his Excellency would be pleased to order an Assembly to meet some Convenient time before said Eason's departure, in order to lay before her Majesty the present state of the Province. Province of New Hampsn. At a Council held at Portsmo, on Wednesday, the 224 December, 1703. Present. The Honble John Usher, Esq. Lieut. Govern'. John Hinkes, Robert Elliott, Esqs. Nathl. Weare, Saml. Penhallow, Esqs. His Excellency's letter directed to the Honble John Usher, Esq. Lt. Govern' &c. dated at Boston 13th December, 1703, setting forth whether it is best to labor this winter upon the Ice to beat up the Indian enemy's headquarters, or not &c.; and to take the advice of her Majestys Council here, and to enter a minute of their humble advice about the same, was read at this Board, And then the Honble the Lieut. Gov', made the folls speech as upon file, &c. Gentlemen-You are called, upon account of his Exellency's letter to be communicated to you, which having been done, you see the purport thereof is for the security of the Country as to the Enemy; that which is recommended to you, is for your opinion and advice whether best to visit the Indian enemy this winter season at their head Quarters. Upon your desire the Govern with force and your [P. 100.] readiness to assist the same with expedition, shall be forwarded to him. I will say it ever have been judged the best season in the winter to go to the Enemy's head Quarters, there to engage them, by which means they may be prevented from attacking the Frontiers, and they most annoyed; that formerly was soe judged, witness the Narragansett Attack and Sir Edmund Andros' curbing the Enemy. Its known well the enemy cannot be pursued soe well in the Spring as in the Winter. If the enemy be not visited now, judge they will soon visit these parts; and if not an army out they may soon be in onr Bowels;-so desire your opinion and advice in whats recommended unto you. It is the humble opinion of this Council that for her Majestys immediate service and for the security of her Majesty's subjects, that the forces abroad be continued, and that there be an addition ordered, and that this Board humbly desires his Excellency, Joseph Dudley, Esq. Governour, &c. would be pleased to order said forces with all expedition possible to march to the Indian enemy's head Quarters, being the only thing that in all probability under God, may secure our Frontiers and preserve the subjects. And that this Board at all times shall be ready and willing to give their assistance. [P. 101.] Province of New Hampsh'. At a Council held at New Castle, the 28th December, 1703. Present. The Honourable John Usher, Esq. Lieut. Govern'. Saml. Penhallow, Esqs. Robert Elliott, John Plaisted, Esq. His Hon' the Lt. Gov' was pleased to acquaint this Board that on Thursday next, he designs for Boston; and therefore desires to know whether this Board hath anything to offer before his departure, for her Maj'tys service. Answered, that at present they know of none. His Honor the Lieut. Govern', acquainted this Board that he hath sent a scout of twelve men out at the heads of the rivers for ten days, and that he hath given orders to all the Commanders of the Garrisons (having lately visited them,) that the inhabitants all repair to their several Garrisons to do their duty, &c. His Hon' made the following speech: Gentlemen-I was formerly above four years in the Province, taking care of the same; my expense all out of my own Estate; in the year 1696, I demanded of Council and Assembly sitting, if I had taken any wrong Methods, or there was any ill management of affairs relating to good of the Province in Government. Answered, knew of none but for good of the place. His Excellency, being at Boston, at my arrival which required my going thither, I speedily returned and entered on the Government. Since my coming have visited all the Frontiers, gave directions whats proper, and all at my own expense and charge, which is not small. There has been an Assembly and before them laid the state of the Province, demanded money for necessary charges of the Province, they refused to raise any. I have desired a House to be provided for me, that refused; look upon it strange, when I find there has been money issued out of her Majestys Revenue to your former Lieut. Governour some hundreds of pounds, and no account of disbursements by him for the same, neither any care taken for her Majestys Fort and security of frontier Garrisons. I have been here about one quarter of a year, and noe provision made for me here. I acquaint you Gentlemen, I am going to Boston, shall there stay until either the Province doth make provision, or till hear from England. The Government in absence of Govern' and Command'-in-chief, or Lieut. Govern', being in the hands of the Council; you the Council are to render an account of all affairs for the Province to the Govern and Commander in Chiefe, from time to time. Province of New Hampshire. At a Council held at Portsmo, on Thursday, the 20th January, 1703-4. His Excellency's Letter of the 10th of January, instant, was read at this Board relating to 50 men to be sent out for tenn days, and for the encouragem of Volunteers, upon the Acts of Assembly in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay; which Acts gives encouragement to pay 32lb per head for every Indian scalp, &c. [P. 103.] A Proclamation under the hand of his Excely Joseph Dudley, Esq. our Governor, dated at Boston, the third instant relating to the encouragement of any Gentleman who would take Commission to raise a Company of Volunteers to go against the Indian enemy, &c. was read at this Board. Ordered, that Mr. Secretary Story, write to Capt. Shadrach Walton, Capt. Winthrop Hilton,* and Captain John Gilman, Jun. that they may encourage the obtaining of Volunteers according to the abovesaid Proclamation, and that they attend this Board on Thursday next, at 12 of the clock, by noon, and give an account of their proceedings. Adjourned, till Thursday next, 12 o'clock. *Capt. Winthrop Hilton, of Exeter, whose name is here first mentioned, was the eldest son of Edward Hilton, and grandson of Edward, the first settler of the name in that part of the Province of New Hampshire called Dover Neck. His mother, Ann, was a daughter of Rev. Samuel Dudley, of Exeter, and grand-daughter of Gov. Thomas Dudley, of Massachusetts. He was born about 1671. May 17th, 1689, he received a Commission from Gov. Allen, as Lieutenant of the Troop of Horse, and became, after Col. Richard Waldron, the leading military man of the Province, and had the chief command in one or more of the expeditions against the Eastern Indians. "Hilton was formed by nature for a warrior. He was above the middling size, tall, muscular, active and well formed-among the most fearless of the brave, the most adventurous of the daring." He had a garrison on his farm, and his neighbors looked to him for counsel in difficulty, and protection in danger. For an account of his character and life, see Hist. Coll. Farm. & Moore, vol. 1, pp. 241-251, and N. E. Gen. Reg. vol. 7, p. 51. He was killed by the Indians, in Epping, June 23, 1710. "A silverheaded cane once owned by Col. Hilton is said to be in possession of the family of the late Hon. John Kelly, of Exeter."-ED. Saml. Penhallow, Esqs. Henry Dow, Esqs. Capt. Winthropp Hilton and Capt. John Gilman, Jun. appeared at this Board by virtue of a Letter from Mr. Secretary Story pursuant to an order of Council relating to Volunteers going forth against the Indian enemy &c.; and gave the foll. acctt. Capt. Gilman gave in a list of 20 Volunteers, and was in expectation of 12 more ready to go agst the enemy by latter end of next week, besides officers; and acquainted this Board that several Gentlemen in Exeter have subscribed to the purchasing of thirty pair of Snow Shoes, which are daily preparing to be fitted; and also says, there will be wanting some provision and Blanketts, a Pilot and a Doctor. [P. 104.] Doctor Israel March appeared at this Board, and offered his service provided he could have a permit from his Excellency. Lieut. Samuel Chisley, adviseth of 40 or 50 volunteers from Dover and Oyster River will be ready to List under his Conduct as Captain; that they have upwards of 30 pr of Snow Shoes and Racketts* already made; that their principal want will be for a further supply of Snow Shoes and some Bread. Capt. Winthropp Hilton alsoe appeared and readily offered his service to goe agst the enemy; but thro' the neglect of the officer in carrying the Letter sent him, which he recd but last night, was not capable of making any essay * A kind of snow-shoe.-Web. Dic. |