inevitably attend the proceedings of the P'rench and their settling upon the Ohio and had
hopes from the intelligence contained in your letter and from an account transmitted to us by
M"' I'ownall that they had abandoned their design but it appears by letters which we have
since received from the Lieut' Governor of Virginia that they have built and garrisoned one
fort upon the Ohio and intend to build two or three more. We need not suggest to you how
much it is the interest all the Colonies to prevent such encroachments Your own letter and
the resolutions of the Assembly are a sufficient testimony that the people of New York are
throughly convinced of the truth of it and that they will not be wanting to join with the rest
of the Colonies in whatever may be proposed for the general security of the whole. So we
bid you heartily farewell, and are
Your very loving friends
and humble Servants.
Dunk Halifax
Whitehall J. Grenville
Feb: 26"- 1734. James Oswald
830 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.
Lords of Trade to Thomas Pownall^ Esq.
[New-York Entries, O., p. 824.]
To Thomas Pownall Esq :
Sir,
We have received your letter to us dated the 14 and 30 of Ocf containing an account of
the nielaciioly death of Sir Danvers Osborn and transmitting the particulars of what passed
at the meeting with the Indians at Onondago in July last, and other publick papers.
We are firmly persuaded that the expectations which the people of New York had
entertained of being happy under S"" Danvers Osborn's administration were well founded and
we lament the loss which they as well as yourself have sustained by his unfortunate death.
The reasons you give for not delivering up the Kings Instructions to the Council are just
and proper and we greatly commend the prudence with which you acted in this affair
We had hopes from the intelligence contained in D'' Shuckburg's papers which you properly
transmitted to use that the French had abandoned their design upon the Ohio ; but it appears
by letters which we have since rec'' from the Lieut' Governor of Virginia that they have built a
Fort altho' part of the Armament which supported them in it may have returned.
We are
Sir,
Your most Ob"* Servants
Dunk Halifax
J. Pitt
Whitehall Ja. Ghenvillb
Feb : 26. 1754. Ja. Oswald.
Secretary Pownall to Lieutenant-Governor De Lancey.
[ New- York Entries, 0. p., 826. ]
To James De Lancey Esq: Lieut' Governor of New York.
Sir,
I am directed by the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to acknowledge their
having received the Box of Publick Papers (mentioned in your letter to me of the 10''' of Jan:)
and also your letters to them of the 24 of December and 3 of Jan: and to acquaint you that
they will take the first opportiiniiy of writing fully to you upon the several points therein
contained their Lordsliips however cannot omit this opportunity of expressing their satisfaction
that an early and general meeting with the Indians has been finally settled as the securing
their friendship at the present juncture is of great Importance to his Majesty's Service and so
much [for] the General Interest and advantage of the Province of New York and the other
Neighbouring Provinces and by their Lordships directions I herewith inclose to you a letter to
the administrators of S' Danvers Osborn directing them to deliver to you the goods ordered
LONDON DOCUMENTS : XXXI. 831
by His Majesty to be given as presents to tlie Indians and which you inform their Lordsliips
are now in their hands.
I have also their Lordships directions to acquaint you that they apprehend you are riglit
in your opinion tiiat you may give your assent to a distinct Act for making provision for
additional presents to the Indians and for defraying the other incidental expences it appearing
to be a contingent and temporary service separate and distinct from the otiier Service
of Government.
Permit me to close this letter tho' of a publick nature with my sincere thanks for the repeated
civility's and kindness which my brother acquaints me he has received from you and which
have been a great alleviation of his afflictions and misfortune in the loss of his friend S"'
Danvers Osborn. I am with great truth and esteem
Sir,
Your most obedient &
Whitehall ' most humble Servant
March 7, 1754. John Pownall
^presentation of the Lords of Trade to tlie King.
[New-York EQtrics,0., p. 832.]
