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«ENEAL,0<3Y COULBCTION
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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
fr iend£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
printe d
• 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
10
63
12
1 1
21
6
10
6!
2
18
Wit ham MarJIx's Journal: 189
Brought over^
jC-202
2
1000 flints,
18
4 doz. jews-harps,
14
I doz. boxes.
I
icwt. 2qrs. olb. bar lead,
3
1 qrs. fhot.
1
2 half barrels gun-powder.
13
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 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. *' 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
fc enes 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
