posed it to me to take the command of the troops raised for this expedition I declin'd it upon the acct of the circumstances of my family and business, which were such as I thought would not admit of my leaving them, and that it was by his importunity that I was prevail'd upon to take the command of them, he urging as a reason therefor that the expedition would not go on without himself or I should go at the head of it, and that if he was to go (besides his doubt whether he could possibly justifie his leaving his government without special leave from his Majesty) this expedition might not be properly supported from N. Eng in his absence, and since the reduction of the place he has desired me to remain here until it is effectually secured by his Majesty, but I hope I shall have liberty to visit my family very soon. I am wth all possible esteem and regard, may it please your Grace,

Y' Grace's most obedient and most humble servant.
W" PEPPERRELL.

LOUISBOURG, Oct 3rd, 1745.

His Grace the Duke of Newcastle.

WILLIAM PEPPERRELL TO THOMAS CORBETT.*
LOUISBOURG, Oct 3rd, 1745.

SIR, I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 8th of August by the Shirley Galley, and am extremely obliged to their Lordships of the Admiralty for the congratulations and complements they have been pleas'd to direct you to make to me, and beg leave to return them my sincere thanks therefor.

It gives me great pleasure to find that their Lordships express so much satisfaction at the harmony wch has subsisted between Admiral Warren and myself, wch I make no doubt will always continue, as I trust nothing shall be

*Thomas Corbett was Secretary of the Admiralty, and died in 1751. See Dictionary of National Biography, vol. xii. p. 207. — Eds.

wanting on my part to promote the same, which the good of his Majesty's service, and the greatest esteem and value for Mr Warren's merits, can excite, and I am confident nothing proper will be wanting on his part; and as nothing induced me to engage at first in this enterprize, but the honour of his Majesty's arms and the good of my country, I determin'd positively not to let any punctilios of ceremony with the chief commanding sea officer in regard of precedency or superiority of command prejudice his Majesty's service, as has been the case in several expeditions, and it gives me pleasure that the governmt of this place is conferrd by his Majesty on a gent so happily qualified and disposed to promote the prosperity of it. It is with the highest satisfaction that we find the news of the reduction of Cape Breton and our services therein were so acceptable to his Majesty, and that such speedy measures are concerting for ye support of it, and we flatter ourselves that the importance of this conquest to the nation in general as well as to his Majesty's American colonies will be made most evident by such happy consequences as will induce his Majesty and the nation readily to support and encourage it as much as possible. And I think the capture of so many of the enemy's rich ships as are already brought into this place is a considerable proof thereof. I am, with perfect esteem, Sir, Your very humble servant.

W. PEPPERRELL.

Mr Secretary CORBETT

WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL.

SIR, As my friend Mr Kilby has desired me to use my interest with you y he may be agent of your regiment, designed to be established out of the American. troops now under your command, I would beg the favour of you yt you would give me the promise of it for him. This is what I have much at heart to obtain of you, and if

I have any interest with you, shall not be without hopes of succeeding in my request. You know the gentleman whom I recommend very well, and he is your friend. If it was necessary for me to give him a character to you, I should say yt he has deserved extremely well of the Province, and is a person of great integrity and honour and a good friend. Your answer to me in a line will much oblige, Sir,

Your most humble servt.

LOUISBOURG, October 7th, 1745.
Sir WILLIAM PEPPERELL, Baronett.

WILLIAM PEPPERRELL TO WILLIAM SHIRLEY.

SIR, -Your Excellency's favour of this date I received, and should have prevent yor giving y'selfe the trouble of writing, if my indisposition of body had not prevent my waiting on you & shewing y° a letter I wrote to our friend Mr Kelby, wherein I have promisa that if I should have a regiment I will use my endeavour that he be appoint agent to it. And nothing will give me more pleasure than obliging yo' Excellency in serving any friend of yo". I am with all dutyfull regards,

Yo' Excellency's most obed' humble servt.

Louisbourg, OctobTM 7th, 1745.

W. SHIRLEY.

SPENCER PHIPS* TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL.

W. P.

BOSTON, October ye 11th, 1745.

SIR, His Excellency Governour Shirley having favoured us with the copy of a letter from the Duke of

* Spencer Phips was born in Rowley, Mass., June 6, 1685; graduated at Harvard College in 1703; and died April 4, 1757. He was for eleven years one of the Council, and Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1732 to his death. See Drake's Biographical Dictionary, p. 714; Whitmore's Mass. Civil List.-EDS.

Newcastle to yourself & Admiral Warren, which signifies his Majesty's great satisfaction with the success of his arms against Louisbourg, and that his Majesty has been pleased to confer on you the dignity of a Barronet of Great Britain, I do therefore embrace this oppertunity heartily to congratulate you upon that occasion; and as I make no doubt of your particular zeal, so I hope we shall all of us unanimusly exert ourselves with the utmost vigour for the protection & maintenance of such a valuable conquest. It rejoices me much that you have a prospect of men and stores being sent you from home. I hope they will speedily arrive for the comfort & support of the garrison. It likewise gives me a great deal of pleasure to hear of his Majesty's good intention of rewarding those brave officers and soldiers who have been instrumental of the late glorious acquisition. Would to God that all his Majesty's arms might be crowned with the like success that so the war might be happily ended; and so long as it continues may we be enabled to shew ourselves men, and vigorously pursue what may be for the honour of God and religion, and for the service of our King & country. I am, Sir,

Your sincere friend and most humble servant.

S. PHIPS.

P. S. We are now a celebrating the King's coronation and drinking health to all our friends at Cape Breton.

Sir WILLIAM PEPPERRELL, Baronet.

JOSIAH WILLARD TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL.

DEAR SIR,- Thô it may be somewhat unseasonable to congratulate you upon the reduction of Cape Breton, yet it is not so upon the acct of his Majesty's gracious acceptance of your services & the services of the troops under

your command in this expedition, & the particular honours he is pleased to confer on you as a testimony thereof, & the great care the governm are taking for the defence & preservation of that valuable acquisition. On all which accounts I do sincerely rejoice with you; and hope the affairs of that garrison will be so seasonable settled as to give you the liberty of returning home before winter. And while you are there I hope you will do every thing to encourage vertue & piety & for the suppressing all vice & wickedness. I am heartily sorry that so many of your chaplains have left you, especially such of them as are most useful in their own profession. The Committee of War are endeavouring to supply the garrison with others. And I beg you would use your endeavours with Admiral Warren that they may have all needful countenance & encouragem from him. You know enough of the hurry of my business to excuse me for my past omissions. I shall always rejoice in your prosperity, & especially in the health & prosperity of your soul. I am with great respect, Sir,

Your unfeigned friend & very humble servant.
J. WILLARD.

BOSTON, Octob' 11, 1745.
Sir W PEPPERIL.

FRANCIS FOXCROFT TO WILLIAM PEPPERRELL.

CAMB., Octo. 20, 1745.

SIR, As there have been many expressions of friendship between you and me for a course of years past, its more than probable you may think with yourself how comes it to pass that (among all the letters you have receiv'd from home) that of mine comes last. But, my

*Francis Foxcroft was born in Cambridge Jan. 26, 1694-5; graduated at Harvard College in 1712; and died March 28, 1768. He spent most of his life in the public service, filling an unusual number of important posts; and was for twenty-six years, 1732-1757, one of the Council of Massachusetts. See Paige's History of Cambridge, p. 549. - EDS.