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 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 INTERCEPTED LETTERS TO THE DUKE 
 DE MIREPOIX, 1756. 
 
 (From the Report of the Historical Manuscripts Commission of the American 
 Historical Association for 1896, pages 600-703.) 
 
 WASHINGTON: 
 
 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
 1897. 
 
\'\^\ 
 
 -■y\' 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS TO THE DUKE DE MIREPOIX, 1756. 
 
 Before Lis resignation from the Commission, Dr. Douglas 
 Brymner, Archivist of the Dominion of Canada, selected from 
 the materials under his command the following letters, and had 
 them copied for the Commission, The following introduction 
 is due to him. The chairman of the Commission has appended 
 a few footnotes. To him the letters a{)pear to have been 
 written by some one who had a fair but not an intimate knowl- 
 edge of what was going on, who held no important command, 
 and who, as the Earl of Halifax conjectures in No. 10 of the 
 series, was an Irishman. It is important as Avell as interest- 
 ing to observe what imperfect information the Newcastle Gov- 
 ernment had as to events, preparations, and conditions in 
 America. 
 
 In the final struggle for supremacy on the northern part of 
 this continent between Great Britain and her colonies on the 
 one side and France on the other, which culminated in the con- 
 quest of Canada in 1760, the success in the first instance was 
 largely on the side of the French. The defeat of Braddock 
 and his death in 1755, the capture of Oswego in 1756, with the 
 capture or destruction of the British fleet there, which gave 
 the command of Lake Ontario to the French; these and sub- 
 sequent events of a similar nature gave confidence to the 
 French and led to the adhesion of the waiters on Providence 
 who are always on the winning side. On both sides there 
 were serious drawbacks to the vigorous prosecution of the war. 
 On the side of the French there was the amazing corrui)tion 
 whicli prevailed, the robberies committed by all grades in the 
 public service, robberies by which the officials, from Bigot, the 
 intondant, downward, in every branch of the service accumu- 
 lated immense fortunes. Such conduct was tlie rule with 
 scarcely an exception, so that the success of the Fren(;li troops 
 in the field is almost wonderful. On tlie other side were 
 divided councils, and generals in many cases far from efficient 
 660 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 6()1 
 
 ill a style of warfare to wliicli they were unaccustomed and 
 against which they were therefoie unable to take precautions. 
 The difliculty of manning the navy was extreme, sailors desert- 
 ing from ships of war and tratisports in crowds to man the 
 l)rivateers, the i)rize money being for New York alone not less 
 than £200,01)0 sterling, and the sailor.s being harbored in the 
 seaport towns by the inhabitants. It was only by the aid of 
 the military that they could be secured in i*N^ew York and that 
 Sir Charles Hardy's fleet was able to sail from that port. Nor 
 was this all that the British forces had to contend with, as 
 Lord Loudoun, writing to Pitt in June, 1757, reported that the 
 French received from all quarters information of every move- 
 ment in the colonies. These and other facts give a greater 
 color of probability to the authenticity of the intercepted letters 
 addressed to the Duke de Mirepoix, although the identity of 
 the writer could not be discovered. 
 
 In the letter dated the 12th of January, 1756, the writer 
 states that he has no doubt of obtaining the services of Ger- 
 mans in the United States on behalf of the French, and this is 
 confirmed by the statement of an Onondaga Indian made to 
 Sir William Johnson, that the Germans of Burnetfleld had sent 
 by an Oneida to the French governor of Canada an offer of 
 their services. In a letter from Capt. John Butler to Sir 
 William Johnson, dated in March, 1757, the place from which 
 this letter was sent is called the "Great Flatts," and it is said 
 that Capt. Joost Petrie wrote the letter which was sent to 
 Canada. In Wraxall's letter it is called German Flats; all 
 three names, Burnetfleld, Great Flatts, and German Flats, no 
 doubt refer to the same place. The French neutrals, also, in 
 Pennsylvania, evidently encouraged by the success of the 
 French at tlie opening of the war, threatened that they would 
 go to their countrymen in the back country, and that they 
 would all join the French, as they looked on themselves as 
 French subjects. 
 
 The efforts made to trace the writer of the letters addressed 
 to the Duke de Mirepoix seem to have been unsuccessful, as, 
 although indications were obtained, no proper means appear 
 to have been taken to follow up the pursuit. The description 
 by the writer of the letters of his own position was evidently 
 given to mislead ; otherwise there would have been no difliculty 
 in discovering who he was. 
 
 Lord Loudoun was recalled, but his successor was most 
 
662 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 unfortunate in liis first oi)erations. Tlie liist gleam of impor- 
 tant success Avas tlie taking of Louisbourg in 1758. It is 
 doubtful, however, Avbether that would have fallen so easily 
 but for the eflects of the nefarious conduct of Bigot and his 
 confederates, ^ext year Niagara was taken, and in the same 
 year Quebec fell ; the commanders of both forces dying from 
 their wounds — the one at the moment of victory, the other 
 shortly after his defeat. In 1760 Montreal fell, and with it all 
 Canada, removing from the colonies the black danger-cloud 
 that had so long threatened them, and from which had so often 
 proceeded dire effects on the lives, property, and persons of the 
 unfortunate inhabitants — killed, scalped, or taken prisoners. 
 The power of France in this country was broken, and the 
 settlers and inhabitants of New England could now rest 
 undisturbed by these attacks from the French and Indians to 
 which they had been hitherto continually exposed. 
 
 The documents given here from the Canadian Archives are 
 transcripts from those in the Public Kecord Office, London, 
 where they form part of the series "America and West Indies" 
 from volume 82 onward. 
 
 1. HENRY FOX' TO THE EARL OF LOUDOUN.^ 
 
 Secret.] Whitehall, May 7*1^ 1756 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have the King's commands to acquaint your Lordship with 
 what has been done, in consequence of Two very extraordinary 
 intercepted Letters, from an unknown Person, in America, 
 addressed to the Due de Mirepoix; of the first Letter I inclose 
 a Copy only, the Original being in the Hands of Colonel Webb; 
 but you will find the second herewith as It was received. 
 
 Your Lordship will see by the inclosed Copies of the Earl of 
 Halifax's, and my Letters to Sir Charles Hardy, Gov'" Shirley, 
 and Colonel AVebb, together with some papers therein refer'd 
 to, the first steps that were taken here, in consequence of this 
 Discovery: — Bat, since the Departure of Colonel Webb, a 
 Duplicate of the second of these intercepted Letters, having 
 been sent to Londonderry in Ireland, by a person, under the 
 
 'Henry Fox (1705-1774), father of Charles James Fox, was Secretary of State from 
 Novemher, 1755, to October, 1756. 
 
 2 John Campbell, Karl of Loudoun (1705-1782), commissioned lommauder-iu-chief in 
 America, March 20, 1756. 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS. 1756. 663 
 
 Name of James Allen of Philadelphia, uuder cover of the 
 inclosed letter to M"" Gamble of that place, and transmitted to 
 me by the Dnke of Devonshire, Lord Lieut of Ireland; I imme- 
 diately desired His Grace would procure the Letters which I 
 send inclosed, to Master Gamble, and M' Redmond Cunning- 
 hiim, whereby your Lordship may probably be able to discover, 
 by whom the said intercepted Letters were wrote; and will 
 prosecute the Author, or Authors of them, there, or send them 
 to England, as your Lordship shall think most advisable. 
 I am 
 
 H. Fox. 
 Endorsed : — Dra* to the Earl of 
 Loudoun 
 
 May 7*" 1756 
 Secret 
 
 2. "FILIUS GALLIC.E" TO THE DUKE DE MIREPOIX.i 
 
 America Jany 6^'' 175G N», 1 
 May it Please your Grace, 
 
 This may perhaps be somewhat surprising &c. but let it not 
 oflend your Grace, for in the Deepest Humility 1 beg leave to 
 approach y' G'- : and let me imi)lore y' G^« patience to hear me, 
 I shall not here presume to make an apology, as time not 
 I)lace '11 permitt; but hereafter, when I shall dare to Discover 
 myself, and when I find this '11 be acceptable — I trust your 
 goodness '11 excuse me; I doubt not but 1 shall find favour and 
 protection with his Majesty, whose Paternal goodness to his 
 subjects I am too sensible off — neither shall I here disclose my 
 whole scheme; but only by hints and Insinuations give y'" Gr. 
 a small Idea of my Designs; (in behalf of his most Christian 
 Majesty ag"*^ the English) by w^ y^ Gr. 'II see that what I am 
 ab* to undertake is easily accomplished — Therefore Let me 
 earnestly beseech y Gr. to grant me y^' aid and assistance on 
 this occasion, since the Honour and Glory of our Grand Mon- 
 arch Lewis the fifteenth is concerned therein — ; whose honour 
 &c I shall always think myself justified in, to Defend, tho' I 
 prove false to those who employ me ag^* his Majesty, or his 
 Subjects and as I place my Confidence in y G' and y G"^ is the 
 only Person in the world I now Disclose my tho*^ to, 1 rely 
 
 iMirepoix had been French ambassador in London, ] 749-1755. 
 
664 AMERICAN fllSTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 and earnestly entreat y^ G^ to keep this secret, for should it 
 be discovered and get to the ears of the Eno-lish; y G^ must 
 be sensible what would be the consequence; for although I'm 
 unknown to y^ G"^ I am not so to the English I am weU per- 
 suaded of y Grs: Interist at Court and Loyalty to His Majesty, 
 and beg when y^G'' has read these imperfect lines (if y^' G- thinks 
 fitt) to communicate 'em in a better Language to the Prime Min- 
 ister and let me entreat y^ G^: to pay a due regard to what 
 I'm ab* to write; tho' it be done in this ungeuteel illiterate &c. 
 a manner, and let not my honest and sincere intentions towards 
 his Most Christian iMajesty (the best of Kings) be disregarded, 
 for want of a Proper Diction, and for want of properly address- 
 ing- y^G"": for must confess I was not bred a scholar, but a 
 soldier— and even am much hurried in writing- this; but rely 
 on y G'« goodness to pardon me hereafter what I now do 
 amiss, when y^ G' : shall hear of the good eflect of it. I take 
 the liberty of writing- to y^ G' in English (as Pve my reasons 
 for it) not doubting, but j^ G'' is well acquainted with that 
 Language— but -if y G- vouchsafes to write to me in Perticular, 
 desire it might be in French, for I understand that Language 
 
 Avell; and also most of the Indian Languages in this country, 
 
 before I finish this '11 give y^ G'. proper Directions to me. I 
 am obliged to write this with my own hand for dare not con- 
 fide in any but shant dare to fix ray name or place of abode 
 &c— y (i- nuist doubtlessly be ac(iuanted with Xorth America 
 it's fine countries, vast extent &c. &c. the considerable advan- 
 tage it'll be to the Power that conquers it, and y G' nuist also 
 'ere this be acquainted with what has lately been transacted 
 in this part of the world. I am looked on in these parts, a 
 faithful true and Loyal Subject of King George, but confess to 
 y G'- that my heart is and always was for his Most Christian 
 Majesty, his religion and country. I've some time ago, been very 
 ill used by the English Goveruours here have within these 15 
 days, been solicited to be at the head off a considerable army to 
 be raised this Winter in Pensylvania Govern* &c, to be ready 
 by next spring, to march ag«' Fort Du Quesne on the Ohio ^c'*: 
 I shall take care to chuse out of the (Jermans, Irish &c=' such offi- 
 cers and men, as I know are of the true EomanCatholick faith 
 andDis-allectedtotheGovernt. NBrevenOhioisafineCountry 
 and worth contending for, it's yet mostly inhabited by Indi- 
 ans—Fort du Quesne is ab^ 300 miles, back of Virginia and 
 Philadelphia, shall have a long march of it, Fort du (Quesne is 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 665 
 
 much further from Cauada, but it's by water down a river; I 
 think it's about 900 miles — I woukl earnestly entreat y G'" to 
 cause to be sent unto mo proper letters of his Majestys apro- 
 bation favour &c: to his People w^'' I might show to such of 
 the army wheu on the March, as I know I shall prevail on; but 
 desire such writings may be done in English and some of em 
 in the German Tongue, as few people here understand the 
 French Language, this I leave to y"" G^": to order it as it should 
 be, shoud also be glad y^ G'« advice to me; and beg y'' G': 
 would also order me a sura of money with his most Christian 
 Majesty Impression on it, to Distribute among the soldiers 
 and Indians (and to make presents to some great men) to gain 
 them on my side and also ab* one thousand swords to present 
 to the Officers; it would greatly influence 'em I woud not have 
 y' G'' immagine, I desire the least of what I now ask for, for 
 my self; on the contrary I assure y^' G^; that had I ability of 
 myself only ; my zeal, for my Eoyal Master is such that I 
 would go thro' the whole without craving any assistance (or 
 Perish in the attempt) confiding in his Majestys goodness to 
 consider me here after — as I shall render a just acco^ of every- 
 thing y^" G^' '11 be pleased to comitt to my care, so I expect his 
 Majesty '11 be repaid the charge I now desire he may be put 
 to — .The raising, cloathing and arming the army '11 be at the 
 expence of the Different Governts for whose service it's sup- 
 posed I raise it — The money I ask for, is only to gain the army 
 for his Majesty; (that all powerfnll Metal gains all things) and 
 if y Grace '11 be pleased to order it as I shall mention, it'll come 
 safe to my hands, tho' I should be on the march or at Fort du 
 Quesne, y' G' : may perhaps think it a risque to trust a man you 
 don't know, and at such Distance but all the security I can at 
 present give y^ G'" is only my word of honour, and can with a 
 clear conscience assure y: G'": that if you'll venture y' G' : '11 
 find it on a sure Bottom neither would I have y'" G^ immagine 
 that this writing may be the effect of a wild Brain &c^ because 
 it's jnmbled together in an odd manner — K. B : the raising this 
 army is to be done very still and without noise. Least the news 
 might reach Canada, and this serves my purpose best to chuse 
 my men I also acquaint y"^ G'": that I am not to be ready to 
 march till next May, by order of Gov"". Shirley who is General- 
 issimo of all the King's forces in these parts — and y'" G' : may 
 also depend, that I shall delay the march as long as possible, 
 on purpose to hear from y^' G' : I rely on y' G' : to send me 
 
