BRITISH COLONIES. 1744. M. Du March 31. under clared War de France. WAR was declared by Great Britain against France. Quesnel, governor of Cape Breton, sent about 900 men Duvivier, who surprised and took Canso before the war was against known at Boston. There were in garrison at Canso four incomplete companies of Phillips' regiment, not exceeding 80 men, with a man of war tender. The French burned the place. The conditions, granted to the prisoners, were, to be carried to Louisbourg, and to continue there one year, and thence to be sent to Boston or Annapolis. Upon a representation of the defenceless state of Annapolis and Nova Scotia, 200 men were despatched by Massachusetts, to reinforce the garrison on that station.2 tions of To guard against the incursions of the French and Indians, Defensive 500 men were impressed, of which number 300 were for the preparaeastern frontier, and 200 for the western. The ordinary garrisons Massachuwere reinforced ;3 and 96 barrels of gunpowder were sent to setts. the several townships, to be sold to the inhabitants at the prime cost, including charges. In the spring of this year opportunely arrived in Boston the king's gift to Castle William of 20 cannon of 42 pound ball, and two mortars of 13 inches, with all stores, excepting gunpowder; and about the same time the legislature of Massachusetts voted a range of forts to be built between Connecticut river and New York boundary line.4 The Province of Maine now contained 2485 militia, or fencible men.5 The English had obtained leave to build a fortified trading house, English " which are mentioned with great 1 Brit. Emp. i. 183. Smollett, Hist. Eng. b. 2. c. 8. Trumbull, U. S. i. c. 9. 2 Trumbull, U. S. i. 310. The representation was made by "Mr. Mascarene." 3 George's Fort Pemaquid Richmond to 40 men Brunswick . to 12 men 20 4 Brit. Emp. i. 363, 364. The forts were to be built at Colerain, Shirley, Pelham, and Massachusetts. For this last situation see American Gazetteer, Art. MASSACHUSETTS Fort. 5 Brit. Emp. ii. 9, 10. Brit. Domin. i. 293. house Creeks. 1744. sions, that, if the measure were carried into execution, "it would oblige the French to retire from their fort of Alibamôus down to the Mobille."1 Trade at At the port of New Orleans, in Louisiana, there were several N. Orleans. vessels which came from Florida, and Havana, and the bay of Campeachy, to trade for boards, lumber, pitch, dry goods, and live stock, to the value of 150,000 pieces of eight." Trade of At the port of Charlestown, South Carolina, 230 vessels were S. Carolina. loaded, this year, and 1500 seamen were employed in the trade of the province.3 Philadel phia. French driven from The burials in Philadelphia during seven years were upward of 3000.4 A few Englishmen, headed by the deputy governor of AnguilSt.Martin's. la, with two St. Christopher's privateers, drove the French from their part of the island of St. Martin; which, from this time, was considered as belonging half to the Dutch, and half to the English. A storm did prodigious damage at Port Royal, in Jamaica. It stranded, wrecked, and foundered 8 British ships, and 96 merchant ships in the harbour.5 Storm at Port Royal. Orrery. N. W. pas sage. President Clap projected and made an orrery or planetarium for Yale College. Arthur Dobbs, esquire, of England, having promoted late attempts for the discovery of a Northwest pasage to India, was now joined by several of the nobility, gentry, and merchants, in making a fresh attempt. As an encouragement to such adventurers, the British parliament promised a reward of £20,000 to the persons who should make this discovery." 1 Pownall, Administration of the Colonies. The letter of Vaudreuil is dated May 10. In another letter, 17 September, he mentions this store house, as having opened a traffic with the Chactaws; "yet this," says gov. Pownall, "the English have abandoned; and the French have now [1765] a fort on each main branch of the river Mobile, one at Tombechbé, and fort Toulouse at Alibamous." 2 Pownall, ut supra. 3 Hewatt, ii. 129. 4 Brit. Emp. ii. 481. From 1738 to 1744, both years included. 6 Amer. Mag. and Hist. Chron. for 1744, where it is described. 7 Brit. Emp. i. 28-38. Captain Christopher Middleton, fitted out by the British government for that purpose, in 1742 discovered a frozen strait in 60° 40' north lat. but returned without success; yet his discoveries rendered a N. W. passage more probable, in the opinion of many. Two ships sailed from Gravesend, on the same design, in 1746; but their utmost endeavours, for more than 16 months, were fruitless. 