To the Kings most Excellent Majesty
May it please your Majesty,
James De Lancey Esq : Lieut' Governor of your Majesty's Province of New York having
transmitted to us an humble address of the General Assembly of that Province to your Majesty
relative to the 39 Article of your Mnj''"' Instructions to the late Governor we humbly beg leave
to lay the said address before Your Majesty
The Assembly in this address assert, that the imputations contain'd in the said Article of
your Majesty's Instructions are groundless and liave been most falsely and maliciously
represented to your Majesty and as this Instruction was founded upon our representation upon
the Slate of the Province dated the 2 of April 1751 We think it our duty in justification of
ourselves and for the support of your Majesty's honor and dignity to observe to your Majesty
that the several facts therein contained and wiiich are recited in the Instruction are verified in
the clearest and strongest manner by a variety of incontestable evidence; It appears from the
Journals of the proceedings of the Council and Assembly that during the greatest part of M'
Clintons Administration factious animosity's and disagreements did subsist between the
different branches of the Legislature and that the publick peace and tranquility of the Province
was greatly disturbed It appears from the Acts of the Assembly particularly by those for
raising money for publick Service which are all of them of a temporary nature and to which
your Majesty's Governor was necessitated from the exigency of the service in time of war, to
give his assent that the Assembly have taken to themselves not only the management and
disposal of such publick money but have also wrested from your Majesty's Governor the
nomination of all offices of Government the custody and direction of the publick military stores
832 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.
the mustering and direction of troops raised for your Majesty's service and in short almost
every otiier executive part of Government by whicii unwarrantable encroachments and invasion
of your Majesty's just and undoubted authority order and Government was subverted and your
Majesty's service obstructed and the security of the service endangered As therefore every
imputation of misconduct in the Assembly mentioned in your Majesty's Instruction is so clearly
proved from their own Acts and proceedings We are humbly of opinion that no regard ought to
be had to the assertion in their address that they have been falsely and maliciously represented
All which is most humbly submitted
Dunk Halifax.
J. Geenville.
Whitehall James Oswald
April 4. 1754. Andrew Stone.
Dr. Colhoun to Lieutenant-Governor De Lancey.
[ New-Tork Colonial Manuscripts in the Secretary's OflBce, Albany, LXXVIII.]
Sir,
Last night the following Deserters from Niagara came here, by way of Oswego say they
were one night, and till noon next day at Coll Johnson's.
I thought it may be agreeable to you, therefore gave you the trouble of this, & have desired
Isaac Swits immediately upon his arrival at N York, that he bring them before you. say they
all natives of France. Antoiae Fran ois L'Ouaque a Parisian, & Jean Baptiste de Cortois
were with Marrain, at the building of the two wooden-Forts, S. West from Niagara. L'Ouaque
seems to be the most intelligent of them. 1 show'd him some Maps of that Country, he has
marked with a Pencill the form of the largest fort built on the neck of a Peninsula on the
South side of Lac Erie 40 Leagues from Niagara. Cap' Repantinie who was at N. York anno
1749. Comandant : also the form of the smalest Fort upon the Riviere de Boeuf 7 leagues
South from the former, where Marrain died, say they have there 9 Guns, 3 of Six & G of two
& (bur pounders. No guns in the other Fort, three leagues of the Road next to the Lake very
good, the other part very Swampy. L'Gardeur de S' Piere was ordered to Canada, & Cap'
ContreccEur from Niagara is their present Comandant. Contrecoeur's Son an Ensigne at Niagara
with only 15 men when they deserted. They were at first about 2000 Men Savages included,
when L'Ouaqu^ and de Cortois were detached to Niagara in November last, about five or GOO
Dead, and unfitt for Duty.
They talk of 3000 or 4000 men to come this spring from Canada to reinforce their settlement,
and to build a Stone Fort upon the Ohio or Belle Riviere to the Westward, say that part of
the Stones are already dug and squared.
It's said here that the French liave lately finished a Fort at Coas, near the head of Conecticut
River, about 80 or 90 miles above P'ort Dummer. 1 am with the greatest respect,
Sir
Your most obedient humble Servt.
Alex' Colhoun.
LONDON DOCUMENTS: XXXI. 833
Deserters Names.
Charles le Chevalier de L'Axaque 1
dit S' Marie au Cote d Espagne. j
Jean Baptiste Giraud, Provencal
Jean Baptiste de Cortois, Franch-Comte
Antoine Fran9ois L'Ouaque. Parisien.
Louis Sabion, il a reste a Corlac, chez Morison Perruquidr
Albany Aprile 12. 1754.
Lieutenant-Governor De Lancey to the Lords of Trade.
[ New-Tork Papers, Bundle Kk., No. 1. ]
New York. 22'' April. 1754.
My Lords.
I had the honour of your LordPP' letter of the 26"" of Febr^ last, on the IS"" inst : I shall
endeavour to give due attention to the matters your Lord^P' recommend, and shall stricktly
follow the directions containeJ in your letter to Sir Danvers Osborn.'
