who were obliged to retreat; but no decisive blow was given. Mahommed
afterwards repaired in person to fort St. David’s, to demand more
powerful succours, alleging that his fate was connected with the
interest of the English company, which in time would be obliged to
abandon the whole coast, should they allow the enemy to proceed in their
conquests. In consequence of these representations, he received another
strong reinforcement, under the command of captain Cope; but nothing
of importance was attempted, and the English auxiliaries retired. Then
Mahommed was attacked by the enemy, who obtained a complete victory over
him. Finding it impossible to maintain his footing by his own strength,
he entered into a close alliance with the English, and ceded to them
some commercial points which had been long in dispute. Then they
detached captain Cope to put Tiruchirapalli in a posture of defence;
while captain de Gingins, a Swiss officer, marched at the head of four
hundred Europeans to the nabob’s assistance. The two armies being pretty
equal in strength, lay encamped in sight of each other a whole month;
during which nothing happened but a few skirmishes, which generally
terminated to the advantage of the English auxiliaries. In order to make
a diversion, and divide the French forces, the company resolved to send
a detachment into the province of Arcot; and this was one of the
first occasions upon which the extraordinary talents of Mr. Clive were
displayed. He had entered into the service of the East India company as
a writer, and Avas considered as a person very indifferently qualified
for succeeding in any civil station of life. He now offered his service
in a military capacity, and actually began his march to Arcot, at the
head of two hundred and ten Europeans, with five hundred sepoys.*
* The sepoys are the mercenaries of the country, who are
hired as soldiers occasionally by all parties.
MR. CLIVE TAKES ARCOT.
Such was the resolution, secrecy, and despatch, with which he conducted
this enterprise, that the enemy knew nothing of his motions until he
was in possession of the capital, which he took without opposition. The
inhabitants, expecting to be plundered, offered him a large sum to spare
their city; but they derived their security from the generosity and
discretion of the conqueror. He refused the proffered ransom, and issued
a proclamation, intimating, that those who were willing to remain in
their houses should be protected from insult and injury, and the rest
have leave to retire with all their effects, except provisions, for
which he promised to pay the full value. By this sage conduct he
conciliated the affection of the people so entirely, that even those who
quitted the place supplied him with exact intelligence of the enemy’s
designs, when he was besieged in the sequel. The town was in a little
time invested by Rajah Saib, son of Chunda Saib, at the head of a
numerous army, and the operations of the siege were conducted by
European engineers. Though their approaches were retarded by the
repeated and resolute sallies of Mr. Clive, they at length effected
two breaches supposed to be practicable; and on the fourteenth day of
October, in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty-one, gave a
general assault. Mr. Clive, having received intimation of their design,
had made such preparations for their reception, that they were repulsed
in every quarter with great loss, and obliged to raise the siege with
the utmost precipitation.
This gallant Englishman, not contented with the reputation he had
acquired from his noble defence, was no sooner reinforced by a
detachment under captain Kirkpatrick from Trichinopoly, than he marched
in pursuit of the enemy, whom he overtook in the plains of Arani.
There, on the third day of December, he attacked them with irresistible
impetuosity; and, after an obstinate dispute, obtained a complete
victory at a very small expense. The forts of Timery, Caujeveram, and
Arani, surrendered to the terror of his name, rather than to the force
of his arms; and he returned to Fort St. David’s in triumph. He had
enjoyed a very few weeks of repose, when he was summoned to the field by
fresh incursions of the enemy. In the beginning of the year one thousand
seven hundred and fifty-two, he marched with a small detachment to
Madras, where he was joined by a reinforcement from Bengal, the whole
number not exceeding three hundred Europeans, and assembled a body of
the natives, that he might have at least the appearance of an army. With
these he proceeded to Koveripauk, about fifteen miles from Ar-cot, where
he found the French and Indians, consisting of fifteen hundred sepoys,
seventeen hundred horse, a body of natives, and one hundred and fifty
Europeans, with eight pieces of cannon. Though they were advantageously
posted and intrenched, and the day was already far advanced, Mr. Clive
advanced against them with his usual intrepidity; but the victory
remained for some time in suspense. It was now dark, and the battle
doubtful, when Mr. Clive sent round a detachment to fall in the rear
of the French battery. This attack was executed with great resolution,
while the English in front entered the entrenchments with their bayonets
fixed; and, though very little tinctured with discipline, displayed the
spirit and activity of hardy veterans. This double attack disconcerted
the enemy in such a manner, that they soon desisted from all opposition.
A considerable carnage ensued; yet the greater part of the enemy, both
horse and foot, saved themselves by flight, under cover of the darkness.
The French, to a man, threw down their arms, and surrendered themselves
prisoners of war; and all the cannon and baggage fell into the hands of
the victor.
MR. CLIVE REDUCES THREE FORTS, &c.
The province of Arcot being thus cleared of the enemy, Mr. Clive with
his forces returned to Fort St. David’s, where he found major Laurence
just arrived from England,* to take upon him the command of the troops
in the company’s service.
* Major Laurence had sailed for England in the year 1750.
On the eighteenth day of March, this officer, accompanied by Mr. Clive,
took the field, and was joined by captain de Gingins at Tiruchirapalli.
From hence he detached Mr. Clive with four hundred European soldiers, a
few Mahratta horse, and a body of sepoys, to cut off the enemy’s retreat
to Pondicherry. In the course of this expedition he dislodged a strong
body of the foe posted at Samiaveram, and obliged Chunda Saib to throw a
body of troops into a strong fortified temple, or pagoda, upon the river
Koleroon, which was immediately invested. The commanding officer,
in attempting to escape, was slain with some others, and the rest
surrendered at discretion. They were still in possession of another
fortified temple, which he also besieged in form, and reduced by
capitulation. Having subdued these forts, he marched directly to
Volconda, whither he understood the French commander d’Anteuil had
retired. He found that officer intrenched in a village, from whence
he drove him with precipitation, and made himself master of the French
cannon. The enemy attempted to save themselves in a neighbouring
fort; but the gates being shut against them by the governor, who was
apprehensive that they would be followed pell-mell by the English, Mr.
