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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC09054.06 |
| From Archive Folder | Papers of British Secretary of War, Henry Fox, relating to Braddock's defeat near Fort Duquesne and the recall of William Shirley due to the "Intercepted Letters Scandal" |
| Title | Henry Fox to William Shirley regarding a spy |
| Date | 20 March 1756 |
| Author | Fox, Henry, Baron Holland (1705-1774) |
| Recipient | Shirley, William |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Informs Shirley that one of his men, Lydius is a spy and expresses surprise "that you (Shirley) should, this Summer, have employed M. Lydius...who [is] suspected to carry on a secret correspondence with the Government of Canada." Demands an explanation for Lydius' employment and his instructions to William Johnson regarding his promises to the Indians if they join the British. Requires Shirley to answer by way of the Commander in Chief and give a character account of "every person you have employed." Writes, despite the suspicions, "The great Regard I have for you, Sir, makes me very impatient to receive your answer, because I will not doubt but you have good Reasons..." Noted as a copy on the upper left hand corner. Gilt edges and watermarked with a fleur-de-lis, V, backward C, I and VI. |
| Subjects | Global History and Civics Military History Spying French and Indian War France Corruption and Scandal American Indian History |
| People | Fox, Henry, Baron Holland (1705-1774) Shirley, William (1694-1771) |
| Place written | London, England |
| Theme | Foreign Affairs; French & Indian Wars; Native Americans |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | Fox was the British Lord of the Treasury in 1743, Secretary at War and member of the Privy Council in 1746, and in 1755 became leader of the House of Commons, Secretary of State for the Southern Department and a member of the cabinet under the Duke of Newcastle. Shirley was the British governor of Massachusetts from 1741 to 1759. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |