Yale Uniuersity Library 39002005629069 w ¦ wit.i„ . Vil '-. ' '"11 S YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY COLLECTIONS Connecticut Historical Society Volume XVIII HARTFORD PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY X 9 2q Printed by The Hartford Printing Co,, (elihu geer sons) i6 State Street, Hartford, Conn. OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY Elected May 27, 1919 President, GEORGE C. F. WILLIAMS. FRANK FARNSWORTH STARR, Middletown. morris W. SEYMOUR, Bridgeport. E. STEVENS HENRY, Rockville, Vice- /SIMEON E. BALDWIN, New Haven. Presidents, \ CARL STOECKEL, Norfolk. j CLARENCE W. BOWEN, Woodstock. /frank B. BRANDEGEE, New London. I MORGAN B. BRAINARD, Hartford. Recording Secretary, CORRESPONDINt; SECKErARV, Treasurer, Librarian, Auditor, Membership Committee, ALBERT C. BATES. FRANCIS PARSONS. JOHN FELT MORRIS. ALBERT C. BATES, EDGAR F. WATERMAN. ¦ GEORGE C. F. WILLIAMS, ex officio. LEVERETT BELKNAP. JANE T. SMITH. ALBERT C. BATES. GEORGE S. GODARD, HENRY A. CASTLE. EDWIN P. TAYLOR. F. CLARENCE BISSELL. Library Committee, Publication Committee, ¦ GEORGE C. F. WILLIAMS, e.v officio. FRANCIS H. PARKER. LUCIUS B. BARBOUR. EDWIN P. PIPER. GEORGE C. F. WILLIAMS, ex officio. ALBERT C. BATES. E, STANLEY WELLES. FORREST MORGAN. Committee on Monthly Papers, CHARLES G. WOODWARD. ARTHUR L. SHIPMAN. GEORGE L. CLARK.* ?Deceased. THE FITCH PAPERS Correspondence and Documents DURING Thomas Fitch's Governorship OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT 1754-1766 Volume 11 January 1759— May 1766 HARTFORD CONNECTICUT HISTORICAL SOCIETY I g 2 o contents. Refer- Preface, Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, Jan. 8, 1759. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, LIV. 61 Andrew Oliver to Thomas Fitch, about Jan. 10, 1759. ence, Andrew Oliver to Thomas Fitch, Jan. 15, 1759, Roger Wolcott Papers, II. 157, Thomas Fitch to Joseph Talcott (A. L. S.), Jan. 22, 1759 Roger Wolcott Papers, I, 190, Thomas Fitch to Andrew Oliver, Jan. 22, 1759. Reference, William Pitt to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Feb. 5, 1759 Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, I 140, . . . . Andrew Oliver to Joseph Talcott (A. L. S.), Feb. 7, 1759 Roger Wolcott Papers, I, 192, Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, Feb. 16, 1759. Reference, Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, Feb. 19, 1759. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LIV. 255, Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, Feb. 23, 1759. Public Rec ord Office: C. C, 5, LIV. 467 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch', March 6, 1759. Public Rec ord Office; C. C, 5, LIV. 471, Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, March 25, 1759. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, LIV. 475, Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, March 30, 1759. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, LIV. 759, Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, April 6, 1759. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LIV. 763, Thomas Fitch to William Pitt (A. L. S.), April 16, 1759. Mas sachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, I, 142, Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, April 23, 1759. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LV. 161, Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, April 24, 1759- Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LV. 165, Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, April 26, 17.59. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LV. 169, Thomas Fitch to Anthony Van Dam. Reference, Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, May 9, 1759. Public Record Office: C. C, 5, LV. 173 Pagexxiii 131617 181919 CONTKNTS. Page Anthony Van Dam to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), May 15, I759' Fitch Papers, 40, ......... 20 Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, May 21, 1759- Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LV. 177, . .... 20 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, May 26, 1759. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LV. 181, 22 Thomas Fitch to William Pitt (A. L. S.), July 14, 1759. Fitch. Papers, 41, . 24 John Law to Richard Law (A. L. S.), July 30, 1759. Ernest Law Papers, . . 25 Nathan Whiting to Jonathan Trumble (A. L. S.), Aug. 3, 1759. Fitch Papers, 42, . 26 Phineas Lyman to Jonathan Trumble (A. L. S.), Sept. i, 1759. Fitch Papers, 43, ......... 27 Nathaniel Porter to Jonathan Trumble (A. L. S. ), Oct. i, 1759. Fitch Papers, 44, . . . 28 Commanding Officers to Jeffrey Amherst, Nov. 10, 1759. Pub lic Record Office: C. O., 5. LVII. iii, ... 29 Jeffrey Amherst to Commanding Officers, Nov. 10, 1759. Pub lic Record Office; C. O.. 5, LVII. 115, . . . . 30 Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Colony of Con necticut (L. S.), Nov. 13, 1759. Massachusetts Historical Society; Trumbull Papers, I. 144, 32 Second Regiment — Col. Nathan Whiting (Roll of two Compa nies), Nov. 20, 1759. Public Record Office: Treasury, 64, XXII. 25, . . . . . . • . 33 Third Regiment — Col. David Wooster (Roll of five Compa nies), Nov. 20, 1759. Public Record Office; Treasury, 64, XXII. 25 . ... 34 Fourth Regiment — Col, Eleazer Fitch (Roll of four Compa nies), Dec, 2, 1759. Public Record Office: Treasury, 64, XXII. 25 38 Return of Men not Mustered. Public Record Office: Treas ury, 64, XXII. 25, ........ 40 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, Dec. 13, 1759. Public Rec ord Office; C. O., 5, LVII. 247 42 Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, Dec. 20, 1759. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LVII. 381 45 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, Dec. 24, 1759. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LVII. 385, 47 William Pitt to Colony of Connecticut (L. S. ), Jan. 7, 1760. Massachusetts Historical Society : Trumbull Papers, II. i, 47 Jeffrey Amherst to Colony of Connecticut, Feb. 14, 1760. Pub lic Record Office: C. C, 5, LVII. 813, 50 CONTENTS. XI Page Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, Feb. 21, 1760. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LVII. 515 52 Appointment of Richard Jackson as Agent, March 24, 1760. Public Record Office; C. O., 324, LX. 385, .... 55 Instructions to Richard Jackson (A. D. of Jonathan Trumble). Fitch Papers, 31, 56 Instructions to Jared Ingersoll (A. D. of Jonathan Trumble). Fitch Papers, 32, 56 Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, March 28, 1760. Public Record Office: C. 0., 5, LVIIL 121 57 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, Apr, i, 1760. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LVIII. 125 58 Thomas Fitch to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations (A. L. S.), April 10, 1760. Fitch Papers, 45, . . , 59 Thomas Fitch to William Pitt (A. L. S.), April 11, 1760. Fitch Papers, 46, 60 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, April 12, 1760. Reference, 61 Thomas Fitch to Jared Ingersoll. Reference, . . . . 61 Thomas Fitch to Phineas Lyman. Reference ,61 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, April 20, 1760. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LVIII. 129 .62 Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, April 25, 1760. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LVIII. 133 63 Jonathan Acklom to Duke of Newcastle, April 26, 1760. British Museum: Additional Manuscripts, 32905, folio 107, . . 64 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, April 27, 1760. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LVIIL 137 64 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, May 11, 1760. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LVIIL 517 65 Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, May 23, 1760. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LVIII. 665 66 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, June i, 1760. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LVIIL 669 68 Jared Ingersoll to John Pownall, June 2, 1760. Public Record Office: C, O., 5, MCCLXXV. 43 69 Jared Ingersoll's Memorandum to the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, June 2, 1760. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, MCCLXXV. 44 72 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, June 13, 1760. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LVIIL 673 73 Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, June i6, 1760. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LIX. 113 74 Cadwallader Golden to Thomas Fitch, Aug. 4, 1760. New York Historical Society Collections 1876, 2, . . . 76 Xll CONTENTS. Page William Pitt to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Aug. 23, 1760. Council Orders, 72, • 76 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, Aug. 26, 1760. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LIX. 211, . ... 78 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, Sept. 9, 1760. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LIX. 287 . 79 John Pownall to Colony of Connecticut (A. L. S.), Oct. 18, 1760. Fitch Papers, 47 81 John Pownall to Colony of Connecticut (A. L. S.), Oct. 29, 1760. Council Orders, 73, . .... .82 Thomas Life's Appointment, Oct. 30, 1760. Public Record Office; C. O., 324, LX. 386 82 Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Colony of Con necticut (A. L. (of John Pownall) S.), Oct. 31, 1760. Coun cil Orders, 74, . . , . .83 Privy Council to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Oct. 31, 1760. Council Orders, 75 ; . 84 Form for Proclaiming the King. Council Orders, 76, . 85 Royal Instruction to Connecticut, Oct, 31, 1760. Council Orders, 77 ¦ . ... 86 John Law to Joseph Pitkin (A. L. S.), Nov. 12, 1760. Ernest Law, ... 87 Thomas Fitch to William Pitt (A. L. S.), Nov. 26, 1760. Fitch Papers, 48, ... 87 Connecticut's Address to the King. Reference, . 88 Colony of Connecticut to Jeffrey Amherst. Reference, . . 89 William Pitt to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Dec. 17, 1760. Massachusett's Historical Society; Trumbull Papers, II. 2, 89 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, Jan. i, 1761. Reference, . 91 Proclamation Proclaiming King George III (D. S.), Jan. 22, 1761. Connecticut Historical Society, . . . 92 Thomas Fitch to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations (A. L. S.), Jan. 28, 1761- Fitch Papers, 49, . . 93 Thomas Fitch to John Pownall (A. L. S.), Jan. 28, 1760. Fitch Papers, 50, .... . . .95 James Hamilton to Thomas Fitch, Feb. 10, 1761. Colonial Records of Pennsylvania, VIIL 568 96 Commissioners of Customs to Thomas Fitch (L. S.), Feb, 12, 1 761. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers IL 6 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, March 15, 1761. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, LX. 437, . . . Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, March 20, 1761. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, LX. 503, 103 99 99 log CONTENTS. xiii Page Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, March 22, 1761. Public Record Office; C. O., 5, LX. 507, . . . . 104 William Pitt to Thomas Fitch (L. S.), March 24, 1761. Massa chusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, I, 145. . 106 Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, April 9, 1761. Public Rec ord Office; C. O., 5, LXL iii, ... .107 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, April 15, 1761. Public Rec ord Office; C. O., 5, LXL 115, .... Thomas Fitch to William Pitt (A. L. S.), April 25, 1761. Mas sachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 8, . m Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, April 26, 1761. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., LXL iig, . . . .112 Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Colony of Con necticut (L. S.), April 28, 1761. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 7 113 Heads of Enquiry. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trum bull Papers, II. 11, . 114 Thomas Fitch to Jeffery Amherst, May i, 1761. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, LXL 123, . . nj Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, May 2, 1761. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, LXI. 127, . ... .119 John Cleveland to John Pownall, May 4, 1761. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, MCCLXXVI. 9 119 Jared Ingersoll to Commissioners of the Admiralty, March 27, 1761. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, MCCLXXVL 11, . 120 Benning Wentworth to Roger Wolcott, May 15, 1755. Public Record Office; C. O., 5, MCCLXXVI. 15, . . .122 Thomas Fitch to James Hamilton, May 7, 1761. Pennsylvania Colonial Records, VIIL 626, . ... 124 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, May 17, 1761. Public Rec ord Office; C. O., 5, LXI. 675, 126 John Pownall to John Cleveland, May 26, 1761. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, MCCXCVI. i, . . 127 Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, May 30, 1761. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LXI. 679, . .... 128 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, June 15, 1761. Reference, 130 Jonathan Trumble to Colonel Fitch, (A. L.), June 18, 1761. Fitch Papers, 53, . , . . . . 130 Jared Ingersoll to Samuel Martin, June 29, 1761. Public Rec ord Office: Treasury, i, 377, 63, . . 131 William Pitt to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), July 8, 1761. Massachusetts Historical Society; Trumbull Papers, II. 9, 134 Nathan Whiting to Jonathan Trumble (A. L. S.), July 14, 1761. Connecticut Historical Society : Trumbull Papers, . 134 Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, July i6, 1761. Reference, . 136 CONTENTS. John Pownall to Colony of Connecticut (A. L. S.), July 21 1761. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers II. 10, . . . . ... Jared Ingersoll to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), Aug. 10, 1761 Agents Letters, 8r, Cadwallader Colden to Thomas Fitch, Aug. 10, 1761. New York Historical Society Collections, IX. 102, William Pitt to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Sept. 11, 1761 Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 12 William Pitt to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Sept. 28, 1761 Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 13 Royal Instruction to Connecticut (D. S.), Sept. 29, 1761. Mas sachusetts Historical Society; Trumbull Papers, II, 14, Earl of Egremont to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Oct. 9, 1761 Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 15 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, Oct. 11, 1761. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LXI. 963, .... Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, Oct. 19, 1761. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LXI. 1073 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, Oct. 27, 1761. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LXI. 1077 Invalids in Col. Phineas Lyman's Regiment, Nov. 17, 1761 Public Record Office: Treasury, 64, XXII. 28, . Invalids in Col. Nathan Whiting's Regiment, Nov. 17, 1761 Public Record Office: Treasury, 64, XXII. 28, . First Regiment — Col. Phineas Lyman, Nov. 23, 1761. Public Record Office: Treasury, 64, XXII. 28, ... Second Regiment — Col. Nathan Whiting, Nov. 23, 1761. Pub lie Record Office: Treasury, 64, XXII. 28, . Sir William Johnson to Thomas Fitch, Dec. 10, 1761. Refer ence, .......... Earl of Egremont to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Dec. 12 1761. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, IL 16 Earl of Egremont to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Dec. 12 1761. Massachusetts Historical Society; Trumbull Papers II. 17 Proclamation by Governor Fitch (A. D.). Massachusetts His torical Society; Trumbull Papers, II. 26, Earl of Egremont to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Jan. 1762. Massachusetts Historical Society : Trumbull Papers, IL 20, ........_ , Thomas Fitch to Earl of Egremont (A. L. S.) Jan. 8, 1762 Massachusetts Historical Society; Trumbull Papers, II. 21 Page 136 137 142143 144 144145 146 146148149 154 159 174i8g190191194195196 CONTENTS. S.), Feb. 8, 1762 Reference, Mather Byles, Jr., to Mather Byles (A. L Connecticut Historical Society, Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, Feb. 9, 1762. Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, Feb. 21, 1762. Reference Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, April 15, 1762. Reference, Thomas Fitch to Earl of Egremont, April 15, 1762. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, MCCLXXX. 95, Cadwallader Colden to Thomas Fitch, April 28, 1762. New York Historical Society Collections, IX. 196, Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, May 5, 1762. Reference Jared Ingersoll to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), May, 1762. Fitch Papers, 54 .... John Pownall to Colony of Connecticut (A. L. S.), June 11 1762. Massachusetts Historical Society; Trumbull Papers n. 23, . . • Nathan Whiting to Thomas Fitch, June 20, 1762. Reference Nathan Whiting to Thomas Fitch, June 25, 1762. Reference Stephen Sayre's Account of Susquehannah Company Affairs June 1762. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, MCCLXXVI 483 Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst. Reference, Nathan Whiting to Thomas Fitch, July i, 1762. Reference, Directions by Sir Jeffrey Amherst (A. D. S. of Mair), July 4 1762. State Archives : War, X. loi, Appointment by Thomas Fitch (A. D. S.), July 6, 1762. State Archives War, X. 102, Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch. Reference, Philip Turner to Thomas Fitch, July 13, 1762. Reference Thomas Fitch to Nathan Whiting, July 19, 1762. Historical Society of Pennsylvania : Copy, Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, Aug. 4, 1762. Reference, Earl of Egremont to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Aug. 14 1762. Massachusetts Historical Society : Trumbull Papers II. 24 : . Thomas Fitch to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations Sept. 7, 1762. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, MCCLXXVI 497 Answers to Heads of Inquiry, 1762. Public Record Office C. 0., 5, MCCLXXVI. 501 Royal Instructions to Colony of Connecticut (D. S.), Oct. i 1762. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers II. 27 ... Thomas Fitch's Bill (A. D., S.) Oct. 1762. State Archives Finance & Currency, IV. 373, Page 197 198 igg 200 201202 202 203 203 203 206206 206207 207208208209 210211 218219 xvi CONTENTS. Page V. Gardner to Mustering Officer, Nov. 15, 1762. Public Record Office: Treasury, 64, XXII. 29, ^^o Nathan Whiting's Orders, Nov. 14, 1762- Public.Record Office: Treasury, 64, XXII. 29 ^^i Roll of Captain Joseph Halt's Company, Nov. 21, 1762. Public Record Office: Treasury, 64, XXII. 29 221 Earl of Egremont to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Nov. 22, 1762. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 29, 222 Earl of Egremont to Jeffrey Amherst, Jan. 27, 1763. Public Record Office; C. O., 5, CCXIV. 613 223 Earl of Egremont to Thomas Fitch, Jan. 27, 1763. Fitch Papers, 55 ^^^ Sir William Johnson to Thomas Fitch. Reference, ... 226 Earl of Egremont to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Feb. 18, 1763. Massachusetts Historical Society : Trumbull Papers, II. 31, ... 226 Report of Committee of Council, March 3, 1763. Public Record Office; C. O., 5. MCCLXXIV. 515 227 Earl of Egremont to Colony of Connecticut (L. S,), March 26, 1763. Massachusetts Historical Society : Trumbull Papers, II. 33, • • 22^ Joseph Sluman to Jonathan Trumble (A. L. S.), April i, 1763. Fitch Papers, 56, 229 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, April 10, 1763. Public Rec ord Office: C. O,, 5, LXIII. 69 229 Jeffrey Amherst to Earl of Egremont, April 12, 1763. Public Record Office: C. O., 5. LXIII. 51, ' 231 Nathan Whiting to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), April 14, 1763. State Archives : War, X. 117, .... .231 Thomas Fitch to Sir William Johnson. Reference, ... 232 Committee for Trade and Plantations to Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, April 27, 1763. Public Record Office: C, O., 5, MCCXCVI. 15, . 233 Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Colony of Con necticut, April 29, 1763. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 35 234 Royal Instruction to Connecticut. Massachusetts Historical Society; Trumbull Papers, II. 39, . . . 235 Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Colony of Con necticut (L. S. ), April 29, 1763. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 34, 236 Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, May 4, 1763. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, LXIII. 109 237 CONTENTS. Order of Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, May ii, 1763. Public Record Office; C. O., 5, MCCLXXVI. 527, . Stephen Hopkins to Thomas Fitch, May 26, 1763. Reference, Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, May 30, 1763. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, MCCXCVI. 19 Proceedings of the King in Council, June 15, 1763. Public Rec ord Office; C. O., 5, XXIII. 465, Royal Instruction to Colony of Connecticut, June 15, 1763 Council Orders, 92, Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, June 17, 1763. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LXIII. 237, Thomas Fitch to Stephen Hopkins, June 21, 1763. Rhode Island Colonial Records, VI. 364, .... Thomas Fitch to Jeffrey Amherst, June 24, 1763. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LXIII. 273, .... Jeffrey Amherst to Thomas Fitch, June 26, 1763. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, LXIII. 277, ... Earl of Egremont to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), July 9 1763. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers II. 38, . ... ... Thomas Fitch to James Hamilton, Sept. 1763. Reference, Thomas Fitch to Earl of Egremont (A. L. S.), Sept. 14, 1763, Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II ¥>, ¦ ¦ Thomas Fitch to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, Sept. 15, 1763. Public Record Office; C. O., 5, MCCLXXVI 639, . . . • .... Stephen Hopkins to Thomas Fitch, Sept. 27, 1763. Reference, Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Colony of Con necticut (L. S.) Sept. 28, 1763. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 42, Thomas Fitch to Stephen Hopkins, Oct. 4, 1763. Rhode Island Colonial Records, VI. 373, .... Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Colony of Con necticut (L. S.), Oct. 10, 1763. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 43, Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Colony of Con necticut (L. S. ), Oct. II, 1763. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Pa.pers, II. 44, Earl of Halifax to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Oct. 19, 1763. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II, 44a, Thomas Fitch to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, Nov. 10, 1763. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, MCCLXXVI. 651, Page 237238 238 239240241 243243 245 247249 249 251 253 253 254255 255 256258 XVlil CONTENTS. Page Thomas Gage to Thomas Fitch, Dec. 6, 1763. Reference, . 259 Thomas Fitch to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, Dec. 9, 1763. Public Record Office; C. O., 5. MCCLXXVI. 655, 259 Thomas Gage to Thomas Fitch, Jan. 3, 1764. Reference, . 260 Boston Merchants to New London Merchants (L. S.), Jan. 9, 1764. State Archives; Revolutionary War, I. i, . . 261 Report of Committee of the General Assembly (D. S.), July 19, 1764. State Archives: War, X. 194, . . .274 Memorial to the General Assembly, Jan. 20, 1764. State Ar chives: Revolutionary War: I. 3, .... 275 Thomas Fitch to Thomas Gage, Jan. 30, 1764. Public Record Office: C. O., 5, LXXXIII. 109, ... 276 Remarks on the Trade of the Colonies, Jan. 1764. State Ar chives: Revolutionary War, I. 4, 277 Richard Jackson to Colony of Connecticut, March 10, 1764. Reference, ... . . . . 279 Thomas Fitch to Earl of Halifax (A. L. S.), March 23, 1764. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II, 47, 279 Commissioners of Customs to Thomas Fitch (L. S.), April 12, 1764. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 49, . . . . . . 280 Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Colony of Con necticut (L. S.), May 11, 1764. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 51, . . 281 Resolve of House of Commons, April 5, 1764. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 48, . . . 281 Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Colony of Con necticut, May II, 1764. Reference, . ... 282 List of Acts of Parliament. Massachusetts Historical Society : Trumbull Papers, II. 54, . . ... 282 Thomas Fitch to Richard Jackson. Reference, . . . 284 Committee of Massachusetts House of Representatives to Thomas Fitch (?) (L. S.), June 25, 1764. State Archives: Revolutionary War, I. 16, , . . . 284 Earl of Halifax to Thomas Fitch (L. S.), July 14, 1764. Massa chusetts Historical Society : Trumbull Papers, II. 56, . 285 Prince Masseran to Earl of Halifax, June 18, 1764. Massachu setts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 52, . . 286 Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch, July 27, 1764. Reference, . 287 Earl of Halifax to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Aug. ii, 1764. Council Orders, 78, 287 Earl of Halifax to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Aug. 11, 1764. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 57, 289 CONTENTS. XIX Page Earl of Halifax to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Aug. ii, 1764. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II, 58. 289 Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch, Aug. 13, 1764. Reference, 290 Thomas Fitch to Richard Jackson, Sept. 22, 1764. Reference, 290 Rhode Island General Assembly's Committee to George Wyllys (L. S.), Oct. 8, 1764. State Archives : Revolutionary War, I. 18, 290 Report of Committee of the General Assembly (D. S.), Oct. 31, 1764. State Archives: Revolutionary War, I. 13, 292 Thomas Fitch to Pygan Adams, Nov. 10, 1764. Reference, . 294 Thomas Fitch to Earl of Halifax (A. L, S,), Nov, 13, 1764. Fitch Papers, 58, 294 Thomas Fitch to Earl of Halifax (A. L. S.), Nov. 13, 1764. Fitch Papers, 57, . • . 296 List of Instruments used in Public Transactions. Public Rec ord Office: C. O., 5, MCCLXXX. 118, ... 296 Thomas Fitch to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations (A. L. S.), Nov. 14, 1764. Fitch Papers, 59, . . 298 Account of Bills of Credit. Reference, . . . . 300 Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), Nov. 27, 1764. Fitch Papers, 60, . ... 300 Thomas Fitch to Richard Jackson (A. L. S.), Dec. 7, 1764. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II, 59, 303 Colony of Connecticut to Parliament. Reference, . . 307 Thomas Fitch to Jared Ingersoll. Reference, . . . 307 Thomas Gage to Thomas Fitch (L. S.), Dec. 7, 1764. Fitch Papers, 61, . 308 Pygan Adams to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), Dec. 13, 1764. Fitch Papers, 62 • 309 Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), Dec. 14, 1764. Fitch Papers, 63 ... 311 Thomas Fitch to Thomas Gage (A. L. S.), Dec. 20, 1764. Fitch Papers, 64 . . 312 Robert Clelland to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), Dec. 26, 1764. Fitch Papers, 65 . • 313 Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), Feb. 9, 1765. Fitch Papers, 66 316 Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. (in part) L. S.), Feb. 9, 1765. Fitch Papers, 67, . . . • • 316 Jared Ingersoll to Thomas Fitch, Feb, 11, 1765. New Haven Colony Historical Society Papers, IX. 306, . . 317 Cadwallader Colden to Thomas Fitch (L. S.), Feb. 12, 1765. Fitch Papers, 68 327 Jared Ingersoll to Richard Law (A. L. S.), Feb. 15, 1765- Ernest Law 328 XX CONTENTS. Prerogative Court of Canterbury Records. Ernest Law, . 329 Thomas Fitch to Cadwallader Colden (A. L. S.), Feb. 22, 1765. Fitch Papers, 69, . . . 33° Thomas Fitch to Richard Jackson, Feb. 25, 1765- Reference, 331 Francis Bernard to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), March 4, 1765. Fitch Papers, 70 33i Xjared Ingersoll to Thomas Fitch, March 6, 1765. New Haven Colony Historical Society Papers, IX. 315, ... 332 Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), March 9, 1765. Fitch Papers, 71, 34° Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S. ), April 13, 1765. Fitch Papers, 72, . . 342 Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A, L. S.), April 19, 1765. Fitch Papers, 74, 343 Merchants' Petition to the General Assembly (D. S.). State Archives: Trade & Maritime Affairs, II. 79, . . 345 Memorial to the General Assembly (D. S.), May 1765. State Archives: Trade & Maritime Affairs, II. 80, . . . 347 Francis Bernard to Thomas Fitch (L. S.), May 31, 1765. Fitch Papers, 73, . . . • 348 William Henry Lyttleton to Francis Bernard, April 9, 1765. Fitch Papers, 73, 349 Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), June 5, 1765. Fitch Papers, 75, 349 James Murray to Thomas Fitch (L. S.), June 29, 1765. Fitch Papers, 76 .... 352 Henry Seymour Conway to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), July 12, 1765. Council Orders, 79 353 Account of Bills of Exchange Drawn on the Colony's Agent. Roger Wolcott Papers, I. 191, 353 Thomas Fitch to Richard Jackson, July 29, 1765. Reference, 354 Henry Seymour Conway to Colony of Connecticut (L. S. ), Aug. 10, 1765. Council Orders, 80 354 Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Colony of Con necticut (L. S.), Aug. 23, 1765. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 60, 354 Jonathan Trumble to Thomas Fitch (A. L.). Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, XX. 388a, . . 355 Thomas Fitch to William Pitkin, Sept. 12, 1765. Pennsylvania Historical Society, .... .... 356 Charles Lowndes to Thomas Fitch (L. S.), Sept. 14, 1765. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 70, 356 Cadwallader Colden to Jared Ingersoll, Sept. 14, 1765. New York Historical Society: CoUections, X. 32, ... 357 CONTENTS. Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), Oct. 3, 1765 Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 61 Thomas Fitch to Henry Seymour Conway (A. L. S.), Oct. 7 1765. Fitch Papers, 77 Duties Collected in Connecticut, 1 764-1 765. Public Record Office: Treasury, I. 430, Henry S. Conway to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), Oct. 24, 1765. Massachusetts Historical Society : Trumbull Papers II. 66 Memorial to the General Assembly (D. S.), Oct. 1765. State Archives : Revolutionary War, I. 34, . Colony of Connecticut to Richard Jackson, Oct. 1765. Colonial Records, XII. 420, David Colden to Jared Ingersoll, Oct. 28, 1765. New York Historical Society: Collections, X. 52, . Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), Nov. 9, 1765 Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II, 63 Thomas Fitch to Henry Seymour Conway (A. L. S.), Nov. 13 1765. Massachusetts Historical Society; Trumbull Papers II. 67, . Thomas Fitch to Richard Jackson (A. L. S.), Nov. 13, 1765 Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 64, Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), Nov. 14, 1765 Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II, 65 Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), Nov. 15, 1765 Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II 65K, ... Sir Henry Moore to Thomas Fitch, Dec. i, 1765. Reference, Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), Dec. 14, 1765 Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 69, Thomas Fitch to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations (A. L; S.), Dec. 18, 1765. Fitch Papers, 78, Thomas Fitch to Sir Henry Moore (A. L. S.), Dec. 20, 1765 Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 73 Thomas Fitch to Charles Lowndes (A. L. S. ), Dec. 24, 1765 Massachusetts Historical Society; Trumbull Papers, II. 71 Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.). Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 81, Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), Jan. 11, 1766, Massachusetts Historical Society ; Trumbull Papers, II. 74, Francis Bernard to Henry S. Conway, Jan. 19, 1766. State Paper Office: C. O., 5, DCCLV. 447, . . . ¦ Sir Henry Moore to Thomas Fitch (L. S.), Feb. 24, 1766. Mas sachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 75, XXI Page 358 359 360362364 366367 368 370 370 373 375 377 377 378 379381 382 383 384 386 XXH CONTENTS. Page Thomas Fitch to Richard Jackson (A. L. S.), Feb. 26, 1766. Massachusetts Historical Society : Trumbull Papers, II. 76, 387 Phineas Lyman to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), Feb. 26, 1766. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 77, 388 Richard Jackson to Thomas Fitch (A. L. S.), Feb. 27, 1766. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 78, 390 Henry S. Conway to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), March i, 1766. Massachusetts Historical Society : Trumbull Papers, IL 79 ... . . 391 Charles Antrobus to Thomas Fitch (L. S.), March 3, 1766. Massachusetts Historical Society : Trumbull Papers, II. 80, 392 Thomas Fitch to ,Sir Henry Moore (A. L. S.), March 11, 1766. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 83, 393 Thomas Fitch to Richard Jackson (A. L. S.), March 14, 1766. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II, 84, 396 Henry S. Conway to Colony of Connecticut (L. S.), March 31, 1766. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 85 ... 397 Commissioners of Customs to Thomas Fitch (L. S.), April 12, 1766. Massachusetts Historical Society: Trumbull Papers, II. 86, . . . . 400 Grey Cooper to Thomas Fitch (L. S. ), May 5, 1766. Massachu setts Historical Society : Trumbull Papers, II. 99, . . 400 Index, . . .... ... 403 preface. This the second volume of "The Fitch Papers" com pletes the correspondence and documents, chiefly of an official nature, covering the period during which Thomas Fitch was governor of the Colony of Connecticut. It forms the eighth of the Society's volumes of "Col lections " to contain the official correspondence and docu ments of Connecticut, beginning with the election of Joseph Talcott as governor in October 1724 and continuing in unbroken sequence to May 1766. The originals of the documents printed in this volume are from the same sources as were noted in the preface to the first volume of "The Fitch Papers." Again the thanks of the Society are due and are hereby extended to the. own ers and custodians of the original manuscripts for their permission to use them ; not forgetting to make particular acknowledgment of special courtesies received in the pro curing of copies from the Massachusetts Historical Society and the Connecticut State Library. Again also acknowledg ment is made to Mr. Forrest Morgan, M. A., a member of the Publication Committee, for his frequent and willing aid and advice ; and recognition is made of the task accom plished by Miss Alice M. Gay in making a large part of the copy for the printer. ALBERT C. BATES, Chairman of the Publication Committee and Editor of this Volume. The Society's Library, March 12, 1920 FITCH PAPERS. THOMAS FITCH TO JEFFREY AMHERST. NoRWALK 8* January 1759 Sir Your having by Your Letter of the 29* of last Month Again recommended the raising new Levies for another Campaign, and considering the Encourageing Assuarances you have given of your Intentions in the most Effectual manner as well by offensive as Defensive Operations against the Common Enemy to prosecute the important Service the King and these Colonies have so much at heart. I have determined as Soon as conveniently may be to convince* the Assembly to lay before them the Several Matters contained in Your Letters, and Shall (unless Some Occurrance Should intervene to prevent it) recommend to their Serious Consideration the motion you have made, And perswade my self that Your known disposition to pro mote His Majesty's Service and the special Reason the Assembly have to confide in your good Conduct will have great weight and Infiuence with them. I can't in the mean time but hope I may receive Some thing particular in regard to the Service of this Year, in order not only the more Effectually to influence the Assem bly in raising the Levies and making the necessary provi- tion for them with more propriety and Certainty but also to facilitate the Levies that may be Agreed to be raised, as it has been usual (as I before acquainted You) for the People to be made acquainted with the Service they are to Engage in. and as that is represented to them more or less Agreable to the humour prevailing in the Country so the Levies com monly Succeed. I shall from time to time give you accounts of the Con clusions come into, and the progress made in Consequence * Evidently a slip of the pen for convene. 2 FITCH PAPERS. thereof. And I trust this Colony will not be wanting of its proper proportion nor be behind others in preparations according to its Ability for the common Service. I am Sir with very great respect your most Obedient and Most Humble Servant THOS FITCH [Indorsed] Copy A Letter from Gov'' Fitch To M. Gen. Amherst Jany 8'h 1759 in M. G. Amherst of Janry i8"> 1759 ANDREW OLIVER TO THOMAS FITCH. [Andrew Oliver of Boston wrote about January 10, 1759, to Governor Thomas Fitch, advising him of the re ceipt of several chests of money from London, shipped by Mr. Partridge for the account of the colony of Connecticut. See letter from Oliver to Fitch of Jan. 15, 1759. J ANDREW OLIVER TO THOMAS FITCH. Boston 15 Janry 1759 Sir I wrote your Honour last week by way of Springfield advising the receipt of Several Chests of Money by the Ship Happy Return Cap' M<^Taggart from London shipt pr M"' Patridge for Account of the Colony of Connecticut. I have received the said Chests into my Custody and delivered the Cap' his Bill of Lading; if your Hon^ has another come to Hand the shortest way of Discharging me would be by your sending that Indorsed when you send for the Money. I could then take up that Indorsed by me delivering the Captain that with your Honors Indorsement I am Sir your Honour's Most Obedient Humble Servant ANDR OLIVER Hon''' Tho^ Fitch Esq'' Copy THOMAS FITCH. THOMAS FITCH TO JOSEPH TALCOTT. NoRWALK 22'! Janry 1759. Sir Yesterday I Received two Letters from Mr Partridge acquainting me he had Received the whole of the Colonys Money for the Expences in Supplying Provisions for the Troops in 1756. and that he had Shipped 14000 Ounces Sil ver and 503 ounces three penny weight and 12^^^ Gold for Account of the Colony for Boston by the Ship Happy Re turn Cap' Peter M<^Taggart Commander consigned to Me and inclosed a Bill of Lading for it. I have also Received a Letter from Andrew Oliver Esq'' (to whose Care the Money was to be Delivered in Boston) informing me that he had Received the Money into his Custody and indorsed one of the Bills to the Captain. Therefore as you are the proper Person to Receive the Colonys Money I have Assigned the Bill of Lading to you and have sent it by the Barer. And that I may be safe, Desire you to send me a Receipt that you have receivd the Bill of Lading so Indorsed by me ; Also desire that you will Indorse the Bill to the Cap' on Receiving the Money and take up that which M"" Oliver Indorsed agreable to his Desire or if that can't be Done to indorse it as Received of M^ Oliver. I Desire you as soon as may be either to go or send some proper Person with a proper Guard and Carriage to bring the Money from Boston to Hartford, in which affair it will be well to take proper Advice. I have inclosed a Copy of M"^ Olivers Letter for your Perusal that you may see what he proposes and have wrote to him to be conveyed by you or your Order to Acquaint him with the Steps I have taken, I am Sir your most Humble Servant THOS FITCH Mr Treasurer Talcott [Indorsed] Gov Fitch & Andrew Oliver letters about the Money from England arrived at Boston from thence by land to Hartford 4 FITCH PAPERS. THOMAS FITCH TO ANDREW OLIVER. [Governor Thomas Fitch wrote, probably on January 22, 1759, to Andrew Oliver of Boston, forwarding the letter to treasurer Joseph Talcott to be delivered by him or his agent, informing Oliver of the steps he had taken for the forwarding of the colony's money from Boston to Hartford, See letter from Gov. Fitch to Joseph Talcott of Jan. 22, I759-] WILLIAM PITT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall, Feb^y s"' 1759. Gentlemen, The King having been pleased to appoint Rear Admiral Saunders to be Commander in Chief of all His Majesty's Ships, employed, or to be employed, in North America, I am to signify to you The King's Pleasure, that you do transmit to Rear Admiral Saunders, all Intelligence relative to his Department, in the same Manner as you was directed to do by my Letters of the 19"' Febry & 30th Dec 1757, to the former Commanders in Chief of His Majesty's Ships; And it is also The Kings Pleasure, that you do, on any Application from Admiral Saunders, or the Commander in Chief of The King's Ships, use all legal Methods to supply Him with such a Number of Sailors, & Workmen, from your Colony, as He shall, at any Time, require for His Majesty's Service. I am. Gentlemen,Your most obedient humble Servant W. PITT Gov & Compy of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from M"- Secy Pitt 5"^ Feb^y 1759 Rec 10"' April 1759 ANDREW OLIVER 5 ANDREW OLIVER TO JOSEPH TALCOTT. Boston 7 Feb^y 1759. Sir I had your favour of 31 Jany by your Son, to whom I have delivered the seven Chests of money receivd ^ Cap° McTaggart for account of the Colony of Connecticut, and receivd of him the Bill of Lading assigned over by his Honour Governor Fitch and yourself and endorsed by your Son. Inclosed herewith, you have the Cocket which the Cap" delivered me, and hope you will find it turn out agreeably I am Sir Your most hum'^ Serv' ANDW OLIVER Joseph Talcott Esq [Indorsed] M^ Andrew Oliver Account of Money by Cap' Taggart Reel by Joseph Talcott Ju' at Boston All Came out Right Settled & finished Andrew Olive letter JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. [Sir Jeffrey Amherst wrote on February 16, 1759, to Governor Thomas Fitch inclosing a letter from William Pitt to Fitiih dated December 9, 1758, urging the raising of as many or more troops as were raised for the last campaign, counciling secrecy in the matter, desiring that troops may be at Albany by April 10, recommending putting arms in best of condition and encouraging men to use their own rather than the government arms. See letter from Fitch to Amherst of Feb. 19, 1759; Rhode Island Colonial Records, VI. 198; Fitch Papers, no. 26, which gives date of and men tions receipt of this letter. ] THOMAS FITCH TO JEFFREY AMHERST. Extract of a Letter from Governor Fitch to Major Gen' Amhert bearing Date the 19"' of February 1759 — Last Evening I received Your Letter of the 16"' with Mr Secretary Pitts Letter &ca. inclosed & Shall with all FITCH PAPERS. possible Dispatch Endeavour a Strict Obedience of His Majesty's Pleasure Signified therein. [Indorsed] Extract of a Letter from G. Fitch To M. G. Amherst bearing date the 19'h of Feby 1759. in M: G: Amherst's of Feby 2 8"i 1759. Sir THOMAS FITCH TO JEFFREY AMHERST. NoRWALK 23 Has sent a Summons to them to Surrender which They refuse, that these Vessels are hawld into such a Bite commanding OFFICERS. 29 or Cove that nothing Can Come to Attack them Save the Liegoners, which will begin the Sport as soon as the wind will permit.And farther we are informd that a Capt of the Light In fantry taking one of these French Vessels To be one of ours ran boldly up in the night Lashd to her with his whale-Boat & so he with the whole Boats Crew Consisting of about 20 were made Prisoners This is all I can tell you at present, hope we shall have a good ace' of those French Vessels as soon as Wind & weather permit The wind has ben N. East these Three days, we hope twill Shift quickly so as to Favour the Design, Am s' your most Obed Hum^'e Serv' NATH'S'- PORTER COMMANDING OFFICERS TO JEFFREY AMHERST. To His Excellency Jeffery Amherst Esq' Major General, and Commander in Chief of all His Majesty's Forces in North America, &ca, &ca, &ca, The Memorial of Phineas Lyman, Timothy Ruggles, Nathan Whiting, David Wooster, Eleazer Fitch, and Abijah Willard, Commanding the Several Regiments of Provincial Forces, from the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, and Colony of Connecticut, Employed in His Majesty's Service for the Reduction of Tienderoga, and Crown Point, the present Year; and under Your Excellency's Command. Humbly Shews, That from a Consideration of the small Allowance made us as Pay from the Governments to which We belong, it is Easy to Conclude We were Induced by Other Motives to Engage in said Service: We do Assure your Excellency, that it was by None stronger than a Zeal for His Majesty's Honor and Interest, and the Welfare of Our Country; And as by your Wisdom, and Discreet Com mand (which We Pray God and our King may be Continued and Inlarged, as long as His Majesty has an Enemy left) the French are Intirely Dispossessed of a Large Tract of Land Southward of a Line from Crown Point to Number 4, 30 FITCH PAPERS. which will not be of much Value, unless Inhabited; In Order to give the strongest Assurances of Our Loyalty, and Zeal, for the Service aforesaid, We beg leave to Offer Our further Service for the Settlement of a Township, by Each Battalion, at proper Distances; making the New Cut Road the Centre of Each Township, as the most Effectual way of preventing the Incursions of the Indians into Our Country; If His Majesty would be graciously Pleased to make Grants of said Lands of the same Tenure of East Greenwich in Kent, and Afford such other Incouragement as His Wisdom will Direct; which We Humbly Apprehend will facilitate the Settlement of the large Tract of Lands within those Townships, and be of Advantage to Our Posterity; And We flatter Ourselves that your Excellency's well known Zeal for His Majesty's Service will plead our Excuse for giving you the Trouble of laying our Humble Proposals before His Majesty, for His Gracious Acceptance. P. LYMAN TIMO RUGGLES NATHAN WHITING DAVID WOOSTER E. FITCH ABIJAH WILLARD Crown Point Camp Novemb"^ lo"' 1759. [Indorsed] Copy. Memorial of Phineas Lyman, Timothy Ruggles Nathan Whiting, David Wooster, Eleazer Fitch and Abijah Willard, Commanding the Several Reg's of the Prov' Forces from the Province of the Massachusetts Bay & Colony of Connecticut, to General Amherst. Dated Crown Point Camp lo"! Nov 1759. Proposals for Settling the new road from Crown Point to No 4 upon certain Encouragement, therein men tioned. Which they beg of the Gen' to lay before the King, in M, G. Amherst's of Dec^ 16: 1759. JEFFREY AMHERST TO COMMANDING OFFICERS, To Phineas Lyman, Timothy Ruggles, Nathan Whit- ting, David Wooster, Eleazar Fitch, and Abijah Willard, Colonels, Commanding the Several Regiments of Provincial JEFFREY AMHERST. 3I Forces, from the Province of the Massachusett's Bay, and Colony of Connecticutt Employed in this present year. Gentlemen Your readiness and Alacrity, for Promoting the good of the Service, upon all Occasions, during the Course of this Campaign, are Sufficient Testimonies that you were Induced to Engage into it, thro' no other Motives, than that of Zeal for His Majesty's Honor and Interest, and the Welfare of Your Country, Which are Sentiments so Com mendable, and that will give Our Royal Master so much pleasure, that I Should be wanting to the King, and not do You Justice, were I to Neglect laying them before His Majesty, Which you may be Assured I Shall do, by the very first Opportunity that Shall Offer, When I shall like wise transmit Your Memorial, Setting forth, that as the French are entirely dispossessed, of a large tract of Land, Southward of a Line from Crown Point to N° 4, Which will not be of much Value unless Inhabited ; And that in order to give the Strongest Assurances, of your Loyalty and Zeal, You beg leave to Offer Your further Service for the Settle ment of a Township, by each Battalion at proper distances, making the new cutt road, the Centre of each Township, as the most Effectual way of preventing the Incursions of the Indians, into Your Country ; Which Offer I look upon so advantagious, to that Country in general, as well as a Re ward due to Your Loyalty and Zeal, that I Shall be happy in Procuring You, the Encouragements Necessary thereto. Which I am willing to hope will be granted. I am with the greatest truth, Gentlemen &ca JEFF: AMHERST Camp at Crown Point io"i November 1759 [Indorsed] Copy Letter from Gen' Amherst To Phineas Lyman, Timothy Ruggles Nathan Whiting, David Wooster, Eleazar Fitch & Abijah Willard, Colonels Commanding the Several Reg's of Provincial Forces from the Province of the Massachusetts Bay and Col ony of Connecticutt, Employed in this present Year. 32 FITCH PAPERS. Camp at Crown Point lo'h Nov 1759. In Answer to their Memorial of this date; That he will lay the same before His majesty, that he shall be happy in procuring them the necessary Encouragem's thereto, and that he is hopeful! they will be granted, in M. G. Amherst's of Dec 16: 1759. COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall Nov"^ 13"' 1759. Gentlemen, It having pleased Almighty God to give signal Success to His Majesty's Arms both by Sea and Land, particularly by the Defeat of the French Army in Canada, and the taking of Quebec ; and His Majesty having thought fit, in acknowledgment of so great Blessings, to appoint a Day of publick Thanksgiving for the same throughout Great Britain, We herewith inclose to You His Majesty's Royal Proclamation for that purpose ;* and it being His Majesty's Pleasure, that the like publick Thanksgiving should be solemnized in all His Majesty's Colonies in America, which are so particularly interested in these happy events. We do hereby singnify to you His Majesty's Commands, that you do, as soon as possible after the receipt hereof, appoint a proper day for that purpose, to be observed throughout the Colony under Your Government, with such Solemnities as are suitable to so great an Occasion. We are. Gentlemen, Your most Obedient humble Servants, DUNK HALIFAX JAMES OSWALD SOAME JENYNS W G HAMILTON Governor & Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from the Lords Commiss^s for Trade &c 13'h Nov 1759 Rec Inst. I have Wrote to General Lyman to Order a Captain and Four Officers, with One hundred & fifty Men, to be in readiness to take under their Care and Charge the Oxen & Carts purchased at and near Hartford, and to proceed with them to Albany, and there deliver them over to Colonel Bradstreet, or his Deputy, according to your Direction. I am. Sir, with great Regard, Your most Obedient & most Humble Servant THOS FITCH. His Excellency General Amherst. 64 FITCH PAPERS. [Indorsed] Copy. Letter from Governor Fitch to General Amherst. Dated Norwalk, 25'^' April 1760. Acknowl edges the Rec' of the General's of the 20"'. That on the Meeting of the Assembly he should Communicate his Proposal for Impressing Men, but was hopefull, by that time, the Companies would be Compleat, & ready to March, in Gen' Amherst's of the 28"' April 1760. JONATHAN ACKLOM TO DUKE OF NEWCASTLE. WisETON April 26"' 1760 My Lord I commit this to M^ Harrison to put into your Grace's Hands in Acknowledgement of the Favour you have conferd upon Me by his Nomination to the CoUectorship in Connec ticut and am my Lord your Grace's most obliged & obed' humble Serv' JONAN ACKLOM [Indorsed] April 26"= 1760. M' Acklom. R. May 3d. JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. New York, 27"' April 1760. Sir, I am Obliged to you for the Order you mention to have Sent to General Lyman ; he has Informed me of his having Complied therewith. Since I find by your Letter of the 20"' that it would have been hardly possible, had you, immediately on receiv ing my Letter, given out Summons's for the Members to meet, to have Notified them to Convene much, if anything, sooner than the time by Law already fixed; I trust, your hopes, that most if not all your Companies will be in a great Measure, full and ready to March, at that time, will be Ac complished; If not, I must Renew my Instances, that you JEFFREY AMHERST. 65 then move the Assembly, to Consent to Compleat your Levies by Impress. I am, with great Regard, Sir, Your most Obed' Humble Serv' JEFF: AMHERST Hon^e Gov FiTCH. [Indorsed] Copy. Letter from General Amherst to Gover nor Fitch. Dated New York 27"i April 1760. In answer to the Govs of the 25"" That if the Companies were not Compleat, at the Meeting of the Assembly, he must renew his Instances to the Gov'^ to move them to Consent to an Impress, in Gen' Amherst's of the 28"' April 1760 JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. Albany ii"! of May 1760 Sir, I Arrived here on the S"! Instant, and None of the Provincial Forces being yet Arrived, altho' the Season is so far Advanced, and so proper to begin the Operations of the Campaign; I Cannot defer renewing to you, my most press ing Instances, that if, upon Receipt hereof, all the Troops of your Province, are not in Motion, and on their way hither (for I will not doubt but most of them are) that you will immediately without Loss of time. Cause them to begin their March, and to proceed hither without delay, as Every moment that detains them from this, is a great backward ness to the general Service, which at this present time, merits and requires to be Improved to the Utmost. I am, with great Regard, Sir, &ca. JEFF: AMHERST Honi^'e Gov' Hopkins. N : B : The Like Letter to the Gov's of Connecticutt ; New York; New Jersey; and Massachusett's Bay; With the following Additional Paragraph to Gov Pownall. 66 FITCH PAPERS. " I am at the same time to Own the Receipt of your Favor of the 28"' Ultimo; and to Congratulate you on having at last Carried the Measure of Issueing Pay to the Province Troops Monthly, which you had been Labouring to Obtain for these three years : It is certainly a great point gained, as it must tend much to the good of the Service. "I Suppose, now that your Troops are in March, You will, as Usual, Soon Establish the Riders between Boston & this, for the want of which this goes round by New York." [Indorsed] Copy. General Amherst's Circular to the Gov's of Massachusett's Bay, Rhode Island Connecticutt New York & New Jersey Dated Albany ii"! May 1760. in Gen' Amherst's of the i9"> May 1760. THOMAS FITCH TO JEFFREY AMHERST. Hartford 23d May 1760. Sir, I Took the Earliest Opportunity to recommend to the Assembly (Convened in this Place) the Proposal made by Your Letter of the 20'^ of April, and repeated in that of the 27"i for Compleating the Number of our Levies, by Im presses; And altho' that Matter had at the last Session, on mature Deliberation, been determined, and that Method of Raising men for this Service, was Judged not best, but rather that Voluntary Enlestments should, in such manner be Encouraged, as would most probably Effect the thing in tended ; Yet on Your Motion the Assembly, without Loss of time, reassumed the Consideration thereof; and (after some further Debates upon it) Considering the many Difficulties, and very great Inquietudes attending such a Method of pro ceeding, and the 111 Success of former Attempts of that kind, Judged that some further Encouragements would not only better attain the End proposed, but prevent the Diffi culties consequent thereon, and also better promote His Majesty's Service, and accordingly granted Considerable Additional Encouragements both to Officers & Men, Especi- THOMAS FITCH. 67 ally such as were of the Old Troops, to Induce them forth with to Enter into the Service ; The good Effects of which are so apparent, that I trust the Levies are, or very soon, will be in great Measure Compleat. Before the Receipt of your Letter of the ii'^ Instant (which came to hand on the 17"!) I had given Orders for the Troops to get ready, and March as soon as possible, and they were generally making as much Dispatch as they well could ; Nevertheless have repeated my Orders to Quicken them, and am Informed they are moving, or on the point of Marching, and hope they will be at Albany very soon. In Case any Companies are deficient of Number, worthy of Notice, an Officer is to tarry a few days to Collect or bring forward any Additional Numbers that shall happen to be behind. I judged it necessary to direct this Method, that the Body of the Troops (which I am extremely Urgent to press forward) might Join You without delay, and afford as soon as possi ble, all Assistance in their power, at this Critical Conjunct ure of affairs. I am. Sir, with very great Regard & Esteem, Your most Obedient and most Humble Servant THOS FITCH His Excellency General Amherst. [Indorsed] Copy. Letter from GoV^ Fitch to General Amherst. Dated Hartford 23d May 1760. That he had, agreable to the General's proposal of the 20"' & 27"' April Urged to the Assembly the Necessity of Com pleating the Service by Impresses, but that, on many Acco's the Assembly Chose rather to Grant Additional Encouragements to Enter Voluntarily ; the good Effects of which were so apparent, that he hoped the Levies were, or very soon, would be Compleat. in M. G. Amhersts of June 21 : 1760. 68 FITCH PAPERS. JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. Albany is' June 1760. Sir, I am informed by Your Letter of the 23d Ultimo that agreable to mine of the 20"' & 29"' April, You had taken the earliest Opportunity of recommending to the Assembly the Compleating your Levies by Impresses: but that Consider ing the many difficultys and very great Inquietudes attending Such a Method of Proceeding, and the ill Success of former Attempts of that kind, the Assembly had Judged, that some further Encouragements, would not only better Attain the end proposed, but prevent the difficulties consequent there on and also better promote His Majesty's Service. And that they have Accordingly granted considerable Additional En couragements, both to the Officers & Men, especially Such as -were of the Old Troops to induce them forthwith to enter into the Service. I am much Obliged to You, Sir, for your recommenda tion to the Assembly of the measures I had proposed; And Since they seem convinced, that the One they have fallen upon will better promote His Majesty's Service, than that proposed by me, I cannot but Acquiesce thereto, & wish that it may in the end prove so ; I cannot however help re minding You, that the Season is very far advanced. And that as yet there are but very few of your People come; but I hope that the precaution you have taken of keeping an Officer behind, will not only hasten those that are behind, but be likewise productive of Compleating the Companys, with a greater certainty. I am with great regard. Sir, &ca JEFF: AMHERST Honi^'e Governor Fitch. [Indorsed] Copy Letter from Gen' Amherst To Governor Fitch. Dated Albany is' June 1760. In Answer to the Govs of 23d May Acquiescing to the Measure Taken by the Assembly for Compleating their Levies, & hope- ing that it will Answer the End proposed: And remind- jared ingersoll. 69 ing the Gov of the Season being -far Advanced, and few of his People yet Arrived ; begs therefore he will hasten them on. in M. G. Amherst's of June 21 : 1760. JARED INGERSOLL TO JOHN POWNALL. 5'- The following Case relative to the Colony of Connect- cut. Shewing the neccessity there is of a Court of Vice Ad miralty being Erected there in order to the better protect ing And preserving his Majestys Mast timber in those parts, I Desire you'l Lay before the Lords Commissioners of Trade & Plantation, for their Consideration The Kings Pine woods, from whence the Navy has been So much Supplied with Masting in the Eastern parts of New England viz Portsmouth & thereabouts, is become Considerably Scarce & is with much Cost & Difficulty got down into the Rivers by which the Same is Conveyed to the Sea in order to be put on Ship Board, by reason of the Con stant Cutting for the Kings Use for a great number of years past, in that part of ye Country This Same general Tract of Pine Woods Extends from the Said Eastern parts of New England, Westward as far as, & Even beyond the Upper part of the River Connecticut, which River Runs Southward through the colony of Connecticut and Empties toward the Eastward part of the said Colony, the trees or Sticks fit for for the Largest Masts may be Conveniently brought down the Said River from the parts above, as has appeared upon Experiment made, & tis, I believe generally thought, by those who are best Acquainted with that Country, that the Masting from New England must be Obtained by the way of this River, in a very Considerable measure, at Least, after Some little time longer. The Kings Surveyor General of these woods Benning Wentworth Esq'' who resides at Portsmouth in New Hamp shire has Under him Several Deputies, one of whom Daniel Blake Lately in that business, having his Department in & 70 FITCH PAPERS. near the Said Colony of Connectcut & having Specially At tended to the Care of the woods upon and Near the Said River Connectcut, he found, (and indeed it is notorious to many), that private persons Dwelling along near the Said River & near where Said Timber grows. Do presume to Cut and Con vey down the Said River & Convert to their own Use much of his Majestys Said Valuable Masting timber & when Attempts have been made to Sieze Such Logs as have been unduly Cut down as aforesd & to Obtain a Condemnation of the Same Agreeable to the direction of the Acts of Parlia ment in that Case made & provided there has been a failure of Carrying the matter through, for want of A Court of Vice Admiralty & of the proper Officers belonging to Such a Court, to whom to Apply, for that the Judge who hath Jurisdiction in the said Colony, at present Lewis Morris Esq' of New York, Resides at the City of New York & is by his appointment & Commission Authorized to Execute his said office in three Distinct Provinces viz N : York Connecti cut & New Jersey, So that whenever there is Occasion for him to Act in his Said Office in the Said Colony of Connecti cut he is Obliged to go into the Said Colony in order to hold A Court for matters arising within the Same, which Cannot be done without Considerable Expense which he Expects to be Defrayed by the persons who Call upon him for Such Services & this from the Condition of the persons Usually Concerned & Employed in the Said business of taking Care of said woods & other Circumstances quite prevents any prosecutions being made & Carried on to Effect relative to sd timber furthermore as there is Little or no Occasion for the Office of Kings Advocate in the Ordinary business of y" Said Court of Vice Admiralty at New York, the Chief busi ness being About Captures taken & Carried into New York in time of War the Office of Kings Advocate in ye Jurisdic tion of sd Court has been long Neglected. In the year 1730 M' Bradly then Attorney General for the Province of New York, had a Commission for the Office of Advocate, Coextensive with the Jurisdiction of the Said JARED INGERSOLL. 7 1 Court of Vice Admiralty, but M' Bradley has been long Since dead & no revival of the Office Since his death, which office of King's Advocate is very necessary in the Said Col ony of Connecticut, in order to have proper Informations made & proscuted relating trespasses Committed in the Kings woods Aforesd. for the abovemention'd Reasons, I Humbly Request that thier Lordships will be pleased to give the weight of their Authority & Influence in recommending the Appoint ment of a Judge of Vice Admiralty in the Said Colony of Conneccticut as Also A Kings Advocate & All other Officers Neccessary to the well being of Such A Court that So his Majestys Interests may be Effectually Secured in those ' parts. for proof of ye matters above related See Exhibit No i & 2 being Copies of two Letters wrote by M' Wentworth to the Gov of Connectcut* Shewing the necessity of Such Appointments, also N° 3 being the Substance of an Affidavit ye person therein named, Dan' Blake now in Town, is ready to make, also Sundry Affidavits bound or Sticht together relative to the quantities of pine timber Cut. I am S' Yr Most Obed' & Most Humbe Serv' JARED INGERSOLL N. Palace Yard 2 June 1760 To John Pownall Esq' Secretary to the Board of Trade & Plantation. [Indorsed] Connecticut. Lre from M' Ingersoll Agent for ye Colony of Connecticut to the Secry Shewing ye need of A Court of Vice Admiralty being Erected in that Colony in order to the better preservation of ye Kings Pine timber 2 June 1760. Read June 13, 1760. ?These two letters are dated January 17, 1753, and May 15, 1755, The first is printed in the Wolcott Papers, page 231 (Collections, volume XVI); the second in this volume following March 27, 1761. 72 fitch papers. JARED INGERSOLL'S MEMORANDUM TO THE COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS Memd May 13: 1760, at Doct^s Commons. M"" Bishops Office the registry of ye Admiralty I found the Last Appointment of a Kings Advocate to ye Court of Vice Admiralty at New York was of Richd Bradley Esq' then Attorney Gen' for the Province of New York, this was in the year 1730. Mr. Bradley has been Long Since dead. the Statute Directing proscutions for tresspasses in the Kings woods in America to be in the Court of Vice Admiralty is the S'" of George I' Chap XII. Sect. V. 21 Aug' 1747 A Commission Issued to James Alexander then of New York Since Deed to hold the Office of Judge of Vice Admiralty in the room of Judge Morriss, who in the Commission & Entry thereof, at Doct's Commons is Said to be Dismissd — no revival Since of M^ Morriss' Commission- perhaps it may be A Doubt whether Judge Morriss Com mission is Valid or not I am told by Some persons in Town who remember the thing that there was A Complaint of M'' Morriss Conduct upon which he was Superseded & M^ Alexander appointed in his room but that M' Alexander not being privy to y« Complaint &c. Declined Acting Under the Commission from tenderness to M' Morriss upon which M' Morriss resumed the business again. I have lately received A Letter from Gov Fitch advis ing me that the Assembly have Desired him to Direct me to move for Such Court of Vice Admiraltv to be Erected in Connecticut, the Interests of ye people of ye Colony & that of the Crown, in this particular happily Coincide, the People think it will be necessary, E're long for the Crown to Employ persons to procure Masts for ye Navy at Least in part that way & that that will be Some Advantage to them as it will be a means of Enabling the importer to make Remittances for his goods So far instead of Draning ye Province of all ye Cash &c therefore would have Effectual I I JEFFREY AMHERST. 73 Care taken to preserve these woods. all which is Submitted by their Lordships Most Obed' & Most Humbe Serv' Jared Ingersoll For ye Inspection & Use of y Lords Com''s for Trade & Plantation. N: Palace Yard 2d June 1760 [Indorsed] Connecticut Memd -by y[T Ingersoll of Sundry matters relative to ye present Circumstances of the Court of Vice Admiralty at N York &c. Read June 13, 1760. JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. Albany 13"' June 1760. Sir, Colonel Worster Arrived here Yesterday, & by What I can learn from him, as well as What I had heard before, from the other Colonels of the Connecticutt Forces I find to my great Concern, that these Forces are likely to be no less than two Thousand Short, of the five Thousand that were Voted by the Assembly; And even that hitherto there are not above One fifth of them Arrived : this I must own gives me no Small Uneasiness, as the repartition I have made, for the Several Departments, is from the Original Numbers Voted by the respective Provinces, and of Course these Deficiencies must Occasion great Inconveniencies to One or other of them, and as neither of these Departments can suffer any Diminution of the Numbers I had Allotted for them; I must beg & Insist that, immediately upon receipt hereof, if all the Troops that have been raised within the Colony of Connecticut are not Marched (Which I am willing to hope is not the Case) You will Cause them to be for warded hither without delay ; And if they Should be Short of the 5000 Originally Voted, that you would Cause them to be Compleated & forwarded without loss of time, as they will always prove usefull, altho' they should come somewhat later. 74 FITCH PAPERS. The above mentioned deficiency, as also such of Your Troops That are Arrived, having come later this year than any other, is entirely owing to the Assembly having De clined the Measure I had proposed ; had they upon this, as on former Occasions, Consented to an Act of Impress; their Troops would not only have been Compleat, but have been in the field at the time I requested; And the Colony could have saved an immense Expence, Which the Extraordinary bounty must put them to, in Compleating them by that means ; however I rely on your former Zeal, and trust that You will Exert Yourself to your utmost upon the present pressing Emergency. I am, with great regard. Sir, &ca JEFF: AMHERST Honb'e Gov FlTCH. [Indorsed] Copy Letter from Gen' Amherst To Governor Fitch Dated Albany 13"' June 1760. That he had rea son to fear the Connecticutt Forces would be greatly deficient in Numbers, & therefore begging the Gov' would not only forward such as were already Rais'd with the utmost Dispatch, but Use all his Interest to Compleat their Numbers, as a deficiency would be of the greatest detriment to the Service, in M. G. Amherst's of June 21 : 1760. THOMAS FITCH TO JEFFREY AMHERST. Norwalk le"" June 1760. Sir, Your Letter of the 13") Which I have just now received is before me, the Information you give me, both with respect to the Deficiency of Numbers, and Delay of the Forces raised, gives me great Concern, and were it in my power, more Effectually than has been done, to remedy the diffi cultys, I should with great pleasure immediately do it; I suppose the Forces raised, are by the best Information I can obtain already Marched unless a Company or two, or THOMAS FITCH. 75 part of them. Which by the failure of Officers first Ap pointed, happened to be delayed, in raising, & getting the Men in readiness for the Service; And I Conclude even those are Marched or ready for it, as I gave repeated Orders for all to March as fast as possible; As to the Numbers raised I can't but hope and believe the Accounts, will When the Whole Arrive be different, and that Mistake will, by a larger Number's appearing in the Field be agreably recti- fyed; When I was at the Assembly I made particular En quiry of the Committee (who gave the Orders to the Captains of the respective Companies for their Pay, and to Whom the Captains gave Account of the Numbers Enlisted) What Number were Enlisted, And they Informed me that the Whole Number would as they Supposed Ammount, to near about the Number raised Last year. Whether a few more or less was a little uncertain, and as this was generally known there, and that the Method come into this year was likely to Effect as Much, as could possibly be done by all the Exertions of Authority and Compulsion last year for the King's Service; The Assembly Judged the Method of Encouragement to be the best, and were before their Adjournment by the before mentioned Accounts greatly Confirmed in that Opinion. And as the Session is now Over, I shall not, without Calling the Assembly to meet again, be able, to renew your Representations, nor repeat my Recommendations to make further and more Effectuall Provision for Compleating the Number at first Voted to be Encouraged, the length of time Necessary to Effect any thing by that Method will be so great as to render it, only an Expence to little purpose. I am. Sir &ca THOS FITCH. His Excellency Gen' Amherst. [Indorsed] Copy Letter from Gov' Fitch To General Amherst Dated Norwalk 16"^ June 1760 In Answer to the General's of the 13"' June, Acquainting him that as the Session was now over, it was not in his power to Renew his Representations, &ca, for the Compleating 76 fitch papers. the Levies by Impresses, but that he hoped the General would be agreably disappointed in finding the Numbers more Compleat and Earlier in the Field than he Imagined, in M. G. Amherst's of Aug' 26: 1760. CADWALLADER COLDEN TO THOMAS FITCH. New York, August 4"', 1760. Sir, On Wednesday last our late worthy Gov M' DeLancey departed this life. He was not apprehensive of any danger when he was seized in the morning with a pain in his breast, and tho' a Physician was afterwards sent for, he expir'd before any releife could be applied : In this gentleman his Majesty has lost a most able and faithfull Servant, and I may add the Provinces in general a sincere friend. The administration by virtue of his Majesties Commis sion devolving on me, as eldest Councelor ; it is expedient I should inform the Governors of his Majesties other Colonies of the Event; least any interruption might be given to a correspondence between them, which I am sensible must be necessary at all times but more especially at present, to promote the king's service and to preserve Union and Harmony among the several provinces, so essential to their common welfare. I assure myself of establishing & keep ing up an intercourse with you on all occasions conducive to those ends. And it will give me a singular satisfaction if by my present situation I should have in my power to serve your Excellency or any of your friends. I am, &c. To the Honi^'e Thomas Fitch, Esq., Governor & Com mander in Chief of the Colony of Connecticut. WILLIAM PITT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT, Duplicate Whitehall 23d August 1760 Sir, The Commanders of His Majesty's Forces, and Fleets, in North America, and the West Indies, having transmitted WILLIAM PITT. 77 repeated & certain Intelligence of an Illegal and most per nicious Trade, carried on by the King's Subjects, in North America, and the West Indies, as well to the French Islands, as to the French Settlements on the Continent of America, and particularly to the Rivers Mobile, and Missisippi, by which the Enemy is, to the greatest Reproach & Detri- mentof Government, supplied with Provisions, and other Necessaries, whereby they are, principally, if not alone, enabled to sustain and protract this long and expensive War; And it further appearing, that large Sums, in BuUion, are also sent, by the King's Subjects, to the above Places, in return whereof. Commodities are taken, which interfere with the Produce of the British Colo nies themselves, in open Contempt of the Authority of the Mother Country, as well as to the most manifest Prejudice of the Manufactures, & Trade of Great Britain ; In Order, therefore, to put the most speedy, and effectual Stop to such flagitious Practices, so utterly subversive of all Law, and so highly repugnant to the Honor and Well- being of this Kingdom, it is His Majesty's express Will and . Pleasure, that you do forthwith make the strictest, and most diligent. Enquiry, into the State of this dangerous and ignominous Trade, and that you do use every Means in your Power, to detect and discover Persons, concerned, either as Principals or Accessories, therein; And that you do take every Step, authorized by Law, to bring all such heinous Offenders to the most exemplary, and condign Punishment; And you will, as soon as may be, and from time to time, transmit to me, for the King's Information, full and particular Accounts of the Progress you shall have made, in the Execution of these His Majesty's Commands, to which the King expects that you do pay the most exact; Obedience: And you are further to use your utmost En deavours, to trace out, & investigate, the various Artifices, and Evasions, by which the Dealers in this iniquitous Inter course find means to cover their Criminal Proceedings, and to elude the Law, in order that, from such Lights, due & timely Consideration may be had, what farther Provisions 78 FITCH PAPERS. shall be necessary to restrain an Evil of such extensive and pernicious Consequences. I am, Sir Your most obedient humble Servant W PITT Governor and Company of Connecticut [Indorsed] Duplicate Letter from M^ Secretary Pitt 23d August 1760 Reed gth Janry 1761. JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. River S' Lawrence below the Isle Royale 26"" August 1760. Sir, On the lo'ii Instant, I Embarked the Army, and pro ceeded with the Same, across Lake Ontario into this River, Where on the 16"' in the Evening, off Oswegatchie the Advanced Guard descried One of the Enemy's Vessells but it being Soon after duskish. Nothing could be Effected that Night, tho' we tryed as much as Possible to Attack her: At Daybreak, on the 17"' Our Row Galleys Engaged her, & by Seven in the morning She Struck: Her name was the Ottawawa, Mounting ten, twelve Pounders, and one hun dred men officers Included, besides Mons' de la Broqueri, Who Commanded her: in the Engagement we had only One Man killed, & Another wounded, and the Enemy therteen of both. The Army which the Preceding Night had Encamped on the Pointe du Baril, then moved down to Oswegatchie, a very good Indian Settlement with a Blockhouse Fort but Abandoned ; the Enemy being posted on an Island, between four & five miles further down the River, Where they were reported to be very Strongly fortified: both Shores were reconnoitrd during the night, and early the next Morning, And the Engineers having reported to me the Situation of the Coasts & Islands nearest the Fort; immediately on the return of the Engineers on the iS"' a part of the Army Passed down on each Coast, and after Some Opposition by JEFFREY AMHERST. 79 a Smart Cannonading, the Fort was Compleatly invested, so that none of its Garrison could make its Escape : the four following days were employed in raising my Batteries, Which being finished on the Morning of the 23d in Concert with our Shipping, I began to fire on the Fort, Which lasted till yesterday afterSoon, When the French beat a Parley, desiring to know what terms Should be granted them : My Answer was, that the Garrison Should be Prison ers of War; that every thing in and depending on the Fort, Should be delivered in its present State ; and that I gave them only ten minutes to Accept of, or dissent from these Proposals; They Accordingly Yielded to these Conditions, and I have the Satisfaction to Inform you, that His Majestys Troops are now in possession of Fort Levis. Our loss upon this Occasion has been very inconsidera ble; that of the Enemy (Whose Garrison Consisted of about three hundred Men) about twelve killed and Forty wounded ; Mo' Pouchot the Same Gentleman that was last taken at Niagara Commanded them. I am, with great regards Sir, &ca JEFF: AMHERST Circular to the Governors of the Continent. [Indorsed] Copy of General Amherst's Circular Letter to the Governors of the Continent from Cape Breton to Georgia Inclusive Dated River S' Lawrence below the Isle Royale 26"! August 1760. Acquainting them of of the Reduction of L'Isle Royale &ca. in M. G. Amherst's of Aug' 26: 1760. JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. Camp of Montreal 9"! September 1760. Sir, In Mine of the 26"! Ultimo, I Acquainted You with the progress of the Army, after their Departure from Oswego, and with the Success of His Majestys Arms against Fort 8o FITCH PAPERS. Levis, now Fort William Augustus, Where I remained no longer than was requisite, to make Such Preparations, as I Judged Essentially Necessary for the Passage of the Army down the River, Which took me up till the 30"'. In the Morning of the following day, I Sat out, and Proceeded from Station to Station to Our Present ground. Where We Arrived on the 6"' in the Evening; after having in the Passage Sustained a Loss of Eighty Eight men Drowned ; twenty Nine Batteaus of Regiments ; Seventeen of Artillery with Some Artillery and Stores; Seventeen Whaleboats, and one Row Galley Staved, Occasiond by the Violence of the Current, and the rapids being full of broken Waves. The Inhabitants of the Settlements I passed thro', in my way hither, having Abandoned their Houses, & run into the Woods, I Sent after them ; Some were taken. And others came in of their Own Accord; I had them disarmed. And Caused the Oath of Allegiance to be tended to them. Which they readily took ; And I Accordingly Put them in quiet Possession of their habitations, with Which treatment they Seemed no less Surprised than happy. The Troops being formed, and the Light Artillery brought up ; the Army lay on their Arms the Night of the 6th. On the 7"! in the morning two Officers came to an Ad vanced Post, with a Letter from the Marquis de Vaudreuil, referring me to What one of them Colonel Bouquinville, had to Say. The Conversation ended, with a Cessation of Arms, till twelve o'Clock When the Proposals were brought in: Soon after I returned them with the terms I was willing to grant : Which both the Marquis de Vaudreuil & Mens' de Levis the French General, were very Strenuous to have Softened; this Occasioned Sundry Letters to pass between Us, during the day as well as the Night (When the Army again lay on their Arms) but as I would not on any Account deviate in the least from my Original Conditions, and Insisted on An immediate, and Catagorical Answer, Mons' de Vaudreuil Soon after day break. Notified to me that he JOHN POWNALL. 8l had determined to Accept of them. And two Setts of them, were Accordingly Signed by him and Me, and Exchanged Yesterday, When Colo Haldimand with the Grenadiers and Light Infantry of the Army, took possession of one of the Gates of the Town, and is this day to proceed in fullfilling the Articles of the Capitulation; by Which the French Troops are all to lay down their Arms ; are not to Serve during the Continuance of the Present War; And are to be Sent back to Old France, as are also the Governors, and Principal Officers of the Legislature of the Whole Country, Which I have now the Satisfaction to Inform you, is entire ly yielded to the Dominion of His Majesty, On Which Interesting & happy Event, I most Sincerely Congratulate you. Governor Murray, with the Troops from Quebec landed below the Town on Sunday last, & Colonel Haviland with his Corps (that took Possession of the Lsle au Noix, Aban doned by the Enemy on the 28"') Arrived yesterday at the South Shore Opposite to my Camp. I am, with great regard. Sir, &ca JEFF: AMHERST Circular To the Governors on the Continent from Cape Breton to Georgia Inclusive. [Indorsed] Copy. Circular Letter from General Amherst To the the Gov'ts on the Continent from Cape Breton to Georgia Inclusive. Dated Camp of Montreal 9"' Sept' 1760, Acquainting them with the Entire Reduction of Canada by Capitulation &ca. in M. G. Amherst's of Oct' 4: 1760. JOHN POWNALL TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall Ocf 18. 1760. Gentlemen, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners for Trade & Plantations to desire you will transmit to their Lorships three or four Sets of the last printed Edition of the Laws 82 fitch papers. passed in the Colony under your Government with the pub lick Seal affixed to each Set. I am. Gentlemen,' Your most obedient and most humble Servant, JOHN POWNALL Secry Governor and Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from M^ Pownall Sec'y Board of Trade. iS"! Octob' 1760 Reed ^th jan'y 1761 JOHN POWNALL TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall Ocf 29. 1760. Gentlemen, In consequence of the Melancholy Event of the King's Death on the 25"' inst., I am directed by the Lords Com missioners for Trade and Plantations to take the Oppor tunity by the Packet of acquainting you, that the necessary Forms for proclaiming His present Majesty in the Colonies, together with Warrants for using the old Seals, Proclama tions for continuing Officers in their Employments, Orders for Alteration of the Liturgy, &c. &c. are preparing with all possible dispatch, and will be transmitted to yourselves and the rest of the Governors and Commanders in chief of His Majesty's Colonies in America in a few days. I am. Gentlemen, Your most obed' humble Serv', JOHN POWNALL Secry. Gov' and Company of Connecticut. N England [Indorsed] Letter from M' Pownall Secrefy Board of Trade 29"' Octo' 1760 Reed ^th Janry 1761 THOMAS LIFE'S APPOINTMENT. /- X Be it known, that the Governor and Com- / T s ) P^'^y °^ H's Majestys English Colony of Con necticut in New England in America have Authorized Constituted and by these presents Ky COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS. 83 do authorise constitute and appoint Thomas Life of Basing- hall London Gentleman Agent and Attorney for the Gov ernor and Company aforesaid in their name and behalf to appear and them to represent before the King's most Excel lent Majesty His Ministers of State or any of His Courts, Judges, or Boards of Audience in Great Britain & to man age. Act Transact, prosecute and defend in all and every matter. Cause and Causes business & Affairs wherein the said Governor & Company are or may be interested or con cerned which they may or shall commit to him to be man aged and transacted there. In Testimony whereof and in pursuance of an Act of the said Governor and Company in General Court assembled I have signed this Instrument, with the Secretary of the Colony aforesaid and caused the Publick Seal of said Colony to be affixed to the same this 30"! day of October in the 34"> year of the Reign of His Majesty George the Second, By the Grace of God King of Great Britain France & Ireland Defender of the Faith &c Annoq^e Dom 1760 THOS FITCH GovR By Order of the Governor & Company of the Colony of Connecticut George Wyllys Secrefy COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall Ocf 31. 1760. Gentlemen, Inclosed you will receive an Order from the Lords of His Majesty's most Hont"'® Privy Council, notifying to you the Death of Our late Gracious Sovereign Lord King George of ever-blessed Memory; and directing you to proclaim the High and Mighty Prince George Prince of Wales, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, and of all the Dominions thereunto belonging, &c. Defender of the Faith, &c. We therefore earnestly recommend to you, that you do proceed without loss of time to the Execution of these Orders, and that His Majesty be accordingly proclaimed in the most 84 fitch papers. solemn manner and the most proper parts of your Govern ment, and you are to return to Us a speedy Account of your Proceedings herein. Inclosed you will also find four printed Copies of His Majestys Proclamation, continuing all Officers in the Plan tations, civil and military in their respective Employments, till His Majesty's Pleasure shall be further signified; which Proclamation you will take care to make publick, in such manner that all His Majesty's Subjects may be fully ap prized of His Majesty's Pleasure in this respect. Under the same Cover We likewise transmit to you an Instruction, signed by His Majesty, containing His Majesty's Directions for an Alteration in the Prayers for the Royal Family, to which you will not fail to pay a due Obedience We are. Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble servants, DUNK HALIFAX ANDREW STONE W G HAMILTON WM SLOPER Governor & Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from the Lords Commiss's for Trade and Plantation 31s' Octob' 1760. Reed 19'h January 1761. PRIVY COUNCIL TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. After Our hearty Commendations. It having pleased Almighty God to take to His Mercy, out of this troublesome Life, Our Late Sovereign Lord King George the Second of blessed and Glorious Memory; And thereupon His Royal Majesty King George the Third being here Proclaimed. We have thought fit to signify the same to you, with direc tions, that you do with the Assistance of the Principal Inhabitants of the Colony of Connecticut forthwith Proclaim His most Sacred Majesty King George the third according to the form here inclosed, with the Solemnities and Cere monies requisite on the like Occasions. And you are like- FORM FOR PROCLAIMING THE KING. 85 wize to Publish and Proclaim a Proclamation for continuing the Officers in His Majestys Plantations 'till His Majesty's pleasure shall be further signified, which Proclamation will be transmitted to you by the Lords Commissioners for Trade & Plantations. And so not doubting of your ready compliance herein. We bid you heartily farewell. From the Council Chamber at Leicester House this 31 day of October 1760. Your Loving Friends THO. CANT. GRANVILLE P. TEMPLE P S. DENBIGHDUNK HALIFAX GOWER H. NUGENT The Gov' and Company of the Colony of Connecticut. FORM FOR PROCLAIMING THE KING. - Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy Our late Sovereign Lord King George the Second of Blessed and Glorious memory, by whose Decease the Im perial Crown of Great Britain, France and Ireland, as also the Supreme Dominion and Sovereign Right of the Colony of Connecticut in New England, and all other His late Majesty's Dominions in America, are Solely and rightfully come to the High and Mighty Prince George Prince of Wales; We therefore the Governor and Company, assisted with Numbers of the principal Inhabitants of this Colony, Do now hereby with one full Voice and consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim, that the High and Mighty Prince George Prince of Wales is now, by the Death of Our late Sovereign of happy and glorious Memory, become Our only LawfuU and Rightfull Leige Lord George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Supreme Lord of the said Colony of Connecticut in New England, and all other His late Majesty's Territories and Dominions in America, to 86 FITCH PAPERS. whom We do acknowledge all Faith and Constant Obedience, with all Hearty and humble Affection; beseeching God, by whom Kings and Queens do reign, to bless the Royal Kingj George the Third with long and happy Years to Reign overly Us. Given at God save the King [Indorsed] The Form of a Proclamation for Proclaiming King George 3d transmitted from his Majestys Privy Council by the Lords Commers for trade and Plantation Reed 14th July 1761. ROYAL INSTRUCTION TO CONNECTICUT. GEORGE R. Instruction to Our Trusty and Well- beloved the Governor and Company of Our Colony of Connecticut in New Eng land in America for the time being. Given at Our Court at Leicester House the 31s' day of October 1760 in the first Year of Our Reign. Whereas We have been pleased by Our Order in Coun cil of the 2 7"> of October last, (a Copy whereof is hereunto annexed,) to declare Our Pleasure, that in all the Prayers, Litanies and Collects for the Royal Family, instead of the Words, (their Royal Highnesses George Prince of Wales, the Princess Dowager of Wales, the Duke, the Princesses, and all the Royal Family,) these should be inserted (Her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales, and all the Royal Family ;) Our Will and Pleasure therefore is, that in all the Prayers, Litanies and Collects for the Royal Family to be used within Our Colony of Connecticut under your Govern ment, instead of the Words (their Royal Highnesses George Prince of Wales, the Princess Dowager of Wales, the Duke, the Princesses, and all the Royal Family,) these be inserted (Her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales and all the Royal Family. ) And for the better Notice hereof in Our said Colony, it is Our further Will and Pleasure, that you JOHN LAW. 87 cause the same to be forthwith published in the several Parish Churches and other Places of Divine Worship within the said Colony,* and that you take care that Obedience be paid thereto accordingly. G. R. A true Copy of the Original entered in the office of the Lords Commissioners for Trade & Plantations. John Pownall Secry Plantation Office Nov i, 1760. [Indorsed] Copy of his Majestys Instruction for Altering the Prayers for the Royal Family 31s Ocf 1760 Reed 14th Janry 1761 JOHN LAW TO JOSEPH PITKIN. Crown Point Nov^er 12th 1760 Hon'^ Sir I have compleated the Business of the Gov' & sent the Ace's to M' Edwards. And as it is necessary to be a doing something in Life have connected myself with one M' Chinn a very good sort of a Young Gen'° and Acquainted with Business to spend this Winter in Canada, have Obtained Credit for a Quantity of Merchandize in New York & as the Appearances now are hope a Moderate reward may be gained. My Duty to My Hond Mother & love to Brethereen & Sisters and Compliment to Acquaintance Your loving & dutifull Son JOHN LAW Col' Pitkin THOMAS FITCH TO WILLIAM PITT. Norwalk 26"! Novemb' 1760 Sir The Governor and Company of the Colony of Connecti cut Zealous to pay their most humble and Dutiful Respects ?Governor Fitch published this instruction in a broadside proclamation issued by him, dated New Haven, January 22, 1761, and printed at New London by Timothy Green. A copy is in the Yale University Library. 88 FITCH PAPERS. to his Majesty and to bare a part with his other loyal Sub jects in Expressing the lively Sense they have of the Glorious Successes which have under the Divine Favour Attended his Arms particularly in North America and to Render their very grateful Acknowledgements for his Majestys Paternal Care and Regard for the Protection and Defence of his American Colonies beg Leave to approach the throne under your Patronage by their Dutiful Con gratulatory Address to the King which by their Desire I have herewith inclosed and transmitted to you and in their Name beg Liberty to Request your Favour and Countenance in Rendring the Colonys Address and faithful Services acceptable to his Majesty* The Kings Commands Signifyed by your Letter of the 23d of August lately Received I forthwith Endeavoured an Exact compliance with and tho I have been and am Still prosecuting with utmost Diligence Enquiries concerning those Matters yet have not been able to make any Discovery among us but as soon as possible shall transmit the best in telligence I can procure and shall Carefully Endeavour a Conformity to his Majestys Intentions in Every Respect. I am Sir with highest Esteem Your most Obedient and most humble Servant THOS FITCH The Right Honourable William Pitt one of his Majestys Principal Secretarys of State [Indorsed] Letter to the R' Hont>'e William Pitt 26"> Novem ber 1760 CONNECTICUT'S ADDRESS TO THE KING. [At the session of the General Assembly in October ' 1760 the Colony voted that "an humble Address," to be drawn by the governor and signed by the governor and I secretary, be sent "congratulating his Majesty on the' glorious success of his arms, especially in North America, and expressing the grateful sense this Colony hath of, his • The text of this Address is not found. COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. 89 paternal care &c." The Address accompanied Fitch's letter to William Pitt of November 26, 1760. Colonial Records, XI. 437.] COLONY OF CONNECTICUT TO JEFFREY AMHERST [At the session of the General Assembly in October 1760, the Governor was desired in the name and on behalf of the Colony to address a letter to General Amherst con gratulating him upon the happy success of his Majesty's arms under his care and direction, and thanking him for the benificent care and wise conduct and protection of the troops under his command, especially those of Connecticut. Colonial Re coords, XI. 437.] WILLIAM PITT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Duplicate Whitehall. 17"' Dec 1760. Gentlemen His Majesty having Nothing so much at Heart, as, by the most vigorous Prosecution of the War, to reduce the Enemy to the Necessity of accepting a Peace on Terms of Glory & Advantage to his Majesty's Crown, & beneficial, in particular, to his Subjects in America, and as Nothing can so effectually contribute to that great & essential Object, as the King's being enabled to employ, as immediately as may be, such part of the Regular Forces in North America, as may be adequate to some great & important Enterprise against the Enemy; I am commanded to signify to You the King's Pleasure, that, in order the better to provide for the full & entire Security of his Majesty's Dominions in North America, and particularly of the Possession of his Majesty's Conquests there, daring the Absence of such Part of the regular Forces, you do forthwith use your utmost Endeav ours & Influence with the Council & Assembly of your Colony, to induce them to raise with all possible Dispatch, within your Government two thirds of the Number of Men they raised for the last Campaign, and, forming the same 9© FITCH PAPERS. into Regiments, as far as shall be found convenient, that you do direct them to hold themselves in readiness, & particularly as much earlier than former Years, as may be, to march to such place or places in North Amer ica, as his Majesty's Commander in Chief there shall ap point, in order to be employed there, under the Supreme Command of his Majesty's Said Commander in Chief in America, in such manner as he shall judge most conducive for the King's Service ; And the better to facilitate this im portant Service, the King is pleased to leave it to you to issue Commissions to such Gentlemen of your Colony, as you shall judge, from their Weight and Credit with the People & their Zeal for the public Service, may be best disposed & able to quicken & effectuate the speedy Levying of the greatest Number of Men ; in the Disposition of which Com missions, I am persuaded you will have Nothing in View, but the Good of the King's Service, & a due Subordination of the whole to his Majesty's Commander in Chief: And all Officers of the provincial Forces, as high as Colonels inclu sive, are to have Rank, according to their several respective Commissions, agreeable to the Regulations contained in his late Majesty's Warrant of the 30"! Dec 1757, which is re newed by His present Majesty. The King is further pleased to furnish all the Men, so raised as above, with Arms, Ammunition & Tents, as well as to order provisions to be issued to the same by his Majesty's Commissaries, in the same Proportion and Man ner, as is done to the rest of the King's Forces; The whole therefore, that his Majesty expects & requires from the sev eral Provinces, is, the Levying, Cloathing, & Pay of the Men; And on these Heads, also, that no Encouragement may be wanting to this great & salutary Service, the King is further most graciously pleased to permit me to acquaint you, that strong Recommendations will be made to Parlia ment, in their Session next year, to grant a proper Compen sation for such Expences as above, according as the active Vigour, and strenuous Efforts of the respective Provinces shall justly appear to merit. JEFFREY AMHERST. 9I It is his Majesty's pleasure, that you do, with particular Diligence, immediately collect & put into the best Condition, all the Arms issued last Campaign, which can be any ways rendered serviceable, or that can be found within your Gov ernment, in order that the same may be again employed for his Majesty's Service. I am further to inform you, that similar Orders are sent, by this Conveyance, to Massachusets Bay, New Hamp shire, Rhode Island, New York, & New Jersey ; the South ern Governments are also directed to raise Men in the same Manner to be employed in such offensive Operations, as the Circumstances & Situation of the Enemy's Posts, & the State & Disposition of the Indian Nations, on that Side, may point out and require. It is unnecessary to add any thing to animate your Zeal in the Execution of his Majesty's Orders, in this important Conjuncture, which is finally to fix the future Safety & Welfare of America, & of your own Colony in particular; And the King doubts not, from your known Fidelity and Attachment, that you will employ Yourself, with the utmost y Application & Dispatch, in this promising and decisive Crisis. I am, with great Truth & Regard, Gentlemen, Your most obedient Humble Servant W: PITT.. Governor & Company of Connecticut [Indorsed] Duplicate Letter from M' Secretary Pitt 17"^ Decembf 1760 Reed 24"! March 1761 JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. [General Jeffrey Amherst wrote on January i, 1761, to Governor Thomas Fitch, informing that on the preceding day he had received a letter from the Principal Secretary of State that it was the King's resolve to support his allies and and to prosecute the war with the utmost vigor, and that probably a requisition for the necessary number of men from Connecticut would soon be received. See letter from Amherst to Fitch of March 15, 1761.] 92 FITCH PAPERS. PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING KING GEORGE IIL Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God to call to his Mercy Our late Sovereign Lord King George the Second of Blessed and Glorious Memory, by whose Decease the Im perial Crown of Great Britain, France and Ireland, as also the Supreme Dominion and Sovereign Right of the Colony of Connecticut in New England, and all other His late Majesty's Dominions in America, are solely and rightfully come to the High and Mighty Prince George Prince of Wales ; We therefore the Governor and Company, Assisted with Numbers of the principal Inhabitants of this Colony, Do now hereby with one full Voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim, that the High and Mighty Prince George Prince of Wales is now, by the Death of Our late Sovereign of happy and Glorious Memory, become Our only LawfuU and Rightfull Leige Lord George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Supreme Lord of the said Colony of Connecticut in New England, and all other His late Majesty's Territories and Dominions in America, to whom We do acknowledge all Faith and Constant Obedience, I with all Hearty and humble Affection ; beseeching God, by j whom Kings and Queens do reign, to bless the Royal King( George the Third with long and happy Years to R'eign over Us, Given at the Council Chamber in New llaven the ~ twenty Second Day of January in the first year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord George the Third King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith &c Anno Domini 1761 / God save the King Thos--.EiXch Danll Edwards WM^-PiTKiN J Hamlin Roger Newton Matth^ Griswold Ebenezer Silliman Shubael Conant Hez Huntington Robt Walker And^ Burr Thomas Clap John Chester Joseph Noyes Benja" Hall [ ? ] THOMAS FITCH. 93 Ebenez"* Punderson Sam^l Whittelsey Dan'- Buckingham Chauncey Whittelsey Nafthali Dagget-T Samuel Bird Edward Allen W" Sam^ Johnson Nich^ Lechmere N Whiting Gid'' Tomlinson Elihu Chauncey Jonth Fitch Elihu Hall D Wooster T. Darling John Noyes Nathan Beers [Indorsed by Fitch] Proclam George ye third 2 2d Day New Haven said Day. Samuel Whiting Nathan Birdsey Isaac Isaacs David Baldwin Abel Prindel (? ) Hez Fitch Stiles Curtiss Charles Whittelsey John Hubbard James Smedly Timothy Stone John Whiting Joshua Chandler James Beard James Pierpoint Elisha Whittelsey Leverett Hubbard John Hubbard Ju^ ation of his Majesty King January 1761, published at THOMAS FITCH TO COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS. Norwalk 28"" January 1761 My Lords On Receiving your Lordships Letter of the 31s' of October last with a Letter of thate Date from his Majestys most honourable Privy Council Notifying the Death of our late gracious Sovereign Lord King George of Ever Blessed Memory and directing us to Proclaim his Most Sacred Majesty King George the third in this Colony of Connecti cut in the Form therewith inclosed with the Solemnities and Ceremonies Requisite on the like Occasions. I pro ceeded without Loss of Time to the Execution of those Orders and accordingly forthwith convened the Council to Advise and Assist therein and being met at New Haven on 94 FITCH papers. the 2is' Instant it was Concluded in Council that the next Day in that Place Proclamation Should be made agreable to the Orders Received, and that the Same might be attended with proper Decency and in as public a Manner as the Severity of the Season and Shortness of Time would Admit two Companies of Horse and four of Foot of the Militia were ordered to Appear in arms on the Occasion and as Many of the Members of the Assembly and other Principal Inhabit ants of the Colony as Could be Convened should Attend and Assist in the Solemnity. Accordingly on the 2 2d Day of this Instant the Troops being under arms & Drawn up in the Great Square in New Haven before the Court House The Governor Attended by the Dep. Governor & Gentlemen of the Council assisted with as many Members of the Assembly Judges Justices and other officers and Principal Inhabitants of the Colony of Civil Military and Ecclesiastical Characters as could be convened Proceeded at the Head of the Militia and in Presence of a Numerous Concourse of People met on that Occasion to Proclaim his most Sacred Majesty King George the third who was accordingly Proclaimed in the express words and Form sent us for that Purpose which Proclamation being first given at the Council Chamber in New Haven the said 22d Instant was Subscribed by the Governor Dep' Governor the Gentlemen of the Council many Gentlemen of the Assembly and by many of the Aforesaid Officers and Principal Inhabitants of Each of the Characters before Mentioned the Proclaiming being Suc ceeded by three General Huzza's the firing twenty one Cannon and three Vollies of Small Arms the Whole Solemnity was performed with all possible Decency and with the greatest Demonstrations of Universal Joy Satisfac tion and Loyalty. I beg Leave further to Acquaint Your Lordships that the Printed Copies of his Majestys Proclamation continuing ; all officers in the Plantations till his Majestys Pleasure shall be further Signifyed has been published in Such Manner that all his Subjects may be fully Apprized of his Majestys Pleasure in that Respect. A Proclamation also is made out THOMAS FITCH. 95 containing his Majestys Directions for an Alteration in the Prayers for the Royal Family ordering the Same to be pub lished in all the Parish Churches and other Places of Divine Worship in this Colony Requiing Due obedience to his Majestys Commands agreable to his Instructions in that Particular. I am my Lords with the highest Esteem Your Lordships most obedient and most Humble Servant THOS FITCH The Right Honi'ie the Lords Commiss's for Trade and Plantations [Indorsed] Letter to the Lords Commiss's for Trade and Plantations 28"! Jan'y 1761* THOMAS FITCH TO JOHN POWNALL. Norwalk 8"' Feb'y 1761 Sir Having Reed your Letter of the i8'h of October acquaint ing me the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations Desired that three or four Sets of the last printed Edition of the Laws passed in this Colony with the public Seal affixed should be transmitted to them I Desire you to ac quaint their Lordships I have given orders to have the Books prepared but not having them Ready for this Conveyance am obliged to wait for another and Shall as soon as possible forward them agreable to their Lordships Commands I am Sir with very great Regard your most Obedient and most humble Servant THOS FITCH John Pownall Esq^ Sec^y [Indorsed] Letter to Jc Pownall Esq Sec'y to Board of Trade &c 8'" FeVy 1761 * The duplicate of this letter in the Public Record Office is indorsed "Reced Read May 8ti> 1761." 96 FITCH PAPERS. JAMES HAMILTON TO THOMAS FITCH. Philadelphia, 10"' Feb'y 1761. Sir : You may please to remember that in the beginning of the year 1754, I did myself the Honour to inform Governor Wolcot and you 'that some of the Inhabitants of the Colony of Connecticut were met going to Wyomink, an Indian Town on the Sasquehannah, near the Center of this province, and in their way gave out that they had made a purchase of those Lands from the Mohock Indians, and had the Authority of their Government to come and settle them, as being included within the Boundaries of the Connecticut Charter.' Sensiable of the mischiefs that would arise to the pub lick from this rash proceeding, I earnestly requested that an immediate Stop might be put to it; And both Mr. Wilcot and you in your Answer were pleased to assure me that your Government knew nothing of it, and that you would use your endeavours to prevent any farther progress of what you justly termed so wild a Scheme. Mr. Morris, who succeeded me that year in the Govern ment of this Province on of your people, continuing to raise great disturbances in the minds of our Inhabitants and of the Indians by the prosecution of that design, wrote to you a second Letter, wherein he fully sat forth the repeated covenants made by the Six Nations with the proprietaries of this Province, that they would not sell any of the Lands comprized within the Charter of Pennsylvania to any other person or persons, as well as the several Grants made by the Sasquehannah Indians of the Lands lying on that River and its Branches, and many other particulars that passed at Albany in the year 1753 respecting this design, and remon strated strongly against the execution of it, as he judged it would infallibly bring on an Indian War. I was in great hopes the matters contained in those Letters when communicated to the persons concerned in that most illegal and chimerical Scheme, would have opened their Eyes and made them desist intirely from any further JAMES HAMILTON. 97 prosecution of it; But to my great surprise, I have been lately informed that some of your people have begun to revive that project, and are actually making Settlements in the Indian Country near Cushietunck, on the river Dela ware, and in the upper parts of Northampton County. On receipt of this intelligence, I immediately dispatched the Sheriff and some of the Magistrates of that County to go thither, with orders to warn the Intruders off, to claim those Lands for our proprietaries, and fully apprize them of the mischievous Consequences that must attend their attempting to make Settlements there. They were scarce set out on their Journey, before Teedyuscung, the Chief of the Delawares, came to me, and in a very earnest and formal manner acquainted me that ' the Indians had heard of a Settlement being begun by some people from the Eastward on their Lands, and insisted that they should be immediately removed by the Government to which they belonged, or by me, and sayed that if this was not done the Indians would come and remove them by force, and do themselves Justice, with which he desired they might be made acquainted before hand, that they might not pretend ignorance ; I pacified him for the present by assuring him that every Measure in the power of this Government should be taken to prevent such a settlement, acquainting him that on my being informed of this un expected invasion of the Indian and proprietary rights, I had sent the Sheriff and Magistrates of Northampton County to inquire, into it, and would let him know on their return all that had been done. I am further to acquaint you that those Gentlemen on their return have reported to me that they went to the place and found about twenty Families settled there, by some of whom they were informed that the Government of Connecticut, in virtue of their original Charter from the Crown, had about 6 or 7 years ago granted to a great Num ber of their people (not less than 8 or 900, who are Called proprietaries) of a large [tract] of Land within the limits of the province of Pennsylvania, extending on the River 98 FITCH PAPERS. Delaware 30 miles (within which the Lands at Cushietunck are included), with full power to the said proprietaries to purchase the said Tract from the Indians, and that in con sequence of that Grant, they had purchased it from the Indians, laid it out in Townships, and were about to settle it as fast as they could, expecting 100 Families more from Connecticut to join them in the Spring. The claim and strong Remonstration made by the Gen tlemen Commissioned by me for that purpose, had no effect on your people, who still declared they were resolved to settle and hold those under the said Grant from your Gov ernment and their said Indian purchases, till it should be determined against them by the Crown. Their Claim, under the Connecticut Charter is, I think fully answered in mine and Mr. Morris's former Letters on that subject, to which I beg leave to refer you; And as to their pretended purchases of that Land from the Indians, the Circumstances of that affair, and Lydice's Management in obtaining those Deeds at Albany from Single Indians or parties of Indians, as they happened to come there on other occasions, are too well known to us and to Sir William John son and the principal Six Nation Indians, to give us any apprehensions of that part of your people's Claim availing them any thing. And with respect to their pretensions under a purchase from Jersey Indians, it is notorious they never had any Right to those Lands. I cannot perswade myself, Sir, notwithstanding what these Settlers are pleased to say, that they have received any Countenance or Encouragement from your Government in taking possession of Lands which undoubtedly belong to the Proprietaries of this Province by the Royal Charter, wherefore I think it my duty once more to request, that you will be pleased to use your utmost Influence with them to de sist from prosecuting their unjust Scheme any further, andl to remove immediately with their Families, without running! the Risque of being cut off by the Indians, and involving us , in a new War with them, which is an Event very much to be dreaded, or putting me to the disagreeable Necessity of COMMISSIONERS OF CUSTOMS. 99 using legal Measures to remove them. I am further to re quest you will please to favour me with your Answer hereto as soon as, with convenience, you can, advising me of any steps you shall think proper to take upon the occasion, in which you will much oblige. Your most Humble Serv', JAMES HAMILTON. COMMISSIONERS OF CUSTOMS TO THOMAS FITCH. Sir Having pursuant to a Warrant from the Treasury issued our Deputation to John Temple Esq' to be Surveyor General of the Northern part of the Continent of America in the room of Thomas Lechmere Esq. who is thereby Superceded, We desire You will afford him Your Assistance and Protec tion as he shall have occasion to apply to You for putting in Execution the Laws relating to Trade and Navigation. We are Sir Your most Obedient humble Servants H PELHAM SL MEAD EDWD HOOPER C: AMYAND Custom house London 12"' February 1761 The Honble the Governor of Connecticut [Indorsed] Letter from the Commiss's of the Customs 12"" Feb'y 1761 Reed 12"! Nov 1761 JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. New York, 15"' March 1761. Sir, On the is' of January last, I Signified to You, that by the Dispatches I had received the preceding day, from His Maj estys Principal Secretary of State, it was the King's firm reso lution Steadily to Support his Allies, and to Prosecute the War with the utmost Vigor ; and that in Consequence of this lOO FITCH PAPERS. Resolution, I made no Doubt, but you Should Soon receive His Majesty's Requisition for Such a Number of men from your Province, as Should be thought requisite, to Answer the Proposed End of Procuring a good and lasting Peace. This requisition was, in fact, dispatched from the Sec retary of State's Office, on the 17'^' of December last, and I Conclude Sent on board the Leicester Packett, which Sailed from Falmouth, on the 29"! of said month, but being unfor tunately taken in her Passage, the Triplicates of those Dispatches, are but this moment Arrived in His Majesty's Sloop Tamer, & M' Presid' Colden, to Whom they have been Delivered is to forward them without delay. It remains therefore with me, after this unexpected and Unlucky Detainder, most Earnestly to Entreat you to make up for this loss of time, in immediately upon receipt hereof Convening your Assembly, & laying before them the aforesaid Letter of the Secretary of State, And that you will forthwith Use your utmost Endeavors & Influence with the Council & Assembly to Induce them to raise with all possible Dispatch within Your Government, Two Thirds of the Number of Men they raised for the last campaign.* The King's Reason's for His Majesty's Requisition of this further Aid from His faithfull American Subjects are too Obvious & too Clearly Pointed out by the aforesaid Cir cular Letter of His Secretary of State to need any Additional Enforcement; And yet I cannot refrain from repeating a recommendation Which ought. And I doubt not will have with it All the Weight & Impression Which from its pru dence & Sagacity it has a Just right to Expect Since it Pro ceeds from that Spirited View of reducing the Enemy to the Necessity of Accepting a Peace on terms of Glory and Advantage to His Majesty's Crown and beneficial in Par ticular to His Subjects in America, to Which great and *To the Governors of Maryland, Virginia N" & S" Carolina instead of the words Underlined the following. As large a body of Men, as the Number &¦ Situation of its Inhabitants may allow. JEFFREY AMHERST. lOI Essential Object, Nothiiig can certainly So Effectually Con tribute as the King's being Enabled to Employ, as immedi ately as may be. Such part of the Regular Forces in North America, as may be Adequate to Some great and Important Enterprize against the Enemy. And as Such are the King's Resolutions, and that His Majesty the better to Provide for the full & entire Security of His Dominions in North America, & particularly of the Possession of His Conquests there during Absence of Such Part of the Regular Forces to be Employed on the aforesaid Enterprize, has Desired that the Several Provinces & Colo nies of this Continent, Should forthwith, raise Two Thirds of the Nmnber of Men they raised the last Campaign, I can not, from the Past zeal I have Experienced upon all former Occasions, on the Part of your Province, but firmly rely and trust, that it will upon this* Exert itself to its Utmost, And that I shall have the Satisfaction to report to His Majesty, how Chearfully it has Acquiesced with His Recom mendation. Nothing therefore now remains for me to add, than that you will Observe by the aforesaid Circular Letter of the Secretary of State, that as a further Encouragement to Such Exertion on the Part of the Provinces, His Majesty has ordered, as heretofore, that the Provincial Forces Should be Victualled in the Same Manner, and in the Same Proportions as the Regulars; And that they Should be Supplied with Arms And Tents, at the Expence of the Crown; Moreover, that Strong Recommendations will be Made to Parliament in their Session next Year, to grant a Compensation to the Provinces for the Expences they may be at on this Occasion, According as their respective Vigor, & Strenuous Efforts, Shall Justly Appear to merit. I must *To the Governors of Maryland, Virginia N" & So Carolina instead of the words Underlined the following. As large a body of Men, as the Number and Situation of its Inhabitants may Allow, I firmly rely df trust that your Province will upon this Occasion. I02 FITCH PAPERS. therefore, As this Aid of Troops, will be immediately wanted Most Seriously Recommend it to you, to Obtain them from the Assembly without loss of time. And to hold them in readiness to March Wheresoever I may have Occa sion for them, upon the first Notice you Shall receive from Me for that Purpose. I have it also in Command from His Majesty to Enjoin you, to Collect and Cause to be Put in to Proper Condition, All the Serviceable Arms, that can be found within your Province; for every One of Which that Shall be brought to the Field, And Shall not return by reason of being Spoiled or lost in Actual Service, I Shall pay the Usual Allowance of Twenty five Shillings ^ Firelock. As it is very Essential to the Services I have in Com mand from the King, that I Should be, as Early as possible. Informed of the Resolves of Your Assembly on this head, and of the time that the Troops will be ready I beg that as Soon as you are Acquainted therewith. You will Signify the Same to me by Express, that I may regulate Myself Accordingly. I am, with great Regard, Sir, &ca JEFF: AMHERST His Excellency Governor Wentworth Newhampshire N: B: The Like Letter to the Governors of, Massa chusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticutt, New York, New Jersey, Pensilvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina & South Carolina. P: S: To L' Gov Hamilton, Pensilvania. "In the Contingent of Men, Which you are by the Kings aforesaid Requisition recommended to raise I Shall Allow the Three Hundred, Which by my Letter of the 27"" Ult° I requested for the Communication between Philadel phia & Fort Pitt, to be a part of." [Indorsed.] Copy of General Amherst's Circular Letter to the Gov's of Newhampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode Island, Connecticutt, New York, New Jersey, Pensil vania, Maryland, Virginia, No & So Carolina. Dated THOMAS FITCH. I03 New York 15"' February 1761 In Consequence of M^ Secretary Pitt's Letter of the 17"' December, in M. G. Amherst's of April 6: 1761 THOMAS FITCH TO JEFFREY AMHERST. Norwalk 20"' March 1761. Sir, On Tuesday last I received M' Secretary Pitts Letter of the 17"! of December, Signifying His Majesty's Pleasure that this Colony should raise Two Thirds of the Number of Men raised for the last Campaign, And that I should Direct the Men to hold themselves in readiness, to march to such place or Places in North America, as you shall appoint, in Order to be Employed there Under your Supreme Com mand, in such manner as you shall judge most Conducive for the King's Service, And as it has happened these Orders did not Arrive so Early as was Intended, I judged it neces sary to make the greater Dispatch in Carrying them into Execution ; And Accordingly forthwith Issued Orders for the Assembly to Convene at Newhaven on Thursday next. Which will be as soon as they can possibly be Notified. The Same day after my orders were gone out, I had the Honour of your Letter of the 15"', Wherein I am favored with the advantage of your observations, & Influence in my Recommendation of those Important Matters to the Con sideration of the Assembly, But as your giving me Some further Intelligence, relating to Some particulars in the prosecution of this Service, may be a Means not only of re moving Doubts, which may be in Some mens minds, but of facilitating, and Quickning the Levies, you will be pleased to Allow me to mention the Affair of the Billetting money, or the Allowance made in liew of Provisions, from the time of Engaging or Enlisting into the Service ; The Article for Transportation of such as can best go by Water to the place of Rendezvous, that is. Whether these Matters will be ordered as in past years. Also the time the Troops must Expect to Continue in Service, and some general Intima tions Where they are to be Employed &ca. I imagine it I04 FITCH PAPERS. will be most Satisfactory, & tend to forward the Levies, if the People, Who generally Incline to know What they Engage in, might in Some Measure be more particularly Informed in regard to those Matters than I am at present able to do; These things. Sir, I do not request, further than you may Judge it Necessary or prudent to favor me with, but so far as you think proper I shall be glad to receive in Answer, by the Return of the Post, that I may have all the Advantages of Inducement to lay before the Assembly and the People, and shall give you an Account of the Conclusions of the Assembly, as early as may be. I am. Sir, &ca. THOS FITCH. General Amherst. [Indorsed] Copy Letter from Gov Fitch to General Am herst. Dated Norwalk, 20"' March 1761. Acknowledg ing the Rec' of the General's Circular of the 15"' That in Consequence thereof, he had Issued Orders for the Assembly to Convene ; but desiring the General would Enable him to Satisfy them in regard to the Billeting Money; the transportation of such as go by Water to the place of Rendezvous, and some general Intimations where they were to be Employed, &ca. in M. G. Am herst's of April 6: 1761. JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. New York 2 2d March 1761. Sir, The King's orders to the Governors of the Several Provinces, not having arrived near so early as might be Expected from the Date of them, is undoubtedly a great drawback, in point of time, on the preparations for the En suing Campaign ; but as it cannot now be remedied, but by making the greater Dispatch in the Execution of those orders. Which I see you have wisely Endeavored by Con vening your Assembly to meet on Thursday next (the Earliest time, you say, they could possibly be Notified) I trust that your good Intentions will not only take placCibut JEFFREY AMHERST. 105 that when the members are so Assembled, they will Second your Diligence, and give all possible Dispatch to the busi ness you have, in Command from the King, to lay before them: And I am further willing to hope, that they will not want any other Inducement, than those Contained in M' Secretary Pitt's Letter, most readily and Chearfully to Comply with His Majesty's Requisition. To Enable you, however to give them every Encourage ment towards hastening their Resolves on this head. You may assure them from me that their Levies shall reap the same Advantages they did last year; that they shall be En titled to, and receive the four pences in liew of Provisions from the time of their attestation before a Magistrate, untill that of their receiving the Kings Provisions; and that the passage of Such as Shall be ordered to Come by Water, shall be paid by the Crown at the Usual Stipulated rates; that is for 'only Such men & no more, as shall be delivered over to the Commanding officer at the place of Rendezvous that Shall hereafter be Appointed. With regard to the time of their Continuing in the Ser vice I must most Earnestly Recommend it to you, if possi ble, not to have that limitted, Since, When thro' unforseen Events their Services are requsite beyond the limitation, it Creates a great deal of discontent & misunderstanding; but if you should not be able to Carry this Point, I must En treat that they may be Continued, at least, to the last Day of November; not that if they can be spared before they will be kept from home till then. From the Words of the Secretary of State's Letter, it is plain and Evident that this Aid of Men, is required with no other View than to Enable His Majesty to Employ as immediately as may be Such part of the Regular Forces m North America, as may be Adequate to Some great and Important Enterprize against the Enemy in order to reduce them to the Necessity of Accepting a Peace on terms of Glory & Advantage to His Majesty's Crown & beneficial in particu lar to His Subjects in America: from all which there is a great probability that the Provincial Forces will be Em- I06 FITCH PAPERS. ployed nearly on the same Spots they were the last Cam paign. I think I have now fully solved your Several Questions and I hope to your Satisfaction ; I have therefore now only to request, that you will avail yourself of them to the best advantage in prevailing on the Assembly to Come to a speedy Resolution and Acquiescence on His Majesty's Commands. I am, with great Regard, Sir, &ca JEFF: AMHERST Honb'e Gov Fitch. [Indorsed] Copy Letter from Gen' Amherst to Governor Fitch. Dated New York, 22d March 1761. In Answer to the Gov's of the 20"', That the New Levies should reap the same Advantages they did last Year; the Pro vision Money, and the passage of such as should be Ordered by Water, should be paid as Usual, &ca. in M. G. Amherst's of April 6: 1761. WILLIAM PITT TO THOMAS FITCH. Whitehall March 24"^ 1761. Sir, I received your Letter of the 26"^ Nov last, transmitt ing the Address of the Governer and Company of the Colony of Connecticut to the Late King, to congratulate His Majesty on the Successes of His Arms, particularly in North America ; which Address having been presented to the Present King, I have the Satisfaction to acquaint You, that His Majesty was pleased to receive the Same in the Most Gracious Manner. I am, with great Truth & Regard, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant W: PITT Gov of Connecticut [Indorsed] Letter from Right Honi^'e W^ Pitt, Secrefy of State Reed May 21st 1761 THOMAS FITCH. I07 THOMAS FITCH TO JEFFREY AMHERST. Norwalk, 9"^ April 1761. Sir, I take the first opportunity, after my Return from the Court, to Acquaint you the Assembly has Voted to make provision for Levying Cloathing, & paying Two Thousand three Hundred Men, Including Officers, to be raised by In listments with all possible Dispatch, for the Ensueing Cam paign, agreable to the King's Commands, Signified by the Right Honi^'e M' Secretary Pitt's Letter of the 17"' Decem ber last; These Troops are to be formed into Two Regi ments, Twelve Companies in Each ; The Colonels appointed for the Regiments are Lyman and Whiting. I Proposed it to the Assembly, not to fix any certain time, for the Men's Continuing in the Service, but as the Assembly Judged un less that was done, it would be very difficult filling up the Levies, and that fixing a Period beyond which the Men should not be holden, would be most for His Majesty's Ser vice, therefore Resolved that the Men Raised, be dismissed as soon as His Majesty's Service will admit, and not to be holden beyond the last day of Novem' next, agreable to your desire to me, in case the time of Service should be fixed; On this and other Encouragements given, there ap pears to be a prospect of the Companies filling very near, if not quite, up to their Complement very soon, and Especially if you will be pleased to permit me to Acquaint them their Route shall be to the Northward, and not up the Mohawk River to Oswego, &ca. As that Road and the Services that way, seem to be more immediately in the Province of New York, and on the back & Neighbourhood of the Jerseys, and the other parts more directly cover New England ; perhaps it may be thought more proper to Employ such of the New York & Jersey Troops to the Westward as may be wanted that way; The other Road, I am Informed, will be much more agreable to our People, who beg the favour of such a Destination, if it may consist with His Majesty's Service, and the plan you have Laid; Some Officers decline Accept- Io8 FITCH PAPERS. ing, by reason of an Aversion to the Oswego Road, and I fear more continue in Suspence, till that matter may be known ; how many Privates will act on the same principles I am not able to Say. I Take the Liberty further to Acquaint you the Assembly, considering the Extravagant Demands of some who pretended to be Suttlers last Cam paign (which in many Instances Exceed the whole of Par ticular Soldiers' Wages) has agreed with Certain Gentlemen of Reputation and Honour, to Undertake to Supply our own Troops at a Certain Rate with Necessaries and Comforts, therefore by the desire of the Assembly, I ask your favour & Contenance on this Undertaking, and that you will be so good also to Order that the Introduction of other unneces sarily into Business of that kind, so far as relates to the Connecticutt Troops, may not be admitted to the prejudice of this Undertaking ; While I am Writing I beg the Liberty to desire Your Resolution in regard to another point: Sev eral of the French Prisoners, who are left behind, and Seem disposed to Continue in this Country, Offer to Engage in the Service of this Year, as they Suppose they will not be Called to fighting but to Labor, and tho' I could See no Inconven ience in Employing them, yet I thought it not proper to Advise the Officers (who have applied for that purpose) to take any such men, unless I had your Approbation; there fore only Ask the favour of an Answer by the Return of the Post. I am. Sir, with very great Regard & Esteem, &ca. THOS FITCH His Excellency General Amherst. [Indorsed] Copy. Letter from Governor Fitch to General Amherst. Dated Norwalk, g'li April 1761, That the Assembly of Connecticutt had Voted 2300 men. In cluding Officers, for the Ensueing Campaign, to be dis missed as soon as His Majesty's Service will Admit, and not to be holden beyond the last day of Novem' next, in M. G. Amherst's of May 4: 1761. JEFFREY AMHERST. I09 JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. New York 15"! April 1761. Sir, I waited with Impatience for the Resolves of your Assembly on the King's Requisition, contained in M' Sec retary Pitt's Letter of the 17"' December last; and trusted they would have Chearfully & punctually Complied there with : yet I have the Mortification to learn by your Letter of the 9"' Ins', that Instead of Two Thirds of the Troops Voted by Your Colony last year, they have now Voted only Two Thousand, Three Hundred men Including Officers Which is upwards of a Thousand less than the Quota De manded; Such a Considerable Diminution you cannot but be Sensible must prove very disatisfactory to His Majesty and very Justly Incurr his Displeasure ; Now as from the past zeal of the Colony upon all Occasions, I should be sorry they were in the least to forfeit the good Opinion His Majesty has all along Entertained of them I cannot out of the Regard I have for them my self, help representing to them, how Detrimental such an Oversight may be at tended with and to hope, for their Sakes, that they will_ Enable me by reconsidering the matter, and fully answer ing His Majesty's Expectations (which I must Insist upon) to report them to the King in the Light I could wish. I am Concerned they should have limitted the services of their Troops to the 30"^ of Novem', and the more so, as they had my Assurances that they should not be detained A Moment after they could be dispensed with ; but as there is no Answering for Events, were they to turn out so, as to require their remaining some little time beyond the Expira tion of the Term fixed upon, how must the service be Dis tressed by Such a Limitation ? It will always give me pleasure to Employ the Connecti cutt Troops, in such places as would prove most agreable to themselves but as that Depends on the Operations I have in Command, I cannot Acquiesce with their requests; As they are Demanded in Common with all the other provincial Forces, for the General Service they must Submit to Which no FITCH PAPERS. ever of the two Routes shall best answer the Ends proposed; and I am forced to add that such Officers who have Declined Accepting by reason of an aversion to the Oswego Road, are not fit persons to be Officers. I Approve much of the Exclusion of Suttlers to follow your Troops ; and hope that the Gentlemen the Assembly have agreed with to supply those Troops at a certain rate with necessaries & Comforts will remove all the Inconven iences your men have heretofore Labor'd under; And Con sequently those Gentlemen Whom they have thus Engaged, may Expect all the favor and Countenance their Just & Upright Dealings shall Entitle them to, and they may rely that none others in this business sharll be Admitted with the Connecticutt Troops to the prejudice of this Under taking. The very Reason you alledge in favor of Enlisting french Prisoners, viz' because it is supposed they will not be Called to fighting but to Labour, makes it Less Necessary for the Colony to Avail themselves of those men : Since, if they can labour in the field, they may be as usefully, if not more so. Employed in the Colony; but setting Aside this Consideration, I have Another Which proceeds from long and mature Deliberation, And that is, that I think it highly Improper for those men to be Suffered so near any of Our Works or new Settlements And I must therefore Desire you, as I have already done this, and the other Govern ments, not to Suffer One of them to be Entertained, As I am firmly Resolved upon mustering the Provincial Forces, to Object to, and return every one of that kind, that shall be found among them, for which I shall Expect other Acceptable ones in their stead. I am, with great Regard, Sir, &ca, JEFF: AMHERST. Hon'^'e Governor Fitch. [Indorsed] Copy Letter from Gen' Amherst To Governor Fitch. Dated New York 15"' April 1761. In Answer to the Govs of the 9"" That he was Sorry the Colony of Connecticutt had Voted only 2300 men, which was up- THOMAS FITCH. Ill wards of a thousand less than the Quota Demanded; but trusts, from their past zeal, they will reconsider the matter, and Enable him by fully Answering the King's Expectations (which he must Insist upon) to Report them to His Majesty in the Light he could Wish, in M. G. Amherst's of May 4: 1761. THOMAS FITCH TO WILLIAM PITT. Norwalk 25"! April 1761. Sir The triplicate of your Letter of the 17"' of December last which came first to Hand I Received on the 17"! of March and as it was late when it arrived I lost no Time in Convening the Assembly in order to Lay the Contents thereof before them and when met I Recommended the matter to their Speedy Codsideration and am now to acquaint you that altho the Colony was greatly in debt on account of the Extraordinary Expence of the former Cam paigns and very Heavy taxes were before laid on the Inhab itants for Sinking and Discharging the Principal and Interest of the Bills of Credit Emitted in years Past for the Service of the War a considerable part of which is to be paid this Year. Yet the Assembly Zealous to presevere in their Strenuous and vigorous Efforts for accomplishing the important Ends of the War in North America agreable to his Majestys Royal Will and Pleasure Signifyed by your Letter has voted and Resolved to make Necessary Provision for the Levying Cloathing and pay of two Thousand three Hundred Effective men officers included for the Ensuing Campaign to be Employed Agreable to the Tenor of your Letter and under the Supream Command of his Majestys Commander in Chief in America These Men are formed into two Regiments and tho' the Time for raising them was so very Short yet the Companies are generally full or Near it and will soon be ready to March and I conclude they will march Earlier than in years Past The Number now voted is about two thirds of the nnm- ber Raised by the Colony for the Last Campaign : and by a 112 FITCH PAPERS. Comparison with the Numbers agreed upon in the other Governments it will appear Connecticut has agreed upon the greatest Proportion for the Service of the present year. This the Assembly under all the Burdens Lying on the In habitants has undertaken with humble Reliance on the Royal Encouragement of a Compensation being Made as in former years the hope and Expectation of which greatly Animates and Supports the Spirit of the People who without Such Relief would be greatly Distressed in Discharging the taxes laid upon them which are much increased by the pres ent Service. Since my Letter of the 26"! of November last wherein I Signifyed that as soon as possible I should transmit the best Intelligence I could procure Respecting the Trade Said to be carried on to the French Islands and Settlements on the Continent Mentioned in your Letter of the 23d of August last. I have been very Diligent and particular in making Enquiries concerning the Same and have not been able to Discover anything of that Kind among us and have Reason to believe that none of his Majestys Subjects in this Colony have been or are Concerned there whatever therefore of that Nature hath been done must have been from some other Parts but where I am not able to give any particular account I am Sir with the highest Esteem and Regard your most Obedient and most Humble Servant THOS FITCH The Right Honourable William Pitt one of his majestys Principal Secretarys of State. [Indorsed] Letter to M' Secry Pitt 25'h April 1761 JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. New York, 26"^ April 1761. Sir, The Season Advances so very fast, in which I can't but wish to have the Provincial Troops of the Several Govern ments, already Marching to their respective Destinations; commissioners for trade and plantations. 