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The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Extract of a letter from Pensacola dated Oct. 5 details the departure of Spaniards and Indians to Havana or Vera Cruz, leaving Col. Provost's battalion in possession of the fort. Mr. Noble is clearing lands for purchase. Describes the fort, harbor, Indian demands, expected troop relief, and conditions in Mobile including its garrison takeover by British regiments.
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The Spaniards, and Indians who lived with them are all gone hence to the Havannah or Vera Cruz, and left Col. Provost, with his battalion of about 300 men, in possession of this fort and a few houses.
Great part of the lands without the fort are purchased by Mr. Noble who is employed by Some great men; he is very busy in clearing the grounds, and has done more already that way than has been done in an hundred years before by the Spaniards, who never durst, for fear of the Indians, venture out of the reach of their guns, and depended, for provisions, entirely on the French at Mobile.
This fort is a stockade situated on a sandy beach, the harbour is very good; we had never less than four fathom coming in, and the bay is fine and large, abounding with oysters and all sorts of fish.
Some Weeks ago about 150 Indians came here armed, demanding presents; they had all their kegs filled with rum, and said they would soon return for more. They always kept the Spaniards in terror, and when they were parting, the Indians would take a few scalps to put them in mind of their duty, on which the bounty used to be increased.
We are in daily expectation of the 35th regiment to relieve the battalion now here, the men will go to New-York, but Col. Prevot believes he will be obliged to winter in Carolina.
The 22d and 34th regiments commanded by Major Farmer are bound here to Mobile to take possession of that garrison.
Mobile is about 60 miles by land distant from this place, but two large rivers, which must be passed, renders the journey tedious. The town is situated on the river about 30 miles from the sea, is irregular, but the houses pretty good; the French inhabitants very complaisant, and many of them say they do not intend to remove; they had all their supplies from New-Orleans, and the war has greatly impoverished them; every species of European goods was incredibly high, a hat that cost only three shillings sterling, sold for thirty dollars, &c.
Mobile bar has no more than ten feet water. The fort which they call Conde is strong and well built of brick. The lands are very good but they raise only live stock and Indian corn: There is a great plenty of fish and game of all kinds.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Pensacola
Event Date
Oct. 5
Key Persons
Outcome
spaniards and indians departed to havannah or vera cruz; british battalion under col. provost in possession of pensacola fort; lands purchased and being cleared by mr. noble; 35th regiment expected to relieve current battalion; 22d and 34th regiments to take mobile garrison; french inhabitants in mobile impoverished by war and unlikely to remove.
Event Details
Spaniards and associated Indians have left Pensacola for Havannah or Vera Cruz, leaving Col. Provost's 300-man battalion in control of the fort and houses. Mr. Noble, employed by prominent figures, is actively clearing lands outside the fort, surpassing a century of Spanish efforts limited by fear of Indians who relied on Mobile for provisions. The stockade fort is on a sandy beach with a good harbor of at least four fathoms depth and a bay rich in oysters and fish. Recently, 150 armed Indians demanded presents with rum-filled kegs, threatening return, having terrorized Spaniards with scalp-taking to increase bounties. Expectation of 35th regiment relief, with men heading to New-York but Col. Prevot possibly wintering in Carolina. 22d and 34th regiments under Major Farmer en route to possess Mobile garrison, 60 land miles away but tedious due to rivers. Mobile, 30 miles upriver from sea, has irregular layout but good houses; complaisant French residents supplied from New-Orleans, war-impoverished with high goods prices (e.g., 3-shilling hat for 30 dollars); 10-foot bar; strong brick Fort Conde; good lands for livestock and corn, abundant fish and game.