to give in order to procure him to go Surgeon General, in wch capacity I look upon him to be as necessary an officer as any among the forces, yourself excepted. It is certainly wth me to appoint what officers I think fit in each company. If a different construction as to paying 'em should be put upon the establishment by the General Court y" is consistent wth the appointment of a Captain, Lieutent and Ensign in the three field officers' companies in each regim*, they must submit to that. But I much question whether the intent of the Assembly was not to have a Captain in those three companies, besides the field officers themselves, and shall try 'em upon it when I meet 'em. In the mean time I must recommend to you the adjusting all little differences that may arise among the officers upon these or other accts, and to prevent 'em indeed as much as is possible. A good harmony will be absolutely necessary for procuring success agt the enemy.

I have sent to the Committee for the particulars mentioned in Captain Kingsleah's list, so far as it concerns them, and shall send you more shells and powder wth the forge and provisions. Inclos'd is the order for the match. Inclos'd are two commissions for one Cowley Knight, if he should appear among you, and blank commissions for two of Mr Aldrich's two nephews and the late Colonel Cosby's son, to be fill'd up as you shall think proper and have an opportunity of doing it, and I must recommend those young gentlemen to your protection in case they should come to you from Annapolis.

I look upon Sergt Shaw to be a dangerous fellow. If he is found among your soldiers, pray order him to be put on board of Rouse without fail, and take care of your three Frenchmen.

The safe guarding of Canso will be of the utmost importance. Be pleas'd to take care yt sufficient workmen and two gunners wth one assistant of the train of artillery be left there, also stores, provisions, etc., in proportion,

and to direct a fascine & sod battery to be rais'd in the most advantageous manner as soon as may be, and forget pens, ink, and stationary ware for the commandant there.

Having appointed a seventh regiment so lately, I have in my hurry omitted procuring colours to be made for it, but shall send 'em after you. Inclos'd is a letter of Gov Wentworth's, whereby you will perceive he desires you would order a small vessell on head of you, just to look into Island Harbour or Country Harbour for the New Hampshire transports, least the wind should cut 'em off short before they reach'd White Head Harbour. Some broken thoughts of Mr Bollan's also are inclosed for your perusal at leisure.

I desire you would let Mr Vaughan, who goes a voluntier to Cape Breton in this expedition and has been very instrumental in promoting it, both within this and the neighbouring province, and has the success of it much at heart, assist in your Councils, and I do hereby appoint him to be one of it. Your countenance and protection of him also, as far as is proper, I shall esteem a favour

There being according to the acct of the Committee, exclusive of the train of artillery, carpenters and officers, 3177 men rais'd, in order to save the 177 men to the forces I was oblig'd to come to this agreemt wth 'em, vizt, yt I would impress no more for the sea service and yt you should mann Rowse's ship out of the seamen to be found in the land forces, upon wch occasion I expect yt every Captain should find one or two willing men in his company wch may be easily done with a few good words. You know Kingsleah's company may all stay on board if they are fit, and Prescott's would be glad of it. I hope this will lay you under no difficulty. I could not avoid it.

I am pushing wth much fatigue and perplexity to get all the companies down to-day, either to sail wth you or follow you instantly, and must referr you to Mr Waldo and

Bradstreet for whatever I may have omitted here. And wth the most sincere and cordial wishes for your success and prosperity, am, Sir,

Your most assured friend and faithfull servant.

W. SHIRLEY.

Be pleased to keep a constant correspondence wth me, and particularly take exact muster rolls of all the companies as soon as possible. I suppose it may be done at Canso, and transmit 'em to me by the first opportunity. There are near 100 men rais'd weh can't be provided for at present over & above the 3177. I will endeavour to save 'em and send 'em to you, but can't prevail for it

now.

Lieutent General PEPPERILL.

WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL.

SIR, -I am sorry to find by yours of yesterday, wch I have but this moment receiv'd, yt the transports loiter so. I sent strict orders by the Adjutant Gen' and four drums. all yesterday and the day before yt all the Captains and companies sha repair on board their respective transports forthwith and fall down to you as they would answer the contrary at their peril, and I am satisfy'd we have not above 150 men at most now on shoar, and Mr Hutchinson is gone to see as many of them as can possibly go imbark immediately. I hope you will not lose one moment of this fair wind after this reaches you; the other troops and officers will certainly reach you before you sail from Canso. Not a man of 'em shall stay on shoar after tomorrow. I will take care of the Frenchmen mention'd in yours. You will find I have given Col. Bradstreet Ephraim Baker's company. I sent the little book wch Col. Bradstreet wanted yesterday by the bearer. I hope

Col. Waldo and he join'd you last night in good time. Once more, with the warmest wishes for your success and happiness, I bid you adieu, and am, Sir,

Your most faithfull friend and servant.

BOSTON, March 24, 1744.

Lieutent Gen1 PEPPERILL.

W. SHIRLEY.

WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL.

SIR, I have but a moment's time to desire yt as soon as Cap Gorham can be spar'd you would send him to Annapolis Royal, under convoy of Sanders, or some other vessell of like force, weh may bring from thence Mr Cowley the ingineer, and whatever else can be spar'd from thence for your assistance. Once more wishing you all imaginable success, I am, wth very great esteem, Your faithfull friend and servant.

BOSTON, March 25, 1745.

Lieutent Gen' PEPPERILL.

W. SHIRLEY.

WILLIAM PEPPERRELL TO JOHN OSBORNE.*

CANSO, April 10, 1745. On board the Shirley Galley.

TO JOHN OSBORNE, Esq', Chairman of the Comtee of War of ye Mass Bay, Aprill 10th, 1745 pr Capt Fletcher's prize. Copy by ye Brigt.

SB,

- After a rough and something tedious passage I arrived safe in this harbour on Thursday last, with about twenty sail under convoy; found here several others that set sail with us, all the Piscataqua transports, and Capt

* There are two copies of this letter in the Pepperrell Papers, one in the handwriting of Rev. Dr. Belknap, who made copies of many of Pepperrell's letters, and the other in the handwriting of Benjamin Green, Secretary to the Expedition. contained in a thick folio book, marked on the fly-leaf, "This Book contains Copies of the Letters wrote on his Majesty's Service in the Expedition against Cape Breton, 1745." - EDS.

Saunders with six that sail'd under his convoy, which all arrived the Tuesday before us. We have no reason to conclude the French are appriz'd of our design. The army in general are in good health and spirits, and we should so have proceeded from hence towards Louisbourg before this, had not the main part of our warlike stores, &c., been yet behind (wch we now hear arrived at Country Harbour, about fifteen leagues west of this) and they and we detained by contrary winds which may protract the time, (the east and northeast winds at this season of the year often holding here for a fortnight or three weeks together) so as to put us in greater danger of famine than sword. In which case, gent, we must depend, under God, on your care, vigilance, & dispatch. Caps Tyng and Rouse declare to me that they cannot cruize above ten days for want of provisions without putting away for supply, and I don't think any can be spared from the army, but we are in danger of want, as we may have bad weather, and the transports also which you may send. However, we are not discouraged; but as we venture our lives and all that's dear to us in this world, you must allow us to press and expect your care for us. By computation we have not provisions for more than thirty days at most, and sha our guard vessels and cruizers be obliged to put away, & we fail in our attempt, for want of the necessaries of life with which our country is so richly supplied, God knows who must bare the blame. I think in this case we ought to be provided for the utmost event; better have some to spare than to want. If we are supplied we trust nothing will be wanting on our part, and that first or last, under God, we shall succeed, and return with an account to your satisfaction..

To the Honble JNo OSBORNE, Esq', Chairman of ye Comtee of War, &c.