Colonel Henry Bouquet (1719-1765)

1. Colonel Henry Bouquet (1719-1765)

2. Making of an American;Colonel Henry Bouquet ArrivesDr. Steven C. McNeelAmerican Institute for History EducationThe Thomas Jefferson Liberty Fellowship Jefferson Parish Public SchoolsMarch 2, 2007

3. Who was Henry Bouquet?An 18th century Swiss emigrant who exchangedmilitary skills and experience in Europe for command and personal opportunity in North America.Henry Bouquet was the first great military figure in the history of Pennsylvania….One of the most colorful and successful soldiers in the annals of colonial America, an able organizer of men, and a brilliant strategist, he played a leading role in the successful effort of Britain to extend its rule to the territories beyond the Alleghenies.Editors of The Papers of Henry Bouquet

4. Removing the French from the Ohio Valley in 1758Establishing the British Ft. Pitt at The Forks of the Ohio RiverConducting the first British-sponsored Indian Treatyat The Forks in December 1758Relieving the besieged Ft. Pitt in 1763—Battle of Bushy RunRetrieval of over 1,000 non-Indian prisonersfrom Ohio Valley Indians in 1764John Forbes, Jeffery Amherst, Robert Monkton, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Gage, or Horatio Gates

5. A talented military officer who earned therespect of his men and the admiration of civil officials and many of his fellow officersHenry Bouquet had goodly stature, superior intelligence, and, under a cold and imposing expression, a feeling heart. He made no claim to the good opinion of others, neither did he solicit it….because of this, many men of his profession thought they could dispense with liking him. Firmness, intrepidity, calmness, presence of mind in the greatest dangers, virtues so essential in a commander, were natural to him. His presence inspired confidence and compelled respect; it reassured and yet overawed.C. G. F. Dumas (1769)

6. A European who emigrated to North Americaplanning to return, but decided to stay.It would be natural for you to have a prejudice against America…but it is the only place open to a foreigner, and the war has caused a considerable change. The towns are growing in a surprising manner, commerce is flourishing, the people are thriving, and becoming more refined, the arts are being introduced, and it can be prophesied that in a century or two, it will be equal to Europe. Now is the time to establish there. The price of land is increasing in proportion to the increase of the inhabitants, and by buying a reasonable amount t of land one is sure of leaving an estate for posterity for a small price….As for me, I should not like to change, and I find that this country is worth the trouble.Bouquet to his Uncle Julius Bouquet (1859)

7. A non-Indian who generally respected these new people he met.Colonel Burd’s Indian [Kissity] seems very much attached to us, and his is being brought up at Philadelphia.The thirty [Indians] whom Bosomworth brought back from Winchester continue to be faithful, and their chief [Yellow Bird] talked this morning to the deserters like a second Alexander.Bouquet to General John Forbes (August 1758)

8. But, expecting his Native American neighbors to cooperate with British interests.For in my humble opinion, the only certainty we can have of a lasting Peace with Savages, is not to grant it to them, but at the Head of Such Forces as must convince them of our ability to chastise them if they break it.Colonel Bouquet to General Thomas Gage (December 1963)

9. A British American who balanced a demanding public life with pursuit of his personal interests.Purchased lands in South Carolina and MarylandEnjoyed elite social life of Charleston and PhiladelphiaBought slaves and developed his Maryland lands,planting grains and fruit trees, and running a grist millFell in love with a young Quaker woman: Anne Willing

10. For teachers: How do we teach a busy life like Henry Bouquet’s in a complicated time like the mid-18th century?

11. Framing Historywith the Binary Paideia MethodPOLITEIA = institutionsPOLITEUMA = people, ideas, events (PIE)PAIDEIA = relationshipsVIRTUES = dominant, majority ethicaland moral valuesCONTRASTS = dissenting, minority attitudes,beliefs, and behaviorsLESSONS = what our historical actors learn; whatwe learn

12. POLITEIA asks: what makes our historical actorslike they are?POLITEUMA asks: who are historical actors; how do they do what they do; and, what has happened to them?PAIDEIA asks: how do historical actors relate to each other?VIRTUES & CONTRASTS ask: why do our historical actors relate the way they do?LESSONS asks: What does it all mean?

