their passing the Onondaga River, or the South side of the Lake Ontario, the Fort should be
much larger and stronger than at present; it is by its situation capable of being made so
strong as to render it impregnable to any attempts the French might have against it.
LONDON DOCUMENTS : XXXI. 899
This would be to good purpose, and under the protection of this Fort might vessels be built
for Service on the Lake.
Young Men of learning, at least Grammar, to reside among the Tribes of the Onondagas,
Senecas, and Mohawks, in order to become good interpreters in every dialect, wliich we are
much wanted. Those might serve also for Schoolmasters or Catechists.
It might be expedient to remind the Indians of their ancestors having given and rendered
up all that land or Country, at least the pre-emption of it, where their Beaver hunting was, to
his Majesty King William, which they won by the sword eighty years before, besides their
own Native land, which they gave also and earnestly desired an instrument to be drawn to
that purpose, and that it might be carried over to the King by Robert Livingston then their
Secretary, which afterwards was done in the year 1727. — The Question then should be
whether the Indians will join us in defending their own property in those Lands, while we
have only a promise of pre emption; if they answer in the affirmative, it will be necessary
tliat all the Colonies give them the strongest assurances that they will support them against the
French or any Enemy, as far as the nature of our constitution will admitt of.
They the five Nations, should be reminded, that they have frequently desired that the
covenant Chain might reach from New York to Chenondoanah' in the Senecas Country, and
that all the people who live within it, may be secure from the attempts of an Enemy ; that
they further said, they would remove the end of it to Teughsaghrontey (Detroit) or
Wawiaghtenhook, were it in their power, but that the French would mock at it, as they have
taken it into their possession already against their will, sending people thither to build a Fort ;
but that they hoped the French would speedily be removed. This may serve to shew the
early and continued incroachments of the French.
W° Johnson
Order in Council rfjectivg the Address of the AssemUy of New-YorTc.
[ New- York Papers, Bundle Kk., No. 82. ]
At the Court at Kensington the 6"" day of August 1754.
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 IS"" of last month in the words following, viz'
"Your Majesty having been pleased, by your order in Council of the 8"" of April last, to
•'refer unto this Committee a Representation of the Lords Commiss" for Trade and Plantations
" upon an address of the General Assembly of the Province of New York to your Maj"', relative
"to the SQ"" article of your Maj'''' Instructions to the late Gov' of that Province. — The Lords
"of the Committee, in obedience to your Maj'J" said order of reference, have taken the
' This Indian village is laid down on the west bank of the Geaesee River, about futcen miles south of Lak« Onlario, on
PovmalCt Map of the Middle Britith Ooloniti. — Ed.
900 NEW- YORK COLONIAL RU.NUSCRIPTS.
•' said representation and address into their consideration, and to find that the Assembly
"have in this address asserted, that the imputations contained in the said 39"" Article of your
" Maj'y* Instructions were groundless, and have been most falsely and maliciously represented
" to your Maj'y. But the said Lords Commiss" set forth in their said representation " " That
" " as this Instruction was founded upon their Report upon the state of that Province, dated
" " the a""* of April J 751., They think it their duty in justification to themselves, and for the
" " support of your Maj'''"' honour and dignity, to observe, that the several Facts therein
" "contained, and which are recited in the Instructions are verified in the clearest and strongest
" " manner, by a variety of incontestable evidence. That it appears from the Journals of the
" " proceedings of the Council and Assembly, that during the greatest part of M' Clinton's
" " Administration, Faction, Animosity, and disagreement did subsist between the different
" " branches of the Legislature, and that the publick. peace and tranquility of the Province
" " was greatly disturbed. That it appears from the Acts of the Assembly, particularly by
" " those for raising money for public service, which are all of a temporary nature, and to
" " which your Maj'^' Gov'' was necessitated from the exigencys 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 public money, but have also wrested from your Maj'^'* Gov' the
" " nomination of all Officers of Govern*, the custody & direction of all the public Military
" " Stores, the mustering and regulating of Troops raised for your Maj'>'' service, and in short
" " almost every other executive part of Govern' by which unwarrantable encroachments and
" " Invasions of your Majesty's just and undoubted authority, order and good Govern' were
" "subverted, your Maj'^'' service obstructed, and the security of the Province endangered;
" " as therefore every imputation of misconduct in the Assembly mentioned in your Maj'>'»
" " said Instruction, is so clearly proved from their own act and proceedings; The said Lords
" " Commiss" are of opinion that no regard ought to be had to the assertion in their address,
*' " that they have been falsely and maliciously represented " And the Lords of the
" Committee agreeing in opinion with the said Lords Commiss" for Trade & Plantations,
" do therefore humbly Report to Your Maj'^, that the said addrtss of the General Assembly of the
"province of New York ought to be rejected."
