History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

30 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [172.5.
fort. From the opening of hostilities the authorities cherished
a phm for demolishing this stronghold. Its capture
was included in the proposed raid upon the St. Francis Indians,
and the fighting captains in Hampshire County were
eager for permission to lead an expedition for its destruc-
tion. But nothing was accomplished, and it was not till
May, 1725, that any decided movement was made to that
end. Early in that year, Gov. Dummer suggested to Col.
Partridge that Capt. Benjamin Wright should be sent upon
an expedition to the Canada frontiers. Though the Governor
^ may not have had in mind Gray Lock's fort as an
objective point. After Gov. Dummer had suggested the
enterprise to Col. Partridge, Capt. Wright sent the following
letter to his excellency : —
"Northampton, May 29, 1725.
Sir I Received an order from Co" Partridge Pursuant to your Houn-
er's directions for me, to wait upon him, In order to Inlist men to Goe
in Quest of the enemy. Sir. I am very Willing to Goe and doe what I
can but y* undertaking being so very dificolt, and y« fitting out so
chargable y' the men Cant Possibly Goe upon y«^ Encorridgment but if
there was a suitable Encorridgment, No doubt but men would Goe (but
y" unhappy Loss of y" men in y" Last Expedition, by y" missmanigment
of y officers^ has very much disspirited People young and old)
and it seems to me y" Probable Place to be attained, and y« most Sarviceable
when done, is Messesquicli Gray Lock's fort but I would not
Prescribe to your houner, but only Just offer my opinion, if y cannoes
which was Last vsed In y" expedition, was secured for y" Goverment It
Would be Well. I Remain Sir your obident and most Humb''' Sar".
Benj. Wright.
To y'' Hon'''*^ Will Dummer Esq.
Left. Gov. & Command"" In chief &c."
Capt. Wright's Ex-
Col. Partridge advised that Wright's party
pedition. sliould be allowcd double pay if "they re-
turn with scalps." Capt. Wright speedily
raised a company of sixty or seventy men, started from
Northfield for Missisquoi Bay on the 27"' of July, and
returned on the 3'^ of September. No traces of the enemy
were found till they were well on their homeward way.
Three Indians were discovered near Miller's River, but being
mistaken for friends, they were permitted to escape.
1 In January, Gov. Dummer in .a letter to Col. Stoddard, regretted that an attack
had not already been made upon Gray Lock's Port. But Stoddard thought the time
inopportune, as commissioners were then in negotiation with the Indians.
2 Very probably he refers to the drowning of the three Northampton soldiers,
alluded to above.