Clive attacked them with great fury, and made a considerable slaughter;
but his humanity being shocked at this carnage, he sent a flag of
truce to the vanquished, with terms of capitulation, which they readily
embraced. These articles imported, that D’Anteuil, and three other
officers, should remain prisoners on parole for one year; that the
garrison should be exchanged, and the money and stores be delivered to
the nabob whom the English supported.
CHUNDA SAIB TAKEN AND PUT TO DEATH.
During these transactions, Chunda Saib lay encamped with an army of
thirty thousand men at Syrinham, an island in the neighbourhood of
Tiruchirapalli, which he longed eagerly to possess. Hither major
Laurence marched with his Indian allies,* and took his measures so well,
that the enemy’s provisions were entirely intercepted.
* His army consisted of twelve hundred Europeans and
Topasses in battalions, two thousand sepoys, with the forces
of the nabob, the kings of Tanjore, Muissack, and the
Mahrattas; amounting to fifteen hundred horse and ten
thousand infantry. Topasses are descendants from the
Portuguese. The Mahrattas are native Indians of a very
numerous and powerful nation, which hath more than once
given law to the mogul.
Chunda Saib, in attempting to fly, was taken prisoner by the nabob of
Tanjore, an ally of the English company, who ordered his head to be
struck off, in order to prevent the disputes which otherwise would have
arisen among the captors. *
* Chunda Saib demanded leave of the Tanjore general to pass
through his camp to Tanjore, and this request was granted;
but instead of being allowed to pass, he was detained
prisoner, and as the allies could not agree about the manner
in which he should be disposed of, some of the Tanjore
officers, of their own accord, ended the dispute by cutting
off his head.
The main body of the army being attacked by major Laurence, and totally
defeated, the island of Syrinham was surrendered, and about a thousand
European French soldiers, under the command of Mr. Law, nephew to the
famous Law who schemed the Mississippi company, fell into the hands of
the conquerors, including thirty officers, with forty pieces of cannon,
and ten mortars. M. Dupleix, though exceedingly mortified by this
disaster, resolved to maintain the cause which he had espoused. He
proclaimed Rajah Saib, the son of Chunda Saib, nabob of Arcot; and
afterwards pretended that he himself had received from the mogul sanids
or commissions, appointing him governor of all the Carnatic, from the
river Kristnah to the sea; but these sanids appeared in the sequel to be
forged. In order to complete the comedy, a supposed messenger from
Delhi was received at Pondicherry as ambassador from the mogul. Dupleix,
mounted on an elephant, preceded by music and dancing women, in the
oriental manner, received in public his commission from the hands of the
pretended ambassador. He affected the eastern state, kept his Durbar or
court, where he appeared sitting cross-legged on a sofa, and received
presents as prince of the country from his own council, as well as from
the natives. In the meantime, hostilities continued between the forces
of the two companies, as auxiliaries to the contending nabobs. The
English, under major Kinnier, made an unsuccessful attempt upon Gingee,
a strong town situated to the west of Pondicherry. Major Laurence
defeated a strong body of French and natives, commanded by Dupleix’s
nephew, M. de Kerjean, in the neighbourhood of Pondicherry, and took him
prisoner, together with fifteen officers; after this success, Mr. Clive
reduced the forts of Cove-long and Chengalput, the last very strong,
situated about forty miles to the southward of Madras. On the other
hand, M. Dupleix intercepted at sea captain Schaub, with his whole Swiss
company, whom he detained prisoners at Pondicherry, although the two
nations were not at war with each other. During these transactions,
Sallabatzing, with a body of French under M. de Bussy, advanced towards
Aurengabad, which was the seat of government; but he was opposed by a
chief of the Mahrattas, at the head of a numerous army. In the meantime,
Gauzedy Khan, the elder brother of Sallabatzing, whom the mogul had
appointed viceroy of Decan, took possession of his government at
Aurengabad, where, in fourteen days after his arrival, he was poisoned
by his own sister. The mogul immediately appointed his son Schah Abadin
Khan to succeed his father; and this prince actually raised an army to
come and take possession; but the mogul’s affairs requiring his presence
at Delhi, he was obliged to postpone his design, so that Sallabatzing
was left without a competitor, and made a present to the French of all
the English settlements to the northward. Thus concluded the year one
thousand seven hundred and fifty-two. Next campaign was chiefly confined
to the neighbourhood of Trichinopoly, where major Laurence made several
vigorous attacks upon the enemy’s army, and obtained many advantages;
which, however, did not prove decisive, because he was so much
out-numbered that he could never follow his blow.
CONVENTION BETWEEN THE EAST INDIA COMPANIES OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE.
In the course of this year, the mogul was deposed by his general Schah
Abadin Khan, the viceroy of Decan, who raised to the throne Allum Geer,
another prince of the blood. In the succeeding year, a negotiation was
Bet on foot by Mr. Saunders, governor of Madras, and M. Dupleix;
and conferences were opened at Sadrass, a Dutch settlement between
Pondicherry and Fort St. George; but this proved abortive; and many
other gallant efforts were made by major Laurence in the territory of
Trichinopoly, which still continued to be the scene of action. In the
course of this year admiral Watson arrived on the coast of Coromandel
with a squadron of ships of war, having on board a regiment commanded by
colonel Aldercroon; at the same time the ships from France brought
over to Pondicherry the sieur Godeheu, commissary-general and
governor-general of all their settlements, at whose arrival Dupleix
departed for Europe. The new governor immediately wrote a letter to
Mr. Saunders, professing the most pacific inclinations, and proposing a
suspension of arms between the two companies until their disputes could
be amicably adjusted. This proposal was very agreeable to the governor
and council at Madras, and a cessation of arms actually took place
in the month of October, in the year one thousand seven hundred and
fifty-four. Deputies being sent to Pondicherry, a provisional treaty
and truce were concluded, on condition that neither of the two companies
should for the future interfere in any difference that might arise
between the princes of the country. The other articles related to the
places and settlements that should be retained or possessed by the
respective companies, until fresh orders relating to this agreement
should arrive from the courts of London and Versailles, transmitted by
the two East India companies of France and England. Until such orders
should arrive, it was stipulated that neither nation should be allowed
to procure any new grant or cession, or to build forts for the defence
of new establishments; and that they should not proceed to any cession,
retrocession, or evacuation of what they then possessed; but every thing
should remain on the footing of _uti possidetis_. How pacific soever the
sentiments of the French subjects might have been at this period in
the East Indies, certain it is, the designs of the French governors in
America were altogether hostile, and their conduct hastening towards a
rupture, which kindled up a bloody war in every division of the globe.