113 I am therefore unwilling to Wait for an answer to mine of the is"* April, without requesting that you will Order the Troops of your Colony to March to their Rendezvous at Albany the first moment they are ready, where they shall Receive the Four pences for the Billeting Money, in the same manner as they did the last year; and as some of the Men came by Water, the same allowance shall be made for the passage of Each Man that Comes that way, as was paid the last Campaign ; after -which they will receive the King's Provisions; and I hope to Employ them in the Route which you have mentioned to me, is the most agreable to the people in general, in your Government. I am, with great Regard, Sir, &ca. JEFF: AMHERST Honi^'e Govr Fitch. [Indorsed] Copy. Letter from General Amherst to Gover nor Fitch. Dated New York 26"^ April 1761. Begging him to Order the Connecticutt Troops to March the first moment they are ready, to their Rendezvous at Albany, where they should receive their Billeting Money, as last year; and that the same Allowance should be made for the passage of those that come by Water, as was paid the last Campaign, in M. G. Amherst's of May 4: 1761. COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall April 28"^ 1761. Gentlemen, His Majesty having been graciously pleased by Com mission under the Great Seal of Great Britain to constitute and appoint us His Commissioners for promoting the Trade of this Kingdom, and for inspecting and improving His Majesty's foreign Colonies and Plantations, It is Our Duty to acquaint you therewith, and to desire, that you will, from time to time, give us frequent and very full information of the State and Condition of the Colony under your 114 fitch papers. Government, as well in respect to the Administrations of Government and Justice, as to the Trade and Commerce thereof ; And to the end that We may be the better enabled to form a true Judgment of the present State of the Colony under your Government, We must desire your speedy Answer to the several heads of Enquiry herewith trans mitted to you, and that you will every Six Months make a return thereto, that We may be from time to time apprized of any Alterations which may happen in the Circumstances of the Colony. We are Gentlemen Your most obedient humble Servants SANDYS SOAME JENYNS ED BACON EDMOND THOMAS GEO: RICE Governor and Company of Connecticut [Indorsed] Letter from Lords Come's for Trade and Planta tions 28"> April 1761 Reed io"i August HEADS OF ENQUIRY. Queries relating to His Majesty's Colonys and Planta tions in America. I St What is the Situation of the Colony under your Government, the Nature of the Country Soil and Climate? What are the Principal Rivers and Harbours? the Latitudes and Longitudes of the most considerable Places in it. Have those Latitudes and Longitudes been settled by good Obser vations, or only by common Computations, and from whence are the Longitudes computed? 2d What are the Boundaries? Have those Boundaries been settled and ascertained, and by what authority? If any Parts thereof are disputed, by whom? When did the Dispute arise and what Steps have been taken, or, in your Opinion, ought to be taken to fix the true Boundary Lines. HEADS OF ENQUIRY. 1 15 3d What is the present State of the Trade of the Col ony, the Number of Shipping belonging thereto, their Tonnage and the Number of Seafaring Men, with the respective Increase or Deminuation within ten years last past, and to what Causes is that Increase or Diminution to be ascribed. Are any Trades, Works or Manufactures sett up or about to be set up in the Colony under your Govern ment, which are, or may prove hurtfull to Great Britain? If there are any such, how may they be suppress'd diverted or restrained. 4"^ What Quantity & Sorts of British Manufactures do the Inhabitants annually take from hence? 5"" What Trade has the Colony under your Govern ment with any Foreign Plantations or any Part of Europe, besides Great Britain? How is that Trade carried on, and what Commodities are sent to or received from such Foreign Countries or Plantations? 6"! What Methods are there used, to prevent illegal Trade and are the same effectual ; If not, what Method may be proper in your Opinion, to be taken for Obtaining so desirable an object? 7"' What is the natural Produce of the Country Staple Commodities and Manufactures. What Value thereof in Sterling Money may you annually export, and to what Places? What Regulations have been at any time made for preventing Frauds and Abuses in the Exportation of the Produce or Manufacture of the Colony and at what time did those Regulations take Place? B"" What Mines are there. Have those Mines been opened and worked, and what may be the reputed Produce? 9"! What is the Number of Inhabitants Whites and Blacks. lo'h Are the Inhabitants increased or decreased within the last ten Years; how much and for what Reasons? nth 'What is the Number of the Militia, under what Authority and Regulations is it established; what is the Expence of it, and how is that Expense defray'd? ii6 fitch papers. i2"> What Forts and Places of Defence are there with in your Government, in what Condition, and what Garrisons are kept therein ; What is the annual Expence of maintain ing each Fort, and out of what Fund is it paid? 13th What is the Number of the Indians Inhabiting those Parts of America lying within or Bordering upon your Colony. What Contracts or Treaty of Peace and Friendship have been made with them and are now in.force? What Trade is carried on with them and under what Regu lations, and how have those Regulations been established? 14"! What is the Strength of your Neighbouring Euro peans, French, or Spaniards, and what Effect have those Settlements upon His Majesty's Colonys and more particu larly upon that under your Government. 15"! What is the Revenue arising within your Govern ment, when was it established and by what Laws or other Authority? To what Service is it appropriated. How appl'd and disposed of, and in what Manner are the Accounts Audited and passed? 16"' What are the Establishments Civil and Military within your Governments ; By what Authority do the several Officers hold their Places, what are the Names of the present Officers, when were they appointed and what is the reputed annual Value of those Offices; what Salaries and Fees have they; by what Authority are their Salaries & Fees paid and under what Regulations? 17th -vVhat is the Constitution of the Government in General, and particularly what Courts are there established for the due Administration of Justice; when were those Courts established; What are their Rules of Proceeding, and how are the Judges and other subordinate Officers appointed. Connecticut. [Indorsed] Queries from Board of Trade &c Reed 10^ august 1 76 1 THOMAS FITCH. I17 THOMAS FITCH TO JEFFREY AMHERST. Norwalk is' May 1761. Sir, On Receiving your Letter of the 2 6"» last, I gave Orders to the Colonels of the Connecticutt Regiments to make all possible Dispatch in getting the Troops ready to march to the place of Rendezvous at Albany, and to march as soon as ready, agreable to your Desire, Which I hope will be soon, as I hear the Companies are pretty Gen erally full, or very near it. The Encouragement You have been so good as to give me of Employing our Troops in that part of the General Service, which I mentioned as most agreable to them, will give them much Satisfaction for which I return You my Sincere thanks. The Assembly of this Colony Zealous of Exerting themselves in His ^Majesty's Service, and Desirous of rendring themselves and their Efforts Acceptable to the King, have always En deavoured to bear a full proportion in the Common Cause ; And tho' in every Instance the Colony has not been able fully to Accomplish What was Intended to be done. Yet, ithat was not for want of Zeal, or good Intention in pro- Imoting His Majesty's Service but for want of Ability to perform. What the Assembly from time to time was willing and hoped to be able to Effect; and therefore they supposed they had just Reason to Expect (as I Conclude they have had) favorable Representations of their Services to the King by His Commanders in Chief in America. The last Assembly in making provision for the Ensueing Campaign, I Suppose, Apprehended they Acted full up to His Majesty's Expectations, and that they did so, may appear, if the Ex pressions of M' Secretary Pitt's Letter be Considered Which are, Two Thirds of the Numbers of men they raised for the last Campaign, not two Thirds of the Number Voted, or for which provision was by Vote made &ca; It is well known that tho' the Colony shewed its willingness to pro vide for more than could be procured Yet it was not able to raise men to the Number Desired and Two Thirds of the Il8 FITCH papers. Numbers raised the Assembly Judged to be the Number Intended, Which I suppose they have Complied with; It may further be Considered, that if what Connecticutt has done be Compared with What the Other Northern Colonies have done, it will Appear this Colony has agreed to raise a greater proportion than any Other Computing by any Rule Whereby the Quotas of Each Government have been pre tended to be ascertained. And as this Colony heretofore, Endeavored to Act up to its utmost Ability without Dis puting about proportions, so it has done this year, and as it stands in that respect the foremost of every Government, it will be very hard to be represented as deficient. I shall nevertheless lay the JVIatter, as Contained in your Letter of the 15"! April before the Assembly which is to meet the 14"' Instant, and recommend it to their Reconsideration. As the Assembly Judged it most Expedient to limit the time beyond which the Troops were not to be held in Ser vice, so it was Supposed the time You mentioned would be full late for them to be held unless they should go into Gar rison, Which it was not hinted they would be wanted for. I have taken Care to Acquaint the Officers they are not to Enlist any French Prisoners, and am very well satisfied with Your Determination about them. The Colony had no thought of availing itself with the service of those men but the motion arose from the Prisoners themselves to the En listing Officers, who Applied to me for Advice. I am. Sir, &ca. THOS FITCH His Excellency Gen' Amherst. [Indorsed] Copy. Letter from Governor Fitch to General Amherst. Dated Norwalk, is' May 1 761. In answer to the General's of the 26* Apr' That as he heard the Companies were pretty generally full, or very near it, he hoped soon to forward them on their March to Albany, agreable to the General's Desire, &ca. in M. G. Amherst's of May 4: 1761. JEFFREY AMHERST. II9 JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. New Yokk, 2d May 1761. Sir, I Have this afternoon received your Letter of the i^' Instant; I am glad it has been in my power to Allot the Connecticutt Troops to a part that is so generally Satisfac tory to the people of your Colony. I am glad to find the Troops are in such readiness, & trust you will Send them, as soon as possible, to the Ren dezvous at Albany, according to my Letter of 26"^ Ultimo. The Last Assembly must certainly have misunderstood M' Secretary Pitt's meaning, in requiring two Thirds of the Numbers which were Voted last Year. I Have Wrote to you so full on this Subject that I trust I need not Say any more, but that Your Colony will, by a Continuance of their Zeal, and an Exertion of their Abili ties, Enable me to make such Representations of their Ser vices as will be Acceptable to His Majesty. I am, with great Regard Sir, &ca. JEFF: AMHERST. Hon'^'e Gov FiTCH. [Indorsed] Copy. Letter from General Amherst to Gov ernor Fitch. Dated New York, 2d May 1761. In Answer to the Governor's of the is' That he was glad to find the Connecticutt Troops were in such readiness; and trusted that the Colony, by a Continuance of their Zeal, and an Exertion of their Abilities, would Enable him to make such Representations of their Services, as would be Acceptable to His Majesty, in M. G. Amherst's of May 4: 1761 JOHN CLEVELAND* TO JOHN POWNALL. Admty Office: 4"! May 1761 Sr The Navy Board representing to my Lords Commis sioners of the Admiralty, that they have been informed by M' Ingersoll of Connecticut, with whom they have con- *John Cleveland was made Second Secretary to the Commissioners of the Admiralty In 1746, and was advanced to First Secretary in 1751. 120 FITCH PAPERS. tracted for a Cargo of Masts, Yards, & Bowsprits for the use of the Royal Navy, that there is a great want of a Vice Admiralty Court in that Colony, for preventing the frequent Trespasses committed in the King's woods, & the destroying such Trees as would be useful for supplying his Maj's Ships with Masts ; and proposing to establish an Admiralty Court there accordingly, as the most effectual means to preserve the growth of large Masts, which they find are now pro cured with great difficulty from the usual Places of impor tation; I am commanded \)y their Lordships to send you herewith a Copy of M' Ingersoll's Letter on this subject, together with Copies of two others, to the same purpose, wrote by M' Wentworth, Surveyor of the Woods, to M' Wellcot, who was then Governor of Connecticut ; and to de sire you will please to lay the same before the Lords of Trade & Plantations, requesting at the same time their Lordship's Opinion, whether it may be proper to establish a Vice Admiralty Court in the aforesaid Province, and in case they shall be of that Opinion, my Lords of the Admir alty desire their Lordships of the Board of Trade to recom mend fit and able person to be Judge & Register of the said Court. I am Sir Your most humble Servant J. CLEVELAND John Pownall Esq. [Indorsed] Proprieties Connecticut Letter from Mf Cleve land Secry to the Lords of the Admiralty dated 4 May 1 76 1, inclosing Copies of Papers respecting the great want of a Vice Admiralty Court in Connecticut & re questing this Board to recommend fit Persons for Judge and Register of the sd Court Reced Read 19 May 1761. JARED INGERSOLL TO COMMISSIONERS OF THE ADMIRALTY. Copy of a Letter from M' Jared Ingersoll, to the Navy Board, dated the 27"! March 1761. Gent" You having Agreed with me to get a Load of Masts by the way of Connecticut River in New England, in order very JARED INGERSOLL. 12 1 much to try whether the Navy may not be Supplyed with that Article from that part, to better advantage than at present from the usual places there, I beg leave to acquaint you, that I think it quite needful there should be a Court of Vice Admiralty erected in the Colony of Connecticut for the better carrying into Execution the said Contract. My reasons are, that many of the People in those parts, influenced by motives of immediate Profit to themselves, do sometimes Commit tresspasses in the King's Woods, and ,destroy such Trees as would best answer the great and more valuable purposes of supplying the Navy, which Transgressions are with difficulty Corrected by Trials at Common Law, inasmuch as the Delinquents at those Tribu nals are to be found guilty of the facts charged upon them by a Jury of their Peers, who you may easily guess are sometimes in danger of being influenced by strong prejudi ces in favour of the Trespass Committed 'twas for this rea son that the Parliament thought proper by the Statute of the 8"i of George the is' Chap XII. to give the Cognizance of such trespasses to the Courts of Vice Admiralty. The aforesaid Colony being a place of no very great Trade, a Court of Vice Admiralty has never been Erected there, the Judge of that Court in the Neighbouring Province of New York, having usually had a Clause in his Commis sion, enabling him to hold Plea occasionally in Connecticut, I suppose was thought Sufficient, but the difficulty of pre vailing on the Judge there to be at the expence of removing into the other Colony to hold Courts of such matters as trespasses in the King's Woods, where little profit accrues to the Judge, has occasioned that branch of his Business to be quite neglected this will best appear, as also the necessity of such Court being Erected in that Colony, from the Copies of the two Letters Inclosed wrote to a former Governor of Connecticut by M' Wentworth the Surveyor General of the Kings Woods. As you are about to write to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, in order to my obtaining the proper leave 122 FITCH PAPERS. for Cutting the Timber that will be necessary for the full- filling my Contract with you, I thought it proper to suggest the foregoing matter to you, in hopes that you will think it worth your while to intimate to their Lordships, your Sense and Opinion of it, at the same time that you write of the other Matter. The weight of your recommendation, and Sense of the matter, will greatly facilitate the obtaining the favour, and add to the obligations already laid on, &c^ J: INGERSOLL P S. shall wait on you for the Answer in a few days J. L BENNING WENTWORTH TO ROGER WOLCOTT. Copies of two Letters from Benning Wentworth Esq' to the Hon^'e Roger Wolcott, dated at portsmouth in New England, the 17"^ Janry 1753* & 15"' May 1755 Sir Mr Blake the bearer hereof having acquainted me that the Kings Commission appointing me Surveyor General of his Majesty's Woods in North America, which I formerly transmitted to be recorded in Your Government, met with an Accident by which means some part thereof was intirely lost, and some other parts were not legible, for these rea sons and that his Majesty's Service might not Suffer within the limits of your honours Government, I have thought it necessary to send a second Copy duly Authenticated, which said Blake will exhibit to your honour, & I must desire that you will give immediate Orders that it may be recorded in your Secretary's Office, that no prejudice may arise to his Majesty's Service for want thereof. Mr Blake makes heavy Cornplaints of the Interruption he meets with in the Execution of his Office which so far as *This letter is printed in The Wolcott Papers (Collections, Volume XVI), page 831. BENNING WENTWORTH. 1 23 they are founded upon Truth I am hoping your honour will redress, and that your Civil and Military Officers may re ceive your Commands to be aiding and Assisting to him the said Blake in the legal Execution of his Employment which will be highly acceptable to me, and is what the King has Enjoined on all his Governors. Among other things which Blake Complains of he informs me that while he was in the Execution of his Office One Daniel Whitmore of Middletown threw him into a Mill Pond, whereby his Life was much endangered, and he otherwise disabled thereby from pursuing the King's busi ness, I must therefore rely on your honours giving M' Blake due Countenance in carrying on a prosecution against the said Daniel Whitmore, intending to carry this Indignity to the King's Authority through the Law in your Colony, and then to appeal to his Majesty if I have not ample satisfac tion made in your Courts. These difficulties and Obstructions have made it neces sary for me to apply for Establishing a Court of Vice Admiralty in the Colony of Connecticut, that his Majesty's Service may meet with no Delays as has been the case heretofore, whereby many Trespasses on the Kings Woods have Escaped being brought to Justice. I am &c^ B: WENTWORTH I must desire your favour in giving the necessary Orders for Swearing M' Blake & M' Hezekiah Sumner, who likewise is appointed an Assistant to me, in taking care of the King's Woods. B. WENTWORTH I Thomas Fitch Esq'' Governour of His Majesty's English Colony of Connecticut in New England in America. To all whom it may concern do hereby Certify and make known, that the Writings hereunto annexed, Sub scribed B Wentworth, are true Copies of two Original Letters now in my custody, the last of which, tho' directed to Governour Wolcot my predecessor, came to my hands on the 26"i day of the Month of May 1754, I then being Gover- 124 FITCH PAPERS. nour of said Colony, and that in consequence of the request in said Letter, M^ Daniel Blake was Sworn in the said Month of May to a faithful Discharge of his Office before me, a Certificate of which I indorsed on the back of his Deputation. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal at Arms in said Colony the 14"! day of Sep tember in the thirty second year of his Majesty's Reign Anno Dom: 1758. Thos Fitch Copies E. Mason THOMAS FITCH TO JAMES HAMILTON. Norwalk, 7"' May, 1761. Sir : Upon receiving your Letter of the loth February, I thought it expedient to make some more particular Enquiry concerning those affairs you mentioned than I had before made, that I might give as exact an account of those matters as I could obtain, and should have wrote you an answer some time since but have been prevented by indis position, which I presume will be a sufficient excuse for my not acknowledging the receipt of your Letter till now; I find that in May, 1755, a memorial was preferred to the Assembly by some Gentlemen in behalf of certain Pur chasers who were therein called the Susquehannah Company, representing they had, for a very valuable Consideration Bonafide, purchased from all the allowed Chiefs of the Six Nations or Iroquois a large Tract of Land situate on the Susquehannah River, about sixty or Seventy Miles North and South, and from about Ten Miles East of said river, to extend two degrees Westward for the purpose of carrying on a Numerous and well regulated Plantation ; and that as they were sensible such purchase could not alone vest in them the absolute Fee, they were also equally apprehensive of the necessity of obtaining his Majesty's Confirmation and royal authority to their Incorporation, but as they suppose the Lands lay within the original Limits of the THOMAS FITCH, 125 Connecticut Charter, they were doubtful whether the former Grant contained in that Charter might not be objected to their obtaining such Confirmation, as they signified to be their Intention to apply for. Upon this the Assembly sig nified their opinion that the peaceable and orderly erecting and carrying on a well regulated Colony or Plantation there, might have a good effect etc., and accordingly mani fested their ready acquiesance therein if it should be his Majesty's royal pleasure to grant said Lands to the Peti tioners, and thereupon to settle and erect a new Colony in such form, and under such regulations as might be consis tent with his royal Wisdom ; whether the Assembly at that time had any apprehension those Lands were in the Limits of the Charter of Pennsylvania or not, I am not able to say ; I suppose very few, if any, among us were acquainted with the particular description of the Bounds of that Charter; But whether such purchase and proceedure interfered with any other Claim, the Assembly did not undertake to con sider, as the motion was that they should by some Declara tion signify that Connecticut would make no claim under the charter to this Colony, in opposition to their motion to the Crown, which the Assembly readily made; Thus Sir, you see that the Assembly have been so far from making a Grant of those Lands that they rather disclaim them and leave those who have any Challenges by purchase, or former Grants, to conduct and manage as they think proper. This Government, therefore, as such, have no concern in those affairs, nor have any inclination or disposition to interest itself in any dispute about those Lands ; and, altho' the purchasers may, most of them, live in Connecticut, yet, as they act in a private Capacity, and even out of the Government, we can do nothing only by advice relative to their Conduct under another Jurisdiction. The impropriety, therefore, of this Government undertaking to prohibit people's purchasing Lands in the Limits of your propriet ary's Claim, and in your Government or any other, save our own, must be very apparent, as every Government has the sole right to command, forbid, etc. in its own Jurisdic- 126 FITCH PAPERS. tion, so has Pennsylvania in the present Case, if these things are within it; Nevertheless, as far as my influence will extend, I shall not fail in using it to prevent the ill conse quences you mention ; but if those purchasers should apply to the King, You will, doubtless, have a fair opportunity to oppose any motion they may make. I have lately heard there are another set of purchasers, called the Delaware Company, but I know but little about them, only I suppose they claim more East, than the other, and am ready to think the Familys you mentioned to be settled in those parts are under that Company, but who they be, when and what they purchased, I am not in formed. I am. Sir, with much respect. Your most Obedient and most humble Servant, THOS. FITCH. Governor Hamilton. JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. New York, 17I' May 1761. Sir, I Have received a Letter from L' Gov Hamilton Acquainting me of his Apprehensions of the behavior of the Indians, on Some People of the Government of Connec ticutt taking possession of Some Lands, to Which the In dians Claim a Right. A War breaking out at this time with the Indians may be of most fatal Consequences ; I have answered Governor Hamilton's Letter, and I Enclose you a Copy of it, that you may be fully Informed of my Opinion concerning this Affair. I am. Sir, &ca. JEFF: AMHERST. Honb'e Governor Fitch. [Indorsed] Copy Letter from Gen' Amherst to Governor Fitch. Dated New York, i7"i May 1761. Acquainting him of L' Governor Hamiltons having represented to him the Encroachments making by some of the In- JOHN POWNALL. I27 habitants of Connecticutt on some Lands in the Prov ince of Pensylvania; and as the Consequences, at this time, might be very fatal by Occasioning an Indian War, he Encloses the Governor a Copy of his Answer to_ L' Governor Hamilton, on the Subject, by which he would See his Opinion concerning this affair, in M. G. Amherst's of Aug' 13: 1761 JOHN POWNALL TO JOHN CLEVELAND. To John Clevland Esq', Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty. Sir, Your Letter to me of the 4"^ instant, upon a Represent ation made, by the Commissioners of the Navy, of the Ex pediency of having a Court of Vice Admiralty established in the Colony of Connecticut, and signifying the Desire of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, would give their Opinion, whether it may be proper to establish such a Court, and if so, that they would recommend fit and able Persons, to be Judge and Register of the said Court, has been laid before their Lordships, and I have their Direc tions to acquaint you, that it appears from the Records of this Office, that upon the first Establishment of regular Admiralty Courts in the Plantations, North America was divided into seven Districts each District containing those Colonies which lay contiguous; that a Court of Vice Admir- miralty, consisting of a Judge, Register, Marshall and Ad vocate, was appointed for each District, and that one of those Districts comprehended the Colonies of New York, Connecticut and East Jersey. It does not fall within their Lordships Department, to know with Certainty, whether any, or what Alteration has been made in this System, since that period, the Sole ap pointment and Direction of Admiralty Courts and their Jurisdiction, having been vested in the Year 1703, in the Lord High Admiral. 128 fitch papers. It appears however, from the Papers inclosed in your Letter, that the Court of Vice Admiralty of New York does still comprehend within its Jurrisdiction, the Colony of Con necticut, and therefore the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations conceive that the Propriety, or Impropriety, of any New Establishment, must depend upon such Infor mation, as the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty shall have received, of the Sufficiency or Insufficiency of that Jurisdiction, as it stands at present, concerning which no Complaint has been made to this Board. Their Lordships therefore under these Circumstances, cannot take upon them to give any Opinion, as to the Ex pediency or Inexpediency of any new Regulation, with re spect to the Admiralty Jurisdiction in the Colony of Con necticut; nor are they sufficiently acquainted, with the Names and Characters of Persons proper to be the Officers. of a separate Admiralty Court for that Colony, in case it should be thought adviseable to establish such a Court; I am Sir, Your most Obedient Humble Servant J. POWNALL Whitehall May 26"' 1761. THOMAS FITCH TO JEFFREY AMHERST. Hartford, 30"' May 1761. Sir, I Have received your Letter of the 17"! Instant, Enclos ing a Copy of your Letter, to L' Gov Hamilton, for which I Return you thanks. M' Hamilton some time since Wrote to me on that Affair, to whom I sent an answer, which I trust will be to his Satis faction, but he had not received it when he Wrote to you. I acquainted him that there were a Number of Persons mostly, I Supposed, Living in Connecticut, who represented to the Assembly, they had purchased of all the Allowed Chiefs of the Six Nations of Indians, a Large Tract of Land on the Susquahannah River, & proposed to Petition the King THOMAS FITCH. I2g for a Charter, but as it was Supposed it lay within the Origi nal Bounds of the Connecticutt Charter, it might, on that Ac count, be Objected against them. It had been already Granted &ca. On this the Assembly Declared that if His Majesty should think proper to Grant their Request, this Government Acquiesced therein, which is no more than Saying, they had no Objection, or Claim, against it; and that this Company have as yet made no pretence of Enter ing on those Lands. I Acquainted him likewise there was another Company of Purchasers (as I was Informed) who called themselves the Delaware Company, but who they were, or of whom they purchased, I was not able to Say ; and that it was from this last mentioned Company those people who had Entered on those Lands proceeded, and with regard to both, that they were particular persons Acting for themselves, and that the Government in no wise Interested itself with, or was Concerned for them. You will therefore See, Sir, there is no Dispute between the two Governments about those Lands; nevertheless I Acquainted him, I would Use my Influence to prevent the 111 Consequences he mentioned; and as I am Sensible a Con troversy with the Indians, would be very Unhappy, I shall Endeavour all I can to Dissuade the people that Live in Connecticutt from laying any foundation for such bad Consequences. As our Troops are marched, & marching, I presume a great part of them will be at Albany, before you receive this, and by the Information I have had. Conclude you will find the Companies, one with another, to be Compleatly full, of which Colonel Whiting can give you a more particu lar & Exact Account. I am, Sir, with very great Respect, &ca. THOS FITCH. His Excellency General Amherst. [Indorsed] Copy. Letter from Gov^ Fitch to General Amherst. Dated Hartford, 30"^ May 1761. In Answer 130 FITCH PAPERS. to the Gen's of 17"! May; In relation to the Encroach ments, making by some of the People of Connecticutt on Lands in the Governm' of Pensylvania. Acquaints the General that the Disputes in Question were not between the two Governments, but particular persons Acting for themselves; that he had Acquainted L'Gov Hamilton thereof and that he should use his Influence to prevent the 111 Consequences, that might arise from such Disputes at this Critical time, in M. G. Amherst's of Aug' 13: 1761. JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. [General Jeffrey Amherst wrote on June 15, 1761, to Governor Thomas Fitch, requesting the continuance of a number of the troops from Connecticut during the coming winter and until July I, 1762, if necessary. Colonial Records, XI. 602. See also Colonial Records of Rhode Island, VI. 285, and Amherst's letter of Oct. 11, 1761.] JONATHAN TRUMBLE TO COLONEL FITCH.* Lebanon 18"' June 1761. Sir Being informed That Cap' Porter is gone forward to Albany in the same pursuit he had at Hartford before the Assembly ; have desired M' Williams to come with this to [you?] fearing That Some of the Officers & Soldiers by his Coloured representations might give you some Trouble & call your Attention from the Necessary Concerns in for warding the goods. To Set the Affair of the Contract in a True Light & prevent ye intended mischiefs, & That his help might be Needed to promote the coinon Interest & Con sidering the Occassion there might be to Send to New York & the Necessity of your Constant Attention to our other Bussiness at Albany, Tho't M' Williams might benificially be improved That way: *This draft of a letter, in Jonathan Trumble's hand, has been much altered by erasures and interlineations. It may have been written to Col, Eleazer Fitch. JARED INGERSOLL. I3I M' Alden went from home before 'twas known here that Cap' Porter was gone, or even tho't he would go to Albany, 'Tho he Threatned it. Cap' Cushman is gone with Alden to purchase the Sheep & Cows w<= probably will be there by you receive this: It can't be imagined That after what The Undertakers have Assured The Assembly & The Officers that any uneasiness can arise when the whole Affair is Represented in that Just & True Light you are able to sett it. Nothing but Just & Upright Dealing has been Used, or is designed or desired in The Case, & Hope to hear soon from you That all is Easy & Goes forward to Satisfaction [Indorsed] Copy To Col° Fitch "^ M' Williams JARED INGERSOLL TO SAMUEL MARTEN. Sr A brief Ace' of the Publick transactions relative to ye War in America, will, I believe, throw the best Lights upon the Demand which the Colony of Connecticut makes, of pay for Victualling Certain Troops of theirs, raised & Sent to the relief of Fort William Henry in Aug' 1757, and at the Same time will Shew the different ground of this demand, from the Claim of the beforementioned, & Some other of the Northern Colonies, in the year 1756. this I shall therefore Attempt, as Concisely as possible, in obedience to their Lordships Commands which you was So good as to Communicate to me, before & in the beginning of the year 1756, the Colonies raised Troops at the request of M' Shirley the Commander in Cheif, without having any particular Encouragement from the Crown of any pay. Either for provisions or wages in the beginning of the year 1756 his Majesty in Council was pleased to Determin that the Crown Should be at the Expence of Subsisting the Troops which the Colonies Should raise, and directed the Same to be Signifyed to the Colonies accordingly by the Secretary of State — the Like Declaration has taken place Every year Since, 132 FITCH PAPERS. The Colonies in the beginning of the year 1756, Raised their Troops & provided ye Necessary provisions for them, upon the Same Views as they had done the yeair before, as they did not know of the Kings Determination to Victual the Troops Until after they had raised & Sent them into the field — -the Knowledge of that matter reached them about the Month of July 1756, when my Ld Loudoun arrived with the Chief Command — from that time the Provincial Troops were Victualled by the Crown ; but nothing paid for the pro visions which the Colonies had Expended after the Kings Determination to Victual the Troops & before the Colonies knew of that Determination, and as those provisions were not advanced upon any agreement with the Colonies or En couragment known to them, on the part of the Crown, the Colonies were Left merely to the Equity of their Claim as the ground of their demand, it not being the Duty of the Command' in Chief, or other person to pay for the Same. Accordingly the matter being brought before the Lords of the Treasury, was referred to Parliament & there a grant was made of the Sums they had so Expended for Victualling their Troops after the Kings Determination to Subsist them & before & until that Subsistance Actually took place, inas much as ye King had Declared his Intentions to Victual the Troops although the Colonies did not know of that Declara tion nor had Acted under the influence of it — this was the State of ye Demand in 1756. Now after this viz in the beginning of the year 1757, when it was known to all Parties that the Provincial Troops were to be Victualled by the Crown, the Provinces being again Called upon to raise their Contingents, they applied to my Ld Loudon to Know where, & in what manner the Troops, when inlisted & raised Should receive their provisions. Ld Loudon finding it im practicable to Carry the Kings provisions about into the Several parts of that Extensive Country where the Troops were Levyed, Directed the Colonies themselves to find pro visions for their Troops from the time of their inlistment Until their Junction with the main Body, & Agreed that they Should receive pay for the Same out of the Military JARED INGERSOLL. 1 33 Chest at four pence p' Ration — this was done & the money Issued accordingly not only for the Troops raised in the beginning of ye year 1757 but for those of Every other year Since, to mutual Satisfaction — the particular Circumstances of the Subsistance now in question was as follows. My Ld Loudon having formed his Plan for making his greatest Efforts in the year 1757 towards Louisbourg, Left Maj' Gen' Webb with the Cheif Command toward Crown ' Point to act on the Defensive only, Directed Connecticut & the other Northern Colonies to furnish him with a Certain Lesser number of Troops & further ordered that Connecti cut, & I believe, one or two more Provinces, that Lay nearest to Gen' Webb Should Designate & Set apart a Certain Number of their Militia properly Officered & Accoutred to be ready upon the least Notice & Call from Gen' Webb to proceed up into those parts, for his releif if Attacked by the Enemy — it happened while Lord Loudon was at Halifax, Gen' Webb was Attacked — Called upon Connecticut for their Said Detached Troops, who Accordingly went to his releif & there tarried till the Enemy retired and it is for the provisions Expended in the March of those Troops until they reached the Kings Stores that the Demand now in question is made. this Expence therefore, having Arisen in Consequence of Ld Loudon's general Agreement & that founded on the Kings Declaration, would doubtless have been paid in like manner with all others of the like kind from & after the beginning of ye year 1757, but that it happened before the Ace's Could be Collected & presented to Lord Loudon, he was recalled, & being Succeeded by General Abercrombie, upon the Ace's being presented to him he Declined Order ing payment, because the Accounts Arose before his Com mand. this being the Case it Should Seem, that this matter falls within the reason & description of those Accounts & Demands which Lately have been referred to the Com mander in Chief for the time being in America for Adjust ment & payment — however I only mean to give their 134 FITCH PAPERS. Lordships of the Treasury the full State of the matter, well knowing when that is done that their Lordships will best know how to direct the Same into its proper Channels I am S' Yr Most Obed' Humb' Serv' J INGERSOLL N. Palace Yard 29"! June 1761 To S. Marten Esq' [Indorsed] M' Ingersole. Claim of Connecticut for repaym' of expences in victualling their provincials 1757. June 30. read reconsidered y* application of Connecticut. Agreed that ye former minute do stand 1757 WILLIAM PITT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall July B"! 1761 Gentlemen, The King having been pleased, this Day, to declare, in full Council, His Resolution of demanding in Marriage The Princess Charlotte Sister of the Duke of Mecklenburg Stre- litz, I send You herewith, by His Majesty's Order, an Extraordinary Gazette, which has been published this Even ing in order to make known this Event to all His Majesty's Subjects, and I have the greatest Pleasure in congratulating You upon the same, as I doubt not but You will receive it, with the utmost Joy & Satisfaction. I am Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant W PITT Gov' & Company of Connecticut [Indorsed] Letter from M' Secry Pitt 8"i July 1761, Rec* 20"' Sept' NATHAN WHITING TO JONATHAN TRUMBLE. Camp at Crownpoint July 14"' 1761* Dear Sir On my Arrival at this place 17'h Ult I found the Gen erals orders for Commanding the Troops in Camp, Who * This date is uncertain. The last figure might be either i or 2. NATHAN whiting. 135 Consist of two Regiments of the Massachusetts my own & the New Hampshire Regiments, Lieut. Colo Eliot Com mands the Fortress; in many things the Commands may interfere he is a Gent, high in his Notion of Command and not very Sensible nor obliging, so that I am a good deal perplexd As the Generals orders Are not Clear nor particu lar, I Shall Let no punctillios hinder the Service & at the Same time will endeavour to Support the Honor of my Rank, but tis really a dissagreable Command As I have Little Chance of gaining Honor or reputation & a Sure Chance of doubling my Expence. I had no Orders from the General about the Men that Stayd the Winter as to discharging them i July, neither had Col° Eliot nor would he give them provissions to go Home as that was under his Command, I could not; I immediately on my Coming wrote the General about them, & used all my endeavours to perswade them to Stay Con tentedly; I have yet reed no Orders, tis now to no purpose As they have most all gone except what have Enlisted, more than a hundred of the Massachusetts have gone away, (& fifty or more of ours) they were all included in the Number of their present Establishment, but would not enlist because the Goverment gave them but half bounty, ours would most all enlist but our Numbers were Compleat, had the others been in the Same Situation as ours I would venture to have dismissd them, but as they were all Reckoned in their Number, I dare not without Order & did not dis miss our Least I might be thought partial, I am Sorry they run Away and would not Stay a few Days for orders, And Am as Sorry there was not Orders to Dissmiss them punc tually at the time, as every such Constraint is hurtfull to the Service; I hope for the future, every thing of that kind will be Clearly & distinctly Setled between the Colony & the General, the Troops are very healthy not one of either Reg' has died since they came here, nor any very Sick; the works I think never went on better, no one can Sony it if disposed to it. my Complements to M's Trumble & family 136 FITCH PAPERS. M' Joseph in particular, & M' Sluman if with you I am with Respect Dear Sir your most Obed' humble serv' N WHITING Jon'i'" Trumble Esq' THOMAS FITCH TO JEFFREY AMHERST. [Governor Thomas Fitch wrote on July 16, 1761, to General Jeffrey Amherst, that he would take the earhest opportunity to lay before the General Assembly the Gen eral's request that a certain number of the Colony's troops be continued in service during the winter and would give timely notice of the Assembly's determination thereupon. See Amherst's letter to Fitch of Oct. 11, 1761.] JOHN POWNALL TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall July 21s' 1761. Gentlemen, The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury having ap pointed Thomas Temple Esq' to be Surveyor General of His Majesty's Customs for the Northern district of America, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to desire you will upon every Occasion give him that Support, protection & countenance due to his Charac ter and the important trust confer'd upon him I am. Gentlemen, Your most Obedient Humble Serv' JOHN POWNALL Secry To the Governor and Company of His Majesty's Colony of Connecticut [Indorses] Letter from the Secretary of the Lords Com miss's for trade & Plantations 21s' July 1761 Rec* iz"" Nov 1761 JARED ingersoll. I37 JARED INGERSOLL TO THOMAS FITCH. On board the Alcide Man of War at Sea Aug' lo'^ 1761. 5'- being now on my return home I Sit down to give you Some general Account of the transactions, during my Agency in England, & of the present Scituation of the Col onys affairs there. the matters about which I was particularly Instructed at Setting out from home, you will remember. As to one of which viz the Affair of the Spanish Snow & her Cargo, I Acquainted you formerly that in Conversation with M' Sec retary Pitt, Soon after my arrival at London, I Learnt that no further Complaints had been made on the part of the Spaniard, Since the Colonys Account of their proceed ings & Conduct in that affair had been laid before the Span ish Minister. Since that time another Ambassador has been Sent to the British Court from that of Spain, in the room of the former & no new representations made. So that I be lieve it may Safely be Concluded there is nothing farther to be apprehended from that Affair. The Mohegan Controversy Still Lies Dormant nor has anything been moved relative to the Line between the Col ony & the Massachusetts Province. my principal Attention has been wanted (?) in the Solicitation of monies & in Settling the plan of the future agency. You have been already Acquainted that the Parliament has been pleased to Grant to the Colonies for their Services in the years 1758, 1759, & 1760, three Several Sums of two hundred thousand pounds Each, & that the two former have been divided & paid in the particular manner as mentioned in my Letters to you, from time to time, the Last Grant, not yet apportioned among the Colonies. I am now further to Inform you that After Long & re peated Solicitation & much Delay, Occasioned by Sending to Germany & Scotland, for Some further informations from my Ld Loudon & the Generals Abercrombie & Webb, & 138 fitch PAPERS. other hindrances, the Lords of the Treasury, have Directed S' Jeffrey Amherst to Examin, & if found Just & true, to pay the Colonys Demand of about Nine hundred pounds for Victualling their Troops raised & Sent to the relief of Fort W"" Henry in Aug' 1757. this Ultimate resolution I was not able to Obtain until a few Days before my Leaving England, as Soon as the Same passed, I Obtained the necessary Let ters &c to M' Amherst, which I now have with me. The Assembly was pleased to Order that the monies which I Should receive for the Colonys Services in the year 1758, Should be placed in Some Safe Bank in England on Interest, this Occasioned my writing you a very Long Let ter, in which I Endeavoured to State the nature of Banks in England, & Acquainted You that they did not Ever Allow Interest for monies in their hands and also Suggested how precarious it would be to Lay out the monies in the Stocks or Publick funds by reason of the War & that therefore I thought I should not make any Disposition of the money. I am now to Inform you, that after I had wrote that Letter being Desirous of doing Every thing in my power for the Colonys interest, & fearing least I should Incur the imputation of neglecting a Talent in my hands, I Ventured to Lay out the monies in a particular Species of the funds carrying an Interest of ^4. p' Cent : and for a while was flattered with a prospect of being able to make Something Considerable by the Step, but by the time the Bills of Ex change came upon me that were ordered to be Drawn & I obliged to raise monies to Answer the Same the Publick funds Sunk So Low, in the Capital, that after all possible Care & much anxiety for fear of the Event, I was Just Able, in Selling ye Stocks again, to Save the Account from Loss, & that was all, by this Step however I have had the Satis faction of having made a trial & by that means of having Obeyed my Orders. As the Colony did not Direct any Step of that kind to be taken with the monies received for the Services of the year 1759, I have taken Care to place in a Bank for the Col onys Use, the Net Sum Due to them viz forty Six thousand JARED INGERSOLL. 1 39 Six hundred & fifty pounds including as part of that Sum, twenty three thousand One hundred pounds, now in Excheq' Tallies or Government Securities bearing Date the 26"^ of June Last, to which Sum is to be added the interest of those Tallies being £,4 p"" Cent : p'' Ann : that Will arise & become due upon them at the time when they Shall be paid — this Sum of ;^46.65o. the ballance, which upon the whole of the ace's my Salary So much of it as is unpaid, together with all disbursements & Charges, included appears to be the Col onys Due, I have placed to their Account in the best manner I was able. I acquainted you in my Last that the Bank I had made Use of, was the House of Mess Hinton Browne & Son Bank ers in Lombard Street London — the reason why I did not place the monies in the Bank of England, was, that, that Bank will not Enter any monies for, or in the name of any Body Corporate or Even for an Individual Person who Re sides at a Distance & who must negotiate the Same by Proxy, but insist on having to do only with Some person on the Spot whose hand writing they know, which person must Enter the monies in his own name, be wholly trusted by the own ers of the Same & Account over to them for it ;— this method Seeming to be Somewhat different from the Assemblys plan & Intention, I was Obliged to Employ a private Banking House, one however that has nearly or quite as good a repu tation as the Bank of England. The Lawsuit with the Exs of M' Partridge is going for ward as fast as processes of that Kind do in England — a Decree having lately been Obtained against them to Ac count, I paid the Attorneys bill about thirty three pounds — the matter is now before a Master in Chancery to Examin the Aces &c and to make his Report— tis Expected the Cause will be finished Sometime Next Winter. the Difficulty which I mentioned to you in my last, with Lord Kinnoul late Paymaster general respecting the monies borrowed of the Crown by the Colony in the year 1756, I have Settled as to him — the State of which Affair take briefly as follows — I40 FITCH PAPERS. Mess Tomlinson & Hanbury Contractors with the Crown for remitting monies to the Army in America, received by order of the Lords of the Treasury, Certain monies Granted by Parliament to the Colonies in the Year 1756, to remit to them & did remit the Same in the Stirling Castle Man of War in the Month of Aug' of the Same Year — M' Apthorpe their Agent at Boston, by Order I Suppose, of Gen' Shirley & Consent of the Colonies Concerned, took out of those monies Certain Sums in order to pay & replace the monies which the Massachusetts, Connecticut & N. Hampshire Col onies had borrowed & received out of the military Chest, in the Spring of that year, persuant to Gen' Shirleys Warrant — those Monies M^ Apthorpe paid in to the hands of M' Morteir Dep : Paymaster at N : York, by the hands of Co' Hunter, but by Some mistake instead of taking a Receipt of M' Morteir in the Colonies names for the monies So paid, or placing the Same at all to their Ace' A Receipt was given by M' Morteir for the monies so paid, on ace' of Tomlinson & Hanbury, So that they Tomlinson & Hanbury had Credit in their own Aces with the Crown for that Sum more than they ought to have had, and the Colonies Said Debts re mained apparently unpaid. this matter nevertheless might, & probably would have been put to rights as Soon as discovered by the Paymaster & the Contractors, but for another difficulty or blunder which was that the Silver borrowed, was by M' Apthorpe in his Aces, Computed at a Lower rate than the Silver paid in — this appeared to Leave a ballance Still due from the Colonies viz from Connecticut about ^245, from the Massa chusetts a proportionate & much Larger Sum &c — the re mitters therefore Tomlinson & Hanbury would not Consent to Discharge the whole of those Debts of the Colonies to L^ Kinnoul without having those Supposed ballances or arrears, advanced to them — this the Agents for those Colonies finally Consented to do on Tomlinson & Hanburys giving Security to return the Same in Case it Shall Appear that the Colonies had paid the full Sums before, the matter being thus Settled Lord Kinnoul gave a Receipt in full to Each JARED INGERSOLL. I4I Dny & Mess Tomlinson & Hanbury at the Same time, siving of the Agents the Supposed arrears as a Deposit lanner aforesd, Executed Such Counter Security to Each ony — that for Connecticut I have Left with M' Jackson, ing with me a Duly Authenticated Copy. I have in my hands Sundry papers and minutes relating his matter which the Colony will Doubtless Order to be )kt into & the whole affair to be Cleared up & Settled as )n as may be I Dont know of any thing Else that requires A particu- mention by pen & Ink, — when I Shall have the pleasure Seeing you & the other gentlemen of the Colony I shall Ilk myself happy in having an oportunity of giving all ther intelligence that Shall be desired, in any particular, hin my Knowledge. all the papers relative to the Colonys Affairs that were iper to be Left behind I Delivered over to M'' Jackson a tie before my Coming away & took Care to Communicate aim & M' Life Everything I knew with regard both to the leral State of the Colonies Affairs, as also the particular tuation & Course of their businesses in England. I have now done when I have told you that during the le that I have been honoured with the Colonys Intrust- nts Abroad, I have made it my Constant Care & En- ivour, in all things to Serve & promote their Interests, to ! Utmost of my power, And if I have been So fortunate to have Contributed in any measure, to their Welfare, I all Ever Esteem it as my greatest happiness & honour — in any thing I have failed, it must be imputed to the ror of my Judgment, & not to any want of intention, or application. I return the Colony my Sinerest Acknowledgments for ! honour they have done me, and for the Candor which on Occasions they have Shewn me, for which I Shall Ever nk myself Under the highest^)bligations. I Conclude with my~most Sincere & hearty wishes that lU Sf, may Long Live, Enjoy health & Every blessing, i that the Colony & their affairs may prosper & flourish 142 FITCH PAPERS. to the Latest posterity and Am with the highest Esteem & Respect Your & their Most Obed' & Most Humbe Serv' J INGERSALL P. S. as ye precise amount of my Expences Could not be known until my arrival home, I was not Able to Send in my Aces with this, which otherwise would have been done — the ballance I Drew in England was made out upon an Estimate — the best I Could form, of the Expence I Should be at in my return — as Soon as I get home I Shall take Care to Complete Ye Aces & to have them ready to Lay be fore the Assembly whenever they Shall be called for J. L Gov Fitch [Indorsed] M' Agent Ingersoll's Letter Dated on Board the Alcide Man of War Oct' lo' 1761 CADWALLADER COLDEN TO THOMAS FITCH. N. Y. August lo'li 1761. Sir On Saturday I sent by one who told me he was going streight to your house, a letter which came under my cover from the Secretary of States office, by the Packet. It seemed only to be a private Letter. At the same time I re ceived his Majesties Commission appointing me Lieut. Gov ernor of this Province. I have received some information of illegal Trade carried on from this Port, by means of the Custom House officers of New London in the Colony of Connecticut. Some Merchants of this place ship provisions for New London & give bond to return a Certificate of their being landed there which is accordingly done. The quantity is much too great for the consumption of that place & it is therefore suspected that the Provisions are not really landed, or if Landed ship ped again without bond. I must desire you & I make no doubt you will make proper enquiry privately to discover this fraud. WILLIAM PITT. 143 But what I am cheifly concern'd for is that the sloop Seaflower, John Weggery Master cleared out the ii"i of last Month with twenty two Tons of Provisions & other goods for New London & gave bond to land the Provisions. I strongly suspect that she has not landed them, because she has carried off privately a French Man who lives at Miss issippi & is suspected to be a Spy. His name is Renaud, & has been at Boston & some Months in this place. You must easily perceive of what mischievous conse quence this may be of, & therefore I must earnestly intreat you to use your diligence to discover whether this Vessel has been at New London or whether she landed her Pro visions or carried them off from thence & to inform me of everything you can learn of that Vessel & of the French Man Renaud. It is necessary that your enquiry be made as privately as possible, for any public enquiry will put the delinquents in this place upon their Guard so as probably to defeat all our endeavours to bring them to Justice. I am with great regard Sir Y' &=. WILLIAM PITT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall ii"> Sept' 1761. Gentlemen, It is with the greatest Pleasure, that I am now to ac quaint You, that His Majesty's Marriage with the Princess Charlotte of Mecklenbourg Strelitz (who landed at Harwich, on the Seventh Ins') was happily celebrated on the next Evening in the Royal Chapel at S' James's. I sincerely congratulate You on this happy Event, which cannot fail to give the highest Satisfaction and Joy to all His Majesty's Faithful Subjects. I am, Gentlemen, Your most humble Servant W: PITT Gov' & Company of Connecticut [Indorsed] Letter from M' Secretary Pitt ii"" Sept' 1761 Reed 8"i Decemb"" 144 fitch PAPERS. WILLIAM PITT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall, 28'i> Sepf 1761. Gentlemen, I have the Satisfaction to inform you, that Their Maj esties were crowned at Westminster, on Tuesday last the 2 2d Instant, with the accustomed Ceremonies on like Occa sions, the Particulars whereof are inserted in the inclosed Gazette. I am. Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant. W: PITT Gov' & Compy of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from M^ Secretary Pitt 28"' Sepf 1761 Reed 8'h lobr ROYAL INSTRUCTION TO CONNECTICUT. George R. Instruction to Our Trusty and Well-belov ed the Governor and Company of Our Colony of Connecticut in New England in America. Given at Our Court at S' James's the 29"! day of Sep' 1 76 1, in the first year of Our Reign. Whereas We have been pleased by Our Order in Coun cil of the ii'i' day of September instant to declare Our Pleasure, that in the Morning and Evening Prayers, in the Litany and all other parts of the publick Service, as well in the occasional Offices as in the Book of Common Prayer, where the Royal Family is appointed to be particularly pray'd for, the following Form of Words should be used Viz': Our Gracious Queen Charlotte, Her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales and all the Royal Family. Our Will and Pleasure therefore is, that in all the Prayers, Litany's and Collects where the Royal Family is pray'd for, and which are used within Our Colony of Connecticut under your Government, the same Form and Order of Words be used as follows, Viz' Our Gracious Queen Charlotte, Her earl of egremont. 145 Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales and all the Royal Family, and for the better Notice hereof in Our said Colony, It is Our further Will and Pleasure, that you cause the same to be forthwith published in the several Parish Churches and other places of divine Worship within Our said Colony, and that you take care that due Obedience be paid thereto accordingly. G R. [Indorsed] Instruction to the Gov & Company of Connec ticut. Kings Instructions to the Gov & Com of Connecticut 29"" Sepf 1 76 1 for altering the Form of Prayer for the Royal Family Reed g'li December 1761 EARL OF EGREMONT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall 9"^ October 1761. Gentlemen, The King having been graciously pleased to grant M' Pitt's Request to retire from Business, and to appoint Me to be Secretary of State for the Southern Department: I take the earliest Opportunity to acquaint You Therewith, and to desire, that You would be pleased, for the future, to address your letters to Me, which I shall not fail to lay immediately before The King, and to transmit to You such Orders as his Majesty shall judge proper to give thereupon. I have at present only to add for your Information, that this Change will not occasion any Alteration in The King's Measures, particularly with regard to the vigorous Prosecution of the War. I am. Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant EGREMONT Govern^ & Compy of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from the Earl of Egremont Appointed one of his Majestys Principal Secretaries of State 9"' ocf 1 76 1 Reed gth Decemb' 10 146 fitch papers. JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. Staaten Island, ii'^ October 1761. Sir, The Season Advancing fast, when I shall be Obliged to Order the part of the Provincial Troops which are not to remain during the Winter to their Respective Homes; and as by your Letter of the 16"' July, you acquainted me, that you would take the Earliest Opportunity of Laying my Request of the 15"' June, for a Certain Number of men to be Continued during the Winter, before your Assembly, & give me timely Notice of their Determination thereupon, I must beg that you will, with all Convenient Haste send the proper Orders to the Commanding Officers of the Connecti cutt Regiments, to make the Draft of Three Companies, Consisting of Three Hundred, & Twenty Three Men, Including three Captains, & Six Subalterns Agreable to my former Request, as I am Convinced the necessity of their Service, will have Appeared in so Strong a Light to your Assembly, that they will not have failed to make provision for them Accordingly. I am, with great Regard, Sir, &ca. JEFF: AMHERST. Hont^'e Governor Fitch. [Indorsed] Copy. Letter from Gen' Amherst to Governor Fitch. Dated Staaten Island, ii"i Octo' 1761. Re minding the Governor of his Request for Continuing a Certain Number of men during the Winter, and beg ging the Governor will give immediate orders for mak ing the Draft of those to be continued by the Colony of Connecticutt, as the Season Advanced, when he should be obliged to Order the Remainder to their Respective homes, in S' Jeff: Amherst's of Ocf 21. 1761. THOMAS FITCH TO JEFFREY AMHERST. Newhaven, 19"! October 1761, Sir, Agreable to my Letter of the 16*^ of July, I took the first opportunity of laying Your Request of the 15"" of June, THOMAS FITCH. I47 before the General Assembly of this Colony, Which met in this place, on the 8"i Instant, and Recommended that matter to their Early Consideration, to which they soon proceeded, & thereon Resolved to Grant Encouragement, & make provision for 226 men, Including two Captains, & Four Lieufs to Engage, & Enlist into the Service you pro posed, to Continue during the Ensueing Winter, and Untill the first day of July next, unless His Majesty's Service will admit of their being released sooner; And Directions were given for Carrying this Resolve into Execution. This being just finished. When I received your Letter of the ii'h Instant, desiring me with all Convenient Haste to send the proper orders to the Commanding Officers of the Connecti cutt Regiments, to make the Drafts &ca. I lost no time in preparing my Orders for that purpose. And accordingly Sent (by a faithfull person Who Set out from hence last Week, for the Camp at Crown Point) Directions to the Colonels of our Regim's to put in Execution, as soon as possible, the Resolve, and orders of the Assembly, in the best manner for promoting His Majesty's Service. I pro posed to the Assembly the Number You Mentioned ; but on Comparing the Numbers required from the Other Govern ments, on this Occasion, with the Numbers they Voted to Raise for the Service of the Current year; And finding that 226 was at least in as great a proportion to the Number this Colony had agreed to Raise for the Same Service. The Assembly was of Opinion that 226 was their full proportion, & even apprehended they have Somewhat Exceeded their fellow Subjects of the Other Colonies, in promoting His majestys Service in this Regard. The Season being so far advanced, that the Troops can be of little or no Service in the Camp ; and as their Return before Cold Weather, may prevent the loss of many Lives, I am Desired by the Assembly to Request your favour, that the Connecticutt Troops now in Camp, Except those that are to tarry thro' the Winter, may be Dismissed as soon as may be. The great hardships the Troops have Suffered in some former years, by being detained late, and then march- 148 FITCH PAPERS. ing in Snowy, and Frosty Weather, in order to get home, and the many Lives lost in Consequence thereof, makes the Assembly Concerned in this Matter, and Desirous, that as much favour in this Respect may be shewn their Soldiery, as may be Consistant with His Majesty's Service. I am. Sir, &ca. THOS FITCH. His Excell<=y Gen' Amherst. [Indorsed.] Copy. Letter from Governor Fitch to General Amherst, Dated Newhaven, 19"^ Ocf 1761. Acquaint ing the General that the Assembly of Connecticutt had Resolved to make provision for 226 men, Including 2 Cap's & 4 Subalterns, to Continue during the Winter; That altho' he proposed to the Assembly the number required by the General, they would not agree thereto, as they Imagined the above was their full proportion, &ca. in S' J: Amherst's of Nov' 27: 1761. JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. Staaten Island, 27"! Octo' 1761. Sir, I Have this day the favor of Your Letter of the ig"" Instant, Acquainting me of your having sent Directions to the Colonels of the Connecticutt Regiments, to put in Exe cution the Resolve of the Assembly to Continue in the pay of the Colony 226 Men, Including Two Captains, & Four Lieutenants, untill the is' July next, unless His Majesty's Service will Admit of their being Discharged sooner. The Quota requested was agreable to the Proportions Demanded of the Other Provinces ; and it would have given me great pleasure that the Colony of Connecticutt had, upon this occasion, fully Contributed their Share for the King's Service, that I might have Reported it accordingly to His Majesty's Ministers; I Have however. Sir, no doubt but you have done Every thing in your power to Influence the Assembly to a Compliance thereto ; and I have Acquainted the Commanding Officer at Crown Point of your having invalids in col. phineas lyman's regiment. 149 Sent the necessary Orders for making the Draft, that he may Concert with the Colonels the proper measures for that purpose. You may be assured the rest of the Troops shall not be kept a day longer than the Season will Admit of their Carrying on the Works ; and that they shall be Discharged before the Weather becomes Rigorous. I am, with great Regard, Sir, &ca. JEFF: AMHERST. Honb'e Gov' Fitch. [Indorsed.] Copy. Letter from General Amherst to Gov ernor Fitch. Dated Staaten Island, 27"! Octo' 1761. In Answer to the Gov's of 19"' 0° That the Quota Re quested of the Colony of Connecticutt, for the Ensueing Winter, was agreable to the proportions Demanded of the Other Provinces ; and that it would have given the General great pleasure, had the Colony of Connecti cutt, upon this occasion, fully Contributed their Share, that he might have Reported it accordingly to His Majesty's Ministers, &ca. in S' J : Amherst's of Nov' 27: 1761. INVALIDS IN COL. PHINEAS LYMAN'S REGIMENT. Account of Rations allowed by Order of Sir Jeffrey Am herst Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces in North- America, for the following effective Invalids of Colonel Ly man's Regiment of Connecticut-Provincials under Command of Lieut: Col: Smedley, mustered at Number Four this sev enteenth of November 1 761, on their Return to their several Townships, by Captain Henry Brown of the fourth Royal- American Battalion: distinguishing particularly the Provi sions in Kind served out to them by the Contractor's Agent to victual them to the next inhabited Part of that Province, as well as the Money paid by said Captain Browne, in Lieu of the daily Ration, to subsist them to their Homes respect ively, allowing twelve computed Miles to the Days March. Viz' 15° FITCH papers. Effectives mustered: Their Townships Osiah Bissell (Ensign) Bolton Joshua Sherwin Hebron Jonathan Bill Coventry Samuel Bill Ditto Jonathan Alford Windsor Eleazar Hill Hartford Seth Barber Simsbury Phineas Ford Hebron David Jones Simsbury Shadrick Phelps do Hezekiah Hill hartford Pelez Sporge Coventry Aaron Tinney Simsbury Simon Stow Do John Williams Suffield John Jones Granville Hezekiah King Bolton David Andrews (Liut) Farmington David Pike Do Benjamin Risley Hartford Luther Cadee Killingsley Benjamin Tucker Tompot John Cutler Killingsley Eliakim Merrills Hartford Moses Mills Do David Chilson Canterbury Mathew Raiment Windsor David Gould Killingsly William Ervin Pomfret Isaac Eraser Do John Yemmons Wallingford Samuel Convis Killingsly Ambo (Negro) Farmington Thomas Haines Norwich Aaron Craft do James Mix Do Samuel Crandle Do INVALIDS IN COL. PHINEAS LYMAN S REGIMENT. 151 Peter Mason Groton Thomas Selden Norwich Sam: Hail d° Samuel Hutchins Do William Hutchins do William Warters do Ezra Lothrop do John Snow do J: Rudd do John Brown do John Stanton (Capt) Groton William Roeminer (L') Stonington Tad Cheesebrook do David Penning Groton Silvester Warden Stonington Jabez Bellings Do Jason Fish do John Mulkins Preston John Nichols Stonington Phineas Stuart do Christopher Kinyon Preston Cyrus Buck Stonington Samuel Wilcox Preston David Hewitt Stoningion Samuel Mallison Groton John Stedman do Timothy Beckwith New London Naman Mosier do Henry Jones do James Sancrow (? ) do Stephen Richards do Gustus Rogers do Valentine Miller Lime Seth King (Capt) Suffield John Strong (Liut) Windsor Joseph Willson Coventry Joseph Edwards do Hezekiah Spencer Suffield '52 FITCH PAPERS. Jabez Collins Summers John Moody Farmington Israel Hall Enfield Samuel Pomeroy Summers Ebenezer Wentworth Coventry Joseph Messenger Simsbury Jacob Ribly Summers Ezra Parsons do Richard Handy Simsbury Josiah Woodruff Farmington David Felt Summers Amos Rising Suffield Ebenezer Lumis Windsor Joshua Smith Ashford Zachariah Parker Mansfield James Parker Do Isaac Barrows do Nathan Kingsley Do Wendham William Thomson Ashford Cornelius Stairs Mansfield James Lull Stafford Daniel Squire Ashford David Cummings do Eliah Huntington Mansfield Joseph Pumham do John Grinset Windham Eden Durkey Do Jonas Wells (Liut) Colchester Ebenezer Ames Stafford Timothy Start Colchester Thomas Wood Stafford Luther Japliff Willington Benjamin Fenton Do Nathan Whipple Summers Abraham Warner East Haddam James Jones Colchester William (Negro) do Samuel McLinnon Stafford INVALIDS IN COL. PHINEAS LYMAN'S REGIMENT. 