Papers of British Secretary of War Henry Fox relating to Braddock's defeat near Fort Duquesne and the recall of William Shirley due to the "Intercepted Letters Scandal" [Decimalized .01-.22]

Additional Instructions to Major Genl. William Johnson, relative to the Indians of the Six Nations under his Command.

Copy of a letter instructing General William Johnson to ask the Six Nations to help fight against the French and their Indian allies. He requests that they "be engaged by private applications, and the offer of Rewards to take up the Hatchet against...

GLC09054.01

Abstracts from Gov. Shirley's Letters of Dec. 19th & 20th.

From December 19th: Discusses the minutes of the Council of War at Albany, New York on December 12th. Outlines a plan to attack Niagara and that "3000 Troops should, at the same time be marching to Fort Duquesne from Willis Creek to attack that Fort...

GLC09054.02

[to William Shirley]

Writes that previous letters have been "regularly received and laid before the King" and that the King is sorry to hear that Shirley's military expedition against Fort Niagara failed. Continues to say that a Colonel Webb will replace Shirley as...

GLC09054.03

[to Henry Fox]

Discusses a letter William Shirley wrote to William Johnson "in which he (Shirley) proposes Sending the Indians of the Six Nations to the Ohio." Writes about a suspicious affair and a letter that might prove damaging. Signed "Dunk Halifax" Scored...

GLC09054.04

[to Sir Charles Hardy]

Discusses possible treason by way of an "intercepted Letter, directed to the Duke of Mirepoix, the Contents of which, upon a full Consideration of them, appear to me of a very extraordinary Nature, & of the utmost Importance." Mentions a Peter...

GLC09054.05

[to William Shirley]

Informs Shirley that one of his men, Lydius is a spy and expresses surprise "that you (Shirley) should, this Summer, have employed M. Lydius...who [is] suspected to carry on a secret correspondence with the Government of Canada." Demands an...

GLC09054.06

Extract of the Report made by the Commissioners employed on the part of the Province of Pennsylvania at the meeting at Albany in 1754

Discusses news of the alleged spy, Mr. Lydius. News heard from a Mr. Woodbridge and two other Connecticut men who were "in Town with intent to negotiate a Puchase from the Indians for the Susquehannah Lands lying within the Latitude of the...

GLC09054.07

to Col. Daniel Webb

Instructs Colonel Daniel Webb about the transportations of troops. Webb is to "take upon [him] the Command of the Forces ordered to embark there (Plymouth), & to proceed in the ship" where they are to be part of the convoy to New York. Expects the...

GLC09054.08

to Col. Daniel Webb

Discusses more secret intelligence from another intercepted note. "The most incredible thing, either in this, or in his(the spy) former Letter, was, the very great Force raising in Pensylvania, of which no Man here knew anything." News came from a...

GLC09054.09

to George Montagu-Dunk, the Earl of Halifax

Discusses the issue of a spy under William Shirley's command and intercepted letters. Urges that Shirley be sent back to England as soon as possible and maintained as the Governor of Jamaica, a position to which Shirley had been recently appointed....

GLC09054.10

to George Montagu-Dunk, the Earl of Halifax

Same as previous (GLC09054.10). Discusses the issue of a spy under William Shirley's command and intercepted letters. Urges that Shirley be sent back to England as soon as possible and maintained as the Governor of Jamaica, a position to which...

GLC09054.11

to George Montagu-Dunk, the Earl of Halifax

Same as previous (GLC09054.10-11). Discusses the issue of a spy under William Shirley's command and intercepted letters. Urges that Shirley be sent back to England as soon as possible and maintained as the Governor of Jamaica, a position to which...

GLC09054.12

to George Montagu-Dunk, the Earl of Halifax

Same as previous (GLC09054.10-12). Discusses the issue of a spy under William Shirley's command and intercepted letters. Urges that Shirley be sent back to England as soon as possible and maintained as the Governor of Jamaica, a position to which...

GLC09054.13

to Henry Fox

Written in reply to Fox's letter concerning the spy and intercepted letters. Agrees that the affair has now become a major issue, "well deserving the immediate attention of his Majesty's Servants..." Suspicious of Pennsylvania troops, as their...

GLC09054.14

Extract of a letter from Pennyslvania received by the pacquet, that came last from thence

Gives a report on the situation in America. Mentions Quakers and people who "also seem to think their ale is at stake." States that "Col. Washington is gone to New York..." possibly involved in the attack at Fort DuQuesne. Gilt edges. Watermarked...

GLC09054.15

to [George Montagu-Dunk, Earl of Halifax (1716-1771)]

Most likely the note sent to accompany the letter to Montagu-Dunk mentioned previously (GLC0954.14). Writes "I send you herewith a Letter which I have gotten accidentally & which I think worth your reading. If you would shew it to the Duke or Lord...

GLC09054.16

List of Papers to be carried to the Meeting

Noted as a list. Items include "Copy of an Intercepted Letter directed to the Duc de Mirepoise, dated America Jan. 6th: 1756. Recd. March," "Additional Instructions to Maj. Genl. Johnson, relative to the Indians of the Six Nations under his Command...

GLC09054.17

to Daniel Webb

Informs Webb that his replacement, Major General Abercrombie will be setting out for Plymouth soon and so Webb can return to England via the "Packet Boat novo (?) at Falmouth, will in all Probablility, make your Passage three Weeks sooner, than if...

GLC09054.18

to William Shirley

Letter politely ordering Shirley to return to England as soon as possible. "It having been represented to the King, that your Presence in England may be very useful & necessary to His Majty's. Service at this Time, as you are able to give many...

GLC09054.19

to William Shirley

Same as previous (GLC09054.20). Letter politely ordering Shirley to return to England as soon as possible. "It having been represented to the King, that your Presence in England may be very useful & necessary to His Majty's. Service at this Time...

GLC09054.20