauncey's  letter.  X  Ibid. 

*  The  Ipot  where  it  ftood  is  now  fliewn. 


254  Defcripiion  of  the  IJles  of  Shoah^ 

period  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hull  was  their  minifler  ;t  he  was 
probably  the  firft  who  preached  on  thefe  iflands.  When 
he  began  his  miniftry  here,  what  was  his  character,  and  at 
what  time  he  died  or  removed,  is  unknown. 

About  the  year  1650,  the  Rev.  John  Brock  was  invited 
to  take  the  paftoral  charge  of  the  people  on  thefe  ifles. 
This  worthy  man  cam.e  over  to  America  when  a  youth, 
about  the  year  1637  ;  fix  years  after  he  entered  Harvard 
College  ;  and  in  1648  commenced  a  preacher  of  the  gofpel, 
firft  at  Rowley,  then  he  preached  at  thefe  iflands,  till  the 
year  1662,  when  he  removed  to  Reading,  where  he  con- 
tinned  to  minifter  in  holy  things  till  June,  1688,  when  he 
died,  in  the  68th  year  of  his  age.  He  was  a  pious  youth, 
a  good  man,  a  laborious  minifter,  preaching  not  only  on 
the  fabbath,  but  frequent  lectures  to  the  members  of  the 
church,  and  to  young  people.  Thefe  extraordinary  reli- 
gious exercifes,  he  confidered  as  means  of  rendering  his 
public  labours  efteclual  to  the  people  of  his  charge.  He 
was  faithful  and  diligent  in  his  paftoral  viiits  ;  and  from 
his  happy  talent  in  converfation,  he  made  them  inftrudive 
and  ufefuL  So  remarkable  was  he  for  his  piety  and  holi- 
nefs,  that  it  was  faid  of  him,  by  an  eminent  and  venerable 
divine,]:  that  "  he  dwelt  as  near  heaven  as  any  man  upon 
earth."  Like  the  martyr  Stephen,  he  was  "  a  man  full  of 
faith  and  of  the  Holy  Ghoft."  Several  remarkable  ftories, 
fome  of  which  are  "  credibly  attefted,"  illuftrative  of  his 
great  piety,  and  of  the  cfHcacy  of  his  prayers,  are  recorded 
by  Dr.  Cotton  Mather,  in  his  Magnaiia.  Some  of  thefe  are 
related  under  another  head. 

After  the  removal  of  Mr.  Brock,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Belcher, 
a  "  worthy  and  excellent  man/'*  preached  for  fome  time 
to  the  people  on  thefe  iflands. 

It  was  about  this  time  that  the  inhabitants  on  Hog  ifl- 
and,  eitlier  through  fear  of  the  Indians,  who  frequented 
Duck  ifland,  and  thence  made  their  plundering  excurfions 
upon  them,  and  carrying  into  captivity  their  women,  while 
they  were  abroad,  a  iifliing,  or  from  fome  other  caufe,  de- 
ferted  that  iiland,  and  removed  to  Star  Ifland,  as  a  place 
of 

-j-  Neil's  Hiitoiy  of  New-England,  vol.  I.  page  196. 
I  Rev.  MrTj.  Mitchell,  of  Cambridge. 
*  Mr.  Fitch's  fermon,  before  mentioned. 


Defcripticn  of  the  IJies  of  Shoals,  255 

of  greater  fafety.  Here  they  ere<61ted  a  new  meeting-houfe, 
28  by  48  feet,  with  a  bell  ;  and  fome  years  afterwards  (in 
1 706)  invited  Mr.  Moody,  a  native  of  Salilbury,  Maffachii- 
fetts,  to  be  their  minifter.  He  was  a  man  of  piety,  and  a 
pathetic  and  ufeful  preacher,  and  remained  here  till  1733, 
when  he  left  the  Shoals,  and  fettled  as  a  fchool-mafter  at 
Hampton,  and  afterwards  at  Newburyport,  where  he  died 
of  an  apoplexy,  April  17,  1768,  aged  82  years.  To  him 
fucceeded  the  Rev.  John  Tucke,  who  commenced  his 
minifter ial  labours  at  the  Shoals  about  the  year  1730.  In 
December  of  the  following  year,  they  gave  him  a  unani- 
mous call  to  fettle  among  them  in  the  work  of  the  minif- 
try,  and  offered  him  a  very  generous  fupport.* 

Mr. 

*  The  following  extrads  from  the  town  records  of  Star  ifland,  alias 
Go/port,  are  inferted  as  highly  honorary  to  the  charafler  of  thofe  con- 
cerned in  the  tranfadions  recorded. 

1731.  The  freeholders,  being  legally  warned,  met  on  the  I3tli  of 
December,  173 1,  and  unanimcully  chofe  Rev.  John  Tookef  to  be  their 
minifter. 

They  voted  to  give  him  a  falary  of  ^i^.i  10,  money  or  bills  of  credit, 
fo  long  as  it  ihall  pleafe  God  to  continue  him  among  us  in  the  work  of 
the  miniftry,  nem.  con.  Voted  to  pay  Mr.  Tooke  two  thirds  of  his 
falary  by  the  laft  of  May,  annually  ;  and  one  third  by  the  lad  of 
September. 

Voted,  to  give  Mr.  Tooke  £-5°  i^  money,  by  the  lafl:  of  May  next, 
towards  buikling  him  a  houfe,  if  he  choofe  to  build  a  houfe  himfelf  j 
but  in  cafe  he  fhould  hereafter  remove,  Mr.  Tooke  to  give  to  the  in- 
habitants the  refufal  of  purchafmg  the  houfe,  and  to  abate  £.^o  in  the 
price. 

[N.  B.  This  houfe  was  taken  down  by  Mr.  Tooke's  fon-in-law,  and 
carried  to  O.  York,  about  the  year  1780.] 

Voted  to  give  Mr.  T.  a  convenient  place  to  fet  his  houfe  upon,  and  a 
garden  fpot,  where  he  may  choofe. 

[N.  B.  This  was  on  the  top  of  the  hill,  near  the  meeting-houfe,  and 
is  ftill  referved  as  a  parfonage  lot.] 

Voted,  to  proceed  to  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Tooke,  at  a  convenient 
time  in  the  fpring,  in  cafe  of  his  acceptance  of  our  call. 

1732.  April  2?>th.  The  freeholders  of  the  town  of  Gofport,  alias 
Star  Ifland,  at  a  legal  meeting,  renewed  their  call  to  Mr.  Tooke,  and 
confirmed  their  former  offer  of  fupport,  with  the  addition,  (Tj*  That  as 
the  value  of  money  fhall  fall,  we  will  make  the  aforefaid  one  hundred 
and  ten  pounds  as  good  as  it  now  is,  and  will  be  ready  to  enlarge  his 
falary  as  his  circumflances  fhall  require,  and  our  own  abilities  allow. 
[An  honourable  evidence  of  their  difpofition  to  do  juftice.l 

Voted, 
t  The  true  fpelling  of  this  name  is  Tuch. 


1^6  Defcription  of  the  JJles  of  Shoals. 

Mr.  Tucke  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  miniftry^ 

with  the  unanimous  confent  of  the  people,  being  the  lirft 

and  only  minifter  of  the  gofpel  who  was  ordained  to  the 

paftoral 

Voted,  that  Mr.  T's  falary  fhould  begin  the  i  ft  day  of  Odober  laft. 

Voted,  that  we  will  give  the  Rev.  John  Tooke  a  couftant  contribution 
during  his  miniftry  among  us  ;  the  money  that  fhall  be  marked  fhall  go 
towards  his  falary  ;  and  the  money  that  Ihall  not  be  marked,  Ihall 
be  given. 

Voted,  that  we  will  give  Mr.  Tooke  the  privilege  of  keeping  one 
cow  on  the  abovefaid  ifland. 

The  26th  of  the  next  July  was  fixed  for  the  ordination,  provided  the 
weather  fhould  permit  the  people  on  fliore  to  come  over  ;  if  not,  the 
firft  fuitable  time  after. 

Voted,  that  the  13th  day  of  July  next,  be  obferved  as  a  day  of  fall- 
ing and  prayer,  to  beg  God's  blefllng  on  the  affair  of  fettling  a  minifler 
among  us. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  make  provifion  for  carrying  into  ef- 
fecH:  the  foregoing  votes. 

[N.  B.  Mr.  Thomas  Lambert  v/as  appointed  to  record  thefe  votes. 
They  are  in  a  very  neat  hand-writing,  well  fpelt,  and  correcl;  in  compo- 
lition.     The  whole  proceedings  remarkably  regular.] 

Letter  to  the  Reverend  John  Tooke, 
The  freeholders  and  inhabitants  of  Star  ifland,  alias  Gofport,  afTem- 
bled  at  the  meeting-houfe,  on  faid  ifland,  this  28th  day  of  April j  wifh' 
ing  health. 
Sir, 
We  at  this  meeting  have  voted  and  agreed  to  fundry  things,  which, 
by  the  enclofed,  you  will  be  acquainted  with.     Mr.  Andrew  Chace,  fen. 
and  Mr.  Samuel  Emmery,  are  a  committee  to  bring  your  anfvver  to 
this  meeting,  that  we  may  proceed  farther,  as  to  what  is  neceffary  and 
remaining.     We  beg  you  will  fend  your  anfwer  as  foon  as  poffible,  be- 
ing all  waiting.     We  remain  your  moft  humble  fervants, 

John  Michainere,  T 
Win.  Micbamere,  >  Seleflmen. 
Ambrofe  Do'vjns-,  J 
Aiifusr. 
To  the  freeholders  and  inhabitants  of  Star  ifland,  alias  Gofport,  this 
28th  day  of  April,  affembled  at  the  meeting-houfe  on  faid  ifland. 
Brethren, 
It  is  fome  time  fmce  you  called  me  to  the  work  of  the  miniftry 
among  you  ;   to  which  call,  by  reafon  of  many  difcouragements,  and 
withal  the  very  heavy  ftroke  of  Divine  Providence,  which  has  befallen 
me  among  you,  has  deferred  my  anfwer  till  this  time  j    and  now,  by 
the  committee  fent  to  me  by  you,  I  underftand  that  you  have  both  re- 
newed that  call,  and  confirmed  former  offers  ;    and  alfo  hoping  that 
there  is  a  profped:  of  doing  good  among  vou,  I,  relying  on  the  ftrength 

of 


Befcription  of  the  IJles  of  Shoah,  257 

paftoral  office  in  this  place.*  Among  the  minifters,  who 
alFifted  at  his  ordination,  was  the  Rev.  Samuel  Moody,  of 
York,  who,  in  the.  courfe  of  the  ordination  fervice,  ufed 
the  following  pertinent  expreffions  :  "  Good  Lord,  thou 
haft  founded  a  church  here  upon  a  rock  ;  may  the  gates 
of  hell  never  prevail  againft  it.| 