153 Jonathan Morgan Colchester David Worshburn Stafford Martin Denelaw Windsor Thomas Rice Stafford Timothy Bebee Colchester James Eady Do Thomas Willey Middleton Stephen Wise Do Stephen Ranney Do Cornelius Lane Do Churchill Edwards Do Norman Green Enfield David Wood Durham Thomas Willson Killingsly James Richards Norwich Jeremiah Attley Preston Eliah Bramble Do Aaron Wilder Killingsly John Frink Wendham Perez Tracey Do Ezekiel Blackmore Killingsly William Gallop Preston Caleb Conant Wendham William Shaw Do Joseph Collar Killingsly Henry MeGunnegill Volentown William Perkins Killingsly Ephraim Samson Plainfield Cornelius Youngman Coventry John Leslie Volentown William Cassel Do William Murphy Do William Willson Do Nathan Eldridge Coventry Samuel Marcy Plainfield Ebenezer Coll Woodstock James Elseworth Coventry Jonathan Truydill Plainfield Jonathan Pidge Woodstock Martin Answorth Do 154 FITCH PAPERS. New Hampshire, Number Four November the 17'' 1761. I acknowledge to have received from the Contractors for victualling His Majesty's Forces in North America, by an Order of Captain Henry Browne of the fourth Royal- American Battalion, Four Hundred and Fifty nine Rations of Provisions of all species, being three Days Allowance each, to One Hundred and fifty three. Invalids, of Colonel Lyman's Regiment of Connecticut-Provincials, to subsist them to the next inhabited Part of the Country, and I farther acknowledge to have receivd from the said Captain Browne, Twenty two Pounds, two Shillings and 4d Sterling in Dollars at four Shillings and eight pence each, in Lieu of. One Thousand, three Hundred, and twenty seven Rations more, allow'd them by His Excellency the Com mander in Chief to carry them to their Homes respectively, according to the Distances, placed in the within Roll, against the Names of the Effectives, (which distances are calculated with all the Accuracy in my Power) The whole amounting to One Thousand seven Hundred and eighty six Rations. I say received James Smedly Lut Colo INVALIDS IN COL. NATHAN WHITINGS REGIMENT, Account of Rations, allowed by Order of his Excellency Sir Jeffery Amherst, Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces in North America, for the following effective Inval ids, of Col: Whiting's Regiment of Connecticut- Provincials under Command of Lieut: Colonel Smedley, mustered at Number Four, this seventeenth day of November 1761, on their Return to their several Townships, by Captain Henry Browne of the fourth Royal-American Battalion: distin guishing particularly the Provisions in-kind served-out by the Contractor's Agent, to victual them to the next inhabited Part of that Province, as well as the Money paid by said Captaine Browne, in Lieu of the daily-Ration, to subsist them to their Homes respectively, allowing twelve computed Miles to the days March. Viz' INVALIDS IN COL. NATHAN WHITING S REGIMENT. I5S Effectives mustered Their Townships Aaron Henman New Haven Ogden Mallery do Dow Smith do Obadiah Winter do Richard Derrow do Benjamin Linsley do Abraham Atwater do Timothy Tuttle do Amos Brooks do Jehiel Sexton do Asher Frank do Nehemiah Clark Milford James Smedley Lieut: Col: Fairfield Elijah Stillson do Theophilus Andrews do James Prindle do Joseph Beach do Peter Buckley do James Cole do Edmond Hayes do Ebenezer Readfield do Reuben Whitehead do Eliadah Prindle do Thomas Monson do Amos Knap do Jesse Forster do Dick Congo do Hezekiah Thorp do Hezekiah Williams do Elisha Knap do Hezekiah Lewis Milford John Clark do Elisha Parker do Jonas Powers do Jacob Collins do Oliver Sandford do Nathan Tibbels Stratford iS6 FITCH PAPERS. Daniel Owen Stratford Ephraim Buel do William Hall do Jonathan Marrum do Benjamin Nichols do Benjamin Chase do Ebenezer Sloson do Jedidiah Blackman do Caleb Morgan do Samuel Osbern do Jonathan Pritchard Derby Joseph Seymour do John Prout do Ambrose Hitchcock do Elisha Castle do Nathaniel Yale do Prester Judd do David Fenn do Hezekiah Ball do Elisha Welton do Timothy Humminstone do Jabez Hall Horseneck Alexander Mire do Joseph Nicholas do Elisha Morehouse d° Jonathan Finch do Jabez Bradley do Joseph Griffin do Elisha Peary do Gideon Hall do Nathan Barnum do Abraham Cooper New Haven Daniel Comstock do Joseph Woolcot d° Hezekiah Allen do Mathew Ford d° Preserve Killock Lebanon Thomas Skinner do INVALIDS IN COL. NATHAN WHITING S REGIMENT. IS7 Joseph Kay Lebanon Zebulon Gay do Jarnes Glass do Prince Freeman d° Moses Hutchinson do Daniel Waterman do Joseph Mal ton do Andrew Carrier d° John Dennison Seabrook John Glading d° John Griffin d° Benajah Bushel d° Samuel Andrews do Samuel Webb do Daniel Ray do Giles Buckingham do Elisha Dee do James Clark do Ezra Tyler d° David Benton do Job Hubbard d° Jonathan Spencer do Nathaniel Buel Sharon Jesse Stevens do Ariel Bradley d° Noah Lee d° Samuel Peck do Hildrick Barrit do Jeremiah Foster d° Roger Wilcox do John Morry d° John Curtis d° Joseph Preston d° John Bunce do Francis Joddin do Levi Pierce d° Prince (Negro) do Archibald McNiel Litchfield 158 FITCH PAPERS. John Royce Reuben Allen Nathanael Barnum Noah Bonn son Timothy Fuller Benjamin Henman Caleb Hulleburt Daniel Stillson Perez Sturdefunk Solomon Squire Hugh Hannah Comfort Jackson Daniel Landen Alexand: Pettigrew Joseph Hait Stephen Morrin Jesse Smith Isaac Lockwood Joseph Hait Jun' Joseph Hait 3d Joseph Hait 4"^ Zachaeus Guernsey Stephen Pratt James Corbett William Russell Moses Beach Joseph Murren Enoch Warren Daniel Raymond Gershon Handford John Green Solomon Chase Charles Richards New I acknowledge to have r for Victualling His Majesty's an Order of Captain Henry Litchfield do do New Milford do do do do dodo Litchfield do do do Stamford W allingsf ord Stamford do dodo do dodo d° Wallingsford dodo Norwalk dodo do StratfordGoshen Hampshire Number Four November 17"' 1761. eceived from the Contractors Forces in North-America, by Browne of the fourth Royal FIRST REGIMENT. — COL. PHINEAS LYMAN. I 59 American Battalion, Four Hundred and thirty eight Rations of Provisions of all species, being three Days Allowance each to one Hundred and forty six Invalids, of Colonel Whiting's Regiment of Provincials of Connecticut, to subsist them to the next inhabited Part of the Country, and I farther ac knowledge to have received from the said Captain Browne Twenty six Pounds fourteen Shillings Sterling in Dollars at four shillings and eight Pence each, in Lieu of One Thou sand, six Hundred and Two Rations more allowed them by His Excellency the Commander in Chief, to carry them to their Homes respectively, according to the distances placed against the Names of the Effectives in the within Roll (which Distances are calculated, with all the Accuracy in my Power) The whole amounting, to. Two Thousand and forty Rations. I say received James Smedly Lut Col. [Indorsed] Roll of the Invalids of Colonel Whitings Regi ment of Connecticut Provincials mustered at Number Four the 17"! of November 1761. FIRST REGIMENT— COL, PHINEAS LYMAN. Account of Rations, allowed by Order of His Excellency Sir Jeffrey Amherst, Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces in North America, For the following Effectives, of Colonel Lyman's Regiment of Connecticut-Provincials, mus tered at Number Four, this twenty-third day of November 1761, on their Return to their several Townships, by Cap tain Henry Browne of the fourth Battalion of the Royal- American Regiment: distinguishing particularly the Provi sions in kind served out by the Contractors Agent, to victual them to the next inhabited Part of the Country, as well, as the Money paid by the said Captain Browne, in Lieu of the daily Ration, to subsist them to their Homes respectively, allowing twelve computed Miles to the days-March. Viz': l6o FITCH PAPERS. Colonel Lyman's Company* Effectives mustered Their Townships General Lyman Sutfield Captain Roger Enos Windsor Lieut. Elihu Humphrey Simsbury Serj' Johnson Windsor Oliver Hanchet Suffield John Harman do Elijah Owen Simsbury William Ross do John Ross do George Bume do Josiah Pinney d° Richard Andrew do Daniel Allyn Suffield Elias Austin do Jacob Barber Simsbury Eliah Blackman Bolton Benjamin Baker Windsor Joseph Bosworth do Heke: Case Simsbury Isaac Case d° B Oswill Davis do Isaac Davis do Solomon Davis do Aaron Griswold Windsor Asher Granger Suffield Jonathan Handy Simsbury Primus Hill do Ariel Lawrence do David Lord Bolton Simeon Mills Simsbury Isaac Mixer Suffield Alexand: Phelps Windsor William Phelps d° Asariah Phelps do Abel Parker do ?Phineas Lyman. LIEUTENANT COLONEL PUTNAM S COMPANY, l6l Aaron Pinney Windsor Ezekiel Roberts Simsbury Josiah Reiley d° John Rice Windsor Elisha Still Simsbury Marshall Standley Windsor John Simster Suffield John Slade d° Thoms Williams d° Thos -VVilliams Jun' do Moses Warner Suffield Lieutenant Colonel Putn: am's Company''^ Alex: Chalker Lieut Glastonbury James Pitkin Ens. Hartford George Risley d° Samuel Bird Farmington Thomas Hunt Glastonbury John Rapenaer Hartford Caleb Benjamin do Tho: Brewer d° John Abbey do Abrah: Caldwell New Hartford Samuel Allen Pomfret Jos: Blanchard Hartford Jos: Croswell do John Curtis Dudley Thomas Cloes Killingsby Simon Cadey Canterbury John Collins Farmington Amos Collins do Jeremiah Daily New Hartford John Foster Dudley David King Pomfret William Gibson Canterbury lechob: Hill Farmington William Hopkins d° •Israel Putnam. 11 l62 FITCH P APERS. Eliah James Coventry Benj. Langworthy Hartford Robert Lyon Kennedy John Lord Harvington Caesar Negro Hartford Samuel Nappin Canterbury David Page Farmington Thomas Rice Pomfret Charles Sherwin Hartfbrd Ep: Stevens Glastonbury William Still New Hartford William Snell Ashford Jacob Susis Enfield John Staples Pomfret Jos: Staples d° Samson Wynnes Stonington Ralph Wey Weathersfield Ichab: Woodams New Hartford Pennywell Leavens Killingsby Major Durkee's 3 Company* John Durkee Major Norwich Ens: Jos: Welch do Sam: Anderson d° William Kelly do William Pollerd d° Labeas Lathrop do Benedict Crorker do Benj: Anderson do Ebenezer Welch do Thoms Bates d° Thos Green do Jacob Fuller do Benj: Paybody d° Gideon Baker do Daniel Tracey do John Wells do ?John Durkee. CAPTAIN butler's COMPANY. 163 Joseph Rudd Norwich Thomas Merrill do James Huntington do Thoms Story do Isaac Williams do Nathan' Fillemore do EHah Pike do Henry Baldwin do James Williams do Jonath: Armstrong do Richd Smith d" John Ashpo d° Samuel Uneas do William Sabbins d° James Simons d° Jacob Hoscont do Eliph: Page do Joseph Jones do Ebenezer Brown do Eliah Story do Noah Hamond do Daniel Huskins do Jacob Clarke do James Rosh do Jerem : Pollerd do Assa Pride do Aaron Preston do Hospital Welch do Captain Butler's Company* Isaac Thomson Lieut New London Abel Moore Ens: Lime Benj; Bailing do William Phelps do Job Beevey do William Rostbone do Eliakim Towser d° ?Zebulon Butler, 164 FITCH PAPERS. John Chapel Lime William Corna do Randle Clark do Jams Chapman do Sam' Chapman do Nath' Davis do Daniel Driggs do Jabez Huntley do Asariah Harman do James Hicks do Charles Carr do Benj: Luther do Daniel Lane do Jno Lathercunt do Sam' Mosier do Eliah Minard do Lemuel Minard do Stephen Oles d° Benj : Philipse do Isaac Ransom do Jos: Randle do Josiah Smith do David Smith do William Wood do Stephen Amsbare New London Jonath: Blackwith do Labeus Chaple d° Benjamin Cobb d° Timothy Daniels do Moses Fargo do Zebed: Fargo do Stephen Serantum do William Thomson do William Tetson do Captain Timothy Hierlihy's Company William Starr Luit Middleton Stephen Javel Lieut Waterbury CAPTAIN WOLCOT S COMPANY. 165 W™ Thomson Ens. Windsor John Eaton do Alexand: Osborne do Abijah Vining do Mathew 'VVhite d° Reuben Cook Middleton John Booth d° James Eady do Isaac Bailey d° Jonathan Lenard do Moses Bordman do Nehemiah Barnes do Martin Cahill do John Gaul do Asael Johnson d° Nathan Lewis do Peter Long do John Miller do John Robinson do Zebulon Storking do Abiah Savage do Sam' Stow Savage d° Daniel Savage d° Robert Stevens do Savage Truscott do Caesar (Negro) d° Captain Wolcot's Company* Moses Hall Lieut. Stafford Jonathan Bement Windsor William Dodge Colchester Silas Blodget Stafford John Bingham Windsor Alex; Dodge Colchester Jonathan Parker Willington Simon Antizall do John Briggs Stafford ?Giles Wolcott i66 FITCH PAPERS. John Benjamin Stafford Resell Beabe Colchester Sam' Brockway Waterbury Nath' Cooley Brimfield Israel Convers Stafford Thom: Acland Colchester Robert Dunkley Brimfield Jos; Davis do Francis Fenton Willington Josiah Fargo Windsor Alcott Fisher Colchester Thoms Holmes East Haddam Jonath: Hedlocke Lebanon David Johnson Willington John Jordan Norwich David Lisle Stafford John Leveridge Colchester Phineas Mailing Stafford Sears Mobbes East Haddam William Markham do Bethuel Norton Farmington Jupiter (Negro) Colchester Simeon Greets Stafford Benjamin Rider do Benajah Royce do Moses Royce do Lemuel Snow do Jonathan Spragge do Ebenezer Spragge do Dan' Rider Willington Isaiah Rothbun Colchester Abiah Sawson Willington Eleasar Scripture do James Stark Colchester Ebenezer Thomas do David Treadway '" do Stephen Tayler do Jos: Tubbs d° CAPTAIN STANTON S COMPANY. Joshua Wells Colchester Levi Webster d° William White Stafford Captain Stanton's Company* James Brown (Lieut) Preston Will"" Denison (Ens;) Stonington Joseph Pollard do Charles Butson Preston George Back do John Brumbly do Jesse Bennet Stonington Edward Clarke d° Will'" Carpenter do Elisha Eady Preston John Freeman do William Pagans Stonington Elijah Gates Preston Isaac Gates d° Benjamin Holsey do Isaac Heiiington Groton David Tolys ( ?) Stonington Chas Merritt d° George Mitchel Groton John Manor do William Middleton Stonington Jacob Rude Preston Solomon Ridge do William Randle Stonington Minor Shaw d° Simeon Shone d° Lemuel Shelly d° John Stanton d° Abraham Thomas do Isaac Thorne do Thomas Wedge Preston Daniel Wedge d° ?John Stanton. 167 l68 FITCH PAPERS. Isaac Whittle Stonington Jesse Back Preston Jesse Swaddle Middleton Elisha Brown Stonington Sam' Apes do William Apes do William Paul do Solomon Pavers do John Tolys (?) do Captain Durkee's Company* Josiah Smith (Lt) Ashford Thos Knolton (Ens.) d° Eleazer Hibberd Windham James Spragge Union Chris: Webber Ashford Jos: Esterbrooks Mansfield Richard Abey Windham Joshua Seaton do Thomas Abbot Ashford Sam' Abbot do Joshua Burnam Windham Joseph Bowen Ashford John Brooks do Abiah Brooks do Nath: Coburn Wendham Absalom Corles do John Surtis Canterbury Joshua Davis Mansfield Timothy Demock Ashford William Farnham Windham Benj : Flint d° John Fletcher Mansfield Sam' Giers Windham Chris Huntington Mansfield Benjamin Hanks do Philip Holmes Ashford • Robert Durkee. CAPTAIN KING S COMPANY. Eliphat Harris Mansfield John Harris do John Hucheson Ashford Caleb Johnson do William Kendal d° William Knolton do William Kies do Dyer Lewis do Eliphat Lyon do Henry Lyon d° Jesse Nagnes Union Obadiah Perry Ashford James Parker do Rob; Perry do Isaac Preston do Mathew Fall do Ephraim Perry do John Ross Mansfield Aaron Ro do Sam' Sickles , d° John Smith do Eliah Woodward Windham Aaron Whitney d° Obadiah Woodworth do Sam' Workings Ashford Joseph Stanton do Peter Stanton do Obiah Smith do Gideon Spencer Windham John Russell Ashford John Kyes do Captain King's Company* Thomas Abby (Lieu) Enfield Stephen Richardson Ens : Coventry Jonath Booth Lebanon Selah Benton Coventry 169 ?Seth King. 170 FITCH PAPtRS. Abner Pease Jos: Younge Jos: Bulevant Giles Jones Sam' Warner Jonath: Bewell Jos. Lyman Ezekiel White Thomas Burns Benj : Thrall John Mason Pelet: Dow Charles Ponsons Humphry Dow Alex: Gaudy Hezekiah Pease Joseph Rooker Ely Simmonds John Osborne Thomas Jones Phineas Ladd Henry Watkins Aaron Steel Thomas Glason William Hart William Warner Mathew Wolfe William Campbell Zach: Spencer Jos: Whiple Noah Davis Dennis Parker Samuel Bartlet John Taylor Thomas Terry James Lymans Isaiah Porter Nathan' Ralph Summers Windsor SpringfieldSummers Windsor Simsbury CoventryNew London Coventry Windsor Farmington Coventry Suffield Coventry Summers Enfield Springfield Enfield Summers do Coventry Number Four Springfield Farmington do Summers Westfield do Summers do do Coventry Stafford Coventry Enfield do Coventry do CAPTAIN LEDLIE S COMPANY. Ebenezer Slade Coventry Petticot Ivey Suffield Captain Ledlie's Company* Peter Leavens (Liut) Killingsby Sam' Adams (Ens) Canterbury John Ripley Wendham Seth Hoggers Ashford Ebener: Hibbard Windham Nathan' Wheeler Canterbury Eliah Kingsley Lebanon James Blackman Killingsby Seth Burgis Canterbury Jos; Carpenter Preston Nathan' Colser Killingsby WilLClift Plainfield Noah Cadey Killingsby Abner Church d° Asa Davison Preston lush: (?) Story do Josiah Hibberd Windham Jonas Sunsiman Canterbury Eleaz: Herrick Preston Abel Hovey Windham Levi Hicks Killingsby John Knight do Solomon Lord Windham Aneas Lennond Killingsby Simeon Moorey d° Moses Martin d° Daniel May do Solom; Pettingatt Windham Jams Philipse do Elisha Parish Canterbury Squire Priest Killingsby Darius Priest do Esra Pride Preston ?Hugh Ledlie. i7t 172 FITCH PAPERS. Jacob Quotcheeks Preston Rob; Rude do Isaac Robeson Killingsby Philip Richmond do David Russell do David Smolley Lebanon Benj: Shepard Canterbury Isaac Underwood do Eliph; Webb Wendham Jonath: Wilkinson Preston John Wilkinson do Eliah Tracey do Captain Spalding's Company John Spalding Capt. Plainfield William Barker Lt: Pomfret John Smith Ens Voluntown Eliah Cadey Plainfield Jonathan Willson Woodstock Stephen Brown Pomfret Sam' Collicks Volentown Sam' Seaton Plainfield Dan' Stowit Pomfret Sam' Smith do Elnathan Pope Volentown Jos: Manning Woodstock James Ames do John Broughton do Abiah Bugby do John Bowden do Robert Brown Volentown Sam' Barrett • Plainfield Will: Chamberlane Woodstock Eliah Carpenter do Ebenez: Carpenter do Isachar Childs do Timothy Curry Plainfield Nath; Dodge Woodstock CAPTAIN SPALDING S COMPANY. 173 Jesse Daily Killingsby John Dixon do Ezekiel Geary Volentown Calib Gibbs do Stephen Jordan do Elias Kittle do Hugh Kennady do Jonath: Minett do Dupee Gerard Plainfield Jonath: Howe do Solomon Howe do John Harridan do Jed: Kingsbury do Lemuel Goodall Woodstock Thom ; Howard do William Lyon do Noah Mason do Ebenezer Phillipse 1 do Elisha Philipse do William Stone do Richard Smith Providence John Seaton Volentown David Smith Woodstock Mephib: Thayes do Ezek; Spalding Plainfield Thos Thornton Scituate Sam' Williams Woodstock Phineas Watkins Scituate Dan' Knolton Ashford Ephraim Eaton ditto Esra Bruster New London Number Four in New Hampshire, November the 23d 1761 I acknowledge to have received from the Contractors for Victualling His Majestys Forces in North America, by an Order of Captain Henry Browne of the fourth Royal- American Battalion, One Thousand Four Hundred and Eighty two Rations of Provisions of all species, being three Days Allowance each to four Hundred and ninety four Men 174 FITCH PAPERS. effectives, in the first Regiment of Connecticut-Provincials, under my Command, to subsist them to the next inhabited Part of the Country: and I farther acknowlege, to have received from the said Captain Browne, Seventy three Pounds, seven Shillings and Eight Pence Sterling in dollars at four Shillings and eight Pence each, in Lieu of Four Thousand, Four hundred and three Rations more, allowed them by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, to carry them to their Homes respectively, according to the distances placed against the Names of the Effectives in the foregoing Roll, (which distances are calculated with all the Accuracy in my Power) The Whole amounting to Five Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty Five Rations P Lyman [Indorsed] Roll of Col Lyman's Regiment of Connecticut Provincials, mustered at Number Four the 23d Novem ber 1761. SECOND REGIMENT — COL. NATHAN WHITING. Account of Rations, allowed by order of his Excellency Sir Jeffery Amherst, Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces in North America, for the following Effectives, in Colonel Whiting's Regiment of Connecticut-Provincials, mustered at Number Four this twenty third day of Novem ber 1 761, on their Return to, their several Townships, in that Province, by Captain Henry Browne of the fourth Royal American Battalion ; distinguishing particularly the Provisions in Kind, served out to them by the Contractors Agent to victual them to the next inhabited Part of the Country, as well as the Money paid by the said Captain Browne in Lieu of the daily Ration, to subsist them to their Homes respectively allowing twelve computed Miles to the Days March. Viz'; Colonel Whiting's Company Effectives mustered; Their Townships: Nathan Whiting Colonel New Haven Ab : Foot Capt : Liut Brainford COLONEL whiting's COMPANY. 175 Samuel Judd Liuten ; Waterbury Gershon Dorance Surgeon Preston Stephen Cooper New Haven Nathan' Silkrig Waterbury Jehoida Wheadon Brainford Eli Bradley New Haven Sam' Beans Waterbury Valentine Hitchcock Wallingford Thomas Miles do Robert Martin do James Miles do Amos Hitchcock do Jehiel Byhinton do Samuel Martin Wallingford Peter Indian do William Sanderson do Benjamin Cook do Bartholomew Jacobs Waterbury Ezekiel Welton d° Benjamin Williams d° Ebenezer Saxton d° Stephen Scovel d° John Jenn d° Samuel Jenn do Moses Frost do Timothy Frost do Joseph Talmorse do Titus Barnes New Haven Robert Clement d° Abel Beacher d° David Dolittle do Charles Todd do Thomas Harris do Daniel Byhinton Brainford Jonathan Byhinton do Obadiah Winters do Joel Byhinton do Jordan Smith d° 76 FITCH PAPERS. Urziel Derwin Brainford Henry Wooster Darby Peleg Bennet Woodbury Thomas Peck Litchfield Ebenezer Roberts Waterbury Enoch Thomas Farmington Josiah Allen New Haven Reuben Tuttle d° Lieutenant Colonel Smedley's Company.* Benjamin Suiners Lieut Newtown David Ramsay, Ens Fairfield Caleb Starr Danbury Eber Wood do Atkinson Hilton Fairfield Walter Swaine Newton Jabez Rochford do John Sharpe d° Abijah Prindle do Ezra Foot d° Jesse Lampier d° Nathan Baisley do Joseph Johnson do Eleazar Allen Fairfield William Thorpe do John Allen do John Davern do David King do Peter Seclier do Jabez Barlowe do Aaron Jackson do Benson Sherman do Oliver Mallery do John Squire do Isaac Bonnell do Thomas Allen do Benjamin Frost do ? Lieut. Col, James Smedley. MAJOR BALDWIN S COMPANY. 177 James Magrah Esra Adams Daniel Murrain Samuel Bostick Jehiel Whithead Thomas Wood John Knap Elijah Burchard Henry Knap William Johnson Daniel Jackson Andrew Knap Major Baldwin's David Baldwin Major James Arnold Lieuten' Jared Wheadon Moses Holt John Davison Stephen Tamlins Stephen Sandford Enos Parker Assa Wakely Moses Griswold James Scarritt Nathan Hall Timothy Stow Peter Halkeley Thomas Oviate Charles Pond Alexander Oviate Abraham Stow Samuel Doncook Joseph Williams Justus Baldwin William Bidwell John Jones Jonathan Hubbard 12 Fairfield dodo do do do Danbury d° do Greenwich Newton Fairfield Company Milford Derham do Wallingford Milford do do Wallingford Derham do Wallingford do Derham do Milford do do Derham do do Milford Derham Milford Derham 178 FITCH PAPERS. Miles Wright Derham Abither Squire d° John Galbreath Milford Jonath: Knogthrope do John Jones Derham Christopher Newton Milford Esra Marchant do Captain Whiting's Company Samuel Whiting Capt. Stratford Anthony Carpenter Lieut ditto James Stewart Ensign Kent Luke Fisher do John Beardsley Stratford Nehem: Blackman do David Wakeley do Isaac Beardsley do Samuel Blackman do Jos; Booth do Isaac Hill do Ephraim Hinman do Parr Higs do Joseph Tradewell do James Jones do George Kearns do Phineas Leake do David Lattin do Benjamin Lamkins do Joseph Merrit do John Merrit do Jonah Mallery d° Abijah Pulford do William Rose do Justus Seeley do David Stratton do David Wheeler Fairfield Lemuel Baggs do William Grant do CAPTAIN THOMSON S COMPANY. 179 Israel Carter Kent Silvanus Bliss do John Bliss do Samuel Barnham do Daniel Barnes do Samuel Cummings do Edward Wilcox do Nathaniel Hawley do John Leake do Richard Lane do Daniel Payne do Daniel Rowley do Nathaniel Smith do William Keels d° Captain Thomson's Company * John Collins Lieuten' Wallingford Oliver Welton Ens: Waterbury John Givings Derby Jos: Loveland d° Joseph Delamore do Nehemiah Moss do Adam Voyce do Roger Yarrington do Jeremiah O'Cane do Zabez Tuttle Waterbury Job Albode do Moses Brunson do Titus Barnes do Charles Cook do Moses Cook do Abraham Jois do Bernard Lewis do Abraham Osbone do Nathan Prindle do Gains Pritchard do Abraham Pritchard do ? Capt. Jabez Thompson [8o FITCH PAPERS. Abiel Roberts Waterbury Samuel Strickland do William Tuttle do Stephen Welton do Samuel Webb do Abel Weld do Daniel Williams do Judd Clarke Farmington Joseph Bullock do John Barnett do Jonathan Brunson do Daniel Carter do Samuel Culven do Andrew Culven do Andrew Ringlead do Livius Thorpe d° John Thomas do Samuel Spier d° Benjamin Curtis Newhaven Jabez Gilbert do Gideon Todd d° Eliah Woodcot do John Griswold Wallingford Samuel Cravath do Thomas Smith do William Tyler do Enos Gotherd do Daniel Barnes do Capt. Hobbey's Company* Joseph Stebbins Ens; Ridgefield John Jones do David Hall New Fairfield Jeremiah Finch Greenwich Elj Reynolds d° Joshua Rundle do Joseph Lee do ?Capt, Thomas Hobby. CAPTAIN HITCHCOCK S COMPANY. Jonathan Reynolds Greenwich John Nichols do John Smith Stamford Jedidiah HoUey do Josiah Gates do Isaac Gilbert Ridgefield Hezekiah Gilbert do Abraham Adams do James Caffegne do John Toyce do Daniel Thorpe d° Nehemiah Sherwood d° Moses Kennet do Zacchaeus Gregory do Daniel Chapman Greenwich Nathaniel Cross do Thomas Ferriss do James Wright do Andrew Dorthy do Amos Knap do Elj Knap do Samuel Knap do Amos Partilo do Jehiel Partilo do William Johnson do Thomas Marshall do Abraham Studwell do William Blake do Jeremiah Barnett Stamford John Addenton Greenwich Captain Hitchcock's Company Amos Hitchcock (Capt) New Haven Timothy Ruggles do Ebenezer Donnes , do Joseph Mills Wallingsford Charles Bishop New Haven Thomas Beach Wallingsford FITCH PAPERS. Phineas Beach Brainford John Beach do John Bushell Killingsworth Oliver Dolittle Wallingford William Hodgekiss Newhaven Joseph Ives do Uziel Mansfield do Joel Potter do Benjamin Smith do John Smith Killingsworth Ebenezer Wilcox do Jehu Robinson Brainford Samuel Comstock Killingsworth Daniel Bushnell do Richard Nichols Wallingsford James Comstock Killingsworth John Wilcox do Amos Becher Newhaven James Thomas do Joseph Wise do Timothy Thomas do William Sandford do Thomas Sandford do Josiah Hart Wallingsford Timothy Plant Brainford Hezekiah Ball Newhaven Richard Lucas Brainford John Thomson Newhaven Jeremiah Osborne do Bate Hall Wallingsford Nathanael Hall do Luke Jethro Newhaven Hezekiah Brookit do Captain Fitch's Company* Eliphat Wells (Lieut) Colchester Henry Holdridge (Ens) do ? Capt, Azel Fitch. CAPTAIN FITCH S COMPANY. 183 Orlando Mack Colchester James Hovey do William Bramble do Jonathan Fenton do Ezekiel Wickwire do Thomas Bell do Zariel Dexter Lebanon Samuel Wandsworth do Joseph Freeman - do Joseph Taylor do Joseph Tuttle do John Tuttle do Samuel Meechem d° Eliphat Dodge do Nathan Hares do Walter Alden do Ambrose Gonitis do William Roach do William Poley do Philip George do Thomas Palmer do Alexander Brink Hebron Simeon Dawey d° John Crane do John Standley d° David Mason do Samuel Wallrouse d° Nathan Roberts d° Elijah Bailey do David Bosworth do Daniel Ingram do Joseph Richardson d° Micajah Ingham Coventry Ephraim Rowley d° Philip Judd do William McCarey d° Jared Ingram do 154 FITCK [ PAPERS. Captain Thomas Payne's Company* Abraham Tyler (Lieut) Haddam Isaac Kimberly (Liu) Guilford Samuel Loper do Thomas Warner Seabrook Nathaniel Harris do Samuel Jones do Samuel Buckingham do Samuel Bailey Haddam Jabez Bates d° Jonathan Bates do Isaac Williams do Samuel Ferguson d° James Ferguson do Joseph Scovel do William Brookes do Charles Brookes do Nathaniel Heath do Ephraim Turner do Timothy Spencer do Sam' Afford d° Elisha Ray d° Benjamin Smith do Israel Clarke do Melcher Fowler Guilford Jacob Kimberley do Moses Munsen do Jabez Merrick Seabrook Phineas Bushnell do Daniel Bushnell d° John Butler d° Joseph Graham do Robert Newitt do Silas Glanning do Thomas Addis do Ebenezer Ingham do John Dormerly do ? Originally Capt. Thomas Pierce's Company, CAPTAIN ELMEr's COMPANY. 185 Job Wheeler Seabrook Samuel Dennison do William Hill do Jonathan Loveland do Nathanael Dough do Joshua Dough do Concklin Buckley do Captain Elmer's Company* Captain Elmer Sharon Joel Boney Ens do Isaac Osterrout do Stephen Spolden do Daniel Elmer do Gideon Barnham do Zopher Bates d° Barnabas Barnham d° Samuel Corbett do Isaac Croaker do Timothy Doty do Israel Dibble do Russell Fuller d° Obed Fellows do Thomas Goodwin do Judah Gaines do Josiah Higley do Thomas Lattermore do John North do John Owen d° Joshua Preston do John Richards do John Rockwell do Stephen Start do Adoniah Strong d° Naphtali Shuter do Daniel Trickner d° Samuel Thomas d° ? Capt. Samuel Elmer l86 FITCH PAPERS. Nathan Tubbs Sharon Thomas Tanner do Thomas Tracey do Abraham Vanser do Joseph Wood do Samuel Whitaker do Jabez Adams do Philip Bess do Samuel Gripin do Captain MacNiel's Company* Elj Catlin Lieutent Litchfield Lieutenant Morse** Newmilford Reuben Bostwick Ens do David Woodworth Litchfield John Grant do Isaac Catlin do Benjamin Reeves do Elj Emmonds do Amos Johnson do Alexander Catlin do David Williams do Eleazer Bartholomew do Jacob Dickinson do Ranse Hoddard do Azael Hitchcock New Milford Abner Seely do Azael Baldwin do David Buck do Dominic Douglass do David Wilkinson do Enos Coffield do Eliah Tolls do Jonathan Pearse do Lewis Wilkinson do ? Capt. Archibald McNeal. ?* Lieut. Isaac Morse. CAPTAIN MAC NIEL S COMPANY. 187 Peter Johnston Samuel Drinkwater Silas Lamson Will™ Drinkwater Amos Broughton Assa Whitney David Foot Elisha Walker Eleasar Ingram Elisha Smith Elisha Clarke James Root Joseph Lamb James Francher Henry Ingram James Leslie John Lequeve Lewis Munger Samuel Pillock Thomas Barker Clerk Royce Josiah Royce Timothy Osborne Jehiel Towner Moses Johnson Azael Bostwick Nathaniel Bechan Peter Haisley Benajah Beeman Samuel Prindle Theophilus Wenn Lamos Hopson Israel Herbert Noah Harrison John Skinner John Reynolds New Milford dodo do Woodbury do do do do do do do do dodo do do dod° do Goshen do Torrington New Fairfield New Milford do do do do Kent Wallingsford d° Woodbury BrainfordSalisbury Woodbury l88 FITCH PAPERS. Captain Joseph Heit's* Company Levi Taylor Lieutenant Stamford Charles Stewart Lieut: do Ephraim Kimberley d° Peter Scoffield do Elisha Arnold do Moses Bickspey do Andrew Browne do Timothy Bates do Jonathan Curtis do Philip Kennady do Jos: Durand d° Thomas Handford do Benjamin Heat do James Heat do Josiah Heat do William Lennard do Benjamin Lownesbury do William Josiah Lewis d° John Mills d° John Nichols do Nehemiah Nichols do Samuel Prevoss do Joseph Rockwell do Ebenezer Smith d° Thomas Swan do Seth Scrivener do Samuel Tryon do Joel Wade do Phineas Waterbury d° Samuel Waterbury do Joseph Webb do Jonathan Webb do Uriah Raymond do Benjamin Hitchcock d° Lemuel Randle d° Alexander Sloane do ?Also spelled Hait and Holt. SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. • 189 Thaddeus Carter Wallingsford Noah Andrews do Moses Andrews do Samuel Abenatha do Andrew Beardsley do James Plant do Benjamin Rexford do Number Four in New Hampshire November 23d, 1761. I acknowledge to have received from the Contractors for Victualling His Majesty's Forces in North-America, by an Order of Captain Henry Browne of the fourth Royal American Battalion, One Thousand Five Hundred and twenty Four Rations of Provisions of all Species, being three Days Allowance each, for Five Hundred and Eight Effectives of the second Regiment of Connecticut-Provin cials, under my Comand, to subsist them to the next in habited Parts of the Country — and I farther acknowledge to have received from the said Captain Browne, Eighty nine Pounds Four Shillings Sterling, in Dollars at four Shillings and eight Pence each, in Lieu of Five Thousand three Hundred and Fifty two Rations more, allowed them by His Excellency the Commander in Chief, to carry them to their Homes respectively, according to the distances placed against the Names of the Effectives in the foregoing Roll, (which Distances are calculated with all the Accuracy in my Power) The Whole, amounting to. Six Thousand Eight Hundred and seventy six Rations. N Whiting Colo of 2d Con' Reg' [Indorsed] Roll of Colonel Whiting's Regiment of Con necticut-Provincials, mustered at Number Four the 23d November 1761. SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON TO THOMAS FITCH. [Sir William Johnson wrote on December 10, 1761, to Governor Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island recounting his services during the war and the sacrifices to his private for tune from the expenses necessary to the commander of an 190 FITCH PAPERS. army during the long campaign, amounting to near a thou sand pounds, New York currency ; and suggesting that the matter be laid before the legislature and a grant made to him which " (with the quotas of the other colonies con cerned, to whom I now apply), may reimburse me the ex penses of that campaign, as well as my pay. " This indicates that a similar letter was sent to Governor Thomas Fitch, although neither the letter nor any direct reference to it has been found. Rhode Island Colonial Records, VI. 295. J EARL OF EGREMONT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT, Separate Whitehall December 12, 1761. Gentlemen, The King having taken into His Most Serious Consid eration, how highly essential it is to the Interests & Security of His Subjects in No America, that the regular Regiments, serving in that Country, be recruited with all convenient Expedition, to their full Complement of Effectives, and at the same Time, seeing the impracticability of compleating them from Great Britain, considering how this Country is drained by the great Number of Men furnished for the var ious Services in all Parts of the World ; I am therefore to sig nify to You the King's Pleasure, that You do, immediately on the Receipt of this Letter exert your utmost Influence to in duce Your Colony to carry into the most speedy and effectual Execution this very important Object, by immediate Com pliance with any Requisition, which Sir Jefferey Amherst shall in Consequence of His Majesty's Orders, make for furnishing, on certain Conditions which he will explain to You, such a Number of Recruits from Your Colony, as he shall demand, as their Quota towards compleating the Reg ular Regiments, which have been sent to America for the Defence and Protection of the Possessions of His Majesty's Subjects there; And the King cannot doubt but that the Provinces will chearfully & readily comply with this reason able Demand, so obviously calculated for their own Security & Advantage, at the same Time that Your Zeal for His EARL OF EGREMONT. 191 Majesty's Service will naturally excite You to use all Your Influence & Power in bringing effectually to bear a Measure, which His Majesty has so much at Heart, and with Regard to which any Failure or Disappointment would be extremely disagreable. I have it also in Command from the King to acquaint You, that tho' the present Situation of Affairs would have fully justified the having required of the Provinces as large a Number of Men, as they ever have raised for any of the former Campaigns, instead of the Quota which was demand ed last Year, Yet, His Majesty, considering the high Impor tance of the Service, which makes the Subject of this Letter & being desirous to ease the Burthens of His Faithful Subjects, as far as shall be consistant with their own Safety, has been pleased to require only the same Number of Men as for the last Year, in order thereby to facilitate a Measure so essential as the Compleating the Regular Regiments by Recruits to be furnished from the Provinces in North America, and the King is persuaded, that the said Provinces, duly sensible of His Majesty's Tender & Paternal Care for their Welfare, will in return readily & chearfully comply with the Orders now sent You. I am, with great Truth & Regard Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant EGREMONT Gov' & Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from the Earl of Egremont i2"i Decembr 1761 Reed 23d Febry 1762 EARL OF EGREMONT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall Dec i2"> 1761. Gentlemen, As the King has nothing so much at Heart, as to secure, & improve the great & important Advantages gained since the Commencement of this War, in North America, and having seen his good Dispositions to restore the Publick Tranquility entirely frustrated by the Insincerity & Chicane 192 fitch papers. of the Court of Versailles, in the late Negotiation : And as nothing can so effectually contribute to the great & essen tial Object of reducing the Enemy to the Necessity of Accepting a Peace, on Terms of Glory and Advantage to His Majesty's Crown, and Beneficial, in particular, to His Subjects in America, as The King's being enabled to em ploy, as immediately as may be, such Part of the regular Forces in North America, as may be adequate to some great and important Enterprize against the Enemy, I am com manded to signify to you The King's Pleasure, that, in order the better to provide for the full & entire Security of His Majesty's Dominions in North America and particularly of the Possession of His Majesty's Conquests there, during the Absence of such Part of the regular Forces you do forthwith use your utmost Endeavours & Influence with the Council and Assembly of your Colony, to induce them to raise, with all possible Dispatch, within your Government, at least the same Number of Men they raised the last Year Viz' Two Thirds of what had been levied for the former Campaigns; and, forming the same into Regiments, as far as shall be found convenient, that you do direct them to hold Themselves in readiness, & particularly as much earlier, than former Years, as may be, to march to such Place or Places, in North America, as His Majesty's Commander in Chief there shall appoint, in order to be employed there under the supreme Command of His Majesty's said Com mander in Chief in America, in such Manner as He shall judge most conducive to the King's Service: And, the better to facilitate this important Service, The King is pleased to leave it to you to issue Commissions to such Gentlemen of your Colony, as you shall judge, from their Weight & Credit with the People, and their zeal for the publick Service, may be best disposed & able to quicken & effectuate the speedy levying of the greatest Number of Men ; In the Disposition of which Commissions, I am per suaded, you will have nothing in View, but the Good of the King's Service, and a due Subordination of the whole to His Majesty's Commander in Chief: And all Officers of the EARL OF EGREMONT. 1 93 Provincial Forces, as high as Colonels, inclusive, are to have Rank, according to their several respective Commis sions, agreable to the Regulations contained in his late Majesty's Warrant of the 30"^ of Dec 1757, which has been renewed by His present Majesty. The King is further pleased to furnish all the Men, so raised as above, with Arms, Ammunition, & Tents, as well as to order Provisions to be issued to the same, by His Majesty's Commissaries, in the same Proportion, & Manner, as is done to the rest of the King's Forces: The whole, therefore, that His Majesty expects and requires from the several Provinces is, the Levying, Cloathing, & Pay, of the Men; and on these Heads also, that no Encouragement may be wanting to this great & salutary Service, The King is further most graciously pleased to permit me to acquaint you, that strong Recommendations will be made to Parlia ment, in their Session next Year, to grant a proper Compen sation for such Expences as above, according as the active Vigour & strenuous Efforts of the respective Provinces shall justly appear to merit. It is His Majesty's Pleasure, that you do, with particular Diligence, immediately collect, & put into the best Condi tion, all the Arms issued last Campaign, which can be any ways, rendered serviceable, or that can be found within your Government, in order that the same may be again employed for His Majesty's Service. I am further to inform you, that similar Orders are sent, by this Conveyance, to New Hampshire, Massachu- set's Bay, Rhode Island, New York, & New Jersey; The Southern Governments are also directed to raise Men in the same Manner, to be employed in such offensive Operations, as the Circumstances & Situation of the Enemy's Posts, and the State & Disposition of the Indian Nations, on that Side, may point out & require. It is unnecessary to add any Thing to animate your zeal, in the Execution of His Majesty's Orders, in this im portant Conjuncture, which is finally to fix the future Safety & Welfare of America, and of your own Colony in particu- 194 FiTCH PAPERS. lar: And The King doubts not, from your known Fidelity & Attachment, that you will employ yourself, with the utmost Application & Dispatch, in this promising & decesive Crisis. I am, with great Truth & Regard, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble Servant EGREMONT Gov 8i Compy of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from the Earl of Egremont 12"' Decem ber 1761 Reed igth Febry 1762 PROCLAMATION BY GOVERNOR THOMAS FITCH. By the Honourable Thomas Fitch Esq'' Governor and Commander in Chief of his Majestys Colony of Connecticut in New England in America. A Proclamation. having Received His Majestys Instructions under his Royal Signet and Sign Manual to the Governor and Company of this Colony given at the Court at S' James's the 29"> Day of September laste therein Signifying that whereas he hath been pleased by his Order in Council of the ii"" Day of Sep tember aforesaid to declare that in the Morning and Evening Prayers in the Litany and All other Parts of the public Ser vice as well in the Occasional Offices as in the Book of Com mon Prayer, when the Royal Family is appointed to be particularly Pray'd for the following form of words Should be Used viz. Our gracious Queen Charlotte, Her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales and all the Royal Family, his will and Pleasure therefore is that in all the Prayers Litanys and Collects, where the Royal Family is Pray'd for and which are Used within the Colony of Con necticut the Same Form and order of Words be Used as follows viz'. Our gracious Queen Charlotte, Her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales and All the Royal Family, and that for the better Notice thereof in this Col ony it is his Majestys further Will and Pleasure that we Cause the Same to be forthwith Published in the several Parish Churches and other Places of Divine Worship within EARL OF EGREMONT. I95 this Colony and that we take care that due Obedience be paid there to Accordingly I do therefore in Obedience to the Kings Commands Issue this Proclamation to make known to all his Majesty's good Subjects in this Colony his Royal Will and Pleasure Signifyed in the Instruction aforesaid and do Direct and Order the several Ministers of the Gospel forthwith to pub lish the Same by Reading a Printed Copy thereof in the Several Parish Churches and other Places of Divine Wor ship within this Colony and do strictly Require that due Obedience be paid to his Majestys Royal Will and Pleasure Signifyed as aforesaid. Given under my Hand EARL OF EGREMONT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall Janry 7"> 1762. Gentlemen, His Majesty having found it necessary to declare War against the King of Spain, was pleased, in a Council, held on Saturday last, at S' James's, for that purpose, to sign the inclosed Declaration,* and to order that the Same should be published on Monday the 4"" instant, by the Heralds at Arms in the usual Places, and with the accustomed Formalities, which has been accordingly done. You will find the just and indispensible Reasons which have forced the King to take this Measure, so fully set forth in the above Declara tion of War, that I am only to signify to you His Majesty's Pleasure, that you do cause the same to be proclaimed in the Colony of Connecticut, under your Government, in order that the King's Subjects, having this Notice, may take care to prevent any Mischief, which otherwise. They might suffer from the Enemy, and do their Duty, in their several Stations, to distress & annoy the Subjects of Spain; And His Majesty would have you be very rigorous & severe in preventing any Provisions, Ammunition or Stores of any ?The text of this Declaration, which appears to have been signed on January 2, can be found in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1762, page 16, The reason for declaring war was the belief that Spain was about to join Prance in hostilities against Great Britain, ig6 FITCH PAPERS. kind, from being carried to them, and you are to use all proper Methods that may be most effectual for that pur pose. I am with great truth and regard. Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant EGREMONT P. S. His Majesty has been pleased to order Letters of Marque, or Commissions to Privateers, to be granted in the usual manner. Gov & Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Duplicate Letter from the Earl of Egremont ¦jth Jan^y 1762. Reed 13"! April with Declaration of War against Spain THOMAS FITCH TO EARL OF EGREMONT. Norwalk 8"i Jan'y 1762 My Lord Your Letter of the 9"> of October to the Governor and Company of the Colony of Connecticut Acquainting us that the King having been graciously pleased to grant M' Secre tary Pitt's Request to Retire from Business hath Appointed you to be Secretary of State for the Southern Department I take the earliest Opportunity to Acknowledge the Receipt of and Assure your Lordship we shall for the future ob serve your Lordships Directions in Addressing our Letters to you to be laid before the King and beg Leave to Request your Lordships Kind Offices in Rendring them acceptable to His Majesty. I am further to Acknowledge the Receipt of M' Secretary Pitt's Letters of the ii'i^and 28"^ of September Honouring us with the Accounts of their Majestys Royal Nuptials and Coronation which was Re ceived with great Joy and Satisfaction I am my Lord with the greatest Regard and Esteem your Lordships most Obedient and most Humble Servant THQs FITCH. MATHER BYLES, JR. 1 97 The Right HonWe the Earl of Egremont one of his Majestys Principal Secretary of State [Indorsed] Letter to the R H. Earl of Egremont Secretary of State 8"i Jan^y 1762 MATHER BYLES, JR., TO MATHER BYLES. New London, Feb. 8, 1762. Rev''- Sir, Your's by M' William Hubbard, I had the Pleasure of receiving on Saturday Evening. I do not wonder at the severe Hint You give me about my long Silence : but I really have not met with a single opportunity of writing since my last. If I had, I should have chearfully improved it. Capt. Loring of Roxbury indeed lodged at my House: came in the Evening, & went off the next Morning by Sunrise. My 'Becca improved a few Minutes in directing a short Note to her Sister, while he step'd abroad upon Business; as' I should doubtless have done to you, had I not been called out at that Instant to a poor woman in the Neighbourhood who, as her Husband informed me, had just escaped a very great Deliverance by falling down a Well. The Affair of the Gun, which the short Time my 'Becca was Mistress of, would then suffer her to relate but very imperfectly, was an entire Accident, owing to the Careless ness of an Apprentice Boy, who was shooting Snow Birds in my Garden. He broke ten Quarrels of Glass in the Kitchen Window: & my Wife but narrowly escaped with her Life; tho' thro' the Goodness of Providence, she received no Hurt. I pursued the Fellow instantly, & did intend to have prosecuted him: but upon his humbling himself, & re pairing the Damages, I passed it over. This happened the Day before Christmas. Since that, on the 24"! Ult. I was assaulted, not indeed in my House, but in my Pulpit, by the Rogerines, who entred the Meeting House, in a Body, to bear their clam orous Testimony against Idolatrous Worship, at a Time when I happened to be preaching upon the same Subject, from Luk. iv. 8. They had been quiet for a considerable 198 FITCH PAPERS. Time past : & what animated them to this mad Expedition, I know not ; unless it was immoderate Thirst for Persecution. As soon as they spoke, I paused, & pronounced aloud; " Public Worship applies to civil Authority for Protection." I closed my Bible, & the Justices, Sheriff, Constables, with the unanimous Assistance of all the Young People in the Assembly, knocked off their Hats, & pushed them headlong out of the House. The whole of the Disturbance, I suppose did not continue above a Minute & an half. Ten of them were this Day fined by Justice Richards Forty Shillings Lawful Money apiece; so that this Frolick of a Minute & a half, will cost them one hundred & fifty Pounds old tenor, besides Court-Charges, Officer's Fees, &c. which will be full Fifty more. I should be particularly obliged to You for the Press Bedstead, as it will be a very pretty & suitable Peice of Furniture for my little Room below: & will endeavor to send for it as soon as possible. If I could preach like the Sermon upon Mr Dummer, I should myself be a new Illustration of the Text; Man at his best Estate, & altogether Vanity; but as it is, I can but attempt to imitate, at a humble Distance. My dear 'Becca sends her Duty. I must in Justice pro nounce her the best of Wives : nor can I give a Person at a Distance any Idea how compleatly amiable she appears in every Article of her Conduct. I am really as happy in this Respect as 'tis possible for a Man to be. How long these Scenes of Tranquillity will continue, the Supreme Disposer of all Things only knows. I deserve them not. Tho' I know of no Conveyance, at present, for this Let ter: I could not omit sitting down, & making Use of the First Opportunity of acknowledging your Favor by M' Hubburd, & afresh subscribing myself. Your most dutiful Son, MATHER BYLES. JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. [General Jeffrey Amherst wrote on February 9, 1762, to Governor Thomas Fitch, urging him in accordance with JEFFREY AMHERST. 1 99 His Majesty's directions, as already communicated by the Earl of Egremont, to arrange for full compliance with the directions for prosecuting the war, by enlisting the same number of men required for the last campaign and supply ing them with whatever they shall need, by having them ready for service as early as possible, by collecting arms and putting them in serviceable condition ; also by urging- enlistment into the regular regiment serving in America, as soon as the number desired shall be known. Evidence that this circular letter, identical copies of which are known to have been sent to the governors of New Hampshire and Rhode Island, was also sent to Governor Thomas Fitch, is supplied by General Jeffrey Amherst's letter of the twenty- first of the same month. Reference is made in the Connec ticut Colonial Records to its receipt by Governor Fitch, and the text of the identical copies received by the governors of New Hampshire and Rhode Island is extant. This text says: "As I acquainted you in my letter of the 9th in stant," evidencing that his letter of that date was undoubt edly sent also to the governor of Connecticut. New Hamp shire Provincial Papers, VI. 812; Rhode Island Colonial Records, VI. 302; Connecticut Colonial Records, XI, 623.] JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. [On February 21, 1762. General Jeffrey Amherst wrote to Governor Thomas Fitch, making reference to his previous letter of the ninth instant, requesting the enlistment into the regular service of of one hundred and seventy-eight men as Connecticut's quota, offering a bounty of ^5 New York currency to each man who shall enlist, and a reward of forty shillings New York currency to any authorized provin cial officer for every man he shall persuade to enlist. Con necticut Colonial Records, XI. 623 ; New Hampshire Pro vincial Papers, VI. 814; Rhode Island Colonial Records, VI. 303-] 200 FITCH PAPERS. JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. [On April 15, 1762, General Jeffrey Amherst wrote to Governor Thomas Fitch that he had proof of the eijemy being supplied with provisions from almost every port in North America, that it was necessary to stop such infamous practices as there was great demand for provisions for the king's troops, and requesting him to prohibit provisions from being shipped from the ports of the Colony except for the king's service and to oblige merchants to deliver their stores of provisions to persons appointed to purchase for that service. Connecticut Colonial Records, XII. 63 ; Rhode Island Colonial Records, VI. 311.] THOMAS FITCH TO EARL OF EGREMONT. Norwalk 15"" April 1762 My Lord On receiving your Letter of the i2"> December to the Governor and Company of this Colony of Connecticut I forthwith Issued Orders for calling the General Assembly which being met I laid the Letter before them recommend ing the Subject matter of it to their serious and early con sideration and am now to acquaint you that altho the Colony is greatly exhausted by the extraordinary expence of former /Campaigns and the Inhabitants much Distressed by a very jlong and severe Drought last Summer the Effects of which in their Cattle especially is felt in a particular manner this Spring yet the Assembly have Voted and made Provision for raising the same Number of Men as were raised last year to be imployed according to the Kings Directions sig nified in your Letter under the Supream Command of His Majestys Commander in Chief in America. These Levies are generally made and the Companies being near if not quite compleated will be soon ready to march into Service. Your Lordships separate Letter of the same Date respecting Recruits to be raised in the Colonies towards compleating the Regular Regiments serving in this Country to their full Complement of Effectives I also received and laid before the Assembly and am also to acquaint you the CADWALLADER COLDEN. 20I Assembly in Compliance therewith and in consequence of the Demand made by Sir Jeffery Amherst thereon granted Encouragement to the Number of five hundred and Seventy five Effective Men in this Colony not under Eighteen nor above forty years of Age to inlist themselves for that Ser vice and that the Sum of five pounds be allowed and paid as an Additional Bounty to Each Man voluntarily inlisting himself to serve therein; in pursuance of which. Orders have been given out and Officers authorized to inlist the men, what the Success will be is as yet something Uncer tain. I have also lately received your Letter of the 7"^ January with the Kings Declaration of War against Spain and forthwith ordered it to be proclaimed in the several Counties in the Colony with the accustomed Formalities. I am my Lord With the highest Esteem and Regard your Lordships most Obedient and most humble Servant THOS FITCH The Right Honourable the Earl of Egremont One of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State [Indorsed] Connecticut April 15"^ 1762 Gov Fitch R June 19'h CADWALLADER COLDEN TO THOMAS FITCH. Fort George New York, April 28"^, 1762, Sir As I find it difficult to raise the number of Men for his Majesty's service that are provided for by the Legislature of this Province and as Timothy Northam of your Colony has assured me that he can get a considerable number of men in your Colony willing to enlist in the pay of this Colony to whom I have given a Warrant to Inlist Men, I must beg the favour incouraging him for that purpose. I can make no doubt of your concurrence in promoting the Service at this time which you know his Majesty has very much at heart. I am with great truth & regard Sir. 202 FITCH PAPERS. JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. [General Jeffrey Amherst wrote on May 5, 1762, to Governor Thomas Fitch that several persons belonging to the colony were engaged in iniquitous practices, which occasioned great difficulty in procuring supplies for his Majesty's service, by sending their vessels on voyages supposed to be with provisions and by keeping quantities of provisions in store which they will not sell. The letter probably also requested that an embargo be laid to prevent the export of provisions excepting for his Majesty's service. This letter probably differed but little from a letter sent by General Amherst to the governor of Rhode Island dated May 7, 1762, in which he states that he has written to the governor of Connecticut regarding an embargo. Colonial Records, XII. 64; Rhode Island Colonial Records, VI. 317. J JARED INGERSOLL TO THOMAS FITCH. Hartford May 1762 Sr Inclosed you have my Acco Currant with the Colony, & which I Suppose is the needfull, in Order to the Assemblys Appointing A Com'ee to Examin the particulars which are numerous, with the Vouchers, &c I am Yr Most Obed' Humb' Serv' J INGERSOLL Gov Fitch [Superscribed] To The Hon® Tho^ Fitch Esq' Governour of Connecticut [Indorsed] Mf Ingersoll's Letter to Govr JOHN POWNALL TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall June ii"' 1762. Gentlemen, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, to send you the inclosed printed Copy of an Act passed in the last Session of Parliament, Entituled An Act for making perpetual an Act for the better regulation nathan*whiting. 203 and Government of Seamen in the Merchants Service; and for extending the provision thereof to His Majesty's Colonies in America. I am Gentlemen, Your most obedient Servant JOHN POWNALL To The Governor & Company of the Colony of Connec ticut [Indorsed] Letter from Secy of the Board of Trade 1 1"' June 1762. Reed with inclosed Act 3d August NATHAN WHITING TO THOMAS FITCH. [Col. Nathan Whiting wrote on June 20, 1762, to Gov ernor Thomas Fitch, as is shown by Fitch's letter of July 19 following, forwarding the letter by Doctor Turner; probably Philip Turner of Norwich who had served as surgeon's mate in the campaign of 1760. It was probably in this letter that Whiting requested that he be supplied with a surgeon's mate.] NATHAN WHITING TO THOMAS FITCH. [Colonel Nathan Whiting wrote on June 25, 1762, to Governor Thomas Fitch, as is shown by Fitch's reply of July 19 following. It may have been in this letter that Whiting made protest about the troops being forced to labor on the Lord's Day. ] STEPHEN SAYRE'S ACCOUNT OF SUSQUEHANNAH ! COMPANY AFFAIRS.* In Conversation with Colo Elip' Dyer one of the Com mittee, he says That the Charter of the Government of Connecticut extends its Limits to the pacific Ocean west; ?This account was laid before the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. Stephen Sayre, born on Long Island in 1734, graduated at Princeton in 1757, was for a time a successful merchant and banker in London and was a sheriif of that city in 1774, He ardently favored the cause of American independence. For a time he was secretary to Benjamin Franklin. He was forced to leave England and died in Virginia in i8i8. Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography. 204 fitch papers. and notwithstanding its being cut in two by the Province of New York at that time under the Dutch afterwards granted to the Duke of York ; likewise the province of Pennsylvania granted to its proprietor M^ Penn yet the Limits west of those Governments would by no means be contracted by virtue of those particular Grants, any more than that a pri vate person should relinquish the one and be contented with the other half of his Farm Because his neighbour's Field divides it in the middle; the justice of this way of reasoning was not confined to themselves only as appeared by applications repeatedly made to them concerning some tracts of Land About the Menesinks not long since dis puted by New and amicably settled by deputies from each province; this gave room to imagine that by a purchase made of the Indians on those westerm Limits they should secure to themselves no more than what was realy meant and intended in their Charter; accordingly a number of men belonging to the Province applyed to those Indians living on the Susquahanah who Very candidly de clared they had no right to dispose of any land thereabouts and that the real Proprietors were the Six Nations. Upon a meeting with the Iroquois in the year fifty four, they endeavoured to effect a purchase of those Lands with Hendrick their Chief but were disappointed by the false in sinuations of Sir William Johnston, nevertheless they did effect it the same year and obtained a firm deed for a tract on the Susquahanah including the 42d degree of north Lati tude and from about ten Miles east of the river extending west about two Degrees of Longitude for which land they gave a large Sum of Money. That the proprietors immedi ately applyed to the Government of Connecticut and have obtained liberty for a seperate jurisdiction as the uniting that part with this would be attended with insurmountable difficulties. That to defray the expences of many meetings on this Affair the proprietors have determined to admit two Hundred more who come in under the same advantages with others by paying about eight pounds ^ Share and some of those are yet undisposed of. STEPHEN SAYRE S ACCOUNT. 205 M' Grey Clark of the Committee assembled on the 19"^ May 1762 declares that the Business of the meeting was to determine if possible to throw in a Settlement upon the said Lands, and they have according obtam^ Votes for- above One Hundred Families who promiise to proceed im mediately and in defiance of Mr Penn and his Emissaries tq plant themselves down on the Lands, the Committee in order to Ballance the difficulties and disadvantages they must be under as first adventurers have granted them an extent of ten Miles on whatever part they please excepting the great Meadows, this they have given them exclusive of their Proportion as Proprietors, and the said Committee have formed another Committee who are to take care that proper and welthy persons only are admitted to make this first Settlement as well as to give them proper directions in what manner to govern themselves in this critical affair. Their last resolve was to endeavour to get this ratified at Home as soon as it can demand the attention of the Minis try. And they are of the opinion that the speedy Settle ment of some part will have great weight to determine it in their favour, another Circumstance from which they prom ise themselves great Advantage is ; that their Province have supported the present as well as late War with a truly brit- tish Spirit and Vigour, while on the other hand the inhabit ants of a certain proprietary Government are stained with infamy by the ravages of dastardly wretches meerly because it was proprietary. ^ M"^ Edwards another of the said Committee told me candidly that M"" Ingerson had in fact presented the resolve or memorial made by the Government in their favour, to M' Pitt and many others who gave him great encourag ment and that it should be duly considered in its proper Season, and for this end M^ Ingerson has engaged a friend to give him timely Advice, upon which Col. Elip' Dyer is to embark immediately for England invested with the above armour. I find it is the opinion of the Committee that the above hundred Men cannot proceed untill next Spring as the Sea- 2o6 fitch papers. son is now too far spent to plant and Sow. I endeavoured to obtain Copies of the proceedings of the meeting on the 19"" as well as of other meetings but found it impossible neither would they confess that anything material was com mitted to writing, for at one meeting they often destroyed what they had made at another but you Sir may depend upon the above to be genuine and a truth, for never were any set of mortals more effectually deceived than they found themselves when I made a demand of the Memorial from the Secretary who are unwilling to certifiy it. I have the honour to be your Lordships very humble servant Stephen Sayre [Indorsed] M^ Sayre's Account of what he heard in Con necticut respecting the Susquehannah Settlement June 1762 THOMAS FITCH TO JEFFREY AMHERST. [Governor Thomas Fitch wrote, probably about the first of July 1762, to General Jeffrey Amherst, voicing the protest lately made to him by Colonel Nathan Whiting against the troops being forced to labor on the Lord's Day. See Fitch's letter to Whiting of July 19, 1762.] NATHAN WHITING TO THOMAS FITCH. [Colonel Nathan Whiting wrote on July i, 1762, to Governor Thomas Fitch, as is shown by Fitch's reply on the 19th of the same month. The letter probably concerned the retention of men in service by General Jeffrey Amherst after their term of enlistment had expired.] DIRECTIONS BY SIR JEFFREY AMHERST, By His Excellency Sir Jeffery Amherst Knight of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Major General, and Commander in Chief of all His Majesty's Forces in North America, &ca, &ca, &ca appointment BY THOMAS FITCH. 207 The Bearer hereof Lieut: Evory of Colonel Lyman's Connecticutt Regiment having Arrived here too late to go with his Regiment, & as he thinks he can be of Service in getting some Recruits for the Regular Corps ; He is hereby Directed to Return to Connecticutt, & Apply to Governor Fitch, Delivering him the Letter herewith, that he may be pleased to give Lieut ; Evory the necessary Orders for Rais ing the Recruits. Given under my Hand at Head Quarters, in New York, this 4"! Day of July 1762. JEFF: AMHERST By His Excellency's Command Arthur Mair APPOINTMENT BY THOMAS FITCH. By the Honourable Thomas Fitch Esq^ Governor of His Majestys Colony of Connecticut &c. To Lieut. John Avery, Greeting I do hereby Appoint you an inlisting officer for raising Recruits towards compleating the Regular Regiments Serving in America to their full Complement of Effectives you are therefore hereby Authorized and impowered by beat of Drum or otherwise within this Colony to raise by voluntary inlistments able Bodied and Effective Men for his Majestys Service towards compleating the aforesaid Regular Regiments to their Complement of Effectives and you are to Observe the Instructions herewith given you from me for Regulating your Conduct in this Service And All officers civil and Military within this Colony are Re quired to Afford you all necessary Countenance and Assist ance therein. Given under my Hand the 6"> Day of July in the Second year of his Majestys Reign Annoque Dom: 1762 THOS FITCH JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. [General Jeffrey Amherst wrote, perhaps about July 10, 1762, to Governor Thomas Fitch, in reply to the governor's 2o8 fitch papers. protest against the troops being forced to labor on the Lord's Day, saying that it was better for them to be at work than lying idle and that time would be given them for attending divine service. See Fitch's letter of July 19, 1762, to Col. Nathan Whiting. ] PHILIP TURNER TO THOMAS FITCH. [Governor Thomas Fitch received a letter on July 13, 1762, from Doctor Turner, who had evidently just returned from camp where he had apparently been serving as sur geon's mate. In this letter he declined to return into service for less allowance than a surgeon's pay. This Doctor Turner was undoubtedly Philip Turner of Norwich, who served as surgeon's mate of the fourth regiment in the campaign of 1760. See letter from Gov. Thomas Fitch to Col. Nathan Whiting dated July 19, 1762. J THOMAS FITCH TO NATHAN WHITING. NORWALK, 19"' July 1762. Sir I have received your Several Letters of the 20"" and 25"" of June and i^'July. That of the 20"' by Docf Turner did not come to hand till the 13"" Instant accom pined with one from him by which I am informed that for less allowance than Surgeons Pay he will hot return and as there is no Establishment for two Surgeons I say nothing further to him and advise if you can find among your Troops any Per son fit for a Surgeons Mate that you appoint and Employ him but if not and being advised by the return of the Post I will Endeavour to Send you one if it can be accomplished in Season. I wrote to General Amherst about the Troops labouring on the Lords Day in answer to which he writes. "The Absolute necessity there is to have the Works there compleated and as the Shortness of the Season re quires the Men should be constantly Employed to Effect it he thinks it better for them to be at work than lying Idle JEFFREY AMHERST. 209 in their Tents and Drinking Rum which is too often the way the Soldiers employ their Idle time but that he shall write to the Commanding officer that particular Care may be taken that time may be allotted every Lords Day for their attending Divine Worship and for the Chaplains Doing their Duty &c." You will therefore Doubtless receive Orders accordingly which you will make the best Improvement of for Answering the Important and Religious Purposes proposed. What you wrote concerning the Dismissing the Men that Do not Enlist again &c. not coming to me before I supposed all them Matters must have been Settled I could not See any propriety or advantage in writing to the Gen eral about them therefore have not Done it The General knew when their time was up and expected all that did not Engage again would come off and I presumed he would give orders accordingly but perhaps he might Delay expecting some would Enlist into yo Regular Service which you had given him some hope to expect on which he Desired me to give you orders to take up money there to pay the Bounty that he might then send them Directly to Canada but I in formed him I had no Right to Draw money in that form but that the Inlisting Officers when they Drew the money must give Security &c but if after all there remains any Difficulty about those affairs and it be necessary for me to apply to the General be pleased to advise me in particular that I may be able to act with propriety and Success therein I am Sf with much respect your most obed' humt^'e Ser' THOS FITCH Colo Whiting JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. [General Jeffrey Amherst wrote on August 4, 1762, to Governor Thomas Fitch, requesting that the Connecticut Assembly take the earliest opportunity of providing for the continuance in pay for service during the coming winter of 14 2IO FITCH PAPERS. the same number of troops that remained in service the last winter. Colonial Records, XII. 75 ; New Hampshire Provin cial Papers, VI. 850; Rhode Island Colonial Records, VI. 333-] EARL OF EGREMONT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall 14"' August 1762. Gcntlefnefi, It is with the utmost Satisfaction I have the Pleasure to inform You, that last Thursday Morning, between Seven & Eight o'clock, the Queen was safely delivered of a Prince, and that Her Majesty and His Royal Highness are, God be praised, in as perfect Health as can be expected or wished. I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble Servant EGREMONT Govr and Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from the Earl of Egremont 14 August 1762 reed 2o"> Ocf 1762 THOMAS FITCH TO COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS. Connecticut 7"^ September 1762 My Lords Herewith are inclosed the Answers of the Governor and Company of the Colony of Connecticut to the heads of Enquiry sent last year; which Answers I am Desired by the General Assembly to transmit to your Lordships. More time than was expected has been necessarily taken up in collecting the Number of Inhabitants which is the reason these Answers were not returned sooner The Numbers have been taken in general with very great exactness, and I hope the Answers in the whole which are formed with as much Care and Certainty as may be will be found to your Lordships Satisfaction and Acceptance. I have the Honor my Lords to be with the highest Esteem & Regard your Lordships most Obedient and roost humble Servant THOS FITCH ANSWERS TO HEADS OF INQUIRY. 211 The Right Hon^'e the Lords Comiss" for Trade and Plantations [Indorsed] Connecticut Letter from Thomas Fitch Esqf Gov of the Colony of Connecticut, dated Sept^ 7. 1762. inclosing Reced Read Dec 20 1762. ANSWERS TO HEADS OF INQUIRY. A. D. 1762. Answers returned to the Queries sent the Governor and Company of His Majesty's Colony of Connecticut from the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations viz: is' The Scituation of this Colony is mostly within the fourty first and fourty Second Degrees of North Latitude, the Soil generally fertile interspersed with some Mountain ous and broken Land and some small parts something of a thin and more barren Soil. The Climate generally health ful but subject to the Extreams of heat and Cold in their Season and to very sudden Changes The Principal Rivers are Connecticut New London and Stratford which last as to its Northern Parts is usually called Ousatonuck River The Principal Harbours are New London and New Haven The Latitude of the first is 410 North Longitude west from Lon don 710 by common Computation. 