obliged to defend themselves. If these things are so, then we are certainly greatly to blame.
But on the contrary our men say That they have been very hardly used by our Brethren of
Virginia, who took some days time to get themselves ready to destroy us, which the event
proves they would have done had it been in their power, and that only for killing a few
cattle, which we do not deny to have done for our subsistance, And that all we did kill one
Hog, one Calf and one Horse and we took away one Cask Syder, this is all the damage of
which the Virginia people so much complain to have been done before the Engagement.
When we passed thro' Pensylvania we were treated very kindly by the Inhabitants, but as
soon as we entered into Virginia Government we observed a different behaviour from the first
house to the last, And when we had passed them we were overtaken by this party who first
fired upon us, so that most certainly we can't be the Occasion of this mischief.
The Governour of \"irginia demands from us the reason of using his people thus ill, he having
never given us any reason for such usage, We say that we have no reason to be disgusted at
240 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.
him or his people or for using them ill, and if we had any pretensions upon him any way, we
would have made it known to our Brother the Governor of New York, We have now told you
all the mischief we have done, and how we have been used for killing a few cattle.
We the Sachims do acknowledge that our men ought not to have gone there, and do declare
that we have used all our skill and authority that none should go a fighting and that those
that went did go without our knowledge or consent which is all that we can say or do.
We are inclined to make up this breach in the Covenant Chain and are willing to come
to Albany for that purpose whenever we shall have notice of the time that shall be most
convenient. But we would be very glad that the Governor of Virginia was himself present,
when we should have opportunity face to face to talk more fully of this matter & to reconcile
more effectually.
Gave a Belt.
The Indians told the Interpreter that there were not any white people in the party, but that
a young fellow who is half Indian & half Christian was with them who had blue eyes which
was the occasion of the mistake.
Commissioner's of Indian Affairs to Lieute7iant-Governor Clarice.
[ New-York Bundle, Gg., p. 88. No. S. ]
No. 8.
Albany 30, May 1743.
May it please your Honor
We have rec'd. your Honoures letter of the 27"* of last month and have according to your
Honor's orders sent the Interpreter up to Onondage with instructions conformable to your
Honor's directions, which are here inclosed, and also the Answer which the Sachims of the
Six Nations made thereto, your Honor will perceive thereby that the six Nations do not make
any pretence on any lands in the Government of Virginia, But on the contrary declare that
they had not any reason to abuse the people there, or to be any ways displeased with them.
And that after using their utmost endeavours, it was not in their power to stop their people
from going to fight to the Southward. But yet it seems by their Answer that they think the
Virginia people used their men very ill in following them in a hostile manner only for killing
a few cattle and in firing upon them thrice, as they say, before they returned it, they say
farther that the OflScer which is left alive knows what they say to be truth, and that he
could not deny it in their presence. But upon the whole the Sachims are inclined to make
up the breach and to come to Albany for that purpose at any time that shall be fixed upon.
But desire earnestly that the Governor of Virginia may be present.
It is certainly of the greatest consequence to all the Northern colonies that this affair should
some way or other be reconciled, and that in a very short time, which way to bring it about
we do not know. But think it would be best that Collo. Gooch should either come himself or
send a deputy here (which your Honour knows is the only place where our Indians will treat
of publick affairs) in order to a reconciliation and at the same time we imagine that if a few of
LONDON DOCUMENTS : XXVII. 241
those Southern Indians were brought along agninst whom our Indians have so long warred,
that it would induce our Indians to have a stricter regard to the treaty of peace made with
your Honour in their behalf in 1740, If this affair be not settled in a short time we are very
apprehensive some barbarous and faithless Indians living scattering from tiieir castles will again
go and murder upon the frontiers of Virginia, which is not in our power to prevent, we
have already had certain information that a party of seven such rascals living near Schaweno have
lately been upon tiie march, but were stopped by a Castle of Cayouges, who lived that way,
we have sent a message by two Indians who were here upon their own Business, to desire
the Sachims about Shaweno to stop any party of Indians who may be so wicked as to go that
way, which we believe they will very readily do.