66S AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 such Letters &c by the first English A'essels next spring, or 
 fear I shant so easily be able to persuade the peoj^le: and 
 when I have "em shall send notice to the Conunanding Officer 
 at fort du Quesne ot my Intentions and shall also send letters 
 to Canada and urge them also to be ready. The armies of 
 Gov. Shirley and General Johnson are Quartered this winter 
 on the frontiers of ]!^ew York (they cosist of ab* Eight thousand 
 men) to be ready by next spring: when they'll be made up to 
 15 or IG thousand, to march ag-'* Crown Point Kiagara ^C^. 
 K B: Shirleys army is intended ag"^ Xiagara, and Johnsons 
 ag*'* Crown Point at the Distance of ab*. 3a0 miles from each 
 other; Shirleys army is now Quartered at Oswego ab'. 200 
 miles above Albany, and Johnsons at Lake Sacrament, where 
 they've built a strong Ibrt since the defeat of that worthy 
 Gentl"'. Mods'. Le Baron de Diskau Many of Mods'. Dies- 
 <au's soldiers, since the Defeat are gone over to the English — 
 N. B. the roads to the above Cam])s are very far and Difficult, 
 perticularly to M'' Johnsons, w'' is mostly by Land, so I doubt 
 if they'll be able to carry their Provisions «S:c=' &c=* from Alb. ny, 
 so early as they exi)ect ab* 40 waggons went dayly Last sum- 
 mer from Albany to Johnsons Camp, and coud only keep 'em 
 iu Provisions from hand to mouth, shoud the above armies 
 not be prevented in their IntentioDs, 1 should be in very great 
 pain for Canada, but am Id hopes I shall be CDabled to turn 
 their force auother way — They'll Dot be able to do any hurt 
 there till ab^ next June or July, as the season is late there, it 
 being so far to the Northward: The late General Braddock's 
 troops have been Drawn from the frontiers ot Virginia «S:c" to 
 New York and have been sent from thence u}) to Albany to 
 Join Gen'. Shirleys Pegement at Oswego, (Albany lies ab' 150 
 miles above New York up a very fine and Navigable River) 
 since these troops have been drawn from thence, the Indians 
 in his most Christian Majesty Inter^: with those w'"* had been 
 in the English Int" before Braddock's defeat, have fallen on 
 the frontiers of Virginia, Maryland, Pensylvania, Jersey's &c'' 
 and Lay waste the Country, murder and scalj) many of the 
 people and carry away some captive. This is well pleasing to 
 me, because it excites the Governt\ the more earnest to raise 
 the money and soldiers; (who are yet Disputing ab* furnish- 
 ing their Quotas of money) Phil'' has already granted sixty 
 thousand pounds towards it, that City is much Divided, the 
 Gov' and assembly are at such varience, that their Disputes 
 are to be transmitted to Eiiiihind — . 
 
tNTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 667 
 
 The Indians have advanced to ab^ 60 miles back of PhiK 
 and burnt up whole villages; did they but know the condition 
 Phil^. is in at present they might do the same to that city; 
 The armies of Shirley and Johnson, are also much Devided, 
 striving, who shall get the most money and honour by the 
 expedition, (This is according to the English Disposition) I 
 coud wish they woud get by the ears, as I shoud the more 
 easily execute my scheme — . I am assured of a Collonel, and 
 3 Capt^ Inter** in Shirleys Regm* provided I coud show them 
 eUcouragement from home — . The Coll. informed me, in a let- 
 ter that Gen^ Johnson had told him, he woud lay down his 
 comm** on acco* of the Disputes between him and Shirley &c*. 
 (ISTB: General Johnson was borned in Ireland, and has not 
 been in this Country above 20 years, but on acco*^ of his geting 
 in with the Irroquois (W^ the English call the five Nations) 
 and having great Inter^ with them, he is at this time thus pro- 
 moted; he is a man of ab* 40 years old, and has his seat in the 
 Mohawk Country — . (N. B : The Gover^^ of Pensilvenia Jer- 
 seys &c,^ Lave sent out several detachments 2 and 3 hundred 
 men ag^' the Indians that enrageded (?) them as above men- 
 tioned, but the detachments have continually been repulsed 
 and taken by them) The Gove'" of New York is also out with 
 Shirley — . If their Disputes have no other good effect in my 
 Behalf, it will however retard their expeditions — . All last 
 summer Shirley's army was doing nothing else but repairing 
 fort Oswego and building vessels of war to cruise on Lake 
 Ontario; if that had been a french Army, it woud have taken 
 Niagara (if it had been in the hands of the English) and what 
 ever else it wanted — but the English are a most dilatory, indo- 
 lent people, never in haste, but spend most of their time in 
 drinking and jangling together — . They call themselves (for- 
 sootli) a free people; and indeed, I have found 'era so, for the 
 meanest soldier has as much to say as his officer, there is no 
 Govern* among 'em — but let me not find fault with their Dila- 
 toriness and Indolence &c'^ at present since it serves my pur- 
 pose best, and '11 give time to have y"' Gr^ answer; and I 
 expect to hear from y Grace, before anything '11 be done here 
 to his Majestys Prejudice and trust y"" G'': '11 be as expeditious 
 in sending to me as possible, as I've been in writing to y'^ 
 G"": — had not Mons^" Dieskaw, (whose defeat Thope to revenge) 
 come ag"^* Johnson there would 've been no battle faught Last 
 summer; and had not the cannon, w*^"^ the English had and w*^^ 
 
668 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 the freiicli Army was not apprehensive off, put the Canadi- 
 ans and Indians in confiision, in all probability, that worthy 
 Gent"' mnst have beaten Johnson, for by what I ooud perceive, 
 the English were struck with a panick, and were near ready 
 to quit the field before that; and what ever the English may 
 boast of Victory, I must say they behaved very ill, consider- 
 ing their advantages and numbers, — and can only impute it to 
 a turn of good fortune in favor of the English, rather than con- 
 duct, aiul altlio'the french were beaten, there was considerable 
 more of the English killed in the action, than of the french — . 
 1 am credibly informed that tlie Indians, on the back i)arts of 
 the countrys above mentioned are become very numerous; if 
 these creatures had arms, and were properly Led forth, they 
 might do great execution ; I doubt not but I shall have 'em all 
 with me next summer, provided I can shew them his Majestys 
 letters ^C^ w' ^' I shall impatiently wait for — . but shoud I not 
 have 'em by that time, I shall be obliged, much ag'^' my will 
 and conscience to fight ag*"* my Bretheren the french and those 
 Indians w'"' have forsaken the English Int^ since Braddocks 
 Defeat must join me for their own safety — . If y G' : shoud 
 be dubious of the truth of what I here relate of things here, I 
 beg leave to referr y*^ G' : to the late news papers from these 
 parts to this Inst: wherein if y' Gr: '11 find to agree with what 
 I say (except my design ag** the English) 
 
 This y Gr: may Look on as Idle, as news papers, contain 
 often the Greatest falsities: but I assure y'' Gr: that whatever 
 is therein related of things that happen in these parts, is fact, 
 y'" Gr: maj' have s'' news papers of y" correspondances, from 
 London and Holland, as it woud not do to enclose 'em here, 
 for I woud fain have this Packett as small as possible and 
 even as it is, I find it Diflicult to have it conveyed to y' Gr: 
 since y"' Gr:" return from the British Court, on acco* of the 
 approaching wai', with England and the perfidy of the Eng- 
 lish; and shoud this letter not get safe to y"" Gr: and I not 
 hear from y'" Gr : in time, I shoud Despair of success, I intended 
 to have sent this under cover to Mons'. Dieskau's brother in 
 Holland as I'v^e no accpiaintance there, but fearing least the 
 name of Dieskau might create susi)icion, 1 shall send it at a 
 venture to some merch' there and give it here to a friend 
 (who'll not suspect the contents) to send it to New York to be 
 IbrAA-arded from thence, and for fear of Miscarriage shall take 
 a copy of it to send p another conveyance — . and now beg 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 669 
 
 leave to Inform y^ Gr: how, and in what manner to Direct and 
 send to me. I shall appoint a friend to receive all such Let- 
 ters &c^ as y'' Gr : '11 be pleased to order to me by the name of 
 Pierre Fidel, and shall 've 'em immediately sent to me; this 
 friend shall appoint another at ^ew York, tho' they'll both be 
 Ignorant what they contain; I should also acquaint y^" Gr: 
 that there are great numbers of vessells that trade from these 
 parts to Europe, perticularly to England and Holland (K.B: 
 there is Packet boats to go constant from England to its 
 American Collonies) I woud chuse to have Avhat y Gr: wou'd 
 be pleased to order to me come by the English vessells from 
 Holland; (as there is to be a neutrality during a war with 
 England, between his most Christian Majesty and the States 
 Generals) I shoud think it the surest way; and woud chuse to 
 have it come by Different vessells and not all in one Bottom. 
 However, I leave it to y'" Gr:« wise and prudent conduct to 
 order as y'" Gr: shall judge proper; as I doubt not but y' Gr: 
 has corrispondences in both phices that may be relyed on, but 
 Let me pray y'' Gr: that it may -be done privately without wit- 
 ness not to give any suspicion either there or here, and if I 
 might take upou me to advise y' Gr:. It might be ordered 
 among some Lawfull Merchandize and shiped,and the Masters 
 of such Vessells can sign bills Lading to Deliver such goods to 
 the s'^ Pierre Fidel or his order — , 1 am told there are many 
 vessels expected next spring from Holland to New York; I 
 woud chuse to have 'em come to that Port, as t'woud be the 
 safest — . there are also several expected from London to that 
 Port — . Be pleased to Diiect 
 To 
 
 M"-. Pierre Fidel 
 
 to be left at M'. Homer's 
 
 Coffyhouse (untill asked for) 
 in New York. 
 
 If y Gr: Directs to M*" Pierre Fidel, as above said, y^ Gr: 
 need not in the least doubt of its being safely conveyed to me. 
 