2d The Colony is bounded on the south by the Sea or Sound Dividing between this Colony and Long Island now in the Government of New York on the East by the Colony of Rhode Island on the west by the Province of New York which Lines have been settled by Agreements between the respective Governments and Royal Confirmation and on the North by the south Line of the Massachusetts Plantation There was some years past a Dispute between the Massa chusetts and Connecticut touching the Line Dividing be tween the two Governments but there hath nothing of late been in agitation relative thereto. 3d The Trade of the Colony consists chiefly in Beef Pork Flower Bread Horses some Cattle Sheep Swine and 212 FITCH PAPERS. Lumber exported to the British Islands in the West Indies and in Exchange for them are received Rum Sugar Melasses Salt and some Bills of Exchange which are generally re mitted to England and in Beef. Pork Wheat Rye Indian Corn Flax flax-seed and Oats exported to the Neighbouring Governments principally to Boston and New York thence receiving (of and thro' the hands of Merchants there) British Manufactures in Exchange which are consumed among us this is far the greatest Branch of Trade carried on by the Inhabitants of the Colony, tho' more lately some Measures have been gone into to Encourage a more Immediate Im portation from Great Britain and as many Goods have been so imported as the means of Remittances will allow. The Number of shipping as Certified by the Officers of the Customs is 114 Their Tonnage 3527 and the Number of Seamen belonging to the Vessels is 651 These Vessels are generally of the smaller Sort as appears by the amount of their Tonnage and Number of Seamen. The Trades Works or Manufactures in the Colony are inconsiderable, the Inhabitants being chiefly imployed in Subduing Fencing and improving the Land, Do nothing more in the woollen and Linnen Manufactures than to supply the Deficiencies of what our produce Enables us to purchase from abroad, and what is wrought among us is mostly of the Coarser sort for Laboures and Servants; No Works of any kind being carried on hurtful to Great Britain. 4'y The British Manufactures Imported into the Col ony Either at first or Second hand are almost all Sorts used or Useful in Common Life viz. Woollens, Linnens for Apparel and other Uses also Household Furniture as Brass Pewter &c with Various other Sorts of Manufactures all which Do probably amount to the Value of ;^ioo,ooo Ster ling or more, S'y This Colony hath little or no Trade with foreign Plantations or any Part of Europe, saving some few Vessels to Lisbon and the Mediterranian with Fish &c the product of which is principally remitted by Bills to England and also some few Vessels to the Coast of Guinea. ANSWERS TO HEADS OF INQUIRY. 213 6'y The Methods used to prevent Illegal Trade consist in a Careful Conformity to the Acts of Parliament relative thereto. 7'y The Natural Produce of this Colony is Ship Tim ber of all kinds Boards and Ship Planks, Wheat, Rye, Indian Corn, Barly, Oats, Flax, Neat Cattle, Hogs and Horses ex ported as before mentioned and our Staple may be said to consist in Pork and Beef. The Value of our exported pro duce we suppose amounts to ;^i 50000 Sterling. In preven tions of Frauds and Abuses in the Sale and exportation of Our produce Sundry Laws and Acts of Government have been made some formerly and some more lately as the en- crease and growing Importance, or the apparent or sus pected abuse of such Trade or any Branch thereof seemed to make necessary. 8'y Some Copper Mines have been in Diverse parts of the Colony Opened but after considerable Expence and Labour proving unprofitable became wholly neglected There is in sundry places in the Colony plenty of Iron Oar which hath been manufactured to some advantage but not hitherto near a Supply for our Inhabitants 9'y The Number of Our Inhabitants transmitted to your Lordships A Dom: 1756 was 128212 Whites and 3587 Blacks and now on Careful Enquiry are found to amount 141000 and 4590 Blacks or thereabouts. lo'y By the foregoing Answer it appears that the In habitants from 1756 to 1762 have increased About 10788 Whites which Encrease (under the Divine Benediction) we attribute to Industrious temperate Life and early Marriage and it would probably have been greater had it not been for Losses sustained During the War and frequent and Numer ous Emigrations from hence to his Majestys newly con quered or Evacuated Countrys in America. ii'y The Number of our Militia according to the mus ter Rolls is 20264 it is Established by the Authority of the Laws of this Colony and is under the Regulations of the same The Militia spend their own Time supply themselves with arms &c: and are of no Expence to the Colony. 214 FITCH PAPERS. 1 2'y We have a small Battery at New London (the Principal Sea port and best Harbour in the Colony) consist ing of nine Guns, Supported at the Colony's Expence which is but small. 1 3'y The Indians among us are about 930 considerable part whereof dwell in English Families and the rest in small Tribes in Various parts of the Colony and are generally peaceable and orderly and there are no Indians bordering on the Colony. 14'y The Spanish Settlements in America are of no Effect on this Colony and as to Louisania still French the same may be said of them and as to Canada and the other Quondam French Settlements a Series of glorious Events during the present War render it needless to say any thing about them. 1 5'y The Revenue arising within this Colony is by a Tax on Lands Polls and Personal Estate, the revenue by Duties being inconsiderable, our Annual Taxes become in creased or Diminished in proportion to the Expence of Government Our ordinary Tax amounting to about ;^4ooo Sterling of which about one Eighth part is appropriated to the Support of Schools for Education of Children and Youth and the residue for the support of Government, but for the extraordinary Expence Annually Arisen During the Course of the present War We beg leave to refer Your Lordships to the Authenticated Accounts thereof annually transmitted. The Accounts of these Revenues are generally Audited once a year with the Colony Treasurer by a Committee appointed by the General Assembly and Sworn to a faithful Discharge of their Trust. 1 6'y & 1 7'y The Constitution of the Government by Royal Charter is a Legislative power vested in the General Assembly which consists of the Governor or in his Absence the Deputy Governor and twelve Assistants (called the upper House) and Representatives not Exceeding two from Each Town chosen by the Freemen of the respective Towns they represent (called the Lower House) No Act is valid without the Joint Concurrence of both Houses they make ANSWERS TO HEADS OF ENQUIRY. 215 Laws, Institute Judicatories, appoint Judges, and other necessary Officers, who are all sworn to a faithful Discharge of their Trust : A General Assembly is holden (agreable to Royal Charter) in May and October Annually ; and at other times when called by the Governor or in his Absence the Deputy Governor on any Emergency. Within the Colony are erected and Established by Law one Superior Court consisting of one Chief Judge and four other Judges which Court is held in Each County twice in Each Year in which are tried all pleas of the Crown and also all Civil Actions that come to them by Appeal, Writ of Error, Scire facias &c: And an inferior or County Court in Each County consisting of one Judge and two or more Jus tices of the Quorum who hold their Sessions twice in a year and pftner when Occasion requires for the Tryal of Delin quents for the Breach of Penal Laws and Civil Actions: in all these Courts Matters of Fact are tried by the Jury and matters of Law are determined by the Court and in Each Town are one or more Justices of the peace. The Militia is divided into Thirteen Regiments The Field Officers in Each Regiment are one Colonel one Lieu' Colonel and one Major and in Each Regiment is a Troop of Horse. All Officers both Civil and Military are appointed by the Governor Council and Representatives in General Court assembled and Commissioned by the Governor. The Civil Officers are appointed Annually in May and Military ofiicers are appointed from time to time as Vacancies happen. By Law Our Regiments are to be mustered once in four years. The Militia in Each Town four times in a Year and are Instructed in Military Discipline. The Names of the Principal Officers Civil and Military are as follows viz; Civil Officers Governor Thomas Fitch Deputy Governor William Pitkin Assistants Ebenezer Silliman John Chester Matthew Griswold Jonathan Trumbull Benjamin Hall Subal Conant 2l6 FITCH PAPERS. Hezekiah Huntington Daniel Edwards Elisha Shelden Andrew Barr Jabez Hamlen Eliphalet Dyar Secretary George Wyllys. Treasurer Joseph Talcott Judges of the Superior Court Chief Judge William Pitkin ' Ebenezer Silliman Daniel Edwards Benjamin Hall Robert Walker other Judges. Judges and Justices of the Inferiour or County Courts viz; Jus: of Hartford County Judge Jabez Hamlen - . f Joseph Pitkin Justices I William Wolcott ° ^^ 1 Seth Witmore Quorum „ , . ttt ^ ^ (^ Zebulon West New London County Judge Hezekiah Huntington John Griswold Richard Lord Christopher Avery Isaac Huntington Pygan Adams Windham County Judge Jonathan Trumble r Shubal Conant Jus : of j John Dyar y» Q: ] Joshua West [ Jabez Fitch Hartford County Sheriff William Pitkin Jun^ New London County Sheriff Christopher Christophers Windham County Sheriff Eleazer Fitch New Haven County Judge Roger Newton f John Hubbard Jus: of J Elihu Chauncy ye Q : 1 Timothy Storfe [ Thomas Darling Fairfield County Judge Andrew Barr ' Jonathan Hait David Rowland Samuel Fitch John Reed Jus: of Litchfield County Judge John Williams r Ebenezer Marsh Jus : of j Increase Mosely yo Q : j Daniel Sherman [ Bushnal Bostwick New Haven County Sheriff Jonathan Fitch Fairfield County Sheriff Thomas HiU Litchfield County Sheriff Oliver Wolcott ANSWERS TO HEADS OF INQUIRY. 217 Military Officers viz: First Regiment Colo Joseph Pitkin L' Colo George Wyllys Majf William Pitkin Jun^ 2d Reg' Colo Roger Newton L' Colo John Hubbard Major Edward Allen 3d Reg' Colo Gurdon Suttonstall Colo Jonathan Hoit L' Colo Hezekiah Huntington L' Colo James Lockwood 7"> Reg' Colo Timothy Stone L' Colo Aaron Eliot Major Jedediah Chapman 8"" Reg' Colo Christopher Avery L' Colo Samuel Coit Majr Nathan Cheesebrough 9"' Reg' Maj' Daniel Ely I'h Reg' Colo John Read L' Colo Robert Walker Maj' James Smedly 5'h Reg' Colo Subal Conant L' Colo Eliphalet Dyer Major Jedediah Elderkin 6"i Reg' Colo John Chester L' Colo Jabez Hamlen Majr Elizur Talcott Majr Jonathan Maltbie lo'h Reg' Colo Benjamin Hall L' Colo Elihu Chauncy Maj Elihu Hall ii'h Reg' Colo John Dyer L' Colo Ebenezer Williams Maj' Ezekiel Pierce 12"' Reg' Colo Jonathan Trumble L' Colo Joseph Fowler May Joseph Spencer 13'h Regt Colo Ebenezer Marsh L' Colo David Whitne Major Benjamin Hinman The Governors Salary is Three hundred pounds in Lawful money ^. annum ; The Deputy Governors Salary is one hundred pounds in Lawful money ^^ annum other Civil Officers are rewarded for their Services according to the time they attend the same. [Indorsed] Connecticut Answers to the Bd's Gen' Heads of Enquiry respecting the State of the Colony of Con necticut. 2l8 FItCH PAPERS. ROYAL INSTRUCTION TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. GEORGE R Instruction to Our Trusty and Wellbe- loved the Governor and Company of Our Colony of Connecticut in New England in America. Given at Our Court a S' James's the First day of October 1762, in the Second year of Our Reign. Whereas We have been pleased by Our Order in Coun cil dated the 17"^ day of September last to declare Our Pleasure, that in the Morning and Evening Prayers in the Litany and in all other parts of the Publick Service, as well in the Book of common Prayer where the Royal Family is appointed to be particularly pray'd for, the following Form of words should be used viz' "Our Gracious Queen Char lotte, their Royal Highnesses George Prince of Wales, the Prince.'^s Dowager of Wales and all the Royal Family." Our Will and Pleasure therefore is that in all the Prayers, Litanies and Collects where the Royal Family is pray'd for, and which are used within Our Colony of Connecticut under your Government, the same Form and Order of words he used as follows viz', "Our Gracious Queen Charlotte, their Royal Highnesses George Prince of Wales, the Princess Dowager of Wales and all the Royal Family." And for the better notice hereof in Our said Colony, it is Our further Will and Pleasure, that you cause the same to be forthwith published in the several Parish Churches and other places of divine worship within Our said Colony, and that you take care that due Obedience be paid thereto accordingly. GR. [Indorsed] Kings Instructions to Gov & Com of Connecticut Respecting Prayers for the Royal Family i^' ocf 1762. Reed yth Decembr 1762. THOMAS FITCHS BILL. 2 19 THOMAS FITCH'S BILL. The Colony of Connecticut To Thomas Fitch. Dr To Drawing Bills of Exchange from the 17"' of October 1761 To the 30"^ of September 1762 inclusive for the Sum of ;£ 37316 14 4 Sterling by 233 setts of Bills making in the whole 699 Bills at ^ pf Cent which amounts to f 186 II 9 Sterling and turned into Lawful money makes ^ 248 158 f^ 248 15 8 New Haven Octob' 1762 Errors Excepted p' Tho^ Fitch Gentlemen of the Assembly by the Best information I can obtain half p' Cent is the least Sum ever given (for Drawing Bills of Exchange) to those imployed for that Pur pose which I hope you will Judge a proper allowance for me considering the trouble Care and Risque in that Busi ness. I once gave in an account of this kind on which you Granted me half pr Cent. But this Time two year you was pleased to Reduce it to a Quarter p' Cent and as then it was Reduced to which I Submitted without Complaint it will perhaps be tho't more Reasonable the Ace' as now Stated Should be Allowed. I give in my Ace' now as I suppose it will be tho't Reasonable I should be paid after a years Service in the Business with[ ] waiting till the whole be gone thro' which perhaps may be years to come I Submit the whole to your Candid Consideration and am Gent, with the highest Esteem and Respects your most obedient Humble Servant THOS FITCH In the Lower House Granted unto the Honourable Thomas Fitch Esq'' one Hundred and twenty four Pounds Seven Shillings & ten pence for the within account Test Abrm Davenport Clerk Concurrd in the upper House Test George Wyllys Secrt 220 FITCH PAPERS. Ordered that the Treasurer of this Colony pay out of the public Treasury, unto the Honi'ie Thomas Fitch Esq' Governor the Sum of one hundred, twenty four Pounds, seven Shillings and ten Pence in Bills of this Colony, for his Care and Service in drawing Bills of Exchange, from the 17"" Day of October 1761 to the 30"' of Sep' 1762, for Monies granted by Parliament, belonging to this Govern ment, and lodged in the Hands of the Agent in England. passd in the upper House Test George Wyllys Secret Concurred in the Lower House Test Abr" Davenport Clerk [Indorsed] Grant to the Gov for selling Bills of Exchange Oct' 1762 p u H 4 N. p m p. 1. h End V. GARDNER TO MUSTERING OFFICER. Crown-Point Nov' 15"' 1762. Sir Agreeable to Col : Whitings orders of yesterday (the enclosd are a copy) I have mustered the Men and Officers of his Regiment, who march by No 4 under the Command of Lieu' Colonel Smedley, they amount to five hundred and sixty Men, Officers included, and are victuled up to the 22'' Ins' inclusive. I am Sir, your most obedient humble Serv' V: GARDNER acting as M: B; P; S: The number of provincials who have been mustered by me to march by No 4 is twelve hundred and ninety three the rest having gone off without leave I am Sir &c V. G. [Superscribed] On His Majestys Service To the Officer appointed to Muster the Provincials at No 4 NATHAN WHITINGS ORDERS. 221 NATHAN WHITING'S ORDERS. Colonel Whitings Orders Crown-Point Nov 14"^ 1762 Parole S' Jeffry Amherst The Connecticut Reg' to march to morrow by way of N° 4 under the Command of L' Colonel Smedly who will have Orders in writing. The Reg' to turn out at Gun firing, at 7 OClock the Genral will Beat, when all the Tents must be Struck and Delivd into the Barrack-Master, The Artiffi- cers are to Strick their tents at the same time, & march up & Joyn the Regiment, And Deliver their tents to the Qua' Master, Not a Hut to be burned or Destroyed When the troop Beats at 8 OClock the Reg' must march from the Left to the Royal Point, And Draw up According to their Rolls, which Brigade Maj' Gardner will call Over their Names & Embark them by Companys On Board their Boats, Major Baldwin will go Over with the first Division to take care of their Landing the Other Side. The Boats to be rowed Over & returned by their Own men till the Last Division, when an Officer & 30 Men of the two winter Companys must go Over with them. And the Officers take care Every Boat is returned. Maj' Gardner will Order Eight Days Provision to be Issued to them which the Qua^ Master will keep a Party to receive And Carry Over & Divide to them the Other Side the Lake V; Gardner acting as M : B : ROLL OF CAPTAIN JOSEPH HAIT'S* COMPANY. A Billiting Roll of Cap' Halt's Company in Colo Whit ings Regim' Muster'd By Cap' Gray att No 4 and Paid the Following Sums in Lew of Provision From the Inhabited Country to their Respective homes — Novemb' 1762. Stephen Murwin L' James Shelden Justus Olmsted Moses Byxbee Charles Stuard John Dossy *The name is Joseph Hoit in the Colonial Records. 222 FITCH PAPERS. Amos Curtis Samuel Mitchel Josiah Hait James Mead Samuel Clason Ebenezer Murwin Ephraim Lockwood Ephn McCormack James Brown Stephen Pratt Daniel Chittister William Penoyar Daniel Dykmon John Stone Reuben Dan Joseph Scofield Joseph Finch Natha' Sanson Mathew Fitch John Tuttle Nehemiah Hait John Thomas Zackeus Hait James Weed Nathaniel Hays Silas Weed John Hays Elijah Weed Minasay Ives Street Yale Daniel Johnson Miles Yale Daniel Keeler I do Acknowledge to have Reed from The Contractors for Victualling his Majestys Troops, by an Order from Cap' Jams Gray of the Royal Highland Reg', Seventy Eight Raitions of Provitions of All Species being Two days Allowance for Thirty Nine Men of Colo Whitings Reg' of Con' Troops to Subsist Them to the Inhabited Country And I Further Acknowledge to have Reed from the s^ Cap' Gray Three Pounds Eighteen Shillings Sterling being Two Shillings ^ Man Allowed to Carry them to their Respective Homes Stephen Merwin Liu' No 4. Nov 21S' 1762 [Indorsed] Cap' Haites Company Billiting Roll L' Murwin's Detach'. Connecticutt f^ ^ 18 EARL OF EGREMONT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT, Whitehall 27"! November 1762 Gentlemen, It is with great Pleasure, I now acquaint you, that on the 8"! Instant, a Messenger arrived from the Duke of Bedford, with the Preliminary Articles of Peace, which had been EARL OF EGREMONT. 223 signed on the 3d of this Month, at Fontainbleau, by His Grace, and the Plenipotentiaries of France and Spain, And another Messenger having yesterday brought the Ratifica tions of the said Preliminaries, which had been exchanged at Versailles on Monday last. His Majesty was pleased im mediately to order a Proclamation to be published, declaring a Cessation of Arms, as well by Sea as Land, which I en close herewith, and am commanded to signify His Majesty's Pleasure to You that you cause the same to be Published in all the proper .Places under your Government to the end that all His Majestys Subjects there, may pay due Obedience thereto, and strictly observe the Same. I congratulate you most Sincerely on this fortunate Issue of The King's unwearied Endeavours to put an End to the Calamities of so long and destructive a War, by re storing, as far as has depended on His majesty, the General Peace and Tranquility. I am with great Truth & Regard, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant EGREMONT Governoi- and Company of Connecticut [Indorsed] Letter from Earl of Egremont 27"! Novemb' 1762. Reed 26'h Jan'y 1763, EARL OP EGREMONT TO JEFFREY AMHERST. Whitehall Janry 27"" 1763 Sir Jeff: A mherst SirThe inclosed Copy of a Letter I have wrote to Gov Fitch will inform you of the Accounts His Majesty has re ceived, and of the subsequent Orders given relative to a Matter, which is represented here to be very serious & alarming; With regard to the Letter itself (which I also in close herewith) the King relying on Your Prudence & Judgement, is pleased to leave it to you to forward the same to Gov Fitch, or not, according as, from the actual State of 224 fitch papers. this Matter, you shall think most expedient; but, in case you shall determine to transmit the Letter abovementioned to Connecticut, you will enforce the Orders therein con- tain'd by every Argument you can suggest to induce the People of that Colony to desist from any Undertaking of so much Danger, and you will employ every legal Means in your Power, for this purpose: The King trusts, that you will, at least, be able to prevail with the People concerned in this pretended Purchase, to suspend, for the present, the making the Settlement in Question, 'till you shall have re ported to me, for the King's Information, a true State of this Matter; And you will accordingly make the necessary Inquiries into it, that His Majesty may be able to judge, what farther Orders it may be expedient to give to pre vent effectually any Hazard of an Indian War, His Maty having it much at heart to conciliate the Affection of the Indian Nations, by every Act of strict Justice, and by affording them His Royal Protection from any Incroach- ment on the Lands they have reserved to themselves, for their hunting Grounds, & for their own Support & Habita tion : and I may inform You that a Plan, for this desirable End, is actually under Consideration. I am &ca EGREMONT [Indorsed] Dra' to Sir Jeff. Amherst. Janry 27'^ 1763. EARL OF EGREMONT TO THOMAS FITCH. Whitehall JanT 27"^ 1763. Sir, After the Letter you wrote to Sir Jeffery Amherst on the 30"^ May 1761, on the subject of some People from Con necticut, who were, under pretended Purchases, making Settlements in the Neighbourhood of the Rivers Susque hannah and Delawar, which Settlements appeared to be contrary to the Inclination of the Indians, The King hoped that an effectual Stop would have been put to an Attempt, which threatens so much danger of an Indian War, as, by that Letter, you seem sensible that a controvesy with the Indians would be very unhappy, and add, that you shalW earl of egremont. 225 endeavour all you can to dissuade the People that live in Connecticut from laying any foundation for such bad Con sequences. His Majesty, however, having latelye received Infor mation, that the People, concerned in this Undertaking, persist in this Project of making the said Settlement, tho' the Indians appear as much averse to it as ever; The King has commanded me to express to you His Surprize at this Behaviour, as well as His Displeasure to find, that Any of His Subjects in America, so little sensible of the Blessings of Peace, and of the Dangers from which They are but just secured, should persist in an Undertaking of this Nature, which may, in all probability, involve Them, and their Fellow Subjects, in all the Horrors and Calamities of an Indian war, just at the Time, that His Majesty has actually under consideration such Precautions as may most effectu ally prevent so great an Evil; It is therefore the King's Pleasure, that you do exert every legal Authority over the People in your Government, and employ youre utmost Infiuence to prevent the Prosecution of any such Settle ment, till the State of the Case can be laid before the King, and the necessary Precautions taken to obviate any fresh Troubles in America, and you will use every means in )'Our Power to withdraw from this Settlement any Persons actu ally there. As the Orders, now sent you, are founded on That Humanity, and tender Concern for His Subjects, which have been so conspicuous in all His Majestys proceedings, I am persuaded. It will be unnecessary to add anything to excite Your Diligence in the punctual Execution of any Commands That can promote what the King has so entirely at heart as the lasting Welfare and Security of all His People. I am, with great Truth and Regard, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant EGREMONT Gov Fitch. [Indorsed] Letter from the Earl of Egremont 27"^ Janry 1763. Reed J gth April 15 226 FITCH PAPERS. SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON TO THOMAS FITCH. [Sir William Johnson wrote, probably about the first of February 1763, to Governor Thomas Fitch relative to the designs of the Connecticut people in making a settlement at Wyoming, and evidently urging a discontinuance of such designs because of the trouble it might cause with the Six Nations of Indians. See letter of Sir William Johnson to Gov. James Hamilton, April 30, 1763, in Pennsylvania Archives, IV. 103.] EARL OF EGREMONT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall i8"i Feb'y 1763. Gentlemen, It is with the highest Satisfaction I am now able to ac quaint You, that M' Neville, Secretary to His Majesty's Embassy at the Court of France, arrived here on Tuesday last in the Afternoon, with the Definitive Treaty of Peace between His Majesty, and the most Christian & Catholick Kings, signed at Paris on the lo"' Instant, to which the Portuguese Ambassador acceded the same Day ; I most sin cerely congratulate You on the Completion of this great and salutary Work, and You will make the proper Communica tion of this happy Event within your Government. I am. Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant EGREMONT P S March i6"i The Mail for No America not being yet dispatched give me an Opportunity to add, that the Ratifi cations of the Definitive Treaty were exchanged on the lo"" Instant between all the Four Powers. Gov & Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from the Earl of Egremont iS"" Feh'i' 1763 Reed i2th May 1763. REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL. 227 REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL. At the Council Chamber Whitehall the 3"^ of March 1763. By the Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs. His Majesty having been pleased by His Order in Council of the 21s' of January last, to referr unto this Committee a Representation of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, upon a Report made by Sir William Johnson, His Majesty's Superintendent 'of the Affairs of the Indian Nations, in the Northern Dis trict of America, upon examining into the Complaints of the Delawar Indians, against the Proprietors of Pensilvania concerning certain Lands of which those Indians deemed themselves to have been defrauded, and also upon another Point set forth in Sir William Johnsons Report, touching the Complaints made by the Delawars, against several of the People of Connecticut who were coming to settle at Wycoming on the River Susquehanna, which had greatly alarmed the Jelousy of the Indians. The Lords of the Committee this day took the aforesaid Representation, Report and other Papers thereto annexed, into Considera tion, and it appearing that the Disputes between the Pro prietors of Pensilvania and the Delawar Indians concerning the Lands of which those Indians deemed themselves de frauded, is happily brought to a Conclusion, it therefore becomes unnecessary for their Lordships to give any Direc tions whatever thereupon. That with respect to the other Point relating to the People of Connecticut having alarmed the Jelousy of the Indians by attempting to make Settle ments at Wycoming, which is claimed by the Indians, as part of their Hunting Lands, The Committee has been in formed by the Earl of Egremont, One of His Majestys Prin cipal Secretarys of State, that he had signified His Majestys Commands to the Governor of the Colony of Connecticut as likewise to Sir Jeffery Amherst, Commander in Chief of His Majestys Forces in America, requiring them to exert every legal Authority, and employ their utmost Influence to pre- 228 FITCH PAPERS. vent the Prosecution of any such Settlement, And his Lord ship having laid Copies of the said Letters before the Com mittee, Their Lordships are hereby pleased to referr the same to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, to consider, and Report to this Committee whether they conceive any, or what further Measures necessary to be taken, for putting a Stop to the said Settlement. W. SHARPE EARL OF EGREMONT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall 26"^ March 1763 Gentlemen, His Majesty having been pleased to order the Peace to be proclaimed, in the usual Manner, on Tuesday last, I have the King's Commands to transmit to You herewith inclosed the Proclamation* issued on that Occasion, and am to sig nify to You His Pleasure that You cause the same to be published in all the proper Places within Your Government, To the End, that all His Majesty's trading Subjects do take notice of his Royal Will & Pleasure therein, and conform themselves thereto accordingly. I am, with great Truth & Regard, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble Servant EGREMONT Gov & Compa of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from the Earl of Egremont 26"' March 1763. Reed igth July 1763. Ordering Peace to be pro claimed the Proclamation inclosed ? George R. Whereas a definitive treaty of peace and friendship between us, the most Christian king and the K. of Spain, to which the K, of Portugal hath acceded, hath been concluded at Paris, on the loth day of February last, and the ratifications thereof have been exchanged upon the loth day of this inst, March: In conformity thereunto, we have thought fit hereby to command, that the same be published throughout all our dominions: And we do declare to all our loving subjects our will and pleasure, that the said treaty of peace and friendship be observed in violably, as well by sea as land, and in all places whatsoever; strictly charging and commanding all our loving subjects to take notice hereof, and to conform them- selvesthereunto accordingly. Gentleman's Magazine, yiXyiVLl. 198. The proclama tion was read March 22. JEFFREY AMHERST. 229 JOSEPH SLUMAN TO JONATHAN TRUMBLE. Martinique April i^' 1763 Dear Gentlemen Last Night Arrived a Packet from England which gives an Account of The Peace being Signed The i2"i of Febru ary ; as for any further News have heard None. I expect to Sail in Twelve Days from This Time, Meet with more Trouble in Loading Than I expected but Hope to be Loaded in about 8 Days; shall bring nigh 100 Hhds of Molasses & 13 or 14 Thousand of Sugar, & Two Hhds of Rum, by the Quantity of Molas that is going from this Island & what we hear is going from The Granades & Guadaloupe am afraid will make the Market very low ; I acquainted you in my last of my sending The Tallow to Antequa by Cap' Brainard & I do Determine to Touch there & get the Effects There of; I acquainted you in my last by Cap' Brainard what I Thought was best for another Cargo, you will Judge by the Accounts at Home better than I can here I beleive any Thing That will be valuable is best and a Summers Voyage there is no Produce to be had which must of Consequence be Cash or Bills. My Duty Love to all & Remain y Sincere Cousin & Serv' JOPH SLUMAN P. S. shall make no Insurance, Leave that to yr Con sideration. Think there is no Danger [Indorsed by Jonathan Trumble] Martinico April 1763 M' Joseph Sluman JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. New York, 10"' April 1763. Sir, By the Harriot Packet Boat, which Arrived here yester day, I Had the Honour of a Letter from the Earl of Egre mont, Enclosing One for You, which I herewith transmit to you, regarding the Settlement which some of the People of your Government, were Endeavouring to make on the Sus quehannah: I have already Several times Acquainted you 230 FITCH PAPERS. of my Sentiments Respecting this Matter, & how highly Necessary it was to put a Stop thereto, untill His Majesty's Pleasure was known ; and by the Letter I now Enclose to you, from the Secretary of State, you will See that the King Disapproves of the Steps taken by the Connecticutt People, and Expressly Orders them to Desist untill His majesty is fully Informed of the true State of the Case. I Cannot think it Necessary to Add anything more on this Subject, after my Lord Egremont's Letter, which so fully Points out the Horrors and Calamities, which this Rash Step might, in all probability. Involve not only the Adventurers, but their Fellow Subjects; and therefore Shews His Majesty's Humanity and tender Concern for his Subjects, in a very Conspicuous Light, by Interposing his Royal Authority in time to prevent those Calamities ; But I Can't help Mentioning to you, that by a Letter I had Last Night from Sir W™ Johnson, he Acquaints me that Col. Dyer and One M' Woodbridge had been at his house very lately, with Some Proposals to the Indians, & Insisting on their Title to the Lands on the Susquehannah in Right of the Connecticutt Claim; And Notwithstanding all the Arguments he made Use of to Diswade them from the Attempt, they Assured him that the Susquehannah Com pany, as they Called them, were Determined to Settle Immediately on the Land, to the Amount of a Thousand Families and Upwards whom they Judged Sufficient to Defend their Cfaims against any Opposition. I Cannot however Allow myself to think but that the King's Orders; which I now Send you, will meet with a Due Obedience; and that His Subjects in Connecticutt, Sensible of the Blessings they Enjoy under the Benign Influence of His Majesty's Reign, will Pay the Strictest Regard to Such Commands as He is Graciously pleased to Issue, and thereby Approve themselves Worthy of His Protection. I am, with great Regard, Sir, &ca. JEFF: AMHERST. Honi^'e Gov"" FiTCH. JEFFREY AMHERST. 23 1 [Indorsed.] Copy. Letter from Sir Jeffery Amherst to Governor Fitch; Enclosing the Earl of Egremont's Letter in regard to the Claims which the Connecticutt People pretended to have for the Lands on the Susque hannah; & Acquainting the Gov of what Sir W^" Johnson had mentioned concerning the fresh Attempt threatned by those Adventurers, which the General Trusts the Gov will put an Effectual Stop to. Dated New York, lo'h April 1763 in S' J: Amherst's of April 12, 1763 JEFFREY AMHERST TO EARL OF EGREMONT. New York 12"^ Aprill 1763. My Lprd *** * * * ***** On reading the Copy of your Lordships Letter to Gov ernor Fitch which you was pleased to transmit to me to forward or not, according as I might think most expedient, from the actual State of that matter, I have judged it right to send it immediately to Governor Fitch, more especially, as I just at that time received a Letter from Sir William Johnson regarding the Affair, on which I wrote to Governor Fitch, Copies of which Letters I have the honour to enclose to your Lordship, and I shall not neglect to use my Endeav ours in putting a total Stop to the People of that Colony making any Settlements on their pretended Purchases. Sir NATHAN WHITING TO THOMAS FITCH. New Haven April 14 1763 I did myself the Honor to write you from Crown point the Latter part of the Last Campain, Setting forth that my having the Command of the Provincial Forces Necessarily enhanced my expence to a very Considerable degree, & desired the favour of your Honor to Lay that matter before the General Assembly than Setting at New Haven, to See if they would be pleased to make me An Additional allow- 232 FITCH PAPERS. ance your Honor Informed me the Assembly Thought proper to defer it till I came Home to be Informed more particularly by what means my Expence Arose, I therefore beg Leave to Acquaint your Honor that my Expence Arose from my being Obliged to keep a Table for and Entertain in the Same manner the officers of the Several Regiments there as those of my own, besides what Arose from the frequent passing of officers & others on business, this Ex- pence was Necessary to be kept up as well to Support the Honor of the Colony as to promote the good of the Service by removing all Cause of Jealousy. If your Honor thinks proper to Lay the matter before the Honi"' Assembly to be held at Hartford May next for their Consideration, And they Should make Such An Allowance as they in their Wisdom Should think reasonable I Shall Return due Ack- nowledement. I am with Great Regard your Honors most Obliged & most Obedient humble serv' NATHAN WHITING* the Hon''! Tho^ Fitch Esq' THOMAS FITCH TO SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. [Governor Thomas Fitch, perhaps about the middle of April 1763, wrote to Sir William Johnson in reply to his letter relative to a settlement by Connecticut people at Wyoming " that he would take the first opportunity to lay the matter before the Assembly, which would set in May, & recommend these affairs to their serious consideration, doubting not but they would be disposed to take every proper measure that might come within their power to pre serve a good Harmony & understanding with ye 6 Nations." See letter from Sir William Johnson to Governor James Hamilton, April 30, 1763, in Pennsylvania Archives, IV. 103J * The subject matter of this letter was laid before the Assembly, and was favorably reported by the committee to whom it was referred. The Assembly, however negatived the committeee report. State Archives, War, X. 119. COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS. 233 COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS TO COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL FOR PLAN TATION AFFAIRS. To the Right Honb'« the Lords of the Committee of His Majesty's most Hont''e Privy Council for Plantation Affairs. My Lords, Pursuant to your Lordships Order dated the 3d instant, referring to Us Copies of two Letters from the Earl of Egremont, One of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State to S' Jeffery Amherst and to the Governor of Con necticut, relating to the Settlement which some People of Connecticut are attempting to make at Wyoming, and di recting Us to consider and report to Your Lordships whether We conceive any or what further Measures necessary to be taken, for putting a Stop to the said Settlement, We have taken the same into Consideration, and beg leave to report to Your Lordships thereupon. That We find in the Books of Our Office that in Janu- ^'^y i7S9i tlie Governors of South Carolina and Georgia being directed by His Majesty's Secretary of State to give immediate Orders in His Majesty's Name, for the Removal of certain Persons who, without any Licence or Authority had settled themselves to the Southward of the Alabamaha, they appointed each a Commissioner, under the Provincial Seal, with instructions to repair to the said Settlement, assemble the Inhabitants and proclaim to them His Majestys said Orders. Which being accordingly done, the Settlers removed themselves.* We would therefore propose to Your Lordships that Instructions be sent to the Governors of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, directing them to proceed in like manner with respect to the Settlers at Wyoming; And that a Copy of the *But, Gov. Wright afterwards wrote to the Board; That those Settlers had only made a pretence of removing. 2 34 FtTCH PAPERS. Orders which shall be given to them for that purpose, be transmitted to S' W^ Johnson, his Majestys Agent for Indian Affairs, that he may communicate them to the Chiefs of the confederated Nations as an instance of His Majesty's Regard to their Interest and Attention to their Complaints, We are. My Lords, your Lordships most Obedient & most humble Serv'^ SHELBURNE SOAME JENYNS ED BACON GEO. RICE ORWELL Whitehall April 27"' 1763 COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall April 29"' 1763. Gentlemen, His Majesty having appointed Us His Commissioners for promoting the Trade of this Kingdom, and for inspect ing and improving His Majesty's foreign Colonies and Plan tations ; We take this the earliest Opportunity of acquainting you therewith, and transmitting to you the inclosed Copy of the Order of His late Majesty in Council, by which the Cor respondence between this Board and the Governors of His Majesty's Colonies is regulated and ascertained, together with Copies of the Letters from the Secretary of State to this Board and to the said Governors, explaining this Order and the Additional Instruction given to the Governors in consequence thereof. This Order and explanatory Letter will mark out to You, the Manner in which you are to carry on your Corre- ROYAL INSTRUCTION TO CONNECTICUT. 23^ spondence with this Board, and you will govern yourself accordingly. We are. Gentlemen, Your most Obedient humble Servants SHELBURNE SOAME JENYNS ED BACON JOHN YORKE GEO: RICE ORWELL BAMBER GASCOYNE Governor & Company of the Colony of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from the Board of Trade 29"^ April 1763. Reed I gth July 1763. ROYAL INSTRUCTION TO CONNECTICUT. Copy of an Instruction from His late Majesty to all His Governors in America Whereas tl^e Governors of such of Our Colonies and Plantations in America, as are more immediately under Our Government are, in particular Cases as well as in general, directed and required by Our Instructions to transmit unto Us by One of Our Principal Secretary's of State and to Our Commissioners for Trade and Plantations accounts from time to time of all their Proceedings and of the Condi tions of Affairs within their respective Governments. And Whereas it doth appear to Us that it will tend to the Benefit of Our said Colonies and Plantations, the Ease and Con venience of Our Subjects and the greater Regularity and Dispatch of Business if the Correspondence be confined to and pass through but one Channel. It is therefore Our Express Will and Pleasure that in all cases, wherein by Our Instructions you are directed to transmit any particular or general Accounts of your Proceedings or of Matters relative to the Affairs of Our Province under your Government, you do for the future transmit the same to Our Commissioners 236 FITCH PAPERS. for Trade and Plantations only in order that they may be laid before Us. Provided nevertheless and It is Our express Will and Pleasure that whenever any Occurrences shall happen within Our said Province under your Government, of such a Nature and Importance as may require Our more immediate Direc tion by one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, and also upon all occasions and in all Affairs whereon you may receive Our Orders by one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, you shall in all such Cases, transmit to Our said Secretary of State only, an Account of all such Occurences and of your Proceedings relative to such Orders. [Indorsed] Copy of an Instruction from His late Majesty to all His Governors in America Reed 19"! July 1763 COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall April 29"! 1763, Gentlemen, The King having judged it proper that a Publick Thanksgiving to Almighty God, should be observed throughout all His Majesty's Colonies in America, on the happy Conclusion of the Peace; We have received His Majesty's Commands to signify to you His Royal Pleasure that you do, upon Receipt of this Letter, appoint a proper and early day of Thanksgiving to be observed by all His Majesty's good Subjects under your Government, in such manner and with such Forms of Prayer as have been usual on like Occasions. We are Gentlemen Your most obedient humble Servants GEO: RICE SHELBURNE ORWELL SOAME JENYNS BAMBER GASCOYNE ED BACON JOHN YORKE Governor & Company of the Colony of Connecticut [Indorsed] Letter from Board of Trade 29"' April n^S' Reed 1 9"! July for appointing a Thanksgiving JEFFREY AMHERST. 237 JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. New York, 4"! May 1763. Sir, On the 10"' April I transmitted you a Letter from the Earl of Egremont, Containing His Majesty's Directions in regard to the Attempts of the People of Connecticutt to Settle on the Susquehannah; and having, by the Packett Boat which Arrived here this Morning, received a Duplicate of the Said Letter, I herewith Enclose you the Same, with a Duplicate of Mine to you on the Same Subject. I am, with great Regard, Sir, &ca. JEFF: AMHERST Honti'e Governor Fitch. [Indorsed.] Copy. Letter from Sir Jeffery Amherst to Governor Fitch; Enclosing him the Duplicate of the Earl of Egremont's Letter regarding the Attempts of the Connecticutt People to Settle on the Susquehannah; and Likewise a Duplicate of the General's former Let ter, on the same Subject, the Governor not having Acknowledged the Receipt of Either of the Originals. Dated New York 4"! May 1763. in S' J: Amherst's of May 14: 1763 ORDER OF COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL FOR PLANTATION AFFAIRS. At the Council Chamber Whitehall the 11"' of May 1763 By the Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs. The Lords of the Committee of Council this day took into their Consideration a Re port made by the Lords Commiss's for Trade and Plantations, upon two Letters from the Earl of Egremont, One of His Majestys Principal Secretarys of State, to Sir Jeffery Amherst, and to the Governor of Connecticut, relating to the Settlement which some People 238 fitch papers. are attempting to make at Wycoming on the River Susque hannah. And the said Lords Commissioners, in order to put a Stop to the said Settlement, having proposed that In structions should be sent to the Governors of Pensylvania and Connecticut, directing them to Proceed in like Manner with respect to the Settlers at Wycoming, as the Governors of South Carolina and Georgia had done in the year 1759 for the Removal of certain Persons who had settled themselves to the Southward of the Alatamaha. The Lords of the Com mittee are hereby pleased to order, that the said Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations do prepare Draughts of Instructions for the Governors of Pensylvania and Connecticut agreable to what is proposed in the said Report, and lay the same before this Committee. W: BLAIR. [Indorsed.] Proprieties. Order of the Lords of the Comm" of Council for Plantation Affairs dated ii"i May 1763 relating to some People attempting to make a Settle ment at Wycoming & directing Draughts of Instructions to be prepared for the Gov^ of Pensylvania & Connec ticut for the breaking up such Settlement. Reced Read May 27, 1763. STEPHEN HOPKINS TO THOMAS FITCH. [Governor Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island wrote on May 26, 1763, to Governor Thomas Fitch, respecting the boundary line between Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Connecticut, evidently asking what steps the colony had taken regarding the controversy still existing with Massa chusetts about the line. See Fitch's letter of June 21, 1763, to Hopkins.] COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS TO COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL FOR PLANTATION AFFAIRS. To the Right Hon^'e the Lords of the Committee of His Majesty's most Honi>'e Privy Council for Plantation Affairs. proceedings OF THE KING IN COUNCIL. 239 My Lords, Pursuant to your Lordships Order dated the ii"i Instant, We have prepared Drauts of an Instruction to the Com manders in Chief of the Provinces of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, directing them to appoint each a Commissioner to repair to Wyoming on the River Susquehannah, and to proclaim to the People who are making a Settlement there. His Majesty's Commands, that they do remove from thence. And We beg Leave herewith to lay the said Draughts before Your Lordships. We are My Lords &ca SHELBURNE ORWELL. SOAME JENYNS BAMBER GASCOYNE. ED ELLIOT ED BACON JOHN YORKE GEO RICE Whitehall May 30. 1763 PROCEEDINGS OF THE KING IN COUNCIL. At the Court at S"^ James's the 15'''" day of june 1763. Present The Kings most Excellent Majesty in Council Upon reading at the Board a Report from the Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 7"i of this Instant, humbly offering to His Majesty for his Royal Approbation Draughts of an Instruction prepared by the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, for the Commanders in Chief of the Provinces of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, directing them to appoint each a Commissioner to repair to Wyoming on the River Susquehannah, and to proclaim to the People who are making a Settlement there. His Majestys Com mands that they do remove from thence. His Majesty this day took the said Report and Draughts of an Instruction 240 FITCH papers. into Consideration, and was pleased, with the Advice of His Privy Council, to approve of the said Draughts of an Instruction (which are hereunto annexed) and to order, as it is hereby ordered, that the Right Honourable the Earl of Egremont, One of His Majestys Principal Secretarys of State, do lay the same before His Majesty for His Royal Signature. PHIL: SHARPE [Indorsed.] the is"' of June 1763 Order in Council approv ing of Draughts of Instructions for the Commanders in Chief of Pensilvania and Connecticut to put a Stop to the Settlement making by the People of Connecticut on Lands claimed by the Indians at Wyoming. ROYAL INSTRUCTION TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.* GEORGE R. Instruction to Our Trusty and Wellbeloved the Governor and Company of Our Colony of Connecticut in New England in America. Given at Our Court at S' James's the is"" day of June 1763 in the third year of Our Reign. Whereas it hath been represented to Us that a Number of Persons, Inhabitants of Our Colony of Connecticut, have presumed, without Licence from Us or any acting under Our Authority, to begin a Settlement on certain Lands, at Wyoming on the River Susquehanna, belonging to Our good Subjects the six Nations of Indians and their Allies the Delawares, whereby the said Indians are greatly dis quieted and aggrieved: And whereas We have thought it necessary as well for the Support of Our Royal Authority as in Justice to the said Indian Nations, whom We are determined at all times to protect in the peaceable Enjoy ment of all their just Rights and Possessions, that an effectual Stop should be put to the Settlement which the said People of Connecticut have thus unwarrantably at tempted to make ; Our Will and Pleasure therefore is, that *A similar Instruction was sent to James Hamilton, Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania. JEFFREY AMHERST. 241 you do forthwith, by commission under the Seal of the Colony of Connecticut under your Government, constitute and appoint a proper Person "to be Commissioner on the part of the Colony of Connecticut with full Power to act in concert with a Commissioner in like manner to be appoint ed by the Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, in the due and faithfull Execution of Our Royal Pleasure concerning the Inhabitants of the said Settlement. And you are here by further required to instruct the said Commissioner with all convenient speed to proceed, with the Commissioner to be appointed on the part of the Province of Pennsylvania, to the said Settlement at Wyoming and there to cause his Commission to be read and published with all due Solemnity, and immediately after Publication thereof to require and command the Inhabitants, in Our Name, forthwith to desist from their said Undertaking, and to depart and remove from thence within such limited time, as you, in your Dis cretion shall think necessary and reasonable. G. R. [Indorsed] Kings Instruction i5"> June 1763. About Sus quehannah Land. Ordering a Commissi' to be Ap pointed &c. JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. Copy. New York, 17"' June 1763. Sir, On Receiving some Intelligence of the Motions of the Indians to the Westward, I have Judged it highly Neces sary to Detain the Provincials, Notwithstanding the Orders I had formerly Sent for their Returning home, on the i^' July, that I may be the better Enabled to Spare some Rein forcements of the Number of Regulars from the Several Posts, to Push forwards, for the Protection of the Upper Country. I Have therefore Sent Positive Orders to the Officer Commanding the New Jersey* Troops to Continue with his 16 New York, Connecticutt, Rhode Island, Newhampshire. 242 FITCH PAPERS. Men, untill further Orders; And have Assured him, that, on their Remaining & Doing their Duty, Application should be made to the Province to make Provision for them accord ingly: The Necessity of this Measure, on so Critical an Occasion, will, I am Convinced, Appear so Evident, that I need not Use any Arguments to Induce you to Apply to your Council & Assembly, for a Continuation of the Pay to the Officers & Men that do Remain, and for Bestowing on them such Other Rewards, as their Services may Entitle them to. I am, with great Regard, Sir, &ca JEFF: AMHERST N. B. The Foregoing Letter To the Governors of New Jersey, New York, Connecticutt, Rhode Island, & New Hampshire. N. B. The Massachusetts Troops, Stationed at Crown Point, &ca, went ojff, the i^' May, Notwithstanding the Orders Sent for their Remaining till the i^' July, so that it was unnecessary to Write to the Governor of that Province on this Occasion. The Massachusetts Troops, who were at Halifax, it appears by Letters from thence, have Likewise Refused to Do Duty, after the i^' May. [Indorsed.] Copy. Circular Letter from Sir Jeffery Am herst, to the Governors of New Jersey, New York Connecticutt, Rhode Island, & New Hampshire. Dated NewYork, 17"! June 1763. Acquainting them of the Bad Designs of the Indians, which had Obliged the General to Send Orders for the Detention of the Pro vincial Troops, that he might be Enabled to Send Reinforcements of Regulars, for the Protection of the Upper Country ; And therefore Requesting the Govern ors to make Application to their Respective Assemblys, to make Provision for their Troops, so long as it might be Necessary to Continue them in the Service, in S' J : Amherst's of June 27 : 1763 THOMAS FITCH. 243 THOMAS FITCH TO STEPHEN HOPKINS. Norwalk, 2ist June, 1763. Sir : When at Hartford, attending the General Assembly, I received your letter of the 26"! May, respecting the line be tween Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Connecticut; but, as those matters were transacted before I came into the administration, I was unable, without further inquiry, to give you an account how they stood; and as Mr. Wolcott* is deceased, and General Lyman was confined with the small pox, and I had no opportunity of Conferring with Gov ernor Wolcott about them, I desired some gentlemen lo look into those matters, and to let me know what they could find to have been done therein. When I receive their ac count, I shall acquaint you with it. I believe the government did nothing further in Eng land, than to instruct their agent to be watchful to guard against any motions that might be made by the Massachu setts agent, to the prejudice of this colony; and whether the Assembly will think it proper to pursue that matter further than to maintain a straight line between the Massa chusetts and us, is a question I am not at present able to resolve; but when the former transactions and preparations are collected, I purpose to have them laid before the Assem bly, who will, I presume, come to some determinations in the matter. I am, sir, with very great regard, &c. , &c. , THOS. FITCH. To the Hon. Governor Hopkins. THOMAS FITCH TO JEFFREY AMHERST. Norwalk, 24"' June 1763. Sir, Last Evening I was Favored with your Letter of the I?* Acquainting me you found it Necessary to give Possi- tive Orders to the Officer Commanding the Connecticutt •Hon, Roger Wolcott, son of the governor, who died Oct, 19, 1759- 244 FITCH PAPERS. Troops to Continue with his Men 'till further Orders; Assuring him, that on their Remaining and Doing their Duty, Application should be made to the Colony to make provision for them accordingly. On this Head I Imagine there will Arise no Difficulty, as the Government have always made it a Rule, to Pay their Troops for the Whole time they have been Necessarily Detained in Service, altho' it has happened to Exceed the time they Engaged for; but as both Officers & Men had an Assurance of a Dis charge by the i^' July, at which time their Engagements Expire, I Fear such an unexpected Disappointment, will Excite considerable uneasiness among them. Especially as they will be apt to View it as an Infraction made of the Public Faith, and to Consider themselves as not further holden by their Contracts, which were understood, if not Expressed, to be Limited to the i^' July: I hope Never theless they will Use so much Consideration, as on this Critical Occasion, to See the Necessity of the Measures you have taken; and I have the more Reason to Expect this, as the Connecticut Officers and Men are Generally Disposed to good Order; but then I must beg Leave to Request you to Release them as Soon as the King's Service will Possibly Admit of it, least by an Endeavour to Continue them for any long time they should be tempted to Come off in a Disorderly manner, which I shall be Extremely Sorry to hear of. I have the Satisfaction to Acquaint you, that Immedi ately after receiving your Letter, accompanying the Earl of Egremont's, respecting the Connecticutt People's Attempts to Settle the Lands on the Susquehannah River, I Informed the Principal Men among them of the Orders I had received, Desiring them to put a Stop to those Attemps, which they accordingly Did; and Soon after the Company had a Meet ing, and Chearfully Obeyed His Majesty's Orders, and agreed to Lay aside all further Attempts towards Settling those Lands, 'till the King's Pleasure be further known; Soon after this Deputys of the Six Nations Came to Hart ford, with a Message to me on that Subject; in Answer JEFFREY AMHERST. 245 to which I Explained the Matter to them, and Acquainted them what had been Done, with which they Manifested Entire Satisfaction, and Departed well pleased, and, as I was Informed, perfectly Easy, and very Friendly, & Espe cially to those who had made Claim to those Lands; I therefore Conclude all Cause of Uneasiness or Complaints of that kind are Entirely Removed, which I think is a very happy Circumstance, at this time, when Disturbances arise from the more Southern or Western Nations. I am, with very great Regard Sir, &ca. THOS FITCH His Excellency Sir Jeffrey Amherst. [Indorsed,] Copy, Letter from Governor Fitch to Sir Jef fery Amherst, Dated Norwalk 24"! June 1763, Acknowl edging the General's Circular of of the 17"! And that he Imagined there would Arise no Difficulty in regard to Continuing the Troops of that Colony, as the Govern ment had always made it a Rule to Pay them for what ever time they might be Necessarily Detained beyond that for which they were Engaged. The Governor in this Letter, Acquaints the General of the measures he took, on the Rec' of the Earl of Egremont's regarding the Attempt of the Connecticutt People to Settle on the Susquehannah, which had had the Desired Effect, those People having in Obedience to His Majesty's Commands given over all thoughts of Settling on the Lands in Question, until the King's Pleasure was fur ther Known, &c. in S' J : Amherst's of June 27 : 1763 JEFFREY AMHERST TO THOMAS FITCH. New York, 26"^ June 1763. Sir, I Had last Night the Favor of your Letter of the 24"! Instant, And am glad to Find the Government of Connecti cutt will, upon this Occasion, as on all Others, Pay their Troops for the Whole time they may be Necessarily De- 246 FITCH PAPERS. tained in the Service, altho' it happens to Exceed the time they Engaged for: When I Fixed the i^' July, as the Day for Sending them Home, I Could not Foresee the Unex pected Exigency that has Required their Continuance be yond that time; But you may be Assured, I shall not Detain them a Day longer than is Absolutely Necessary for the Security of the Pos,ts, & Consequently for the Protection of the Country in General. That part of your Letter regarding the Steps taken by you, on Receipt of the Earl of Egremont's Letter, Contain ing His Majesty's Commands Relative to the Lands on the Susquehannah River, and the Consequences thereof, gives me great Pleasure, as I Flatter myself there will be an End to all Disputes of that kind for the Future; and that no Company whatever will presume to Settle on any Lands, without a proper Authority from His majesty. I am, with great Regard, Sir, &ca JEFF: AMHERST The Honi^'e Governor Fitch [Indorsed.] Copy. Letter from Sir Jeffery Amherst to Governor Fitch. Dated New York 26"" June 1763. In answer to the Gov''« of the 24'^' June, That he was glad the Colony of Connecticutt, upon this Occasion, would Provide for their Troops for the time they might be Necessarily Detained beyond that for which they were Engaged ; And that he was particularly Pleased to Learn that, on the Rec' of the Earl of Egremont's Letter, re specting the Lands on the Susquehannah, the People who had Pretended a Right to those Lands, had, in Obedience to His Majesty's Commands, Desisted from all Attempts of that Kind, untill the King's Pleasure was further Known, &ca. in S' J : Amherst's of June 27; 1763. EARL OF EGREMONT. 247 EARL OF EGREMONT TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall July 9"> 1763. Gentlemen, It having appeared, that the Publick Revenue has been greatly diminished, and the fair Trader much prejudiced, by the fraudulent Methods used to introduce into His Majesty's Dominions, (contrary to the Act of 12"! Charles 2d for encouraging & increasing Shipping & Navigation, and that of 15"! Charles 2d for the Encouragement of Trade, and the Act of 7"i & 8"' of William 3d for preventing Frauds, & regulating Abuses in the Plantation Trade,) Commodities of Foreign Growth, in National as well as foreign Bottoms, by means of small Vessels hovering on the Coasts; and that this iniquitous Practice has been carried to a great height in America, An Act was passed the last Session of Parliament intituled ^^ An Act for the further Improvement of His Majesty's Revenue of Customs ; and for the Encouragement of Officers making Seizures ; and for the prevention of the clandestine Running of Goods into any Part of His Majesty's Dominions," by which the former Laws, relative to this Matter, are enforced, and extended to the British Dominions in all Parts of the World ; and the King having it extremely at Heart to put an End to all iniquitous Practices of this j Nature, by a due, punctual, and vigorous. Exertion of thej Laws made for this salutary Purpose, and His Majesty having been pleased to order, that the most effectual Steps should be taken for obtaining that End; The Commanders of His Majesty's Ships, stationed in America, will, in Conse quence thereof, be vested, for the future, with the necessary and legal Powers, from the Commissioners of the Customs, for carrying into Execution the several Acts of Parliament relative to the seizing & condemning any Ships that shall be found transgressing against the said Acts; I am to signify to You the King's express Pleasure, that You do, as far as shall depend upon You, not only cooperate with, & assist, the said Commanders in the due & legal Execution of the Powers & Instructions given them by the Commissioners of the Customs, but that You do also use your utmost Endeav- 248 FITCH PAPERS. ours, by the most assiduous & impartial Exertion of the Laws enacted for this Purpose, to put an effectual Stop to the Clandestine Running of Goods into any Place within Your Jurisdiction ; And that You may be fully informed of every Particular, in an Affair of this Importance, You will find inclosed herewith a Copy of the Act passed last Session of Parliament, refer'd to above ; together with His Majesty's Orders in Council, made agreable thereto, for the Division of the Seizures; to which I add a List of the Ships stationed in America, distinguishing such as have the Custom House Commissions, from the few which sailed before the Resolu tion on that Head was taken; and also a Copy of the In structions given by the Lords of the Admiralty to the several Commanders of these Ships The Precautions, which, upon perusing the Two last mentioned Papers You will observe to have been taken here, and the strict Orders given on this Occasion to the Commanders of all the Ships of War in America, will sufiS- ciently point out to You, how earnestly the King wishes, that all possible Means should be used to root out so iniqui-^ tous a Practice; a Practice carried on in Contravention of many express & repeated Laws, Tending not only to the Diminution & Impoverishment of the Publick Revenue, at a time when this Nation is labouring under a heavy Debt incurred by the last War for the Protection of America but also to expose every fair Trader to certain Detriment, and even Danger of Ruin, by his not being able to carry hii Commodities to Market on an equal footing with those, who fraudulently evade the Payment of the just dues, & Cus toms, for the same. It i-s— tli£ King's Pleasure that You do, by the first Opportunity, acknowledge the Receipt ot this Letter, and that You do, from Time to Time, transmit to me, for His Majesty's Information, exact Accounts of whatever shall happen, within Your Government, in an Affair, which the ' King considers to be of the highest Importance to the Com mercial Interest of His Subjects, and the Improvement of the Publick Revenue: You will likewise impart to me, for THOMAS FITCH. 249 the King's Approbation, such further hints as may occur to You as proper for the Subject. I must also inform You, that_ His Majeslyls^Re^olution to have the most implicit Obedience paid tojh^se His Corn- _ mSn^Sjis^so fixed, that as, on the onelland, Your particular Diligence & Attention in the Performance of Your Duty hereiil7~wiil mof "fail to recommend You to His Majesty's Royal Favor ; so, on the other, it is incumbent on me to ac quaint You, that the King will not pass over unnoticed any NegUgence^r Relaxation, on the Part of any Persons, employed in His Service, in a Matter on which His Majesty lays so much stress, and in which the fair Trade of all His Faithful Subjects is so essentially interested. I am, with great Truth & Regard, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant EGREMONT Gov and Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from Earl of Egremont Sec State. 9"' July 1763 Reed gth Sepf 1763 The Prints inclosed with this Delivered to the Secretary THOMAS FITCH TO JAMES HAMILTON. [Shortly after the ninth of September 1763, Governor Thomas Fitch wrote to Governor James Hamilton of Penn sylvania, that he had received the king's instructions to appoint a commissioner with full power to meet with a similar commissioner from Pennsylvania and to repair to Wyoming and put a stop to the settlement being made there by settlers from Connecticut, and asking that Governor Hamilton appoint a time and place for such meeting. See letter of Sept. 15, 1763, from Fitch to the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. ] THOMAS FITCH TO EARL OF EGREMONT. Norwalk 14"! Sepf 1763 My Lord On the 9"! Instant I received your Lordships Letter of July gth 1763 with the Act of Parliament past last Sessions 250 FITCH PAPERS. together with his Majestys Order in Council made Agreable thereto for the Division of the Seizures, the List of the Ships Station'd in America and the Copy of the Instructions given by the Lords of the Admiralty to the Several Com manders of those Ships, which were inclosed with and Referred to in the Letter, and take the Earliest Opportunity to Acknowledge the Same. And Shall with utmosfDiligence ' and Attention observe the Kings Commands and Endeavour to yield obedience thereto with the greatest ExactnesTl possibly Can altho the iniquitous Practice of using fraudu lent methods to Introduce (Contrary to the Acts of Trade) Commodities of Foreign Growth may have been carried to a great heighth in America yet I have not been Apprehen- sive of its having taken Place in Connecticut where the Trade is but Small Tho' I have made ft my Constant Care to Discover and to procure Seisures and Prosecutions in every Case wherein the Laws Relative thereto could be found to have been transgressed which may probably have 1 been one Reason why such illicite Trade has been no more ' Attempted among us. Your Lordships Letter of the 26"> of March last with the Kings Proclamation of the Peace I Received and forth with Gave Special Orders for Publishing the Same in the Several Counties of the Colony which has been done with proper Solemnities accordingly On Receiving Your Lordships Letter of the 27"> of January (which Should have been Acknowledged before) I immediately Used my Influence with those People who were concerned in the attempts towards Settling the Lands on the Susquehannah River which had the Desired effect asli it Induced them Unanimously to Desist in their undertaking/ and to Cause those to withdraw who were Gone there in any Such there were. I beg Leave further to acquaint! your Lordship that towards the latter end of May Deputies from the Six Nations of Indians came to me when I was attending the General Assembly with a Message from their Chiefs Representing their Dissatisfaction with Respect to the Settlement of the Lands on the Susquehannah which THOMAS FITCH. 