London's Promises to Virginia 12 Dec 1759
On 12 Dec 1759, Abercrombie had sent letters to Virginia advising he and Lord Loudoun are working on getting Virginia paid as promised for its efforts in this war.
London had a made a promise of 200,000 lbs and a separate promise of 50,000 lbs. to Virginia and the colonies to help defray costs.
This was an enticement for the colonies to raise their own money for the war first.
This was a lure in anticipation of having some of it paid back by London.
So the Virginia Executive council wanted to find out how much of that money they really were going ot get.
Never mind that London sentiment -- because of its heavy borrowing from English and Dutch banks -- is going to change. Afterall why shouldn't the colonies pay for their own defense?
It takes until 16 Sept 1760 to find out how much London is going to pay Virginia out of that 200k and 50k of pounds sterling.
On the way to getting that answer they agree to pay some of what Virginia is to recieve to their agents in London. The one agent who is dominant in obtaining that answer is Abercrombie.
Final Answer from London received 16 Sept 1760?
£32,268.19 being the Proportion to Virginia of the £50,000.
£20,546, being the Proportion due to Virginia of the 200,000;
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12 Dec 1759 VA Executive Council journal
Mr. President produced to the Board several Letters he had received from Mr. Abercrombie , viz : a Letter of the 20th of May [1759] , and one of the 25th of June last [1759],
signifying the Pains he had taken in forming the Claim of Virginia ,
as set forth in his Petition to the Lords of the Treasury ,
a Copy whereof was inclosed relative to the Distribution of the £ 50,000 ;
also the Claim for Virginia on the £ 200,000 , which he had given in for the Services of the Year 1758 , a Copy of which likewise came inclosed .
Another Letter dated the 25th of July , informing that the Claims for the Dividend on the £ 50,000 , rest before Lord Loudoun on the Reference from the Treasury ; that as soon as his Lordship's Approbation of the Virginia Claim can be got , he shall lose no Time in applying to the Treasury to have it issued accordingly :
And hopes the Governor and Council will not put the Negative to his having the like Emoluments in this Case , with the Agents for the other Colonies .
. . . it was the Advice of the Council , that the President acquaint Mr. Abercrombie they are willing he should have the same Advantages with the other Agents , . . .
That's it.
That's our lead story.
See a little about who Abercombie is.
Then see the VA Executive Council journal on obtaining London's promise.
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Compiled by Jim Moyer 11/21/23, 12/1/23, 12/10/2023, 12/12/2023
Abercrombie
Abercrombie is known for his crushing defeat on the 8 July 1758 Battle of Fort Carillon, an area the British called Ticonderoga.
William Pitt, the British Secretary of State who had designed the British military strategy and received word of the defeat in August [1758] , wrote to Abercrombie on September 18 [1758] that the "King has judged proper that you should return to England." Abercrombie continued to be promoted, eventually reaching the rank of full General in 1772. -- wikipedia.
Messages coming from London took longer to reach the colonies.
So Abercrombie might not have gotten word of his recall until Nov 1758.
And then Abercrombie might have arrived in England until after another 3 months had transpired.
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More about London's Promises
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#169 (p. 151) 12 Dec 1759
Mr. President produced to the Board several Letters he had re- ceived from Mr. Abercrombie , viz : a Letter of the 20th of May , and one of the 25th of June last , signifying the Pains he had taken in forming the Claim of Virginia , as set forth in his Petition to the Lords of the Treasury , a Copy whereof was inclosed relative to the Distribution of the £ 50,000 ; also the Claim for Virginia on the £ 200,000 , which he had given in for the Services of the Year 1758 , a Copy of which likewise came inclosed . Another Letter dated the 25th of July , informing that the Claims for the Dividend on the £ 50,000 , rest before Lord Loudoun on the Reference from the Treasury ; that as soon as his Lordship's Approbation of the Virginia Claim can be got , he shall lose no Time in applying to the Treasury to have it issued accordingly : And hopes the Governor and Council will not put the Negative to his having the like Emoluments in this Case , with the Agents for the other Colonies .
Also a Letter of the 30th of June , and another of the 3d of August , signifying his having attended on the Lords for Trade , in Behalf of the Legislature , and in Support of the Act passed here
#170 (p. 152) 12 Dec 1759
last Octor . to enable the Inhabitants to discharge their public Dues and other Tobacco Duties in Money for the ensuing Year , against which Mr. Camm had exhibited a Remonstrance , which he sent inclosed . That he expected this Case had rested on the Report of that Board for repealing the Act , but on a new Remonstrance presented by Mr. Camm , to the King in Council , a Copy of which he inclosed , he was summoned to appear and be heard by Council ; that the Case came on that Day ; and the Point was determined to go no further than the Repeal as it stands on the Report of the Board for Trade - Hopes what he has done will be approved of , and the Expences made good . That he has procured a Reference to the Auditor - General of his Memorial to the Treasury for an Aid on the Quit - Rents - And desires to know in what Shape he is henceforth to conduct himself in the Service of this Board , there being in Fact two Agents , and ( if the Law lately passed shall stand its Ground ) acting under different Authorities and Establishments .
