Assembly had come to no determination as to their quota of Assistance for Louisbourg
expedition ; that the French had lately caused a great commotion among the Indians, by
endeavouring to make them believe, that the English had a design to cut them off; that two of
the principal Nations were formed into a body to destroy our settlements, and that we should
have lost our Indians, had not the Commiss" for Indian affairs been very diligent to quell that
Report ; that the French had increased their settlements, by which means and by having 2 or
3 vessels on the Lake Cadaraque, they had almost engrossed the Indian Trade. And, that by
erecting Forts and trading houses all along the Lake in the Senekes Country (contrary to the
faith of Treaties) they daily gained too great an influence over the Indians dependant on
the English. To prevent these encroachments, he proposes to Fortify a harbour on the Lake
Cadaraque, to build a few Vessels of superior strength, to settle regular Troops in that Country,
and to have an Engineer appointed for building and repairing such Forts as might be necessary.
He likewise acquaints the Board, that the French intended an expedition against the English
settlements, and sends an account of the number of regular Troops and Militia posted at their
several settlements in Canada.

In another letter of the same date he acquaints the Board with what the Assembly had done
for the Expedition against Louisbourg ; but that they had neglected to make provision for an
annual interview with the Indians, which was tlie more necessary, as they begun to be wavering
in their attachments, and as the French Indians had commenced hostilities upon the Frontiers;
he also urged the necessity of having an Engineer sent from Great Brittain for the repair of the
Fortifications, which was communicated by this Board to His Maj'^"* Secretary of State.

On the 29"" of July 1745. M^ Catherwood was sworn in at the Council Board, Secretary of
the Colony of New York, by virtue of a Commission from M' Clinton, to act in that character
in the absence of the Secretary appointed by his Majesty or his Lawful deputy. At the same
time M' Clinton communicated to the Council several letters, which he had received from the
Commiss" for Indian Affairs relating to the danger there was of the Mohawks going over to
the French ; upon considering the whole matter the Council were of opinion, that the Gov'
should have an Interview with the Indians that Fall.

On the 6"* of August 1745. the Assembly met according to adjournment, and M' Clinton
acquainted them by Message with the Hostilities committed by the French Indians, and
represented to them the necessity of continuing out Scouts upon the Frontiers, the Funds for
which service were now exhausted. He also laid before them the Intelligence which he had
received from the Frontiers, and urged the necessity of their enabling him to hold an Interview
with the Six Nations, and on the 21" of August 1745. the Assembly came to a resolution to
allow .£600, for enacting' the Gov' to treat with the said Indians.

On the 23"* the Gov' sent a Message to the house recommending to them to pass a Law for
prohibiting any Trade or Intercourse with the French Indians in time of War, and also a Law,

' Sic. enabling. — En.



646 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

for imposing a powder duty upon vessels agreable to the 77"^ Article of his Instruc'"' But on
the 2S"' the Assembly desired to be adjourned to October, which the Gov' accordingly
complied with

On the 3"* of Sepf M"" Clinton communication to the Council, a declaration of War issued by
the Govern' of the Massachusets Bay against the French Indians, as also a letter from Coll:
Stoddert, relating to the conduct of those Indians, and their practice of Trading with the
people of Albany in time of War. The Council upon consideration of these papers were of
opinion that from the Interview which had been held between the Six Nations of Indians and
the Gov' of Canada, there was great reason to apprehend, that they were prevailed upon to
join in a War against the English; that it was adviseable that all His Maj'''' subjects in the
province of New York should be prohibited to Trade with the French Indians, and that the
Six Nations should be sollicited to remain Steady in the British Interest.

In the beginning of October 1745. M' Clinton went up to Albany to hold an interview with
the Six Nations, when, jointly with Commiss" from the Govern'^ of the Massachusets Bay,
Connecticut and Pennsylvania, he entered into conference with them, which ended in a Treaty,
whereby the said Indians, declared, that, in case the French Indians did not make satisfaction
for the hostilities committed on the Frontiers, they would upon orders from the Govern' of
New York readily join in the War : they likewise declared, that they were well satisfied,
that the rumour spread amongst them of a design of the English to destroy them, was
without foundation.

On INI' Clinton's return from Albany, he communicated this Treaty to the Council and
Assembly, which met on the 28"" of October according to adjournment.