25 I they Said they had heard was about to be Attempted and Desired it might Be prevented, on which I acquainted them with the Kings Commands Signifyed by your Letter of the 27"' of January and with the Steps I had taken in Obedience thereto and with ye happy Effects it had produced. Their Message was Received and Answers given in the Presence of the Assembly then Sitting at Hartford in a public Manner and at the Conclusion the Deputies Declared they had carefully attended to and Considred the Answers Given them well approved of them Manifested Entire Satis faction therewith and Departed with Declarations of Great Friendship and appeared to be well pleased, which gave Sufficient Reason (as was then Judged by all present) to believe all manner of Complaints uneasiness or Trouble about those Lands were wholly at an End, and indeed I know not of any thing Since that has given the least Occa sion for complaints of that Kind Tho not long after this we were informed by the public Prints that about the Same Time those Deputies were at Hartford the Indians in various Parts to the westward began their attack on the out Posts and Scattered Settlem's I am My Lord with the highest Esteem and Regard Your Lordships most Obedient and most humble Servant THOS FITCH The Right Hon'J'e the Earl of Egremont &c THOMAS FITCH TO COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS. Norwalk 15'^ September 1763. My Lords, I am to acknowledge the receipt of the Kings Instruc tions to the Governor and Company of the Colony of Con necticut given at the Court at S' James's on the 15"" Day of June last which came to my hands on the 9"' Instant direct ing that a Commissioner be appointed on the part of this Colony with full Power to act in concert with a Commis- 252 FITCH PAPERS. sioner in like manner to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Pensylvania in the due and faithful Execution of His Majestys Royal Pleasure concerning the Inhabitants said to have begun a Settlement on certain Lands at Wyo ming on the River Susquehannah belonging to the Six Nations of Indians. In Consequence of the Kings Commands I immediately wrote to the Lieutenant Governor of Pensylvania acquaint ing him with my having received these Instructions and proposed to him to appoint the time and place for the Com missioners to meet for that Service as I presumed he had in like manner received Instructions for the same and shall as soon as the matters can be Settled for their meeting to act in concert do every thing necessary on the part of this Col ony for the due and faithful Execution of His Majestys Royal Pleasure in every particular concerning the said Settlement. Your Lordships Letter of the 29"! of April signifying the King having Judged it proper that a public Thanksgiv ing to Almighty God should be observed throughout all His Majestys Colonies in America on the happy conclusion of the Peace I received Just after a public Thank.«giving had been observed by His Majestys Subjects in this Govern ment on the same Occasion in Consequence of a Proclama tion Issued by the Desire of the Council and Assembly particularly on Account of the happy Conclusion of the Peace which was Judged a full Compliance with His Majes ty's Royal Will and Pleasure tho' observed a few Days before your Letter for the same purpose was received. I have also received your Lordships other Letter of the 29"' of April with the several Copies therewith inclosed by which the Correspondence between your Lordships Board and the Governors of His Majesty's Colonies is regulated and ascertained according to which I shall Endeavour to govern myself in the best manner I can so far as relates to this Colony. I am My Lords with the highest Esteem and Regard Your Lordships most Obedient and most humble Servant THOS FITCH COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS. 253 The Right Hont'ie The Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. [Indorsed.] Proprieties. Connecticut. Letter from Tho^ Fitch Esq' Gov of Connecticut, to the Board, dated 15 Sept' 1763, acknowledging his Receipt of the King's Instructions respecting a Settlement at Wyoming on Susquehannah, & the Boards Letters on the proclama tion of the Peace, & the Correspondence of the Govern ors with the Board. Reed Read Nov: 22 1763. STEPHEN HOPKINS TO THOMAS FITCH. [Governor Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island wrote on September 27, 1763, to Governor Thomas Fitch, inclosing a copy of the agreement made by the the agents of the several colonies respecting the distribution between them of the Parliamentary grant for services of the year 1760; and apparently suggesting that further authorization was neces sary for Connecticut's agent to act in the rectification of the division of the money between the colonies, which was to be made out of the grant for the services of the next year. Several documents relating to the division of the grant for 1760, and the rectifications to be made, are printed in New Hampshire Provincial Papers, VI. 905- 908. See letter from Gov. Fitch to Gov. Hopkins of Oct. 4, 1763.] COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall Sepf 28"! 1763, Gentlemen, His Majesty having appointed Us His Commissioners for promoting the Trade of this Kingdom, and for inspect ing & improving His Majesty's foreign Colonies & Planta tions ; We take this the earliest Opportunity of acquainting you therewith, and We have only further to desire, that you will regulate your future Correspondence conformable to the Orders and Instructions, Copies of which were trans- 254 FITCH PAPERS. mitted to you with the Board's Letter of the 29'h of April last. We are Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servants HILLSBOROUGHED BACON GEO: RICE ORWELL SOAME JENYNS JOHN YORKE To the Governor & Company of Connecticut. THOMAS FITCH TO STEPHEN HOPKINS. Norwalk, 4"^ October, 1763. Sir: I am favored with your letter of the 27"' of last month, with the copy of the agreement made by the agents of the several colonies, respecting the distribution of the Parlia mentary grant for the services of the year 1760; which agreement I had received some time before, from Mr. Jackson, the agent of this colony; but as it appears by that agreement, that the inequality of the distribution of the monies granted for that year's service, was to be rectified out of the grant for the services of the next year, at the good pleasure of their lordships of the treasury, if to them it shall so seem meet, as expressed in the agreement. And as to when that matter should be settled, I sup posed the agent of this colony would not only think himself bound to fulfil the agreement, but also that he is fully em powered to do so, I had no thought of its being necessary to give him any orders for that purpose ; and especially, as he has not signified any thing of that kind to me. However, I shall lay the matter before the Assembly, from whom orders must be given, if needed; and no doubt they will do every thing necessary in that matter, that may be agreable to honor and justice. I am, sir, with great regards, &c., &c. THOS. FITCH. To Gov. Hopkins. COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS. 255 COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall October lo"' 1763 Gentlemen, We have received His Majesty's Commands to send you the inclosed printed Proclamation* and to desire you will cause the same to be forthwith made publick in the several parts of your Governments taking especial care that you do exactly conform to the Orders and regulationes therein con tained, in so far as depends upon yourself, and that you do strictly enjoin all persons whatever whom it may concern to pay a due Obedience thereto on their parts. We are, Sir, Your most Obedient humble Servants HILLSBOROUGHSOAME JENYNS ED BACON JOHN YORKE Gov and Compy of Connecticut [Indorsed] Letter from y^ Lords Commiss'^ for Trade and Plantations 10"' ocf 1763 Reed gth Decemb' 1763. COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall October ii"! 1763. Gentlemen, The Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, having represented to His Majesty, that they find, upon a Consideration of the present State of the duties of Customs imposed on His Majesty's Subjects in America, that the Revenue arising therefrom, is very small & inconsiderable, having in no degree increas'd with the Commerce of those Countries, & is not yet sufficient to defray a fourth part of the Expence necessary for collecting it, and that through ?This proclamation, dated October 7, was for establishing new governments in America. See American Antiquarian Society, Transactions, Xll. 212. 256 FITCH PAPERS. neglect, connivance and fraud, not only the Revenue is im- pair'd but the Commerce of the Colonies is diverted from it's natural Course, & the salutary provisions of many wise' Laws are in great measure defeated; His Majesty has com- I manded us to require & enjoin you in the strictest manner' ' to make the Suppression of the clandestine & prohibited trade with foreign nations, and the improvement of thej Revenue, the constant & immediate objects of your Care,' and by a vigorous discharge of the duty requir'd of you by several Acts of Parliament, and a due exertion of your legal Authority, to give the Officers of the Revenue all possible protection & support; and that you do from time to time transmit such observations as occur to you on the state of the illicit & contraband trade, & on the conduct of all per sons, whose duty it is to prevent the same, in order that the necessary directions may be given for punishing such per sons, as shall appear to be guilty of any misbehavior, and for correcting all Abuses for the future. We do therefore recommend these His Majesty's Com mands to your most serious attention, not doubting but you will acquit yourselves in the Execution of them, as becomes faithfull and vigilant Servants of Crown. We are, Gentlemen, Your most obedient, humble Servants, HILLSBOROUGH SOAME JENYNS ED BACON JOHN YORKE Governor & Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from the Lords Commiss's for Trade & Plantations ii"> Ocf 1763 Reed 6"' Decemb' 1763. EARL OF HALIFAX TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. S' James's October 19"' 1763. Sir, His Majesty being informed by Dispatches lately re ceived from Sir Jeffery Amherst, Commander in Chief of His Forces in North America, that the Insurrections of the EARL OF HALIFAX. 257 Indian Nations, which have for some Time been increasing, now bear the Appearance of becoming general, has judged it necessary to require the Assistance of such of His Colonies, as are most interested by their Situation, or most able by their Circumstances, to contribute to the general Purposes of Defence, and of Annoyance of the Savages, in order to put the most speedy End to the great Mischiefs, of which this extensive and most barbarous State of War is productive. I am therefore to signify to You His Majesty's Pleasure, that You earnestly recommend it, in His Majesty's Name, to the General Assembly of the Province under your Govern ment, forthwith to make Provision for enabling You to call out a sufficient Number of the Militia, or to raise such a reasonable Number of Troops, as, from the actual State of the Indian War, Sir Jeffery Amherst shall think necessary, and to employ^ Them not only in defending and protecting the Lives and Properties of His Majesty's Subjects on the Frontiers of your Government, but also in acting offensively against the Indians, at such Places, and in such Manner, as the said Commander in Chief shall judge proper to direct. And His Majesty trusts, that the Legislature of your Government, from their Zeal and Affection for His Service, as well as from a just Regard to the Safety and Welfare of the Colony, will readily and chearfully concur in exerting Themselves upon this important Occasion, to the End that His Majesty's Subjects in North America may peaceably enjoy the Fruits of the many glorious Successes obtained there by His Majesty's victorious Arms, during the late War, and the extensive Advantages secured to them by the late Peace. I am, with great Truth and Regard, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant. DUNK HALIFAX Governor and Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from the Earl of Halifax 19'" ocf 1763. Reed 5'h Jan'y 1764 17 258 FITCH PAPERS. THOMAS FITCH TO COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS. Norwalk in Connecticut 10"' Nov 1763. My Lords Having in my Letter of the 15"' of September acknowl edged the receipt of the Kings Instructions to the Governor and Company of the Colony of Connecticut directing that a Commissioner should be appointed on the part of this Colony with full Power to act in Concert with a Commissioner in like manner to be appointed by the Lieu' Governor of Pen sylvania to warn off the Inhabitants said to have begun a Settlement on Certain Lands at Wyoming on the River Susquehanna belonging to the Six Nations of Indians and having acquainted your Lordships of my Entring into a Correspondence with the Lieu' Governor of Pensylvania for the purpose of carrying into Execution His Majestys Royal Pleasure with all possible Dispatch and Faithfulness I now am further to acquaint your Lordships that a Commissioner has been appointed under the Public Seal of the Colony with full Power to act in Concert with a Com missioner in like manner, to be appointed by the said Lieu' Governor of Pensylvania for the purpose aforesaid with In structions agreable to His Majestys Royal Instructions aforesaid. The Commissioner on the part of Connecticut set out in order to proceed to Wyoming and there duely and faith fully to execute the Kings Commands and on his return reported to me that on his Journey he received Intelligence that the Inhabitants at Wyoming which were but very few were cut off by the Indians and that the Settlement was wholly broke up, upwards of thirty Persons it was said were killed or captivated and but very few escaped. But that he nevertheless proceeded to Philadelphia where he' received from Lieu' Governor Hamilton a full Confirmation of the unhappy Disaster of those poor and miserable People. M' Hamilton informed him a Party had been sent up to the Place and found all destroyed and buried ten or Eleven Dead Bodies lying there. M' Hamilton signified to him THOMAS FITCH. 259 that as There was nothing now to do he advised him to proceed no further and accordingly he returned and made the above Report. I am My Lords with the Highest Esteem and Regard Your Lordships most Obedient and most humble Servant THOS FITCH The Right Honi'ie The Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. [Indorsed.] Proprieties. Connecticut. Letter from Tho^ Fitch Esq' Gov' of Connecticut, to the Board, dated lo Nov 1763, containing an Account that the Settlement at Wyoming has been destroyed by the Indians. Reed Janry Read March 3, 1764 THOMAS GAGE TO THOMAS FITCH. [General Thomas Gage wrote on December 6, 1763, to Governor Thomas Fitch, that he had succeeded Sir Jeffrey Amherst in command of the forces in America ; that Am herst had found it necessary in order to suppress the deva'stations made by the Indians to require the aid of men from the colonies during the coming year; that five hundred are demanded from Connecticut, who should by ready to proceed to Albany by the first of March ; that they will be provisioned and armed at the expense of the home govern ment by his order, and that the time of service is not to be beyond November first. Colonial Records, XII. 230; Rhode Island Colonial Records, VI. 376; Report of committee of the General Assembly, Jan. 19, 1764.] THOMAS FITCH TO COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS. NoRWALK 9"' December 1763. My Lords, I have received your Lordships Letter of the 28"> Sep tember as also those of the lo"! and 11"' of October inclosing 26a FITCH PAPERS. His Majestys Royal Proclamation respecting the Erecting four New Governments in America &c which agreable to His Majesty's Commands I forthwith ordered to be pub lished in the Several News Papers printed in this Colony that all the Kings Subjects in Connecticut as well as Else where may be speedily acquainted therewith and avail themselves of the Benefits and advantages that may accrue to them from the Salutary Measures Directions and En couragements contained therein and so far as concerns us Endeavour a faithful Observance thereof. And shall Also make the Suppression of the Clandestine and Prohibited Trade with Foreign Nations and the Improvement of the Revenue the Objects of my particular Attention and in Every other respect carefully Endeavour a Conformity to the Kings Commands and Intentions. I am my Lords with the greatest Esteem and Regard your Lordships most Obedient and most humble Servant THOS FITCH The Right Honourable the Lords Comissioners for Trade & Plantations. [Indorsed] Proprieties. Connecticut. Letter from Tho^ Fitch Esq' dated Dec 9. 1764, informing the Board of his having reed the Kings Proclamation, respecting the new Governments, their Lordships Directions upon the Memorial of the Lords of the Treasury, relative to the defects of the Laws for regulating the plantation Trade. Reed Febry Read March 3, 1764. THOMAS GAGE TO THOMAS FITCH. [General Thomas Gage wrote on January 3, 1764, to Governor Thomas Fitch, probably renewing and urging his previous request that Connecticut take steps for furnishing five hundred men for service during the coming season in a campaign against the Indians. See extract of a letter from Fitch to Gage dated Jan. 30, 1764.] BOSTON MERCHANTS. 261 BOSTON MERCHANTS TO NEW LONDON MERCHANTS. Boston Jan'y 9"" 1764 Gent" The Act commonly known by the Name of the Sugar Act has long & justly been complain'd of by the Northern Colonies as a great Grievance ; and should it be continued & put in Execution, with any Degree of Rigour, (as is like to be the Case hereafter) it will give a mortal ¦V\^ound to the Trade of these Colonies. As this Act is now about to expire, it behoves us all to unite our Endeavours to prevent, if possible, the Revival of it. For this Purpose the Merchants in this Town, some time since, met together and chose a Committee to prepare a State of the Trade of this Province, so far as it is affected by this Act ; to collect what Facts & Arguments might occur to them, proper to be urged against the Renewal of it, & to draw up & f>resent to our General Court a Memorial, pray ing they would make Application by their Agent at home, in order to obtain Relief, In Consequence of this Memorial, the Court have raised a large Committee, who have given us a hearing upon the Subject, and we are well assured they will send the necessary Instructions to their Agent, and will oppose the Renewal of the Act to the utmost of their Power. It will not be deny'd thait the Trade of all the Gover- ments in North America is affected by this Act. They are all therefore interested in the Affair, and as they have very powerful Antagonists to encounter, the united Strength of them all will be necessary, if they mean to do any thing to Effect. We therefore address ourselves to you on this Occa sion, & inclose you a Copy of what we have drawn up, rela tive to this Matter, desiring you to communicate it to the Merchants of Connecticut, that they may know what is doing here, and may have an Opportunity of assisting us in our Endeavours to defeat the iniquitous Schemes of these overgrown West Indians. We shall not presume to advise in what Manner this may be best done. We shall only say that, besides the public Application made by our General 262 FITCH PAPERS. Court, the Merchants here will severally write to their respective Correspondents in England & endeavour to con vince them that the Act in Question is, and will be preju dicial to the Trade of Great Britain. As the Trade of the several Provinces is attended with different Circumstances, those Arguments that are perti nent with Regard to one, may not be so with Regard to the others. We, in what we have offer'd, had in View the Trade of this Province only; and each Government will doubtless make use of those Arguments that are most adapted to their own particular State and Circumstances. We shall detain you no longer than just to hint to you that no Time ought to be lost; and to ask Pardon for this Trouble we give you, which as it is designed to serve the Public, we flatter ourselves you will readily excuse. We are. Sirs Your most obed' Serv's JOS. GREEN JOSHUA WINSLOW EDWARD PAYNE THOMAS [ ] Gordon Saltonstal & Nathi- Shaw Esq's [Indorsed] Letter from Certain Merchants in Boston STATEMENT OF TRADE AND FISHERIES OF MASSACHUSETTS. As the Act, commonly called the Sugar Act, has been passed upwards of thirty Years without any Benefit to the Crown, the Duties arising from it, having never been appro priated by Parliament to any particular Use ; and as this Act will expire this Winter, the following Considerations are offered as Reasons why it should not be renewed.* * This act, indifferently known as the Sugar and the Molasses Act, was passed 'n 1733, but was evaded by the colonies and no serious attempt made to enforce it. Now, however, with the French power out of the way, enforcement was thought possible; and despite this protest, was undertaken with a strong force of revenue cutters, though in the new Act of 1764 the duty on foreign molasses was reduced one-half. It was combined with a revenue measure, to pay for the governinental establishments which the colonies had kept in check by withholding payments ex cept as a bargain. How it might have worked alone is uncertain, but its supple ment the Stamp Act involved both in ultimate failure. F. M STATEMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS. 263 First, It is apprehended, that the Trade is so far from being able to bear the high Duties imposed by this Act, that it will not bear any Duty at all. The Price of Molasses at present, is but i2d Sterling per Gallon, at which Price it will barely answer to distil it into Rum for Exportation ; Should this Duty be added, it would have the Effect of an absolute Prohibition on the Importation of Molasses and Sugar from the foreign Islands ; and consequently the same Effect on the Exportation of Fish, Lumber and other Commodities from hence to those Islands ; as the French, Dutch and other Foreigners whom we supply with those Articles, will not permit us to bring away their money ; so that unless we can take their ordinary Sugars and Molasses in Return, this Trade will be lost. As we do not import any Rum from the foreign Islands, the Duty on that Commodity is of little con sequence, and Great Britain would finally pay much more than the Duty on Sugars, if an End should be put to our Trade to the foreign Islands. For should the Colonies be obliged to take from our own Islands all the West India Produce that they consume, the Price in Great-Britain must necessarily advance more than double this Duty. If we are permitted to import foreign Sugars and Molasses into the Northern Colonies, more of our West-India Produce will be carried to Great-Britain, where the Consumption is sup posed to be equal to the whole Produce of our Islands. Secondly, The Loss of the Trade to the foreign Islands on which great Part of our other Trade depends, must greatly affect all the Northern Colonies, and entirely de stroy the Fishery in this Province, and at Newfoundland likewise ; as our own Islands are not capable of taking off above one Third of our West-India Cod-Fish, nor one Quar ter of the Mackrell, Shad, Alewives and other small Fish exported from hence. In this Province we have about 300 Sail of Vessels from 45 to 75 Tons, employed in the Cod- Fishery, and about 90 Sail from 25 to 40 Tons in the Mack rell Fishery ; these Vessels carry from six to ten men each ; the Bankers one with another make 800 Quintals a Vessel, in the Season; (from march to October,) and by an exact 264 FITCH PAPERS. Account taken at several of our Fishing Towns, the Propor tion of West-India Cod-Fish was about three fifths of the whole Quantity, the Mackrell Vessels get about 200 Bar rels a Vessel in the Season. Now as our own Islands take off but about one Third of the West-India Cod-Fish, and not more than one Quarter of the Mackrell and other small Fish ; the Remainder will be lost if we are prevented from supplying the foreign Islands; there being no other Market where it can be disposed of. The Fishery at pres ent is carried on to very little Profit, and wants all the Encouragement that can possibly be given to support those concerned in it, suppose they had Vent for all their West- India Fish; but should they be deprived of a Market for two Thirds ; (which they will be if this Act should be put in Execution;) the whole Fishery must infallibly be broke up it being impossible to procure Fish for the European Market separate from the other; the Merchantable being such as is culled out of the whole after it is cured for the European Markets; what remains is fit only for the West-Indies; so that any Interruption in either Branch must be the De struction of the whole. The manner of carrying on the Fishery is this; the Vessel draws two Eights after the great General is taken out of the whole; the Shoreman who is generally the Owner, has one Eighth for making, and the Fishermen the other five Eights. Suppose the Vessel makes 800 Quintals, which appears by an exact Account taken last Year to be the Medium, and is estimated as follows, viz' 340 Quintals fit for the European Markets sterling at 12/'^ Quintal ;^204 460 Quintals of West India Fish 9/ 207 12 Barrels of Oyl 30/ 18 ;^429 From this Sum ^^429 deduct the great General, which is Salt, Bait, Candles, Ballast, Boots &c for the Sailer &c 85 10 To the Vessel 2/8 which will barely pay for the Wear and Tear, as they ;^343 10 STATEMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS. 265 expend double the Quantity of Cables, Anchors, Rigging and Sails that Vessels in any other Employ do ^85 17 6 To the Shoreman's one Eighth for mak ing, on which the Support of his Family depends, as the Vessel dont clear any Thing 42 i8 9 To the Crew for the other five Eights 214 13 9 ;£343 10 From the Crews 5/8 amounting to ;£'2i4 13 9 is to be deducted the small General so called, being for Wood and Provisions of all Sorts, paid for by the Crew amounting to ^44 10 o likewise their Craft as Boots, Barvils, Hooks, Lines, and small Stores amounting to ;^ 5 15 o a man for 7 men is ;^ 40 5 o; this leaves £, 129 18 4 to be divided among the Crew, and amounts to ^^ 18 11 3 Sterl ing a man; which is but a bare Subsistance, as most of the Fishermen have Families, and are at double the Expense for Cloathing, that other Seamen are; the Supply of which as well as the Rigging and Sails for the Vessel are from Great-Britain; should they be deprived of the Trade to the foreign Islands in the West Indies, by, which two Thirds of the West-India Fish will be lost; this will reduce the Ves sels Share to ;^ 51 17 6; which is not sufficient to pay the necessary Wear and Tear ; the Fishermens Shares will like wise be reduced to _;^ 6 5 6^ a Sum by no Means suffi cient for their Support. The merchants who ship the Fish to Europe, and remit the Nett Proceeds to England, allow their Vessels from 2/6 to 3/ Sterling per Quintal Freight; if they go to Bilboa or the Streights, where they can't pro cure Salt the Freight is 3/; if to Lisbon or Cadiz, it is only 2/6; at this low Freight the Fish seldom or never yeilds any Profit; If upon the whole the Merchants can make their Remittances at Par, they think themselves well off, and would always compound at this Rate for the Season ; This evidently proves that the Fishery will not bear the least additional Incumbrance, and that a very small Discourage ment will totally destroy it. 266 FITCH PAPERS. Thirdly, A Prohibition on the Trade to foreign Islands will greatly promote the French Fishery: If the French Is lands can be supplied with Fish for Molasses, it will be cheaper for them to purchase it of us than to catch it them selves: Should they be obliged to pay us money, (as some have supposed they will be) they must give a much greater Price for it than they do now, as our Vessels must come back empty, and consequently can't afford it so low, as when they make a Freight Home ; this will have a Tendency to promote and enlarge their Fishery ; which the Planters in their Islands will not apply for, while they can be sup plied with Fish for their Molasses and their establishing such a Fishery will be very prejudicial to Great Britain; as great Numbers of our Fishermen having no Employ at Home, will be induced to enter into the French Service, where they will have all possible Encouragement given them. Fourthly, The Fishery being a great Nursery of Seamen for his Majesty's Navy, the Destruction thereof must very much weaken the Naval Power of Great Britain. The Fishery in this Province alone employs near three Thousand Seamen, allowing only seven Men to a Vessel, the Vessels employed in carrying the merchantable Fish to Europe, are about fifty Sail at eight Men to a Vessel is 400 ; the Vessels employed in the West-India Trade are about 300 Sail; by the Custom House Books it appears that there was cleared out for the West-India Islands at the Ports of Boston and Salem, from January 1762 to January 1763, 266 Sail of Ves sels; suppose only one half of these went to the foreign Is lands, that is, 133 from these two Ports, and only 27 from Newbury and Casco Bay, which will make 160 at 8 Men to a Vessel is 1280; so that in the whole there will be near 5000 Seamen immediately turned out of Employ. From this Nursery of Seamen his Majesty's Ships on this Station, and in the West-Indies have often been supplied with Men in a Time of War ; by which our Trade and Fishery have some times been greatly distressed; particularly the Squadron employed in the Reduction of Louisbourg and Quebec, STATEMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS. 267 Upon application from Admiral Saunders were supplied with upwards of 500 Seamen, who were inlisted at Boston, to serve in that Expedition, and sent on board the Fleet then lying at Hallifax; besides which two Armed Vessels were fitted out at the Expence of this Government, for the Pro tection of our Coast, and manned out of the Fishermen ; not withstanding all which a Number were impressed out of the Vessels on the Banks, which obliged many to return with out their Fairs, and by this means our Fishery was reduced one third during the late War. Fifthly, The Destruction of the Fishery will be very prejudicial to the Trade of Great-Britain, by lessening the Demand for her Manufactures, (of which that Branch of Business occasions a very large Consumption.) The Imports into Great-Britain from the Sugar Islands may appear more considerable than the Imports from the Northern Colonies; but the Exports of the Manufactures of Great-Britain to the Northern Colonies (on which the Wealth of the Nation so much depends) exceed those to the Sugar Islands vastly more than their Imports exceed ours ; the Planters in the West-Indies soon get Estates, leave their Plantations and retire; the Inhabitants of the Northern Colonies are not able by their Trade and Industry to procure Estates sufifi- cient to retire; therefore are obliged to remain in this cold climate, where they consume more of the Manufactures of Great Britain, than the Sugar Planters have Occasion for, and their consuming th'ese Manufactures in the Colonies is more beneficial to Great-Britain than their going Home would be in Order to consume the same Quantity there. The whole Produce of our Fishery, tho' not immediately sent to Great-Britain, finally centers there, by Means of our other Trade, which in a great Measure depends on this ; so that the Importation of Goods from England into this Province, will thereby be lessened very near, if not the whole Amount of our Fishery, being ^^164,466 Sterling per Annum, as appears by the following Estimate of the Fish caught, and exported from hence, Viz' 268 FITCH PAPERS. 300 Vessels in the Cod-Fishery which caught last year by the Accounts taken from the Fishing Towns 240,059 Quintals, Viz' 102,265 Quintals fit for the European markets at 12/ ^ Quin' ;£'6i3S9 i37>794 Quintals for the West India Market 9/ 62007 6 90 Mackrel Vessels at 200 Barrels each is 18000 Barrels 18/ 16200 Shad, Alewives, and other pickled Fish 1000 Barrels 10/ 5000 West-India Cod-Fish from Nova-Scotia & New foundland in Return for Provisions, Rum, Sugar & Molasses loooo 12 Barrels of Oyl to each Banker is 3600 Bar rels 30/ 5400 15,000 Hogsheads for Packing the West-India Fish 6/ 4500 ^1,64,466 6 The Exports of Fish to the West-Indies may be proved by the Custom House Books, where it will appear, -that from January 1762, to January 1763, there was entered for Exportation at the two Ports of Boston and Salem 1489 1 Hogsheads, and 2614 Quintals, equal to 330 Hogsheads, and makes in all 15 231 Hogsheads of Fish of about eight Quintals each. Sixthly, The Destruction of the Fishery will not only lessen the Importation of Goods from Great-Britain, but must greatly prejudice the whole Trade of the Pmvince. The Trade to the foreign Islands is become very considera ble: Surinam, and the other Dutch Settlements, are wholly supplied with Provisions, Fish, Lumber, Horses, Onions and other Articles exported from the Northern Colonies; for which we receive Molasses in Return ; this is distilled into Rum for the Fishery, and to export to the Southern 'olonies for Naval Stores, which we send to Great-Britain, and for Grain; and to Africa to purchase Slaves for our own Islands in the West Indies: If this Trade is destroyed, the Distillery on the Continent must be broke up, as all our \/ STATEMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS. 269 own Islands do not export Molasses sufficient to supply the Northern Colonies with Beer. The annual Supply of Rum and Molasses for this Province alone, including the Whale, Cod and Mackrel Fishery amounts to near 9000 Hogsheads; besides which we export to the Southern Colonies upwards of 3000 Hogsheads to Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland about 1300 Hogsheads, and to Africa about 1700 Hogsheads, which amounts to upwards of 6000 Hogsheads exported; so that the whole Demand for this Province amounts to about 15000 Hogsheads per Annum of 100 Gallons each. It is said by the Planters in the West-Indies that they can supply us with Rum and Molasses for the Fishery, and our own Con sumption, and that there is no Occasion for any Distillers in the Northern Colonies: To which it may be answered; First, That they are not capable of supplying us with all the Rum and, Molasses we want ; It appears by the Entries at the Custom House, that from January 1762, to January 1763, there was entered at Boston and Salem, from the Conquered Islands upwards of 7000 Hogsheads of Molasses; whereas from our own Islands were entered only 406 Hogs heads of Rum, and 424 Hogsheads of Molasses, 412 of which were from Jamaica, and only 12 from all the other Islands. Secondly, That the Price of Rum at our own Islands for many Years past, has been and now is, so high, that the Fishermen can't afford to purchase it, nor do they make Use of any but what is distilled here; should we be obliged to take all our Supply from them, the Price would immediately advance more than double. Thirdly, The Demand of the Northern Colonies for Molasses is at present so great, that the Price of it in our Islands would soon be ^ equal to the Price of Rum; and from the natural Increase of Inhabitants on the Continent, our Demands would soon render that Article too dear for the poorer Sort to purchase only as a Medicine. Fourthly, Molasses is distilled here into Rum 50 per Cent cheaper than in the West-Indies, " which is a very great Advantage to the Fishery, and we are hereby enabled to supply the Southern Colonies, and save our Money to send to Great-Britain, which otherwise must 270 FITCH PAPERS. go to those Colonies for Grain : We are able also to export large Quantities to Africa, in Return for which we receive Slaves and Gold Dust, and likewise to supply the Fishery at Newfoundland, so that the Distillery here is become very necessary, not only for our Fishery, but for our other Trade too, and has been a very considerable Branch of Business, which we cannot do without ; Rum, Sugar and Molasses are become so necessary by being universally used among the Lumbermen, Tradesmen, and all Sorts of Labourers, that advancing the Price of those Articles, must greatly inhaunce the Price of Lumber, and Ship-Building, by which large Remittances are made to Great-Britain; and this will be a further Discouragement to the English Trade. In short, as Necessity is the Mother of Invention, the People will be •(driven into Manufactures for their Support, which they will never think of while they can maintain themselves by Trade. Seventhly, The Destruction of the Fishery will be the Ruin of those concerned in that Business, and that are de pendent on it. The Fishing Vessels which cost upwards of ^100,000 Sterling, more than one half of which was supplied from Great-Britain, will thereby be rendered useless, and of little or no Value ; consequently a Loss to near that Amount must ensue to the Owners. The Merchants concern'd in shipping the Fish to Europe, and the West-Indies will be great Sufferers by their Vessels being reduced in their Value for want of Employ. The Tradesmen of all Sorts in the Fishing Towns, will be reduced to Beggary, as their whole Support depends on the Fishery; nor will the Dis tress end here ; the Tradesmen in the Country Towns will be greatly affected, particularly the Coopers who will lose the making of LawfuU Money 5000 Barrels for Oyl, Blubber, and Fishermens Water Cask at i/() ;^87S 18,000 Barrels used for Mackrel and other pickled Fish 3/ 2700 10,000 Hogsheads and Barrels used for Rum, as the Distillery will be broke up with the Fishery 10/ 5000 10,000 Shook Hogsheads sent to the foreign Islands for Molasses 4/ 2000 STATEMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS. 27 1 200,000 Hoops to make up the Molasses Hogsheads 7°/ 700 The Tanner and Shoemaker will lose the Sale of 2000 Pair of Boots and Barvils 2000 The Farmer will likewise be affected, as each Bank er carries 6 Barrels of Pork, each Mackrel Ves sel 4, which makes 2160 Barrels of Pork at 80/ besides what the Vessels use that are employed in carrying off the Fish, which is at least 500 Barrels of Pork at 80/ and 500 Barrels of Beef at 40/ 1 1640 5000 Quintals of Bread for the Fishermen, besides what is used in their Families 20/ 5000 1000 Bushels of Beans and Pease, besides Butter, Cheese, Roots &c 8/ 400 LawfuU Money ^^30315 The whole amounting to ;^3o,3i5 per Annum; besides the Lumber, Horses, Provisions and other Commodities sent to the foreign Islands as Cargoes. Eighthly, The Sugar Act, if put in Execution, will greatly Affect the King's Revenue, by lessening the Im portation of Rum and Sugar into Great-Britain. The Duties paid upon Rum, it is said, amount to upwards of ^50,000 Sterling per Annum ; this will be wholly lost to the Crown, as the Northern Colonies will take all thp Rum our Islands can make; consequently none can be shipped to Great- Britain ; they will likewise want a great Proportion of their Sugars; and in a few Years, should our Numbers increase in Proportion to what they have done for a Century past, the whole Produce of the Islands we at present possess, will not exceed the Demand for this Continent ; the Con sumption at present is computed to be about 15,000 Hogs heads of one Thousand Pounds each, the Duties on which if imported into Great-Britain, would amount to upwards of ;^3o,ooo Sterling per annum. Ninthly, This Act was procured by the Interest of the West-India Planters, with no other View than to enrich themselves, by obliging the northern Colonies to take their 272 FITCH PAPERS. whole Supply from them ; and they still endeavour the Con tinuance of it under a Pretence, that they can supply Great- Britain and all her Colonies with West-India Goods, which is perfectly chimerical: Take their own Accounts of the Exportation of their Produce from their several Islands, (which by the way, from some would be one half more than is really their own Produce, it being foreign Produce run among them, and then cleared out as English,) then take the natural Demand of Great- Britain for their Sugar, and the Demand of the Colonies for Rum, Sugar and Molasses; and it will appear that their Produce is by no Means sufficient to supply even the bare Necessities of the English. If the Demand for Rum and Molasses in the Southern Colonies is in any Proportion to that of this Province, it will still further surmount the Exportation of Molasses from our Islands; & such a large proportion of their Sugar must be brought this Way for our Supply as would raise the Price so much in Great-Britain, that they would soon feel the unhappy Effects of it. The Planters in our Islands have no Reason to com plain of our Trade to the foreign Islands, as it can be made to appear by examining of Original Accompts of Sales of our Goods, and Invoices, shipped from their Islands for twenty years before the French War in 1744, that our Goods sold from 20 to 30 per Cent higher, and their Goods were sold us from 30 to 50 per Cent cheaper than since the Peace in 1748. The Increase of our Lumber Business and Fishery has been such, that by exporting to them such large Quan tities of these Commodities, they do not sell for more than their Prime Cost, and so many of our Vessels going to their Islands, has occasioned the Rise of their Goods near double. The general Course of our Trade to the West Indies, has been this, our Vessels (except those bound to Surinam and some that go directly to Jamaica) call at Barbadoes to try their Markets, from thence they proceed to Antigua, Nevis and S' Kitts, and in Case they meet with a tolerable Market at either of those Islands, they always embrace it; if not they then proceed, some to Jamaica, others to S' Eustatius and the other foreign Islands, where they dis- STATEMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS. 273 pose of their Cargoes which our own Islands do not want, being already overstock'd with those Commodities. But a further Proof that the Trade is in their Favour is this ; for merly when our Goods fetch'd a Price with them, and their Produce did not vend quick ; they owned and sent Vessells with their Produce to sell among us, and took our Produce in Pay; but this is not the Case now; for where one Vessel owned in the West-Indies comes to us, we send an hundred Sail to them, which plainly shows, that they do not want our Goods, so much as we do to sell them, nor to vend their own so much as we do to buy; their Navigation is otherwise employed; they take our Fish and other Commodities, dis pose of them among the French, and pay us in the Return of those Goods only shifted into English Cask at loo per Cent Advance. Upon the whole, It is plain that our Islands are able neither to supply us with what we want from them nor to take from us what Lumber and Fish we are obliged to ex port: And they will be still less able to do eithet; for our Demands will be growing faster than their Produce, and our Fishery which has been increasing, will continue still to increase, if not obstructed, while their Demands have not increased in any Proportion, and never can. Boston December 1763 The Advocates for our Sugar Islands alledge that the Supplys the foreig-n Islands receive from us by our Trade with them are of great Advantage to them in carrying on their Works and supporting their Slaves, and that they are hereby enabled [ ] easily to send their Sugar to mar ket and to become our Rivals in that Trade. If this was really the Case, the French Government would certainly permitt and even encourage our Trade with their Islands, but they are so far from doing this, that they have laid a Prohibition on it, & thrown so many discouragements in the Way, that it is with difficulty and oftentimes with consider able Hazard, that it is carry'd on at all. IS v' 2 74 FITCH PAPERS. REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. We Your Honour's Comittee appointed to take into Consideration Two letters laid before this Assembly by his Honor The Governor One from the R' Hon^i'e the Earl of Plalifax, dated Octo'' 19. 1763 Signifying that his Majesty has Judged it Necessary to require the Assistance of Such of his Colonies, as are most interested by their Situation, or most able by their circumstances to Contribute to the gen eral purposes of Defence & of Anoyance of the Savages. The Other from his Excellency Tho^ Gage Esq' Coiiiander in Chief of his Majesty's forces in North America, dated dec' 6' 1763. Signifying his requisition of five hundred Men from this Colony for the service of the Next Year, and therein setting forth the proceedings of S^ Jeffery Amherst during the Time he continued in the Chief Comand and the Requisition laid before the Assembly of New York and Their Thoughts that it is Reasonable that the New England Gov ernments should be called upon to Assist in the Manner _ practised during the late War. Take Leave to report our Considerations, & Opinion Thereon as follows. That Considering the Delawares and Shawanesse & Other Tribes on that Side, Who seem to have been generally the most inveterate, are very remote from hence, and that Sir Jeffry Amherst hath required a Number of Men of the Southward Provinces Sufficient to Chatise those Indians, And hearing that some of the prin cipal other Tribes concerned have proposed Terms of Peace & submission to his Majesty, Which altho' not concluded , yet affords a hopeful prospect. And That The Indians of the Six Nations, who lye Nearest to us, and contiguous to the Government of New York have not Joyn'd in the War against the English. We apprehend that by our Situation, we are but very remotely insterested. Which also is such as renders it very difficult to Assist & Carry our Men against any of the Indians which have made their Incursions on the English, and That Our Circumstances & Abilities are Such as do not Enable us thereto. Our Exertions during the late time of MEMORIAL TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 275 War hath bro't this Colony, greatly in debt for Money now On Interest, and That We can't find means for raising Men, but by Emission of Bills of Credit of this Colony On Interest Which must very much distress our people to sink & dis charge, Considering the great Load of public & private Debts which now lye on the Inhabitants. For Which Reasons, We are of Opinion, That it is not at this present time Expedient to raise Men in this Colony, for the purposes before mentioned. All which is humbly Submitted by Us ,_ Signed ^ Order Eben'' Silliman New Haven Jan'y 19"! 1764 In the upper House The foregoing Report of the Com'ee is accepted and approved And a Bill in fform ordered to be bro' in accord ingly Test George Wyllys Secret Concurred in the Lower House Test Abrm Davenport Clerk MEMORIAL TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. To the Hon' Gen' Assembly of the Colony of Connecti cut now Sitting at New Haven The Memorial of Jared Ingersoll in behalf of Gurdon Saltonstall Esq' & others Merchants & Traders in this Col ony Humbly Sheweth, that his Majesty has been pleased of late to Inforce the Execution of the Sugar Act So Called in these parts of his Dominions which it is generally Supposed by persons Acquainted with the Trade of the Northern Colonies will very much Distress the Inhabitants of the Said Northern Colonies, & that without Serving the Essen tial Interests of ye Mother Country, and as the Said Sugar Act Expires about this time & will probably be again re vived unless prevented by a Seasonable remonstrance on the part of the Northern Colonies, And the Merchants and Even Legislative Bodies of Neighbouring Provinces having 276 fitch papers. as y Mem' is advised. Determined to make Such -Rgpre-^ sentations as shall be thought proper upon this matter aford "ttrthe-Bfitlsh Parliament, y Mem' Humbly prays that your Hons will be pleased to Nominate & Appoint Some persons on behalf of this Colony to Collect & transmit to the Agent of this Colony to be by him made use of as he Shall Judge best. Such materials. Documents and Informations relative to the matter aford as they shall be able to procure & shall think of Use & Consequence to be transmitted, or in Some other way Evinces y Paternal Care in this matter as y Hons Shall in y Wisdom think fit & y Mem' as in Duty bound shall Ever pray J Ingersall Dated at N Haven Jany y^ 20"' 1764. THOMAS FITCH TO THOMAS GAGE. Extract of a Letter from the Honorable Governor Fitch, to his Excellency, The Honorable Major General Gage. Dated Norwalk 30"! January 1764. Sir "Immediately after recieving your last letter of the 3d Ins' with that from the Earl of Halifax transmitted by you, I gave Orders for the Assembly to meet, which met accord ingly on the i8"i of this Month ; I expected to have been able to have acquainted you with their final determination on the subject of your Requisition, but the Assembly con sidering that the Shawnese and Delawares, and other Tribes of Indians, on that side, who seem to have been most invet erate against the English, would be chastised by the Men, whom Sir Jeffery Amherst had required of the Southward provinces to act towards the Ohio; and hearing that some of the principal other Tribes, have proposed terms of peace and Submission to his Majesty, which altho' not concluded Affords a hopefull prospect; considering also, that the Six Nations, have not joined in the War against the English, and our Remoteness as to Situation, and our present inabil ity as to Circumstances, occasioned by the heavy load of REMARKS ON THE TRADE OF THE COLONY. 277 Debts, publick and private, incurred during the late War; They have as yet, not concluded to raise Men, for the pur pose mentioned in your Letter; But, as these Matters may further open, and appear in a different light, the Assembly on much Deliberation has referred the Consideration of them, to their Sessions on the S"! of March, to which time it is adjourned. When they suppose, in case, it shall be deter mined to raise Men, they can raise them soon enough to proceed on the intended Service, considering the difficulty, that must attend their March, Earlier in the Spring, when' the Seasons are cold, moist, and unhealthy, for men to lay abroad in." [Indorsed. ] Extract of a Letter from the Honb''' Governor Fitch, to His Exc^ The HonWe Maj' General Gage In Maj' Gen' Gage's, of the ii"i Feb'y 1764.* Informing that the Assembly of Connecticut had adjourned the Consideration of the Requisition for Men made them by the E. of Halifax. REMARKS ON THE TRADE OF THE COLONY. As the Sugar Act comonly so cal'd expires this Winter, its the Interest of the Northern Colonies to use their best Endeavours to prevent its being revived. The Trade of the Colony of Connecticut consists in Shipbuilding for this & the neighbouring Provinces, and Exportation of Beef, Pork, Wheat, Indian Corn, Oats, Rye, Pease, Beans, Onions, Tobacco, Rum, Sugar & Molasses to sd neighbours Provinces to pay for British Manufactures bought of them for the Consumption of the Inhabitants of the Colonys and to purchase Codfish, Mackrel, and Oyle, for the West India Market. Also in exporting Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Hoggs, Boards, Plank, Hoops, Staves, Beef, Pork, Bread, Flouer, Indian Corn, Pease, Beans, Onions, Codfish, Mackrel, Shad, Menhaden, Elwives & Oyle to the English ' & Foreign Ports in the West Indies. And Rum distild here *Gage refers to the enclosure thus : "|As Connecticut has taken the lead in this Resolve its to be feared the rest of the Eastern goverments will take resolu tions of the like nature." 278 FITCH PAPERS. to Africa to purchase Slaves for the West India Market, for all which we receive Rum, Sugar, & Molasses in Return. Should the sd-Su|f»F-Act be reviv'd,& put in full Exe cution, it will amount to a totaTpToBrBition of the Northern Colonies suplying any Foreign Port in the West Indies with those Articles, & the English Islands must consiquently be the only purchasers. And when the Exportation from Can ada & East & West Florida, of the above-mentioned Articles to the English West India Islands, are added to those of the Northern Colonies, the supply will be vastly more than those Islands have a demand for, & will not sell for Prime Cost Unless the Islands export them to the Foreign Ports, & purchase Sugar & Molasses, & import those Articles into sd Islands & sell them as English produce, to the Traders from the Northern Colonies at 100 ^C Advance, Which has been Notoriously the case in some of the Islands & is un doubtedly one reason why, the West India Gentlemen have so much labour'd to have the Sugar Act continued, from time to time. If the Trade from the Northern Colonies to Forreign Ports in the West Indies is prohibited, no one will deny that the French will open a Trade to Missisipi and Increase their Fishery, to Supply the French as well as the Spanish Dutch & Danish West Indies, with all the Articles they have here tofore been supply'd with from the Northern Colonies. The many & great Advantages arising thereby to the French & disadvantages to the British Nation are so manifest that they need not be mentioned. The Number of Inhabitants in the Northern Colonies when compared to the Inhabitants of the English West India Islands, are supos'd to be in proportion as Twenty to One, & notwithstanding the great superiority of the Northern Colonies in Number, they have not One Member in the British Parliament and the West India Islands have Fifty Six. Can this difference proceed from the Poverty of the Proprietors of the Sugar Islands, or from their Affluence, which solely arises from the Produce of their Sugar Planta tions. If from the latter, can it be for the Interest of Great THOMAS FITCH. 279 Brittain that an Act of Parliament should be revivd to in crease the Proffits ariseing to the Proprietors of the English Sugar Islands (already greater than any Land Holders in the Kings Dominons) when the damage will be so amaze- ingly great to the Northern Colonies (impoverishd by the expence of the late Warr with France & Spain which Ex- pence the Kings Subjects in the West Indies have been freed from) that it will leave at least one half their Naviga tion & Seamen unimploy'd, the demand for Shipbuilding, will cease, the Land Holders, & Tradesmen be discourag'd, prevent the large importation of British Manufactures, & render the Colonies unable to pay their Debts already con tracted in Great Britain New London Jany 1764. RICHARD JACKSON TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. [Richard Jackson wrote on March 10, 1764, to the Colony of Connecticut, or possibly to Governor Thomas Fitch, asking whether he should charge and draw his salary from the time he received his commission of agency or from the time when Jared Ingersoll, the Colony's late agent, left England. He also wrote of the proposed action relative to creating a revenue in America by means of stamp duties. .Colonial Records, XII. 255,256.] THOMAS FITCH TO EARL OF HALIFAX, Norwalk 23d March 1764 My Lord Your Letter of the 19"! of Octob' 1763 as soon as possi ble after it came to Hand I laid before the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut and Recommeded to them a Compliance with the Kings Commands and am now to Ac quaint your Lordship that the Assembly Altho they appre- / hend this Colony is not to be accounted among Such as are! most Interested by their Situation or most Able by their Circumstances (it being at present greatly involved by pub lic and Private Debts incurred during the late War) and altho the Indian War bares now no appearance of becoming 28o FITCH PAPERS. general but there appears Some hopeful Prospect of a Peace with them yet have made Provision for Raising two hundred and Sixty five Men to Contribute to the General Purposes of Defence and of Annoyance of the Savages and doubt not the Assembly will be Disposed in Case the War Shall again bare the Appearance of becoming General and more men Shall be wanted to Accomplish his Majestys Intentions, to Exert themselves according as the Exigency of the Case shall appear to Require I am my Lord with the highest Esteem and Regard your Lordships most Obedient and most humble Serv' THOS FITCH. The Right Honi^'e the Earl of Halifax one of his Majes tys Principal Sec'^ of State [Indorsed] Letter to the "Earl of Halifax 23d March 1764. COMMISSIONERS OF CUSTOMS TO THOMAS FITCH. Sir, Having by the inclosed to M' Temple Surveyor General of the Northern Part of the Continent of America acquainted him, that we have, pursuant to a Warrant from the Treas ury,- issued our Deputation to M' Duncan Stewart to be Collector of the Customs at New London in Connecticut, in the Room of Joseph Hull deceased, and he having given Security here for the faithfull Discharge of his Duty, We de sire the Favour of you, in Case of M' Temple's Absence, to admit M' Stewart to the said Employ on his taking the Oaths enjoyned by Law, and grant him a Certificate thereof to be transmitted to us. We are. Sir, your very humble servants SL MEAD. EDWD HOOPER J PENNINGTON H PELHAM Customhouse London 12 April 1764. COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS. 28 1 H. H. Governor of Connecticut. [Superscribed] To The Hou'i^'^ q'he Governour of the Colony of Connecticut New England [Indorsed] Letter from the Commiss's of the Customs 24"' April 1764 Reed jgth September 1764 COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall May 11"' 1764. Gentlemen, ^ We send you herewith a Copy of an Address from the House of Commons to His Majesty of the 5"! of the last Month, and desire you will forthwith prepare and transmit to us as soon as possible the Account therein required, that the same may be laid before that House the next meeting of Parliament. So we bid you heartily farewell, and are, , Your very loving Friends and humble Servants, HILLSBOROUGH SOAME JENYNS ED: ELIOT ED BACON ORWELL J. DYSON BAMBER GASCOYNE Governor and Company of Connecticut [Indorsed] Letter from the Lords &c for Trade &c ii"i May 1764. Reed 3d July 1764 RESOLVE OF HOUSE OF COMMONS. House of Commons s"' April 1764. Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, that He will be graciously pleased to give direc tions to the Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, to 282 FlTCH PAPERS. prepare, in order to be laid before this House, the next Ses sion of Parliament, an Account of the Tender & Amount of the Bills of Credit, which have been created and issued in the several British Colonies and Plantations in America, as well those under Proprietors and Charters, as under His Majesty's immediate Commission and Government, since Janry 1749, distinguishing the Amount of the same in each Colony and Plantation, and the respective time when such Bills were issued, with the amount of the said Bills in Money of Great Britain, both at the time when such Bills were issued, and at the time of preparing the said Account, and also the Times fixed for the calling in, sinking and dis charging such Bills, and the Funds appropriated for that purpose. [Indorsed] Copy of Resolve of the House of Commons Respecting Paper Bills or Bills of Credit &c. COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. [The Commissioners for Trade and Plantations wrote, under date of May 11, 1764, a second letter to the Colony of Connecticut inclosing a list of titles of several Acts of Parliament passed at the last session with the several printed copies of those Acts. Among them was probably the famous "Molasses Act," so called. See letter of Nov. 14, 1764, from Fitch to the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations.] LIST OF ACTS OF PARLIAMENT. List of the Titles of seven Acts passed in the last Ses sion of Parliament. An Act for granting certain Duties in the British Colo nies and Plantations in America; for continuing, amending & making perpetual, an Act pass'd in the sixth year of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the Second, (in tituled an Act for the better securing and encouraging the Trade of His Majesty's Sugar Colonies in America); for LIST OF ACTS OF I>ARLIAMENT. 283 applying the produce of such Duties and of the Duties to arise by Virtue of the said Act, towards defrayiivg__tlie_JEx- pences of defending, protecting and securing the s_a|d Colo- nie"s~and- Plantations; for explaining an Act made in the Twenty fifth year of the Reign of King Charles the second, (intituled an Act iov the Encouragement of the Greenland and Eastland Trade and for the better securing the Planta tion Trade), and for altering and disallowing several Draw backs on Exports from this Kingdom, and more effectually preventing the Clandestine Conveyance of Goods to & from the said Colonies and Plantations & improving & securing the Trade between the same and Great Britain. An Act to prevent paper Bills of Credit, hereafter to be issued in any of His Majesty's Colonies or Plantations in America, from being declared to be a legal tender in pay ments of money ; and to prevent the legal Tender of such Bills as are now subsisting, from being prolonged beyond the Periods limited for calling in & sinking the same. An Act for granting a Bounty upon the Importation of Hemp, and rough and undressed Flax, from His Majesty's Colonies in America. An Act for the encouragement of the Whale Fishery in the Guelph and River of S' Lawrence, and on the Coasts of His Majesty's Colonies in America. An Act for repealing the Duties now payable upon Bever Skins imported, & for granting other Duties in lieu thereof, and for granting certain Duties upon the Exporta tion of Bever Skins & Bever Wool ; and for taking off the Drawback allowed on the exportation of such Skins. An Act for vesting the Fort of Senegal, and its Depend encies, in the Company of Merchants trading to Africa An Act for preventing Frauds and Abuses in relation to the sending and receiving of Letters and Packets free from the Duty of Postage, [Indorsed] List of the Titles of Several Acts of Parliament passed last Sessions sent by the Board of Trade Reed 3d July 1764. 284 FITCH PAPERS. THOMAS FITCH TO RICHARD JACKSON. [At the General Assembly held in May 1764, the gov ernor was desired to acquaint Richard Jackson that, although he had not expected his salary as agent to commence until the time of Jared Ingersoll's leaving the business of the agency, yet, being sensible of the good services rendered the Colony by him, the Assembly are desirous he should charge his salary from the time he received his commission. May 30, 1760. Colonial Records, XII. 255. J COMMITTEE OF MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THOMAS FITCH (?) Boston June 25"" 1764. Sir, The House of Representatives of his Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay at the Session of the General As sembly in May last, being informed of the late Act of Par liament relating to the Sugar Trade with the foreign Colo nies, and the Resolutions of the House of Commons relating to the Stamp Duties and other Taxes proposed to be laid on the British Colonies, were humbly of Opinion, that those Measures have a Tendency to deprive the Colonists of some of their most essential Rights as British Subjects and as Men, particularly the Right of assessing their own Taxes, and being free from any Impositions but such as they con sent to by themselves or Representatives. Our Agent informs us that in a Conference he had with M' Greenville on these Subjects, he was told that the Min- istry were desirous of consulting the Ease, the Quiet and 'Goodwill of the Colonies. '^^"-^ — - "' '~^ Such Expressions induce us to hope that there is noth ing punitive in these Measures, and that humble dutiful Remonstrances may yet have their Effect. But if while these Things are thus publickly handled no Claim is made, no Remonstrance preferred on the Part of the Colonies, such Silence must be interpreted a tacit Cession of their Rights and an humble Acquiescence under all their Burdens. EARL OF HALIFAX. 285 The House have wrote fully upon this Subject to the Agent of this Province, and directed him to remonstrate against these Measures, and to endeavour a Repeal of said Act, and i^ possible to prevent the Imposition of any further Duties and Taxes on the Colonies. For this Purpose they were desirous of the united Assistance of the several Colo nies in a Petition against such formidable Attacks upon what they conceive to be the inseparable Rights of British Sub jects; and that the Agents of the several Colonies might be directed by the Representatives of the People on the Conti nent of North America to unite in the most serious Remon strance against measures so destructive of the Liberty, the Commerce and Property of the Colonists, and in their Ten dency so pernicious to the real Interest of Great Britain. ' The House have done us the Honour to appoint us a committee in the Recess of the General Court to inform the several Houses of Representatives of this Continent of their Desires; and we do ourselves the Honour to subscribe ourselves. Your most Humble Servants JAMES OTIS THOMAS GUSHING OXENBRIDGE THACHER THOMAS GRAY EDW SHEAFFE EARL OF HALIFAX TO THOMAS FITCH. S' James's, July 14"' 1764- Sir, I send You herewith, by The King's Command, the Copy of a Letter, which I have lately receiv'd from His Ex<=y The Spanish Ambassador, complaining, by Order of his Court, of several Violences committed against the Subjects of His Catholick Majesty by some English Pirates, or Privateers in The West Indies. And I am to signify to you His Majesty's Pleasure, that you make all possible Inquiry concerning all Vessels which may arrive within your Gov- 286 FITCH PAPERS. ernment from those Parts, in order to discover the Persons, who may have have been guilty of such Acts of Piracy, & in case of such Discovery, that you do your utmost to secure Them, & bring Them to Justice. And if any of the Persons concerned in the said Piratical Proceedings shall happen to be discovered & apprehended within your Governm' You will immediately transmit to me, for His Majesty's Information, an Account thereof, & of your Proceedings in consequence of such Discovery. I am, with great Truth & Regard, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant DUNK HALIFAX Governor of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from the Earl of Halifax 14"" July 1764 Reed 22d Septemb' 1764 PRINCE MASSERAN TO EARL OF HALIFAX. Copie LoNDREs ce i8« Juin 1764. Milord, Le Roi mon maitre a recu par une Lettre du Comte de Ricla, Gouvernour de la Havanne, dat^e du 5^ de Fevrier de cette annee la factieuse nouvelle de plusieurs Violences commises centre ses propres sujets, par quelques Corsaires anglois, qui subsistent encore armes dans ces Endroits la, comme en toms de Guerre; une Goleta, oil petit Batiment anglois, dont le nom du Capi^e nous est inconnu, donna chasse a un Batiment Espagnol command^ par Salvador Buenavides, qui passoit du Port de la Trinity a Puerto Principe fit entrer son monde a bord du Batiment Espagnol, le visita, traita fort mal la Tripulation, & s'empara par force d'un Criminel qui alloit etre delivr6 entre les mains du Commandant du Puerto Principe par ordre du Cap"^ de Guerre, qui commande dans la Ville de la Trinite. Jean Bishag, anglois, Cap°e d'une Balandre anglois dont la Cargaison appartenoit a Manual Ravelo Espagnol, *com- *The duplicate in the Massachusetts Historical Society here inserts " entra pas force dans une Balandre Espagnole " EARL OF HALIFAX. 287 mandee par Nicolas Bonora, qui alloit avec la permission necessaire charger du Tabac au Port de Majorvi & etoit actuellemont dans celui de las neuvitas dans la meme Isle de Cuba, s'en rendit maitre par la Voie des armes, & malgr6 les Remonstrances faites par les Interesses dans la Cargai son, s'en empara en donnant un recu de ce qu'ie avoit pris. quoique Le Comte de Ricla a ecrit sur tout cela au Gouvern' anglois de la Providence, Le Roi mon maitre, me charge d'en informer Le Roi de la Grande Bretagne, & Son ministere de ces actions si contraires a I'amitie, qui regne, et doit regner entre les deux nations, & il espere que S. M. Bi-etQue voudra bien expedier Ses ordres avec toute la Celerite possible pour faire cesser ces Violences, & pour contenir Ses Sujets dans les bornes de la moderation, qu'ils sont obliges d'observer. J'ai r honneur d'etre &c. Le Prince de MASSERAN S. E. Milord Dunk Halifax [Indorsed] Copy of a Letter from Prince Masseran to the Earl of Halifax 18"^ June 1764 RICHARD JACKSON TO THOMAS FITCH. [Richard Jackson wrote on July 27, 1764, to Governor Thomas Fitch. It was probably in this letter that he adr vised the governor to take the oath required by Parliament that he would as governor enforce the "Molasses Act. " Seel Fitch's letter to Jackson of Dec. 7, 1764.] EARL OF HALIFAX TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Duplicate S' James's August n"" 1764. Gentlemen, It being of great Importance and Advantage to His Majesty's Service, and to the Commercial Interests, and general Convenience of His Majesty's Subjects in North America, that the Conveyance of Letters, by the Post, 288 fitch papers. should be facilitated, and extended throughout the Colonies upon that extensive Continent, His Majesty's Post Master General, is concerting Measures for those Purposes. And as it cannot be doubted but the Legislatures of the several Colonies will readily and chearfully contribute to the Suc cess of a Plan, from which they may expect to derive the Benefit of a regular, safe, and speedy Correspondence, I am commanded to signify to You His Majesty's. Pleasure, that You should recommend it to the Assembly of the Col ony under Your Government to provide for the Establish ment of Ferries, and erecting proper Buildings on the Water Side, wherever the same may be found necessary, that the Posts may meet with no Delays or Interruptions in passing. His Majesty's Post Master General having also repre sented that a Map of the Province under Your Government, with the present Course of the Posts throughout the same clearly markt out, would be of great Use to Him, in the present Undertaking ; I am to desire that You will procure and transmit such a Map, together with a State of such alterations as You apprehend to be wanting for the better Regulation and Improvement of the said Posts, and You will give Your constant Aid and Support to the Post Mas ters within Your Government in the Execution of their Office, which is so immediately calculated for the Publick Benefit. I am, with great Truth and Regard, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant. DUNK HALIFAX Governor & Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Duplicate Letter from Earl of Halifax ii"' August 1764. Reed 24"! Octob' 1764 Concerning Post Office EARL OF HALIFAX. 