Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/88

60 there was not a justice found to bear any testimony against it except the court at Litchfield. Yea those very men that had approved the Governor's conduct in the Assembly now did nothing to assert the truth in his vindication. At the next election the Governor was thrown down with a vengeance, and when down thought worthy of no more respect than a comon porter.

When he saw himself thus for future despised and hated by all as a betrayer of his trust and enemy to the Colony which had conferred so many honours upon him he found it a burden too heavie to be easie under. He, therefore, complained to the Assembly that he was condemned unheard, and therefore petitioned that he might be examined upon oath concerning these facts before the Assembly, and submitted himself wholly to their censure, but the doors were shut against him. Yet after this election the aforesaid opinion for the choice of the Governor and Deputy Governor ceased like some other plagues that are periodical, and may it forever cease.

What one Governor suffers and another gains by an intrigue is of no great importance to the public, yet in my opinion it is best to let things proceed in their natural course and that our wise men did wisely to stop this opinion as foolish and dangerous, for according to the proverb What is bad for me may be bad for thee, by turns.

In the year 1755, an expedition was made against the French in North America under Gen11 Shirly and General Johnson. General Shirly did nothing but blunder. Gen11 Johnson beat the French at Lake George and erected a fort there. Gen11 Bradock was defeated and slain.

In 1756, the expedition was renewed, and by the misconduct of Gen11Shirly and Gen11 Web the French took Oswego and our flotta on Ontario. The fort was demolished and the garrison led into captivity.

In 1757, Gen11 Web lost Fort William Henry and our flotta on Lake George. The garrison capitulated to before him, but the French suffered the Indians to murther many of them and strip and horribly abuse the rest. The fort was demolished.

Great Britain dost thou take delight To see America look chearly? Suspend us in no spider's Web And never more send us a Shirley.

In 1758, Gen11Amherst took Louisbourg, the islands of Cape Breton, St. Johns &c. The inhabitants were sent to France. Gen 11Abercrombie