In his Message to the Assembly upon this occasion, he represented to them, as a matter
extreamly worthy of their most serious attention, the naked and exposed condition of the
Frontiers, and acquainted them, that, as since the Treaty with the Six Nations, the French
Indians had committed further hostilities, he thought it necessary to acquaint them therewith,
as now the necessity of erecting Forts upon the Frontiers was the more pressing.

On the 14"" and 15* of November the Assembly came to several resolutions to make provision
for the publick service, and among the rest, they made provision for continuing the Garrison at
Oswego, and for oat scouts, but resolved to defer the consideration of building a Fort at the
carrying place, until the next meeting of the House.

On the 20"'. Nov' 1745 M' Clinton sent a Message to the Assembly, to acquaint them that the
Enemy had cut off Saraghtoga settlement upon the Northern Frontier, reproving them for their
neglect of making provision for building Forts upon the Frontiers so often recommended to
them, and representing to them, that as it was necessary to March Detachments of the Militia
to that part of the Province which was most exposed, it was incumbent upon them to make
ample provision for their subsistence and for erecting a Fort at the carrying place, as also for
supplying the Indians in our Interest with Arms and Ammunition, and making good the
deficiencies in the funds for supply of Govern'.

In consequence of this Message the Assembly immediately voted ,£400, for building a Fort
at the carrying place and supporting a garrison therein ; they also made provision for a
Detachment of the Militia and allowed £100 for contingencies.

On the 25"' of November 1745. the Gov' laid before the Assembly several papers, which he
had received, relating to the Damages done by the Enemy at Saraghtoga and to their further
proceedings. Whereupon the Assembly [came] to several Resolutions, viz' To allow rewards



LONDON DOCUMENTS : XXX. 647

for Scalps, to allow an additional sum of ^200 for Scouts, and £30 for erecting a Blockhouse at
Schenectade ; that if the Gov'' found it necessary to send a detachment of the King's Troops,
the house would make provision for their transportation and provision until they came
to Albany.

On the 27"" of NoV, two persons deposed before the Council, that the Enemy had taken
another settlement and cut off about 150 or 200 of the Militia.^ Whereupon the Council
advised the Gov"' to send for all the warriours of the Six Nations to come to Albany, and to
acquaint them, that they should be supplyed with provisions, powder and Ball upon their
going to war, besides a Reward for scalps & prisoners.

On the SS"* of Nov'' 1745. the Speaker of the Assembly acquainted the House, that the Gov"'
had given orders for the King's Troops to march to Albany, and recommended to the House to
make provision for their transportation and subsistance during their passage, and also for
lodgings for the Officers during their stay there, to which the house agreed, and came to a
resolution to make such provisions accordingly.

The House then came to the following Resolution viz'

That this house will at all times chearfully concurr in every reasonable measure for our own
defence, for the Assistance of our Neighbours, and to any well concerted plan, consistent with
the circumstances of the Colony, for distressing and attacking the Enemy, and that this is, and
ever has been the firm purpose and unanimous Resolution of this House.

M'' Clinton in a letter to the Board dated the IS"* of January following, represents, that the
view of the Assembly in coining to this resolution was, to remove the complaints and odium
their own people threw upon them for their neglect in raising supplies for the^ safety of
the Province.

The Gov"' gave his assent to the following Acts, among others, and put'an end to the Session
by adjourning the House to the 17"' of December.

"An Act for continuing the support of Govern' for one year."

*' An Act for payment of salarys ettc" —

" An Act to farm the excise on retailed strong liquors " — .

M' Clinton in his letter of the 30"" of November 1745. acquainted the Board with his
transactions at the last Interview with the Indians ; that the Assembly had not given attention
to what he had recommended to them, concerning the Building of Forts upon the Frontiers ;
that while they are at the charge of maintaining a G-ov'', it will never be otherwise. That as
they are jealous of the power of the Crown, and are Levellers by principle, nothing but an
Independent Gov'' could bring them to a just sence of their duty; that he was apprehensive
that the money they had voted for the Louisbourg expedition would never be paid ; that
he was endeavouring to engage the province in a scheine for the reduction of Crown Point,
and had sent up Cannon to Albany for that purpose ; that the sum voted by the Assembly for
building a Fort at the carrying place was very inconsiderable ; that he had detached two of the
King's Companies & a body of Militia to Albany, and had given orders to the Six Nations to
take up the Hatchet, but that unless the Assembly would come into ways and means of joining
with the other Colonies to attack the Enemy, he could notanswerforthesecurity of the Province.

