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Researching the
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada
Recherche sur la Forteresse-de-Louisbourg Lieu historique national du Canada
An Event Chronology Based on Louisbourg Accounts Not Available in the Archives of the Fortress of Louisbourg, By Eric Krause, Krause House Info-Research Solutions, 2004 - Present
1751
[February 26, 1751]
CUSTOM HOUSE, Philadelphia, ENTERED ....
OUTWARDS....
Brigt. Louisburgh, Hugh Wright, for Gibraltar....
Extract of a Letter from Halifax, dated May 28, 1751.
We hear the French at Louisburg, have stopt eleven English Vessels that lately arrived there from different Ports; and are very hard at work in fortifying themselves stronger than ever: There is great Talk here of a War again.
[March 12, 1751]
CUSTOM HOUSE, Philadelphia, ENTERED ...
CLEARED....
Brig. Louisburgh, Hugh Wright, to Lisbon.
[March 28, 1751]
Run away the 17th
of this inst. from the subscriber, living in
Pilesgrove township, Salem county, a servant man, named Roger
Noland, came from Ireland, of middle stature, speaks good
English: he served 4 years in this province before, then went
on the expeditions to cape breton and Canada; he is a likely
fellow, of a fresh complexion, has black hair, and is slim; he
is a drunken, impudent, forward fellow in company, and talks
much; Had on when he went away, a goof coat, between a dove
and ash colour, breeches of the same, the coat is trimmed with
3 holes in the flap, and 3 in the sleeve, a good holland
shirt, grey yarn stockings, neats leather shoes, a small brimm hat, more than half worn, and a very old lightish
colourjacket. Whoever takes up and secures said servant in
any goal, so that his master may have him again, shall have
Fifty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by MOUNCE
KEEN.
May 21, 1751
PRIZE.
In regard to Admiral Knowles' share of the Prizes taken by Capt. Andrews in his course from the Jamaica station, where Mr. Knowles commanded, to the Louisbourgh station, to which he sailed by Mr. K.'s orders.
Admiral Knowles was first made Governor of Louisbourgh, and commander-in-chief of His Majesty's ships on the coast of North America. Afterwards he was appointed commander-in-chief of His Majesty's ships employed at Jamaica, a new Governor appointed at Louisbourgh and another Admiral to command on the coast of North America. Soon after Admiral Knowles' arrival at Jamaica he ordered Capt. Thos. Andrews of His Majesty's ship Worcester, who was stationed there, to sail under the annexed orders for Louisbourgh.
Before Capt. Andrews sailed from Jamaica, Admiral Knowles told him that, in order to avoid all disputes about sharing of Prize money, he was to take notice that if there was no commanding officer appointed at Louisbourgh, and he should happen to take anything in his passage there, he in that case expected a share ; but if there was a commanding officer appointed for that station he should then expect a share of nothing but what was taken to the southward of Crooked Island, which he reckoned the limits of his command as commander-in-chief of His Majesty's ships employed at Jamaica. Capt. Andrews, in his passage to Louisbourgh, took the following prizes : the Providence, on the 13th May, 1748, Latitude 30° 9' N. per account; the Cape Adventurer, 18th May, 1748, 30° 20' N. per account; the Alexander, 24th May, 1748, 36° 47' N., per observation.
N.B.—These prizes were taken a great way to the northward of Crooked Island, which is in the Latitude of 22° 39' ; and Admiral Watson was appointed to command on the coast of North America long before the prizes were taken, but did not sail from England till some time afterwards.
Query.—As another Governor was appointed at Louisbourgh, and Mr. Watson was appointed commander-in-chief of His Majesty's ships and vessels employed at Jamaica, which you will please to observe ho styles himself in his orders, will Admiral Knowles, as this case is circumstanced, be entitled to a share of those Prizes, and Capt. Andrews be considered as under his command when these Prizes were taken or not ?
Answer.—As Capt. Andrews sailed under the orders of Admiral Knowles, by virtue and in consequence of which ho was enabled to take the Prizes above mentioned, and as there was at that time no flag officer commanding on the coast of North America (for the case states that Admiral Watson had not then left England), I am of opinion that he is to be considered as under the command of Admiral Knowles, and that the Admiral is entitled to a Flag share of all the prizes Capt. Andrews took in his passage from Jamaica to his new station at Louisbourgh, notwithstanding they were taken out of the limits of the Jamaica station. I think the appointment of a new Governor at Louisbourgh (who being a land officer had no command at sea) is not material in the consideration of this question.
Geo. Lee, May 12th, 1751.