His Majesty this day took the said Report into consideration and was pleased with the
advice of His privy Council to approve thereof and to order as it is hereby ordered, that the said
address of the General Assembly of the Prov" of New York, Be, accordingly rejected.
Whereof the Lieut' Gov"" or Commander in Chief of His Maj'^' Prov" of New York for
the time being, and all others whom it may concern, are to take notice, and govern
themselves accordingly
(a true copy) W. Sharpe.
LONDON DOCUMENTS: XXXI. 901
Lords of Trade to Secretary Rohithson.
[B. T. Plantations General Entries, K., 86S. ]
To Sir Thomas Robinson one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State.
Sir
In obedience to His Majesty's commands signified to us by your letter of the 14"" of June
last, we have prepared a IMan of Genera! Concert to be ent'red into by His Majesty's several
Colonies upon tiie Continent of North America for their mutual and common defence, and to
prevent or remove any encroachments upon His Majesty's dominions ; which Plan we herewith
inclose to you, together with our Representation to His Majesty upon it; which we desire you
will be pleased to lay before His Majesty.
We are, Sir
Your most obedient
and most humble Servants
Dunk Halifax
Jam : Grenville
Fran. Fane
And: Stone
Jam' Oswald
Whitehall Rich'' Edgecumbe
August 9"" 1754. Tho' Pelham.
R^esentation to the King with plan of General Concert.
^ [Plantations General Entries, K., 869.]
To the Kings Most Excellent Majesty
May it please Your Majesty.
In obedience to Your Majesty's commands signified to us by Sir Thomas Robinson, one of Your
Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State in his letter dated the 14"' of June last, we have
prepared and herewith humbly beg leave to lay before Your Majesty the draught of a Plan or
Project of General Concert to be entred into by Your Majesty's Several Colonies upon the
Continent of North America for their mutual and common defence, and to prevent or remove
any encroachments upon Your Majesty's Dominions.
This Plan consists of three distinct parts or propositions, viz'
1" That a certain and permanent method be established for maintaining such Forts as are
already built upon their Frontiers, or may be further necessary to be built for supporting proper
garrisons in such forts, for defraying the expence of the usual and necessary presents to the
Indians & other contingent charges, and for establishing & subsistmg Commissarys in such of
the Forts as shall appear to be necessary for the management of Indian services.
902 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.
2^ That upon nny attack or invasion upon any of Your Majesty's Colonies, provision may
be made for raising sucli a number of troops over and above those upon the ordinary
Establishment, as may be necessary to oppose and repel such invasion or attack.
3. That the command of all the Forts & Garrisons and of all Forces raised upon emergencies
& the sole direction of Indian Affairs be placed in the hands of some one single person,
Commander in Chief, to be appointed by Your Majesty, who is to be autiiorized to draw upon
the Treasurer or other proper Officer of each Colony for such sums of money as shall be
necessary, as well for the ordinary as extraordinary service, according to the Quota settled for
each Colony.
The two first points are proposed to be established by the mutual consent and agreement of
the Colonies themselves, to be finally ratified and confirmed by Your Majesty; it appearing to
us that this method might be liable to the least objection and perhaps the speediest in point
of execution.