' November 27, 1715. His Excellency having sent for two persons lately conae to this city from the Fish Kills about
90 miles from Albany, they Report That the Enemy had taken a Settlement called Woodstock, and cut off 150 or 200 of the
Militia that went to attack them. Next -York Council Minutes, XXI., 66. — Ed.



648 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

It should be observed, that the Acts mentioned to liave been passed in this session, were
passed in the same irregular manner as those of the like nature were in the last, and in
particular by the act for payment of salaries, the several sums are made payable to the Officers
by name, and in very few instances to the Officers for the time being.

On the 4"" of December 1745. the Gov'' communicated to the Council two letters from Coll:
Schuyler, desiring 300 of the Militia might be sent up to Albany and Schenectady, &
recommending the building a Fort at Saraghtoga, whereupon the Council were of opinion, that,
as the Gov"" had sent up two Independent companies to Albany, it was not necessary to send
up a Detachment of the Militia; but that a Fort ought to be immediately built at Saraghtoga,
and a Stone Fort at the Carrying Place early in tlie spring. The Gov'' likewise acquainted the
Council, that the Militia of New York, had refused to do duty as Centinells at his House, for
which olTence the Council were of opinion they ought to be fined, conformably to the
Militia Act.

On the ll'^^of December the Gov"' laid before the Council several other letters, which he had
received from the Frontiers, relating to the defenceless state thereof, and to the designs of the
Enemy; which were referred to the consideration of a Committee consisting of the following
persons: M' Kennedy, M"^ Courtland, M'' Horsmanden, M'' Chief Justice De Lancey and M''
Murray, who reported, that as to the information of the designs of the French, notice thereof
be sent to the neighbouring Govern*^ representing to them the bad consequences of the Enemy's
carrying such a design into execution, exhorting them to have their forces in readiness to assist
their neiglibours. 2^^ that as to the representation of the Commiss" for Indian Affairs of what
was necessary for the Frontiers, and their desire that some of the Militia might be sent to
Albany, they were of opinion, that as a Detachment of the King's Troops was already there,
and the Inliabitants upon the out settlements, had retired to that place, it was unnecessary to
send any of the Militia, till further advice, and in case it should be necessary to send any thither
hereafter, they advised his Excellency to recommend it to the Assembly to make provision for
their pay and subsistance; lastly that Major Swatwout should be commended for his diligence,
and admonished to have the Militia in readiness at all events and to give the Gov'' early advice
of the designs of the Enemy.

On the l?"" of December the Assembly met according to adjournment, and on the 20"" the
Gov' sent them a Message, acquainting them, that he had sent His Majesty's Troops to Albany
for the defence of that City; that he had since received letters from the Coll : of the Militia
Regiment of that Country' and the Commiss''^ of Indian Afl'airs (which were by his order laid
before the house) advising him to rebuild the Fort at Saraghtoga immediately, and that he had
by the consent of his Council send up directions to have it rebuilt accordingly, not doubting
but they would make provision for that expence, as well as for the pay of such additional
Troops, as he should be advised to send up for the protection of the Frontiers, as also for giving
proper encouragement to those, who should take pains to engage the Indians heartily in
the War.

In this Message he also reminds Ihem of the necessity of concerting measures jointly with
the neighbouring Govern" concerning the prosecution of the War; He proposed such
amendments, as he thought necessary in the Militia Act, and concluded with exhorting them
to make use of all the means in their power to strengthen the hands of the Govern', and to
provide for every thing necessary for the preservation of the Province.

' Sic. Qu? County. — Ed.



LONDON DOCUMENTS : XXX. G49

On the 24"" December 1745 the liouse resolved itself into a Committee upon this Message,
and came to a resolution to allow il50. for rebuilding the P'ort at Saraghtoga, and to take the
Message into further consideration on Wednesday the S"" of January, to which day the Assembly
was then adjourned. But M^ Clinton has not transmitted the proceedings of the Assembly in
that session.

