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1905.] Scheme for the Conquest of Canada in 1746. G9 
 
 A SCHEME FOR THE CONQUEST OF CANADA 
 IN 1746. 
 
 BY VICTOR HUGO PALTSITS. 
 
 In the acquisition of the vast domain of Canada, by the 
 treaty of 1763, Great Britain and her American colonists 
 realized a hope long cherished. The proximity of the 
 Canadians to the borders of New England and New York 
 in particular, together with the French influence over the 
 frontier Indians, had always been considered pernicious 
 to the interests of these English colonies and threatened 
 their ultimate destruction, unless "some method were 
 found to remove so bad a neighbour."^ The reduction of 
 this "thorn in the sides" of the neighboring English colonies 
 had been attempted, therefore, in 1690, under Sir William 
 Phips, and in 1711, under Sir Hovenden Walker. Phips's 
 expedition was an expensive undertaking; cost the province 
 of Massachusetts Bay alone above fifty thousand pounds; 
 wrought death among many of her chosen young men, 
 by a malignant fever that raged in the camp, and ended 
 ingloriously. The Bay government did not for some 
 years recover from the shock. Walker's expedition was 
 entered into with cheerfulness by the colonists, but it, 
 too, proved a fiasco. Apart from the cost of expeditions 
 in time of war, the garrisoning of the frontiers involved 
 a great annual outlay. Jeremy Dummer, in 1712, esti- 
 mated the cost to Massachusetts for this maintenance as 
 "Thirty Thousand Pounds communihus annis," ^ which 
 would be spared, he said, if Canada were wrested from 
 the French. 
 
 » Mass. Court Records, Series 17, Vol. V., p. 499. In Mass. State House, copied 
 from Public Record Office, London. ^ Maes. Court Records, Idem, p. 501. 
 
I^i^ 
 
 /<f/ 
 
 70 American Antiqttarian Society. [April, 
 
 From the treaty of Utrecht, m 1713, until the open 
 rupture in 1744, a nominal peace reigned. The declaration 
 of war between Great Britain and France in the latter 
 year equally involved their colonial possessions in conflict. 
 On June 17th, 1745, Louisburg, the richest American 
 jewel that had ever adorned the French crown, capitulated 
 to the daring of the New Englanders under General William 
 Pepperrell, aided by a fleet commanded by Commodore 
 Peter Warren. The successful issue of this enterprise 
 gave the English entire command of the Gulf of St. Law- 
 rence, and thus enabled them to cut off Quebec from all 
 hope of succor from France. It also facilitated the con- 
 quest of Canada itself.^ The victory was hailed with 
 acclamation throughout the colonies, and a hope was 
 expressed that no peace negotiations should ever be set 
 on foot with France in which the restoration of Cape Breton 
 should as much as be mentioned.^ 
 
 The Canadians were apprehensive of a British invasion^ 
 but made vigorous preparations to repress it. They 
 learned the English plans by means of scouting parties, 
 from the English prints, and more particularly from the 
 English colonists captured on the frontiers by their various 
 incursions, and whom they held in confinement at Quebec.^ 
 While the English colonial governments were engaged in 
 promoting levies, the Canadians sent a large detachment, 
 of two thousand men,* to take possession of the Acadian 
 settlements in Nova Scotia, and succeeded in cutting off 
 Governor Mascarene at Annapolis Royal from receiving 
 intelligence for a period of six weeks. In France a formi- 
 
 1 Memoirs of the Principal Transactions of the Last War. Third edition, Boston, 
 1758, p. 33. 
 
 2 Parker's New York Post-Boy, No. 164, for March 10th, 1746. The article itself 
 is dated December 28th, 1745. 
 
 5 The whole subject of rumors and French anticipatory action can be studied 
 from N. Y. Col. Docs., Vol. X.; and Journal of Captain William Pote, Jr., New 
 York, 1896. 
 
 ■* Mascarene to Duke of Newcastle, November 12th, 1746. In Chalmers's Papers 
 relating to Canada, in New York Public Library. 
 
^ 1905.] Scheme for the Conquest of Canada in 1746. 71 
 
 ■0. 
 
 dable squadron was mobilized at Brest, under command 
 
 :: of the Duke d'Anville, consisting of eleven ships of the 
 ■^' line, three frigates, three fireships, and two bombs, having 
 on board 6,186 sailors; also twenty privateers, and other 
 vessels of from ten to twenty-four guns each, which were 
 also joined by fifty-six sail of transports, laden with stores 
 and provisions, and two tenders with artillery. "The 
 whole fleet consisted of ninety-seven sail, having on 
 board the two battalions of the regiment Ponthieu, 
 the battalion militia of Saumur, the battalion of Fonte- 
 noy le Comte and a battalion of marines, in all 3,500 
 men, with 40,000 small arms," as well as equipment for 
 the Canadians and Indians, who were expected to join 
 them/ The Brest fleet was designed to reduce the English 
 fort of Annapolis Royal and to recover Louisburg. Grave 
 rumors were rife in New England that a descent would also 
 be made upon Boston. D'Anville was heading for Nova 
 Scotia, when a gale and thick fog separated his ships off 
 Sable Island. Disaster followed in their track, and of the 
 whole fleet of nmety-seven saO only fifty-six remained.^ 
 D'Anville died of apoplexy, his vice-admiral committed 
 suicide, smallpox caused great mortality among the soldiers 
 and seamen, the purpose of the enterprise was abandoned, 
 and thus France was balked in her greatest naval expedi- 
 tion to the coast of North America. 
 
 In the English-American provinces an expedition against 
 Canada was looked upon by some as a chance for "fine 
 plundering"^; while to others it appeared to afford ad- 
 vantages "inconceivably great to the Crown of Britain."* 
 Indeed, the original suggestions of October, 1745, compre- 
 hended the enlistment of 20,000 provincials, who should 
 be offered, as an inducement, "the plunder of the country; 
 
 1 Rolt's Impartial Representation, Vol. IV. (London, 1760), pp. 347, 348. 
 
 2 For the details of this fleet consult Rolt, Vol. IV., pp. 346-352; a good modern 
 account, varying somewhat from Rolt, is by Harry Piers, in Canadian History 
 Readings. St. John, N. B., 1900, pp. 68-74. 
 
 * Fost-Boy, No. 178, for June 16th, 1746. ^ Idem, No. 173, for May 12th, 1746. 
 