What we have said we submit to your Honors wiser judgment and can say no more but
express our earnest desire that this unhappy affair may be brought to speedy Issue by some
means or ther, which if it be not done will prove the greatest evil to this land that it ever felt.
We are your Honors most humble
and most obed' servants
Myndert Schuyler
John De Peyster
JoHANNis Lansing jun'
Nicholas Bleeker
RuTGER Bleeker
Hon'''^ George Clarke Esq' Stephanus Groesbeeck.
No. 9.
Lieutenant-Governor Clarhe to Governor Gooch.
[ New-York Bundle, Gg., p. 88. No. 9. ]
New York June the 16. 1743.
Sir
I have at length, for it has taken up a good deal of time, gotten an answer from the Six
Nations, vphich I now send to you I will forbear to make many reflections on it, only this
much will I venture to say. That as it is a matter of very great importance, I am persuaded
you will not be hasty to take any steps that may lead to widen a breach that may involve all
the Colonies in a warr, which in its consequences may plunge them into inexlricahle miseries, and
procure to our natural enemy the French, what they are incessantly labouring to accomplish.
The Sachims you see (and I am well assured of it) endeavour all they can to restrain their
youth from these Excursions, but it is next to impossible, the Nations are resolved on their
part to preserve the union I made and will be sorry to see it violated by a sharp resentment of
the injuries committed by a few of their licentious youth (and they forced to it by hunger)
over whom by the nature of their government they have no coercive power: reason and
persuasion being their only authority. Your people and they differ widely in an essential point,
viz' Who fired first, be that as it will, I hope some amicable end will be made of the business,
& next to your treating with them in person, 1 realy think your sending some prudent person
Vol. VI. 31
242 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.
â– with one or two of each Indian Nation depending on Virginia, Carolina & Geogia to Albany,
there to treat with the Six Nations, will have a very happy effect not only in healing this
breach, but for preventing the like for the future. We are not I presume to insist on punctilio's
with such people we are to consider them as they are or may be usefull or prejudicial to us, and
if you look upon them in that light, they will appear to be the best barrier, against Canada, to
all the Provinces, Wherefore I think we ought to preserve their friendship by all the means we
can. If we lose them and the French gain them what will become of all the Povinces is but too
obvious to every one, especially to your penetraction, Wherefore I forbear to say [any] more
and will conclude with assuring you that I am
Dear Sir &c.
Governor Gooch
Governor Oglei/wrpe to Lieutenant-Governor Clarice.
[ Now -York Bundle, Gg., p. 89.]
Frederica in Georgia Aprill the 22* 1743
Sir ' _ _
I am to return you thanks for your Advices relating to the French and Indians intending to
attack ours, to whom your notice got timely up. The Creeks (for the design was against
them) are extremely thankful for the Intelligence, & have taken all measures for their defence,
and, I believe, their march being discovered, will for some time stop their attempting any
thing. The Creeks have defeated one of their small parties which were Choctaws, and some
Howakeeas, They have also taken one pryber who has been some time attempting to set up a
town of fugitives, they intercepted him going to the Spaniards and French, and took a great
part of his papers upon him, and brought him and them to me. Our Enemies are labouring
to stir up the Indians against us, maintaining correspondences, and Employing Emissaries on
all hands, amongst the Ruffians, run away slaves &c* — You have shewed great vigilance and
activity in preventing their plotts, I wish others had followed your Example, but with grief I
fear the want of that diligence in some people. All looks very black round us, and Our King
and Country's Cause requires every Man's Heart and Hand.
The Spaniards had enlarged their Quarters to St. John's River, It was reported that they
intended to attack us, I went down to meet them, God was pleased to prosper us so farr that
the usual terror took them and they retired within the Walls of Augustine. I followed them
up to that place and our Indians who were advanced before us, killed about 40 of the Enemy
under the Cannon of the Town. One of the Spanish Soldiers just now taken confirms the
advices, that they are making a great Armament at the Havannah, and as it is reported
designed against this place. We have received no Cannon yet from England, and are in great
want both of guns and shot. As the storm will first fall upon this Province and Carolina, it is
the Interest of all America to assist as far as they can. 1 can not take Guns from Charles Town,
since they may probably want them much about the same time with us. If you could spare
any iron shot, or any eighteen pound Cannon, if you would be so kind as to send such number
as you could spare, it would in my opinion be greatly for His Majesty's service and perhaps be
the saving of this Colony and the Troops here. I have ordered M' Houstun to wait upon you
LONDON DOCUMENTS : XXVII. 243
with this, and if you send us the Shot and Guns I have ordered him to defray all the charges
for getting them hither. All here are resolved to defend the province to the utmost, and the
Creek. Indians are highly Zealous, notwithstanding the Artifice of the French. We shall have
a formidable body of them as also assistance from the Chickesaws, Contaubas & some of the
Cherokees, though the FVench have lately got an interest in several of them by their artifices.