GENERAL VIEW OF THE BRITISH COLONIES IN NORTH AMERICA.
As this war may be termed a native of America, and the principal scenes
of it were acted on that continent, we shall, for the information of the
reader, sketch out the situation of the then British colonies as they
bordered on each other, and extended along the sea coast, from the
gulf of St. Lawrence as far south as the country of Florida. We shall
enumerate the Indian nations that lie scattered about their confines,
and delineate the manner in which the French hemmed them in by a
surprising line of fortifications. Should we comprehend Hudson’s Bay,
with the adjacent countries, and the banks of Newfoundland, in this
geographical detail, we might affirm that Great Britain at that time
possessed a territory along the sea-coast, extending seventeen hundred
miles in a direct line, from the sixtieth to the thirty-first degree of
northern latitude; but as these two countries were not concerned in this
dispute, we shall advance from the northward to the southern side of the
gulf of St. Lawrence; and beginning with Acadia or Nova Scotia, describe
our settlements as they lie in a southerly direction, as far as the gulf
of Florida. This great tract of country, stretching fifteen degrees
of latitude, is washed on the east by the Atlantic Ocean; the southern
boundary is Spanish Florida; but to the westward the limits are
uncertain, some affirming that the jurisdiction of the colonies
penetrates through the whole continent, as far as the South Sea; while
others, with more moderation, think they are naturally bounded by the
river Illinois that runs into the Mississippi, and in a manner connects
that river with the chain of lakes known by the names of Michigan,
Huron, Erie, and Ontario, the three first communicating with each other,
and the last discharging itself into the river St. Lawrence, which,
running by Montreal and Quebec, issues into the bay of the same
denomination, forming the northern boundary of Nova Scotia. The French,
who had no legal claim to any lands on the south side of this river,
nevertheless, with an insolence of ambition peculiar to themselves, not
only extended their forts from the source of the St. Lawrence, through
an immense tract of that country, as far as the Mississippi, which
disembogues itself into the gulf of Florida; but also, by a series of
unparalleled encroachments, endeavoured to contract the English colonies
within such narrow limits as would have cut off almost one half of their
possessions. As we have already given a geographical description of Nova
Scotia, and mentioned the particulars of the new settlement of Halifax,
we shall now only observe, that it is surrounded on three sides by the
sea, the gulf, and river of St. Lawrence; that its original boundary to
the west was the river Pentagoet; but it is now contracted within the
river St. Croix, because the crown of Great Britain did, in the year
one thousand six hundred and sixty-three, grant to the duke of York the
territory of Sagadahack, stretching from St. Croix to the river of this
name; which was in the sequel, by an express charter from the crown,
annexed to the province of Massachusett’s Bay, one of the four
governments of New England. This country, situated next to Nova Scotia,
lies between the forty-first and forty-fifth degrees of north latitude,
extending near three hundred miles in length, and about two hundred in
breadth, if we bound it by those tracts which the French possessed: no
part of the settlements of this country, however, stretches above sixty
miles from the sea. The summer is here intensely hot, and the winter
proportionably severe; nevertheless, the climate is healthy, and the
sky generally serene. The soil is not favourable to any of the European
kinds of grain; but produces great plenty of maize, which the people
bake into bread, and brew into beer, though their favourite drink
is made of molasses hopped, and impregnated with the tops of the
spruce-fir, which is a native of this country. The ground raises good
flax and tolerable hemp. Here are great herds of black cattle, some of
them very large in size, a vast number of excellent hogs, a breed of
small horses, graceful, swift, and hardy; and large flocks of sheep,
whose wool, though not so fine as that of England, is manufactured with
great success.
New England is composed of the four provinces known by the names of
New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. It is
bounded on the south by New York, extending northerly on both sides of
the river Hudson, about two hundred miles into the country possessed by
the Indians of the Five Nations, whom the French distinguish by the name
of the Irroquois; but in breadth this province does not exceed fifty
miles, though it comprehends Long Island, lying to the southward of
Connecticut. The capital, which derives from the province the name
of New York, is situated on an excellent harbour in the island of
Manahatton, extending fourteen miles in length, and five in breadth,
at the mouth of the noble river Hudson, which is navigable for above two
hundred miles. At the distance of one hundred and fifty miles from New
York, stands the town of Albany, upon the same river. In this place all
the treaties and other transactions were negotiated between the English
and the Irroquois, a confederacy of five Indian nations, who, by their
union, courage, and military skill, had reduced a great number of other
Indian tribes, and subdued a territory more extensive than the whole
kingdom of France. They were about fourscore years ago able to bring
ten thousand warriors into the field; but now their number is so greatly
diminished by wars, epidemical diseases, and the use of spirituous
liquors, that they cannot raise above fifteen hundred men, even though
they have admitted into their confederacy the nation of the Tuscaroras,
whom the English drove from the confines of Carolina. The Mohawk Indians
inhabit the country advanced from Albany. The northern extremities
of New Hampshire and New York are divided by the lakes Champlain and
Sacrament, between which the French had raised the fort of Crown Point.
Contiguous to New York, and lying along the coast, in a southerly
direction, is the small province of New Jersey, bounded on the west by
the river Delaware, which divides it from Pennsylvania, extending about
one hundred and fifty miles in length, but in breadth not more than
one third of that extent. The climate, soil, and produce of these two
provinces, as well as of Pennsylvania, are similar. They yield great
quantities of grain, sheep, horses, hogs, and horned cattle; all kinds
of poultry and game in great abundance; vegetables of every sort in
perfection, and excellent fruit, particularly peaches and melons. Their
vast forests abound with oak, ash, beech, chesnut, cedar, walnut-tree,
cypress, hickory, sassafras, and pine; but the timber is not counted so
fit for shipping as that of New England and Nova Scotia. These provinces
produce great quantities of flax and hemp. New York affords mines of
iron, and very rich copper ore is found in New Jersey.