 I have been to New York to visit Mons'" Dieskau where he 
 lies still 111 of his wounds, but is now Like to recover, he is in a 
 good house, well attended and great care is taken of him (to 
 the honour of the English be this said) he has his aid de Camp 
 with him; Had that unhappy Gentl'" had the good fortune to 
 have beaten Johnson's Army, he woud 'ere this have been iu 
 
670 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 possession of tLe City of Albany, and woud infallibly have cut 
 oft' Shirley's army also as he coud i)revent all supplys being 
 sent tliither, and by reinforcements he might have had from 
 Canada &c'' he coud have strengthened himself there this 
 winter, and by next spring- sent Emissaries privately thro' the 
 land to* those who are of the true Roman Catholick faith of 
 w" "^ there are great numbers who dare' not show their heads, 
 and who I know wislied and prayed for his success; many of 
 whom since his confineinent at Xew York have Desired ro see 
 him, but have not been permitted — .he might also have sent 
 to tlie negro Slaves (of w''^' there are some thousands) and 
 promised tbein their freedom — . he would bave been joined by 
 Multitudes, — and then have Issued his Proclamation in his Most 
 Christian Majestys name, granting free liberty of conscience. 
 Enjoyments of their Estates, llights and Privileges &c'' &c" as 
 afore to those wlio woud only submitt to his Majestys Clemency 
 and become his Subjects — . I doubt not but most of the herri- 
 ticks would comply rather than lose their all, and perish, and 
 by next summer he might have been in possession of New York 
 (w*='' is ab^ the center of the British Dominions on the Conti- 
 nent) and afterwards it woud be no Difficult matter, if he was 
 supplyed with money &c'^ from home, to make himself master 
 of all tbe Jerseys, Pensylvenia &c'' and in consequence the 
 English West Indias must fall, as they coud not long subsist 
 without these provision Collonies — As woud also tlie Countries 
 to the Eastward, as far as Boston &c'': — but that unfortunate 
 Gentleman was deceived in his Intelligences — neither was it in 
 my Power to send him any as I did to Mons'' de Contrecour at 
 fort du Quesne when Braddock was marching that way Mons"^ 
 Dumas in a letter conveyed to me p an English Indian after- 
 wards returned me, his and Mons' de Contrecours thanks for 
 the advice I had given them, and said the victory was in a 
 great measure to it. N. B : Mess" de Beaujeu, Carneville and 
 Dumas were Capts that fought ag^^ Braddock. the two former 
 fell in Battle as Mons"" Dumas mentioned to me I well per- 
 suaded that did Mons"" Dieskau Know of my writing this he 
 woud, if he were allowed to write, attest it with both his hands, 
 1 only mentioned it to him, that I had a letter to be forwarded 
 to france and he immediately recommended me to his Bro"" 
 assuring me he would forward it for me — it grieves me to see 
 the poor french Inhabitants of Mines in Nova Scotia,' Dis- 
 
 > The deported Acadians. 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 671 
 
 persed thro' all the Euglish Colloiiies, w''^ the Engh'sh have 
 trausported from theuce. I beg" y^ Gn". pardon for detaining 
 j^ Gr: with this unlucky turn of Mons^ Dieskau »&c% it was not 
 my Intention when I first sat down to write to y'' Gr: but 
 assure y Gr : that it woud've given me equal pleasure if that 
 Gentl" had succeeded, as if I had done it Myself. — And^permit 
 me now to say, I leave y Gr: to Judge what resistance they'll 
 be able to make when they have so powerful! an Ennemy in 
 the heart of their Country, unsuspected, unguarded and unpro- 
 vided as they'll be to receive him — . I want not any troops to 
 be sent me, (for here are men enough) but a sufficiency of money 
 to hire them with — . And dare affirm, that half the sum vf'^^ was 
 expended in transporting Mons"^ Dieskau and his forces hither 
 woud (in this way) conquer all Korth America for my Royal 
 Master Lewis XY: and woud bring the English to terms with 
 regard to Limitts here — . I wish y"" Gr: all blessing spiritual 
 and temporal in the Ensuing New York, [sic] and wish success 
 to his Majesty s Arms, and am tho' unknown to y'' Gr: with all 
 due reverence and respect, may it i)lease y' Grace 
 Your Graces most obedient, most 
 Hb^*^ and Most Devoted Serv* 
 
 Eilius Gallicae. 
 
 P. S. before I Close this I must hint to y^ G^': that a few days 
 ago, there has been at New York a Congress of the English 
 Gover® on the Continent,^ they've not yet communicated the 
 result of it to me; An Express will soon sail from thence for 
 England — . It's not in my Power to explain myself here as I 
 coud wish to do, nor to write the whole situation of affairs here; 
 for as said afore time nor place '11 permitt. hereafter hope to do 
 it better and in more form — . but thus much I've only now been 
 able to insinuate to y G'' : in hope of succeeding in my Designs, 
 and in making myself in part Known to y'" G'^ : that his Majesty 
 may also know, he has (tho' unknown) a faithfull true and Loyall 
 subject in these parts, and who with his Majestys' expects soon 
 to drive all the English who will not submitt to his Majestys 
 goodness; off the continent — . Therefore let me now at last 
 move y^ G'": by heaven and earth, not to Despise what I say but 
 comply with my request — hereafter, I shall not prove so tedi- 
 ous, nor multiply words as I am now obliged to do. 
 
 The British Dominions, from Halifax to Georgia is computed 
 
 1 The writer alludes, no doubt, to the council of war of December 12, 13, 1755. 
 
072 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 a tab* 2000 miles, it Lies in a circle ad joining- the sea, with beau- 
 tiful rivers running through, and fine Harbours, fitt for the 
 Largest first rate Ships, a very pleutifull Country of all things, 
 but their Country Lies all open and Defenceless, and the Peo- 
 ple much alarmed and frightened at the Least acco* of a french 
 fleet on their Coast, because of their nakedness — The clinuite 
 here; havefoundit much the same asin France; The Couutrys 
 w*^^ Lye to the Westward and Southward have their springs 
 very early and scarce any winter, but those w'''' Lye to the 
 Northward have their springs late &c'' 
 
 X,I>: there has latly been discovered in Jersey Govern* sev- 
 eral very good Copper mines, iutermixt with silver. 
 
 an hour ago a Geutl" arrived from New York, came to visit 
 me, he said, it was reported there, that a french fleet, consist- 
 ing of 17 men of war and transports with some Bomb Vessells, 
 was arrived at Spanish river in Cape IJreton, and ware landing 
 their men &c'^ the news was said to come via Boston, from S' 
 Peters in Newfoundland and from Halifax in Nova Scotia, 
 this news I coud wish with all my heart to be true as the Eng- 
 lish fleet is sailed from thence for England — but I immagine it's 
 only his Majestys fleet w'-^* sailed down the river St. Lawrence 
 Last fall, homeward bound, w"^^'' might have put in there. 
 
 Jan> 7*" 
 
 I am informed that M'' John de Neufville merch* at Amster- 
 dam does business for (lentlemen in New York I've concluded 
 to send it to his care, as from New York by the name of George 
 Spellings and shall pretend to him a recommendation from liis 
 friends there on purpose to have it immediately forwarded to 
 y' Gr. and shall desire him to let me Know by that name of its 
 being sent to yourCh-ace. 
 
 Jany 8<i> 17-lG [175G] 
 
 The Post sets out this afternoon for New York, I shall 
 Deliver this (under cover) to my friend here to be forwarded 
 thither — 
 
 I said in my Letter I would not in the Least Discover myself, 
 but thus much I'll now venture to intimate to y' Gr: trusting 
 that it'll abide only with y' Gr: untill I have accomplished my 
 Designs — . I was born'd, and all my relations Live, in old 
 france in good repute and Loyall subjects to his Majesty; and 
 assure y Gr : some of 'em not unworthy y' (ir« notice, and some 
 of 'em not unknown to y (4' as by a Letter I received 
 some time ago from one of them. I intended at first to have 
 sent this Letter under cover to him — but I have my reasoug 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 673 
 
 for not doing it, besides I dou't believe an Englisli Capt'^ 
 woud deliver a Letter from on board his vessell, at this time, 
 that was directed to France — I shall send y^ Gr: a few lines 
 again next spring, in the best manner I can — but expect y'" 
 Gr: '11 be doing for me in the Intrim and if I succeed in my 
 attempt, (as I dou't in the least doubt, if I am now granted 
 what I require) I'll return home and Lay myself with gratitude 
 at y"" Gr.'s feet, for I am tired of playing the prodigal, and 
 Long to be home with my friends, and relations again from 
 whom I have strayed these many years; but should not chuse 
 to return to them but in honour — I shall be 38 years old nex 
 August, am still a single man and most part of my Life has 
 been spent in the service of the English, w*^'' I have always 
 faithfully Discharg'd but now again to be employed and tight 
 agst my King and country I cant any more bear to think oft",* 
 and yet shall be obliged to do it, for subsistance, as I've no 
 other Dependauce iiere, and no Estate at home I was sent near 
 the close of the last war a commissioner to Canada, where 
 seeing the confidence of the English placed in me, and hearing 
 how much- 1 was in the esteem of all sorts of People among 
 them, and knowing my Principles and from whence I was it 
 was there agreed upon, that if the English shoud at any time 
 thereafter promote me to a general of an army ag*"* them, that 
 I shoud employ my whole force in behalf of his most christian 
 Majesty, and write home ab*^ it and I should be immediately 
 assisted. This now is come to pass, contrary to my expecta- 
 tions; it's a fourtuight since I was appointed and am already 
 confirmed (since the evasions of the french and Indians on 
 their frontiers as afore mentioned,) and hope now to be enabled 
 to put my scheme in execution as above said; and hope y"" 
 Gr: '11 excuse me for making choice of y Gr: to write to, its 
 not in my power at this time to acquaint the Gentl" in Canada 
 of what has happened to me, neither woud it avail any thing 
 untill I had some assurance of being assisted from home — . 
 ¥«■ Gr : may perhaps hereafter accuse me of perfidy and Ingrat- 
 itude to the English, and a person not fit to be trusted; to w*^^^ 
 I beg leave to answer y^ Gr:, that as to Perfidy I have already 
 intimated toyGr: how my heart has always been disposed 
 and coud at any time satisfy y^' Gr: to the contrary, and as 
 to Ingratitude; if the English have given me commissions 
 and i)romoted me to honours among them it was to serve their 
 own purposes, and they've had my services for it w'^'' they've 
 never had reason to comfjlain off; Besides I expect greater 
 H. Doc. 353 43 
 
674 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 prefferments, if I succeed, by his Majesty, and tben I shall be 
 among my own people and enjoy my religion freely, w*^'' I have 
 not dared to do, since I've been among the English, but must 
 tamely bear to hear my religion King and country reflected on 
 by Heriticks, and have never yet been in the Chapel at Phil* 
 for fear of giving suspicion, however 1 shall always retain a 
 gratefull seuce of the English civilities and good will toward 
 me while they thought me their own, and intend to be kind 
 to them — espetialy those I have received great frieudsbips 
 from — . except some of their Gov'^ IS .B : There is a reward of 
 700 p 8/8 offered by the Governt of Phi* to any who shall 
 bring the heads of Shingas, and Jacobs, two chiefs of the 
 Delaware Indian Katioii who have revolted from the English. ^ 
 I shoud be very sorry to see their heads Bro^ as they are my 
 very good friends — . but am not iu much concern about them 
 as tbey'U not easily be taken. Most of tlie back Inhabitants 
 of Phil* Maryland &c* are fled to the cities, and have left 
 their Plantations a j)rey to the Indians. — . The sight of one 
 Indian '11 frighten and drive away a score of Englishmen — 
 I must also acquaint y'" Gr: that it was the appearance of the 
 Indians that frightened Braddocks men, and put bis army in 
 (Confusion. — here is a certain acco' come yesterday from Hal- 
 ifax in Nova Scotia that some of King George's Soldiers who 
 had strayed iu tbe woods; were taken Prisoners by the trench 
 and Indians tliere; that the New England troops w^'' were 
 hired to take Mines; were Quarreling with the Governor there, 
 ab* their pay, and because the Gov'' had not prepared vessells 
 to carry them home according to promiss; that the New Eng. 
 land troops, and the Kings troops were fighting with each 
 other &C'' — N. B. I mention the Inroads of the Indians &c* 
 to Let y'" G'" see the Deplorable Condition most of the British 
 Collonies are in at present, and how easily they may be at this 
 time subdued. 
 
 A Mon Seigneur 
 Men Seigneur Le Due de Mirepoix 
 a 
 
 Paris 
 Copy 
 The original given to the 
 Earl of Loudoun. 
 
 'Jacobs was killed about April 1 ; Pa. Archives, ii, 612. Shingas survived ; ibid., ui, 533. 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756, 675 
 
 3. "FILIUS GALLIC.E" TO THE DUKE DE MIREPOIX. 
 
 Jany 12"' 175G 
 
 The Original I have sent under cover to M"" John de Neufville 
 Merchant at Amsterdam to be forwarded from ISTew York p. 
 the Nightingale Man of War, which I heard was soon to sail 
 the Express to London. 
 
 My Serjeants have within these 3 days Enlisted 600 men, my 
 compli"' is to be 15000, and if I shon'd have occasion I believe 
 I con'd raise 50,000 in Pensilvania Government only, for there 
 has been yearly vast nnmbers of Germans imported from Hol- 
 land, who are very poor and wou'd be glad to do anything for 
 a living" as most of them are oblig'd to sell themselves to pay 
 their passage thither. These i)eoi)le I am persuaded, it would 
 be a matter of ludifterence to them (if they were paid) whom 
 they serv'd; whether the King of France or the King of Eng- 
 land, and I know most of them would from principle rather 
 choose to serve my Royal Master : 
 
 There has also been from time to Time, transported from 
 England vast Numbers of Irish, to Virginia and Philadelphia 
 for the Peopb'ng The Kings Plantations Most of these are 
 of the true Roman Catholick Faith. 
 
 There has also been continually transported from England 
 to the above places, what they call convicts, for crimes com- 
 itted there, for which they are Sold in Slavery for seven 
 years — Some of these that I have happened to speak to, have 
 profess'd the true Catholick Religion, but their Religion is 
 much the same with most of the Hereticks in this Country, 
 who (by what I can perceive) mind no other than that of get- 
 ting Money; and may be hired to do anything. 
 
