The New Hampshire Gazette

A Letter from Col. J. Blanchard, to Maj. R. Rogers, in the Crown-Point Expedition, dated Dunstable, in New England, March 10, 1758.

SIR,

I hear your Health is recovered, for which I rejoice, as well as for the signal Honour you've acquired by your successful Attempts and Success, in Defence of your Country. May you live, and that Spirit not depart from you, so long as a Frenchman in this Land dare own himself an Enemy.

The enterprising Youths from our Frontiers, who have and are joining you for the Ranging Service, are not the Gleanings, but the first Fruits of North America. By their Loyalty, Courage and Activity, it seems by Instinct, as well as Principle are fitted to be taught to rob a Bear of her Whelps,--or enter those effeminate unmolested Dens, in your Neighbourhood, which have (to our Dishonour) stood too long in our Way.

Had we been seasonably provided, and properly equip'd, the first Summer, my Regiment (the Sires of your present Corps de Garde) had certainly unrooted those unclean Birds at Crown Point, Alas how much Money, how many good Subjects since thrown away--is our Circumstance on any Account mended?

I heartily wish you a favourable Opportunity and successful Attack against those mongrel Disturbers of the publick Peace, and a full Reprizal in Honour, Profits and Revenge, for all their perfidious Treatment,--Let it not be the Employment of any more to write our Misfortunes. -Garrison after Garrison taken, Armies, Companies, and Privates killed, taken and stript.-The Enemy's Country filled with Scalps, Captives, Money, private Plunder, warlike Stores and Provisions. We have only served like Beasts of Burden to convey these Treasures for their Convenience; and for our Reward, Loss of Time, or wretched Captivity.-For a New-England Man to reflect on the past horrid Scenes of Devastations and Murders perpetrated by those tawney cloven footed Tribes, hurried on by those fanatical French Invaders, when pretending to be at Peace, Time out of Mind, -is too formidable an History now to relate- 'tis but of late the Continent South. West of New. England has shared in their Barbarities--or charge in Defence. tho' now feel the fatal Effects.

Let none under your Command rust into Decay- let their Exercise be constant; warm them with your Presence and Kindness. -'Twill secure their Health, their Usefulness, Profit and Honour.

I know what Spirit you are of, in these Affairs: Suffer it the Reins, so that you temper it with Prudence.

I have heartily countenanced my Friends and Relations to join you, and esteem the Tidings that they died with Honour, preferable to returning stigmatized with Cowardice, or a wretched, dishonorable, merciles Captivity.

Wake up, and let your Companies be not only the Glory of the Continent, but an Honour to the Kingdom, for which in these Wars they are adapted,--in your Station never suffer your Invention to be at Ease till all is accomplished.

Which that we may both live to see is the hearty Wishes of your constant and cordial Friend,

J. BLANCHARD.