of enterprize. The success that has accompanied their zeal bears testimony, that I was not erroneous in my suggestions of the important utility of that depradatory commerce. One hundred and forty two vessels, having been taken by letters of Marque, and brought into this Port, (as by the within Register of the Judge of the Admiralty) since the beginning of last September, when the first ships were Commissioned. Merchants of the best credit here assure me, the value of their captures, amount much above two hundred thousand pounds sterling. The glorious success that has accompanied the spirited exertions of His Maj'' arms, in the West India's and Georgia, are powerful incitements, as well as resources for that service. Many Men have found their way thro' the Rebel lines, to enter on board these ships in consequence of my Proclamation of encouragement The list of letters of Marque issued are herein inclosed. The expectations of the King's Friends grow more vigorous every day, as that of the Rebels subside. The Rebel Leaders are their obstinate adherents, meriting no further management on the Part of Government. I have great confidence that the wisdom of His Maju" Councils, the force of his arms, and the High spirit of the Nation will, this campaign, effect the much sought for reconciliation. I am with all possible respect My Lord. Your Lord's most obedient & very humble servant Wm Tryon. P. S. 1 have this day had the honor to Commission the Royal Charlotte, fitted out by the Ladies in this City. N° 10. My Lord. Colonel Guy Johnson to Lord George Germain. [Plantations General (S. P. O.) CCLXV.1 Halifax. 11. Febr 1779. Agreable to my letter N° 9. which I had the honor to address to your Lord I sailed from New York on the 10th of September last for Quebec, but after many delays occasioned by contrary Winds, and after passing almost thro' the Gulph of S' Lawrence, we were driven out by a storm in which the ship suffered much, and in our next attempt to proceed we met with a second Gale which carried away some Yards and so damaged our Rigging & disabled the people that we were necessitated to make this Port in October; the ship could not proceed, neither could Gen1 McLean procure for me or the detachment on Board any conveyance at that season, so that we were necessitated to remain here till spring, when I have assurance of his aid. I have however been fortunate enough to get Sir Henry Clinton's Dispatches safely conveyed to General Haldimand's hands by an Officer and some of my woodsmen, who luckily. escaped the Rebel partys that infested the Country about S' John's River. On my arrival here I found that a Treaty had been just concluded between this Province and the Indians, before Mr Franklin acting as an agent, and that he had received from them a Treaty, the majority of them had entered into with the Massachusets Bay by which they were to furnish a certain number of Men to the latter, and they likewise gave up some Commissions they had received from that Rebel state all which I understand L' Gov' Hughes' will lay before Your Lord, the dates of which will shew, that notwithstanding what has been said of Indians and their cruelty, the Rebels early endeavoured to avail themselves of their assistance. Mr Butler my Deputy (to whom, as formerly mentioned I had transmitted instructions) continued when we heard last from New York to make a very useful diversion on the frontiers with a good party of Loyalists & Indians, and Joseph the Indian has with a large body of Indians struck some capital strokes, which obliged the Rebels to detach part of their force that way, and has greatly disconcerted them, and by those who carried the Dispatches to Gen1 Haldimand, I sent instructions for meeting the Indians soon after the waters become open hoping to leave this place so as to arrive at Quebec, about the second week in May, which is as soon as any thing can possibly be undertaken from thence, & I have lately heard from Sir Henry Clinton thereon. I persuade myself with meeting in Canada that Countenance and support, mentioned in my letter No 9. and which appears so highly necessary to the effectual discharge of my duty; I wish for no more, and I hope to shew its propriety, in the consequences that shall derive from it; as to my unavoidable detention here, it is a much greater disappointment to myself than it can be to the service at this season, which must soon expire, when I shall be enabled to proceed, where I have so long wished to go. An account has arrived here lately of formidable preparation making in New England against Canada; some say 15000 Men are destined for that purpose, a number I cannot give credit to, as I dont conceive the time could admit of the necessary arrangements for such a body. I have mentioned it to Gen' Haldimand, but whatever their design is, if it be not carried into execution in the course of this month, they will (from the season) find it impracticable, the lakes not being afterwards passable for Artillery in general. I mentioned in my last, that many good Woodsmen had been lately inlisted for my service; as the late Sir William Johnson expressed and I have experienced the utility of incorporating them with the Indians, I persuade myself it will meet with approbation; and as the conduct of the Indians has sufficiently evinced their attachment and importance to Government, I am confident it would greatly tend to secure their fidelity if I am unabled to give them some assurances of His Majty's Royal approbation, when I am next honored with your Lord's commands.. I have the honor to be with true respect My Lord, Your Lord's most obedient and most humble servant. G JOHNSON. 1 RICHARD HUGHES was Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia from August 17th, 1778, to 81st July, 1781. Haliburton's History of Nova Scotia, I., 259, 261.—ED. No 71. My Lord, Governor Tryon to Lord George Germain. [New-York Papers (8. P. 0.) CLXX. ] Out Posts. King's Bridge. 