1745. of Louis AFTER the peace of Utrecht, the French, as a security to Description their navigation and fishery, built the town of Louisbourg, on the bourg island of Cape Breton; and fortified it with a rampart of stone, from 30 to 36 feet high, and a ditch 80 feet wide. There were 6 bastions and 3 batteries, containing embrasures for 148 cannon, and 6 mortars. On an island at the entrance of the harbour was planted a battery of 30 cannon, carrying 28 pounds shot; and at the bottom of the harbour, directly opposite to the entrance, was the grand or royal battery of 28 cannon, 42 pounders, and two 18 pounders. The entrance of the town, on the land side, was at the west gate, over a draw bridge, near which was a circular battery, mounting 16 guns of 24 pounds shot. These works had been 25 years in building; and, though not finished, had cost the crown of France not less than 30 millions of livres. The place was deemed so strong and impregnable, as to be called the Dunkirk of America. In peace, it was a safe retreat for the ships of France, bound homeward for the East and West Indies. In war, it gave French privateers the greatest advantage for ruining the fishery of the northern English colonies, and interrupting their entire trade. It endangered, besides, the loss of Nova Scotia, which would cause an instant increase of 6000 or 8000 enemies. The reduction of this place was, for these reasons, an object of the highest importance to New England. Under these impressions, governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, Expedition had written to the British ministry in the autumn of the last against it year, projected. soliciting assistance for the preservation of Nova Scotia, and the acquisition of Cape Breton. Early in January, before he received any answer or orders from England, he requested the members of the general court, that they would lay themselves under an oath of secrecy, to receive from him a proposal of very great importance. They readily took the oath; and he communicated to them the plan which he had formed of attacking Louisbourg. The proposal was at first rejected; but it was finally carried by a majority of one voice. Circular letters were immediately despatched to all the colonies, as far as Pennsylania,' requesting their assistance, and an embargo on their ports. 1 All excused themselves from any share in the adventure, excepting Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The assembly of Pennsylvania, though it could not be prevailed on to take part in an enterprise which appeared desperate; yet, on receiving information that Louisbourg was taken, and that supplies were wanted, voted £4000 in provisions for the refreshment and support of the brave troops which had achieved the action. Franklin, Pennsylv. 94. Univ. Hist. xli. 33. tasket. commodore Warren. 1745. Forces were promptly raised; and William Pepperrell, esquire, of Kittery, was appointed commander of the expedition. This officer, on board the Shirley Snow, captain Rouse, with the Troops sail transports under her convoy, sailed from Nantasket on the 24th from Nau of March, and arrived at Canso on the 4th of April. Here the troops, joined by those of New Hampshire and Connecticut, amounting collectively to upwards of 4000,2 were detained three weeks, waiting for the ice, which environed the island of Cape Arrival of Breton, to be dissolved. At length commodore Warren, agreeably to orders from England, arrived at Canso in the Superbe of 60 guns, with 3 other ships of 40 guns each; and, after a consultation with the general, proceeded to cruise before Louisbourg. The general soon after sailed with the whole fleet; and on the 30th of April, coming to anchor at Chapeaurouge Bay, landed his troops. The next object was to invest the city. Lieutenant colonel Vaughan conducted the first column through the woods. within sight of Louisbourg, and saluted the city with three cheers. At the head of a detachment, chiefly of the New Hampshire troops, he marched in the night to the north east part of the harbour, where they burned the ware houses, containing the naval stores, and staved a large quantity of wine and brandy. The smoke of this fire, driven by the wind into the grand battery, so terrified the French, that they abandoned it; and, spiking up the guns, retired to the city. The next morning Vaughan took possession of the deserted battery, which he bravely defended. With extreme labour and difficuty cannon were drawn, for 14 nights successively, from the landing place through a morass to the camp. The cannon left by the enemy were drilled, and turned with good effect on the city, within which almost every shot lodged, while several fell into the roof of the citadel. On Summon to the 7th of May, a summons was sent in to the commanding officer at Louisbourg, who refused to surrender the place. The siege was therefore still pressed with activity and vigilance by surrender. 