Thefe  iiiands,  in  former  times,  were  in  a  very  refped- 
able  and  flourifhing  ftate.  The  inhabitants  were  induftri- 
ous,  prudent,  temperate,  and  regular  and  decent  in  their 
attendance  on  the  inftitutions  of  religion.  They  had  ma- 
glftrates  and  other  oiScers  annually  chofen  by  the  people, 
to  execute  their  wholefome  laws  and  regulations,  and  to 
maintain  order  and  peace  in  the  fociety.f  The  inhabit- 
ants were  refpec^ful,  kind,  and  generous  to  their  minifter ; 
and  confidering  the  nature  of  their  employment,  and  their 
confequent  habits,  they  dwelt  together  in  a  good  degree  of 
harmony.  Such  appears  to  have  been  the  profperous  and 
happy  ilate  of  the  inhabitants  of  thefe  iiiands,  particularly 
during  the  miniilry  of  Mr.  Tucke.  This  good  man  died, 
deeply  and  univerfaily  lamented,  on  the  1 2th  of  Auguil, 
177^  :  havino;  buried  his  wife  two  months  before.      They 


77Z^ 


of  divine  grace,  accept  of  your  call  to  me.  But,  brethren,  I  muft  )ay 
to  you  as  in  1  Cor.  9,  14.  So  hath  the  Lord  ordarned  that  they  n.vbich 
preach  the  go/pel,  fioidd  live  of  the  gofpel.  The  fame  1  expeft  amongR 
you.  I  defire  your  prayers  for  me.  In  praying  for  me,  you  will  pray 
for  yourfelves.  The  Apoftle  foys,  ift  of  Theflalonians,  5.  25.  Breth- 
ren^ pray  for  m.  And  1  hope  that  my  poor  prayers  will  be  to  God  for 
you.  I  hope  to  fay  with  the  Apoftle,  Col.  1.9  /  do  not  cecfe  to  pray 
for  you,  and  to  dejire  that  ffc  might  he  filled  'with  the  knoivlcdgc  of  his  iviil 
in  all  ivifdon:  and  fpiritiial  undcrfand/mg. 

1  am  yours  to  fsrve  in  the  gofpel, 
Gofport,  April  28,1732.  John  To 0 k e . 

Voted,  that  every  fail  of  the  year,  v/hen  Rev.  Mr.  John  Tocke  ha 
his  wood  to  carry  home,  every  man  who  will  not  come,  that  is  able  to 
come,  fhall  pay  forty  ihillings  old  tenor. 

*  Mr.  Fitch's   Sermon,  preached  from  Matth.  iv.  19.  at  his  ordina- 
tion. 

%  Judge  Sewall's  letter  to  the  author. 

f  Their  records  inform,  that  the  following  officers  wete  annually 
chofen  :     A  moderator,  three  feleclmen,  a  conftable,  tov/n-clerk,  tv/o' 
tything-men,  two  cullers  of  fifli,  and  two  corders  of  v.-ood. 
K  K  IVol  vii.] 


25 B  hcfcripuon  of  the  IJcs  of  Shoals. 

"  were  lovely  and  pleafant  in  their  lives,  and  in  their  deaths 
they  -were  not  divided." 

Mr.  Tucke  was  a  man  of  an  affable  and  amiable  difpofi- 
tion,  of  eafy  and  polite  manners,  of  humble  and  unaffefted 
piety,  of  diligence  and  fidelity  in  the  fervice  of  the  minif- 
try.  He  was  "  given  to  hofpitality,  and  apt  to  teach." 
In  hiftory  and  geography  he  was  eminently  learned,  be- 
yond moft  of  his  coteniporaries.  He  acled  in  the  double 
capacity  of  phyfician  of  body  and  of  foul.  In  imitation  of 
his  Divine  Mailer,  he  went  about  doing  good  among  all 
claiTes  of  the  people  of  his  chaj'ge,  and  his  labours  were  not 
in  vain  in  the  Lord.  Under  his  nurturing,  pafioral  care  ; 
his  people  incrcafed  in  niinibers  and  in  Vv'calth,  in  knowl- 
edge, piety  and  refpectability.  ^'ew  parilhes  in  New-Eng- 
land, at  this  period,  gave  a  more  generous  fupport  to  their 
minifter,  and  few  congregations  were  more  conllant  and 
exemplary  in  their  attendance  on  public  worfhip.  Such  is 
the  account  of  the  character  of  this  venerable  man,  and  of 
the  fruits  of  his  la]>ours,  which  I  have  received  from  many 
aged  and  reipef table  people,  who  were  perforially  acquaint- 
ed with  him. 

Shortly  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Tucke,  the  Rev.  Jeremi- 
ah Shav/  wa^  invited  to  preach  on  thefe  illands,  and  here 
he  remained,  for  the  greater  part  of  the  time,  till  the  dif- 
perfion  of  the  inhabitants  in  1775.  The  troubles  occa- 
lioned  by  the  v/ar,  with  fome  other  caufes,  prevented  his 
iettling  here,  agreeably  to  the  wifhes  of  the  people. 

Since  this  period,  fo  linall  have  been  the  numbers,  and 
fo  impoverilhed  the  circumftances  of  thefe  iflanders,  that 
they  have  not  liad  the  ability,  and,  by  degrees,  have  loft 
the  difpohtion,  to  iupport  the  ordinances  of  religion.  The 
laws  and  regulations,  by  which  their  fathers  were  govern- 
ed, and  which  were  means  of  preferving  order  and  har- 
mony in  their  little  commonwealth,  were  laid  afide.  The 
people  neglected  the  annual  choice  of  town  officers.  They 
had  no  regular  fchools  for  the  education  of  their  children. 
The  fabbath  was  neglected  and  profaned.  In  confequence 
of  thefe  deviations  from  the  "  old  paths  and  good  ways" 
of  their  lathers,  tlie  people  rapidly  degenerated.  The 
vices  of  curfing  and  fwearing,  drunkennefs,  quarrelling, 
and  difobedience  to  parents,  became,  in  an  awful  degixe, 

prevsdent. 


Defcription  of  ihs  Ijles  of  SLoah;  359 

prevalent.  The  people  have  grown  up  in  a  great  degree 
ignorant  of  the  great  doclrines  and  duties  of  religion,  and 
of  the  firft  rudiments  of  fcience  and  letters  ;  and,  in  the 
near  neighbourhood  of  Chriftians,  were  degenerating  fail 
to  a  ftate  of  heathenifm. 

The  deplorable  ftate  of  thefe  people,  in  a  moral  and  re- 
ligious view,  was  made  known  to  the  ^'  Society  for  propa- 
gating the  Gofpel,*'  in  Bofton  ;  and  immediately,  at  their 
expeiffe,  a  miffionary  was  engaged,  \\^lio  fpent  three  months 
among  them,  at  the  clofe  of  the  year  1799.  In  the  fum^ 
mer  of  1800,  the  Society  fent  one  of  their  own  members, 
to  inquire  into  the  circumftances  of  thefe  people,  with  a 
view  to  afford  them  the  neceffary  relief  and  inftruftion. 
In  confequence  of  his  report,  and  the  advice  of  Dudley  J, 
Tyng^  Efq.  of  Newburyport,  v/ho  has  been  the  prime 
mover  and  agent,  in  all  the  proceedings  for  the  benefit  of 
thefe  poor  people,  a  fubfcription  was  opened  for  the  pur- 
pofe  of  raifmg  money  to  ereft  a  place  of  worfhip  on  thefe 
iflands.  Gentlemen  of  humane  feelings  and  of  liberality, 
in  Salem,  Newburyport,  Portfmouth,  Exeter,  Ipfwich,  Bof- 
ton,  and  Charleftown,  in  the  two  places  firft  named  efpeci- 
ally,  fubfcribed  generoufly  ;  and  from  the  avails,  an  edifice 
of  ftone,  with  a  cupola,  was  eredied  in  September  and  Oc- 
tober, 1800,  on  the  higheft  fpot  on  Star  ifland,  which  an^ 
fwers  the  treble  purpofe  of  a  place  of  worfliip,  a  fchool- 
houfe,  and  a  land-mark  for  feamen.*  At  the  liime  time, 
thefe  fuffering  people  received  a  liberal  fupply  of  clothings 
bedding,  wood,  &c.  from  a  number  of  charitable  people  in 
Newburyport,  Salem,  and  Charleftov/n.  The  fociety  for 
propagating  the  gofpel,  and  feveral  bookfellers  in  Bofton, 
gave  books  and  ftationary  fuited  to  their  circumftances, 
lliflicient,  with  proper  ufage,  to  laft  feveral  years.  A  mif- 
fionary, (Mr.  Jo/tab  Stevens)  under  commilTion  from  the 

Society 

*  This  houfe  is  36  feet  long,  and  24  wide,  on  the  outfide.  The 
walls  are  two  feet  thick,  and  eleven  in  height  in  the  clear  ;  the  whole 
building  is  painted  white.  The  infide  is  finiOied  in  a  plain  ftile,  and 
furnlfhed  with  a  ftove,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  fchool  in  wintef. 
This  houfe  was  dedicated,  in  a  formal  and  folemn  manner,  on  the  14th 
of  Nov.  1800.  The  fermon  was  preached,  and  the  other  fervices  per- 
formed, on  this  occafion,  by  the  Rev.  J.  Morfe,  D.  D.  of  Charleftown. 
His  difcourfe  was  founded  on  Pfalm  cxviii.  25.  *'  0  Lsrdf  I  befeech  thsct 
fend  Tiotu  profperlty'^ 


26o  Defcnptwn  of  the  IJIes  of  Shoals, 

Society  for  propagating  the  gofpel,  went  to  thefe  iflands 
m  April,  1 80 1,  preaches  on  the  fabbath,  and  has  a  fchool 
of  about  thirty  fcholars  during  the  week,  and  is  evidently 
in  a  fphere  of  great  ufefulnefs. 

From  the  difperlion  of  the  inhabitants  of  thefe  ifles  in 
1775,  till  November  14,  1800,  the  few,  who  remained, 
had  lived,  for  the  moft  part,  without  law  or  order,  defti- 
tute  of  the  means  of  religious  or  moral  inftruftion,  and 
had,  of  courfe,  degenerated  into  a  pitiable  ftate  of  igno- 
rance, poverty,  anarchy,  and  wickednefs.  At  the  period 
lail  mentioned,  v/hen  their  new  meeting-houfe  was  dedica- 
ted, the  inhabitants  affembled,  and,  by  the  written  com- 
pact: annexed,*  formed  themfelves  into  a  focial  ftate,  and, 
m  a  formal  m.anner,  pledged  themfelves  to  abide  by  cer- 
tain regulations,  and  eleded  two  of  their  number,  as  af- 
feffors,  who,  with  the  miffionary,  for  the  time  being,  were 
invefted  with  power  to  carry  faid  compact  into  effea. 