Upon reading all which Letters and Papers , it was the Advice of the Council , that the President acquaint Mr. Abercrombie they are willing he should have the same Advantages with the other Agents , on remitting their Portion of the Parliamentary Grants- that they approve of his Conduct in supporting the Act of Assembly remonstrated against by Mr. Camm , and shall readily allow the extraordinary Expences he has incurred in that Service — that the President send him an exact Account of all the different Sums which have been raised here for the Defence of the Colony , and the public Service , that he may be enabled to ascertain their Claim on the £ 200,000 - They further advised that a Memorial be drawn to the Lords of the Treasury , praying them to direct that the Sum which shall be apportioned to Virginia may be paid to Mr. Abercrombie , upon his giving Security to remit the same to such Person , and in such Manner as his Majesty shall be pleased to order - And that the President would signify their Pleasure that he ensure the same , and transmit it in a Man of War - and also acquaint him it is expected he will on all Occasions conform himself to the Directions he shall receive from this Board , and that , in any Emergency when
he can't wait for their Instructions , he regulate his Conduct , and act according to his own Discretion .
#183 (p. 165)- 25 June 1760
The Governour was likewise pleas'd to communicate to the Board a Letter dated the 19th of March from Mr. Martin Secretary to the Board of Treasury signifying it was their Lordships pleasure to issue the proportion of the £ 50,000 alotted to Virginia to the person acting as Agent for the Colony , tho ' he does not appear to be authorised to receive the same , on his giving proper security for the payment thereof to such person or Persons as shall be impowered to receive the same for the Use of the Colony : And that they desire his Honour will use his endeavours that proper persons may be impow- ered to receive such Monies , as the Parliament may hereafter think fit to grant for the service of this Colony .
...Also a Letter from M'r Abercrombie dated the 20th of March, signifying the necessity of his having proper Powers from this Province for receiving the proportion of the £200,000; heretofore allotted for Virginia. Upon which the Council advised that another Copy of the Memorial of this Board to the Lords of the Treasury agreed upon at a Council held the 12th of December last be transmitted to their Lordships; also a Copy of the Minutes of that Council respecting...
#184 (p.166) Executive Journals , Council of Colonial Virginia
the same subject be sent to M'r Abercrombie with a full power of Attorney from this Board authorising and enabling him to receive the said Proportions of the two Parliamentary Grants above mentioned .
#187 (p. 169)- 16 Sept 1760
The Governour communicated to the Board letter from Mr Abercrombie of the 1st of June and the 3d of July, informing of the Payment to him of £32,268.19 being the Proportion to Virginia of the £50,000. Also that he has received payment at the Exchequer of the sum of £20,546, being the Proportion due to Virginia of the 200,000;; for which purpose he was obliged to obtain the King's special sign Manual, as the memorial of the Governour and Council...
to the Lords of the Treasury in that Case , not being authenticated under the provincial seal was not held sufficient authority ; signifying the joint Concurrence of Governor Council and Assembly is neces- sary in their Directions to him concerning the Disposition of the Money , to get his Bond properly discharged ; inclosing a Copy of the Bond given to the Crown by the respective Agents ; also his Account with Virginia for their Proportions out of the said Grants . The Consideration whereof was by advice of the Council postpon'd to the meeting of the Assembly .
Dinwiddie's 1754 Proclamation of promising land
save as notes for posts on that subject
#356 (p. 338)- 1 matching term
...They further advis'd him to notify that no Person who enter'd into the Service after the battle of the Meadows in 1754, is entitled to any part of the said 200,000; Acres. It was likewise their Advice that the Petitioners be allow'd five years time to survey their Grant. Order'd, That the following Advertisement be inserted in the next Gazette....
#479 (p. 461)- 1 matching term
...Paul Carrington in opposition thereto, and the said Parties being fully heard, and it being observed that such a Petition had been before rejected, upon the evident unreasonableness thereof, it is now again rejected. The Deposition of William Hyslop relating to the Claim of Jonathan Meers of Accomack County to Part of the 200,000; Acres of Land promised to the Officers and Soldiers by Governor Din- widdie in his Proclamation of the 19th Day of February 1754, as Heir at Law of John Meers a private Soldier who fell in General Braddock's Engagement; and also the Deposition of John Hyslup relative to the Claim of William Hyslup upon the said Lands as...
#480 (p. 462)- 1 matching term
...462 Executive Journals, Council of Colonial Virginia heir at Law of Southy Hyslup and Abner Hyslop two privates in the first Virginia Regiment and who are both supposed to be Dead, were read and considered. Whereupon it is ordered that out of the residuum of the said 200,000; Acres, which was reserved by the order of the 6th Day of November last, 400 Acres be granted to the said Jonathan Meers in right of the said John Meers and to the said William Hyslup in right of the said Southy and Abner Hyslup, 800 Acres according to the Proportion then settled....
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