To Benjamin Franklin from William Clapham, 8 September 1756
From William Clapham
Extract:11 Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
[September 8, 1756]
This Post12 which is in my Opinion of the utmost Consequence to the Province is already defensible against all the Power of Musquetry, but as it is from the Nature of its Situation expos’d to a more formidable Descent from the West Branch1 it ought I think to be render’d still stronger, for which Purpose a greater Number of Horses and Teams are necessary. ’Tis likewise expedient that this Garrison should be supply’d with at least Six Month’s Provisions and Stores equivalent.2
Endorsed: Extract of Coll Claphams Lre of 8 Septr. to B F.
11. The extract is in William Franklin’s hand, the endorsement in Richard Peters’.
12. Fort Augusta, at Shamokin, the present Sunbury, Pa.; see the preceding document.
1. Of the Susquehanna. Clapham feared that French and Indians from Fort Duquesne might have artillery for their often rumored but never executed attack on Fort Augusta.
2. Elias Meyer, lieutenant of engineers in the Royal American Regiment, and apparently a French-speaking Swiss, was sent to plan the strengthening of Fort Augusta in October. Meanwhile Clapham undertook the work, though without the horses: as late as November 8 he complained to Denny, “we have at present no other method of removing the Dirt but by Hand Barrows, and the tedious way of casting it with shovels from man to man.” 1 Pa. Arch., III, 12, 14, 41, 47; PMHB, XXXVI (1912), 403; Pargellis, Military Affairs, p. 277.