In  confequence  of  all  thefe  things,  thefe  iflands  are  reno- 
vating in  their  appearance  ;  and  a'hope  is  entertained,  that 
they  will  foon  rife  to  their  former  ftate  of  regularity,  and 
refpeftabiiity.  Should  MaiTachufttts  and  New-Hampfhire 
cede  their  right  in  thefe  iflands  to  the  United  States,  (a 
plan  which  fome  have  contemplated,)  and  the  federal  gov- 
ernment ftiould  think  it  expedient  to  eftablifti  them  as  a 
free  port,  and  form  a  harbour,  and  erecl  the  neceffary  forti- 
iications  and  lights,  they  would  foon  become  a  place  of 
much  importance  to  the  United  States. 


Note. 


\ 


*  Articles  of  Agreement  entered  into  by  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Ifles  of  Ehcah,  Nov-   14,   1800. 

WHEREAS   the   iflands   now  comm.oniy  called  the 

Ifles  of  Shoals,  but  heretofore  named  Smith's  Ijknds,  in 
honour  of  the  renowned  Capt.  Joijn  Smith,  Vho  firft 
difcovered  them,  have  faUen  into  a  lamentable  ftate  of  de- 
cay, fmce  the  revolution  war  ;  and  the  inhabitants,  from 
their  extreme  poverty,  and  other  unhappy  circumftances, 
have  long  been  deftitute  of  the  means  of  religious  and 
rnoral  inftruc^ion  j  and  whereas  fome  pious  and  charitable 

perfons 


Defcriptwn  of  the  IJles  of  Shoals.  261 

perfons  have  generoiilly  ere<5ted  a  commodious  and  durable 
building,  to  be  folely  appropriated  to  the  public  inftrudion 
of  the  inhabitants,  and  the  Maffachufetts  Society  for  propa- 
gating the  Gofpel  have  appointed  a  niiffionary  to  refide  at 
the  faid  illands,  as  a  religious  and  moral  teacher  to  the  in- 
habitants, and  an  iuHruclor  of  the  youth  5  and  whereas 
there  is  ground  to  hope  for  further  charities  from  the  faid 
fociety,  and  other  humane  and  benevolent  perfons,  iliould 
the  good  effects  of  their  prefent  bounty  be  vifible  in  the 
improvement  of  the  morals,  manners,  and  converfation  of 
the  inhabitants  ;  and  vt'hereas  from  the  local  fituation  of 
the  faid  iflands,  it  is  very  difficult  to  refort  to  the  laws  for 
the  decifion  of  difputes  which  unavoidably  arife  : 

We  the  faid  inhabitants  do  hereby  folemnly  and  mutu- 
ally covenant  and  agree  with  each  other  in  the  following 
articles,  all  which  we  promife  to  obfefve  and  keep,  viz. 

Fir/^.  We  engage  to  treat  with  kindnefs  and  refpeft  all 
fuch  worthy  and  godly  perfons  as  ihall  come  to  inftrud: 
and  reform  us  ;  to  render  them  as  comfortable  as  we  can, 
and  to  attend  with  fobriety  and  dihgence  on  all  their  in- 
flructions,  whether  the  fame  be  public  in  the  meeting- 
houfe,  or  private  and  perfonal  in  our  own  houfes. 

Second.  We  engage  that  our  children  ihall  alfo  attend 
the  fchooi  at  the  ftated  hours,  and  that  v/e  will,  by  fetting 
them  fober  and  good  examples,  and  by  needful  corredions, 
labour  to  make  them  better,  as  v/ell  as  more  decent  and 
mannerly  in  their  behaviour. 

Third.  We  promife  our  bed  endeavours  to  abftain  from 
all  brawling,  quarrelling,  profane  fwearing  and  curfmg, 
drunkennefs,  idlenefs,  diihonefty,  and  all  other  coiidu<5t 
which  is  ofFeniive  to  God,  and  all  good  beings. 

Fourth.  Should  any  difputes  arife  amongft  any  of  us, 
we  promife  to  fubmit  the  fame  to  the  decifion  of  the  mif- 
lionary  for  the  time  being,  and  two  alTeffors,  v^^ho  fhall  be 
annually  chofen  in  the  month  of  January  ;  and  v/e  prom- 
ife to  abide  by,  and  perform  their  award  touching  fuch 
difputes. 

Fifth.  The  houfe  lot  and  garden,  heretofore  occupied 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Tucke,  Ihall  be  forever  appropriated  to 
the  ufe  of  the  public  teacher  for  the  time  being. 

Ecclesiastical 


202  Ecdejlajiical  Rtjiory  of  MaJjachufetU. 


Ecclesiastical     History    of    Massachusetts    ani? 
THE  0T,D  Colony  of  Plymouth. 

Preface. 

DR.  Mather  wrote  an  ecclefiaflical  hiftory  of  this  court* 
try,  a  large  book,  now  very  rarely  feen.  The  facts 
are  communicated  in  fo  ftrange  a  ftyle,  and  mingled  with 
fo  many  oddities  of  opinion  and  fabulous  reprefentations, 
that  few  are  difpofed  to  look  into  it  for  the  fake  of  the  in^ 
formation.  Many  things,  there  related,  the  candid  reader 
imputes  to  the  v/eaknefs  of  the  age  ;  the  moft  candid  will 
fee,  too  often,  the  prejudices  and  falfe  zeal  of  the  author. 

Mr.  Neal  publiihed  his  hiftory  of  New-England  in  1 7 1 9- 
It  is  well  written,  and  deferves  more  credit  than  Hutchin- 
fon  allows,  when  he  lays,  it  is  only  an  abridgement  of  the 
Magnalia  Americana,  It  is  an  impartial  and  entertaining 
account  of  their  civil  and  eccleiiaftical  affairs.  Some  things 
are  contained  in  it,  which  were  not  known  either  to  Dr. 
Cotton  Mather,  or  any  other  writer  of  this  "  American 
Ib-and/' 

It  is  fuperior  in  ftyle  to  the  later  work  of  Gov.  Hutchin- 
fon,  though  the  materials  for  hiftor)/-  were  much  greater 
which  this  gentiem.an  poffefled  ;  and  we  ar^  indebted  to 
him  for  many  facts,  in  the  early  periods  of  the  fettlement, 
which,  but  for  his  care,  would  have  been  entirely  loft  ; 
alfo  for  a  fund  of  information,  concerning  the  country,  af- 
ter he  had  become  a  leader  in  the  public  tranfadlions. 

The  compiler  of  the  prefent  work  confines  himfelf  to 
eccleiiaftical  hiftory,  having  confulted  many  old  MSS.  be- 
fide  all  the  printed  accounts  of  the  congregational  church- 
es ;  and  he  prefers  to  publilli  in  the  Hiftorical  Colleclions, 
y/here  m.any  ufeful,  interefting,  and  important  documents 
are  preferved,  which  will  be  of  infinite  fervice  to  future 
writers,  as  they  have  been  to  himfelf. 

After  giving  an  account  of  the  church  in  New-Plymouth, 
and  the  ancient  form  in  MaHachufetts,  he  will  confidei*  the 
changes  which  have  been  made,  the  prevailing  opinions, 
the  controverfies  among  thofe  of  the  congregational  mode 
of  worfhipj  as  well  as  thofe  which  have  been  carried  on 

with 


Zcckfiajlical  Hiftory  of  Majfachufetts.  263 

with  churches  of  other  denominations  j  and  to  exhibit  to 
view  the  prefenty?^/^  of  religion. 

Hubbard's  MS.  has  afforded  him  fome  affiftance,  a  book 
excellent  oi  the  kind,  and  which  ought  to  have  been  print- 
ed many  years  ago,  for  its  hiftoricai  information,  and  the 
reputation  of  the  author.  He  was  the  beft  writer  in  New- 
England  while  he  lived  ;  learned,  judicious,  and  capable  of 
giving  a  proper  arrangement  to  his  fafts.  With  exception 
to  a  fev/  quaint  expreffions,  common  to  all  the  puritan  di- 
vines in  England,  as  well  as  North-America,  this  book  is 
valuable  for  the  compofition.  Why  was  it  never  publifh- 
ed  ?  He  left  it  complete,  and  a  fair  copy  was  tranfcribed 
for  the  prefs.  It  fell  into  the  hands  of  fome,  who  were 
difpofed  to  make  a  liberal  ufe  of  it  for  their  own  purpofes^ 
and  then  kept  it  from  the  public  eye.  Ail  who  have  writ- 
ten any  account  of  MalTachufetts,  are  more  indebted  to  it 
than  they  are  willing  to  own  ;  yet  there  is  not  even  a 
biographical  Iketch  of  the  man  to  be  found.  We  know, 
hovv^ever,  that  he  left  behind  him  a  good  name,  which  is 
better,  in  the  opinion  of  the  wuie,  than  any  ferfume  or  niche 
in  the  temple  of  fame. 


Section  I. 


Account  of  the  firji  church  in  Plymouth,  The  pieiy  and  fuf- 
fcrings  of  the  -planters.  The  good  order  of  the  chttrch,  and 
difficulties  attending  the  fettlement  of  a  pajior, 

A  SPIRIT  of  enterprife  has  often  made  the  difcovery 
of  new  countries,  and  to  this,  combined  with  a  love 
of  fcience  in  the  bread  of  Columbus,  we  are  indebted  for 
the  knowledge  of  our  part  of  the  globe.  But  it  was  the 
love  of  religion,  which  prompted  the  fettlers  of  New- 
England  to  prefer  the  wildernefs  of  diftant  climes  to  the 
eafe  and  affluence  they  could  enjoy  at  home. 

It  was  not  their  object  to  open  new  and  rich  fources  o£ 
commerce,  like  the  merchants  and  princes  of  Portugal  ; 
nor  to  plan  fchemes  of  fpecuiation,  which  fo  often  proved 
vain  and  chimerical  to  individuals  of  other  European  na- 
tions, when  they  were  ftimulated  by  the  defire  of  gain  ; 
but  they  were  the  faireil  patterns  of  religious  zeal,  of  firm- 

neis. 


