prevent it. Should the troops have made the attack on the people, it will unite every man against them. There were two sloops at our dock, loaded with flour, etc, for the army at Boston, which were immediately unloaded, though Sunday. There was also a ship loaded for the same place, which had fallen down to the watering place, [lower bay of N. Y.] which they intended also, to bring up and unload, but the man of war heard of it, and sent some men on board, and yesterday morning saw her safely out of the Hook, which will be the last they will get from here, should any part of the account be true. This news raised the spirits of the people so highly, that on Sunday evening, they went in a large body to the City Hall, and took out the province arms, about 500 stand. Should the accounts from Boston be true, it is probable that as soon as the Congress meets in Philadelphia, a non-exportation act will be agreed upon, in order to prevent the troops being supplied with provisions. April 29th 1775. Ever since the news from Boston, the city has been in tumult, and confusion, but has subsided some, and hope we shall soon be in order, as people of every turn, warm as well as moderate, will join in establishing it. The Committee have again met, and held up the same 100 men, nominated and appointed an election for them on Monday next: when they are chosen, they will enter into proper regulations. There is a spirited association set on foot, and will be signed, I believe, by every man in turn, the purport of which is, to support the measures of the Continental Congress, and also of the Provincial Congress [of New York] and the proceedings of the

Committee, which will be a means of keeping peace in the city. I heard Mr. Oliver De Lancey will sign it, if it be not inconsistent with his oath, and Judge Livingston has already signed it. By the latest accounts from Boston, it appears the Regulars have lost,-killed and taken prisoners,-332, and the loss of the Bostonians 30 or 40. There is a report in town, that a cessation of arms is agreed on, which may be confirmed. We hear that the Bostonians have sent all their men home, except 18 of each company, who are kept as an army of observation, lest the troops should make another excursion.

Our city, which was divided about the mode of redress, is united now, and of one way of thinking, that spirited measures will be most likely to bring on a reconciliation, as we cannot bear the thought of being dragooned into measures we disapprove of. Our Custom House will probably be open next week, but we expect all our ports will be closed, as soon as the Congress meets at Philadelphia, unless we have more favorable accounts, which will not probably be the case, as we hear the three Generals expected, have arrived at Boston. Since the affair at the latter place, it is necessary to act with more spirit than before. Those who were in hopes it might have been settled without spilling of blood, will join heartily now, in more spirited measures, which will be the means of preventing the effusion of more blood. You will see the names of the Association in the papers,

which is universally signed, and hope yourself and brother William will also put your names to it. As civil government is very weak, it is necessary com

mittees should be appointed to keep order, and prevent running into confusion, till these troubles can be settled. All those refusing to become members of the Association here, are to have their names retained by the Committee.

The Connecticut Assembly have have agreed to raise 6000 men at once, and have appointed their generals and other officers. I am glad you and my brother have acted with decision in these troublesome times, as nothing but a spirited behavior will save us. I have heard that your committee had written to ours, that you were in want of arms and ammunition, and requesting them to advance the money, which was declined, and recommended when they wanted anything of the kind, to raise the money by subscription. I cannot hear of a quarter cask of powder for you, to he had in the city. Several of our principal men, are going to England immediately, Mr. John Watts, Henry Cruger, Roger Morris, Col. Maunsel, and many others. A vessel has just arrived from Liverpool, having spoken six transports to the eastward, with troops, and reports that fifteen or sixteen hundred regulars are coming here, from England.

April 27th 1775. Since my last letter to you, there has been a meeting at the Liberty Pole, and a great majority were for shutting up our port immediately; and from thence they went to Mr. Elliott's house, a great number with arms, and demanded the Keys of the Custom House. We have no later accounts from Boston, and fear the next will be of a general battle. We are now involved in a civil war, and must sink or swim with the other Colonies.

us but the closest Should we divide,

Nothing can save union of the whole. it would make an opening for civil war among ourselves, which would be much worse than with the soldiers. I was for moderate measures, but the face of affairs is now changed, and to-morrow a general committee is to be chosen, of 100 men, my own name being on the list. On Friday at 12 o'clock, they began to choose committee men, but soon after, stopped, as some dis-approved of it. Just now a report has come to town, that the men of war have seized all the vessels at Salem, and are coming here, and to Philadelphia to do the same. I hope your county will be prudent, and not become divided, as a spirited opposition to the acts of the army will be necessary. Our Committee have again met, and erased some of the names from the list, that were objected to-De Lancey's, Thurman's &c. They have also agreed to have an Association, to be signed by the inhabitants, in defence of their rights, and liberties, which will be universally agreed to. It is conceded if a fleet and army come here, it will be impossible to hold the town,-therefore they have concluded to carry all the Cannon &c up to King's bridge, and fortify a place there, and some of the cannon are already on their way. It is said, there are 700 or 800 men from Connecticut, on the march here, and some of their officers are already come to town.