I fear I am too tedious, but by the next opportunity shall write other particulars. Permit
me to recommend myself to the continuance of your friendship and believe me to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
The Hono"'' George Clarke Esq' James Oglethorpe
Affidavit of John Grigg
Province of 1
New York ss j This day personaly appeared before me George Clarke Esq' His Majesties
Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of New York John Griggs of
the City of New York Marriner, And made oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God,
and deposed as followeth, that is to say —
That he the Deponent on or about the twenty ninth Day of January 174J together with four
other persons belonging to Captain Charles Davison of the S' Andrew Privateer, being on
shore at Florida Keys, were taken by the Florida Indians, and some time in the next month
(February) were carried to the Havannah, where this deponent remained a prisoner till the
Sixth of March last, when he was thence relieved by a Flag of Truce sent from Providence,
together with upwards of seventy other prisoners, who with him sailed from the Havannah on
or about the sixth day of March. That during the Deponents stay at the Havannah the
Spaniards were then building two Seventy Gun Ships, one of which was near finished when
the Deponent came away, And that there were then at that post eleven sail of Spanish men
of War and Sixty or Seventy Guns or thereabouts, Sir Mark Forrester, an Irishman by birth,
being Commodore under the Spanish Admiral, that most of the ships were very old and leaky
and unfit to go to sea, and all of them unrigged, and very weakly manned. That the Deponent
had the liberty of walking about the Town for about four or five months before he came away
from the Havannah, and was often in the ship yards and helped to work there, and on board
their vessells, and had opportunity of seeing all the vessells there, that there were no Galleys
building at the Havannah while he was there, and that the Spaniards then had but one
belonging to the fort which was out on a cruise, and that there were no forty gun ships there,
nor any men of war of less than sixty guns, except the Snow called the King's Snow.
And the Deponent further deposeth and say'd that during the time the Deponent was at the
Havanah seven sail of Spanish Privateers sailed from thence to cruise on the English, That is
to say a Snow of Eighteen Carriage and Eighteen Swivel Guns bound for Guinea, Two French
Sloops which came from Martinico, there, for Commissions, both Bermuda built and large sloops,
the one carrying twelve carriage guns and one hundred men, the other fourteen carriage guns
and one hundred and ten men besides swivils. The aforesaid Snow called the Kings Snow
(the same which some time since took Captain Phoenix of this place) carrying sixteen carriage
guns and one hundred and twenty men, and a Scooner having Topsails and cross Jack Yards
244 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.
aloft and carrying twelve carriage guns and one hundred men, And that these two last sailed in
Company together. Two Sloops, the one a large New Sloop, Havannah built, having a white
woman's head for her head, and top sail guards aloft, carrying twelve six pounders and one
hundred men, tho more were intended to be taken on board but could not be got. The other
a Bermuda built sloop lately belonging to Capf Whitney carrying fourteen carriage guns
besides swivels and one hundred and twenty men, commanded by one Paunche or some such
name, and is the same who was some time since taken by Captain Norton, and carried into
Rhode Island, whence he got to the Havannah, And who is a person sayd to be well acquainted
with these coasts. And that these two last sailed about a month before the Deponent.
And the Deponent further deposed and sayd that he was informed at the Havannah that the
six last named vessels were intended to cruise on these coasts. The two French sloops being
first to go to St. Augustine and thence of the Bar of South Carolina, and that the said Deponent
in particular was informed thereof by one Michael Beesby, a Bristol man, of small stature and
Brown complexion & pock fretten. And by one Spencer late of Connecticut, a tall spare man, a
Taylor by trade, who were both on board the King's Snow, the first as a Voluntier and the
last by compulsion.
