NATHL. SHIPTON

_Secretary's Office, Halifax, April 30th, 1770._

Captain * * * Godfrey * * * has the Governor's permission to occupy the
Fort and barracks of Frederick on the St. John River, &c., &c.

RICHARD BULKELY.]

After spending the winter at Halifax, he chartered a brig in the month
of May, 1770, and then putting on board his goods and stores sailed for
Fort Frederick with his wife and family. On his arrival at the fort he
carefully surveyed the situation and concluded that he would abandon the
idea of trading there.

He found no one at the fort to assist him in protecting it, and a few
days after his arrival the Indians became so troublesome and threatening
that he found it would be impossible to remain there, protect the fort
single-handed, and carry on trading operations successfully.

One afternoon the Indians appeared before the fort in numbers,
threatening that if the place was not vacated at once they would murder
the occupants. They then made a rush and got within the enclosure, and
soon after retired.

Captain Godfrey had fortunately purchased from the master of the vessel
in which he brought his merchandize to the fort, a small boat. The boat
had been securely moored at the island below the fort.

The day following the assembling at the fort the savages again appeared
and attempted to steal the boat, and would have done so had not Mrs.
Godfrey succeeded in reaching the shore in time to discharge a musket at
the thieves. The Redskins pulled the boat to the spot where she stood,
but Mrs. Godfrey never moved from the position she had taken. When the
Indians were in the act of jumping on shore she ordered them to take the
boat back to the place from whence they had loosed it. One of the
Redskins, a tall, muscular fellow, who could speak some English, asked
her if she would get into the boat and go with them. If so, the boat
would be taken back and made fast. She replied, "I have no doubt you are
an honest man and would do no injury to a weak, pale-faced woman, I will
go with you." And as she said these words, she sprang into the boat and
sat down, resting the musket upon her knees.

The Indians paddled the boat back to the place whence they had loosed
it, and not one of them uttered a word. After the boat had been made
fast Mrs. Godfrey was assisted ashore by the tall, muscular savage, his
four companions walking away without saying a word. They were soon
joined by their tall, muscular