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THE KING ORDERS THE DISPATCH OF AN EXPEDITION AGAINST GEORGIA.

Source: Collections of the Georgia Historical Society - Vol 7 #89

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From COLLECTIONS OF THE Georgia Historical Society, Vol. VII.

1741-10-31 THE KING ORDERS THE DISPATCH OF AN EXPEDITION AGAINST GEORGIA.

1741-10-31 King to Montiano

The King has entrusted to Don Juan Francisco de Guemes y Horcasitas an expedition of importance the nature of which he will communicate to Your Lordship as directed.

Toward the execution and success of this affair, it is proper that Your Lordship, after leaving in a state of defense that [St. Augustine] fortress, should strive with all available forces, and communicate all the information and advice expected, in order that action may be concordant
and efficacious. His Majesty commands me to communicate to Your Lordship this decision for your information, and in order that the aforementioned Governor of Habana may advise you with the punctuality demanded by the royal service. May God keep Your Lordship many
years.

Madrid, 31 October, 1741.
To Don Manuel de Montiano.
[No signature. We know, however, from Montiano's answer, that this and the following letters were all sent by the Minister Don Jose de Campillo.]

1741-10-31 King to Torres

The King having resolved upon an expedition from that Island [Cuba] against the enemy, and having decided that its Governor General, Lieutenant Don Juan Francisco de Guemes y Horcasitas should organize it according to the orders sent him, and deeming it proper that whatever be tide, the troops to be selected for the said expedition shall have their place taken by detachments from the squadron under the orders of Your Excellency, in such numbers as shall not interfere with its navigation, or other functions, His Majesty commands me to say to Your Excellency that you are to furnish these detachments and that if any naval officers should wish to go as volunteers on this expedition, you are not to hinder them. You are to help the aforesaid Governor to the limit of your powers and of the necessities of the case, in order to bring about the end confided to him, by reason of the great interest taken in this matter by the royal service. God keep Your Excellency
many years.

Madrid, 31st October, 1741.
To Don Rodrigo de Torres.
[No signature]

1741-10-31 King to Salas
With regard to the resolution of His Majesty to set on foot from the Island [Cuba] operations against the enemy, and to the order sent to Lieutenant General Don Juan de Guemes y Horcasitas, Governor of Havana, to carry them out, His Majesty bids me charge you, that in case of your selection to take command, you are to accept and execute that duty, in full confidence, because of your zeal and record of services, that you will ably discharge this trust in all that relates to the royal service.

God keep Your Lordship many years.
Madrid, 31st October, 1741
To Don Antonio de Salas.
[No signature]

1741-10-31 King to Guemes
Your Excellency is informed in respect of the motives which induced His Majesty in the year 1737 to resolve up on the extirpation of the English from the new colony of Georgia and from the territories of Florida which they have usurped, as well as of the orders sent out to this end, and of all dispositions made for their execution, until a suspension was commanded.

I bring these past matters to the recollection of Your Excellency, because we are now in a state of open war, and under no necessity to practice the caution which in the former conjuncture of affairs compelled us to give pause. His Majesty considers the time opportune to accomplish the destruction of Carolina and of its dependencies, thus compensating ourselves for the ancient perfidies of which the English have made the colony the seat, as well as for the present hostilities, by inflicting a damage that will ruin and terrify them, seeing the affection in which they hold that country, and the benefit they derive from its commerce.

Accordingly, His Majesty has directed the organization of an expedition from that Island [Cuba] to be composed of some regular troops and of as much militia as may be necessary, and that it pass over to the aforementioned province of Carolina with its appurtenant territories, and devastate it by sacking and Burning all the towns, posts, plantations and settlements of the enemy, for the purpose of this invasion must be solely to press hostilities until the effort shall have gone home, and success be achieved. It will help you to know that the English Colonies in America are so weakened by the men and supplies drawn off to lay siege before Cartagena that their relief from England has been under discussion.

It is the intention of His Majesty that in carrying out this expedition, regular troops be used in such numbers as are indispensable, having due regard to the defense of that Island [Cuba]; and that deficiencies be made up with militia and natives in such strength as to secure favorable results, imitating the course we followed when we recovered Pensacola from the power of the French.

In order that the number of regular troops to be selected by Your Excellency for this purpose may not be seriously reduced, you may avail yourself in any emergency that may arise, of those in the squadron under the command of Lieutenant General Don Rodrigo de Torres, provided that he be not reduced to the inability of taking the seas, or of performing any other operations expected of him. To this end, I am inclosing an order which Your Excellency will hand him, directing him to further this enterprise to the utmost, in order to bring it to a happy issue. Although Your Excellency has a personal knowledge of that country, of its nature and conditions, through previous reconnaissances and surveys made in view of practical possibilities, yet His Majesty desires that you communicate and entrust to Don Manuel de Montiano, Governor of Florida, the decision taken, propounding to him the measures to be adopted to carry it out, and directing him to concur with all the forces which the state of defense of his post will allow. Your Excellency is to advise whether the enterprise is to be carried on at one point, or at several points (which here is thought to be the proper course), and to inform him in respect of said points. It is further His Majesty's wish that he give you all the information in his possession, and should go on informing himself as to the state of the English inhabitants of Carolina, and any other matters, knowledge of which might be of import to Your Excellency. I am inclosing a letter for that Governor, in which you will find his instructions.

Other directions and details are omitted, because it is known that Your Excellency has all the knowledge and light that could be desired to bring so grave a matter to a successful end. Hence, and because His Majesty is convinced of your zeal, activity and experience, he intrusts this expedition to your care, directing you to order whatever may forward it, with the determination that springs from your sense of duty and loyalty to the royal service, and without the loss of a moment of time. In respect of expenses, dispositions, and methods, Your Excellency has plenary powers to confer and treat of ways and means with officers and persons who may profit by your advice to spread the desolation and secure the advantages that we expect in respect of that province. And in order that the great volume of preparations may not pass to the knowledge of the English, His Majesty orders that you take your measures in secret, alleging pretexts to dissimulate and conceal the end in view, so as to deceive the public. For otherwise we expose and risk this blow, which is to surprise the enemy without giving him any opportunity to prepare himself by arming and fortifying and so oppose a greater resistance and opposition to our efforts.

His Majesty leaves to the judgment of Your Excellency the selection of the officer or officers to command this expedition: you are authorized to take those most satisfactory to you, and of best known and approved conduct: but in the belief that Brigadier Don Antonio de Salas, who is
detained out there [in Cuba] is well fitted for this service, I send Your Excellency the inclosed letter in order that you may give it to him, if you should see fit to employ him for the command (in which case you will be required to furnish him the pay corresponding to his duty, or with such as you may judge proper). If you do not appoint him, you will withhold this letter.

If a few naval officers should wish to go as volunteers, you will approve it, assuring them that His Majesty will not lose sight of their resolution and spirit, but will assist them in whatever may be for their comfort, and Your Excellency will divulge this in ample time, so that the suggestion may appear attractive.

It is by His Majesty's command that I communicate these matters to Your Excellency, so that as soon as you shall have received this letter, you may apply yourself to their accomplishment, and take all other steps that may lead to the success of an enterprise which His Majesty desires shall be promptly carried out and which it is confidently expected will produce the results expected, as is plain from the fervor and zeal which you have ever shown in His Majesty's service. I should say to Your Excellency that after the enemy's country shall have been laid waste, the troops and militia must withdraw to that Island [Cuba], and a report be made of events.

God keep Your Excellency many years.
Madrid, Oct. 31, 1741.
To Don Juan Franciso de Guemes y Horcasitas