1 Connecticut and Rhode Island consented that their colony sloops should be employed as cruisers. A small privateer ship of about 200 tons, and a snow of less burden, belonging to Newport, were hired there by Massachusetts; a new snow, captain Rouse, and a ship, captain Snelling, were taken into the service at Boston; and these, with a snow, a brig, 3 sloops, and a ship of 20 guns, purchased on the stocks, captain Tyng, the commodore, composed the whole naval force. The Connecticut troops were commanded by Roger Wolcott, lieutenant governor of the colony, who was the second officer in the army. Rhode Island raised 300 men; but they did not arrive until the place had surrendered. Hutchinson. 3 The men, with straps over their shoulders, and sinking to their knees in mud, performed the service which horses or oxen, on such ground, could not have done. It 1745. commodore Warren and his ships, and with vigorous perseverance by the land forces. The joint efforts of both were at length, by the blessing of Heaven, crowned with success. was a circumstance favourable to the assailants, that the garrison of Louisbourg had been so mutinous before the siege, that the officers could not trust the men to make a sortie, lest they should desert. The capture of a French 64 gun ship, richly laden May 18. with military stores, and having on board 560 men, destined for French ship the relief of the garrison, threw the enemy into perturbation.1 taken. A battery, erected on the high cliff at the lighthouse, greatly annoyed their island battery. Preparations were evidently making for a general assault. Discouraged by these adverse events. and menacing appearances, Duchambon, the French commander, determined to surrender; and, on the 16th of June, articles of capitulation were signed. After the surrender of the city, the Louisbourg French flag was kept flying on the ramparts; and several rich prizes were thus decoyed. Two East Indiamen and one South Sea ship, estimated at £600,000 sterling, were taken by the squadron at the mouth of the harbour. This expedition was one of the most remarkable events in the history of North America. It was hazardous in the attempt, but successful in the execution. "It displayed the enterprising spirit of New England; and, though it enabled Britain to purchase a peace, yet it excited her envy and jealousy against the colonies, by whose exertions it was acquired."2 The news of this important victory flew through the continent. Considerate and pious persons remarked, with mingled gratitude and admiration, the coincidence of numerous circumstances and events, on which the success of the undertaking essentially de 1 This French man of war, the Vigilant, was taken by captain Edward Tyng, commander of the Massachusetts frigate. Governor Shirley having directed him to procure the largest ship in his power, he had purchased this ship when on the stocks, and nearly ready for launching. It was a ship of about 400 tons, and was soon after launched at Boston. Tyng took the command of her, and was appointed commodore of the fleet. Alden's Memoir of Edward Tyng, Esq. authentic account of this 2 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. i. 4-60; where there is an expedition from original papers. Hutchinson, ii. c. 4. knap, N. Hamp. ii. 193–224. Adams, N. Eng. 208. Solicitations were made for a parliamentary reimbursement, which, after much difficulty and delay, was obtained. In 1749 the money, granted by parliament for that purpose, arrived at Boston, and was conveyed to the treasury office. The sum was £183,649, 28. 7d. 1-2. It consisted of 215 chests (3000 pieces of eight, at a medium, in each chest) of milled pieces of eight, and 100 casks of coined copper. There were 17 cart and truck loads of the silver, and about 10 truck loads of copper. Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. ut supra. Brit. Emp. i. 377. Pemberton, MS. Chron. The instructions given by governor Shirley to lieutenant general Pepperrell for this expedition, are published in Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. i. 1-11. The plan for the reduction of a regularly constructed fortress "was drawn by a lawyer, to be executed by a merchant, at the head of a body of husbandmen and mechanics." taken. |