 We have an account here that a Body of Eleven hundred 
 Indians had appeared at Goshen^ and behav'd very insolently 
 that all the Country thereabouts were in alarm, they were said 
 to be Delawar Indians, who always had i)rofes'd themselv^es 
 friends to the English — But of late seem'd to be wavering. 
 
 Goshen is between New York and Albany up Hudsons 
 River (call'd at New York the North River) back of the High- 
 lands, on the other side the River with New York — at 00 
 miles from New York — N. B. We've had the Winter hitherto 
 
 >See New Tork Colonial Documents, vii, 96. 
 
676 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 very moderate almost evry day like Spring and can't bear of 
 any snow being fall'n yet to tbe Xoi-tbward. 
 Endorsed: — Copy of an Intercei^ted Letter — directed a Mon 
 Seigneur. Mon Seigneur Le Due de Mirepoix 
 a Paris. 
 
 inclosing tbe long Letter berewitb sent, to tbe 
 sd. Due de Mirepoix. — came from N. York, by 
 a Englisb Sloop. 
 Tbe Original of tbis Letter was given to Col" Webb. 
 
 4. "FILIUS GALLICE" TO THE DUKE DE MIREPOIX. 
 
 America Marcb l*"* 1756 
 May it please your Grace 
 
 I beg leave to refer your Grace to wbat I wrote y' G' : tbe 6"' 
 of Jany last wbicb 1 sent under cover to M' John de Xeufville 
 Mercb' at Amsterdam, and a copy to M' Josbua Vaneck in 
 London and now according to my Promise acquaint y"^ G'" 
 that 1 bave since Levied 10,000 fine men, sucb as I woud bave 
 and sball soon bave my compliment of 15,000. I bave by tbe 
 bye Intimated to my Aid de Camp and some of tbe officers 
 something of wbat I.wrote y' G' : and find, tbat If I am assisted 
 as requested of y G' : I sball gain my Point; But if I 
 should not hear from y' : G': by the 1** of next July, I sball 
 conclude y"^: G' : has not Digned me an answer and shan't for 
 the future trouble y' Vj^: any more, but '11 content myself to 
 end my Days in this Country, and Instead of being a friend to 
 my King and Country, I shall be oblidged to act ag"* both and 
 become an Enemy to them but I trust and flatter myself that 
 y-' G^: '11 answer me and if y^ G"^: thinks me Worthy y'' Gr^ 
 Corrispondence I Avoud now beg y^' Gr^ favour to Inform me 
 bow and in what manner to Direct for tbe future to y' (r'": to 
 whose care &g^ I must order my Letters &C'^ to be forwarded 
 to y G^ for I bave been strangely puzzled about sending these 
 I bave wrove to y G'. and when I may again write to y" G"^: it 
 shall be in French W^'' is my own Language I Avould also be 
 Informed by y' G"^: to Avhom it woud be proper for me here- 
 after to send an acco* c<:c" to of these parts &C'' in case y'^ G"" 
 should be absent &c* 
 I am as afore 
 
 Vour Grace's Most devoted Servant 
 
 Eilius Gallicae 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 677 
 
 P. S. I was informed tliat both my Letters -w^' were sent 
 to New York was put aboard tbe Nightingale Man of War 
 Bound to London (there being no other Vessell at the time 
 Design'd for Europe) w^"^' did not sail from the hook afore the 
 7*1' ult: The hook is twenty miles from New York Harbour 
 from whence all their vessells put into Sea, I am not now 
 under the Least Concern in case any of my Letters to y'' G'": 
 should be inspected; that it woud be a prejudice to me, for I 
 am from my behaviour among the English here in tbat Vogue 
 among them, — that I should not in the Least be suspected, 
 But it would be Imagined that those Letters were forged by 
 some Malicious Persons, to undermine me and I can easily 
 deny them if they shoud come ag''* me as my name is not 
 fixed and I in a great measure conterfieted a Different hand 
 from what I naturally write, as I have already mentioned to 
 y G'. to whom I have under cover Directed them. In case 
 they shoud not be come to y'' Gr^ hands ere this, y Grace '11 
 hereby Know of whom to Demand them. In those Letters I gave 
 y G'": Proper Directions to me &c^ and beged y' G"": to be as 
 expeditious to me as Possible and seem'd afear'd that I shoud 
 not be able to hear from y' G' : in time, — but now Inform y^ : G"" : 
 that y"^: Gr : '11 have time enough even after the receipt of this 
 for here are not near Arms &g^ enough at present for the 
 number of men I have already reased; and it's but Lately that 
 they have been wrote for; as well from Holland as from Eng- 
 land, w'^'" don't expect '11 be here afore the l*** of next June. 
 Your Grace must know that this army is not reased at the 
 Expence of the Crown of Brittain, but at the Private Expense 
 of the Different Governments to the Westward here, — who 
 order and Direct everything about it themselves — and when 
 ready as a Comp'*. to M' Shirley it is to be submitted to his 
 order and Direction w' '* will agree with theirs — , But I hope 
 it '11 be Governed by your Grace's orders and commands. 
 
 N. B. Peusylvania is not immediately under the Crown of 
 Brittain but is a proprietary Government under Pen. 
 
 I beg yr : Gr : to send to me immediately, and I trust yr: Gr : 
 '11 be sending to me all next summer, for on Receipt of the 
 first Letters and sum of money from yr: Gr : I am so persuaded 
 of success, that I shall look on all the Countries to the West- 
 ward as our own. I woud not have y^' Gr : be under any appre- 
 hensions of fear on my acco* from the armies of Shirley and 
 Johnson, they being at so great a Distance from me — that I 
 shall be Master of those Countries afore they can in the least 
 
678 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 molest rae, and tliey may be cut off afore they can come near 
 me — Besides when I have what I have required of y^Gr: I 
 doubt not but I shall be able to Draw the greatest part of their 
 armies over to me. 
 
 There has lately been three English men taken up who 
 l)roved to be spies sent from Canada one of 'em was found 
 Listing men among the Germans to send 'em off to foit du 
 Quesne on the Ohio, they are put in Irons in Close Prison. If 
 the Canadians did know what I am about they might spare 
 themselves the trouble. 
 
 We've an acco* here — that they are raising a great force and 
 making great Preparations in Canada ag^* the English, and 
 have built several! Yessells of force at Lake Ontario, 
 
 The French have built a fort not more than 40 Miles from 
 Bethelehem — while the Indians were invading those Parts — 
 there is a body of upwards of 3,000 Shawanese and Delaware 
 «S:c^ Indians now in the French Interest W'' make these In- 
 roads — these Indians were formerly in the English Inter« but 
 since the Defeat of Braddock, they have taken up the hatchet 
 ags* them — (Bethelehem is a town settled by a People called 
 here — the Moravian Bretheru about CO miles back of PhiP) 
 but the Cherokees who are very numerous and have never 
 been conquered have entered into alliance with the English 
 and choose (in great form) King George as their King and 
 father — they have offerred me 1000 of their men to join me at 
 tbe Ohio provided I woud take them in the Govern*^ pay: this 
 I have mentioned to the Governments — but they rather chuse 
 that Gov Shirley shoud allow them the King's pay, I have 
 accordingly Dispatched an officer with this message to Gov"" 
 Shirley (who is now at his Govern* at Boston) to know his 
 pleasure ab< it. 
 
 The Cherokee Indian Nation inhabit the Countries back of 
 South Carolina. South Carolina is the place where most of the 
 Vessells that are bound from these parts to Holland go to Load 
 with rice. 
 
 I have heard that the Indians in his most christian Majesty's 
 Inter* have also made Inroads on the Western frontiers of 
 Boston. 
 
 I have also heard that Mons' Dieskau's Aid de Camp was 
 sent over to England in the Nightingale Man of War but I fear 
 he'll be more confined there so as not to be able to give any 
 Intelligences of these Parts. 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 679 
 
 K. B. I mentioned to y'' Gr : on tlie cover of the copy, w<^^ 
 was sent to the care of M'" Joshua Yaneck,' (the family of M'^ 
 Vaneck I was Introduced to when I first Left France and as I 
 soon Left London for these Parts, I scarce knew any other 
 there) of a body of 1100, ludians that appeared at Goshen ;i 
 a place between Albany and ISTew York; that body has since 
 been Quiet by a threat sent them from the Mohawks — I also 
 on s'^ cover mentioned to y' Gr: the great number of Irish &c* 
 that have been transported from England to Yirginia and 
 Philadelphia for the better peopling of the King's plantations 
 and also of the Yast number of Germans, that have been 
 yearly imported fi^om Holland, who are all very poor and are 
 oblidged to sell themselves to the Inhabitants to pay their 
 Passage. Most of the above People are of the true Eoman 
 Catholick Religion and I am persuaded they wou'd rather 
 (from principle; chuse to serve my Royal Master. I also men- 
 tiomd to y G'.: that most of the hereticks have minded no 
 oihei Religion than that of getting money, &c=* &c'^ and that I 
 believed they might be hired to any thing; this I am now the 
 more convinced off even among the best and richest of 'em — 
 for being in club a few nights ago, where the Chief Topick 
 was upon the Desolate Condition the British Collonies to the 
 West ward were in at present, maney of 'em said, in good 
 earnest that it woud be the same thing to them who was their 
 ICiCj,; wJ.' ^b»T tJiP; Tr^.-; -<■ t^moI-^tuI or the Kina- of France, 
 provided they enjoyed their Estates they had here unmoV<;ted— - 
 I ra. -ition this &c='to Let yGr: seethe Disposition of some of 
 Kii!^ George's subjects here, »&c* and what encouragement I 
 have of success, but I fear I have again trespassed upon y 
 Gr« patience, and again assure y Gr: that it was not my Inten- 
 tion at first to draw this to such length and tho' I make so 
 much time (W^' is very agreeable to me) to write to y^G^ I am 
 dayly so much hurried as to 've scarce Leisure to eat my 
 meals— and now bid y^ Grace adieu uutill I shall be blessed 
 fi oin y"^ Grace, W'" I do soon expect, for I donbt not but y^ 
 Grace '11 be as ready to serve our grand monarch as myself. 
 3d Copy 
 
 N. B. the 1^* and 2'^ of this date were Directed under cover 
 to the same hands as the former, but Least they might not be 
 immediately forwarded to y Grace, I shall Deliver this Last 
 
 1 See note to No. 3, supra. 
 
G80 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 copy to one of my officers, whom I can confide in, to be for- 
 warded to any of liis friends in Ireland. 
 Endorsed : — 
 
 A Mon Seignenr 
 
 Monseigneur Le Due de Mirepoix 
 a 
 
 Paris 
 NB: the 1'* and 2'' of tliis date w''^ were again sent to Xew 
 York to be forwarded from tlience, I liave hear, were put 
 aboard the Packet there, Bound to London. 
 
 5. "JAMES ALLEN" TO HENRY GAMBLE. 
 Copy Philadelphia March 3'^ 1756 
 
 Having neglected a conveyance I had from lience to Holhuid, 
 and asking my Friend M' Kedmond Cuunyngham, if He Knew 
 of any other Vessel for Europe, he informed me that there was 
 one Lying ready at xfew York bound to Newry, and said. He 
 would take Care to forward the Enclosed for me, But Master 
 Gamble (who without Flattery is a pretty promising youth) 
 desired me to send it to your care, assuring me, it would not 
 be delayed with you, so I have made free to trouble you with 
 i*- ^'^ouesting you would have it sent P first opp^ and T 'i.all 
 . ena ic iv xncw \ovk to have it put aboard s'^ Yessell— . ls this 
 Letter to the Duke contains chiefly a complaint made fo- In- 
 juries suffered by the frencli you'll greatly oblige the parties 
 concerned, and it shall be acknowledged by, 
 Y"" unknown lib'' Serv* 
 
 James Allen 
 Directed 
 
 To 
 
 M' Henry Gamble 
 at 
 
 Londonderry 
 Via New York 
 Endorsed: — Copy of a Letter from 
 
 James Allen to M' Ileiny Gamble 
 Philadelpliia March 3"^ 17.")() 
 Tiie Original of this Letter was given to the Earl of 
 Loudoun. 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 681 
 
 6. "FILIUS GALLIC.E" TO THE DUKE DE MIREPOIX. 
 
