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

1754] FOURTH FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 249
Connecticut river." He complains that Col Israel and
Major Ephraim concert such schemes as they "think
proper, and labour it with y'" Governour, and he also with
y*" whole court," while "Col. Partridge schemes something
different perhaps, which he Avill labour with ye Governour
and House. I am privy to neither scheme, and perhaps y"
first of my hearing thereof should be in y*' House." He
says " I don't think y* in my private capacity I am of much
importance in such matters, but as a member of y*^ House
it is possible I may be, for I have always spoke my mind
in y'' House and sometimes have been heard." ^ Major
Israel Williams and Major Hawley were cousins, and as
nothing further has come to light, it is presumed that
neither party pressed the quarrel to the point of interference
with the best interests of the service. In November
Major Hawley was appointed on a committee in connection
with Major Elijah Williams and Capt. Timothy Ruggles
to disburse money in building and repairing forts on the
frontier west of Connecticut River. In the above proposed
list of officers Major Hawley claims one of the companies
as his own, but there is no proof that he ever entered the
field. Indeed in July of the succeeding year, after news
came of the disaster at Hoosack, he gives two reasons for
not volunteering. They were as follows: — "one is that
the weather is so extream hot that it would instantly bringon
y*" disorder to which I am incident in hot weather," and
the other was the "hurrying time in y" business of my
profession." 2 From evidence thus far obtained, it seems
that Major Hawley passed from the rank of chaplain at
Louisburg in 1745, to that of major in 1754, without ever
having taken part in anything more hazardous than an
occasional scouting expedition, yet he took a prominent
part in the organization of the Hampshire County Regiments,
as will hereafter be noted.
Activity Everywhere. All the forts ou the frontiers were garrisoned
in 1755, and scouting parties were
constantly on the move. Indians hovered about in every
direction. Attacks were made upon fortified places in New
1 Perry's Williamstown, pp. 267, 268.
2 lb., p. 208.