1. March 1779. By the Mercury Packet, I am honored with Your Lordp's Duplicate Dispatch N° 18 and Circular letter accompanied with His Maj's Speech and Addresses of both houses of Parliament, copies of which I shall send up the Country. Our Privateers have taken above one hundred and fifty prizes since the 18,h September last; yesterday a small sloop, loaded with amunition was brought in here by the Revenge, from Philadelphia, bound to South Carolina. Seldom a day passes without a prize by the Privateers. I returned the 27,h of last month from an alert at Horse Neck and Greenwich, the Report of which, I have made to the Commander in Chief. The experience of that fatiguing March convinces me of the necessity of the Fleet cooperating with the Troops, for the purpose of disembarking the Men in strength and vigor, & reembarking them when fatigued, in the execution of the plan formed, and perhaps harrissed by the Enemy while on shore. Without rapidity in pursuit, the object is removed, and by delay in retreat, the Enemy shortly collect in Numbers, with the advantage of a better knowledge of the Country, often hang on our Rear successfully. I remain perfectly in the same sentiments respecting some measures I presumed to recommend for your Lordp's consideration. Since my letter to you of the 4. of Nov' I have received your Dispatches Numbered from 58 to 67. (except number 62 which is still missing) and laid them before the King. His Majesty very much approved your cheerful acquiescence in Sir Henry Clinton's desire that you should remain with the Army during the Winter, as so few General Officers were present; and it will be very pleasing to His Maj" to find your health has not suffered materially by your compliance. His Majesty does not however intend that you should again be subject to the like inconvenience; for the late promotion of Officers having filled up the vacancies on the American Staff, His Maj' has been graciously pleased to permit me to acquaint Sir Henry Clinton, that His Majesty consents to his giving you leave to return to England, as soon as General Robertson arrives at New York, who I hope will go out with the reinforcement of the Army. I shall also send you by Gen1 Robertson His Majesty's License of absence as Gov' of the Province of New York; but in respect to your request of exchanging that Govern' for a Military one, I am not authorized to give you any expectations that such an exchange will take place; neither have I authority to tell you that the Board of Treasury is disposed to augment your Salary, so as to make it equal to the full value of the office of Civil Governor before the Rebellion, but perhaps when you arrive, you may be able to satisfy their Lordships of the propriety of it. The Officers you have appointed to the Militia appear to be necessary, and the pay allotted them not unreasonable; but I hope you have made those appointments with Sir Henry Clinton's concurrence, as all expences of a Military nature must come through him, and be defrayed out of the Army-extraordinaries. I am ettc. GEO: GERMAIN. N° 72. My Lord, enclosed. Governor Tryon to Lord George Germain. [New-York Paperi (8. P. 0.) CLXX. ] Out Post King's Bridge 18 March. 1779. Your Lord will perceive by the inclosed certificates, that the ninth of December 1775 I with the certiiicate received by the Advice of Council, certain public Records of the Province of New York on Board the Ship Dutchess of Gordon; which shortly afterwards, for greater security (the Rebels threatning to Board in the night, and take the said Vessel,) were put on Board the Asia under the care of Capt" Vandeput. The Asia being ordered home, soon after the taking of New York, and the first great conflagration of that City, Capt" Vandeput desired me to inform him what he should do with the two Boxes of Public Records; I acquainted him, as the Enemy boasted they would burn up the remainder of New York that Winter, the Records would not be safe on shore, and accordingly recommended him to put them on Board the Eagle Man of War. Capt" Vandeput sailed a few days after, since which I have never heard, what he actually did with those Records. I presume he either put them on Board the Eagle or if he carried them home, that he has lodged them in the Plantation Office, of which your Lordp must have had notice— I am ettc. Wm. Trtok. Enclosure in Gov. Tryon's to Lord George Germain. Copy. T do hereby certify that in pursuance of my directions, and the advice of His Maj" Council for this Province, I have received from Samuel Bayard Junr Dep: Secretary of this Province, on Board the ship Dutchess of Gordon, two Boxes containing Records of Patents, Records of Commissions ettc and Minutes of Council.—Given under my hand on Board the ship Dutchess of Gordon, in the harbour of New York this 9th day of December 1775—Having signed a duplicate of this certificate, the said two Boxes being locked with a Padlock, and under my seal at Arms, and the seal of the said Deputy Secretary. Wm Tryon. New York Febr* 5th 1779. I do hereby certify that the preceeding is a true copy of the original certificate in my hands, Sam: BAYARD JUN The Books consist: Of 17. Vols of Records of Patents—2 d° Grants of Lands, to reduced Officers and Soldiers pursuant to the R1 Procl" of 7 Oct 1763. 1 d° of Indian cessions to the Crown. 3 d° of Records of Commissions Patents and Charters under the Great Seal of G Britain. 2 d° of Minutes of Council in the State Department. No 20. Sir Lord George Germain to Governor Iryon. [New-York Paperi (8. P. O.) CLXX.] Whitehall. 1. April 1779. Since my letter to you of the 3rd of last Month, I have received your Dispatches N°* 6S and 69 and laid them before the King, and His Majesty observed with great satisfaction the good Effects of the Measure you were enabled to take of granting letters of Marque in weakening and distressing the Enemy in their own commerce, as well as in their depradations upon ours, and above all in depriving them of the Assistance they had derived from our seamen that had fallen into their hands and been compelled to enter into their service by the terrors of ill treatment, while they remained prisoners, and of being pressed on board the Men of War when they returned, and it is a great pleasure to me to find the event has so fully justified a step from which I always expected the best consequences, although there were not wanting the most strenuous endeavours to oppose it. The fair prospect there is of a successful campaign and an extension of His Maj' possessions on the side of New York renders it necessary, that a Civil Governor should be upon the spot to take upon him the exercise of his function the moment a fit occasion presents itself, and in the mean time to hold out to the King's faithful subjects in all the Revolted provinces, His Maj'*'* gracious intention to restore to them the blessings of Civil Government, when the provce is subdued, or returns to its allegiance and to remove all apprehensions of their being ruled hereafter by Military Law; His Maj" has therefore been pleased to appoint Major General Robertson to succeed you as Govr of New York, and he will carry out with him in the next Ship of War that sails for North America His Maju' Commission for that purpose. I am ettc. VOL. VIII. 96 GEO: GERMAIN |