May 15th 1775. Just now an express has arrived from Albany, with advices that the Connecticut provincials, about 270 men, have taken Ticonderoga, without any opposition. In the place, it is said, they found 200 pieces of cannon of

July 20th 1775. This day has been observed, as a solemn fast, and sermons were preached in all the churches, suitable to the times. There never was a time, when fasting and prayer, were more necessary, for we are living upon a volcano, which at any time may burst forth. Sep. 4th 1775. The City has been pretty quiet for some days past, though two boats have been burnt, supposed to have belonged to a sloop from Staatsburgh, with provisions for the man of war, though one of them belonged to an armed tender of the latter vessel. People still continue moving their effects out of town.

We fear having very troublesome times here, the accounts from home are unfavorable, and the men of war have very strict orders to enforce obedience, the Ministry being determined to support Parliament, though, it is thought, internal taxation will be given up.

It is said the Governor has sent the Mayor an extract of a letter from Lord Dartmouth, informing him that orders are sent to all men of war, to prevent all forts and batteries from being erected, and, if they should attempt to build any, or the inhabitants should move any of the cannon, &c which belong to the King, to fire on the towns and cities, until they desist. I hear they are going on with the fort at West Point, and my carpenter, John Adams, has gone up as head work

man.

[There is a journal by Montressor, who also gives many very interesting details of events in connection with this period, which, however, he views with a military rather than with a mercantile eye.]

TRANSLATIONS

EARLY FRENCH VOYAGES TO NEW

FOUNDLAND

Translated for the Magazine of American History [The following article is by no means exhaustive, yet it gives interesting facts, especially with reference to the survivors of the Colony on Sable Island. As early as 1507 Aubert of Dieppe was in the Bay of St. Lawerence with his ship, the Pensee; while in 1527 eleven sail of Norman vessels were at St. John's, Newfoundland.]

During the first years of the 16th century the merchants of Rouen seemed to think of nothing but maritime voyages; the tales of the distant enterprises of Bethencourt and others were not forgotten, and their memory seemed to arouse the ambitions of our merchants and sow in their minds the seeds of projects the execution of which was sooner or later to enrich them; but too prudent to wish themselves too far in the track of the discoverers toward the island as yet little known, they confined themselves to voyages to Newfoundland to fish for cod. From the year 1508 some vessels attempted this voyage; they were of a tonnage varying from 60 to 90 tons; among others I name the Bonne-Aventure, Captain Jacques de Rufosse; the Sibille and the Michel, belonging to Jehan Blondel, then the Marie-de-Bonne Nouvelles, fitted out by Guillaume Dagyncourt, Nicolas. Duport and Leys Luce, tradesmen who had formed a company; the command of the vessel was entrusted to Captain Jean Dieulois. But after the year 1527 it seems that our merchants gave up their attempts in this direction. To restore their hope and

courage nothing less than the effort to colonize Canada and other neighboring islands entrusted in 1540 by Francis the First to Jean Francois de la Roque sieur de Roberval. In fact after the month of January and February, 1541 (1542), more than 60 vessels set sail not to aid in the colonization of New France but simply "to go to fish for cod in the new found lands." In 1543, 1544 and 1545 this ardor continued, and during the months of January and February about two vessels a day went out from Rouen, Havre, Dieppe and Honfleur. But after 1545, the French government failing in its attempt and our merchants no longer finding the security necessary to their traffic, the movement almost wholly ceased. It begun again in 1560, and I have counted 38 ships which left the little ports of Jumiéges, Vattaille and la Bonille during the months of January and February "to make the voyage to the new found lands." The tonnage was already larger, and although ships of 70 tons were still to be found, the greater numbers reached 100, 120, 140 and 150 tons.

It was perhaps this renewal of the relation of our merchants with Newfoundland that inspired the French government with the idea of a new attempt to colo-. nize and lay hands upon Canada in 1564. The proof of the attempt is found in an act recorded by the notaries of Rouen the 18th April of this year. This was an agreement by the terms of which "Robert Gouel of Rouen, sells to Messire Guillaume le Beau receiver General of the Finances of the King in his marine, to

wit:

"The whole to be taken to New France where the King is now sending for his service."

A few days before the 7th April noble man Jehan Garnier sieur de Vestry, lieutenant of the company of Captain Lagrange, had given "receipt to same Guillaume le Beau for a sum of 400 livres to be employed in the purchase of Arquebuses and supplies necessary for the French infantry which it is the pleasure of the King to be now sending to his New France for the defence thereof and for the service of his said Majesty under the orders of Sieur Lagrange, Colonel of the French infantry."

These two acts until now unknown are very important, because they prove that notwithstanding the check of 1541 to 1543, France did not lose sight of the colonization of Canada.

History, however, not mentioning the new attempt of 1564, we are tempted to believe that it did not result in anything.

Thirty-two years more passed in complete inaction; but in 1597 Henry the Fourth, freed from his struggle against the League, took in hand the conquest of Canada. He charged Messire Treslus de Mesgonets, Marquis de la Roche, to organize a fleet for this purpose, and by letters-patent of the 16th January, 1598, he invested him with the title of his "Lieutenant-General of the Sable Island, Newfoundland, Canada, Ochillaga: Labrador, the river of the Great Bay of Norumbega and adjacent countries, and this with the power to build, equip,