Shirley, William (1694-1771) Secret Instructions to Lieut. Col. Bradstreet
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00371 Author/Creator: Shirley, William (1694-1771) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Manuscript document signed Date: 17 March 1756 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 32 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
During the French and Indian War, Lord Stirling (William Alexander) orders Bradstreet to travel to Oswego with supplies, regroup there, then proceed to Fort Frontenac to "bring off, set fire to, or in any manner destroy whatever Vessels and Boats the French have there either built or building" and, if possible, use a surprise attack to capture and destroy the fort. If successful, he is to return with prisoners to Oswego then continue on the Albany to await further instructions. Bradstreet is to abort the attack if he loses the element of surprise of fears losing too many men. Signed by Massachusetts Governor William Shirley. Bradstreet failed to take Fort Frontenac in 1756 but succeeded in 1758.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.