With regard to the manner in which the Colonies are to proceed in deliberating upon and
settling such parts of it as depend upon them, the view and object of the measure and the
general plan of it is precisely stated to them, the points upon which they are to deliberate, and
for which provision is to be made on their part, the method of proceeding in settling those
points, and of finally ratifying and confirming them when settled, are ascertained as the
preliminaries upon which they are to proceed.
The necessity of this Union and the security and advantages which will arise to the Colonies
from it, are so apparent, that we hope no difficulty will occur on their part. If however it
should be found upon trial that this measure should be defeated by any of the Colonies either
refusing or neglecting to enter into a consideration of the points referred to their deliberation;
or, after they are settled, by refusing to raise such supplies as are proposed by this plan to be
the fund for the execution of it: We see no other method that can be taken, but that of an
application for an interposition of the Authority of Parliament.
The execution of the third and last Proposition of this plan, so far as regards the power
â– which the Commander in Chief will have over the Forts & Garrisons, and over all troops
raised in the Colonies and in the management of Indian Services, depends singly upon Your
Majesty; who may, as we humbly apprehend, legally and by virtue of your own authority,
invest any person your Majesty shall think proper, with such power. In order however to the
proper and eflectual exercise of this power it is proposed that it should be agreed and settled
by the Colonies, that he should be authorized under certain regulations and restrictions to draw
upon the Treasurer or other proper officer of each Colony for such sums as shall be settled to
be paid by them for the ordinary as well as the extraordinary service. We shall not take up
Your Majesty's time in entring into any arguments to prove the propriety and necessity of an
appointment of this kind, as we humbly apprehend it will evidently appear to Your Majesty,
that circumstanced as the Colonies are, divided into seperate and distinct Provinces, having
little or no connexion with or dependence upon each other, neither this nor any other plan of
Union could be effectual, unless the command of the Forts and troops and the management
of Indian affairs and services should be put under one general direction.
These are the principal observations which have occurred to us as necessary to be submitted
to Your Majesty upon this Plan ; to which however Your Majesty will permit us to add, that
as it is proposed that in order to settle the several Points, the Commissioners nominated by
the Colonies should meet at such time and place as Your Majesty should appoint; we humbly
LONDON DOCUMENTS : XXXI. 903
submit it to Your Majesty whether it may not be adviseable that the City of New York should
be the phice of meeting, as being the most central & therefore the most convenient in point
of situation.
Upon the whole however we must observe to Your Majesty that from the delay which must
necessarily attend the execution of any new plan for an Union of the Colonies, it cannot be
made to answer the purpose of a present exigency. Whatever circumstances therefore of
danger or exigency may subsist at this time, such danger must be guarded against and such
exigency provided for, by an application of such means of strength and force as can be
procured in the most expeditious and effectual manner under the direction of some proper
person to be appointed by Your Majesty[s] Commander in Chief of all Your Majesties Forts
and Garrisons in North America and of all Forces raised therein or sent thither, and likewise
Commissary Genera! for Indian AfTairs; wiiich, for the reasons we have already given, appears
to us to be absolutely necessary and expedient for your Majesty's service
All which is most humbly submitted
Dunk Halifax
Jam' Grenville.
Fran: Fane
And" Stone
Jam' Oswald
Whitehall Rich'' Edgcumbe
Aug. 9. 1754 ThC Pelham.
Plan for a General Cooperation of the North American Colonies.
[B. T. Plantations General Entries, K., 880.]
The Draught of a Plan or Project for a General Concert to be entred into by
His Majesty's several Colonies upon the Continent of North America,
for their mutual and common Defence, and to prevent or remove any
encroachments upon His Majesty's dominions. 9 Aug. 1754.
It is proposed that a Circular Letter or Instruction be forthwith sent to the Governors of ail
the Colonies upon the Continent of North America to the following purport and effect, viz'
To set forth the danger to which they are exposed from the encroachments and invasions of
a foreign Power.