The arguments I have used to the Neighbouring Govern", to induce them to send
Commissioners to the Albany Treaty, are, that as his Majesty had been graciously pleased to
order the Indians a present and had directed the several Govern" to send Commiss" to this
Interview, the Indians seeing tiiem there, and being told they are all met by order of the great
King their Father on the other side of the Big Lake, and that they are to act in concert for
the mutual advantage of them and us ; may be emboldened to act with vigour in the British
Interest against the French. That Your LordPP' intention was that a Treaty be made in His
Majesty's name, between the Indians and all the Provinces ; and that 1 proposed at this
interview to unite, as far as possible, all the Indians in alliance with us into a firm and lasting
peace with eacii other; and to this purpose to lay before them the folly in waging war with
those who are children of the same Father the King, and are all Brethren to the English ; to
represent to them the artifice of the French who perswade them into so absurd a practice,
to alarm them at the French building Forts on the Lands conquered by and belonging to them
on the Lake Erie and the River Ohio, thereby excluding them from a free and open
communication with the Far Indians and those in alliance with us; and lastly, principally to
concert measures among the Commiss" at this Interview, for building Forts in such part of the
Indian Country for their protection, as may encourage them (by seeing their wives and
children will be secured and retreat afforded themselves) to declare openly and cordially for us.
If sometliing of this kind be done, some reasonable and equal plan concerted of expence
and operations; I am perswaded the Indians might be brought wiiolly back into our interest, and
to join us readily in dislodging the French from our side of the Lakes; till some such measures
' Sir Danteks Osdornk, of Chicksands, Bedfordshire, Bart,, married in September, 1740, Lady Anne Monta{;ii, daughter
of the Earl of Ilalifax, and sister of Lord Halifax, at this time President of the Board of Trade. Excesbive grief for the loss
of Lady Osborne was, eays Smith, the cause of his melancholy death. — Ed.
Vol. VI. 105
834 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.
be taken I cannot have great dependence on their acting with vigour; we must show them the
way, and show them too that there will be safety in adhering wholly to the British Interest.
The intelligence I sent Your LordPP' from the Officer at Oswego, was given by Stephen Coften,
the same Man whom Coll: Johnson found working in the Mohawks Country, whose deposition
he took; a copy of which I now inclose. Whether his fears of the French while at Oswego,
made him conceal the truth, or whether the Officer at Oswego was negligent in his Examination,
] know not; but the truth of his deposition is fully confirmed by intelligence we have received
several ways; it was brought and delivered to me by Coll : Johnson the IS"" of Febr^ last; I
took care to have copies immediately sent to the Gov" of Pennsylvania, Maryland & Virginia.
The inclosed intelligence from the Officer at Oswego I yesterday dispatched by express to the
same Governors.
I have received the copy of the Invoice of the presents directed by His Maj'^ to be given to
the Indians, and I have an account from the Secretary to the Board of Ordnance that the
remaining Guns are sent which are arrived.
On the 17"" instant I sent an extract of that part of Your Lord??' letter, which relates to the
Resolution of the Assembly of the 13"" of November last, on the Earl of Holderness's letter
to them. I had before at the opening of the Sessions, communicated my Lord Holderness's
letter of the IS"" of January last, wherein his Lord^ signifies, that His Maj'^' had been Graciously
pleased to approve of that Resolution, which I in my speech had urged as a motive to induce
them to exert their greatest effi)rts, to vindicate the honour of the Crown, and justify His .Maj""'
undoubted rights against the Invaders of his property. I accompanied the Extract of your
LordPP' letter with the intelligence from the Officer at Oswego, and a Message to the house,
signilying that they would perceive by the letter from the Earl of Holdernesse, which was
already before them, and the extract from Your LordPP' letter, that their Resolution had raised
a just expectation in his Majesty and his Ministers, that they would Act in a manner suitable
to that resolution; and therefore earnestly recommending to them, now the French were in
Motion, and with an apparent intention to invade one of His Maj''" Colonies, that they would
exert themselves on this occasion, and enable me to give such assistance to the Colony of
Virginia as the present exigency demanded.