13. Henry Bouquet’s Family Background

14. Born in Rolle, Switzerland, in 1719, located on the northern short of Lake Geneva, now in the Canton of Vaud, formerly part of the Canton of Berne.

15. Most likely, an adequate and private educationas a childA sense of social duty, scholarship, and worldliness:Grandfather was a member of the Rolle Town Council, serving as President, 1711-1712Uncle served in the Dutch Military Serviceand another in the Prussian Military ServiceUncle a member of the Royal Society of London; another was a celebrated mathematician, physician, astronomer, and member of the Royal SocietyAnother uncle commanded Henry in Sardenia

16. Little Known of his Early LifeThe Wine I thought to have [stored] at Bedford was left and went [up] in Poor Callender’s House.I am undone if my Papers are destroyed, having all my receipts there before August [1756] besides my private Papers & Baggage.Henry Bouquet to Lewis Ourry (1757)We must piece things together prior to late 1756.

17. European Military Experience and Educationat The Hague

18. Progressed in the Swiss Guard RegimentCompany of the Swiss Regiment of Constant: No. 155. Henry Bouquet. Place of Birth: Rolle….Entered the Company:April 24, 1736.Progressed in the list: No. 130, October 1736and No. 108, October 1737Discharged, April 4, [1739]Sardenian Company of Rodel: Henry Bouquet, Second Lieutenant. Rolle. Entered the Company, September 1, 1739.Promoted:Henry Bouquet, Lieutenant, November 1, 1743Return of those who have left the Company…Bouquet, Henry, Rolle, Berne, April 17, 1748.

19. Battlefield Experience in Italy (1744)At the battle of Cony [Cuneo], when ordered to occupy a piece of ground on the edge of a precipice, he led them there in such a way that not one of the troop realized that they were within two steps of destruction, should the enemy come to attack them there.Meanwhile, as a calm spectator of the movements of both armies, he made his soldiers observe, in order to distract their attention, that these movements could be seen much better by the light of the moon than in broad daylight.C. G. F. Dumas (1769)

20. Dumas continued: The accounts, as accurate as they were interesting, which he sent to Holland concerning the operations of these campaigns, came to the knowledge of His Serene Highness, the late Prince of Orange [William IV], and led him to engage this officer in the service of the Republic.Bouquet recruited into the Regiment of Swiss Guards, newly formed at the Hague in 1748.

21. He immediately was chosen to go, together with Generals Burmannia and Cornabe to receive from the hands of the French the places in the Low Countries which they were to evacuate, and to arrange for the return of the prisoners of war which France handed back to the Republic in conformity with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.C. G. F. Dumas (1769)

22. Bouquet traveled around France and ItalyI shall always look upon the friendship which you were so good as to shew me, when very young, as very flattering & honourable to me.Bouquet to George, 3rd Viscount Midleton,of the Irish Peerage

23. Henry Bouquet at The HagueStudying military architectureand related courses—traditional European trainingfor fighting on a European battlefieldBefriended Frederick Haldimand, whom he ultimatelywould make hisHeir & Executor, bequeathing to him the bulk of his estate upon his death in 1765

24. Bouquet and Haldimand Recruited by the British into the Royal American RegimentMr. Bouquet and his close friend Mr. Haldimand were the first to be considered, and to be urged to serve in this brigade as lieutenant colonels. Both had already reached that rankat The Hague.This made them hesitate for some time. However, at the earnest persuasion of Sir Joseph Yorke, and upon being promised that they should be placed immediately as colonbels commandant on a plane of equality with the colonel-in-chief of the brigage, they let themselves be won over.C. G. F. Dumas (1769)

