Description:

KING GEORGE'S WAR: CAPTURE OF LOUISBOURG
PETER WARREN (1704-1752) British admiral responsible for the capture of Louisbourg in 1745 in cooperation with William Pepperell's Massachusetts besieging provincial army. Extremely fine content A.L.S. "P Warren" 7pp. legal folio, Louisbourg, Nov. 23, 1745 to Admiral James Anson (1697-1762), Warren's patron and future collaborator in a major victory over the French Navy at Cape Finisterre in 1747. In this lengthy (and confidential) letter, Warren comments upon the weakness of the garrison at the fortress and intrigues against him in the New England press. He writes, in part [period spellings retained]: "...I am sorry to tell you how weak this Garrison will be, if the Troops from Gibraltar do not arrive this fall, which I very much doubt, the Season being so farr advanc'd. A great mortality common to all towns that have been for any time besieg'd, has snatch'd away a number of our people, which has been increas'd for want of a proper supply of necessarys to preserve the people from the Inclemency of the Clymate, which they expected to have been reliev'd from by Troops from England, and to have return'd home Ere this time. There is not the least prospect of refreshments of any kind here during a long ensuing winter, and shou'd the troops arrive they will be miserably put to their shifts....I must beg to repeat my desire of being recall'd my health being much Impair'd, but shou'd any attempt be made by the Enemy to regain this place in the Spring, and it shall be thought necessary to keep me here with a Squadron of ships for its Support, in this case I beg your & Lord Sandwich's interest ... Governour Shirley, I think he will be as anxious for the welfare of this new colony as any man. General Pepperrell wou'd not I believe reside here upon any terms but assures me that if after his return to New England, which will not be 'till the arrival of the regular Troops, any attempt shou'd be made on this Garrison he will come immediately to its relief with a number of men. My good Sir give me leave to tell you my Zeal for his Majesty's any my Countrys Service, will very soon wear me out, unless I have some little respite from Publick business... no dose of Laudanum or Cannon Ball, cou'd be a more Violent or sudden death to me, then a consciousness of deserving the least just Censure upon my conduct, I can answer I never shall God willing deserve any upon my Intention, or Inclination to serve my King and Country, to the utmost of my power and capacity. I beg leave to recommend the Bearer Mr: Holbourn (who commanded the Vigilant for some time by my order) as a very good Officer. As it is very probable you will see in some of the New England Papers, or hear of an address from the Council and general Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay, to Governour Shirley, upon his departure for this place, I think it proper as it carrys a reflection in it both upon the General and me... done without any manner of foundation, by ill dispos'd people, to make a breach between the General and me, to serve some dirty end. The General and I have resented it both to Governour Shirley, and his Council, and Assembly, who all declare their concern at it, and say they are now convinc'd it was done too rashly... I resented this treatment so warmly, that I have had many letters of excuse from numbers of the people concern'd in the address... if I deviate one sylable from truth I desire as the greatest punishment to forfeit your & their esteem. If you shou'd hear anything of this to my disadvantage, I only pray that I may be call'd home to answer face to face any objection that can be made to my Conduct... I flatter myself you and all that know me, will do me the Justice to believe. I shall ever scorn to misrepresent any fait whatsoever...". With the outbreak of war between France and Britain in 1744 (part of the War of Austrian Succession in Europe, or King George's War in North America), New England colonists saw an opportunity to strike at the French fortress of Louisbourg, which controlled the mouth of the St. Lawrence and menaced colonial fishing fleets. Massachusetts Governor William Shirley dispatched a force of over four thousand volunteers in ninety vessels under William Pepperrell. In April they laid siege to the fort, and were joined by a group of ships from the Royal Navy, led by Peter Warren. On June 16, under great duress, the French surrendered. Relations between Shirley, Pepperell, and Warren were generally good, but there was some discord over the allocation of prize moneys - Warren seized several French merchant vessels who were making regular stops at Louisbourg, unaware of its capture. Warren was also named provisional governor of Cape Breton. Warren defends his patriotism and his administration of the government in this letter to his patron, Lord Anson, but warns of the need for reinforcements. The letter indicates the influence of popular politics and the free press in colonial New England - though Shirley and Warren were on good terms, public criticism of Warren still had an impact on relationships between colonial officials and the imperial government in London. Warren formally resigned as governor on June 2, 1746, and was replaced by Admiral Charles Knowles, later infamous in Boston for impressing lower-class citizens into the Navy, inciting a major riot. Usual folds, very good.

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January 20, 2010 10:00 AM EST
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