And the said Deponent further deposed & say'd, That a ship lately called the James and Joseph,
London built, with a sloop lately commanded by Captain Perdue of Philadelphia, were fitting
out at the Havannah for a cruise. And that the former was to carry eighteen carriage guns
between Decks and one hundred and forty men ; And the said Deponent verily believes and
was credibly informed that the above account of the number of the guns and men each vessel
carryed as aforesaid, is a just & true account, and that while he was a prisoner at the
Havannah the Spaniards by way of Bravado gave out that they would lay of this port or
Colony, and would even come on shore here.
And this Deponent further deposed and sayed. That no man of war sailed for Europe from
the Havannah while he was there. And that during that time he never heard any talk of their
having any Design to attack Georgia, But that they were much afraid that the English would
attack St. Augustine, And that he the Deponent had heard they were to send three or four
luindred men for the defence of that place, if wanted. And that the Spaniards owned to him
that they had lost five hundred men at Georgia, which place they sayed they should have taken*
but that the Governor of St. Augustine was a coward, and did not know how to give orders.
And the said Deponent further deposed and sayed that he left about two hundred and forty
English prisoners at the Havannah. A great part of whom sayed and declared that if they
were not quickly relieved, they would take on, in the Spanish service, And that the Spaniards
declared that if the Spanish prisioners were sent to Providence, they would exchange
Englishmen for them, and desired that notice might be given thereof.
And lastly that the King's Snow & Scooner sailed about six or seven months before the
Deponent left that place, and had sent in a brigantine belonging to Boston commanded by one
McTagget, but that they had not been heard of since. And that the common Cruising Grounds
of the Spaniards is in the West Indies in the Winter, & the northern parts in the summer.''
John Grigg
Sworn this 24 May 1743.
Geo. Clarke
LONDON DOCUMENTS : XXVII. 245
Lieutenant-Governoi' Clarice to the Diike of Newcastle.
[New-York Papers, (8. P. O.) No. 9, p. 161. ]
New York June 19"> 1743.
My Lord.
I do myself tlie honor to lay before your Grace the present State of His Maj'" provinces with
respect to the French who surround them, wherein I have presumed to hint at a method to
preserve them from becoming a pray to our natural Enemy — In the mean time I propose in
my letter to the Lords of Trade, the copy whereof I do myself the honor to send to your Grace,
that an important place called Tierondequat on the lake Cadaraqui, be garrisoned by a
detachment of twenty men a comp^ from the four independant companyes posted in this
province, desiring their Lord?' if they approve of it to recommend it to your Grace. The
French have for some years been attempting to get leave from the Five nations to build there
a Trading house or a Hutt, or any thing (that might give them a pretence to keep us from
thence), but I have had the good fortune to defeat them in that design, and to obtain a gift of
that place for the Crown, where there is an excellent harbour for building the vessells, proposed
in the inclosed paper —
General Oglethorpe expecting another attack from the Spaniards and being destitute of
Artillery and shot, wrote to me for some, I have with the advice of the Councill lent him 14. —
12 p"^' with carriages, but the carriages being old and no wheels to tiiem, the Commissary
whom the General sent would take only the guns ; shot we have not enough for our own guns,
so that I could spare none.
That I may not trespass longer on your Graces patience I beg leave to referr to the inclosed
papers and letter to the Lords of Trade and most humbly to crave Your Graces protection,
being with the most profound submission
My Lord i
Your Graces
most humble, most obedient and
most dutiful servant
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. (signed). G.Clarke
Lords of Trade to Lieutenant-Governor ClarTce.
[New- York Entries, M., p. 257.]
To George Clarke Esq'
Sir.
Since our letter to you of the 3'' of November 1742 a Duplicate whereof has likewise been
sent We have read one from You of the 29"" November 1742 together with the papers therein
referred to. Governor Clinton who is upon the point of setting out for his Governm* will brmg
246 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.
with him his Majesty's presents to the Indians : We contributed thereto as far as was in our
power, by representing in favour of them.