0.64  'Ecclefiajlical  Hiftory  of  Majfachufetts. 

nefs,  patience,  and  heroic  virtue  :  thv^y  were  men  whofe 
fouls  were  tried  by  the  moft  adverfe  circumftances,  and  yet 
not  fubdued  by  the  blows  of  their  adverfity.  Their  hopes 
gilded  the  fcenes  around  them  ;  and  while  they  looked  at 
the  land  of  promife,  they  were  more  diftinguiihed  by  active 
and  fecial  virtues,  than  vain  contemplations. 

According  to  the  Abbe  Raynal,  ^^  Superjlition  firft  fettled 
New-England."  He  calls  every  thing  fuperjiition^  which  is 
of  a  religious  nature.  What  the  bell  writers  defcribe  the 
fenUment  of  the  hearty  he  calls  the  effufion  of  a  iveak  mind* 
That  which  has  been  conlidered  in  all  ages,  and  by  men  of 
the  moll  enlarged  underllanding,  as  the  offspring  of  heav- 
en, is  confounded  by  him  with  the  creatures  of  a  vain 
imagination.  He  might  have  faid,  it  was  the  "  concullion 
of  religious  opinions,''  v/hich  is  a  favourite  exprellion  of 
his,  upon  fome  occafions,  and  come  near  the  truth,  as  w'cll 
as  faved  his  refleclions  upon  chriilianity. 

Another  writer  goes  further  than  the  Abbe  R.  and 
calumniates  tlie  character  of  our  anceftors  in  every  refpecl  ; 
for  he  fays,  "  the  inhabitants  of  America  are  of  a  bad 
flock,  from  the  dupes  oi  puritanick  cant^  from  four,  taileiefs 
afceticks,  whofe  tempers  defired  anarchy  while  at  home, 
and  pradifed  intolerance  abroad."* 

This  man  feems  to  have  an  idea,  that  the  religious  fpirit 
is  an  innate  traditional  evil,  which  he  would  find  a  millake 
if  he  had  tarried  long  enough  in  the  country  to  obferve 
our  manner's^  inftead  of  running  through  the  States  for  the 
fike  of  telling  the  world  how  far  he  had  travelled.  It  is 
well  known,  that  too  many  of  the  prefent  generation  are 
wholly  unmindful  of  the  principles  and  practices  of  their 
fathers  ;  and  too  many  join  in  the  farcafms  of  the  French 
philofophy,  or  fom.e  other  llyie,  os  anfi-pwitanick  as  this 
writer  would  wifh,  when  they  are  told  what  grave  a7id 
good  men  their  fathers  were  : — ^Pious  men,  v^ho  made  this 
declaration,  "  that  it  was  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  the 
propagation  of  the  gofpel,  that  they  tranfplanted  them- 
ielves  from  his  Majefty's  dominions  to  thefe  alniofl  unknown 
regions  of  the  wefcJ*  The 

*  The  author  above  mentioned  freely  grants,  that  thele  men  \versi 
the  beft  progenitors  of  the  prefent  race  of  Americans  ;  for  he  fays, 
«  the  tranfported  felons,  who  contributed  to  fettle  Virginia,  have^  left 
behind  them  a  race  of  drunken,  gambling,  lewd,  rapacious  fpendthrifts  s 
keen,  quick,  courageous,  hofpitable  race."  Do?i  Fen  Buh 


loiv. 


Ecclefiajiical  Hijiory  of  Majfachtifetis.  26^ 

The  form  of  church  government  our  fathers  preferred 
v/as  completely"  congregational  ;  this  has  diftinguilhed 
the  churches  in  Maffachufetts  and  the  old  Colony  from 
the  other  churches  which  have  been  formed,  and  approach- 
ed more  or  lefs  to  the  Prefbyterian  eftablifhment.  They 
did  not  choofe  to  be  called  Independents.  This  name  the 
churches  of  Maffachufetts  difclaimed,  as  we  fee  frequently 
in  their  charges  to  candidates  for  the  minifrry,  though  it 
might  have  been  given  them  with  fome  propriety,  as  moll 
of  Mr.  Robinfon's  church  had  been  Puritans  of  the  moll 
rigid  feparation,  in  a  former  reign.  When  they  came  to 
America,  however,  they  poffeffed  fentiments  of  modera- 
tion, which  would  do  honour  to  any  denom.ination  of 
Chrillians.         Vid.  his  addrefs  in  Prince's  i^nnals. 

We  mull  afcend  to  the  firil  reformers,  to  get  an  idea  of 
the  principles  and  motives  of  feparation  from  the  other 
proteftant  churches,  and  which  dillinguifhed  thofe  who 
have  been  ftyled,  in  later  times,  the  members  of  the  congre- 
gational eftablilhment.  The  reformation  was  gradually 
introduced  into  England.  King  Henry  the  Vlllth,  though 
he  call  off  the  Pope's  fupremacy,  and  happily  introduced 
the  fcriptures  for  the  ufe  of  the  people,  retained  in  hi^  heart 
a  fondnefs  for  the  fuperfdtions  of  the  church  of  Rome, 
and  was  too  haughty  a  defpot  to  have  his  v/ill  difputed. 
In  the  reign  of  Edward  the  Vlth,  whofe  character  the 
friends  of  virtue  are  fo  fond  of  delineating,  and  whofe  pre- 
mature death  caufed  fo  many  tears  of  humanity  to  be  fhed, 
the  work  of  reformation  fucceeded.  Thofe  wlio  conduc- 
ed it  were  liberal  and  devout  men,  cUid  wifhed  to  rr^ake  the 
facred  fcriptures  the  guide  of  their  faith  €fc.nd  pra&ice,  and 
to  diffufe  them  among  all  the  claffes  of  the  community. 
But  the  light  of  truth  was  foon  obfcured,  and  the  day, 
which  v/as  ulhered  in  with  fuch  a  bright  and  beautiful  m.orn- 
ing,  hung  heavily  in  clouds  :  For  Tvlary,  a  weak  ar.d  ma- 
licious bigot,  became  a  Queen.  During  her  reign,  all,  who 
were  attached  to  civil  or  religious  freedom,  iujfered  ;  and 
it  was  a  crime  to  love  one's  country.  In  an  illand,  where 
{o  many  have  thought  it  decorous  to  die  for  it,  this  was 
made  a  terrible  crime  ;  the  torch  of  perlecution  fiamed 
againll  all  who  diffented  from  the  minuted'  ceremonies  of 
the  Romifh  church  ;  and  no  wonder  that  the  rciorm-ers 
L  L         IV, I.  Yii,]  were 


266  Ecclefiajlical  Hijlory  of  Majfachufetts. 

were  inveloped  in  the  thickeft  dangers.  Some  poured  out 
their  blood  on  the  fcafFold,  many  hung  their  harps  upon 
the  willows  in  a  foreign  land. 

When  Oueen  Elizabeth  fucceeded  to  the  kingdom,  upon 
the  death  of  her  lifter,  the  reformation  was  taken  up  where 
Edward  had  left  it.  It  was  the  delign  of  feveral  eminent 
perfons  to  carry  on  the  work  to  a  degree  of  purity  which 
the  national  church  were  not  willing  to  allow  :  they  were 
defirous  to  proceed  till  the  worfhip  and  difcipline  Ihould  be 
diveftcd  of  thofe  rites  and  ceremonies,  which  they  looked 
upon  as  the  inventions  of  men  ;  and  therefore  a  difgrace, 
rather  than  an  ornament,  to  the  church  of  Chrift.  If  they 
could  not  obtain,  what  they  maft  earncilly  defired,  to  have 
ihcfe  uninfututcd  rilei  enilrely  excluded^  and  their  ivorjhip  redu- 
ced to  its  priraiti-ve  fimplicity  ;  yet  they  pleaded  to  have  things 
left  indifferent^  which  v/ere  fo  in  their  nature. 

But  a  moft  powerful  party  fprung  up  to  oppofe  them. 
It  was  the  intereit  of  fuch  as  diiliked  the  reformation,  to 
prevent  a  further  feceiHon  from  the  church  of  Rome  than 
was  contemplated  by  fome,  and  they  joined  their  power 
and  influence  to  fet  aiide  the  views  of  the  Puritans.  The 
Queen  v/as  fond  of  iliow  and  pomp  in  religion,  and  foon 
declared  herfelf  on  the  fide  of  thofe  who  were  ready  to  ef- 
tabiifh  a  national  church,  with  many  gorgeous  appendages  : 
and  being  importuned  by  the  high  church  party  ;  being 
alfo  imperious  in  her  own  temper,  obftinate  in  her  preju- 
dices, and  impatient  of  contradiction  ;  llie  fet  herfelf  not 
only  to  reftrain,  but  to  punifli  thofe  who  reiifted  her  Vv'ill. 
The  eftablifhment  would  have  been  eafily  borne,  had  thofe 
who  differed  been  Allowed  to  vvorfhip  God  in  their  own 
way,  or  according  to  the  dilates  of  their  confciences.  But 
fuch  an  intolerant  fpirit  prevailed,  that  if  any  fcrupled  en- 
tire conformity,  or  ufed  a  form  except  that  contained  in 
the  book  of  common  prayer,  they  were  iilenced  and  lined, 
deprived,  cenfured  and  imprifoned. 

Some  time  elapfed  in  fruitlefs  expectation  of  better  days  ; 
then,  as  their  own  condition  grew  intolerable,  they  were 
induced  to  fcparate  not  only  from  the  church  of  England, 
but  from  a  government  that  was  fo  arbitrary.  They 
formed  a  church  on  independent  principles,  and  fet  thern- 
felves  down  in  Holland  j  where,  for  fome  years,  they  en- 
joyed 


Ecclefiajiical  Hijlory  of  MaffachnfeUs.  26 y 

joyed  the  pleafurer,  of  religious  freedom,  and  contemplated 
the  Q-reat  events  which  were  conceiving  in  the  womb  of 
Providence. 

The  firfi  congregational  church,  iince  the  days  of  primi- 
tive chriftianity,  was  gathered  at  Geneva,  and  the  Rev. 
William  Whittingham  was  chofen  paftor  ;  a  famous  Puri- 
tan, who  fled  from  England  in  the  reign  of  Oueen  Mary, 
leaving  an  ellate  of  ;^.noo  fterling  a  year,  which  v>^as  a 
great  efcate  in  thofe  tim.es,  and  fliews  how  confcientious 
principles  will  fubdue  the  pailion  of  avarice  in  good  minds. 

It  is  very  v/rong  to  clafs  the  Congregational  churches  with 
the  Brownijis.  I'hough  individuals  had  been  conneded 
with  Brown,  and,  fuppoling  him  honeft  and  zealous  in  the 
caufe  of  truth,  had  not  been  fenfible  enough  of  the  confe- 
quences  where  there  is  fuch  a  latitude  of  opinion  and  im- 
prudence of  conduct,  yet  the  churches  in  general  difclaim- 
€d  that  church  anarchy  which  it  was  his  delign  to  intro- 
duce, nor  were  they  guilty  of  the  like  extravagances. 

