the enterprise in the summer of 1814 was at most provisional, and Frauchère, who is by far the best contemporary authority, says distinctly, referring to that transaction, that the Company "would probably have been dissolved by the remaining partners, but for the arrival of the energetic Mr. Hunt." Mr. Bancroft twists himself into a new position and declares that McDougal took the wisest course possible, and that it would have been impossible for the Americans to maintain themselves on the Columbia if they could not get supplies by water from New York. It would be easy to show that there would have been no greater difficulty in their doing so than for the Northwest Company to carry on their business on the Fraser and upper Peace rivers; but even if it was still thought best to abandon the enterprise, nothing could have been easier than a temporary retreat from Astoria, as shown plainly by Frauchère, himself a Canadian and undisguisedly in sympathy with the English in the war, but faithful to the interests of his employer. The party of Northwesters could not possibly have maintained themselves on the lower Columbia till the arrival of the British sloop November 30th, as they were without food, ammunition or goods, and the Indians were but anxious for a word from the Americans to fall upon them. With this party out of the way it would have taken. the Astorians but a few days to retreat beyond the reach of any English force from the sea, and it is even a question whether Astoria itself might not have been successfully defended, as no man-of-war could approach it within six miles and the Indians were all anxious to fight the English. But in any event the movable property might all have been saved and removed in the vessel with which Hunt arrived in the spring for that very purpose. I can agree with Mr. Bancroft in but one point-that Mr. Astor was unfortunate in the selection of McDougal for a chief agent, both because of his relations with the Northwest Company and of his qualities as a man. But this does not relieve McDougal from deserved odium, and the verdict of history must be that of his countryman Frauchère, who was an eye-witness to and a participator in nearly all of these transactions, when he winds up his account of the sale of Astoria with these words: "Those at the head of affairs had their own fortunes to seek, and thought it more to their interest, doubtless, to act as they did; but that will not clear them in the eyes of the world, and the charge of treason to Mr. Astor's interests will always be attached to their characters." ΒΟΖΕΜΑΝ, ΜΟΝΤΑΝΑ. ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS FIVE INTERESTING UNPUBLISHED LETTERS One from Admiral George Clinton to James Hamilton, one from Henry Laurens to James Lovell, one from Fisher Ames to William Ely, one from the British Officer Major-General Francis de Rottenburg to Major-General Dearborn, and one from Judge Peters to Robert Vaux. Sr Contributed by Ferguson Haines. Admiral George Clinton to James Hamilton. Fort George. 8th October 1750. I now send you inclosed further Information which I have received from Col Johnson, relating to the Designs of the French. Tho' the English Colonies be beyond comparison superior to the French in North America, both in Number and Money, yet as the Assemblies of the several Colonies do not act in concert but pursue different Interests, the French may succeed in their Designs to our prejudice, by their being directed by one Council and pursuing steadily the same view. This, I think, deserves the serious attention of all the Governors of the Colonies on the Main, and I shall gladly join with you and them, in any Method which may prove effectual for uniting the Colonies in pursuing their general Interest. But I doubt whether this can be effected, without an immediate application to His Majesty for that purpose. I am with Great Respect S Honble James Hamilton. Esq. Henry Laurens to James Lovell. London 7th April 1783. Dear Sir. Permit me to recommend Mr. Peregrine Bourdieu to your protection and friendship during his stay in Boston. He intends to make a tour through the United States and to establish a respectable Commercial house in one of them: he is the son of James Bourdieu Esq' of this city, a gentleman of the first class of respectable Merchants, and who has been uniformly an Enemy to what you and I presume to call Tyranny, hence he became obnoxious to those Ministers who to the Ruin of their Country supported it. You will find Mr. Peregrine a well educated, sensible and virtuous youth. I would have him by all means see New Hampshire and be made acquainted with our friend General Whipple and those other worthies our