Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

frames, and the value of those commodity's annually exported from hence to Europe and the West-India Islands, is about a thousand pounds sterling. Mem. Besides what is above mentioned, the coasting sloops from Boston, carry from hence thither in fish and timber, about five thousand pounds per annum.

9. No mines are yet discovered, except a small quantity of Iron ore in two or three places.

10. The number of inhabitants, men, women and children, are about ten thousand whites, and two hundred blacks.

11. The inhabitants are increased about four thousand within this few years last past, a thousand of which (at least,) are people from Ireland, lately come into, and settled within the province; another reason of the increase of late more than formerly, is a peace with the Indians the four last years.

12. The militia are about eighteen hundred, consisting of two regiments of foot, with a troop of horse in each.

13. There is one fort or place of defence, called Fort William and Mary, situate on the great Island in New-Castle which commands the entrance of Pascataqua river, but is in poor low circumstances, much out of repair, and greatly wanting of stores of war, there not being one barrel of gun-powder, at this time in, or belonging to that garrison.

14. There are no Indians in this province now in time of peace, that we know of.

15. There are no Indians in the neighborhood of this province that we know of, except in the eastern parts of the province of the Massachusetts Bay, and what their number or strength is, we are not acquainted.

16. We have no neighboring Spaniards, or other Europeans, except the French, who, according to the best intelligence we can get, are extremely numerous and strong both at Canada and Cape-Breton.

17. The effect which the French settlements have on this province is, that the Indians are frequently instigated and influenced by them to disturb the peace and quiet of this province, we having been often put to a vast expense both of blood and treasure, to defend ourselves against their cruel outrages.

18. The revenue arising within this province is three hundred ninety and six pounds, by excise, which is appropriated towards the Governor's salary, and about three or four barrels of gun-powder, from the shipping,

which is spent at the fort. There is no other revenue, but by tax on polls and estates.

19. The ordinary expense of the government is about fifteen hundred pounds per annum, now in time of peace; the extraordinary and contingent charges, as repairs of the fort, powder, &c., are about five hundred pounds more.

20. The establishments are six hundred pounds per annum salary on the Governor, eight shillings per diem on each Councillor, and six shillings per diem on each Representative during the session of the general assembly, and a hundred and fifty pounds per annum on the officers, and soldiers at the fort. There is no other establishment civil or military within the government, but the general assembly make allowances from time to time as they see meet, to the Treasurer, Secretary, &c. The Judges, Justices, Sheriffs, Clerks, and all other officers' fees are fixed by a law to be paid by the parties and persons whom they serve, but they have nothing out of the treasury. All the officers, civil and military, hold their places by commission from the Governor, except the Councillors, appointed by the King; the Recorder of deeds, chosen by the general assembly, the Clerks of courts, nominated by the Judges of the said courts respectively, and Selectmen, Assessors, Constables, Tythingmen and other town officers, chosen by the towns, at their respective town meetings.

New-Hampshire Historical Society, Collections (Concord, 1824), I, 227–230.

Affairs in Connecticut (1740-1758)

BY ROGER WOLCOTT (1759)

Wolcott's experience in the military and civil affairs of Connecticut, and his office as governor, make him an admirable source of information.—Bibliography: Tyler, American Literature, II, 44–46; Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, V, 163; Channing and Hart, Guide, § 130. — For previous Connecticut history, see Contemporaries, I, ch. xviii.

R. PRESIDENT: You have several times moved me to write

MR. a History of New England, especially of Conecticott. I have

told you I wanted both ability and materials. Since that two of the Councill have moved me to the same, or that at least I would write what hath fallen within my remembrance and observation.

This must needs be a lame thing, but choosing rather to appear weak than disobliging, I enclose you the following minit. . . .

In 1740, his present Majestie ordered an expedition against the Spanish West Indies to be comanded by the Lord Cathcart. Two companys were from Conecticut under Capt. Newberry and Capt. Siliman. They landed at Cartagene and took several forts. It was supposed the Spaniards bought the town of Cartagene. Most of the American forces dyed of sickness in this expedition. A hard winter closed the year.

In 1745, the New England governments made an expedition against Cape Breton under General Pepperill with an army of 3,700 men, which as the generall then told me during the siege of Louisbourg was reduced to 3100 valids. After a siege of forty-nine days, on the 17th of June the city with the islands of Cape Breton, St. Johns &c. was surrendered to the English: the French inhabitants were sent to France.