 Copy America March 19*^ 175G 
 
 May it please your Grace, 
 
 I ask your Grace's Pardon for troubling your Grace again 
 when I said 1 wou'd not, but cannot orait acquainting your 
 Gr: that I have disclosed in a great Measure what I have 
 wrote to Your Grace to ten of my Officers who I know I could 
 confide in, and We have all solemnly sworn to each other (in 
 case my Kequest to your Grace be granted) not to sheath the 
 Sword 'till all the Country to the Westward and South ward 
 be the Property of His Most Christian Majesty. And as we 
 are all sensible in an Enterprise of this Nature that We must 
 either vanquish or perish in the attempt. We are prepared to 
 meet whatever Fate may attend us in behalf of our King and 
 Country — these Officers assure me that most of the Men they 
 have listed are of the true Eoman Catholick Eeligion and do 
 not in the least doubt but that they'll very easily prevail with 
 them to join them, but we shan't dare to trust them till We 
 hear from your (ir: I wou'd still further request the favour of 
 yr: Gr:, to cause to be sent immediately to The proper Passes 
 from his most Christian Majesty for Liberty to pass thro any 
 of his Dominions either by Sea or Land for Persons and Ves- 
 sells, I shall have Occasion to employ, there may be Blanks 
 left for their Names. I shall soon be in want of them. 
 
 I wou'd observe to yr: Gr: that the Armies of Shirley and 
 Johnson will not be made up to the Number I at first men- 
 tioned nor near so soon ready, these generals are obliged to 
 give large Bounties to the Men they now enlist^ — the New Eng- 
 land Troops viz, yv'-^^ last year only for a twelve month being 
 sent home during the Winter Season will by no Means be pre- 
 vailed upon to return and serve again this year, and many of 
 their men have deserted since they've been in Quarters and 
 altho' the Winter has been Exceeding moderate in these parts, 
 there has been scarce nothing done towards the Expeditions 
 to be carried on by said generals this year — they have but 
 lately began to enlist men to compleat their compliment, and 
 raize them very slowly. The Differences between the Different 
 Governments there still subsist j and even in each City there 
 are Parties against each other — I mention this again to let yr : 
 Gr: see the delitoriness &c of the English here, and cou'd 
 wish the Canadians were made sensible of it, the Governments 
 
682 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 liere to the Westward (notwitlistauding the Defeat of Brad- 
 dock last year, and Major Wasbingtou tlie year afore, aud the 
 luvasioiis on tbeir Frontiers at present) seem to be much the 
 same employed with the other Governments in scribbling one 
 against another and often publickly in their Gazettes, but I 
 don't find that any of their scandalous Disputes were inserted. 
 They are so busied with each other that they leave every thing 
 now with regard to the Army — they have highly applauded 
 the Secrecy and Dispatch in which I have acted, for no men- 
 tion is scarce made of my enlisting men — and the Printers 
 have been strictly forbid to insert any thing about it in their 
 Papers, least the French might hear of it, as the above men- 
 tioned defeats were chiefly owing to Intelligences the French 
 had got, and must acquaint yr: Gr: that those Defeats are the 
 cause in a great Measure of their exerting themselves thus at 
 this time. 
 
 The Quakers of Philade]i)hia«S:cchearfn]ly contribute towards 
 my raising men to free them and country from invasions of the 
 french and Indians bnt will not, notwithstanding all the 
 Calamities they have already suttered from the War be pre- 
 vailed ui)on to have a in-oper Militia Act pretending it's against 
 their Keligion to bear arms (tho' the other Citizens have asso- 
 ciated and formed a compleat liegiment) how easily is a coun- 
 try conquered when the People are thus infatuated, aud while 
 their Heads and Pulers Keep thus divided — there are some in 
 the armies of Shirley and Johnson in my Interest, who are pri- 
 vately causing discontents among the soldiers — I have com- 
 plained to the Philadelphia Assembly of Shirley and Dunbar 
 &c having their recruiting Otiicers in Pensylvania to enlist their 
 Men ; at a time when we want them so much ior the frontiers 
 to the Westward ^C*. Since my last Letter to yr: Gr: most of 
 the ablebodied Acadians, which have been transported from 
 Nova Scotia and dispersed thro' out these Colonies have flocked 
 to me, and enlisted under me, and this is approved of by the 
 Governors, Oh! Blindness and Stupidity of the English to 
 Inuigine such men will tight their Battles who wou'd rather 
 chuse to cut their Throats, but their confidence in me makes 
 them thus careless at this time. My Oflicers to the Southward 
 and here have enlisted 1800 Germans and Irish &c besides 
 since my last, and now only lack about 2200 which 1 shall 
 soon get — W a fair opportunity has his JNIajesty at this Time 
 to gain whatever he pleases in America, w^^' if neglected will 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 683 
 
 be too late for me to influence the Soldiery, as I shall now be 
 able to do, and it will never hereafter be in my Power to offer 
 thus again, as I shall be obliged to destroy those Countries and 
 People whose assistance wou'd otherwise be of great Service, 
 and those Indians which are now so hearty in his Majesty's cause 
 must join me for their own safety, for my Orders are to carry 
 fire and Sword as far as I can go for which purpose I have 
 chosen men (not such as Braddock brought over to be fright- 
 tened and put in Confusion by the yellowing and hooping of the 
 Indians) and must acquaint yr: Gr: that Shirley's and John- 
 son's Armies have also picked men, for altho' the English are 
 jangling together (which considerably delays and Injures their 
 Expeditions) they wou'd seem as if they were determined now 
 to do their utmost endeavours to drive the ffrench (if possible) 
 out of America, that they may no more be under their Invasion 
 and must say that were they heartily united they wou'd be 
 considerably an Overmatch for the ffrench they are much more 
 numerous, and have the best Countries, and much Wealth 
 among them — I have at this Time considerable to communicate 
 to y'" Gr: if I shou'd be assured of what I requested, but I'll 
 content with what I have already intimated to y'' Gr : in hopes 
 of being better able to do it hereafter — and now can thus far 
 rest satisfied' to my conscience that I have in part discharged 
 my duty and affection to my King and Country and my 
 Engagements at Canada and now assure y Gr: that these 
 shall be my last Letters that yr: Gr: shall receive from me 
 without your Grace's Commands, I woud observe to yr: Gr: 
 that my last Letters to yr: Gr: were dated the 1^* March, tho' 
 they were writ the I'O**' ffeb^ for a peculiar Eeason to myself, 
 they were again immediately sent to New York (where I had 
 heard were Vossells lying ready to sail for Europe) under cover 
 to Messrs Joshua Vaneck in London and John Neufville at 
 Amsterdam and were put aboard the packet boat w'"'' sailed 
 
 the next for London, but these is written this Day, my 
 
 first Letters sent last Jan'^ to y'" Gr : were also under cover to 
 said Mess : Vaneck and de Neufville, and were put aboard the 
 Nightingale Man of War, but did not with that Dispatch my 
 last Letters did, for said Man of War lay waiting about 3 weeks 
 for a Wind which is uncommon at that Time of the year, y^ Gr: 
 will be pleased to observe that the chief of what I wrote is 
 hints of my design upon the English, and to shew the great 
 j)robabiIity there is, and with how much ease his Majesty may 
 
684 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 subdue them at this Time (whicli is tlie only thing- needfull at 
 present to write) and to induce your Gr: to cause me to be 
 enabled thereto, 1 have wrote yGr: nothing but plain Matters 
 of fact, but must confess I can't so well explain myself this way 
 as verbatim I inform'd y''. Gr: at first that I was not designed 
 a Scribler, but was bred to the Army, and if my writing- is not 
 so elegant and correct as it shou'd be, I trust your Grace's 
 goodness will excuse me, for I dare not yet trust any to copy 
 my Letters: I pray your Gr: notwithstanding the incorrect- 
 ness of them to pay a due regard to what 1 have wrote and said 
 I am 
 
 With all due deference and Respect to y' Gr : 
 your Grace's most obed^ 
 Humble Servant 
 
 Filius Gallicae 
 P. S, I have in my 1^* Letters given y'" Gr : proper directions 
 for me, and have since wrote y^ Gr : to whose care I had sent 
 them, and if yr : Gr : will be pleased to direct 
 To*^ 
 
 M' Pierre Fidell 
 
 to be left at M"" Roemers 
 
 Coflee House (until asked for) 
 
 in New York in America 
 
 it will without fail come to my hand — 
 
 Endorsed: Intercepted Letter to tlie 
 Due de Mirepoix 
 
 March 19 ] 756 
 
 r. THE EARL OF HALIFAX ' TO SIR CHARLES HARDY.s 
 Copy] (irosveuor S(iuare March 19, 1750 
 
 Sir Charles Hardy Bart \ 
 
 Governor of New York S 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 This Letter, which I write to you upon a verj^ particular 
 occasion, shall be solely confined to it; and 1 will not mix any 
 other Matter that may draw your attention from it. 
 
 ' George Montague Dunk (1716-1771) earl of Halifax, afterwards Secretary of State, was 
 from 1748 to 1761, with slight interruptious. President of the Board of Trade and Tlan- 
 tatioiis. 
 
 2 Sir Charles Hardy ( ?1716-1780), afterwards admiral, served as governor of Now York 
 from Si'i>tenil)er, ITS,"), to June, 1757. 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 685 
 
 The otlier day M"" Fox sent me an intercepted Letter, directed 
 to tlie Duke of Mirepoix, the contents of which, upon a full 
 consideration of them; appear to me of a very extraordinary 
 Nature, and of the utmost Importance. The particulars of the 
 Letter, as the Original will be put into your Hands by Col" 
 Webb, I will not enumerate, nor trouble you with my notion 
 how the Treason may be best discover'd, as I have given my 
 Thoughts thereon in a i)aper Col. Webb will deliver to you, 
 you and He will make such Improvements upon my proposal 
 for the Discovery of the Author of the anonymous Letter, as 
 to your Judgements shall appear right and most conducive to 
 His Majesty's Service — But whatever be the method you shall 
 think proper to j^ursue, I would recommend to you to keep 
 them as secret and entrusted to as few as possible. 
 
 The character of Peter Joncourt^ in many respects seems to 
 agree with the Description which the Author of the Letter 
 gives of himself; But whether that description is a real or 
 fictitious one is doubtful. 
 
 In many respects Lydius's'^ character agrees with it; in some 
 it differs. But that Difference may be made with Design to 
 to elude Detection. How such a Fellow as Lydius came to be 
 employed last year by M' Shirley, is matter of astonishment! 
 
 What inclines me to think much more seriously of the anony- 
 mous Letter than I otherwise should do, is that almost every 
 Fact mentioned in it is, either in the whole or in great part, 
 true. The only circumstance of it that appeared new, was that 
 a large Body of men was to be rais'd in Pennsylvania. But 
 upon looking carefully over the Instructions sent by M^ Shirley 
 to S' W'" Johnson, when at Mount Johnson (a copy of which 
 we have lately receiv'd from S' William, and which I have 
 likewise given to Col" Webb) I find that particular confirm'd. 
 It is wonderful however to me that M' Shirley should have 
 engaged in such a Plan without acquainting Government at 
 home with it, or with the methods by which he purposes carry- 
 ing it into Execution. 
 
 The Orders given for the Indians to march to the Ohio, to 
 examine Fort du (^uesne, to sound the Intentions of the French, 
 and afterwards to return to Pennsylvania, to be join'd by a 
 Body of Forces, are very mysterious, or at least very vague 
 visionary and absurd. 
 
 ' Peter de Joncourt was French interpreter to tlie Gorerument of New York. 
 
 ■^ John Henry I-ydius, sou of a Reformed pastor at Antwerp, had been agent of Massa- 
 <liusetts at Albany. Shirley made him a colonel of Indians, much to Sir William John- 
 sou's disjiust. See post, No. 8. 
 
686 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The Promise that their Wives and children shall be pro- 
 tected in a strong Place, when there is none I know of in those 
 parts, bnt Fort du Quesne, is very strange to me. 
 
 If Orders have been given to raise Forces in Pennsylvania, 
 you probably know of it, or (be they ever so secret) Gov' Mor- 
 ris, I should imagine, must. If not, the state of Things is rotten 
 indeed! Col" Webb supersedes M'^ Shirley's command, and 
 has cv Eight to know, and I hope will know every order he has 
 given and the names of every person he has employ'd in Amer- 
 ica in any shape or character whatever. 
 
 But as M"" Shirley is at some Distance and these Matters 
 may not be so soon known by a Correspondence with him, I 
 would strongly recommend toCol° Webb and yourself, privately 
 to get every Information you can with regard to every particular 
 Measure taken and person employ'd. 
 
 You will observe in the Letter that a charge of Treason is 
 laid upon three of His Majesty's Officers. I know none of 
 them, and hope they are innocent. But as the clue is given, 
 you and Col" Webb will soon be able to form a Judgement of 
 them. One guilty person apprehended may and probablj* will 
 discover more. 
 
 Thus I leave this matter with you, and should be infinitely 
 uneasy if the Conduct of it was entrusted to any other Hands 
 but yours and Col" Webbs. — It may be nothing. — It may be an 
 Artifice to draw a little money from France — It may be fraught 
 with some other wicked Design. — But on the other liand, it 
 may be a matter of the highest couseiiuence to the Wellfare of 
 America, the Safety of His Majestys Subjects, and the Honor 
 and Success of his Arms. 
 