289 EARL OF HALIFAX TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. S'^ James's, August ii"i 1764. Gentlemen, The House of Commons having, in the last Session of Parliament, come to a Resolution, by which it is declared that, towards defraying_thejiecessary Expences of defend ing, protecting and securing the British "Colonies and Plan tations in Armerica, it may be proper to charge certain Stamp Duties in the said Colonies and Plantations, it is His Majesty's Pleasure, that You should transmit to me, without Delay, a List of all Instruments made Use of in publick Transactions, Law Proceedings, Grants, Conveyances, Se curities of Land on Money, within your Government, with proper and sufficient Descriptions of the same, in order that if Parliament should think proper to pursue the Intention of the aforesaid Resolution, they may thereby be enabled to carry it into Execution in the most effectual aud least burthensome Manner. If You should be unable of Yourself to prepare a List of this kind with sufficient Accuracy, You will in such Case require the Assistance of the Principal Officer of the Law within Your Government, who is the proper Person to be consulted towards procuring the said Information in the Manner required. I am, with great Truth and Regard, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant DUNK HALIFAX Governor and Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from Earl of Halifax 11"' August 1764 Reed 3d Octob' concerning Stamp Diities. EARL OF HALIFAX TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Duplicate ST James's, August 11"' 1764. Gentlemen, It is His Majesty Pleasure that you do constantly trans mit to me every Inforrqation, which your utmost Diligence 290 fitch papers. & Attention can, from Time to Time, procure in relation to the illicit Trade, which may be carried on within' your Government; to the Methods in which it is conducted; the Commodities in which it is concerned ; and the Extent to which it is carried; the Means of preventing the same ; & the Conduct of the several Officers who are employed for that purpose ; And whenever it shall that you have not been able to procure any Intelligence upon any of the Points above mentioned. You will take Care to mention in your Dispatches, that you have no Informations of that sort to communicate. I am, with great Truth & Regard, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant DUNK HALIFAX To the Governor & Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Duplicate Letter from the Earl of Halifax ii"i of August 1764 Reed 24th Octo' RICHARD JACKSON TO THOMAS FITCH. [Richard Jackson wrote on August 13, 1764, to Govern or Thomas Fitch. The contents of the letter are not known. It appears to have been forwarded to the governor by the hand of Col. Eliphalet Dyer. See Fitch's letter to Jackson of Dec. 7, 1764.] THOMAS FITCH TO RICHARD JACKSON. [Governor Thomas Fitch wrote on September 22, 1764, to Richard Jackson, the Colonys agent in England. The contents of the letter are unknown. See Fitch's letter to Jackson of Dec. 7, 1764.] RHODE ISLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S COMMITTEE TO GEORGE WYLLYS. Rhode Island October 8. 1764. Gentlemen, We being appointed a Committee by the General Assem bly of the Colony of Rhode Island, to correspond, confer. RHODE ISLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S COMMITTEE. 29I and consult, with any Committee or Committees, that are or shall be appointed by any of the British Colonies on the Continent; and in Concert with them, to prepare and form such Representations of the Condition of the Colonies, the Rights of the Inhabitants, and the Interests of Great Brit ain as connected with them, as may be thought most likely to be effectual to remove or alleviate the Burthens, which the Colonists at present labor under, and to prevent new ones being added. The Impositions already laid on the Trade of these Col onies, must have very fatal Consequences. The Act in Embrio for establishing Stamp Duties, if effected, will fur ther drain the People, and Strongly point out their Servi tude: And the Resolution of the House of Commons, (that they have a Right to tax the Colonies,) if carried into Exe cution, will leave us Nothing to call our own. How far the united Endeavours of all the Colonies might tend to prevent those Evils, cannot be determined; But certainly it is worth their While to try every Means in their Power to preserve every Thing they have worth preserving. Zealous to do all we can in a Business of so much Im portance, more /especially as the Colony that employs us seems heartily disposed to exert its utmost Efforts to pre serve its Priviledges inviolate, looking on this as the criti cal Conjunction, when they must be effectually defended, or finally lost; we have given You the Trouble of this Address, desiring to be informed whether your Colony hath taken these Matters under Consideration ; and if it hath, what Methods have been thought of, as most conducive to bring them to a happy Issue. If all the Colonies were disposed to enter with Spirit into the Defence of their Liberties; if some Method could be hit upon for collecting the Sentiments of each Colony, and for uniting and forming the Substance of them into one common Defence of the whole, and this sent to England, and the several Agents directed to join together in pushing and pursuing it there in the properest and most effectual Manner, it might be the most probable Method to produce the End aimed at. 292 fitch PAPERS. However, as we do not pretend to prescribe Rules, but to receive Information, we hope to be excused for this Freedom, and that the Cause we are concerned in, and your Candor, will procure us your Pardon for this Trouble given by Gentlemen, your most obedient, and most Humble Servants STEP HOPKINS DANIEL JENCKES, NICH; BROWN George Wyllys Esq' &=* REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. To the Hon'''« General Assembly now Sitting at New Haven. We your Honours Com'^e Appointed to take into Con sideration a Letter (Communicated to this Assembly by his Hon' the Gov) from the Earl of Halifax relative to Stamp Duties. Take leave to Report y' the following List be transmit ted to the Earl of Halifax as Containing Such Instruments as are referred to in Said Letter. A Commission of y^ Chief Judge of the Sup^ Court Do one for the Assistant Judges Do one for Each Chief Judge of the County Court Do one Commission in Each County including all y« Justices of the Peace and Quorum and all Justices of the Peace in Said County Do one for Each Judge of Probate Do one for Each Sheriff Do one for Each Military Officer Do I for Sewers Summons Attachment Subpena for Witnesses *This letter was probably addressed to Wyllys because of his being secre tary of the Colony. REPORT OF COMMITTEE. 293 Writ of Replevin Execution and Other Orig' Writs Such as of Trespass Assault & Bat tery Trover &c. which are longer or Shorter according to the Nature and Circumstances of the Case Deeds of Conveyance Bonds Promissory Notes Affidavits taken by Justices of Peace out of Court Bill of Lading Brief for Collecting Charity Certificate of a Degree in y^ College Coppy of Court Records and other Records Contract Charty party InventoryCoppy of Do WillCoppy of Do Indenture Lease Letter of Attorny Letter of Administration Letters of Mark News paper Policy of Insurance Protest Distribution of Intestate Estates AlmanackAnd we take leave further to Report y' our Most Usual & Customary Blanks & Samples of y^ aforesd articles Such as Blank Commissions, Writs of Several Sorts, Bonds &c are most properly Disscriptive of Said Enumerated Articles and that one Accordingly of Each Sort or Class be Herewith Transmitted In compliance with y^ Requisition in Said Let ter Containd. and That as to Such of sd articles as have not been usually reduced to any particular form Such as Writs on actions on ye Case affidavits &c, his Hon' y^ Gov be 294 fitch papers. Desired to transmit Such brief & Sufficient Discriptions as to him may Seem needfull. ^ order D Edwards New Haven Octob' 31=' 1764 In the Upper house the within Report approved Nevertheless His Hon' the Gov is Desired to make what Alteration or additions he may think proper Test George Wyllys Secret Concurr'd in the Lower House Test WM Pitkin Jun Clerk THOMAS FITCH TO PYGAN ADAMS. [Governor Thomas Fitch wrote on November 10, 1764, to Pygan Adams of New London requesting that he and Mr. Hillhouse* collect for him such evidence as might be obtained in favor of the Colony respecting the controversy with Samuel Mason and the Mohegan Indians; particularly respecting Mason's giving quit claim deeds to some persons of their land within the pretended Mohegan Indian claims. See letter from Adams to Fitch of Dec. 13, 1764.] THOMAS FITCH TO EARL OF HALIFAX. Norwalk i3"> Novemb' 1764. My Lord Your Letter of the 14"! of July inclosing a Copy of Prince Masseran's Letter to your Lordship I have received but on the most Diligent Enquiry can make no Discovery of the Persons who may have been guilty of Such Acts of Piracy. I Shall continue to make Enquiry and in Case of any Discovery of the Persons do my utmost to conform to your Directions and Inform of my proceedings therein. Having recommended to the General Assembly of this Colony the Several Matters contained in your Letter of the ii'h of August Relative to y® Post office, I am to Acquaint *This may have been either William or James Abraham, sons of Rev. James Hillhouse deceased. THOMAS FITCH. 295 your Lordship the Assembly are of Opinion that all neces sary Provisions as to Ferries and Buildings on the Water Side to facilitate the Passing of the Posts in this Colony are Already made, and that they are not Apprehensive any Alterations at present are Wanting for the better Regulation and Improvement of the Posts in this Colony, and that a Map of the Colony with the present Course of the Posts throughout the Same be prepared agreable to your Lord ships Direction to be transmitted to you, but as it will Re quire some Time to Accomplish this I can only acquaint your Lordship that I Shall use the best Dispatch in pro curing it and when finished shall without Delay send it. lA am also to Acknowledge your other Letter of the ii"' of' August aforesaid Signifying his Majestys Pleasure that Such Information as can be procured in Relation to the illicite Trade which may be carried on within this Government; to the Methods in which it is Conducted &c. and as IJudge it my.^utyto use my utmost Diligence and to give my parti cular Attention m/Regard to those Matters at all Times So I have in Special since Fhe Receipt of this Letter Endeav oured to make the most particular Enquiry concerning the conduct of the Trade carried on here, and as far as I can learn the officers of the Customs are very carefull to conform in every Respect to ye true Intent and Meaning of the Acts of Trade and Navigation and have no Reason to apprehend they are violated in Any particular they at present appear to me to be faithful and more Solicitous than usual punctu ally to Execute the Trusts Reposed in them. I am my Lord with the highest Esteem and Regard your Lordships , most Obedient and most humble Servant THOS FITCH The Right Hont>'e the Earl of Halifax one of his Majestys Principal Secretaries of State [Indorsed] Letter to the Earl of Halifax 13'" Novemb' 1764.* ?The duplicate of this letter in the Public Record Office is indorsed " R i6th Janry 1765. (Pr: Masseran's Complaint, Post, & lUict Trade.) Extract sent to the Treasury, the 19th Janry 1765. Do to the Gem Post Office, the same Day." 296 FITCH PAPERS. THOMAS FITCH TO EARL OF HALIFAX. Norwalk 13"^ Novemb' 1764. My Lord In Compliance with the Kings Commands Signifyed in your Letter of the 11"' of August Relative to the Resolution of the House of Commons for Charging certain Stamp Duties in the Colonies I took the first Opportunity to Request the Assistance of the Assembly in preparing the List of Instru ments Required. The Assembly Accordingly Appointed a proper Committee for that Purpose with whose Assistance I have in the best and Clearest Manner I could prepared the List herewith Inclosed to be transmitted to your Lordship, It will appear by this List that the public Instruments can be Charged with no Burden but what must Lye immediately on the Colony Treasury already Exhausted by the War to that Degree or Rather in Debt to that Degree as not to be Capable of Such a Recruit as is Requisite to Answer the Necessities of the Government for some Time to come. The People in General are also so involved that new Burdens will not only be Distressing but greatly Discouraging in their Struggles to Extricate themselves from their Debts in- curred during the Late War. Suffer me my Lord to Intreat on their Behalf that they may be Excused from this new ''Duty which appears to them so grievious. I am my Lord with the highest Esteem and Regard your Lordships Most Obedient and most Humble Servant THOS FITCH The Right Hon''' the Earl of Halifax one of his Majestys Principal Secretaries of State &c [Indorsed] Letter to the Earl of Halifax 13"! Nov' 1764. about Stamp Duties LIST OF INSTRUMENTS USED IN PUBLIC TRANSACTIONS. A List of all Instruments made use of in public Trans actions, Law proceedings. Grants Conveyances Securities of Land or Money within the Government of the Colony of Connecticut with the descriptions of the same LIST OF INSTRUMENTS. 297 A Commission to the Chief Judge of the Superior Court, One Commission to the Assistant Judges of said Court. A Commission to Each Judge of the County Courts, One Commission for Each County including all the Justices of the Peace & Quorum and all Justices of the Peace in said County. A Commission to Each Judge of Probate of Wills &c A Commission for Each Sheriff All made out annually to which no Salary is affixed but only an Allowance for the Times of Service, and in some Cases moderate Fees only. All these Commissions yearly made out at the public expence. A Commission To a Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel & Major of Each Regiment. A Commission for Each Captain, Lieutenant, and Ensign of the Foot and for Each Captain, Lieutenant, Cornet, and Quarter Master of the Troop in the Militia of the Colony. These Commissions are made out at the public Charge and instead of profit are a Charge to the Officers. a Commission of Sewers Writs both Summons's and Attachments which include the writ and Declaration and contains all the Declarations that is made in all kinds of Actions or Law Suits. Executions Subpoena for Witnesses Writs of Error and Scire facias containing the Declara tion as aforesaid Writs of Replevin containing the Declaration in the Case Petitions and Memorials to the General Assembly Deeds of Conveyance of Lands and Mortgage Deeds of Lands Bonds for Security of Money and for other purposes Small promisory Notes for money Affidavits taken by Justices of the peace out of Court Bills of Lading 298 FITCH PAPERS. Brief for collecting Charity; most generally for the Poor and Distressed Certificate of Masters and Bachalors Degrees in the College Charter Parties and other Contracts Inventories of Estates Records of Courts ; being only short Entries made in a Book kept for that purpose WillsIndentures for Apprentices Leases of Lands and some times of other Estates Letters of Attorney Letters of Administration Policy of Assurance Protests Distribution of Intestate Estates Copies of Court Records are only Copies taken from the Books wherein the minutes or Short Entries of Cases are recorded which are here called the Records of the Courts &c [Indorsed] List of Instruments made Use of in publick Transactions &c in the Colony of Connecticut. In Gov' Fitch's Letter of the 13"^ Nov' 1764. THOMAS FITCH TO COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS. Norwalk 14"' November 1764. My Lords. Having taken the first Opportunity to Lay before the Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut Your Lordships Letter of May n"i Inclosing a Copy of the Resolve of the House of Commons of the 5"' of April Requiring an Account of the Tender and Amount of the Bills of Credit which have been created and issued in this Colony Since January 1749 &c. The Assembly appointed a Committee to prepare the Same which being Approved by the Assembly is here with transmitted to your Lordships. The Taxes Mentioned in the Account were Respectively laid when the Bills which Thomas fitch. 299 they were to Sink were Ordered to be Issued; the Money Granted by Parliament has as soon as Received been Agre able to the Acts for Emission of the Bills appropriated and Actually Used for Calling in and Discharging the Bills and by that Means where two taxes have been laid for Sinking one Emission it has been found unnecessary to Collect the Second Tax by Reason the first Tax and the Parliamentary Grant for the Services of that year have been Sufficient to Discharge the Emission, had not the Colony been favoured with those Grants on which it had its Dependance when the Bills were Emitted the Distress of the People would have been much greater as the Annual Demand for Men and the Repeated Occasions of Expence called for more than the Colony by its own Strength could ever have performed. These Bills were never made a Tender in payments being only in the Form of Promisary Notes, and the Assembly have in Every Instance of Emission Endeavoured with the utmost Care an Exact Conformity to the Act of Parliament of the 24"" of his late Majesty Relating to the Bills of Credit in the four New England Governments. I am also to Ack nowledge your Lordships other Letter of the 11"' of May Inclosing a List of the Titles of Several Acts of Parliament passed last Session with the Several Printed Copies of those Acts and beg Leave to Acquaint your Lordships that before the 29'h of September last I took the Oqath w-hich bythe Act intituled An Act forgranting certain Duiies in the British Colonies & Plantations in America &c. the Govern ors of The Several Colonies and Plantations in America are Required to take and Shall to the Utmost of my Power Endeavour to have the Same as far as concerns the Govern or of this Colony bona fide put in Execution and observed. I have the Honour my Lords to be with _ the Highest Esteem and Regard your Lordships most Obedient and most humble Servant THOS FITCH The Right Honourable the Lords Commiss's for Trade and Plantations. [The copy in the State Paper Office is endorsed "Reed Janry 17 1764."] 300 FITCH PAPERS. ACCOUNT OF BILLS OF CREDIT. [Accompanying his letter of November 14, 1764, to the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, Governor Thomas Fitch transmits an account of the paper bills or bills of credit issued by the Colony since January 1749. This ac count as reported by a committee to the General Assembly at its session in October 1764 enumerates twelve emissions from January 1755 to March 1764 giving for each the date and total amount of the issue, the date when it becomes payble, the rate of the tax granted for the purpose and the date of payment of the tax. Some general statements re garding the Colony's system of taxation and payment of the bills are appended to the list. Colonial Records, XII. 339.] RICHARD JACKSON TO THOMAS FITCH. Inner Temple 27 Nov 1764 Sir I have before returned my thanks to the Assembly, for the Manner in which they have expressed their Appobation of my Services, an Approbation I know how to set a value upon, shall retain a deep sense of it, & esteem it beyond any pecuniary Reward whatever. For my Conduct in Par liament, I can neither accept of Reward nor do I deserve the Thanks of any Individual or Body of Men among the Subjects of Great Britain; I shall always think it my duty while I sit there, to govern myself by what I deem to the best of my Judgment, most likely to conduce to the good of the whole, without Partiality, & after having informed my self to the best of my Ability, to communicate the best Lights I am master of to others, with all due deference to the Opinion of wiser Men, & after all the Examination in my Power, stedfastly to adhere to the Sentiments that appear to me right without yielding to the Byas either of Affection or self Interest. If I err, it is my Misfortune, if I am right I do no more than is incumbent on every man & which I hope evry Member of Parliament does. Out of the House, my Attention to the Interests of y« Colony takes up some of my Time & puts me to some Ex- RICHARD JACKSON. 30I pence; but I pretend to Little Merit, in endeavouring to promote what my real Inclinations prompt me warmly to further, as far as my Power reaches ; the welfare of the Col ony, I shall always deem my best Reward, should I ever be an Instrument of Gods Providence to promote it, & I shall al\raysprefe£j;h^e good Opinion of an honest loyal & wise People to any other Reward in this World. I have received several Letters of advices of Bills drawn, some few are accepted but not due, the rest are all paid, & the Money is ready for paying all the Colony intends to draw ; for I have received all the Money voted by the Par liament & appointed by the Treasury for ye Colony^ share long since, of this I have twice advised you, but fear that Letters in which I spoke of the receipt of the remainder of that Money might not come to hand as it was directed by my Clerk to New York. There remains for me now to re ceive only what will be coming from the Estate of the late Richard Partridge. I have done every thing in my Power to facilitate & forward this Affair, I even ventured to go so far, as to offer to give up some part of what I thought the Colony intitled to, in order to obtain a speedy decision & distribution among y^ Cred^ & though I had no proper Authority I thought it right to offer to allow the Estate a Commission on the Receipt of the Colony* Money, chiefly be cause I think he might have recovered it at Law had he been living; but besides, because the Colony cannot any way re ceive the whole of their Balance of these Offers I before advised you ; but as none of these things had the Effect pro posed though they were listened tc at first, & as I fear what the Colony has to receive will be much lessened by the Estabhshment of demands upon y^ Estate, which though not due in strict Justice, we cannot now disprove for want of Vouchers, (Partridge having left his Affairs in great Confusion) I have revoked all ye Concessions I had made, & I believe as there is nobody concerned ag' us, that will take ye trouble to start these Points, they will not be dis puted, so that we shall obtain the Establishment of the full Extent of our Demands, & a proportionable Share out of 302 FITCH PAPERS. Partridges Estate, which perhaps will not fall much above 2 or 300^ below the just Demands of ye Colony, had Part ridge been living. I should probably have received this Money in Cash in less than a Month from this time, had it not been for the unforseen Death of the master of ye Rolls, the Judge before whom this Cause has been all along depending ; it will prob ably be a Month after ye Appointment of his Successor, be fore the final direction in this Matter can be obtained, & as this will fall in with our Christmass Vacation we shall hardly receive the Money in less than 2 or 3 months, because after that ye final Direction is obtained, the Cause once more goes to the Master in Chancery to compute & make ye actual Dis tribution. In every stage of this, Difficultys may arise, & I have been already so frequently disappointed that I dare undertake for nothing but that I will give you immediate Notice of my receiving the Money both by the first Ship & Packet; & I do not foresee at present any Obstruction like to arise & believe none will. In case I shall have paid away almost all the rest of ye Money that I have received on Ace' of ye Colony, before the Receipt of this Money out of Partridges Estate, I shall not wait for it, but immediately dispatch my Accounts of my Receipts & Disbursements to ye time I transmit the Ace', & shall not blend the 2 Accounts together, unless I receive the sum coming out of Partridge^ Estate before I can possibly close ye other. I have already ventured to pay M' Life 50,;^ ^ Anm from the time M' Ingersol left England without any particular Direction of the Colony for ye Purpose as it was agreable to ye resolution of ye Assembly. I am concerned that I troubled you with the Checked Paper at all, as the Vessel that carried it was so unlucky in her passage, it was put on board her, about ye same time that I received the Compensation Money for 1761, so as that had she sailed as was expected & met with no unforeseen de lay this Paper might have served for ye Draughts of 2 years Compensation & perhaps have proved more safe, though we have yet met with no Accident that I know of, & are now THOMAS FITCH. 303 drawing so near the End of ye Ace' I hope we shall not. I have used all the precaution in my Power & among others thought of ye Checked Paper, not then indeed foreseeing that the last Payment of Compensation Money would take place in less than 8 Months after it did. I shall use my best Endeavours to obtain a Repeal of some part of the late Bill for regulating the Trade of Amer ica, particularly so much of it as restrains the Lumber Trade, & the Importation of Wines & Fruits into America directly from Spain & Portugal, as well as to lower the Duty^ on foreign MoUasses & to open further an Opportunity of bringing French Sugars home for Payment of the ballance of Trade against you in England, which last indeed is rep resented here as being of the less Consequence because that 1 the French have prohibited the Exportation of Sugars from : their Islands. I assure you with great Faith that I have the most sincere Attention to the Welfare & Interest of the Colony & that I shall watch with care & diligence every Event that concerns them I am Sir with true Esteem Y' most Obed' Most hble Servt RD JACKSON [Indorsed] Letter from M^ Jackson 27"! Nov 1764. Reed i9"> Feb'y 1765. THOMAS FITCH TO RICHARD JACKSON. NoRWALK 7"' Decembr 1764 Sir Since my Letter of the 2 2d of Septemb' I have received yours of the 27"! of July and that by Col. Dyer of the 13'^ of August, being apprehensive Some might endeavour to take Advantage of any Neglects or Omissions on my or the Col onies Part I tho't it proper and Accordingly before I Re ceived your Kind advice for that Purpose took the Oath . whichjby^he Lale Act of Parliament the Governors of the Plantat]ons"are Required to take, which was Administered ,,g04 FITCH PAPERS. Agreable^to_ the Directions of the Said Act More than a month before the Time prescribed by the Same an Account of which I have transmitted to the Lords of Trade. You will ; doubtless before this comes to Hand have Received the \ Pamphlets by M' Ingersoll which Contain Reasons of Ob jections againsLCharging Stamp Dutie^s or InternaLTaxes on the Colo&ies- which I trust You and M' Ingersoll will make the most proper Use and Advantage of, not that we Suppose ourselves Able to Advance more forceable Argu ments than are with you and our other Friends at Home, nor to Sett the Rights of the Colonies in a better or Stronger Light unless it be by the Relation of Some Matters of Fact and Local Circumstances which we may be best acquainted with, yet Reasons, Arguments and Declarations, Drawn u]) ,-hj the Colonies themselves may be more EvidentiaLofthe feeling Sense they have of their Rights, how highly they value them, and how grievious it will be to them to be„De- priyed of them, and may possibly on that Account have more Effect, and prove more successful then arguments from other Hands in their Behalf. For those Reasons^we have avoided all Pretence of objection against the Authority or Power of the Parliament As the Supreme Legislature of all the Kings Dominions, to Tax the Colonies and have therefore Endeavoured only to Shew that the Exercise 'of Such Power in that Particular Instance or in like Cases will take away Part of our Antient Priviledges &c (which it is presumed the Parliament who are also Guardians of our Liberties will not do) and in the whole have Endeavoured to Express our Sentiments With becoming Modesty Decency & Submission and we trust as was intended without offence The Assembly tho it Approves of those observations & Arguments yet as they are said to be offerred for Considera tion in Behalf of the Colony and least they should want that Material Circumstance of Appearing to proceed from the Deep concern and Eernest Request of the Colony have De sired me to prepare an Humble and Earnest address to the Parliament in Behalf and in the name of the Governor and Company of the Colony against an acts being passed for THOMAS FlTCH. 305 Charging a Stamp Duty or ani^Internal Tax and transmit ! The same with the Reasons before mentioned to you in Order to be preferred to the Parliament and be enforced with proper Zeal in Behalf of the Colony, which being pre pared in Consequence of the order of the Assembly is here with inclosed. But As we are much unacquainted with the, Forms and Manner of Addressing or Petitioning the House , of Commons I must Request Your Candor in Perusing and Judging of it and Desire you will be so good as to Correct any Mistakes or Improprieties in the Address; and if on the whole you Shall Judge it Necessary or proper to Make a New Draft I hope you will be kind Enough to do it and having made a proper one You may if you Please Sign it with My Name as this is Signed, or if, it be more proper you may Sign it in the Name of the Gov' & Company as their Agent. Nevertheless if on Consideration of the whole Matter you and M' Ingersoll with whom I Suppose you will advise on the Subject Shall Judge it not Expedient to present it but to make use of the Hints in this and the Pamphlet contain ing the Reasons or Objections aforementioned in Some other Method I conclude the Assembly will not object, as you wi!l_be bestj\,ble to Judge in that Matter. I would Refer to M' Ingersoll not only in this but any other Concern as the Assembly hath Desired me to write to him to Afford his Assistance and Advice in any Matters wherein the Colony maybe concerned which I have accordingly done by the In closed Letter directed to him which I Request the Favour of you to Deliver to him. I have Said in the Address the Colony has Never been Taxed with internal Taxes &c. Some I know Suppose the Post office amounts to Such a Taxing but it appears to me far from it in as much as that Charges a payment for real Service done ; Stamps are no such Services the Post office is rather an Advantage than a Burden to the People and in fact but a few in comparison of the whole make use of the Post and even those few only when it will be an advantage to them so that it being of Choice they voluntarily Submit to it for 'the Sake of greater Profit. 20 3o6 FITCH PAPERS. As to those Complaints which come against the Deter minations of the Assembly in Cases between Man and Man to the King in Council in a way which they Call appeals (for from our Courts no appeal is allowed) tho they are not desirable and Sometimes Troublesome to the Colony yet I should think they can no ways Endanger it as there is no Court but may Err, and to Complain to a higher authority for an emendation or Correction of Such error Never Sup posed the Court below to Stand in a Criminal Light unless Corruption or Male Administration is Charged and Main tained . M' Ingersoll will be able to Inform You of the Method of Proceeding in our Assembly and other Courts to him I therefore would Refer you for further Intelligence in general and for a particular Account of the Case you had heard of as I Suppose tho I do not know it is a Case he has been acquainted with if not concerned in. One M' Mason with one of the Mohegan Indians Em barked in the Mast Ship with M' Ingersoll I Suppose to Revive the old Controversy with the Colony whom I Sup pose you will have heard of before you Receive this, as that affair is long and tedious to Relate and as I am not Certain what Motion will be made or whether Any I shall only at present Desire you to enquire of M'' Ingersoll and gain what Knowledge you can of him about it which with your former acquaintance with it and what may be Learnt from the Entries in the Commissioners proceedings from whose De termination Mason took an appeal in the Year 1743 which was objected to, will I Suppose furnish you with proper Materials to Oppose any Motion that may now at this Time a Day be made in that Matter but if you shall want further Information or Instruction pray Insist on Time to Send for it, I have wrote Something to M' Ingersoll on this Head. You have also inclosed a List of the Bills of Exchange drawn on the Checked Paper beginning with No i and end ing with 72. I might have Added with Regard to the Mohegan Controversy that it is not a Dispute between the Colony and the Indians but with the Masons who pretend to have a Right of Guardianship over the Indians but in COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. 307 Reallity Claim great Part of the Land and Accordingly I am Informed this Gentleman who now pursues the Affair has pretended to Quit his Right to Several Persons who hold Lands in the Limits of the Mason Claim and by that Means has Raised Money for his present occasion if I can obtain proper evidence of that Shall Send it to you if this Appears it will Discover the fallacy of their pretence to Serve the Indians who would not have had a foot of Land left had not the Colony taken more Care than every one else to Secure it for them by which Means they have about four thousand acres of good Land Secured to them which is more than a sufficiency for them I am Sir with Sincere Respect and Regard your most obedient and most Humble Servant THOS FITCH Richard Jackson Esq'' [Indorsed] Letter to M' Agent Jackson 7"' Decemb^ 1764 COLONY OF CONNECTICUT TO PARLIAMENT. ["An humble and earnest Address to the Parliament of Great Britain, in behalf and in the name of the Governor and Company of this Colony, against said bill for a stamp duty, or any other bill for an internal tax on this Colony passing into an act," was ordered b^ the General Assembly of October 1764 to be prepafed~by Governor Thomas Fitch and transmitted, together with the printed Reasons why The British Colonies, in America, Should not be charged with Internal faxes. By Authority of Parliament, X.o the Colony's agent^ltTlEngland to be presented before Parliament. It was signed by Fitch. The Address accompanied Fitch's letter of Dec. 7, 1764, to Richard Jackson. See Colonial] Records, XII. 299; Fitch to Jackson, Dec. 7, 1764.] THOMAS FITCH TO JARED INGERSOL. [The General Assembly at its session in October 1764 instructed Governor Thomas Fitch to write to Jared In- 3o8 FITCH PAPERS. gersol, then in England, "and desire his good advice and assistance" to agent Richard Jackson "on any matters that may concern this Colony," and to inform him that such services would be "gratefully accepted and rewarded by the Assembly. " The letter was inclosed with Fitch's letter to Richard Jackson of December 7, 1764. See Colonial Records, XII. 299; Fitch to Jackson, Dec. 7, 1764.] THOMAS GAGE TO THOMAS FITCH. New York Decem' 7"' 1764. Sir, It gives me great pleasure to be able to acquaint you, that by an Express arrived from the Heads of the Musking- ham, I am Informed that the Shawnes & Delawares, & other Tribes on the Ohio have been Reduced to the most humiliating Peace by His Majesty's Arms under the Com mand of Colonel Bouquet, & that a general Peace is now made with all the Nations who had risen in Arms against Us. The Perfidy of the Shawnese and Delawares, the Contempt they Shewed Us, & the breaking thro' all the ties & Engage ments, which even Savage Nations hold Sacred amongst Each other, made it Absolutely Necessary to Reduce them by Force, & to march into their Country; The Troops under Colonel Bouquet have penetrated into the heart of their Settlement, and obliged them to deliver up all their Prisoners, even their own Children born of White Women, & to Send Deputies to Sir William Johnson to Settle a peace upon Such further terms as Should be Imposed upon them; For the Performance of the last, and as a Security that no further Hostilities Should be Committed, a Number of their principal Chiefs have been delivered up as Hostages, above Two Hundred Prisoners had been delivered into our Hands, & more were Expected from the Shawnese, Several of our Parties had been Sent into the Villages of that Nation, to Assist them in Collecting the Captives & bringing them to Fort Pitt. I take the first Opportunity to Congratulate You, on the happy Conclusion of all Hostilities with the Indian PYGAN ADAMS. 309 Nations who had appeared in Arms against his Majesty, and to Enable You to give Such notice as you See Convenient to the Merchants, that the trade may be again carried on with the Several Nations. In Consequence of this Peace, I beg leave to Observe to You, that I am Informed the Government of this Province intend Publishing a Proclamation, not only to Prohibit all Hostilities against the Indians, but likewise to open a Trade with them, on Condition that the Traders take Licenses of the Governor, & give Bond and Security, that they do not Expose to Sale, or Sell to the Indians, but at the Posts that are already, or Shall be hereafter Established ; I Should be glad to know, whether You pursue the Same Method, or make any further Regulations respecting the Trade with the Indians, that I may have it in my Power to give Notice thereof to the Officers Commanding at the Several Posts, to Enable them to See that the Traders do Strictly Comply with the Terms of Trade prescribed to them by the Govern ments to which they belong. I am, with great Regard, Sir, Your most obedient Humble Servant THOS GAGE Hont^'e Thomas Fitch Esq' [Indorsed] Letter from General Gage, f^ Decemb' 1764 Reed 12 th PYGAN ADAMS TO THOMAS FITCH. New London Dec 13"' 1764 Sr Last Week (while I was at Norwich Court) I Reed your Letter Dated lo'h last Month. In which you Directed me with M' Hillhouse to Collect what Evidence wee are able respecting Masons giving Quit Claims to some persons of their Land, within the pretended Mohegan Indian Claims, for which he reed large Sums of Money &c. As also all other Evidence which might be Obtain'd in favour of the Colony Touching Sd Controvercy &c. 3IO FITCH PAPERS. In Obedience to which I Imediately Acquainted M' Hillhouse with the Contents thereof, who with sundry Others the most faithful to the Governm's Interest, and most Inteligable persons wee Could find, met us in the Parrish in Three Days after, from whome wee Collected the following perticulars Viz. That the Revd M' James Hillhouse Deed for the Consid eration of One Hundred Pounds Old Ten' in the Year 1739 Obtain'd a Quit Claim Deed of Sam" Mason Since Deed of all his Lands within Sd Indian Claim, and Also a Bond of 3000" under Sd Sam"s Hand to save him Harmless from all Judgm's in Case of any Review of M' Dudlys Judgm'. Also a Bond under the Hand of the present John Mason, and John Uncas of _;^2ooo to one Jeremiah Vallet Conditioned to Secure to him his Land within Sd Claim &c. for which Sd Vallet paid Twenty DoUers. Wee suppose there are many such Writings, but none on Record & most that have them keep them back and will not disclose them Except it be by force. Also Sundry persons of the best Creditt who have large Tracts within Sd Claim, Inform'd us that John Mason had been with them Just before he went of and Urged them to Agree with them, Insisting on verry large Sums from some of them, to Others he Offer'd to Give Quit Claims on more Easie Terms Wee Also heard of a Deed to Jonathan Rogers from Onecho of a Large Tract of Land lying within Sd Claim which bears date, before Masons Deed, which we dont know if it were Ever made Use of in any Court during this Controversy or whether it would be of any Consequence, but if you should think it may be of Any Service, wee sup pose a Copy thereof may be obtained. I must Also Acquaint you that yesterday I Reed a Letter from the Sachem, one Paragraph of which I think well to let you know and is as Follows Viz. "Samson has got all the Tribe, Squaws &c: to Sign in favor of Mason, and has wrote a Letter to the King of Great Brittan Complaining of this Governm'; He says, notwith standing this Tribe Join'd the Governm' in Early Days yet RICHARD JACKSON. 31 1 afterwards the English has taken all their Lands from them, and in fact owns none, as this small Tract belongs to the Town of New London, for the Fee is not in the Tribe he Writes that they are willing to be his Subjects providing they be on the same footing with the English Subjects, and says he is as good as the Ministers, only a little Blacker, and that he will turn Churchman and be above them." Thus S' I have sett before you the Substance of what Inteligence I at present can get in the Affair, if you shall think any or all may be of Service in the Cause you will please to give me further advice, with directions to proseed; I have tho' whether those Quit Claim Deeds being put on Record & a Copy from the Town Clerk would not be the best Method (as the Owners dont care to part with the Originals). Also whether wee have power by Law to call Individuals before us and Oblige them under Oath to dis close what they shall know touching these things, but as I greatly Value, and Shall wholey depend on your further Councel & directions herein shall wait that time, and Sub scribe myself Your Hon'^ Friend & ' Most Hum'e Ser' PYGAN ADAMS Thomas Fitch Esq [Indorsed] Letter from M' Pyggan Adams 13"! Dec»=' 1764 Reed about 7"' Jan'y 1762 RICHARD JACKSON TO THOMAS FITCH. Temple 14 Dec' 1764 Sir This serves only to advise you of my having wrote to you at large by the Packet that sailed last Saturday,* since that time I perceive that the final hearing of the Cause ag' y« Nephew of Partridge cannot be heard till after our Christmas Holidays as there are but two days left for Causes before the Master of ye Rolls who has 7 Causes be fore ours; I hope I make myself understood that there is no *This presumably refers to his letter of Nov. 27. 312 FITCH PAPERS. subject of Dispute left, but barely to confirm the Account taken before the Master: but this cannot now be done before Feby next & a week or fortnight after will conclude this long Business. The Death of the late Master of ye Rolls will thus delay us 2 months. M' Ingersol is arrived & we have had 2 or 3 Conversa tions on the Subject of the Colony^ Interest When he returns I shall talk to him fully on the Subject perhaps more so than one can well express oneself with propriety on Paper, the Bills continue to come in on checked Paper & shall be punc tually accepted & paid. They are already much beyond No 14. I am Sir with sincere Esteem Y' inost Obed' most hble Serv' RD JACKSON [Indorsed] Letter from M' Jackson 9'^ December 1764 Reed 2nd April 1765 THOMAS FITCH TO THOMAS GAGE. Norwalk 2o"i Decemb' 1764 Sir Your Letter of the 7"! giving me the agreeable account of the Peace Settled with the Indians Gave me great Satis faction, and I heartly Rejoyce with you in this happy Event whereby the Savage Barbarity and Cruelty with which many of his Majesty's Subjects have been treated and others Ter rified are come to An End, and hope those Measures which have been come into will finally be so Compleat as to per petuate a lasting Tranquility in North America. This Colony being Scituate at so great Distance from all the Indian Tribes between which and us the other Gov ernments and their Settlements are so Extensive that it appears to me Needless to Issue a Proclamation prohibiting our Inhabitants from using any further Acts of Hostility against the Indians as has been done in those Governments whose Borders and Inhabitants are Contiguous to Some of ROBERT CLELLAND. 313 the Indian Settlements and Claims The People of this Colony have had no Occasion or Opportunity to fight with or Oppose the Indians only when Called forth in a Regular and public Manner as was the Case in the Summer Past which Ending with that Campaign they will Naturally cease all Kinds of Hostility unless called thereto in the like Manner. The Merchants in the Colony if any Such there be who are Dis posed to Trade with the Indians will by the public Accounts in the Prints generally Dispersed thro' the Colony have Sufficient Notice the Trade is Open, and if any from among us are Inclined to take out Licences for that Purpose (with out which they are not by the Kings Proclamation to be permitted to Trade) I shall take Care to Conform to His Majestys Proclamation by Requiring and taking the Securi ties therein Directed to be taken and oblidge them to Per form the Conditions on which Such Liberties are to be granted, of which I Suppose you will Judge Proper to give Notice to the officers commanding the Several Posts to En able them to see that the Traders Strictly Comply with the Terms of Trade prescribed by the Crown. I am Sir with great Regard your most Obedient and most humb'e Servant THOS FITCH His Excellency Gen' Gage [Indorsed] Letter to General Gage 2o"i Decemb' 1764 ROBERT CLELLAND TO THOMAS FITCH. New London 26 Decem' 1764 Hond Sir The kindness received from this kind & Mercifull Gov ernment arid the ungratitude of Samson Occom in Stirring up the Mohegan tribe agst this Coleny, fills me with indig nation. It is the desire of many his conduct should be sett in a trew light before your Honr, this Attempt I make as in duty bound He has wrote a Letter agst this Colony with his own hand to the King of G Brittain, and amongst many other 3l4 FlTCH PAPERS. / things, he says they have not a foot of land, as the fee is in the town of N'' London & Says that they are willing to be his Subjects if they be on the same footing with the English, he has had Captt Tracey & the Mason's constantly resorting at him & had it not been for him Jc Mason had not gone for England all the Indians but 3 ingages to Stand by one another agst this Gov" He is so pufft up with pride that he says he has as good a Standing as any of the Minrs, and that he will turn Church man and be above them, M' Graves no dont has given him that advice, as a very great intimacy with him Subsists He has behaved very ungratfully to the worthy & kind overseers who has spent no smal time to protect them & manage their affairs, repeated complaints he has Sent up to Sir William Johnston & it is said he is gone up to him this Season, It is trew I suppose that he said he would ly down & die if he got not his Will, He quarrels also with Mr Jew- ett and has brock up his Stated Lectures as not any Indian's attend, Mr Jewett has accquented the Comssrs at Boston & Says he will lay his conduct befor the Scotts Comsrs at Lebanon, He has brock up the School as he has prevail'd upon the Indians to keep their Children from it, the Com- msrs are unwilling I should leave Mohegan if the Indians could be prevail'd on to Send their Children, If Samson could be gain'd the rest would come easyly over, at present he is all in all with them, perhaps the Scales may turn, they are a Changable, willful people, one day Hosanna & nother Crucify, if Mason dont Succeed he will loose his influence amongst this tribe. The Revd Mr Wheelock by his influence, intrest, & as is reported by his purse has built him a house in Mohegan, Contrary to the intention of the Boston Comsrs, as they were for his Settleing at Nahantick but he had better built him one (many Say) amongst the Onida or other Indians ; Last Summer by the influence of Mr Whitfield &c, the Comsrs at Boston gave Occom 30;^ to Settle at Nahantick (as they were destitute of a min') & to preach Occationally to the other adjacent tribes. The Scots Comsrs at Lebanon ROBERT CLELLAND. 3I5 desired he might be released as they design'd to give him a Mission amongst the Moyhacks, all this was done but my gentleman went no further then N York & then returnd Samson last summer told me he found no fault with my care I took of the Children, only I join'd with the overseers agst the tribe wheras I always found them ready to consult their best intrest There is one thing I would Just mention to Shew the height of insolence the Indians have come too, Old Zachery who is a Steady friend of the Colony had a mear found Shott in the fields & no one can be found out as acter, his mare was in the pasture with Indian Jades, and one wheeler a neigh bour had a horse got into their fields and never more heard of, it was reported by an Indian Child that the horse was Shott & drag'd into the river, they say they care for none but King George I am now old and know not where to move to, I been faithfull in my office, and only proposes to your Honr one thing if you would please to doe for me tho low in the world, & that is to write Mr Wheelock to meet at Mohegan with Mr Jewett & my Good friends the Overseers when Samson comes home, to try for a reconciliation it would be agreable to the Honb'e Comsrs, I dout not but it might be effected. What I have write is not without proof, I dont impose upon yr Hon' by the least falsehood, I have no envy agst Samson only wishes he might be brought to a more peacable temper. Pray take notice of me if you please I am Hond Sir yr Hon's most oblidged Humble Serv' ROBERT CLELLAND P S Mr Jewett knows the truth of what is wrote, com plain'd of him to the Boston Comrs, & intends to doe it to the Scots Commrss at Lebanon, Pardon my Boldness [Superscribed] To His Hon' Gov Thomas Fitch Esq' Norwalk [Indorsed] Letter from M' Cleland of Mohegan 26"' Decemb' 1764 Reed 14th Jan'y 1765 3i6 FITCH PAPERS. RICHARD JACKSON TO THOMAS FITCH. Inner Temple 9 feby 1765 Sir I have only time to advise you of the Receipt of your last inclosing a further Advice of Bills which will be paid as they appear & to acquaint you of the Resolution of ye House of Commons last Wednesday that a Stamp Duty shd be laid on the Colonies. No Bill is yet brought in, next week ye Bill itself will be debated. Several Gentlemen & among them myself opposed this Resolution & divided the House but without Success I am Sir Y' most Obed' Most hble Serv RD JACKSON To ye Honourable Thomas Fitch Esq [Indorsed] Letter from M' Agent Jackson g'n Feb'y 1765 Reed 1 6th April 1765 RICHARD JACKSON TO THOMAS FITCH. Inner Temple 9'i> Febry 1765 Sir I write shortly now to acquaint you, that last Wednes day came on in the House of Commons, the great Question whether the American Colonies should be taxed by Parlia ment, by way of Internal Duty ; No Member insisted on an Exemption by Right, except that M' Beckford touched that Point a little, but the Resolution was opposed and the De bate lasted till 9 o'Clock at which time the House divided 244 or 5 ags' us, to only 49 for us, M' Beckford Col. Barr6 M' Fuller Sir Wj" Meredith and myself spoke against Inter nal Dutys, I relied on the Statutes of the 34 & 35 H. 8. C. 13 and 25 Car: 2 C 9, for giving Members to the Counties & Citys of Chester & Durham, which at the same time they established the Right of taxing such part of the British Dominions as have no Election of Members, shew the sense of the Legislature, that the Right cannot be exercised with out great Publick & Private Mischiefs and therefore shod not be, without giving the Right that is given by those Laws, I JARED INGERSOLL. 317 was but short at that time, but shall be somewhat longer when the Bill itself is brought into the House, that will be some time next week, I hope at least the Exercise of the Right will not be continued with so little Interruption as the Right itself has been declared. We are in hopes to obtain some Alteration in the Regu lation Bill of last Year, I have concerted some Measures for that purpose with some of the Principal Merchants of Lon don, who all agree that their Returns from America are fallen very short since the passing that Act. I shall present the Petition of the Colony with another from the Province of the Massachusetts Bay next Tuesday before the Bill for laying the Tax be brought in, no Opportunity has offered before, when it could be properly done & the presenting it then will do more service than it would have done before. I have intelligence from M'' Ingersol of M^ Mason being arrived with a Mohegan Indian to renew their Claim against ye Colony, I cannot find any step has yet been taken though I have inquired at y® Council Office I shd not do Justice to M' Grenville the Chancellor of ye Exchequer, if I did not add that when he opened the design of taxing the Colony, he spoke of ye Colonies in general in Terms of great Kindness & Regard & in particular assured ye House there was no Intention to abridge or alter any of their Charters. I am with many sincere wishes for ye Pros perity of ye Colony & with sincere Esteem for y self Sir y most Obed Most hble Serv RD JACKSON [Indorsed] Letter from M' Agent Jackson 9"! Feb'y 1765. Reed i6"> of April 1765. JARED INGERSOLL TO THOMAS FITCH.* London ii"i Feb: 1765 Sr Since my last to you, I have been honoured with yours of the 7"' of December, in which you inform me that the *This letter was first published in 1766, in Mr. Ingersoll's Letters relating to the Stamp-Act. 3l8 FITCH PAPERS. Gen' Assembly have been pleased to desire my Assistance while here in any Matters that may concern the Colony. Be so good, S', in return as to Assure the Assembly that I have not only a Due Sense of the honour they have done me by placing this Confidence in me, but that I have ever since my arrival here, from Motives of Inclination, as well as Duty, done every thing in my Power to promote the Colo- ony's Interests. The principal Attention has been to the Stamp bill that has been preparing to Lay before Parliament for taxing America. The Point of the Authority of Parliament to im pose such Tax I found on my Arrival here was so fully and Universally yielded, that there was not the least hopes of making any impressions that way. Indeed it has appeared since that the House would not suffer to be brought in, nor would any one Member Undertake to Offer to the House, any Petition from the Colonies that held forth ye Contrary of that Doctrine. I own I advised the Agents if possible to get that point Canvassed that so the Americans might at least have the Satisfaction of having the point Decided upon a full Debate, but I found it could not be done, and here before I proceed to acquaint you with the Steps that have been taken, in this Matter, I beg leave to give you a Summary of the Arguments which are made Use of in favour of such Authority. '' The House of Commons, say they, is a branch of the supreme legislature of the Nation, & which in its Nature is supposed to represent, or rather to stand in the place of, the Commons, that is, of the great body of the people, who are below the dignity of peers; that this house of Commons Consists of a certain number of Men Chosen by certain people of certain places, which Elect ors, by the Way, they Insist, are not a tenth part of the people, and that the Laws, rules and Methods by which their number is ascertained have arose by degrees & from various Causes & Occasions, and that this house of Com mons, thefore, is now fixt and ascertained «& is a part of the Supreme unlimited power of the Nation, as in every JARED INGERSOLL. 319 State there must be some unlimited Power and Authorityj^ and that when it is said they represent the Commons of England, it cannot mean that they do so because those Commons choose them, for in fact by far the greater part do not, but because by their Constitution they must themselves be Commoners, and not Peers, and so the Equals, or of the same Class of Subjects, with the Commons of the Kingdom. 1 They further urge, that the) only reason why America has not been heretofore taxed ', in the fullest Manner, has been merely on Account off' their Infancy and Inability; that there have been, how-' ever, not wanting Instances of the Exercise of this Power, in the various regulations of the American trade, the Establishment of the post Office &c, and they denv anv,. Distinction between what is called an internal & external Tax as tgTlTg-pslfrt"" of the Authoritv in'P^iPg_such taxeF.ir, And as to the Charters in the few provinces where there are any, they say, in the first place, the King cannot grant any that shall exempt them from the Authority of one of the branches of the great body of Legislation, and in the second place say the King has not done, or at tempted to do it. In that of Pensilvania the Authority of , Parliament to impose taxes is expressly mentioned & re^ served ; in ours tis said, our powers are generally such as are According to the Course of other Corporations in England (both which Instances by way of Sample were mentioned & referred to by M' Grenville in the House) ; in short they^say a Power to taxis,^ necessarv Part of every Supreme Le,gia,- lative Authority, and that if they have not that_ Power over America^ they have none, & then America is at once_a Kingdom of itself . --"^¦'^ ** On the other hand those who^ppose the bill say, it is true the Parliament have a supreme unlimited Authority over every Part & Branch of the Kings dominions and as well over Ireland as any other place, yet we believe a British parliament will never think it prudent to tax Ireland. Tis true they say, that the Commons of England & of the british Empire are all represented in and by the house of 320 FITCH PAPERS. Commons, but this representation is confessedly on all hands by Construction & Virtually only as to those who have no hand in choosing the representatives, and that the Effects of this implied T^pprp,<;Rntatinn here- & in Arj}prioa must be infinitely different in the Article of Taxation. Here in England the Member of Parliament is equally known to the Neighbour who elects & to him who does not ; the Friendships, the Connections, the Influences are spread through the whole. If by any Mistake an Act of Parliament is made that prove injurious and hard the Member of Par liament here sees with his own Eyes and is moreover very ¦ accessible to the people, not only so, but the taxes are laid equally by one Rule and fall as well on the Member himself I as on the people. But as to America, from the great dis- i tance in point of Situation, from the almost total unacquaint- edness. Especially in the more northern Colonies, with the Members of Parliament, and they with them, or with the particular Ability & Circumstances of one another, from the Nature of this very tax laid upon others not Equally & in Common with ourselves, but with express purpose to Ease ourselves, we think, say they, that it will be only to \ lay a foundation of great Jealousy and Continual Uneasi- iness, and that to no purpose, as we already by the Regula- itions upon their trade draw from the Americans all that they can spare, at least they say this Step should not take place untill or unless the Americans are allowed to send Members to Parliament; for who of you, said Coll Barre Nobly in his Speech in the house upon this Occasion, who of you reasoning upon this Subject feels warmly from the Heart (putting his hand to his own breast)_/i?r the Americans as they would for themselves or as you would for the people of your own native Country? and to this point M' Jackson produced Copies of two Acts of Parliament granting the priviledge of having Members to the County Palitine of Cjifister & the Bishoprick of Durham upon Petitions pre ferred for that purpose in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth and Charles the first, the preamble of which Statutes counts upon the Petitions from those places as setting forth JARED INGERSOLL. 32 I that being in their general Civil Jurisdiction Exempted from the Common Law Courts &c, yet being Subject to the general Authority of Parliament, were taxed in Common with the rest of ye Kingdom, which taxes by reason of their having no Members in Parliament to represent their Affairs, often jroved hard andlnjurious &c and upon that ground they had the priviledge of sending Members granted them -^STFthisTsay they, could be a reason in the' case of Ches ter and Durham, how much more so in the case of America. Thus I have given you, I think, the Substance of the Arguments on both sides of that great and important Ques tion of the right & also of the Expediency of taxing America by Authority of Parliament. I cannot, however. Content myself without giving you a Sketch of what the aforemen tioned M' Byre said in Answer to some remarks made by M' Ch.^Townsend in a Speech of his upon this Subject. I ought here to tell you that the Debate upon the American Stamp bill came on before the house for the first time last Wednesday, when the same was open'd by M'' Grenville the Chanceller of the Exchequer, in a pretty lengthy Speech, & in a very able and I think in a very candid manner he opened the Nature of the Tax, Urged the Necessity of it. Endeavoured to obviate all Objections to it — and took Occasion to desire the House to give ye bill a most Serious and Cool Consideration & not suffer themselves to be influ enced by any resentments which might have been kindled from any thing they might have heard out of doors — allud ing I suppose to the N. York and Boston Assemblys' Speeches & Votes — that this was a matter of revenue which was of all things the most interesting to ye Subject &c. The Argument was taken up by several who opposed the bill (viz) by Alderman Beckford, who, and who only, seem ed to deny ye Authority of Parliament, by Col. Barre, M' Jackson, S' William Meredith and some others. M' Barre, who by the way I think, & I find I am not alone in my Opinion, is one of the finest Speakers that the House can boast of, having been some time in America as an Officer in the Army, & having while there, as I had known before. 322 FITCH PAPERS. contracted many Friendships with American Gentlemen, & I believe Entertained much more favourable Opinions of them than some of his profession have done. Delivered a very handsome & moving Speech upon the bill & against the same. Concluding by saying that he was very sure that Most who Should hold up their hands to the Bill must be under a Necessity of acting very much in the dark, but added, perhaps as well in the Dark as any way. After him M' Charles Townsend spoke in favour of the Bill — ^took Notice of several things M' Barre had said, and concluded with the following or like Words :— And now will these Americans, Children planted by our Care, nourished up by our Indulgence untill they are grown to a Degree of Strength & Opulence, and protected by our Arms, will they grudge to contribute their mite to releive us from the heavy weight of that burden which we lie under? When he had done, M' Barre rose and having explained something which he had before said & which M' Townsend had been remarking upon, he then took up the beforementioned Con cluding words of M' Townsend, and in a most spirited & I thought an almost inimitable manner, said — "They planted by your Care? No! your Oppressions planted em in America. They fled from your Tyranny to a then uncultivated and unhospitable Country — where they exposed themselves to almost all the hardships to which human Nature is liable, and among others to the Cruelties of a Savage foe, the most subtle and I take upon me to say the most formidable of any People upon the face of Gods Earth. And yet, actuated by Principles of true english Lyberty, they met all these hardships with pleasure, com pared with those they suffered in their own Country, from the hands of those who should have been their Friends. "They nourished by your indulgence? they grew by your neglect of Em : — as soon as you began to care about Em, that Care was Excercised in sending persons to rule over Em, in one Department and another, who were per haps the Deputies of Deputies to some Member of this house — sent to Spy out their Lyberty, to misrepresent their JARED INGERSOLL. 323 Actions & to prey upon Em ; men whose behaviour on many Occasions has caused the Blood of those Sons of Liberty* to recoil within them ; men promoted to the highest Seats of Justice, some, who to my knowledge were glad by going to a foreign Country to Escape being brought to the Bar of a Court of Justice in their own. " They protected by your Arms? they have nobly taken up Arms in your defence, have Exerted a Valour amidst their constant & Laborious 'industry for the defence of a Country, whose frontier, while drench'd in blood, its interior Parts have yielded all its little Savings to your Emolument. And beleive me, remember I this Day told you so, that same Spirit of freedom which actuated that people at first, will accompany them still. — But prudence forbids me to explain myself further. God knows I do not at this Time speak from motives of party Heat, what I deliver are the genuine Sentiments of my heart ; however superiour to me in general knowledge and Experience the reputable body of this house may be, yet I claim to know more of America than most of you, having seen and been conversant in that Country. The People I beleive are as truly Loyal as any Subjects the King has, but a people Jealous of their Lyberties and who will vindicate them, if ever they should be violated — but the Subject is too delicate & I will say no more." These sentiments were thrown out so intirely without premeditation, so forceably and so firmly, and the breaking off so beautifully abrupt, that the whole house sat awhile as Amazed, intently Looking and without answering a Word. , I own I felt Emotions that I never felt before & went the next Morning & thank'd Coll Barre in behalf of my Country for his noble and spirited Speech. However, S' after all that was said, upon a Division of the house upon the Question, there was about 250 to about 50 in favour of the Bill. ?[Note added by Mr. Ingersoll, on publishing this letter in 1766.] I believe I may claim the Honour of having been the Author of this Title, how ever little personal Good I got by it, having been the only Person, by what I can discover, who transmitted Mr. Barre's Speech to America. 324 FITCH PAPERS. ^ The truth is I beleive some who inclined rather against the Bill voted for it, partly because they are loth to break the Measures of the Ministry, and partly because they dont undertake to inform themselves in the fullest manner upon the Subject. The Bill comes on to a second Reading to morrow, when ours and the Massachusetts Petitions will be presented & perhaps they may be some further Debate upon the Subject, but to no purpose I am very sure, as to the Stopping or preventing the Act taking Place. The Agents of the Colonies have had several Meetings, at one of which they were pleased to desire M' Franklin & myself as having lately Come from America & knowing more Intimately the Sentiments of the people, to wait on M' Grenville, together with M' Jackson & M' Garth who being Agents are also Members of Parliament, to remon strate against the Stamp Bill, & to propose in Case any Tax must be laid upon Americ.Bi, that the, ,several Colonies might be permitted to lay the Tax themselves. This we did Saturday before last. M'' Grenville gave us a full hearing- told us he took no pleasure in giving the Americans so much uneasiness as he found he did — that it was the Duty of his Office to manage the revenue — that he really was made to beleive that considering ye whole of the Circumstances of the Mother Country & the Colonies, the later could and ought to pay something, & that he knew of no better way than that now pursuing to lay such Tax, but that if we Icould tell of a better he would adopt it. We then urged the Method first mentioned as being a Method the people had been used to — that it would at least seem to be their own Act & prevent that uneasiness & Jealousy which otherwise we found would take place — that they could raise the Money best by their own Officers &c &c M' Jackson told him plainly that he foresaw [by] the Measure now pursuing, by enabling the Crown to keep up an armed Force of its own in America & to pay the Gover- nours in the Kings Goverments & all with the Americans own Money, the Assembles in the Colonys would be sub verted — that tbe Gov'^ would have no Occasion, as for any JARED INGERSOLL. 325 Ends of their own or of the Crown, to call 'Em & that they never would be called to gether in the Kings Goverments. M' Grenville warmly rejected the thought, said no such thing was intended nor would he beleived take place. In deed I understand since, there is a Clause added to the Bill Applying the monies that shall be raised to the protect ing & Defending America only. M' Grenville asked us if we could agree upon the several proportions Each Colony should raise. We told him no. He said he did not think any body here was furnished with Materials for that pur pose ; not only so but there would be no Certainty that every Colony would raise the Sum enjoined & to be obliged to be '• at the Expence of making Stamps, to compel some one or two provinces to do their Duty & that perhaps for one year only, would be very inconvenient; not only so, but the Colonies by their constant increase will be Constantly vary ing in their proportions of Numbers & ability & which a Stamp bill will always keep pace with &c &c Upon the whole he said he_h;id pledg^ed-hi«- Wor-d- for OfFerinjT tbe. Stamp Rill to the liQuse, that the hpuse would hear all our Objections & would do as they thought best; Ee S'aid, he" wished we would preserve a Coolness and Mod eration in America; that he had no need to tell us, that re sentments indecently & unbecomingly Express'd on one Side the Water would naturally produce resentments on tother Side, & that we could not hope to get any good by a Controversy with the Mother Country; that their Ears will always be open to any remonstrances from the Americans with respect to this bill both before it takes Effect & after, if it shall take Effect, which shall be exprest in a becoming manner, that is, as becomes Subjects of the same common Prince. \ I acquainted you in my last that.M' Whately,_one of the Secretaries of the Treasury, and who had under his Care and Direction the business of preparing the Stamp Bill, had often conferred with me on the Subject. He wanted, I know, information of the several methods of transfer, Law process &c made Use of in the Colony, & I believe has been 326 FITCH PAPERS. also very willing to hear all Objections that could be made to the Bill or any part of it. This task I was glad to under take, as I very well knew the information I must give would operate strongly in our favour, as the number of our Law Suits, Deeds, Tavern Licences & in short almost all the Objects of the intended taxation & Dutys are so very numer ous in the Colony that the knowledge of them would tend to the imposing a Duty so much the Lower as the Objects were more in Number. This Effect I flatter myself it has had in some measure. M' Whately to be sure tells me I mav fairlv claim the Honour of having occasioned the Duty's beine much lower than was intended. & three particular things that were intended to be taxed, I ^ave him no peace till he dropt; these were Licences for marriadge — a Duty that would be odious in a new Country where every Encourage ment ought to be given to Matrimony & where there was little portion; Commissions of the Justices of peace, which Office was generally speaking not profitable & yet necessary for the good Order and Goverment of the people; and Notes of hand which with us were given & taken so very often for very small Sums. After all I beleive the people in America will think the Sums that will be raised will be quite Enough, & I wish they may'nt find it more Distressing than the people in power here are aware of. / The Merchants in London are alarmed at these things ; they have had a meeting with the Agents & are about to petition Parliament upon the Acts that respect the trade of North America. What the Event of these things will be I dont know, but am pretty certain that wisdom will be proper & even very necessary, as well as prudence & good Discretion to direct the Councils of America. 