387 | From Thomas Gage

    New: York Sept. 6th. 1765.

    Sir,

    I had yesterday Evening the honor of your Letter of the 29th. of August1 Inclosing the Resolution of your Council Board and two Proclamations which you have published. I wish the latter may have a proper Effect, but as none of the Delinquents have been apprehended and prosecuted I presume it is not practicable to do it for it is not possible that they should be unknown.2 You will receive this by my Aid de Camp Capt: Sheriffe,3 by whom you may safely write what you think proper. The Troops are so scattered over the Continent, that I would not be able to collect any considerable Body to join you under [2?] months; and that by almost deserting the Posts in the upper Country. The nearest Place from whence any Military Force could be sent you is Halifax, and if you shall from your Situation, think it right and Expedient that any Assisstance should he sent you from thence, you will make use of the inclosed Letter to Lieut. Colo. Coningham,4 who is orderd to throw a Detachment of 100 men of the 29th. Regt: and 12 Artillerists into Castle William. This Number with the two Companys of 60 Men each, which you will have there, may be sufficient for defending that Fortress against any thing that can attack it. The Troops are as much Scattered over Nova-Scotia as the other Provinces, and the only Place I can immediately detach from, is Halifax, which place will be extreamly weakned and I propose to reinforce it after this Draught of 100 men by a Company of the 59th Regt from Louisbourg and another from St. John’s Island. Lord Colvile may send the Troops in some of the ships of War, which will be a further Protection to the Fort, and I think there is no Doubt of His Lordship’s doing it when you convince him of your Situation. I write to His Lordship, which letter I inclose under a flying Seal for your Perusal, as I do all the orders Sent herewith, and you will forward the whole or not as you Judge best. That no Person might have any Suspicion of your sending & writing ^purposely^ to Halifax I have prevailed on Capt. Wallace of the Tryal sloop of War5 who sails this Day for Halifax, to call at Boston undesignedly, in his way, so that you may dispatch him with any Letters you please. By the Description I have had of Castle William, I think with the Garrison proposed, and the ships of war nothing effectual could be brought against it. And I may hereafter when I shall hear fully from you; and that you think it necessary, reinforce that Place considerably. You will consider how the Castle is provided with military Stores and Artillery, how the Garrison can be best Supplied with Provisions, after what they carry with them shall be expended and how the Troops are lodged, and, ^that they^ have a sufficiency of Fuel, not to be in Danger of going away ^thro’ want^, or being cutt of in search of those Articles. You will acquaint me if you are in want of an Engineer, one shall be sent you, if you are. If I get hold of Castle William, I will engage to keep it fast as long as shall be necessary. You will think of the Orders proper to be given to the Capt. of the 29th Regt: to whom you will no Doubt give the Command of the Castle. He will have orders to obey your Commands in general, but you may possibly be in such Circumstances as to be obliged to give orders, which you would wish should not be obeyed. Of this you will give me your opinion, and I will furnish the Captain with such specifick Orders from me, that nothing which you shall do from forceable methods shall be obeyed. vizt. To deliver the Castle into the Hands of no Persons whatever, but defend it to the last, not to deliver anything deposited in it, even by your orders. &ca. From the Terms of your Letter, these Precautions may be necessary. You will take care that the Troops shall have admission into the Castle when they arrive; as Mr. Miller seems to be a Person in whom you have Confidence, you may contrive matters with him, so that he may command there at the Time they do arrive, or use any other proper method which you shall Judge the best.

    I am with great Regard, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant,

    Thos. Gage

    If you can find a more expeditious method to convey, the letters to, you will do it of Course, without waiting for the Tryal sloop for it seems to me that no Time should be lost.

    T. G.

    His Excy. Govr. Bernard

    ALS, RC BP, 10: 284-287.