Oldmixon  flyles  the  micmbers  of  Mr.  Robinfon's  churches, 
in  general,  Brownijis  ;  and  fays  that  they  were  driven  to  the 
extreme  they  went,  by  the  perfecution  of  the  high  church 
party.  And,  as  though  this  was  againft  their  reputation, 
Mr.  Prince  takes  pains  to  exculpate  them.  But  whatever 
Mr.  Robinfon  might  have  written  in  favour  of  ecclefiaftical 
democracy,  it  is  evident  his  charader  is  very  good  ;  and 
why  fliould  this  bring  any  difcredit  upon  the  New-England 
churches,  who  concluded  all  their  ecclefiaftical  bufmefs  with 
decency  and  order  ? 

When  James  afcended  the  throne,  the  Puritans  nattered 
themfelves  they  lliould  have  indulgence  at  leafi,  if  they 
were  not  openly  patronifed  and  fjpported  ;  as  he  had  been 
educated  a  Prefbyterian,  and  frequently  had  fpoken  againft 
the  Epifcopal  church.  But  they  foon  found  their  mif- 
take.  xlrbitrary  in  his  difpofition,  and  puihed  on  by  an 
intolerant  bigotted  clergy,  he  was  inimical  equally  to  civi! 
and  religious  liberty.  He  carried  his  meafures  with  a  high- 
er hand  than  his  predecelTor  had  done  in  the  plenitude  of 
her  power  and  felf-complacency  ;  whofe  wifdom  was  much 
greater,  and  who  was  much  better  acquainted  with  the 
people  of  England.  Her  noblenefs  of  difpofition,  alfo, 
made  her  afliamed  of  many  things  which  were  quite  con- 
genial 


268  Ecclefiaft'ical  Hijiory  of  Majfachufetts. 

genial  to  his  weak  mind.  Thofe  who  had  emigrated  to 
Holland,  feeing  no  profpe<5l  of  returning  to  their  own 
country,  then  turned  their  thoughts  to  America.  "  The 
reafons  of  their  removal  were  debated  in  public  and  pri- 
vate ;  and  a  very  conliderable  part  of  the  church  were  per- 
fuaded  that  it  was  a  call  from  heaven ;  and  had  not  this 
fentiment  prevailed,  it  would  have  been  very  difficult  to  fix 
their  refolutions  and  acl  with  unanimity."*  Thefe  are  the 
words  of  a  worthy  waiter  ;  and,  if  we  may  be  allowed  to 
mingle  our  obfervations  with  his,  may  we  not  fay,  that  ex- 
cept a  fenfe  of  religion  has  its  influence  upon  manldnd,  we 
fliould  want,  upon  occalions  lefs  im.portant,  fojiietbing  to 
reft  our  wearied  expedations  upon,  to  animate  our  hopes, 
and  to  prevent  uncertain  profpeds  from  fettling  into  def- 
pondency  and  gloom  ? 

Mr,  Neal  mentions,  as  a  reafon  why  Mr.  Robinfon  advi- 
fed  that  they  ihould  feek  out  a  new  fettlement,  the  fear  left 
the  church  fhould  be  dilTolved,  fever al  members  dying,  and 
others  mingling  with  the  Dutch.  Hence  they  refolved  to 
tranfport  themfeives  to  America. 

All  vv^ho  write  the  hiftory  of  thefe  times  allow,  that  our 
fathers  fupported  a  moft  excellent  character  in  Holland. 
It  is  much  to^their  credit,  that  they  lived  among  them- 
feives, and  in  peace  with  their  neighbours  ;  and  that  this 
teftimony  is  given  of  them,  "  that  for  the  ten  years  they 
lived  there,  they  could  bring  no  fait  or  accufation  againft 
them."  . 

In  the  95Lh  number  of  the  New-England  Courant,  a  pa- 
per printed  by  the  Franklins,  is  the  following  letter.  "  In 
the  year  1610,  a  num^ber  of  chriftians  from  the  north  of 
England,  having  Mr.  John  Robinfon  for  their  paftor,  re- 
moved to  Ley  den  in  Holland,  that  they  might  peaceably 
worihip  God  according  to  the  inftitutions  of  the  gofpel, 
which  they  could  not  do  in  their  own  bnd.  Thirteen  of 
this  consrresraticn,  not  liking;  the  bafenefs  of  the  Dutch,  nor 
to  lofe  their  intereft  in  the  Englifli  nation,  did  think  and 
agree  about  removing  acrofs  the  Atlantick.  Part  of  them 
were  to  do  it  before  the  reft,  to  fee  what  encouragement 
they  could  find.  Accordingly,  part  of  them,  am.ong  whom 
was  Mr.  Brewfter,  the  affiftant  of  Mr.  Robinfon,  remiOved 
from  Holland  the  latter  end  of  June,  1620,  and  arrived  at 
*  Hubbard.  Cape-Cod 


Ecclefiafikal  Hiftory  of  Majfachufeits.  269 

Cape-Cod  in  November,  the  fame  year.  At  this  place  they 
drew  up  an  engagement,  acknowledging  themfeives  the 
fubjefts  of  king  James,  and  combining  themfeives  into  a 
body  politick,  and  became  the  firft  colony  of  New-Eng- 
land. From  Cape  Cod  they  went  one  way  and  another, 
to  find  a  convenient  place  of  abode,  and  at  length  fettled 
together  at  Plymouth  ;  and  were  the  firft  church  in  New- 
England  5  the  only  one  till  1J29." 

The  charafter  of  Mr.  Robinibn  was  very  refpe^table  in 
the  line  of  his  profeflion.  He  had  great  wifdom  and 
worth,  as  we  learn  from  the  account,  not  only  of  the  mem- 
bers of  his  church,  but  his  other  contemporaries,  and  from 
his  writings.  Thefe  difcover  a  talent  for  reafoning,  and 
clofe  attention  to  theology.  Mr.  Bradford*  fays  that  he 
was  prevaileci  upon  by  the  Calvinifts,  to  difpute  pubiickly 
with  Epifcopius,  who  led  in  the  controverfy  which  then 
engaged  the  attention  of  the  reformed  churches  ;  and  which 
has  been  fmce  the  caufe  of  difference,  and  frequently  a  con- 
tentious fpirit,  in  the  churches  of  Amtcrica  as  much  as  Eu- 
rope. Epifcopius  was  the  champion  of  the  doctrines  prop- 
agated by  James  Arminius,  who  was  firft  the  difciple  of 
Beza  and  Calvin,  but  afterwards  changed  his  opinion,  and 
oppofed  the  fentiments  taught  in  their  fchool.  The  opin- 
ions of  Arminius  received  great  fupport  from  the  reputa- 
tion and  learning  of  Epifcopius,  who  emitted  the/es,  and 
engaged  to  defend  them  againft  original  ///z,  particular  elec- 
iioHj  and  other  points  of  doftrine.  By  his  zeal  and  knowl- 
edge, his  fkill  in  managing  a  controverfy,  many  of  the  firft 
charafters  of  Leyden,  and  the  Dutch  republick,  were 
brought  over  to  the  fame  way  of  thinking,  and  declared  the 
full  convidion  of  their  minds,  that  the  great  light  of  Gene- 
va had  miftaken  the  fenfe  of  the  fcriptures. 

Mr.  Robinfon  ftcpped  forward  to  defend  the  doctrines 
of  Calvin,  and  was  fuperior  to  Epifcopius,  according  to 
the  account  given  of  the  difpute  by  the  members  of  his 
church.  Whether  the  admirers  of  Epifcopius  thought  {o^ 
we  are  not  convinced,  as  no  other  account  of  the  matter  is 
handed  down  to  us.  Perhaps  the  prejudices  of  opinion 
and  friendihip  might  influence  each  party  to  think  their 

champion 

*  The  MS.  of  Gov.  Bradford  is  loft,  except  the  few  extrads  to  be 
found  in  Prince's  annals. 


^7o  Ecckfiafikal  Hijlory  of  MaJJachufetts. 

champion  viftorious  ;  and  on  each  £de  might  mingle 
fhades  of  error  v/ith  the  light  of  truth.  The  zeal  of 
many  abforbed  all  their  moderation  at  that  time  ;  and  it 
had  the  fame  effecl  upon  the  deliberations  of  ftatefmen,  as 
upon  the  fentiments  of  divines,  ifiuing  in  tumults,  as  lit- 
tle congenial  to  true  policy,  as  the  fpirit  of  the  gofpel.* 

But  it  is  not  connected  with  my  plan,  to  confider  the 
ftate  of  Europe,  or  the  effed;  of  religious  prejudices  upon 
the  inhabitants  of  other  countries,  only  as  thefe  introduced 
events,  which  were  combined  with  the  character  and  con- 
duft  of  our  anceftors,  who  were  pious  men,  ftricliy  calvin- 
iilical  in  their  principles,  exemplary  in  their  walk  and  con- 
verfation.  Whenever  they  manifefted  more  zeal  than  can- 
dour, (v/hich  fome  men  in  all  ages  have  done),  it  was  ow- 
ing to  their  attachment  to  peculiar  principles,  and  think- 
ing others  muft  be  inconfiftent  and  abfurd,  who  had  a  dif- 
ferent kind  of  belief. 

If  Mr.  Robinfon  was  felecled  to  manage  the  difpute,  it 
ihews  the  confidence  they  had  in  his  abilities.  If  he 
thought  himfelf  equal  to  the  controverfy,  his  enthuliafm 
was  more  prominent  than  his  talents  ;  or,  to  fay  the  leaft, 
it  remains  uncertain  whether  the  vigour  of  his  mind  or 
faini-like  zeal  were  moil  confpicuous.  A  bold  difputant 
may  appear  by  his  manner  to  gain  an  advantage,  when  he 
3ias  really  weakened  his  argument  by  his  declamation. 
'  Zeal  is^  the  firll  thing  requifite  for  public  difputants  when 
popular  aireniblies  are  to  judge  ;  and  he  who  thinks  him- 
felf in  the  right  fuppoies  others  confuted  who  differ,  what- 
ever opinion  candid  people,  not  interefled  in  the  controver- 
fy, may  fee  fit  to  embrace. 