That the only effectual method of putting a stop to these encroachments and invasions, and
preventing the like for the future will be forthwith to agree upon a Plan for maintaining
and supporting a proper number of Forts upon the frontiers, and in such other places as shall
appear to be necessary for the general security of the Colonies; for raising & subsisting
regular Independant Companies for garrisoning such Forts; for making provision for defraying
the expences of presents for the Indians and for the other contingent charges of that service,
and for putting Indian Affairs under one general direction; and for raising and maintaining
troops for the general security service and defence of the whole, upon any attack or invasion.
904 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.
To state the urgent necessity there is of an immediate Union of tiie several Colonies upon
the Continent, for this purpose.
To direct the Governors forthwith to recommend these points to the serious consideration
of their respective Councils and Assemblies, and to propose to them to appoint proper persons
(one for each Colony) subject to the Governor's approbation, to meet at such time and place
as His Majesty shall appoint, in order to treat and deliberate upon this matter.
That the persons appointed to be the Commissioners for this purpose be instructed to consider,
in the first place, of the number of Forts necessary to be maintained and supported, and
what number of regular forces will be sufficient for garrisoning such Forts, and to prepare an
estimate of the annual expence thereof and of the expence of Presents for Indians and other
contingent charges attending this service.
That provision be likewise made in such estimate for maintaining Commissaries to be
established by Ris Majesty in such Forts as siiall be thought proper for the regulation and
management of Indian affairs.
That in order to settle these estimates with the greater exactness the Commissioners be
furnished with authenticated Accounts of the particular expence which each Colony has
been at for twenty years last past, for these services, and in what manner the money has been
applied and disposed of.
That when the Estimates shall have been settled, the Commissioners do agree upon the
quantum of money to be supplied by each Colony for defraying the expence of this service.
Tliat in settling such Quantum, regard be had to the number of inhabitants, trade, wealth
and revenue of each Colony; for which purpose the Commissioners are to be furnished
with very full and authenticated accounts of these particulars, and of the state of each
Colony respectively.
That the said Commissioners do agree that in case of any emergency by invasion or
otherwise, whereon it may be necessary to raise troops for the general defence of the whole,
beyond the number upon the ordinary establishment, the expence thereof shall be defrayed by
each Colony, according to the proportion each Colony is to bear of the ordinary established
Ciiarge for Forts fit'
That the Governors do signify to their respective Councils and Assemblies that His Majesty
will appoint a proper person to be Commander in Chief of all His Majesty's Forts and
Garrisons in the Colonies in North America and of all Troops already raised there or which
may hereafter be raised or sent thither upon any emergency and also Commissary General for
Indian Affairs; and that provision may be made in the estimate for the ordinary established
service, for a proper salary for such Commander in Chief.
That it be settled and agreed by the Commissioners at the general meeting that the said
Commander in Chief and Commissary for Indian Affairs be impowered from time to time as
occasion may require, to draw upon the Treasurer, Collector, Receiver or other proper officer
appointed to receive the Taxes or Duties levyed and raised in each Colony respectively, for
such sums of money as shall be necessary for maintaining & supporting the several Forts and
Garrisons, making P.'esents to the Indians and all other contingent charges, according to the
general estimate agreed upon for the ordinary established service, & in proportion to
the Quantum settled for each Colony; taking care to transmit annually to each Colony a
particular estimate, expressing the particular service for which such draughts are made.
LONDON DOCUMENTS: XXXI. 905
That ill all cases of aliack or invasion whereon it may be necessary to raise troops for
repelling such invasion or attack beyond the number on the ordinary Establishment, the
estimate of the charge of such troops, of extraordinary presents to the Indians and of the other
Contingent Expences shall be formed by the Governor Council and Assembly of the Colony
invaded or attacked, and immediate notice thereof transmitted by the Governor of sucii
Colony, with a Copy of the estimate, so prepared as aforesaid, to the Governors Councills and
Assemblys of the other Colonies upon the Continent, and that it be settled and agreed by the
Commissioners at the general meeting, that upon such notice so sent, a Commissioner shall be
forthwith nominated and appointed to each Colony respectively to meet at such place as the
Commander in Chief shall appoint, in order to take into consideration and deliberate upon
the aforementioned estimate so prepared by the Colony invaded, with full power to alter the
same in such manner as shall be thought expedient, and that when the same shall have been
agreed upon by the majority of the Commissioners who shall be there present, any five of
which shall make a Quorum, the Commander in Chief shall be impowered by them to draw
upon the Treasurer or other proper officer of each Colony for the respective Quotas each
Colony is to bear, of such expence, in proportion to the ordinary established estimate for
Forts &'^
That the draughts of the Commander in Chief as well for the ordinary as extraordinary
service be paid by the Treasurer &' of eacii Colony respectively out of any money lying in
his hands, in prelerence to all other services whatever, and that in case it shall so happen that
the Treasurer of any Colony shall not have in his hands a sufficient sum to answer such
draughts he be impower'd, by the general agreement, to borrow such a sum as shall be
necessary; for repayment of which provision is to be forthwith made by the Assembly.