 I have never conceived the least suspicion of Disloyalty in 
 those whom His Majesty has vested with command, as you will 
 easily perceive by the other Letters Col" Webb has in charge 
 for you. But yet there are circumstances so strange with 
 regard to this whole affair, that I hold it my indispensable 
 Duty to recommend tlie whole of my observations to your most 
 serious Consideration. But I must strictly enjoin you to look 
 upon this Letter and the whole Transaction it alludes to, as 
 umtter of Secrecy between Col" Webb, you and me. I am etc 
 
 Dunk Halifax. 
 
 P. S. M' Pownall ' informs me that one Baron Lake Augustin 
 Davis^ (a common Soldier in M' Shirley's Regiment) was lately 
 
 'Seei)i)st, Xo. iO. 
 
 'John I'owuall was Seeretarv to the Hoard of Trade and Plantations. 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 687 
 
 taken up as a Spy. The particulars lie relates coucerniug him 
 are of an extraordinary nature and well worthy your attention. 
 
 Endorsed: — Copy of the Earl of Halifax's Letter to S"^ 
 Charles Hardy, Gov of New York dated 19 March 1756 
 
 8. EXTRACT OF A REPORT 
 
 Made by the Commissioners employed on the part of the Province of 
 
 Pennsylvania at the Meeting at Albany in 1751. 
 
 M'^ William Alexander of ]N^ew York was kind enough to tell 
 us, that M"^^ Woodbridge, who kept an Indian School at Stock- 
 bridge, in New England and two Connecticut Gentlemen, vizt. 
 
 Were in Town with Intent to negociate a Purchase from the 
 Indians for the Susquehannah Lands lying within the Latitude 
 of the Connecticut Charter, in favour of some private Persons 
 of that Government, and had with them a Thousand Pieces of 
 Eight, and were busy, conferring with the Indians on this sub- 
 ject, at the House; and thro' the Means of M'' Lydius. 
 
 This Lydius' is an Inhabitant of Albany known to have 
 abjured the Protestant Keligion in Canada, and to be concerned 
 in a Clandestine Trade with the Caghnawaga or French pray- 
 ing Indians, and suspected to carry on a Secret Correspondence 
 with the Government of Canada; and, as M'' Alexander in- 
 formed us, might not only have lucrative Views, in the Manage- 
 ment of this Purchase, but a Design to sow Dissentions, as well 
 between the Indian Nations, as between the Several Colonies, 
 whose Lands lay within the Latitude of the Connecticut Charter. 
 
 Endorsed: — Extract of the Eeport made 
 
 by the Commissioners employed 
 
 on the Part of the Province of Pennsylvania 
 
 at the Meeting at Albany in 1754. 
 
 9. COLONEL DANIEL WEBB - TO HENRY FOX. 
 
 Portsmouth March 30"' 1756 
 Sir, 
 
 In obedience to His Majesty's Commands which I have had 
 the Honor to receive from you by Mitchel the Messenger, I 
 shall proceed to Plimouth the moment the winds will permit, 
 and shall endeavor to execute all things required of me to the 
 best of my power and capacity. 
 
 ' See the preceding letter. 
 
 '■' Colonel Webb was sent out to take the chief coiiiniaud from Shirley auil hold it tUl 
 the arri\al of Abercrombie. 
 
688 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 I have been also honored ^Yith two letters from you, and 
 with a Copy of a second Intercept letter, and no pains shall 
 be spared on my part to endeavor to discover the Author, and 
 to briny: whoever may be concerned to answer as they deserve 
 for so bold and destructive an undertaking, the delay in the 
 Messengers returning in proper time, was owing to my going 
 a Saturday evening to the lie of Wight, to take leave of a 
 good old Aunt and some other relations, and the tempestious- 
 ness of the weather a Sunday that, prevented my Servants 
 getting over with the Dispatches, altho' he had a strugle with 
 the winds iu the Xotinghams long boat for near six hours, this 
 whole day indeed was employed in writing a Copy of the first 
 Intercepted Letter, which I have the honor to send by this 
 Messenger, the Smallness of the writing and closeness of the 
 lines have so strained my eyes, that if M^ P. F.'s was in my 
 custody, few arguments would be necessary to persuade his 
 dispatch, 
 
 1 am with the greatest respect 
 Sir 
 Your most obedient and most humble Servant 
 
 Daniel Webb. 
 
 r. S. I beg pardon for having omited to acknowledge the 
 receii>t of the extract of a letter from Pensylvauia 
 Indorsed : — Portsmouth 
 
 March 30'" 175G 
 Colonel Webb 
 K*! 31«t by Mytton 
 
 10. THE EARL OF HALIFAX TO SIR CHARLES HARDY. 
 
 Duplicate, GrosV Square March the 'M"^ 1750 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Colonel Webb, to whose care I have already committed two 
 Packetts for you, (the last containing matter of the highest 
 importance to His Majesty's Service) not being yet sailed, gives 
 me an opportunity of acknowledging thelJeceipt of your Let- 
 ter by M' Pownall, and likewise that of the 23"^ of February; 
 for both which I desire you would accept my best thanks. I 
 should not however have troubled you agaiu so soon, but that 
 I hold it requisite to embrace the first occasion of acquainting 
 you with some new determinations of His Majestys Servants 
 on the subject of the anonymous Letters lately intercepted. 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 689 
 
 I think I observed in my last to you, that I consider'd the 
 first anonymous Letter more worthy attention on account of 
 every particular contained in it being- either in the whole, or 
 in ijart true, excepting- that ot the large Bodies of men raising 
 in Pennsylvania; which is now confirmed not only by the pub- 
 lick American Prints transmitted to England, but by a variety 
 of private Letters, some of which I have seen. This has 
 inclined Ministers to think more seriously of the matter, than 
 they did before, and indeed they all agree in opinion with me, 
 that there is Treason somewhere, and that the utmost expedi- 
 tion and diligence should be used in the detection of it; which 
 from one particular circumstance in the last intercepted Letter 
 will I hope prove matter of no difficulty: The author of it says, 
 "that theCherokees have made him an offer of some hundred 
 men, and that he has transmitted that offer to General Shir- 
 ley." Now, if it be no already, it may easily be known, to whom 
 the Cherokees have made that offer, and by whom the offer 
 was transmitted to M"" Shirley; Another Circumstance, which, 
 if true, would lead to detection, is that of his Aid de Camp, 
 which the Author mentions. I can't conceive that any one in 
 Pensylvania or Virginia (for from one of those provinces the 
 Letters seem to have been wrote) is of a Character to have an 
 Aid de Camp ; but if there is, it must surely be known who 
 that person is. Washington, I find, by private Letters is to 
 command to the Westward, but I don't know it authentically, 
 M'^ Shirley never having acquainted us of his having appointed 
 any body to such a Command, which to me appears very extra- 
 ordinary. I know nothing of M^' Washington's character, but, 
 that we have it under his own hand, that he loves the whistling 
 of Bullets, and they say he behaved as bravely in Braddocks 
 action, as if he really did.^ From the phraseology of the Let- 
 ters I think it very clear they were not wrote by a frenchman, 
 
 1 Halifax is iiere amusing himself with a boyish expression in one of Washington's 
 letters. Horace Walpole sr.ys (Memoirs of George the Second, 1,347): "In the express, 
 which Major Washington dispatched on his preceding little victory (the skirmish with 
 Jumonville) he concluded with these words, 'I heard the bullets whistle, and, believe me, 
 there is something charming in the sound.' On hearing of this the King said sensibly, 
 'He would not say so, if he had been used to hear many.' However, this Drave braggart 
 learned to blush for his rhodomontade, and, desiring to serve General Braddock as aid-de- 
 camp, acquitted himself nobly." Sparks, Washington, ii, 39, 40, denied that such a senti- 
 ment was uttered in any of Washington's letters that have been preserved; but he quotes 
 from Gordon, ii, 203, the statement that when a gentleman in Cambridge asked the Gen- 
 eral about the matter, he answered, "If I said so, it was when I was young." The truth 
 is, that the sentence occurs, exactly as quoted by Walpole, not in the ofQcial dispatch, but 
 in a letter to Washington's brother, which was printed in the London Magazine, August, 
 1754, and which may be found iu Ford's Writings of Washington, I, 89, 90. 
 
 H. Doc. 353 44 
 
690 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 as they pretend to be; and from certain words (tho' the Letters 
 are in general well spelt) being- spelt according to the Irish 
 pronunciation I am apt to believe the Author of them an Irish 
 man. M"" Pownall/ tho' his name should not be mentioned on 
 the occasion, gives me reason to imagine that one Croghan is 
 the man, and orders have been accordingly given by the Sec- 
 retary of State for the ai)prehending him. The Letter however 
 directed to Peter Fidel will be deposited at the Xew York 
 Cotlee House, and other measures recommended before followed. 
 !Is o Suspicion at all attends M' Shirley, but many particulars 
 of the last years Transactions are highly disapproved, and I 
 greatly dislike his present behaviour in his Province; foment- 
 ing disputes, promoting ineffectual Enquiries, and counte- 
 nancing a paper-war against your Province are ill-adapted to 
 the Complexion of the Times, and the Penefit of His Majesty's 
 Service. Orders are given for his return to England as soon 
 as possible, and the reason given for it is, that he may be con- 
 sulted on Several matters relative to the King's Service in 
 America. 
 
 It gives me great pleasure to hear your Province have come 
 to so spirited Eesolutions; but I am e(pially concerned and 
 surprized to find that no steps were taken in 23 days after 
 towards folloAving so good an example in the lour Governm'* 
 of New England. 
 
 I am happy in the thought of your chief Difficulties being- 
 removed by the late Permission given you to wave a i)art of 
 your Instructions. — That Honour and Happiness may attend 
 you in your Governm', will be the constant and sincere wish 
 of Dear Sir, 
 
 y most faithfull 
 
 and obedient humble Servant 
 
 Dunk Hahfax 
 To His Excellency 
 
 Sir Charles Hardy. 
 Endorsed: — The Earl of Halifax's Letter to 
 His Excell'J Sir Cha's Hardy. 
 Gov"^ of New York. 
 Duplicate 
 Dated March the 31" 1756 
 
 1 Tliis might 1)0 Thomas Pownall, afterwiiitls v:ov.rii<ir of Massncliiisetts, who was in 
 EnKland for a short time this apiins: hut it is more probahly his brother John, secretary 
 to the Roard of Trade and Plantations. George Croghan, the Indian trader, was, I am 
 assnred, not the writer of the letters. 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 691 
 
 11. HENRY FOX TO COL. DANIEL WEBB. 
 
 AVliiteliall Marcli 31"^' 1750, 
 Colonel Wchh, 
 
 Secret. 
 Sir, 
 
 The King lias comraaudecl me to signify His Pleasure to 
 you, that you should, immediately upou your arrival in North 
 America, make the strictest Enquiry, in Conjunction with Sir 
 Charles Hardy, into the Author, or Authors, of the Two anony- 
 mous Letters, lately intercepted from America, addressed to 
 the Due de Mirepoix, Copies of which have been already put 
 into your Hands; and you will call to your assistance and 
 admit to your Councils, such Governours of His Majesty's 
 Provinces, or such other Persons, as you shall judge necessary 
 upon this Occasion. It has been surmised here, that M'" 
 George Croghan, a principal Trader, and employed in Indian 
 affairs, in Pennsylvania, may possibly have been concerned in 
 these Letters; you will, therefore, make particular Enquiry 
 with regard to Him, and if you shall find there is just cause 
 for this suspicion, you will secure Him, and all other suspected 
 Persons, as soon as possible, and you will send all such Pris- 
 oners to England, with the Informations, Examinations, and 
 material Evidences against them. I am to desire you to com- 
 municate this Letter, together with those Intercepted Letters, 
 that make the subject of it, to Sir Charles Hardy, acquainting 
 Him, that this is to be considered as an Instruction to Himself. 
 You will be pleased to return to me, by this messenger, the 
 Blank Warrants I put into your Hands, before you left Lon- 
 don, and likewise my Letter to Gov^' Shirley upon this subject, 
 the same being, at present, unnecessary, and indeed improper. 
 I am &c«' 
 
 H. Fox 
 P. S. 
 
 I send you, under Flying Seal, my Letter to recall Governor 
 Shirley 
 Endorsed: — March 31^"^ 1756 
 
 By Blackmore to Plymouth 
 Secret. 
 
 12. THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE 1 TO HENRY FOX (EXTRACT). 
 
 I have sent you, by this night's Post, a very extraordinary 
 Letter, which came in a Merchant Ship to Newry, consigned 
 
 'William Cavendish (1720-176-t), rtnke of Devonshire, was lonl lieutenant of Ireland 
 from March, 1755, to November, 175G, when he became First Lord of the Treasury. 
 