They have voted only lOUO pounds for provisions for the two Independent companies, which
his ALnj'^ has ordered into Virginia from hence; the reasons they urge for not going higher
(in their address to me) are, a great debt from the expence of the late War; the necessity of
repairing the Fortifications and out Garrisons; the expence of a double garrison at Oswego,
and the building Forts in the Indian Country and on our Northern frontiers ; and as they have
come to a lesolution to bear an equal proportion of the charge of building those Forts, I
have sent copies of it to the Governours of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, that they may use their
endeavours to bring their Assemblies to join in this Expence; all which will require a
large sum of money, and renders them unable to affijrd that assistance they would otherwise
willingly give.
They have also voted for the additional Men to strengthen the Garrison at Oswego 456
pounds — this is an annual expence. For presents to the Indians. SOO pounds, my expenses to
Albany 150 pounds, annual Commiss" for Indian Affiiirs 170 pounds, Indian Interpreter 50
pounds. Officer at Oswego 25 pounds — this last, is for trifles to be given the Indians when
they visit the Officer at Oswego, which have often a better effi^ct than larger at other times.
LONDON DOCUMENTS: XXXI. 835
They have resolved to provide for tlie repair of tlie Fortress at Oswego and desired me to
give directions for doing it, which I have accordingly done.
I should have sent Your Lordw^ some papers relating to the Jersey line, but must defer it
till the next opportunity, as the Maps to clear that Matter are not yet completed. — I am — ettc-
James de Lancey.
Deposition of Stephen Coffen.
[ New-York Papers, Bundle Kk., No. 4. ]
Stephen Coffen of full age being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that he was taken prisoner
by the French and Indians of Canada at Menis, in the year 1747, under the command of
Major Noble, from whence he was brought to an Indian Village called Octagouche, ahout 15
leagues to the westward of Chebucta, vi'here he was kept three weeks prisoner, from thence
was carried to a French settlement called Beaubasin, where the French had a wooden Fort
tlien Garrisoned with twenty five Men, remained there two Months, from thence they took
him to Gaspey, a considerable fishing place in the Gulf of S' Lawrence near to the entrance
of the River; there are about 300 families settled there, they kept him there working near four
years, then he was brougiit to a place called Ramouski inhabited by about 25. French Families,
from which place he sailed two years to and from Quebec, in a sloop carrying Beaver and
Furs, Salmon ettc. to Quebec, and in return brought back. Brandy dry goods ettc. During
the time of the Deponents residing at Quebec, he says, it was commonly talked or reported,
that they, the French intended to settle as many families as they could to the Westward, to
make up for the loss of two of their Towns sunk in the West Indies by an Earth-quake. The
Deponent further saith, that the Navigation up tiie River S' Lawrence, is very dangerous,
particularly so at the Isle aux Coudres, and the Isle Orleans, the North side of the former is
the best Navigation, the south side being very rapid and Rocky, and the channel not above 200
yards wide, about G fathoms Water; whereas in the North Channel there is 15 fathom, at the
North East end of the latter begins two Sand banks, which extends a league down said River ;
the channel is between both banks, and pretty near the middle of the River, iVom tiience
to the Town of Quebec good Navigation, being 15 fatiiom all tiie way. Tlie Deponent says,
there is no possibility of going up said River without the Tide serves, or a strong North East
Wind, especially at the two afore mentioned Islands. In September 1752 the Depon' was in
Quebec, and endeavouring to agree with some Indians, to convey him to his own Country New
England, which the Indians acquainted the Gov' of, who immediately ordered him to Goal,
where he lay tliree Months; at the time of his Releasement the French were preparing for a
March to Belle Riviere or Ohio, when he offered his service, but was rejected by the Gov'
General Le Cain ; he the said General setting out for Montreal about the 3"* of January 1753.
to view and forward the Forces, the Deponent applyed to Major Ramsay, for liberty to
go with the army to Ohio, who told him he would ask the Lieutenant De Ruoy, who
agreed to it, upon which he was Equipped as a Soldier, and sent with a Detachment of
three htmdred Men to Montreal, under the Command of Mons' Babeer, who sett off
immediately with said Command, by Land and lee, for Lake Erie; they in their way
836 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.