From the granting of the charter until 1747, the Governor and Deputy Governor were chosen and declared to be chosen, as well as the Assistants, if they had more votes for the office than any other person, but now some active men that were given to change fomented an opinion that the Governor nor Deputy Governor were not chosen unless they had more votes then all that were scattered among other persons. These men were of such activity and influence that in 1749 neither the Governor nor Deputy Governor could be declared chosen because not according to this standard, but since neither of them wanted but a few votes the Assembly elected them. Thus they were not blown down tho much shaken at the root. The freemen being acquainted by this that the greater part did not vote for the present Governor and Deputy Governor were prone to mischief: there was some reason for it tho' unknown to them, and made them attentive to be informed what it was. The opinion was kept up, but when it happened there was no choice according to this standard the Assembly elected those that had most votes, so there was no alteration made and the end of these schemers not answered as yet, nor like to be untill something farther was done.

In the beginning of 1754, emmisarys were very busie in spreading a report that the Governor had extracted vast sums of the supercargo of a Spanish ship put into New London by distress, and so embarassed the affair that the Colony was lyable to pay for the ship and cargo, and that the Governor had pleaded with the Assembly to tax the Colony for it. These reports were so imprest that in most towns they were discoursed of as certain facts. Tho this was a palpable breach of peace

there was not a justice found to bear any testimony against it except the court at Litchfield. Yea those very men that had approved the Governor's conduct in the Assembly now did nothing to assert the truth in his vindication.

At the next election the Governor was thrown down with a vengeance, and when down thought worthy of no more respect than a comon porter. When he saw himself thus for future despised and hated by all as a betrayer of his trust and enemy to the Colony which had conferred so many honours upon him he found it a burden too heavie to be easie under. He, therefore, complained to the Assembly that he was condemned unheard, and therefore petitioned that he might be examined upon oath concerning these facts before the Assembly, and submitted himself wholly to their censure, but the doors were shut against him. Yet after this election the aforesaid opinion for the choice of the Governor and Deputy Governor ceased like some other plagues that are periodical, and may it forever cease.

What one Governor suffers and another gains by an intrigue is of no great importance to the public, yet in my opinion it is best to let things proceed in their natural course and that our wise men did wisely to stop this opinion as foolish and dangerous, for according to the proverb What is bad for me may be bad for thee, by turns.

In the year 1755, an expedition was made against the French in North America under Gen" Shirly and General Johnson. General Shirly did nothing but blunder. Gen" Johnson beat the French at Lake George and erected a fort there. Gen" Bradock was defeated and slain.

In 1756, the expedition was renewed, and by the misconduct of Gen" Shirly and Gen" Web the French took Oswego and our flotta on Ontario. The fort was demolished and the garrison led into captivity.

In 1757, Gen" Web lost Fort William Henry and our flotta on Lake George. The garrison capitulated to before him, but the French suffered the Indians to murther many of them and strip and horribly abuse the rest. The fort was demolished.

Great Britain dost thou take delight

To see America look chearly?

Suspend us in no spider's Web

And never more send us a Shirley.

In 1758, Gen" Amherst took Louisbourg, the islands of Cape Breton, St. Johns &c. The inhabitants were sent to France. Gen" Abercrombie

came off with loss and Carilong. We took Fort Frontenac and in the fall of the year Dequesne by Gen" Forbs.

Sr. Since it is upon your desire I have exposed myself by this mean performance, I hope you will receive it with candour. I have nothing but my memory to depend upon, which in a man advanced to the eighty-first year of his age is but a poor library. Yet I am confident the chronology and the facts are true and will be found so when inquired into.

I have long wished for a History of New England and hoped Mr. Prince his Chronologie would have laid a good foundation for it, but he has left it unfinished.

This small mite cast into this treasury is my whole substance, and if men of ability would out of their abundance cast in proportionally we might have a good History of the Colony and of New England, before it is too late to get materials.

To Mr. President Clap.

I am &c.

R. WOLCOTT.

Connecticut Historical Society, Collections (Hartford, 1895), III, 325-336 passim.

23. "Boston the Metropolis of North America"

(1750)

BY CAPTAIN FRANCIS GOELET

Goelet was a New York merchant, whose diary bears testimony to his lightness of disposition and to the convivial habits of gentlemen of the time. - Bibliography: Winsor, Memorial History of Boston, II, ch. xvi, notes. For an earlier estimate of Boston, see Contemporaries, I, No. 146.

BOSTO

OSTON the Metropolis of North America Is Accounted The Largest Town upon the Contenant, Haveing about Three Thousand Houses in it, about two Thirds them Wooden Framed Clap Boarded &c. and some of them Very Spacious Buildings which togeather with their Gardens about them Cover a Great deal Ground they are for the most Part Two and three Stories high mostly Sashd. Their Brick Buildings are much better and Stronger Built, more after the Modern Taste all Sashd and Prety well Ornamented haveing Yards and Gardens Adjoyning Also.

« ПредишнаНапред »