We are sorry to hear the Trading House at Oswego is in so bad a condition as to its
Fortifications and Garrison ; But we hope the New Gov' with whom we have had some
Discourse upon this Subject will do his best towards inducing the Assembly to provide for its
security and prevent its falling into the hands of the French in case of a Rupture betwixt
us and them.
We doubt not but you will take the same good care of the Government as you have hitherto
done, 'till the arrival of M"' Clinton.
We have transmitted to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle for his Majesty's Information an
Extract of Your letter as far as relates to Oswego and the Furr Trade carried on by the French
by the lake of Cadaraqui.
So we bid You heartily farewell, and are
Your very loving friends
& humble Servants
MONSON
M. Bladen
Whitehall R- Plumer
July 27'" 1743 B. Keene.
P. S. We have not reced the Minutes of Council in New York between y^ 14"" of April 1739
& the 29'*' of Sept'"' 1740, and the Naval Officers Accounts from Lady Day 1739 to Lady Day
1740 are wanting. We desire therefore you will send us both by the first opportunity.
MoNSON.
Points in support of Governor ClintorUs Application for certain Allowances.
[New-York Papers. (S. P. O.) No. 9, p. 178.]
Short heads to show the reasonableness of Governor Clinton's application for an
allowance by way of equipage money. 1743.
1" Upon the apointment of Governors the Crown have frequently made an allowance by-
way of equipage money in order to assist 'em towards defraying the very considerable expence,
the equipping and fitting them out for their own Govern" must necessarily occasion and this
without any other reason;
Whereas in Governor Clinton's case there are many strong reason's, to be offered
in support of this application, For:
2ii
his predecessors — The Province of New Jersey having always till now been united with New
York, and under the same Government, and the salary paid by New Jersey has always been
LONDON DOCUMENTS : XXVII. 247
i£1000 besides other considerable advantages, so that the making New Jersey a separate and
distinct Govern' makes New York at least .£1000 a year less in value to Gov"" Clinton than it
was to his predecessors.
3'''' Former Governors iiad the advantage of one of the four companyes, besides the paying
all the four Company's, which were together at least ^£2000 per annum, but which from the
present method of paying those Company's Governor Clinton will be totally deprived of.
4rth Pormer Governours have always had a mojety of their salary's from the date of their
Commission to the time of their arrival in New York, but which from the diflijrent method the
Assembly's of New York have lately fallen into in raising and paying this salary. Governor
Clinton will have no advantage of, but from the time he shall actually arrive at New Y'ork, and
get an act passed for that purpose.
5"" Former Governors have likewise had considerable advantages from granting lands — But
Governor Clinton can expect no benefit of this kind, there being now no vacant lands
remaining to grant.
This Therefore hoped it will be thought reasonable to make Governor Clinton an allowance,
by way of equipage money, towards assisting him, in defraying the expences of fitting himself
out for his Government. —
Governor Clinton to the Lords of Trade.
[New-Tork Bundle. Gg., p. 93.]
My Lords,
I have the honour to acquaint your Lordships that I arrived here safe the 20"" September
and have gone through the several formalities requisite for a Governour upon the occasion.
I have dissolved the Assembly by advice of my Council, which I find gives a general
satisfaction to the people, and I take the liberty to inclose the Speech I made to the Assembly
for that purpose, which I hope will meet with your Lordships approbation
As I have but just an opportunity of writing by a Ship ready to sail for England, I cannot
now take it upon me to give your Lordships any farther account relative to my Government,
and I am with very great respect
My Lords
Your Lordships most humble
New York & most obedient Servant
2^ October 1743 G. Clinton
The R' Hon'-''^ the Lords of Trade & Plantations.
248 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.
Governor Clinton to the DiiTce of Newcastle.
[ New-Tork Papers. ( 8. P. 0.) No. 9, p. 1S2. ]
My Lord.
I desire Your Grace will permit me to acquaint you of my arrival here, and I have the honor
to assure Your Grace I was well received at my landing and with great marks of favour. I
have given a generall satisfaction to the whole province in dissolving the Assembly and calling
a new one. T have likewise declared my intention of continuing every person in his place