Pennsylvania, lying to the southward of New York and New Jersey, is
bounded on the other side by Maryland, stretching two hundred and fifty
miles in length, two hundred in breadth, and having no communication
with the sea, except by the mouth of the river Delaware. This province
was originally settled by Quakers, under the auspices of the celebrated
William Penn, whose descendants are still proprietaries of the country.
Philadelphia, the capital, stands on a tongue of land at the confluence
of the two navigable rivers, the Delaware and Sculkel, disposed in the
form of a regular oblong, and designed by the original plan to extend
from the one to the other. The streets, which are broad, spacious, and
uniform, cross each other at right angles, leaving proper spaces for
churches, markets, and other public edifices. The houses are neatly
built of brick, the quays spacious and magnificent, the warehouses
large and numerous, and the docks commodious and well contrived for ship
building. Pennsylvania is understood to extend as far northerly as
the banks of the lake Erie, where the French erected a fort. They also
raised another at some distance to the southward of the Riviere-au-Beuf,
and made other encroachments on this colony.
Adjoining to part of Pennsylvania, on the sea-coast, lies the province
of Maryland, a tract of land situated along the bay of Chesapeak,
in length about one hundred and forty miles, and nearly of the same
breadth, bounded on the north by Pennsylvania, on the east by the
Atlantic Ocean, and by the river Potowmack on the south. This country
was first planted with Roman catholics by lord Baltimore, to whom
Charles II. granted it by patent. In the sequel, however, people of all
religions were admitted into this settlement, and indulged with liberty
of conscience, and at present the reigning religion is that of the
English church. The climate is very sultry in summer, and not very
salubrious. The soil is fruitful, and produces a great quantity of
tobacca, which the people cultivate as their staple commodity. The seat
of government is established at Annapolis, a small town beautifully
situated on the river Patuxent.
Tracing the sea-coast still southerly, the next settlement is Virginia,
watered on the north by the river Potowmack, which is the boundary
between this and the colony last described, having the bay of Chesapeak
to the east, bounded on the south by Carolina, and extending westward
without any prescribed limits, though the plantations have reached no
farther than the great Allegany mountains; so that the province, as now
possessed, stretches in length above two hundred and forty miles, and
in breadth not above two hundred, lying between the fifty-fifth and
fortieth degrees of latitude. In sailing to Virginia, navigators steer
through a strait formed by two points, called the Capes, into the bay of
Chesapeak, a large inlet that runs three hundred miles into the country
from south to north, covered from the Atlantic Ocean by the eastern side
of Maryland, and a small portion of Virginia on the same peninsula. This
noble bay is about eighteen miles broad for a considerable space, and
seven at its narrowest part, yielding generally nine fathoms depth of
water; on both sides it receives many navigable rivers, those on the
Virginia side being known by the names of James River, York River, the
Rappahannock, and Potowmack. This country, especially towards the sea,
lies very low and swampy, and the soil is extremely fertile. The air
and weather are variable, the heats of summer excessive, the frosts of
winter sudden, and intensely cold; so that, upon the whole, the climate
is neither very agreeable nor healthy, the people being particularly
subject to agues and pleuritic disorders. The province abounds with vast
forests of timber; the plains are covered with a surprising luxuriancy
of vegetables, flowers, and flowering shrubs, diffusing the most
delicious fragrance. The ground yields plenty of corn, and every sort
of fruit in great abundance and perfection. Horned cattle and hogs
have here multiplied to admiration, since they were first imported from
Europe. The animals, natives of this and the neighbouring countries, are
deer, panthers or tigers, bears, wolves, foxes, squirrels, racoons, and
creatures called opossums, with an infinite variety of beautiful birds,
and a diversity of serpents, among which the rattlesnake is the most
remarkable.
Virginia is bounded to the south by the two Carolinas, situated between
the forty-sixth and thirty-first degrees of latitude; the length
amounting to upwards of four hundred miles, and the breadth extending
near three hundred, as far as the Indian nations called the Catawbas,
the Creeks, and Cherokees. The country of Carolina is divided into two
governments, of which the most northern is the most inconsiderable. The
climate in both is the same, as well as the soil: the first is warm,
though not unhealthy; the last extremely fertile, yielding every thing
in plenty which is produced in Virginia, besides abundance of excellent
oranges, and some commodities which are not found to the northward.
North Carolina, though not so opulent, is more populous than the
southern part. The colonists of North Carolina carry on a considerable
traffic in tar, pitch, turpentine, staves, shingles, lumber, corn, peas,
pork, and beef; tobacco, deer skins, indigo, wheat, rice, bee’s-wax,
tallow, bacon, and hog’s-lard, cotton, and squared timber; live cattle,
with the skins of beaver, racoon, fox, minx, wild-cat, and otter. South
Carolina is much better cultivated; the people are more civilized,
and the commerce more important. The capital of this province, called
Charles Town, is finely situated at the confluence of two navigable
rivers, having the advantage of a commodious harbour. Their trade,
exclusive of the articles we have already mentioned as common to this
government and that of North Carolina, consists of two chief staple
commodities, rice and indigo, which they cultivate with great success;
and they have likewise made some progress in the culture of silk.
The most southern of all our settlements on this coast is Georgia,
extending about sixty miles from north to South, along the sea-shore;
but widening in the inland parts to above one hundred and fifty,
and stretching almost three hundred from the sea to the Apalachian
mountains. This country differs very little from that of South Carolina,
with which it borders; yet the summer is here more hot, and the soil not
so fertile. Savannah, the capital, stands commodiously for trade, about
ten miles from the sea, on a river of the same name, navigable with
large boats two hundred miles farther up to the second town called
Augusta, a place that flourishes by the Indian trade of skins, which the
inhabitants carry on with their neighbours the Creeks, the Chickesaws,
and the Cherokees, who are the most numerous and powerful tribes in
America. Georgia is bounded on the south by the river Attamaha, at no
great distance from the Spanish fort of St. Augustine.
{GEORGE II. 1727-1760}
THE FRENCH SURPRISE LOG’S TOWN.