25. Rank of Lt. Colonel, reporting to Colonel John StanwixGiven command of a Division (5 Companies, or ½ Battalion)To serve “in America only”Supervised by Commander-in-Chief of allforces in AmericaNo transfer of command possible to otherRegular British Military

26. Influential Military Figure in North AmericaArrived at New York City late Summer 1756, a well-roundedofficer and gentlemanCommanded troops in upper New York, Philadelphia,the Southern Colonies, and western PennsylvaniaExtended British military presence into the Ohio Valleyand Lower Great Lakes RegionEstablished, fortified, and supplied the military“communication” connecting British America withIndian CountryDied in 1765, shortly following promotion to Brigadier Generaland appointment as Governor-General of British Florida

27. Henry Bouquet’s Life in North AmericaPublic:Important figure in determining the military, demographic, economic, and socio-cultural landscapeof western British America and the Ohio Valleyin the mid-18th century.Managed the politics and public dialogue necessaryto promote and protect the interests of the British Militaryin North America.

28. Personal: Adapted successfully to social, political, and economic life in British America, buying land and slaves, falling in love, becoming a naturalized British citizen in 1762,and ultimately deciding to remain.

29. Long Meadow Estate (Frederick County, Maryland)Obtained from Daniel Dulany in June, 1760 in alease-option arrangementOriginal 700 acres enlarged to over 4,000 acres,known then as Long Meadow Enlarged Deed formally recorded April 24, 1763Located about 140 miles from PhiladelphiaIn the vicinity of present-day Hagerstown, Maryland

30. Anne WillingSister of his friend, Philadelphia merchant and Pennsylvania Commissioner for Indian Affairs Thomas WillingAnne first appears in Bouquet’s letters on November 25, 1758,as Bouquet related the story of the Britishoccupation of The Forks of the Ohio:Opened: Dear NancyI hope to have soon the pleasure to see you, and give you a more particular account of what may deserve your curiosity: chiefly about the beauty of this situation, which appears to me beyond my description.

31. Bouquet addressed his subsequent letters to her,My dearest NancyWrote on July 4, 1760: I am conscious not to have spent one day without thinking of you, and to those thoughts I owe the only happy momente [sic] I have enjoyed.He struggled to make her believe: You tax me with having a cold heart, [but] I can assure you it is full of gratitude and love for you.Upon Bouquet’s departure to the Ohio interior to manage the French removal, Horatio Gates jibed: I am Afraid to Ask The Knight if the Lovely Nancy mourn’d His departure.

32. Successfully Adapted his European Military Training to a new North American Battlefield

33. Formidable Natural EnvironmentPlease to send us three or four Cross Cut saws to Separate the numberless, damnd, petryfyd old Logs hard as Iron, & Breaks our Axes to pieces.Colonel Adam Stephen to Colonel Bouquet (1758)In my last I took Leave of you, to enter the Shades of Death….I attempted them on horse back, but found Admittance so difficult that I was Obligd to part with horse, Sword & Coat, and make my way good with the Tomhawk.Colonel Stephen to Colonel Bouquet (August 1758)

34. Limited Population SupportProvisions: By the Inclosd state of Provisions you will see how short we fall in the Article of Flower as well as Forage…the People on the So. Branch of Potomock will be able to bring loaded Horses here, all the Winter…if they meet with Proper Incouragement.Colonel Hugh Mercer to Colonel Bouquet (December 19, 1758)If the Indians could Spare Some Corn, you are to will give them a good Price for it, delivered in the Fort.Colonel Bouquet to Colonel Mercer (December 26, 1758)

35. Wagons: Be very Severe with the Waggon Masters & drivers who have or may loose their Horses by Neglect and send me the Return of what Hobbles, Bells &c [which] may be wanted to fit them out again.When Country Waggons will bring down Hydes, Let them do it, as it is Some profit for the drivers and Encourages them to go up.Colonel Bouquet to George Morton (1759)