[Reginald G. Marsden, editor, REPORTS OF CASES DETERMINED BY THE HIGH COURT OF ADMIRALTY AND UPON APPEAL THEREFROM, Temp. SIR THOMAS SALUSBURY And SIR GEORGE HAY, Judges, 1758-1774. BY SIR WILLIAM BURRELL, Bart., LL.D., M.P., F R S., F.S.A., Etc. ; TOGETHER WITH EXTRACTS FROM THE BOOKS AND RECORDS OF THE HIGH COURT OF ADMIRALTY AND THE COURT OF THE JUDGES DELEGATES, 1584-1839. AND A COLLECTION OF CASES AND OPINIONS UPON ADMIRALTY MATTERS, 1701-1781. (London: William Clowes and Sons, 1885), p. 364-365. - http://books.google.com/books?id=QPdXPzHXYuUC&dq=louisbourgh&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s ]
Boston, June 10.
Thursday last Mr. John Dixcy, Master of a Marblehead fishing Schooner, came to Town and declared, That on the 26th of May past, in the Evening, about six Leagues from Cape Sable, he met with a French Man of War of 36 Guns and 300 men, including 50 Marines, and the next Morning was desired by the French Capt. to come on board, which he did, and was told by the Frenchman that he was bound to Annapolis Royal, and that his Business was to remove the French Inhabitants back to some Place, the Name of which Mr. Dixcy has forgot. That the Affairs relating to the Boundaries, &c. were settled, and that he saw Governor Shirley in Paris, about 7 Weeks before. That he should send from Annapolis to Canada, and wait he had an Answer, which he expected in a Month, and that then he should go to cape breton. During the Conversation, Mr. Dixcy asked the Captain, whether it was War, or like to be War? who answered, No, it was all peace, tho' Capt. Rous had done an ill Action, in firing on a French Brigantine after he had haled her, before she had Time to return an Answer, and enquired where Rous was; and being told he was gone to England, he (the Frenchman) said he believed he was at Halifax, and then asked if there was any English Men of War at Annapolis, to which Mr. Dixcy answer he believe not, and then took his Leave, but next Morning saw the Ship steering up the Bay of Fundy. Her Nettings were fill with Oakham, Cases, &c. and every Thing in such Order as if they soon expected an Engagement: And let Monsieur say what he will about his going to Annapolis, and sending an Express to Canada, very probable he is gone to supply the French and Indians at St. John and St. Croix (where they are said to be fortifying) with warlike Stores, and doubtless would be glad to meet and pick a Quarrel with some of his Majesty small Ships of War, in Revenge for Capt. Rouslate Offence, in taking their Brigantine that was going to St. John. ...
Boston, July 15.
... Last Week Capt. McCarthy arrived here from Newcastle, who on the 23d of June past, spoke with Capt. Snow, in a Schooner belonging to this Town, bound to Newfoundland, who inform Capt. McCarthy, that he came from Louisbourgh two Days before, where were five French Men of War of the Line and that the Day after he came our, he met and spoke with another Ship of War of the same Nation, of 26 Guns, bound to Louisbourgh; and, that the Report there was, that they were going to take Halifax.
Boston, July 22.
... By the latest intelligence we have from Louisbourg, we learn, that there were but two French Ships of War in that Harbour, and not five, as had been reported and published here: One of the Ships, mounts 74 Guns, the other 36: The latter is supposed to be the same that Capt. Snow met and spoke with, as lately mention.
Philadelphia, August 27, 1751.
Run away from the subscriber hereof, living in Plimouth
township, Philadelphia county, a young man, named Henry
Redman, about 24 years of age, has a mole, with a long hair,
on his chin, commonly wears a blue cloth coat, with red
lining, black jacket, and scarlet breeches, a round black wig,
and fine hat; is of a low stature, and has been in Coracoa and
cape breton, and many other places, of which he can give a
good account: Has carried off a small roan horse, about 5
years old, a natural trotter, with some white upon his neck, occasion by the yoke, together with an old saddle and
bridle, and about Three Pounds in money, which he took out of
another man pocket. Whoever secures said man in any goal, so
that he may be brought to justice, shall have Three Pounds
reward, and reasonable charges, paid by JAMES CAMPBELL.
New York
Extract of a Letter from Halifax, dated September 2. 1751.
... . A few Days ago arrived here Express from cape breton, a French Snow, to the Governor, who dispatched her in three Days. Her Business is yet a Secret.
[October 17, 1751]
CUSTOM HOUSE, Philadelphia, ENTRED INWARDS.