Having thus exhibited a succinct view of the British colonies in North
America, for the information of the reader, we shall now resume the
thread of our history, and particularize the transactions by which
the present year was distinguished on this extensive continent. The
government of England having received nothing but evasive answers from
the court of France, touching the complaints that were made of the
encroachments in America, despatched orders to all the governors of
that country to repel force by force, and drive the French from their
settlements on the river Ohio. Accordingly, the provinces of Virginia
and Pennsylvania took this important affair into their consideration;
but while they deliberated, the French vigorously prosecuted their
designs on the other side of the mountains. They surprised Log’s Town,
which the Virginians had built upon the Ohio; made themselves masters
of the Block-house and Truck-house, where they found skins and other
commodities to the amount of twenty thousand pounds, and destroyed all
the British traders, except two who found means to escape. At the same
time, M. de Contrecour, with a thousand men and eighteen pieces of
cannon, arrived in three hundred canoes from Venango, a fort they had
raised on the banks of the Ohio, and reduced by surprise a British fort
which the Virginians had built on the forks of the Monangahela, that
runs into the same river.
CONFERENCE WITH THE INDIANS.
These hostilities were followed by divers skirmishes between the people
of the two nations, which were fought with various success. At length
the governors of the English settlements received orders from England to
form a political confederacy for their mutual defence; and the governor
of New York was directed to confer with the chiefs of the Six Nations,
with a view to detach them from the French interest by dint of promises
and presents of value, sent over for that purpose. A congress was
accordingly appointed at Albany, to which place the governor of New
York repaired, accompanied by commissioners from all the other British
settlements; but a very small number of Indians arrived, and even these
seemed to be indifferent to the advances and exhortations that were made
by the English orator. The truth is, the French had artfully weaned them
from their attachment to the subjects of Great Britain. Nevertheless,
they accepted the presents, renewed their treaties with the king of
England, and even demanded his assistance in driving the French from the
posts and possessions they had usurped within the Indian territories. It
was in consequence of the measures here taken, that colonel Washington
was detached from Virginia with four hundred men, and occupied a post on
the banks of the river Ohio, where he threw up some works, and erected
a kind of occasional fort, in hopes of being able to defend himself in
that situation, until he should be joined by a reinforcement from New
York, which, how ever, did not arrive.
COLONEL WASHINGTON DEFEATED AND TAKEN BY THE FRENCH.
While he remained in this situation, de Viller, a French commander, at
the head of nine hundred men, being on his march to dislodge Washington,
detached one Jamonville, an inferior officer, with a small party, and
a formal summons to colonel Washington, requiring him to quit the fort,
which he pretended was built on ground belonging to the French, or their
allies. So little regard was paid to this intimation, that the English
fell upon this party, and, as the French affirm, without the least
provocation, either slew or took the whole detachment. De Viller,
incensed at these unprovoked hostilities, marched up to the attack,
which Washington for some time sustained under manifold disadvantages.
At length, however, he surrendered the fort upon capitulation, for the
performance of which he left two officers as hostages in the hands of
the French; and in his retreat was terribly harassed by the Indians,
who plundered his baggage, and massacred his people. This event was no
sooner known in England, than the British ambassador at Paris received
directions to complain of it to the French ministry, as an open
violation of the peace; but this representation had no effect.
DIVISIONS AMONG THE BRITISH COLONIES.
Both nations by this time foresaw that a rupture would be inevitable,
and each resolved to make suitable preparations. France continued to
send reinforcements of men, and supplies of ammunition to Quebec, for
the prosecution of her ambitious projects; and the ministry of Great
Britain transmitted salutary cautions to the governors of the provinces
in North America, exhorting them to join their endeavours for repelling
the incursions of the enemy. Such an union as seemed necessary for their
common preservation was not easily effected. The different colonies were
divided by different views and interests, both religious and political;
besides, every settlement was distracted into factions, formed by
the governor and the demagogues of the assembly; in other words, an
opposition like that in parliament, and a continual struggle between the
liberties of the people and the prerogative of the proprietor, whether
sovereign or subject. Mr. Dinwiddie, governor of Virginia, having
demanded a certain perquisite or fee for every patent he should pass for
land, the assembly voted his demand illegal, arbitrary, and oppressive.
They declared that every man who paid it should be deemed an enemy to
his country, and sent over an agent to London to solicit the suppression
of this imposition. The representatives of the people in Pennsylvania
wasted the time in vain deliberations and violent disputes with their
proprietors, while the enemy infested their frontiers. The colony of New
York was filled with discontent and animosity. Sir Danvers Osborn, who
had been appointed governor of this province, died immediately after his
arrival at New York, and the instructions he had received were exposed
to public censure. The preamble inveighed severely against the want of
duty, allegiance, loyalty, and unanimity, which had lately appeared so
notorious in the assembly of that province, who had violated the royal
commission and instructions, by assuming to themselves the power to
dispose of public money in the laws which they had occasionally passed.
This gentleman was, therefore, directed to insist upon the reformation
of all those public abuses, and upon the establishment of a certain
supply for the service of the government, as well as upon the settlement
of a salary for himself. Moreover, his majesty, in these instructions,
signified his will and pleasure, that all money raised for the supply
and support of government, or upon any emergency for immediate service,
should be disposed of and applied properly to the use for which it might
be granted, by warrant from the governor, by and with the advice
and consent of the council of the province, and no otherwise; that,
nevertheless, the assembly should be permitted, from time to time, to
view and examine the accounts of money disposed of, by virtue of laws
which they had enacted; that if any member of the council, or officer
holding place of trust or profit within the government, should, in any
manner whatever, give his assent to, or in anywise advise or concur with
the assembly in passing any act or vote, whereby the royal prerogative
might be lessened or impaired, or any money be raised or disposed of
for the public service, contrary to, or inconsistent with, the method
prescribed by these instructions, the governor should forthwith
remove or suspend such counsellor or officer so offending, and give an
immediate account of his proceedings to the commissioners of trade and
plantations. These were peremptory injunctions, which plainly proved
that the ministry was determined to support the prerogative with a
high hand; but it must be owned, at the same time, that abundance of
provocation had been given by the insolent opposition of some turbulent
individuals, who had exerted all their influence in disturbing and
distressing the views and designs of the government. While the British
colonies in America were, by these divisions, in a great measure
disabled from making vigorous efforts against the common enemy, the
administration at home began to exert itself for their defence..