72 Atnerican Antiq%ar{an Society, [April, 
 
 as well as the land of the Canadians." In official quarters — 
 and none the less among the populace — it was judged that 
 the acquisition of Canada would secure the fish and fur 
 trade, deprive the French of provisions and lumber for 
 their sugar islands, greatly diminish the trade of France, 
 secure the English possessions in America — hitherto greatly- 
 incommoded, and put a halt to the buOding of French 
 war vessels, then carried on in Canada/ Governor William 
 Shirley, in his speech to the Council and House of Repre- 
 sentatives of Massachusetts Bay, June 28th, 1746, told 
 them it was but folly to consider Nova Scotia in security 
 so long as the French continued to be masters of Canada. 
 In the loss of that province he discerned the most fatal 
 consequences to Massachusetts "and all His Majesty's 
 Colonies on the Northern Continent of America."^ He 
 but spoke the truth from a bitter experience. 
 
 Soon after the conquest of Louisburg, Shirley was called 
 there to quell the discontent which had arisen among the 
 provincials. His mission accomplished, he returned to 
 Boston early in December, 1745. But while at Louisburg 
 he had concerted measures with Pepperrell and Warren, 
 for an expedition against Canada the following year. The 
 project was communicated to the Duke of Bedford, then 
 at the head of the admiralty, and was well received. 
 
 The fighting strength of all Canada, according to the 
 best available information, was judged not to exceed 
 12,000 men, inclusive of the regulars; and the resident 
 Indian allies were computed to be about 900.^ The winter 
 of 1745-1746, mtervened. On March 14th, 1746, the 
 Duke of Newcastle wrote to the various American gover- 
 nors, that "should it be judged advisable to undertake 
 any attempt upon the French settlements in the New 
 World, they should take the proper measures for raising 
 
 1 Chalmers's Papers, Canada. 
 
 2 Journal of the Representatives of Mass. Bay, 1746, p. 71; also the same in Mass. 
 Court Records, Series 17, Vol. V., p. 501. 
 
 3 Memoirs of Last War, p. 60. 
 
1905.] Scheme for the Conquest of Canada in 1746. 73 
 
 a body of men for that purpose." ^ This was but the 
 suggestion of a fact soon to follow. 
 
 It is worth whOe to digress here, in order to observe 
 the environment in England in which the plans for the 
 expedition against Canada were matured. Thomas Pelham 
 was nominally prime minister, but the parliamentary 
 influence and superior rank of his brother, the Duke of 
 Newcastle, placed him practically on an equality in the 
 cabinet. The broil of English politics was hot in the 
 cauldron. On February 11th, 1746, Pelham had resigned, 
 but was reinstated on the 14th of that month, after Gran- 
 ville and Bath had failed to form an administration. This 
 brought the two brothers, with their retinue of followers, 
 back with increased power. "Pelham was a timid and 
 peace-loving politician, without any commanding abilities 
 or much strength of character." ^ Lecky aptly remarks, 
 that " the Pelham Government, though unsuccessful abroad, 
 had acquired a complete ascendancy at home. The martial 
 enthusiasm of the country had gone down, and public 
 opinion being gratified by the successive deposition of 
 Walpole and of Carteret, and being no longer stimulated 
 by a powerful opposition, acquiesced languidly in the 
 course of events. The King for a time chafed bitterly 
 against the yoke. He had been thwarted in his favourite 
 German policy, deprived of the minister who was beyond 
 comparison the most pleasing to him, and compelled to 
 accept others in whom he had no confidence. He despised 
 and disliked Newcastle. He hated Chesterfield, whom he 
 was compelled to admit to office, and he was especially 
 indignant with Pitt, . . . whose claims to office Pelham 
 was continually urging." ^ The perplexed monarch en- 
 deavored to extricate himself from his embarrassments, 
 but was immediately frustrated. England had for years 
 
 ' Chalmers's Papers, Canada. 
 
 2 G. F. Russell Barker, in Diet, of Nat. Biography. Pelham died at London, 
 March 6th, 1754, and was succeeded by Newcastle. 
 
 3 Lecky's History of England in the Eighteenth Century, Vol. I., p. 423. 
 
74 American Antiquarrian Society. [April, 
 
 scattered through Europe great subsidies, which increased 
 her debt and impaired her prosperity, without signalizing 
 any particular advantage/ Newcastle then, as later when 
 he was prime minister, was "the most remarkable instance 
 on record in which, under the old system, great possessions 
 and family and parliamentary influence could place and 
 mamtain an incapable man" in office.^ "George II. 
 complained that he was unfit to be Chamberlain to the 
 smallest Court in Germany, and he was the object of more 
 ridicule than any other politician of his time; but yet 
 for forty-six years he held high posts at the Court or in 
 the Government. For nearly thirty years he was Secretary 
 of State; for ten years he was First Lord of the Treasury, 
 . . . Intellectually he was probably below the average 
 of men, and he rarely obtained full credit even for the small 
 talents he possessed. He was the most peevish, restless 
 and jealous of men, destitute not only of the higher gifts 
 of statesmanship, but even of the most ordinary tact and 
 method in the transaction of business, and at the same 
 time so hurried and undignified in manner, so timid in 
 danger, and so shuffling in difficulty, that he became the 
 laughing-stock of all about him." ' ... "At the same 
 time, though a great corrupter of others, he was not him- 
 self corrupt," * presenting in his person a curious anomaly. 
 Such was the statesman entrusted with the direct negotia- 
 tions with America for the conquest of Canada 
 
 The apparent jealousy in England of the provincial 
 prowess was expressed in the Duke of Bedford's written 
 opinion of March, 1746. He said that no great reliance 
 should be placed on the American troops, and feared, 
 "after the experience we have had of them," "the Inde- 
 pendence it may create in those Provinces toward their 
 Mother Country when they shaU see within themselves 
 so great an Army possessed in their own Right by Conquest 
 
 » Lecky, Vol. I., pp. 427, 428. ' Lecky, Vol. II., p. 438. 
 3 Lecky, Vol. II., p. 439. * Lecky, Vol. II., p. 440. 
 
1905.] Scheme for the Conquest of Canada in 1746. 75 
 
 of so great a Country." ^ He, therefore, wished to place 
 the chief dependence on the fleet and army to be sent 
 from England, and to look upon the Americans as useful 
 only when joined with them. Meanwhile, not waiting 
 for further instructions from England, the Bay govern- 
 ment appointed commissioners, on February 12th and 
 13th, who were to join with others at Albany, in a confer- 
 ence with the Six Nations of New York, to urge the partici- 
 pation of these Indians in the forthcoming project. The 
 appointments, however, were not finally confirmed in 
 Council until July 16th. They were Jacob Wendell, 
 Samuel Welles, Thomas Hutchinson and John Stoddard. 
 On July 18th, Oliver Partridge was appointed to succeed 
 Hutchinson, "who excused himself from that service." ^ 
 
 On April 9th, 1746, Newcastle despatched letters by 
 the sloop of war Hickingbrook ^ to the governors of all the 
 provinces from New England to Virginia. The packet 
 with the royal orders reached Governor Shirley on May 
 26th, and he immediately forwarded the documents to 
 the different governments by land expresses. He evinced 
 his own interest by his personal correspondence, in which 
 he urged co-operation. He was very zealous for the cause, 
 and hoped that the Massachusetts Bay government would 
 set a good example to the others.* The royal orders 
 required the several governments to raise as large a body 
 of men as the shortness of the time would warrant.^ The 
 King did not limit the number of men for each province, 
 neither did he require special allotments; but he hoped 
 and expected that the united levies would not be less 
 than five thousand.^ 
 
 The scheme concerted in England varied very little 
 from the suggestions which had been forwarded previously 
 
 1 Chalmers's Papers, Canada. 
 
 ^Maas. Court Records, Series 17, Vol. V., pp. 306, 311, 509, 521. 
 
