Gentm

[Prov. Rec. B. I. p. 211.]

Letter from Lt. Gov. Stoughton.

Boston, July 22, 1697.

I have thought it necessary to communicate unto you the present intelligence and reports stirring here.

This week arrived at Salem, a fishing Katch that had been taken about Cape Sables by a French ship of war, of fifty four guns or upwards: The commander whereof gave the said Katch to some English prisoners he had then on board, to transport them hither, and the prisoners say that the commander of said ship declared his intentions to come further upon this coast. There is also a Barque from Canada with about sixty or seventy men that has taken several of our fishing vessels; the company belonging to some of them are come home, who say that the French on board said Barque, and one Dantrimony a liver on shore about Cape Sables, reported that there was a squadron of French ships of war designed for these parts, and that Casteen was gathering together a body of French and Indians to attack us by land: Also, That a Parquet boat from France arrived at St. John's the beginning of April last. It may be so far necessary to credit this report, as to excite all care and vigilance in looking out and doing what may be further necessary in preparations to repel them in case they

come.

I apprehend it very advisable that you order two well sailing shallops or sloops well fitted for rowing to lie abroad for espyal, and to give speedy notice of the approach of any ships; which, I hope you will accordingly put in practice.

Genlm

Your affectionate Friend and servant
WM. STOUGHTON

I have refresht my advice to

Capt. Hancock to remain in your

River with his Maj" ship under

his command, until he receive further Orders, and if you find it needful, yourselves to inforce the said advice.

President and Council of New Hampshire.

Nath. Fryer

Peter Coffin

Rob. Elliott

At a Council held at New Castle, monday 26 July 1697.

Upon reading a letter from Lt. Governor Stoughton advising of the danger of the enemy's attack upon us both by sea and land:

Ordered, that Robt. Elliott Esq. do forthwith take up a convenient shallop for his Maj'tys service, and get yo same fitted to accommodate 8 or ten men with provisions, to cruise to the eastward of the Isle of Shoals, for discovery of any approach of the enemy by sea; & ye charge to be paid out of the public Treasury; or if that fail, by ye respective members of the Council in equal proportion. And that Jno. Hinks President, do take care to supply men for this service from the Fort & elsewhere, & give order for a meet person to conduct this affair.

Whereas Eliza Smart presented her petition desiring a divorce from her husband, he being married to another woman at New York as by testimony from his own hand to Jno. Hinks, Esq. President, as also the testimony of Rob. Almary; If therefore the said Rob. Almary do swear before the Justice of the Peace to the truth thereof, then the President do issue forthwith a Bill of divorce accordingly.

At a Council held at New Castle, Saturday 21 August, 1697.

Robt. Elliott Esqs.

Wm. Vaughan

Esqs.

Rich. Waldron (

Upon application made by Major Jno. March, Command

er-in-Chief of his Maj'ties forces now bound eastward, for the assistance of a Pilot or two and some other necessaries for that expedition,

Ordered, that he be supplied as far as we are able, & that an order be sent to the Secretary from this Board to Jno. Abbott forthwith to appear before ye President, John Hinks Esq to take further orders for attending his Maj'ties service in the expedition above said, & that Capt. John Pickering or some other officer be ordered to impress an able man to supply the place of Jno. Abbott, in his fishing boat during his absence.

At a Council held at New Castle Wednesday 1st 7 bris, 1697.

Whereas John Wintworth commander of ye Ship Portsmouth, together with the owners of sd Ship addrest this Board that he might have license & Commission for attacking, subduing, surprising and destroying of his Maj'tys enemies;-By virtue of his Maj'tys Commission to the President and Council, ordered a Commission be accordingly drawn and given to sd Wintworth, for Capt. of said Ship-Copy of the Commission is in file.

Ordered, Lieut. Governor Stoughton be written unto to signify we are now hopeful ye greatest danger of a sea Invasion is now over, and that we are not capable of sustaining soldiers any longer than utmost necessity requires; we are therefore now hopeful in a little time to get money to pay them off, & desire his order for yo drawing off the soldiers accordingly.

P. XXXII.

Honorable Sir.

New Castle, Primo 7 bris, 1697.

Being now hopeful that ye danger of an invasion from the enemy by sea is over for this year, & finding ye poverty of our People soe extreme that we are not able to sustain the charge of soldiers any longer than utmost necessity re. quires; These are therefore to let your Honor know that the money given by our Assembly for payment of your soldiers is now collecting; & we hope in ten days or thereabouts sufficient will be brought in to discharge them; so that we pray your Honor's order seasonably for the drawing them off, and a signification of your pleasure whether an acct of their service here should be adjusted with the Captain, & the money paid him, or how your Honor shall otherwise order. We are, Honorable Sir,

Your Honors' most humble servant. By order of President and Council.

HEN. PENNY, Secrit.

Whereas sundry persons have deserted His Maj'tys service from on board his Majesties Ship Fauckland, Capt. Robt. Hancock, Command', who it is supposed have been harbored and concealed by some ill-minded persons, the inhabitants of this Province:

Ordered yt a Proclamation be sent from this Board to be published in the several towns of this Province by the Command of the militia, their forbidding all persons to harbor or conceal any deserters as aforesaid, requiring all persons to endeavor the discovery of any such, & where any person appears to be suspected to give notice thereof to the next Justice of the Peace, who are hereby required to examine all such persons, & such as they find to be deserters as above forthwith to return them to this command.

Province of New Hampshire.

P. XXXIII.

By the President and Council,

A Proclamation.

Whereas sundry persons have deserted his Maj'tys service from on board his Maj'tys Ship Faukland Capt. Robert Hancock command', who have doubtless been harbored and concealed and for warded in their escape by some illminded persons inhabitants of this Province:-These are therefore to require & command all persons in the several towns within this Province to use their utmost endeavors for the discovery of any deserters as aforesaid; & when any appears to be suspected to carry him or them before the next Justice of the Peace to be examined, and if found to be such, the said Justice of the Peace is hereby required forthwith to send him or them with a sufficient guard to their command' Capt. Rob. Hancock at New Castle, & whosoever shall harbor, conceal or further the escape of any such deserters shall be proceeded against with the utmost severity of the law: dated in New Castle this 1st 7 bris, 1697, in the ninth year of his Maj'tys reign.

By order President and Council.

HEN. PENNY, Secrit.

Ordered, that the Field Marshal with aprobation of the Major of the regiment have liberty to make a Deputy. Ordered, that notice be given from this Board to advise the selectmen of Exeter to notify to the constables of the town not to collect the first payment of the rates of those who have lately subsisted any of the Mathathusetts soldiers. Allowed Jno. Lows for baking the soldiers bread one pound a P- not on file.

Ordered, that eight men be continued in his Maj'tys Fort at New Castle until the last of 8ber next and what now are wanting to make up that number to be detached from Hampton & Portsmouth, & the Treasurer to supply a barrel of pork and some corn for their subsistence if be in the Treasury.

Ordered, that notice be given to the inhabitants of the several towns in this Province who have any claims to