A series of letters from Colonel Simon Fraser, 63rd Regiment of Foot, to Jeffrey Amherst, Commander-in-Chief of the British army in North America and Colonel of the 60th (Royal American) Regiment, providing a memorial on the status of the regiment in October 1759.
Sir
The affairs of this army have taken a happy turn since I had the honor of writing you by Capt. Strobo, and General Monckton's thinking that in the present situation my being here might be of some use. I resolved to stay altho' he was at the same time so good as to give me leave to go to the Continent upon the Surgeons giving it as their advice; I am far from claiming any merit from doing my duty, but as you was pleased to promise me leave to go to England, I hope you will not think me less entitled to it when next Campaign is over As not having my leave in writing woud tho' Quebec had not been have prevented my going this winter, I shall take it as a very great favor if you will be so good as to send me your leave to go when next Campaign is over by some of those who come to join this Army in case they shoud act Seperately if it was not of the last consequence to me I do assure your Sir I woud give you no trouble.
I take liberty to enclose a Memorial with regard to the affairs of the Regiment, if you shoud think any part of it unreasonable, the only apology I have is a common & in this instance a very true one, that it is owing to your extraordinary goodness to us. It is necessary to mention that Alexander Fraser proposed to purchase an Ensigncy is in Scotland, my reason for Refrencing you woud consent to his purchaseing & being sent for imediatly is his being eldest son to Capt. Fraser of this Regiment, who died in the Service.
I have the honor to be with the greatest respect,
Sir
Your obliged & obedient
Servt. S. Fraser
Quebec Octr. 25th. 1759.
Memorial For the 63d. Regiment
Lieut. William McDonald being in such a state of health as to be incapable or serving, and at the same time unfit to apply to any other Business, the eldest Ensign and a Volunteer having advanced mony to pay his Debts, General Monckton has given him leave to go to England, and it is humbly proposed to General Amherst that he shou'd go out upon half pay, and that the succession should be the following gentlemen, who advanced money to pay his debts.
Eldest Ensign Harry Munro
Volunteer Archibald Fraser
Major Clephane finding himself unfit and unable to join the Regiment last Campaign gave power to Colo. Young to sell his majority with consent of the Commander in Chief, and it was agreed with Colo. Young if consent shou'd be obtain'd, that Capt. McPherson eldest Capt. shou'd give Major Clephane £1100 Str. and five shillings a day, while the Regt. stands, or two shillings and five pence a day in case of it's Reduction for life for his majority; as this is the only way Capt. McPherson can purchase, it is hoped in consideration of his long and aproved service & the Esteem he is in with the Regt. that the General will be pleased to consent to it, in that case the following succession is humbly proposed.
Capt. Lieut. Charles McDonell for the Compy [wounded this Campaign]
Eldest Lieut. Archibald Campbell for the Capt. Lieut'cy [wounded this Campaign]
Alexander Fraser for the Ensigncy
Capt. James Fraser having had weak eyes for some time was reduced almost to blindness, by being several hours exposed to a very hot sun, & afterwards to the waist in water in the attack on Momerency the 31st. July since which time he has been constantly confined, & Mr. Adair giving him no hopes of Recovery, he finds himself obliged to desire the General's leave to sell, which he hopes he will be pleased to grant to 26 years service of which there was Seven Campaigns of War. If the General is so good as to allow the purchase to go on in the Regiment, the following succession is humbly proposed.
For the Company, the eldest Lieut. & Qr. Mr. John Fraser
For the Lieutenancy
For the Ensigncy
For the Quarter Mastership George Gordon
The Gentlemen proposed of all the above Purchases have lodged Credit for the Money at York.
If the General is pleased to grant leave for the above purchases as the persons recommended except Ensign John Campbell are the eldest of their several Ranks, tis hoped the General will make their Commissions of this date, as otherwise they wou'd lose Rank in case of any promotion here during the Winter.
Several Invalids disabled in the Campaign, not being out of the Surgeon's hands were obliged to be sent with the hospital to York. Lieut. John Fraser Qr. Mr. has recommend a long discharges to be given to them, when the General thinks it proper to order them to England. There are also gone to the Continent a number of Scorbutic men, many of whom are totally unfit for Service by age and Infirmity, if the General wou'd be pleased to order them to be inspected by the Director of the Hospital Lieut. John Fraser has discharges for whatever number he is pleased to order to be discharged.
Quebec Octr. 25th 1759
S. Fraser. Colo. 63d Regt.
Note: Captain James Fraser eventually resigned his commission effective 13 December 1759, and was succeeded by Captain Charles McDonell [TNA, W.O. 25/27, p.70].
John Adair was a assigned surgeon on 24 September 1754 to the hospital in North America, and in 1759 served as Deputy Director of the hospital at New York [TNA, W.O. 25/23, p.180; W.O. 34/17, p.333].
Source:
TNA, W.O. 34/78, p.39-40;103-104.
© Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2023.