 3 Also spelled Hinchinbrook in Penn. Votes, Vol. IV., (Phila., 1774), p. 37. 
 
 * Mass. Journal, May 29th, 1746. 
 
 ' Chalmers's Papers, Canada, April 9th, 1746. 
 
 « Hutchinson's Hist, of Mass., Third edition, Vol. II., p. 381. 
 
76 American Antiqimrian Society. [April, 
 
 from America. It was agreed that the land forces should 
 be commanded by Lieu tenant-General James Sinclair/ 
 while Rear-Admiral Warren was to look after the royal 
 fleet. The plan of operations was not made irrevocable. 
 Sinclair, Warren and Shirley were entrusted with such 
 alterations as circumstances would require or good judgment 
 might suggest. By the original instructions the companies 
 raised in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland 
 and Virginia were to rendezvous at Albany. The command 
 of this contingent was given to William Gooch, lieutenant- 
 governor of Virginia; but he pleaded indisposition, and 
 declined to serve. Governor George Clinton, of New 
 York, who was virtually responsible for the success of 
 this part of the plan, appointed Lieutenant-Colonel John 
 Roberts as Gooch's successor.^ From Albany these troops 
 were to make a descent upon Montreal and lay waste 
 the settlements on the upper St. Lawrence. 
 
 The provincials of Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, 
 Rhode Island and Connecticut were to rendezvous at 
 Louisburg as soon as possible, where they were to await 
 the arrival of General Sinclair, the eight battalions of 
 regulars, and the fleet commanded by Warren. This was 
 the main guard, which was charged with the capture of 
 Quebec. While they proceeded up the St. Lawrence, the 
 men at Albany were to march to Montreal. The blow 
 was to be struck simultaneously. The plans were well 
 laid, and gave every earnest of success.^ 
 
 1 Gen. James Sinclair (also written St. Clair), was the second son of Henry, 
 eighth Ijord Sinclair. He entered the army at an early age, and rose in the ranks, 
 becoming lieutenant-general on June 4th, 1745, and had command of the British 
 troops in Flanders, prior to his appointment for this Canadian expedition. He 
 died on November 30th, 1762, while governor of Cork, Ireland. 
 
 2 N. Y. Col. Docs., Vol. VI., p. 314. Roberts was an experienced soldier, having 
 served since the days of George I. He was also connected by his first marriage 
 with the Earl of Halifax. 
 
 3 The material for a study of the scheme is ample. The chief sources are Chal- 
 mers's Papers relating to Canada, transcripts from original documents in the Public 
 Record Office of England. These transcripts are now in the New York Public 
 Library; Memoirs of the Last War, p. 61; Rolfs Impartial Representation, Vol. 
 IV. (London, 1750), pp. 345, 346; Hutchinson's Hist, of Mass., Third edition. Vol. 
 
1905.] Scheme for the Conquest of Canada in 1746. 11 
 
 So soon as the governors had received the Duke of New- 
 castle's instructions of AprU 9th, they convened their 
 several councils and legislatures, and urged immediate 
 action. The whole number of fighting men within the 
 participating colonies aggregated 340,000.* It has already 
 been observed that the packet from England reached 
 Shirley on May 26th. He immediately communicated the 
 correspondence to his House of Representatives, who on 
 the 30th of the month passed the following vote, which 
 was read and concurred in Council and consented to by 
 Shirley that same day. The tenor of that vote was this: 
 
 ^'Whereas His Majesty has been pleased to resolve upon 
 an Expedition against his enemies in Canada, which is appre- 
 hended to be of great importance to His Majestys subjects 
 in Great Britain as well as America; and notwithstanding 
 the great difficulties and charges to which this Province is 
 exposed by reason of the numerous attacks made on all parts 
 of our Frontiers, which burthens are made much heavier by 
 coming immediately upon the loss of so great a number of 
 men as were killed and died in the late expedition against 
 Cape Breton; yet this House judge it to be their duty to 
 contribute all in their power thereunto in humble confidence 
 that- as His Majesty has determined upon it and recommended 
 it to his Excellency the Governor to raise what men he can 
 in this Province, with transports & provisions suitable, the 
 charge thereof will be reimbursed by the Crown, the Costs 
 and Difficulties whereof would otherwise be insupportable: — 
 
 " Voted that there be granted as an Encouragement to a 
 number of good and effective men not exceeding Three Thou- 
 sand to enlist Voluntiers into His Majestys service in the 
 said Expedition against Canada, as a Bounty, Thirty Pounds 
 in Bills of Credit of the Old Tenour, and a Blanket, for each 
 man, and a bed for every two men, the money to be paid 
 upon Enlistment and the Blankets & Beds delivered on em- 
 barkation. That as soon as may be a sufficient quantity of 
 provisions be secured and a suitable number of vessels for 
 
 II., pp. 380, 381; N. Y. Col. Docs., Vol. VI.; manuscripts in the Mass. Archives, 
 preserved in the State House at Boston; and the printed Votes, Journals and 
 Records of the several colonies engaged in the expedition. 
 
 ' Chalmers's Papers, Canada. From a list sent by Shirley to Newcastle, in July, 
 1746, exhibiting the available fighting strength of the nine colonies engaged in 
 the expedition, and showing how many men were voted and raised or nearly raised 
 at that time. 
 
78 American Antiquarian Society. [April, 
 
 Transports, as also a proper number of Chaplains, Physicians, 
 and Surgeons, and a fuU supply of medicines, with all other 
 conveniences for such as may be sick. 
 
 " Voted also, that His Excellency the Governor be requested, 
 by Proclamation, to publish the above said Encouragements 
 mentioned in His Grace the Duke of Newcastles letter of the 
 Ninth of April last." ^ 
 
 On the same day the House voted and the Council con- 
 curred, "that His Excellency the Governor be desired to 
 appoint a day of Fasting and Prayer to implore the Divine 
 Presence and Blessing on the intended Expedition against 
 Canada." ^ Sunday intervened. On the next day, June 
 2d, Shirley issued the following proclamation for raising 
 troops, viz.: — 
 
 "By his Excellency WILLIAM SHIRLEY, Esq^ Captain 
 General and Governour in chief, in & over his Majestys pro- 
 vince of the Massachusetts Bay in New England. 
 