Had  Mr.  Robinfon  came  over  to  Plymouth,  it  would 
have  been  of  great  advantage  to  the  fettlement.  He  had 
been  convinced  of  fome  of  his  errors,  thofe  obliquities  of 
fentiment  concerning  the  difcipline  and  worfhip  of  the  con- 
gregational churches  ;  and  he  was  a  man  fo  judicious  in 
other  refpeds,  that  he  was  capable  of  giving  them  adidce 
and  diredion  in  ail  their  affairs.  But  it  pleafed  heaven  to 
cut  fliort  his  days  in  the  midfl  of  his  ufefulnefs.  V/e  can 
fee  only  a  fhort  way  into  the  fcheme  of  providence  ;  v/hat 
we  know  not  now,  we  may  knov/  hereafter.     His  friends 

in 

*  Vid.  Hiftoire  medalliaue  ^^%  Hollandois- 


Ecdefiaftkal  Mijlor^  of  Majfachufitts.  27 1 

in  Holland  were  foon  deprived  of  his  inftructions  and  foci- 
ety.  And  his  friends,  who  longed  to  hear  his  voice  in  this 
American  wildernefs,  which  they  were  fubduing  with  great 
labour,  and  in  the  midil  of  dangers,  had  tofon-ow  that  they 
lliould  fee  his  face  no  more.  The  news  was  more  grievous 
to  the  members  of  his  church,  becaufe  it  came  in  a  time  of 
their  mourning  for  their  friends  and  relatives,  who  were 
fwept  away  by  a  raging  peftilence.  This  was  a  wound 
which  called  up  all  the  feelings  of  their  hearts. 

Among  the  vgry  adive  and  fenfible  perfons  of  this  Ley- 
den  congregation,  who  came  over  to  Plymouth,  v/as  Mr. 
Brewfler,  an  elderly,  worthy  man,  to  whom^  the  colony- 
felt  indebted  for  good  fervices  in  the  firft  period  of  their 
fettlement. 

The  Englifli  hiftorians  fpeak  of  them  ail  as  of  the  rigid 
feparation,  and  moft  of  them  had  been,  without  doubt,  vi- 
olent in  their  oppofition  to  the  epifcopal  church,  efpecially 
to  their  forms  and  ceremonies,  and  had  blamed  the  other 
Puritans  for  things  which  only  difcovered  more  prudence, 
and  were  worthy  of  commendation.  Mr.  Brewiler  aded 
as  elder  of  the  church,  but  no  one  was  looked  upon  as  their 
paftor  ;  and  for  a  long  time  this  firft  church  of  New-Eng- 
land wanted  a  man  to  execute  this  office.  We,  who  make 
no  fuch  diftinc^ion  of  offices,  think  it  ftrange  that  there 
ftiould  have  been  fuch  difference  between  paftor  and  teach- 
ing elders  ;  for  we  fuppofe,  any  man,  who  can  feed  the 
people  with  knowledge,  is  qualified  for  one  office  equally 
with  another.  But  it  appears  from  the  ecclefiaftical  hifto- 
ry  of  this  country,  that  a  very  great  diftindion  was  made 
in  the  early  ftate  of  their  fettlement.  They  efteemed  many 
to  be  excellent  teachers,  whom  they  would  not  endow  with 
the  pafioral  care.  It  was  offered  to  Mr.  Brewfter,  but  ^  he 
was  too  modeil  to  accept  it  ;  and  the  church,  not  being 
able  to  procure  fuch  a  teacher  as  would  unite  the  offices, 
were  for  many  years  like  iheep  without  a  ftiepherd.  They 
had  affiftance.  from  the  magiftrates,  who  were  v/ife  and  de- 
vout men.  It  was  then  requifite  to  the  charader  of  a  gov- 
ernor to  be  a  man  of  piety,  and  able  to  expound  the  fcrip- 
tures,  which  led  thofe  in  civil  office  to  intereft  themfeives- 
in  all  the  concerns  of  the  churches.  We  have  a  particular 
inftance,  in  Winthrop's  journal,  of  the  condud  of  our  ru- 
lers- 


272  Ecckfiajlkal  Hijloiy  of  Majfachufetts. 

lers.     He  tells,  that  "  he  went  to  Plymouth,  attended  the 
church  meeting,  and  prophecied." 

Mr.  Hubbard  fays,  "  that  a  chriftian  church,  to  carry 
on  the  forms  of  worlhip,  muft  have  fuitable  officers  ;  but 
the  church  of  Plymouth  were  a  very  ferious  people,  who 
knew  their  own  principles  ;  not  like  many  of  their  fol- 
lowers in  fome  parts  of  the  country,  properly  termed 
Seekers,  of  whom  it  may  be  faid,  as  our  Lord  fpeaks  of 
the  Samaritans,  They  know  not  what  fpirii  they  were  of. 

It  may  be  proper  to  mention  other  gentlemen,  befide 
Mr.  Brewfler,  who  were  officers  of  this  congregational 
church,  and  v*^ho  allifted  in  every  part  of  worfliip,  except 
the  adminillration  of  the  ordinances,  which  was  peculiar 
to  the  office  of  Paftor.  Governor  Carver  was  deacon  of 
the  firft  church,  as  well  as  chief  magiftrate  of  the  colony. 
He  was  elected  to  this  office  while  they  were  in  Holland, 
at  the  fame  time  with  Mr.  Samuel  Fuller,  "  an  eminent  fur- 
geon,  and  man  of  great  piety."  The  deacons  they  chofe, 
after  they  arrived  here,  w^re  I\Ir.  Richard  Mafterfon  and 
Mr.  Thomas  BlofTom,  wliofe  praife  is  yet  in  the  church  at 
Plymouth.  They  were  ufeful  men,  famed  for  their  vir- 
tues, diligence,  and  aftive  fervices.* 

There  was  a  difdnclion  m.ade  in  the  firft  church  be- 
tween a  ruling  elder  and  teaching  elder,  befide  the  diftinc- 
tion  we  have  obferved  between  paftor  and  teacher.  This 
was  owing  to  the  peculiar  defire  of  thefe  good  men  to 
preferve  every  name  mentioned  in  the  evangelical  writings, 
without  confidering  that  the  difcipline  of  the  church  is 
difcretionary,  and  muft  be  adapted,  in  fome  meafure,  to  lo- 
cal fituation,  circum.ftances  of  the  age,  or  that  many  things 
were  very  unneceffary  in  fucceeding  ages,  that  miight  be 
very  proper  for  the  primitive  church.  How  far  the 
churches  in  MaiTachufetts  fell  in  with  the  fentiment  of  their 
brethren  at  Plymouth,  and  how  far  this  entered  into  the 
platform  of  their  church  agreed  upon  at  Cambridge  ; 
whether  it  was  a  partial  or  univerial  rule  ;  when  alterations 
were  made,  and  why  the  office  of  ruling  elder  is  now  laid 
afide,  may  become  fuitable  topics  of  difcuffion  in  the  courfe 
of  this  hift:ory. 

Mr.  Brewfter  was  made  ruling  elder  in  the  church  of  Fly- 
mouth, 

*  Cotton's  Relation  of  the  Church  in  Plymouth, 


Ecclefiafiical  Hijlory  of  Majfachufetiu  273 

mouth,  and  united  this  with  the  bufmefs  of  inftruftion,  to 
which  he  had  been  confined.  He  continued  thus  to  per- 
form the  feveral  duties  till  his  death,  and  was  Succeeded 
by  Mr.  Thomas  Culhman,  fon  of  Robert  Culliman,  one  of 
the  moft  important  and  worthy  characters  among  thole 
who  formed  the  iirft  fettlement.* 

In  March,  in  the  year  1624,  Mr,  Lyford  came  over  to 
Plymouth.  When  he  firft  came,  he  difcovered  Inch  tond- 
nefs  in  the  mode  of  his  falutation,  that  he  would  have  kif- 
fed  their  hands  who  extended  them  in  the  common  tokens 
of  friendlliip  ;  but  this  loving  brother,  and  hollow  faint, 
foon  manifefted  that  the  kifs  of  charity  was  accompanied 
with  the  fmile  of  deceit.  He  is  reprefented,  by  Morton,  as 
a  man  who  "  croucheth  and  humbleth  himfelf  ;  and  as  a 
treacherous  Ifmael,  who  killed  Gedeliah,  according  to  what 
we  read  in  the  prophecy  of  Jeremy.  The  worthies  of  the 
new  fettlement  gave  him  a  very  cordial  reception,  andiup- 
pofed  he  would  be  a  great  help  to  them  in  their  folitary  con- 
dition. The  governor  treated  him  with  the  like  refped  as 
he  did  Mr.  Brewller,  ^      x.      %.       a 

But  although  this  man  was  admitted  to  the  church,  and 
made  great  profeffions  of  his  goodnefs,  confelTion  of  former 
wickednefs,  and  declarations  of  the  foundnefs  of  ^is  taitli, 
he  fpit  the  venom  of  the  afp  from  his  tongue,  and  diicov- 
ered  the  malignity  of  a  demon,  who  was  fent  to  mar  the 
happinefs  of  ?he  fettlement  and  difturb  the  peace  of  the 
church.  The  air  was  tainted  with  the  flanders  he  wrote 
andfpread  for  the  fervice  of  men  who  were  enemies  of  the 
plantation  :  for  fuch  men  there  were  in  the  old  country, 
both  of  the  clergy  and  the  ftate,  who  fcemed  determined 
to  perfecute  this  little  fleck,  that  had  fied  into  the  wilder- 
nefs,  as  if  the  fandy  deferts  were  too  good  for  them. 

One  letter  in  particular  the  governor  intercepted  A 
prudent  ufe  was  made  of  it,  till  he  could  expoie  an  tne 
fcenes  of  his  villainv.t — 

*  Mr.  Robert  Culhman  preached  to  thele  pilgiims,  our  venerable 
fathers,  In  1621.  The  fermon  contams  the  bed  advice,  and  may  be 
read  by  their  pofterlty,  for  ether  reafons  befide  this,  that  it  is  a  curioli- 
ty  worth  preferving  among  the  ancient  things  of  this  country.      i  he  text 

''  t  It  feems  t'his  Lyford,  with  others,  efpecially  Mr.  Oldham,  intend- 
ed to  make  a  reparation  or  divifion  in  the  church  ;  to  a;ter  the  govern- 

Mm         cr./.vii.]  ^^^^"'» 


274  EcdefiajVical  Ulftorj  of  MaJfachu/elLu 

In  tiefcribing  the  ftate  of  things  appertaining  to  the  tc 
clefiaiHcal  hiftory  of  New-England,  I  am  necclfarily  led  to 
fpeak  of  civil  hiftory,  v/hich  I  would  avoid  as  mueh  as 
poillble  ;  leaving  this  to  thofe  whofe  opportunities  and 
diligence  of  refearch  enable  them  to  give  a  fairer  and 
more  complete  view  of  the  ilibjecl  :  but  it  is  v/ell  known 
that  our  fiithers  blended  religion  with  all  their  concerns  ; 
and  when  civil  tranf^jons  are  neceiTarily  mingled  with 
the  account  of  the  church,  fhould  one  part  only  be  men- 
tioned, the  relation  would  be  lame,  for  want  of  the  con- 
nexion it  had  v/ith  the  other. 