36. Indian Trade Goods: By Our last Intelligence from Pittsburgh the Indian Goods there were by no means Sufficient to answer the Continual demands of a Number of Western & distant Indians Coming daily in with Skins.Colonel Bouquet to Thomas Willing (1759)

37. Enemy Employing Different Military TacticsThe Enemy are all round us in partys of 6 and 10, how long they will continue so I cannot tell.Sir John St. Clair to Colonel Bouquet (1758)

38. Instrumental in Creating, Organizing, and Implementing the British Military in 18th century North America

39. Recruiting for the Royal American RegimentMoving up the Hudson River ValleyWinter Quarters in PhiladelphiaIn South Carolina, North Carolina, and GeorgiaWestern settlements of Pennsylvania, Maryland,and Virginia

40. Deploying Royal and Provincial TroopsRegulars remaining in a coastal metropolisDefending the near and coastal settlementsExtending the communication inlandInvading the distant hinterland

41. Obtaining Equipment, Supplies, and ProvisionsEuropean and North American sourcesTransporting men, money, and materielalong the “communication”The military as a regional economic stimulus

42. Critical in Removing the French Militaryfrom the Ohio ValleyExtending the communication into Indian CountryBattle of Loyalhannon and Battle of The Forks (1758)Removing French troops from the Ohio Valleyand Lower Great Lakes RegionBattle of Bushy Run and the relief of Ft. Pitt (1763)

43. The Battle of Bushy Run (1763)After a march of 17 miles, the savages suddenly attacked our advanced guard, which was immediately supported by the two light Infantry Companies of the 42d Regiment, who drove the Enemy from their Ambuscade, & pursued them a good Way.The savages returned to the attack and the Fire being obstinate on our Front and extending along our Flanks, we made a general Charge with the whole Line to dislodge the savages from the Heights, in which attempt we succeeded, without obtaining by it any decisive advantage, for as soon as they were driven from one Post, they appeared on another, till by continual Reinforcements, they were at last able to surround us, & attacked the Convoy lefft in our Rear: This obliged us to march back to protect it.Colonel Bouquet to Sir Jeffery Amherst (August 5, 1763)

44. Bushy Run Battlefield

45. Conducted Indian Treaty Makingin the Ohio ValleyDecember 1758—the first British-sponsored treaty conductedat The Forks of the Ohiosupervised George Croghan’s treaty makingin the Ohio ValleyBouquet traveled deep into Indian Country (1764)and conducted a series of treaties for a return of prisonersissues: trade, land, return of captives, andmilitary alliance

46. Colonel Bouquet Negotiates withIndian Representatives,Ohio Indian Country, 1764

47. Instrumental in Defining Relations Between Indians and Non-Indians in the18th century Ohio ValleyPersonally experienced British discriminationNot British American—impressed by Native Americans,provided they are amiableEncouraged fair trade and treatmentProclamation Against Settlement (1761)

48. Proclamation Against SettlersWhereas…The Country to the West of the Alleghany Mountains is allowed to the Indians for their Hunting Ground, and as it is of the Highest Importance to His Majesty’s Service, the Preservation of the Peace and a good understanding with the Indians, to avoid giving them any Just cause of Complaint, this is therefore to forbid any of His Majesty’s Subjects to Settle or Hunt to the West of the Alleghany Mountains on any Pretence Whatsoever, unless such Persons have obtained leave in Writing of the General or the Governor’s of their Privinces Respectively and produced the same to the Commanding Officer at Fort Pitt.H. Bouquet (October 31, 1761)

49. Left Six Volumes of Letters and PapersLetters, public and personalOrders, received and givenTreaty plans and negotiationsRecruiting, deploying, and supporting troops

50. In what ways did Henry Bouquet “Arrive”in North America?His life was a multi-faceted one of military success,cultural adaptation, high society access, compassionate understanding of soldiers and Indians, and commitment to serving the King of England.