 A PROCLAMATION. 
 
 "WHEREAS His Majesty has been graciously pleased to 
 order a number of Troops under the Command of the Hon- 
 ourable Lieutenant General S' Clair to proceed from Great 
 Britain to Louisbourg, with a sufficient convoy of Men of 
 War, and with them a great part of his Majestys Troops 
 now in Garrison at Louisbourg, and also with such Troops 
 as shall be Levied for that purpose in his Majestys Colonies 
 in North America to attempt the immediate Reduction of 
 Canada; and has signified his Royal pleasure to me, as also 
 to the Governours of the several provinces & Colonies of 
 Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania, New Jersey, New York, 
 Connecticutt, Rhode Island & New Hampshire, by Letters 
 dispatch 'd from his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, That the 
 necessary Dispositions should be forthwith made for the 
 raising as many Men within this and the abovementioned 
 Governments as the shortness of the time will admit for pro- 
 ceeding on the said Expedition. 
 
 "And Whereas the Great and General Court of this province 
 have with the utmost Chearfulness and unanimity. Voted to 
 give all necessary & proper Encouragement for Three Thousand 
 
 1 Mass. Court Records, Series 17, Vol. V., pp. 426, 427. 
 
 2 Idem, p. 428. 
 
1905.] Scheme for the Conquest of Canada in 1746. 79 
 
 Volunticrs that shall inlist into his Majesiys Service in this 
 Expedition. 
 
 "In Obedience therefore to his Majestys said Commands 
 " I have thought fit with the Advice of his Majestys Council, 
 to issue this Proclamation, in order to make known his Majestys 
 gracious intentions & Declarations for the Encouragement of 
 all able Bodied effective Men that are inclined to inlist them- 
 selves into his Service in the said Expedition, together ^vith 
 the further Encouragement which is offered by this Government 
 viz*. That the said Voluntiers will be under such Officers 
 as I shall appoint. That they will be immediately intitled 
 to his Majestys Pay, the Officers from the time they shall 
 engage in his Majestys Service and the Soldiers from the 
 respective days on which they shall be inlisted; That if provi- 
 sion cannot be made of Arms & Cloathing for them, by reason 
 of the shortness of the time, a reasonable allowance will be 
 made them in money for the same; That they shall be intitled 
 to a share of the Booty that shall be taken from the Enemy 
 & shall be sent back to their several Habitations when this 
 Service shall be over, unless any of them shall desire to settle 
 elsewhere. And for the further Encouragement of all Volun- 
 tiers that shall engage in this Service, It is provided That 
 they shall recieve Thirty pounds in Bills of Credit of the old 
 tenour, as a Bounty, as also for each Man a Blanket, & a 
 Bed for every two Men; the said Bounty to be paid upon 
 their Enlistment, and the Blankets & Beds at the time of 
 their Embarkation or proceeding on the said Expedition: 
 And that all such Voluntiers as shall proceed on this Expedition 
 shall be Exempted from all Impresses for two Years after 
 their Return. 
 
 "Given at the Council Chamber in Boston the second day 
 of June 1746, in the Nineteenth Year of the Reign of our 
 Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of 
 Great Britain, France & Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith 
 &c*. 
 
 W. SHIRLEY. 
 By order of his Excellenc}'' the Governour, 
 with the Advice of the Council, 
 J. WILLARD Sec'ry 
 
 God Save the King 
 A true Copy Examined ^ Sam Holbrook Dep. Sec'ry 
 [Endorsed :] 
 
 "His Excy Gov'. Shirley's Proclamation for raising 
 Troops for the intended Expedition ag". Canada 
 June 2"!. 1746. "^ 
 
 1 Mass. Archives Vol. 72 (Military Series 6), pp. 718-720. 
 
80 American Antiqudji'ian Society. [April, 
 
 On June 3d a joint committee from the House of Repre- 
 sentatives and the Council was chosen to provide "a 
 sufficient quantity of Provisions, a suitable number of 
 vessels for transports, as also a proper number of Chaplains, 
 Physicians and Surgeons, and a full supply of medicines 
 with all other conveniences for such as may be sick." It 
 was also urged that in procuring the provisions and other 
 necessities, the preference should be given to the produce 
 of the Bay government. The House selected the Speaker 
 and Messrs. Welles, Hubbard, Skinner, Hall, Russell, 
 Thomas Foster, James Otis, Col. Heath, and Captains 
 Pickman and Partridge, to whom the Council added John 
 Osborne, Jacob Wendell, Thomas Berry, Samuel Watts, 
 Ezekiel Chever, James Bowdoin, John Wheelwright and 
 Andrew Oliver,^ Acts for supplying the treasury with 
 large sums of money were enacted in June.^ But at first 
 the House hesitated in this policy, until urged by Shirley 
 in vigorous language. In his message of June 10th, re- 
 ferring to their vote "for staying any further proceedings 
 in relation to the providing Transports and other neces- 
 saries for the troops," he said, "Gentlemen, this last Vote 
 seems to me to confound and frustrate all your former 
 proceedings, unless you have some other practicable methods 
 in view . . . than I am at present apprized of. You 
 are sensible, Gentlemen, the Transports and Provisions 
 must be had some way or other; and if there be any other 
 way in which you expect they will be provided, I think 
 it is fit I should know it. We have already lost much 
 time by this interruption, and I desire we may now retrieve 
 it, by the most vigorous proceedings; or else the most 
 proper season for action will be irreparably lost." ' The 
 objectionable "Order to the Committee of War above 
 refer'd to, was withdrawn by the Direction of both Houses, 
 
 1 Mass. Court Records, Series 17, Vol. V., pp. 430, 431. 
 
 2 Idem, pp. 433, 435, 436, 442, 444, 456, 463. 
 
 3 Mass. Court Records, idem, pp. 445, 448. 
 
1905.] Scheme for the Conquest of Canada in 1746. 81 
 
 and the Committee left to proceed according to their 
 first Instructions." 
 