Officers were appointed for two regiments, consisting of two battalions
each, to be raised in America, and commanded by sir William Pepperel and
governor Shirley, who had enjoyed the same command in the last war, and
a body of troops was destined for the same service.
HEREDITARY PRINCE OF HESSE-CASSEL PROFESSES THE CATHOLIC RELIGION.
The most remarkable incident that marked this year on the continent of
Europe, was the conversion of the hereditary prince of Hesse-Cassel,
who had espoused the princess Mary of England. He now declared himself a
Roman-catholic, and was supposed to have been cajoled to this profession
by the promises of certain powers, who flattered his ambition, in order
to weaken the protestant interest in Germany. His father, though deeply
affected by his son’s apostacy, did not fail to take immediate measures
for preventing the evil consequences which might otherwise have
flowed from his defection. He forthwith, assembled the states of the
landgraviate, in order to take such measures as might appear necessary
to maintain the religion, laws, and constitution of the country; and the
prince was laid under certain restrictions, which he did not find it
an easy task to set aside. It was enacted, that when the regency should
devolve to him by succession, he should not have it in his power to
alter the established laws, or grant any church to persons of the Roman
communion, for the public exercise of their religion; and that he should
be excluded from all share in the education of his sons, the eldest
of whom should be put in possession of the country of Hanau upon his
father’s accession to the regency of the landgraviate. These resolutions
were guaranteed by the kings of Prussia and Denmark, by the maritime
powers, and the evangelic body of the empire.
PARLIAMENT OF PARIS RECALLED FROM EXILE.
The exile of the parliament of Paris, far from having intimidated the
other tribunals from performing what they apprehended to be their duty,
served only to inflame the discontents of the people, and to animate
all the courts of justice to a full exertion of their authority. The
chatelot continued to prosecute those priests, who refused the sacrament
to persons whose consciences would not allow them to subscribe to the
bull Unigenitus, even after three of their members were sent to the
Bastile. The same prosecutions were carried on, and bold remonstrances
published by, the parliaments of Aix and Rouen. In a word, the whole
kingdom was filled with such confusion as threatened a total suppression
of justice, in a general spirit of disaffection and universal anarchy.
The prelates, meanwhile, seemed to triumph in the combustion they had
raised. They entered into associations to support each other; they
intrigued at court, and harassed the king with insolent declarations,
till he grew tired of their proceedings, and opened his eyes to the
fatal consequences of their pride and obstinacy. He even took an
opportunity of exhorting the archbishop of Paris to act more suitably to
the character of a clergyman. He recalled the parliament from exile,
and they returned in triumph, amidst the acclamations of the people,
who celebrated their arrival at Paris with the most extravagant
demonstrations of joy; and the archbishop, notwithstanding the king’s
express declaration to the contrary, still persisting in countenancing
the recusant priests, was banished to Conflans-sous-Charenton.
AFFAIRS OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL.
In Spain, the interest of Great Britain was so warmly espoused, and so
powerfully supported by Mr. Wall, who had been resident in England, that
the French party, though countenanced by the queen-mother, and sustained
with all the influence of the marquis de la Ensenada, the prime
minister, was totally defeated. The king being convinced that it would
be for the interest of his subjects to live on good terms with England,
and well apprized of Ensenada’s intrigues, ordered that minister to be
arrested and confined, and bestowed upon Mr. Wall the best part of his
employments. Nevertheless, the Spaniards in the West Indies continued
to oppress the subjects of Great Britain, employed in cutting logwood in
the bay of Honduras; and representations on this head being made to the
court of Madrid, the dispute was amicably adjusted between Mr. Wall
and sir Benjamin Keene, the British ambassador. While the interest of
Britain thus triumphed in Spain, it seemed to lose ground at the court
of Lisbon. His Portuguese majesty had formed vast projects of an active
commerce, and even established an East India company; in the meantime he
could not help manifesting his chagrin at the great quantities of gold
which were yearly exported from his dominions, as the balance due from
his subjects on English commodities. In his endeavours to check this
traffic, which he deemed so detrimental to his subjects, he inflicted
hardships on the British merchants settled at Lisbon: some were
imprisoned on frivolous pretences; others deprived of their property,
and obliged to quit the kingdom. He insisted upon laying an imposition
of two per cent, on all the Portuguese gold that should be exported;
but the profits of the trade would not bear such an exaction. Meanwhile,
there being a scarcity of corn in Portugal, the kingdom was supplied
from England; and the people having nothing but gold to purchase
this necessary supply, the king saw the necessity of conniving at the
exportation of his coin, and the trade reverted into its former channel.
SESSION OPENED.
On the fourteenth day of November, the king of Great Britain opened the
session of parliament with an harangue, which intimated nothing of
an approaching rupture. He said, that the general state of affairs in
Europe had undergone very little alteration since their last meeting;
that he had lately received the strongest assurances from his good
brother the king of Spain, of friendship and confidence, which he would
cultivate with harmony and good faith. He declared his principal view
should be to strengthen the foundation, and secure the duration of a
general peace; to improve the present advantages of it for promoting
the trade of his good subjects, and protecting those possessions which
constituted one great source of their wealth and commerce. Finally, he
exhorted them to complete their plan for appropriating the forfeited
estates in the highlands to the service of the public. He probably
avoided mentioning the encroachments of France, that he might supply
no handle for debates on the address, which was carried in both houses
almost without opposition. The government seemed determined to humble
the insolence of the French councils; and this disposition was so
agreeable to the people in general, that they grudged no expense, and
heartily concurred with the demands of the ministry.
The commons granted for the service of the ensuing year, four millions
seventy-three thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine pounds; one million
of that sum expressly given to enable his majesty to augment his forces
by land and sea. Thirty-two thousand pounds were allotted as a subsidy
to the king of Poland, and twenty thousand to the elector of Bavaria.
