Pitt, William, Earl of Chatham (1708-1778) to Stephen Hopkins
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05562 Author/Creator: Pitt, William, Earl of Chatham (1708-1778) Place Written: London, England Type: Letter signed Date: 9 December 1758 Pagination: 8 p. ; 30.1 x 19.1 cm. Order a Copy
Addressed to Governor Hopkins "& Compy of Rhode Island." Relays requests and information on a planned invasion of Canada during the French and Indian War. Describes the rationale for the invasion to carry "War into the heart of the enemy's possessions" and orders that troops be raised. Specifies that the troops should rendezvous at Albany, New York, and be prepared to begin the invasion by 1 May 1759. Outlines the general plans for the invasion. Grants authority to issue commissions and indicates that the King will provide arms and supplies, but the Provinces must supply "Levying, Cloathing, & Pay." Notes that similar orders were being issued to the other colonies. Written from Whitehall and marked "Duplicate."
The planned campaign was largely successful, including the British siege of Fort Ticonderoga in June 1759 and their victory in the Battle of Quebec in September 1859.
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