 On June 14th, the following message from the House 
 was sent to Shirley by the hand of Samuel Adams and 
 others, viz.: — 
 
 "May it please your Excellency. 
 "It being represented that divers Children under sixteen 
 years of age have been received and allowed to enlist in the 
 Expedition against Canada, by the Officers who have Beating 
 Orders, this House have thought it their duty to lay this 
 grievance before your Excellency. They look upon this 
 practice with greater concern, because it not only brings 
 great distress and difficulty on Parents and Masters, but it 
 is apprehended to be likely to be very pernicious, and should 
 it become general, must be fatal to the important enterprize 
 they are designed to serve. We are persuaded these things 
 are done without your Excellencys leave and knowledge; 
 but as these complaints are become numerous and still increas- 
 ing; We humbly request Your Excellencys interposition 
 herein, that the Families to which such Children belong may 
 live in quiet at home, & the Forces raising may go with strength 
 and courage abroad." ^ 
 
 To this complaint Shirley replied in a message, on June 
 21st, in which he recommended the appointment of a 
 Muster Master for reviewing the troops, to prevent misap- 
 plication of the bounty and "ineffectiveness of those that 
 are really enlisted." ^ 
 
 The wages of the officers of the transports were according 
 to the following rates : for masters of double decked vessels, 
 five pounds per month; for masters of single decked vessels 
 four pounds, twelve shillings and sixpence; for mates, 
 four pounds; and for boatswains and carpenters of double 
 decked transports, three pounds, ten shillings per month. ^ 
 
 Each soldier was provided with a tin flask in which to 
 carry water during marches, and was allowed for his billet- 
 ing five shillings per week from the time of his enlistment 
 
 1 Mass. Court Records, idem, pp. 464, 465. 2 Ihid., pp. 479, 480. 
 ^ Ibid., p. 524; cj. also with, earlier vote, p. 490. 
 6 
 
82 American Antiquarian Society. [April, 
 
 until August 6th, except for such time as he should be on 
 the march, when he would be allowed eighteen pence per 
 day, "accounting twenty miles for one days travel." ^ 
 
 The provisions for transports and soldiers were ordered 
 to be kept apart and to be distributed equally under parti- 
 cular supervision;^ but the House unanimously non- 
 concurred with the desire of the Council that "both Soldiers 
 and Seamen be allowed Beer, Rum or Molasses, as will 
 be most suitable to the season of the Year; and that the 
 Committee of War provide accordingly." It is not clear 
 whether ideas of economy or temperance were responsible 
 for this ruffle of opposition. 
 
 On June 28th, 1746, Shirley delivered to both Houses 
 his most important speech in connection with this affair, 
 and after its conclusion the "Great and General Court or 
 Assembly" was adjourned until July 15th. Although 
 quotations from it have already been given, it is reproduced 
 here in all of its original quaintness, and worthily exhibits 
 the spirit of the times. 
 
 "Gentlemen of the Council & House of Representatives. 
 
 "The present necessary business of the Court being so far 
 dispatched as to admit of a short Recess, I have thought 
 proper to adjourn you for some time, that so the Committee 
 of War may have more leisure to make needful preparations 
 for the Expedition, and the rest of the Members an opportunity 
 to encourage and promote the Levies for the same in their 
 respective Counties; which I accordingly now recommend 
 to you as a matter of the greatest importance to His Majestys 
 service and the general advantage of His Colonies in North 
 America, & to the future prosperity of this Province in par- 
 ticular. 
 
 "The near situation of the French to our borders, and 
 their influence over the Indians have always been thought 
 most pernicious to the interests of these Colonies and to 
 threaten their final Destruction unless some method should 
 be found to remove so bad a neighbour from us. And there- 
 fore in every war with that Nation some design has been 
 laid and attempts made for compassing this end. 
 
 1 Mass. Court Records, idem, p. 514. * Ibid., p. 491. 
 
1905.] Scheme for the Conquest of Canada in 1746. 83 
 
 "To demonstrate this to you I need only transcribe the 
 following extract from the late M'. Agent Dummers letter 
 upon that subject in 1712, in which he says, — 'I am sure 
 it has been the cry of the whole country ever since Canada 
 was delivered up to the French, Canada est delenda; they 
 always looked upon it as a Carthage to the Northern Colonies, 
 which if they did not destroy it would in time destroy them. 
 Of this they were so apprehensive in the year 1690, that 
 they came unanimously into a great and expensive under- 
 taking against it, under the command of Sir William Phips, 
 but meeting with an unaccountable train of disappointments, 
 returned without doing any thing. This enterprize cost the 
 single Province of the Massachusetts Bay above fifty thousand 
 pounds, which together with the loss of abundance of their 
 chosen young men, by a malignant fever that raged in the 
 Camp; and several disasters that happened in the way home, 
 gave that Province so deep a wound that it did not recover 
 itself in many years after. However about five years agoe 
 observing their French neighbours to increase and grow more 
 and more formidable every day, they resolved to make them 
 an other visit; but not thinking themselves strong enough 
 to deal with Canada, they were content only to make an 
 attempt on Port Royal, which was accordingly done, but 
 most unhappily miscarried. Yet, far from disheartened by 
 these misfortunes when Her Majesty about three years after 
 signified her gracious intentions to reduce Canada and desired 
 them to get ready their Quota, it cann't be expressed with 
 what chearfulness they came into it. They raised their men 
 immediately, cloathed them handsomly and disciplined them 
 for the service, and had laid up Magazines of provisions both 
 for their own and the Queens Troops then shortly expected. 
 And, altho the Court altered their measures, did not proceed 
 on that design, yet the Colonies and particularly New England 
 were at near the same charge as if they had. The next year 
 they raised a body of Troops again, which commanded by 
 Coll. Nicholson and joined by five hundred Auxiliaries from 
 hence, made an other attack on Port Royal, and carried it, 
 as every body knows. Thus that poor country, exhausted 
 by so many (and all but one fruitless) enterprizes, besides 
 the oppressions of a twenty years French and Indian War, 
 that has lain heavy upon them, yet did this summer past 
 furnish more than the Quota assigned them for this late fatal 
 expedition. I shall add one thing more, that over and above 
 these extraordinary articles, the standing yearly charge of 
 the Province of the Massachusetts Bay to maintain their 
 Barrier against the enemy, is Thirty Thousand Pounds com- 
 
84 American Antiqimrian Society. [April, 
 
 munibus annis, which they would be eased if Canada were 
 taken.' 
 
 "Such, Gentlemen, have ever been the general sentiments 
 and apprehensions of the People of New England concerning 
 Canadas remaining in the hands of the French; and I may 
 add to M'. Dummers remarks, that we ought never to think 
 His Majesty's possession of Nova Scotia in security, whilst 
 the enemy is suffered to continue Masters of Canada; and 
 should it ever be our misfortune to see that Province reduced 
 by them and added to Canada, it requires no extraordinary 
 share of penetration to discern what must be, in a short time, 
 the fatal consequences to this and all His Majestys Colonies 
 on the Northern Continent of America. 
 