That it be signified, that the said Commander in Chief will be directed to transmit to each
Colony once in every year, an account upon oath of all his disbursements for the publick
service, and that he will be obliged to account in His Majesty's Exchequer for all money
received and disposed of by him.
That each Colony may appoint a Commissioner to view and inspect from time to time as
they shall think proper the state of the several Forts and Fortifications, and of the repairs
made thereon, and to make report thereof to the Governor, Council and Assembly of such
Colony respectively, & that each Colony may likewise make Representations from time to time
to the Commander in Chief, of the state of each Colony, and propose to him such measures as
shall occur to be necessary for the general good of the whole.
That when the Commissioners have deliberated upon and settled the foregoing points, they
do transmit to His Majesty's Secretary of State & to the Commissioners for Trade and
Plantations, to be laid before His Majesty, attested copies of all their Minutes and Proceedings
and that they do prepare a Project or draught of a General Convention u^on the foregoing
Points and transmit copies thereof to the respective Colonies to be forthwith laid before the
Governors, Councils and Assemblies, who are to take the same into immediate consideration,
and having made such alterations therein or additions thereto as they shall think necessary,
shall return them to the Commissioners within two months, and wljen all the copies shall have
been returned the Commissioners shall resume their deliberations ; and having finally settled
the whole, the Convention shall be fairly drawn up and signed by each Commissioner and
transmitted hither in order to be laid before His Majesty for his approbation
Vol. VI. Ill
906 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.
And in case it shall so happen that any of the Colonies shall neglect to appoint a
Commissioner to be present at the General Meeting, or such Commissioner when appointed
shall neglect or refuse to attend, such neglect or refusall shall not prevent the Commissioners
present (any seven of vphich to be a Quorum) from proceeding upon the consideration of the
foregoing points ; but that the Convention shall be proceeded upon and finally settled and
agreed by a Majority of the Commissioners, and wrhen so settled and ratified by His Majesty
shall be bvuling upon the whole.
That the Governors be directed to signify to their respective Councils and Assemblies that
His Majesty does not intend to withdraw that part of the expence which the Crown has been
usually at, for the security and protection of the Colonies ; but that he will be graciously
pleased to continue to maintain and subsist such a number of his troops as shall appear to be
necessary to be stationed in America; and does also consent that whatever sums of money
have been usually given by His Majesty for Indian Services shall be deducted from the generall
estimate, as the share His Majesty is willing to bear of the ordinary establishment for this
service, and that upon any great emergency they shall receive such support from His Majesty
as shall be thought reasonable upon a due consideration of the Nature of the case and of what
the Circumstances and conditions of the Colonies shall seem to require.
Reverend Dr. Cutler to Dr. Secher^' Blsliop of Oxford.
[ " American Colonies MS.," Lambeth Palace, No. 1128, I., No. 81. ]
My Lord
Your very good and condescending letter came to hand July 2S.
Had any important charge risen from the pamphlets I sent Your Lordship, I had presumed
to lay it before: but I thought it too minute to mention, and myself happy enough in Your
' Most Reverend Thomas Secker was a native of the village of Sibthorp, Nottinghamshire, and was born in the year 1693.
Hisp.arent3 were Dissenters, and designed their son for orders in their communion; but in 1716 he applied himself to the