Cotemporaries at York Town and Philadelphia. When he turns his face Southerly, you will procure Letters for him to our friends at Rhode Island and New York. I say all this to you without apology and have only to add that Mr. Bourdieus Bills on his father will be duly honored. I came lately to this Kingdom for my health. I had been robbed of it here, and here again I have in part recovered it: possibly it may appear that I have been of more real service to my Country by a Residence of five or six Weeks in Leicester fields than could have been effected by a whole Year's idleness in France: tomorrow I proceed to Paris having now a prospect, that our Negotiations for a solid Peace will be brought to a speedy and I trust happy Issue, but mark, I say, prospect; the greatest adepts in Weather and Politics are sometimes mistaken. When, please God, I arriye in America, I'll tell you the whole Story, and a long Story it will be. With Every good Wish to Mrs. Lovell, yourself and the young family. I have the honor to be, Your affectionate, and faithful humble servant Henry Laurens. Best compliments to Mr. Gerry and other friends, particularly that good man, Mr. S. Adams. I wish Mr. Bourdieu to be acquainted with him. James Lovell, Esquire, Boston. Fisher Ames to William Ely. Dedham April 13th 1801. Dear Sir, I beg the favor you wd get a dozen or half a dozen trees of a proper size grafted with Mr Burts fine Long Meadow pear, and Col Dwight will at some future day send them round to me and pay any expense you may be at. You was so good as to offer this piece of service. I wish you may live fifty years to eat of the fruit, and that I may offer you some of my own growth with my thanks for your procuring it. I am d'r sir Yours with esteem &.c. Fisher Ames. Hon. William Ely. Springfield. Massachusetts. Maj.-Gen. Francis de Rottenburg to Maj.-Gen. Henry Dearborn. To His Excellency Major General Dearborn, &c. &c. Sir. Head Quarters. British Army. 8th July 1813 I am honored by your two Letters (in reply to my representation of the Transaction which took place on the 3d Instant, in regard of Major Fulton,) stating the steps your Excellency thought right to pursue in the business. I fully acquiesce in your Excellency's Proposition, that Communications by Flags of Truce, between the Two Armies, be made by water. That part of your Excellency's Letter relating to Communications from the Adjutant General of the British Forces, and Major Coon; with your remarks on Captain Chapin; it is necessary I should refer to His Excellency the Commander of the Forces. In the mean time, I enclose the Letters referred to, for your Excellency's signature, which has been omitted. Your Excellency may rely on every attention being paid to the Sick and Wounded Prisoners of War, and immediate steps were taken to furnish Dr. Young with the articles forwarded for them, from your Head Quarters. Your representation of the unfortunate case of Major Graves no sooner came to my hands. than measures were taken for his speedy relief: and I have to assure your Excellency, that no Exertions shall be wanting to recover Major Graves from a situation so distressing, even by my offering a much larger ransom than the one you refer to, and I most sincerely hope my Efforts may meet with success; for it is my wish that the war, should be conducted on as liberal Principles as is Consistent with a State of Warfare, and I cannot but express to your Excellency, my Satisfac tion on my receiving a Report, that Brigadier General Proctor's first steps, after the Action at the River Raisin. was to set an Enquiry on foot for Prisoners of War in the hands of Indians, with Instructions to withhold no Sums for their Ransom; and in consequence I am informed several Militia Officers were returned to their homes. I take this opportunity of sending under the charge of Mr. William Kerr one hundred Dollars, and sixty yards of Flannel, for the use of the British Prisoners of War Wounded. I have the honor to be Your Excellency's Most obt Servant Francis De Rottenburg M. General. Judge Richard Peters to Robert Vaux, Esq. Nov 21. 1825 Dear Sir At the Penn dinner, the President (U. S.) took a pinch of Snuff out of a very shabby box, said to be made from the Wood of the Elm. I was ashamed of the squalidity of the Box. I told M' Adams, that such a box should only be used on a pinch, but I should endeavour to prevail on some of our Society to have one made more respectful to Penn's memory; so that he should not turn up his nose at the box, whatever its contents might titilate him to do. Can such a grave & solemn assurance be effectuated? If all the wood be gone, we are all in a bad box. Yours most Sincerely Richard Peters. |