These gratifications met with little or no opposition in the committee
of supply; because it was taken for granted, that, in case of a rupture,
France would endeavour to avail herself of her superiority by land,
by invading his Britannic majesty’s German dominions; and therefore
it might be necessary to secure the assistance of such allies on the
continent. That they prognosticated aright, with respect to the designs
of that ambitious power, will soon appear in the course of this history;
which will also demonstrate how little dependence is to be placed upon
the professed attachment of subsidiary princes. The supplies were raised
by the standing branches of the revenue, the land-tax and malt-tax,
and a lottery for one million; one hundred thousand pounds of it to be
deducted for the service of the public, and the remaining nine hundred
thousand to be charged on the produce of the sinking-fund, at the rate
of three per cent, per annum, to commence from the fifth day of
January, in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty-six. The civil
transactions of this session were confined to a few objects. Divers new
regulations were made for encouraging and improving the whale and white
herring fishery, as well as for finishing and putting in a proper state
of defence a new fort, lately built at Anamabo on the coast of Africa.
BILL IN BEHALF OF CHELSEA PENSIONERS.
Mr. Pitt, the paymaster-general of the forces, brought in a bill, which
will ever remain a standing monument of his humanity. The poor
disabled veterans who enjoyed the pension of Chelsea hospital, were so
iniquitously oppressed by a set of miscreants, who supplied them with
money per advance, at the most exorbitant rates of usury, that many of
them, with their families, were in danger of starving; and the intention
of government in granting such a comfortable subsistence, was in a great
measure defeated. Mr. Pitt, perceiving that this evil originally flowed
from the delay of the first payment, which the pensioner could not touch
till the expiration of a whole year after he had been put upon the list,
removed this necessity of borrowing, by providing in the bill, that half
a year’s pension should be advanced half a year before it is due; and
the practice of usury was effectually prevented by a clause, enacting,
that all contracts should be void by which any pension might be
mortgaged. This humane regulation was unanimously approved, and having
passed through both houses with uncommon expedition, received the royal
assent.
Notwithstanding the unanimity manifested by the commons, in every thing
relating to the measures for acting vigorously against the common enemy
of the nation, they were remarkably disturbed and divided by a contested
election of members for Oxfordshire. In the course of this dispute, the
strength and influence of what they called the old and new interest, or,
to speak more intelligibly, of the tories and whigs in that county, were
fully displayed. The candidates sustained on the shoulders of the
old interest, were lord viscount Wenman and sir James Dashwood: their
competitors, whom the new interest supported, and of consequence the
ministry countenanced, were lord Parker and sir Edward Turner. Never was
any contention of this kind maintained with more spirit and animosity,
or carried on at a greater expense. One would have imagined that each
side considered it as a dispute which must have determined whether the
nation should enjoy its ancient liberty, or tamely submit to the fetters
of corruption. Noblemen and gentlemen, clergymen and ladies, employed
all their talents and industry in canvassing for either side, throughout
every township and village in the county. Scandal emptied her whole
quiver of insinuation, calumny, and lampoon; corruption was not remiss
in promises and presents: houses of entertainment were opened; and
nothing was for some time to be seen but scenes of tumult, riot,
and intoxication. The revenue of many an independent prince on the
continent, would not have been sufficient to afford such sums of money
as were expended in the course of this dispute. At length they proceeded
to election, and the sheriff made a double return of all the four
candidates, so that not one of them could sit, and the county remained
without a representative until this ambiguous affair could be decided
in the house of commons. About the middle of November, petitions being
presented by the four candidates, as well as by the gentlemen, clergy,
and other freeholders of the county, complaining of an undue election,
and double return, the matter of these petitions was heard at the bar of
the house on the third day of December. The counsel for lord Wenman and
sir James Dashwood alleged that they had the majority of votes upon the
poll, and this circumstance was admitted by the counsel on the other
side; then they proceeded to prove by evidence, that, after closing
the poll, the sheriff declared the majority of votes to be in favour of
these two candidates, and adjourned the court from the twenty-third day
of April to the eighth of May; so that the scrutiny demanded and
granted on the behalf of lord Parker and sir Edward Turner could not
be discussed before the last day of the month, when the writ was
returnable; that the scrutiny did not begin till the ninth day of May,
when the time was protracted by disputes about the manner in which
it should be carried on; that lord Parker and sir Edward Turner were
allowed to object, through the whole poll, to the votes on the other
side, on pretence that their competitors should be permitted to answer
these objections, and, in their turn, object through the whole poll to
the voters for lord Parker and sir Edward Turner, who should, in
the last place, have leave to answer: that lord Wenman and sir James
Dashwood had disapproved of this method, because they apprehended
it might induce their competitors to make such a number of frivolous
objections, that they should not have time to answer one half of them,
much less to make objections of their own before the writ should be
returned: that they foresaw such a number of frivolous objections were
made, as engrossed the attention of the court till the twenty-seventh
day of May; so that they could not begin to answer any of these
objections till the twenty-eighth; and on the thirtieth, the sheriff,
having closed the scrutiny, made the double return. The proof being
exhibited, the counsel insisted, that as they had established a majority
on the poll, and demonstrated that this majority neither was nor could
be overthrown by such an unfinished scrutiny, it was incumbent on the
other side to proceed upon the merits of the election, by endeavouring
to overthrow that majority of which their clients were in possession. A
question in the house being carried to the same purpose, lord Wenman
and sir James Dashwood objected to five hundred and thirty voters on
the other side, whom they proposed to disqualify. Their counsel examined
several witnesses, to prove the partiality of the sheriff in favour of
lord Parker and sir Edward Turner, and to detect these candidates in the
practice of bribery; for which purpose they produced a letter in their
own handwriting.
{1755}
They afterwards proceeded to disqualify particular voters, and summed up
their evidence on the twenty-first day of January. Then the counsel for
the other side began to refute the charge of partiality and corruption;
and to answer the objections that had been made to particular voters.