... Brig Louisburgh, William Kelly from Lisbon....
[December 4, 1751]
To the Hen. Spencer Phips Esqr. Lieut. Gov. and Commander in Chief for the time being, the Hon. His Majesty's Council & House of Representatives in General Court, Dec. 4, I751.
The Memorial of Samuel Whitney of Brunswick, Humbly Sheweth:
That your
Memorialist and his son Samuel with five more of Inhabitants while at work
together mowing their hay, on Wednesday ye 24th day of July last about two
o'clock in the afternoon were surrounded and surprised by Nineteen Indians and
one Frenchman, who were all armed and in an hostile manner did seize upon and by
force of arms obliged them to submit their lives into their hands, and one of
our said numher, vizt: Isaac Hinkley in attempting to make his escape was killed
in a barbarous manner & scalped. After we were secured by said Indians they
destroyed and wounded between 20 & 30 head of cattle belonging to the
Inhabitants, some of which were the property of your Memorialist. The said party
of Indians were nine of them of Norride-walk Tribe, one of whom was well known;
the others were Canada Indians; That the Norridgewalk Indians appeared more
forward for killing all the Captives but were prevented by the other Indians.
Your Memorialist was by them carried to Canada & there sold for 126 livres;
And the said Indians when they came to Canada were new cloathed and had new Guns
given them with plenty of Provisions as an encouragement for thus exploit: That
the Governor of the Penobscot Tribe was present when your Memorialist was sent
for to sing a Chorus as is their custom of using their Captives & manifested
equal joy with the other Indians that took them; And the Norridgewalk Tribe had
removed from Nor. ridgewalk & were now set down on Cansa River near Quebec
supposed to be drawn there by the Influence of the French. These things your
Memoralist cannot omit observing to ye Honours, and his Redemption was purchased
by one Mr. Peter Littlefield, formerly taken captive and now restored among
them, to whom your Memorialist stands indebted for said I26 livres being the
price of his Liberty, which when he had so far obtained, he applied to ye
Governor of Canada for a Pass, who readily granted it, that his return to Boston
was by way of Louisbourgh where: said Pass was taken from him by the Lord
Intendants on some pretense which he could not obtain of him. Your Memorialist's
Son yet remaining in Captivity among the Indians with three more that were taken
at the same time, and he has a wife & Children under difficult Circumstances
by reason of this Misfortune.
Your Memorialist having thus represented his unhappy Sufferings to this Hon.
Court hoping they will in their great Goodness provide for the Redemption of his
son & enable him to answer his obligation to said
Mr. Littlefield humbly recommends his case to the Compassion of this Honble
Court who was so kind to pay for his Ransom; Your Memorialist being in no
Capacity to answer that Charge as thereby he is reduced to
great want, or otherwise grant him that Relief as in their Wisdom and Goodness
shall seem proper.
Your Memorialist as in duty bound shall ever pray.
SAMUEL WHITNEY.
[Source: John Francis Sprague, Editor, Sprague's Journal of Maine History, Sprague's Journal of Maine History, Inc.: Maine State Library, Augusta, Maine, 1913-1926, Volume 3, pp. 141-142]
Boston, December 6.
We are informed by a Person lately from Louisbourg, That while be was there, a Number of Indians came in and brought with them several Papers, which they said belong to a Schooner they had lately taken and burnt at Canso; and also gave out that they had killed the Master and four Men. That by the Papers it appeared, that one James Ford was Master of the said Schooner, and one John Davidson was Owner or Merchant; the said Davidson being the only Person whose Life they spar, they ask such an extravagant Price for his Ransom, that while our Informant was there, it could not be accomplish. The said Ford, as appears by the Paper, had before been Master of a Vessel called, the Rising Sun.
He also says further, That a Store Ship of 960 Tons had brought from France to Louisbourg, 100 fine new Pieces of Cannon, from 12 to 42 Pounders, and a prodigious Quantity of Powder, Ball, and other warlike Stores, with which they had fill their Magazines; and that they were largely supply with Provisions of all Sorts. ---- That they had almost compleated a large Mine between the West and South Gates; and had forma Plan for erecting a strong Fortification on the Light House Point next Spring; and also that they had 1200 regular Troops in the Place. --- The above said Store Ship return to France before he came away.
Kingston, in Jamaica, December 22.
There is a
current Report in Town, that ten Sail of
Spanish Men of War of the Line, are lately arrived at the
Havanna, and that the like Number are likewise arrived at Cape
Breton, upon which Design it is said to be secret. ...