William Phips letter to William Blathwayt, 1693 September 26

[Page 1]

A Coppy of your letter to mee of the 27th: February 1692/3 came to hand the latter
end of August July last by the Captain of the Sammuell and Henry being about a
weeke before the Fleet sayled from hence for England and was the first
newes I received of his Majesties Resolution of attaqueing Cannada this Year therey
I understood that his Majestie Had signified his Royall Commands to mee by his
most Gracious Letter concerning that affaire but I did not receive the
same untill the 24th: of September last: which was nere two months after the
Fleet sayl'd from hence, by this meanes I could make noe Preparation against the
arrivall of the Fleet for that designe which I soe much thirst after
I cannot expresse my greife for the losse of this oppertunity of Subdueing Cannada
and Bringing it under their Majesties obedience because I know how much the
effecting thereof would bee for their Majesties interest and because I fear there will
scarce bee for the future Such an oppertunity, although I would not altogether
dispair thereof but waite till their Majesties Commands doe give mee opertunity
to accomplish that necessary and much desired Service, which I should Cheer=
fully attempt although with the greatest Hazzard. Their Majesties Fleet under
the Command of Sir Francis Wheeler arrived here about the middle of June
from Martinica in a very sickly condittion whereby many of their men
were lost but such Endeavours were here used for the recovery of the Sick
and sweetening the Ships that few dyed afer their arrivall and the
whole fleet and Land Forces were in a healthfull Condition before their
departure. I have received her Majesties most Gracious letter Signifying
her Royall approbation of my stopping the proceedings against the people
here accused for witchcrafte for which my most Humble thanks are due unto
her most Excellent Majestie. In July last a French Privateer from
Martinica with 130 men Landed one Hundred and Nine of them att a place
called Sandwich in this Province but they had not been Longe on shoar before
two Commpanyes of our Milita marched against them and tooke them
all Prisoners and att the same time their Majesties Ship Nonsuch Commanded
by Captain Thomas Dobbins (Successor of Captain Short lately Suspended) which
I had ordered to cruize off Rhode Island after two dayes Chase tooke their
Ship with the Rest of the men and retooke a Brigantine which was by them
taken from the English. I caused the men to bee brought to Boston and
put no board the Fleet because of their want of men. I have caused
a good stone Fort to bee built att Pemaquid which with my continuall attaque
=ing the Indians upon all occasions hath soe Terrifyed them that they have
submitted themselves to their Majesties ^Royall authority and desired an everlasting
peace which I concluded with them att Pemaquid the 11th: day of August last
according to the inclosed articles which is a ^true Coppy of the orginiall. there was
lately some Danger of a breach between the Maquaa's our westerne
Indians & New Yorke and this Province but that matter is now accommodated.

[Page 2]

I have given you an account That I had Signifyed unto the Governours of
New=Yorke Virginia Maryland and Pencilvania her Majesties Commands
to mee concerning our agreement for the assistance of New Yorke of
which I have received: an answer and the time for the meeting of
the severall Commissioners from every of the other Provinces for settling
that affaire is to bee the first wednesday of october next att New Yorke
By Duplicates sent in aprill last by Mr. Prince and Mr. Wadland
I gave you an account of what had Then occurred which I doubt not
are longe before this come to your hand therefore I repeat nothing
then written The reason why I did not send by the fleet was
because Mr: Jackson who had the Care of my Letters was taken
sick when hee should have gon onboard the Suddneenesse whereof
was such that the Fleet being under sayle were out of sight before
the Delay upon that occasion could bee recovered.

I desire you will ^be pleased to move his Majestie to send ^order 20 ^^Great Gunns
with such Amunition as to his Majestie shall seem meet
to bee sent to New England for the Fort att Pemaquid for
it will thereby not onely bee able to resist the Force of all the Indians
in America but alsoe any attaque that can bee made by the
French by Sea with their greatest Force they can send into America
att this Juncture which wee cannot reasonably imagine can be very for=
midable. I have noe newes of Thomas Lose Esquire of which his Majesties
most Gracious letter make mention who is I fear by some sad accident
miscarryed.

[Page 3, blank]

[Page 4]

26 September 1693
From Sir William Phips

Received 20 December 1693

Received a Copy of the Leter of 27
February 1692/3 about 20 July last
before Sir Abraham Wheeler sayld
and the other dispatches about
the 20 of September : have had no
other Notice of Sir ffrancis Wheeler
coming

He desires 20 Great Guns
& Amunition for Pemaquid