1755
News Items Related to the Amercian Colonies
9th August, Halifax, Nova-Scotia
We make a most grand Appearance in our Harbour, such a Fleet was never before in America; there are Eleven Sail of the Line, with several small Ships. Admiral Holbourne, with Six Ships is cruizing off Louisbourg; and Capt. Rous, with Two Twenty Gun Ships and a Sloop, sailed from hence a few Days ago, on a secret Expedition; 'tis thought to dispossess the French of a small Settlement in the Westermost Part of Newfoundland, where we have heard some Vessels from the Continent, have been so villainous as to carry Provisions, from whence the French carry it to Louisbourg. Our Fleet has taken a Snow bound from France to Cape Breton, loaded with Provisions; nor will it be possible for any of their Vessels to get in whilst our Fleet is upon the Coast; nor is it unlikely, in Case their should be a War, that another Attempt would be made on Louisbourg. We are now upon a great and noble Scheme of sending the neutral French out of this Province, who have always been secret Enemies, and have encouraged our Savages to cut our Throats. If we effect their Expulsion, it will be one of the greatest Things that ever the English did in America; for by all the Accounts, that Part of the Country they possess, is as good Land as any in the World; In Case therefore we could get some good English Farmers in their Room, this Province would abound with all Kinds of Provisions.
17th August, Halifax, Nova Scotia
This Day sailed out of the Harbour, Three of his Majesty's Ships of War, in Order, 'tis thought to join Admiral Holbourne.
A few Days since, Three French Men were taken up and imprisoned, on Suspicion of having poisoned some of the Wells in this Neighbourhood.
They are not tried as yet; and 'tis imagined if they are convicted thereof they will have but a few Hours to live after they are once condemned.
With the Blessing of God, we are at present, plentifully stock'd with all Kinds of Provisions; whilst our Neighbours, the Cape Britoners, have felt in a surprizing Degree, the Effects of the several Prohibitions on the Continent, being now in a most deplorable Condition for Want of the common Necessaries of Life, and afflicted with various Kinds of Diseases.
The Two French Men of War seized and brought in here by Boscawen's Squadron in June last, have now English Pendants flying, and all their Guns mounted; and the Command of the Lys of 74 Guns, is given to Capt. Amherst, who lately commanded the Mars, and that of the Alcide, 'tis supposed will be given to the first Lieutenant of the Torbay.
The Officers of the Navy, as well as those in the military Service, and every Individual in this Province, were extremely alarmed and shocked on hearing of the Defeat of General Braddock, and the Circumstances attending that unhappy and unlooked for Overthow, seemingly exaggerates the whole Affair.
The North American Fleet
A List of his Majesty's Fleet under the Command of the Honorable Edward Boscawen, Esq.; Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and Commander in Chief in and about North-America
Ships' Names | Guns | Men | | Commanders |
- Eleven Third Rates - |
Torbay | 74 | 720 | | Honorable Edward BOSCAWEN, Vice-Admiral
Captain Charles COLBY |
Monarch | 74 | 715 | | Savage MOYSTYN, Esq., Rear-Admiral of the White
Captain Abraham NORTH |
Terrible | 74 | 715 | | Francis HOLBOURNE, Esq., Rear-Admiral of the Blue
Captain William HOLBOURNE |
Northumberland | 70 | 520 | | Right Honorable Lord COLVILL |
Grafton | 70 | 520 | | Charles HOLMES |
Edinburgh | 70 | 520 | | Thomas STANHOPE |
Somerset | 74 | 520 | | Francis GEARY |
Chichester | 64 | 520 | | John BRETT |
Yarmouth | 64 | 520 | | Harry NORRIS |
Fougeux | 64 | 520 | | Richard SPRY |
Mars | 64 | 520 | | John AMHERST
vessel lost 24th June coming in |
- Eight Fourth Rates - |
Dunkirk | 60 | 420 | | Honorable Richard HOW |
Anson | 60 | 420 | | Robert MANN |
Defiance | 60 | 420 | | Thomas ANDREWS |
Nottingham | 60 | 400 | | Samuel MARSHALL |
Augusta | 60 | 400 | | William Saltern WILLETT |
Centurion | 54 | 400 | | William MANUEL |
Norwich | 50 | 330 | | Honorable Samuel BARRINGTON |
Litchfield | 50 | 330 | | Matthew BARTON |
| ____ | ____ | | |
19 Sail of the Line | 1 206 | 9 410 | | |
|
Name | | Guns | | Captain |
- Nine Frigates - |
Garland | | 20 | | Marriot ARBUTHNOT |
Syren | | 20 | | Charles PROBY |
Port Mahon | | 20 | | Robert HUGHES |
Mermaid | | 20 | | Washington SHIRLEY |
Success | | 20 | | John ROUS |
Sea-Horse | | 20 | | Hugh PALLISER |
Nightingale | | 20 | | Dudley DIGGES |
Arundel | | 20 | | Thomas HANKERSON |
Gibraltar | | 20 | | John HOLLWALL |
- Four Sloops - |
Jamaica | | | | Samuel HOOD |
Hornet | | | | Sampson SALT |
Vulture | | | | William KINSEY
(dead, now Capt. SCASE) |
Baltimore | | | | Maurice SUCKLING |
- One Tender -
| Bacchus | | | | Thomas ALLEN |
From the 'London Magazine' May 1755
Number of British Subjects, Men, Women, and Children, in the Colonies of North-America, taken from Militia Rolls, Poll-Taxes, Bills of Mortality, Returns from Governors, and other authentick Authorities
The Colonies of | Inhabitants |
Halifax and Lunenburg, in Nova-Scotia | 5 000 |
New-Hampshire | 30 000 |
Massachusets-Bay | 220 000 |
Rhode-Island and Providence | 35 000 |
Connecticut | 100 000 |
New-York | 100 000 |
The Jerseys | 60 000 |
Pennsylvania | 250 000 |
Maryland | 85 000 |
Virginia | 85 000 |
North-Carolina | 45 000 |
South-Carolina | 30 000 |
Georgia | 6 000 |
| _________ |
Total Number | 1 051 000 |
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