I  have  no  doubt  that  the  behaviour  of  Lyford  fprung 
from  political  motives.  He  was  calculated  to  ferve  the 
views  of  certain  mercenary  wretches,  who  fent  him  to  A- 
merica  with  lucrative,  arxd  net  pious  intentions  ;  or  elfc  he 
was  employed  by  thofe,  w^ho,  being  inimical  to  all  diffent- 
ers  from  the  eftablifned  church,  and  every  fpecies  of  re- 
publican government,  wiihed  to  deftroy  this  rifmg  com- 
monwealth. King  James  only  connived  at  the  fettlement. 
He  did  not  tolerate  principles  and  practices  which  oppofed 
ecclefiafcical  dominion  ;  and  efpecially  was  his  ire  excited, 
when  men  defpifed  the  folly,  which  is  fometimes  equal  to 
the  fury  of  defpotfn.  The  fpies  of  Charles's  court  would 
aifo  fearch  the  uttermoft  parts  of  the  earth,  for  the  fake  of 
deftroyirg  men's  liberty. 

From  long  experience  in  human  artifice  and  deception, 
they  well  knev/  that  a  man  rrivStfee?n  to  be  i-eligious  to  carry 
a  point  againfc  a  people,  vvho  lived  in  all  "  good  confciencc," 

and, 

meiu,  and  beccimo  men  of  diitindiou,  as  many  turbulent  fpirlts  have 
done,  who  have  foon  fallen  from  the  high  places  where  their  own  giddy 
imaginations  have  placed  them.  Too  many  are  ready  to  do  mifchief, 
when  they  are  adive,  and  want  the  difpofition  to  do  good.  It  was  for- 
tunate for  this  country,  that  fuch  fchemes  as  Lyford  and  Oldham  con- 
trived for  the  deftruiftion  of  Nev/-Plymouth,  were  fo  early  fruftrated, 
rind  that  they  loft  their  influence  before  they  could  make  the  worft  ufe 
of  it.  They  progreflTed,  however,  fo  far  as  to  fet  up  a  different  place  of 
worlhip,  and  made  every  attempt  to  diforganize  the  firft  church.  They 
left  the  communion  without  acquainting  the  officers  and  brethren,  or 
ipeaking  to  the  governor  upon  the  fubjeft,  and  met  by  them.felvcs  every 
Lord^s-day.  Befide  this  open  violation  of  their  cuty,  they  were  guilty  of 
other  infults  of  the  authority,  of  wicked  plots  and  practices,  inconfiftent 
with  the  characfler  of  good  men,  and  members  cf  the  commonwealth-^  and 
wholly  oppofite  to  ih^  fpirit,  precepts^  and  injiiintions  of  chriftianity. 


tcclefttiftkal  Hifiory  of  Majachufetis.  275 

and,  for  the  enjoyment  of  religion,  had  left  their  native 

Lyford  was  fo  well  inftrucled,  as  to  ad  his  part  admir- 
ably weJi  :  for  he  joined  this  community  of  chriftians,  and 
was  fo  zealous,  that  they  would  have  chofen  him  for  their 
minifter.     He  adually  obtained  the  confidence  of  Mofes 
and  Aaron,  to  whom  Gov.  Bradford  and  Mr.  Brewfter 
bore  fome  refembiance,  according  to  the  ftyle  of  our  early 
writers.     One  of  them  fays,  "  that  the  church  was  trou- 
bled  with  a  faftious  fpirit,  which  arofe  from  a  man  who 
rame  over  to  New-England  with  the  beft  of  characTiers, 
but  with  what  frequently  anfv^rers  for  the  woril  ot  moral 
excellencies,  a  zeal  to  do  more  than  others  ;  and  ^ence  a 
o-reat  confidence  was  put  in  him  by  the  Governor,  and  by 
die  members  of  the  church.     He  was  of  their  communion 
tiU  he  fet  up  a  different  place  of  worfhip  ;    and  there  he 
adminifiered  the  facraments  till  he  was  brought  to  a  hum- 
ble confefTion  of  all  his  wickednefs,  and  was  put  under 
cenfure.     He  appeared  at  firft  fmcere,  and  acknowledged 
the  lenity  of  the  people  towards  him,  and  then  played  the 
hypocrite  by  writing  againft  the  country,  and  juftitymg 
his  former  writings.     The  time  being  expired  for  his  cen- 
fure to  take  place,  he  gave  no  evidence  of  his  reformation  ; 
but  other  crimes  appearing  ag.Inft  him,  he  was  bamftied 
He  went  to  Nantalket,  then  to  Salem,  and  afterwards  tQ 
Vii-ffinia,  where  he  died.'*  ;       .     i-r 

The  condua  of  Oldham  is  iefs  connec1:ed  with  the  hii- 
tory  of  the  church,  and  needs  not  to  be  pointed  out  fo 
minutely  in  this  work.  Suffice  it  to  fay,  that  he  lived 
fome  time  after  he  left  Plymouth,  and  obtained  credit 
ao-ain  with  the  people,  fo  that  they  permitted  him  to  trade 
tiU  he  was  killed  by  the  Indians.  This  unhappy  event  has 
been  often  mentioned;  and  no  wonder  i^  should  claim 
fuch  particular  notice,  as  it  was  the  origin  of  the  Pequod 

The  difcipline  of  the  church  was  very  flricl:.  It  accord- 
ed with  their  ideas,  though  perhaps  their  ideas  were  not 
exaaiy  fcriptural,  or  fo  near  as  they  imagined  to  the 
foundation  of  the  prophets  and  apoftles.  They  proceeded 
with  much  regularity,  and  the  members  generally  ^^^^^^ 


276  Ecclefiajlkal  Hijiory  of  Mafachufetts. 

ted  to  the  rules  prefcribed  for  their  condud.  As  thole 
men  loft  their  reputation,  who  excited  difficulties,  fuch,  on 
the  other  hand,  as  had  a  high  reputation  in  the  church  for 
their  piety  and  chriftian  graces,  were  moft  likely  to  be  dif*- 
tinguifhed  with  the  firft  honours  in  their  civil  fociety^ 
Offenders  could  not  efcape  ecclefiaftical  cenfure  ;  but  were 
obliged  to  fubmit,  and  to  ftudy  a  greater  decorum  of  be- 
haviour ;  and  thus  the  dignity  of  the  chriftian  profeffion 
was  preferved  ;  a  church  began  to  blolTom  in  the  wilder- 
nefs,  and  to  make  thefe  folitary  places  rejoice  with  the  con- 
foiing  beams  of  evangelical  truth,  which  had  been  hidden 
in  pagan  darknefs. 

The  fathers  of  New-Plymouth  were  without  a  paftor  to 
rule  and  adminifter  the  ordinances  till  the  year  1629,  when 
they  were  increafed  by  numbers,  who  had  belonged  to  Mr. 
Lathrop's  church  in  England,  and  alfo  by  as  many  as  thir- 
ty-five families  of  thofe  who  were  aftbciated  with  them  in 
Leyden  ;  tO  whole  afiiftance  they  cheerfully  contributed, 
looking  unto  another  v/orid  for  the  reward.  They  cer~ 
tainly  could  never  expert  a  return  of  what  they  expended, 
which  was  equal  to  £.5006  fterling ;  a  great  fum  to  be 
taken  from  thefe  manfions  of  poverty  ;  but  "  where  the 
fpirit  of  religion  influences  people,  they  are  rich  in  the 
fruits  of  benevolence." 

Mr.  Ralph  Smith  then  came  over  to  Maflachufetts  ;  and 
at  the  defire  of  the  church  in  Plymouth,  connected  him- 
felf  in  the  paftoral  relation,  for  vv-^hich  he  was  not  quali- 
fied. It  is  laid  tliat  he  wanted  candour,  prudence,  knowl- 
edge, and  experience,  and  refembled  his  predecelTors  in 
nothing,  except  that  he  was  of  the  ftrifteft  fed  of  the  Pu- 
ritans. Such  a  man  was  no  way  fit  to  come  after  Mr. 
Robinfon,  v/ho  was  exemplary  and  learned  j  fb  judicious 
as  to  advife  his  people  to  avoid  his  errors,  and  be  guided 
by  the  wifdom  which  is  without  partiality,  which  is  pure 
and  peaceable  ;  gentle,  and  eafy  to  be  intreated,  proceed- 
ing from  the  Father  of  lights.  But  Mr.  Smith  was  zeal- 
ous and  imprudent  :  his  zeal  was  that  ebulHtion  of  tem- 
per, which  has  done  much  milchief  in  fociety,  as  well  as 
created  confufions  in  the  church  ;  which  leads  to  follies 
and  extravagance,  and  ftirs  up  all  manner  of  party  fpirit. 

■       No 


Ecckfiajlical  Hiftory  of  Majfachufetts,  ^'jy 

No  one,*  therefore,  could  be  more  unfit  to  fettle  with  a 
people  fo  well  inftrufted  in  righteoufnefs,  acquainted  with 
the  principles  of  chriftianity,  and  ufed  to  fuch  order  in  the 
church.  Mr.  Smith  foon  laid  down  his  office,  and  this  re- 
flexion was  m.ade  :  "  That  many  times  the  total  vacancy 
of  an  office  is  eafier  to  be  borne,  than  the  under-perform- 
ance  of  it.'*t 

Mr.  Cotton,  who  wrote  a  particular  relation  of  the  firft 
church  in  Plymouth  to  the  year  1760,  being  in  poffeffion 
of  the  records  and  other  authentic  documents,  fpeaks  of 
Mr.  R.  Smith,  }  "  as  a  man  who  was  choien  the  pallor 
after  fome  time  of  trial  ;  a  grave  man,  who  continued  in 
the  miniftry  four  or  hve  years.  But  finding  him  a  man 
of  low  parts  and  gifts,  they,  as  Providence  gave  opportu- 
nity, improved  others  as  his  affiftants  ;  particularly  Roger 
Williams,  a  young  man  of  bright  accomplifliments,  but 
unliable  judgment,  who  preached  among  them  four  years. 
But  at  laft,  beginning  to  vent  fome  errors,  v/hich  were  dif- 
agreeable  to  the  church,  they,  at  his  defire,  gave  him  a 
difmiffion  to  the  church  of  Salem ;  where,  being  called  to 
office,  he  openly  propagated  his  principles,  and  did  much 
mifchief,  as  the  ecclefiaftical  hiflorians  of  this  country  give 
an  account.  The  next  year,  Mr.  Smith  refigned  his  min- 
iftry, partly  of  his  own  accord,  as  thinking  it  too  heavy  a 
burden  ;  and  by  the  perfuafion  of  others,  who  apprehend- 
ed him  not  fufficiently  qualified  for  the  work." 