692 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 to one M"^ Gamble at Derryj He ©ijened it, and then sent it to 
 me; I at first tbouglit it was a Counterfeit, as the Contents, at 
 the Beginning, seemed very improbable, but It is so circum- 
 stantial, and so much knowledge of the Country contained in 
 it, that I imagine It must be genuine; The Letter sign'd Allen, 
 if you observe, you will, find to be the same. Hand Writing as 
 the other; and He is thought to be a Popish Priest. 
 
 I have intercepted a Letter from Hatzell to Zobell, directed 
 to Meister Josep Muller at M" Brownell Shoemaker in Chequer 
 Lane, Dublin: It is wrote partly in French, and some German 
 in it; I have sent it to Dublin to be translate:!, and question 
 whether It will be done time enough to send by this Night's 
 Post; as soon as we can get to know His Person, I will take 
 care to have Him seized, and all his Papers. 
 Endorsed: — Extract of a Letter from 
 
 the Duke of Devonshire 
 
 to M' Fox 
 
 Carton April 10"' 1756 
 
 13. HENRY FOX TO THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE. 
 
 Whitehall April 20*'' 1750 
 Duke of Devonshire 
 
 Secret. 
 My Lord 
 
 I received, yesterday, the Honor of your Grace's Letter of 
 the 10*'^ Ins^, together with That to ^V Gamble of London- 
 derry, inclosing a very extraordinary one to the Due de Mire- 
 l)oix from America; and, in order to assist your Grace in your 
 further Knipiiry 1 have the King's Commands to acciuaint you, 
 with what has lately passed Here, concerning the same un- 
 known Correspondent. 
 
 A Letter, dated America, the 6*'' of .JaiP', and another, the 
 1** of IMarch last, having been intercepted Here, were lately 
 brought to me; The Latter was in the same words with that 
 your Grace has now transmitted; and Both these Letters, 
 being of the most dangerous Nature, the King ordered me to 
 give copies of them to Col" Webb, who was then setting out 
 to take the Command of His Majesty's Forces in America, 
 and to suggest to Him the most probable means, that had 
 occurred to the King's Servants Here, for the immediate Dis- 
 covery of the Authors of them : — One Cap^ George Croghau, 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 693 
 
 an Intriguing, Disaffected Person, and Indian Trader, in Pen- 
 sylvania, was very much suspected, nor does the name of 
 James Allen, (probably a Fictitious one) subscribing the Let- 
 ter to M^ Gamble of Derry, remove the suspicion, tbere not 
 being any considerable Person, as I am informed, in Philadel- 
 phia, of that name; But I beg your Grace will inform yourself, 
 upon what Foundation He is thought to be a Popish Priest; 
 Master Gamble being mentioned, in the Letter, to have desired 
 It might be addressed to M^ Gamble of Derry, your Grace 
 will endeavor to get from Him some account of that young 
 Man, and of M^ Redmond Cunningham of Philadelphia, in 
 case He is also known to Him, and if He will write a Letter 
 or Letters to this Master Gamble, and M"" Cunningham, requir- 
 ing them to acquain the Bearer, who He was, that delivered to 
 them, in Philadelphia, the Letter, directed to Him, at Derry, 
 It may tend greatly to the Discovery of the Person concerned, 
 and it is the King's Pleasure that your Grace should send me 
 those Letters, and the Eesult of your Enquiries, by Express, 
 that Lord Loudoun, who is still here, may be instructed 
 accordingly. 
 
 I have the satisfaction to acquaint your Grace, that the King- 
 extremely approves your Diligence in Endeavouring to dis- 
 cover M'^ Zobell, and in Examining His Correspondence; But 
 indeed there is Reason to imagine, from Baron Hatzell's Letter 
 to Him, that He is rather trying to get a Subsistance by some 
 wild Chymical Undertaking, than by any Political Intrigue; 
 nor.does His having been formerly employed by the King of 
 Prussia now give Reason for suspecting him ; yet. It may not 
 be improper for your Grace to continue your attention to His 
 Correspondence, till His real Occupation and Designs are 
 entirely cleared up 
 I am S^c"" 
 
 H. Fox 
 
 P. S. The King has, this Day, signed the Instrument for 
 your Grace's Leave of Absence, and the Appointment of the 
 Lords Justices, Agreeable to your Recommendation, But It 
 cannot be sent to you, till next Post, on account of the Stamp 
 Office being shut, during the Holidays. 
 Endorsed : — Dra* to the Duke of 
 Devonshire 
 
 April 20*1^ 1756 
 Secret. 
 
694 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 14. THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE TO HENRY FOX (EXTRACT). 
 I liiive this iiiomeut receiv'ed your Letter of the 1*0^^: I will 
 endeavour to obey His Maj*-^^ commauds, with rejiard to IVl'' 
 Crainble, with all the Expedition, aud Punctuality^ in my 
 Power. 
 Endorsed: — Extract of a Letter from 
 
 the Duke of Devonshire to 
 
 M' Fox. 
 
 Dublin April 26*" 1756 
 
 15. WILLIAM {;AMI;LE TO ROBERT GAMBLE. 
 
 Copy) Dublin April 28*" 1756 
 
 D' Cous" 
 
 Your Father received a Letter from one James Allen of 
 Philadelphia, covering a Letter to be forwarded to the Duke 
 de Mirepoix; To this Allen He (your Father) is a stranger; 
 but with Him you are well acquainted; therefore I intreat you 
 will take the Bearer hereof to said Allen, that he may transact 
 with him some Business. 
 I shall be very glad to hear soon and often from you, being, 
 D' Bob, Your Atfect* Uncle 
 
 W'" Gamble 
 Directed 
 To 
 
 M' Robert Gamble 
 
 at M»' Kednv* Coningham's Mercli* 
 in 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 Endorsed : — Copy of a Letter from M' 
 W-"\ i amble to M"^ 
 Bob* Gamble 
 
 Dublin April 28*" 1756 
 The Original of this Letter was given to the Earl of Loudoun. 
 
 16. WILLIAM GAMBLE TO REDMOND CONYNCHAM.' 
 
 Copy. Dublin April 28»" 1756 
 
 Sr. 
 
 In a Letter of the 4*" Curr*, which I received from my 
 Brother Henry Gamble of Londonderry, He sent me Two Let- 
 
 ' Kwluioiul Cdiiyiisliain, esq., of Letterkenny in TrelaEtl (whoso neplicw became the 
 Lord Chiuieellor P.aron Pliniket) caiiio to Phila(U»l|)lna in 1755. and was a member of the 
 linn of J. M. Nesbit &. Co. He returned to Ireland in 17(>7. Penn8ylvauia Magazine, 
 
 VI, 18, 19. 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 695 
 
 ters, which lie desired I should read, and cousider well, as 
 ]>ossibley they may be proper to lay before His Grace the Duke 
 of Devonshire Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; I accordingly 
 perused them carefully, and consulted some Gentlemen of 
 Distinction and Judgement about them, and they agreed with 
 me, that they ought to be laid before His Grace, which was 
 accordingly done. 
 
 One of these Letters is from one James Allen of Philadel- 
 phia, Covering a Letter for the Duke of Mirepoix; which he 
 begs of Him to forward; He acknowledges Himself a stranger 
 to my Brother, but says He is well acquainted with you, and 
 His son (whom he calls a promising youth) and on the recom- 
 mendation of you Two, He has wrote to Him, and committed 
 the care of forwarding the Letter to the Duke de Mirepoix; 
 therefore It's reasonable to think that you and my Nephew (to 
 whom I now write) are acquainted with said Allen; and as It's 
 thought necessary to examine this man closely, in regard to 
 his Inclosure, I now intreat your taking the Bearer hereof to 
 said Allen, that he may be brought before proper people, who 
 may pick from Him things of Consequence to the Country you 
 live in. To a man of your Principles, I need not urge your 
 Iveadiness to a Discovery of a very evil Intention in this 
 Affair, because I am convinced you will go about it with the 
 greatest alacrity. On this Head, or any other, I shall be glad 
 to hear from you, being. 
 Dear Sr. 
 
 Your most Obed* Serv*. 
 
 W"» Gamble 
 
 Directed 
 To 
 
 M'" Eedm'^ Coningham, Merch* 
 in 
 
 Pliiladelphia 
 Endorsed : — Copy of a Letter from M'^ 
 W'" Gamble to M"^ 
 Eedm'i Coningham 
 
 Dublin April 28*1^ 1756 
 The Original of this Letter was given to the Earl of Lou- 
 doun. 
 
696 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 IV. THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE TO HENRY FOX (EXTRACT). 
 
 I send you a copy of another Letter from the same Person 
 to the D. de Mirepoix: M^^ Gamble at Derry opened it, and 
 sent only a Copy; I have wrote for tbe Original, and desired, 
 that, if any more Letters come. He would send them to • me 
 unopened. 
 Endorsed : — Extract of a Letter from the 
 
 Duke of Devonshire to M"^ Fox 
 
 Dublin May 5*^^ 1756 
 
 18. THE EARL OF HALIFAX TO HENRY FOX. 
 
 Bushey Park^ 
 
 May the 9^^^ 1756 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I am obliged to you for the sight of the last intercepted Let- 
 ter transmitted to you by his Grace the Duke of Devonshire 
 in his Letter of tlie 3'^ of May, which I this day received at 
 Bushey; and will trouble you with a few llemarks I have 
 made on it, necessary for My Lord Loudoun's Information, tho' 
 very probably you have already made the same, 
 
 I think we had so many data in the former Letters, that it 
 wou'd not have been possible for the author to Escape Detec- 
 tion, but in the last there are some very remarkable ones. 
 
 In the first Place he says he has communicated the Plan of 
 his Treachery to ten of his Officers, by which (if true) it ap- 
 pears that he must have the command of a Eegiment at least. 
 
 He says the said ten Officers assure him that most of the 
 men they have enlisted are Eoman Catholicks; upon which I 
 would submit to you whether it woud not be right to recom- 
 mend to Lord Loudoun to send an officer or two whom he can 
 trust to Examine into the Character of the men enlisted by the 
 ten Officers under the Author's Command, and to dismiss such 
 as are known or strongly suspected to be Papists. 
 
 He says the Governments to the Westward have highly ap- 
 plauded the Secrecy and Dispatch with which he has enlisted 
 men, it will be easily known whom the Governors to the West- 
 ward have so applauded, and who has been authorised to raise 
 men in their Governments. 
 
 He tells the Duke of Mirepoix that the Quakers in Pensyl- 
 vania have given their consent to his raising men there; by 
 
 The Earl of Halifax was ransior of liuslicv Park fioin 17:59 to 1771. 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 697 
 
 which the Doubt we were in coDceruing the Province in which 
 the Gentleman was employ'd in raising men is cleared up. 
 
 If he has complained, as he says he has, to the Assembly of 
 Pensylvania of Shirley and Dunbar's officers raising Recruits 
 in that Province, when they are wanted for the Service to the 
 Westward, it will be very easily known who the Gentleman is 
 who has made these Complaints to the Assembly. 
 
 if he has already raised, as he says he has, 1800 men, Ger- 
 mans and Irish, and expects soon to have 2000 more, he must 
 be of a Character and Authority not to be mistaken. 
 
 If most of the able bodied Acadians as he assures the Duke 
 of Mirepoix, have flocked to him, I submit it to you whether 
 My Lord Loudoun should not be directed to make diligent 
 Enquiry into the matter, and immediately discharge them 
 from his Majesty's Service. And as he likewise says that some 
 in Shirley and Johnson's Army are in his Interest, and are now 
 privately fomenting Discontents among the Soldiers, I would 
 submit to you whether My Lord Loudoun shoud not have an 
 Hint to be in an Extraordinary manner watchful on this 
 Head. 
 
 I have but one other remark to make, and that is on his say- 
 ing he is order'd to carry Fire and Sword as far as he can; 
 which, if true, seems to intimate pretty clearly that he is to 
 have the Command of the Expedition. 
 
 In the Letters you sent me the other Day M'' Shirley tells 
 you that M' Sharpe Governor of Maryland is to Command the 
 Western Expedition. 
 
 I send you these Remarks as short as I can because I woud 
 not take up more of your Time than is necessary and am 
 Dear Sir 
 Your Most Faithfull 
 
 and Obebient Humb' Servant 
 
 Dunk Halifax 
 
 Endorsed : — E. of Halifax 
 May 9, 1756 
 To be sent to Lord Loudoun 
 
 19. COLONEL DANIEL WEBB TO HENRY FOX. 
 
 I^ew York June 11''' 1756 
 Sir, 
 
 Having sailed in the Gen^ Wall Packet from Falmouth the 
 IS*'' of April, and having had a passage of eight weeks, I did 
 not arrive here till the 7*^ inst; but immediately on my arrival 
 
698 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 forwarded by express, the Dispatches I had the Honour to be 
 charged with for General Sliirle}', to Albany, where he has 
 been for about a month. I at the same time informed him of 
 my intentions to proceed thither in five or six days, his expect- 
 ing to see me so soon, has probably been the cause I have not 
 yet heard from him, or it may be for want of opi)ortunity as 
 there is no post established betwixt this ])lace and that, all 
 letters going by the Slooi)s tluit so fre(iuently i)ass and repass. 
 I should have ])rocee(led according to my first intentions if a 
 sliip from Carolina had not assured us of having seen the fleet 
 from Plimouth fifty Leagues from the Coast and becalmed, and 
 his intelligence has seemingly proved true, b\^ the arrival yes- 
 terday of Major Genl Abercrombie ' and all the transports 
 excepting one with two Compan3\s of the Highland Eeg*, which 
 was seperated in a hard gale ten days ago, another ship with 
 five Companys of that Keg* was seperated at the same time, 
 but she is come into the mouth of the river this morning. 
 