 "Through the signal favour of Divine Providence to us, 
 Annapolis Royal was indeed in the year immediately preceed- 
 ing the last, saved from falling into the enemys hands, and 
 the last year the Fortress of Louisbourgh with the Island 
 of Cape Breton and its Dependencies reduced to the obedience 
 of His Majesty : an atchievement worth}^ of the English name, 
 and which must always be remembered to the lasting honour 
 of the Province that undertook it, and of their troops which 
 so bravely executed it; yet these are but single steps towards 
 procuring the lasting Welfare & Tranquility of these Colonies. 
 For since the reduction of Cape Breton, I suppose we have 
 had greater numbers of Indians continually harrassing us 
 in all parts of our Frontiers, and have been obliged to keep 
 more men in pay for our defence, than at any other time 
 in former wars; and the ravages and cruelties of the enemy 
 in murthering & captivating our People, driving them from 
 their Settlements, killing their Cattle, destroying some thou- 
 sands of acres of Grain upon the ground, depopulating almost 
 a whole Country in one of the neighbouring Colonies, and 
 putting us to an immense charge, with so little success on 
 our side, as not in the least to dispirit the enemy; I say these 
 things considered, if no other measures be taken but the 
 carrying on such a defensive War, a few years continuance 
 of that alone, must work the inevitable destruction of this 
 Province. 
 
 "And now Gentlemen, affairs being brought to this Crisis 
 with us, and His Majesty having, in compassion to the dis- 
 tress 'd circumstances of his good subjects of these Provinces, 
 ordered so strong an Armament for the Reduction of Canada, 
 at a time when he has so much occasion to employ both his 
 land and sea Forces in Europe, justly expecting that we, 
 who will reap so large a part of the happy fruits of its success, 
 should join to the utmost of our power in promoting this 
 great design, especially as His Majesty has been graciously 
 
1905.] Scheme for the Conquest of Canada in 1746. 85 
 
 pleased (besides all the other benefits allowed to our troops 
 in the former Expeditions against Canada and Nova Scotia) 
 to take upon himself the payment of & charge of cloathing 
 the Forces in this Expedition; I say upon due consideration, 
 I hope you will act your parts at this important conjuncture 
 with Vigour and Resolution, not only in your Legislative 
 capacity whilst you are together, but in the short time of 
 your Recess among your neighbouring Towns in the Countrey, 
 by encouraging the enlistments for His Majestys service in 
 the present Expedition to the utmost of your power." ^ 
 
 Since Massachusetts Bay took the lead among the colonies, 
 an elaboration of her proceedings seemed to be pertinent. 
 We turn now, yet with greater brevity, to observe what 
 preparations were being made by the other governments, 
 each of which gave special inducements, in one way or 
 another, to favor an enlistment. 
 
 New Hampshire voted to enlist one thousand men, 
 though some authorities suggest that only five hundred 
 took the field. Yet Governor Wentworth, in his requisi- 
 tions to England fo'r reimbursement, said his province 
 raised seven hundred and thirty-three men, and that his 
 Assembly had voted sixty thousand pounds for defraying 
 expenses.^ 
 
 Rhode Island voted three companies of one hundred 
 men each, inclusive of officers — a standard for companies 
 required by the royal instructions — and gave a bounty 
 to each man of fifty pounds, in bills of public credit of 
 the old tenor; a suit of clothes valued at twenty-six 
 pounds of the old tenor; "a small arm and cartouch box, 
 over and above His Majesty's pay, and the share of booty 
 taken"; also "tents for the land forces, and a suitable 
 bed and blanket for every two men." She expended, in 
 addition to the bounty, £76,083 lis. 4d., New England 
 currency, which reduced to sterling, at the rate of £750 
 currency for £100 sterling, equalled £10,144 19s. 6d.;^ 
 
 1 Mass. Court Records, idem, pp. 498-502. 
 
 ' Chalmers's Papers, Canada; Memoirs of Last War, p. 62. 
 
 3 R. I. Records, Vol. V., pp. 172, 175, 177, 236. 
 
86 American Antiquarian Society. [April, 
 
 and was reimbursed to the sum of only £lbQ'7 4s. 3fd.^ 
 In May, 1746, the Governor, Council and Representatives 
 of Connecticut, in General Court assembled, voted to 
 furnish "six hundred able-bodied effective men, or more 
 if they shall offer themselves," but at the June session 
 increased the number to one thousand men, inclusive of 
 the officers. The bounty and other allowances offered at 
 the May session were also materially increased in June, 
 " for the encouragement of such men voluntarily to enlist 
 themselves"; yet, in case the number should fall short, 
 the remainder were ordered to "be imprest to go into 
 said service." The war committees of the several towns 
 were given additional instructions. Jonathan Trumbull 
 and Hezekiah Huntington were appointed "to provide, in 
 the best and most reasonable manner, such good fire-locks, 
 cutlasses, cartouch-boxes and belts as may be wanted." 
 Andrew Burr, Thomas Welles, Hezekiah Huntington, 
 Gurdon Saltonstall, John Fowler and Jabez Hamlin were 
 entrusted, as commissaries, "with full power by impressing, 
 or otherwise, to provide sufficient transports for said troops 
 and sufficient provisions at present for their subsistence 
 five months from the time of their imbarkation, and also 
 to provide cloathing, beds and other necessaries." ^ Officers 
 were chosen for the regiment in May and June,'' and it 
 was ordered that proclamations be issued "for the keeping 
 days of Fasting and Prayer to Almighty God, for his pro- 
 tection, blessing and assistance in the expedition." * 
 
 The regiment was at New London early in August, 
 awaiting orders to embark for Louisburg; and when the 
 Assembly observed at its October session that the late 
 season of the year presaged a delay for some time to come, 
 they voted "that his Honour the Governour of this Colony 
 be desired, and he is hereby desired, to advise the colonel 
 
 * Correspondence of the Colonial Governors of Rhode Island. Edited by G. S. Kim- 
 ball; Vol. II. (1903). pp. 98, 99. 
 
 ^Public Records of the Colony of Conn.. Vol. IX., pp. 211, 231, 232. 
 
 ' Conn. ony Records, Vol. IX., pp. 213, 214, 236, 237. * Ibid., p. 216. 
 
1905.] Scheme for the Conquest of Canada in 1746. 87 
 
 or chief officer of the said regiment to offer a furlough to 
 the said souldiers, that they may retire to their respective 
 places of abode until they shall have his Majesties orders 
 for mustering again." ^ This order was carried out by 
 Governor Ijaw, but as late as the year 1750, this resolve 
 caused some trouble by being "interpreted as expressing 
 disrespect to his Majesty's orders, and tending to disad- 
 vantage the then intended expedition." It even threatened 
 to jeopardize the reimbursement promised by the mother 
 country, but the action of Connecticut, it is certain, was 
 prompted by a desire to economize the Crown's expenses, 
 as well as to sustain the welfare of the colony.^ 
 
 A census of New York, taken in 1746, shows that the 
 white males between the years of sixteen and sixty numbered 
 but 12,522, exclusive of Albany County, which could not 
 be computed because of the enemy,' Nevertheless this 
 province provided one thousand six hundred men, and 
 also four "independent" companies of one hundred men 
 each. It also conciliated the Five Nations of Indians, 
 through the instrumentality of Col. William Johnson, 
 whom the Indians themselves had chosen to be their 
 colonel.* Governor Clinton was personally active in con- 
 ferences with the Indians, but at the same time was at 
 loggerheads with his Assembly, who made him much 
 trouble. On November 9th, 1747, he reported to Newcastle 
 that "about £55,000 sterl." would cover all expenses 
 incurred and to be liquidated.^ 
 
 Lewis Morris, governor of New Jersey, died on May 
 21st, 1746, whereby the government devolved upon the 
 Honorable John Hamilton, the eldest member of the 
 Council.^ On June 12th Hamilton addressed the Council 
 
 ' Conn. Colony Records, idem, p. 257. ^ Ibid., pp. 575, 576. 
 