stopt a couple of days to refresh themselves at Cadaragliqui Fort; also at Taranto on the
North side of Lake Ontario; then at Niagara Fort 15 days; from thence setoff" by Water
being April, and arrived at Chadakoin^ on Lake Erie, where they were ordered to fell Timber,
and prepare it for building a Fort there, according to Gov" instructions ; but Mons' Morang
coming up with 500 Men and 20 Indians, put a stop to the erecting of a Fort at that place, by
reason of his not liking the situation, and the River of Chadakoins being too shallow to carry
any craft with provisions ettc. to Belle Rivier. The Deponent says, there arose a warm
debate between Mess" Babeer and Morang tliereon, the First insisting on building a Fort
there, agreable to his Instructions, otherwise on Morang's giving him an Instrument in
writing to satisfy the Gov' in that point, which Morang did, and then ordered Mons"' Mercie,
who was both. Commissary and Engeneer to go along said Lake, and look for a good situation ;
which he found, and returned in three days, it being 15 Leagues to the S. W. of Chadakoin ;
they were then all ordered to repair thither; when they arrived, there were about 20 Indians
fishing in the Lake, who immediately quit it on seeing the French ; they fell to work and built
a square Fort, of Chesnut Loggs squared, and lapt over each other to the height of 15 foot ; it
is about 120 feet square, a Loghouse in each square, a Gate to the Southward and another to
the N. ward, not one port hole cut in any part of it; when finished they called it Fort la
Briske Isle. The Indians who came from Canada with them, returned very much out of
Temper, owing as it was said among the Army to Morang's dogged behaviour and ill usage
of them, but they the Indians said at Oswego, it was owing to the Frenche's misleading of
them, by telling them falsehoods, which they said they had now found out, and left them. As
soon as the Fort was finished, they marched Southward cutting a Waggon Road through a fine
level Country, twenty one Miles to the River of BcEff'. (leaving Capt° Deponteney^ with a
hundred Men to garrison the Fort la Briske Isle) they fell to work cutting timber boards ettc
for another Fort, while Mons"" Morang ordered Mons'' Bite with 50 Men to go to a place called
by the Indians Ganagarah'hare, on the Banks of Belle Riviere, where the River O Boeff
empties into it ; in the mean time Morang had got^ large Boats or Battoes made to carry down
the Baggage and provisions ettc to said place; Mons' Bite on coming to said Indian place, was
asked what he wanted or intended ; he upon answering, it was their Father the Gov' of
Canada's intention to Build a Trading house for their, and all their Brethren's conveniency,
was told by the Indians that the Lands were theirs, and they would not have them build
upon it; the said M' Bite returning, met two Englishmen Traders, with their Horses and goods,
whom they bound & brought prisoners to Morang, who ordered them to Canada in Irons;
the said Bite reported to Morang, the situation was good, but the wate[r] in the River O Boeff
too low at that time to carry down any Craft with provisions ettc. a few days after, the
Deponent says, that about [one] hundred Indians called by the French Loo's, came to the Fort
La Riviere O Ba'ff", to see what the French were a doing, that Mon' Morang treated them very
kindly, and then asked them to carry down some stores ettc. to the Belle Riviere on horseback
for payment, which he immediately advanced them on their undertaking to do it ; they set off"
with full loads, but never delivered them to the French, which incensed them very much,
being not only a loss, but a great disappointment. Morang a Man of very peevish Cholorick
disposition, meeting with those and other crosses, and finding the season of the year too far
advanced, to build the Third fort, called all his officers together, and told them, that as he had
engaged, and firmly promised the Gov' to finish the three Forts that season, and not being
' Now, Portland, Chautauque Co., N. Y. ' Derponliney. Nnr York (^nlnvinl Manimcript!!, I.XXVIIT. ' OO. Ibid. — T.n.
LONDON DOCUMENTS : XXXI. 837
able to fulfill the same, was both, affraid and ashamed to return to Canada, being sensible, he
had now forfeited the Governour's favour for ever; wherefore, rather than live in disgrace, he
begged they would take him (as he then sat in a carriage made for him, being very sick some
time) and seat him in the middle of the Fort, and then set fire to it, and let him perish in the
flames ; which was rejected by the Officers, who, the Deponent says, had not the least regard
for him, as he had behaved very ill to them all in general. The Deponent further saith, that
about eight days before he left the Fort La Briske Isle, Chev : Le Crake arrived express from
Canada, in a Birch Canoe, worked by 10 men, with orders (as the deponent afterwards heard)
from the Governour Le Cain to Morangto make all the preparation possible again the spring of the
year, to build then two Forts at Chadakoin, one of them by Lak« Crie, the other at the end of
the carrying place at Lake Chadakoin ; which carrying place is 15 miles from one Lake to the
other; the said Chevalier brought for Mon' Morang, a cross of S' Louis, which the rest of the