 The Harriot Packet that took up the Germain Commission 
 and non Comuiission Officers at Dover, arrived the day before 
 the transi)orts, and were on the point of proceeding to Pensil- 
 vania under the care of IMajor Rutherford, when we had an 
 account of Gen' Abercrombies being Anchored at the entrance 
 of this harbour. 
 
 On my communicating the intercepted letters to Sir Charles 
 Hardy, he was very much surprised, and equally pusled, and 
 is still at a loss what to conclude on the whole, and will give a 
 fuller account by the Packet which he proposes to Disi)atch 
 for England a Monday next the 21*** instant, than it would be 
 prudent to trust by a common merchant ship, I shall trouble 
 you with a Duplicate by the Packet, in order to have a double 
 chance of y' receiving it the sooner, this is the first ship for 
 England since my arrival, 
 
 I have the Honor to be 
 
 with the greatest esteem. Sir, 
 your most obedient and 
 most humble servant 
 
 Dan^ Webb. 
 
 M"^ Fox 
 
 Indorsed : — New York 
 
 June 17'!^ 1756 
 CoP Webb 
 
 Ri July 2G"' 
 
 ' Abercrombie was to take the cliief coiiiniand Irom Wt"l)b ami to hold it till the arrival 
 of Lomloiiii. 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 699 
 
 20. THE EARL OF LOUDOUN TO HENRY FOX (EXTRACT). 
 
 I have not had it in my Power to do anything about the 
 Intercepted Letters 5 before I arrived M^ Webb had talked that 
 affair over with Sir Charles Hardy, but they could find nothing 
 from any lights it gave them, nor could 1 on my first arrival, 
 but lately I lind from M' Cragon, tliat there were some People 
 in Pensilvania, who were going off to the French, and some of 
 them were stopt; but this scene lies in Pensilvania, and as 
 some of the People, lam informed were brought before Magis- 
 trates, it must be known both to M^ Shirley and Governor 
 Morris, so you certainly must have had accounts of it, since I 
 left London. 
 
 I do not chuse to make a noise till I have further lights, but 
 the moment I can get to Pensilvania, I will endeavour to bring- 
 to light, whatever I can come at in this affair. 
 
 I find Barron Leake &c &c^ who was a soldier in Major 
 General Shirley's Kegiment, was taken up in Jersey, and 
 Papers and Plans found on him, and Commissions, but was 
 discharged, as a Soldier on Furlough in M' Shirley's Regiment, 
 he went then back to Pensilvania, and I have never been able 
 to learn, whether he went to the Regiment at Oswego, or 
 deserted, but when we come to make an Enquiry, into the 
 affairs of that Regiment, I shall endeavour to find thiis out." 
 
 Extract of a letter from the Earl of Loudoun to The Right 
 Hon'^^*^ Henry Fox. 
 
 Dated Albany Oct' 3'^ 1756 
 
 21. THE EARL OF LOUDOUN TO HENRY FOX. 
 
 New York January 4'^^ 1757 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the honor of your Letter of October 2'\ by the Packet, 
 in which you acquaint me, that His Majesty had been pleased, 
 to Order Major General O'Farrell's Regiment, and the twenty 
 four additional Companies from Ireland, to l^ew York. I have 
 prepared Quarters for them here, and in the Villages on Long 
 Island, and in this Neighbourhood. 
 
 I shall immediately on their Arrival, compleat Major General 
 O'Farrell's Regiment, to one thousand Men, and altho' I have 
 reason to Imagine, that the three Regiments in Nova Scotia, 
 
 ' See po8tscri])t to No. 7, ante. 
 
700 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 are very near compleat, if not quite so, as by their returns to 
 me of the 1«* of October, they wanted but two hundred and 
 eighty two men to compleat them to the numbers expected; 
 and one Regiment there Has since that, received one Hundred 
 Men, and a great many Kecruits gone to the other Eegiments 
 the numbers of which I do not exactly know, but after enquir- 
 ing of Captain Coterell, who is Secretary to the Province, at 
 present here, for the Recovery of his Health, I shall reserve for 
 those Regiments three hundred men, and shall send them to 
 Halifax as soon as I can with safety; the remainder shall 
 divide among the Troops here, according as I find them, when 
 they arrive. 
 
 Last night, one of the Transports was off the Land and got 
 a Pilote on board ; as it blew very hard off the Land, she could 
 not get in; but I do not apprehend any danger; the People in 
 the pilote boat acc^uaint me, that they told them, they had 
 parted from the Fleet about ten days ago, and that they had 
 two hundred and Fifty soldiers aboard, which was all he could 
 hear. 
 
 On the first of this month we got Intelligence from a Mer- 
 chant in New York, that a Gentleman at Philadeli)hia, in the 
 Coffee House, about a fortnight ago enquired if there was a 
 Letter at the Post Ollice here directed for Pierre Fidel, and on 
 being told there was, said he wished he would forward it to 
 him, as the Gentleman for whom it was directed, is now on the 
 Frontiers, the Merchant did not know the ]\Ian, but says, he 
 was dressed like an Ofiicer, and thinks he is a Stranger. This 
 Intelligence came to Sir Charles Hardy, and on Sunday morn- 
 ing I sent off" Colonel Stanwix, and the Merchant to point out 
 the Man, with Orders, if he is still there, to secure him and 
 his Papers, and all such Persons as appear, either from examin- 
 ing him, or from his Papers, to be engaged with him. 
 
 Before the Information arrived, M' Webb was going to Phil- 
 adelphia, to take command of the Troops, and to enquire after 
 an Account, I mentioned to you in a former Letter, I had of a 
 number of Men, that had assembled and marched oft", to join 
 the Enemy, that they had been pursued and taken ; but I do 
 not find, that any one was ever punished for this, or that it 
 has ever been reported to the Government at home; but M"^ 
 Webb has been so much out of order, for ten days, that it was 
 not in his Power, to undertake the Journey. I hope Colonel 
 Stanwix may be there this night, tho' the snow is very deep, 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 701 
 
 all over tlie Country, wliicli makes Travelling very tedious at 
 present. 
 
 On the 5*" at night, the Transport I mentioned above, arrived 
 here; she proves to be the Baltimore; Colonel Rolls is ou 
 board, by whom I am informed, they sailed from Cork ISfovem- 
 ber C^'', and parted with the Fleet on the 18*^', in a hard Gale 
 of Wind, before they reached the Western Islands; they have 
 in her, one hundred and Seventy Eight Soldiers, and acquaints 
 me, that the whole amount to Seventeen hundred. They have 
 taken in their Voiage, the S* Vincent, of Bourdeaux, and 
 retook the Muscovy belonging to London, coming from 
 Jamaica, and bound to London. 
 
 I shall mention nothing of the drafts, till I see them, and 
 when Colonel Prevost arrives, who has the different returns of 
 them, from their liegiment, I shall send you a propper return 
 of their numbers, and what they aie. 
 
 As I must set out on Saturday Morning for Boston I shall 
 only add, that I am most impatient to know, how the General 
 plan I proposed for next Campaign is approved of, because, 
 according to the plan that is to be executed, the preparations 
 must be made, and will be extremely different for different 
 Plans. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with the greatest Respect. 
 Sir, 
 Your Most Obedient and 
 
 Most Humble Servant 
 
 Loudoun 
 The Right Hon^i® Henry Fox 
 Endorsed: — New York, Jan>' 4*'' 1757 
 Earl of Loudoun 
 R Feby 11*'' 
 
 22. THE EARL OF LOUDOUN TO HENRY FOX (EXTRACT). 
 
 "Last night, I had a Letter from Colonel Stanwix, dated 
 Philadeliihia, January 10*^, by which I find, the Person he 
 went in search of^ had not then appeared; that he was still in 
 Search after him, privately : " 
 
 Extract of a letter from the Earl of Loudon to the Right 
 Hon'^''^ Henry Fox 
 
 Dated Boston Jan> 25*11 x757. 
 
702 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 23. THE EARL OF LOUDOUN TO HENRY FOX (EXTRACT). 
 
 "Wlien I was at Pen.silvaiiia, I found the French Neutrals 
 there, had been very mutinous, and had threatened to leave 
 the Women and Children, and go over and join the French in 
 the back Country. They sent me a Memorial in French setting 
 torth their Grievances; I returned it, and said I could receive 
 no Memorial from the Kings Subjects but in h^nglish, on which 
 they had a general Meeting, at which they determined, they 
 would give no Memorial but in French, and as I am informed, 
 they come to this resolution, from looking on themselves 
 entirely as French Subjects. 
 
 Captain Cotterell, who is Secretary for the Province of Xova 
 Scotia, and is in this Country for the recovery of his Health, 
 found among those Neutrals, one who had been a Spie of Colo- 
 nel Cornwallis,' and afterwards of Governor Lawrence,'^ who 
 he tells me had behaved well, both in giving accounts of what 
 those People were doing, and in bringing them Intelligence of 
 the Situation and Strength of the French Forts, and in partic- 
 ular of Beausejour: by this man I learnt, that there were live 
 principal leading men among them, who stir up all the disturb- 
 ance these People make in Pensilvania, and who persuade 
 them to go and join the Enemy, and who jirevent them from 
 Submitting to any regulation made in the Country, and to 
 allow their Children to be put out to work. 
 
 On hnding this to be the case, I thought it necessary for 
 me, to prevent as far as I possibly could, such a Junction to 
 the Enemy; On which I secured those live ringlciiders, and 
 l)ut them on board Captain Falkinghams Ship, the Sutherland, 
 in order to his carrying them to England, to be disposed of as 
 His Majestys Servants shall think proper: but I must inform 
 you, that if they are turned loose, they will directly return, 
 and continue to raise all the disturbance in their Power; there- 
 fore it appears to me, that the Safest way of keeping them, 
 would be to Employ them as Sailors on board Ships of War." 
 
 "In a former Letter I acquainted you of the Intelligence we 
 had received, of a Person at Philadelphia, enquiring for the 
 Letter directed to Pierre Fidel, and the steps taken to discover 
 and apprehend him; that miscarried, and we could never dis- 
 
 • Edward Cornwallis (1713-1776), afterwards geniTal (brother of the archbishop and 
 nncle of the famous marquis), was governor of Xova Scotia from 1749 to 1752. 
 '^ Col. Chark's Lawrence governed Nova Scotia from 1753 1o 17G0. 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 703 
 
 cover, who the Person was that made the enquiry, or what is 
 become of him. 
 
 By the Indian Intelligence, from Sir William Johnson en- 
 closed, you will see, that there are reports, of the People at the 
 German Flatts negotiating- with the French; They are there 
 at a great distance, and still more disobedient to Government, 
 than those that live nearer; but as yet we have not been able, 
 to fix on any of them with certainty: Ensign Wendel, who is 
 named there, came to me a few days before this Intelligence 
 arrived, and threw up his half pay, rather than run the risk of 
 being employed again as an officer: On this Intelligence, I 
 sent immediately and secured him and his Papers, and was in 
 hopes by him, both to have discovered what there was in that 
 correspondence, and likewise to have got some lights, into the 
 affairs mentioned in the intercepted Letters. 
 
 When he arrived, Sir Charles Hardy, Major Geneial Aber- 
 cromby and I, searched his Papers, but nothing appeared. I 
 then acquainted him, of our having discover'd his correspond- 
 ence last Summer with the enemy, from the German Flatts; 
 and likewise of his Correspondence and Engagements the year 
 before. 
 
 He immediately acquainted us with the Letter he writ, which 
 was to a Cousin of his, Ensign Schuyler, who was taken Pris- 
 oner at Oswego, telling him, that all his friends were well, and 
 employed building a Fort; told us of the Indian he gave it to, 
 who was going to Canada from the Indians, which agrees with 
 the Information; Said he was sorry if that gave offense; That 
 he writ the Letter at the Table, in the Place where he Messed 
 with several other Officers of the Regiment there. — As this 
 seem'd to be an Imprudence, arising from Ignorance, and noth- 
 ing further appearing against him, we have dismissed him." 
 
 Extracts from a letter from the Earl of Loudoun to the Eight 
 Hon^^'" William Pitt 
 
 Dated ^ew York, April 25^^^ 1757. 
 
28 W 
 

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