 3 N. Y. Col. Docs., Vol. VI., p. 392. New York's official action in behalf of the 
 scheme can be studied from Journal of the Votes and Proceedings of the General 
 Assembly of New York, Vol. II. (New York, 1766). * Ibid., p. 379. 
 
 * Ibid., p. 409. For muster rolls see. Second Annual Report of the State Historian 
 of New York. Albany, 1897, pp. 617-639. 
 
 ' N. J. Votes, of the given date. 
 
88 American Antiquarian Society, [April, 
 
 and General Assembly and communicated Newcastle's 
 letter of instructions to Morris, relative to the intended 
 expedition. He also forwarded immediately the remaining 
 letters of the packet to the governor of Pennsylvania. 
 The Assembly expressed themselves as grateful to His 
 Majesty for his "paternal Care," as shown by the proposed 
 expedition, which also proved to them that His Majesty 
 was "not unmindful of the Welfare and Preservation even 
 of his remotest Subjects." ^ New Jersey voted five hundred 
 men, and by its appropriations impaired its own treasury. 
 Col. Peter Schuyler, who commanded the New Jersey 
 companies, also advanced some thousands of pounds "out 
 of his own estate" to keep his men together.^ But in 
 doing so he reaped the displeasure of New York's governor, 
 who bitterly complained to the mother country, asserting 
 that Schuyler's action had caused desertions and mutiny 
 among the unpaid provincials.^ 
 
 The Legislature of Pennsylvania was controlled by 
 Quakers, who, while affirming allegiance to the King's 
 commands, so far as their religious persuasions would 
 permit, objected to being "concerned in war-like Enter- 
 prises."* In this they were seconded by the German 
 Mennonites, a sect of Pennsylvania pietists, who were also 
 advocates of non-resistance. Governor George Thomas, 
 therefore, raised four hundred men, without an act of 
 government, and clothed, armed and equipped them on 
 his own credit. 
 
 Maryland voted, "to encourage 300 able bodied Freemen 
 to enlist . . . and to transport them to the Place of 
 Rendezvous," ^ who were ready for the field by July 25th. 
 As no arms could be purchased in Maryland at the time, 
 the House, to prevent delay, consented to supply "out of 
 
 1 N. J. Votes, June, 1746. 2 Ibid., June 13th, 1746, and Jan. 7th, 1748. 
 ^Ibid., Jan. 7, 1748; N. Y. Col. Docs., Vol. VI., pp. 341, 349, 351, 3.57; Chal- 
 mers's Papers, Canada. 
 
 « Penn. Votes. Vol. IV. (Phila., 1774), p. 3S. 
 
 ' Maryland Votes and Proceedings of the Loirer House of Assemhly. 
 
1905.] Scheme for the Conquest of Canada in 1746. 89 
 
 the public Magazine of this Province, on condition of the 
 like Quantity being again replaced for the Use of the 
 Public," the following equipment: "300 Muskets, with 
 Slings and Bayonets, 300 Cartouch Boxes with Belts, 6 
 Drums, 9 Half Pikes, and 6 Halberts." ' These things 
 were accordingly removed from the public magazine, but 
 had not been replaced as late as June 22nd, 1747, when 
 the new governor, Samuel Ogle, was urged to remedy the 
 condition. But Maryland rejected the request of Shirley 
 for appropriations toward the conciliation of the Six Nations, 
 in the following words: — 
 
 "We have considered the Letters from Governor Shirle3^ 
 laid before us by your Excellency, and cannot with any Colour 
 of Reason burthen the People of this Province upon every 
 Suggestion of private and unknown Persons, who would 
 willingly provide for themselves; or of Governors of distant 
 Provinces, wlio, no doubt, would ease those under their respec- 
 tive Governments, at the Expence of others. The People 
 of Maryland have lately been at great Charge in providing 
 for, and sending to Albany, three hundred Men for his Majesty's 
 Service; which, with the Consideration of a weighty public 
 debt now due, will we hope render us excused on the subject 
 Matter of those Letters; and the more so, as it is well known 
 we can hardly find Means for the necessary Supplies of our 
 own Domestic Affairs." ^ 
 
 Maryland did not advance anything for the pay of her 
 contingent, but voted £5399 19s. 8d. for levying and 
 maintaining them in Maryland and transporting them to 
 Albany with provisions.' 
 
 Virginia, though given special honors, in the person of 
 Governor Gooch, contributed a very unequal proportion. 
 She could raise only one hundred men, and even they were 
 not ready before the middle of August. In October, 
 1746, this Virginian contingent still lay encamped within 
 the fort at New York city, waiting to proceed to Albany, 
 
 1 Maryland Votes. = Ibid., June 25th, 1747. 
 
 ^Ibid., July 11th and Dec. 23d, 1747. It is not clear whether this is all that 
 was expended. 
 
90 Ame7'ican Antiquarian Society. [April, 
 
 the place of rendezvous. A Virginian, referring to this 
 tardiness, wrote: "If Glory cannot fire us, let Shame 
 confound us: Hark, the distant March sounds Britons 
 strike home, revenge, revenge your Country's Wrong. Either 
 let us undertake this Glorious Cause with the true Spirit 
 of a British Adventurer, or admit ourselves dwindled to 
 meer Savages, hiding our Heads in Infamy, while our 
 Neighbours share the Rewards and Honours due to Pa- 
 triotism." ^ A New Yorker remarked that, ''One would 
 imagine the Honour of having their Governour appointed 
 General of the Forces, should have excited their Zeal and 
 redoubled their Vigour, on this glorious Occasion"; and 
 said they contributed "a small Number indeed, for a People 
 who have assumed that vain Motto to their Arms of En 
 Dat Virginia Quartam." ^ This government voted "a sum 
 of money not exceeding four thousand pounds, towards 
 defraying the expence of enlisting, arming, cloathing, 
 victualing, and transporting the Soldiers."^ 
 
 Meanwhile Massachusetts, led by the enthusiasm of 
 Shirley, wrought strenuously for the success of the enter- 
 prise. Hopes ran high. The men at Albany, Louisburg 
 and in New England eagerly waited for the regulars and 
 the fleet, since their arrival was to sound the alarm for 
 action. The Indian allies of New York thirsted for a 
 chance to revenge themselves. In England a fleet and 
 many transports had been collected at Portsmouth; but 
 after several embarkations and debarkations, the British 
 ministry altered the destination of the English regulars, 
 for a descent on Brittany in France.* On May 30th, 1747, 
 the Duke of Newcastle wrote to Shirley, directing that 
 
 Virginia Gazette, reprinted in Parker's N. Y. Post-Boy, No. 185, for August 
 4th, 1746. 
 