In his letter of the 18"" of January however, lie says, that the Assembly had paid no regard
to what lie had recommended to them, for the security of the Province.

On the lo* of January 1745. the Gov"" communicated to the Council several letters and
papers received from the Frontiers representing the necessity of Building Blockhouses, of a
prohibition against selling Rum to the Indians and the difficulty of getting the Militia up to
Saraghtoga; which papers were referred to a committee of Council.

On the 17"" Coll : Dekey presented to the Council a Belt of Wampum, which he had brought
from the Cashigton Indians' to be presented to the Gov' as a token of Friendship, and the
Council recommended to the Gov' to send the said Indians a Belt of Wampum with assurances
of protection.

On the 31" January 1745. M' Clinton laid before the Council several otlier letters & papers
relative to things necessary to be done for the security of the Frontiers.

On the 5"" of March the Gov"" laid before the Council a letter from the Commiss" of Indian
affairs, representing the necessity of a Fort at the carrying place, the supplying Oswego with
Provisions, and acquainting him that the Six Nations had refused to take up the Hatchet ag"
the French ; which was referred with the other letters he had laid before the Council, to a
Committee of the Board ; M' Clinton at the same time acquainted the Council, that the
Assembly had desired to be adjourned to the 2"'' Tuesday in April on account of the small
pox, but the Council advised the Gov' not to comply with their request.

On the IS"" of March the Committee of Council consisting of M' Livingston, M' Chief
Justice, M' Kennedy, M'Horsmanden, M' Murray and M' Moore, reported on the aforementioned
papers, referred to their consideration, to the following effect: 1" That as they apprehend, that
the Six Nations of Indians, declining to enter into the War, arose from their not having Forts
and Garrisons in their Country, they therefore advised the GoV to acquaint the Neighbouring
Govern" therewith, and to urge them to contribute their proportion of the expence towards
establishing P'orts and Garrisons in the said Indian Country, the charge whereof was too heavy
to be borne by the province of New York alone. 2"^' That these papers be communicated to
tiie Assembly and that the Gov' should recommend to them, to make provision in the mean
time for building six Block Houses upon the Northern frontiers, for the maintenance and pay
of the Militia to be garrisoned in them, and for 25 Men to be posted in the Blockhouses built
at the expence of the Inhahitants upon the Frontiers, and that the Conimiss" for Indian Affairs
should always be furnished with sufficient sums of money, to answer all exigencies.

On the 2°'' of April 1746. the Gov' communicated to the Council a Message sent him by the
Assembly, acquainting him that, as they were about to raise a large sum of money, they
desired to know, if he had any objections to passing a Bill for issuing Bills of Credit; upon
which he desired the Council's opinion, who advised him to return for answer, that, when a
Bill for that purpose should come regularly before iiim for his assent, it would then be a proper
time for him to give his opinion thereupon.

' This tribe reaided on the Delaware river, at or near Cocliecton, Sullivan Co., N. Y. — Ed.

Vol. VI. 82



650 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

On the 20"> of April M' Clinton laid before the Council a letter from Admiral Warren soliciting
succours for the Garrison at Louisbourg, \frhich the Council advised him to send to tiie Assembly.

On the 25"" the Gov' laid before the Council several letters from the Commiss" of Indian
Affairs, acquainting him with their intentions of sending a Message to the Cocknawaga Indians
to come and settle in the Province of Nev? York, and that the French intended to build a Fort
12 miles beyond M' Lydius's house, and urging the necessity of the removal of a French
Priest settled in the Seneca Country, which papers were referred to a Committee.

On the 3"" of May the Council advised the Gov'' to adjourn the Assembly to the first Tuesday
in June.

On the 10"' the Gov"' laid before the Council a Petition of the Inhabitants of the two Towns
upon the Frontiers, desiring Blockhouses might be built for their security, which Petition the
Council advised the Gov'' to send to the Assembly.

On the IS"" he laid before the Council two letters from the Commiss''' for Indian affairs,
complaining of M'' Lydius's conduct, and representing the distressed state of the frontiers, and
the frequent murders and scalpings committed by the Enemy. These letters were referred to
a Committee, who reported the next day, that it would be adviseable to forbid M' Lydius
to intermeddle with the Indian Affairs, and to order him to attend his duty in the Council ;
and that 200 Men should be draughte 1 out of the Militia to be posted at Albany and Schenectady.

