returned to him his bond that
he had given the government for carrying on a legitimate trade with the
Indians.
He was also satisfied that the Captain's losses were on account of the
action of the savages, and being fully convinced of the great hardships
and privations the Captain and his distressed wife and family had
undergone, he was pleased to give him an honourable clearance out of the
province, according to the regulations of said province, and also to
recommend him to the protection of the Right Honourable the Earl of
Hillsborough, at that time first Lord of Trade and Plantations for
public relief. The Governor had it not in his power to grant Captain
Godfrey any suitable gratuity for the great loss he had sustained.
COPY OF LORD CAMPBELL'S LETTER TO LORD HILLSBOROUGH.
HALIFAX, October 9th, 1771.
_My Lord_:
The gentleman who will deliver this to you was lately a Captain in the
52nd Regiment of foot, and came out to this province in August, 1769,
with his wife and a large family, to settle on some lands on river St.
John, which he had purchased before he left Europe, with a view of
carrying on trade with the Indians. I have frequent complaints of those
Indians since Fort Frederick, situate on the entrance of the St. John
river, has been dismantled, and the garrison, which consisted of an
officer's command, reduced to a corporal and four.
The Fort, when properly garrisoned, kept the Indians of that district in
pretty good order, but not so effectively by situation as it would if it
had been constructed higher up the river, and as now the fort is
entirely dismantled, I beg leave to offer to your Lordship's
consideration whether a strong Block House, properly garrisoned, might
not prove a proper check upon the insolence of the savages, at the same
time it would afford a secure protection to a very increasing settlement
on the banks of the river St. John, a situation abounding with most
excellent soil, which produces the most valuable timber of all sorts in
the province.
These are considerations which I beg your Lordship will please to submit
to His Majesty's advisers. The unhappy state of _Mr. Godfrey's_
misfortunes will, I am persuaded, speak everything in his favour with
your Lordship, which his past services or present suffering can entitle
him to.
I have the honour to be,
Yours, &c., &c.,
WM. CAMPBELL.
_The Earl of Hillsborough_.
|