 2 Parker's AT. Y. Poat-Boy, No. 190, for Sept. 8th, 1746. 
 
 3 Virginia Acta (Williamsburg, 1752), p. 207; also in Hening's Statutea of Va., 
 Vol. v. pp. 401-404. 
 
 ■• Rolt, Vol. IV.. p. 346. See also reasons on last page of this monograph. 
 
1905.] Scheme for the Coviquest of Canada in 1746. 91 
 
 the provincial forces be disbanded, as the following extract 
 shows : — 
 
 "His Majesty has been pleased to direct me to signify to 
 you His Pleasure, that you should immediately appoint a 
 Meeting with Commodore Knowles at such Place as shall be 
 agreed upon, and consider with him the present State of 
 Nova Scotia and Louisbourg, and take the proper Measures 
 for the Defence of those Places. 
 
 "It is His Majesty's Pleasure you should endeavour to com- 
 pleat from out of the Americans which are now raised for 
 His Majesty's Service, Sir William Pepperrell's Regiment, 
 and your own. 
 
 "Lieutenant General Phillip's Regiment, is, I am afraid, 
 very weak; I will, however, send him His Majesty's Orders 
 to send what Recruits can be got from hence: And you will 
 also endeavour to have his Regiment compleated out of the 
 Americans. 
 
 "As it is His Majesty's Intention that the Americans should 
 be immediately discharged, except only such few as are men- 
 tion 'd above, the Manner of discharging them, the Satisfaction 
 for their Time, &c. must be left to Commodore Kjiowles and 
 yourself; the King however is perswaded you will do it as 
 cheap as possible. 
 
 "And as these American Troops have done Httle or no 
 Service hitherto, it is hoped they will not expect to be paid 
 in the Manner they would have been, had they actually been 
 employ'd on Service. And it seems highly reasonable, that 
 such of these Troops as have remain 'd in the Provinces where 
 they were inlisted, should be contented with less Pay than 
 such of them as may have marched into other Provinces. 
 
 "When you and Mr. Knowles shall have met, and fully 
 consider'd the Service to be undertaken, in the Manner above- 
 directed, and shall have agreed what Numbers of Americans 
 it will be necessary to keep in Pay for that Purpose, it is 
 His Majesty's Pleasure, that you should procure an Account 
 of the whole Expence incurred on Account of the American 
 Troops, from the Time of their being levied, to the Time of 
 their Discharge; and when the same shall be fully adjusted 
 and hquidated, you will transmit it to me, with the proper 
 Vouchers, from the several Governors, that it may be laid 
 before Parhament, to the End that Provision may be made 
 for the Payment. And in the mean Time, in order to prevent 
 any Complaint amongst the Men that have been inlisted, 
 you will recommend it to the Governors of the Provinces 
 where these Levies have been made, to procure Credit from 
 
LltiKHKY Ul- CONURESS 
 
 011 712 700 ft % 
 
 92 American Antiquctrian Society. [April, 
 
 the respective Assemblies for that Purpose; which His Majesty 
 hopes may be done without Difficulty. . . . And as to 
 the Americans in general, except only such as may be wanted 
 for the Service above-mention 'd, it is His Majesty's Pleasure, 
 that you, in Conjunction with Commodore Knowles, should 
 thank them in such Manner as you think proper, and imme- 
 diately discharge them upon the best and cheapest Foot 
 you can; and in Order thereto, you will consult with the 
 respective Governors upon the Manner of doing it: And you 
 will transmit to His Majesty, an immediate Account of what 
 you shall do therein." 
 
 In October, 1747, Shirley and Knowles issued a procla- 
 mation, "that the King, finding it necessary to employ 
 the greater part of his forces to aid his allies and to defend 
 the liberties of Europe, had thought proper to lay aside 
 for the present the intended expedition against Canada." ^ 
 
 Even the desire of Shirley to use some of the men raised 
 for a more modest expedition against Crown Point was 
 doomed to fail. Thus ended a scheme which had been 
 well-concerted, and which gave every promise of success. 
 It had been entered upon primarily at the expense of the 
 mother country, and failure to execute it proved a tremen- 
 dous waste, ^ aggregating several millions of dollars, as 
 reckoned by us today. 
 
 ' Chalmers's Papers. The proclamation is also printed in Records of Rhode Island, 
 Vol. V. General Sinclair's forces and Admiral Lestock's squadron were ready to 
 sail for North America, but "contrary winds" delayed them. Meanwhile Knowles 
 had informed the Seeretarj' of the Admiralty that Louisburg was "the most misera- 
 ble ruinous place" he ever beheld. It was, therefore, considered unfit for winter- 
 quarters for the English regulars, and Boston, suggested by Lestock as an alternative, 
 was not chosen, for reasons shown in the following extract from the joint letter ot 
 the Duke of Newcastle to Lestock and Sinclair, August 26th, 1746, contcmpory 
 transcript in N. Y. Public Library: " His Majesty finding, by your former letters, 
 that it would be impracticable for you to proceed this Season with the Squadron 
 and Troops under your Command further than Boston, and being desirous that they 
 shou'd be employ'd at present, in such manner as shou'd be most for His Majesty's 
 Service, and consistent with the King's intention of sending them to North America, 
 as early in the Spring, as the Navigation in those Seas will permit. The King has 
 commanded me to acquaint you with his Pleasure, that you shou'd forthwith sail 
 with all the Ships and Transports that are design'd for North America, either to 
 Port L'Orient, or to Rochefort, or to Rochelle, and endeavour to make Yourselves 
 Masters of such of them as You shall think it most adviseable to attempt " [e<c.]. 
 
 2 An elaborate report of the respective claims by the colonies for reimbursement, 
 dated February, 1749-1750, shows that the total sum charged was £273,139 Ish. 
 Hid.; and the amount actually paid out at that time was £235,817 Ish. Chal- 
 mers's Papers. A discussion of the expenses incurred by Massachusetts is given 
 in Some Observations Relating to the Present Circumstances of the Province of Massa- 
 chusetts Bay, Boston, 1750. This is a pamphlet of twenty pages. 
 
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