On the 20"" of May 1746. M"" Clinton laid before the Council, several papers relating to a
meeting in a Garrison at Snraghtoga; the impracticability of building the Six Block houses,
for which the Assembly had made provision, on account of the annoyance given by the Enemy,
and to measures to be entered upon for the security of the frontiers. These papers were
referred to a Committee of Council, and in the interim tiie Gov'' was advised to send blank
Commissions to Coll : Schuyler, to enable liim to appoint proper Officers to raise volunteers (or
Ranging the Woods and to recommend it to the Assembly to make provision for their payment.

On the 30"" the Council, upon the Gov" laying before them a letter from Coll: Beckman,
relating to raising Men in Dutchess County, advised the Gov'' to engage 200 Men and to
recommend it to the Assembly to provide amunition, pay and subsistance for them.

On the 5"^ of June 1746, the Assembly being met pursuant to their adjournment, M"' Clinton
in a Message acquainted them, that the Intelligence he had received from Albany during their
recess, .had obliged him to order an additional force of 300 Men, to be draughted out of the
Militia, in order to be sent up to their assistance; and that he doubted not, but they would
provide for the pay and subsistance of this reinforcement, in such manner as had been done
for others ; that the several Representations, letters and papers, which he had ordered to be
laid before them, would not only prove the necessity of taking this step, but also convince
them that the exigency of affairs required a much more powerful assistance, as well for the
maintenance of the frontiers as for the prosecution of the War, in both which matters he
recommended the greatest dispatch.

On the next day a Committee of the whole house upon this Message, came to a resolution
to make immediate provision for 450 Men of the Militia and 50 Indians to be posted on the
Northern frontiers, as the Gov'' and Council should direct, including the Men his ExcelK'' had
already sent thither, the 120 directed by the Blockhouse Act, and the 30 Men ordered to be
posted at Saraghtoga; and at the same time desired, that the designation of those Men, the
Number of Officers, and other contingencies, might be laid before them, that they might make
provision accordingly ; which having been laid before them on the 6"" of June, was referred to
the Committee to whom the above Message had been committed.



LONDON DOCUMENTS : XXX. 651

On tlie same clay Mr Clinton summoned tlie Assembly to attend liim, the Council, and in a
speech to both acquainted them, Tiiat lie had received in a letter from the Duke of Newcastle,
(An extract of which, he had ordered to be laid before them) His Maj'J''' Commands forthwith
to make the necessary dispositions for raising as many Men as the shortness of the time would
permit, to be employed in concert with his Maj'^'' regular forces in an expedition against the
French Settlements in Canada ; and recommended it to them in the most earnest manner to
make such ample provision with the greatest dispatch, as would enable him to answer the
King's expections. In the afternoon the same day, the Council and Assembly addressed
the Gov' with thanks for his speech, and the strongest assurances, that they would proceed on
this important design with the utmost Unanimity & dispatch.

On the 7"" of June 1746. M"' Clinton ordered a proclamation to be published, inviting and
encouraging Men to inlist for the intended expedition.

On tiie 9"' the Assembly having resolved itself into a Committee of the whole house on his
ExcelK^' speech, came to the following resolutions. That a bounty of £6 be allowed for each
able bodied Man, that should voluntarily enlist ; and that .£6000 be allowed for the purchase of
sundry provisions for victualing the forces to be raised for the said expedition ; and also, that
a Bill be brought in for appointing Commissaries to purchase the said provisions. The above
resolutions having been sent up to his Excell'^^ were by him laid before the Council on the ll""
together, with a paper containing several queries relating to the intended expedition, on which
he desired their opinion and advice. This paper was referred to a Committee of Council, who on
the IS"" reported upon it to the following effect. That as to the 1" Querry, if the Assembly
â– would provide for as many Men as could be raised by the province in Bounty money, provisions
& Battoes ettc; it was their opinion, that the Assembly by their General resolve to give ,£6,
Bounty money and provisions to the Men to be raised, did intend both to be without limitation,
but no mention being therein made of Battoes, they advised his Excell'''' to give immediate