5^, I shall hope to see you the beginning of Summer at farthest Y' Most Obedient Humble Ser' J: INQERSOLL. Gov Fitch CADWALLADER COLDEN. 327 CADWALLADER COLDEN TO THOMAS FITCH. New York 12"^ February 1765. Sir Haveing laid before his Majesty's Council the inclosed Petition of John Anderson, holding by Grant under the Great Seal of this Province, three Islands in the Sound, and Complaining that he has lately been Sued by Justus Bush, David Bush, William Bush and John Gregg, Inhabit ants of the Colony of Connecticut, for a supposed Tresspass on one of those Islands called Captains Islands ; and praying the interposition of this Government, in order to secure to him the Effect of the Royal Bounty. I am by the advice of Council, to propose to your Government, the submitting the matter of Jurisdiction with respect to these Islands, and such others in the Sound as are, or may be Contested, to the Determination of his Majesty in his Privy Council, on such State of the Controversy as each Government shall think fit to transmit to his Majesty's Ministers for this Pur pose; and that in the mean time all Judical proceedings be suspended, as ineffectual, and necessarily tending to Creat Animosities between Individuals, and to embroil the two Governments. As the Method proposed will answer the same end as a Commission in the usual Form, and being attended with little or no Expence, seems better adapted to a case in which the public Interest in either Colony is inconsiderable, I flatter myself it will meet with the Approbation of yours ; in which Case I shall order the proper papers to be pre pared, and shall transmst them without delay I am with great Regard Sir Your most obedient humble Servant CADWALLADER COLDEN The Hont'ie Thomas Fitch Esq' Governor of Connecti cut. [Indorsed] Letter from L' Gov Colden i2"i Feb'y 1765. Reed 18"^ 328 fitch papers. JARED INGERSOLL TO RICHARD LAW. London 15"^ Feb: 1765 Sr 1 have not been able till now to write you fully of your affairs committed to my Care You will See by the inclosed Extract from Mess's Hinton Browne & Son Bankers theer Ace' with M' Bodoin that the whole Sum Decreed to Cap' Prentiss & Crew was ;^5o5o and that there remained 4937 8 6 Clear of Charges, the Evidence of this will always Appear from the Decree or Judgment at the office of the Lords Com'e of Council & from the Bankers books above mentioned as to Cap' Prentiss's Will when I first Shew it to M' Jackson he Entertained Some Doubts, but on full Consider ation & Conference with another Councillor he gives me the following opinion that According to the Letter of the will the Case that has happened; viz one Brother dying first and leaving Issue & afterwards the other Brother without Issue is not provided for. Yet upon the whole taken together it is plain that the Testator did not intend that his Daughters Should have the Lands but in Case of both the Brothers dying without Issue, therefore Says that by Construction, (and that will generally be Admitted in the Case of Wills to Come at the Testators intent) there was Contengent Cross remainders in Each of the Sons, and that the Issue of John will take before the Daughters I hope to be with you Soon when I Shall be Able to Say more to you upon both these heads, with Comp' to M'^ Law & all friends I Subscribe Y' Most Obed' Humb' Serv' J: INGERSOLL no doubt M' Jackson Says but the burdensome Condi tion of paying the Sums of money by the Sons makes a fee which however was a Limited fee as before observed prerogative court of canterbury records, 329 PREROGATIVE COURT OF CANTERBURY RECORDS. Extracted from the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. John by Divine Providence Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of all England and Metropolitan do by these pres ents make known to all Men that it hath been alledged before the Right WorshipfuU John Bettesworth also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of our Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by William Bow- doin That John Prentis late of New London in the Colony of Connecticut in New England but in the Parish of Saint Martins in the fields in the County of Middlesex in the King dom of Great Britain and late Commander of his Majestys Armed Sloop the Defence deceased did whilst living and of sound Mind Memory and Understanding duly make and Execute his last Will and Testament in Writing touching his Estate in the said Kingdom of Great Britain and in the united Netherlands and thereof nominate and appoint him the said William Bowdoin Executor in the Words following to wit I John Prentis of New London in the Colony of Con necticut in New England Mariner at present residing in the Parish of S' Martin in the fields in the County of Middlesex in the Kingdom of Great Britain when in New England made my Will touching my Estate there and having some Moneys Goods and Effects in this Kingdom and in the Uni ted provinces and being at present sick of the Small Pox but of a sound Mind make this my last Will touching all my Estate in this Kingdom and in the united Netherlands all which I give to my Wife and Children to be shared equally among them And I appoint M' William Bowdoin of Boston in New England Merchant but now residing in the parish of Saint Martins aforesaid to be the Executor of this my Tes tament And We further make known that on the fifth day of August in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and forty six at London before the aforesaid Surro gate the said last Will and Testament of the said John Prentis deceased hereunto annexed was proved approved and registered the said deceased having whilst living and at 33 March 1759 To the i 28"! July 1765 in Sterling amounts to the >-;^i72467 10 8 i Sum of ) N B: Some time before the Date of the above Drafts there was Drawn on M' agent Partridge by special Act of Assem bly the Sum of 1000 o o o ^^173467 10 8 r 354 FITCH PAPERS. THOMAS FITCH TO RICHARD JACKSON. [Governor Thomas Fitch wrote on July 29, 1765, to Richard Jackson. The contents of this letter are not known ; but it may be presumed to have related to the agent's ac counts with the Colony. See Jackson's letter to Fitch of Oct. 3, 1765.] HENRY SEYMOUR CONWAY TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. S' James's, lo"" August 1765. Gentlemen, Yours of the 13"' November 1764, inclosing the Instru ments for the Stamp Duties, has been received, as also another of the same Date, promising a Map of the Province, as soon as it can be prepared. I have no new Directions to give You from His Majesty; but must recommend a Con tinuance of your most serious Attention to the Object men tioned in the Letter of His Majesty's then Secretary of State of the ii"i of August. I am, with great Truth and Regard, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant. H. S. CONWAY. Governor and Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] Letter from M'' Secretary Conway io"i August 1765 Reed yth Octob' 1765. COMMISSIONERS FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Whitehall August 23. 1765 Gentlemen, His Majesty having appointed us His Commissioners for promoting the Trade of this Kingdom, and for inspect ing and improving His Majesty's foreign Colonies and Plantations, it is our Duty to acquaint you therewith, and JONATHAN trumble. 355 to desire, that you will, from time to time by every Oppor tunity that offers, transmit to us an exact and faithfull Account of all Occurrences within the Colony under your Government. We are. Gentlemen Your humble Servants DARTMOUTH JOHN ROBERTS. J. DYSON WM fitzh'erbert Gov' & Company of Connecticut JONATHAN TRUMBLE TO THOMAS FITCH. Sir The People in this part of the Colony, are very Jealous for their Liberties; and Desire That The most Vigorous Exertions be made for the Repeal of the Late Act of Par- Hament, for Granting & Applying Certain Stamp Duties & Other Duties in the British Colonies & Plantations in Amer ica &c, which they look on to be utterly subversive of their Rights & Priviledges both by Charter, and as English Men ; - & That a Special Assembly be Called as soon as possible, to Appoint Comissioners to Meet with such as are or shall be Appointed from the other American Colonies at New York On The first of October next, to prepare and Unitedly Agree on an Address to King & Petition to the Parliament for the Repeal of that Act, and for Redress of the Burdens laid On Trade &c. They Apprehend the Meeting of the Assembly at the stated season in October will be too late for such Appointment &c The Freemen at Their Meeting Yesterday in this & several Other Neighbouring Towns, have Unanimously shewn their Minds, by their Votes wei^ are Inclosed In This Critical & Dangerous Situation of our affairs Tho' we do not Doubt your Sincere concern to do Ev-thing for the Se- ; curity of Our Liberties & welfare so we hope — 356 fitch PAPERS. THOMAS FITCH TO WILLIAM PITKIN. Norwalk i2"i Sept. 1765 Sir The Uneasiness of the Country on Account of the Assembly's not being called 1 hear is so great that I have tho't it might be for the public Peace to call it have there fore ordered it to meet on thirsday the 19"' InstanTatTlart- ford"' and if it may be consistant with the Business of the Court should be glad of the attendance of the Members of Sup' Court the Scituation of Affairs Require the whole Council, be pleased to present my Complements to the other Judges with whom together with Your Self I heartily Con dole the Loss of one of your Number a worthy Counsellor and Judge.** I am with great Respect your most humble ser' THOS FITCH Dep. Gov. Pitkin CHARLES LOWNDES TO THOMAS FITCH. Sir, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury To signify to your Excellency Their Desire that yoa will give your Aid and Assistance^fofhe Distributor of Stamps within your Government in whatever may relate to His Duty in the Execution of His Office under the Act passed in the last Session of Parliament; and that your Excellency would be particular in Seeing that the Chief Distributor do appoint under Distributors in every proper Town, and Place, within your Government; And that each of the Said Under Distributors be well Supply'd with Stamps for all Demands, and that Your Excellency would be very Attentive to the Detection of any Frauds, *The reason for calling this special session of the General Assembly was for the appointing of Commissioners to meet with Commissioners from other colonies to unite in a representation against " the acts of Parliament for levying duties and taxes on the Colonies." **Daniel Edwards, who died September 6. cadwallader colden. 357 which may arise in this Branch of His Majesty's Revenues, and in case it shall have happen'd that any Chief Distributor residing in your Government hath not given Security for the due Execution of His Office that your Excellency will take care that he do forthwith execute His Bond for the same, which Bond when executed Your Excellency is de sired to return to the Stamp Office. My Lords so much depend upon your Excellencys Attention to the Publick Service that they cannot doubt of receiving Information from you in case any Remissness in the Execution of the Office of the Chief Distributor within your Government or other Mismanagements or abuses whatever shall appear To you I am Your Excellencys Most Obedient humble Servant, CHA LOWNDES Treasury Chambers. Sept' 14"' 1765 Thos Fitch Esq' Governor of Connecticut [Superscribed] On his Majestys service Cha Lowndes To His Excellency Thomas Fitch Esq' Governor of Con necticut Or to the person executing that Government Treasury [Indorsed] Letter from Charles Lowndes Esq' Secre'' of the Treasury 14"' Sep' 1765 Reed igth Decemb' 1765 CADWALLADER COLDEN TO JARED INGERSOLL. Fort George, New York, Sept. 14"' 1765. Sir, I have yours of the 9"^ desiring me to take care of the stamp Paper for your Colony when they arrive. In my opinion they may be put more safely & with greater ease on board one of the Men of War at this Place, & more easily conveyed from thence to your Colony, than by placing them in this Fort, where it is too probable there will be a necessity of placeing those designed for this Colony. This Fort at present is crowded with Men & military Stores. It may be 358 fitch papers. proper for you or some Person for you to be in this place to take care of your Stamp'd Papers, as my hands are too full with the affairs peculiar to this Province. May you in your Colony be enabled to remove from your People this strange infatuation which prevails in all the Colonies & which if continued must become in the highest degree prejudicial. I am with great Regard, Sir, RICHARD JACKSON TO THOMAS FITCH. Weasenham in Norfolk 3 Oct' 1765 Sir I received about a fortnight ago you Letter of the 29"' July & lest any of my former may have miscarried, I take this Opportunity of acknowledging the Receipt of your sev eral Letters of ye 2 2d Sep' 64 ye 7"! Dec' & the 23d of Feby last, since which Date, I have none with me at this Place, anterior to that of ye 29"" of July & if I did receive any, I have left them in London, though I did intend to bring with me all my American Letters, that I might read them & con sider them with more Leisure & Attention, than I am usu ally master of in London. I wish it was in my Power to send you the Balance of the Account between the Colony & myself from Aduce; but my Books of Account, are all in London, & though notwith standing the Number of Bills which my Banker accepts, every week, & which having before accepted, he pays for me within the same Compass ; I might make a reasonable Conjecture, what ye Balance now is; 1 think you will be able from my former Letters & the Ace' of your own Draughts to come much nearer thfe Truth, than I can promise to do untile my Return to Town, which will be before the End of this Month, so that by the next Packet, at farthest, (perhaps by some earlier Opportunity) I shall be able to send the Amount of the several Sums received ; by me on Account of the Colony; the Bills paid or accepted; the Bills of which I have advice, but which are not yet come to hand, the other sums disbursed, & finally the Ballance in my hands. THOMAS FITCH. 359 This is a time of year in which very little Publick Busi ness is done or even thought of, I am at present above loo Miles from London in a Country Retirement, where I have very little Publick News & none that I can depend on, about a Month ago, the Day before I left London, I was at the ' Board of Trade, when I had a Conference with the Earl of Dartmouth, now at the head of that Board, & had the pleas ure, to find his Lordship, much disposed to attend to the Business of the Colonies, & to favour them with his good Opinion ; at the same time, that he said he was obliged to ; confess, that he should not have time to spare from the ' ordinary Business of that Board, to listen to extraordinary applications untill towards ye Winter. Some of my former Letters contain my Sentiments so fully on the Subject of yours, & our Opinions are so similar' I need only say, that all my Endeavors shall be employed, \ as they have always been, with zeal, to ease the Colonys of ye Burthens that I think are impolitickly laid on them. I am Sir with the most sincere Regard y most Obedt & most hble Servt RD JACKSON [Superscribed] To the Honble Tho^ Fitch Esq Governor of Connecticut at Norwalk New England by the Packet. [Indorsed] Letter from M' Agent Jackson 3d octob' 1765. Reed i8"» Decemb' 1765 THOMAS FITCH TO HENRY SEYMOUR CONWAY. Norwalk in Connecticut 7"! Octob' 1765. Sir I am to Acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter of the i2"> July notifying us His Majesty hath been graciously pleased to Deliver you the Seals for the Southern Depart ment we shall agreable to the Kings Commands address our Dispatches to you and also chearfully Obey his Majes ty's Orders which from Time to Time we shall receive. Your other Letter of the io"i of August is Just come to 360 fitch papers. Hand. The Map of the Colony Mentioned in My Letter of the 13"' November last I expect will be printed this fall and hope before the end of this year to have the Honor of transmitting it to you. It has taken more Time to prepare it than was at first expected by Reason the Assembly tho't proper to have one made containing not only the general out Lines of the Col ony and the Course of the Posts through the Same but also i the Interior Parts Such as Counties Towns Harbours Navig able Rivers &c for effecting which proper Persons have been employed the Spring and Summer Past. I have Con tinued my Attention to the Object Mentioned in the Earl of Hallifaxes Letter of the ii"Jof August 1764 and shall still continue to observe His Majesty's Directions therein Signifyed, and must Say I think the Officers are careful to prevent illicite Trade of every Kind so that I have no par ticular Intelligence Relative to that Matter to transmit. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Esteem and Regard Sir Your Most Obedient and most Humble Servant THOS FITCH The Right Honourable Henry S. Conway one of His Majestys Principal Secretaries of State [Indorsed] Letter to M' Sec'y Conway 7"' Octob' 1765 [The copy in the Public Record Office is indorsed "R is"" Nov."] DUTIES COLLECTED IN CONNECTICUT. An Account of the Duties collected and of the Fines and Forfeitures recovered in the Several Ports now under the American Commission between the 29"^ day of Septem ber 1764 and the lo"! of October 1765 distinguishing the Duties on each Commodity, and whether the Fines and Forfeitures were recovered by the Officers of the Navy or Customs, together with an Account of the Expences attend ing the receipt of the said Duties. DUTIES COLLECTED IN CONNECTICUT. 361 Names Duties rec eived from the 2< 5"" of September of 1764 to the i lo"' of October : 1765 Ports Foreign Bro: Sugars Madeira & other wines Wines from Foreign G. Britain Molasses £ s d £ s d £ s d ;^ s d New London 285 2 4 961 3 9 New Haven 79 9 0 264 14 0 Foreign Indigo Foreign Coffee Sillcs, Stuffs Calicoes British Lawns & Cambricks Coffee £ s d £ s d £ s d ;^ s d British Rice Tobacco Other enumerated Pimento Commodities £ s d £ s d £ s d ^ S d New London 54 4 0 King's Share of Fines Forfeitures Amount of the & Seizures Recover'd by Groce receipt Officers of the Navy Officers of the Customs of each Port £ s d II 5 8 1311 IS 9 344 3 0 Established and Incidental Charges of Management in each Port Established -^ Incidental Salarys £ s d Waiters & pre- Tides ventive Officers Men £ ^ ^ £ ^ d £ Gauging S d Weighing £ s d 140 0 0 67 16 9 21 14 10 7 5 6 no 0 0 8 2 9 9 8 0 380 Printing ;^ s d , Postage £ s d Boat & Men £ s d £ OfficeRent s d Fireing £ s d 37 II I 8 4 4 50 0 0 16 0 0 10 14 0 8 19 4 3 8 4 17 10 0 10 10 0 Law Stationary Charges ^ s d ^ s 4 14 9 3 10 0 d other rticles £ s d 49 10 3 42 0 8 Amount of the Charges of Management £ s d 413 II 6 216 17 I Amount of the Neet produce of each port £ s d 898 4 3 127 6 I Charges o£ Manage ment exceeding the produce •- 362 FITCH PAPERS. HENRY S. CONWAY TO COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. Circular S'l' James's, Octo' 24"^ 1765. Gentlem.en, It is with the greatest Concern that His Majesty learns the Disturbances which have arisen in some of the North American Colonies. If this Evil should spread to the^ Government of Connecticut, where You preside, the utmost Exertion of your Prudence will be necessary so as justly to temper Your Conduct between that Caution and Coolness which the Delicacy of such a Situation may demand on one Hand, and the Vigor necessary to suppress Outrage and Violence on the other. It is impossible at this Distance to assist You by any particular-or positive Instruction, because you will find yourself necessarily obliged to take Your Resolution as particular Circumstances and Emergencies may require. His Majesty, and his Servants He honours with his Confidence, cannot but lament the ill-advised Intemperance shewn already in' some of the Provinces, by taking up a Conduct, which can in no Way contribute to the Removal of any real Grievance they might labour under but may tend to obstruct and impede the Exertion of His Majesty's Benevolent Intention, to the Ease and Comfort as well as the Welfare of all his People. It is Ijoped^and ^xpected that this Want of confidence in the Justice and Tenderness of the Mother Country, -and this open Resistance to it's Authority, can only have found Place among the lower and more ignorant of the People ; The better and wiser Part of the Colonies well know that Decency and Submission may prevail, not only to redress Grievances, but to obtain Grace and Favour, while the Out rage of a publick Violence can expect nothing but Severity and Chastisement. These Sentiments You and all his Majesty's Servants, from a Sense of your Duty to, and Love of your Country, will endeavor to excite and encour age. You will all, in a particular Manner, call upon-Them not to render their Case desperate. You will, in the Strong- HENRY SEYMOUR CONWAY. ' 363 est Colours represent to them .the dreadful Consequences that must inevitably attend the forceable and violent Re sistance to Acts of the British Parliament, and the Scene of Misery and Calamity to themselves, and of mutual Weak ness and Distraction to both Countries, inseparable from such a Conduc^ - ._^__i ¦' '" ' ¦' ' If,^ by lenient and persuasive Methods youj;an contri bute to r¥stpre thaFPeace'and Tranquility to the Provinces on which their Welfare and Happiness depend, you will do a most -acceptable and essential Service to your Country: But, having taken every Step which the utmost Prudence and Lenity can dictate, in Compassion to the Folly, and Ignorance of some misguided People, You will not, on the othe Hand, fail to use your utmost Power for the repelling all Acts of Outrage and Violence, and to provide for the Maintenance of Peace and Good Order in the Province, by such a Timely Exertion of Force as the Occasion may re quire; For which Purpose You will make the proper Appli cations to General Gage or Lord Colville, Commanders of His Majesty's Land and Naval Forces in America. For, however unwillingly His Majesty may consent to the Exer tion of such Powers as may endanger the Safety of a single Subject yet, caixnot Jle permit his own Dignity and the Authority of the British Legislature to be trampled on by Force and Violence, and in avowed Contempt of all Order, Duty and Decorum. If the Subject is aggrieved, he knows in what Manner legally and constitutionally to apply for Relief, but it is [ noT suitable either to the Safety or Dignity of the British ' Empire that any Individuals, under the Pretence of re- ,dressing Grievances, should presume to violate the publick Peace. I am with great Truth and Regard, fr^ Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant H. S. CONWAY Governor and Company of Connecticut. [Indorsed] A Letter from H S Conway October 24'h 1765 Reel May y^ lo'h 1766 364 FITCH PAPERS. MEMORIAL TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. To the Honorable the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut to Be holden at New haven on the Second Thirsday of Octob' 1765 The Memorial of the Subscribers Inhabitants of Said Colony Humbly Sheweth that Whereas the late Act of Par liament Relative to Stamp Duties will inevitably Subject this and the Other Colonies to insupportable Burdens and Likely End in the Ruin of the Colonies if Introduced and Continued in Force without Redress The Consideration whereof hath Occasioned Such universal uneasiness Dis quietude and Trouble, that in Consequence thereof, it So happens that no Stamped Papers Can be procured by any Person among us And Whereas the Trade and foreign Commerce of this Colony for Want of the Present use of Such Stamp' Papers Must Either Intirely Stop or be Sub jected to Such inconveniences and Risque as will in the humble Opinion of your Memorialists be Unreasonable that the individuals Concerned therein Should be Liable to your Memorialists therefore Humbly Pray this Hon ourable Assembly to take the aforegoing Matter into their Wise Consideration and prevent the declining Trade of this Colony from a Total Stagnation in Such way and by Such Means as their Great Wisdom Shall Direct and Your Memo rialists as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray Andrew Leffingwell Zabdiel Rogers Joseph Winshipp Chr^ Leffingwell Dani-i- Lester Samuel Wheat Joseph Smith Ph^" Turner Benajah Leffingwell Ebenezer Lord Jon* Chester William Wattlas Tho^ Fanning Hez*" Bissell And Huntington John Perit Sam"- Trapp Joseph Gale Simeon Carew Sam^-"- Huntington Elisha Lord Azariah Lathrop Jacob Perkins Jr G: Saltonstall Daniel Lathrop Tho^ Mumford MEMORIAL TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 365 Joshua Lathrop Jabez Perkins Joseph Peck Jed Huntington Tho^ Williams' Elisha Leffingwell Tho^ Leffingwell Tho^ Leffingwell Jun' Jonathan Marsh Benajah Bushnell W" Manwaring Roger Gibson David Gardiner Benj'' Edgerton Nathi- Coit Elijah Dyar Thomas Jewell Jonathan Bushnell Jur Elisha Tracy WM TiLEY Caleb Bull Elisha Pitkin Tho^ Green Sam^ Olcott W Nichols Jonathan Wadsworth Ebenezer Backus Theophilus Rogers Elisha Hinman Winp Saltonstall David Mumford Silas Church Nathi- Shaw Jun' George B Hurlbut Nathan'- Douglass Joseph Coit W Stewart Richard Deshon George Colfax Ebenezer Way Jun' Samuel Gardiner Jur Dani- Whittemore William Hancock Jn° Gardiner Edw° Palmes Patrick Robertson Tho^ Oliver John Stuart RoswELL Saltonstall John Miller Rusi- Hubbard Adam Shapley J. Mumford Guy Richards Benjamin Horsey David Manwaring 366 FITCH PAPERS. COLONY OF CONNECTICUT TO RICHARD JACKSON.* Sir: The Committees of the several Colonies lately appointed to meet at New York, to consider of the present unhappy circumstances of the Colonies, having agreed upon petitions to his Majesty and both Houses of Parliament, for relief from the grievances they at present labour under, which have been approved by the General Assembly of this Colony, and it being a subject of the last importance to us, you are desired to prefer those petitions, and to support them with your utmost infiuence, skill and ability, and leave no prob able means unattempted to secure success in so interesting a matter. The Colony being most firmly persuaded that the power lately exercised by Parliament of imposing taxes on the Colonies without their consent, and extending the jurisdic tion of the court of admiralty beyond its ancient limits is inconsistent with the principles and spirit of the British con- *The General Assembly at its session of October, 1765, authorized or approved the text of this letter to be sent by the Assembly"to Richard Jackson, the Colony's agent. The Assembly had already approved of three petitions, " one to the King's Most Excellent Majesty, one to the Right Honorable the Lords Spiritual and Tem- I poral of Great Britain in Parliament assembled, the other to the Honorable Knights, I Citizens and Burgesses in Great Britain in Parliament assembled," which had been j laid before it by the three commissioners previously appointed to represent Con necticut at a meeting of commissioners from the several colonies, held to take con certed action in opposition to the recent acts of Parliament levying duties and taxes on the colonies, which meeting is now known as the " Stamp Act Congress." The Assembly had directed that these three petitions should be signed by the three commissioners for and in behalf of the Colony; and further desired the governor to forward the petitions to Great Britain. This letter to Richard Jackson accompanied these petitions, and may have been signed by Governor Thomas Fitch on behalf of the Colony. The Stamp Act Congress met at New York, October 7, 1765, with twenty-eight delegates from nine colonies. New Hampshire was deadlocked, Georgia forbidden action by its governor, the Virginia and North Carolina Assemblies prorogued by theirs to prevent it, the New York was not in session but the committee of corres pondence appointed by the last one were admitted as delegates. Timothy Ruggles of Massachusetts was made president. A " Declaration of Rights and Grievances'' was drafted by John Cruger of New York or John Dickinson of Pennsylvania, a "Petition to the King" by Robert R. Livingston of New York, and memorials to each house of Parliament separately by James Otis of Massachusetts. All except Ruggles and Robert Ogden of New Jersey, later Loyalists, concurred; but those from Connecticut and South Carolina, having been restricted by their Legislatures to reporting for assent, could not actually sign. The Congress adjourned October 28; the Connecticut action above was probably very early in November. DAVID colden. 367 stitution, and an infringement of the essential liberties of the colonists, we can by mj means be content that you should give up the matter of right,_but inust^eg you would on all proper occasions claim and firmly insist upon the exclusive right of the Colonies to tax themselves, and the priviledge of tryal by jury, and to maintain these principles in the most effectual manner possible, as what we can never recede from. The arguments from inconvenience and the fatal consequences, both to Great Britain and her Colonies, which must flow from this exercise of parliamentary power, are obvious, and will no doubt be also fully insisted upon by you. You will give a proper attention to all such arguments, hints and materials as may be furnished you by his Honour the Governor, or which you may be able to collect from any other quarter, and make the best use you can of them to place the rights of the Colonies and the inconveniencies of ^^, parliamentary taxation in the most striking point of light. You are also desired to correspond with the agents ap pointed by the other Colonies, and unite your utmost en deavours with them in the common cause, for obtaining a repeal of the late acts of Parliament, so grievous to the Colonies. We request your closest attention to this most import ant subject, and shall ever retain the most grateful sense of your assiduity and diligence upon this occasion, and wish you all the -success that so just a cause fairly demands. To Richard Jackson, Esq', Agent for the Colony of Connecticut. DAVID COLDEN TO JARED INGERSOLL. New York, Fort George, Ocf 28'h 1765 Sir, The Gove--* Orders me to inform you that Capfn Davis has brought over three Packages of Stamp'd Papers marked for Connecticut, which are now lodged in the Governor's House in the Fort. The Gaspey Cutter is now here & is a ?Cadwallader Colden. 368 FITCH PAPERS. very fitt vessell for carrying the Papers to you if you can prevail upon Capt" Kennedy to order her to do it. We hear more Stamped Paper is on board three Ships daily ex pected here. I am with great Regard, Sir, DAVED COLDEN. RICHARD JACKSON TO THOMAS FITCH. Private Inner Temple 9 Nov'' 1765. Sir I am just returned from the Country, where the very advanced years & infirmities of my father, & the necssity of looking after our Landed Property has detained me longer than usual I was unluckily to taken by an Autumnal fever soon after I received your last Letter, that has prevented my going to my Bankers since I arrived here, & has there by put it out of my Power to state the Bills I have paid for the Colony, though I have an Account from them, which yet is not sufficiently satisfactory, for me to rely upon it. I shall go thither on Monday & by a ship that sails on Tues day be able to give you this part of y* Account with pre cision. I find that I have received for the use of ye Colony at various times, including not only what I received from ye Pay office, but the sum of ^^47329 125 from M^ Ingersol & by his order, & ye sum of ^2524 from ye Exors of Rich'i Partridge, & exclusive as well of all fees & charges paid at ye publick offices, as of the sum of ^3619 12s paid to ye Agents of ye other Colonys pursuant to a Direction of ye Board of Treasury, but without deducting my own & M' Lifes Salary & some other small charges ;^iS3,732 9 11 if it shd be material before my next Letter arrives, you doubt less know what Bills have been drawn on me that have not been paid by M"- Ingersol, but I hope that Letter, which I shall send by 2 conveyances will be but a few days after this. I dread ye Consequences of ye late Disturbances in America I think no Man can be a true friend to Great Britain or America without being a friend to both, & I am RICHARD JACKSON. 369 too much a friend to both not to feel infinite Chagrin at every thing that threatens a separation of the affections of ye Inhabitants of both. I always_thoiigJit the Stamp Act ought never tcjjiave passed, I always thought no Law for laying internal Taxes in America ought to have passed, un less Parliament had first given the Colonies a Right to choose Members & so far I ag^ree with your warmest Patri ots in America^ but then I confess X think an Act of ye ' Supream Legislature is a Law till it be repealed, & ought not to JDe resisted, but the repeal Solicited & if no repeal, an actual Representation earnestly petitioned for, on the foot ing of former precedents, an Actual Representation isr politically just, yet ye virtual Representation talked of is not so rediculous as it seems, because it is. only to satisfy a chimerical Notion, that no Gov' is really founded on, that all Persons in a free Gov' are to give their Consent to a Tax or Alteration of Law, which is not ye Case even in New England. The Impossibility of this is no Argument why ye Consent sh^ not be spread as wide ,as possible, in proportion as it is not, ye Gov' is imperfect, yet ye Laws of every sub sisting Government are to be submitted to ; till that Gov' reform itself. I know not if you have yet received my Letter advising ye Receipt of ye Mony from ye Exors of Partridge, nor whether M^ Clap has received one from me requesting his acceptance of a Benefaction to ye College. I am Sir with great Esteem Yr most Obedt & most hble Ser RD JACKSON [Superscribed] To The Honble Thqs Fitch Esq Governor of Connecticut Norwalk in New England by Packet [Indorsed] Private Letter from M' Jackson 9"^ Novemb^ 1765 Rec"! 12'h Janry 1^66 370 fitch papers. THOMAS FITCH TO HENRY SEYMOUR CONWAY. Norwalk 13"^ Novemb' 1765 Sir By my Letter of the 7'^ of October I acknowledged the Receipt of your Letters of the 12'h of July and of the lo'^ of August Since wl^ich I have received the Duplicate of the last. The Plan or Map of the Colony of Connecticut Men tioned in My Letter is Now finished and is herewith trans mitted to You. It is Laid down by a Large Scale the De sign of which was to give a Clearer View of the Post Rhodes \ thro' the Colony for the Information of his Majesty's Post master General and as it Contains an Exact Description of the Interior Parts of the Colony it may Serve for any Gen eral Map of New England or of greater Extention So far as the Colony of Connecticut makes a Part in Such Map. be pleased Sir Kindly to accept of the Dedication of it to your self agreable to the Inscription written thereon which was done by order of the General Assembly. I have no Inttelli- gence to transmit concerning Trade. I am Sir with the Highest Esteem and Regard Your Most obedient and most Humble Servant THOS FITCH The Right Hon^ie Henry S. Conway one of His Majes tys Principal Secretaries of State [Indorsed] Letter to M"" Sec^y Conway 13'h November 1765 [The duplicate in the State Paper Office is indorsed " R 5"" Febry 1766."] THOMAS FITCH TO RICHARD JACKSON. Norwalk 13'^ Novemb' 1765. Sir There having been a proposal Made for a Meeting of Commissioners from the Several Colonies on the Continent to confer upo_n a_g:eneral and United humble loyal and duti ful Representation to his Majesty and the Parliament, of the present Circumstances of the Colonies and the Difficul- THOMAS FITCH. 37 I ties to which they are and must be reduced, by the Opera tion of the Act of Parliament for levying Duties and Taxes on the Colonies, and to Implore Relief &c. And in Consequence of that Proposal most of the Colo nies by their Commissioners met at New York in October last, at which Meeting Commissioners Especially appointed for that Purpose, by the Assembly of the Colony of Con necticut attended. They were not Impowered to Conclude but to make Report, to the Assembly. The Commissioners-- at their Meeting Agreed upon and Drew up three Petitions one to the King one to the House of Lords and one to the House of Commons, which were Signed by the Commission ers or Major Part of them who were instructed for that Purpose but some not being impowered did not then Sign those Petitions being presented to the Assembly of this Colony they Authorized and Desired our Commissioners to Sign them, which they Accordingly have done. The Assem bly Also Desired me to Transmit them to you (to be duly presented) together with the Appointment of the Commis sioners, and the doings of the Assembly thereon. I have therefore herewith Inclosed the three Petitions ; the Copies of the Appointment of the Commissioners, and of their .Instructions, as Also a Copy of the Assemblys Resolve in (Approbation of the Petitions & of their Desire to me to for ward them ; and Also a Letter to You from the Assembly in Nature of Instructions giving their Sense of these Matters and signifying their Request to you in Managing and Con ducting the affair, by these things you will be fully In formed of what the Assembly Expects or Desires, which Renders it needless for me to Attempt anything in Addition tojnforce them. Give me Leave nevertheless to propose" whether upon the Principles of a virtual Representation, an .Explicite and direct Taxation may Justly be grounded and Supported ? or whether as the Colonies are virtually Taxed, . by the Taxes and Duties laid on the Manufactures of Great Britain and Merchandises Imported thro' the Hands of British Merchants to the Colonies such a Taxation, is not as much as a virtual Representation will on the Principles 372 FITCH PAPERS. of the British Constitution Justly Support? also whether it doth not seem inconsistant with the Standing Method of Raising Revenues to the Crown by free Gifts of the Com mons for them by a virtual Representation only to make an Explicite Gift of the Property and Estates of Americans who are not by the aforesaid Principles of a virtual Representa tion Represented, as the Subjects in Great Britain are? And as the British Constitution hath as it were grown up and become a Compleat thing, without any Regard to the Colonies, because it became fixed on the Same Basis on which it now Stands before the Colonies existed, and so could not be adapted to the particular Circumstances of the Plantations; and as they (the Colonies) have been Settled and grown up on the Same general and Essential Principles of the British Constitution, and by Reason of their Distance it was found Impracticable for them to enjoy the Priviledges of that Constitution and be Subject to the particular Rules of it in the Same Manner with their Brethren at Home, and therefore it was also found absolutely necessar}'^, they Should be formed into Seperate Governments with particular Legis latures Subordinate to the Supreme Power of the Nation and that this form of Government with Such Subordinate Connection has subsisted with the Approbation of the Supreme Authority of the Nation for more than a Century Past. Quere whether for the Supreme Legislature now to pass Acts Respecting the Internal Pollice of the Colonies and Especially in the Article of giving and granting the Property of ye Colonies to the Crown, is not carrying the __ Prmciples of the National Constitution farther than the orig inal Design of it will warrant, and also Depriving the Ameri- ,cans of their Just Rights as Englishmen? and whether it is Giving to all the Subjects Equal Rights and Equal Privi- ledges ? If these Hint Shall be of any Service it will give me Satisfaction in being in any Degree Instrumental in ob taining that Redress which all America so Earnestly Desire and on which their Peace so much Depend I shall not at- ' tempt to give an account of the Confusion and Perplexity the whole Country is in which may be more fully Seen in the RICHARD JACKSON. 373 News Papers, but only in General that they are great and thretning. I am Sir with great Esteem and Respect your most obedient Humble Servant THOS FITCH P. S. I have by the Conveyance Which Carrys this Sent to the Secretary of State a Plan or Map of the Colony of Connecticut which I Suppose You may See by Enquiring after it. as this map is taken with much Pains and I con clude with good exactness you doubtless will have the Curi osity to see it therefore I acquaint you of it. T. F. Richard Jackson Esq"" [Indorsed] Letter to M' Jackson 13'h Nov 1765 RICHARD JACKSON TO THOMAS FITCH. Inner Temple 14 Nov' 1765 Sir I send you inclosed an Abstract of my Account with ye Colony, which is as perfect as I can make it, & I hope without material Error ; though considering that I am often obhged to make use of other hands both to receive & pay, & that this Account contains the Amount of above 900 Bills of Exchange, it is more than possible, that there are Errors, especially as the Bills however regularly drawn, & listed in the Letters of Advice, come dropping in in a very irregular Manner, & it thereby becomes very difficult to know what Bills are yet standing out; it is true I should find it no dif ficult matter to cast up the Amount of all ye Bills of which I have had advice, but unluckily my Bankers have mislaid 2 of the Lists, so I have no other perfect Ace' of ye Bills paid but their Account with me, & ye Bills themselves, which I have not yet had time to compare with ye Account; to this Account of ye Bills paid I have added the few outstanding of which I have advice, which appear to be but 5 out of 907 ; that none of these have been paid, & that they are the only ones that are unpaid, appears to me, on a carefull Examina tion of ye Ace' of Bills paid, twice over of the 5 Bills, one, 374 fitch papers. viz' N" 15 on Checked Paper I cannot come at ye amount of, it being the only one unpaid, on one of ye Lists mislaid at my Bankers, but as it on a Check, it is quite immaterial in Point of safety, & the Truth of ye Rest of my Credit part of ye Ace' will appear from your own Ace' of Bills drawn, from which too ye Value of this N" 15 will likewise appear, and consequently ye precise sum that I shall probably have paid, by the time, this Letter reaches you. The rest of this side of ye Ace' consists only of M' Life^ Salary & my own, & a small sum paid for the Postage of some large Packets & ye Copies of some Papers from the Treasury & other Publick offices, necessary for ye service of ye Colony. The other side consists of ye sums I have received, as well from the Treasury as from the Exors of Richard Part ridge for ye use of ye Colony. I was so desirous of sending without Delay, the best Accounts I could, & of putting it in the Power of the Colony, to know as soon as possible, the Balance nearly in my hands, that during a very short stay in London, (from whence I was obliged to return into ye Country by my fathers Illness) I was led into the sending you an erroneous Account of this Receipt by making use of an Abstract of my Accts drawn out before my Receipt of the sum of ;^i499 mentioned in the present Account to this Abstract which contained my Receipts for ye Services in ye years 59, 60 & 61. I added ye Receipt for Services in 1762 & ye Sum recovered from ye Effects of Rich"! Partridge from my Bankers Books & not from my Accounts with ye Colony & was thus led into this Error, from my desire of losing no time The Bills I have paid are not only from No i to 764 in clusive without Checks & from No i to 143 on Check Paper but n Bills amounting by your Advice to ;^8os 6^ 7'i, but by my Bankers Ace' to ;,^8os 12= 4, originally drawn on Ace' of Money granted for Services in 1758, but which not coming to hand till a long time after drawn I had your directions to pay out of any Money in my hands. The Occa sion of ye Above variation I have not yet been able to dis cover. RICHARD JACKSON. 375 I should be glad of your Assistance in rectifying any Mistakes, my self on my Banker may have made, I think they are probably not very considerable, & cannot conclude without expressing my sincere Concern for ye Hardships I the Colonies in general Complain of, & ye earnest Desire I have to procure a Repeal of ye Acts they consider as ye [occasion of them & which I always opposed not as Agent of |ye Colony, but from the Conviction of my Judgement. I am Sir with ye most Cordial Esteem ye most obed' & most hble Serv' RCD JACKSON [Indorsed] M' Agent Jacksons Letter 14'^ Nov' 1765. Rec 355, 366, 371, 376, 377. 382, 385, 386; see Fort George. 446 FITCH PAPERS. New York province, authority of governor as commander of military forces of Connecticut discussed, 394; desire to enlist troops in Connecticut, 201 ; governor of announces himself commander of Connecticut military forces, 368; mentioned, 70, 72, 107, 121, 127, 128, 204, 211, 212, 274, 331, 377, 379, 394, 3g5; military quota of, 394; orders sent to, gi; orders sent to mentioned, ig3; orders to be sent to, 49; text of letters to governor of, 42, 50, 52, 65, gg; text of orders sent to commanding officer of troops of, 241. New York currency, bounty and reward offered in, igg, mentioned, 8, II, 190. Newbury, mentioned, 266. Newcastle, Duke of, letter to, 64. Newfoundland, mentioned, 263, 268, 269, 270. Newton, Roger, document signed by, 92. Newton, Judge Roger, mentioned, 216. Newton, Col. Roger, mentioned, 217. Newton, mentioned, 176, 177. Niagara, mentioned, 79. Niantic, mentioned, 314. Nichols, Phip., petition signed by, 345. Nichols, Theophilus, petition signed by, 345. Nichols, William, document signed by, 364. North Carolina, mentioned, 366 ; text of letter to governor of, gg. North Palace Yard, letter dated at, 6g, 131 ; memorandum dated at, 72. Northam, Timothy, authorized to enlist troops in Connecticut, 201. Northampton County, Pa., mentioned, 97; settlements being made in by Connecticut people, 97. Northern colonies, mentioned, 118, 133, 275, 278, 279. Northern governments, letter to mentioned, 52. Northfield, mentioned, 33. Norwalk, letters addressed to, 313, 358, 377, 388; letters dated at, i, 3, 6, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 45, 59, 60, 63, 74, 87, 93, 95, 103, 107, log, 117, 124, rg6, 200, 208, 243, 24g, 251, 254, 258, 276, 27g, 2g4, 2g6, 298, 303, 312, 33°, 356, 35g, 370, 378, 37g, 381, 387, 393, 396; mentioned, 158. Norwich, mentioned, 150, 151, 153, 162, 163, i66, 203, 208, 3og, 386. Nova Scotia, mentioned, 268, 26g. Noyes, John, document signed by, g2. Noyes, Joseph, document signed by, 92. Nugent, H., letter written by, 84. Number Four, N. H., Connecticut troops to march by way of, 221; documents dated at, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 149, 154, 159, 174, 221; letter addressed to, 220; list of soldiers mustered and vict ualed at, 33; mentioned, 29, 31, 40, 149, 154, 158, 170, 174, 221; number of troops mustered to march by way of, 220. GENERAL INDEX. 447 Occom, Samson, action of to stir up Mohegan Indians against Con necticut described, 313; activities of described, 314; letter written by mentioned, 313; mentioned, 315, 366. Ohio river, mentioned, 276, 308. Olcott, Samuel, document signed by, 364. Ohver, Andrew, letters written by, 2, 5; letter written to, 4; mentioned 3, 4- Oliver, Thomas, document signed by, 364. Oneco, Mohegan Indians land sold by, 310. Oneida Indians, mentioned, 314. Order in Council, mentioned, 227. Orwell, Lord, letters written by, 233, 234, 236, 238, 253, 281. Osborn, Seth, memorial signed by, 347. Oswald, James, letter written by, 32. Oswegatchie, mentioned, 78. Oswego or Oswego road, mentioned, 79, 107, 108, no. Otis, James, letter written by, 284; mentioned, 366. "Ottawawa" vessel, captured, 78. Oxen, purchase of mentioned, 61, 62, 63. Palmes, Edward, document signed by, 364. Paper money, see Bills of credit. Pardon, suggested for deserters from regular troops, 16. Paris, mentioned, 226. - Parliament, address of Connecticut to, 307 ; address of Connecticut to sent to England, 307; address to mentioned, 304; discussion of proposed act to impose stamp duties described, 318; list of Acts of, 282; mentioned, 132, 140, 276: petitions of Connecticut sent to, 371 ; petition to be sent to approved, 366; representation of people in, 351 ; see Act of Parliament, House of Commons. Partridge, Col. Richard, bill of exchange drawn on, 353; case against estate of mentioned, 311; claim against estate of paid, 342, 343, 374; debt from estate of mentioned, 301, 378; lawsuit with execu tors of mentioned, 139; letter written by mentioned, 3; men tioned, 2, 56, 57, 368; receipt of money from estate of mentioned, 369, 382. Payne, Edward, letter written by, 261. Payne, Capt. Thomas, roll of company of, 184. Peace, proclamation of, 228; proclamation of published in Connecticut, 250; treaty of signed and ratified, 226, 229. Peek, Joseph, document signed, 364. Pedlars, additional license fee for requested, 346. Pelham, Henry, letter written by, 99, 280, 400. Penn, William, mentioned, 204, 205. Pennington, Joseph, letter written by, 280. 448 FITCH PAPERS. Pennsylvania, complaints, against stated, 227 ; discussion over settle ment in by Connecticut people, 96 ; governor of mentioned, 233, 241, 252, 258; mentioned, 97, 125, 126, 204, 240, 241, 249; text of letters to governor of, 50, 99. Perit, John, document signed by, 364. Perkins, Jabez, document signed by, 364. Perkins, Jacob, Jr., document signed by, 364. Petition to General Assembly, 345. Philadelphia, letter dated at, 96; mentioned, 102, 258, 335, 385. Phipps, Sir. William, mentioned, 394, Pierce, Maj. Ezekiel, mentioned, 217. Pierpont, James, document signed by, 92. Pine woods, location of producing mast timber, 69. Pirates, complaint of violences by, 285, 286. Piracy, mentioned, 294; report of mentioned, 331. Piscataway, mentioned, 344. Pitkin, Elisha, document signed by, 364. Pitkin, Col. Joseph, letter written to, 87; mentioned, 216, 217. Pitkin, Dep. Gov. William, document signed by, 92, 292 ; letter written to, 356; mentioned, 215, 216. Pitkin, Maj. William, Jr., mentioned, 216, 217. Pitt, William, letters written by, 4, 13, 47, 76, 89, 106, 134, 143, 144; letters written by mentioned, 5, 8, 12, 50, 52, 103, 105, 107, log, 117, iig; letters written to, 24, 60, 87, log; mentioned, 52, 137, 196, 205 ; retires as secretary of state, 145. Plainfield, mentioned, 153, 171, 172, 173. Plantation office, document dated at, 86. Point du Baril, mentioned 78. Pomfret, mentioned, 150, 161, 162, 172. Port Principe, mentioned, 286. Port of Trinity, mentioned, 286. Porter, Capt., mentioned, 130, 131. Porter, Nathaniel, letter written by, 28. Portsmouth, N. H., letter dated at, 122; mentioned, 69. Portugal, ambassador of mentioned, 226 ; king of mentioned, 228 ; men tioned, 303, 336, 344. Post, conveyance of letters by to be facilitated, 287 ; facilities for de scribed, 295. Post office, fees of mentioned, 337. Post Master General, mentioned, 288. Postage, act for preventing frauds in received, 283. Pouchot, Mons., captured, 79. Pownall, John, document signed by, 86; letters written by, 81, 82, 127, 136, 202. Pownall, Gov. Thomas, letters written to, 42, 69, 95, 119; mentioned, 54> 65. GENERAL INDEX. 440 Prayers, litanies and collects for royal family, alteration of form of, 144; instruction for alteration of form of, 86; proclamation for altering form of, ig4. Prentis, Capt. John, abstract of will of , 32g; mentioned, 328, 330; sum decreed to crew of vessel of which he was captain, 328 ; terms of will of discussed, 328. Preston, mentioned, 151, 153, 167, 168, 171, 172, 175. Princeton, mentioned, 203. Prindel, Abel, document signed by, 92. Privy Council, letter written by, 84; mentioned, 83; proposal to submit question of jurisdiction of certain islands to, 327, 331. Proclamation, by Fitch about prayers for the royal family, 194; contin uing officials in office published, 94 ; continuing old officials men tioned, 84, 85 ; for altering prayers for royal family mentioned, 94; for day of thanksgiving mentioned, 32 ; for establishing new governments in America mentioned, 255; for general pardon mentioned, 18; for trading with Indians mentioned, 313; issued to encourage enlistment, 11 ; of peace with Indians to be publish ed, 309; of peace after French and Indian war, 228; proclaiming George III. king over Connecticut, 92; receipt of mentioned, 59, 260; sent from England to Connecticut, 255. Providence, R. I., mentioned, 173, 287. Provisions, difficult to be procured, 202; embargo on export of request ed, 202; magazine.5 of to be established, 54; magazines of not to be established, 58 ; not to be shipped from ports of Connecticut, 200; pay to be given in lieu of, 58; reported being supplied to the enemy, 200. Public transactions, list of documents used in, 2g6. Punderson, Ebenezer, document signed by, 92. Putnam, Col. Israel, men in company of, 41 ; roll of company of, 38, 161. Quebec, letter dated at, 352; mentioned, 26, 32, sg, 81, 266. Ravelo, Manual, mentioned, 286. Read, Col. John, mentioned, 216, 217. Rennaud, Mr., mentioned, 143. Rhode Island, letter dated at, 290; mentioned, i8g, 211, 253, 349, 393; orders to be sent to, 4g; orders sent to, 91 ; orders sent to men tioned, 193; text of letters to governor of, 42, 50, 52, 65, gg; text of letters to governor of mentioned, igg, 202; text of orders sent to commanding officer of troops of, 241 ; see Boundary dispute. Rhode Island General Assembly's Committee, letter written by, 290. Rice, George, letters written by, 114, 233, 235, 236, 238, 253. Richards, Mr., mentioned ig8. Richards, Ghiy, document signed by, 364. Ricla, Count de, letter written by mentioned, 286; mentioned, 287. 29 450 FlTCH PAPERS. Ridgefield, mentioned, i8o, i8i. Roberts, John, letter written by, 354. Robertson, Patrick, document signed by, 364. Rockenham, Marquis of, mentioned, 38g. Rogerines, disturbance by related, ig7. Rogers, Jonathan, Mohegan Indians land purchased by, 310. Rogers, Theophilus, document signed by, 364. Rogers, Zabdiel, document signed by, 364. Roll, of Col. Eleazer Fitch's regiment, 38 ; of Capt. Joseph Halt's com pany, 221 ; of invalids in Col. Phineas Lyman's regiment 149; of Col. Phineas Lyman's regiment, 159; of Col. Nathan Whiting's regiment, 33, 174; of invalids in Col. Nathan Whiting's regiment 154; of Col. David Wooster's regiment, 33. Rowland, David, mentioned, 216. Roxbury, mentioned, 197. Royal family, alteration of form of prayers, litanies and collects for, 86, 144, 194, 218; birth of a prince announced, 210; see George II., George III., King. Royal Highland regiment, mentioned, 222. Royal instruction, for removal from Susquehannah of persons from Connecticut settled there, 240; receipt of mentioned, 251 ; text of to Connecticut, 218. Royal navy, supplies for mentioned, 120. Royal Point, mentioned, 221. Ruggles Col. approval of service of, 43. Ruggles, Capt. Benjamin, roll of company of, 33. Ruggles, Col. Timothy, letter written to, 30 ; memorial signed by, 29 ; mentioned, 366. St. Domingo, mentioned, 34g. St. Eustatius, mentioned, 272. St. James, document dated at mentioned, 251; letters dated at, 256, 285, 287, 28g, 353, 354, 362, 391, 397; mentioned, 143, 194, 195; royal instruction dated at, 218. St. Johns, mentioned, 26. "St. Joseph and St. Helena" snow, case of mentioned, 56, 57, 137. St. Kitts, mentioned, 272. St. Lawrence river, letter dated from, 78 ; mentioned, 283. St. Martins in the Felds, mentioned, 329. Salem, mentioned, 266, 268, 269. Salisbury, mentioned, 187. Saltonstall, G. , document signed by, 364. Saltonstall, Gurdon, letter written to, 261; memorial in behalf of, 275; mentioned, 217. Saltonstall, Roswell, document signed by, 364. Saltonstall, Winthrop, document signed by, 364. GENERAL INDEX. 45 I Samson, has induced Mohegan Indians to favor Samuel Mason, 310. Sandys, Lord, letter written by, 113. Saunders, Sir Charles, commander of ships employed in North Ameri can, 4; information to be transmitted to, 4; mentioned, 267; to be supplied with sailors and workmen, 4. Saybrook, mentioned, 157, 184, 185. Sayre, Stephen, account of Susquehannah affairs written by, 203 ; sketch of, 203. Scituate, mentioned, 173. Scotland, mentioned, 137. Scotch commissioners, mentioned, 314, 315. "Seaflower" sloop, mentioned, 143. Seamen, act of Parliament for government of mentioned, 203 ; en couraged to enter service, 15. Sears, Mr., letter written by mentioned, 385. Senegal, act relating to fort of received, 2S3. Shapley, Adam, document signed by, 364. Sharon, mentioned, 157, 185, 186. Sharpe, Phil. , document signed by, 239. Sharpe, W. , document signed by, 227. Shaw, Nathaniel, letter written to, 261. Shaw, Nathaniel, Jr., document signed by, 364. Shawnee Indians, have made peace, 308; mentioned, 274, 276. Sheaffe, Edward, letter written by, 284. Shelburne, Earl of, letters written by, 233, 234, 236, 238. Sheldon, Elisha, mentioned, 216. Sherman, Daniel, mentioned, 216. Shirley, Gen. William, mentioned, 140; troops raised at request of , 131. Silliman, Mr., mentioned, 351. Silliman, Ebenezer, documents signed by, 92, 274; mentioned, 215, 216. Silver, see Money. Simsbury, mentioned, 150, 152, 160, 161, 170. Six Nations of Indians, covenanted not to sell lands, 96 ; deputies from discuss settlement at Susquehannah by people from Connecticut, 244, 250; land purchased from, 124, 128; mentioned, 98, 204, 232, 240, 258, 274, 276. Slaves, purchase of mentioned, 278. Sloper, William, letter written by, 83. Sluman, Joseph, letter written by, 229; mentioned, 136. Smedly, Lieut. Col. James, documents signed by, 92, 149, 154; men tioned, 154, 217, 220, 221; roll of company of, 35, 176- Smith, Capt., men in company of, 41. Smith, Joseph, document signed by, 364. Soldiers, cannot be made by the methods now used, 27; see Roll. Somers, mentioned, 152, 170. 452 FITCH PAPERS. South Carolina, governor of mentioned, 233, 238; text of letter to gov ernor of, 99. Southern governments, letter to mentioned, 52; mentioned, 274, 276, 359; orders to be sent to, 49; orders sent to, 91; orders sent to mentioned, 193. Spain, Spaniard and Spanish, king of mentioned, 28; mentioned, 137, 195, 223, 278, 279, 280, 303, 336; war declared against, 195. Spanish ambassador, letter written by mentioned, 285. Spanish settlements, mentioned, 214. Spanish subjects, complaint of violences against, 285, 286. Spalding, Capt. John, roll of company of, 172. Spencer, Maj. Joseph, mentioned, 217. Springfield, mentioned, 2, 170. Squier, John, memorial signed by, 347. Squier, Samuel, Jr., memorial signed by, 347. Stafford, mentioned, 152, 153, 165, 166, 167, 170. Stamford, mentioned, 158, 181, 188. Stamp Act or stamp duties, act repealing received, 397; address of Con necticut to Parliament against sent to England, 304, 307; advice concerning behavior in consideration of repeal of, 397 ; aid directed to be given distributors of stamps, 356; care and disposition of stamped paper discussed, 357, 367 ; directions given for preventing opposition to, 392; discussed, 304, 316, 350, 376; discussion of in Parliament described, 318, 340; distribution of stamps and resig nation of distributor of stamps discussed, 381 ; disturbances be cause of deprecated, 362; duties of distributors of stamps, 356; effect of absence of stamped paper discussed, 364 ; list of docu ments or instruments to be stamped, 2g2, 2g6; list of documents to be stamped received in England, 354 ; matter of stamped paper for Connecticut remaining at New York discussed, 380; meeting of delegates from the colonies to consider mentioned, 355, 356; memorial to General Assembly concerning, 364 ; mentioned, 262 ; opposition to described and discussed, 355, 385 ; passed, 340, 342, 350; petitions of Connecticut against sent to Parliament, 371; proposed repeal of discussed, 383, 390, 392; progress of bill for described, 332; proposed, 279; "Reasons against" sent to Eng land, 304, 307 ; repeal of in progress and discussed, 389 ; resolve taken to lay on the colonies, 316; resolution to enact announced, 28g; result of proposed discussed, 284, 2gi; stamped paper for Connecticut remains at New York, 377 ; stamped paper ordered returned, 400. Stamp act congress, proceedings of described and discussed, 366, 371, 376. .Stanton, Capt. John, roll of company of, 167. " Sterling Castle " man of war, money sent to America on, 140. Stewart, Duncan, appointed collector of customs, 280. GENERAL INDEX. 453 Stewart, W., document signed by, 364. Stone, Col. Timothy, mentioned, 216, 217. Stonington, mentioned, 151, 162, 167, 168. Straits ("Streights") The, mentioned, 265. Stratford, mentioned, 155, 156, 158, 17S. Stratford river, mentioned, 211. Stuart, John, document signed by, 364. Suffield, mentioned, 150, 151, 152, 160, 161, 170, 171. "Sugar act," memorial against proposed renewal of, 275; mentioned, 335; proposed renewal or revival of discussed, 261, 262, 277, 284; see also " Molasses act." Sugar Islands, mentioned, 267, 273, 278, 279. Sumner, Hezekiah, mentioned, 123. Surinam, mentioned, 268, 272. Surveyor general of customs, mentioned, 280. Susquehannah, commissioner appointed by Connecticut to warn settlers from, 258; commissioner to be appointed to stop settlement at, 249; letter relating to settlement at mentioned, 237; settlement at by people from Connecticut discussed, g6, 124, 128, 223, 224, 227, 229, 231, 232, 233, 238, 244, 246, 250, 252, 258; settlers at from Con necticut ordered to remove, 239, 240; see Wyoming. Susquehannah Company, account of affairs of, 203 ; agrees to discontinue attemps to settle lands, 244; purchases by described and discuss ed, 124. Susquehannah Indians, mentioned, 96. Susquehannah river, mentioned, 96, 124, 128, 204. Sutlers, extravagant demands of mentioned, 108; to be excluded from following troops, no. Talcott, Maj. Elizur, mentioned, 217. Talcott, Joseph, letters written to, 3, 5 ; mentioned, 4, 216. Talcott, Joseph, Jr., money delivered to, 5. "Tamer" sloop, mentioned, 100. Taxation of colonies, discussed at length, 372. Taxes for redeeming bills of credit, described, 298. Teedyuscung, mentioned, 97. Temple, Lord, letter written by, 84. Temple, Mr., letter written to mentioned, 400. Temple, John, appointed surveyor general of customs, 99; letter written to mentioned, 280. Temple, Thomas, appointed surveyor general of customs, 136. Temple, letter dated at, 311 ; see Inner Temple. Thaoher, Oxenbridge, letter written by, 284. Thanksgiving day, appointed, 32; observed, 252; ordered, 236; pro clamation received for, 59, Thomas, Edmond, letter written by, 113. 454 FITCH PAPERS. Ticonderoga, capture of described, 25 ; fort being repaired, 27 ; letter dated at, 27; mentioned, 29; surrender of mentioned, 26. Tiley, William, document signed by, 364. Tomlinson, see Beers and Tomlison. Tomlinson and Hanbury, controversy and error regarding money shipped to America by, 140. Tomlison, Agur, petition signed by, 345. Tomlison, Gideon, document signed by, 92. Tompot, mentioned, 150. Torrington, mentioned, 187. Townsend, Charles, mentioned, 321, 322. Tracy, Capt, mentioned, 314. Tracy, Elisha, document signed by, 364. Trade, conditions for opening with Indians, 309 ; conditions of described and discussed, 345, 347; impositions laid on mentioned, 291; re marks on of Connecticut, 277; revision of laws of promised, 398; with Indians discussed, 313; see Illicit trade. Trade and navigation laws, mentioned, gg. Trade and fisheries of Massachusetts, statement of, 262. Trade of America, repeal of bill regulating to be sought, 303. Trade of Connecticut, remarks on, 277. Traders from other colonies, additional duty requested on goods brought in by, 346, 347. Trapp, Samuel, document signed by, 364. Treasurj' chambers, letter dated at, 356. Trinity, city or port of, mentioned, 286. Troops, bounty to be paid for enlisting in regulars, 201 ; Connecticut men have inlisted into r-;gulars, 14 ; desired to inlist into regulars, igo, 199, 2og ; discontent of at Crown Point, 135 ; expenses of pro viding for discussed, 17; expenses of subsisting to be borne by the Crown, 131 ; inlisting officer for regulars appointed, 207: losses of described, 80; movements of described, 78, 80, 241 ; number to be enlisted for regular service, 201 ; officers to have rank accord ing to their commissions, ig3; provinces expected to levy clothe and pay, 7 ; regulars who have deserted will rejoin if pardoned, 16; required for service against Indians, 274; sufficient number cannot be raised in Great Britain, igo; what will be supplied them by the Crown, 8, 18; see Connecticut troops. Trumble (later Trumbull), Col. Jonathan, letters written by, 130, 355; letters written to, 26, 27, 28, 134, 229; mentioned, 215, 216, 217. Trumble, Mrs. Jonathan, mentioned, 135. Trumble, Joseph, mentioned, 136. Turks Island, settlement to be made for damages sustained on, 349. Turner, Dr. Philip, declines to again enter service, 208; document signed by, 364 ; letter forwarded by, 203 ; letter written by, 208. Tyler, Capt., men in company of, 42. GENERAL INDEX. 455 Uncas, John, bond by mentioned, 310. Union, mentioned, 168, i6g. Vallet, Jeremiah, bond to mentioned. 310. Van Dam, Anthony, letter written by, 20; letter written to, 19. Van Vleck, Mr., mentioned, 375. Vaudreuil, Marquis de, mentioned, 80. Versailles, mentioned, 192, 223. Vessel, being built, 28; launched, 27; see Fleet. Vice Admiralty, Court of, account of, 72; application made for a judge of for Connecticut, 61 ; establishing of in Connecticut requested, 123; judge of located in New York, 70; judges of named, 72; need of in Connecticut discussed, 69, 72, 120, 121, 127. Virginia, mentioned, 203, 333, 366; petition of offered against proposed stamp act, 341 ; text of letters to governor of, 50, gg. Voluntown, mentioned, 153, 172, 173. Wadsworth, Jonathan, document signed by, 364. Wales, Prince of, mentioned, 85, 218. Wales, Princess dowager of, mentioned, 86, 144, ig4, 218. Walker, Lieut. Col. Robert, document signed by, 92; mentioned, 216, 217. Wallingford, mentioned, 150, 158, 175, 177, 179, 180, 181, 182, 187, 189. Waterbury, Maj. David, roll of company of, 36. Waterbury. mentioned, i£4, 166, 175, 176, 179, 180. Wattlas, William, document signed by, 364. Way, Ebenezer, Jr., document signed by, 364. Weasenham, England, letter dated at, 358. Webb, Maj. Gen. Daniel, mentioned, 133, 137- Weggery, John, mentioned, 143. Wentworth, Gov. Benning, letter written by, 122; letters written by mentioned, 71, 120, 121; letter written to, gg; mentioned, 51, 6g, 102, 123. West, Joshua, mentioned, 216. West, Zebulon, mentioned, 216. West India or West Indies, exports to mentioned, 212 ; illegal trade said to be carried on with, 77; mentioned, 261, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 26g, 270, 271, 272, 273, 277, 278, 27g, 285, 332, 333, 400. Westfield, mentioned, 170. Westminster, mentioned, 144. Wethersfield, mentioned, 162. Whale fishery, act for encouragement of received, 283. Whately, Thomas, mentioned. 325, 326- Wheat, Samuel, document signed by, 364, Wheatly, Capt. John, men in company of, 41 ; roll of company of, 39. 4S6 FITCH PAPERS. Wheeler, mentioned, 315. Wheelock, Rev. Eleazer, mentioned, 314, 315. Whitehall, document dated at, 227, 237; letters dated at, 4, 47, 76, 81, 82, 83, 89, 106, 113, 127, 134, 136, 143, 144, 145, 190, '91, 195, 202, 210, 222, 223, 224, 226, 228, 234, 236, 247, 253, 255, 281, 354. Whitfield, Mr., mentioned, 314. Whiting, John, document signed by, 92. Whiting, Col. Nathan, documents signed by, 92, 174; letters written by, 26, 134. 203, 206, 231. Whiting, Nathan, letters written to, 30, 208; memorial signed by, 2g; mentioned, 107, 129, 159, 206, 221, 222; ordered to command troops at Crown Point. 134; orders issued by, 221 ; orders issued by men tioned, 220 ; roll of company of, 174; roll of invalids in regiment of, 15 J ; roll of regiment of, 33, 174; states reason for asking special allowance for his expences, 231. Whiting, Capt. Samuel, document signed by, 92 ; roll of company of, 36, 178. Whitmore, Daniel, breach of peace by described, 123. Whitne, Lieut. Col. David, mentioned, 217. Whittelsey, Charles, document signed by, 92. Whittelsey, Chauncey, document signed by, 92. Whittelsey, Elisha, document signed by, 92. Whittemore, Daniel, document signed by, 364. Willard, Col. Abijah, approval of services of, 43 ; letter written to, 30 ; memorial signed by, 29. Williams, Mr., mentioned, 130. Williams, Rev. Mr., mentioned, 28. Williams, Lieut. Col. Ebenezer, mentioned, 217. Williams, Judge John, mentioned, 216. Williams, Thomas, document signed by, 364. Willington, mentioned, 152, 165, 166. Willoughby, John, petition signed by, 345. Windham, mentioned, 152, 153, 168, 169, 171, 172, 386. Windham County, officials of named, 216. Windsor, mentioned, 150, 151, 152, 153, 160, i6i, 165, 166, 170. Wine, mentioned, 20. Winshipp, Joseph, document signed by, 364. Winslow, Joshua, letter written by, 261. Wiseton, letter dated at, 64. Witmore, Seth, mentioned, 216. Wolcott, Capt. Giles, roll of company of, 165. Wolcott, Oliver, mentioned, 216. Wolcott, Gov. Roger, letter written to, 12a ; letters written to mentioned, 96, 120; mentioned, 123, 243. Wolcott, Roger, Jr., death of mentioned, 243. GENERAL INDEX. 457 Wolcott, William, mentioned, 216. Wolf, Gen. James, mentioned, 26. Woodbridge, Mr., mentioned, 230. Woodbury, mentioned, 176, 187. Woods, Mr., letter written by mentioned, 15. Woods, statute for prosecuting trespass in king's mentioned, 72 ; see Pine woods. Woodstock, mentioned, 153, 172, 173. Wooster, Col. David, document signed by, 92 ; letter written to 30 ; memorial signed by, 29; mentioned, 73; roll of regiment and company of, 34. Wright, Gov. Sir James, mentioned, 233. Wyllys, Lieut. Col. George, documents signed by, 55, 82, 2ig, 274, 292; letter written to, 290; mentioned, 216, 217. Wyoming, massacre at described, 258; mentioned, 227, 233, 238. 239, 240, 249, 252, 258 ; settlement at by people from Connecticut dis cussed, 226; settlers reported going to, 96; see Susquehannah. Yale College, benefaction to mentioned, 369. Yale University Library, mentioned, 87. York, Duke of, mentioned, 204. Yorke, Mr., speech by mentioned, 333. Yorke, John, letters written by, 234, 236, 238, 253, 255. Zackery, Indian, mentioned, 315. Zuill, Alexander, petition signed by, 345. %n!; ;:=^i' lite V