During  the  time  of  Mr.  Smith's  miniftry,  they  employ- 
ed Mr.  Edward  Winllow,  who  was  fent  agent  to  England, 
to  procure  them  a  minifter,  as  colleague  with  Mr.  Smith. 
He  accordingly  agreed  with  Mr.  Glover,  an  able  difpenfer 
of  the  word  of  God,  to  come  over  with  them  ;  but  he 
ended  his  life  in  London,  foon  after  his  engagement.  Af- 
terwards, Mr.  Winflow  providentially  meeting  with  that 
worthy  man,  Mr.  John  Norton,  then  intending  for  New- 
England,  he  treated  with  him  about  fupplying  Plymouth, 
and  coming  over  with  Mr.  Winllow  ;    he  landed  there, 

and 

*  Except  Mr.  Rogers,  who  came  over  in  1628,  without  any  particu- 
lar invitation  ;  who,  being  fubjedl  to  fits  of  infanity,  created  only  the 
4xpenfe  of  fending  him  back. 

+  Hubbard's  MSS.  t  Hift.  Collea.  vol.  III. 


^yS  Ecdefiafiical  Hijiory  of  Majfachufetts. 

and  preached  with  them  one  winter,  but  declined  fettlingj 
though  earneftly  preffed  to  it. 

Thus  was  this  poor  church,  as  Mr.  Cotton  ooferves,  dif- 
appointed  from  time  to  time  in  their  attem.pts  to  iettle  the 
gofpel  among  them,  fo  as  to  enjoy  the  ordinances  with  the 
word  of  life.  His  idea  of  the  order  of  the  churches  is, 
that  none  but  an  ordained  paftor  can  adminifter  the  ordi« 
nances.  But  why  ihould  a  man  be  thought  worthy  to 
pray,  to  teach,  to  prophecy,  or  explain  the  fcriptures,  and 
yet  not  be  qualified  to  baptize  ?  Mr.  Cotton  was  very  much 
attached  to  the  form.s  of  Geneva  and  Cambridge  ;  and  we 
may  make  the  fame  obfervation  upon  moil  of  thofe  worthy 
divines,  who  organized  the  religious  focieties  of  New-Eng- 
land. 

When  v/e  reflecl  upon  the  fiifFerings  of  thefe  early  fettlers^ 
we  cannot  help  admiring  their  fortitude  and  perfeverance  ! 
They  fufFered  more  in  their  own  country  than  others  who 
came  over  to  America.  They  had  more  dimculties  to  en- 
counter than  the  people  of  Mailachufetts,  who  landed 
and  formed  their  fettlement.  They  had  lefs  affiilance  from 
the  property  and  wealth  of  others,  had  fewer  friends  a- 
brcad,  and  m.ore  eneinies  at  home.  They  had  enemies 
among  themfelves,  v/ho  v/ounded  their  fpirits  ;  and 
they  well  knew  that  deep  and  mahcious  fchemes  v^^ere  laid 
in  England  to  difturb  their  peace,  and  fet  alide  the  princi- 
ples of  their  eftablillim.ent. 

Lyford  would  have  accomplifhed  m.ore  than  he  did,  had 
thofe  m.en,  whom,  he  and  others  wifhed  to  injure,  been  the 
dupes  of  his  fubtlety,  and  mean,  hypocritical  grimace. 
But  he  had  to  deal  with  perfons  not  fuperficial  in  their  in- 
quiries, nor  feeble  in  fpirit.  They  were  ready  to  receive 
to  their  friendlhip,  and  to  their  bofom,  all  who  refembled 
the  chve^  but  were  on  their  guard  againft  the  vulture^  which 
darts  upon  its  prey.  When  their  fellow-men,  (more  cruel 
than  birds  or  beafts  of  prey,)  whofe  teeth  were  fpears  and 
arrows,  and  their  tongues  as  iharp  fwords,  calumniated 
their  reputation,  they  trufted  in  One,  who  was  the  Ihield 
of  their  excellency,  the  health  of  their  countenance,  and 
their  God. 

May  we  not  repeat  the  fentiment,  that  they  fupported 

their 


Eccle/iqftical  Hijiory  of  Maffachufeiis-  279 

their  character  and  good  name  ;  the  peace  and  order  of  the 
churches  ;  the  laws  and  ordinances  of  their  little  commu- 
nity, when  they  had  none  to  guide  them  in  the  paftoral  of- 
fice. As  the  difficulties  increafed,  they  encouraged  one 
another,  and  were  fenlible  of  their  mutual  intereft  j  an  ex- 
ample to  chriftians  of  all  denominations,  who  may  fee  fo 
many  virtues  to  imitate,  and  fach  pure  charatSers  for  faith 
and  patience  as  are  feldom  to  be  met  with  in  the  pages  of 
ecclefiaftical  hiftory. 

Mr.  Hubbard  makes  thefe  fericus  reSeclions,  not  unwor- 
thy of  our  attention,  and  which  will  pleafe  readers  of  a  re- 
ligious turn  of  mind  :*  "  In  all  their  changes,  the  over-rul- 
ing hand  of  providence  was  to  be  acknov/ledged,  that  at 
the  laft  found  out  a  refting  place  for  them,  by  fending  the 
angel  of  his  prefence  to  go  before  them,  and  fafely  condud 
them  through  fo  many  dangers,  and  fo  many  deaths. 

"  Our  blelied  Lord,  foretelling  the  deftruftion  of  Jerufa- 
lem,  would  have  his  hearers  pray  that  their  flight  be  not  in 
the  winter  ;  but  fuch  was  the  difpenfation  of  the  Almighty 
to  this  poor,  defpifed  company,  that,  having  hardly  efcaped 
the  violence  of  many  furious  florms  at  fea,  they  were  no 
fooner  fet  on  Iliore,  than  they  were  called  immediately  to 
encounter  with  hard  and  rough  w^eather  in  the  defert,  and 
barren  land,  on  the  verg:e  of  wiiiier.  The  fun  had,  in  a 
p-reat  meafurc,  withdrawn  his  delightful  beams  giving  them 
a  fhort  viut,  after  tedious,  long,  and  doleful  nights,  many 
times  brought  in  v/ith  boiflerous  ftorms  of  fnow  or  rain- 
The  earth  alfo  was  difmantled  of  ail  its  comely  and  plcafant 
ornaments,  by  the  early  approach  of  hard  and  iharp  frofls, 
prefenting  them  with  no  other  afpefts  than  the  rutliful  and 
v/eather-beaten  face  of  winter.  The  barbarians,  the  apof- 
tle  Paul  met  with  after  his  fhipwreck,  fhev/ed  them  no 
fmall  kindnefs,  kindling  them  a  fire,  and  fufFering  them  to 
gather  bundles  of  flicks  for  that  end  •,  v/hereas  thefe  bar- 
barous tribes  were  at  the  urft  unwilling  to  fpare  them  any 
bundle  or  ilick,  but  fach  as  v/ere  turned  into  arrows,  and 
improved  to  wound  their  new-come  guefts,  w^hich,  after  a 
paflage  over  the  vaft  and  wide  ocean,  were  entertained,  at 
the  firfl  fight,  only  with  the  fight  of  withered  grafs  on  the 
furface  of  the  cold  earth,  and  the  grim  looks  of  the  favage 
enemy.  Surely  fuch  pilgrims  and  flrangers  had  need  of 
*  Hubbard's  MSS,  fome 


28o  Ecclefiajllcal  Hipry  of  MaffachufettL 

fome  other  more  inward  lupport  and  comfort,  than^  this 
world  can  give.  They  had  need  of  a  good  confcience 
within,  to  adminifter  matter  for  a  contmual  fcaft,  as  they 
were  of  aU  other  fupplies  to  fuftain  their  hearts.  It  would 
have  tried  the  faith  of  Abraham,  when  fent  from  Ur  of  the 
Chaldeans,  if  he  had  been  direded  to  the  Arabian  wilder- 
nefs,  and  not  into  the  land  flowing  with  milk  and  honey. 
But  they  that  had  the  fame  faith  that  Abraham  had,  were, 
when  put  upon  trial,  not  unwilling  to  follow  the  condud 
of  divine  providence,  into  a  land  not  lown,  not  knowing 
indeed  it  may  be  faid,  whither  he  went,  yet  hoping  that 
God,  who,  by  his  fpecial  guidance,  had  brought  theni  into 
a  wildernefs,  would  not  be  a  wildernefs  to  them  therein,  as 

fince  they  have  found."  ,    .    ,     t,i  a-       c 

In  the  year  17^0,  Mr,  Prince  preached  the  Ekaion  Ser- 
mon. From  this^fermon,  and  other  writings  of  this  cele- 
brated divine,  we  may  gather  much  information,  and 
learn  leffons  of  piety.  His  labours  have  faved  the  hiitori- 
ans  of  this  country  many  particular  refearches.  He  was 
better  able  to  colled  materials,  and  had  more  mduilry 
than  moft  men.  ,  ^    ,        ^  ^^ 

In  addition  to  the  manufcripts  of  Dr.  I.  Mather,  Cotton 
Mather,  and  Mr,  Hubbard,  he  procured  the  diaries  .^nd  ob- 
fervations  of  private  gentlemen.  He  was  able,  with  iuch 
affiftance,  to  ^gather  every  minute  circumftance,  and  a 
library  of  ancient  books,  extremely  valuable  which  he  ar- 
ranged in  a  proper  manner,  and  put  into  the  Old  South 
Church.  Some  relicks  of  them  are  to  be  feen  at  this  day 
but  2:reat  depredations  have  been  made  by  the  teeth  ot 
time  ;  and  alfo  by  the  hand  of  violence,  when  the  Britilli 
troops  had  poifeffion  of  the  temple.  Many  manufcripts, 
likewife,  have  been  kept  by  thofe  who  ?neant  to  borrow. 

Every  thing  may  perifti  for  want  of  .^r^--an  oWerva^ 
tion  the  antiquary  frequently  makes,  who  bewails  that 
valuable  records,  which  would  have  been  ufeful  to  others, 
and  increafed  the  pleafures  of  his  own  mmd,  ihould  be  the 
food  of  infects,  or  perifh  in  the  fame  negleded  corner 
with  the  moth  and  the  worm. 


iif\CtCt