They produced evidence to prove, that customary freeholds, or customary
holdings, had voted in elections in the counties at Glamorgan, Monmouth,
Gloucester, Wells, and Hereford; and that the customary tenants of the
manor of Woodstock, in Oxfordshire, had been reputed capable of voting,
and even voted at elections for that county. In a word, they continued
to examine evidences, argue and refute, prove and disprove, until the
twenty-third day of April, when, after some warm debates and divisions
in the house, lord Parker and sir Edward Turner were declared duly
elected; and the clerk of the crown was ordered to amend the return,
by erasing the names of lord Wenman and sir James Dashwood. Many, who
presumed to think for themselves, without recollecting the power and
influence of the administration, were astonished at the issue of this
dispute, which, however, might have easily been foreseen; inasmuch,
as, during the course of the proceedings, most if not all of the many
questions debated in the house, were determined by a great majority
in favour of the new interest. A great number of copyholders had been
admitted to vote at this election, and the sheriff incurred no censure
for allowing them to take the oath appointed by law to be taken by
freeholders: nevertheless, the commons carefully avoided determining
the question, whether copyholders possessed of the yearly value of forty
shillings, clear of all deductions, have not a right to vote for knights
to represent the shire within which their copyhold estates are situated?
This point being left doubtful by the legislature, puts it often in the
power of the sheriff to return which of the candidates he pleases to
support; for if the majority of the voting copyholders adheres to the
interest of his favourite, he will admit their votes both on the poll
and the scrutiny; whereas, should they be otherwise disposed, he will
reject them as unqualified What effect this practice may have upon the
independency of parliament, every person must perceive who reflects,
that, in almost all the counties of England, the high sheriffs are
annually appointed by the minister for the time being.
{GEORGE II. 1727-1760}
MESSAGE FROM THE KING TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The attention of the legislature was chiefly turned upon the conduct of
France, which preserved no medium, but seemed intent upon striking some
important blow, that might serve as a declaration of war. At Brest, and
other ports in that kingdom, the French were employed in equipping a
powerful armament, and made no scruple to own it was intended for North
America. Towards the latter end of March, sir Thomas Eobinson, secretary
of state, brought a message from the king to the parliament, intimating,
that his majesty having at the beginning of the session declared his
principal object was to preserve the public tranquillity, and at the
same time to protect those possessions which constitute one great source
of the commerce and wealth of his kingdoms, he now found it necessary
to acquaint the house of commons, that the present situation of affairs
made it requisite to augment his forces by sea and land, and to take
such other measures as might best tend to preserve the general peace
of Europe, and secure the just rights and possessions of his crown in
America, as well as to repel any attempts whatsoever that might be made
to support or countenance any designs which should be formed against his
majesty and his kingdoms; and his majesty doubted not but his faithful
commons, on whose affection and zeal he entirely relied, would enable
him to make such augmentations, and to take such measures for supporting
the honour of his crown, and the true interest of his people, and for
the security of his dominions in the present critical conjuncture, as
the exigency of affairs might require; in doing which his majesty
would have as much regard to the ease of his good subjects as should be
consistent with their safety and welfare. In answer to this message, a
very warm and affectionate address was presented to his majesty; and
it was on this occasion that the million was granted for augmenting his
forces by sea and land. [357] _[See note 2 X at the end of this Vol.]_
The court of Versailles, notwithstanding the assiduity and despatch
which they were exerting in equipping armaments, and embarking troops,
for the support of their ambitious schemes in America, still continued
to amuse the British ministry with general declarations, that no
hostility was intended, nor the least infringement of the treaty.
COURT OF VERSAILLES AMUSES THE ENGLISH MINISTRY.
The earl of Albemarle, the English ambassador at Paris, having lately
died in that city, these assurances were communicated to the court of
London by the marquis de Mirepoix, who resided in England with the same
character which he had supported since his first arrival, with equal
honour and politeness. On this occasion he himself was so far imposed
upon by the instructions he had received, that he believed the
professions of his court were sincere, and seriously endeavoured to
prevent a rupture between the two nations. At length, however, their
preparations were so notorious that he began to suspect the consequence;
and the English ministry produced such proofs of their insincerity
and double dealing, that he seemed to be struck with astonishment and
chagrin. He repaired to France, and upbraided the ministry of Versailles
for having made him the tool of their dissimulation. They referred him
to the king, who ordered him to return to London, with fresh assurances
of his pacific intentions; but his practice agreed so ill with his
professions, that the ambassador had scarce obtained an audience to
communicate them, when undoubted intelligence arrived, that a powerful
armament was ready to sail from Brest and Rochfort. The government of
Great Britain, roused by this information, immediately took the most
expeditious methods for equipping a squadron; and towards the latter end
of April, admiral Boscawen sailed with eleven ships of the line and one
frigate, having on board a considerable number of land forces, to attend
the motions of the enemy; but more certain and particular intelligence
arriving soon after touching the strength of the French fleet, which
consisted of twenty-five ships of the line, besides frigates and
transports, with a great quantity of warlike stores, and four thousand
regular troops, commanded by the baron Dieskau, admiral Holbourne was
detached with six ships of the line, and one frigate, to reinforce Mr.
Boscawen; and a great number of capital ships were put in commission.
In the beginning of May the French fleet, commanded by Mr. Macnamara, an
officer of Irish extraction, sailed from Brest, directing his course
to North America; but, after having proceeded beyond the chops of the
English channel, he returned with nine of the capital ships, while the
rest of the armament continued their course, under the direction of M.
Bois de la Mothe.
SESSION CLOSED.
On the twenty-fifth day of April the king went to the house of lords,
where, after giving the royal assent to the bills then depending;
for granting a certain sum out of the sinking fund for the relief of
insolvent debtors, for the better regulation of marine forces on shore,
for the better raising of marines and seamen, and to several other
public and private bills; his majesty put an end to the session of
parliament by a speech, in which he acquainted the two houses, that the
zeal they had shown for supporting the honour, rights, and possessions
of his crown, had afforded him the greatest satisfaction; that his
desire to preserve the public tranquillity had been sincere and uniform;
that he had religiously adhered to the stipulations of the treaty of
Aix-la-Chapelle, and made it his care not to injure or offend any power
whatsoever; but that he never could entertain a thought of purchasing
the name of peace at the expense of suffering encroachments upon, or of
yielding up, what justly belonged to Great Britain, either by ancient
possession or by solemn treaties; that the vigour and firmness of his
parliament, on this important occasion, had enabled him to be prepared
for such contingencies as might happen; that if reasonable and
honourable terms of accommodation could be agreed upon, he would be
satisfied, and, at all events, rely on the justice of his cause,
the effectual support of his people, and the protection of Divine
Providence. The parliament was then prorogued to the twenty-seventh of
May.